Smoking ban has gone into effect! No more taking Mr. Frogman bowling and coming home smelling like cigarette smoke. I am so excited that this has gone into effect. This will allow us to do more things that we enjoy doing without having to deal with the smoke. As a non smoker this will be a welcome relief.
I know for smokers this will make things a bit more difficult but I believe non smokers have been dealing with the smoke difficulties for too long as it is. I know this opinion will not be liked by many but as most of you know, it's my opinion....and on this point of view I will not change. :)
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
If All Else Fails, Read the Manual!!
Late one night my mom called. My sister was in downtown Seattle. She wasnt able to get her truck started. It had to be moved or it was going to be impounded. It was 11pm I was already driving into Seattle to help her and have her truck towed and we arent talking a small toyota pick up we are talking about a full size Ford Expedition. So they can't send a standard tow truck, they have to send a flat bed. I had it towed to my work since it's free to park there and the Maintenance Person there knows me and likes me, would not have it towed. After four people looked at her truck engine, changed the battery, tried to diagnose what was wrong. I went and sat in her truck. I was put on the back burner as the philosophy of many is I am "just a girl, what do I know?" This "girl" figured out what was wrong. After putting fuel in her tank as it was on empty thinking that may have been the issue (which it wasn't). I sat in her truck one day after work and just went back to the basics. The owners manual. I looked around the truck and as I attempted to start it all the lights were on and things were running great, which told me the battery was fine. It would turn over but just wouldn't start. So I thought, having Fords in the past how about the alarm system? I looked around and it was off, so that couldnt be it. I then remembered something my mom telling me a few days ago about her errands. She went and made a new key to my sisters truck. So I read the book and then called my mom and asked her if I had the new key or the old key. She told me I had the new key. I asked her where the old key was. She said that she had it. So I drove the 30 minutes from my work to her house to get this key and back to work. I put the key in the ignition, turned the key and the truck suddenly came to life. The alarm system was working. She forgot to program her new key with her truck. I sat there wondering if I should just program it and tell her later or if I should just let it go and make her wonder what was wrong. Of course over time I would tell her but I wasnt sure she wanted to hear what was wrong.
It was a very expensive lesson to learn.
It was a very expensive lesson to learn.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Christmas 2005 School Concert
Mr. Frogman had his Christmas concert tonight for school. It was held at the high school that I graduated from. What a neat concert the kids gave. Wouldn't you know it my son was so very well behaved unlike concerts in the past where he was the one jumping up and down off the bleachers or stands taking a few kids with him as he jumped. Not to mention take down a few more as he got back up to stand. I tried over the years to warn the teacher to put him down front but the challenge with that is he his very tall and really due to his height needs to be in the back. Tonight I was amazed as he stood there for each song, sang along and smiled in the process.
After the night was over and they put everything away and the kids were dismissed by the teacher from the concert I had the opportunity to tell him how cool the concert was and how proud of him I was that he sang so well (although he can't truly carry a tune) and behaved so good. I asked him how he managed to stand still so well. He told me that he had to be in order to be part of the stage crew clean up.
Most kids would want to get a compliment or treat for doing such a great job on their performance, leave it to my child to want to be chosen for stage crew clean up. Do you think the teacher was complaining or honestly going to take that task away from any child so willing to clean up? Perhaps I should reward him with the opportunity to clean his room more often. ;)
After the night was over and they put everything away and the kids were dismissed by the teacher from the concert I had the opportunity to tell him how cool the concert was and how proud of him I was that he sang so well (although he can't truly carry a tune) and behaved so good. I asked him how he managed to stand still so well. He told me that he had to be in order to be part of the stage crew clean up.
Most kids would want to get a compliment or treat for doing such a great job on their performance, leave it to my child to want to be chosen for stage crew clean up. Do you think the teacher was complaining or honestly going to take that task away from any child so willing to clean up? Perhaps I should reward him with the opportunity to clean his room more often. ;)
Christmas Party 2005
This past weekend was my company Christmas Party. What an evening to remember. With this post is my story of one of last years Parties I had the opportunity to attend. My manager is a very caring and giving person. This year he gave everyone a crystal set of some kind. I received a beautiful Crystal Champagne Ice Bucket with 4 crystal glasses to match. When you cling them together they make a beautiful sound not just a *clink* of glass together.
This year I took a date. Wolfman, I had a GREAT time! Thanks for dressing up at my beckoning and looking so great! I think you outshined alot of people including myself. Sorry about the hangover on Sunday :(
My company hosts a formal event every year. We have a ball room with a dj, dance floor, 6 course meal, and an open bar. You can bet with almost everyone there the open bar was the highlight of the evening. Between the toasting of a job well done, and how great the upcoming year will be alot of drinks were drank and massive merriness ensued. Everyone was dressed very elegantly in tux and tails or very nice suits and gowns, cocktail dresses and exquisite wear. The women beautiful, the men hansome, the drinks pouring, the food eaten, the dancing beginning. Pretty soon the gowns and tuxes forgotten, everyone breaking loose on the dance floor and the merriment getting more boisterous, pretty soon the party was a group of people having a great time not caring if they were dressed in their finest or not on the dance floor shaking everything they were worth even if they couldn't dance. What a great party! As the evening progressed a few people headed home early. Then the middle group that lasted until about 11pm and the final group that stayed until the dj and bartender called it a night and then headed for the hotel bar.
I was part of the group that departed at 11pm. Mr. Wolfman had consumed 2 or 3 mixed drinks and 4 shots of tequila had had enough for one night. I had out done him with 3-4 drinks and 6 shots of tequila. I was walking him to the elevator and up to our room. What a light weight :) I am proud of him though he didn't get sick, although, I know his head wasn't feeling all that great the next day. Poor guy! We had a good time though. That's all that matters.
Here is my rendition of what happened last year to prepare for the party. Not much changes.
Cinderella
I was to attend a semi-formal business event for my company with another business acquaintance of mine who did not want to go alone. I was very uncomfortable with the idea of having to go shopping and focus on hair, nails and make up as well as think about finding the “right” dress or outfit to wear. With all this was to entail I wasn’t too keen on the idea of going but he wanted to make sure I went as according to shopper I “deserved” to be there. I thought about this and wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not knowing what was coming up over the next week to get ready.
I had less than a week and I thought I can do this in less than a week. I told Shopper about it and she got all excited and giddy. She was thrilled that I was going to have to dress up and do my hair and make up. She had been waiting a long time to get her “cosmetological” hands on me.
I had just entered my worst nightmare. Shopper was just chomping at the bit to get me out shopping. She and I agreed that we would make the dress that she had in mind as she is a very creative individual and a licensed cosmetologist. She is a very creative person who loves to use her creative talents on making others happy or miserable depending on how you looked at it. I could tell my next week was going to be a complete nightmare. Shopper was calling me almost every hour except for when I was at work and I sometimes wonder if she didn’t call and hang up.
We spent an evening shopping for material her idea of neat was bright and colorful. Mine wasn’t quite the bright neon pink she seemed to adore. I prefer the traditional black or calm colors like blue and green or aquamarine. After a bit of no and no and well how about this? We finally agreed on a black satin material with a lace over in the same pattern.
She worked night and day for two days finishing this dress. She so wanted things to be perfect. The fourth day she decided that I didn’t have any shoes to match the dress. My mouth fell open and I looked at her incredulously. How many pairs of shoes did one person need? I already, in my opinion, had too many pairs. She looked at me and couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Any self respecting woman could never have enough shoes. I sat and laughed quietly to myself as I didn’t want to offend the queen of chic.
We were out the door to find shoes. We went from store to store having her force me to try on shoes. One inch, two inch, three inch heels, how in the hell do women walk in these things? She looked at me and very sternly said, “You will get used to it. Deal with it!” After going to at least eight different stores we ended up back at the original store buying the one pair I had tried on first. Ugh!! All of that for the first pair I tried on anyway? What’s up with that?
She wanted me to go home and practice walking in them so I wouldn’t stumble all over myself the night of the event. I laughed and agreed I would have too I am not accustomed to walking around in two or three inch high heeled shoes. I wasn’t even sure I was going to be safe. One trip and I was going over like a tree. TIMBER!! Maybe at this point life insurance would be a good thing.
She gave me a day of reprieve and then the night of the event arrived. She was so nervous. It was like she was Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother and she was getting her ready for the Ball. I sat and laughed and sighed as I wasn’t prepared for everything she had in mind. She was mentioning waxing, and then tried to approach me with a stick that had a bunch of goo on it. Now what the hell was she going to do with that? It wasn’t going to touch me in any way shape or form. Working in the septic industry having someone approach you with some “brown stuff on a stick” just isn’t right. I explained this to her and she just started to laugh an evil laugh. At this point I knew I was in trouble. She applied what she needed to where she needed to and then started to apply a cloth. I knew what she was about to do and I was a bit fearful. I am not one for allowing pain especially when it is happening to me. She suddenly changed the subject and got my attention diverted when all of a sudden she ripped that piece of cloth from my body. Bloody Hell!! She almost had to tie me down. Nothing like having a good patch of hair ripped from your body when you least expect it! There was no way I was going to allow her to do that again. She once again approached me with that stick with the goo on it and told me if she didn’t do it one more time that I would look like the biggest dork on the face of the earth. My thought was that if I looked like a dork I didn’t care I didn’t want to experience that kind of pain again. I reluctantly let her do it again and again I was cringing when I noticed she was attempting to divert my attention again. I should have let her. It hurt more the second time knowing it was coming. How do women put up with this on a regular basis?
After the waxing that wasn’t supposed to hurt a bit, came the hair and make up. She again was so excited that I let her get her hands on me it wasn’t funny. This part wasn’t so bad. All I had to do was sit there as she cut and styled my hair. Although I did watch her closely she had discussed wanting to use hair dye and I didn’t want to have anything to do with that.
The time to go and meet my date was upon me The accessories had to be on just right. I had to hold my bag in the proper manner. She reminded me to use my manners. I finally told her enough was enough. I was raised with manners and my sharp tongue would be held in check. I was in for a night of "extravagance". Until I received a call, my date was extremely sick and couldn't make it.
All that trouble to be "presentable" **Sigh** Another day in paradise?
This year I took a date. Wolfman, I had a GREAT time! Thanks for dressing up at my beckoning and looking so great! I think you outshined alot of people including myself. Sorry about the hangover on Sunday :(
My company hosts a formal event every year. We have a ball room with a dj, dance floor, 6 course meal, and an open bar. You can bet with almost everyone there the open bar was the highlight of the evening. Between the toasting of a job well done, and how great the upcoming year will be alot of drinks were drank and massive merriness ensued. Everyone was dressed very elegantly in tux and tails or very nice suits and gowns, cocktail dresses and exquisite wear. The women beautiful, the men hansome, the drinks pouring, the food eaten, the dancing beginning. Pretty soon the gowns and tuxes forgotten, everyone breaking loose on the dance floor and the merriment getting more boisterous, pretty soon the party was a group of people having a great time not caring if they were dressed in their finest or not on the dance floor shaking everything they were worth even if they couldn't dance. What a great party! As the evening progressed a few people headed home early. Then the middle group that lasted until about 11pm and the final group that stayed until the dj and bartender called it a night and then headed for the hotel bar.
I was part of the group that departed at 11pm. Mr. Wolfman had consumed 2 or 3 mixed drinks and 4 shots of tequila had had enough for one night. I had out done him with 3-4 drinks and 6 shots of tequila. I was walking him to the elevator and up to our room. What a light weight :) I am proud of him though he didn't get sick, although, I know his head wasn't feeling all that great the next day. Poor guy! We had a good time though. That's all that matters.
Here is my rendition of what happened last year to prepare for the party. Not much changes.
Cinderella
I was to attend a semi-formal business event for my company with another business acquaintance of mine who did not want to go alone. I was very uncomfortable with the idea of having to go shopping and focus on hair, nails and make up as well as think about finding the “right” dress or outfit to wear. With all this was to entail I wasn’t too keen on the idea of going but he wanted to make sure I went as according to shopper I “deserved” to be there. I thought about this and wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not knowing what was coming up over the next week to get ready.
I had less than a week and I thought I can do this in less than a week. I told Shopper about it and she got all excited and giddy. She was thrilled that I was going to have to dress up and do my hair and make up. She had been waiting a long time to get her “cosmetological” hands on me.
I had just entered my worst nightmare. Shopper was just chomping at the bit to get me out shopping. She and I agreed that we would make the dress that she had in mind as she is a very creative individual and a licensed cosmetologist. She is a very creative person who loves to use her creative talents on making others happy or miserable depending on how you looked at it. I could tell my next week was going to be a complete nightmare. Shopper was calling me almost every hour except for when I was at work and I sometimes wonder if she didn’t call and hang up.
We spent an evening shopping for material her idea of neat was bright and colorful. Mine wasn’t quite the bright neon pink she seemed to adore. I prefer the traditional black or calm colors like blue and green or aquamarine. After a bit of no and no and well how about this? We finally agreed on a black satin material with a lace over in the same pattern.
She worked night and day for two days finishing this dress. She so wanted things to be perfect. The fourth day she decided that I didn’t have any shoes to match the dress. My mouth fell open and I looked at her incredulously. How many pairs of shoes did one person need? I already, in my opinion, had too many pairs. She looked at me and couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Any self respecting woman could never have enough shoes. I sat and laughed quietly to myself as I didn’t want to offend the queen of chic.
We were out the door to find shoes. We went from store to store having her force me to try on shoes. One inch, two inch, three inch heels, how in the hell do women walk in these things? She looked at me and very sternly said, “You will get used to it. Deal with it!” After going to at least eight different stores we ended up back at the original store buying the one pair I had tried on first. Ugh!! All of that for the first pair I tried on anyway? What’s up with that?
She wanted me to go home and practice walking in them so I wouldn’t stumble all over myself the night of the event. I laughed and agreed I would have too I am not accustomed to walking around in two or three inch high heeled shoes. I wasn’t even sure I was going to be safe. One trip and I was going over like a tree. TIMBER!! Maybe at this point life insurance would be a good thing.
She gave me a day of reprieve and then the night of the event arrived. She was so nervous. It was like she was Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother and she was getting her ready for the Ball. I sat and laughed and sighed as I wasn’t prepared for everything she had in mind. She was mentioning waxing, and then tried to approach me with a stick that had a bunch of goo on it. Now what the hell was she going to do with that? It wasn’t going to touch me in any way shape or form. Working in the septic industry having someone approach you with some “brown stuff on a stick” just isn’t right. I explained this to her and she just started to laugh an evil laugh. At this point I knew I was in trouble. She applied what she needed to where she needed to and then started to apply a cloth. I knew what she was about to do and I was a bit fearful. I am not one for allowing pain especially when it is happening to me. She suddenly changed the subject and got my attention diverted when all of a sudden she ripped that piece of cloth from my body. Bloody Hell!! She almost had to tie me down. Nothing like having a good patch of hair ripped from your body when you least expect it! There was no way I was going to allow her to do that again. She once again approached me with that stick with the goo on it and told me if she didn’t do it one more time that I would look like the biggest dork on the face of the earth. My thought was that if I looked like a dork I didn’t care I didn’t want to experience that kind of pain again. I reluctantly let her do it again and again I was cringing when I noticed she was attempting to divert my attention again. I should have let her. It hurt more the second time knowing it was coming. How do women put up with this on a regular basis?
After the waxing that wasn’t supposed to hurt a bit, came the hair and make up. She again was so excited that I let her get her hands on me it wasn’t funny. This part wasn’t so bad. All I had to do was sit there as she cut and styled my hair. Although I did watch her closely she had discussed wanting to use hair dye and I didn’t want to have anything to do with that.
The time to go and meet my date was upon me The accessories had to be on just right. I had to hold my bag in the proper manner. She reminded me to use my manners. I finally told her enough was enough. I was raised with manners and my sharp tongue would be held in check. I was in for a night of "extravagance". Until I received a call, my date was extremely sick and couldn't make it.
All that trouble to be "presentable" **Sigh** Another day in paradise?
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Can't live with 'em, Can't get rid of 'em. Gotta love 'em.
No I am not talking about men, although it sounds like it. I am talking about family. The jokes we play on one another and the jokes we fall for as a family is crazy.
Gotta love family. I will be at work, trying to get stuff done and one of the Leaders will call me and need immediate computer help. Then there is not much I can do from work since, I can't see what is happening or what program they are running. So I do as much as I can. Sitting there. Most of the time I fake it just to look good and have to stop by later and take care of the issue at hand. I get a free meal out of the deal though, that makes up for my time (they have much better meals). Alot of the time when I am explaining what I think will work they happen to figure it out or solve the problem on their own completely by accident and I still look good! I really enjoy helping when most of the time I have a viable solution.
Of course during the time I am diagnosing what is happening I become the victim of their torture. I am regaled with the event of the day. Peacemaker was at the Leaders. When visiting all of us kids answer the phone. Most of the time we answer it with different sayings like, "Your dime, my minutes start talking." or "Dominoes how can I help you today?" I personally like to answer the phone sounding like an answering machine, really confusing people, my last personal one went something like this, "Hi! You have reached Kasey on vacation, if this is work related you can hang up now, if this is anyone else start talking I am here...." I thought originally it was one of the Leaders calling and found out it was one of my sons teachers calling to reschedule a meeting we had.
Peacemaker has taken the award of the week for the most humorous phone call this week. Onelip and two lips will never have the same meaning again. Rabbit, you still looking for woman??? or One Good Woman??? ;) Good Luck! Make sure your woman doesn't find out!!
Gotta love family. I will be at work, trying to get stuff done and one of the Leaders will call me and need immediate computer help. Then there is not much I can do from work since, I can't see what is happening or what program they are running. So I do as much as I can. Sitting there. Most of the time I fake it just to look good and have to stop by later and take care of the issue at hand. I get a free meal out of the deal though, that makes up for my time (they have much better meals). Alot of the time when I am explaining what I think will work they happen to figure it out or solve the problem on their own completely by accident and I still look good! I really enjoy helping when most of the time I have a viable solution.
Of course during the time I am diagnosing what is happening I become the victim of their torture. I am regaled with the event of the day. Peacemaker was at the Leaders. When visiting all of us kids answer the phone. Most of the time we answer it with different sayings like, "Your dime, my minutes start talking." or "Dominoes how can I help you today?" I personally like to answer the phone sounding like an answering machine, really confusing people, my last personal one went something like this, "Hi! You have reached Kasey on vacation, if this is work related you can hang up now, if this is anyone else start talking I am here...." I thought originally it was one of the Leaders calling and found out it was one of my sons teachers calling to reschedule a meeting we had.
Peacemaker has taken the award of the week for the most humorous phone call this week. Onelip and two lips will never have the same meaning again. Rabbit, you still looking for woman??? or One Good Woman??? ;) Good Luck! Make sure your woman doesn't find out!!
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Words to live by!
"life is not defined by the number of breaths we take but by the number of moments that take our breath away"
My Daily Philosophy!
I would go fishing for Moby Dick in a row boat and bring tartar sauce! Nothing in life is too big or small.
My Daily Philosophy!
I would go fishing for Moby Dick in a row boat and bring tartar sauce! Nothing in life is too big or small.
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog! This is the life and times of a single mom, Kasey, and my wonderful son Mr. Frogman. This will be the simple postings of our daily life. As I go along I will have many things to share from my writing samples to stories of friends and family. The following is a list of people that will be included in my writing and I encourage them to comment or add to what I have here at any time. :) Stay tuned. No day is the same and there is always something to laugh about each and every day. We have a lot of laughs. Plus the holidays are coming and that leads to family fun, jokes and laughs.
Wolfman and MonkeyDudeJr, without you, I wouldnt know what a true friend is.
Sightsee'er, you are one I have to keep around for a very long time. Without you who would find the deals? Take my calls late at night when I need help? Fix all the stuff I can't? Laugh at me when I truly need it. :)
Intimidator and intimidator Jr, or can you come up with a better name? This one is still up in the air, jrs worm will never leave. One day I will have to explain that much better.
The Leaders, Love you Mom and Dad!
Rabbit, Trucker, Shopper, Peacemaker, and Caffeinator just wait and see! I think you will like what you'll see.
There are many others to add to this list as well but this is a very good start.
Wolfman and MonkeyDudeJr, without you, I wouldnt know what a true friend is.
Sightsee'er, you are one I have to keep around for a very long time. Without you who would find the deals? Take my calls late at night when I need help? Fix all the stuff I can't? Laugh at me when I truly need it. :)
Intimidator and intimidator Jr, or can you come up with a better name? This one is still up in the air, jrs worm will never leave. One day I will have to explain that much better.
The Leaders, Love you Mom and Dad!
Rabbit, Trucker, Shopper, Peacemaker, and Caffeinator just wait and see! I think you will like what you'll see.
There are many others to add to this list as well but this is a very good start.
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