Alone in the dark… July 30, 2007

… with my thoughts; the kind that are custom-designed to keep me awake tonight.

There has been a lot going on the last few days, with my extended family. Much of it good, some of it – not so much. One particular Situation (yes, that one deserves a capital “s”) has generated deep and lengthy conversations amongst various of the family members, to put it mildly. Some things in one family unit are a mess. There is also an extenuating Situation that makes the mess that much worse…. but they don’t know that. Yet.

The thing is, if some family members are kept away from another family member – how will those kept away feel one day toward the one keeping them away, when the one they were kept away from is no longer with us? I can just about guarantee that at least one of them will end up feeling a deep and abiding resentment toward said person, and others will feel anger, at the very least. You may never get over yourself enough to regret your actions, your outright muleheaded stupidity, but I guarantee you that one day, it will bite you firmly on the ass, and won’t let go, because they WILL (rightly so) hold it against YOU.

On a completely different topic…
I had a little bit of “instant Karma” to deal with tonight. I was being, I guess, overly cocky earlier, talking about how I am so much more careful than other people at work with passing meds – that I go by the book, and don’t make mistakes as often because of that. Heh. I accidentally gave Princess two different meds tonight that contained the same medication, and ended up having to call poison control. *kicks self* I didn’t give her enough to hurt her – the poison control guy reassured me of that. But that’s what I get. I wasn’t careful, didn’t even really pay attention to the packaging. It is medicine I give her on a regular basis, just not normally at the same time. I gave her the allergy med that I usually do, and then, because she was coughing, gave her the cough syrup I usually give her at night. Didn’t realize until AFTER she’d taken them both that they both were also cold formulas, and had the same nasal decongestant in them. I am usually so careful – and I could have done some serious harm to my own child because I was tired and rushing, instead of going at a slow and careful pace like I do at work. That’s what I get. I’m just very, very, VERY thankful that it wasn’t a huge over-medication.

Well, I guess I might as well take myself and my thoughts off to bed. At least in there, it is cooler.

Whistling in the Dark July 26, 2007

By They Might Be Giants

A woman came up to me and said
“I’d like to poison your mind
With wrong ideas that appeal to you
Though I am not unkind”
She looked at me, I looked at something
Written across her scalp
And these are the words that it faintly said
As I tried to call for help:

There’s only one thing that I know how to do well
And I’ve often been told that you only can do
What you know how to do well
And that’s be you,
Be what you’re like,
Be like yourself,
And so I’m having a wonderful time
But I’d rather be whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
There’s only one thing that I like
And that is whistling in the dark

A man came up to me and said
“I’d like to change your mind
By hitting it with a rock,” he said,
“Though I am not unkind.”
We laughed at his little joke
And then I happily walked away
And hit my head on the wall of the jail
Where the two of us live today.

There’s only one thing that I know how to do well
And I’ve often been told that you only can do
What you know how to do well
And that’s be you,
Be what you’re like,
Be like yourself,
And so I’m having a wonderful time
But I’d rather be whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
There’s only one thing that I like
And that is whistling in the dark

There’s only one thing that I know how to do well
And I’ve often been told that you only can do
What you know how to do well
And that’s be you,
Be what you’re like,
Be like yourself,
And so I’m having a wonderful time
But I’d rather be whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling in the dark
Whistling, whistling
Whistling in the dark

Whistling (whistling), Whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), Whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), Whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), Whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)

Whistling (whistling), Whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), Whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), Whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), Whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)

Whistling (whistling), Whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), Whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), Whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)
Whistling (whistling), Whistling (whistling)
Dark (dark), Dark (dark)

Awwww, shite! July 24, 2007

For all of my talk about no spoilers this, no spoilers that, I opened my big damned mouth and messed up big time. I got wrapped up in a discussion hubby and I were having about the book (which he is about 7 chapters into), and let something big slip. Like “THE” something big.

I had been chatting to our son when hubby got home. Son had just finished the book, and we were discussing plot points, etc. Eldest daughter (the one we married off in May) showed up at son’s place, and they were talking about the book. I asked if she’d finished it yet. No, she hadn’t, but she’d “cheated” and read the epilogue. What the hell is the point of that? Anyway, shortly after that, I read a snip of an interview where J.K. talked about how people reading the end of a book first really bothered her. So, hubby and I were talking about that, and I said, as much as I was terrified that “X” (no, I didn’t say “X” – I’m still attempting to keep this a spoiler free zone….) would happen, there was no way I would read the epilogue first to find out. Immediately followed by a slap to my head, and a string of “Oh, crap”’s and a few very sincere apologies.

He doesn’t have a good memory – maybe he won’t remember, or will get so wrapped up in the book that it will be out of his mind as he reads. Crap.

the book, pt. 2 July 23, 2007

I finished it earlier tonight. I paced myself – chatted and did other things in between reading bits and pieces of it last night, so I only read the first 15 chapters before I went to bed. I read the next 10 chapters this morning, then waited until we got back from my mom’s house to finish it tonight.

As expected, I bawled my eyes out. I’m still processing stuff, and I won’t post anything specific here, just in case anyone who hasn’t finished wanders by. I will say that in my opinion, it was an excellent book; by default, no longer a children’s book. An exciting read, a tough (emotionally) read. Not all of my questions were answered, but enough were. The rest I can make up in my head. Unwritten fanfic.

Now, I’m going to bed. I’m drained!

the book July 21, 2007

I have Deathly Hallows. It’s right here where I can look at it. I caressed the cover, read the dedication and the chapter titles….

I’m afraid to start reading it! Partly because of where the story might go, and partly because, well, I’m a fast reader in spite of myself, and if I start to read now, by tomorrow morning, it will all be over….

I’m not sure I can take that.

*CRY*

A little Depeche Mode never hurts July 21, 2007

STRIPPED

Come with me
Into the trees
We’ll lay on the grass
And let the hours pass

Take my hand
Come back to the land
Let’s get away
Just for one day

Let me see you
Stripped down to the bone
Let me see you
Stripped down to the bone

Metropolis
Has nothing on this
You’re breathing in fumes
I taste when we kiss

Take my hand
Come back to the land
Where everything’s ours
For a few hours

Let me see you
Stripped down to the bone
Let me see you
Stripped down to the bone

Let me hear you
Make decisions
Without your television
Let me hear you speaking
Just for me

Let me see you
Stripped down to the bone

Let me hear you speaking
Just for me

Let me see you
Stripped down to the bone

Let me hear you crying
Just for me

Dinner? You mean you want to eat? July 20, 2007

I’ve worked in the kitchen the last two days. Not the kitchen at home, though that one currently needs some attention. I’m talking about at work. I’ve come to the conclusion that while I really don’t mind cooking for 50-odd people, I really HATE cleaning up after them! Frankly, I don’t know how the kitchen people can do that job alone. I guess you get a routine down when you do it day after day, which has to help, but good grief. It took me almost 2 hours to clean up after lunch today, and I still didn’t get the grill all the way clean or the floors mopped. That was clearing tables (with help!), washing dishes/pots and pans, putting leftovers away, and wiping down counters and carts.

At least they’ve been satisfied with what I’ve served, for the most part (it is impossible to make them all happy, believe me, we’ve tried). Yesterday I went with simple, because I was starting much later than the usual kitchen staff do. I made spaghetti with mushroom/meat sauce, served with wedges of focaccia bread, warm from the oven, and chocolate pudding for dessert.

Today I knew ahead of time that I would be cooking, so I was able to plan for it. I raided my pantry and took a few ingredients (spices, flour, and sugar) with me, because we don’t keep much of that on the shelves at work, for various reasons. If I’m going to cook, I’m going to cook like I would at home, which means the food is as attractive as I can make it, the veggies aren’t boiled to death, and various seasonings take the place of salt (which I’ve never been a big fan of, save the occasional craving, and most of the residents shouldn’t have in the first place). Anyway, today I fixed them sage and thyme seasoned stuffed pork chops, with stuffing I got lots of compliments on, because it was moist, not dry as a bone. I used a bag of store-bought stuff, but it was doctored and added to, as is my general wont. I steamed a blend of green and wax beans, and fixed a huge homemade apple crisp for dessert. It smelled delicious while it was cooking, it all looked nice on the plate, and they seemed to appreciate it. The floor staff told me to be careful, because they’d want me in the kitchen all the time, which is a compliment in and of itself. I wouldn’t mind – as long as I didn’t have to do the cleaning!!

I’m worn out now, and just want to veg. Actually, if I was going to be home alone, I would do some writing – I have a lovely scene in my head, but it requires attention to detail, and a lack of interruptions, which isn’t gonna happen, as the kids have been on a tear most of the day…

Playing ostrich July 19, 2007

Well, okay – at least as far as anything related to Deathly Hallows goes, I’m keeping my head firmly in the sand. I won’t look at any Harry Potter articles except on the two sites I know will remain spoiler-free, and even there I won’t read poster comments, just in case. If the news on tv starts talking about it, it gets muted immediately. I don’t know what is up with these people who want to ruin it for everyone else. I’m going to get the book, read it and (more than likely) weep, at the very least, and then we’ll read it as a family. (I’m going to read it first because I have no patience, and because I’m the fastest reader here.)

Anyway, everything else has been going alright. I shouldn’t complain too much. Work has been frustrating, but not terrible. My boss told me she told the owner I’d be leaving in September (which was news to me!!). I know it is going to be difficult to schedule around the trips I have to make to school, what with Peanut having only a half day, but I didn’t think that meant I wouldn’t be able to work at all. I guess I need to have a long talk with her. If it is that she just doesn’t want me to work there anymore, I guess I need to start looking elsewhere, and hope I can make enough to cover day care or a babysitter. I was planning to stay there until Peanut started 1st grade, but maybe I’m not going to be given a choice.

A couple of things have happened regarding where we live that we’ve decided that the gut feeling I’ve had for months needs to be acted on, and I’m actively looking for a place for us to move to.

In other news, the garden is looking good. One of our neighbors gave me six scraggly little tomato plants that they think might be cherry tomatoes. I got them planted, so if they make it, we’ll see what kind they are.

Yes, our day out with Princess for her birthday was very nice. We had a good time. I’m still a little undecided on how I felt about the movie. I liked it mostly, but there were a lot more things about this one that bothered me than with any of the others. Lunch was good. Princess wasn’t as fond of the food as I’d hoped she’d be, but she at least tried everything, and she did very much enjoy the show the chef put on. We also took her to the bookstore, where we special ordered the next two Trixie Belden books that she needs for her collection, and she used the gift card I gave her to buy herself a Hedwig beanie baby (the bookmark she had picked out there was very much overpriced, so she didn’t get that – we found a similar one at a different bookstore while shopping for a friend’s birthday – for a LOT less, so she got that one instead). We also went to a little cheap jewelry boutique in the mall – the place she got her ears pierced at last year – and got her a few pairs of earrings on sale. All in all, a very nice day.

Let’s see – what else was I going to talk about? Oh – Craig’s List. I’d never been there before, but one of my brothers told me I should check it out. Actually, he suggested that I post a couple of things there, which I did unsuccessfully, but I think that is because I didn’t have pictures up with the listings, so I’ll rectify that when I can, and repost. Anyway, I discovered that it is definitely a place worth checking out (and I am looking there every day for new rental listings, among other things). I got some sewing supplies – lots of thread, which is expensive – and also a Weber charcoal grill in good shape – for free, answering ads there. The people who gave us the grill also gave each of the girls a musical snowglobe, which was really thoughtful of them.

Anything else will have to wait, as I need to get ready for work. Have a good one!

hello! July 15, 2007

It’s been a busy last few days, and there is lots of stuff I want to talk about, but I’m too tired to do it now. Mostly, I just wanted to mark my place, reassure myself that while I had flirted with the edge, I hadn’t actually dropped off the face of the Earth!

A few things to talk about when I can find the time:

Harry Potter

Princess’s birthday

Craig’s List

The Island and Curse of the Golden Flower

the garden (of course)

and other times a good shovel comes in handy. (*twinkle*)

Friday July 11, 2007

… is going to be a good day.

Princess turns 10 tomorrow. She’ll be with her Grandmother, doing a little shopping, as Grandma says she doesn’t know what girls like these days, so it would be better for Princess to pick out her own clothes. Princess will enjoy that.

We don’t mind that she’ll be out on her birthday proper, as we plan to celebrate with her on Friday. As of last night, I have three tickets to The Order of the Phoenix in my hot little hands. We’ll be seeing the show at 10:35 Friday morning, then taking her to a Japanese restaurant for a birthday meal – one of those places they put on a show while cooking at your table. We went there for our anniversary last year, and thought it would be something special for her. (Plus, it doesn’t hurt that I have a 10% off coupon, which I’ve been saving for just this occasion!)