Knives + Pumpkins = all the seeds you can eat.

Last night we went to The Two Blondes' house for pumpkin carving for a party on Saturday. We drank mulled wine and cider (with rum!) and had fancy homemade roasted red pepper spread. Here is a very dark photo of the results:



This weekend: parties, drag, costumes and football. Delightful.

Buns in the oven?

I am completely almost-sure that Zoey The Dog might be pregnant. Johnny says no way, but highly technical research on a very scholarlyinternet source leads me to be convinced. Here are my reasons:

1. Her dog-breasts appear to be completely ready for nursing, well, her nipples anyway.
2. She whines a lot.
3. Her midsection may or may not be enlarged. (Although it is tough to say because we have only had her a week.)

I could possibly be jumping to conclusions, but I can't help but think the worst. Can you imagine having 6 to 9 little puppies running around this place??? What a nightmare. I made an appointment today for her spaying and the earliest we could get was Nov. 22. I guess we will know for sure by then.

Dog shotz

Last night I went around and put the storm windows down in the house. (It immediately made a difference, no more drafts..you can stand by the window and not freeze...AND the guest room is verrry cozy now, hint-hint). Zoey was helping by running up to each window (she was keeping track of those I hadn't gotten to yet) and once I opened it, she would stick her head out. Jupiter helped too, as you can see:



Isn't that a cute spot on her back?


Here is another picture of her, close up:



I also put some more photos here.

And since I never did it before, here is a picture of The Tiniest Baby of All Time when she was about 2 weeks old. That is my sister's hand, which is not huge, really, just sorta normal sized.


She looks totally different now, being that she is about 3 times as old!

Something fishy at the library services company

The setting
Inside a large room, filled with cubicles. Corner area has large grey metal table and dedicated computer for specialized printer.

The cast of characters

Dewey: map cataloger, eagerly wanting to work but perpetually stymied by large maps and a small workspace
Bertie: sweet auntie-type, uses specialty printer for majority of day's labours, usually seen wearing a seasonal sweatshirt with a turtleneck. May have had plastic surgery.
C.G. (computer guy): seems to be the only person able to do anything systems related around here. Drinks lots of coffee.
Supervisor: it doesn't matter, really. just imagine a stick person with a blank face.

The story

Act I

Dewey approaches Supervisor to discuss possible options for getting more space to work on the maps, suggesting that she might be willing to use the shipping area computer, due to the convenience of the table.

Dewey: Um, I totally can't do my work, can I use the computer in the corner?
Supervisor: Let me look into it.

...weeks pass...

Supervisor (with the enthusiasm of someone who has a great, original idea): you can use that computer in the corner if you want!
Dewey: Um, thanks?

Dewey uses computer, but can't print out required information.

Act II

Bertie (to Dewey): Hon, did you use the computer in the corner? I tried to print out my work, but it just printed records forever. I think it is broken.

Dewey explains situation and apologizes, realizing that she didn't change the default printer.

Bertie: That's okay, sweetie. I have been wanting to move out of there anyway. Someone always comes and messes with the printer and it just takes forever to get things going again. It makes me so mad! (looks wistfully toward the ceiling) I just wish i knew who it was! Anyhoo, I will get soemone to move the printer so you can use that space.

Bertie contacts her supervisor

...weeks pass...

Act III

Bertie (to Dewey): Hey youngster. I got my printer moved, so the computer and table are all yours. If anyone asks where it went though, don't tell them, okay?

Dewey nods, actually not knowing where it has gone. Bertie exits. Dewey attempts use of computer, but needs software installed. She contacts C.G.

C.G.: So, uh, I um got the software [slurp] on there. Uhm, lemme know if [snif] you have any trouble with it.
Dewey: okay.
C.G., averting eyes and taking a gulp of coffee: So, um... do you know where Bertie's printer went to?
Dewey: I don't know. I just know it is gone.

-End-

Is there no honor in humanity? Damn you C.G.!

Carpool

Things are getting cleaned up from the big break-in, and I am starting to feel more comfortable at home again. It is so strange the way that someone just invading your space that way makes you feel extra vigilant and scared. Ew.

Zoey is still cute and rowdy, even though I try to take her out lots of times and let her hang out in the yard and chase the squirrels.

I had my review on Wednesday, which went quite well. I had a good opportunity to tell them some of the things that I have been thinking about this place, which made me feel better. So, I embark with a renewed sense of okay-ness about the job, and I don't feel the urgent need to get-out-as-soon-as-i-can. I also started carpooling with a woman who lives near me, which helps me feel better about driving every day. It also helps me get up and off to work on time!

the good, the bad and the speckled

The trip to Philly was extra-great and we were homesick from the moment we drove in. We got to stay at the lovely home of Erica and The Agent and to visit with many wonderful folks. I went to ye olde library job and went around to say hi to people. The best part was when someone asked me, "Wait, you don't work here anymore, do you?"

On Sunday we went to the Morning Glory for a fantastic breakfast, which was quickly ruined by a phone call from our cat-sitting friends telling us our house had been broken into the night before. Luckily (or not) we had an 8 hour drive to prepare for the shock and violation of someone going through our things.

There was some damage done to the back gate, but none to the back door where they entered. They stole our laptop, DVDs, CDs and our jewelry boxes. Johnny's was worth more than mine as it held every piece of sentimentality she'd been collecting since childhood. They also stole the change from my 4-year-old niece's pink Barbie purse she left here last weekend. Jerks.

Our response was swift. I had a security system guy come yesterday and give me his pitch, then we went and got a dog. Her name is Zoey Bella and she is 3 year-old Blue Heeler, house trained, well mannered, and so cute. She is afraid of the cats and whimpers whenever they block the entrance to a room she wants to go into. I will certainly be posting Cute Dog pictures in the future.

And then... nothing.

My review was rescheduled at the last minute. I waited outside my supervisor's office for 10 minutes with my team leader before we decided he wasn't there. I actually said, "Would it be weird if i went outside and looked in the window?" She said that he would come and get us when he got back. Half an hour later, i got an email saying he wasn't even in. I guess it will happen next week.

But today, we are embarking on a trip to Philadelphia! Woo-hoo! I am pretty excited to go back and visit my old work-mates and friends. Plus, the Eagles have a bye week, so i don't have to worry about missing the game by driving on Sunday.

3 months of daily hunger

People around here keep weird schedules. There are some folks that come in at 4 or 5 in the morning, so they eat lunch at 11! They sit at their desks for lunch and the smell wafts over the cubicle walls and directly into my nostrils. I eat around 1 usually, so this 2 hour stretch is torturous.

Today I will eat a little earlier because I have my 90 day review. It is shocking to think that I have been working here for 3 months already. Is it too early to ask for a raise?

Sniff.

After being rejected by our (now previous) vet, Johnny took Carrington to the Good Vet on Saturday at 1:15 because my family was coming over for housewarming/birthday celebrations. She called me around 2 to say that the vet was not sure whether she was treatable. I went down there and the vet explained that Carrington was severely ill and dehydrated and that her condition had probably progressed beyond repair. He could hear fluid swishing around in her abdomen and feared that she had FIP,a pretty serious and contagious disease.

After an extended conversation, we decided that it would be best to put her to sleep. I haven't ever had to do that before, and it was the saddest thing ever. She was sitting on Johnny's lap, all cute and yellow and skinny, and we petted her for probably an hour before we left. We promised her that we'd name another cat after her someday.

Rest in Peace, Carrington. We miss you.

Yellow ears

I took Carrington to the low-cost vet this morning. She tested negative for Feline Leukemia and FIV, but they couldn't give her any immunizations because she has severe jaundice! She's not pregnant and they shaved her belly and it looks like there is a spaying scar.
They suggested that I take her to my regular vet for diagnosis and testing. I called and got an appointment for noon, so I called in to work and said I'd be in late. I set Carrington up on the porch with a little barrier and some blankets (it is really cold and rainy here today) but when I came out to get her she was gone. I told the vet I thought she'd be back in the morning and they are going to let me know if I can bring her in then.

Jaundice!!

Front Porch Attraction

The party was a roaring success. There was so much kareoke and revelry that i am only now getting things back into order. There is also lots of leftover beer and we now have bottles spilling out of all the refrigerator's crevices. Thanks to everyone who made the trip--it was so great to see you all!

On Sunday, after most people left, a grey cat appeared on our front porch. She is still there. Yes, we started feeding her because her bones are sticking out. We also named her Carrington. Here are the cute things she does:

mrows and comes up to me when i walk out the door
sharpens her claws on the welcome mat
curls up all pretty-like on a towel (which serves as her bed)
sits in a loaf ON the porch swing

She is such a sweet cat, but she may be sick or pregnant or something. We are going to have to get her to the vet.
Are we going to be a 4 cat household? Ahh!

Bzzzzt

Have I already said that I am excited about this weekend? People are visiting! The Goddess arrived this morning and everyone else arrives tomorrow. Woo-hoo! There is still much cleaning, food shopping, and beer purchasing to do, so I am not very interested in being at work today. Or tomorrow, for that matter.

Plus, I just drank a half cup of regular coffee (not decaf, like usual) and i am bouncing off my cubicle walls!

boing

Don't you coo at me!

Does anyone else think this is weird?

"A West Yorkshire hospital has banned visitors from cooing at new-born babies over fears their human rights are being breached and to reduce infection."

I hate unpacking and putting together furniture

Have you ever worked on a project that felt like it would never end and you get so tired of doing it you just want to throw all of your stuff away? Well, I have. And watching football at the same time doesn't make it better.

That aside, I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS WEEKEND! Johnny's 30th birthday and housewarming party is Saturday night and I can't wait. There are some Philly-ites (?) making the 8 hour trek and we will probably have about 10 people staying at our house. It is going to be soo fun. There will be beer, kareoke, laughing, and hopefully no rain. Here's a weather report for you travelers out there.

Donovan, I have missed you

I went to meet my dad last night to see a movie at the $1.50 theatre and on my way home Johnny's car broke down. My phone was dead so I had to walk. I was going down the ramp, realizing that my chances of being picked up by someone not-scary were slim, when my wildest dreams (at the time) were answered by a very nice couple in their 60s, who took me to the gas station and let me use their cell phone. What a relief.

In honor of The Nicest Couple of All-Time, I feel moved to drink coffee and eat a donut at 10:00, the coffee hour!

For you football fans, we totally got the NFL Sunday Ticket!! They came to install on Wednesday, so now we have about 4 million channels as part of our limited-time promotion, including the Eagles! Whoo-hoo! We missed the last 2 games because people around here want to watch the Bengals, Browns, or the Steelers, for some reason. So now, Johnny and I can watch all the NFL Sunday action we can take. I can't wait.

I heart maps

I really love maps, and therefore I also love cataloging them. There are 2 map people here, but they also do Arabic, so my lack of language skills may or may not be a welcome break for them.

I was working on these mine maps and they often include the old map techniques which list ranges, section and townships of areas of the rural west. I had called something a range and Map Man was looking things over and kinda gave this haughty sniff and scoffed, "well. that does have sections, but" (here he actually snorted) "not ranges."
Catalogers are such a funny sort. We get all snobbish about our subject specialties (or language specialties) and talk about them in a certain way. I will think of a word to describe it someday.

Also related to work, here is a blurry photo of that weird being that lives in the shrubs outside my window. I think it is a woodchuck.

But don't you think it looks like a prarie dog?

Whirlwind

Thursday night I set out with my brother, sister-in-law and 2 nieces (1 and 4 years old) to southwestern WVa to visit my sister, brother-in-law and The Tiniest Baby Of All Time. She is precious and 6 pounds (just a little bigger than a small white dog I know) and slept, ate & cried pretty much the whole time. The 1-year-old niece looked like a giant ogre next to her. But a cute one.

We came back on Saturday afternoon and I learned that Johnny had somehow scored tickets to see The Kinsey Sicks , who are a "Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet." The show was incredible and very political and funny, which I always appreciate when packaged appropriately.

The next morning we got up early and drove to Pittsburgh to meet our former neighbors, the Goddess and the Man. We went to the Warhol museum, which I greatly enjoyed, and then to a diner, coffee shop, and some shopping. We found out that The Man's furniture business got a write up in Philadelphia Magazine's Home & Garden, which features a great picture of them and some of their work.

After that, Johnny and I went to IKEA (which is now a 3 hour trip away from our home, instead of about 5 minutes) and spent a bunch o money on curtains, a rug, a coffee table, and some other stuff I don't remember.

Today, when I went up to get my coffee, the Cafeteria Singer was breaking the 80s tradition by belting out a passionate rendition of "I Believe I Can Fly." I almost tipped her.

Fair Food and Foreigner

The Foreigner concert was so Freekin Fun. We went with our friends Jake and Leo and got there early enough to walk around and eat corn dogs, fries with vinegar, and caramel apples. As if that wasn't enough junk, we went in search of some popcorn, because it is the popcorn festival after all. We bought this $6 bag of freshly popped kettle corn that was literally the size of my right leg. We met up with my little sister and her boyfriend who offered to help us eat it and headed toward the Main Stage. I could hear people cheering and music playing as we approached. The first words I heard were, "Is everyone havin' fun? Does everyone have some popcorn?". I knew immediately that the show was going to be awesome.

There was a great crowd of all kinds of people (kids, parents, grandparents, bikers, us) and they played all the hits I could ever think of from my childhood. There was maybe one song that i didn't know all the words to, and during that song we went to the ATM to get cash to buy our t-shirts (which I happen to be wearing at this moment).

I recorded some of the songs with my phone and here is a sample for you fans out there. (.wav) You can hear us screaming in the din.

Here is also a very poor quality photo taken with my phone:



but you get the idea.

When we went to get the T-shirts, Johnny asked if they were vintage. Ha! The guy was like, uh, no. My co-worker asked me that same thing today, if I had it for a long time. I admitted that it was new and that i felt a bit like an imposter.

On the work front

I talked someone into putting me in charge of a project cataloging maps! For those of you who know how I feel about maps, you will completely understand how great this is. I just spent all morning with The Map-Guy and I even got my own tape measure. yay!

In Foreigner news, we are totally going. We are leaving at 6. I will try to remember to take my camera.

Juke...box...he-ro...!! I will completely have stars in my eyes. And popcorn in my hand.

Urrrgent, wait and see

Last week my mom told me that Foreigner is playing at my hometown Popcorn Festival on Friday. I totally want to go, it just depends on how early Johnny can get home and whether we have to keep up this blasted house painting.

Just think, I could be eating popcorn, drinking beer and swooning over these guys

while I ROCK OUT to a 70s and 80s hit parade!!

Oh man. Plus, mom thinks that they might possibly stay at the hotel where she works. I begged for an autograph, and if i get it, i will completely make it a major part of my blog.