Blah, blah, blog

Well, I've gone and done...

2005-09-30T18:40:00.000-07:00

what I didn't want to do. I ignored my blog for a week. I can't even begin to explain what kind of busy I've been the past few days. Last weekend I worked for a good chunk of Saturday and a little bit on Sunday too. (Sunday afternoon and even was reserved for watching the best dang football game ever. GO CHARGERS. A couple of coworkers were there and said it was like a mini-Super Bowl people were that excited.) Then the work week started off crazy and headed straight for nutsville. That is what we all were when we left today. Dear Retirement, please hurry. Lots of love, mrs nelson. There's the craziness and the fact that I made a mistake at work and not that it's a life or death situation but it still bums me out. Oh well. Retirement by choice or by force is still retirement, right? Fortunately (or unfortunately HA HA HA) I'm in no danger of losing my job. The attorney's cool and I think we can fix it and seriously, I'm not out there saving the world, righting wrongs, or bringing justice to the down trodden, so we'll see.

In other happy news, friend of mine in the dessert done birthed herself a right cute little baby. I talked to her the day after and people let me tell you, she said it hurt LIKE H - E- DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS. And I asked her, "Did you see your baby and forget about the pain because it was such a beautiful moment?" She said, " No way!!!!" I appreciate her honesty. I mean seriously, it can't feel good to shoot an 8 lb little human out of your hoo. I don't care what anybody else says. Thanks for the heads up sister friend.

But I'm staring down the barrel of a three day weekend thanks to the over night Napa tripped previously discussed. To say that I can't wait, would be an understatement.

Oh how I love thee...

2005-09-22T20:28:00.000-07:00

television. I love the people who write the shows, I love the actors who star in them, I just love it. Tonight the mister is at a work dinner thing and I'm here with my good friends, the Survivors of CBS. Yesterday my friends from Law & Order and Lost came over and we shared a nice couple of hours together. I could go on and on and on...

Hey it's challenge time, my attention is needed elsewhere. More stuff of substance soon...you know, during re-runs.

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away

2005-09-21T20:06:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I "wasn't feeling well" and missed a day of work. The limo picked us up at 11:00 a.m. and our first stop was for champagne caviar at a fancy restaurant with a spectacular view. We went to the place where we were supposed to eat lunch but it turned into only appetizers and many bottles of fine wine. It was a great day but my head was pounding by 5:00 p.m. Today, feeling much better, I was back in the office and everyone made a point of stopping by to say they hoped I was better. I could have used an extra day to sleep in, get stuff done, and generally recover but life goes on.

For those of us who work outside the house during the week, taking a day off during the middle of the week is a strange experience. It's like being on vacation and watching all the regular poeple scurry back and forth with their busy lives. They look at you in your casual clothes and wonder why it is you're not working or what your story is. It's probably the same way I look at the non-workers when I'm out during the day.

Anyway, at least my work week is a whole day shorter.

PS- Everyone I work with is hardworking and understands that sometimes we're busier than others. To you certain coworker, STOP COMPLAINING because we could all use a ton of time off but that's not how the world works. DEAL!! (Says she who took yesterday off)

Got my hair did

2005-09-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

I love getting my hair done. Just got back from my hairdressers'. She's been doing my hair for 6 years and likes to take some of the credit for the fact that I'm married since she styled my hair for the party at which I met the mister. I've been seeing her so long that I honestly couldn't tell you what color my hair is naturally. At one point in my "career" I found myself without a job for 3 months and getting state unemployment. While I was poor, I managed to save enough to get my hair colored and cut. (All my other bills were paid, if that's worth anything.)Is that vain? I don't think of myself as a vain person but maybe I am to a certain extent. My feeling is that I can't do a whole lot with my skin, face, and I don't think I'll manage to drop that pesky 5 lbs for a while so might as well play up the hair.

Tomorrow is my very good friend's, very special birthday. There shall be drinks a plenty and trouble on the horizon. It'll probably cost an arm and a leg.

Lots of love,
Stumpy Nelson

Birthdays a plenty and boats for all my friends.

2005-09-18T22:22:00.000-07:00

Two sisters-in-law with birthdays one day apart...one yesterday and one today so girls, a very happy birthday to the both of you. Younger, married sooner, both with kids...way to kiss up to the folks. Actually, we're proud of your accomplishments despite some very monumental challenges. So to both of my sistas, many, many more and best wishes with all our love from the mister and me.

Some day and in several different posts I'll have to tell you all about the wackiness that is known as "our family." Between the mister and me, there's enough material to keep this blog up and running forever and ever Amen.

But last night I had a conversation with my brother-in-law. It was at the Luau and this morning he might not remember but I do. The long and the short of it is this, we're in the same boat my friend and I understand exactly, I understand exactly.

I'm sorry to those of you who waited up

2005-09-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

Last night's quick dinner turned into a wine and food extravaganza with the emphasis on wine. Mama's moving a little slow this morning. A big thank you to sleeping in, Dasani water, Advil, Berry Blast Cheerios, and Diet Pepsi. I think going for a run and after, a hot shower and good lunch, I should be in pretty good shape.

We're off to a Luau tonight at my sister-in-law's. It's always a fun party and we should run into people we haven't seen in a while. Time to go dig out the Hawaiian shirts and dresses and get our party flip fops ready to roll.

The mister and I have a quick list of things to do today and then it's party time.

May your Saturday be as fun, relaxing, busy, loud , and/or quiet as you need it to be.

Whoop it up kids, it's Friday!!!

2005-09-16T17:45:00.000-07:00

Just a quick little post to let you know that today might have been the longest workday in history.

The mister and I are going over to friends for dinner, fine wine, and general carrying on. The husband was the mister's best man and the wife was one of my matron's of honor. It'll be a time of catching up and discussion of what plans/parties are coming up.

There may be a red wine induced post coming your way later tonight, if there's a lot of wine, that post may come tomorrow morning.

Stayed tuned and enjoy your evening.

A second open letter

2005-09-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

Dear nelson cat:

You are one of God's precious creatures. You are loved more than you know. For Pete's sake, the mister and I got you a $50 circulating cat drinking fountain. (Obviously, we don't have kids yet.) You have your spot on the couch and yes, we will move when you ask us politely. When we're out of town, you stay at a pet hotel which is definitely nicer than some hotels at we've stayed at. But for the love of all that is good and holy, if you wake us up at 3am one more time, I'll be carrying a lovely cat fur purse this fall.

Love your human mom,
mrs nelson

In other news, the nelson father-in-law is here for a quick overnight stay on his way to work on the old family house. Haven't seen him since the wedding and I wish he was going to be here for the weekend. I really enjoy spending time with him and see where the mister gets so many of the qualities I love. His girlfriend couldn't come down with him and I'm bummed because she's one of my favorite people.

Off to enjoy some family time...peace out!!

An open letter...

2005-09-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Very Best Friend of Mine Who Lives in the Desert:

If Britney Spears can birth a child, my friend, you can too. Get to it already. All of us, your friends and family, are ready and waiting to hold the little button. You have been pregnant forever and this is not the example you should be setting for your non-pregnant, scared poopless, pain fearing, child-free friends. Please bear this in mind, if you give birth to a high school junior, I'm not changing any diapers.

Lot's of love,
mrs nelson

Dear Fetus of My Very Best Friend-Soon to be My Niece:

I left a message on your mom's cell phone today, it went a little something like this, "Hey, put your phone by your belly...GET OUT, GET OUT, GET OUT." I'm sure it's nice and cozy in there but let's get this party started. Your Auntie mrs nelson loves you even though we've never met face to face. And the longer you're hanging out in there, the less work I'm doing for The Man. Every ring of the phone makes my heart skip a beat, "Is it time?" I have so many hopes for you and so many questions that can only be answered by your arrival. You've got me thinking about hauling around a fetus of my own. (Don't worry, I'll let you have the lime light for a while.) Strange how your 9 month existence has turned this "grown up" into a big pile of mush. All that being said, I can't wait to see your face, smell your sweet baby smell, hold you, dress you up, give you soda, give you candy, and let you watch inappropriate movies. So if any of the that sounds like a winner to you, feel free to make your entrance at any time.

Lots of love,
Auntie mrs nelson

And it goes a little something like this...

2005-09-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

Today I got the news that we'll be going to Wine Country with the mister's boss next month for a birthday celebration. Sounds like it's going to be a fancy pants party. Here's the kicker, we'll be leaving Sunday in the early afternoon and coming back Monday in the late afternoon. We're not visiting so much as dive bombing "WC." I imagine in the span of 24 hours however, we'll manage to drink and carry on just like the pros. I'm excited for a couple of reasons: 1) I can't wait to help my favorite Bee-otch celebrate his, yes his, birthday; 2) we're going to some pretty shwanky places; 3) I get to miss a day of work; and 4) this will be my first trip to Napa.

We've been instructed that there won't be much room on the plane so our bags need to be small. 1 set of jammies (might not wear them, hey, we're going out of town...), my face stuff, and one set of clothes for whatever adventures are headed our way on day 2. Hopefully that equals a small bag. I'm not super over-packy lady but I do like to be prepared. I CAN'T WAIT!!

I also decided to take a day next week to celebrate the birthday of one of my closest girlfriends. I think it's going to be one crazy day. If I were going to give her birthday party a rating, I'd have to go probably with TV NC17 for: adult language, adult situations, and probably partial nudity. Hey, I've been out with these girls before and anything's possible. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Two fun things came my way today and so did a ton of work, even though it's not due for a couple of weeks there's a lot to put together. The work never stops coming and it seems more and more like the fun days and things to look forward to are spaced out just far enough to keep me running on the wheel and working for the man. Is this what being a grown up person is all about?

PS-made a killer dinner that earned me a sexy little "I really enjoyed this dinner" dance. I love my mister, he makes me laugh the only one worth going to all the trouble for...til death do us part.

Home is where...

2005-09-12T20:13:00.000-07:00

you hang your hat or where the heart is?

My parents are moving out of the house we moved into when I was 8 years old. It's the house we lived in when I got the most horrific case of chicken pox known to man. It's the house we lived in when we had our first pets and also buried our first pets. It's the house we lived in when I fell head over heels in love with what's-his-name who was in 9th grade, I was in 7th, and it was the best week of my life. It's the house we lived in when I met my best girlfriend. It's the house we lived in when my Grandpa was diagnosed with and later died from cancer. It's the house we lived in when I learned to drive. It's the house we lived in when my girlfriend and I made it our personal mission to watch Far and Away, What About Bob, and The Three Amigos for non-stop for 24 hours. It's the house we lived in when I graduated from high school. It's the house we lived in when we got the news my nephew, my brother and sister-in-law's first child, died in the womb 3 days before he was supposed to be born...and its walls hold so much more of my history.

Even though I'm an old married lady now with a house of my own, there's a part of me that will always think of that place as home.

Good news? My cousin and her husband are buying it, so it's staying in family.

It'll be strange to go visit my parents and go to a different city and see the familiar furniture in a different house but, my guess is that the first time we all get together there, which will probably be Christmas, it'll feel like home then.

While I'm waxing a wee bit sentimental, is it strange that I'm not necessarily sad?

PS - Wassup with the strange gaps in the last post? Got me. Maybe that's the Lord's way of saying I shouldn't take 30 minutes to post at work.

Two quick work things...

2005-09-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

Thing one: despite myself, I'm in the running for the football pool here at the office. Go Philadelphia and let's hope it's one hell of a high scoring game.

Thing two: it seems that my peeps at the office today are either ready to leave (and were ready to leave upon arrival this morning) or ready to start drinking (and were ready to drink upon arrival this morning). Being the supportive officemate I am, I'm up for either or both! Just caught a glimpse of the calendar, next day off isn't until Thanksgiving. HOLY CRAP!!!

Dang it

2005-09-11T16:25:00.000-07:00

This Charger fan is looking forward to next week. They almost had it. Stinkin' Cowboys.

Afternoon delight

2005-09-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

We're T-Minus 10 minutes to Chargers' kickoff. Are you ready for some football?

Heck yeah!!!!!!

Un-Happy Anniversary

2005-09-10T23:42:00.000-07:00

Dear New York,

I remember waking up coming out into the hall and hearing every TV in the house on...that wasn't normal. I remember seeing people standing in front of those TVs not getting ready for work, not making breakfast, not running around doing a quick load of laundry, not packing up back-packs to make it to the early class.

I remember already having 2 messages from the boyfriend (now the mister) telling me to come to the condo as soon as I got up. I remember calling him from the freeway on my way down to his place, my normally 1 hour drive there taking only 20 minutes. I remember him asking me to stop at the grocery store to buy gallons of water (the little store by his place already sold out by 7:00 a.m.) and non-perishables in preparation for "God knows what". I remember $500 in 20 dollar bills sitting on the coffee table in preparation for "God knows what".

I remember hours and hours of TV coverage. I remember having conversations with people who were no longer total strangers but observers like me. I remember the American flags that sprouted up in my neighborhood which, in the days after 09/11, didn't seem that far from yours.

I still remember and as we face another national tragedy, my sincere hope for you, me, and all of us, is that we will face it with the same courage, pride, and sense of community. I hope our different political beliefs, religions, and social backgrounds will not keep us from extending a hand to help those who are now in need. I hope the lessons we learned 4 years ago serve us well now.

May God bless and keep us.

Dishpan hands...

2005-09-10T20:33:00.000-07:00

How do two people and one cat create a whole sink full of dishes? And whose brilliant idea was it to register for dishes and glasses that can't be thrown in the dishwasher? Must have been the mister's or the cat's.

Howdy doody

2005-09-10T19:59:00.000-07:00

Post number one, let's see where this ride takes us, shall we?

I've been wanting to start this for a while and am not sure why I picked today of all days to get going. Maybe I have more to say than I thought, maybe I don't. I'll figure it out as I go. Let's begin...