I'm still feeling pretty lazy, despite sleeping in this morning... think I might put off the classwork a little longer and take a nap before dinner and the game. At least one load of laundry got done and my taxes are amply started, that's progress, right? Why is it every year I get less and less back on my federal taxes? Further, this is the second year it looks like I'll OWE PA more money. What gives?

I guess one cause (and good thing) is that I've noted a reduction in the amount of money spent on utilities for the apartment. Hopefully this new siding etc will reduce heating costs a little further.

Ya know, if it's not one thing it's another. So, I got the new credit cards to replace the old ones that were canceled earlier this week. I also got my new computer, yay, or so I'd think... of course, after two calls resulting in hangups and a chat session w/ the call center now I am waiting for a part in the mail. You'd think they would notice that the V shaped adaptor wouldn't plug into the provided straight power cord. Further, you'd think that TECH support would grasp this concept without asking me where I got the cord from (der).

Then there is the stupid directv box in the bedroom. It's always been pissy, so it decided to flare up this evening and refuse to get a signal even though the one in the living room is a-okay. Tonight restarts, unplugging, and pulling the access card didn't seem to make it happy either.

So, here I sit (in the living room) typing at you (on my old computer). At least during my hold sessions I got dinner started, so there will be casserole shortly and leftovers for tomorrow. After doing my all I also mixed up some chewy brownies to chase the casserole out of the oven. Leftovers for breakfast? :D

I got the rest of my DSL issues and wireless working as it use to last night after the game, but I was too pooped to spend quality time on my classwork. This morning when I got up I felt rested, finally, but it didn't last long. I did get my assignment finished up and turned in, hit lunch, and headed to see the latest Underworld movie. While the movie was good I found myself near nodding off.

I did like the flick, but I wish they had run through the scene that brought Selene to be. I dunno what it is, but I just adore Viktor (Bill Nighy). Anyhow, so my tiredness brought me home for a nap before I was to meet a friend for dinner. While dinner didn't pan out I did grab some grub and came back to chill w/ the girls instead of FREEZING outside! I need a good spurt of energy to get another room cleaned from top to bottom. Wish me luck that I can get enough rest tonight to make that an option tomorrow.

Aren't I just the posting fool this week? I would have posted last night about Twilight, but alas I am having issues w/ my DSL at home now. I finally got myself back online around 11 but only with a ethernet cable. The second I went to wireless my dsl would drop like a hot potato. Verizon says they need to do something outside to further inspect the issue I am having, but of course they are only available during work hours. I've grumbled about it before, I'll spare you the repetition of the angst this builds.

Anyhow, Twilight. They tried to go artsy fartsy with it which made it a little cheesey. I can't believe they couldn't get more mainstream music for it too. Jasper was a little screwy and creepy looking... and the crew of them were nowhere near as gorgeous as they should have been to live up to the descriptions in the book. Frankly, Carlisle looked like Tom Cruise in a bad blonde wig and horrid makeup. The movie itself was good, don't get me wrong. The ending makes me eager to dig into the next books... as I didn't expect to see that face, although, I guess it makes sense.

At last... the stars have aligned and a new computer is on its way from Dell. Here's what is rolling out their door. Yes, it has Vista... I decided to suck it up, but at least it's Vista Ultimate:
Studio 15 (1535) Laptop: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 (2.1GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
Memory 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz (2 DIMMs)
Hard Disk Drive 250 GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
It also has a backlit keyboard *yippee* and it gray with pink trim.

So for tonight? Time to see TWILIGHT and grub some westwood plaza.

While I didn't expect this evening to be much more than a moody food-fest, I did surprise myself and not only finished up this class module's reading but also started my written assignment for this module. Alas, yes, there was food too.

I've often wondered when I passed Savannah's Southern Takeout on Scalp what the deal was... as I never heard anyone speak of it. Today shortly after the lunch hour I found myself turning my nose to the air much like one of my girls would to the scent of bbq wafting through the halls. Dang did it smell good and make me wish Clem's was closer. Well the thought stuck all afternoon and into the evening, so when I heard this is where the food had come from that I was smelling I decided to give it a go. My vote: pass on the chicken, it's fried as opposed to the fall off the bone delish that is Clem's chicken. The ribs however were quite tasty and the bbq sauce was excellent. I didn't get to try the mac and cheese as they were out, so I went with the candied yams. They were okay, nothing I couldn't toss together easily (and cheaper).

Oh, but that's not all folks. I know I reported quite a while back about cinnamon buns from the Great Gourmet Cinnamon Roll Company down in Altoona. Well I didn't forget about them - after my cravings for a bitchin cinnamon bun last week re-emerged I decided to order more the other day. Tonight I dug into a cherry blossom cinmamon roll and loved every bite of it.

Now I sleep - with a full tummy, a mind thinking through class related materials, and two of the three dogs already hogging up my bed!

Up yours identity thieves. So earlier this week I get a letter saying that my debit card number was among those compromised, not the first time this has happened w/ bank cards. No biggie. So a closed out card and a new one on the way in early February, great. Now today I log in to check out my discover bill and see three charges from the 16th ran in NYC. Uh, not me yo! Gladly, Discover is always quick to act on a call ... unfortunately, this means my memorized number is no more. Major boo.

I always feel nostalgic when I go to Hoss' to eat. I remember being so excited to find out we were going for dinner when I was younger - and that is where we typically went. I remember even before my father passed going there as a family and going there with just mom. No matter what the meal may be, only Dr. Pepper suits for a meal at Hoss'.

So, guess where I went for dinner tonight?

I'm tired tired tired, but here it is just after 10 on a Saturday and I'm awake. The world just conspires against my sleep, I know it. I've been busy, but seem to be miles behind on so many things. I guess it's time to make more lists to ease my anxiety about it all.

The next class has started and I have to tell you the one book is just an awful read. Take a high school history text and jack the reading level up 20 times. Blah. Know what I need? A week on a cruise ship... too bad I have to wait until July for that!

My migraine has departed... but I am left feeling a little off. I don't know if it is because of all of the varied meds I tried taking in the past three days to deal w/ the pain or if my body is fighting off the stomach virus that appears to be going around.

I am also left feeling a bit overwhelmed right now for no apparent reason. I've made my to do list (which normally eases my nerves when I get this way) and it is not very full, but yet here I am still fretting and I can't even pinpoint what I am fretting about! Maybe it is because school has started back up again, maybe it is because of the pending bus trips and the little odds and ends that need handled to go along with those, maybe it is just that I am a nut job underneath it all!

Either way I just want to go home and curl up with a warm puppy... that will make everything feel better if only for a little while.

We got to and from Elmira safely despite the snow. I think everything went pretty well, it's soothing to have one "under my belt" now. I got back with a major boomer of a headache that I've been nursing all day. Of course, there seems like a million and one things on my to do list. While I didn't get the cleaning and whatnot done I did get some administrivia off of my list... but that's never-ending. Maybe I'll finally get my christmas decorations away one night this week.

My semester starts up tomorrow, so I guess that means I'll be back to complaining about lack of sleep and constantly expanding to do lists. Perhaps that is why I decided to start selling Lia Sophia. I already made this announcement privately, via email, to friends, so I doubt it will shock anyone. But if I missed anyone, feel free to hit me up so I can include you in on my February 21st kick-off party.

Oh, and I finally confessed to mom about the third dog today. The yelling was short lived, at least she was as pleased to hear as I am to see Vixen running and playing in the back yard. Keep your fingers crossed, this might take a few pounds off of her and keep her from aching.

Technically I have a front porch now. Granted, it is just the base of it, but at least I can get through the front door now and I am seeing progress. It's a much more viable option than trying to get around the side of the house an through the lock on the back gate in the dark or trying to get through the pile of materials stored inside the garage door to come up through the basement.

Of course the work ensured I was up before 9 on a Saturday which is a major downer, but at least it gave me time to toss in the Dirt DVD I picked up. Unforuntately I am getting B&W for no apparent reason.

I finished reading Twilight, I think that is record time for the length of book we're talking about, but at least I can head to see the movie in Westwood Plaza. Anyone else want to go?

On the looney dream side I had one last night where I learned there was a wedding in the making that I was trying to prevent from happening.

Bad ice? WHAT? Hopefully ice problems in Elmira won't kill my first planning effort. Everyone keep your fingers crossed.

Everyone is doing well in my house, I had the great pleasure through bleary eyes of watching Vixen actually running and kind of playing with D and Saffy. I am hoping perhaps she'll be the old dog learning a new trick and manage to take off a few pounds in the process.

Day three here of hell week, and gratefully Friday. I'm off to a massage after work, but I can hope that there is a chance we'd wrap up early today and I could catch a nap, no?

Ok, it's near 11 and TECHNICALLY I am still working... I need not say I am not thrilled about it, so instead I'll catch you up on what I neglected to post about: hanging with the Law's and how proud I am of my baby girl.

First, the other day I got to have christmas with the Laws and some incredibly good grub. Heaven knows I am not a sammie person, I don't know why I would EVER be surprised that something Angela would make would be so friggin good, but she never ceases to amaze. I've gotten the recipe for both the sammie and the soup, but I am sure it'll never be that good coming out of one of my pots. I also left there w/ a bottle of port which on one hand I can't wait to try but on the other hand I want to save it for something special. So give me a good reason people.

As to the baby girl - despite my long hours today IN the office I came home to no accidents from anyone. Duty calls. Wake me when the week is over?

Now, as promised... click below to check out some pics of Safyre.

Well here I sit after a long and exciting day. The Chiefs aren't having the best weekend... but I was eager to get back home after the first period tonight to see the little lady who has officially made me a crazy dog lady. Everyone, join me in welcoming home Safyre Qwynn, formerly Keesha. While she was guestimated at a year and a half I am thinking more like 10-12 months. I'll have pictures tomorrow, I promise!

So, Danika made the trip with me to meet Safyre and they got on well immediately. Vixen is, of course, being a bit of a retard, but not anywhere NEAR as bad as expected. I think this is due in part to Saffy's reaction to her and also due to Dani darn near stepping in between them. She's such a good egg that D! Well, we're all tuckered here - maybe, hopefully Safyre will let us get some sleep - so it's time to call it a night.