Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe that it is 2008-- well, in England, it is.... and an hour ago, I sat watching the fireworks over the Thames, and the Millenium Wheel lit up, and Big Ben.... feeling sad and old, remembering the year I lived there and we welcomed in 1996 at Trafalgar Square. That was such a wonderful time, but this year, there was no-one left there to call.... the people I knew have moved away, or gone back home. :( I just read a book called, "Marley and Me," over Christmas... all about a man's journey with his wonderful Lab, from puppyhood through senior years, and ever since I've been obsessing over how fast time is going, how much I miss the way things used to be and how much the losses over time hurt. I miss London SO much, I miss the friends I had there, I miss my Grandparents, I miss the city I was born in, which is to a great extent unrecognizable, I miss the kids I have taught in the past, I miss my puppy Fluffy, and the kitty I lost just over a year ago. It seems like yesterday she was a kitten, jumping on the furniture... and then I remember the last couple of years where she couldn't even come up the stairs anymore (and I didn't dare carry her up because I was afraid she'd be stuck up there). I cry when I think of her alone on the main floor, when she ALWAYS slept with me as a young kitten. And now I am facing a similar situation with my older cat who's left.... she is now 11, and no longer jumping up on the tops of doors or on top of cabinets like she used to. She is still doing well (jumps on the kitchen island, the dresser, and even into the refrigerator if it's left open long enough), but I keep thinking how fast time goes and how soon she will not be. :(

Mostly, I'm worried about my mom. She has begun talking about not being here again, and the pain is obviously getting worse.... more and more frequently, she is having trouble breathing, too. I can't imagine not being able to pick up the phone and talk to her on the way home from work, or not e-mail her, or not having the little 'care' packages she still sends, or having a place to go 'home' to where she is. She has been the rock that held our family together ever since I was young. I know SHE worries about not being able to take care of herself anymore and what will happen when/if she can't. I can't imagine seeing her in a nursing home. Now, I'm starting to worry about ME growing older... I don't feel young anymore and worry about the future. And every holiday just reminds me more of all of the above. The future doesn't seem to be good anymore.

Anyway, enough drowning in being maudlin. I will write more about Christmas tomorrow.

Meanwhile, may everyone have a joyous, happy and healthy New Year!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

What a couple of weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I haven't been around because last week was tech week. Which means that we were at rehearsal every night from Sunday on. Friday was our first performance, Saturday two performances and then Sunday night. Sunday morning I slept until 10 (I haven't done that in YEARS, if EVER!!!!! I was shocked when I woke up and looked at the clock). Boy, was it incredibly nice to do that!!!!

Friday night we went out after the show to a little pub around the corner from the theatre-- I KNEW better than to eat anything at that time of night, but I did-- it was really good, too-- steak strips that had been marinated. They could have been cooked a little bit more (I do NOT like blood in my meat!), but they tasted really good. My stomach didn't appreciate it the next morning, though! Then on Saturday, S. took us to an amazing deli between shows. We'll be going back next Saturday between shows, too!

And, we didn't get as much from the storm as they said we would-- in fact, all we got was a lot of rain and a LOT of (up to 60mph) wind! Fortunately, no loss of power, and we didn't have to cancel the show. The audiences have loved it and the reviews have been REALLY good, so I am pumped!!!!!!

Yesterday, the people I asked TWO MONTHS AGO to do my roof FINALLY, out of the blue, called me and said, "I want to come out and start your roof today!" Um, it's a little late. I didn't hear from you for two MONTHS. @@ Anyway, I'm more willing to wait a little longer (though I'm finding shingles on the ground that I am SURE are coming from my roof) for someone I trust rather than a company that doesn't even bother to call and confirm, and expects me just to wait for them with no information for two months.

Today, we took the kids to see "The Christmas Carol." One of the kindergartners had a seizure just before the show started. She is stable and will be ok, but we were all shook up, especially the kids. So, an interesting day!!! One more day and then I get some time to maybe get some Christmas shopping done! Performances this weekend and then leaving for home, so I have to make sure everything's packed and ready before I leave for the theatre on Sunday. I am SO ready for a break!!!!! I'm even (sort of) looking forward to the show being over-- it has been heaven to be able to just come home tonight and relax a little bit.

Strangest thing happened last Friday, though... didn't have time to come home, so I stopped at a fast food place to get something to eat on the way to the theatre. A guy I've never met comes up, asks what I'm reading, tells me his name and asks me if I want to go out sometime for dinner! He gave me his phone number and said to call him. I won't, because I have no idea who this guy is, but, it was flattering. :)

And, now, I am going to get another 7 hour night of sleep! YAY! I know I have to get the house cleaned up before I leave, because I HATE, hate, HATE to come home to a dirty house... but, tonight-- SLEEP! :)

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Chanukah Sameach!!!!

May everyone who celebrates have a lovely, brightly lit holiday!!! My friend and I went to her Temple's Chanukah celebration last night. It was a BLAST!!!!! There were SO many kids-- and I mean YOUNG kids there!! They had a little 'volleyball' area set up with some great little 'beach' balls for the kids to hit back and forth, they had a crafts table, and best of all, great food!!! Latkes and kugel! YUM!!!!!!!!!!! It was great. There was a wonderful DJ there, too. He played some GREAT music (60s and 70s for us 'old folks' I guess! LOL!) and he got the kids, especially, but some of us 'big kids,' too, involved in dancing. He taught them the macarena, they did the limbo, the Electric Slide and we did the YMCA. It was a great, fun time!! They lit the Chanukah candles, and P. and I left a little early-- the kids were still dancing!! Mazel tov to all who worked so hard to make that wonderful night happen for the kids.

Today I went to DC and had my headshots done again. The guy who did them is great. He is funny (just SILLY funny) and is able to really relax you. The woman who did make-up (who I think is his wife) is good, too. I got to see a lot of the shots and a cd to bring home to look at to decide which ones I want him to retouch and make masters of. It was most definitely worth it! I can't wait to get them repro'd and sent out! DEFINITELY much better, from what I saw, than either of the other two I have had do them. Expensive, but very reasonable when you're talking about a NY photographer... and actually cheaper than the first guy I had do them a few years ago.

Friday, December 7, 2007

The Rainbow Bridge

Oh, yesterday was NOT a great day! :( We DID get 2 hour delay, which meant I got to sleep an hour late, which was nice. And we had a staff lunch for Christmas, so that was nice, too. It was a great restaurant I'd never been to before. We ate out on the deck (glass windows, which are opened I guess in the summer) with a HUGE gas fire in the middle of the round table where we sat. The food was great!! They had the BEST cheesecake du leche (or something like that) which has caramel in it. OMG, it was GREAT!! And HUGE. We ALL took some home. It's going to make THREE desserts!

Then, we stood around talking for a long time, about nothing- about kids, about football, about whatever. When I finally got down to the parking garage to get to my car, I discovered some MORON parked so closely to my car that he was partially over the line into my space, and I literally could not open the car door enough to get in. I had to climb in from the passenger side. I wanted SO badly to leave a nasty note, but I didn't have any paper, darn it!!

Anyway, the kids were just totally out of control at rehearsal, and that didn't go so well. :( ::SIGH:: I think part of it was that they were just tired... but I was SO glad to get out of there! We're going to have an adults only cast party, that's for sure!!!! And I really DO think, like I said to them, that when it comes to crunch time, the kids will come through. I have been through it a lot with Christmas performances, etc... you think they're not paying attention and/or they're never going to do what needs to be done, but when people are watching them and they know it counts, they come through!

I was really tired-- this has been an extremely stressful week!-- and got a message from L. that her kitty B. had died. I was in tears. He was a sweetie. He was a tortoiseshell and BIG and just LOVED her. He WAS hers, and wouldn't be without her. Not even at the vet. They had to call her and tell her to come pick him up the last time she tried to leave him for tests... he was so upset that the bloodwork would have been useless anyway. He was 18 (I think almost 19), and was diabetic. He'd been on insulin for a while, and seemed to be doing well. He hadn't been feeling well the last few days, so she had taken him to the vet. The vet said he had an infection in his mouth and gave him some medicine. They thought that was the problem and why he hadn't been eating. She was supposed to take him back Thursday if he wasn't doing better. When she got home, he was laying on the bathroom floor, breathing really hard. She took him to give him some more medicine and was about to take him to the emergency vet when she noticed he wasn't breathing-- all within 5 minutes. I think and J. thinks that he was waiting for her to come home.

He's not in pain anymore, at least, and he's with her other baby who died a couple of years ago. We will miss him greatly. I used to take care of him and give him his insulin sometimes when she was out of town. He was a lovely, beautiful furbaby, and a very special one. She is taking it very hard, and I don't know how she's going to handle it. Godspeed, little boy!

P. and I were supposed to go to a Chanukah dinner tomorrow night, but I don't know-- might need to spend some time with her. We'll see how she feels tomorrow. I know the pain she is going through-- I still find myself calling for my Tia, even though she died over a year ago. :*(

So, I'm really down tonight and not feeling like going anywhere, especially since they've called for more bad weather. Think I'm going to try to sleep some, too. Things usually look better (somewhat) after a good sleep and when the sun comes up.

Tomorrow I have to go get my hair done and get ready-- Sunday I'm going to DC to have my headshots done. I'm going to get them done right this time. A great photogropher from NY who periodically comes down to do shoots here. Lucky-- otherwise, it would mean dragging everything I need on the train or the bus or driving in NYC, which I absolutely REFUSE to do. I'm TRYING to look forward to it-- it SHOULD be fun!

And I'm TRYING to feel in the Christmas mood- it's going to be very difficult doing a Christmas show if I'm not-- again, maybe after a good sleep (and after they get my roof started!!!!!), I'll start feeling a bit better.

Meanwhile, my cats are having a LOVELY time knocking the ornaments off the tree!!!!!!!! I haven't put them back on. I just couldn't have dealt with coming back and seeing them all over the floor again right now. But, we did put the non-breakable ornaments (the crocheted or made out of material) on the bottom, so no breakage. That's a good thing, at least!! S. has decided that they must be kitty toys, and I'm finding them upstairs, downstairs, everywhere-- she must be dragging/carrying them around with her, though I never see her do it (she's WAY too smart for that!).

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

We have had our first snow of the season, and it is bloody COLD now!!!!! It was kind of pretty at first, but I do not like to drive in it, and the kids could sense that... one of them even asked me-- I'm thinking maybe her parents don't like to drive in it, either!!

But, the kids, even though they were excited, were really good about it... it was kinda cool! The school decided to close 1/2 hour early. @@ Didn't really matter, though, because half of the parents had already come and picked them up.

No rehearsal, so for once I got to come home, relax, have a fire, and enjoy the Christmas lights. :) AND get some SLEEP!! Although, going to bed early meant I woke up at FOUR thirty Thursday morning. ::SIGH:: I did manage to get a little bit more sleep, but WHY when I go to sleep early, and I'm tired, does my body decide I am only allowed 6 hours?!

Saturday, December 1, 2007

23/365 -- Sean

Sean, S-e-a-n. The necessary first introduction. The Transylvanian Vampire!! Car accident--broken back-- you didn't even know! Letting us park at your house. David's friend, always together. Seeming jokester, but serious underneath. Working hard, supporting yourself and going to school.

22/365 -- David

So tall, so 'tough' looking-- army jackets. Kind and sensitive soul. A teddy bear. So alone, family all gone. Artistic, creative (especially with music). Karate, which I loved-- sparring, which I hated. Rocky Horror-- what a Frank 'n Furter!

21/365 -- Cindy

Horses! Even allergies couldn't stop her. Sultan! Tears when he died. Sneaking out in 8th grade. To the stable! Peter Pan, Rashomon. The only one who truly understood. AMAZING artist. Cindy and David, inseparable... until they weren't. Riff Raff forever!

20/365 -- Jamie

Shy, not much confidence. The prettiest of all of us. Germany, London, Belgium. What a trip!!!!!!!!!!! Running all over London! 4th of July dinner!! 22 hours on a bus without being able to move. Always seeming sad. Kind and generous.

19/365 -- Ashley C.

Shy, quiet, hurt. SO smart! So generous! Wanted only to go on tour with mom and sister. Always felt left out. Who'd have thought she'd be the one to make it big? AMAZING talent!!! Finally, the confidence matches! Go, girl!

18/365 -- Mrs. G

My first boss. The best!!! Managed us high school and college kids like a pro! Nightmare on Elm Street, 'naughty' ice cream cakes decorated in the freezer away from eyes! Equestrienne daughter. Decided to really retire-- end of an era.

17/365 -- Theresa

High school. Good friends! Homeroon-- instant connection, taking the same classes! Babysitting her precious little sister! Her pride and joy! No-one else was good enough!! Junior year-- ignored. New friends, guess I wasn't good enough anymore. Never spoke again.

16/365 -- Melissa

Met through Susan. Didn't like each other at first. Surprise!! First day of high school, the two "F"s next to each other in homeroom!! Best friends!! Basketball team statisticians, travelling, Harry. Never knew her so happy!! Weekend video marathons!

15/365 -- Susan

My best friend from 1st grade on. The few of us with divorced parents stuck together. Taking the Strawberry Shortcut-- spending the afternoons together so we wouldn't be alone. Girl Scouts, catching crawdads. So beautiful-- cheerleader. So hurt, so lonely.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Wow!! Really??????

It's been a week since I posted? I hadn't realized it had been that long. This week has been amazingly busy and has gone by SO fast!

We had rehearsal three nights this week, and had a bit of a scare. The boy who is my 'son,' didn't show up for rehearsal one night. Everyone was trying to get hold of him, his mother was calling everyone she knew. He had supposedly left school at 4 and that was the last time anyone had seen him. We were all worried sick. But, thank goodness, it turns out he didn't have his phone, and had been waiting for his mother to come pick him up AT school! He waited for HOURS, the poor kid-- and Mom didn't know he was expecting her to pick him up!

So, all's well that ends well, but a sleepless night in there!

FINALLY, got someone who I think is trustworthy to look at the roof, and they will begin soon to fix it. Decided to replace the whole thing, because we don't know how old it is, and if it's the original roof, it's close to 20 years old, so I might was well replace it anyway. Can't start for several weeks, though, which is getting us close to Christmas and bad weather (supposed to even maybe have some snow this weekend, plus rain. ::SIGH::). Anyway, he's going to try to rush it, maybe put it ahead of a few people whose roofs AREN'T leaking. I hope he can!!!!

We've got some state officials coming to the school next week. ACK!!! So, I've got a lot of stuff home to work on this weekend. REALLY need to make sure things are up to snuff. Also had to work with a new teacher this week, to show her the ropes, so I've just been overwhelmed. And I don't see it getting any better until after Christmas!!

I am hoping we can get some Christmas decorating done this weekend, and maybe I'll feel more in the Christmas spirit! :) Gonna watch some of those holiday movies on Hallmark Channel, too. I DO love the tree and the lights, and having a fire in the fireplace while just the holiday lights are on! :) And the Advent Wreath really makes me stop and think about the whole Christmas season, which always centers me.

I will work on updating my 365 list this weekend, too... I'm a bit behind, I know.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

The Countdown Has Begun.....

I actually wasn't all that excited about Christmas this year... I don't know why, I'm just feeling stressed right now, and not much in a holiday mood. Money is tight, don't really have time to do a lot of shopping.... I HATE feeling like a Scrooge!

But, I have to admit that the Christmas music in the grocery store, the Christmas movies on Lifetime (the 'countdown to the 25 days of Christmas? What is THAT all about???? You're ALREADY showing Christmas movies!), and a radio station link I got from Rosie O'Donnell's blog have kinda started me feeling kinda Christmasy. This radio station is playin 24/7 Christmas music, so you can 'tune in' when you feel Christmasy and turn it off when you've had enough.

http://www.1067litefm.com/main.html

Adventures in Verizonland......

I went to the Verizon store today to have my contact info and photos transferred from the old phone to the new phone. As I walk in, 3 guys are walking out. The girl working there (alone) starts looking at something and then walks quickly to the door-- she then walks even more quickly to the back room. Seems that those three guys stole a Blackberry PDA phone she had been showing them. Also turns out they had stolen things from her before at another job (and, most likely, from lots of other people as well), and she caught a glimpse of them running behind the shopping center up to some apartments behind it. Apartments that are not known for being a 'good' place to be, if you know what I mean. And there is no way ANYONE should be working alone, I don't care where you are.

Security is called (but arrive before they are notified, which was interesting-- they got a phone call as they were standing there, telling them to go there). She also called her boss and the police, who were presumably coming soon.

Anyway, she did, although a bit shook up, manage to transfer my contacts to the new phone fairly quickly. Now, I just have to figure out how not to lose my photos, 'cause I'll be very upset if I do, and I only have a few days to get the old phone back to Verizon before they charge me. She gave me a Verizon web address, but I'm wondering how much money it will cost me to 'send' my pics there!

I can't figure out how to use the usb cable I spent $40 for to download them, either... ::SIGH::

Anyway, very weird... and I really didn't pay much attention to them as they walked out, and only saw them for a couple of seconds, so I have no idea what they look like. She has a good idea who they are, though-- and, they, most likely, are already in jail. I mean, seriously, how stupid can you be? If they activate the phone, it will lead the police directly TO them, and if they sell it and the person who buys it activates it, it will lead the police directly to THAT person... and my guess? They are not going to go to jail for someone else.

Otherwise, it has been a pretty nice, relaxing weekend so far, overall... gotta work on my lines this afternoon, for sure! Do a little bit of cleaning, and maybe watch some "Psych" that L. left for me. I haven't seen much of it, but what I've seen has been REALLY funny!!!

Also went to the grocery, but DAG, it's COLD out there!! Don't want to spend any more time out there than necessary!!! And took some winter coats to a dry cleaner that's close by. They DESPERATELY need cleaning.... $16/coat, and they won't be ready 'til Friday. Don't think I'll be going back there again! But, hey, I was already there, it's close and I was feeling lazy!

Friday, November 23, 2007

14/365 -- Mrs. Guard

6th grade... I get to be her assistant. Help her grade papers, whatever she needs. Kind, caring, amazing teacher!! Another reason I became a teacher-- to be as good as she was! Hope I helped with the work overload!

13/365 -- Mrs. Hall

First grade teacher. Forcing my sister not to use her left hand. Mother, furious. Two years later, I am in her class. Good thing I already knew how to read! One of the reasons I became a teacher-- to be better.

12/365 -- A stranger

Waffle House. Paula and I, stopping on the way to Hebrew class, enjoying breakfast. Wonderful 'neighbors,' a really nice conversation. A random act of kindness-- "The bill has been paid." I do my best to try to pay it forward.

11/365 -- Aunt Ruth

Sis's namesake. Kind and giving. Stayed on the farm to care for her father. Giving up Harry, finding him many years later. I wore my favorite blue dress to your wedding, and was so happy. Only a few years together.

10/365 -- Traci N

The person who hired me. Who'd have thought it would turn into 12 years??? Blond hair, a bit harried (too much going on, the school year starting). "Hello. How are you? Can you start Tuesday? Here's your assignment." Thanks, Traci!

WHEW!!!!!

Can I sleep now??? PLEASE?????????????????

After Tuesday night rehearsal (and photo call), aided by yet ANOTHER major accident that had ALL of the roads blocked (1 mile took about 30 minutes... I finally gave up and turned around), causing many people to be late to rehearsal, and a very LATE rehearsal after photo call, I faced Wednesday.

Last day before Thanksgiving. Just EXHAUSTING. Kids all wound up, trying to teach anything almost impossible.

Then I came home and started cooking. Cooked until about 12 am (after making a trip to the grocery store for pie crusts, which I had forgotten). I thought the grocery store was full on Sunday!! That was NOTHING compared to Wednesday night! And it seemed like everyone there was doing ALL of their Thanksgiving grocery shopping on Wednesday night!! YIKES!! So, after waiting forever just for two lousy pie crusts, I came back home and continued cooking. By the time the pies were cooked and then allowed to cool, it was way after 12 and I tumbled off to bed. And my oven is now going to need to be cleaned because the pies, while they turned out wonderfully, managed to boil over and/or spill out of the DEEP DISH pie crusts in which I placed them, leaving nice burned spots on my oven. I tried to clean up the spill on the door, but quickly gave up-- it was WAY too hot to touch even with a wet cloth. It'll just have to burn on and be cleaned off!!

Table was set (well, as set as it CAN be with two cats-- table cloth on, and china washed and stacked on the table under cloths to protect it from little cat paws just in case, and cat hair). D, the cat, decided she wanted to taste the sweetened condensed milk, and it was interesting keeping her away from it while mixing!!! She had already decided that the aluminum roasting pan I was GOING to use made a great sleeping place-- so I ended up having to use the metal roasting pan I have, but didn't want to clean!

Anyway, so, turkey was thawed, eggs boiled for deviled eggs, pies made, cole slaw, cherry salad made.

Next morning, up early and the whole morning was spent cleaning-- the downstairs was not in great shape, so it took a bit of cleaning, plus both the bathrooms had to be presentable for company. WHEW!!

Turkey went in at 11, although the top rack was too low, really-- I thought it would fit, but it was already hot when I put the turkey in, so I thought I would just deal.. except that the top started browning almost immediately, so I needed to put aluminum foil over the turkey-- NOT going to happen with the top rack in the way. So, I grabbed the potholders and took out the top rack, and put it on top of the stove to cool-- burning my arm when it flipped back. ::SIGH:: But, hey, I could now baste and cover the turkey!!!!! And, the lovely burned spots from the pies are making the smoke alarms give off a LOVELY high-pitched squeal!! Fortunately, it was warm enough that I could open the doors and let the smoke out....

Meanwhile, I'm fixing the mashed potatoes, dressing, corn and gravy, and making the deviled eggs. The turkey took (as always) longer than it's supposed to to cook, but that was okay, because I put it in a little early to give it time to cool when it was done. People brought salad, drinks, rolls, other vegetable dishes, so we were not short of food, that's for sure!!

We had a wonderful time eating and talking, and when people went to get leftovers to take home, I discovered I had forgotten to put out the cherry salad, so it went home as leftovers!! I was absolutely exhausted, so it was nice to be able to sit and relax for a while when everyone was gone. But it was a lot of fun! I did not even bother to TRY to start washing dishes, because most of them have to be washed by hand, and I was NOT up to it last night.

And, S., the other cat, who usually will try to grab anything you have to eat, just LAY there when I tried to give them a bit of turkey! I gave some to D., who after a minute of checking it out, not sure what this strange thing was, gobbled it down and quickly asked for more. S., who usually doesn't allow the other one to get ANYTHING that SHE doesn't get, didn't even bat an eyelash. Just lay there in the dining room and watched. I called her, showed her, told her-- nope. "YOU bring the food to ME... I AM, after all, mistress of the house!" No WAY! You want it, you gotta come into the kitchen to get it. Regal swish of tail in reply. So, D. got two pieces of turkey for Thanksgiving. S., for once, doesn't seem to mind. She doesn't like turkey??????

Did have to call the plumber this morning because someone stopped up the toilet-- ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, well, c'est la vie. At least there was one who could come out today, thank goodness-- although they charge an arm and a leg!!!!!!!

Didn't sleep late this morning, too much to do, and I was still a wound up. Did get the kitchen all cleaned up this morning, dishes washed, the dishwasher run (HOW did we use so many utensils????????), and the house more or less restored to order-- in fact, better order than it was before they came (good thing about having company-- gives you REAL incentive to clean up).

Called the plumber, of course, who charge HUGE bucks for a 10-minute job... but it was worth it.. it was NOT fun having to go down two floors to use the restroom!

They had sent my replacement phone, which I got on Wednesday, but of course, hadn't even LOOKED at until today. Got it programmed, activated and about as set up as I can.... I have been told that I should go to Verizon's store and they will transfer all my stuff from the old one to this one. I hope so, will try to maybe deal with that tomorrow.

I'm not sure I like this one, the numbers are more firm (which in most cases is a good thing), but the 7 seems hard to push and doesn't always respond... you sometimes have to hit it 2 or three times to get it to work. Well, I'll give it a few days, and we'll see. I have to get the old one in the mail back to them or they'll charge me 'full retail.' Which is why I hope that Verizon will transfer all my stuff, because it's going to be a royal pain to try to do it all by hand-- and I still don't have any way to get my photos off.

I REALLY would like to go with T-Mobile next time, but then I wouldn't be able to talk to my sis or mom as much (it would cost them minutes), so we'll see.

J. had to work this morning, so she didn't take leftovers home with her last night. She just called and is planning to stop by in a few minutes to get some (I don't know how much is left-- I'll have to go see!).

Talked to Mom and her neighbor who had invited her for Thanksgiving dinner brought her a huge plate full of food when she begged off. Had told K. that she wasn't feeling well, so K. brought dinner to her, which I thought was very nice.

I want to know WHO the heck was out shopping in the middle of the night last night?? Apparently, it was half the free world!! I cannot think of ANYTHING I need that badly. I wasn't even about to go out today-- the radio was giving 'parking lot reports' this morning-- how full this lot is and that lot, and you might as well forget this store for right now, and in Boston there were MILES of backups to get to the stores at TWO IN THE MORNING!!!!!! I can only shake my head. All I wanted to do was SLEEP!!!

Oh, well, that was my Thanksgiving.... how was YOURS? :)

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Update on Chocolate

Of course, since the time I took it to them when it wouldn't come back on, and she finally (after about 10 minutes) got it back on, there have been no problems with it! Figure, huh? They tried to deliver the 'new' one today. We'll see what it looks like and how it works. I am just REALLY dreading having to try to transfer my pics and contacts, especially since they don't send a new battery......

Monday, November 19, 2007

9/365 -- Uncle Ben

From Lithuania-- Latvia? I never could remember. Escape from Europe-- no words about WWII, ever. Creative, kind, comforting. One of the best jewelry designers I've ever seen. Baby rings for all of his girls. Sunday afternoons, spent listening and talking.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

LG Chocolate Phone

My phone ( a Strawberry Chocolate) has been great. I've had it since April.... until the last couple of weeks. It suddenly started shutting off randomly. At first, I thought it might have something to do with the Bluetooth headset (although I've been using that for months with no problems). It always came right back on, though. Until today. Even though the battery was at 3 bars (and had been at 4 before when it shut off), it shut off today and refused to come back on.

I took the battery out and put it back in, put it on the charger... charger said, "Fully charged." When plugged in, it would come on. Would go off just as soon as it was unplugged, though the battery was supposedly fully charged. Took it to the Verizon store, and they checked moisture (nope). Was told that they would send me a refurbished one, which really annoys me. I bought a NEW one a few months ago, and I know that they're going to take this one and 'fix' it and send it to someone ELSE as a refurbished one. I don't want someone else's problems!

Furthermore, the main reason I bought it was because I wanted to be able to use my own music as ringtones, as almost everyone I know can. Turns out Verizon intentionally crippled that feature so that the ONLY ringtones you can add are those you download from THEM, and I'm sure the Chocolate isn't the only phone they did that on. Furthermore, you can't even add music to it (which is one of the selling points) without buying the $40 extra "Music" accessory pack. AND, I couldn't use my old headset because they have a proprietary connection-- you have to buy it from them... and theirs is VERY uncomfortable, which is why I went out and spent MORE money on a bluetooth headset-- which I should at least be able to use on future phones. I should have taken it back right then, except that I really liked the phone itself.

So, now, I thought I was out of luck for two days, because the refurbished one won't be here until Tuesday, and I won't be around to get it (so it may be even longer, if I have to go pick it up). Anyway, the girl at the store got it turned on again. However, though it had been 'fully charged' just a few minutes before and had been OFF, when she got it back on, it said it was only half charged.

Since this happened, I have done some looking on the internet, and I find that this is a VERY common complaint with the Chocolate phones (random shutting off), along with the screen suddenly going white. I NEED my phone for work... at least the one I have is working right now, let's hope it continues. I'm almost hoping the next one is a dud, too, because as I was told, 3rd strike you can get a different phone. Probably will happen right after the year is up, though!! I found lots of people who are on their third, fourth, or FIFTH Chocolate phone. Unreal!! It appears this phone is very poorly designed and of poor quality, even though I like it when it works! I considered getting the insurance this time, but seems to me that I'd be better off using that money to buy a different phone if it comes to it. And I STILL have to figure out how to get my pics off of it, and will have to manually change my phone book over, I guess- which would have been VERY difficult if the phone won't turn on!!

Wondering if anyone else out there has a Chocolate, and if you've had any problems with them (or not). I will probably not buy a new LG phone ever again (I've previously had bad experiences with their battery life, as has everyone I know who's ever had one-- which is why I hesitated before I got this one), and may go with T-Mobile when this contract is up, because of Verizon's attempts to cripple the features of their phones just to get more money from their customers. I also don't like them giving me a used (and probably returned for defective workmanship) phone to replace the new one I bought from them.

8/365 -- Aunt Catherine

Stories of hiding from work and her sister watching her through the window!! Strength, courage. Illness. Memories of Sunday afternoons. Shivah when she died. Sadness that she never got to be a mother; she would have been a wonderful one.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Thanksgiving!!!

I cannot BELIEVE Thanksgiving is only a few days away!! Tomorrow, I have to take the turkey out of the freezer, and today I HAVE to sit down, plan what we're going to have, make a list and go shopping. Fortunately, no rehearsal on Wednesday, so I can cook.

Don't know if J is going to work or not, so I don't know what time we're going to eat. Need to talk to her and find out. I'm going to wash Grandmother's china, and we'll use that... whether I'm going to polish the silver and use it or not, I don't know. We'll see.

Meanwhile, it's COLD here. Down into the 20s last night. I found some extra fuel for the gel fuel fireplace, so we're having the first fire of the season. :) I thought we'd used it all up last year, but not, and you're supposed to use it within a year, so.....

This year, we'll have the fireplace for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Just got it last year (in January), and loved it. It's so nice to have a fire without worrying about cleaning anything up, wood, or the flue..... It looks really nice and matches the entertainment center in wood tone and design.

The Real Flame gel fuel, though, has a particular odor. I don't smell it here as much, but at Mother's house, I really smelled it. I'm surprised it didn't really bother her; asked her several times. I found this new stuff (I can't remember the name right now) that is supposed to not have that odor. Gonna use up the rest of the old stuff first, though. Got some for J., too, for hers, and I'm going to send a couple of the new ones down to Mother's to see if they are better. If she likes them better, I'll get her some of them, too. I think the new ones last longer, too.

7/365 -- JP

Drunk. "Fix me another one!" Pain, covered with alcohol. Waiting for hours, but he never comes. "I love you," ONCE. Sadness at what might have been, what he chose to give up. Promises made, unkept. Destroying himself, dying too young.

Friday, November 16, 2007

6/365 -- Dave

Radio deejay. Pervert extraordinaire. How many little girls? Two who called for a song. My sister kept me safe. He chose Susan-- an only child, alone, desperate for a father's love. Should I tell? Fired-- but then what? And WHO?

5/365 -- Grandmother

Classy, strong, a working mother before they were common. From juvenile court to upscale fashion buyer! Wanted her own antique store, and began collecting. I still regret that dream didn't come true. Christmas dinners, twin presents for Michelle and me.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

::YAWN::

I am SO exhausted. Rehearsal was really late last night-- we have only a month and the last two scenes just weren't gelling, so we stayed and worked.


Then, today was parent conferences.... and although I like the chance to talk to the parents, and I had a LOT show up, I didn't get out of there 'til 7 (so a 12-hour day on top of over an hour to get there and almost an hour home). So, it was VERY hectic, and no time for dinner until I got home, so I am just beat.

I know I haven't done my 365 for the last couple of days. I'm going to add a few extras tomorrow to catch up. I just am too tired to think tonight, and it takes a lot of thought to distill the life of someone important to me (and my memories of them) into just a few words... I really didn't think it would be as hard as it is... but I am really enjoying it. It's allowing me to relive and really making me think about what made them important.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

4/365 -- Grandaddy

Integrity. Old-fashioned chivalry. Protection, love. "You girls be good!" 'His girls.' Self-made man, off to the 'big city'. Working, going to school, taking the bus home each weekend with a $10 gold piece for his family--half his salary. Missed!

Monday, November 12, 2007

3/365 -- Grandmother F.

Lemon drops. Playing upstairs in the caretaker's apartment (against the rules!). The cracked tile in the fireplace tile. Wishing I'd known her better. Reading the books she authored, and getting to. Old fashioned Irish Catholic. Strong, independent. Amazingly talented writer.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Caremark

Okay, the comment from Sean about Caremark was too much to answer in a comment reply, so here goes.

Please do your research before you start bad-mouthing certain corporations. Caremark is an ADMINISTRATOR of the plan that is created by YOUR insurance company or employer; CAREMARK does not increase your co-pays. They follow the contract created by YOUR insurance co. or employer.>>

Firstly, I believe the above is what I said. ::Looking back:: Yup, that's what I said. Perhaps YOU are the one who needs to read before you start shooting off your mouth.

The problem was that they took over without any notice, and ALL communication avenues led to them. There was no opportunity to speak with anyone at the insurance company, and yet Caremark refused to answer any questions because they were 'just an administrator.' If they are going to be the SOLE point of contact, they had better be prepared to take care of the customers that are paying them.

They took over without any notice, and raised the co-pays (without any notice), PER THEIR OWN REPRESENTATIVES. THEY are the ones who said they raised it, and they did not have a good reason for doing so in the MIDDLE of the contract period. The contract I agreed to was for a particular copay for the period of one year. They violated that contract, they did not follow it.

Secondly,
3-tier drugs are very expensive for your plan and 99% of 3-tier medications either have a generic or similiar, less-expensive brand name medication...so stop bitching about a $45 co-pay for a drug that your plan is paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for becuase you're unwilling to use the generic or a less expensive brand.>>

That's the point. There ARE no less-expensive brand names (and, by the way, this is a DIFFERENT prescription plan I'm talking about now-- the one we're GOING to have, not the one we have now)... EVERY SINGLE brand I looked at was a Tier-3, with only two or three exceptions.

As for generics, I HAVE tried them, I HAVE used some. But for thyroid, no, I will NOT use a generic, nor a different brand, because I have been advised by my doctor (as have most people who take thyroid medication) to NOT change from what you're using without a good reason. Any changes, including increasing/decreasing dosage, have to be monitored closely, and it's very difficult to titrate. It can take up to 6 months of adjusting dosages to get the right one when you start. Had I known when I began that they were going to do this, I might have started with a generic... IF I could have been guaranteed to get the SAME generic each time. I simply took the prescription and got it filled... and they gave me the brand. They didn't ask if I wanted a generic, they didn't provide a generic. So I took what I was given. Once started, however, I'm not now willing to risk my health.

They consider a 12% difference to be 'bioequivalent.' With some medications, that might be ok (although, IMO, that's too large a difference with ANY medication, but that's my opinion. I see no reason why their effectiveness should not be required to be EXACTLY that of the brand if you're going to call them equivalent). With thyroid, it's enough to put you in the hospital or KILL you. You'll forgive me if I feel that my health is that important, and something tells me that I wouldn't have saved any money with the office visits and labwork that would have been needed, anyway, even if I hadn't ended up in the hospital.


Having said all that, your statement above is kind of the POINT. With a $45 copay, PLUS the difference in cost between the generic and brand (and isn't that what we're paying the increased copay FOR in the first place?), they're NOT PAYING FOR ANYTHING. They haven't paid a penny for my thyroid medication for 2 1/2 years now. And they sent a letter (less than 30 days beforehand) almost two years ago, that they would no longer be covering another script AT ALL. Period. Full stop. And yet they have the NERVE to tell me when I can and cannot have it refilled, though they refuse to cover it. So, why, exactly, am I sending them money every month that I could be using to pay for my scripts?

Actually, I'll tell you why-- because it's bundled with the medical coverage, and if I want that, I have no choice.

Now, please, go tell your bosses at Caremark that you haven't convinced me, or anyone else I know who has dealt with them.

2/365-- Hillary

Hillary-- generous, open, encouraging. My first real acting class outside of college. Helped me believe in myself enough to try it again, for real this time. Whatever career I have, I owe to her. Exercises, safety, risk. Pride, learning, teaching.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

This week.....

has just basically sucked, for the most part. The kids were really off this week. I'm still not sure why, but REALLY off. I'm really not feeling well... my thyroid needs to be checked, BIG time. I am feeling the fatigue, and the lack of ability to physically do stuff, which makes rehearsals (and learning lines!) tough. I'm doing fairly well learning my lines, but there are two scenes that are real bears and that's driving me nuts!

EVERY DAY (except Friday), there have been HUGE accidents-- and not just one or two, but a LOT of them. On Thursday, it took me over TWO HOURS to get to work. And I've been asked to do several extra things for work, as well, which I really don't mind doing, but right now I don't feel like I have the time. It's really hard to coordinate having everything I need where and when I need it for work, which is yet another stress, and I'm finding it hard to get up in the mornings (yet another reason for me to know that I need my thyroid checked, IMMEDIATELY). And I'm just feeling in general, depressed about everything that's going on and am afraid to look at my 401(k) right now.

And on Wednesday, I'm up in my room teaching and one of the guys comes up and says, "You'd better check your car. You have a flat tire!" Well, it wasn't quite flat, but it was getting there fast. And it was fine (to the eye) that morning, although I had noticed a little vibration and pulling when I braked the night before, so it was a slow leak, apparently. Called AAA, and they tell me that my membership has expired, and they didn't get my check for the renewal BACK IN AUGUST. ::SIGH:: NOW, you tell me? Anyway, I had to pay by credit card (they were really nice about it), and now I'll have to try to find the check (which won't be easy since the bank doesn't return cancelled checks anymore).... anyway, the guy who came out was very nice. He put air in it, and I put some more in a bit later, and then went to get it fixed. Cost me $25 and 2 hours of time!!!!

We got our info for our benefits enrollment for next year. I was HOPING that it would be better. It's not. The medical coverage is not a problem (although it's expensive, when I hear what other people are paying for theirs, I feel lucky). It's the Rx that I can't stand. They changed two years ago to a particular company, which was then 'taken over' (I guess) by Caremark. I HATE Caremark. I hate them with a passion. The first thing they did was IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR, the increased our co-pay. When called to ask why, the only answer I got from them was, "We're not your insurance company, we're just an administrative company." Yet, EVERY SINGLE COMMUNICATION avenue goes to them, so you can't actually TALK to anyone at the insurance company... but Caremark won't give you any answers. They tried to push a generic thyroid med on me. Now, that would actually sorta be ok, except for the fact that the generic is NOT 'bioequivalent' as they tried to tell me. Their definition of 'bioequivalen' is a TWELVE PERCENT difference in effectiveness. In this case, stronger. Now, for some medications that might not be a problem. For thyroid, it's enough to land you in the hospital. Not to mention that you don't necessarily get the SAME generic each time, and each one is a different strength, so you can never regulate it... and thyroid hormone has a very small margin for error. THEN they sent a notice that they were not going to cover another med AT ALL. So, for two years, every time I go to pick it up, I get, "Don't you have insurance?" And have to explain the whole thing to them-- and then this SAME insurance company that won't COVER it has the NERVE to tell the pharmacy that they won't permit a refill because it's too soon! TWICE. Morons. If I could have, I'd've stopped paying the premiums, because it was simply costing me more money-- they weren't paying for anything... but it's part of the package with the medical coverage, all the same premium.

Anyway, so now we're going to have Rx coverage through BC/BS. Okay, fine. Except that EVERY SINGLE brand medication I looked at (and I looked at a lot, just to see), is what they call a "Tier 3" -- with a very few exceptions that are "Tier 2." "Tier 1" are all the generic ones.

Which means, you pay a co-pay (relatively small one) for a Tier 1 med. A $25 copay for a Tier 2 (a 'preferred brand" med) and for a 'nonpreferred' one (Tier 3), you pay FORTY FIVE dollars, PLUS the difference in cost between the generic and brand, up to the cost of the script. Which means, again, I'll be paying premiums and getting nothing in return. Oh, it just INFURIATES me how they can take advantage of people. And how we spend SO MUCH on health care costs, and get relatively little for it, in comparison to other countries. We have one of the most expensive health care systems in the WORLD, and yet we are FORTY FIRST in life expectancy among the industrialised nations.

1/365-- Mom

Got this idea from http://backporchervations.blogspot.com/ -- a very interesting idea.... each day for 365 days, choose one person you've known who impacted you and write a certain number of words about them (could be your age, or another number you choose). Started with a guy who wanted to celebrate turning 40 in an unusual way. Here's his original.

http://www.logolalia.com/40x365/

OK, here goes....

Muv-- amazingly strong, beautiful, courageous, loves animals, able to do anything. Still, doing more than those half her age,-- "What am I supposed to do? Just sit here?" Green thumb (wish I'd inherited that!). Classy, determined, always positive. My hero.

Monday, November 5, 2007

...Oh, and.....

I guess I should add to the avalanche hearing our alleged president say that to have his AG nominee answer questions about waterboarding would be giving terrorists the 'playbook' about what we would or would not do.... OMG!! As the one senator said, I WANT my president and AG to be CLEAR to EVERYONE that the US does NOT condone and will NOT allow torture! Aside from the fact that that just drags us down to their level, it DOES NOT WORK. It has been proven time and time again that information extracted through coercive methods is NOT reliable. It's just NOT. And to think that we have someone who is supposed to represent us who thinks that it's ok! I am just really depressed right now, about a whole lot of things....

Where are we.......

and why are we in this handbasket??

WHAT is happening? It seems that just in the last week or so, the whole world is suddenly collapsing. We have the situation in Pakistan, where at least 1500 people have been arrested for DARING to protest the martial law imposed by a dictator they didn't ask for... and Bush's response is, "I would hope he would take off his uniform." @@ I mean, seriously????? What the heck is THAT about? And he's STILL giving him aid and STILL says this person (absolutely not any better than Saddam Hussein) is a 'partner in the war on terror.' ::SIGH::

Gas prices have jumped THIRTY CENTS in just the last couple of weeks-- and they say it is only going to go higher-- another 20 cents or more! Very worrisome, especially with the SEVENTY FIVE percent increase in electricity costs in the last couple of years, and now they're asking for MORE! That apparently just wasn't enough!

And, now, the writer's strike, which is actually hitting much closer to home right now. With my friends in the Guild who are being hit hard by this immediately, it worries me, with the SAG contract coming up soon, and the possibility that SAG may go out sooner in support of the WGA, this could last for a LONG, LONG time. We're talking through the fall of next year. Last time, it was 22 weeks... that's going to impact me and a LOT of my friends. :*( But, the thing is that the WGA is NOT asking for unreasonable concessions, and SAG is going to be asking for the same for us actors. If they don't get it, neither will we. But, this is going to devastate a LOT of people, not just writers, actors, directors, etc.... but all of the tech crews, the catering crews, and everyone else who supplies goods or services to the film/television industry. All over the COUNTRY. But, the producers are acting like they're asking for the moon, and as if THEY have been SO accommodating. PLEASE. They never even made a COUNTER proposal to the proposal of EIGHT LOUSY CENTS per DVD. HOW is that asking for something unreasonable??? And if it is, why not make a counter? That IS what negotiating is supposed to be about, isn't it?

I'm truly starting to get a little scared about the future...... may God truly bless us right now, and protect us from our own mistakes.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

Well, she most certainly did help!!!! I think she gave me the key, and I hope I can do what she wants me to do!!!!! She helped a lot, and was very positive... but she told me that my headshot was 'REALLY, REALLY bad," and not to send it out to anyone... I knew it wasn't great, but I didn't think it was HORRIBLE. Oh, well... off to NY I will be. I didn't want to spend that much money, but it will be worth it to FINALLY have a headshot I can get work from.

I spent as much on my first ones several years ago (not including hair and makeup) as a couple of names I've been given, so I guess it will be worth the investment. I just have to find time to spend a day in NY, and that's not easy, either. Not to mention either driving up there or trying to carry what I need on either the train or bus. ACK! Oh, well, we'll see, but it's going to HAVE to be NY.

We really worked on 'strippping,' as she calls it-- distilling it down to the very basics. It was EXCELLENT, and 'grueling,' but very definitely worth it. I really DO understand now why I haven't booked a whole lot of film/tv auditions I've gone on. Now, I have to work on the 'vulnerability.' Tomorrow's scenes are tailor-made for that, so hopefully I can really nail them! We discussed what types we were, and she was very clear and straightforward, even blunt about what was good and what didn't work, so it was VERY valuable. I'm hoping tomorrow will be just as good.

Then I went out with T's class for dinner. I only went really because of the special guest who was there-- and it was great to meet him! :) However, $25 for paella that had shrimp and mussels in it (which I didn't/couldn't eat), a salad that had mussels in it (which again, I couldn't/didn't eat--although the waitress brought me a separate side salad with no seafood, which was very nice of her, and the salad was ok), and some chicken thing which I don't THINK had seafood in it-- we'll know for sure in the next few hours!-- just was NOT worth it. Oh, well, the company was great and that's all that really matters!

Friday, November 2, 2007

....And so it begins....

WGA has decided to strike. This is going to impact pilot season BIG time. The studios are so greedy.... the agreement they have right now with regards to dvds, downloads, etc... all the 'new' media... was reached in the 1980s, LONG before they had the impact they have now. Yet ANOTHER indication that studios (and thus the entertainment industry) are now run by 'suits' who care ONLY about the bottom line, and couldn't care LESS about the creativity or the quality of the product.

The last time this happened, they mad reruns of old shows (like Dark Shadows)... just reused scripts. Not going to happen this time... the entire sets are going to be shut down.

And whatever the agreement is with WGA is going to impact the negotiations with SAG and determine whether we actors strike this summer. I can only hope this is a very short strike. As both an actor and someone who loves tv and movies. ::SIGH::

Me, I have to worry about the workshop tomorrow... I REALLY want to nail these scenes and hope that she will call me for pilot season (if there IS one at this point!)..... or have some good advice on how to take my career to the next stage. Not to mention improve my booking rate re: film/tv. And, most of all, I think it will be fun!!!!!

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!!!!!

And fairies, and princesses, and Freddys and 'Scream' guys and football players, and Supermen and Spidermen and cheerleaders and people with just strange makeup, and some who came, I guess as 'themselves.' :)

Because DST is still in effect, it didn't get good and dark until 6:30, and even the little ones, who usually start out around 4:30 didn't come out until after it was dark. By 6:30, I was getting kind of worried, 'cause there had only been about 4 trick-or-treaters, but never fear... once it got dark, they came in droves! The weather couldn't have been better!! Up to the 70s during the day, and while they were trick-or-treating, it was probably in the low 60s.... BEAUTIFUL day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The sun was so bright, it was such a clear day, and the leaves have begun to turn, which makes the hour-long drive each way worth it!!!!!!!

And an hour and a half and 200 pieces of candy later (and yes, they were limited to one piece), the bowl was empty, we had sat on the porch and talked to each other, I got to see M's new granddaughter (absolutely BEAUTIFUL baby!!), and it was time to turn out the light. A short Halloween (and WHEN will I learn I need more candy?! I stopped counting last year at 170!), but a great one!!!!

Had even more fun when the porch light burnt out (scared me to death), got to scare one of the trick-or-treaters when I came out from the dark, DESPERATELY wanted to get outside... so a big chunk of that hour and a half was spent chasing one of them around the bushes and the fence outside!

I was afraid she was going to get scared by some of the kids or the dogs around here and would run off somewhere where I couldn't find her. Once I got her back inside for good (for the third time), she CONTINUED to meow, begging to come outside again. I FINALLY threatened to put her downstairs where there's a door that can be shut, and that shut her up for quite a while. Who says cats don't understand English? ;)

I don't understand why they were so scared of the people this year-- they never have been before, but this year, they got the wild look in their eyes and just took off!!!!!! Especially when one little girl just walked right in the house, 'cause she wanted to pet them. Poor mom was mortified and came chasing after her. Meanwhile, I chased down one of the cats so the little girl could pet her. Secret wiggled and tried valiantly to get away, but I held her, and the little girl did pet her, gently and tenderly. They were SO incensed and insulted when I did that, and when I grabbed them and put them back inside every time they got out... it was hilarious!! But then they would sit by the door, watching and sniffing and meowing to come out. I knew they'd be scared to death, though!

And, now, I've just finished watching the Halloween episode of Journeyman, which just gets better and better every week!!!!!!!

I love Halloween!!!!! :) I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!!!!!!

Monday, October 29, 2007

::Shiver::

Now, fall has hit! BIG time!! Had to scrape off the windshield this morning!! Went back over to J's after work-- they should be back later on this evening... poor Daisy (the kitty) was SO lonely!!

Gotta work on scripts for this weekend's workshop, and memorize my lines for tomorrow's rehearsal! ACK!!! Just so much to do right now!

P called and wanted me to come to the Synagogue this weekend. They're having a speaker and someone who's going to give free flu shots.. which actually would be a good thing. She's going to try to get J to come to get hers-- she works with the public and is SO susceptible. It would be a good thing; hopefully, she will.

Have to get the hose in and turn off the outside water before it REALLY gets cold, although they said it's not going to get quite as cold for the week. But, I'm going to try to do it anyway. I even left work early this afternoon because I really needed to get to Target and the grocery, since this weekend was a total loss as far as doing much around the house. Didn't have any candy for the kids for Wed... and on Wed, I'll have to leave work early, too, to get home and get ready for the trick-or-treaters... they're not supposed to come until 6, but the little ones often come starting at around 4!!!! I won't be home quite that early, but I hope by 5, I'll be ready if they come. Halloween is always so nice, because we all get to sit out on the porches and talk.

And, YAY, the Sox won!!!! I'm not a big baseball fan, but I can't STAND the Yankees. Their fans are just SO rude and disrespectful when they come here. So, I was glad they lost, and I have friends from Boston, and I like to listen to WBZ at night a lot, so I have a fondness for Boston, so I was glad the Sox won.. however, I was kinda rooting for the Rockies, and wish they'd won at least one game. But, what a deal, to have made it to the World Series! That's quite an accomplishment in itself!!!

I keep wondering where the weeks are going... before I know it, another week has started-- I turn around and that week is OVER! It's getting more and more depressing.

I am hoping to have the roof done by Thanksgiving, and then have most of the house painted over Christmas vacation (it needs it badly!), so that I can have new carpet put in the basement (right now, it's the cheap, disgusting individual square stuff that's just AWFUL), and I want wood (laminate) floors in the living/dining room... but I want the basement painted and there's a couple of places in the drywall and/or ceilings that need to be fixed, as well. That probably wouldn't happen until spring. Cross your fingers!!!!

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Ask and ye shall receive!

Well, it FINALLY stopped raining this afternoon... the rain was so hard last night, I thought it would NEVER stop!!!!!! It did not stop from Wednesday morning to this afternoon. UNBELIEVABLE.

Well, my drive to the workshop was not as bad as I thought it would be!! I was so glad to be able to do the workshop again with T! I would love to go to his studio in NYC and take classes..... since they don't offer any on Saturdays or Sundays, looks like it's going to be a while. And he won't be back here for a while, either, as he's beginning a new production in NYC.

J. called to check on kitty and to let me know that they got there... on THURSDAY! :) Anyway, so all is cool.

Then T. called. E. has gotten some interest from some agents in LA. WAY cool!! Looks like she'll be flying out there and if she signs with an agent, I told T. to expect that she will be out there for three or four months during pilot season. She's freaked out at letting her daughter MOVE out there, and I can't say I blame her, but E. has to jump on this chance. We'll work out how it should happen. I am SO thrilled for her (and a little jealous for me!).

I'm writing again today because I feel so lazy for not having written for an entire week! I have to work on scenes for the show this week (no rehearsal on Wed. though! YAY!), and four scenes for the workshop next week. Gonna be a VERY busy week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, October 26, 2007

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, I know, we NEED the rain, and I keep telling myself that, but it is SO depressing! And as usual, the morons around here do not know HOW to drive in the rain. They INSIST on staying right on each other's tails (so they are surprised when there are constant pile-ups!), and yet they also insist on moving at 5mph. It took an hour and a HALF to get to work on Wednesday and yesterday, and even longer to get home last night! This morning, despite the rain, it wasn't TOO bad, but still took over an hour!

I am loving rehearsals!!! This is a fun show! The second section we worked on on Wed., I have not yet memorized. That one and the one we're working on next week are going to be the hardest ones, so I've got to work on those BIG TIME over the next few days! And, I had to prepare a monologue for tomorrow AND I have to prepare two scenes for next weekend. ACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I am spending the next two weekends doing workshops with a well-known instructor and a well-known casting director.... I can't wait!!!!!

J and L went to NY to visit family, and decided to leave today (who knew it would suddenly start pouring?!).... I hope they didn't run into too much really bad weather and traffic! They left yesterday morning, and I'm going over to J's house to check on and visit her kittycat. Since L's cat is diabetic and has to have insulin injections 2x/day, she has someone else who can spend a bit more time there taking care of him. L lives about 1/2 hour south of here, but wanted J to come down THERE and then go back NORTH. She said not this time, and had L come up to her house. Makes a LOT more sense to me!!!!!! So, anyway, I'm off in a couple of minutes. Will go over and spend some time making kitty feel not so alone. :)

Friday, October 19, 2007

Another one bites the dust!

HOW has this week passed so quickly?! Every day this week, there's been a problem with the traffic. ARGH!! So, it's been very stressful getting to work-- I'm surprised with all that, that it's gone so quickly... guess when you're so busy you don't have time to think, time goes by fast!!!! My kids went to the pumpkin farm today, though, so it was a nice, quiet day. :)

Went to rehearsal Wednesday night-- first readthrough.. .it was a LOT of fun... EXCEPT for the fact that the first FIVE meter things I went to were out of order, which meant that by the time I found someplace to park (and it was raining, for the first time in WEEKS, although not a hard rain, more just enough to make the roads slick) and found a meter that actually WORKED, and walked BACK to where I'd parked the car, I was late... ::SIGH:: I think it's a good cast and I think it's going to be a LOT of fun. He requested we be off book by next week... uh, yeah. Sure. Anything you say!!! I have already done some work, but need to record by tomorrow so I can listen and learn while driving... see, there's SOME use for being in a car for 2 hours/day!!!!

Speaking of rehearsal, on the way there the engine light came on.... had me worried, but I stopped and tightened the gas cap, as I thought it might have come loose in all the AWFUL roads I have to drive on... I mean, seriously could make you black and blue! Says it takes one driving trip if that's the cause for the light to go off. So, I waited a while, and the next time I started it, it went off after about 5 minutes and hasn't been on again since. Thank goodness! I was REALLY stressing about if it might cause some damage to the engine, being as I drive so much each day (minimum of about 45 miles, often more), and trying to figure out when I could take it in as my weekends for the next month are pretty full, and wondering how I was going to pay for whatever might have to be fixed, and how long it would take..... I hope that's all it was. If it comes on again, guess I'll have to deal.

And it actually rained today!!! I mean, seriously rained! We are about 10 inches below where we should be, rain-wise... but I still wish it wouldn't rain until the roof is fixed!

There was some VERY severe weather last night near my mom's house. Called her today, but no answer. So will call back tomorrow, just to make sure she's ok. I think she gets tired of my calling so much while on my way home, but I get SO bored during that long drive every day, and she gets upset when I call her when I'm at home and I'm 'multitasking.' I can't HELP but multitask, but she thinks my attention should be SOLELY on what she's saying.


Halloween decorations are up all over. I just can't BELIEVE how fast the time has come. Mom keeps asking every time I talk to her if I have my ticket yet. I had told her we needed to make a decision about who was going where for Christmas within the next week or two, so I keep telling her, "I still have another week!!!!!!"

I could not find paper luminarias, so I got metal ones, which are pretty cool, but I'm afraid to put them out before Halloween.. maybe next weekend. We'll see.

Have been listening to what's going on with oil prices and with the stock market, and it's freaking scary! I keep telling myself that it will recover, but somehow this time I'm not so sure that it will... not anytime soon, anyway. If oil prices continue to stay where they are (or go higher) and Bush pushes his war with Iran, and/or if Turkey ends up going into Iraq, we are all going to be in some serious trouble.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Damn this traffic jam!

Did I mention that I HATE to drive? Especially long distances? ESPECIALLY in the traffic of one of the WORST congested areas in the COUNTRY? With one of the longest average commutes???? ARGH! Today there were six-- count 'em, SIX-- different major accidents all over the area (almost all of the major roads) and I sat in what was essentially a 12-mile backup, in which we never got above 20mph, and even then not for long..... an hour and a HALF (actually, a bit longer) for what SHOULD have taken 45 minutes, even in normal rush hour traffic.

AND I had to stop at the grocery store again because somehow the milk and cottage cheese got knocked behind the MOUNDS of work stuff in my car and ended up out there all night. So, I had to go and get more. I am SO exhausted!!!! And now I will not get the things done that I had planned.... which makes me even less happy. It would be a WHOLE different thing if I could ride the train like I did when I lived in London, and I could read a book or the paper (or even do work) on the way, and not worry about when I was going to get there, or what accidents there would be-- last year, I kept track... except for 2 days, for NINE STRAIGHT WEEKS there was an accident every single day, often morning AND afternoon... I HATE never knowing how long it's going to take to get somewhere, or how much time you should leave. I hate even worse being late. And the problem is that if there's an accident on the main road, the other routes are JUST as bad with all the people trying to avoid it.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Cats and Cashiers......

What do they have in common? They do things that are COMPLETELY incomprehensible!!! My beautiful little orange tabby female, Secret, has a thing about things that roll. She doesn't like regular cat toys (none of my cats do/have, for some reason). They STARE at them and at me, like I have three heads, when I give them the toys I spent a million dollars on! A piece of string or a pencil.... THOSE are real toys! And since Secret likes to stand in front of me when I'm on the computer (with her bum in my face, of course!) so I can't see the screen, when I make her move, she will almost always knock over the pencil/pen cup on the desk... and then proceed to stand on the printer and roll those same pens/pencils INTO THE PRINTER! THEN... you've heard of a lap cat? Secret is a chest/shoulder cat!!! Especially when I'm sitting at the computer... she feels the need to climb on my arms/chest/shoulders and lay there-- and heaven help me if I somehow let her slide or fall!! If looks could kill!!!!

Meanwhile, WHY is it that cashiers INSIST on putting bread on top of HARD objects in plastic bags? Where they don't STAY on top? And have none of them heard of 'keep raw meat away from other things, especially things you plan to eat RAW?" When I complain, I am told, "Was the bread on the TOP of the bag?" "Um, well, maybe when she PUT it there, but once you pick it up, it doesn't STAY there!" "Was the meat in a separate plastic bag?" "Um, a SMALL one that won't keep it from leaking on my vegetables!" "Oh, well, that's the way they're TAUGHT to bag things."

A nice (but, again, way too short) weekend. Friday I was supposed to go to J's after work to be there when the window guy came. She's going to get replacement windows. However, I ended up leaving work later than I planned, and HE ended up getting there a lot EARLIER than planned, so he was already gone before I got there. So, we decided to go get something to eat.... of course, J. couldn't decide whether we should stay in and order pizza or go out and get something. She didn't feel like going out, really, but we both wanted a salad, so I asked her if she wanted me to pick her up. She immediately said, "YES!" Not sure if she was just tired or what, but she did NOT want to drive. Not a problem, since I was out anyway.

Yesterday, I drove to Virginia. More about why later. So that was most of the day, there and back. Did I mention I really DO NOT like driving? Especially spending up to 2 hours each DAY in my car? And that I RELISH a day where I do not have to get into my car at ALL???????? Though they very rarely happen.

Today was a very relaxing day, for the most part. J., L., and I thought about going to a movie. Since L. was at home and J. was at work, I ended up playing phone tag between the two of them to make arrangements.... eventually we decided that there wasn't a movie we really want to see that badly-- well, not that we ALL want to see-- so we just went out to get something to eat. We discussed Thanksgiving-- it's definitely going to be here... since Bob Evans has great banana bread, I ended up promising I'd make some banana bread for Thanksgiving, along with the usual rolls.... then L. decided she'd like pumpkin bread even better, but since everyone wants a pumpkin pie, I guess banana bread it will be. But, I already told them, NO NUTS. I HATE nuts, especially when they ruin my wonderful banana bread. They said they'd bring their own and stuff them in the bread before they eat it!!!

Mom is going to send me some pecans because I cannot find chopped pecans here, and I really don't like to use half-pecans for pecan pie.... now, of course, I COULD chop them myself (and DID the first year I was here and was shocked that they didn't have them-- chopped walnuts, yes. Chopped pecans, no). But, the ones Mom can get are better. :) No-one here had ever had pecan pie before I made it for Thanksgiving one year, so that one they always want. I made a chess pie one year instead (which is very similar), which they liked, too, but since Sis is coming, I'm going to stick with pecan... it's her favourite.

Anyway, after we ate, I had to do all the things I had put off.. .going to Target, going to the grocery, washing clothes, changing the bed, etc., etc., etc. I also got some Halloween decorations and a whole bunch of cute little $1 stuff for my 'treasure box' at school that I think the kids will love.... so it was worth the aggravation of trying to maneuver through all of the people out shopping-- you'd think people had NOTHING else to do!!!!!!!!!!!
Other little rant, which is towards myself-- I spend a lot of time going through coupons, trying to find the ones (VERY few) that I might actually USE, that aren't ".50 off of FOUR of....".... and then totally go and forget to use them! ::SIGH:: There they sit, in my purse!

When I talked to Mom today, she informed me that someone had 'invited herself' for Christmas dinner... her down-the-street neighbour, Katie, who is a divorcee who is used to having a lot of money to spend and time to 'go have lunch,' etc. She is now living on much less since the divorce, and is very lonely. The problem is that she doesn't want to do anything about it! Mom volunteers at the Senior Center, and invited Katie along. Nope. Told her she should get a part-time job (to get out of the house and earn some extra money). Nope. Told her she should get some hobbies. Nope. She calls several times a day and wants to talk-- for HOURS. Which Mom is too busy to do. I said, "If she doesn't have anyone to spend Christmas with, let her come!" Which she will, I know. Mom is nothing if not generous and kind. And when we were there in August, we kind of 'hid' from her, so she didn't get to see me, and was very disappointed and upset. So, hey, when I'm there for Christmas, I don't mind spending some time with her..... she is a very nice person, just very needy and lonely. She's actually quite a bit younger than Mom, though you'd never know it.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times

Well, to start with, didn't get to go to fencing today anyway. I was SWAMPED with work, and by 4:00, just knew that if I left to go to fencing, I'd be there REALLY late finishing up. So, I just kept working and was able to get out of there by 5, with the room looking NOT like a hurricane had hit it! Thank goodness!

So, we'll have to wait 'til next week to find out if the mask is causing the problem.

Anyway, got a phone call today at work-- I was cast in "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did NOT think I'd get the role I did. Another woman was at the audition (well, several others), and I thought for SURE that she would get that role. I thought I'd probably get a different one, and was looking forward to working with her-- I HOPE she got a role!!! She seemed like a really fun person! And very nice--even offered me a ride to my car when we walked out of the auditions, 'cause it had started raining. Being as we haven't had any rain for a MONTH, just about, it was a good thing, but we had no reason to think it would start then... and my car was two blocks away (in the rain and the DARK). So, she was very nice! The director seems really cool. It will all depend on who the kids are that he cast.... I mean, after all, you know the saying, "Never work with kids or animals!" They will ALWAYS upstage you! :) Seriously, I usually don't like to do shows with a lot of kids in them... I deal with them all day, and really don't want to have to go and deal with them at NIGHT, when they're tired, cranky and hungry and we need to get WORK done. So, that's going to be important. First read-through on Wednesday. I can't wait!!!!!

Now, the bad news. We don't close until Dec. 23. Which means that if we go home for Christmas, it will be late on the 23rd or early on the 24th. Not so bad, I guess. Or, Mom may come here. Don't know that I really want her to come here, though... the house is never good enough, and I hate her to see it (she even said, "That's why you don't want me to come, isn't it?" Um, YEAH, but I'm not going to tell HER that!). I told her, if you come, you're more than welcome, but you'll be here all day without a car (not so good), no bathroom on the main floor, and do NOT expect the house to be really clean!!! But, she wants to see a show-- she's not seen one really since I was in college. When the last movie I was in comes out on DVD, she can see that, but the shows I've got copies of are mostly on video, so she hasn't seen them, and hasn't gotten to see any in person, so I kinda would like her to get a chance to see this one. We'll have to see. But, we really have to make a decision within the next week or two to get a decent rate. Unfortunately, where she lives is 'the end of the line,' so you don't tend to get bargains, but from what I'm hearing, things are filling up quickly and prices are WAY up. I figure that flying early on the 24th, there won't be that many people flying-- I HOPE!

Dinner, tonight, since I was so late getting home, it was 'mcmuffin pizzas.' :) Take a couple of whole wheat English muffins/person, spread them with a good tomato sauce, (fat free for me) mozzarella cheese, whatever other toppings you want (for me, pineapple. I LOVE pineapple!), and bake at 400 for about 15 minutes. YUM! And HEALTHY, if you don't put a lot of meat on them!

Well, I'm off to enjoy the cool weather (down 20 degrees from yesterday!)... it finally feels like fall. I thought the kids were going to be trick-or-treating in their shorts!!!!!

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Good friends!!!!

Yesterday was fun!! J. came, and the four of us went out to lunch. She looked GREAT!!! And she's gotten back her English accent!:) Sounds like she is enjoying her job and life over there, which is really a good thing! It was a bit of culture shock, I think, after being over here for so many years. The one thing she was surprised about (and so were we all!) was how HOT it has been here. Going from 40s/60s to 70s/90s was a bit of a shock. And it started the day she arrived, and will end after she goes home tonight. Tomorrow, it's supposed to be cooler. The first thing she did when she got off the plane (with her jumpers and coats, etc.) was to say, "I have to go buy some short-sleeved, cooler clothes!"

Tomorrow is fencing again-- I'm looking forward to it, but I THINK that I may have gotten some sort of contact dermatitis from the mask... at first, my face (almost my ENTIRE face) was almost like it was peeling. And the right side of my face was swollen some and very red. This was Saturday morning, after fencing on Thursday. Saturday morning, my eye seemed a bit swollen and almost sticky (not wanting to open all the way)... after an hour or so, it was better, but my cheeks were still swollen as well as my chin and under my chin. I took some Benadryl, and I also used some cortisone cream, and some neosporin (not knowing exactly WHAT is causing it), all of which helped a LOT. I could see three separate spots on my right cheek and to the side of my eye that were (and still are!) red. I finally got rid of most of the 'peeling skin' today. It is SO weird... and I think it MUST be due to the mask. ARG! If this happens EVERY week, I can't keep going, and I would HATE to give it up. But, the only other choice would be to buy my own mask, and that is not happening. Not at this stage of the game. I guess I'll see what happens tomorrow. If it happens again, that's going to have to be it. It's been miserable, and does NOT look good when going out on auditions!!!!!!!!

My neighbor's son is BACK in Iraq-- third tour. And this time he's going to be there until May. Prayers would be appreciated. This 'stop loss' garbage is just TOTALLY unfair. And if he isn't back when he's supposed to be, he's going to miss his son's wedding, which would be the WORST.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Monday, Monday!

Well, the weekend was nice (but WAY too short!!!). Didn't do the work for work I had planned to do, but, hey.... got some things done around the house (family room is STILL a mess!), and got my hair done, deep conditioned, and the 'caterpillars' (otherwise known as eyebrows) whipped-- or should I say waxed-- into shape. :) BOY, did I feel (and LOOK!) better after that!!!!!!!

My friend J., who is from England but used to live here and work with me, is visiting! So, tomorrow, we and our boss (well, still my boss), and another friend/coworker, are going to have lunch tomorrow. YAY! It'll be a lot of fun!

The other J. called today, too. P. is going to visit family for Thanksgiving and she wanted to know what we might be doing (if we're going home). Since I usually do Thanksgiving for everyone, I guess I'm back on the hook this year! :) P. doesn't really like to come over to my house, because of the steps and the fact that there's not a half-bath on the floor (and I can't blame her!), so if she's here, we go to her house, and if not, it's usually here. I got out of it for two years... so, I guess it's my turn again. Hey, I don't mind. Will ask sis and partner if they want to come, too. And, J. had BETTER not be working this year!!!! But, that also means that I am going to HAVE to get the family room cleaned up!!! BLECH.

Heard this on the radio this morning, and went to see the video. EVERY mom HAS to see this! You will hurt yourself laughing!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM

Oops! Doesn't look like it's going to link-- well, just copy and paste... it is VERY DEFINITELY WORTH IT!!!!!!

And, on the not so light side, here's a video of a police officer arresting a 15-year-old girl... a girl who resisted arrest and then bit him. What do you think? Do you think it was justified or not? I'll wait a while and then post what I think about it.

http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=6414


I still can't get over George Bush vetoing the SCHIPS bill.... I really can't. This program has been a GODSEND for a lot of my kids' families. I went to graduate school with a girl who had had to give up her job while raising her son because she simply could NOT afford to be without insurance and she couldn't work and get medicaid and her job didn't include benefits. If she'd had something like this when she was raising him, it would have allowed her to work instead of having to be on welfare. I certainly think it would be much cheaper in the long run to provide preventive care than ER care when it gets dicey, or having a child die (as did a 12-year-old last year) from an infected tooth (which became septic), because his mother AND social worker, try as they might, could not get an appt. with a dentist who would accept medicaid. Not only was it more expensive financially to treat that child for sepsis, he lost his life...... this is INEXCUSABLE, in my opinion, in this country. I think that Massachusetts has the right idea, however. I'm not convinced that single-payer is the right way to go. I think requiring insurance, and providing assistance in paying the premiums, is a better option. The thing is that right now we pay more than almost any industrialized (or should I say, post-industrial) country in the world, and it doesn't seem to be providing better care. We are 41st in life expectancy. I think that says a LOT about our focus on treating illness instead of preventing it. In any case, children should NEVER be without health care.... it is better for ALL of us if our children are healthy.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Three Weeks in October

Today is the 5th anniversary of the beginning of the DC Sniper killings. Hard to believe it's been 5 years. I remember how terrifying it was-- going to bed wondering when the next killing would happen, waking up and turning on the news to hear. How much worse it got when a few days would go by, because you knew it wasn't over and you could only wonder where they were and where they would strike next.

Afraid to stop and get gas-- and looking all around the ENTIRE time, and ONLY doing it when you hit empty. Being afraid to take your bags to the car. Meeting the kids at the bus and walking them in as quickly as possible, them not being able to go outside for recess or gym, or anything else. The classes in the portables had to move inside (where there was no room, which was why they had been in the portables in the FIRST place!). I remember how unbelievable it was that they would actually target and shoot a THIRTEEN year old AT SCHOOL, and the worry of the teachers that OUR kids would be next. I remember the amazing relief when they were caught, but still not quite being able to believe it was over for several days. How I shook when I read after they were caught just how close they were to our school (within a few miles), and how they were looking particularly for schools to target.

And I just heard on the news today that one of them called the family of one of the victims last month to apologise.... ::shudder:: Just the THOUGHT! And the thought of what they were planning and what they could have done had they not been stopped.

Something no-one around here will EVER forget.... Three Weeks in October.

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Last Day of September

I can't believe today is the last day of September!! The holidays are right around the corner!!! Of course, they've had Halloween candy out since the middle of AUGUST!!!!! WHY? I guess they figure people will buy it and eat it (or else it will go bad-- it's NOT going to be good after six weeks!), and they'll have to buy more. I'm starting to look forward to Halloween now that it's October, but I passed a house TWO WEEKS AGO that was already fully decorated outside, including blocking the entrance with those spiderweb things-- for SIX WEEKS they're not going to use the front door?! 'Cause there was no way to get through them up the porch steps.

This weekend has been pretty lazy, I guess. Didn't go anywhere yesterday, and today just ran a few errands, including going to the grocery. We've been looking around for a new place for P.-- but, we didn't really find any to look at this weekend.

Trying to get the house straightened up so that I can do some in depth organizing and cleaning.... making some headway, but... seems like it'll never be done!!!

Well, not much yesterday except to go for the SECOND time, to get a Glucose Tolerance Test... went to this particular lab because they are the only one open on Saturdays. And was told, for the SECOND time that they couldn't do it because the doctor wasn't in and they didn't know WHICH one she wanted. They could have told me that the FIRST time I was there and they told me they wouldn't do it, last week. Then I could have taken care of it. They were rude, AGAIN. I'd never been to this lab before, and I am NOT going back. When I asked what I was supposed to do now, she said, "You can come back on Monday." This was after waiting for 1/2 hour AFTER my appt. time (when I was there 15 minutes early). So, I wasted yet ANOTHER hour and a half. ::SIGH::

When I informed her that I could NOT come on a weekday, her response was, "Well, I'm sorry you work 12 hour shifts every day." I was SO upset, I didn't say anything (I was afraid once I got started, I would say something I would regret), but I wanted to ask her how, exactly, I was supposed to be at the lab (1/2 hour away from where I live) even at 6 am, for a TWO HOUR TEST (and that's presuming I don't have to wait a half hour again before even being checked in) and be an hour and a half BACK the other direction by 8 am. OR, how I'm supposed to leave work at 4:30-- or even 4, which would be the earliest I could leave-- and drive at least an hour and a half (probably more in rush hour traffic), for a two-hour test when they close at 6pm?

I FINALLY found another one (which is further away, but is the only other one open on Saturday), and I'm going to make an appt. with them. I will NOT go back to that place again. They were rude to everyone else there, too. It seems their goal is to make everyone feel as stupid as possible. During that 1/2 hour I waited, I was APPALLED at the way they treated the people who came in or were waiting. I am going to inform the doctor's office when I call just how rude they are (and they made some pretty disparaging remarks about HER, too)-- and suggest they not send people there anymore. If it weren't for the fact that EVERYONE (and I DO mean everyone) except my sister on BOTH sides of the family is/was diabetic, I wouldn't bother going through this-- I'd just say FORGET it.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Sukkot!!

Went to a sukkot dinner last night with P. We had a wonderful time! The food was great (potluck), and then a service in the social hall, where we each got a chance to touch the Torah. Really nice!!!!

Also trying to decide if I should get a new car... need to get off my bum and get out and look at them. I know what I want (a Honda), but just not sure if I should spend the money right now.... well, we'll see.

Did finally get the money sent for the workshop, and there's another one I want to go to, as well.... there go three weekends before Thanksgiving!!!!! ACK! But, I think they'll be worth it. Terry is an amazing teacher.

We have suddenly been 'given' the Sunday papers, apparently. The last two weeks, they've been placed on our yard on Sundays.... last week, it ended up all over the yard, because whoever it belongs to didn't pick it up. So I had to clean it up. This week, there's another one. So I took it in and hey, got the coupons for free, at least. But, it's annoying, 'cause I don't want it, didn't ask for it, etc., and it made a HUGE mess in the yard!!!!

Monday, September 24, 2007

Home Woes!!

WHY does it seem that no-one who is in the business of home repairs actually wants to DO home repairs?! ::SIGH:: Need to get the roof fixed. Most won't even call you back, the one who did (well, actually, I called them AGAIN, and just happened to catch someone) was rude, and when they came out, they didn't say what needed to be repaired or what problems they found, just left a contract that said, "here's the cost." I don't even know if they INSPECTED it or not, or what they found, and they're not answering.

Have to try a couple more tomorrow-- NEEDS to be done by winter!!!

Meanwhile, Mom is getting her roof replaced, too-- she had three people out within a week, and one of them came on a SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's so different down there! They have services and stores and restaurants out the wazoo! Meanwhile, we're supposed to be twice as big here, and you have to go 10 miles to get to anything (what there IS). :(

I AM pretty proud of myself, though-- I got a lot done around here yesterday!! Got four loads of laundry, the upstairs vacuumed, to the grocery and pharmacy, sheets changed, kitty litter boxes changed (BLECH! The ONE thing I HATE about having cats!!), trash out to the curb, and some meals fixed to be refrigerated/frozen for the week... not bad, I think! Gonna have to see if I can figure out how to upload pics of the furbabies someday soon!

Watched part of Ken Burns' "The War," last night, too-- caught parts of it walking in and out while doing stuff (and then fell asleep!), so I'm sure I missed a lot, but it was wonderful!!! I learned a LOT about the Pacific theatre I hadn't known, especially about Bataan and Midway... and, shall we say, MacArthur didn't exactly come off as a sterling leader! Who knew?! Some of the film was very hard to watch. :( But, of course, since it's supposed to be 14 hours, I don't think I'll get to watch most of it-- which is exactly why I NEVER started mini-series when they were big-- I knew I'd never get to see the rest of them!

Gotta get going and get out a headshot and resume for a workshop I'm (HOPEFULLY!) going to in a few weeks.... and get some stuff done for work! ACK! We are well and truly into the school year!! Hard to believe Fall is officially here (Especially when it's 90 degrees!!!).

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Lazy Sunday

There is so much I SHOULD be doing..... but right now Last Comic Standing is capturing my attention..... I just can't handle watching the news right now... it is so depressing, and everything I read and hear gets worse. I really hope JR wins... both of them (ALL of the last five) were really wonderful, but he makes me laugh like NO-ONE else has. Y'know, this is what I did during 9/11, while worrying about people who might have been there, and my kids.... turn to comedy of some sort... is that what they did during the Depression? I think so-- ANYTHING to try to forget things that you can't really do anything about. :(

I worry about Wolf and others who are over there fighting in Iraq.... we don't agree about ANYTHING, and he thinks there's a good reason for him to be there, but it just makes me so worried and so sad. I did find out about www.anysoldier.com and am in the process of donating-- we need to ensure that as long as they're there, they have what they need to make them as safe and comfortable as they can be. That's about all I CAN do right now.