Infections

I had a lovely weekend with great friends in Birch Bay. Nothing but good company, good food and great shopping. Yes, even in Bellis Fair. Got some great deals. That makes a girl giddy!

But before I left, my one kidlet was spiking a fever. My husband was really good about it. He listened to my instructions, actually read them too, and wished me a good time.

When I got home, that same kidlet was still sick. And seriously, it's been a while since she's been that sick. Her fevers just show up and spike quite high. Then her runny nose is driving her crazy. We have gone through at least 2 boxes of tissue paper and 3 rolls of toilet paper in a 4 days. For a little person, that's a lot. Environmentalists would not be happy.

And even though I'm staying home to take care of the kidlet, I'm getting frustrated now too. I was a bit sick going down to Birch Bay. And now, not sleeping well at all has made me a cranky bear. For the last 2 nights, the kidlet will sleep, then for a good hour or so, I'll be waking up, wiping her noise, patting her back to bed and then going back to bed myself. Then soon as I close my eyes, we do the whole cycle again. Throughout the day, it's no better. So I try to nap when possible.

I took her to the doctor's today and he confirmed it was a viral infection. Her body suddenly broke out in this weird ass rash...so she's got roseola. Nothing I can do except stay the course of fluids and sleep when possible for her.

Poor thing. I really do feel bad for her. But for everybody's sake around here, I hope she gets better real soon or I'm going to be ultra cranky. That's not a good thing.

Flash Mobs

My husband introduced me to flash mobs. And I must say, I love them. Perhaps the definition evades you...however, when you see one, you instantly recognize them.

Recently, my girlfriend posted one that had to do with the Sound of Music. Ummm...one of the best movies of all time!! So, when the flash mob video had to do with this wicked movie, I had to watch. Perhaps some folks are not into them. But almost every single video that I've watched that has a flash mob in it, the audience ends up laughing, giggling, enjoying. What's wrong with a bunch of people wanting to bring some joy to folks for a couple of minutes? I say, not a heck of a lot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k

Though this one was quite awesome and made me sing the whole time, one of my favourite flash mob videos has to do with a little league baseball game. What a thrill and memories for a lifetime!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nbkbss7i5s&feature=fvst

Computer Update

Well, my live in computer tech (my husband) bought me another computer...or at least, the insides of one. Apparently, my computer was SO dead that when he pulled out the memory and then booted the computer up, no sounds, no action...just a whole lot of nothing.

I was ok using my kid's computer. By not having a computer, I ended up doing other stuff. But in this family of geeks, that's not a possibility.

However, I was pleasantly suprised that the hard drives still contained my information...yep, all the photos, etc. But as mentioned, I had already backed these up and wasn't too concerned.

After I got my computer, I realized how much I had actually missed it. It's nice to just do what you want on your own computer when you want. But as usual, it's sucking all my extra time when I should be doing other things. Evil.

Toys

Like most kids, my kids have a ton of toys. And they are extremely fortunate to have such variety and stimulation.

The only issue is really tiny, tiny, tiny parts! And gazillions of them! Especially when you start getting into toys with a billion plastic knobs, or just pieces of something. And then they never are in the same spot. Or even if you can get most of the widgets to the same spot, there's always 1 missing.

But I guess that's a part of parenthood...that's extremely painful when you step on it.

Monday

Well, if you can believe it, I'm actually looking forward to Monday. I know, I'm crazy. But there obviously is a reason. When I first joined this particular department, I was given a job that I really believed in and was passionate about. And in terms of the topic, I still am passionate about the topic. However, politics, process, and people with real issues made me hate the job. To me, it's unfortunate.

But it was one of those things, I could either do something to change it or stick with it and stop complaining. And so, when my one co-worker left for a mat leave, I asked to act in her position while she was away. I knew it was for a limited time only as she was on maternity leave. But fate would have it that she ended up taking more time which meant I got to act in the role for even longer.

And I've been in a job such as this before and loved it. I felt so happy to be able to do it again and for such a longer period of time. But no matter how happy I was to be in this "acting" job and not having to deal with crap in my last job, I knew that it was a matter of time before I had to go back. Eventually, the woman on mat leave would have to come back unless she won the lotto.

But life is funny sometimes. When you're ready for something and if you're patient enough, things really do come your way. You see, the one co-worker that I refer to about 4 posts back is really leaving. Her spot is now free...and she does the same work as what I'm doing. So, I'm moving into her spot and that job officially becomes mine until I decide to move on. That means, I never have to go back to my other job. No more of having to deal with crap politics and stupid processes that totally disregard the intent of the program. I'm sure I'll deal with other things in this position. But having done the job for 2 years, I'm ready for the politics that are coming my way.

So, I tell you all of this because tomorrow, I get to sign my papers to officially move to this new position. ADIOS to my old one. I'm thankful for all that it's taught me and I've met some amazing people. But I'm ready to move on.

Sleeping

I have another friend that is pregnant and I think I'm going to recommend that they get some bed wedges...or at least 1. I know that when I was pregnant, one of the biggest fears is to sleep on your back. Doctors warn you not to because you'd cut off blood supply to a nerve or something. But every night, I'd end up on my back. Eventually I got so huge that it prevented me from rolling over.

But there are so many things to worry about already. I figured this would be a good recommendation to keep some of the worrying away.

Decorations

We recently had a baby shower at our office for one of our co-workers. Thank goodness he's green as can be because we had minimal decorations for baby shower. Literally, it was a baby shower sign and a streamer.

Now I'm not dissing the decorations. I just think that people that do the party planning for the office (and I'm including myself in this pool), it's a thankless job. There is only so much extra money that I want to pull out each time to cover certain costs. And believe me when I say I consistenly have to pull out extra money.

It annoys me to no end that others won't pick up the slack. I'm not asking individuals to plan the party if they don't like that stuff. But help out in other ways. Some choose to make cards for the special occasion, some help set up or clean up. And I know which ones those folks are. But for the others, they don't bother or think it's below them. Well, these individuals get to enjoy the benefits of others doing all the work. I think it's only fair that they get their butt in gear and help. These folks get no high fives from me.

Goodbyes

Well, today was the last day, or at least the 2nd to last day for my co-worker. She's heading off to another job that is just perfect for her. However, part of me is extremely sad that she's going. It's so rare that you find a co-worker that you work so well with. She really is my ying to my yang. She had strengths where I was weak on. She is insanely smart, funny, kind and truly generious in terms of knowledge, spirit and love. And that's just a small snippet of her many good qualities.

Being able to work with someone is one thing. But being able to work with someone and truly have them as a close friend is rare. I will miss her presence but I know that there really isn't a goodbye in there. In fact, she came in today, and I was saying things like:

"Go already, I have a lunch date and I can't be late."
"You're coming back on Monday? Isn't this your last day?"

What kind of half assed goodbye is that to an amazing friend? But I guess I just know that she'll always be in my life and I didn't worry about saying some sob filled goodbye. It wouldn't be what she wanted.

But with my sadness comes great happiness and joy for this person. In my heart, I know she will do amazingly well in her new position and I wish her the very best on her new endevours. Now, if I could get some of the people that I don't like as much at work to go...then maybe the world would be balanced....one can wish.

Sales

As we bought a new car, I've buckled down and stopped spending on any extras. I get REALLY freaked out when I'm in the red and I don't want to go down that path. It's hard to get out. Maybe it's easier for others, but it can be a real slippery path for me.

So, I've been pretty much ignoring any sale sign that is up at stores. True will power I say. But it's been good for me and my wallet.

But I feel bad that I'm not stimulating the economy...I must say I was a real contributor.

On a totally different note, I saw one of these "RATE AND COMMENT ON THIS VIDEO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP1YqpmoCW8&feature=channel use your Youtube account to rate and comment on that video, if you don't have one create a youtube account... hopefully five stars but be honest!" I don't know if the contestant is actually playing along because I can't see the rest of the show. But I don't think I want to watch the rest. If they say to be honest, I say 0 out of 5. I think it's terrible!!!

Diet

I recently went to the doctor's for an annual check up. Not pleasant, but it's a must. If anything, I need to know that I'll be around for my kids.

As usual, I get there just a tad before my appointment and I sit there for 40 minutes waiting. At least they got some new magazines this time around.

For some reason, my doctor has a ton of student doctors learning from him. I think that's great, but that also means that I get all these doctors too. This last student doctor I got was really nice, but I honestly couldn't take him seriously. He had the raccoon eyes from his ski goggles. You know, the part that was covered by the goggles was his regular skin colour, and the rest of him was totally lobster red coloured.

So he took my blood pressure and it was stinking high. As he's telling me this, I'm thinking...maybe if you guys didn't get me to wait 40 minutes each time I came, I'd be in a better mood.

When my regular doctor came in, he asked if I was exercising. And I was so happy that I could tell him that I was. 5 days a week and my husband can vouch for me. So, what does he tell me? "You need to exercise all 7 days. On the days weren't excerising, I need you to walk at least 1 hour and 15 minutes." Holy crap. Who the hell has that much free time to walk on top of everything else?

So, I'm back to my tracking of calories, water, exercise and bp everyday. No appetite suppressants. No fad diet. Just doing the right thing...less calories in, more calories out, minimum salt, and minimal going out for lunches. And yes, I'm even exercising...every fricken day.

My doctor better tell me my bp is better next time or I'll throw one of my dumbells at him.

Easter Weekend

Oh, it's been pretty good. Got some cleaning done which is a heck of a lot better than none! Got to putter around the house. And I watched a hell of a lot of tv so far. But there are times where I just want to do nothing. I'm allowed to do that right? And my husband is on pager...I figured that I can't really do outside activities with the whole family...so might as well watch some good tv.

However, that's not possible when I go to my parent's place. They have basic cable and of course the Chinese channel. I went over to their place on Thursday as I wanted to say hello...and of course, get a meal cooked for me. They were so ok with that and made sure I had leftovers for 3 meals. Ummm...THANKS!!!! Gosh, not having to cook is a total blessing. And they are happy to oblige. Gotta love parents.

Anyway, I'm waiting for dinner and watching a bit of tv. And with basic cable, there was SERIOUSLY nothing to watch that day. It was so bad that I watched Much Music. The last time I watched anything on that show, I must have been 15. But the worst part was that it wasn't music videos, but it was Paris Hilton's British Best Friend reality show. Yeah. I've sunk to a new low. But the show is a total train wreck and I couldn't peel myself away. It was so painful and yet I sat there. These peopel are so in love with Paris it's not even funny. Heck, there were only 44 at the tryouts are something like that...guess there must be some fans. But these people were gushing and fighting like dogs to be Paris' BFF. The challenges they go through are ridiculous such as the flirting challenge. And one person that wasn't good at the flirting challenge was one of 2 people to be eliminated. And Paris says, "You didn't do well in the flirting challenge. I don't think you're taking this competition seriously." WTF?!

Someone just knock me over the head with a frying pan if you see me watching this damn show again. Lost 1/2 hour of my life that I'll never get back....

ER

The show...not me going to the ER. Let's start off with that!

Tonight was the series finale of ER. I can't believe that show has been on for 15 years and I probably watched at least a good 10 of those years. That's a LOT of fricken time. I even remember the first episode that aired...Carol Hathaway who tried to commit suicide and was being brought to the ER. I'm a fan, what more can I say? I even watched this series while in other countries...didn't know what the hell they were saying while in Switzerland or Paris. But it was ER!

So tonight was an opportunity to see these folks one last time. It was so great to see past faces and story lines tying up. It was also an episode that resonated strongly for myself and my husband. There was a part that had to do with a pregnant woman and what happened to her. (If you haven't seen in or plan to, don't read anymore as it will give away part of the plot!)

She was basically giving birth and started to hemorrhage badly. Though I didn't get to the point of this woman, I still had to go to the operating room. I remember my time in there and it wasn't pleasant. But it was just as hard for my husband as he didn't know what the hell was happening and was helpless. That was a really hard moment for us. Watching the show kind of brought it all back. But it's a moment to help us realize how grateful we are for our health and each other.

I'll miss the show for so many reasons. I feel like I grew up with these folks. I thought they tackled so many fascinating aspects of human morality, life and death, and research. There are not that many shows that survive this length of time. Yet this one did. I'm so sorry to see it go....

April Fool's

So, this year's April Fool's wasn't so fun. Usually the jokes are lame, but they're fun. And since it's my birthday, it's a day for me to just chill.

The day started off with my husband telling me that the car windows were down on the VW. And since it fricken poured the night before, everything was soaking wet. And I went through the night before in my head to figure out where and when I would have forgotten to roll up the windows.

So, off I went to get a crapload of towels to at least soak up some of the water. The less the better...and maybe to ward off some mold. When I looked through the car, I knew right away that it had been broken into. The thief did something last night to the car so the windows just rolled down rather than trying to break the windows (too much noise!). I looked at the centre arm rest and everything had been taken out and scattered through the car. Nothing valuable in there.

Then I saw the glove compartment. He had tried opening it, but I had locked it the night before. So he (I'm assuming it's a he) broke the whole lock component on it. Then he tried to jimmy it from the side. He couldn't get into that either.

None of the locking mechanisms work. And these are just things I'm finding out now. I talked to the ICBC agent and he asked me to look for a couple more things so I have a feeling there is more wrong with the car.

So for all his efforts and frustration, he got nothing. I have the "honour" of having to deal with all of this and probably have to take time off work. Because of his own jollies, need for drugs, whatever the case, he gets off scott free and I deal with it all.

The worst part is that we were getting ready to sell it. So, after it does get fixed, will it even be sell-able? Too bad there are no crystal balls...because if I saw this coming, I would have taken my losses and did a trade in.

I tried to enjoy the rest of the day as I had a massage booked. And though the massage was good, the tone of the day was already set.

Maybe next year will be a funnier April's Fool Day or I'm going to have to change my birthdate.