Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That

Good gravy, this year has seemed like such a whirl of activity. I'm finally, finally feeling like I maybe don't have to be everywhere at every moment, and things have calmed down here and there a bit.

1. Work has been SO MUCH BETTER since we got shifted over to the new manager. She is very, very smart and extremely fast-paced, but it's not overwhelming at all because she listens to us, has made a point to be very open and up-front with us about changes (whether or not they impact us) in the department we're now a part of, and is making another point to learn WHY we do things the way we do.

She's expressed to me that she values me and what I do so highly that, should layoffs come around again and our area is under the microscope, she will fight tooth and nail to keep me. That's a big load off my shoulders, believe me.

The only bad thing, really, is that we still have nine months to go before Mr. Useless retires his ass out of here for good. At this point, it's just about waiting him out, and occasionally bitching out frustrations as needed. *rolls eyes*

2. Boychild "graduated" from sixth grade on June 8, and with the best report card we've seen in a while. Reading every week really paid off for him, much as he hates it, so one of the few rules we placed on him for the summer is that he must read one chapter and summarize it every single day. He just finished The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe yesterday, and is starting Prince Caspian today.

He is trying very, very hard not to admit it, but he really did enjoy the book. ♥

His other rule for the summer is that he must learn to ride the bike his Oma picked up for him. He is twelve, and it is high time. He is fighting it with every breath in him - he has got some kind of mental block about putting his feet on those pedals. We made sure the bike was of a size that the seat could be lowered enough to keep his feet flat on the ground, because that gives a modicum of control to him in terms of not falling over. But while we can get him on it and he can walk himself along and even get up a bit of speed and balance enough to coast ten and fifteen feet, the idea of actually putting his feet on the pedals - even though they can touch the ground any time he wants! - sends him into panic mode. I do not get it. Thoughts? Suggestions?

3. Chapter is Dark! WOOT. This means I have two months ahead of me in which all I have to do is print out labels for a grand officer reception and collect mail. Steph took charge of the newsletter, so now all I have to do with it is check her editing and item placement, and she does all the rest. YAY!

4. I finished my hp_porninthesun piece, and am so pleased with it. That's the second fest I've participated in, and it's definitely fun being a writer. I've forgotten - both times - that there is someone else writing something for me, too! I get so excited to see what people think of what I wrote that it doesn't even register that I'll get my own gift. And I love that.

Speaking of writing, I've been wanting to post my fanfic on my journal. BUT-. I don't want to force anyone to read it, so I've been toying with the idea of setting up a filter so people can opt out if they want. Much as I'd love it, not everyone is into Harry, and even those who are seem to have moved beyond it into other fandoms sometimes, so-. You know.

5. I have pictures of my plants! ... On my phone. Once I figure out how to get them OFF my phone, I'll post them. I finally have tiny tomatoes growing! And my green beans are sprouting! YAY!

That's all I can think of for now, especially as it's go-home time. Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of posting regularly - I miss it.

Seriously, this winter has just been hanging on and hanging on. It's been Spring for a month and we've had snow several times since then.

Which, yes, I know is fairly common around here, but still. I love Winter, I love snow, I love the cold - but even I have my limits. I am ready to stop putting on socks every day, and to stop wearing a bulky coat.

( This was Wednesday morning where I live. )

Just. Yikes. NEED SPRING, PLEASE.

I haven't posted in a while - last time, I left y'all with woe about our car. Things are better now, I'm just finally taking a moment to post.

( Car and California. )

( Foooood. )

( What is the world coming to? )

( Haircut! )

OK, I think that's it for now; I will have to come back with pictures next time from California, and of my hair. I hope y'all are having a nicer warm-up for Spring than we are (I know, Wisconsin, believe me - I know), and hopefully I will be back here more often to post. XD.

Our credit union denied us.

Our loan for our now-smashed car is with someone else, but one, they won't approve a second loan while one is already open, even though it's noted that they've sent paperwork to the insurance company and are waiting for a check, and two, according to their website which is where you have to go because they won't answer any questions on the phone, you HAVE to be borrowing a minimum of $7500.00. We only need - at most - $6400.00. And three, it has to be 7 years old or newer (barely skimming the line there) and under 70K miles (116.5K). Go fucking figure.

I called the dealer and left a message, asking if they have any better news for me. If not, then we don't have a car, and don't have a way to get more than some unreliable piece of shit that you probably wouldn't put your pet in, much less your family.

It's difficult to be positive when everything just conspires against you.

Good news? Asshole (who is 100% at fault per three witnesses and the police report) has insurance, and they have to pay for a rental for us for as long as we need it.

It's looking like it might be a long time.

Thought I'd give thefridayfive a whirl today:


1. What is your favorite section of the newspaper?

I'm generally not the type of person who reads or watches the news, so of course, the comics are generally my favorite section - which also happens to include the crossword puzzle. ;)

2. Sunday comics or weekday strips? Which comic is your favorite?

Sunday comics are great because they're bigger, but I almost prefer the weekday ones because there are more that can be fit in, and are often chock-full of amusing things. My very favorite comic for years has been "One Big Happy." I also really loved "The Far Side" and "Calvin and Hobbes," among others.

3. Do you read your daily horoscope? Do you believe in it?

No and no. I don't think I even know where to find it in the newspaper.

4. Does the paper become bird cage lining, do you recycle, or does it get thrown in the trash?

We recycle, but we often like to keep a paper shopping bag full of newspapers because it gets used as table protection for art projects, pumpkin carving and the like.

5. Where do you read the paper? At home, at work, or elsewhere?

When I read the newspaper, it's either at home or at Bunny and John's, although sometimes I'll swipe the crossword puzzle out of the break room at work if someone's left it there, or take turns filling it in with unknown various coworkers who occasionally pop in to give a clue a go like I do.

Flist. I am sorry, I have been missing. Not that I expect anybody's missed me (though I secretly hope at least someone has), but still-. January was crazy, and February's just been kicking my ass, too.

But I hope to be back to fairly regular - for me, that is - posting, and soon. In the meantime:

Dear Period:

DIAF.

That is all.

No love (and wishing hard for early menopause while I'm at it),
Kim

Discovered today that I had a gift card for clothes that I hadn't used yet, so ordered two pair of pants! YAY! I've ordered this pair in black, and this pair in chocolate.

Boychild is 100% back to normal, which is lovely, if tiring.

And the bank was wonderful to us; all fraudulent charges - and the resulting overdraft fees - were reversed, so things are smoothing out a bit. I'll have to shop for a new wallet on Saturday, and get my ID and library cards replaced, but otherwise things are going all right, finally.

Just thought I'd post some good news, for once. ;)

Why is December always such a mad rush to the finish line?! I feel like there are a million and one things to do, and I've got two weeks to do them in; it's mind-boggling.

( Just a few things here and there. )

I hope everyone is having a good holiday season so far!

They've been building offices and moving people around quite a bit up on my floor at work, and today, they finally moved one of my favorite people - whose desk has been near to mine for seven or so years - to the other end of the floor. I'm happy for him, he finally has the space he needs and is away from the constant stress that is my manager (she is not HIS manager).

And I feel suddenly, unimaginably divorced.

We fished Toy Story 3 out of Red Box the other day and finally watched it last night. It was a good movie, and I think it closes out the series very well.

And my 12-year-old, big, smart 6th grader had tears in his eyes and needed to be hugged and cuddled afterwards, and he vowed then and there that he is "never, ever giving away my Elmo as long as I live, not when I go to college, and not even when I'm old and grey."

Yup. Still the sensitive, emotional child he has always been. :)