Sunday, April 16, 2000
(Christening Pictures Are Here)

Whew!

Whirlwind like weekend, I think!  We left on schedule yesterdaym arriving at Brian's folks house to meet up with them and his brother, Peter and his friend, Roberta ("Berta").  From there, we all went up to Sacramento and met over at Barb and Mike's.  If we were to spend the night, Brian and I would be staying at their house while the rest of the group would be going to a local hotel.  We went to the service which was lovely and went splendidly.  Robbie was a little rambunctious and squirmy but, at 7 months, you would be, too!  We have a bunch of pictures linked above and/or here for you to see of the service and Robbie and family.  (I will keep it linked above for a week or so until the relatives have had a chance to see the page.)

After we got back, I took a short nap (I'm so used to the traffic sounds here that I didn't fall asleep right away last night!) and then, unpacked and picked everything up that had been dropped in a hurry on Saturday.  I made dinner around 6 since we hadn't eaten since 10; Brian's mother made a wonderful breakfast casserole for our brunch!  Then, I spent the next couple of hours trimming pictures and saving thumbnails, etc.  Please let me know if you have any troubles linking into the photos; I think I got it right but you never know!

Sorry this is so short but it has been a long two days-- have a good night and I'll catch you tomorrow evening!

Are your taxes done?

Our taxes were done several weeks ago-- I hate doing taxes; I resent owing the government money or even having to pay them money.  If they listened to anyone who pays the taxes, we wouldn't be in the state that we're in, I'm sure.  Ooh, the evils of The Government.

**********

Last night, I started to watch "The Net" with Sandra Bullock.  That's one of my favorite movies and I quite often haul it out for viewing when I've got nothing better to do.  I may turn it back on when I'm packing this morning.  Yes, I'll be doing the packing after I force Brian to chose some clothes for overnight and driving back down tomorrow.  Its likely to be a late evening because of dinner following the christening service so it is just a lot easier to spend the night-- probably.  At least we'll be prepared if we do end up staying and, if not, have comfier clothes for the drive home.  So, after my shower, I'm off to the garage to dig out the small suitcase and then, back up to pack.

Have a good day and we'll catch up more with you tomorrow-- including cute kiddie pictures!

My Dogs is Barkin'!

Say what??  I told you I lived in Texas for five years, didn't I?  That, along with "rat-killin'" on Saturdays is another one of those colorful local sayings that I learned while there.  Okay, so now that you know that I have a cute way of saying that, why did I say that?  Well, I've spent the last two hours walking around the mall trying to find a christening gift for Robert Michael. I mentioned before that not having been raised catholic, it was not easy for me to figure out what to get but, I finally made a decision on something.  I had to wait for the engraver to do her thing (which included spelling "Robert" as "Robeth") and then re-do her thing so, as a result, my feet are killing me!!  It is as unique, as Brian said, as we are so I'm sure it will be remembered as Robbie's christening gift for a long time!

Sales Meetings . . .

Sales reps have a really good time in their jobs, don't they?  They have no clue what they're doing but they have a really good time at it, for sure!  I spent a couple of hours in a sales training meeting today.  Really interesting stuff, actually-- about the product and the way to price and sell it to our customers.  The CFO's part of the meeting was about revenue rcognition, an issue that no one likes to talk about but somebody has to talk about it or no one would make any money-- well, we'd all make it, we just couldn't declare it for a long time!  I had a customer once tell me that I shouldn't tell him that we couldn't do something because of revenue recognition.  That was a clear indicator to him that he had to have his way and we wouldn't be able to recognize revenue for a long time if he had anything to do about it.  I just said that we could do it his way but we wouldn't be able to write down the incoming money for x-number of days, weeks or months and, as a result, his warranty wouldn't start until we could.  He didn't like that either so we compromised with what had to be done because of our revenue recognition issues. :>)

For the weekend . . .

We're going to be going to Sacramento so I don't know when you're going to see another update from me.  We are taking the camera along so there will be lots and lots of pictures when we get back!  Many things to do between now and then so do take care and I will see you on the flip side.

I forgot!!

Earlier this week, I received an email from Jan Swijsen responding to part of my post:

Jan Swijsen wrote:
>
> >We'll see how it feels after heels and bicycling four miles!
>
> Normally biking doesn't strain the toes so that should be OK.
>
> However biking with heels? I am not sure about that.
>
> --
> Svenson.
>
> Mail at work : qjsw@oce.nl,
> or call      : (Oce HQ)-4727
> Mail at home : sjon@svenson.com

NOOOO!!!  Wearing heels all day!!!  THEN, bicycling four miles, silly!!
;>)

Only you (and Brian) would catch a semantical error like that!

But then, John Doucette came along with a little more practical conversation:

Subject: Bike riding
   Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 20:19:41 -0600
  From:  John Doucette <jhdoucette@home.com>
    To:  marcia@dutchgirl.net

Hi Marcia

Keep up the bike riding. It's the perfect mode of transportation for those little trips to WW, the corner store, or just to go cruise the neigbourhood and get some fresh air.

So you don't like snow. I don't mind it, and today I am embracing it in the hopes that the snow storm that has been predicted will leave me snow bound, thus producing a midweek break from work.

John

**********

Earlier tonight, we were doing laundry-- I started it and Brian helped in between.  I did my bike ride during the wash cycle and he was putting the clothes in the dryer as I came in.  I noticed earlier today and last night that my shoulder was starting to tighten up so I took a bath after the laundry was finished.  I had a glass of wine to sip while the bubbles melted but already my shoulder is starting to tighten up.  Two theories as to the cause of the tightness: 1) new cross-stitch stretcher or 2) we upped the height on my handlebars a few days ago so it could be my muscles adjusting to the new height.

Whatever the reason, this is the end of my post for this evening.  Hope you have a great one-- smells like Brian's almost got dinner ready! ;>)

Catching Up

Well, let's see . . . it turns out that I'm being "assigned" actual territories and things to handle with regard to duties and who does what.  We're apparently all being assigned territories which should be quite interesting, for sure.  If nothing else, maybe I'll have consistent busy-ness!  Man, I really hate being bored!  So I'm going to be assigned to Inside Sales, (all) Non-Disclosure Agreements, Canada, and temporarily the southeast region with permanent assignment to eventually be the central region.  Southeast and northeast will eventually be handled by one person sitting on the east coast but, until that person is hired, we're going to continue handling it out of our office for the time being.  Should be fun but then, I'm a sick puppy!

Life Insurance

Brian and I have been checking into getting separate life insurance over and above employer offered life insurance for two reasons:  1) because he doesn't have any and 2) because it will eventually come in handy when it comes to buying a house.  We've had our problems with our insurance agent-- the same guy that handles our auto insurance is quoting our life insurance.  Apparently, he's had some problems with people in his office: the first quote that we received had me at my correct age and Brian at HALF my age!  While he liked it and thought it terribly cute, needless to say, I didn't appreciate it much.  The second quote that we received was for the wrong kind of insurance: we had asked for term life but the quote was for whole life.  The third quote (yes, we have been very patient!) was for preferred non-smokers which, it turns out, is for people who have NEVER smoked!

We finally received a fourth quote that was correct but decided that we should check around a bit to make sure that we're getting a good price, etc.  So I sent emails from several websites and heard from a Met Life agent that had problems saying his own name.  Then, when I asked for a quote on Friday, he said he'd call me back later that day and didn't but onatdawh Il on Saturday when I wasn't here.  Then, yesterday, he called with a quote: an exhorbitant price for MetLife and a weensy price for a company I've never heard of.  I asked for information about the company and he took my fax number saying that he would send the information by 2:00.  Mind you, this was yesterday that he said he'd send it to me.  Today, at about 3:30pm, I received a totally unreadable fax from him; by unreadable I mean that there were dark graphs and charts and they came through the fax machine as black so what was the point?  Needless to say, I've given up-- I don't care anymore . . . just get me a life insurance policy that we can get at least close to the last amount quoted!

Maybe that's it-- its a conspiracy to wear people down so they'll take any quote that's offered.  The Life Insurance Agents of the World have united to take turns in selling policies based on a number assigned to them when they open up shop.  Acme Insurance is assigned #400987 and every 400,987th time someone inquires about a quote, its that agents' turn to get the customer and wear them down from pure stupidity.  I don't know-- I don't care anymore.  I sent the applications in today so we'll see.  Should be interesting to see how many times they have to draw the blood on the physical, eh?  (Youch!!)

Further Agenda for the Evening
 

We've firmed up plans for the christening this weekend with my in-laws and, probably tomorrow night, I'll begin the search for an appropriate christening gift.  If you have any suggestions, let me know!

I've been bicycling pretty faithfully-- I'm taking tonight off simply because I want to and because it might cut into the time that I would normally have my chat with my sister. Although, now that I know about this 10-10-636 that I told you about last week, I may call her instead.

**********

Believe it or not, its an hour later and, yes, I have called my sister instead of "chatting" on ICQ.  Technology is amazing, isn't it?  I've also gathered together the various and sundry parts to the scanner that's going to my sister, Sue, as mentioned last week.  And, the most fun of all is knowing that it is not just Tom and Saskatoon that got snow this morning-- according to my sister, Karen, in Michigan, there was again a dusting of snow there, too!  I'm telling ya-- I moved for good reason . . . VERY good reason!!

And with all of that said, I'm off to the cross-stitch for the evening . . . someday, it'll be a pillow but for now, its just a pattern on a stretcher.

A Mental Harrassment of Sorts

I wasn't going to write in my Musings about this particular topic but, I find that it is a huge distraction to me today.  When something distracts me that easily, I find that if I write about it, it'llusually stop distracting and harrassing me and I can go about the business of my day.

A year ago today, by the day not date, for the first time in my life, I had a serious surgical procedure performed.  It was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me.  I was angry that it happened in the first place: I had quit smoking just six weeks earlier to ensure that I wouldn't have any bad things happen to me and here I was, having a bad thing happen to me!

I had a mammogram on the Friday before and, there was something "funny" about it.  After speaking with my doctor who panicked and set up a surgical consult for me, Brian and I went to the surgeon's office for the consult on Monday.  The surgery was set for the next day, a year ago today: a J-wire biopsy.

I've never had a baby so I don't know that kind of pain but this kind of pain, I wouldn't wish on anyone.  It was not fun when they were positioning the J-wire but once the anesthesia kicked-in, the surgery went like a charm, I guess . . . I don't know for sure cuz I wasn't conscious.

My theory is that everything in this life that happens to you happens for a reason.  Apparently it was time that I learned something new: What I learned from this situation was that if I had to, I could let go and let someone else, Brian, take care of me.  He is the one thing that had kept me sane through the whole thing-- the one that protected me.  I had to learn that, this time, I wasn't the one to say that it was going to be "alright" because I didn't know that it was going to be alright.

Post-surgically, everything is fine-- the biopsy was negative.  Recovery, both mentally and physically, is just about finished-- I think its going to be easier for me to move forward now that this first year has gone by.

The first time that I that I met Brian's parents, I told them "Thank you for raising your son to be such a wonderful man."  A few weeks after the surgery, after things had calmed down a bit, Brian's father asked if he was taking good care of me and I reminded him of what I'd said that first time we met.  Then, I thanked him again.

And on a lighter note . . .

1. I can please only one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow? Well, it isn't looking too good either.

2. I love deadlines. I especially love the swooshing sound they make as they go flying by.

3. Am I getting smart with you? How would you know?

4. I'd explain it to you, but your brain would explode.

5. Someday we'll look back on this and plow into a parked car.

6. There are very few personal problems that cannot be solved through a suitable application of high explosives.

7. Tell me what you need, and I'll tell you how to get along without it.

8. Accept that somedays you're the pigeon, and somedays you're the statue.

9. Needing someone is like needing a parachute.? If he isn't there the first time you need him, chances are
you won't be needing him again.

10. I don't have an attitude problem.? You have a perception problem.

11. Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and thought to myself -- "Where the hell is the ceiling???"

12. My reality check bounced.

13. On the keyboard of life, always keep one finger on the escape key.

14. I don't suffer from stress - I'm a carrier...

15. You're slower than a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut butter!

16. Don't meddle in the affairs of dragons, cuz, like, you're crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

17. Everybody is somebody else's weirdo...

18. Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.

HappyBirthday, Matt!!

My nephew, Matt, is having a birthday today-- I hope he has a really great day!!  I'm afraid your mom will have to send you the URL for my page, Matt-- I don't have your email address!  Oh, and the snail-mail card is on the way!!  It went out on Friday which isn't enough time to get anything to Michigan!!  Sorry!!  Hope you have a great day, anyway!!

Monday, Monday

"Can't trust that day" . . . or at least, that's how I always heard the lyrics.  Why do I say that?  Well, let's see: we have a beautiful sunny day here in California, we don't have snow, we have a warm flowing breeze, we don't have snow, but most of all, we don't have any snow!!!  Would you believe that it snowed in the near middle-of-April in Michigan?  And people (those who have lived in a cave for a thousand years without outside communication) wonder why I moved away!!  Yeah, right!!

Slow Day . . .

 . . . here at work but, that's okay cuz it gave me time to get caught up on email: my sister, Nancy; my niece, Faye; my cousin, Barb; my friends, Delanae, Irma and The Wanderer.  I've done some contract work today but there still isn't very much coming in . . . it'll get there, I'm sure!

Tonight . . .

I'm going to ride my bike to Weight Watchers-- I think its around two miles but, rather than having Brian come pick me up, I'm also going to ride my bike home.  There's an hour's rest in between in the meeting so I think I'll be okay.  By the way, I'm wearing heels for the first time since I broke my toe and my toe is getting a little sensitive about it.  It doesn't like being held at an angle in bondage, apparently.  We'll see how it feels after heels and bicycling four miles!

Its later now . . .

 . . . and I, indeed, rode my bike to the WW meeting.  Because of the muscle I'm building with riding my bike, I didn't lose any weight this week but I'm not discouraged.  (Do you get the feeling that it takes quite a bit to get me discouraged about this stuff?  I hope so!!)  The trip home was "longer" than the way down there, for sure but, at least I know I can do it now.  So, you guessed it, I'll be doing it again next week, too!

**********

Its getting late but I need to get a shower and get on with it.  Have a good night . . .

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