Just got back from a company wide rumor dispelling meeting led by the ever so popular CEO Jeff Taylor. There's some restructuring going on with our corporate office and there's been talk of more lay offs here at Monster, but I'm happy to say that we won't be directly effected with the new business plan. Woo hoo! I was sick of worrying all the time. It was a good meeting overall and helped to raise the spirits and morale of the employees. Wacky thing is that Jeff wants to have a Holiday party here at the office (it's a cool office with plenty of space) where he DJ's and we bring in dishes. That sounds well & good, except that I'm naturally comparing it to last years gala event in Boston where the booze were plentiful, our spouses were invited, and we didn't have to bring our own dinner. Still, I think it will help me get back into the swing of work.

I've been looking for another job and not having too much luck. I WILL NOT accept any less money than I make right now (including bonus $$), unless it's for a college or university where I can take free classes. Too bad no one is hiring, or if they are they want to pay $10.00/hour! Who the hell can live on that kind of cash? The search for the perfect job continues. I did hear from Devil, the manager who I wanted to work for & who is moving to Scotland for a year - he's thinking that he'll have me come over for a week or so to organize the administrative process over there. I guess the sales folks send out their own collateral and it's an organizational nightmare. I am thrilled that he thought of me to head this up, as well as the thought of international travel. This is the big time now!

Grips came over last night and told us that our beer had exploded all over his kitchen the other morning. It's fermenting now and needs to vent the gasses produced by the yeast eating away at the sugars (thus, booze). We put a filter cap in it, but I guess all the maple sugar and brown sugar in the recipe threw it for a loop and there was an explosion all over the ceiling, walls and whatnot. Ooops...I'm betting that Teacher won't let us make beer in her kitchen for a while. Oh well. He rigged it back up and we should be all set to get hammered at Christmas.

Blixx's 29th birthday is coming up in November and I don't know what to get him. I've asked what he wants, and the only response I've been able to get are: 'a Jeep, you to quit smoking, & snowshoes.' If he gets off his ass and even looks for a Jeep, then fine that will be his gift...perhaps some fuzzy dice, but that kind of purchase would negate anything other than birthday sex. I will eventually quit smoking, probably when we get a house, definately if I get knocked up. Not a gift option, especially with the holidays coming up. I turn into a chimney at the THOUGHT of having dry turlkey with my mother. And I wouldn't know where to begin to get him snow shoes! I'd get a gift certificate, but that seems too impersonal. Maybe we'll just go shopping and he can pick out whatever he wants at REI. Of course, he always does that so it wouldn't be 'special.' Any ideas on wacky gift are apprecitated - hit the RAIN ON ME link at the top of the page for my e-mail address or check me out online at AOL IM.

Speaking of Blixx, he's off for the next few days and I've got some things for him to do. He knows this... the primary action items have been on the List for a while and aren't going anywhere. For instance, I've been after him to take our two air conditioners out of the windows for weeks now (since the first morning I had to scrape frost off my car), but last night he came out and said he would do it today. He PROMISED. Well folks, I got off the phone with him just a little while ago and it's done! Granted, the A/C units are probably still in the middle of the floor, but at least we can seal up the house and turn the heat on. It was freezing last night. So, Kudo's to Blixx for his accomplishment! Not to be a nagging wife, but I wonder if he remembered to take out the trash... :)

Logi - no talking for 2 weeks! Yikes! We'll be pulling for you. I liked Ally's idea to tape yourself yelling at the kids I know that I personally couldn't do it, no matter how much it hurt. Getting the last word in is a priority for me that I can't let go.

Ally - sweetie, this weekend is going to be rough for both Brogan and yourself, but it will be good to have some sort of closure for you both. Sad as a wake and funeral can be, be sure to remember the good times that you all shared and to celebrate Life, rather than the life lost. You're strong, and you'll get through this.

Tempest - I'm jealous that you're going on vacation AGAIN! About the Disney cruise, check out AAA for travel deals...I've seen some great prices on cruises. I like the cruise format, because you aren't tied down to any one spot for vacation. I mean, Aruba would be terrific, but do I really want to spend a week on the same beach when I could see 4 different beaches...think about the cruise.

I'm off to stuff more envelopes and lift more boxes and try to keep my spirits up. Today is a better day for me, and I hope it is for you all too.

Hey folks! DaveGrips let me use his scanner over the weekend, so I've updated some pictures. Check out the link on the top of the page. I'll be adding more soon, once I ever dig through my pictures and find some more decent ones, but these will get you started. I think I'll update once a month, so welcome to November's picture gallery.

Over the weekend, we made beer again for the first time in 2 years and it smells so good. It's a holiday brew where we added lemon and orange zest in the last few minutes of the boil - that combined with the clove and cinnamon and we've got ourselves a very aromatic brew. The plan is to have it ready for Christmas.

Ug, the holidays are coming and I just don't know how I'm going to juggle the families. Even Blixx's birthday is turning into a pain in the ass. We're going to Cuddles n Bubbles that Saturday, and I wanted to bum around the Cape on Sunday, but his family will want to see him. My mother wants to take us out for brunch too...joy. I thought we were in the clear this weekend coming up, but it's Nana's 90th birthday surprise party on Saturday so that leaves us Sunday to either do laundry or see a mother. Tough call on that.

Teacher lost her mind and says we can have my mother and her dick over to their house for Thanksgiving. I don't know if it's right to contaminate a wonderful family holiday with my faImily. Then theirs Blixx's sister and her clan. Hmmm, I wonder if she's pregnant again. It's been a while and 4 kids just might not be enough.

Enough random ramblings over holidays that haven't even arrived yet. I'll check back with you folks later today.

Wryguy - sorry to hear about your butt. Glad everything is in working order and you'll be well for your wedding.

Congratulations to Nightskye and Rhinogirl on the beginning of their wedded bliss. I'm so happy for you both!

Cat - sorry I wasn't around to meet you and F this weekend.

Happy belated birthday to Logi!

My interview went well, but was frustrating in that the sales guy that I would be working with wasn't available to speak with me. Now I've got to go back if they are interested. I don't know if it's something that I'd be challenged with, but it can't be as bad as here at Monster. I stuff envelopes all day and my manager complains that we aren't able to do more. Well, they should have thought of that before they laid off half the staff! Bastards!

There aren't many decent jobs listed on Monster or Hotjobs right now and I'm very discouraged. I'm sick of it here and want out, but we can't afford another of my famous out of work sessions.

Sorry I'm not upbeat today.

Peace.

I've got an 8:30 interview with American Stop Loss on Monday for a Sales Coordinator position. Keep your fingers crossed.

I wish I had some uplifting words for Tempest and the rest who are unhappy at their current employment, but I don't. I'm in the same boat and it sucks. Sorry I don't have more.

Everyone attending the gala Nightskye & Rhinogirl wedding, please give them an extra hug for me. They are going to have so much fun on their honeymoon, I think we should all fly down and stay with them for at least a week. Wouldn't they just love that?

I've read through many but not all blogs that I missed and I hope all are well.

Peace.

Saturday was the suprise bday party so the boys were sent off to Disney Quest - 3 floors of interactive and video games that amused them greatly. I don't know if Rhynogirl is into games or not, but I see Nightskye loosing like 3 days in there if he isn't careful. Ladies, in Florida they have something called SUPER WALMART, which is where we went to get all of the party supplies. It's a grocery store & fish market & full service classy bakery & auto center & regular WalMart all in one giant building. We bought 2 cases of beer, burgers etc for 30 people, plates...and only spent $130! I mean I had to keep my hand on the top of the cart toward the end of our journey to keep things from falling. What a deal! I think I'm in love.

We spent the HOT day setting up tables and chairs that were borrowed from the neighbors. The old man next door was a hoot - super sweet man. FedExMan was suprised at the party & even though not everyone showed up that was supposed to, we all had a great time. They have some very nice neighbors and friends. We managed to get plowed (go figure) and hit the jacuzzi for a while before the drinking caught up to us.

Sunday was the day of rest, where we ate a wonderful truck driver special breakfast prepared by FedExMan, followed by some wanderings in Old Town. They have a human sling shot ride, but it wasn't operating because it was raiming for most of the day. We took it slow and watched some TV and just hung out BSing for the night.

Sher had to work Monday (much to her displeasure) so the three of us went to Universal Islands of Adventure. OMG the Hulk rollercoaster is addictive. We did that one twice. Fire & Ice is another great coaster that kicked butt. We did the water rides and got drenched and ran around like little kids all day. The Spiderman ride is a WOW too. Nightskye & Rhinogirl are going to have a blast! I regret that we didnt' get to do the Universal tour and the Jaws ride, but we did have lunch at the Hard Rock during a rain storm. That place is intense!

Our trip home was equally uneventful, but with a bit more security in Orlando. There were screaming small children all over the plane so it wasn't restful as I had hoped, but I picked up Dean Koonz's Strangers which is turning into a very nice read. As mentioned yesterday, all sorts of shit hit the fan at work while I was gone & I didn't even have a chance to put my purse down before my (micro) manager was laying it all out for me. I'm still looking for another job, and may have an interview next week with American Stop Loss - I guess they are an insurance agency of some sort. I've got to research them on the web before I committ, but the money looks good and they pay bonuses quarterly on top of that, so it may just work out after all. I told that other job to go screw for lack of money and time off. HA! Its great that I can be picky until I find something I like. Or until I get laid off. Which ever comes first.

Peace.

We left out of Providence airport because it's actually easier for us to get to than Logan, as well as being cheaper to park etc. There was like no security there at all - just a few National Guard guys with sidearms, but not a big deal. They only half-assed searched my purse. We then had 2 hours to kill before our plane so I read one of the trashy romance novels Tempest had given me a while back. I was done with it by the time the plane touched ground in Orlando. There was a bit more security there, but not at all what I expected. Whatever. We made it.

I booked the plane & rental car online and had absolutely no trouble at all. The whole time I'm thinking in the back of my head that there would be a hassle, but it went without a hitch. We arrived at SherBear & FedExMan's house at around 7:30pm and proceeded to play catch up and have a few drinks over pizza. Their friend Dawson came over - I call him Dawson because he looks JUST LIKE Dawson...I mean he's a little heavier, but other than that he's got the blonde hair with dark brows and the same smile...it was spooky! Ask Blixx - this guy was a dead ringer! We did some shots and ate and drank and laughed and had a great time.

Both of them had to work on Friday so Sher used her employee pass to get us into MGM for free then we dropped her off at work. We ended up checking out Animal Planet and MGM that day & it was a blast. The safari ride was a hoot, with beautiful animals. The tree of life is incredible...and apparently has a phalic symbol carved into it. I'll have to get the pictures back to verify that one. We rode the rides and did the backstage tour. It rained briefly, so we ducked inside and grabbed a giant potato & turkey leg to gnaw on for a bit. Tower of Terror KICKS ASS in a big way, as well as the Rock n Roll Roller coaster.

Crap - work. This is going to be one of those days again. More at lunch.

I'm back and I have stories to tell. I also have 109 e-mails to read through and tons of crap sitting on my desk, so you'll just have to wait until later to hear all about it.

Peace.

Ghost is just breaking my heart...

I'm sick of work and want to leave. I've got to get my nails done & still haven't packed a thing! I think this is going to be the perfect vacation for the both of us. Blixx is pissed because he keeps getting work offers for the time we're away but I say tough crap to that! He didn't have to work the past two days & spent his time napping & reading & napping, with major accomplishments including doing the dishes & taking a shower. I'm so filled with envy, but he's working today so I guess I'll let it go. Since he had all that relaxation, I'm not going to feel bad at all dragging him around Disney trying to see everything in the shortest time possible. Bring your running shoes baby!

I probably won't blog from Florida so I'll chat at you all in a week.

Peace.