Julie

This weekend, we gathered with family and friends to celebrate the life of Julie Rolak. There were tears, stories, and memories shared. It was sad and beautiful, all at the same time. Of everything shared, one thing was evident: Julie was a woman defined by her character and not her circumstance. I don’t know if it’s because I didn't want to get emotional, but I didn't share the Julie I knew.

For me, Julie was more than my husband’s aunt. Through the years, I looked forward to emails, fb messages, words with friends chats (man, did she kick my butt at words with friends!) and summers at the farm. I met her in the summer of 2003, and the following summer, during our visit, I was going through a lot of personal drama. Julie single-handedly kept me sane. She listened to anything and everything, and gave me very thoughtful advice. But that was Julie. She was a great listener, she genuinely cared about what you were going through, and gave the best advice. We shared a love of food and could talk about anything and everything. My favorite memories of Julie are of our talks on the back porch; the guys would be outside solving the world’s problems, the kids watching tv, and I would be folding laundry and Julie would come in and we would talk. Talk long after the clothes were folded.

 Julie was my friend.

Although I am relieved she is no longer in pain, I am selfishly sad. Sad because my confidant is no longer here to give me advice. Sad because she never knew just how much she meant to me. I am a better person for having known Julie. She will be immensely missed.

Julie and Owen

Hug, kiss, and tell the people you love, that you love them, as often as you can. 

Ellen Show

Here's that story that was saved for another day.

It seems that since I've been in the audience at the Ellen Show during 12 days of giveaways, anyone I tell assumes I know some trick or someone that works there to get it. Truth is, I know neither. My friend Sylvia and I (we tend to go together to Ellen) have wondered how to get in on the 12 days audience for years. That and VIP. I'm sure that maybe there are some secret ways of getting in, but based on our story and that of many people at the taping that day (yes, we did ask) - it all seems sort of random.

One lady won a raffle in the Riff Raff Room in October. One lady was in the audience when they gave the whole audience tickets in September. Did they know beforehand that it was even a possibility to get on a 12 days show based on attending a taping a few months earlier? According to them, no.

Here's our story:

Sylvia called, or probably texted, that she had Ellen standby tickets (I think in February) and if I wanted to go. I said sure, I love Ellen. Plus, I hadn't seen a taping since 2008! Being unemployed does give you some free time, plus Owen wasn't in school yet. It was super simple to drop him off with my mom and enjoy an adult afternoon. Now, let's talk standby tickets. Guaranteed tickets get you into the audience. Now if people don't show for whatever reason, then there's room for standby ticket holders to get into the audience. If you don't get in, you get to watch the fun in the Riff Raff Room (waiting area outside of the studio), but you are guaranteed a date to come back, and sit in the audience.

Well, we stayed in standby mode. Everyone showed. It was a good show too. They gave away $250 from H&R Block. We were bummed we couldn't make it in. Anyway, the lady walks around with calendars of open days to attend. With taxes on the brain, we thought it would be great to come back on Tax Day, April 15. Boom, done.

Here's April 15. We're there, ready to have a great time. They're about to start walking people across the street and a woman from the Ellen Show walks up to us and asks if we're local. We say yes. She asks the group of 4 next to us as well. They said yes. She asks if she can talk to us away from the crowd. I assumed they were going to play a game or something and needed volunteers. That wasn't the case. She said that they were over capacity and that the Fire Marshal wouldn't let that many people in. She asked if we'd be open to coming back to another taping. We all kind of looked at each other and then she continued, that the day we'd be guaranteed to come back was during one of Ellen's 12 days of giveaway shows. Sylvia and I looked at each other and screamed yes via ESP, but calmly told this woman, yes, yes we would. She secured contact info, gave us a card and told us we would hear from her in October.

Sylvia and I were elated. We went to Don Cuco's to celebrate! If you go, you must really try the coconut margarita, it's delicious.

So, then we waited. And waited.

And like the saying goes, the rest is history.

So as you read, a series of choices (subconscious) lead us to 12 days. Deciding to go as standby in February, picking Tax Day to return, sitting where we were seated, being obviously identifiable as valley girls. No gimmicks, no tricks, not knowing someone. Just the luck of the draw. Here's to securing tickets next season and maybe having some luck again!

Be Kind Always

My friend Sylvia and I had the amazing privilege of being on the Ellen Show yesterday, day 10, of her 12 days of giveaways. Our journey to receiving that privilege is a somewhat long and funny-ish story, which will be saved for another day.

So, at the Ellen Show, there’s a little bit of waiting that’s filled with music and dancing. It requires you to get comfortable with those sitting around you: the audience guy tells you to introduce yourself to your neighbor, give hugs, etc. Even as they film, they have 1-2 minute breaks, where they hold dance contests, one contest being that your whole row has to do the same dance move, so you really have fun with everyone around you.

At our taping, we had a great time. A fun guest (Leah Remini), lots of laughs, oh, and Ellen gave us a bunch of AMAZING stuff. We were told that after filming the end, they were going to film another segment; they were filming out of order. So, after the excitement of the last gift, Ellen calls up Jacqui Saldana. No one had any clue why she was being called up and I was left in tears after hearing her story. See her on the show here: http://www.ellentv.com/videos/0-oq7i6mv7/

Jacqui was sitting in my row. I was three seats away from her. We said hello, introduced ourselves, laughed, danced, and had a good time. From outside appearances you wouldn’t know the struggle she was facing internally. It reminded of one of those quotes you see everywhere on the internet (which also prompted the title of this blog): “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” 

After the show, Ellen stayed and spoke to the audience. She talked of inspiration, and using your platforms.  Her speech, although brief was inspirational. When I came home, I immediately went to Jacqui’s blog, www.babyboybakery.com, and immersed myself in it. It is beautifully tragic and no words I have can fully express the power it possesses. Please, go read it. I think I hugged my kids a little more yesterday and today, and hopefully tomorrow, until forever.

So, why am I writing about this? It’s not to jump on coattails or anything, since only about 10-20 people read this blog. I’m writing it for me, and for you. We’re all so busy that sometimes we forget to stop and enjoy our kids, our lives, and our good fortune. I’m also writing this because I was inspired. Inspired to use the one platform I have, to maybe brighten someone’s day, even if it’s just my own.

Hopefully this is the start of more regular postings from this blog.

Until next time.

Xoxo,

Inez

Owenisms 2014

So, we've been here before.

I apologize for not being around, blog a couple of times and go away again.

Since I'm on a roll for Home Grown Basil, my food blog, I decided to get back around to this one, you know, for everyday stuff, or stuff that's on my mind.

I wanted to blog today about Owenisms aka the things my four year old tells me that I can't believe a four year old would say. More than that, I think it's cute.

Take this one for example:

Owen: Momma, I want to be a mailman when I grow up.
Me: Why?
Owen: to make people happy when I deliver packages.
Me: that's sweet.
Owen: what does Momma want to be when she grows up?
Me: I don't know.
Owen: you should be a construction worker or a taxi driver.
Me: you think so?
Owen: yeah.
Me: I don't know.
Owen: well, do you like to build stuff? do you know how to drive a taxi?
Me: ummm...
Owen: it's easy Momma, driving a taxi is like driving a regular car, except a taxi has a siren on top so passengers know you can pick them up.

Based on this conversation, I should be a construction worker or taxi driver, when I grow up. Obviously. Where was he when I was looking at jobs 2 years ago?

As a side note: I did look at being a lyft or uber driver for a hot minute, but decided the taxi route wasn't for me.

Then we had a moment where he ran into the kitchen with a Gatorade on his head and proclaimed:

O: Hello, ma'am. What's the emergency?
Me: Nothing?
O: I'm am ambulance. Didn't you see my siren?
Me: I must have missed it.
O: Call me if you have an emergency. Menomenomenomenomeno (approximate way of spelling what an ambulance siren sounds like)

He then promptly ran back to his room.

But the best conversation of the day happened this morning when Owen asked me to make him some chicken soup because he isn't feeling well. I won't quote it, mainly because I can't remember it verbatim, but it was very sweet. He told me how it would make him better, better than any medicine could. And of course at that point, he mentioned he didn't need medicine and he'd be better in a few days.

As a kid who took medicine every 12 hours the first 14 months of his life, I don't blame him for being anti-medicine. In fact, I can't remember the last time he took medicine. Besides, there's nothing mom's soup can't help.

It's been a while: all of 2013 to be exact

That can’t really say October 12, 2012, can it?  How is it that I haven’t blogged since then?  So much has happened, so much to blog about, and nothing.

Here’s a snippet of what’s happened since then:

I was unemployed.  I’m now unemployed.
I had a bookkeeping job for about 7 months.  My boss was crazy.  I left.
All of 2013.
Kaitlyn is 15, Owen is 4.

Ok, so maybe there isn’t a whole lot to blog about.

One new thing in my life: twitter.  I have one, with no clue on how to use it.  On top of that, my daughter was showing me how to use it and I now know how my mother felt when I tried to teach her to text.  It’s like she was speaking a completely different language.  It started off well, I felt witty and relevant and that quickly dissipated.  Now I feel like I can’t post something on there without being clever.  And on most days, I’ve got nothing.

Surviving Week 1

I know what some of you must be thinking.  How hard can it be to sit around at home for a week?  For those of you, I say, pretty hard.  I’m not one to sit idly by with nothing to do.  That’s not to say that when I was working, doing nothing on a Sunday was ideal.

 My week consisted of looking for jobs on multiple websites, checking my email incessantly, making sure my cell phone was strategically placed in an area I had service at all times, feverishly awaiting the arrival of the mailman for any sort of news and of course, learning the language of the two year old.

I think I’ve realized the worst part of this whole thing is not hearing back.  I can somewhat deal with rejection, but only if I know I’m being rejected.  Where are the days of, “Thank you for applying BUT …” I mean, tell me anything: under qualified, over qualified, stupid to have applied, HAHA, anything.  Even something that says, “We filled the position, but obviously not with you.”

It’s not all doom and gloom though.  Plenty of silver linings to be had this last week as well:

My house has never been cleaner.

I don’t think my family has had this many home cooked meals, since ever.

I may start my couponing again, since I can now devote the 40 hours per week necessary to do it.

I’ve gone through every single piece of clothing I own and purged – mainly clothes that don’t fit thanks to weight loss.

I’ve spent every minute possible with my two (almost three) year old son – and I’ve realized a few things about him:

He eats a lot.  All the time.

I may have grossly underpaid my mother when she watched him.

He’s smart.

And funny.

And mischievous.

And he’s pushing boundaries, just to see what he can get away with.

He also hugs and kisses me all the time, telling me he’s “mommy’s boy.” Which melts my heart and at times is exactly what I need to hear.

I’ve also started making a list of things I need/want to do and I am excited I might have time to do them.  Things that aren’t necessarily exciting and I couldn’t be more ecstatic about it.  Sewing, trying new recipes, organizing my closets/cupboards, and dare I say it, potty training the boy!

Day 1

Day 1

Unemployment sucks.

This is the first time in 10 years that I don’t have a job.  Just another victim of a shitty economy and an employer who financially mismanaged funds for years. 

Layoffs were on the lips of many at work for months.  I knew there was a possibility I could be let go; after all, I was the last hire.  I, like many, felt that other options could be taken and that layoffs would be a last resort.  As my employer dragged its feet in doing anything to save money or raise revenues, layoffs became a reality.  My possibility of being let go went from 0 to 60 with 3 votes.  3 people, who viewed me as a name, number, as a cost savings measure. They decided that I wasn’t needed and that my livelihood was over. I doubt highly that any of them actually knew what I did and the sad part is, I don’t think they cared.  I was a damn good employee and did my job well.  That didn’t matter. 

I remember back when my mother had once told me: “Everyone is expendable and everyone is replaceable.”   Not that it makes it any easier, but she’s right.  I wanted to call my boss numerous times today to remind him of meetings or things that needed to be done, but just as they let me go, I have to let go too.

So, here I am.  At home.  Applying for jobs in an economy where no one is hiring.  Waiting.

My only comfort?  My boy.  My boy who keeps me busy, makes me laugh and gives me hugs and kisses all the time, like he knows I need them.

Now more than ever, I think I will use this blog, to have a voice, to interact with others (sort of) and free my thoughts.

When I was made aware of my layoff, I think stress, helped me lose another 5 pounds.  Not exactly healthy, but I have finally reached the weight it says on my driver’s license and I can wear clothes 3 sizes smaller than January of this year.  I think total weight lost this year has reached 27 pounds.

One of two things will happen with all of this time off: I’m going to be super fit or gain 100 pounds.  I’m hoping for the first.  However, if I continue like I did this morning (eating pizza rolls, drinking a soda and watching a lifetime movie at 10 AM), I could be in serious trouble!

 

I'm going to try not to be so emo and end with saying, a door was slammed in my face, but it opened a window and I'm just waiting for the sunlight to pour in.

Until next time!

Sabotage

Sabotage.

There's no better word for it.

A few days ago, I made the post, proclaiming that I had a goal and a goal date and what have I done since?

Absolutely nothing.

No exercise.

Bad choices.

Like having the second burrito, the Sam's Club pizza slice (and the JUMBO cherry coke the combo came with) and the alcohol, oh the alcohol.

So here I am, holding myself accountable. 

It seems that every time I declare I will exercise or eat better or be healthier, I totally sabotage that plan.  Now that I've gotten the sabotage out of the way, it's time to make better choices and get back on track.

Started the day with an english muffin and have a full day of cleaning ahead. 

That should burn a few calories.

The Countdown Begins

I know, I know.  It's been a minute since I've updated this thing.  Since November 2011 to be exact.  It seems so long ago.  So much has happened and yet so much remains the same.

Updates:

My darling Kaitlyn is now a high school student.  It feels as if I blinked and she went from 3 to 13 in 2 seconds.  She's sassy and knows everything.

Owen will be 3 in October.  It feels as if he was just born yesterday.

I'm obsessed with reality tv, still.  I just can't help it.  Give me a Real Housewives of Anywhere and I'm all over it.

Work is keeping me busy.  Sometimes too busy.

My favorite moments are Sunday mornings when everyone somehow ends up in our bed.  The kids fight over who gets to lay next to me.  Owen usually wins.

I think I'm going to start wearing make-up.  Be more girly or something.

I've lost over 20 pounds since January 1.  Thanks mostly to diet changes.  Thanks mostly to making dinners and taking lunches and just making overall better food choices.  I stepped on the scale today and saw numbers I hadn't seen in a couple of years, at least.

This last update leads to the title of this blog post.  I am starting a countdown for health.  I saw on Pinterest (by the way, totally obsessed with Pinterest) something that said, "You diet to look good with your clothes on, but you exercise to look good with your clothes off."  So, this is where I get in gear and look fantastic naked.  Way too much info for some of you, I know and I apologize.  The end date for my transformation?  My 30th birthday.  As of today, thats 136 days away.

I plan to use this blog to document my transformation along the way.  I'm not quite comfortable posting things like size, weight or measurements, but I can keep myself accountable.

So a warning, quite a few posts between now and 136 days from now, will be mostly dedicated to food, diet, exercise, etc.  It'll be boring and not exciting in any way, but at least I warned you.

Here's to a healthier, wonderful transformation!

Extreme Couponing

Disclaimer: I am not an extreme couponer.

Phew.

I'm glad I made that clear before I continued.

I spent my morning clipping coupons.  Store coupons, manufacturer coupons and internet coupons.  I got my stash ready and made my way to the store.  I knew going into the store that when I would be rung up that my total would not be zero.  I was okay with that, but I was trying something new today...stacking coupons.

Stacking coupons - that's when you combine store coupons and manufacturer coupons to get even better deals.  I've always been afraid to do this.  Fear that it wouldn't ring up.  Fear that I'd hold up 10 people in line and get dirty looks.  Fear that the clerk wouldn't know how to ring up coupons.  Fear that I'd be told I was an idiot and couldn't stack coupons.  Not today.  I walked in with coupons organized and list in hand.

As I was being rung up, I saw my total going up and up and I felt dread in my belly...what had I done?  Did I really need two bags of chocolate chips (I actually did, it was a condition of one of my coupons) and before I knew it, everything was accounted for.  I shakily handed over my coupons and saw the clerk go to work.  It wasn't bad at all.  It was actually exciting!  All but 2 of my manufacturer coupons even doubled! DOUBLED!  Madness I tell you.

I felt like buying another newspaper and doing it all over again!

I saved $70 off of my total.

I was one of those people who shook my head at that extreme couponing show, but I totally get it.  Can't wait for next week's ads to do it all over again!

Back to School Shopping

I think this is the first year I've done back to school shopping without Kaitlyn.

These days, she's too cool to hang out with us at home days before she's due to start school, so naturally she's at her friend's house.  She'd been there since yesterday morning and we probably won't see her until sometime tomorrow, maybe.

I probably bought way more than I should have and probably bought things she doesn't even need.  Like crayons.  8th graders need crayons right?  They were only like $0.74 so it was a total bargain...and she'll use them, maybe.

I figured out the problem with back to school shopping....places like Walmart (where I did my shopping) offer such great prices on everything that you feel everything is a bargain and therefore you must buy 1043 of them.  We bought a bag of mechanical pencils (20 count) for $1.49.  Really?  Is she really going to go through 20 mechanical pencils?  To top that off, I bought lead refills because they were only $0.99.  So not only will she not use the 20 pencils, she probably won't use all the lead either.  The real problem though is that I simply can't help myself.  I went down the aisle and just tossed things in.  By the time we were being rung up, I realized that I added about 10 portfolio folders.  10.  She could have probably used 3, maybe 4 but 10?

All in all, I spent too much money, bought things that aren't needed and still can't help but think that I forgot to get something.

I think I need help.

Getting Ready

Before I start my rant, has it really been this long since I've blogged?  The last post says February 14, that can't be right, can it?  Nearly two months ago.  Had I not failed Project 365 then, I most certainly would have by now :)

Anyway, back to the topic at hand.

The husband is in Chicago, attending a cousin's wedding.  Normally that means a carefree weekend with the kiddos except for the fact that when he returns on Monday, he's arriving with my MIL.  Immediately my weekend has done a 180.  The house needs a scrub down from top to bottom, in every room.  The new bed we bought (for my MIL to sleep in) has no sheets.  We have no laundry detergent and enough laundry to fill the entire weekend.  I need to buy groceries, so there's food to eat next week while she's here and the list goes on and on.

So, today will consist of going out and buying anything/everything we need and then coming home and getting to work.

This last week has been hectic and busy and I'm glad it's over.  I worked overtime on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  On Thursday and Friday, Kaitlyn had a dance recital each night - and was fantastic.  Nick left for Chicago on Friday, I saw an old friend and had our tub refinished, all in the same day.

On top of everything else, I have a wedding to get in shape for.  I have about a 4 month countdown window.

Wish me luck :)

Something different...

I'm laying in bed, posting to this blog using an iPad. I've got to say, it's actually pretty cool and very convenient. Lightweight and easy to use.

Decided to see just how easy this would be so I know what to do when I'm taking a break from angry birds :)

Project 365: EPIC FAIL

Man, did I set myself up for failure or what?

Project 365 was successful for what, 6 days?  How embarrassing!  I honestly wanted to succeed this one, but deep down, I knew....I knew it wouldn't happen, but I thought if I had the 4 of you who read this have something to look forward to, who were counting on me, that I would!

 Did the 4 of you really believe that? :o)

Now that that's out of the way....it's been a while.

There's not a whole lot to report...just some observations...

Work has been interesting, to say the least...
Kids are good....the munchkin is getting into everything!  To make matters worse, he's climbing everywhere.
I refuse to buy $9 underwear, it's not even that expensive at VS!
Shedding for the Wedding is an awesome title for a TV show
Got a new washing machine, hella cheap
Excited to switch back to Verizon - it'll mean no more dropped calls, no static, a brand new iPhone!
At this point, I've donated $50 to my sisters in the weight loss challenge as I haven't really done anything and weigh in is soon

Alright folks, more updates soon!

Project 365: Day 5

So, I'm going to cheat a little bit here.  This isn't a picture I took, but rather a couple of pictures of the kiddos that were taken by a co-worker who likes to dabble in photography.  I think they came out pretty good, especially the ones of the child that was cooperative.  One child, small, male, just over a year old, had a complete meltdown on photo day.  It explains why there's only about 4 pictures of him, and one of them, he's crying.

Anyway, here are my two favorites:

and

I think I've figured out the ONLY solution to the technical difficulties I've been having lately.  The cord to my iPhone is janky and my DSLR is way to huge to carry around; it's just not practical.  So, the solution is to go out and buy a simple point and shoot.  One that I can toss into my purse and use whenever I please.

Now it's just time to convince the husband ; )

Project 365: Technical Difficulties

I know this may seem like an excuse, but my cable for my iPhone won't connect to the laptop for me to upload days 3 and 4!

Since I can't post the pictures at this moment, let me tell you, they are AWESOME!

Day three was a picture of Owen running away from Wrigley when Wrigley was in the kitchen last night.  It's basically a dark shot, with Wrigley's head and a blur of Owen's head.

Day four is a shot today of Owen playing at the doctor's office.  Before the complete meltdown.

Which brings me to taking kiddos to the doctor.  So I tell my boss I need to come in late to take the boy to the Dr. for a check up.  You know the game telephone?  Keep that in mind...

I walk into work, and everyone comes up to me very concerned, wanting to know if my kid is ok and maybe I should take the whole day...When I tell them it's just a check up, I get this face of oh, ok.  They seem almost embarrased for asking.

It's kind of nice to know that people are genuinely concerned with things that happen in my life, I guess.

Today was a nightmare day though, it seems as if maybe I should have taken the day off.  I had so much to do, and so much I forgot to do and then to top it off, the person who is supposed to be helping me know how to do things, seems to not like me?  It's a strange and strained relationship it seems.

On the plus side, I walked to Subway for lunch.  It was nice to get out of the office and get fresh air, I might take a walk around the block every day.  It also helps with the whole be fit and healthy thing.

Here's to looking on the bright side!

Project 365: Day 3

As I lay in bed trying to get the boy asleep I have unsuccessfully tried to update this blog on my phone.

Picture 3 will be uploaded tomorrow.

Project 365: Already a failure?

So to the three of you that read this blog and my husband, Project 365 has already been a failure...or has it?

Granted, I didn't post a picture and blog yesterday, but I did take a picture.  I also took a picture today, so it's only a half failure : )

There's really no excuse for not posting yesterday, so I won't try to come up with one.  Instead, let's get started:

Day 1

This is what the house has been looking like for the past 3-4 weeks.  Giant tree.  GIANT.  I asked the husband and daughter to get a nice modest tree.  We've been buying baby trees the last few years, so I knew they wanted a tall tree.  I never expected this giant tree.  It was so full.  I was told, it was because we had a decent year and we should go all out.  What the husband and daughter failed to realize was that we have a 1 year old in the house, who like to grab ornaments.  You can kind of see it in this picture, but the tree is only decorated from the middle on up.  There are no ornaments on the bottom half of the tree and barely any lights.  So, we have this giant tree and can't even use it to its fullest.

A couple of things, in case you were wondering:  Husband is green, I'm red, daughter is purple, son is blue.  Also, I think World's Wildest Police Chases was on TV.

Now, onto today, Day 2:

Just like that, it's all gone.  It was my day to sleep in and when I woke up it was all gone.  It's not like I woke up at noon, I woke up at 9AM.  It was all put away.  I was kind of sad it was gone, but then I was so delighted!  No more baby eating pine needles, no more squeezing by to get to part of the couch, no more 1/4 of my living room gone.  And the best part?  I didn't have to deal with putting any of it away!

So now, I will put forth a better effort on Project 365.

Know this, if I don't post everyday, I will be taking pictures!

Helloooo 2011!

Today is New Year's Eve, which is always a great time to reflect on the year and see how to improve the upcoming year.

Here's how it went:

I turned 27.

We bought a house.

I got a new job.

Kaitlyn turned 12 and Owen turned 1.

All in all, it was a fantastic year.  Lots of ups and downs but thankfully, more ups than downs.

2011...

I'm hoping 2011 will be a year filled with health conscience choices (I hate the word DIET) and that the time spent with the family is more thoughful and quality.  I also want to do stuff like save more money, cook more, blah, blah blah, but personally, I want to take more pictures, I want to blog more.

So, for 2011, I vow this: Project 365.

I know you've all seen something similiar before, but here's what I'm going to do.  For 365 days, I will take a picture, post it on the blog and write something.  Sometimes it'll be quality, but I'm betting a lot of time, it won't.  I guess that'll be half the fun. 

Happy 2011 everyone!

This is how you start off a 5 day weekend

I powered through a 10 hour work day yesterday only for the sheer pleasure of knowing that starting today, Wednesday, November 24, 2010, I would begin a 5 day weekend.

I planned on cleaning and cooking and baking.  Oh, the baking I would do.

But nothing really ever goes as planned, as I quickly learned today.

Got a call at 8am from work, saying the 2 Thanksgiving dinners I ordered for the officers was only recorded as one and it was too late to get a second dinner.  What?  I know I ordered 2.  I remember the guy writing 2 dinners.  Anyway, I ask the lady at work to try and figure something out because Owen had a dr. appointment and I just couldn't deal with it at that time.

So, had to take the munchkin to the doctor.  Apparently, his weight is low and the doctors don't believe I feed him.  So we go in, and of course he gains like .08 pounds, but grows half an inch, yet still his weight is too low.  I get a 20 minute lecture on how to feed my son and what to feed him.  Then out of the blue, she says:

"any reason you didn't get all the shots when you were here last month?"

me: "huh?"

dr.: "he was supposed to get 7 shots last time, but only got three.  did you plan that?  ask for it to be broken up?"

me: "i don't know, my husband came last time."

dr.: "oh"

me: "uhm, yeah, so, what now?"

dr.: "well, we can give him all the shots and do all the bloodwork that was ordered at the last appointment"

me: "ok" :::grumble something about husband's worth, blah, blah, blah:::

We then wait 20 minutes, Owen gets 4 shots.  He's not happy.  We leave.  He thinks we're good and then we go to draw blood where he's held down and poked again and he loses it.  Poor guy.

So now that a 20 minutes appointment has turned into an hour and 15 minute appointment, I can return all the calls I missed and what have you.

Back to problem 1, the store said I only ordered one but we got lucky that there was a cancellation and we could get a second.  Ordinarily, no big deal, except this really bothered me for some reason.  I had to reassure myself that I wasn't crazy.  So of course, like any rational person, I go to the store to get everything sorted out.

Store

me: "hi, need to verify what i ordered last week."

her: "what did you order?"
me: "2 thanksgiving dinners, order #86"

her: looking at order 68, "no, you ordered one."

me: "you're looking at 68, I'm #86"

her: flipping pages, "didn't i talk to you this morning? you only ordered one."

me: "no you didn't.  I originally ordered, but what to verify what is being picked up tomorrow, because of this confusion."

her: "well it says you ordered one, because you only have one order number.  if you would have ordered 2, they would have given you two numbers."

me: "well, right there in your notebook, it says 2 dinners.  maybe the guy who was here that day didn't know to give me 2 order numbers but it clearly states there 2"

her: "well we counted it as one.  i told the lady this morning we had a cancellation so we added it to your order."

me: "so had we not called to pick up earlier, you would have only given us one dinner?"

her: "yes"

me: "even though it says 2?"

her: "yes"

me: "not sure i understand that.  anyway, we have two for tomorrow...right?"

her: "yes."

me: "thanks."

Now, seriously, what are the odds that we're actually going to have two dinners tomorrow?

So, I left the house at 8:45 AM, and didn't get home until 12:30 PM.

It feels like I'm not going to get much done today.  New plans include: picking up my paycheck, picking up my catalog order from JC Penney, making dinner, potentially baking and debating on Black Friday shopping. 

Hope your long weekend's are starting off better than mine!