Amazing little lists...

Yes! I am the nerd queen and if I can make a list - I will.  And I did.

Yesterday morning I spent a good hour, making, consolidating and refining my to-do lists.  There is order in my world.

There is peace in my brain.

There were updates as soon as I printed.  Yes,  I typed the lists.. it made for happiness.

It made for - yes! I can get all this crap done.

It made for yes!  Crossed off two actions before I printed!

I crossed everything off I needed to do for Wednesday.

I have added and subtracted from Thursday.

Saturday has gotten busier - but in a good way.

Completely off my list - I'm craving -- something.  Most likely not good for me but something.  I'll figure it out - sooner or later.  Or blow a good week with diet and exercise and eat my way through the junk food aisle.  Trying not to.

Bubba has called me 4 times today - and it's not yet noon.  I think they are breaking out mittens in hell.  We are trying to have a social life out side of working and life - some together and some not so much.  I like both.   We are doing breakfast Saturday morning while I get my oil changed, then he's off on a ride and I'm free to check things off my list --

I got tickets to a concert Saturday night - place in VA we haven't been to before. Should be fun.

Sunday will be our day of rest, and get more things ticked off my list.  Bubba is headed out again... and I am too we'll see each other briefly Saturday night and Sunday.  Secret to a long and happy marriage - time apart  - or at least according to Bubba and Aunt Ing,

All right I'm off to eat lunch and do something productive today... I started just need to finish.

12,000 things to tend to and my brain is stuck

I've got many plates spinning right now and I was counting on a quiet week at work... and that hit the industrial-sized spinning air-moving device Monday morning... and it hasn't stopped spewing 'stuff' since.

Covering meetings, boss popped in and left a list and tasking in her wake, emails, phone calls, things that aren't working, status changes and oh yeah Bubba is home, and grumping about everything.

I'm working on getting things back on track, consolidating work lists, consolidating Girl's Group Lists, consolidating to-do lists outside of those two actions - oh yeah and that whole get up, got to work, drive like the crazies in DC and I wonder if it isn't time to cash it all in become a prepper and move to the wilds of PA.   Bubba and I could be Mr. and Mrs. UniBomber.

We'd kill each other inside of 2 weeks.

So, I decided to take a few minutes, let my spinning brain step off the crazy merry-go-round that is GET THIS ALL DONE RIGHT NOW... and let me get myself back to happy lists, manageable to-do things with a plan.  I have a 3 day weekend, a day sans Bubba and 2 working days next week.  Somehow I will manage a way to figure it all out.

I have been trying to keep working out.  Easier said than done but I'm doing something.  Which is more than doing nothing.  AMIRIGHT?

The weather has been summer in DC, hot humid and sticky - did I mention Hot and Humid?  Poor Shelby girl, when we take our 2 house down and 2 house back walk she's all pant-y and sitting-y.  But I know it's good for those joints to keep her moving.  It's just so hard to watch her struggle.  She's still my lovable lump. I find it funny that she gets up the stairs, wanders into the kitchen and proceeds to plan her furry butt right in the middle of where I need to be - stove/ dishwasher/ doorway... thankfully she slides with minimal issues. 

Nice to have a window - blue skies, gentle breeze through the tree outside my window, knowing full well when I walk outside my skin will want to melt off my face - or maybe just my makeup.  :-)

All-right-y  mental and physical break taken.  Back to fixing my lists and getting myself put together.

Put one foot in front of the other -- and soon you'll be marching on your way!  (name that tune from a Christmas special) 

Busy day!

Boss has been gone, yesterday, today and tomorrow -- AND next week.  Fun!  Which means I get to scramble today to get things to her which she will ignore unless I need acted upon before she gets back.  What fun.

Better to be busy as it's now later in the afternoon and its gone by quicker than yesterday with that BLA feeling.

Bubba called last night - past my bed time but I was up and reading.  Its like he wants to chat but he doesn't have a lot to say.  I am 'uh huh' - ok - brain dead and ready for bed.  As I was already IN bed.

Its our life.

He's home Friday night - and all next week then we start the whole hamster wheel of No Bubba again. 

Also means next week he's going to have an expectation of meals cooked.  Last night I had a cheese stick and an hour later frozen yogurt bar.  The day before I actually broke out a pan and melted the cheese on my sandwich. 

I've started working out again - kills the dinner appetite so that's a good thing.  My legs are killing me and wearing high heels isn't the best way to handle that new muscle ah- tweaking ...

I sent an email to my older Girls' Group girls - meaning they have 'graduated' from the group.  I asked them for some ideas.  They were all helpful and complimentary.  It was a nice boost to the ego - but I have to remind myself this isn't why I tossed my hat into the ring of fire.  Well - OK part of it is. I'm human - but I also want to see if I can make a difference, I'm holding firm that the woman in charge, to whom I sent the letter will either not acknowledge she got it at all -- or wait until October or November to acknowledge she got the letter - then take another 6 months to make up her mind - leaving about 3 months for turn over.    I don't know why I keep thinking about this -- yes I do. We have an event Sunday - I have gotten nothing official about it - there is a Facebook post and email to the State board - and if I wasn't on the board I would know nothing about it!!!  That makes me nuts and you can't run things this way!  and expect people to just drop things and re plan weekends and lives!  Cripes.

Down to 45 minutes left in my day - need to get some things done.  Or to ignore until tomorrow - next week - ah -- she's gone.  I've got time. 

Later.

Apparently I need to 'chat'...

Feeling kinda BLA today.. Boss is gone for the day, dealing with BS of the same questions 3 times over I mean when your answer to the question is See email dates XX time YY and email dated... you get the idea.

Another Bubba being Bubba moment last night -- we are need of doggie 'day care' when Bubba is traveling -- which is every blessed week with one week off in the middle for good behavior - and we all know how well that works with Bubba and his cranky meter.

Now the neighbors have graciously said they can help but I feel like we are taking advantage of them.  And in talking to Bubba stating that said neighbors were gone for bit he said "we should hire someone as I don't want random strangers in our house"

Hand-head slap repeatedly... now he did say "you know licensed and bonded."  OK.... so I asked the Vet the didn't have anyone, did a search on line, read reviews and other sites, picked one and make some inquiries.  I talked to them Monday; we have an appointment tonight, Wednesday, to talk to these folks - last night Bubba is giving me the 10th degree on who, what, where and of course cost.  $15 per day to have someone drive to our house, let our old dog out and let her back in.  Lucky for him it's only 4 days a week - I backed off the Friday as I'm early.

So today I sent him an email saying call me regarding all this because he was less than pleased about the cost and the rest... so tell me darling Bubba - what decision are we making today -- and YOU WILL ask the neighbors for help because I'm tired of being the needy PITA.  This is our responsibility.

I worked out yesterday for the first time in forever - I hurt in places I forgot I own.  Cripes why does it take 30 seconds to get out of shape but a year to get into shape. No comment on my eating habits... boy do those need to change too... I am trying.  I'm making smoothies for breakfast - problem is I'm hungry too soon after wards... need more protein.  Or something - bagel? Dough nut?  no no no BAD Aunt Ing

Anyway... I won't mention my trip out to the food trucks today for lunch instead of eating the healthy lunch I packed..need to borrow some of my sister's control. I'll blame the BLA feeling. Yeah let's got with that and nothing to do with pulled pork and garlic fries...  Have I mentioned I'm ready for a nap?

All right -- of to pretend to be productive today because I don't sincerely see this happening without a little fake-it-till-you make it.

Stay tuned for more adventures in Dog Sitting...

And another thing...

For some strange reason I went back and read the letter I sent to the Girls' Group in-charge Chick... still sounded OK.  I'm still banking on the August time frame.  :-)  Or she could ignore it completely... we'll see.

In the meantime, I am enjoying the quiet evenings of No Bubba, Just Shelby (because you know its all about the bass - No Bubba...)   and now that song is stuck in my brain.  Going to make for a great afternoon..

The other hinge in my afternoon is the pending weather.  They are predicting storms to hit - just about rush hour!  Yeah!!!  Quality time with Carpool Buddy.  And now the clouds are darkening... wonderful.

The weekend was busy/quiet... we didn't do much, but did some stuff.  Went to a party of the neighbors behind us - then Bubba went to spend time with his friend who ironically is moving to Pittsburgh.  I went to dinner with the neighbors, had two very yummy margaritas went home and died.  Woke up at midnight, just as Bubba was coming in and we went to bed ...

Got up Sunday and Bubba went riding I spent the AM in the PJ's then did the weekly shopping; laundry and other stuff.  I got a delivery from Amazon - new pillows!!!  They were all wrapped and flat, so I unwrapped and unboxed them - and went running errands... Bubba gets home and nags at me as to why I bought flat pillows!  I told him you have to wash and dry them first... he didn't believe me.  Then I showed him the affects... yeesh.  You'd think he'd learn - but NO!  Never wrong... and never admits it when the evidence is right in front  of his face!  I must say they are nice... very fluffy.

Monday saw Bubba on the road again, only this time in Philly for training. He sent me a text at 10 something last night - I got it at 5 AM this morning.   Welcome to our lives.

Nothing else planned this week, makes for happy Shelby.  I also have the OTHER neighbor coming over to let her out, since my regular gal is out of school and on the road.  And now I have a company coming to help out my old gal.  She scared the crap out of me Friday, her back leg was spasming and it didn't quit for over an hour!  Called the vet - by the time we got there it was all over.  Could have murdered that dog!  So we upped pain meds for the weekend, she slept.  Then Monday when I got home she was all bouncy and happy and ready to go!  I took her with me to the Girl's Group meeting and she laid like a good girl and basked in the loving fawning.   Then we came home, and putzed, got things ready for the cleaning lady and went to be later than I should have.

I'm trying something new in the mornings; trying to make smoothies and lay off the mini-begals. Problem is with slow moving puppy and prep work I have to get up earlier to get this done.  Not sure if things are healthier but I looked up some recipes today.  One called for whole milk?!  We'll see but Aunt Ing's new clothes are getting a little tight... gotta work on our habits.  Not having Bubba home helps smaller meals when I get home. 

All right - back to work.  Quiet day today... calm before the storm??

My get up and go... went

If you go back to Tuesday there was productivity, there was happiness there was another @#$$%^ accident on my way home... Every Tuesday for the last 3 weeks some moron decided he wanted to attempt to defy the laws of physics and occupy the same space at the same time.

And again -- it no work. (read like "My big fat Greek Wedding")

So Aunt Ing and Carpool Buddy enjoy an additional 30 plus minutes of quality non-moving time together.  (insert Kermit-the-frog waving arms here!)  Yeah!


Yesterday was wholly uninspired, total upside was a 90 minute massage, layered with puppy guilt, when I left and when we went to bed.  She moved her bed, right next to my side of the bed.  Twist that knife Shelby girl..

She seemed OK this morning, up side I am home tonight, early tomorrow and all weekend so that should make up for the in-out nature of yesterday's issues.

I pulled the trigger Tuesday - I mailed the letter tossing my hat in the ring to lead all of Maryland Girl's Group.  Heaven help me.  I figure the leader will get around to reading it sometime in August.

I must confess I was going to sit on it a bit longer, craft the letter, edit, edit, edit, then at the Ladies' group Monday night the opening thought - felt like a direct comment on where my brain was -- in a nut shell it was "don't doubt yourself, you are smart and capable.  Don't sit on your hands go after what you want..." 

As I do hold the belief that the big guy above sends messages - I heard that and acted.  We'll see if it's the best or worst decision I have made lately.  (insert snort and snicker here)   I should probably go to mass more regularly too...

Bubba will have another weekend stop over this weekend, then off to the land of cheesesteaks for training, then amazingly home for a whole week.  Then gone again for 3 weeks in July.  Including again for the third year in a row - my birthday.  yeah.... I warned home the gifts better get more pricey the number of years he's gone... I shopped after he told me that schedule.  I bought a new shoe rack and new pillows - ours suck.

I also want credit that Father's Day cards and gifts are on their way.  Along with birthday gifts and cards for the niece and college friend.  They may actually arrive close to if not on time... for a change.

All right off to pretend to be productive, I have lots to do just not a lot of willingness to go do it.

Break out the 'brellas today... hopefully it will be nice this weekend so Bubba can go riding.

Stay tuned for more -- deep and penetrating conversations -- with the dog.

Totally Tuesday!

(Checking around - knocking wood - tossing salt over my left shoulder...)

Today has been a very productive day!  I passed a test I needed to get done, got a number of things done this morning... things are humming.

I have now cursed my drive home...

Spoke to soon -- tooted my horn and added an extra gov person and my gov boss had a minor meltdown... so I send another message -got rid of that  - fixed what I could and we are moving on.... sheesh.

You'd think I'd learn.

Speaking of learning the hard way... I wrote my letter tossing my hat into the Girl's group "I wanna run it all' sweepstakes.  The letter is written; its in it's addressed envelop - and just now I've had a thought... no not to run away as fast as I can - but to do something creative.  We'll see what happens when I get home  -making notes so I don't forget in the haze of horrible traffic!

Bubba called last night - yes from the land of Canada... he starts with "We need to talk".  I start to freak "Oh crap - what does he think he knows??"  Turns out he has to go Philadelphia next week for a training course.  Whew!  Oh dear (insert generally concerned voice here).  Oh well,...Aunt Ing frantically thinking of all the right things to say outside of - "So I don't have to cook for another week??"  Our grocery bills are getting smaller and smaller. 

I worry about Shelby - but I've got the neighbors letting her out - and next week I will hire a neighborhood kid -- but no Bob is all "oh I think about the other kid who searched our medicine cabinets for meds... my comment to that was - well then you come up with a better idea!  Not to mention cheaper!!

Signing off - short and sweet today - plus this work thing... sheesh.

Later.

A better than average Saturday...

Yesterday was the annual Rainbow event where the entire state of Maryland shows up to my lodge, there is coordination; drama; the first 90 plus degree day; usually this day is a nightmare wrapped in BS and I go home have a drink to wash it all away...

Yesterday was a bit different.  Things were coordinated, lunch was handled, clean up done, refreshments were handled, clean up was breezy, we were cleaned up before everyone was leaving!  It was a matter of "GO HOME!"  But it was more in the line of why are you still here?  But it wasn't in my usual angry get out - it was more surprise that people were still there!  We were cleaned up and out the door and it was a good day.  A young lady who, a handful of years ago, wouldn't memorize much, and stood in the back of the room stood before the group, and ran the meeting!  It was something to see.  

Both her parents to show up!  Of course they left as soon as they could but that is neither here nor there...

Extra bonus - no food left overs!

There was a moment, when during initiation speech that spoke of Immortally teaching girls, you so young so fair we should direct your thought to death - I remembered my friend a Girl's group Mom who I miss... I got a little emotional.  I know! me!   But we got through it...

I sat through my first State Board - I could frankly call that check marked on the bucket list and call it a day... but alas I fear that will not be so... what could have been accomplished in 30-44 minutes TOPS took 90 minutes and frankly I wanted to spout "just get on with this"  I refrained.

Now here is where my day and my brain took a twist.  It was announced that the leader of Maryland Girls' Group wants to retire.  She's looking for a replacement.. my idiot brain said to me "You can do this"   Apparently I had a stroke.  But I let things marinate - called Mom and Dad - they only encouraged this thinking.   Mom sent me the phone number of the lady who has the job in PA...

THEN! over dinner last night -- Bubba shocked the living the living heck out of me - his reaction wasn't what I expected.  He asked what this meant to him - and we agreed that I would have to give up my other positions - I agreed.  He wasn't totally opposed to the idea.. go figure.   So later today I will make a phone call - and maybe write a letter... heaven help me.

Sunday -- a day of rest sort of - after laundry and shopping and dinner and packing lunch ...

What do you mean it's just WEDNESDAY?!?

OMG - I mean the first two days of this week have been -- challenging. 

The weekend, quiet, as Bubba is traveling so much he doesn't want to go anywhere.  We did our separate things Saturday, then went out for Mexican, came home and watched the Pens lose a game. 

Sunday - mellow baby.  Up late, Waffle House Breakfast, a bit of shopping for my week, home, kitchen, prep, laundry was done Saturday night, went to the movies, made steak sandwiches... mellow.

Sunday night Carpool Buddy calls, need to drive separately, he's got an afternoon appointment.  No worries.

Monday -- ah Monday that Karma witch apparently sobered up and danced all over the "let's screw with Aunt Ing Button".  First, late start because Bubba's system was acting up again.  I dug out drugs and handed him the bottle.  "Take this before getting on airplane, will make life better"

So, late start, I stupidly take him all the way to the airport, then a bit of zip, zoop and up the road to work.  Not at late as I thought I was going to be...but later than usual.  BUSY day at work, numbers don't add up, where did this go?  Email hunt, peck, search, wait --what?? Where?  Oh cripes. Until I headed home about 3:45 PM... arrival time home 5:05 PM.  No carpool Buddy - traffic sucked.

Got home, tended to Miss Shelby, reheated something for dinner, putzed, then gathered up Shelby and headed to my Rainbow meeting... Karma-the-bitch must have been drinking Tequila ... I cannot put into words the steaming pile of mess that landed on my head at this meeting.  We are getting a new girl!  Her mama then proceeded to tell me all that was going on in this kid's life... I am neither emotionally or mentally equipped to handle this.  But I will - I have (of sorts).  Sweet baby Jesus I am reminded how truly blessed, fortunate, loved... you name it I am.  I will do all in my power to give this kid a small slice of normal.

So--- practice ran late, but things went well.  I managed to hold myself together - I got home, tended to my very loved, very tired Shelby girl, and we went to bed.  Where Shelby snored and I laid awake wondering what the heck I was going with my life....

Tuesday dawned -- on my way into work... the usual morning routine, out the door, carpool Buddy, into work.. for 90 minutes of "what? Where?  Oh just add these two together and give it to her!"  THEN off for an 8 hour training class, new stuff - YEAH!  - had to think - ouch!  Left with the demos -- picked up Carpool Buddy-- and 90 minutes later we were home (Accident Tuesday!!)   Called the Vet told then I'd be late with Shelby girl, thankfully only be a few minutes, she got her laser treatment, then we headed back down the road, called Nana we chatted, then Shelby decided that she had to go - number 2.  In my car... so I pulled over, cleaned up that bit of a mess, got what I needed to do, made my way back North and home, talked to Bubba (always exciting); tended to Shelby, cleaned my car, tried to make myself some dinner and dropped soup on the kitchen floor.  Yeah... cleaned up that mess, then dumped all those soup-sopped rags in the laundry room only to find Shelby 15 minutes later standing there licking rags... Quickly got those into the laundry.

By the time I sat down last night - it was already pushing 8 PM... I didn't get to bed until 10 PM.. Wednesday morning came WAY too freaking early.   Today at work has been busy, busy, busy...and a lot of hurry up and wait... so here I blog.

Tonight - I'm baking a cake for a co-worker who is leaving.  It's going to be a mix and icing.  Here.  Too tired for anything extra.  And I will be in bed early... even if I lay there staring at the ceiling at least I will be horizontal. 

Did I mention when I got to work there was a HUGE run in my pantyhose -- I swear it wasn't there when I put them on this morning -- I'm pretty sure I would have noticed this one.  Off to go see what the boss just sent... 4 emails in 5 minutes.. she's on a roll.

Tick... Tock...

Today I have scheduled myself to be at work for a longer than usual day... I am sans carpool Buddy and it is easier to head to the DC meeting from the office than to drive home, then back into DC.  Oh, I do it when I have Carpool Buddy because 1) Carpool and carpool lane and generally I don't drive on Thursday's and 2) home earlier get stuff done, then head to meeting and 3) not cooling my jets at work until nearly 6 PM

So --- today I had lots planned work is busy things to get done -- I get in -- type in my log on... wait, not unusual -- wait -- WTH -- wait --- try logging on to another computer in case it's the box... it wasn't....

reboot computer 1, reboot computer 2... log on...wait....wait.... call help desk.... "There is an issue... "

Great... that was 6:45 this morning - am I on my 'work' computer yet?  That would be a big fat NOPE.

As I write this its now 2:45 in the afternoon.  Yes, Boys and Girls I have sat at my desk all blessed day staring at the message "Please wait..." for the better part of 7 hours.  I am not alone, however on my team I am only one of 4 who couldn't log on today.  The developers with oober accounts got on and were productive today.  We heard from tech support (on site) that 80% of the agency I work for has spent the day cleaning their desks.... yeah.  Your tax dollars at work - or not as the case may be.

I haven't had to kill this kind of day at work in a very long time.  It sucks! However, it is nice to sit with others in the same boat, had a nice walk outside the weather is lovely.  Also nice for the drive into DC, when it rains it really sucks eggs - of course in the sun I've had crappy drives in  -- and for the last two days no rain, sunshine, dry perfect driving conditions - 4 major freaking accidents making my commute home at least 1 hours and 45 minutes.  What fun.

My bacon was saved Tuesday because Bubba was home he was able to take Shelby for her laser appointment -- and that is when we got the news about her blood work.  It's a good thing it was him, that saves a great number of questions I couldn't answer because - well it's documented that he and I don't think the same - and I in a million years would have never thought to ask such questions...

Yesterday was just fugly drive - home, love up on the Shelby, and toss left overs at the  Bubba.  Here eat this, enjoy.

All righty I have killed another 40 minutes with this bit of drivel... check in later when I post where to find the end of the internet...

Confessions of an Old-Dog Mom...

I don't have kids, the Good Lord apparently saw something in me that said - no, she's got enough. I don't dwell on it - much.  I get a little pissy when I see children being ignored or other actions in parental stupidity - but I generally just complain to Bubba.   He doesn't listen anyway.

So - as you all know our beloved Shelby is getting on in years.  She don't move so quick, can't hear well, can see much, but as the Vet said Friday - she's still got that Shelby spark.  And it does show up every now and again when she's bouncing around the house, getting up the stairs, eating kibble, and drug-laced chicken.

She's my buddy.  She also got bad news on the blood work side of the medical equation. There is something going on with her kidneys.  Ok.... We have to change her food.... OK (no comment on the half of a 40 pound bag of food we have downstairs)... and for further tests you need a urine sample.

Yes, you read that right.  I had to collect a pee sample from my 15+ year old dog at 5:40 AM this morning.... Now you might ask yourself how does one do that Aunt Ing?  Let me 'splain.   You put on your shoes, follow the dog outside to the backyard, with a large old plastic container, let her start peeing, carefully slide said-old plastic container under her -- wait.  Slide back out, fill medical device for holding such "samples" , put it in a zip lock bag.  WASH YOUR HANDS. and slide the bag into the fridge for the darling hubby to take to the Vet. 

Now we wait.  So we can check that one off our bucket list.  ;-)

Happily Shelby was pretty clueless through the whole procedure, other than when she turned around I was right there.  She went with it.  Mellow puppy.

Stay tuned for more adventures with Geriatric Dog and her Service Human... taking stairs - one at the time, enjoying the ride down the stairs, missing tossed cookies and still scarfing chicken bites in a single snap...