Great Mate!

Had the chance to go to dinner and a movie with a great mate of mine, Doreen Hyatt, tonight. I captured a bloomin' onion moment and she was a good sport about it.

Everyone needs a friend like Doreen. She is amazing. I first met her when I was in middle school. My friend, Jim Heskett, and I created a spook room for the Lovettsville Elementary Halloween party. Doreen came up to me after her turn through the elaborate suite of rooms (mostly thanks to Jim) and told me how she liked it.

Then I re-met her many years later in church and she came up and warmly welcomed me. She has been a constant friend since. Sometimes our schedules get so busy that we don't see each other in quite a while but when we do see each other, it is as if no time has passed.

Doreen is so very good with people. She is totally into boosting self esteem. And I can always use a good dose of her medicine.

She has extremely handsome and good sons (and beautiful daughters) and told the congregation once a very long time ago that "if none of my sons will marry Vanessa, I'll just have to have more sons." Her sons married gorgeous and wonderful women; perfect for them. But I still get Doreen in my life.

Cait paid her the ultimate compliment when she told me that she wanted a "Doreen" in her life when she "grows up." Everyone should.

Creature Comforts

Traumatic day at work today. The last of this round of layoffs. The last of the carnage.

Whether tapped or not, life won't be the same for any of us.

I think Saida sensed my concern and gave me an extra loving snuggle. It doesn't cure my worry for my friends or my mourning at not seeing them again or as often, but it was a comforting gesture. Thank God and the universe for creature comforts, however they come to us.

Ouch! Ouch!

Carl had wrist surgery today - on both wrists - ouch, ouch! Everything went well and I brought him home late this afternoon.

He was a good sport about it and an even better sport at the thought of being pampered. "Well, I'll pamper him tonight but that's all he gets," Cait declared when I brought him home. Oh, I think she won't be able to resist her dear dad and her medical fascination.

Lovely surgeon. When he saw me, he asked Carl "Is this your daughter?" Now that's an impressive bedside manner!

Therapy

Tough day at work. Layoffs. *Hell.* Ice everywhere. *Freezes over.*

Magazines are comforting to me. I find them cheerful. Small sound bites. Pretty pictures. Good ideas. The simple life. They are a great way to escape and nurture the inner 'Martha.'

They lured me with "Comfort" splashed all over the front. They know their audience. They know the time of year. They know corporate lay-offs?

I OD'ed. Then I was too stressed to even pick one up. But I'll take one to bed. And dream of worrying over nothing more than my meal planning for the week.

Snow Day!

Cait was excited to have her first "Snow Day" school cancellation of 2009 and entire junior year. Tuesdays are normally the days I work from home, so it was business as usual for me. She and I went out for a quick lunch and then I got back to work.

Such a little bit of snow for a day off from school but it was a little slick and more frozen precip was anticipated. I am listening to the ting of ice on my window as I type this. Snow day tomorrow?

I remember winters in Utah and northern Alberta and this would be a pretty non-eventful winter "event." But it is all relative. It is all preparation. But thank goodness for occasional snow days. We all need to slow down, if not just a little, now and again.

Cubicle, Sweet Cubicle

Took the opportunity to shoot this photo of my cubicle at work this evening after I packed up to go home. Corporate lay-offs will occur this week so if I am tapped, I wanted a photo of where I spend a lot of time in my life.

It's been a good 15 years at my current company. No regrets. If I'm caught up in this "Reverse Rapture," I'll look forward to the next adventure.

I am so grateful that this company took me in when I was ABD in my doctoral program and looking to return to Loudoun County, Virginia to spend time with my mom who was very ill with cancer. I never expected to make it in a corporate world. I am so not-corporate. But I've learned a lot and have, at least somewhat, acted the part.

What will this week bring? More time in this little cubicle? Or packing up a few things and moving on? To be continued...

Share

Miranda traveled to Europe right after Christmas and brought back treats! She placed them on the table to generously share with family and friends right before leaving to go back to school on Friday. It is such a happy sight and I didn't want to put them away yet. But I do need to package them up before we forget that they aren't ours (we've about eaten our share, of course)!

Very sweet (literally) of her to share!

Tuckered Out!

My day started very early with rehearsals, lunch with a friend, errands, work, and then an evening of theatre at Loudoun Valley High School's Black Box -- and then more work.

Caitlin and her best friend, Sara, had been singing and dancing in the family room as I worked. All of a sudden it got very quiet and this is what I found. These young girls and young dogs had tuckered out for the evening! Peaceful sight.

Reprieve

We were fortunate to have a winter reprieve today. The temperature rose to the mid 50s! We've had freezing (and below) temperatures for longer than I care to think about.

Cait and I took Beauregard and Sarah for a long walk at the end of the day to soak in the promise of spring. What a wonderful break after Cait finished her last exam and I took a reprieve from a long "to do" list and the stresses of impending reductions in force at work.

It's Friday and the weekend is here -- and our hopes loom large.

Weak Moment

It's Martin Luther King Day and I had to work. I have a dream of someday getting this holiday off! On the way to work I had the opportunity to hear a part of Reverend King's infamous "Dream" speech -- and that -- coupled with the excitement of the Crowning of a New President -- caused me to lose my senses for a little while and stop off at Best Buy for Rabbit Ears.

We are one of the few households without satellite or cable and haven't had TV reception in over a year and a half (circumstances beyond our control caused that to happen). We've loved it for the most part. Filling in our time with activities just as -- if not more -- fulfilling, enhancing, and relaxing. But there are times such as tomorrow's festivities that we considered it would be worth it to check the news on a larger screen than a laptop. More than happy with eliminating that type of bill, I decided to try Rabbit Ears.

Fortunately the reception was too blurry. But the signal for me to take these right back was crystal clear. Good news: this rabbit died.

Let Them Eat Crepes!

We had Nathan, Emily, Adam, and Sara over for dinner tonight. Very unfortunately Miranda, Steven, and Meredith were all ill and could not come.

Cait requested chicken divan crepes and I let them have crepes!

Not Man Nor Beast!

How do you entertain some housebound hounds (and one cabin-fevered teenager) on a frozen day? Find the nearest ice patch and watch the antics! No, not a raging river; a neighborhood culvert.

But this amateur photographer is freezing and going inside! Brrrr - just looking at this picture brings on the chills.

The dogs didn't mind much; but no wonder -- look at those lovely fur coats!

Decapitated!

Looked forward to a bran or blueberry muffin this morning and I woke up to find the massacre. The people who live at my home (or an intruder) came and decaptitated the poor muffins! The beheaded muffins looked so forlorn and unappetizing.

Since muffins are just breakfast cupcakes after all, this is a frequent occurrence at my house. Who is this mad muffin murderer?

Perhaps we should learn to just purchase the muffin tops and make it easier on the "cereal" killer. And speaking of, please pass the milk!

Wake-up Call

Loudoun Schools called very early this morning to let us know that school would start an hour later (compliments of a little slippery snow). This means a 3 hour late start for Caitlin who starts her day with early morning seminary at 7:00 (which is canceled with late starts).

Seemed ironic to have to wake her to tell her that she could sleep in.

Wow, technology! But what we really need is for such calls to silently adjust our alarm clocks and record an explanation for us to hear as soon as we are awakened. I'd subscribe!

All Tied Up!

Wednesday night youth activity night: A movie and ice cream sundaes with a "twist."

The kids were great sports about being literally tied up while trying to eat a rapidly melting ice cream sundae.

And I was tied to home today. Husband thought it best to have all sets of keys with him at work. Fortunately for me, I know the work-at-home drill well.

Anybody want a husband cheap?

Time to Tussle

I had a very busy dog-ignoring day today. Lots of projects going on at work. The read-through of "You Can't Take it With You" for the Middleburg Players was this evening. Sarah and Beauregard welcomed me home very late this evening and wanted to play.

It was my pleasure! I think I needed the tussle time even more than they did. And I tussled them right out. They are snoring very loudly by my side as I wind down from the day.

Body by Buddha

The girls at work and I enjoyed some carby Chinese food for lunch, compliments of this Buddha. The lovely and healthy mongolian barbeque has been replaced by rich, fattening foods. Eat this and look like the one who welcomes you!

We had a lovely time talking about diet tips while we indulged at Buddha's kitchen.

Dog Tired!

The highlight of a very busy and eventful day was to have Sarah come and cuddle with me this evening. She didn't like the fact that I was gone most of the weekend and came and claimed her territory as soon as I sat down tonight! A very busy weekend and we're both dog tired!!

Mascot

Audition Day Two: King, our new Middleburg Players mascot (and director's dog), joined the fun. You've heard of therapy dogs. I think a therapy dog at an audition is a most excellent idea. Only problem is that the director had to reel in the stage manager from playing with the dog!

Shall we get him his own director's chair?

Audition!

Director Lori welcomed all to auditions this evening. Good turnout! Great talent!!

Stay tuned: Middleburg Players will present "You Can't Take it With You" the last two weekends of March.

May I take it with me?

Homework for tonight: finish reading this play. I am excited about my opportunity to produce and stage manage this for the Middleburg Players. Auditions start tomorrow!

Soup's On!

We had some carrots and potatoes that were on the edge, so I made Wisconsin Cheddar Soup. I've never made it before and didn't have a fantastic recipe, so I combined about 3 of them. It was delicious on this cold winter evening! What did you have for dinner?

Dropping By

Some handsome and very cold young men dropped by this evening. Caitlin was happy for the diversion from her Walt Whitman meets Emily Dickinson paper. Carl was happy to share Chilean stories. Sarah and Beauregard always love company. I was sad that I ignored the prompting to make some cookies. Our guests felt a little warmer when I told them that I used to go "knocking doors" in -80 degree weather in Northern Alberta. Labors of love.

Dress for Success?

Hit and mis-match: I guess I wasn't ready to go back to work this morning! Unfortunately I didn't notice until too late!!