February 28, 2003

The Friday Five

1. What is your favorite type of literature to read (magazine, newspaper, novels, nonfiction, poetry, etc.)?

I prefer fiction. I like getting lost in a different life, which is probably why I love the stage, acting, and performing. I currently subscribe to REDBOOK, just because it always has neat ideas for working ladies. I finally fit into that married category.

2. What is your favorite novel?

I absolutely LOVE “She’s Come Undone” by Wally Lamb. EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT! I’ve read it at least 15 times, and I think I’ll go pull it off the shelf and start it again. I always get something new from it.

3. Do you have a favorite poem? (Share it!)

My favorite peom is “Ad Finem” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox.

AD FINEM

On the white throat of the useless passion

That scorched my soul with its burning breath,

I clutched my fingers in murderous fashion,

And gathered them close in a grip of death;

For why should I fan, or feed with fuel,

A love that showed me but blank despair?

So my hold was firm, and my grasp was cruel–

I meant to strangle it then and there!

To know for an hour you were mine completely–

Mine in body and soul, my own–

I would bear unending tortures sweetly,

With not a murmur and not a moan.

A lighter sin or a lesser error

Might change through hope or fear divine;

But there is no fear, and hell has no terror

To change or alter a love like mine.

Poems of Passion by Ella Wheeler

Chicago : Belford, Clarke & Co, 1883

4. What is one thing you’ve always wanted to read, or wish you had more time to read?

More books!

5. What are you currently reading?

Catching up on Redbooks before I a) find a book I want to read and b) find the money in which to pay for the book I want to read.

Yesterday was awful. I hate that people see me as not being as intelligent as they are just because I hold a job below them. Do they not realize that I am working towards a degree? Do they not realize that not only did I graduate high school, but that I went to a very sophisticated private school. I went to DePauw University. It is ranked in the top 50 schools in America. Only the best of the best survive. I have also been a nurse aide since I was 16. I know my way around. I have been very good at learning this job. I always listen and observe in an effort to learn. I have taken classes to learn about aseptic technique, positioning the patient for surgery, and prepping the surgical site. I am efficient in and outside the OR. A lot of times, I know how to find different things and tools in the OR that even the nurse doesn’t know. So why do you treat me badly? Why don’t you recognize that I am a human being, an adult, someone who understands English? In fact, I’m bilingual! I’m an important tool that makes your job all the easier. Yet you spit on me. You insult me by explaining things to me as if I were a child. And it hurts! I would rather you talk to me as if I understood everything you understand and allow me to ask when I feel l don’t know. I’ll write a more cheerful blog later…

February 26, 2003

Today has just been awful. :*( Last night we had just climbed into bed when we heard someone pounding on the front door. So, like normal, sane people, we get a bit freaked out because who knocks on the door at 11 o’clock when all the lights are out, right? We worry. There is a man at the front door, says he just got off of work from around the corner, and he just watched this woman hit our truck!!! So we throw on shoes grab our coats and run out there (we park along the street– no garage or driveway–extremely small town w/ pop. at about 10,000). Sure enough some dumb ***** lady (sorry I’m angry) hit our truck. The tail light is smashed the driver side panel is dented and crunched. But the story gets even better. She took off. That’s right folks, a hit and run. So now I’m more upset when Mr. Good Samaritan tells me he got the license plate number and called the cops. AND that the cops had just dug this chick out of a snow drift down the street. Mr. G. Samaritan had watched while waiting for his wife to pick him up from work. So about this time the police car pulls up. (we live about a block away from the police station/fire station, a fact that calms my soul) He says he knows who hit it and they are looking for her and running her plates. :/ So when he left us he was going to her house where they had called her and she was there and had admitted to being in accident. SO WHY THE HECK DID YOU FLEE THE SCENE? Mr. Good Samaritan says that by the way he was driving she looked drunk. Mr. Police Man says that when digging her out of the snow drift she had seemed nervous but didn’t notice physical drunkeness but that she had gotten in the car and sped off in a hurry. urggh…

This morning we got up and went to get estimates for repair. They are quoting about $2000. She better have insurance cause if not I’m taking her butt to court. No doubt about it. I don’t have the $$$ to fix it myself or pay my deductible and have my insurance go up. Nor do we deserve to have to drive a truck around that’s been smashed. She also lost her mirror in the accident. I told the guy at the body shop (who is a close friend of the family) that if a grey Monte Carlo comes in for work and she is missing her passenger side mirror, that I’ve got it and I’m looking for her!!! Where ever you are Ms. I-drive-a-stinking-Monte-Carlo-and-I-was-drunk-and-hit-poor-suzanne’s-husbands-truck-and-took-off-like-a-dumbass I’m looking for you! You have to fix my truck! **anger!**

I’ve been meaning to share this with you guys, I received it in an email. I hate forwards but thought you would appreciate it. Here goes:

MOM - Job Description

POSITION: Mother, Mom, Mama

JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION: Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION: Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

February 25, 2003

I am so proud of myself! I have actually been doing what FlyLady says. And when she says to do something that is already done, I do an extra thing in the house like sweep or vacuum. Last night, the husband went with a friend to see a movie. I came home and watched the Joe Millionaire recap (I only actually watched the first episode of JM, the finale, and the recap.), washed dishes, read blogs, cut coupons (in the breakroom at work people bring in coupons that they don’t use and put them in a coupon box, I took advantage of it!), washed dishes, set the trash out for pickup this morning (usually a husband job), and walked Ella (usually a husband job!). I was so proud that I did so much. I felt like I had accomplished something. This morning I got up and went to the dentist and then vacuumed the living room and entry way. That helps out a lot with the dog hair. Tomorrow I am going to pick up a family friends dog, Bailey. He is pretty cool, just really hangs out. They are going out of town on vacation and I just scooped up the chance to make an extra $100. I really need the cash. Okay break is over! Must get back to work! Have a great day!

FYI: Merriam-Webster says that eejitous is not found or not a word! I found this really cool website, actually I found it in my REDBOOK magazine, that has been a lot of help lately. I figured I should share it with you, so you can make all of your lives easier! It is REFDESK. Hope it helps!

February 24, 2003

I’m an irredeemably eejitous, moderate, disgustingly generous, relatively well adjusted human being!
See how compatible you are with me!
Brought to you by Rum and Monkey

February 21, 2003

I’m sick. YUCK. I have a headache-becoming-a-migraine that has persisted to get worse and worse since last night. My tummy is turning and my head is spinning. I feel like I’m going to toss my cookies. Work has been really slow today and it looks like Monday is going to be just as slow. I may have to go home today. Who wants a sick person coming to get them for surgery? It would make me nervous if some obviously sick girl came to get them for a surgery in which their belly would be open and then sick girl would be in the room. Can we say infection?

I joined the FLYLADY group. It sounds like a pretty smart way of getting and keeping the house in shape. My husband is just as excited.

Okay I gotta go “toss my cookies” Sorry for the graphic description, girls. I’ll write more later after I take some (baby-safe) drugs. No, I don’t know if I am pregnant, I don’t think I am, but the OBGYN went ahead and prescribed me baby-safe medicine for my migraines just in case we get there. Drugs are a beautiful thing…

February 20, 2003

I feel like I am just kinda here. It is terribly slow today at work. I’m looking forward to 3:00 though because that is when we get our checks. I would like to just go home then and pay bills! and clean my house, but maybe not. I need to stay here to make money because we need it so desperately. But I hate it when it is slow and I finished my book *by the way it was awesome! you should read it too* I’m going to join this “FLY LADY” person I keep hearing about. I’ll give you a link when I get home from work. Tomorrow is supposed to be slow too. I have SO MUCH to do I may slip out of here early but take VTO *voluntary time off. you don’t get paid but you get the hours credited to you so you get your retention bonus. the rb comes around quarterly and you have to have worked like at least 500 hours to get it. VTO allows you to go but still get the hours so you get the bonus. And it saves the department money.*

I can’t believe it is Thursday. PRIME TIME TV! whoopee. Which is why I’d like to go home early. So I can clean and then sit down with the laundry and watch my shows. Ella got a bath this morning. The husband and I jumped in the shower and had to take her in there with us (so she doesn’t find her way into trouble). When we got out I told him to just throw her in too. But the older dog, Gracy, the one who has bladder control issues, needs a bath too. If I got home early I could do that and blow dry her. (it’s too cold outside and in our drafty 100 yr old house to leave her wet)

I’m gonna go find the Thursday Thumb Twiddler and see if it is worth completing. I’ll talk at you later. Adios….

February 19, 2003

I didn’t take the test. I’m a chicken. I think I’m just going to wait it out and stop thinking about it. It’s kinda stressing me out which doesn’t help the getting pregnant part. So I’m just going to enjoy the “getting” pregnant part **wink wink** and see what happens.

Not much of a big day. Went to work and then the Suture Boys took us out to bw3’s for happy hour. It was cool to hang out with the people I work with all day. They are a fun group. Not to mention the suture guy Gary is a lot of fun ** I have to suck up to him because 1) he did me a favor and 2) he made me tell him my blogsite addy so he’s gonna come visit. But he really is cool, and he got lucky on Valentines Day because I gave him a good idea. LOL Okay I’m going back to my book. Talk atcha later!