Week Off

This week's been great. To recap what's led to me having the week off - I put in my 2 week notice at my old employer and told CC that I couldn't work until Oct 3 (yes, Tuesday). I gave myself the time off because:
a. I more than deserved it
b. I needed it, and
c. who doesn't take a week off in between jobs?
I did tell my old employer that I was rolling on into the new job just so they didn't guilt me/ask me into staying longer... so they do not know the wiser yet. I'm sure they'll find out... it isn't a huge secret. Just thought it was better for everyone to not say anything. But, I needed the mental break!
So, the first few days I sat around. I told myself that I was going to do nothing since I had already crammed my week full with work. Yes, I scheduled appointments, oil changes, meetings and chores for my whole week off. Fun! Man, I'm a sad, sad type A.
My mother calls to tell me that they'd like to come in town during my week off - great - work without the pay. (*wink*) They arrived Monday early afternoon. I awoke at 7AM to grocery shop, run errands and cook chili before their arrival... we then finished the day antiquing. Tuesday began with breakfast out and errand running at Lowe's (I need to fill the caverness hole I would later create on the SW corner of the house. The foundation wall has more holes than my favorite pair of socks and all the rain runs through to the basement. I spent all afternoon Tuesday digging up bushes and digging up the brick wall that needed to be remortered). My folks left early afternoon. Took my car in for an oil change.
Wednesday I trimmed all the backyard bushes (after taking my car in for new brake pads. How convenient that the shop's free brake inspection came up with "you need new brakes."). I also dug up the buried brick flower bed wall that I discovered last summer. Some bricks were above ground and some were 8" below ground. It was a b*tch. I showered and booked it to the massage appointment (which, I really needed and thoroughly enjoyed).
Thursday was the Blue Ridge Pkway. We hit the ground around 9/9:30AM and got to the Humpback Mountains/hike around by 11AM. One mile straight uphill (I need to go to a doctor and see if I have asthma, I swear) and we were rewarded with the most incredible view. I'll post photos later. We then drove on to Staunton for a quick trip around the quaint downtown antique shops & boutiques after grabbing a greasy lunch at "The Beverly" (hmmmm...)
Today's Friday and I'm off to fill out new job papers, the dentist and probably wasting the day with cleaning & decorating for Halloween (yes, I am like your mother).
Saturday is an all day tour of DC museums, crashing at my friend's place in Columbia Heights and then attending "Craft Bastards!" (Rob's got a table, sweet!).

Phew! What a week. How do people do all these things over just Saturday and Sunday? I've set my alarm for every morning just to do all these things. Parts of the week were awesome (and soon will be - DC!) and parts were all work & exhausting. A need a vacation.

PS - Congrats T. Due in April.

Preparing to stop

Its amazing all the things you suddenly want to do... have to do... and should do before leaving a company. Last week began with me organizing some of my mess for the people who would be picking up some of my responsibilities. The week ended with me working ahead at a pretty good pace. This week ahead will involve cleaning up old files, deleting personal files, cleaning out my desk and moving on.
Its my last Monday here. So far its been great - free lunch and its surprisingly not a sweat-bath up here in the crow's nest (I sit up in the attic rafters for those of you who may not know where my office is. It actually is a room up on stilts floating above the 3rd floor. Looks cool but certainly isn't in the summer. I will not miss that at all).
I'm a little sad. Leaving a place of business is always like a break-up.

Katydid

So I go to bed late (11PM to watch the daily show in bed) on Monday night. The instant I turn off the light (on the wall) to walk over to the bed, I hear "CH-CH-CH-CH-CH!"
It sounds like a first grader rubbing those sand paper blocks together... next to a microphone.
Me: "What was THAT?"
Chappy: "One of those bugs. Outside. They're just loud. Its probably right next to the window."
M: Thinking, 'yeah I know what it was'.
"It sounded like it was inside the house, though!"
C: "Nah, they are just loud."
M: "Are you sure?!." Visions of me swallowing a huge bug in my sleep creeps into my head... The Abomindable Dr. Phibes, anyone?
C: *silence*

Flash forward to 24hrs later. I'm going to bed. And sitting up in the mini blinds in the kitchen window - is a bright green katydid about 1.5" long. Watching me.
After trying to get it to land on a flyswatter (this thing flew around the kitchen like wild. Betty assisted me by watching from the doorway. You know, she didn't want to get underfoot)... I finally slipped a glass over it and shimmied a piece of paper under its feet. I tossed him outside.

I wonder how long they live and if too much of his life was wasted; sitting in my kitchen blinds.

My mother tells me they are good luck.

Boy, he was loud.

*Crappy opinions

OK, maybe freedom of speech SHOULD exclude your crappy opinions (*see my blip about myself under my photo on the right of this blog).
Yes, I am leaving my company in the pursuits of something (hopefully) new, fresh, exciting and challenging. We're all licensed to make moves, aren't we? Just so we are clear - that doesn't mean MY move enables you to tell me what you really think about my decision.

To a variety of people out there:

When I knew you (an unnamed "you") were getting married, did I blurt out, "Wow! Really? ...I mean... are you sure you want to do that?"

When you told me you were pregnant, did I exclaim, "Holy sh*t, you can procreate?!. And now that we know you can - should you?"

When you told me you were moving to a city we both know... may not be the most exciting... did I remind you of this with my thoughts as we boxed things, "You know - maybe you should reconsider..."

So why are people, with whom I have no real relationship with, sharing their thoughts with me regarding my decision? My choice is made! All you can be, and should be, is supportive now. When did you feel like you could tell me about your neighbor's cousin who once worked here or there and what happened to them? Cause, quite frankly, I wouldn't work where you are either (I'd go nuts!). And, for all I know, your neighbor's an a**hole and so is his cousin. So, actually, ...now that I think about it... I thank you. 'Cause if your neighbor's cousin is as rude and as socially inept as you are... where I am going must be a beautiful place that couldn't stand your kind either. I can't wait to work in such an environment now. Thanks!

You take the good, you take the bad, you take 'em all and then you have...

The facts of life.
I tend to f**k around with my life, my future, my day-by-day when I get "bored". I get "bored" when I am not stressed out, freaking out or experiencing an anxiety attack. I know its not good... I'm not even too sure its "normal"... but I really do not think its all that unusual. I like to be challenged. I like to face obstacles head on... full force... and with a vengence. I also like to be holding the reins & in the driver's seat. What's the sense in riding a bucking bronco sitting behind the cowboy?
I have been doing very little lately. Trying to read my book, trying to relax and watch movies, & trying to not get into yet another crazy home improvement project. I failed this task miserably when I cleaned the inside and outside of the house to near exhaustion this past Sunday. I more than made up for it by lounging all day Monday.
But I'm still sleeping rather soundly at night with no real heart-pounding stress attacks hitting me in the middle of the night... so something must be done about this.
Perhaps a large purchase to keep us in debt? No, no, no - been there, been doing that.
Perhaps I could try removing the radiators in the kitchen (myself) and lay down a whole new floor before winter strikes? No, even that's too risky for me...
Perhaps... job hunt? Start all over? Hmmm....

Richmond Floods

August 30, 2004 - Brooke & Rob own their home for 1 month and Tropical Storm Gaston floods their new basement (and springs 8 leaks in the roof ruining 4 ceilings Brooke has freshly painted).
August 29, 2005 - Katrina. OK, so we didn't get hit with this one, but the dates are forming a pattern for rainy disastors....
September 1, 3006 - Ernesto makes Virginia declare a "State of Emergency". So far, the city is holding tight but we DID flood 2 weeks ago with a heavy rainfall (I heard it was a few feet deep down here!). The city's solution to the consistant flooding in Shockoe Bottom? Fix the 100+ year-old sewer system?... nope... here it is:

The most ridiculous shopping list to date

A 12-pack of Yuenling.
A pack of Camels.
A large container of Crisco.
*sigh*