Friday at last

I'm not sure I have ever been so happy to see the weekend.

Do you remember those commericals - "Calgon, Take Me Away"?

This is kind of how I felt when I got home from work tonight

This guy sure knows how to party!

But I'm thinking this last guy could REALLY Take Me Away!

Anywhere - He - Wants!

Thank Goodness It's Friday :)



Spring Cleaning

I've made a little progress and I wanted to show you what I've been doing the past few days.  I have been whining about work lately.  I love my job but things have been busy and projects have been piling up and getting out of control. 

When I say I was surrounded by piles of paper and mountains of half finished projects - - I really meant it.  I took this picture Friday after lunch.  I can't believe I am actually going to show you this - Don't Judge!!

I just could not function.  Well, look - - I had no clear space to work!  Arrrgh.   So after I went home Friday afternoon and had a bit of supper, I decided to go back to work and regain control. 

But when I got back there, instead of getting to work, I decided I needed to re-arrange the furniture.  Do you ever do that??  I got so overwhelmed that I couldn't function.  But instead of working, I got this bizarre obsession to move furniture. So I moved the desk and moved a file cabinet from the front of the office to the back etc.   It is amazing the kind of Herculean strength you can muster when in a state of frenzy.  That desk and file cabinet weighed a ton. 

I went back Saturday morning and it was just the little fresh change I needed.  I worked a few hours and went back again early this morning.

And this is the result   (a drum roll would be appropriate here)

It isn't perfect but it is a massive improvement.  There still is a small stack of papers at the back but they are all related to one project and should be dealt with tomorrow.   

And NO, I did NOT just dump all that stuff in a box and hide it......(I know thats what some of you were thinking hehehe)   It was all dealt with.   

Ahhhhh, big sigh of relief.  There is still lots to do, but at least now I can function.    It's not fun to spend a majority of your weekend working, but sometimes it is necessary.  I feel better now.

Now I can hook a bit tonight, guilt free.  I think I've earned it. 





Thump thump - bling bling

Thumps and blings were the sounds of the day - and not in a good way.  Early this afternoon I could feel a headache starting at the base of my neck - stress headache.  As the afternoon progressed my head continued to thump and that stupid blackberry kept blinging with notifications of emails, meetings, reminders.......Enough!

I am behind at work, not just a little.....a lot.  This year seems worse than others.  I am feeling a bit (well, a lot) overwhelmed.   I need to get things under control.

So I may be a little scarce for a little bit in blogger-ville.   I need to take a few things off my plate.  I won't be gone all together, just may not comment or post much for a few days. 

Don't forget about me!!  I'll get back to your blogs soon   :)

What a difference a day makes.....

Well, this was a whole different kind of day.  Today is all about 2 mysteries.  At least I can say things are never dull around here. 

It all started out fine.  A nice normal day.  I had a meeting at work first thing in the morning.  For some unexplainable reason I left my cell phone on my desk when I went down the hall.  I always have my phone with me.  I still don't know why I didn't take it to my meeting.   When we finished and I got back to my desk, I saw my house number as a missed call and a voicemail.  Instead of wasting time checking the message I just dialed home. 

In an eerily calm voice, Auntie asks if I can run home for a minute.  ??  Yes, I reply - but why?   Her eerily calm voice threw me a bit because you may have picked up from some of my posts, she is a tad bit high strung!  She says "Your mother has fallen and I can't lift her up"    I didn't even ask any questions, just hung up and raced home.  She was on the floor between the bed and the closet.  But before you think she just fell out of bed - She was backwards!  We still can't figure it out.   I checked her from head to toe - twice.  Not a mark or bruise on her and not one tender spot.  We have no idea when it happened, as Auntie found her that way this morning.  And she wasn't trying to get to the bathroom as there were no "accidents".  It is a complete mystery but she seems fine.

Mystery #2 - The dog seems to be crazy too. I may need the services of a dog psychic.  Princess Millie spends every meal time, on her special mat beside me at the table.  (Yes she gets table treats - don't judge)  However, since yesterday she is now "scared" of her mat.  She will not go there no matter what I put on the mat.  Not-even-cheese.......so you know its serious.  She now goes and stands beside the stove and barks and whines.   I have picked her up and put her on the mat and she runs back to the stove.   I have switched the mat for a different one.  Nope - runs back to the stove.

What in the beejeebers is that about??  Seriously, I cannot take another bit of crazy in this house.   I took the afternoon off work.  I met two friends for coffee.   I added some "special" to the coffee.  (Again, don't judge)  There was a flask involved - not mine.  Yes, I have those kinds of friends.  (Thank God!  Lol)

I think I pulled a muscle in my back while lifting Mom.  The "special" coffee tasted good.  I think this may be in my future later tonight........I heard Grey Goose can act like a muscle relaxant. Don't judge.  Its been a mysterious day

Ever have one of those days??

Just Sayin . . . . .

Finding my way

It has been a long couple of weeks.  There has been a lot going on in my life lately.

I have been managing to plod along but today I am tired.  I think everything is catching up with me and I am glad it is Friday and I have a couple of days to decompress.

One of the coping skills I developed as I learned to  live with Mom's Alzheimers was to compartmentalize certain problems.  I just couldn't deal with all the different things in the beginning that were coming at me every day.  Sometimes you just have to deal with the task at hand and put the feelings and emotions aside for awhile. 

I would just take certain things and mentally put them in a box.  And that is what I have been doing for a long time.  But lately I have been collecting a lot of those boxes. They are getting a little heavy. So I guess that means I need to deal with some of them, before they deal with me. 

I feel better just admitting that to myself.  It is OK to have these feelings.  It is OK  to take some time for yourself.   It is OK to stop pretending to be the energizer bunny.

Actually, I feel better already.   Have a great rain-free weekend.  I hope to get some more photos of the fall leaves before they all disappear.

Mad Cow?

Today I had a brief case of Mad Cow Disease.  I don't often blog about work related things but I thought I would share this today.

We have a regular meeting called Committee of the Whole - or as we call it COW for short.   The staff member who usually puts together the information package is on vacation.  So last night around 10:30pm I had a message from my boss with a heads up that I needed to prepare the documents this morning for distribution by the end of the day.

Its always been an inside joke at the office that you need to take cover on the day the COW package is being prepared.  It is stressful and not a fun job.  And whoever is doing it is NOT in a good mood that day.

So this morning I decided to get it over with first thing.  I went to the shared folder to retrieve the documents and begin to edit them.   Guess what??  The folder was empty.   And the symptoms of my Mad Cow began to surface. 

The next couple of hours involve a lot of calling, emailing, nagging, begging, muttering bad words and eventually getting everything ready.    I had it approved by the boss before 2pm.  

But the funniest part of the day was around 3pm when one of the staff stuck her head in my office and said  "I know you are busy, but when you are over your Mad Cow thing, I have a story"     I had to bust out laughing.  She was holding it in all day but sometimes you just gotta get a story off your chest, even if you have to encounter a Mad Cow. 

Flying by the seat of my pants

Buckle up boys and girls ---  It's gonna be one of those weeks.

Most of the time we function on a fairly regimented routine at home.  With me working and Mom's care, a schedule is a lifeline.  And 99% of the time it works like a charm.   But this is the week that 1% creeps in and the whole system goes into chaos.

It is only Tuesday and I am officially "Flying by the seat of my pants".

The 3rd week of the month is typically meeting-heavy at work but on top of that our municipality is hosting a conference for about 90 delegates from around the province.   I am on the host committee so having a few things left to organize and confirm before they arrive tomorrow.   And in between helping out and attending the conference I still have to review the 90+ page document for this weeks Council meeting.    Add in photography class tonight and Millie's groomers appointment (which coincidentally overlap - not sure whats gonna happen there)

Oh, and the icing on the cake --- Auntie has had an injury.  Details are sketchy at best.  (she lies to me about stuff like this and I am forced to investigate and interrogate until I am satisfied)   

I had to work late last night but I called home after supper to check in.  She sounded funny but I thought maybe Mom was giving her a bit of a hard time so I let it go.  When I arrived home several hours later she was as growly as a bear.  Later as she got up to get a cup of tea I noticed she was holding herself a little funny and walking kind of slow.  So the interrogation began....

So, what I think happend (still not 100% sure) is that she tripped/slipped in the kitchen and fell hard against the kitchen sink, landing on her ribs.   I can tell when she moves she is having pain but remember - she lies!  (Just because she doesn't want me to worry - but guessing makes it worse) She knows if she tells me the truth I will have a fit and take her to the hospital.  And to her - that is a fate worse than death.   So in between everything else I will have to keep an eye on it. 

It always seems like when I have extra work committments - something happens.  I'm NOT saying she does it on purpose BUT it is an interesting coincidence.  Hmmmmmm.   OK really I know its not on purpose.

I really can't wait for this week to end.  Friday is our corporate Golf Tournament.  More about that later but I think I will be taking out some frustration on those little balls.

Just another manic Monday

It all started so innocently.  Just another Monday...

I arrived at work early (as usual) and put on the coffee pot in the staff room.

After a quick catch-up with Corinne, who had been away all last week, I went to my office

and turned on the computer, opened up the email and.....

Friggin Land Mines started going off all around me. 

Sucky emails, crappy phone calls, crabby people with nasty issues in my office.....

Sheesh, I hate Mondays!

Things started to quiet down around 11am, so since that time I have been hiding in my office....

Like Elmer Fudd during Wabbit Hunting Season

Shhhhhhhh, be vewy vewy quiet.....

Maybe nobody will know I'm still here.........

Tis the season

Tis the season....for over-loaded schedules and short tempers.  Falalalala  

I have been joking that work has been like a mine field.  For days now its been like walking on eggshells around everyone.  Too many deadlines and so much stress are taking a toll.

And unfortunately today I joined the ranks.  By mid afternoon I had the last straw and I blew - twice! Both times to people who are much higher on the food chain too!  But it seems like lately I am always the "bitch".  I'm always nagging someone for a late or incomplete report, or telling that they are not following policy etc.

When the #1 boss asked me a question this afternoon - and I gave him the honest answer - I could tell he was not impressed.  He didn't say anything but he had "the look".   I said "I can't be the bitch here everyday.  I am the bitch at home everyday and I can't do it here.  Somedays I have to pick my battles." 

Whew.....as soon as I blew I felt better.  And lucky for me, he smiled and said yes, he understood that.   After I got that off my chest we talked a bit more.  I will eventually give him the answer he was hoping for, but today I just didn't have the strength to annoy another senior manager.

THEN, as I was checking blogs tonight someone had posted a Christmas Countdown gadget......

17 flippin days left...............

Are you kidding?????

Oh dear,  this is not good!  So I am sitting down with Auntie in a few minutes and we are making a list

All of our leftover to-do's.  The countdown put me in a panic.  So my plan is to take one master list and just drive it like mad for a few days.  Just once I would like to be able to relax and not pushing through the stores after Dec.20th.  My imaginary dream is to just bake and make fancy treats the few days before Christmas. 

I don't think it's gonna happen, but a girl can still dream. Sigh......

Holiday Shopping Fun?

Last night and this morning I couldn't think of what I was going to ramble on about today.  And then I went out shopping and the content of this post became clear!

My first stop was pleasant.  One of our churches was having a "Bethlehem Market" this morning.  Its a Rummage/Bake Sale and all the vendors (the church ladies) dress in Shepherds clothes.  I'm not a "rummage sale" kind of gal but I did very well scooping up goodies at the baking and candy tables!

Next stop was to head for the Mall.  On my way there I got to a set of traffic lights - I had a green light but luckily I was paying attention because some idiot just flew through the red light!  Didn't even blink..... It made me wonder - how can you drive with your head up your arse butt?

Next bundle of fun.....the Mall Parking Lot.  Seriously, they should have someone at the entrance handing out blood pressure pills before you are allowed to enter the parking lot.  Oh my nerves.  The cars are going every which way, nobody will give anyone a break to turn in, and if a parking space does open up - its like a stock car derby.  Its a free for all.   And then, if by some chance, a car does stop and left you through - sure enough a bunch of pedestrians will step out in front of you!  Arrrgh.....

The final insult......department stores that are full of shoppers with only 2 checkouts open.  In my line the old couple in front of me were quaint (NOT).  You could hear him yapping all over the store and his wife resembled Loretta Lynn circa 1970.  Big ass beehive hair-do etc.  The line is getting longer and then the girl finishes ringing in their order and he asks how much were the batteries.  The cashier checked the receipt $6.   OMG......He got all excited and yelling that they were on sale for $5.  He is insistent and loud and the rest of us are stuck waiting.  I heard the woman behind me tell her husband to give the guy $1 so we could get out of there.  I may have snorted out loud.  He is not leaving until she gives him the sale price.

So we wait for someone to confirm the price.  And he is still yapping.  Eventually the supervisor comes and tells him its the Energizer batteries on sale NOT Duracell.   Sooooooo, after all that fuss over $1 and making everyone wait - he decides to take them anyway for the $6.................... He is just lucky I didn't find a "special" place to put his batteries!!

Isn't shopping during the holidays fun??    I'm still plugging away on the Angel rug border and am patiently (not) waiting for my new cutterheads to arrive.  It seems like it is taking forever to get here.
Maybe Santa will bring me patience this year.....(not likely)