"Hot Mess"

Hot Mess...lol...my new favorite phrase that is just catching on in Pittsburgh.  Not sure if it's well known or not but means something like a chaotic mess.  Actually, it's more of a hood term here.

I begged Shelly for that tag above.  Toooooo cute, isn't it?  And, no I'm not painting today.  The sun is supposed to shine all day so I'm baking by my pool.  My BF came up last night and put different sand in my filter.  We got the bargain basement stuff.  That has been the problem all along with my pool.  The sand was too coarse and not catching the dirt and just pumping it right back into the pool.

Ok...now do mom's always know best?  Of course.  I am very in tune to my instincts.  Boy, was I right.  After we got done with the pool, I could smell gas around the car I just had fixed.  My BF crawled under and looked.  My gas tank is rusted and sprung a leak....grrrr  The estimate is $250 to $350.  I know it will be close to $400 because I put a gas tank in my beater car two years ago.  Pa. and the road salt don't do well underneath cars.  I really need to trade that piece of crap car in but just can't afford to do it until my next grade promotion which, hopefully, will be next June.  So, anyway, Mama was dead on about that car not making it to Fla. and back.

My Joey is having some problems with his depression returning.  Please say some big prayers for him.  He has another doctor's appt. on Wed.  The latest med is just not working.  I feel for him and anyone else who has ever suffered from chronic depression knows that it is hell on earth.  I've been there and done that for many years.  Praise the Lord, I've been well for 20 yrs now.  This is so hard for me because I know how awful it is and there is nothing I can do for him.  I hesitated to mention this in my journal because he is so sensitive but I do know that when J-Landers pull together and pray, big things happen.

Becky IM'd me the other night.  Her ex's parents have their retirement home built in Myrtle Beach.  She goes every year with her ex as friends.  This year he has a new GF so she's going but his parents love Becky and said we could use it in August.  No problem, so I thought, but now I'm wondering if my car will make it.  I still have to give this some thought.  I might look into renting a car but think it might cost a little too much to take it out of state.  I will check into a weekly deal and see.

My job is going well.  I have to quit being OCD over not being a pro.  I've only had access to my systems for 2 weeks even though I've been there 5 weeks.  My old area upstairs is a total "hot mess."  Our new director came on the 5th of July.  I cannot believe they let that mess sit there.  I thought they would at least try to organize the mess.  Oh well...not my problem.

I'm just very thankful that Megan didn't take my car.  And with all the health problems around J-Land, I'm thankful that I'm dealing with my car right now.  It could be far worse....

Last night was Days Inn night, and, no, Sharon...lol...we didn't crash any weddings.  Actually, we don't crash weddings.  The wedding parties come into the open lounge after their receptions and provide tons of entertainment.  You wouldn't believe some of the fights the brides and grooms have right after their receptions.  Sort of makes me wonder how long those marriages are gonna survive.

I've been reading the UK journals.  Today it has been one year since the terrorist attack.  Let's all join them in prayers for some peace in this world.

Off and running I go....time to vacuum the pool and pray I get that darned dirt off the bottom.

Have a great day!!!!!!!!

                 CHRIS  (Thanks, Lisa Jo, for these cute, cute sends I got today...love you!)

 

Pulling My Hair Out

Thanks to Dianna, Just Taggin' Along And Back Talkin' still a good link, just her previous name for Sazzy Kreationz.  Such a beautiful, serene tag.  Hope it rubs off on me today.

I'm just feeling so darned confused and stupid at work.  I have no less than 30 different, archaeic screens that I have to use.  Drives me nuts.  We got rid of this system in lieu of a new one in comp & pension at my old job at least five years ago.  Of course, the new one drove us crazy but was soooooo user friendly. I loved it.  The old system I'm back on looks like heiroglyphics.  I can't understand half of them because I never used these particular screens in the past.  I have two systems that feed off of each other.  The new case management system I love but it grabs all the info off the 40 year old system.  If a case won't go through and complete, there's an error somewhere.  Then I have to go through 30 screens and try to figure out the error on the beast system. 

I got two rejects back today that somehow went through with errors.  My boss was giving me instructions on what to do with them but I was running out the door.  Good grief!  This is like a totally different VA I'm in now.

I called Megan at 3 pm.  They were just pulling in and unloading.  It took them 19 hrs which is about right.  I'm so thankful they arrived in one piece.  Lord, I wish I had stowed away in the trunk.  I WANT to see the beach and the sun and feel the heat.  Pa. has very little nice weather.  The summer restores me so I can live through the drab and dreary months.  LOL...I do believe I have a sun addiction.  When I was sitting in Ft. Myers airport last summer, CNN was doing a piece on this very thing.

Thank God tomorrow is Friday.  I'm praying for a beautiful sunny day this weekend; at least one day.  Today the skywas blue when I left for work; very chilly; only 50 but not a cloud in the sky.  The clouds rolled in again around 11 am and it's only 70.  I don't need 90; I could live with 80 and SUN....yes, I want to see the sun.

I have so much mail to sort through.  No one emptied my mail box for days.  I don't think the mailman could have crammed one more thing in it.  I took my trash out to the curb this morning and about died when I opened the box.  I know what my job will be for tonight.

Hope everyone is having a better one than me.  I'm thinking the furnace may click on again tonight.  Can you believe it?

              Chris

 

The Princess is Departing

Thanks to Cherry/Diama for the tag above. Chocolate Cherried Creations

Tonight is the night that my princess is leaving for Fla.  Of course, as a mom, I'm very nervous.   I have to drop her off at her girlfriend's house at 7:30.  Why in the world they decided to leave in the evening I'll never know but they are planning on driving straight through.  She was supposed to work until 9 tonight but someone switched with her last night.  Lord, I figured they would leave earlier since she was off.  I'm saying my prayers for a safe trip.

Of course, the sun is shining beautifully today.  If I still had my old job, I would definitely be "sick" tomorrow as it is supposed to be gorgeous Thurs. and Friday.  Hope it continues into Saturday so I can bake for at least one day this summer in my pool.

LOL...so what day is it anyway?  These Tuesday holidays screw me up totally especially since I worked on Monday.  I had no idea half the time today what day it was.  Whoo hoo...only two more days left until Friday.

I think I'm starting to recognize a couple of things at work.  Well, just when I think I know something, a brand new thing pops up.  I hate not knowing everything.  I was far too used to be the pro at stuff, especially correcting errors.  Once I know how to correct things, I won't be so spastic. 

So, anyhoo, Megan ran off somewhere to get something and should be back soon and off she goes.  Actually, I would give anything to be off to the beach and some sun and fun right now.  I would like to go to Va. Beach in September when the rates drop.  Hope I can scrounge together some money.  I feel bad, though, because I'd like Becky to come also but she will be in school.  So, it may be just Joe and me.  I have to call Becky and see if she has a vacation planned and see what we can work out.

Have a great evening......

             (I think I may need a couple of drinks tonight.  Probably won't get a wink of sleep....)

Happy Independence Day

Thanks to D for the tag above.  This and that, and hockey!  Due to the washout in western Pa. today, there won't be fireworks tonight.  All events have been rescheduled for this weekend.  LOL...shhh...I hate fireworks because I hate the noise.  I'm the wuss you see plugging their ears.

I did manage to get the ribs on the grill during one brief moment when the rain stopped.  Did I mention I'm beginning to hate rain with a passion?

The 4th of July, or Independence Day, is a celebration in the USA.  Sort of awkward since we have such good friends in the UK.  I tend to use July 4th as the day to celebrate and reflect upon the freedom that we enjoy as Americans.

                    

It hardly seems like it's been 30 years since the bicentennial.  I was 22 yrs old at the time.  I'm sure many were very small or not even born yet.  Time flies by so fast.  I have many keepsakes in my attic, which are probably worthless, from that year.

Hope everybody has a safe holiday today.  Watch out for the other drivers who may have celebrated too much and don't have enough sense to give up the keys.  Be careful with the fireworks, if you're doing any at your BBQ's.

                         

Well, Megan is right about one thing....Johnny Depp is HOT...lol.  My BF invited me over for dinner tonight.  He made chicken parmesan with spaghetti as a side.  He baked the spaghetti with sausage and all kinds of cheeses.  Yummy..that boy can cook!

He rented Pirates of the Caribbean last night.  I never saw the first one.  Ooo la la...now I want to see the second one.  Must be that rugged look.  But I loved the movie.  Megan is totally "gaga" over Johnny Depp and has wanted the DVD forever.

Of course, Orlando Bloom isn't too hard on the eyes either......

Good food; lots of eye candy...what more could a girl ask for?

            

Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th.  No plans here except some ribs on the grill.  Megan has to work until 10 and is bummed about missing the fireworks so it will only be Joey and me for dinner.  My BF can't take the humidity so is passing on the cookout.

                  

Calm

I'm sending the biggest hug out to Shelly.  I'm always fussing with  myself over what tag to use and out of the blue Shelly made this for me.  It's so perfect for today.  Thanks Shelly from the bottom of my heart!

I want to thank you all for your supportive comments yesterday.  My heart was torn but I knew what had to be done.  Megan is still going to Naples.  Her bestfrind, Kelsie, is taking their car which is 3 yrs old with 30,000 miles on it.  That was too easy.  I don't know why she wanted to take our car to begin with.  Raising girls seems to be so much harder than boys.  I'm still not thrilled that they are traveling as far as they are.  Joey and I did that trip last August.  We stopped in Chattanooga to visit some friends and spent the night.  It's a beast of a trip from Pittsburgh to Naples...1,600 miles.  I will pray that they have a safe trip.  That's all I can do.

Weather wise here is not great...far too much rain but I think the Lord is watching out for me.  I had some pre-cancerous patches removed last August and was told to avoid the sun.  Of course, I am a sun addict.  LOL..Deb, my pool is slowly getting cleaner but my compressor for my AC is not scheduled until July 14th.  Sears had to find another vendor for it.  Go figure...it's a Kenmore AC but they don't have a compressor for it in stock nationwide.  Thankfully, it's still plugging away after the first blow out.

My Friday story for my pool....I got home from the OVR fiasco and decided to run the vacuum.  I almost fell in the pool because I slipped.  Stupid me should have just fallen in like I do at least once or twice a year but no I decided to try and avoid it.  We have a deck surrounding the whole pool which I love.  There is one board that has hinges to add the chemicals to the skimmer thingie which I had opened.  Now, we're talking maybe 8 inches at most for this board.  Well, the right side of my body fell into the hole because the board was open.  LOL..how in the world this body of mine fell into there I'll never know but I did get wedged.  The end result is bruises and scratches all up and down my right leg and arm.  I thought I did something to my ankle but thankfully that has gone away.  A total klutz...that's me.

I have to work tomorrow which seems so strange because so many are off.  I almost feel like I am too and have to keep reminding myself that I need to get up tomorrow.

It looks like a storm is moving in again.  I got about an hour in the pool today which was so relaxing.  The forecast stinks until at least Thursday for the coming week.

My BF and I went to Days Inn last night.  Two weddings so the place was hopping.  I got my dancing fix in.

Now, it's off to the SuperCenter to do some shopping and to Sam's Club...hehehehe....Penny, I hope those hunks come over to my car.

Hope our AOL problems dissipate soon because it's starting to more than annoy me.........

Oh, I almost forgot....Megan went to visit her big sis, Becky, on Friday.  Becky is now a redhead and looks so much like Megan except with a thinner face.  She sent me a picture.  I actually think she looks so pretty.  She is tired of not being taken seriously as a blonde.  Since she's is starting the Ph.d. program in Sept. in microbiology, she wanted a change.  She took the picture herself in her bathroom as soon as they got finished so it's not a great one.

                        

Smiles today and Hugs to all........

 

CHRIS

The Pink Princess

The above was not made by me.  I have no idea who it belongs to but it fits my mood.

It struck me because this child so resembles my Megan when she was small...always in pink; always smiling and bubbly; a hug and a kiss constantly.  Where did that little girl go?  She's lost in the rage of turning 20 and wanting to travel her own way.

Yesterday was a tough one.  A little history:  Before I left for Ohio, she was planning a trip to Hilton Head next week with her best hometown girlfriend.  She asked if she could take my car.  I was hesitant because the car has 97,000 miles on it but reluctantly agreed.  She had taken it to Va. Beach and Ocean City previously without incident.  I was keeping my fingers crossed that the car would make it there and back.

My BF, Joey and I were going out to dinner last night.  (Joey's OVR counselor meeting was a total joke.)  Megan was leaving for work.  Somehow it was brought up that she would be driving 1,600 miles on Thursday.  Joey picked it up.  It went over my head.  He said something to her.  That's when the bombshell was dropped that the plans had changed, and they were going to a friend's place in Naples, Fla.  I flipped my lid all through dinner.  Megan was gone already so I couldn't discuss it with her.

So, we're talking 3,200 miles round trip in the heat of the south in a car with 97,000 miles on it.  I wouldn't do it myself.  I was worried about 1,500 miles roundtrip to Hilton Head.

I also thought that Megan was up to something and being deceitful because she said she told Joey and me while we were out at the pool last Saturday.  Neither of us remember this at all.

She worked until 1 am so I had time to cool down and think rationally.  I told her when she got home that my car was not going to Fla.  She was stunned and started crying.  I now know she mentioned something in passing last week about maybe having to go to Fla and then she laughed and was off to work.  I know, in her mind, that was her way of telling me that is what she was doing.  Had she been trying to pull a fast one, she would have been furious, not hysterically crying.  Still, no way is she taking my car to Fla.

Ok, so now I'm feeling awful about ruining a vacation but as a mom with the better judgment, that is the way it has to be.  There are four of them going.  Options are that someone else will provide transportation or they change their plans.  It's not pleasant being the spoiler of plans but my main priority is my child's safety.  I also can't afford to lose my only semi-dependable car.

Megan simply cannot fathom the difference between pounding my car 750 miles to Hilton Head vs. 1,600 miles to Naples.  I can understand that because she just turned 20 on June 8th and has that "nothing will happen to me" attitude.  That's what I'm there for.  I've been far too liberal with her all along.  Much more so than my other two.  Then again, she has been the child all along that has pushed the buttons to the limit.

I'm waiting for the other shoe to fall today.  I know this whole tornado has not blown over yet.  I understand this child of mine because I was very much the same way at that age.  The only difference is times were very different when I was that age.  We didn't even have the options or the freedom that young ones take for granted today.

I'm in such turmoil over this but will most definitely stick to my guns.  I'm used to being "hated" off on and on.

             Megan, I love you more than you will ever understand at this point in time, which is exactly why you are going to hate me for a while......

HUGS to all!