TNT

Wanted to share my daughter/her father's efforts with the Armodillo Cake.  They did a great job, lol.  I received a full refund on the other cake.  Going to pick up the top piece today on my way home from Weight Watchers.  Then I'm stuck here at home for the day on call for Sears to come in and look at the stove.  I hope they can fix it.  You never know how much you miss something until you don't have it. 

I plan to take another walk today prior to WW.  When I get home, I will finish out laundry and cleaning up around here.  I am also going to take advantage of the time to organize "stuff" for next week's yard sale. 

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Just wanted to share a quick note that I made it to the track.  Along the way, I passed a father with his two teen age daughters.  It was obvious they were not thrilled to be walking in the AM with dad, LOL.  He was trying to hard to encourage them along the way.  Next up, two women that had finished their walk and were sitting outside the fence chatting.  I bade them a good morning, and they said hi and then I was on my way. 

I finished one mile today.  In that time, I thought about past walks.  I used to walk every morning, no matter the weather when I lived in town.  It was my time to collect my thoughts, pray and talk to God and plan.  I may have shared before, that at some point during those walks and talks with God, a blue bird would end up sitting on the fence post each time.  Beautiful lil creature and it would sing its heart out.  It became a promise of sorts, something to look forward to, a reminder that no matter the bad that was going on in life, there is still good.  There is hope.  To keep trying. 

So, today I know it was silly because gosh this was about eight or nine years back when all this took place, I looked for the little blue bird.  No sight of him.  I talked with God and asked Him to please help me.  I know I've gotten off track with my health and I so desperately need to start regularly exercising again.  Before this weight creates bigger issues than just size for me.  Diabetes, heart disease, cancer to name a few run in my family on both sides.  I'm begging for trouble, if I continue down this terrible path.  So, my prayer was simple, please help give me the strength.  So, I'm not tired.  Help me with my stomach issues because that has been holding me back from going to the track for fear I will need a bathroom (I know, but its true).  Help me because my leg is hurting everyday now, and is starting to hurt worse.  I know its the excess weight that is finally grabbing it.  Help me to be strong and do my part, because it can't just be Him helping me along.  And oh yes, I'm sorry because it seems like days go by and I haven't even reached out to talk to You.  Life has crowded me to suchan extent, that I have lost sight of the one constant in my life.  God's love for me.  I am trying and struggling to do all this on my own.  I end up going backwards for every five steps taken.  I need my faith.  Some might not understand it, or agree with it.  And that's okay.  But I need it.  I need to feel part of God's day, and not just make Him part of mine, if that makes sense.

As I rounded that last corner of the track, I saw it.  It flew to the fence line that had been so familiar to me in times past.  A blue bird.  My heart leaped a bit, I admit.  And then something incredible, the old blue bird lifted its wings and flew around once and landed again but this time quite a few of them landed and had come from nowhere.  I got to tell you, my eyes welled up with tears of joy.  Some may say it was a coincidence, but I saw it as a message from my Father in heaven, and it was good to feel loved.  Very good.

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It is very quiet this morning, with exception of the birds twittering outside.  The dog has been taken care of with feeding and her walk outside and is now settled and back to snoring.  The brat cat was chasing a moth downstairs.  The husband and daughter are still sleeping.  I'm debating on what to do with today.

I had a talk with the baker lady.  We had a nice visit, and I'm keeping the refund.  I will pick up the top part of the cake on Saturday, less the flowers.  She is a very nice lady and wants to make this right.  I appreciate it.  Also, on Saturday I have a repairman coming into re-look at the range.  I am not totally convinced its not an electrical problem but I need to rule this out first before I go back to my home owner's insurance and give them what for and they best send me an electrician that knows what they are doing because I'm tired of messing around.  I am not sure what's going to happen with the husband's TV, its his big screen one.  It will be a shame if it can't be fixed.  I actually wanted to keep that one, but get rid of the monstrosity up in our living room.  I'd like to get a flat panel plazma that hangs on the wall instead (space saver).

Work was a pain in the you know where yesterday.  My boss went on one of her tirades that really ticked me off.  She wanted to complain and that was all there was to it.  I spoke with my old boss about her and she said she might be stressed out because she made her take back three projects and told her they need done like yesterday.  Well one of them belonged to one of my team members.  She did not get it done and so my boss was doing it for her.  So instead of her grumping at me, she should of called that team member in and gave her what for.  I guess I just happened to walk in at the wrong time, lol.  So fine.  It was one of those days when I was glad she left for the day. 

The husband was going to take a drive to PA yesterday to get "fireworks".  It did not work out for him to do so, and I"m soooo glad.  Each year, I have to hold my breath as he lets those things off that hedoesn't burn someone's house down.  He's like Tim the Toolman with a rocket launcher, lol.  YIKES.  One thing I will say, it got the entire neighborhood of men out side to watch in admiration.  They bonded.  It was kind of funny to watch LOL.

I am debating on whether I should go put some exercise clothes on and just go for a walk.  We have a group that walks the neighborhood.  There is couple "A".  He walks and his wife is steady talking the entire time.  I never and I mean never, see him saying anything, lol.  Next up, couple "B".  They don't actually walk together.  Its like they start out at separate times.  Kind of strange.  Couple "C" has been reduced to just his wife and a very old dog.  I have not seen him around so I am wondering if he has taken ill or what.  Then there is the family with the beautiful golden retrievers.  They don't walk them often but its quite a sight when they do.  Gorgeous dogs.  There is one other couple, a really nice lady.  They have mutt dogs and they really walk because I've seen them walk the entire neighborhood and then they go out of the neighborhood and down quite a ways.  Whoa.  Me -- I'm not a neighborhood walker.  I prefer the track.  That way I know if I go around it four times, I've done a mile.  I also don't have to worry about stray dogs or dogs that people fail to leash.  I'm scared I'll be chased up a tree, lol.  That happened to me a couple times as a kid and I never quite got over it.

Happy Independence Day!

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I got home from a busy day of work, picked up dinner for the husband and I from Applebees and then checked on our mail.  No, I did not get my stimulus check as of yet (and thanks I did not respond to that email).  However, I did receive a check and a note from the baker lady.  She gave me a full refund, with a note that I could pick up the top portion of the cake at her store on Saturday, if convenient.  She had initially written me and offered to refund me less than half of the initial amount paid and the top part of the cake, and I had accepted it.  Of course, I also had to make a couple more comments that others in the wedding party felt I was entitled to a full refund since no benefit was received and we could never grab that moment back, however, inspite of it and the weather - the wedding went very well.  I knew she had worked hard to try and get it to us. 

So now I receive a full refund, and feel awkward -- like maybe I was too harsh?  I know some may feel I am entitled to it.  However, I feel some consideration is due her way for the time she spent on it.  The cake was beautfiul and had it not been for her car breaking down - I'm sure would of tasted wonderful. Plus, the fact she is redoing the top portion of the cake.  So is it worth a refund of less than half?  I guess that is what I need to decide and will offer her back some of the money.  I did not mean to guilt her into giving me a full refund, or did I?  LOL

It is going to be an adjustment with the eldest home.  She is as nocturnal as her kitten, it would seem.  She just scared the bejeebers out of me earlier, by coming upstairs for a pillow.  I leave our door open because it gets stuffy in our room.  The dog did not bark but she did stir and started huffing.  When she started wagging her tail, I realized it must be someone safe, lol.  My daughter said she could not sleep and was just coming upstairs to grab another pillow.  So now I am wide awake and she is sleeping like a baby.  The husband, he never woke up.  It would take a marching band to wake him up, and then only maybe.  When he sleeps, he sleeps. 
So, I am going to go ahead and get ready and go into work early.  I will leave early today.  I am debating on whether to work this weekend.  I know I could use the extra time in since I was off a couple days.  We'll see. 

My stove and husband's big screen TV are still not working properly.  Whenever we plug in the stove it blows the circuit breaker.  The electrician insisted it was not the electric, it was the range.  Something is definitely wrong.  I think my husband's TV is ruined, I hate to say.  We just let that warranty lapse, too.  Ugh.   The range is still under warranty, so I will call Sears today and see if I can arrange for them to come out and see why I can't plug it in without causing a power surge.  In the meantime, I can't cook on the stove or in it.  Sigh.

My house is a train wreck.  I will be posting for our planned yard sale of next week in the local penny saver and also a sign at the entry way to our development.  I hope it goes well and we get rid of some of the junk.  I also hope the weather cooperates.  I'm running it 8-12 and that's it.  Anything left over will be donated or tossed.

Well time to get with it.

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Getting an early morning start today, because we have an electrician visiting between 7 and 9.  I hope its closer to 9, to be honest.  I did not sleep well at all last night.  Kept dreaming about work.  I woke up feeling icky.  I think I should have went with "Plan A" last evening, when I arrived home from work instead of going to "Plan B".  Plan A included a bowl of cereal, Plan B was a two-piece chicken meal with mashed potatos and no gravy.  The dog got the biscuit.  Too heavy for that time of evening.  I had ended up working late to make up being late yesterday.  I had a hard time getting started yesterday.  My home is in a bit of chaos right now with the daughter moving back in.  She was supposed to get it all organized and cleaned up yesterday while I was at work.  You guessed it, it did not happen.  So where was she?  Well I could not get upset with her, a coworker had passed away that was a volunteer.  His name was "Doc", and she attended the viewing after pulling duty.  Her room is in the basement downstairs.  In her closet is the circuit breaker box.  The electrician is going to need access to that area, so she opted to stay at the station last night so her sleep would not be disturbed.  I've been watching out for the brat cat.  She has been very affectionate towards "grandma".  She is starting to venture upstairs again, but only gets to the step and then high tails it back down to the basement, lol. 

I was sharing with the husband that this summer has been too busy, lol.  I have made progress in many areas, but the one I see lacking is exercise.  I am a month behind on my goal to re-introduce myself to it.  I am also sporting a kidney infection right now, so it makes me tire easily.  Need to get that out of the way first and then onto a do over in the exercise department.  I am either going to have to get up earlier and do it in the mornings or take my gear with me and do it after work.  I was thinking about after work.  Just go park my car and start walking a track down near the water.  Either way, I need to sacrifice 30 minutes.  So which will hurt less?  I will let you know.

The husband shared some office gossip with me.  The old office he used to work at is in the middle of a "drama".  Apparently, one of the managers had surgery recently.  Unfortunately, when he came out of surgery he was not calling for his common law wife but "the other woman".  Oops.  So the fight was on.  The wife in turn calls another associate and says she wants him out of her home and oh yeah, by the way does not want to be involved in the apparent scam he has set up.  What scam?  Well apparently boyfriend has been stealing items from the company and warehousing it at his home.  Oh and one of the other bosses is involved, too.  The other woman is working from home these days or is she?  Rumor has it that boyfriend is having to restort to crime in order to maintain two house holds.  So do they have a lil apartment on the side?  Oh and the other woman, she supposedly was engaged to a police officer but told the receptionist that she was going to marry someone else now and she'd be surprised at who it is.  Oh, but she has not broken things off with the police officer, poor guy.  He has no clue.  So is she going to marry the police officer? The boyfriend?  Or the other boss?  Or is she playing all of them...stay tuned to "As the Office Turns......"

Well I best go get ready for the day.........

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It is tough getting up today, knowing I have to go to work, LOL.  I am so glad I took yesterday off, I surely needed it.  This was a tough weekend, not just because of the wedding but also because we were doing the "moves" for the daughters.  My youngest moved in with her dad and the eldest moved in with us, again.  The eldest is having issues with her land lord.  He is away on vacation.  The contract is mucked up with regard to the dates.  He is attempting to hold them for a "13 month" contract and said he's talked to his lawyers and they feel he has a good case, blah blah blah, but he'll be nice and just keep their security deposit.  That is what it is coming down too, he wants it.  I looked at it and told her ambuguity goes against the writer of the contract.  Its obvious the "agreement" is in conflict.  One area it shows 12 months and another 13 months.  What one also has to remember is what is reasonable....I don't know of anyone that signs up to a "13 month" agreement.  It does not make sense.  So, the "kids" will be visiting with BF's aunt whom is a real estate attorney and show her the contract and see where they stand before they get into it with him.  I feel badly for my daughter because she hates to lose, lol and I think she might just need to walk away without the deposit.  At least, he is not going to try and charge her the security deposit and an additional month's rent.  I think it stinks but what goes around comes around,. and he'll get his one day.

Brat cat is back!  She has settled in nicely, and now if I can just keep the dog from eating her food we'll be doing fine.  I think she remembers "grandma". 

I brought home some work for nothing.  I did not get to it.  I had too much other stuff going on at the same time.  I know I will be getting a call today from one of my customers asking status.  I'm not going to worry over it.  I was on leave and if I had time I would get to it but as it turns out, I didn't.  Glad this is a short week.  We're off on Friday.  The husband wants to go get fire works and invite a few people over for a barbque.  He is solast minute with stuff and then gets his feelings hurt because people have already made plans.  His entire family is like him, they are pretty spur of the moment type of people.  Its amazing they get anything done, lol.

Well time to get rolling......

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We ran late.  Everyone ran late. 

We got there at 1030 am, and my sister and the groom and his guys were already about decorating.  I had my niece, daughter and her boyfriend in two and so with all of us, it made the going faster.  We got it nearly done and the bride arrived...shew! LOL

I think it looked great!  The couple was married in the rose garden portion of the estate.  It was in a word "beautiful".  Then we moved the group over to the tents and reception area which was near the water.  The theme was tropical, and had a "Island" feel to it.  They had come up with some great center pieces.  We had to improvise because some of it did not fit the tables as anticipated but we made do.  We had lanterns and a "Tiki Bar" sign, table skirts, shells, sand, the works.  There was a nice breeze that held us through the wedding and part of the reception, but I have to admit the humidity won out.  She had ten families last minute cancelled.  I had averaged that about right.  Because I told her about 10%  of the guests would end up not coming for one reason or another.  I think the heat was a major player.  Everyone ate heartily of the hor duerves and I think it was so hot that everyone's appetite was lost when it came to the main meal.  So there were lots of left overs.  No one could go for seconds either because of being near the water, and the humidity and heat, flys abounded.  It was sad.  So that food got tossed.  But what did not come out to the table was given out to various parties to take home and eat later.  My BIL did the music and it was great.  We danced as much as the heat would allow and I think the wedding party had a good time.  They did the traditional stuff, garter and flower toss, best man roast, I mean toast, and then came the cake.

The cake almost did not make it to the wedding.  I got a call from the frantic baker woman, stating her car had broken down, but Triple AA was 10 minutes away and also a friend.  They would get there before the wedding.  She was supposed to have been there between 10 am - 1 pm.  She arrived about 1:45 pm.  When I came into the manor house, she was finishing up the cake with the flowers.  It looked beautiful.  They left while the wedding ceremony was in progress.  Then came the time for the bride and groom to share a piece.  The look that came across their faces, everyone laughed and mistook it for them smearing it a bit on each others faces.  Nothing was said just then but then when it was cut and others took one bite, ICK.  I tried it and about spit it out, but maintained my ladyship.  The frosting tasted like fuel is the only way I can describe it.  So later, I called baker lady and told her I was not happy about it because no one could eat it.  I could not even offer the top piece to the bride and groom because they'd not be able to eat it.  She offered to replace the top piece. She went on how hard she tried to get it there with her car breaking down and the heat, etc.  I said that was fair and we hung up.  Then the other caterer came by and said if it were me, she should not only replace the top layer she should give me a full refund.  There is no excuse.  I am too nice.  Sigh.  So I called back and left a message that I wanted her to think about offering a refund or discount.  We'd talk more about it on Tuesday.  I know we both were wiped out and I did not want to get into an emotional confrontation with her about it, so I hope she will cooperate or I will take her to civil court over it.  We got no benefit from it, and I paid quite a sum of money for it.  And we'll never get that moment back again.  There is no "do over" in weddings.

So that was the only snag in the wedding besides the heat of course.  Otherwise, I think everyone had a great time. 

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I just realized when I got up today that my salary had not posted to my account.  This is very unusal, since its supposed to post on Fridays.  I see it in the pending status but they must have been late getting it done. 

The bride's father and I tried to talk the "bride" into moving her reception indoors for today.  The reason - the heat, and possibility of thunder showers.  Go forward with the wedding part, but do the rest indoors.  She had one of her bridezilla moments in front of everyone and went running outside.  This created a hoopla with those left indoors because they wanted to know what was going on.  The groom's family stating its the brides wedding and she should have it where she wants and if no one likes it so what.  Well I did not respond to that reactive statement.  They had no way of knowing why we were asking for it to be moved.  Her sister said she is being totally selfish about this entire thing, its either her way or the highway.  The reason I am concerned is she is insisting my 98 year old grandmother come to this affair.  She is not going to be able to withstand this heat.  I am concerned about my 72 year old mother.  I am concerned about two nieces that have asthma.  About her baby son that is only 6 months old.  About my other nephew that has autism and is only three.  I am menopausing, and heat bothers me but I can tough it out.  But the rest of the group, yeah I am concerned.  She did not even want to hear about it.  Her concern, she'll lose money on the tents she ordered.  However, she had told us previously that the tent guy would work with us up to the wedding.  So that does not equate.  The more I think about it, the more distressed I feel.  I am very worried about my grandmother.  This place is on the water, and the niece is under the opinion there will be a "breeze" off the water.  I hate to inform her but when it gets this hot and muggy, the only "breeze" off water, is a "warm breeze".  I am very concerned.  I hope she is right, but if anyone of my family members get ill because of her selfish behavior, well she should feel bad and then some.  And I'm not going to coddle her andmake her feel better about it, because she is making a bad choice in my book.  Let me hold my tongue today, lol.  Oh boy.

I still have some paperwork to complete for my new job and also brought work home with me.  I'm going to try and get the paper work for the new job done this morning before we leave for the wedding.  I will work a bit on the work brought home tomorrow, if I am up to it.  I took Monday off, but if I am feeling better I may just go back into work.

Had a nice visit with my sister and it was too short.  Looking forward to spending time with her today.  She is such a gem.

We are having a major problem with our electrical system.  When I made my dish for work, the circuit blew.  Well the husband tried replacing it, and its still not working properly.  So I call HMS and the young woman said they would have to call me back with an appointment.  She never called.  I am very upset that we have to go the weekend.  What is bothersome, is its just not the stove, its other outlets within the house now not working.  My husband's big screen TV will turn on but won't work since this happened.  Ugh.  So its going to be a mess.

He got the carpet mostly laid out in the room he built downstairs and finished off the ceiling.  The only thing left to do is the seam and trim on part of the room.  He did a right nice job.  The eldest is moving boxes into the house, but the majority of her stuff went to her father's (i.e., furniture).  There is no need for her to have all of it right now and he has the room.  The youngest moved out mostly  but needs to come thru one more time for the rest.  My house is kind of torn upside down again and I am not liking it.  Everything is "in progress" lol.  UGH.  So I got mostly done rooms but not quite there feeling.  I feel a bit disoriented.

Wanted to ask a question out to the JLANDERS....I received an email from what appears to be IRS with regard to my stimulus check.  I called my tax advisor and they said IRS is sending out letters and I was the first person they heard got an email and he did not recommend I respond to it.  The email address looks official ending in "irs.gov", so I don't know what to do.  What I might end up doing is calling IRS about it.  Was wondering if anyone else received one of those and did you respond?  I am so cautious when it comes to giving personal information over the Internet. 

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So, yesterday was very busy.  I ended up going into a meeting upon arrival which lasted until almost lunch time.  Ugh.  Back to my desk, and then happened into a conversation between my boss, a team member and we'll call her Ms Trouble.  I may have mentioned her before in my journalling.  But this lady has a reputation for trying to make others look bad with half truths or out right lies, etc.  What we found out was Ms Trouble had worked a few of our projects.  She was called on it before because it created an overlap in duties.  So I guess she thought this was her opportunity to take a dig at our Team, specifically me.  She advised my boss right out in the open forum that the "customer" could not reach me, even though he emailed and called me - so he went through her office.  I was shocked.  I asked what email?  I had not received any emails.  She shrugged and said to my Boss, "Well if a customer comes to me and says they are not getting helped, then I'm going to help them.  Because they need help."  I offered that it was actually the other way around, I could not get him to call or respond to my emails.  She then said, "Oh well he said you told him it would take 30 days and he needed it done in five."  Here is when my boss interjected and corrected her that it would not take just five days, even if she was doing it.  It would take more because of the steps in the process, and went thru them with her for her edification.  I walked away, and I was angry.  Everyone left for lunch, and I was still, well angry.  I did not like her attitude, her tone or her implication that I was being negligent when it was just not true.  Especially, doing it in a public forum with a lady sitting there that I did not even know.  So, I wrote her an email and dressed her down and then some.  I also copied my Supervisor and then we talked after lunch.  Even if she wanted to lie and say she had told me this guy had tried contacting me, I wrote that it did not excuse her because she should of taken it up one level to my Boss.  So, I basically called her out for the lieing, toxic individual she really is and short of slapping some whoop reality into her, I think she got my point.  I want nothing to do with her, and she best stay clear of me.  I forgave her the last time she tried this stuff, but twice - well I will forgive her, but I she is invisible to me from this point on. 

I left work praying God get me outa hereeeeeee! LOL. 

Came home to a nice quiet evening.  The husband and I decided on Applebees.  I had the asian salad again, mmmm, and he had steak portobelo with steamed veggies and red potatos ( a WW meal ).  For dessert, we splurged and had a piece of my daughter's birthday cake.  She was staying over her father's house last night.  They are going to cook the "Armodillo" cake today.  LOL.  Hope that goes well.  Then tomorrow, they will trek over to my eldest daughter's apartment and start moving her stuff.  I asked her if she could beg her father to store some of her stuff in his basement.  I mean, why not?  So, we'll see.  The husband in the meantime is going to dash out and buy the carpet for the finishing touch for the room downstairs.  Lots for them to do. 

I am making Chicken Oregano.  It is a greek dish, and I have the recipe over on my other journal http://journals.aol.com/ab45yui/real-time-recipes/ , if any of you care to take a try at it.  I think its going to taste pretty good and was surprisingly simple to make.

My eldest sister and her family are rolling into town at some point today, and I am excited!  I have not seen her in years!  I miss her so much.  She is bringing her daughters, and SIL, and grandchildren.  I am glad she is making this happen because it will probably be the last time she gets to spend time with my father and grandmother.  Visits are just not often enough. 

Today, I am going to focus on finishing up this chicken dish for work and then well, work.  Also, need to stop by my financial advisor's office and go over some things.  Lots to do as always.

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