A Good, Good Wednesday!

Hello everyone! Today has been a good day. I've got lots to share with you, so have a seat and hang on for the ride! :)

We had a wonderful 4th, and I hope that you did as well. We took Erin and Maggy to the Gardner/Edgerton fireworks display, which, albeit too short, was very nice. Earlier that day, I had an exceptionally unpleasant run-in with an obnoxious little bastard who lives in our neighborhood. Before I tell you this story, let me preface it by saying that the people here in Gardner are fabulous. We live in an affulent area and everyone is basically married, a parent, and a Christian. We know and look out for one another's kids. We're at the near-end of a street, and near the other end (the main entry) lives a family who apparently doesn't believe in the basic fundamental responsibility of parents to supervise their children. As I turned to drive down the street, the 17-year old (at least, that's what I guess-timate him to be age-wise) threw firecrackers into the street in front of my car. Of course, I froze and panicked, slamming on the brakes and waiting for them to pop-pop-pop and for the danger to flee. Of course, the little prick thought it was HILARIOUS, so he laughed and laughed and laughed. As I drove off, I thought to myself that his conduct was really wrong. Dangerous and wrong. And that I was damned lucky that I wasn't harmed (or, fancy THIS idea, KILLED!) He and his little friends have done this kind of thing before. They'll jump out in front of moving vehicles and laugh and laugh like there's no tomorrow. They've thrown snowballs into the street. You name it. Just little bastards who apparently not only remain unsupervised but apparently were as youngsters as well. (See, when I was that age, the thought of doing that kind of thing never entered in to my mind. Why, you ask? Because I had parents who taught me the difference between right and wrong, and who were cognizant of my behavior and the goings-on of my life. Wow - what a novel concept!) Anyway, I was pissed off, so I doubled back, dialed 9-1-1 on my cell phone, and sat right in front of the little prick's house. I wanted to get the address, of course, but I also wanted him to see me on the phone...thinking that perhaps it might fream him out ("Oh shit - she's calling the cops") So I did exactly that. Of course, the little bastard was in the street with a broom sweeping up all the evidence, and he had absolutely no idea what to do when he saw me sitting there talking on my cell phone and pointing at him (funny, he wasn't laughing THEN...guess the joke's not so hilarious after all). So the police came, first to his house (hmmm...no one answered the door...shocker of the century) and then to mine. The basic sentiment I was left with was (1) the parents weren't available and (2) the Gardner PD was exceptionally busy, what with it being the 4th and all, but (3) a report would be filed to initiate a paper trail so that, God forbid, if something were to happen because of these little punks (i.e., an innocent person got hurt), then (4) it would be documented that there were problems at that residence before. Yesterday, I learned from a neighbor that the police have been called on that little bastard before...and that their entire family is filled with trouble (i.e., a 9-year old girl permitted to roam the city on her bike, a 5-year old boy allowed to call and curse and scream at adults when he doesn't get his way, etc.). Christ - whatever happened to parental involvement? We wonder why it is that we have such an exceptionally fucked up society...one competely and totally devoid of any human, decent thought. Well, there's your answer. It starts at home. Because my parents loved me, were involved with me, put me first, and taught me the difference between right and wrong (and to respect others), I didn't turn out to be the kind of young woman who misuses her body, gets pregnant early, takes drugs, drops out of school, mistreats others, pulls selfish and cruel pranks...and the list goes on and on. Parental involvement. A novel concept. Please, someone call my far-down-the-street neighbors and clue them in.

I had a job interview today! Remember I'd posted before about another GS-12 HR Specialist position? Well, they called me for an interview, and I had it this afternoon! I think it went well. It felt good. Lots of good energy. Everyone's thrilled for me, which feels good, but they all add to the joy that they'll "hate to see [me] go." One of my client managers today said, "Nooo Jen - don't go!" :) Feels good to be needed and respected and loved. And that's probably the hardest part of letting go with this BRAC...the thought of having to start completely over again and re-establish new ties, new friendships, and new working relationships. I love working where I work...having people know me (it's a very rare occasion for me to walk down the hallway without SOMEONE stopping me to say hello) and respect me and ask for me by name to work on projects, etc. etc. My boss put it perfectly. I made friends in high school and in college and in my first professional position in Indianapolis before I moved here...and then here. And I will again, too, wherever I may go. It's not the end of the road that scares me. It's the journey to get there. Whatever is meant to be and willed by God will be. And if it's this position, it's this position. So we'll see. Please keep your fingers crossed for me.

In more exciting and thrilling news, two men that I dearly love will be on television tonight! My boyfriend Bo Bice will be on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, performing with Richie Sambora (who is fantastically talented, by the way). And my favorite comedian of all time, Carlos Mencia, has a brand new show debuting tonight on Comedy Central. I am excited! Excited and very thankful for my DVR!

I am crocheting like mad, which makes me happy, happy, happy! I mentioned to you earlier that my new friend Melissa and I had met over at Crochetville and had agreed to swap yarns. Her box came in yesterday's mail:



Wowza! Check out that Aunt Lydia's crochet thread! I am in heaven! I've wanted to try crochet thread and thread projects for the longest time, but never did. Now I will! I told Melissa that I spent my lunch hour surfing the web at the office looking for thread patterns! :) The shade of pink is gorgeous. Thank you so much, Melissa!

And on the crochet "thread" (Ha! Me so funny!), Mom got her shawl in the mail and absolutely loved it. That did my heart so, so good. She plans to wear it whenever she gets cold or misses me and needs a JenHug(tm). :) She said her new colleagues were jealous. I said, "Tell them to send me $30 and I'll make them one, too!" :)

More about crochet! Many people over at Crochetville do "Work In Progress Wednesdays" and post photos and status checks of their ongoing projects online. Well, here we go. My first-ever WIP Wednesday!





Here is the "Wiggles Sweater" that I am making for Erin. It's a size 4, so it'll fit her this upcoming winter. As you can tell, I am in the veddddddy early stages on this one. I'm just 5 rows in. A big hat-tip to my new Crochetville friend Cheryl, who has made this very sweater and who has very kindly answered my stupid, novice, "please-help-me" questions! :) This yarn (TLC Wiggles) is so, so soft and I really like it. I'm using the Grape and Blue shades. See here for information about the yarn. I am looking for a link to a downloadable pattern. I got mine on a tear-off at Hobby Lobby.)



This is a selfish, Jen-gift. I've seen this photo on many a tear-off sheet in the yarn aisles and have ogled it on numerous occasions when looking at the Lion Brand website, so I finally just decided to give it a whirl. This is their "Crocheted Hat and Scarf" set, using Jiffy Thick & Quick (and a Q hook!) in the Cascde Mountains shade (PRETTY!!!) See here for informaton about the yarn and here for the pattern. Note, the scarf is done (and was ogled and admired by my colleagues!), but the hat, um...heh. :) Not going so well! I've started it three times now, and have had to rip it out and start again each time because I've missed a stitch. Grr. It's frustrating, but I've got my "eye on the prize." It's a pretty set and I am sure it will be WAAAARM this winter! :)

OK, I am off to relax with my family. Have a great night everyone!!!

Jen :)