Category Archives: Love/Loathe

Love:

* Time in the mountains. I’m so appreciative that we’re able to go up there when we want to and have a place to stay, thanks to Tony’s parents. Have I mentioned lately how much I love my in-laws?

* The breakfast restaurant we go to while in the mountains. It’s sooooo good and the staff now knows us and shoots the breeze with us while we eat.

* Participating in surveys rating my shopping experience at various stores (*1) with a chance to win a gift card. Wouldn’t that be something if I did actually win?

* More jobs for which I can apply have started showing up in the ads.

* People who actually know how to interview. Conversational type interviews are the best. Yes, it takes skill to actually be able to work interview type questions into a conversation naturally, but once that skill is learned, it’s less stilted and awkward for everyone involved. And, bonus, the person you’re interviewing won’t resent the fact that you are employed and she isn’t. I mean, come on! Anyone can read a list of questions and write down answers — in fact, if that’s how you choose to interview someone, let me write my own answers, it’ll take less time.

* I’ve started Christmas shopping — oh yes, I have! I’m so excited!

Loathe:

* Scaring myself with computer things. I installed drivers for my mouse and I guess it conflicted with my OS, because my computer kept freezing in the booting process! Eep! All is well now, but note to myself to remember F8 (safe boot) and must back up my stuff for the month of October!

* Still no fish babies. I thought we were in business a couple weeks ago since one of the females was holding eggs. But she dropped them after 2 days which means they weren’t fertilized.

* Waking up with a headache. I hate headaches.

* My aunt Marjorie is ill with a fever… please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. We’re waiting to see what her doctor says, but I’m thinking I’ll reschedule my trip to see her to next month (instead of this Thursday), that way she can enjoy our visit and not worry about entertaining when she doesn’t feel good.

One Last Thing:

Back in August I bought one of those small Topsy Turvy (*2) things at the store. I was so disappointed in my tomato plant and it’s production of tomatoes this year, I thought I’d give it a try. $10 was seemingly a small price to pay (for an employed gal) at the time for an experiment. In September, I finally got around to putting a small tomato plant in it, I filled half of it with soil (didn’t figure a small plant needed so much dirt as all that), hooked up a spot spitter into the top, and ignored the thing.

On September 19th… awww, look at the baby plant

On September 30th… it’s already curving upwards…

It’s now mid-November, 85°F today, and look at this plant! It has super thick vines that are about as thick as my index finger, and a whole bunch of new flowers. I love how it’s curving upward and to the side toward the sunlight.

Flowers up the side…

Flowers underneath…

Four good size tomatoes…

Look how thick those vines are…

I am really enjoying my $10 experiment!

*1 — Check the bottom of your receipts!
*2 –As seen on TV.

Love:

* After lunch with my IT friends last Friday, we went to a little bakery and I bought some tiramisu. Is this not beautiful?

Pei Yun, who authors one of the blogs I read, writes a series of posts on mashed potatoes in Singapore. I love reading them, maybe I should do a series of posts on tiramisu in Orange County. What better excuse could I possibly have to eat tiramisu everywhere I go? It’s all for the blog!

* My printer finally ran out of ink. I thought the message it gave me was hilarious. Printer health?

* Black eyed pea salsa. I bought it on a whim at Big Lots and it was the best salsa I’ve ever had. Figures it was made in Texas, huh?

*Watching my male fish try to entice the ladies. He started by clearing this circle of rocks.

When that didn’t work, he cleared another circle and then another.

I think pretty soon he’ll have the entire bottom of the tank cleared. Poor boy just wants a little fishy nooky, and doesn’t realize that he’s the wrong color. I was suspicious this would be the case, but had to try. Even though the mating thing isn’t going anywhere, he’s really happy in there establishing his dominance. I’ve read that albino males aren’t sterile, but female cichilds aren’t cooperative in mating with male counterparts who aren’t blue. I guess with cichilds the saying is, “Once you go blue…”

* The little “blup, blup” noises my fish make when they eat. I love this view of them, it’s so sweet to me.

Loathe:

* When I’m on the pill, I get canker sores like clock work every month. Since I’ve been off the pill for 2 1/2 years, I can count the number of canker sores I’ve had on one hand. Anyway, I bought these things to try out way back when and didn’t like them, but I’d applied one when I was going out the door and in a hurry. When I tried to eat or drink something, my teeth would catch it and just ended up making the sore bloody and worse. It’s not recommended that you try to peel them off, but I was desperate. Anyway, I figured it was just user error and would try it again in the future, maybe as an overnight treatment, since it claims to dissolve after 8 hours.

I recently got a canker sore and since I have loads of time now, I took the time to apply it for an overnight treatment. The thing didn’t dissolve in 8 hours, it still caused problems with the sore and I still didn’t like them and don’t recommend them.

I’ve tried every “cure” over the years and as far as I can tell, there’s really nothing that cures them except time. Dratted hormones.

* The emotional ups and downs of job hunting. It’s hard. Although, I have to say, it’s really nice to have had an interview and another one scheduled for tomorrow (different company than last week). All three of the people who have called have complimented my resume as “outstanding.” So at least I know if they’re not calling, it’s not me, it’s “them.”

One Last Thing:

I stopped by Hallmark a couple weeks ago to see their Halloween items that are for sale. I love the little Hallmark store I go to, their buyer brings in the best stuff and the cashier is so sweet and friendly.

I bought this thing there a couple years ago… isn’t it fun? There are buttons you can push on the side, with three recordings for each place of business.

For the Curl up & Dye salon:

“*Sound of a chainsaw*”
*Creak* “Come on in for a hair raising experience. We’ll make you boo-tiful.”
“Our special color treatment is to die for… *laugh*”

For the Apothescary:
“*scary laugh*”
“We’ll fill your prescription cheap, it’ll only cost an arm and a leg!”
“We’ve got just the thing for your coffin.”

The I Scream Shoppe:
“Sludge Ripple, Sloppy Road, Leeches & Cream … and 13 bone chilling flavors!”
“Stop in for the chill of a lifetime!”
“If you’re looking for shakes, you’ve come to the right place!”

Anyway, this year they had this fun table top Halloween tree and these darling ornaments and little jars!

Aren’t these fun? I plan to go back on my birthday (the day after Halloween) and hope for some 1/2 off sale prices. I love after-Halloween sales, don’t you?

Love:

* Coupons for restaurants. We found a coupon for buy one, get one free at Denny’s. Hello date night dinner! Today, I got a coupon in the mail for buy one, get one free at Chipotle. Hello to next week’s date night dinner!

* Aquatic exercise class. Who knew? I mostly feel like a gangly, uncoordinated dork (kinda comes with the territory being 5’11” tall and all, there’s a reason gymnasts are all petite). Fortunately, most of the exercise is all underwater, so no one knows how goofy I feel but me and I’m learning some good stretches.

* This time of year. The first fire in the fireplace, cookies and hot chocolate is just so cozy. So is snuggling on the couch.

* My feetie jammies made their first appearance of the year last night. Ohhhh, I slept so good.

* The last time I purchased gas for my car was on 10/3/09.

* We have plans to spend time together this weekend, going to the sold-out U2 concert at the Rose Bowl. I bought the tickets the day they went on sale, months ago, for Tony’s birthday. The best part of this is how over-the-top excited he is about going. I really love that I gave him something to look forward to.

Loathe:

* Burning the skin on the roof of my mouth. The hot chocolate was definitely hot, though, in case you were wondering.

* Owners who are not conscious of “dense neighborhood” living etiquette and leave their dog outside in a 25′ x 8′ back yard all day. Oh, and it’s a lab. That’s kind of a small area for such a big dog. So the poor thing barks all day – great big WOOF-WOOFs — which is annoying, but when she starts whining, crying and snuffling at their back door like a forlorn puppy? She’s normally a good dog and that whimpering stuff breaks my heart. Here’s hoping that maybe they just sometimes forget to leave their dog door open…

One Last Thing:

I stood in line for 30 minutes today. Not for a Disneyland ride, but to pay $262 for my illegal ride in the bike lane.

I ignored the kids in front of me who talked non-stop about everything from Dancing with the Stars to the fact that they were certain there was no such thing as fresh water fish — all fish are salt water fish, they declared.

The people behind me were gonna go in front of the judge and tell him that they just couldn’t afford the ticket, so he was gonna have to reduce the fee and they still wanted to go to traffic school. Yeah, good luck with that.

I got up to the window and reached for my credit card only to discover it wasn’t in it’s pocket in my purse. (*insert scared look here*) Yikes, so I’d waited in that line for nothing? I looked at the end of the line and couldn’t see it, it was wound around through the line guides and out the door.

Coolly, I asked if they take AMEX. Nope. (Pfft, what kind of place IS this anyway?). I could go check my car, she said, and just come up to her window if I found it. On a whim, I pulled out my stack of membership cards. Oh, you know, the CVS, Hallmark, and grocery store cards? Thank God, my Mastercard was right there. Don’t’cha know, Disneyland and MC go hand-in-hand. Phew!

Soooo, now I have until February 18th, 2010, to go to traffic court online. Guess I’ll have to fit that in my busy schedule somewhere.

Love:

* “Networking” (air quote usage) with friends over lunch. I’ve never had so many “lunches” crammed into one month in all my whole life!

* Earlier this year I wished for a summer, the kind I used to get when I was a kid between school years. I know, be careful what you wish for… *impish grin* but I sure have enjoyed my grown-up summertime. Since that wish came true, I really wish I could go to Hawaii this year.

* Spending so much time with my beloved cats. I sure do love their fuzzy ears, warm tummies and soft paws. I even love their exclamation point tails.

* Getting my projects done. Yesterday I tackled my disorganized guest room. Technically, it’s not really a guest room, it’s my insomnia room. The place I go when i can’t sleep and need absolute quiet and darkness. I tackled it and I’m so happy with it. It cleaned up real nice.

* Reading books and winning books — many thanks to Paula for the book I won on her website.

* Vince for all his computer help this month.

* Crock pot liners. These are God’s gifts to people who don’t like cleaning cooked on gunk off of large crockery.

Loathe:

* This will the last time for my “09” date bookends. *sniffle* As a consolation, I’m pointing out the third nine in the middle.

* I still don’t know what I should do with that knick knack shack I removed from my rolltop desk. For now, I stuck it in the corner, because that’s what one should do with bad things.

* How quickly this month has gone by.

One Last Thing:

Am I the only one with a 12 year old’s sense of humor, who thinks that what they named this product is not only hilarious, but totally appropriate, given the end result of eating them?

Love:

* Today is nephew Huck’s 3rd birthday. Or “dirtday” as he calls it. Happy Birthday, little guy!

* Nephew kisses. Huck asks for “Regular Kisses” (instead of Kissy-Monster kisses which I understand can be a little overwhelming), but there’s nothing “regular” about “Regular Kisses.” They are so full of sweetness and little boy goodness, and I especially love kissing their little necks. Mmmm. Delicious and delectable.

* I’m having fun getting to know my kitchen and cooking. I love making my husband’s tummy rumble when he walks in the door because of the yummy smells.

* Finding 1 lb. bags of rigatoni pasta at Big Lots for $.90. What a bargain!

* Finding boneless pork chops at Costco for $2.49/lb. I spent $12, got home and discovered that there were 16 chops in there. That’s a lot of choppy goodness.

* How I restrained myself from saying how much I love the “09” date bookends.

* Finding weird job ads. This week there was the guy with a list of job duties 3 pages long, the highlights included, “speak to wife about divorce,” and “speak to divorce attorney,” and “arrange poker games with friends,” and “follow-up on rebates”… all for the whopping amount of $5.62/hour. Or the other one, all it says is, “Seeking an assistant to help sales manager, drama background helpful!!! Call Al.” Like, why would a drama background be helpful (with three exclamation points)?

Loathe:

* Remember last week’s giant bump pimple and my desire NOT to pop it? Well, the next morning I was swimming and got too close to the bottom of the pool and my chin scraped the bottom of the pool, but only that side of my chin, the side with the giant bump pimple (because it was sticking out so much) and, HOLY TOOTHPICKS UNDER MY TOE NAIL did that hurt! And then I had a big, fat scab on that side of my chin. (sigh)

* Feeiing ripped off. When I bought my printer a couple years ago, I priced out the replacement ink as part of the price consideration. When I went to buy ink last month, I thought it was weird how the container had the five color inks and then an empty bubble in the packaging. I swore there was black ink when I bought my first replacement package two years ago. I got home and looked, sure enough… they used to sell the black ink with the colored ink. Apparently no longer. But they still use the old packaging to sell the colored ink.

Evidence:

One Last Thing:
On Sunday, we attended our nephew’s birthday party. I had brought along a peanut granola bar and a Hershey’s bar just in case the munchies hit while we were driving over there. You just never know, and I like to be prepared! Turns out, the munchies didn’t hit, so I put the two bars in the cup holder for later. As it happened, it was a rather warm day and, of course, even warmer in the car. So this is what we returned to when the party was over. Well, our party was over.

Things that make you go “Hmmmm…” Not sure if the moral of that story is “Nuts stand up to the heat…” or something else.

(Should I have listed this as “Not Work Safe”??)

Love:

* “09” date bookends. Yep, that’s gonna be on my “love” lists through the end of this month.

* Spending time at home with my pets, especially since the weather cooled off suddenly on Sunday. Don’t miss all that frivolous office A/C one bit (now).

* Snug’s determination — he reclaimed the corner that I stole from him for my files (sort of). This picture was taken the first day he reclaimed the territory, before he realized he could “settle in” to the cat bed. Look at his butt all jacked up in the air. HA!.

* My favorite snack of all time — watermelon and blueberries. I love how it tastes and I really love how it looks.

* Catching up with the people on my reference list. I truly had no idea how much fun that part of being unemployed could be. I certainly don’t remember it being this much fun 3 1/2 years ago!

* How Nephew Huck calls Tony “Uncle Toy” (still) and wishes people “Happy Dirtday” instead of “Happy Birthday”… now THAT is some funny stuff right there. (Click to see video!) So, Happy Dirtday to my mother-in-law (it was the 11th)!

* Also, this video’s pretty funny of Tony’s mom reading her birthday card from us to Nephew Huck… (click to see) Oh, go on, click it. You need to laugh.

*Oh! Today is the day they’re having the evening seminar at my old work for their clients. I don’t have to do anything for it — no late night, no calling the caterer, no phone calls to confirm RSVPs — oh, the bliss!! I did choose to answer some questions from my work friend re: the prep of it. I’m nice that way.

* Our community’s landscapers. They are such a nice group of hardworking men.

* That Mr. White seems to be OK after last week’s exciting escapade.

Loathe:

* Rats in my back yard. Need to go to Home Depot and get a new rat trap, the old one is too rusty.

*Under the skin pimple bumps. Cures, anyone?

* That Tony has to work two jobs. I miss him.

One Last Thing:

You know how I love my catalogs in the mail, right? So I got this one in the mail and I was all, “Cool! No gap-toothed model, yay!” So I’m browsing it, and the first few pages I’m thinking, “Cool clothes, too bad the styles are all cute now that I have nowhere to wear them…” Then I get to the fourth page in and can’t help but be a little surprised because, there, right there, as big as you please is a foot, bigger than all the models, taking up the ENTIRE PAGE!

Now, it’s a nice foot, I’m sure, as feet go, and a nice sandal and everything. But, the size of it in comparison … it’s like the foot of King Kong’s wife. My, oh my — my grandma would remember the early-1900’s, when if someone glimpsed your ankle you were considered on the “racy” side of women.

Tell me I’m not the only one who finds that just a little … bizarre?

Love:

* How all dates this month are bookended with “09”. Yep, I’m a dork that way.
* That my morning commute right now involves feline obstacles instead of vehicular ones.
* Not having to listen to squeaky doors all day.
* Not having to listen to heels banging on chair bases all day.
* 45 minute swims every morning.
* My husband who, because he works less than 5 minutes from our house, was bringing me food treats & short visits during the day last week,
* My tuberose’s bloom shoot popped open last week. Good heavens, but it smells so good. This little bloom right here scents the air in a 10′ radius.

* Wearing my Hawaiian dresses. They were too casual for the office, but not too casual for my “office” now!
* Loreal’s Hip eye liners. I’ve mentioned these before… but, wow, they stood up to the torrent of tears this past week like a champ! Plus, they’ve started making a true thin pencil type of eye liner, and not just an eye crayon.
* Broken Week truly is over and it really is Recovery Week. We started it off right with a tour of Warner Bros. studios yesterday (pictures) — 110 acres of Hollywood goodness.
* Feeling free.
* Fried okra.
* Pears.

Loathe:

* Feeling disorganized and uprooted.
* Missing my work friends.
* Job searching. It’s exhausting, even if it’s all done electronically these days.
* Seeing headlines like this and being just a teensy bit skeered.

* Being treated to a display of “how NOT to terminate someone” by the H.R. woman. Terminations are ordinarily undignified, however, I found myself wondering if she was trained on how to make them humiliating, or if she comes by it naturally.
* Missing out on all the free food from company vendors… and with the holidays coming up, all the boxes and boxes of free candy. *sad sigh*

One Last Thing:
I saw this in a catalog ad the other day and just started laughing while imagining what videos we would get from our cats. A whole lotta sleeping, I’m thinking.