Archive of Marcia's Musings December 3-9, 2001
Sunday, December 9, 2001
Update at 3:49pmYippeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yep, you guessed it-- we're gonna get our Bundle-O-Joy!!! Yesterday, as we were getting ready to leave for the holiday party, the volunteer home visit person (Wendy) called to see if she could come by last night!! We talked for a bit about what was going on that evening for both of us and finally came to the conclusion that we would meet her at our house at 10:30PM, and if we gothome earlier, we would caller her.
Well, we got home at around 9:45 so we called and she came over about 10:15-- Pitch dark outside but thankfully, no rain yet!! We searched and found the flashlights so that a proper inspection of the fence could occur, which was pretty much the point of the home visit. After showing her where Sally's bed would be put and confirming the height and sturdiness of the fence in our backyard, we were given the seal of approval. Wendy is now scheduled to call Sarah Ann, the foster parent, this morning before 10 so, long about 9:30, I'll be calling to confirm that she's gotten the call. From there, its a matter of coordinating calendars to go get her and then, Sally will be ours!!!!
Excited?? Me??? Nah!!! Not a bit-- MUCH!!!!!
I took the picture that we had of her-- the one below-- in a frame to the party last night so that everyone could "meet" her. They're all looking forward to her coming to our work on Monday-- Auntie Nina is not planning to be in her cubicle all day but she'll leave a forwarding Post-It Note: "I'm in Marcia's cubicle". Yes, it is going to be mighty crowded!!! Nina also wants to come over this afternoon after we have Sally settled in so she can get a head-start on getting to know her new little niece.
Last night at the party, there was talk of a doggie shower but I don't know-- I think they're going just a little overboard, ya know? ;>)
No Costco run but grocery store will need to be gotten to later on-- after Sally is settled in and looking less confused than she is bound to be these days.
More later if time permits-- I know we will but you try have a nice day, too!
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C'mon-- think about it!! How long was it going to take before I made up a "Sally's Home Page"?? If you guessed anything longer than 2 hours (the time it takes to compose something and put up the pictures), you obviously don't know me very well-- go back and read all of my archives of Musings.
Sally has had a wonderful housewarming with friends and neighbors dropping by this afternoon. We've had tons of fun watching her sleep-- again, let's give the girl a break: she's been moved twice this week. That is traumatizing for people and pets really aren't that different. She'll get into a routine for her new life with us as soon as she figures out that she's here to stay and that, rounded with lots of loving and hugging and petting and playing, will only take time. Time as set according to Sally-- there's nothing we ("Mommy" and "Daddy") can do to change that time clock.
Tomorrow she'll be going to work with me with her new bed for under my desk. When Brian takes her to work, she probably won't need a bed but I need to make sure that she knows where her place is in my office.
More Updates . . .
I've added a few lines and pictures to the Christmas 2001 page, too. Its been a busy afternoon around here!!
More later . . . perhaps . . .
Saturday, December 8, 2001
Update at 3:07pmBusy Day Ahead
I thought I'd put a post up now because I've got a feeling that its going to be a busy day-- well, actually, I know its going to be a busy day!!
First up: We're going to the Adoption Showcase, hopefully to find Sally (notice that her name is no longer in quotes-- I can live with calling her Sally). I hope it isn't a bait-n-switch situation cuz she's a real cutie that we'd love to be able to call our Li'l BOJ.
Before we leave for that but after our showers, I need to start the "Chinese Chicken Caruso" in the slow cooker to get the sauce cooked through the baked chicken. No, that's not a recipe on my Recipe page so don't bother to look-- it was one of my father's favorites so I don't know why I haven't put it up there. I don't think I've ever made it for Brian but, I'll try to remember to write it down and add it to that site.
Yes, yes-- I'm digressing!! Gimme a sec!! Okay, so the reason that I'm making that is because my department at work (the Contracts Department) is having a Holiday Potluck. The company, as with most companies in Silicon Valley, is cutting back on expenses so we're not having a Big Company Holiday Party this year. Not a problem and no reason that we can't have our own little celebration, right? Right!! So we're all bringing something and meeting at someone's house and, yes, the hosting couple are dog friendly and have already insisted that Sally come with us to meet their little friend, Laddie!! (Yes, the potluck is at Myrna and Roger's house tonight-- Laddie really likes the ladies so I'm sure he and Sally will hit it off swimmingly!!)
Because of that, we'll be leaving the house again, after coming home with Sally at about 3:45 or so and not be back until ???? Thus, the reason behind this post now.
I'll say it again: Yes, I've kinda got my heart set on finding Sally at the Adoption Showcase today and bringing her home with us. I really hope she's there!! The way that they've described her temperament and activity levels are exactly what we're looking for in a Li'l BOJ-- I'm just horrified that I'll be disappointed!! First thing tomorrow, I'll update you on what's going on with that, okay? Okay!!
Do I Seem Jittery?
Brian has decided that I've been drinking too much coffee again-- then he needs to stop making such good coffee!! I can't help it: it tastes good and, since I drink it black, has no calories or fat so, its one of the few vices I have left in this world, okay? I'll try to cut back-- again-- but I don't really want to!!
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On a final note, Barbara Thompson mentions a Barbara Kingsolver book in her post today that I hadn't heard of nor do I own. I have most of Kingsolver's work already since I really like her writing style, including her character development style. I went over to Barnes & Noble this morning and bought not only the Prodigal Summer but also picked up High Tide in Tucson. That'll be the second book of Kingsolver's essays that I have; Homeland and Other Stories is already on my bookshelf. Thanks for the heads-up, Barbara!!
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Okay, so I'm off to start my day. Thanks for coming by!! Wish us luck and have a great one!
We don't have her yet but, Sally was at the Adoption Showcase today and, because we were there FIRST (like I was going to let us be late!!), we got first dibbs on her. When she came in, she came right to me and we (the three of us) sat down on the floor and made a lovely little family. Ahhhh! The joy and the bliss!!
Sally is a sweetly dispositioned dog-- a cocker spaniel mix of some sort that makes her extremely calm, curious and happy. She is completely house trained and doesn't chew on stuff because she's a little more mature than a puppy-- these are good things to have in a dog!
We filled out all of the paperwork but, alas, there was no one to do a home visit today so we'll have to wait for that until tomorrow. When we get the home visit tomorrow, we'll get the 'Yeah' or 'Nay' vote and be able to go get her where she is being fostered right now.
She is such a cutie!! I cannot wait-- I'm just beside myself with glee!!
Thought you'd like to know-- keep your fingers crossed that the home visit goes well so we can finish up the adoption tomorrow!!
Friday, December 7, 2001Much Better, Thanks!!
I'm feeling about 99.9% today-- whew!! This bug has sure taken some time to get over!! I really do feel a whole lot better and, as a result, was a lot more productive at work than I've been all week. I hate being sick but it appears that this is behind me-- its only December so I wonder how many more flu bugs I'm going to have to face this winter!!
Good News
The Bundle-O-Joy that we've been hoping for is soon going to be joining our humble abode-- we've gotten the go-ahead to get a dog from the landlord, informally, so we're going for it ASAP!! I'm excited, needless to say-- Brian and I have both been swarming all over the internet trying to find a dog that we like.
The front runner this morning was a Corgi/Chow mix but that has been replaced by "Sally" (see her picture at left). I don't think I like the name "Sally" for a dog-- maybe we'll try to change that when and if we get her. Who we actually end up with is anybody's guess but, it is fun and heart-wrenching at the same time to look. Tomorrow we're going to go to an "Adoption Showcase" to see what they have available; hopefully, "Sally" will be there and we can see if we'll make a good family.
So, now I have a new obsession for you to see me through; Brian's not quite as obsessed about this as I am-- close but not quite. Until we get our own little BOJ, I probably won't be happy but I'm going to try to wait until we get just the right fit for us and the dog, which is going to be difficult to do (the waiting part, I mean).
Anyway, all of that said, we've still got the Christmas cards to address as well as making up the list of pet supplies that we will need for BOJ.
Always nice to have friends dropping in so thanks for stopping by!! Have a nice evening!
Thursday, December 6, 2001Back Again!!
I actually had started to feel better today and then, about 11am, my flu struck again. I was home and in bed by 12 and down for a nap by 1:30. Since that time, I've checked my email and voicemail and finally gave up on that-- I couldn't think straight so I layed down again.
All I've had to eat today is chicken soup, toast and sliced canned peaches-- my mother's remedies for the flu. I had another nap at 6pm so I am nothing if not rested.
We had plans to go out to dinner with our friends, Pat and Nathan, tomorrow night but that's been cancelled until I feel better. We're shooting for the 21st because our time between now and then is booked solid on the weekends!
Minor Update
The conference call at 7am today went well-- we're not as far apart as they originally thought we were on the issues and most of the issues are resolvable. We're both working on wording to get things revised and returned to each other, hopefully by Monday so that we can set up another call on Tuesday. That call, however, will be at Noon Pacific so its not so invasive or early!!
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Last night, I updated the format of my Meanderings page-- check it out and provide your seal of approval here.
Other than that, I'm off to try to feel better some more. Maybe some more decaf hot tea?? Sure, pour me another cup!
Have a nice evening!
Wednesday, December 5, 2001That was fun!!
The conference call this morning went well and, as of 5pm East Coast time, the contract was signed-- good news, of course!! Tomorrow, I've got a similar situation but that one has a few more sticking points in it-- lots of controversy. Yes, I was at the office at 6:45am today and I will be again tomorrow. As I told the Director this morning: "I could swear it was December _*5*_, not December _*31*_!!!" Wow!!! This early in the month and we're this busy already-- gonna be fun!! John describes it as trying to balance a bunch of spinning plates on little tiny sticks. Oh, yeah, that's my idea of a good time!!! (Yes, I know you know it is but I have to at least sound like I'm complaining, don't I?)
Still Sickly
I stayed at the office through about 4pm today and finally gave up the ghost-- Brian did about the same although he's feeling much worse than I am now. I believe that I'm on the mend and just trying to get back to normal-- yes, yes, whatever that is!!
Safe-n-Sound
If you read my sister's website journal, you know that they left Brazil on Monday and arrived in Michigan yesterday. Today, I took a few minutes and gave them a call to make sure that they arrived safely. I asked how the flights were and was told that what astounded them the most was seeing National Guard in airports with guns-- visibly guarding something. This from people who live in a third-world nation-- well, okay, maybe second world!
They both told me about how they've already made a trip out to the old homestead and were equally astounded by the stark contrast to two years ago when we were there. Man, I'm really glad we don't live in Michigan and I don't have to see that-- no, I probably will not search it out when next we travel there. Too weird!!
Anyway, that said, I'm trying to stay low key again tonight which means I will only call my other sister (the teacher) and have a real chat rather than sitting at my computer. I'm going to work on the Christmas page tomorrow along with getting some pictures from old times put together for you to see.
Have a nice evening!
Tuesday, December 4, 2001Happy Birthday,Faye!!
My niece, Faye, is having another birthday today-- she's way too old to mention her age but, trust me, she'll just love having it blasted all over the internet!!
HappyBirthday,Kiddo!!
Sicko
I came home from work sick today-- remember that I mentioned my stomach wasn't happy last night? Well, it was better for awhile today. Then I ate lunch and I had problems all over again. Since I hadn't had much traffic at my desk, I didn't figure it would be a problem but, of course, I left all you-know-what broke loose. My laptop still doesn't work from home and webmail didn't work for awhile-- we had a new virus being circulated this morning so the systems were down for scrubbing at one point.
Christmas 2001
Although my enthusiasm is somewhat lacking at this point, trust me when I tell you that I'm happy that Christmas is on its way. This is evidenced by the fact that I have now put up all of the pictures (that are fit to publish at this time) on my Christmas 2001 page-- Enjoy!!
Have a nice evening!
Monday, December 3, 2001Nope, not me!
You're right: I didn't make it back to post more last night! By the time that 8pm rolled around, I was exhausted so that left very little for my brain to handle writing anything cognitive. During the course of the day, we did three loads of laundry, settled the new furniture in the house (Brian was spacially accurate, of course), I finished the quilting present that I was making and we did both the Costco and grocery store runs. Between 8 and 9pm, I worked on the Christmas page which, as you can see, is up but not complete or caught up to date but, it is there.
Brian gives an assist with some of the prep work that needs to be done on the photos so that helps. The link to it is at the top of this page (and here) so when you want to, you can periodically check to see if its been updated.
Other than that . . .
I started my day with an argument with a "District Manager" who didn't want to let me finish any of my sentences. This is the guy on our side of the project and, for whatever reason, every time I tried to talk, he cut me off. I finally yelled at him to let me finish my sentence so he could hear my point and he did. When I finished what I had been trying to say, the conversation went back to "normal", whatever that is in this weird world. One should not have to yell to get a point across-- especially, when its someone on MY team!!!
A few weeks ago, it was announced that the CFO of my company, whom I adore, decided that, at the ripe old age of 44, she needs to retire. Okay, so I hate her for that but she's wonderful and we all (my department) went out to lunch with her today to send her off properly. We had a great time laughing and reminiscing but, she's going to be on the Board at the company so she'll still be around. She's a sweet lady who is a fireball of energy and determination-- great to work with, needless to say. I'll miss her but it'll be nice that she can be a real participant in life and her marriage now.
On the way back to the office, we were all comiserating that we must've done something wrong-- we're not all at or over 44 but we're definitely not wealthy enough to retire!! Definitely have done something wrong there, for sure!!
Bad News Tonight
Well, its a mixed bag, really. Remember how I keep telling you I'm soooo busy? Well, the quilt shop called tonight and moved the start of my class start to January. I know its better that I have the time free between now and the end of the year for work and for hobbies and for family, etc., but I was really looking forward to taking that class!! Bummer!!!
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Well, for whatever reason, my stomach has decided to not be happy this evening. As a result, instead of having fish, I'm having popcorn and Brian's having whatever he can find. I don't like not feeling well but the food at lunch was probably too rich or something.
So, enjoy the start of my Christmas 2001 page and I'll keep it updated as well as getting it caught up through the end of the weekend over the next couple of days.
Have a nice evening!
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