I went today to my little once-in-a-while part-time job at Library Headquarters to do some training. The head trainer, one of my dearest friends, is retiring in a week and today was the last time I'll train with her...unless she, like me, comes back as a part-time trainer. These days our Library is having such a hard time finding librarians and other staff that they are encouraging retirees to come back to work as part-timers. Soon the entire Department will be run by retired former employees.
Hubby called Nephew#1 today to break the news about not having him stay with us. We did pass on the information about the local University off-campus housing database and he will check it out to see if he can find a place to stay. We also offered him some financial support if he needs to rent a motel room for a short time while he searches for permanent housing. Nephew#1 actually took it quite well and he really is a wonderfully mature 25-year-old.
Late this afternoon Hubby and I went over to the local lumber yard to look at some synthetic wood decking material which Hubby, Friend and Friend's Brother will be using to replace the wood deck in our backyard...hopefully this weekend. We had to pick out the color and, since our exterior home colors are grey and white, we decided Winchester Grey would look best. Tomorrow Hubby and Friend will go over there to actually place the order. I'm already making plans to be far away from the house when construction begins. Friend thinks he and his brother can have it done in a day (two at the most) but, like all other remodeling projects, I'm not holding my breath.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
You Want To Live Where?
Today my husband's nephew called to find out if he could stay with us "for a while" while he searches for a room to rent. He lives 60 miles from here and is going to be attending a nearby community college with plans to transfer to a local university after completing the prerequisite courses.
Now Nephew#1 is a really nice young man who is in his early 20's. He was only 3 years old when his dad was killed in a car accident and, through the years, he has been a really responsible kid helping my sister-in-law whenever he could. After spending a few years after high school trying to decide what to do with his life, it seems he is finally ready to make a commitment to school.
So now he wants to come stay with us. I know he says it's only until he finds a room to rent but I'm worried about a few days turning into a few weeks turning into a much longer time. He's having trouble finding a room now and how is it going to get easier if he's taking classes in school and working at the restaurant job he told us he's found?
And then there's the whole issue of my comfort level. I like my privacy, our house is very small and it's not really set up to accommodate another person. Our second bedroom serves as a really large closet with clothing racks, boxes and a small bed. The closet is also the one my husband uses for his clothing. Our third bedroom is actually our den/office where my computer and TV are located and, right now, there's no seating other than my desk chair. Are you getting the picture? The house needs work...lots of work...and it's just not ready to house another person.
So, my question is...am I being selfish? My husband is very supportive of me and tells me he will tell his nephew "we're sorry but no" if that's what I want. What I'd really like is to have a really big home with a nice guest room but that's just not going to happen. I'm usually a really thoughtful person (honest) but right now I feel like I need to look after my needs first and that means my need for privacy rules...and that's making me feel guilty as heck!
Now Nephew#1 is a really nice young man who is in his early 20's. He was only 3 years old when his dad was killed in a car accident and, through the years, he has been a really responsible kid helping my sister-in-law whenever he could. After spending a few years after high school trying to decide what to do with his life, it seems he is finally ready to make a commitment to school.
So now he wants to come stay with us. I know he says it's only until he finds a room to rent but I'm worried about a few days turning into a few weeks turning into a much longer time. He's having trouble finding a room now and how is it going to get easier if he's taking classes in school and working at the restaurant job he told us he's found?
And then there's the whole issue of my comfort level. I like my privacy, our house is very small and it's not really set up to accommodate another person. Our second bedroom serves as a really large closet with clothing racks, boxes and a small bed. The closet is also the one my husband uses for his clothing. Our third bedroom is actually our den/office where my computer and TV are located and, right now, there's no seating other than my desk chair. Are you getting the picture? The house needs work...lots of work...and it's just not ready to house another person.
So, my question is...am I being selfish? My husband is very supportive of me and tells me he will tell his nephew "we're sorry but no" if that's what I want. What I'd really like is to have a really big home with a nice guest room but that's just not going to happen. I'm usually a really thoughtful person (honest) but right now I feel like I need to look after my needs first and that means my need for privacy rules...and that's making me feel guilty as heck!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
And the Winner Is…
Hubby and I just got back from a Golf Expo and we’ve now settled in at home waiting for the big show tonight. I love watching the Oscars pre-show to see how the women are dressed and I have to say that, in the past few years, the level of elegance has certainly improved. The show itself never holds much interest for me since I never see any of the nominated films but, this year, I am looking forward to seeing Ellen DeGeneres as the host so I will pay attention. Paying attention is hard for me especially when it comes to acceptance speeches…yawn. I heard that the New York Daily News was reporting that Delta Airlines is offering two free tickets to all the winners who manage to keep their speeches within the 45 second time limit. Somehow I think Delta’s financial future is safe…I don’t see them losing a whole lot of money on free tickets tonight.
This brings me to my very own experience at the Oscars show. Yes…I’ve actually attended an Academy Awards show. In March 2000, my friend’s daughter was working for the Academy and was able to secure two tickets to the show. Leaving Hubby at home, my friend and I arrived at the Shrine Auditorium (the site that year) and actually got to walk the red carpet. It was quite exciting although I was so disappointed no one asked me about my dress…I wanted to tell the world about my off-the-rack little black number which I'd purchased only days before for a startling $27 but, alas, Joan Rivers must have missed me in the crowd of stars. Anyway, our seats were on the main floor near an aisle so we got to see all the stars up close and personal. It was truly a night to remember and, when it was over and I returned home, I immediately got out my “Things To Do In My Life” list and checked off “Attend the Academy Awards."
This brings me to my very own experience at the Oscars show. Yes…I’ve actually attended an Academy Awards show. In March 2000, my friend’s daughter was working for the Academy and was able to secure two tickets to the show. Leaving Hubby at home, my friend and I arrived at the Shrine Auditorium (the site that year) and actually got to walk the red carpet. It was quite exciting although I was so disappointed no one asked me about my dress…I wanted to tell the world about my off-the-rack little black number which I'd purchased only days before for a startling $27 but, alas, Joan Rivers must have missed me in the crowd of stars. Anyway, our seats were on the main floor near an aisle so we got to see all the stars up close and personal. It was truly a night to remember and, when it was over and I returned home, I immediately got out my “Things To Do In My Life” list and checked off “Attend the Academy Awards."
Friday, February 23, 2007
It's My Party...
Yep...it's my birthday...just another day in another week in another year. When I was young, I'd celebrate my birthday for days. Now, I hardly notice it until someone calls me on the phone to wish me "Happy Birthday" or I get a birthday card in the mail. Our family tradition usually consists of going out for dinner on or near the actual day but this year we all have so many commitments we haven't actually picked an evening. We were going out on Sunday but then Hubby reminded me that it's Oscar night and I love sitting home and watching it (even if I haven't seen any of the films nominated for anything). I'm sure we'll find a time to get together but, until then, I'm perfectly happy pretending that I'm still a year younger.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Dell = Do Expect Lotsa Lies
First off, in case you haven't been following my sad Dell saga, go here, here and here if you want to catch up to the present. The upshot is I sat home today waiting for a Dell technician to arrive to install two parts which were supposedly ordered three weeks ago for my desktop. At 11:30AM, the doorbell rang and there was Ed from Dell with a box. I thought my prayers had finally been answered. As Ed walked in, I told him how glad I was to see him with my power supply unit and processor fan after a long three weeks….that’s when Ed stopped short in his tracks.
Ed: “What power supply unit?”
Me: “The one Dell was supposed to order three weeks ago and the one I was promised would be installed today along with the new processor fan.”
Ed: “This box only contains the processor fan. We never received a power supply unit and the work order I have doesn’t indicate one was ordered. In fact, all the work order says is that your tower is making noise.”
Me: *unintelligible* since I was hyperventilating at the moment.
So…Ed installed the processor fan for me and I called Dell yet again to complain that, after three weeks and promise after promise (or should I say lie after lie), my power supply unit still is not replaced. I asked to speak to a supervisor and this time Christopher was the “lucky” person to have to make excuses for the no-show power supply. This time the excuse was that Dell’s records indicate the part was shipped and, for some unknown reason, the local installation company is saying the part never arrived. The long and short of it is, for the FOURTH time, the part needs to be "dispatched", I’ll have to wait yet again for someone to call to schedule another appointment when the part arrives, and yet again I will have to stay home and wait for a technician to come and install the part. Apparently the people at Dell don’t believe my time is of any value and that I have all the time in the world to wait for them.
In case you’re wondering…letter #2 is already in the mail to Michael Dell, Chairman of the Board. I haven’t yet heard from him (or his lackey) about letter #1 but I’m persistent and will continue to follow-up until I get some satisfaction...if that's possible at this point!
Ed: “What power supply unit?”
Me: “The one Dell was supposed to order three weeks ago and the one I was promised would be installed today along with the new processor fan.”
Ed: “This box only contains the processor fan. We never received a power supply unit and the work order I have doesn’t indicate one was ordered. In fact, all the work order says is that your tower is making noise.”
Me: *unintelligible* since I was hyperventilating at the moment.
So…Ed installed the processor fan for me and I called Dell yet again to complain that, after three weeks and promise after promise (or should I say lie after lie), my power supply unit still is not replaced. I asked to speak to a supervisor and this time Christopher was the “lucky” person to have to make excuses for the no-show power supply. This time the excuse was that Dell’s records indicate the part was shipped and, for some unknown reason, the local installation company is saying the part never arrived. The long and short of it is, for the FOURTH time, the part needs to be "dispatched", I’ll have to wait yet again for someone to call to schedule another appointment when the part arrives, and yet again I will have to stay home and wait for a technician to come and install the part. Apparently the people at Dell don’t believe my time is of any value and that I have all the time in the world to wait for them.
In case you’re wondering…letter #2 is already in the mail to Michael Dell, Chairman of the Board. I haven’t yet heard from him (or his lackey) about letter #1 but I’m persistent and will continue to follow-up until I get some satisfaction...if that's possible at this point!
The Waiting Game
So…here I am today stuck at home waiting anxiously for the Dell computer technician. He called on Monday and promised to be here today between 11AM and 1PM, to finally install the new power supply unit I’ve been waiting for since February 1st. “Yes” it’s early in the morning and “yes” I could probably go out and run errands and be home by 11:00 but I’m always worried the technician will suddenly want to come early and, if I’m not home, I’ll miss my chance for the day and then I’ll have to re-schedule the darn appointment and spend yet another day waiting. Why is it they can never be at my house early in the morning so I don’t have to wait around all day? Whose house do they visit at 8:00AM? What did that lucky soul do to get them there at that time? Why isn’t that person ME?????
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
You Win Some...
OK…I’m going to be lazy. I’m getting ready to go to the dentist right now and I don’t have the time to sit and write about my terrific day yesterday so if you want to know what happened yesterday…visit here. I’m sure this flies in the face of blogging etiquette but I’m hoping A Tired Mama won’t mind. After all…I shared my winnings with her.
Dental Update: Look mom...no cavities...only bleeding gums from all the digging and poking by the hygienist. And, of course, she gave me my six-month lecture about the importance of flossing...yes, yes, I know sticking a string between each tooth is important! And, for being such a good girl, I received the best part of going to the dentist which is the "free" packet of travel-sized toothpaste and floss as well as a brand-new toothbrush. I'm happy!
Dental Update: Look mom...no cavities...only bleeding gums from all the digging and poking by the hygienist. And, of course, she gave me my six-month lecture about the importance of flossing...yes, yes, I know sticking a string between each tooth is important! And, for being such a good girl, I received the best part of going to the dentist which is the "free" packet of travel-sized toothpaste and floss as well as a brand-new toothbrush. I'm happy!
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