Happy New Year, Everyone!

May your 2006 be prosperous, healthy, and happy!

(We're heading home tomorrow. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we take to "The Friendly Skies" once more!)

An Idiot...

...but a well-meaning one.

Hi everyone. Have you ever done something well-intended but somewhat blockheaded? Well, I just had that kind of experience. My heart was in the right place, but I think I just made myself look a little bit goofy!

Tonight (after a FABULOUS dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse with Mom and Dad), Curt and Erin and I headed downtown (in the pouring rain!) to check out the downtown Christmas lights. Generally speaking, downtown Indianapolis is a colorful spectacle at this time of the year. We were hoping that Erin could take it all in, rain aside. On the ride back, Erin slipped out of a part of her booster seat, so we pulled over at a McDonald's to fix it. On the way in, I noticed a sign that said something to the effect of the following:

"Faith" and Blessed" - McDonald's welcomes your opinions and feedback. Please call us at 1-800-683-5587 and share your thoughts with us.

With no further explanation than the sign provided, my sole thought was that McDonald's was assessing the views of the public regarding the usage of the words "faith" and "blessed." Not having gone inside, I didn't see any sort of display or billboard, but I just thought that perhaps they were using those words (or were considering using them) and wanted to poll the public first before doing so. Those of you who know me or who are regular readers of my blog can probably guess exactly what I did. I am not shy or ashamed to admit that I am a proud Catholic. I love and believe in God with every beat of my heart, and absolutely hate what we as a country and a society have done as it pertains to religion in this country. We as a society, a government, a mass media, and a nation have worried and fretted so much about "offending" those who don't believe that we've come to a point in our time where the mere mention of the Father and the beliefs on whom this nation were founded are taboo. This is an amazing nation...one where folks from all walks of life are welcome. If we're smart, as people, we will embrace one another, learn and grow from each other, and become better people because of our differences. I've tried to live my life that way for the last 33 years, will continue to do so until God (oops, there's that word again!) calls me Home (and by "Home," I mean "Heaven"), and am raising my daughter to feel the same way. However, it is sickeningly heartbreaking that we are no longer allowed to embrace the faith and beliefs upon which this nation was founded (and that the majority of us embrace for our own). So I called McDonald's and gave them a piece of my mind. I commended them for daring to step out and embrace faith and its concepts in a time when our energies as a society are do misdirected and improperly diverted away from faith. I thanked them for being courageous and willing enough to stand up for what was right. I praised them for being so recognizable and loved as one of the world's most beloved companies, and let it be known aloud that I truly appreciated their consideration of re-embracing that which deserves to be embraced...faith. The lovely young woman with whom I spoke thanked me for my comments and I terminated the call. I came home anxiously looking forward to YAHOO'ing "MCDONALDS AND FAITH AND BLESSED" to see what I could come up with. Unfortunately, I came up somewhat empty-handed, and somewhat disheartened. As best I can tell from the limited websites I found, apparently the McDonald's folks had some sort of special philanthropic effort during the month of December at select Indianapolis locations. Apparently if the restaurant had a "Faith and Blessed" sign posted, they were doing something for charity. Nice...wonderful...it's always a fantastic thing to take care of others and help those less fortunate. But I was so hoping to see this amazing mega corporation taking a stand and making a bold statement in a world wherein such a moral and just sentiment would be shunned. Unfortunately, I came up empty handed. What I can do, though, is ask that you, my friends, call that number as well. Share your beliefs and let it be known that there is indeed a place for God and faith and (Heaven forbid) being "blessed" in this world. God knows we can all use a little blessing or two in our lives...

(Oh, and by the way, and the Cookie Dough Cheesecake at Longhorn is FANTASTIC. The folks at The Cheesecake Factory had better start worryin'!)

Hertz Hurtz!

Friends don't let friends rent vehicles from Hertz. And that's all I've got to say about that.

Insanity In Indianapolis....

(note to self...the next time you plan to take your wee one and family unit to the world's largest museum for children, do so on a workday/schoolday, at about 10-ish in the a.m. Perhaps there'll be less unsupervised children, white trash adults, and general mass chaos...)

Yep, we went to The Children's Museum yesterday. First and foremost, let me say that this place is absolutely amazing. There's so much to do and there are so many different exhibits that promote learning and self-development. It's fun for the wee ones and fun for us big folks, too. However, it most certainly is NOT fun to be surrounded by immature adults and their pooly behaved children. It is your responsibility if you are a parent to ensure that your children are safe and conducting themselves appropriately at all times. How, as a parent, someone wouldn't WANT to do that is beyond me. However, that abounded yesterday at The Children's Museum. More often than not did I see parents lagging behind their children, not disciplining them when they were running away or doing things they shouldn't or bumping in to or harming other people. Also more often than not did I see children old enough to know better completely and totally disregarding the published rules of both the Museum and its various exhibits. On more than one occasion, I feared for Erin's safety. She is a small child. Bigger kids don't often realize their own strength, and I can't tell you how many times a bigger child (or bigger kids) were doing something right around us that frightened me. As such, I really didn't enjoy the experience yesterday. Even with Curtis and I and my parents both supervising Erin, we were still victim to the misconduct of other people's children and the complete and total failure of their parents to parent them. I will definitely bring Erin back there someday, but definitely not on a day where the place is likely to be overfilled. It's just not worth it.

(And I am too much of a "Johnson County Brunette" for my own good, I guess. Yikes...some of the PEOPLE that were there. I realize this makes me sound like a total snob, but good GOD.)

OK, on to other topics. I am six rows in to Beth's Little Star Afghan and so far, so good. Also, it had been ages since I'd been to Keystone at the Crossing. YOWZA, do they have some good stores out there! I did a little post-holiday shopping at Crate and Barrel for the family unit and some selfish splurging on myself at Sephora. We're headed back out today to do more post-holiday shopping. I think a trip to the Build-a-Bear Workshop is in Miss Erin's future. :) The weather is sunny and clear for the first time since we've been home, so it should be a good day to be out!

Be well, folks!

Happy Day After Christmas!

Hi everyone! Happy-Day-After-Christmas to all! We hope that you and yours had a wonderful day yesterday and that you're enjoying this special time with those that you love. Be healthy and well, friends.

We had a wonderful day yesterday. Just being home is so wonderful. The gifts are just the icing on the cake. Today, we're braving the cold and rain to take Erin to The Children's Museum. I love that place. I enjoyed going there so much when I was younger, and I am thrilled to get to see Erin experience it for herself, too. We're also planning on hitting some after-Christmas sales!

Quick crochet-catchup....the blue and gray variegated scarf you saw a few posts back was a gift for my father. He loved it. Erin loved her mittens and scarf, which I need to photograph and add here to the blog. I've long had my eye on a gorgeous "Sex And The City" hat in the "Just Hats" book, and Mom got me a ton of Lion Suede (in gorgeous "Fuchsia"!) for the project. I'm also going to try (TRY...I can't make any promises!) the "Little Star Afghan" again. This time, I'll follow Beth's directions straight and not try to do any of the improvements that folks over at Crochetville suggested. I'd love to try to have it done soon and gift it to Erin for her first day of school (one week from Thursday!!!). Her school colors are royal and gold and the mascot is "The Stars," so I can't think of a more fitting gift. Will I (a) make it in time, or more importantly (b) even get the pattern right this time? We shall see....

Off to bathe the kiddo (and hop in the shower myself). Have a fantastic day, folks!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

(That's right...I said "MERRY CHRISTMAS" and not "HAPPY HOLIDAYS." Don't like it? Find that offensive? Too damned bad. Live somewhere else.)

And with that fun and exciting little ditty, I'm off. We're heading out at 0-dark-thirty tomorrow morning, and I won't be back online again until after Christmas. Hope that you and yours have a Merry, Merry Christmas and a blessed time with those that you love.

Holiday Exhaustion

Hi everyone. Wow, December 21st. I can hardly believe it.

It's been a nuts last several days. As you know, I was gone all of last week to Indianapolis for training on the new personnel system set to roll out to the DoD within the next few years. I'm giving this training on Friday here in Kansas City to the other HR folks (correction - I might be giving the training...I have no voice and the cold from hell, so we'll see.) I played hostess this week to an office Christmas party (baked, shopped for and wrapped gifts, etc.) and also got things in line for Erin's daycare Christmas party (which was today - can't wait to hear all about it when she gets home!) We got a call from the Gardner Edgerton School District and a slot in preschool has opened for our little girl. She'll be an official student this January, and we can hardly believe it! I went to meet her teacher, and it took me everything I had not to break down and bawl right there. Tears of joy, of course, but still...she's growing up. I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday that she was this frail, tiny, 5 pound preemie who could barely take in an ounce of formula and who had to be bundled ("Baby Burrito!") all the time. Now she's a walking, talking, expressive, vibrant little person! I've been crocheting like mad in an effort to get holiday gifts finished (see below for more info), and have been baking, daking, decorating, desktop publishing (holiday letter), and writing (Christmas cards) like a wild woman. I love Christmas so dearly, but it will be so fabulous to be with my family next week totally relaxing and doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING but enjoying each other and our free time!

(Oh, before I go any further, please send your prayers and love to my Bo Bice. He had to be rushed to the hospital, I believe on Monday night, because of some bleeding stemming from his surgery earlier this year. Lots of stories are available online, I'm sure (just too lazy to Google them myself). Please just keep him in your prayers.)

We had Curt's parents and brother over Saturday night for our first official 2005 holiday celebration. I got a smattering of amazing gifts (to include the Sizzix machine I've wanted for ages and a GORGEOUS cherry wood grandfather clock). It is so wonderful to be with them. They are such fantastic people. Mom lit up when she saw the scarf I'd made for her. She loved it. And on the topic of crochet...

...check out these scarves....



These are Christmas 2005 giftables! The red one, made free-formed with a "P" hook and three hooks of Plymouth Baby Grande Alpaca (color #2160), is for our daycare provider and across-the-street neighbor who has come to mean so much to our family. I actually made this scarf in just a few days while in Indianapolis last week. The second scarf's recipient shall be anonymous right now. I made it free-formed as well (I think I used a "K" hook...maybe an "N"?) with the two hanks of the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Bulky yarn (in Jeans) that my Secret Pal Mindy purchased for me. Allow me to say right up front that Lorna's Laces Shepherd Bulky is now my new favorite yarn. It is so deliciously beautiful. The shades and hues are so vivid and bright, the yarn doesn't split, and it's soft yet warm at the same time. Unfortunately, NONE (note emphasis) of the local yarn stores in my area sell this yarn. Mindy's connected me with her source in Ohio, and I'm hoping to buy some from them in early 2006. I made two other giftable scarves for this year...one, you've seen already (the scarf I made for Curt's mom). The other is a scarf/mitten set I made for Erin. Photo to follow.

In today's mail at the office, I received my official notice that I did indeed pass the PHR examination. I absolutely still can't believe I passed it. I will enjoy shopping for a thick, gorgeous frame in which my certificate will hang proudly from my office wall, and I changed my signature block in my EMAIL to add the "PHR" title after my name. Wow. Me. Certified.

OK, I am off to fall, face-first, onto my bed and collapse. Need to beat this cold before I get on an airplane this weekend and fly home for Christmas...

I'm Home Again!

I made it home, safe and sound. Thank you, God!

Lots going on this weekend! Secret Santa present to buy, gifts to wrap, desserts to make, and an informal Christmas party in our home TOMORROW NIGHT. Whatever was I thinking, trying to host guests after A WEEK ON THE ROAD?!

Merry Christmas To Me...

HUMAN RESOURCE CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE

PROFESSIONAL IN HUMAN RESOURCES (PHR)

PRELIMINARY SCORE REPORT

Candidate: Jennifer MaidenNameDeleted-MarriedNameDeleted

HRCI ID: TestingIdentificationNumberDeleted

Date: 12/12/2005 10:32:25 AM

Exam: PHR

Site: 0705

Status: Pass

Congratulations! A preliminary analysis of your test results shows that you were successful in achieving the passing score established by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) examination.

Your examination responses will be verified by Professional Examination Service (PES) and your official score report will be mailed to you in approximately two to three weeks.

Thanks to all of you who loved me, supported me, encouraged me, and believed in me. I 200% didn't think I would pass this test, and I'm 900% grateful and thankful for those of you who believed in me when I didn't. You know who you are, and you are loved. Thank you.

I'm safe and sound and FREEZING MY TOOKUS OFF in cold Indianapolis. Oh, and I think Doctor Aleve and the Nursing Nazi knew what they were talking about after all. I'm not out of the woods yet, but the pain I am feeling now is nowhere NEAR what it was last week. This week's additional training on the DoD's new personnel system is going well (today we discussed my single, most favorite part of HR - adverse actions!), and it's been wonderful seeing Mom and Dad again, as always. Tomorrow, apparently the entire agency is receiving synchronized BRAC briefings telling us who-is-closing-when. Shame on me for saying this, but it might actually be nice to be here in Indianapolis receiving this briefing versus being back home where BRAC is affecting us personally (Indy's not closing - lucky them.) I'm sure there'll be much commotion Friday afternoon when I return...

Be well, friends.

-J

One Step Forward....

Hi everyone. I'm feeling a little better today. I've exhausted my Lortab, unfortunately, but am taking my Naproxen per Doctor Aleve's instruction. I've even supplemented my healing with those over-the-counter self-adhesive heating jobbies. I've got a l-o-n-g day ahead, so I hope I'll be able to hang in there. Thanks for the well wishes and good thoughts, everyone....

Aleve? Are You KIDDING Me?!

Hi kiddos. It's not been a good last 72 hours for your Jennifer. For about the last two weeks, I've been having some very mild lower-back pain. Think pre-menstrual pain (sorry, fellas...just think about a crampy pain in your lower back and you'll get it). Not super painful, but annoying enough to bug me. I'd pop a Tylenol or an Aleve and back to life I went. No problem, right? I figured that maybe I'd pulled something putting up our Christmas tree or that maybe I was having some residual pains from breaking my tailbone earlier this fall. That all changed Wednesday night. I bent forward just slightly to empty the dishwasher and a HUGE wave of violent pain shot through my lower left back. Same place I'd been hurting on and off for the last few weeks. I actually yelped aloud and couldn't empty the dishwasher....or sleep, or walk well or stretch or lift Erin up for a snuggle. So I ate Aleve (three of them) and Tylenol 8-Hour (two of them, just three hours after taking the Aleve) and got absolutely no relief whatsoever. I tried all of the "suggested home remedies" posted on medical websites to alleviate back pain (pressing a bag of frozen veggies against the ache, massage, hot shower, etc.) Curtis even rubbed Icy-Hot on me. Nothing worked. About mid-day yesterday, the pain started working around toward my lower left front (think ovarian location, ladies). And it got worse. Immediately I lost any thought that this pain was "just a pulled muscle" and after dinner and some Christmas shopping last night (priorities!), I headed to the ER. Almost immediately, the focus of both the doctor and my nurses was that I had a kidney stone or a kidney infection. Urine and bloodwork both disproved those theories. Then the focus changed to something more scary - ectopic pregnancy or ovarian cysts. I have suffered from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) for ages now, but the cysts have never caused me any pain. Lower back pain is a symptom of PCOS, so it made sense that that could indeed be the problem. The whole notion of having an ectopic pregnancy just scared me senseless. That's a child...a little person. Someone whose life would never come to be. And I just cried. Cried and cried and cried. Cried because I was afraid that my child would die. Cried because I was horrified to undergo another operation. Cried because I just didn't know what the hell was going on. And then the real fun began. Without being too graphic, I'll simply say that after one foley catheter, one pelvic ultrasound, and one vaginal ultrasound, we were no closer to finding out what was wrong with me than we were when I first walked in. In sum, I passed every test they gave me. No kidney problems. No bladder problems. Not pregnant. No visible ovarian cysts. No fluids from ruptured ovarian cysts. No pelvic masses. Hormone and electrolyte levels all good. Good - healthy Jennifer. Bad - suffering Jennifer and no one knows why. So my doctor decides to send me home with (sit down, folks, this one'll blow you over) Aleve. Yes, boys and girls, that fun and exciting over-the-counter drug that did NOTHING for me when I took it initially is now what I'm sent home with. That's when the scared and exhausted Jennifer (did I mention it was 1:30 a.m.?) became the pissed off Jennifer. I'd made it abundantly clear that Aleve DID NOT WORK FOR ME. I was furious. By this time, there'd been a change in the nursing shift and the one nurse who worked most closely with me (who was an absolute doll and the best part of this entire experience) had gone home. She was replaced by the Nursing Nazi! I asked the Nursing Nazi for some additional meds...at least to get me through the night so that I could actually sleep. A muscle relaxant, perhaps? Nazi's response? "Well, I'm sure if the doctor thought a muscle relaxant was indicated, he'd have written you a prescription for one. But I'll ask, I guess." Damned right you will! I did not just spend three-and-a-half hours of my life being poked, prodded and invaded for you clowns to send me home with ALEVE! I got a stern lecture on the difference between over-the-counter Aleve and the prescription-strength Aleve (or, Naproxen) that my doctor was giving me. The prescription dose, you see, is the equivalent of taking three of the regular, over-the-counter pills. THE SAME FUCKING PILLS THAT DID NOTHING FOR ME! (Get the sense that I was a little pissed here???) She finally came back with a six-pack of (Bud Light) Lortab 5/500 Acetaminophen/Hydrocodone Bitartrate and sent me home. It's now 12 noon and I'm still in pain. It's somewhat milder, and is made less miserable by the fact that this Lortab has me darned near stoned out of my skull (which explains to you why this post probably sounds goofy and rambles...I'm drugged, I can't help it!) So I'll try to follow Doctor Aleve and Nursing Nazi's advice...take the Naproxen faithfully, get it in my bloodstream, and take it easy. But I'll admit that I don't have a whole lot of faith here. And just think, I'll be on a plane in two days! Lovely.

Other than that fun and juicy morsel of information, I don't have a whole lot to share with you. Hope you've all had a good past few days.

I'm off to snuggle up for a nap. Talk to you all later.

-Jen

"Bloggin' In A Winter Wonderland..."

Greetings from the land of snow and ice! We got hit with our first major snowstorm of the season throughout the day yesterday and in the overnight hours. Here are some shots we took early this morning:



Here's our lovely outdoor table. Is it me, or does it look like a snowy bundt cake?



Here's Erin's poor Spongebob Squarepants outdoor table. Suppose the little guy's dreamin' of warmer days down in Bikini Bottom about now?



And here's a shot of the left portion of our back yard and Erin's playpark.

We're thinking we got about 10 inches. Of course, my agency thinks yet again that delaying our start time by two hours makes ALL the difference when driving in on snowy roads complete with moronic drivers crawling at snail's pace. No thanks. That's why God invented annual leave. My lovely boss called me about 10:00 last night to tell me that we were on a two-hour delay, but to watch local TV this morning for any updates. One channel showed a four-hour delay, and the others showed the two-hour delay. Doesn't matter...I'm on an eight-hour delay because I am not going in! My boss isn't in yet, so I'll keep trying to call her and let her know that I'm not braving the cold (6 degrees, HELLO!) and snow to come ALLTHEWAYIN to KC from Gardner. No thanks.

As you can see, my digital camera has finally returned to the human race. Here are some photos I've been wanting to share with you for a few days...



I told you on Monday that I was part of a Gardner/Olathe Bunko group and that December was my month to host. The ladies had a good time and everything went over very well. I won two bunkos and the passaround prize! Here's a shot of the prizes I bought for the party. Everyone seemed happy with the prizes, so I think I'z dun good. :) For the most bunkos (I had two, someone else had three - dammit!), the prize was a special, home-made gift set from Sunrise Soap here in Gardner. I love that store. Judy's fantastic, and the stuff smells SO GOOD. Let me put it to you this way, I've turned on my colleagues, sorority sisters, and Indianapolis friends on to Sunrise. They all love the stuff! And to think, I lived here over a year before I ever even stopped in! Drove by it a thousand times, but I never went in! OK, anyways, prizes! Our first place winner got a "Perfect Christmas Wallflowers Continuous Home Fragrance" in "Spice" from Bath and Body Works. Our second place winner got a "White Barn New York Mini Filled Candle" in "Fresh Baked Cookie," also from Bath and Body Works. Our third prize winner got a yummy Beanpod candle in "Cinnamon Bayberry." Our booby prize winner got a Burt's Bees lipgloss in "Strawberry." Finally, the passaround prize (which I won, and promptly traded for the cookie candle!) was a "Perfect Christmas Square Present Scented Candle" in "Spice" from Bath and Body Works. The girls all loved the prizes and the food was yummy and we had a good time. I love playing hostess!

I also mentioned before that I'd crocheted a scarf for Curt's mom as a Christmas gift. Here's a shot of it...



This came out really nicely and I am really proud of it. The Lion Brand Yarn Company sells a "Crochet For A Cause" kit consisting of a skein of "Chunky USA" yarn in "Cherry Blossom," a large hook (size "P"), and a shower card showing you how to examine your breasts. Because Mom Smith is a girly-girl and because I thought she'd like the scarf (and I want to keep her healthy!), I thought this would be a good gift for her. I really hope she likes it.

On the topic of crocheting, the Secret Pal 6 event has just ended. My wonderful secret pal was Mindy! Thanks, Mindy, for everything! :)

I think I'll try to call my boss again. More later, I'm sure. Stay warm and safe, everyone!

A Hodgepodge O' Jen

Hi Everybody!

It's been a while! Hope that your December is off to a good start and that you and yours are well, healthy, and happy.

It's been an interesting last few weeks...

...Mom has beaten pneumonia yet again and I am so amazingly proud of her. We're still in need of prayers, though. Please keep them coming. Additionally, several other friends and sorority sisters need prayers for themselves and their families as well. If you would, please open your heart for "Jen's Friends And Their Families." I know they'll feel your prayers and good energies.

...Thanksgiving was, of course, wonderful. My mother-in-law is a fantastic cook, to say the very very least, and we had a wonderful afternoon and evening together enjoying our family and laughing. I had to work the next day, but Curtis didn't, so he hit the malls and did some holiday shopping. I've done some as well, and will be glad to get it all over with. I usually try to get at least half of my shopping done before the end of the fall. This year, I didn't even really start until it got cold out. I'm doing well on gifts for Curt's mom and for Erin, but not-so-well for everyone else. I've crocheted a few items and am working on a few others, so those will be gifted as well. So we'll see. I have a feeling I'll be spending the next few weekends shopping like mad.

...my beautiful Bo Bice won the award for "Best Reality Star" at last night's "VH1 Big In '05" awards show and I am so thrilled! Erin was too!

...I've totally not been studying for my PHR exam, and I am afraid it's going to come back and bite me. My test is one week from today, and, let me tell you, I will be so immensely glad to get it over with. If I don't pass, I don't pass. I've removed the self-imposed "pass-it-or-die" stress that has been looming over my head for the past several months, and have actually allowed myself to live and do the things I needed to do, while studying when I could. That's all I can do. I am not Superwoman. Should I have studied harder? Yes. Will I be spending each evening in this coming week studying? You bet. But will I kill myself if I fail? No. Now remind me of this conversation if I come back to you one week from today with the sad news of PHR failure. Someone please take ownership for reminding me that it's OK to not be 200% perfect. I can't do everything, dammit. And the sooner my small brain figures that out and stops punishing me for being human, the better.

...my sorority had our annual Christmas Brunch this past Saturday. We always have such a good time. We collected toys, books, games, and school supplies for the patients at the KU Medical Center, and had an ornament exchange for us. Because my digital camera is a hateful beast, I can't show you the photo of the toys I purchased. I got a "Learn To Crochet" kit (of course!), two stuffed animals, and three puzzles. I hope these make the lives and hearts of some of the children happy as their bodies heal this holiday season. The ornaments I got (note, I said ornamentS and not ornamenT!) were all sorority-related. One was a gorgeous, baby-soft stocking hand-knitted in our sorority's colors with a sorority ribbon laced through and the other two were handpainted sorority snow-women. So, so cute. I wish I could say that I spent a fortune on the ornament I gave for the exchange, but I simply didn't. For $3.99, Target was selling some VERY gorgeous and VERY heavy glass ball ornaments in a variety of colors (I chose an orchid-pink shade). The sister who got the ornament seemed to like it, so that's good.

...guess who gets to go on travel for work AGAIN? Yep, boys and girls, you guessed it. Your Jennifer's BACK out on the road AGAIN next week. (*sigh*) The sooner I get a new job, the happier I'll be...

...which leads me to my next point. Remember my earlier posts dreading the BRAC and boo-hoo'ing the change that it was forcing upon me? Now flash forward several months in the future and look at me. I can't WAIT to get out of here. I love it here and I love my colleagues and my work and the others that work here, but good grief, I am...nope, not gonna say it. Let's just say I am ready for a change. I've got a resume in for a GS-0201-12/13 that just closed last week at another Federal agency here in town, so we'll see. Please say a little prayer that this position comes through for me!

...I am having a silent/book party for Discovery Toys in the hopes of getting Erin some yummy Christmas toys on the cheap. So far, the show's up pretty high, but I'd like to see it up even higher. If you'd like to make an order and can pay me ASAP, please let me know. They have some adorable and wonderful toys and learning tools out there, and I've been assured an in-time-for-Christmas delivery if we get the show in pronto, so please get in touch with me if you'd like to purchase a toy for a little one in your heart!

...our neighborhood Bunko group is meeting at my house in an hour, so off I go to put the finishing touches on coconut creme pie and getting our tables set up! Have a lovely night, folks! Oh yeah, and don't forget to EMAIL me if you'd like to order from my Discovery Toys show!