I love visiting my folks for 100 plus reasons.  One of them is how peaceful their place is.  I love sitting on the back deck and looking out into the field out back.  In the early morning you can see deer crossing the field to get to the pond off to the far right (off screen).  Mom and Dad keep the bird feeders full so there are cardinals, sparrows, bluebirds, ginkos, and golden finches stopping by for a snack.  Some of the bluebirds came up onto the plant-hangers on the deck this morning, all puffed up trying to stay warm.

The kettle you see in the right is from my grandfather's  farm, they used it to make soap

It's a bit cold right now for too much outdoor solace - it's more like a quick hop out the door, breathe in some crisp air, and hop back in again! - but it's quite refreshing for the spirit.  I hope everyone has a peaceful "thinking spot" to retreat to when needed, it is quite invigorating. 

The drive between my home and my parents normally takes 2 hours.  This time, our trip started Sunday afternoon around 3 p.m. and ended Monday around noon.   :shock:

It started happily enough, Katie and were in our minivan (how suburbia) and heading south-west.  There had been a horrendous snow and ice storm through the area Wednesday and Thursday but by Sunday the roads should be clear.  The main highways anyway, everything else is still covered in ice and snow.  To add to the excitement, you know how in bad weather the cars in front of you sling up "slop" onto your windshield?  Well, the van has a lovely feature that in the winter, when you need it most, the windshield washer fluid line freezes.  So everything was very gray and spotty - I could see most large shaped objects but that was about it.  I was tense about it and just as I decided to pull off at the next exit to clear it...

We rounded a bend and WHAMMO.  Red brake lights everywhere.  We sat and sat and sat like the kids in the Cat in the Hat.  Nowhere to go, not much to do, so we sat.  I called the local road conditions (luckily I'd seen the sign a mile back and the number stuck in my head) - the west-bound highway was CLOSED.  *blink*  It looked fine, it must have been an accident.  We sat for close to an hour, covering less than 2 miles in that time.  I said a Hail Mary (and I'm not even Catholic) and made an illegal U-turn through the "emergency vehicle only" lane across the median and onto the east-bound highway.  Katie and I yelled "YEE HAW", we bounced and skidded a lot but the van made it!  Yay! (I'd like to thank my years of driving in the mountain snows for that one but I think it was luck)

So. Now we're moving, but what to do?  Drive the hour back home and try again tomorrow?  Keep going but take the "long way", which adds 90 minutes?  My brain was short-circuiting, I couldn't think straight. It was nearly dark.  All the snow and ice that had melted nicely in the heat of the sun would now leave surprise patches of black ice.  Sending us skating into a snowbank-cliff-tree didn't seem like the way to spend the holiday.  My nerves are starting to fray.  I told Katie we weren't going to make it to Grandmudders tonight and she went ballistic.  Apparently that was her last straw, up until then she'd been great.  I took some deep breaths and reasoned that we haven't had a potty stop in 2.5 hours and we're getting hungry and cranky.  We stopped for dinner and made a plan.  We decided to have a "night-time adventure" and go as far as we could safely, then stop at a hotel for the night.  Katie was happy with this and we sang songs to the beautiful full moon as we made it another 30+ miles down the highway. 

I was starting to get tired - mostly from the stress.  I don't like being in a strange environment and we were at a town I was familiar with.  So we stopped and found a hotel - only $30!!! - and it was quite nice.  It had a fridge for her milk and a window seat, so K had a grand time playing there.  The rest of the night passed with no excitement.  The view out the window was gorgeous - each blade of grass, each needle on the evergreens was perfectly encased in ice.  It was really lovely to see from inside a warm hotel room :)

Next morning, I packed up the van.  I started to put my purse in, but luckily decided against it.  I put the key in, started up the engine to warm it up, locked the van with the button in the drivers door, tested a few times with the remove opener, and went back into the room.  Last load out - I'm carrying Katie, my purse, and our snack bag out to the van.  Push the button on the remote.  The doors don't unlock.  Push the button again.  Nothing.  Panic sets in.  Push push push.. nothing nothing nothing.  Car is running happily, we just can't get into it. 

The clerk at the hotel said we could stay as long as we needed.  My nerves are WAY shot now.  I want my Mommy and Daddy!  I started calling around - Mazda offers roadside service so I tried them first.  I was on hold 40 minutes, only to learn that it isn't available to me.  They say I'm out of warranty which isn't true but that's a battle for later.  I was starting to skyrocket, panic-wise.  I called AAA's 800 number.  Busy busy busy - with all the craziness going on, I bet they are.  I'm literally pacing the room, rummaging my purse for a Xanax - NONE!!!???  - Finally got through to AAA, now I was in the queue.  After waiting 30 minutes for them to pick up (watching my cell phone battery drain - and guess where the charger is?  In the friggin van)... I pulled out the phone book and used the hotel phone to call the local AAA office.  They had somebody out to me in 40 minutes.  Bless them bless them bless them!

The guy jimmied the passenger-sliding-door open (scary how easy that was) and as soon as the doors were mechanically opened and closed, the remote started working again.  ARGH!!!  After seeing my AAA card he said there was no charge and popped off before I could even offer him a tip.  I was standing there with tears in my eyes that this part of the "adventure" was over.  I left the van UNLOCKED, got Katie, checked out of the hotel, and finally we were on our way.  We pulled into mom and dad's at noon and after unloading the van I sank into a warm cozy chair and vowed not to get up for the rest of the day!  Other than that, it's been a fine past 3 days.  (clunks over in a heap)...   :)

Thursday, 6:30 p.m. (Eastern)  Ft. Worth Bowl (Ft. Worth, TX)

Marshall University vs. University of Cincinnati

The place I grew up and graduated vs. the place I live today!  Who to cheer for, hmmm... I wonder...
    Give 'em Hell, Herd!!!! 

There's been some mighty interesting and varied stuff making its way into my ears lately - no Krazed, don't pervert that! - and I wanted to share.  This is in between my beloved Christmas carols, which are difficult to listen to at work because of my tendency to sing along - the alto parts, that is.  Gloooooooooooria in eggshell cease Deo!    

First, our own Nullfactor - his CD "Purity" is very interesting!  It's industrical/techno pop, which I don't normally reach for, but I could see shaking booty to it for awhile!  I need lyrics though, Danno, are they posted anywhere?

Secondly, and I may be slightly prejudiced :wink: in 't wild  - tunes are available for download under the 2nd link down, 16/12/04 (those funky European dates).  Don't as me to pick a favorite, I love all 3.  I've got their 2 CDs and can't wait for their next release!  They sing in Dutch and by golly the guitarist is a love :) 

Umm... where was I ... Oh YES!  Super Furry Animals - my dear dear dear pal Andrew (formerly known as The Furry Welsh Bastard but he's been nice - and had a haircut - lately) sent me two of their CDs and they are quite fun!  I love the harmonies - they're rather Queen-like which always grabs my fancy.  There's a few songs under "Things" to dl if you want to hear some Welsh pop/folk/.. what DO you call them!?  

I'm presently listening to classical guitar; the artist name is Enno Voorhorst and it is particularly yummy.  Bach sounds lovely on guitar.  I'll be darned, Enno is Dutch as well. I'm sensing a trend. :)

Josh Groban - his voice is so smooth I could just drink it up.  It should be illegal to be that good looking and not under my Christmas tree ;)  

Rick Braun - the smoothest trumpet you'll hear. I saw him live at the Hollywood Bowl with Gaz and in my opinion, Rick stole the show.  Panties-soaking good.  That's crude but true!  Especially perfect in front of a fireplace with a bottle of wine and ... 

... swoon...   Oh.  Ahem. 

One more!  I met a new tblogger today, JonC.  He's from France and is a musician as well.  Click the link on his blog page and you'll hear some lovely tunes.

Well there you have it, that's what I've been listening to for the past week or so.  What's in YOUR wallet? (CD that is)

Since we're off Friday, Katie and I are going to my best pal Judy's house to bake Christmas cookies.  You saw my cookie recipe  before, right?  Martha Stewart I am not.  Jude, however, out Martha's Martha.  She's making up all the doughs the day before so when K and I get there, we can spoon them out and eat - I mean, bake.  

I tease her a lot about it, but I envy her talent.  Her spice rack has more than 4 things in it, can you IMAGINE?!  She makes her own carmel - says buying it is silly when you can do it yourself... she stencilled her dining room walls while Thanksgiving dinner cooked ...  she's either very talented or nuts.  I happen to know she's both and I love her dearly :)  

I know I'll never be lonely as long as Judy is around. We've decided that should we find ourselves single, we're going to move in together and be like the two crazy old sisters in The Waltons.  If you don't remember the Waltons, hush and respect your elders.  ;) 


Here's to you, Judester!  (clink!)

Moi?  Slightly tacky?! LOL!  How true!  (How bloody American!) ROFL! and I can't get the piccy to show up gosh-darnit

You Are a Christmas Sweater!

Over the top, colorful, and totally flashy. You're not afraid to be a little tacky.

What Crappy Gift Are You?

You can tell a visit has gone too long when the little things start making you CRAZY.  Things I want to shout:
Turn on a fucking light for G*d's sakes!
Stop trying to give my child cough syrup, I'll have you arrested.
No, she may NOT have candy 20 minutes before bedtime
I love coming to visit and listen to you all argue all the time.
If I see one more Barbie movie I shall scream.

On the plus side, Katie is amusing herself with the checkerboard.  She is dressed (unlike at home) - in a pink nightgown, fairy wings and princess crown.  As for her new game: Jodi, I thought of you - she's spinning a checker on its side and when it lands, she yells "GIMMEL!  I win!"  Crazy kid - I love her love her love her! 

There's no place like home, there's no place like home, (click, click)

Two family Christmas parties later and we're having a pretty good time.  I tried to count - 6 kids under age 4, 5 or so between 8 and 12, and far too many grownups.  10 pizzas, 3 video cameras, numerous still cameras (figure at least one per parent), and no alcoholic beverages - at least that I could find :(  At one point I turned on the video camera just to record the craziness - hopefully the built-in mic didn't blow out.  One of the girls was loosing quite a screech.  Youch.

Doug got to visit his aunts, uncles and cousins that he doesn't get to see very often and Katie got to play with her little cousins.  She was really cute opening her gifts "oh this is the mostest beautiful dolly I've ever seen!  This is the best day of my life!"  :)  How can you not beam at that?

Now we're back at the in-laws, watching Elmo Christmas videos and playing with their spastic little kitten.  Doug's off with his old band at a gig, leaving me at the house with his parents and sister.  He said "I love you" and I said darkly "You'd better."  (with the slightest of winks) Holidays - ain't they grand?

I was at lunch with 2 female co-workers. I popped into the ladies room while we waited for our checks. In there was the hostess, looking quite panic-stricken :shock:. "Pardon me, ma'am, but do you have a tampon I could use?"  I bet there's not a lady out there who doesn't sympathize! I went back to the table to get my purse, nodded at my co-workers and said "Rescue Mission".  They knew exactly what I meant.

So, there's my good deed for the day - I actually gave her two, so she wouldn't have to beg another one later.  Tis the season to loan tampons, fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-l a!

Yes, the Red Sox too, but I mean SOCKS.  I have a huge collection of socks.  The bolder and brighter the better.  I especially love “holiday” socks.  I have about 10 pair of Halloween socks (bats, witches and ghosties, oh my!) and at least 3 weeks worth of Christmas socks. 

Today was our department Christmas .. excuse me … Holiday lunch.  There's about 15 of us and we bring in our favorite dishes (with food on them too HAR!) and we play what we call the Gift-Swapping game.  In honor of this special occasion, I wore my Jingle Bell socks.  A few years ago, my pal Judy made them for me.  It’s just a pair of ordinary red cotton socks but she sewed little jingly bells all around the tops.  They are ever so cool!  I especially enjoying stamping my feet and ...well, you know.  

Today is also a day where the top executives are visiting our “state of the art” research facility.  We were warned ahead of time by the Director so we kept the door closed and tried to keep it down.  We made it through lunch without being shushed.  Later in the afternoon, as I was helping clean up, one of the VP’s walked by.  I’m also walking.  And jingling.  I just smiled and wished him a Good Afternoon, hoping he’s not hearing the jingles or wondering where they’re coming from.  :oops:   LOL!

Ho Ho Ho!

I was hired to work for this company in June 1984.  I moved 180 miles and didn’t know a soul in the city but was quite grateful for the work opportunity after looking unsuccessfully for a year.  I was the 5^th person in our little IT family and by far the youngest at age 21.  Dave, close to retirement, instantly adopted me as his daughter and woe to anyone who dared bother me.  

Dave made sure that as I apartment-hunted, I knew which were the safe parts of town.  He gave me his home phone number and made me promise to call if I ever needed anything.  He was a retired Marine and looked the part.  He could be aggressive, even fierce if pushed, but he was also a very faith-filled and lovable guy.   Few were allowed to see that softer side and he relished in perpetuating his curmudgeonly reputation – but the twinkle in his eye gave him away (if he let you close enough to see it).  

My favorite memories of Dave – the company had newly installed walls around his desk, carving up the large computer/printer room into smaller offices.  While he was out, I bounced in and papered the walls of his room with Sesame Street wrapping paper.  I figured he’d laugh and tear it down in a day or two, it SO didn't fit his personality.  When we vacated the building 10 years later, it was faded but still there.  He said it gave him a lift and made him smile. 

My first wedding was held back home in West Virginia, a 3 hour drive from here.  The other 4 IT people drove all the way over to help us celebrate, unbeknownst to me.  It was so touching to look out and see them, especially that bald head and teary-eyed grin, as if one of his own were walking down the aisle.  

A few years later, Dave was diagnosed with lung cancer.  He fought it with the strongest spirit I’d seen and was declared clear.  I was honored to have him stand at my 2^nd wedding as one of the male attendants.  I hadn’t seen him in awhile and he was a bit thinner, but there was that same strong smile and grin as he wished me all the best.  

I learned a week later that the cancer was back and was going to win.  Dave was very peaceful about it, he’d reconciled all he wanted to during his first battle and was ready to go.  He had known earlier but didn’t want me to know until after my wedding.  He gave me a big hug and told me not to be sad, but rejoice.  He wanted his service to be full of praise and joyful worship. And it was! 

The night Dave was buried, I was standing in my backyard.  I looked up at the stars, full of anger and despair.  Why, WHY was David lying cold in the ground while other assholes are still walking the planet, breathing oxygen?  It just wasn’t fair.  It WASN’T fair.  I was crying and yelling at the sky.  Then I felt … I felt a thwap on the head.  “Dammit Sheryl, I’m not in the ground, honey, it’s ok. It’s all ok”    I heard him, and I felt him.  I started laughing.  Mind you, it’s Dec. 7, freezing cold, I have wet cheeks and I’m laughing.  "You old coot, you caught me", I thought.  I loved that man; he meant so much to me in those really hard first years out on my own.

Dave, I know you’re up there having a ball.  I still miss you and sense you from time to time.  In the 10 years you've been gone lots has happened but I wanted you to know you’re not forgotten.  I hope to see you later - save me a spot and we'll sing together again :)  

Rest in Peace, David R. Peters...

Well, so far 42 is fair.  Weird day at work - odd meeting then a big lunch with the best chocolate layer cake I've ever eaten.  Am eating.  I'm still nibbling on it, it was too rich to consume at once.  4 hours later, there's still some left.  Now, I'm a chocoholic and proud of it, so that tells you something.

Thanks everyone for your birthday wishes, it was SO kind of you!  Here's to the next year, eh?  {clink}

My day begins somewhere around 6 a.m.  My daughter, who has migrated from "her" side of the bed to RIGHTNEXTTOME bolts straight up, grabs the hat that's hanging on the bedpost, plunks it on her head, and falls right back to the bed, sound asleep.  :shock:  Ok, I'm awake now!

I try drifting back to sleep but next I hear ... MAMA MAMA MAMA MAMA  I'M A RABBIT!  (bouncy bouncy bouncy ...)  I rubbed my eyes and responded OH YEAH? WELL I'M A TICKLE MONSTER!!! and the day had begun :)

You early birds who sent messages - thank you!  It's going to be a glorious day :)  I'm going to celebrate with kolaches!  Mmmmm! 

Images added during her "rock song"

View Katie's Rock n Roll slideshow!

Remember a week or two ago my project-lead/supervisor was let go?  Turns out he fought back and was transferred instead.  At any rate my new boss has asked for a resume-like document summarizing my work since I joined the company... 20 years worth... just on one or two pages, please.  :shock:  I have no such document handy so I'm going through old status reports to collect some highlights. Good Golly Miss Molly I've been here a long time. 

I started out working in FORTRAN '77 on the IBM Mainframe (TSO, anyone?  PROFS email?) and I remember helping train everyone on campus when the "new" IBM PC AT's came out.  Floppy, what's a floppy?  They were all used to terminals and CPUs were foreign entitities.  Oh, and our word processor was DisplayWrite 4.  Ouch!  Then we moved to a VAX "mini-frame" and now we're all on Windows servers. 

Over the years things have ebbed and flowed - from a flat organization to top-heavy to flat to top-heavy again, from non-Microsoft to Microsoft to Lotus and back to Microsoft again...  from thin clients (monitors) to fat clients to thin clients back to fat - now web-apps are changing that yet again.  We were encouraged to do programming, then we were forbidden to do programming, and back and forth yet again...  it's interesting to look back and see how things have changed. 

This probably interests no one but myself, so forgive my self-indulgance.  I was just struck as I rifled through some old files today. All these changes in processes and platforms, yet one thing remains:  our clients (co-workers) still need tools to do their jobs (support the plants/customers) more effectively than our competitors.  I wonder if that fact gets lost in the squabbling over who "owns" the servers, security, applications, support staff, etc.  Bottom line is, if we don't outshine our competitors, we won't have to worry about the {fill in the blank} because we'll be broke. 

Hope the new boss will be a good one...

Old Nullfactor's rant  reminds me that bad music can make one a bit crabby...  Do you ever purposefully put on music to lift or change your mood?  What do you choose? 

At the moment I'm listening to Bing Crosby singing Christmas carols - yes, on purpose. This morning we woke up late and Katie's dance class starts at 9 so it was rush-rush-rush to eat, get dressed, collect her things and get her out the door on time.  I got to work still in frenzy mode, saw my to-do list and thought ... I need something to slow me down and get into a good groove.  So today I chose a very mellow, classic-style Christmas album.  Usually I might pick some smooth jazz or Harry Connick (what a smooth voice...)

If I want to get "rowdy" I'll put on something with a funky or grungy kind of sound.  Led Zepplin is great - nice rhythm, if ya know what I mean ;) Solo albums by John Paul Jones, their bass player, make me .. umm... never mind. :oops:

How about you?