Grumpy grumbles & Happy dances for March '09

Feb thread was getting a bit slow to load so I hope no-one minds me starting a March one...

I'm happy coz I went to a stationary convention today with a friend from work, it wasn't crowded at all so I was much comfier than I was expecting to be & we both walked out with lots of pens & highlighters & other fun office type stuff they were giving away :)

*rocks* I hate spiders.

((Actually, I should rephrase that and say I hate real spiders. I'm fine with drawings and game sprites. Just not with actual spiders. Or photos of actual spiders. Especially not if they're giant spiders.))

I'll... go and distract myself before I freak myself out entirely. Find something brainless to do.

Also, I'm sad I don't know enough about old books to try dating them. (I mean, other than reading the printed dates inside the book. Surely something that's almost 200 years old should be in worse condition than this bookie is...)

But... Last Friday my parents' car broke down (in the "costs more to fix it than the car's worth" kind of way) which is also sad, but my parents managed to find a new car very quickly and we could pick it up yesterday. They're happy with it; I'm learning to be happy with it (It's got trays. *facepalm*); I learned why backseat windows no longer open all the way down; my grandad loves the car (brought him some cheer and diversion yesterday anyway); and I saw my grandmum and two of my aunts and saw a friend and maybe managed to cheer up another who was feeling down.

And, and! The trainstation now sells healthy warm food! Or at least healthier than chips and fast food. It was quite tasty and comes with these cute plastic forks that look just like a metal fork.

So... I have lots of things to be happy about, really. ^-^ Small things, sure, but every little bit helps. ^-^

Happy dances for me. Went climbing last night and managed a particularly daunting climb to the highest part of the wall that I'd never done before. It wasn't technically all that difficult, but it was high ~30m perhaps, and a challenge for me. I'm tired this morning, but happy I achieved it.

You take the good things where you find them.

I'm Happy Dancing because I've rededicated myself to becoming fit and healthy. I backslid for almost a year (yikes!).

#4 - Yay! Me, too. I have been exercising sporadically at best for a few years now. Can't get away with that at my age.

We have this thread, too, AS: http://www.librarything.com/topic/58705

I'm happy because the winter is fierce but almost over.

OK, so last night I downloaded the new Neko Case album and I was going to listen to it at work today. Well, I haven't sync'd my iPod since the hard drive crashed. When I went to synch it, it got to the letter M and then it stopped!!!! GRRRRR!!!!

I ended up wiping it and only syncing it with only Neko's record checked and it worked, but dude, we gotta fix the iPod!

At least I can listen to my new record today. phew!

#2, okay Shanra, I have to ask, why do the back windows in cars only go half-way down? I have wondered this too.

#8 I think it's because they assume kids & dogs are the ones spending the most time back there, and they don't want them jumping out. Perhaps there's a better explanation?

grumpy gurmbling because I feel like I'm failing as parent.

happy dancing 'coz I was sick for two days and I feel better today. yay!!

I'm happy dancing cos its only 2 weeks until my cat's kittens are born!

I'm happy dancing cos I feel better today after having to go home from work sick yesterday.

I'm happy dancing cos there is a new girl starting at work and I don't have to work 7 day weeks from next week any more.

I'm grumpy cos I lost a day's wages being sick. And I'm grumpy cos I'll get less money when this new girl starts.

I'm happy because the sun is warm, even if it's still below freezing outside!

I'm grumpy because I just ate lunch and I am still hungry.

*repeats mantra* Let the food go down... let the food go down...

Oh ho! Those earrings from my Green Dragon Neighborhood Store purchase just arrived! Love 'em. :o)

I am very annoyed that I paid an "expert" to fell a tree and it landed on my conservatory, breaking the gutter. I could have done that myself for free.

{{{Darrow}}}

I'm sorry to hear that.

I'm also laughing, but that's just me knowing that that would be my luck as well. :-D

Since it was their fault, will they repair the gutter for you?

darrow, I'm assuming they had insurance, hence it was totally worth your while to have had them do it. If you'd done it yourself it would have come out of your homeowners insurance and your rate would go up.

#9 That's what I thought too, but it's actually caused by the shape of the doors, apparently. In older cars (from like the early 90s and such) the back doors are straight (like the front) which allows the windows to go all the way down, but newer doors and different shapes don't allow for that.

I'm... probably not explaining it well, but maybe try rolling down the window of a car and image where all the glass is going?

*hugs for all who want/need them*

#14 - Oh dear...
:o(

Can I just say how impressed I am that you own a home with a conservatory, though? I just love saying that word when we play Clue. :o)

I am happy because since I have no classes on Thursday and Friday, my SPring Break started today after my History mid-term. No classes for me until the 16th :)

I am a bit grumpy because I do not feel very confident about the essay portion of my histiry mid-term. I really want an A in this class and I just do not feel positive I got an A on this test. The mid-term is 40% of my grade.

edited because I forgot when I go back!

#15,16 I "discounted" their bill. If I can find a piece of matching guttering, I can easily repair it myself. If not, they will get a call - from my solicitor if necessary.

#18 If you saw my conservatory you would not be so impressed. It's not big enough to kill anyone in. :-D

Happy dancing, or trying to!! I've said a lot of thank you prayers today. Went through the most agonizing and frightening doctor's appointment today, to have them determine I have a couple of benign cysts. The rest may be TMI for some people.

The doc knows they're benign because they did a compression study, an ultrasound, and an aspiration to determine this fact. I was a complete basketcase by the time they did the aspiration, after which the doc announces "You're done" and leaves!!

I had to ask the tech to confirm that "You're done" meant I do not have cancer and I was free to leave. She confirmed it, said cysts are not cancer and do not become cancer.

I still don't feel relieved. After my husband's illness, I've been conditioned to wait for the "but . . ." and that is always very bad. But I'm coming to terms with good news! (Although my chart is still tagged "abnormal.")

I'm most definitely grumpy. My family is renewing our cell phone contract, which means new phones. This is especially nice because my flip phone is four years old and beat to hell. My parents bought my new phone Sunday, mailed it Monday, and it was supposed to be here yesterday. Its still not here. This wouldn't be such a big deal except my old phone was deactivated, so my new one could be activated before it was sent. I also have no outgoing e-mail because my inbox is full, which makes no sense to me.

It's not big enough to kill anyone in.

Have you tried?

I'm happy because it's Watchmen Day (like Bruce Manning Day, but less disappointing).

#21 - Congrats, RitaFaye. Been through all of that at one point or another. They should be giving 'calming' meds to people during those sorts of procedures, but they don't. :o(

#20 - Still, don't you love the way that word roll off the tongue?

"Darling, I'll have my breakfast in the conservatory this morning."

Actually, I was considering how classy it sounded to suggest bringing in one's solicitor. So veddy-veddy British toff, you know. (And yes, I am well aware that solicitors and barristers are just fancy names for the sharks professionals we call lawyers)

Thanks clam. As the panics continued throughout the day, I have realized it is because of my husband's illness. When they said "most people don't have anything to worry about with this test," he was never most people. I'm thinking a Xanax may be on order next time.

But after telling my sister the news, she laughed. She has the same "issue." Aha!! I have someone to blame.

#20, #26--I love calling in solicitors. They make life go much more smoothly.

Rita, I am so happy for you! And I agree that those test are hard on the nerves. I had to have 2 MRIs last year. The first one I did without meds, but it was no fun at all. For the second one I brought my husband and took the Valium!

I'm grumpy coz i just sat through an extremely boring hour long presentation that had no relevance what so ever to me or my job! I really struggled to not fall asleep! I knew in advance that it'd be boring & queried with my manager if i actually had to go - yes he says, it will be quite informative, but I watched him yawning the whole way through as well!!!

I'm happy coz I'm going to dinner & a movie with a good friend tonight, we've been planning this for a while & our schedules kept clashing, but tonight we're off to see He's Just not that Into You & I'm expecting it to be a fun movie :)

I am happy because I am home, sitting on my sofa, watching the TV while I post in Green Dragon. Comfortable. I am unhappy because I am not on my Island of my Dreams any more. But I am happy because I am going back in two weeks. And I am unhappy because I must get this house ready to sell and it is very hard to do that while house sitting someone else's home. I have two very busy weeks ahead.

I'm slightly grumpy because IT has blocked facebook & LJ. They don't consider LT a threat, thank god.

#31 - Oh! You're moving? Back to The Island? I wish you the very best of luck!

#32 - Ack.
:o(
And, phew!

Clam, I am scheduled to house and dog sit for a month. And I have a lead on a possible property to buy that is in my price range.

yay, maggie, I hope you get back to the island.

I knew about the 'sitting' not about the 'selling.'

yes, I am trying to get some "staging" work done on my current home right now, as we type, can't you tell - no time at the computer....

hehehehe

Well, maybe a little less time at the computer. I am resolved to fill the recycling container to the very tippy top by Monday. Lots of old papers going out the door.

I'm happy because I've lost 5 pounds! And because my honey got me 'Pride and Prejudice' on DVD for our anniversary. Now I have to think what to get him. Hmmm.

#18 Clam, do you have one of those lovely American porches though, the sort that wrap around the house with a deck and a roof? We have a conservatory (also not big enough to kill anyone in, unless they freeze in the winter or bake in the summer) and I would swap it in an instant for one of those big family porches where the dog could snooze and I could read and where BRE could play (eventually).

#40 Jody

Hey, I know what those are called: verandas! I always wanted one as a kid. I would also like a solarium. And a toy airplane.

I have a large front porch, and medium sized back deck. The front porch is covered, but not screened. I wish there was a way we could just throw screens up for the Summer, but not block the sun the rest of the time. The mosquitoes here are voracious. :o(

Here are some pictures of my porch from a few Summers ago...





Here's my daughter's favorite reading nook:

#42

Don't know if I can describe this right but I'll try

If you put up metal pins (about 2 inches high and round like you might hang a gate on) on each post, and then made screens with a wooden frame and a bracket on each end that corresponded with the pins then you could just lower them on whenever you wanted them, and lift them off when you didn't.

Like this........

#44 - That sounds like work. ;o)

Half a day's work or a summer of mozzie bites?

Or make (or have made) roll-down blinds of shadecloth? Roll 'em down when you want 'em down, roll 'em up out the way the rest of the time. If the mozzies are still a problem, spray the blinds with citronella oil.

Half a day? Half a day to re-install at the beginning of each Summer, maybe...

But the initial install would take a lot more time. Plus, I'd have to add a door. And I think the dog would be an issue, as well.

But maybe I could just screen off half of the front porch... Hmmm. I have to think about this...

That's just the sort of porch/veranda (thanks hun!) I was thinking of, it's beautiful and with just enough chairs for people and pets to relax happily on.

Speaking of summer, I'm supposed to be sleeping after working third shift, but I woke up early to discover our weatherman is dyslexic.

He predicted the temp would reach a respectable 46°F today - I just popped my head out the door and it's 64-bleepin'-degrees out. JOY!

>43 clamairy: Lovely porch, clam. Wish I had it now! :D

When I was growing up in Cleveland OH all the houses on our street had a big porch across the front of the house. There was also a large tree planted in front of every house on the "tree-lawn" that area of ground between the sidewalk & the steet. The trees grew large enough for their branches to meet in the middle & there was lots of shade (and fallen leaves) Our house, like most of those that faced west, had awnings. That kept the sunset out of our eyes. The daughter of the people next door worked at Woolworth's 5 & 10 store in the sheet music dept. where she played the piano for people who wanted to but sheet music. In the evenings she would play & the doors & windows would be open & all the neighbors could enjoy her music. TV had not been invented yet. Neither had AC, so everyone sat outside in the warm weather.
I visited our old neighborhood in the late 1960's. The front porch of every house had been boarded over into an extra room. The trees were gone when they widened the streets so people could park their cars. (During WW2, the ice man & junk man still used horses & you had to watch where you stepped when you crossed the street. The brick streets were all paved over with asphalt. It just didn't look like my old neighborhood. I never stopped there again.
Where I live now, everyone has a "deck" in the back . It's like a porch, but there is no roof extending over it.
I'm in the country nov, so there are lots of shade trees around. But the decks require a lot more care & maintenance than the old front porches did.

>52 MarianV: The front porch of every house had been boarded over into an extra room.

That is so sad. There are dozens of great old houses near our city's lakeshore where slumlords enclosed the porches and hacked apart the structure to make small apartments. It'll drive you to tears.

Msgs 35, 36, 37 and 38: here's the Island of My Dreams latest photograph. Check out LTers with Dogs if you want to see a photo of the newest doggie.

Sigh

Opps....I dropped it somehow. I'll be back.

Third try:

I LOVE your porch, Clam. That is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Hugs to BritAnnia. Remember you aren't alone. Kids are hard work. This is coming from a doubting parent.

Happy dance for RitaFaye

I love the porch!

I'm already grumbling because I heard WATCHMEN MOVIE SPOILER they took out the squid.

Are the great unwashed unready for a Lovecraft and/or Robert Anton Wilson reference?

Love the porch Clam. No one round here has one.

I'm happy because I'm going on a quilting retreat for the weekend. Unhappy because I have to pack.

And happy because yesterday is over for another 6 months.

Aww clam your porch looks so pretty & comfy! I'd really like to have a porch/veranda & or a decking, its a "feature" i'm looking for in my house hunting... We've got a balcony out front of mum & dad's house, as do most places in our area coz its so hilly, but i've discovered that the area is prob gonna be out of my price range :(

I'm grumpy/sad coz I found out last night that my best friend is back on drugs & has been lying to me about it. We've kind of drifted a bit lately so I havn't seen enough of him to be able to figure out that he's been up to stuff he shouldn't be. I'm angry because he has been given a 2nd chance at life (he was in a serious motorboke accident in Aug '07, was in a coma for 11 days & we were VERY lucky that he made it) & he doesn't seem to value this 2nd chance at all. He's in a wheelchair now, & I know it must still be hard for him to come to terms with living like that, but he's got so many ppl who love & support him & would help in any way we can but instead of asking for help, he's turned back to the drugs that nearly killed him even before the accident. I'm worried about him, but also worried about my own sanity if I have to go through all this with him again. I luv him & dont wanna lose the friendship, but dont want this stuff in my life any more, I've been through it with him allready once & too many times with other friends that I've ended up having to walk away from, i used to have the strength to want to help, but it hurts too much & I'm too fragile myself these days to deal with it :(

Sorry I know thats kinda heavy & maybe not "pub talk", but i needed to vent a bit...

Thank you, all. I didn't put as many plants on it this past Summer. I got sick of watering them all the time. LOL

Seanie, I understand how you feel. It's hard to keep on believing in people who keep on giving up on themselves. I hope your friend gets clean.

#59 - :o( Best of luck to you, Seanie. This may be too nosy, but have you tried an intervention? Maybe if he might open his eyes if he knew just how many people were on his side. :o/

I hope you and your friend come through this ok, Seanie. I can't imagine how difficult it must be for both of you.

I have experienced the gamut of emotions today: had a fun lunch with the coworkers, but it was also a farewell to one of them, so kinda bittersweet; came back from that to learn one of our professors passed away -- he was almost 90, so not entirely a shock, but it's the third death in almost as many weeks at our college, so it's starting to wear on us. Hopefully these things come in threes and so we're done for a while.

Then I had a delivery of 21 or so boxes of magazines dropped off at the wrong location -- had to grab a cart and haul them back to my office. The drive home featured a range of idiots. I'm so exhausted, but too wired from it all to feel like I can rest up. Ugh.

I do love all this talk of porches. I'm really, really interested in a house that has a back porch with screened windows with those plastic slats you can crank open and shut. It already has a swing out there. I'm 85 percent sure I want to make an offer on the house, but there are still some unresolved questions about the area, which I'm not too familiar with. Just a wee bit stressed about that too.

*hugs and prayers Seanie* Just remember, this is his problem, and not yours. Support and help him if you can, but take "time off" when you need it. It must be horrible, and I hope things turn around for him.

Hugs for Seanie. Vent any time.

**hugs seanie** I'm sorry=(

Thanx guys...

Its hard coz I dont have very many RL friends, so I really dont want to throw away the friendship, but I've gotta decide whether his friendship is gonna bring me down & if so is it worth it. I think I'm gonna write a letter, not necessarily to give to him, but to sort out my thoughts & work out exactly what I want to say to him. Thats what I did the first time I went through all this with him, I ended up giving him the letter & as far as I know he still has it (he showed it to me about 6months ago), so maybe thats the best way for me to say all I want to say to him, without getting angry & clouding the issues, & even if I dont give it to him or it doesnt get through, at least it will help me clarify my thoughts...

Clam u might be onto something with an intervention, there are alot of ppl in his life that would have spoken to him at diferrent times, but maybe if he saw us all at once it might make him take more notice...

Thanx again guys :)

Maggie, fantastic news :-)
I hope everything goes smoothly, even if moving always is a hassle...

Hugs for all who need them.

Thanks, Busifer. I am beginning with the putting small personal artifacts into small boxes.

I'm grumpy today because I ordered three books from one of our biggest bookstore websites and they have emailled me to say that all three are on special order or not yet received from suppliers.

But I was in the store yesterday and they have all three books just sitting there on the shelves.

Ordering them on-line saves me about £7.00 (the price of another book!) but who knows how long I could be waiting (their internet service has been getting worse recently, to the point that a book I ordered in October as a Christmas gift was promised within two weeks but still hadn't arrived at the end of January).

But paying the extra in the store (or one I am not so annoyed with right now) means I can have them now.

It's not a major grumble but it has annoyed me.

And now a happy dance. The book I ordered for Andrew has arrived from ebay just in time for him when he comes home for the weekend later.

I think he might read this one: Haynes Baby Manual:Conception to two years. It's laid out exactly like a Haynes car repair manual, pretty much the only books that keep Andrew interested all the way through and explains baby care in very technical terms. Having looked through it I now realise that babies are a lot more like car engines than I ever knew!

I am hoping it will calm his nerves a little. He's just seemed to realise that pretty soon BRE will be here in the house and he's developed a bad case of new dad nerves.

I'm cranky because for the past 2 nights our fire alarm has gone off at 2:30 am, with no fire, just the alarm. I jumped up ran to the babies room to get him, hubby running around trying to find the fire, the 2 dogs running up and down the hall howling. ARRGGGG! On each night there is no smoke, no smell or anything, just the alarm going off and then I can't sleep wondering if there is something smoldering somewhere. I'm hoping that changing the batteries today will mean a peaceful night of sleep tonight.

Jody - My hubby has the Haynes Baby Manual and loves it.

Grumpy Grumble: I got laid off from work...

Happy Dance: I'm finally balancing two dream jobs at a used book store and a bakery/deli!! Free bread and cheese and 30% off books!! WHEEE!!!

I'm happy because my new cell phone came yesterday and my morning class was cancelled yesterday and today, so I have the morning off.

I'm kinda sorta really jealous you get 30% off books rare_bird.

I'm a bit unhappy because I don't want to go to work. It's boring.

Frustrating day.

The bus was slow & late, as it was unusually full of obnoxious, oblivious and slow-moving riff-raff.

My roommate's dog urinated in the kitchen.

An item I purchased online and had sent using (expensive) overnight shipping still is not here.

Grumble, grumble, grumble...

I may have mentioned that I almost got a new apartment a couple of weeks ago, but it fell through at the last minute for somewhat annoying reasons? Well, those reasons aside, I really did like the landlord and he seemed like the rare sort who actually cares about his tenants and the state of his buildings and so on, so I said yes when he offered to call me if another apartment opened up soon.

Backstory done. I'm slightly happy because he did, in fact, call me when another apartment was about to open up. On the other hand, I'm a little disappointed because it turned out it was a false alarm - the guy who was going to move out decided not to move out, so no open apartment after all. Bummer.

(Yes, that's really random, but I'm still trying to get the heck out of here, on the one hand, but on the other hand I won't move until I can find somewhere that I think I'll like.)

My happy of the day: reading Medea in Greek for the first time has made me slightly obsessed, but in a good way, I think.

Also happy because I've just finished my last exams for a while yet...

#71,72...added to wishlist

I have to read 30 more pages of a book I don't like. It's really boring, but I have to for school. LAME.

Happy: The Edinburgh friend I showed around in January (that's why I was AFK) has sent me the necessary obscure part that allows me to use my collection of 30-year-old prime lenses on my digital camera. And it works, and I can now take macro shots of obscure plant parts!

Congrats, Hugh. I know it must be worth a happy dance to be able to use old, but good, gear!

Hugh, that is so exciting! I'd love to get my hands on something like that! Do you post your macro plant shots anywhere I could peek?

#71, lol, oh Jody, your post makes me laugh, who knew babies were like car engines? ;-) Wish I'd found that book for Mark when our first was coming!

eta Forgot to add my happy. Had a wonderful day yesterday, went to the opera with my daughter - wonderful production of Madama Butterfly from The Met - wow! I was weeping at the end and I think almost the whole audience was too. Absolutely breathtaking performance. Then we went out to a delicious lunch, then bought some beautiful books. Jeesh! Can't get a much better day than that!

Rare_bird, not yet, but in a few months there should ba some in an obscure part of the SANBI website. Many thanks for the thought! And thank you Maggie!

katylit - I'm envious of you if you heard Patricia Racette - I heard the broadcast on Saturday and it was excellent! I went to see the new production a week ago (I'm not sure if it's the same staging or not) with Cristina Gallardo-Domâs as Butterfly and for me she was rather disappointing. But then again, she did get sick within a few days so I guess I can't blame her too much.

My day was pretty good... tracking down presents to give to family in Taiwan when we go in a day or two (!!), so that's always very exciting! I also bought some king crab legs for dinner tonight.

I'm happy because my new camera was finally delivered, albeit to an old address- my parents' place. Well, here's the first usable picture:


Not the best photograph, but hey, it was dark out and she was the only subject.

Gee, that is a 'get that camera out of my face' look.

#84 - Katherine, glad you had such a lovely time at the opera, funny how something that makes you cry can be such a good thing.

The book was a big hit with Andrew and he has been reading through it all weekend and even taken it back to the ship with him tonight.

ETA - my favourite line from the Baby Manual - "Keep your baby in perfect running order and maintain it's value. Haynes shows you how."

My happy dance today is just a little one, I'm halfway through my 50 book challenge today and feeling proud.

Happy because I got to go on a quilting retreat all weekend--quilters only, no kids. Even happier because I actually finished a quilt!! I shall not mention when said quilt was started, but I put the binding on and all it needs is the label.

Grumpy because I have to go to work tomorrow. Growl! And weigh myself in the morning to find out how much damage the weekend did.

Ooh! RitaFaye, can we see pictures? I haven't quilted in forever, but want to pick it back up again.

I'm happy after getting lots of sun and fresh air this weekend.

Boo to the the work week and colder, rainier weather that's supposed to head this way.

The wife and friends went off on their annual quilter festival trip last weekend - the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, Va. Good time was had by all, and there's a new project started that'll be hanging around the house for a while...

#73 - Wow! Talking about seeing your glass as half full! Those are two of my dream jobs! LOL

Is it wrong that instead of going to Family Night at church, I am home being extremely happy all by myself? Moments of quiet in my house seem to be few and far between.

I am very happy that I had a week off; my brain is relaxed and I'm ready to start reading for new classes. Wish the break was longer, but oh well.

I'm about halfway through cataloging my books- yay!

Sad thing is that I'm afraid my iPod has died for the last time- I'm getting two different error icons this time around. I love my pod, but it's time to invest in a new one. *sob* I get very attached to my technology- the iPod's name is Izzy, and we only refer to her as such. I'm a geek, 'kay?

The good news is that I'm scheduled with two of my favourite coworkers tomorrow and Tuesday- we are going to have a blast! I also have several teaching jobs lined up for this month, as well as conferences and celebrations. I figure if you're going to have a stressed-out breakdown, you might as well make it worthwhile.

#43 Oh, clamy, what a perfect reading-resting-bird-watching porch!

Hubby & I are celebrating the 25th anniversary tomorrow!

#86, yes amaranthic, it was Patricia Racette. Oh! What a voice!! I wish you could have seen the costumes - they were absolutely exquisite. Wouldn't it be lovely to go to The Met some day? *sigh*

#89 yes Jody, my daughter and I were laughing about that same thing, how something so sad, that can make one cry, can be such an enjoyable experience (she didn't cry). That Haynes book truly does sound hilarious!!

CONGRATULATIONS jadebird!!! Woohoo, 25 years, the silver anniversary is very special, I hope you're doing something memorable to commemorate the occasion.

Thank you katylit!

Wow, you really went to the Met to see Butterfly? Spiffy, spiffy, spiffy. That is such a beautiful opera.

Congratulations jadebird! May you have 25 more to go with that. :)

That would be perfect for me. Thank you.

Congrats, jadebird!

Congrats from me as well! We're approaching, but haven't quite made 25 yet. May 17 will be 24 years for us.

Grumpy - grumble grumble - rasafrasan drains - grumble

my house's drains are screwed up again *grrr* (3 years ago when they were screwed up and not draining properly our house flooded knee deep (live in a split level so there went the living room)) and now this weekend it was the sewer backing up into the garage on sat. grrr and eww and today we wake up to 2 inches of water in the garage (luckily we caught it before it was in the living room again) but still *GRRRRR* and sigh and blah

add to that 2 migraines yesterday and one trying to sink its teeth in today and you have grumpy grumbles.

Congrats jadebird and hubby on the anniversary :) and dr neutron and spousey

Hugs and a clothes pin for your nose, evedeve. Backed up drains are such a problem. When we bought our house, it was a handyman's nightmare. We bought it for a song and a dance and proceeded to start working on it. When our basement started to gain water (and stuff) my husband dug up the floor we found a broken pipe with an (wait for it) innertube or some other rubber thing wrapped around it with hose clamps! Under normal conditions it was fine (relatively speaking) but under duress (storms) it couldn't manage the excess. What a mess!

Oooh! Congrats to both anniversary couples!

I'm a grumpy-feathers today. Am I the only one who thinks it's screwed up to have to chase after one's boss to be able to do one's job? (Long story short: After repeating "This is broken. I cannae do my job. Why is it broken?" for several days, my boss finally went "Hey! That's broken!" and fixed it. It'd have ben extra nice if I didn't feel my remarks on it went completely ignored.)

I'm happy because it's fixed now and can continue on my merry way and catch up. I may also manage to squeeze in some other work tomorrow, but I'll have to see when I'm home and whether they still need anyone. They have a shortage and I've had plenty of delays with the trains, so I don't want to tell them "Yes, I'll be there, don't plan someone in for my spot!" only to find out that I won't be able to make it because of public transport. I know that I'm not likely to get into a delay, but...

Also happy because my parents have their pergola. I'll be curious to see how it looks when it's all set up. They're both home today because it arrived at, like, 9 in the morning so mum called off work for a day to help dad set it up. I've been doing homework and feeling accomplished after a weekend of barely managing anything constructive and grumbling.

#98, *chuckle* Oh, I wish jadebird, no I didn't go to The Met to see Butterfly, we only went to our local theatre and saw the satellite broadcast - which is still amazingly wonderful. I've seen about 4 operas now and enjoyed each of them. But I'd love to actually go to The Met some day, it looks like a stunning place.

Hugs evedeve, sewer backup and migraine is definitely not a combination anyone should have to endure. :-(

katylit, aren't you please and surprised at the wonders that modern technology can provide us. I think seeing an opera on a big screen would be very cool. On My Dream Island the local theatre did an inauguration party so people could watch the whole thing together, one big party, and on a big screen. Fun, fun, fun.

edit due to the fact that my brain says one word, the fingers type an entirely different word! People became please somehow....weird.

Yup maggie :-D, thrilled is the word. I was totally thrilled when I heard our theatre (one and only in the valley) was getting The Met broadcasts - and to have it sold-out too! The theatre owner announced that they're going to try and bring in other cultural venues too next year, like ballet and orchestras. Wonderful. The Met broadcasts are so interesting, they interview the singers back stage, give some background about the opera - I just love it.

I'm really hoping you can get your house on your Dream Island :-)

me, too. Must go clean up yard, house, polish the address numbers.... must get present house sold. Any one in the market for a two bedroom, two bathroom double wide manufactured home in the beautiful pacific northwest? Near Microsoft, you say? And Boeing? There are actually some jobs in this part of the world.

OK. Stop with the self-serving advertising.

Yes, I'd like to succeed in this project.

I'm going to grumble, in advance, because I've been scheduled to work this Saturday during the St. Pat's celebrations in our town. This is a 2nd PT job at a convenience store, where I already see way too many obnoxious drunks first thing in the morning. Now there'll a whole store full.

Ugh.

#110 - If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, Alanna. Show up for work with a flask and make merry.

Okay, I know that's not going to work, is it? :o/

I'm happy because the coven is going to get a soak and a sauna tonight, and tomorrow, hubby & I have a couple's massage class.

I'll be so stress free by Wednesday.

I'm grumpy because my sleep schedule is so messed up that this morning I woke up, turned my alarm off, went back to sleep and slept through my morning class.

I'm also happy because its SNOWING OUT, and there's a small chance that the copy of the Silmarillion I bought off Amazon marketplace will come today.

I'm happy because I've been assigned the task of buying books for my Taiwanese relatives! We are going back to the homeland so to speak in a day, and I'm very excited. The only problem is that I'm not sure what I'm going to buy them. There are two adults, a 14 y/o, and a 10 y/o. Their English abilities are obviously not as strong as someone who has lived in the States, but neither are they completely inept, so I can't get the adults books that are very juvenile. And I don't know anything about YA lit to give the youngest. So far I'm thinking of giving my aunt The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (written in simple terms but still probably engaging; she's interested in autism so it's sort of a tie-in), and I'm thinking of giving Catcher in the Rye to the 15-year-old but I don't know if she would like it or if it would be too hard for her. And I'm stuck for the rest. Ah well, I'll figure it out, I guess - with any luck, before my bookstore trip later this afternoon!

I am a little grumbly, grouchy, because it is snowing now and it is sticking to the ground and it looks like it's going to be a white Christmas, but it is March! Not December. Bah!

#90 RitaFaye - yes can we please see pictures!

I'm grumpy coz the material we found for the backing of my quilt fell through :( This is it:

It was the perfect backing material, its been very hard to find something nice that's in the right tones for the quilt mum's made & I was so happy that we found this at the quilt show. There was only about a meter on the stand, but the guy at the stall said they'd have enough back at the shop, so we emailed but the shop dont have enough :(

So the hunt continues... I'm tempted to try & contact someone through the Mark Lipinski website, but I have a feeling the shipping costs would be extreme even if they do have enough stock...

I'm happy coz I just had a lazy long wknd, didn't read as much as I could/should have, but watched 6 episodes of BSG :)

ETA - Eek that pic is bigger than i thought - sorry!

Aww. *hugs for Seanie* I say contact them on the website anyway. You might get lucky, after all, and if you don't... At least you'll know for certain that that perfect material just wasn't to be. It looks gorgeous too.

I'm grumpy because I'm missing my class. For no reason other than that I am a total failure at counting and telling time. Grah! (Long story short: I thought I'd be in time for the last quarter of the class instead of half the class and didn't realise this until the time where I would have been far too late. Can we invent those transporters for real yet?)

I'm grateful I'm allowed to miss up to three classes, but I wish it was for reasons better than my non-skill with numbers.

I suppose I'm happy I don't have to walk through the rain more than twice, though...

This doesn't necessarily make me happy, but it might make others so. Suvudu has a "first free book" of the month program. This month includes His Majesty's Dragon, Assassin's Apprentice, and Red Mars. Kindle users, download!

That spa treatment last night was soooooo lovely. And the moon was almost full and it wasn't raining so we could see her from the hot tub and well, I'm feeling mellow today.

And my skin is so soft. Salt scrub = awesome!

#94 - Those are the BEST times! No need to feel guilty.

As some of you have noticed an ex-colleague and friend left this planet this past Saturday. Mixed feelings, but I'm not been in the mood for socialising, not even electronically, and now I'm very tired.

Then next thing happened. My MIL, 70 this year and diagnosed with dementia and schizophrenia, living 45 mil/280 miles south of us, got conned to switch to a horrendously expensive phone company. In reality this happened last August but we didn't learn it until now, when her phone went off-line due to unpaid bills.

I hadn't heard of the company before but it turns out they target the old and the weak.

The situation is now under control, but. I'm quite upset that companies like that one are allowed to continue to operate.
*grumble grumble*

Oh, Busifer, what a mess! That's just awful. I think penalties should be especially harsh for those who target the elderly.

My grumpiness is that my ear hurts! It kept me up quite a bit last night. I got in with the dr. right away, but he says it looks fine. He did a test and it's not infected. But it still hurts. He says it's probably TMJ related, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I'm taking LOTS of ibuprofren. I hate earaches! They feel like they go right inside your head. Which I guess they do! Even my teeth are a little unhappy.

Seanie, what lovely fabric. I hope you can find enough.

I'm really grumpy because I feel like the only Australian who will not get free money under the government stimulus package. They're giving money to undergraduate students, workers with low income, parents with children, and people who recieve welfare payments. I don't recieve welfare payments (I'm not eligible), I'm a postgrad student, I have no income (therefore do not count) and I have no children. Therefore I, who have a current net income of $0.00 and am living off my savings get absolutely F-ing zip, when everyone else seems to be getting three or four payments of it.

Stuff you, goverenment!

Aww that sux Will, I still dont understand the whole sending out cheques thing, I doubt I'd qualify, but if i did & u didn't then that'd be seriously wrong!!!

I'm doing Happy Dances coz I got the fabric i wanted for the backing of the quilt mum's making me - & got it cheaper than it would have been had the original supplier came through, despite the fact that i've paid shipping from the US :) It looks a lil differrent on this website, but i think thats just coz its a better quality pic. Cant wait for it to arrive so we can get the quilt finished, its gonne be so pretty :)

For once I'm happy to be wrong. Apparently, it's been updated, thanks to Bob Brown. I might develop a political-crush on him for that. I really can use some economic stimulation. (TMI?)

Will, you're going to be eligible for the financial stimulus package now? That's great! (And yes that's a wonderful thing to be wrong about!)

Seanie, that's terrific news about the quilting material! I'm glad to hear you managed to get enough of it (and for less!) after all! Will we get to see the end result eventually or will it be forever secret? ^-~

I'm happy/grumpy because Xicanti broke my jinx on finding The Gormenghast Books as single-volumes. Thankfully they just fit my new acquisition rules. I'm also happy because it's almost weekend and now, nearing 3pm, I'm finally starting to wake up. Yay!

I have a horrible feeling that I may not be getting my stimulus package payment. I sort of forgot to do my tax return last year (I'm on top of it now, I promise) so I may not be eligible. Here's hoping my late submission gets processed in time...I could really use $950. Plus whatever my tax return is...

Anything I get from the stimulus package will be negated because they're either going to deny us the raise we negotiated two years ago, or furlough us. Or possibly, both. *sigh*

I have been squirrelling $$$ away ever since I paid off my car 2 years ago, so I'll be fine. Still.

Oh, you are a good squirrel, littlegeek. Way to go! I am always very, very impressed by folks who actually are capable of saving money. Especially if you are creating a savings account with no specific foreseeable goal like a new car, or whatever. Congratulations!

Thanks, maggie. Actually, I decided to downsize to a cushier job 5 years ago, and even though I make way less money, I simplified my life to such an extent that I have more money to put away each month.

I should teach a class, apparently. First rule: you don't need all that stuff!

I am so in need of your class. I know I don't need all this stuff but man it is hard to get rid of ... OK, I am off now to put more old papers into the shredder and the recycling bucket. Thanks.

What if it's your other half doing the buying of stuff?

For months now I've been weighting for and against buying a new mp3-player (an iPod). As of yet undecided. Then, a week ago, husband arrives at home with a brand new Nintendo DS Lite, which costs twice as much (US$293). Three days ago he broke the news that he's broke and need me to 'lend' him some money. With two weeks until next pay check (in Sweden we ordinarily get paid once a month, around the 25th).

Shamelessly, because he thinks I'm loose with the money when I buy books. BOOKS! I could buy LOTS of books for those US$293!!! Approximately 30 of them...

Mind you, I'm not complaining. Only amazed.

Busifer, I know what you mean. My hubby came home with a new iPod last night! His old one was old and on the fritz so I had pre-approved, but still, he likes his toys.

He doesn't borrow money from me, tho, thank the goddess.

My sister long ago decided that she would just do the bills and deal with the money since her husband is just clueless. He gets an allowance. Mine isn't that bad, but he's certainly the Gemini, while I am the Capricorn.

You're all making me horridly self-conscious...

Anyway, I'm happy because the neighbour stopped by about fifteen minutes ago with a package. It'd been delivered to them because no one was home. (Figures that those things arrive the mere half-hour no one's home.)

I'm also happy because apparently the shipping costs of my P&P comic subscription was a computer glich and $9 too much, so I got some money back! Yay!

I'm happy because I'm in Taiwan with my mother! We are hitting up all the bookstores, but it's an odd experience for me because I'm not buying any books. I can't read traditional characters (although I should learn), so suddenly spending four hours in a bookstore is a chore. But I am having lots of fun finding the Chinese versions of all the books I read in English and comparing book titles and author names and covers. I'm also happy because I've figured out a solution to my complex about reading "bad books." Usually I try to avoid reading really trashy novels - guilty pleasures - because I feel as if the time could be better spent for me personally reading all the books I 'should' have read but never did. So now my plan is to simply buy those books in Chinese! Then I'll be practicing while I read my romance or bad fantasy or whatever it is I'm buying tomorrow, when I finally go to a simplified character bookstore and am able to read the books inside.

Another thing I'm happy for - the food. Even Western-style dishes here feel more palatable to me.

I hope all that stimulus check stuff works out for everyone!

I'm happy/sad because my package from Amazon arrived. One of the books I had ordered I read at the library and decided I didn't really like it, but it was too late. Now I have my own copy of the book I don't want. But I also got Losing Ground, the latest by Catherine Aird. So I'm really happy about that.

Freaking fantasy authors who can't meet deadlines, have lame excuses (one of which is OCD) and don't want to hear about it. But have plenty of time to write in their blogs every day. What. Ever!

Dreamlikecheese - I think as an undergraduate student, you're eligible just for that. They'll use the bank details that you last used for your tax return, so as long as you haven't changed banks, it'll probably be OK. Or if you've had Centrelink payments (for student benefits), they'll use those bank details.

Disgruntled. I'm thinking seriously about becoming a non-Facebook person. I really enjoy Flair, but they just won't leave it alone. I am getting very tired of all the stupid applications, I "see" you guys here, why am I wasting my time there? I'll give it one week to get better. Grrr. I want what I want and I want it now. Given that, I'm easy to please. ;)

#138 Yay! If I do get the payment, I'm going to head over to Bookmarque's etsy store and splurge on a bracelet or necklace.

I realise it's not stimulating the right economy, but I don't care...

Seriously? I'm going to get three hours of sleep tonight if I go to bed this minute and get up when my alarm goes off. I cannot function on three hours of sleep, and I have a half-hour commute to work. I am considering calling off work before I even go to bed tonight.

I don't even know why I'm up so late (ok, I half know, but 2:30am? Seriously? I haven't been up this late since...I can't remember the last time I was up this late without being sick.).

A happy dance! Our son got accepted at the school we most wanted him at! Not only is it located a short stroll from home, it also has teachers licensed to handle his speech impediment (he's about 2 years late). So now we hope to see some improvements.
Yay!

Sadly his two best friends, both of which are only a couple of months younger than him, don't start school in another year. That's what you get for being born late in the year...

Ooh, that's wonderful news about the school, Busifer!

Grandson is taking me along to ride shot gun while he practices for a driver's test. *shudder* eeeck!

Hurray Busifer :) that is wonderful news

and Maggie.....umm we'll lend you the crowbar to peel your fingers off the dashboard after the practice drive ;)

edited to add: you may also want to pop over to that other thread for a fortifying PGGB before you go...

my third grandbaby is a little boy! Due around July 20th! (happy dance)

Congratulations! Such happy time for so many of you!

{{{{{hugs}}}}} for those who need a little extra help or reassurance.

I've had a great week! I've renewed some old RL friendships and it's been wonderful.

I've given up on any type of relationship with my brother and his family. I've sent birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, letters, emails, phone calls. I've reached out for over ten years and I get nada. I've donated large amounts of money to the Leukemia and Lymphoma charity. I've arranged donation drives at work and here at LT. I made gifts for his wife while she was sick. Helped with a school project for my niece. And I get diddly. One call a year - MAYBE. No thank yous. No responses at all when I send gifts. Sometimes they remember my birthday, more often not.

I'm done.

I just found out someone else uses Busifer as a handle/screen name.
Really really don't feel comfortable with it - I'm accustomed with being alone with my name (real or SN).

Contemplating a name change. Only it would be bizarre to suddenly switch name on all of you here and elsewhere.

Possibly I'm too sensitive...

#149 - I have such a common name that I don't expect it to be very exclusive. I suppose it depends on whether or not you are on the same sites and in each others way? However, Child of Light managed the name change thing O.K., I recognize his new name, I just can't spell it without seeing it. :)

#149

Busifer, maybe you could add a 1 after your name? So you would be Busifer the first.

>146 pollysmith: Congrats!

I'm a little grumpy because I'm waiting for two boxes of books, one from ebay and one from Amazon. I was surprised at how light the Amazon box I received in the mail today was and when I opened it there were no books, just another box and a gift note...to someone else. It turns out that the mailwoman gave me someone else's Amazon box! It never occurred to me to double check the address so now I feel bad about opening it :( I've shoved it back in my mailbox with a note for the mailwoman explaining I opened it by mistake.

Re: Name change... It's just that someone else is leaving a track out there amongst the ones and zeroes, evidently using the same name as I do!!! What if someone thinks it's me?! I hope he (I think it's a he) don't do anything offensive...
*shudders*

#146 Congratulations!!

Grumble, grumble, grumble--outdoor gear is outrageous!! I just spent an obscene amount of money so the kid can go canoeing in Canada this summer--and I'm not done yet!!! The scoutmaster's says--get Gore-Tex, it's the best! Ummm, $285 dollars for a rain jacket ONLY? I don't think so. I spent almost that much on a jacket, rain pants, socks and underwear today. Not to mention the boots I just ordered, and the gear he still needs. And he's outgrown his backpack, so *poof* there goes more of my money next month.

Message 148: Morphidae

Been there, done that, without the thank you once a year. Good for you for walking away. I've walked away and never looked back.

I'm slightly grumpy because the out-of-town friend who was to drop by this weekend double-booked herself and didn't make it, and because younger son's math marks are less than stellar but he doesn't seem to see a problem with that. Last year he had to repeat math and I don't get why that didn't teach him a bigger lesson. Sigh.

On the plus side my house (cleaned for company) is looking very nice and dinner (home-made pizza) is in the oven and I've got a lovely stack of library books to plow through.

>154 RitaFaye: - if you need any more outdoor gear, check the online catalogue for Mountain Equipment Co-op (www.mec.ca) - their prices are usually pretty fair and the Canadian$ is so low against the US$ right now that you might get even more of a deal even taking shipping into account. It's a co-op so you'll have to buy a share, but it's only $5 Canadian for a lifetime membership.

Busifer

I know how you feel, or I can imagine. It would freak me out if I ever ran across another person using this username.

Happy Dancin coz I just got myself a new 19" TV - been watchin a 15" & OMG its sooo much nicer!!!

Happy Dancin coz I finally got tivo & I got $99 off the retail price :)

Funny part is I went into the shop to buy a camera, didn't get the camera, but got a TV & tivo, lol...

Grumpy grumblin coz I cant set tivo up properly yet, need our broadband network password which i do not know, my lap top & mum & dad's PC both just log in automatically. Gotta call my ex to find out what the password is which is gonna be a bit weird, but he's the one that set it up so hopefully he'll know what it is *crosses fingers*

Happiest dance of the year: the first televised Giant's game!!!! (Zito pitching, which could be spotty.)

Happy dancin that it's finally warm enough to think about golf....Hurray Golf (well driving range but that means golf isn't far behind)

Happy that my alma mater made it to The Dance for March Madness!

Super stressed out right now over housing. Pretty much determined its not wise for me to take the plunge on the home-buying front right now -- with the market the way it is, not many people are selling and so there's very little to choose from in the price range I'm comfortable with.

So, now it's on to the rental scene. Sent several emails today. Looks like there's a couple good possibilities. I'm thinking I'll stay on this side of the Chesapeake Bay for one more year and see how I do. I really do love the town I'm in, but there's not much else to hold me here (commute is long, most of my friends and all of my family are on the other side of the Bay). But, the other side is also more congested and expensive...

I'm sore and rubbery, but quite happy. I went bouldering with my roommate/buddy today at Stone Gardens (an indoor climbing gym here in Seattle). I introduced him to the sport. Now he's excited to do it again soon. It is an intense, full-body workout. But man, does it do wonders for strength and muscle definition. I'm working at getting more toned and fit, and this is sure to help. I just might buy a membership.

A cellphone snap of me, taken by my buddy:

I'm grumpy because I have an article analysis to write for my anthropology class thats worth 5% of my grade, and due tomorrow, and I've got 3/4 of a page written, when its supposed to be 3 pages, and I'm stuck. I left it until now because I thought "5%, thats not gonna be that bad!" and the fact that I've been a bit disorganized lately.

160. I know what you mean! I finally tried golfing last summer and I love it. Well most of the time. I never knew how many swear words I could use in a sentence. :)

I'm feeling better today, but I was just grumpy yesterday. I won't go into details, but basically, my kids are stinkers. OK, just one of them. But I was mad at everyone yesterday. Except maybe my cats.

Better so far today, but then, everyone is gone! Except my cats. We'll see if I can stay pleasant when everyone is home from school/work.

Turns out I am really rather happy not to have to go in to work today. I really hated that job, and it was making me sick, and I hated most of my coworkers (especially the guy who sat right next to me), and I had to be there way too early in the morning (I'm a morning person, yes, but I'm not a crazy-early-morning person).

Sure, I have no paycheck, but I'll be healthier and less stressed (until the having-no-paycheck part starts to bite me in the ass, anyway).

I turned in an application for another job today. Wish me luck!

#166

Good luck Blue, I hope everything goes well and you find a new job really soon one that is less stressful! I recently swapped a very stressful job for one with a lot less stress, less hours and a larger paycheck at the end of the week! As you can imagine, I am much happier.

Wow, I would love that. How do you do that?

(Actually, the larger paycheck really wouldn't be all that difficult - temp jobs pay crap.)

Good luck Blue! Temp jobs are always stressful, I think.

#168

Unfortunately, it was a matter of luck and chance. I work in a fairly specialised field and if you don't have the experience or qualifications, you can't just step into the job and be trained there. I HAD worked 3 yrs in the poor paying/highly stressful job though so I'd done my time!

Thanks, cmbohn. I agree, I hate temping, but I've had zero luck so far finding a "real" job and I needed money.

170 lunacat

Such things are usually luck and chance, from what I've heard. Good for you, though!

@163- Yikes! I just read this! I hope that you have a massive breakthrough of brilliance in time. At least I know I'm not alone in this department... :)

Holding my thumbs for you blue! Not having a job sucks, but in the long run your physical health and well being are the most important things of all.

I got it done and in, and am feeling a lot less grumpy. Not happy, but closer to my baseline than I was early this morning (early as in 2 or 3 AM). However I'm also a bit grumpy because I was so tired that I slept through my first class today and woke up at noon.

I am happy because today's xkcd was a stroke of total genius.



I am less happy because the thesis is hanging over me like a 2 tonne anvil and my supervisor hasn't got back to me buuuuuuutttt....

*tries to distract self by enjoying Don Quixote memories* (If only doing a PhD was less quixotic...)

OK, I am grummpy, grouchy, and unhappy. I have a stuffed up nose, a headache, and am discouraged because one of Seattle's newspapers is going out of print tomorrow. Will only be an "on line presence". That's fine that I can continue to read it on line but how about all those fine voting citizens who do not read newspapers on computers. You know - those who really need to vote: homeless, unemployed, poor, overwhemed with children, overworked, recent immigrants to the US; oh, my, I worry about our civic life. Too many opportunities for everyone to retreat to their little lives and only talk to people who think like they do.

sigh

I've got birthday happies :)

Slightly grumpy coz I wont be seeing my bro & his kids for my bday coz he has issues wit my sister & she's coming to dinner - oh well, i can catch up with them annother time - back to birthday happies :)

I've been spoilt at work so far, i came in to a heap of purple foods & my desk decorated with purple streamers & stuff :)

ETA I spoilt myself last night, bought myself a birthday pressie - so happy dancin coz i got a newer & better camera, i'm gonna start taking at least 1 pic every day, i tested it out on some of dads flowers last night & they came up so pretty :)

LizT - thanks for the comic! It made me smile.

Happy birthday, Seanie.

I'm unhappy because I have to go to school tomorrow.

Relieved today, my visit to the hospital yesterday was eventful but successful. Still no baby but we are one step closer to BRE arriving safely and a complicated procedure that was worrying me is over and done with now, ready for when BRE decides to show up.

The visit started badly with our 10am appointment not taking place until after 1pm and being a lot more complicated than we were told or the doctors expected. And we had a big scare that meant we were just moments away from being taken to theatre for an emergency c-section. Thankfully the doctors knew what they were doing and we didn't have to go down that route but it really was just a matter of seconds either way making the decision. We did end up with an overnight stay on a monitor to make sure BRE was healthy and happy though.

So I'm not quite up to doing a happy dance today but I am (we are) very happy and relieved.

Jodyreadseverything: {{{hugs}}} for you and all around and in you! As many hugs as you want! Remember to breathe and do relaxing things. We will happy dance for you!!!

Hugs to you, Jody. I hope everything goes smoothly for you and your baby.

I'm a bit grumbly this morning because I haven't been getting enough sleep lately. A high estimate would put it at 2 hours last night/this morning. I have had significant trouble falling asleep for years (which has strained relationships). I find it hard to keep anxious or depressing thoughts out of my head when in bed, trying to fall asleep. That is why I have at times turned to drugs or alcohol to get to sleep. If I can avoid substances I do. Exercising, reading, and listening to music occasionally help. Sometimes I don't know what else to do, though.

182 > have you tried meditating?

eta: Not medicating... ;)

Yes. But that's difficult unless I'm already in a calm state of mind.

I was always under the impression, that meditating was to help GET you to a calm state of mind... that's how I use it, to calm myself down.

Well, yes, ideally. But at a certain level of stress, I can't internally override my thoughts and feelings. I tend to become consumed with an idea or emotion; caught in a loop. I either eventually fall asleep from exhaustion (maybe not until the next day), or I find some chemical to do it for me.

monohex, you might try looking for some modern books on meditating. Often there are some good suggestions on how to just note a passing thought and then letting it pass while you are sitting in meditation.

When I can't sleep due to thinking, thinking, thinking I turn on KUOW and listen to the stories and news broadcast in the night. Usually, it is not so interesting that I must stay awake to hear it but it is distracting enough that I stop thinking and drift off to sleep.

I also agree with you that sufficient exercise during the day is very helpful as is good eating and good drinking lots of water.

Sorry, mono, what a pain. Is there a sleep clinic where you live? My husband went there and found out that he has sleep apnea, which was making him wake up over and over, every 2 minutes, all night long! No wonder he was tired. It doesn't sound like that's the problem with you, since you can't fall asleep in the first place, but maybe they could help with that.

I'm happy because it looks like a pretty day outside. And because I've lost another 2 pounds, which makes my total 8 all together! Woo hoo! and I was dying for a snack last night, but I wasn't really hungry. So I just went to bed anyway. I feel much better about this diet thing now. Amazing how 2 pounds can make such a difference.

I've been right there with you, monohex. I can't shut down my brain and even though it could be chalked up to stress, I'm not necessarily dwelling on the stressful stuff as I fall asleep, so I don't know what the answer is either.

I've found that alcohol eventually makes it worse because of all the sugars. The drowsiness that sleep meds leave me with the next day is almost as bad if not worse than the lethargy from not having slept. It's tough.

*hugs to all who want/need one*

I'm doing a happy dance cuz I just watched Neil Gaiman on Stephen Colbert last night. Oh, squee.

Bleurgh.

Managed to catch a nasty cold/virus thingy over he weekend. Fortunetly felt fine then, but was fairly rough on Monday and been off work yesterday and today, and posibally tomorrow, odd shivers, headaches bit of a sore throat and complete lack of any energy whatsoever. Read a bit, sleep get up make tea, go back to sleep. urgh. I haven't had two days off work ever I only had 1 1/2 when I broke my collarbone!

Mono - regarding climbing. It is superb exercise for building fitness etc. you need to do it regularly though, at least once a week. If they've a traversing wall that's particularly good for building up stamina even if it isn't as exciting as the ceiling moves.

Rita - Outdoor kit is expensive. Some of the cheaper brand names just are not as good, although it does depend on the activity and the weather. There are altenatives to Goretex but they are mostly very similar in price, or else not as waterproof or warm. However good gear lasts a long time, so it's best to start out buying odd pieces now and then as you can afford them. Not very helpful when it comes to a sudden trip!

#192 - From one person who've spent most of midwinter in bed with a fever (me) - being sick sucks. Hope you'll get better soon, and watch out for pneumonia. Sure signs are lack of energy, never really feel recovered, shortness of breath.

Personally I'm moderately happy because the sun is shining, the workload is manageable, I'm not sick, and I just decided to reread parts of the two last omnibi that I read.

Doing weird stuff just because I want to makes me feel good! :-)

#192 reading_fox

Yeah, I've been going over monthly, quarterly and yearly membership costs of the climbing gym. It's much cheaper than just showing up once a week. I used to go a lot more often (when I was younger and weighed less!) Honestly, I want to be there for the social interaction and technical difficulty aspects of bouldering. I have no problems with regular exercise regimen; I do that myself anyway.

I feel better today because I finally got some sleep, after a good St. Patrick's Day party at a friend's place last night.

Not really a happy or a grumble (yet, anyway)...I have an appointment this morning that will hopefully save me some of the $400 I pay every month for prescriptions. Wish me luck.

Luck, blue. May the seas of red tape part before you!

Thanks, MM. The meeting is over and I have no clue what's going to happen :) I guess they take the information I gave them and talk to the pharmaceutical companies? I'm not certain. I'm supposed to get a phone call sometime, but I guess it could be weeks or even a month or so before I hear anything.

Holding my thumbs for you, Bluesalamanders.

I'm happy because we got our new computer late last night and today I got it almost all set. Only the printer left to go - it's hooked up to the network, and getting the individual computers to recognise it has been a nightmare so I'm saving it up.

Technically it's husband's computer - I'm about to invest in a new laptop, myself - but I'm the certified nerd around here so it's down to me to get the things running ;-)

I had computer stuff to do last night too, well I say computer stuff, i broke the mouse, had to get a new one, got a new keybord at the same time, but it has a USB not PS connector. only got 4 USB on this computer - printer goes in one, external memory in 2 and one free for Ipods and memory sticks, don't know what to do about the new keybord now, still have to use the old one.

#199 - Buying an USB hub should solve your problem?

I'm happy because last night I completed the amazing peacock shawl. Tonight I will block it. It is pretty damn cool, if I do say so myself.

I'm doing a mild mannered professional sort of happy dance. CEOs actually return my calls! (yes, I know that was shallow and I will sit down now)

>201 littlegeek: Wow that is amazing! I wonder if I can convince my mom to make me one. What colour is yours? Show us a pic of the real thing if you can.

I'm happy because my new Arabic literature course is great.

I am happy because, well, just because I am!

#203 It's kind of teal/blue/purple deal. I'll post a pic once it's blocked.

#201 - littlegeek that shawl is beautiful. I don't know what blocking means in knitting but hope to see the pictures soon.

I am happy because Andrew is home now so I can stop worrying about sending for him when BRE is on the way (one week to the due date!)

Good luck, Jody and BRE!

I'm happy because Dad is slightly better today, opening his eyes. But he had a very rough day yesterday. They had to do a tracheotomy, then he couldn't stop bleeding so they had to operate, his heart was sluggish and they had to resuscitate him again, and then his breathing tube was slightly off so they had to fix it with MORE surgery. But now his lungs are doing a little better and his oxygen levels are going up, and his blood pressure is stabilized.

Unhappy because, well, Dad is still in the hospital and still in critical condition, and because on top of everything else, my car is in the shop. My parents are so great - they loaned me a car until mine is fixed.

Happy because my sister in law (husband's sister) is flying in today, which will give my husband and his brother some relief at the hospital.

Oh, and we were in the hospital last night - 15 minutes before they change shifts and visitors have to leave for 90 minutes - and my 14 year old was in the room when Dad's heartrate started dropping. She and my husband came out in tears. It's been a rough 24 hours. It feels like a roller coaster.

#207 Blocking = when you knit lace, it comes out kinda all squiggly. Blocking is a process where you moisten the work and pin it out to dry so that it retains a pleasing shape and you can see the pattern.

littlegeek - Lovely!

Jody - Very exciting!

cmbohn - *hug* I hope he heals quickly.

this is really like a family. I am holding one thumb for cmbohn's dad in the hospital; another thumb for jodyreadseverything and that there babyreadseverything, too. Then, I'll try to hold my big toe that littlegeek's blocking creates a beautiful object d'art!

((((((cmbohn)))))) Prayers for your dad. That is so hard.

Littlegeek, I can't wait to see pictures. That is one gorgeous shawl.

Thanks everyone! The thumb workout must have helped! Dad was better today. We went to the hospital tonight with all the kids. Dad's liver is working better and is color is much improved. His kidneys are still giving him trouble, but they are hoping that they will improve soon.

I sure appreciate all the good wishes! This has been so hard.

*sends good thoughts and hug sentiment to Cmbohn* I'm glad to hear your father-in-law's doing better now and hope he continues on that way!