Happy Birthday to my Vixie Lynn! She's 12 today, 12 years...

Didn't fix the bedroom light yet, but my weekend was really friggin busy, so I have a good excuse. I was up early Friday morning to get the girls to camp so I could get on the road to Filthadelphia. I checked into the hotel and settled in after fighting with the hotel's internet access and getting nowhere. Clearly, I wasn't getting work done, and no one contacted me about the gals getting together for dinner or drinks, so I headed to the hotel restaurant (braving the onslaught of sorority girls that were staying at my hotel) and was ready for bed by 9pm.

In hindsight, I'm happy for the good night's rest as Saturday was up early to head to a neighboring hotel for the Miche bag conference, then back on the road to Johnstown. I'm psyched about some of the potential new releases coming in 2011, and I'm glad I went. Even more happy that it didn't take as long to get back to Jingletown, so I was able to get things in order Saturday night so I could get up early Sunday and get moving once again.

First to fetch the girls, then loading the car and heading to Altoona for Megyn's Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome fundraiser. We're not closing out the shows until the 12th, so if you have anything on your lia sophia or Miche wish lists, get ahold of me so your order can make a donation!

Today was one of those days where the flood gates opened up, but at least that meant the day went quickly! I had several meetings, even double-booked meetings, actually feel like I made excellent progress on one front today, several telephone calls, and started processing a refi of the mortgage.

3.75%, previously was 5.5%. I'll take it. This time I dropped from the 15 year I had down to a 10 year, so that immediately cut off another 2.5 years (if I wasn't already a bit ahead). Noticed the tax refund is ready to hit the account tomorrow, so that's kewl too.

Now to get the things done on my home to do list. Blah. I was on the phone with the sister last night to help clear up a bug and left it with exe files not being associated with an application. Hmm, not good. Hoping the fix I sent her today will help clean that piece up. *fingers crossed*

I've also now developed a nice issue in the bedroom where the light turns off when it feels like it. Ok, I've deduced that I've got a loose wire on the switch, but grr. Hopefully I can get to that this weekend. It would be wise to just do that AND pull the fan down to shorten it up all at once, but I am not holding my breath. My weekend is already plenty booked and I am behind on getting ready for it.

For now, I need something to eat (I'm shaking at this point) and a few moments with one of my in progress books. Time to channel a weekend state of mellow.

Just before 5 today the HVAC guy left and we had heat once again. He's ordering a new blower for it since he had to take it apart and fuss with it to get it turning again. So, I'll have a couple hundred dollar bill coming from that, but given that the furnace is turning 8 next month I guess I can't complain too much.

Since I had to come home a bit early and work from home today (to meet the technician), Saffy got her share of time in outside and is wiped again tonight. Ah, tired puppy = good puppy! We've got a tired mummy too. Time to hit the hay.

The fuzzy ones have been frolicking like crazy for the past several hours, well, Vixen goes outside in spurts to join in. We've easily gotten 6 inches since the mess started, which was relatively early in the afternoon. When there was just a dusting I was taking my life into my hands coming down Eisenhower, but I got my running done.

When I got up this morning the furnace was being a beotch again. Two red blinks, the pressure switch is stuck open. Ok, been through this a couple of times, paid too much for a "plumber" to stand there confused and have it somehow reset itself the first time, second time I got it to turn back on on my own. This time? I've tried repeatedly with zero luck. Sigh. I've kept the temps reasonable thanks to the portable electric heaters I have, but I guess I'm going to have to call someone tomorrow. At least with some help from google I know the switch will still open and close. Meh.

I keep getting that rush of excitement when I realize I don't have to get up and go to work tomorrow. Major yay! I truly need three day weekends more often, I manage to accomplish so much on the third day that is never accomplished in just two days. I crossed some things off already this weekend, but the biggest accomplishment was catching up on sleep. I admit it, I slept off and on until 10pm Saturday, was up til 2am and then up at 8am this morning.

Today, while enjoying a delish meal prepared by Ma J, we got another dusting of snow. I guess the tease is coming to a close as I expected. Wah.

Oh, two other things worthy of comment in my world:
- started watching the first DVD in Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy. Loving it. Need more horror related materials.
- was watching a show earlier today on people who snapped. I was quite irritated at the one expert who recapped the situation commenting that they didn't understand how someone could crack as a result if infidelity in the way this woman did. All I can say is "Ms. Expert - you know nothing".

I know it's just a tease, but damn the weather has been great for the past couple of days. The sun is out, the snow is melting, and the high 40's-low 50's feels like heaven. We've had vibrant red sunsets and the moon out near full in a haze that is captivating. We've also had some hefty winds, which while a bit scary it's also beautiful at the same time to watch the huge pine trees in the back yard sway back and forth all to the tune of my wind chime. I'm ready to see the first Robin and will be diligently looking.

I've got a long weekend thanks to our Presidents and plenty on my to do list. I should get moving, but I think I'll just chill for a little while and let the girls run around in the back yard. I'm sure Saffy will spend more of that time stomping in mud than running around, but so be it.

Not feeling right today. Cramps if they were gonna come should be in the past. It's lower back and lower abdomen like cramps, but feels very different than I've experienced them. It's been all day too, woke up feeling them, rather persistent, not coming and going like normal cramps would. I'm not a happy camper about it. I like my normally healthy self.

Of course, in my displeasure and tiredness this morning I got to see one of the buttholes that empties the coffee pot and thinks himself too good to make more. Bastage.

Went back out in the cold and the teacher didn't show up tonight. While I hope everything is okay, I'm still not too thrilled about it. :/

What a nice Saturday. I was up at a reasonable hour and started the washer with a load of sheets (so I'm going to have a nice clean, fresh smelling bed tonight - the perfect ending to complete the nice day). The girls ran around outside for about an hour in the fresh dusting of snow. Gladly, it did stop pretty early in the day. Next, I opened the most wonderful reminder/gift from the trip to Europe that put a huge smile on my face.

From there, the girls and I putzed around a bit and then settled in by the living room TV with the space heater on. Saffy cuddled up by my feet, Vixen on the loveseat, and Dani on her bed near my feet. I wrapped up in the thick wolf blanket and snoozed.

I am now hungry and in the process of preparing a treat for myself - a home made valentine's dinner. I even pulled out the Harry and David mix to make some smores brownies.

Saffy is normally a very good sleeper, heck all three of the girls are, it's just surprising she is since she's the "kanger-puppy" by day. So, when she's pacing and being a butthead at midnight after the rest of us have curled into our beds with our tails over our noses (ok, I just wish I had a tail), I know she needs out.

This is where I start to wonder about her. I think from the bedroom she can sense a rabbit in her yard. So out we go, to the stairs, a quick glance across the dark back yard, off the deck and leaping towards the back fence. Running up to the left I can tell from the door she's in hot pursuit *sh!t*, racing back up towards the house and "eeep". Yep, time to go get the shovel. Henceforth she shall be known as Safyre Qwynn, Saff-a-roo Kanger-puppy, the Bunny Whisperer. Can we sleep now bunny-breath? Year of the rabbit indeed.

Went to my first sign language class this evening! Got corrected on a couple things I was doing wrong and learned a good chunk of words. Now to get practicing! I admit, I kind of knew they didn't sign every word, meaning many words are dropped from ASL, but I hadn't really thought about it. "Tonight you learn alphabet." Sure, we know what that means, but it sounds like a foreigner fresh with English. The implications for someone reading a book or writing a paper are mind boggling.

Midway through class (which was mostly teachers from various schools) they got word of a two hour delay already for tomorrow. Ok, sure it was 5 degrees on the bank sign when I was coming home and yes, they are calling for a wind chill of 15-20 degrees below zero... but c'mon!

My taxes have been filed! Unfortunately, according to TurboTax, the govt won't be processing itemized returns until after the 14th of February (I guess due to last minute tax changes that occurred in December?) Regardless, boo on having my goodies done and needing to wait an extra week. Not only am I getting the biggest return I've ever gotten, mostly thanks to monitoring tax deductible things more closely, but I don't owe PA money for the first time in quite a while. Needless to say, the return is already allocated, but it is good to know it will be wiping out the balance on the home equity loan for the work in the kitchen and bath.

I went for grub with Beff and her mum this evening as the rain turned to snow flurries. Fortunately, that didn't last too long. Last night I drug Beff out for wings with Jack and Lori. It's been good to get to do some hanging out... but I guess I best get on top of some to dos that are not to be done on the computer. Unfortunately, there is only so many hours in a day and despite having some coffee this evening with dinner I can feel a headache trying to bloom. That said, I'm off to bed early tonight.

It is exasperating not to know what you want and what would make you happy, especially when you feel eager to take some type of action. I had a moment of reminder that I am overqualified for some things yesterday and this morning briskly swept off of other things for not having the experience. At least some other opportunities are trickling in that allow me to meet some additional people in other groups, getting my name out there may be the critical factor. In the mean time, I have been pretty good at distracting myself from my own thoughts...

Last night I headed out for a showing of the Rite. I really enjoyed it! Some random notes, Anthony Hopkins is just one of those great actors, love seeing him in a part, especially if it has some crazy built in. Colin O'Donoghue (had to look up who it was) is about 95% cutie and 5% freakish looking ears. I am a sucker for boys w/ darker hair and blue eyes. Anyhow, loved some of the little touches like the nails and the bracelet. While I most definitely believe in good and evil, God and the Devil, and all that (especially after I reflect on that time w/ the door flying open in NC) I still find myself going "based on a true story?" really? and asking if they really have priests "trained" to do exorcisms.

On the other hand, I have also been digging through Stephen King's Full Dark, No Stars and loving all four of the stories, they all allowed you to play through how your mind would react to being the lead character and immersed in the situation. As for 1922, I can so see that being how things would play out. I think the act alone would drive you to such insanity, or at least it would for me. I have also always loved SK's depiction of rats. When he writes of them, which he has done in several stories, I can see them so clearly in my mind. Big Driver is another one that most women can put themselves into the situation for and wonder how they would respond. I think it was less-so that she was a mystery writer and more-so that she was female that fueled her paranoid (but true) deductions. There was also A Good Marriage, it is funny how deluded we can allow ourselves to be and committed to what we believed someone to be. But - the third story, Fair Extension, I adored the most. Would I make that exchange with someone on my list? You BET I would.

Lots of people knocked this book saying it left no surprises for the reader. That's what is makes it so believable, it's like watching a friend making all the wrong decisions and you cannot convince them they're being stupid, it's realistic!

I eventually mustered the enthusiasm to go get some grub tonight. I was near full-on in my blah, nothing sounds good, don't know what I want, I need company, whoa is me mode.

I came home to find that my dear niecey-poo had found her birthday wishes (video, card, and dr. pepper jelly beans) awaiting her, she then promptly acknowledged those goodies, used the A word, and said she loved me. Mood appropriately shifted. I love you too kiddo, you're one of my very bestest buddies, and if I could have one like you, I just might. Happy 17th Birthday!

Doctors, if my appointment is at 4, and I graciously come in at 2:50 because other people canceled due to the perfectly fine weather, I should NOT wait until 3:10 be called back and then sit in a little room all by myself until 4.

Your time is SO not more precious than mine. Don't be surprised if I am less than jovial when you finally come in.

Back to the weather - THIS is the kind of massive and horrendous storm I can get use to. It's 42 degrees and the crap that's already out there is melting off!