Yay! Beff stopped after the game tonight and changed out my earring for me and it didn't hurt a bit.

In other news, I couldn't help but notice that they're putting money into that crap hole house on Scalp that we lived in... you know the one, where I curled up in the matress in an attempt to stay warm, the one where the plastic covered windows breathed in the bathroom? Yea - they're putting in new windows and front door, it also looked like they were replacing the roof. Personally, I think they'd be better off leveling it... shoot it was 15 years ago that it was on it's last legs. You'd think it would need insulation in every wall and totally reworked from plaster to outer wall.

Beff and I went to see New Moon tonight after what was the longest day most likely ever. I think I'm going to have to wait until a little closer to the next movie to read book three as there were small discrepancies I didn't come near catching like Beth did.

I'm into my Stephen King book right now, it's been a while, and I miss his writing. Perhaps this will spur me through a couple of his books that are still sitting in the to read pile.

For having things slow down at work it was a surprisingly frustrating day. This is going to be one long ass rant. I guess I'm overdue for one of those – sit tight!

I had to head home for the afternoon to meet the DirecTV guy (that's another story) so I tried to return a call from FedEx who announced their need to have someone sign for a package to see if they could do it today. If I haven't said it before, I hate FedEx. People, please stop shipping through them. You pay them to deliver things right? Well they don't, they just create a huge PITA situation every time. No, I can't be there waiting around at my house for you. Just put the shit on the porch – or, leave a paper today, I'll sign it, you leave the shit tomorrow. But, nooooo. I say I tried to return a call because, despite my loathing of the telephone, I tried calling him back at least 15 times (at the number he provided) where it just rang and rang and rang. I eventually caught him and the truck was already out for the day... without my stuff.

Now, as to DirecTV, I called yesterday because I still had not received the equipment I was expecting after calling them over two weeks ago to address the fact that I didn't have locals and their advertising said locals come with every plan. Hrmph. Well, turns out the chic a few weeks ago didn't NEED to change my plan, so I had no reason to lose NGC and a few other channels I watch regularly. Also, there was no order showing in their system, so here I was already getting charged for this other, more expensive plan, without the equipment to actually get the locals I was now paying for. As it turns out, I can keep my plan (which they switched me back to) and instead of getting just the new dish and one new receiver, now I am getting a new dish and BOTH receivers replaced and w/ HD receivers. Go figure since I just bought a new remote for the one off of ebay. Regardless, this is a potential grump situation resolved nicely.

Next up, Chase/JP Morgan and their stupid ass inability to process mortgage payments. Seriously, why do I need to call you every month to straighten things out when I am sending you more than my monthly mortgage payment. They consistently get my payment sent with plenty of time and consistently manage to receive and process it late. Just my two cents, but with stellar performance like that, it already seems like the government is running the banks.

That's on top of things still lingering on on one project with little information and another woohoo let's just change what we said we'd do again for shits and giggles. I was up late last night working on the gift and am still far from done. Then I had a small panic this morning realizing it was officially December and I don't even have my Christmas cards started. I really do dislike the pressures from 101 different directions around this time of year. Be aware, when my mom is gone you won't be getting a Christmas card anymore, you'll just get an email from somewhere in the Caribbean.

BAH FRIGGIN HUMBUG!

I'm trying to get in the right spirit though. It hit me today about the dogs' toys - yes, they have a ton. But I peeked at the humane society's website and yes, they'll take toys! So in the spirit of giving the girls and I dumped everything out in the dining room and stuffed a LARGE bag with dang near new looking toys that were never their favorites. We also pulled out the christmas toys so I am again hearing "ho ho ho... meeeeeerry christmas" and "oh christmas tree oh christmas tree how lovely are your branches!"

I didn't get diddly done this weekend, shame on me. I have been reading at least. I'm in the middle of "The Things They Left Behind" in King's Just After Sunset collection. I'm finding it surprisingly thought provoking. I guess if I have little to say to others as of late I do have my thoughts to keep me company.

Ahh Saturday in a warm bed. I have a lot I should be doing today, but instead I'm lounging and intermittently heading downstairs to tend to laundry. Alas, I ran out of photo corners while at mom's so I have to brave Walmart or go to Michaels at some point to keep plugging away at the super secret Christmas gift. The cold weather is finally setting in around here, which slows me down a bit too. I need to find some motivation!

Thanksgiving went well. Mom was feeling spunky and I of course grubbed away. The girls and I enjoyed the visit and I made good progress on the aforementioned gift. Friday I headed back just in time to catch up with an old swim team friend from high school before the hockey game. Loaded up on a peppermint mocha I had more stomachy issues last night, I don't know what my recent issues are coming from.

Mum came to visit for one night. While she watched a movie I managed to get most of the gifts I've got here wrapped, so at least that's one thing crossed off. I've been a bit worried about her lately as she has been needing her oxygen more often. Sadly, she needed it to head out to church and dinner last night and took several breaks today to sit down with the concentrator. *sigh* It was a year ago on Thansgiving that she actually conceeded and allowed me to do some of the cooking because she felt so bad. I wonder if it's anything to do with the time of year?

I spent a few hours working from home today. I know this is going to be a painful three day week, so keep your fingers crossed that my sanity makes it through.

Mom is visiting tomorrow, so my evening after work was a bit of cleaning and getting a few things in order, but that will need to continue in the morning. I also took advantage of the nicer weather to embrace my porch with CHRISTMAS LIGHTS! I'm obviously typing too loud as I was just glared at by a very tired little puppy. Good night all.

To make up for slacking and staying up too late the night before last I crashed when I got home from work last night. I had intended it to be just a nap but I ended up wiped for the full count. I guess I needed it. Bright and shiney this morning we were greated with rain, much to Vixie's dismay who wanted out at 4am and didn't want to come back in. Yay, wet puppy.

Oh, I did try to change my tragus piercing the other night and could NOT get the darn earring lose. Sigh. I'll have to employ help from others. I did however spot some more grays above my ear. *shiver* frell getting old.

We're making good progress at work, but there is still miles to go before we rest. I can't help but think my week leading up to Thansgiving is going to be a bit of a challenge and a frustration.

Tonight I did make some progress getting three of twenty pieces designed and completed for the super secret christmas present I am building. Time is short! I know I'm not taking classes right now, I should have more time, but I still feel behind. There are christmas cards to prepare, gifts to wrap, and heck - more gifts to buy. Here's hoping for some additional inspiration to at least get the purchasing side closed out very soon. I guess it would help if I finished itemizing everything I have thus far (I was lax in doing so as items were bought this year).

It's been a pretty good weekend thus far. Yesteday, I got to see Slips briefly while I was attempting to find more christmas gifts. I also got to see Mithy later in the evening - hell, I even survived the three long islands (pint glass sized). Today I did sleep in as I am wont to do on a weekend, but found motivation out of nowhere which had me working in the garage.

Can I get a "good job Judy"? It's better than broom clean thanks to the leaf blower, ran the gas out of the pressure washer, and for the first time in 5 or more years I can walk through my garage without stepping over sand bags. That's right, I finally felt confident enough that my water issues are over to remove the sand bags. So, while the garage is ready for the Tiburon the weather around here has been so amazing I am instead driving around with the sun roof open on the Tib. I may need to go make one of those open window drives to blow some of the yuck from the garage out of my sinuses.

My motivation didn't stop with the garage. I made some chicken fried rice that was INCREDIBLY good and have some cranberry bread baking as I type.

I'm headachey. I don't know if it's a symptom or a result. I got to sleep in this morning, since we had the day off, which was good - because after waking in the middle of the night I couldn't get back to sleep. I had a good 45 minutes of just thinking through things that I don't want to deal with, like busting hump for things that are - in the grand scheme of things - meaningless and aren't appreciated by others much less gainful for myself.

I did get some cleaning done and a few hours of work logged before heading to my accupuncture appointment and off for a pre-dinner meal with Beff. This evening I'm left here w/ the aforementioned headache feeling a bit woeful while waiting for meds to kick in so I can go to bed and not lay there suffering. I've done the requisite pondering about people in my past and realized for the most part I have no one to blame but myself. I could be the one married to person X if I had played my cards right, but I know I wouldn't have been happy. Even if I didn't feel that way, I do think he cared for me a great deal. At least that's a step up from most of my other relationships where I'm left heartbroken and wanting to be loved. Blah. I know I need to make a change to get what I want, but what?

I can't even say I want kids, but I do lament my age when I think about my eggs going south after 35 (recent article spurred that thought) or seeing people with teenagers of their own that are my age. I don't want to be 60 and just finishing raising someone. I guess those thoughts don't matter since most every guy my age already has his kids. My mind is a minefield right now.

My weekend is almost over... I want to pout. I had a good one and the weather was phenominal. Friday night I ordered a couple earrings for my tragus piercing. I can't believe it's been in long enough that I can switch it out. I'm slightly bummed at the limited variety of things there are out there. Jewelry artists - hook us up!

Saturday we had lunch w/ Slips and then Beff and I headed to Altoona for some shopping and dinner at mom's. I bought a few xmas gifts, and not a ton for myself, so that's a good thing, but still had a good day. Beff drove herself so the girls and I could spend the night w/ mum. That said, I'm tired tonight. I never do sleep super well there.

After heading home today I caught some dinner w/ Ben at Applebees. Maybe I was hungry, but the pecan crusted chicken salad was incredibly good. Notice that my weekend didn't include getting much done around the house, so I guess I'll need to get on the ball later this week. For now I'm going to do some reading and clicking around before I crash.

This week has been one of those strange and rare phenomenons. The days are going reasonably fast and the evenings are dragging... ok dragging sounds like I'm complaining, don't get me wrong, this is a good thing.

Last night I got to head out for some orchard wings with Mithy and Addie. I've also been hunting for christmas gifts in the evenings and managed to get a few more ordered so I can call the nephew done at least. I've also been reading. Since I finished Narcissus in Chains last weekend I've pulled out the new paperback of short stories called Never After which has been going down pretty easily. I think I'm taking some time away from the Anita Blake series as at this point I really do NOT like her. I think she's a bit too whiney and slutty - and I hear it gets worse in future books.

One more Monday down... I'm beat despite not having a full day at the office thanks to needing pick up the Durango and having my first accupuncture appointment. They couldn't find anything they feel would cause the noise I am getting periodically, so while that's a bit frustrating, at least nothing looks like it's falling apart. As to accupuncture, it was quite the odd sensation - and not really painful at all, surprisingly. I did end up with a bit of a headache afterwards, which seems a bit counter productive since the accupuncture study is to treat migraines, but we'll see how things go in a couple weeks.

Part of the reason I'm so tired is getting pulled in a bunch of different directions and not feeling like there is enough time. The worst part is needing to do seemingly pointless small things like little bulletized status lists and the like. If I spend an hour writing up everything I do in a week, can I add a bullet that says I made a list of everything I did that week? It's even worse still when you've got to report as such saying "nothing". Can that not be implied if I don't submit? Please? Save me some time and effort.

Last night I was clicking through channels while in bed and came across V on SyFy. How cool is that?! Ah, sweet flashbacks.

I'm going to bed! What is my issue? It's been weeks since I came back from vaca and I'm still crawling into bed way early.