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Nov. 12th, 2009 @ 08:23 pm So....life goes on
Current Mood: creative

I've gotten the Unemployment filed, and still need to check on the COBRA co-payment options from the Gov.... apparently they will pay 2/3 of the fees (thank the Gods!). Now if only I had the COBRA paperwork.

On the other hand I've finished the Middle Spawn's baby quilt for her spawn. Pictures are up on my Facebook. It turned out quite lovely IMO and the SiL seems quite taken with it.

Now I just need to finish the 'diaper' cake and alll will be ready for the Shower on Saturday.
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Nov. 7th, 2009 @ 10:46 am Thank the Gods its Saturday...
Which means that HELL WEEK is finally over with. Now to pull up my big girl panties and get my ass moving!

Thanks everyone for the kind thoughts and words.
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Nov. 4th, 2009 @ 01:41 pm Today is officialy a BAD day....
location: home
Current Mood: crappy

Crossposted like 'woah' so if you get it more than once, my apologies.

I rarely rant and pitch a bitch fit on journals...just because it's not really 'me' to do that sort of thing.

But today I need to vent. After 10 plus years for the Evol Empire, I get hit in the latest rounds of lay offs.

Yeah.

My mind is spinning in place trying to figure out what to do next.

Shit.
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Oct. 31st, 2009 @ 12:03 pm Samahin Blessings
Current Mood: jubilant

"Listen to the voices of your ancestors tonight
the Beloved Dead.
Hear the wisdom that they share,
take it to heart.
Celebrate their lives
and how they have touched yours.
Tonight is the night when the Veil is thin
Samhain blessings to you all."


Hope you have a enjoyable holiday.
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Oct. 28th, 2009 @ 09:35 pm It is that time....happy birthday to me :o)
location: home
Current Mood: giggly

Today was my birthday and it's been a wonderful day!

I decided to work from home this morning since I needed to be online for a meeting at 8:00 am and didn't really fell like getting up early to make it into the office by then.

Took the rest of the day after the meeting off as a vacation day to laze about the house slothfully.

In the afternoon the Spouse and I headed out to see if Neovita had boots for me. Unfortunatly the one close (relative) to home had moved so we'll head back out this weekend to try our luck again either north (Alderwood) or south (Tukwila).

Chatted with the Middle Spawn for a while on the drive into town and then met up with Eldest and Youngest Spawn for Thai food for dinner. Nummy nummy stuff....

I got lovely cards from all my girls and the Spouse, along with wonderful gifties! A set of lovers goblets and a lovely jewelry box with home made earrings from the girls and an adorable cat ceramic jug and hair band from Miss Panda!

Its been a wonderful day and so now I'll say nighty night!

Xposted to nephir
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Jul. 4th, 2009 @ 08:08 am Happy Inpendence Day
location: Home
Current Mood: thoughtful

Its a beautiful sunny day here in the foothills of the Pacific Northwest Cascades with the promise of 80+ temps again.

It's also the Fourth of July for those of us in the US, Independence Day.

Politicians like to trot it out once a year and use it in whatever jingoistic blather they are trying to push, retailers use it to push merchandise with flags printed on it, and kids like it because there are parades and fireworks.

For myself, I like to take time when the house is quiet and reflect on what it means to me. It gives me a moment to thank my family and friends that have served in the military (The Spousal Unit who never saw battle (thank the Gods); two my uncles, one in Vietnam & one in Korea; the SiL, Iraq; D&M over in Germany at the moment; The Martian...MonkeyBoy...Mice.... the list can stretch out forever)

Its a celebration of sacrifice and honor, of disparate peoples coming together and taking charge of the place that they live. It is political unrest and anarchy in a simplified history lesson snack, just bite sized enough for those who have the attention span of the average goldfish to swallow.

So take a moment of quiet reflection and remember what the holiday is really about, and then go about your day in the knowledge that some sacrifices are remembered in glory and song long after the events that required them.
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May. 2nd, 2009 @ 12:36 pm Welcome the lusty month of May!
location: home
Current Mood: sore
Current Music: XFiles theme
Tags: ,

Today we'll be celebrating at the home with friends and family.

Yesterday the family all got up well before the dawn to dress and travel into the city to watch the yearly rite of the Morris dancers at Gasworks Park. This year we were there with the SiL, the youngest's twin (Rae) and met up with Jazzy & her family and G&A.

The weather was wonderful, the morning cool as the dancers danced, and the sun rose high in the sky to beam on us all in it's glory.

Afterwards we headed off to a local eatery so that we could nosh some breakfast, then on home to take a short nap.

In the afternoon I had a doctor's appointment to have my knee looked at. He concurred with the general opinion of my friends and family that chances were I had torn my meninscus (sic)in my right knee. I'll be going in on Monday to have a MRI done to verify the belief and then my option is to learn to live with the pain and weakness, or to have surgery (if indeed there is a tear).
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Apr. 28th, 2009 @ 09:15 am Beltain approches.... hide the mead (grin)
location: Downtown
Current Mood: curious
Current Music: The Zune on random play

So, Beltain approaches, is in fact nigh upon us. The spawnlings and I have our dresses from Holy Clothing (think pagan chic with a touch of gothic)and a skirt in the case of one from the local dept. store.

Flowers have been bought and two out of four crowns have been made. Can you tell we're excited?

Beltain is also the opening day for SEAF (Seattle Erotic Arts Festival), a more appropriate time I could not have thought of for seeing, touching, and watching erotic arts (and lets not forget the buying of).

If you are in the Puget Sound area I heartily endorse a trip into the Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center and wander the event. Ticket prices are $20 for a day pass and $35 for a two day pass. The official website -- http://www.seattleerotic.org/ has all the details and the order on line link for tickets. I do believe that you can purchase at the door as well.

In talking with the Middle Spawn this morning during the commute in I discovered that I have a VERY STRONG OPINION about reality shows such as *Wife Swap* and those of that ilk, which actually took me a little by surprise.

I think that they are horrible, and like a trainwreck you cannot help but watch in horrified fascination as peoples personal lives are displayed for all to gawk at.

In thinking about it after I had dropped her off at school I decided that it was like being a voyeur. You are able to see things that you shouldn't and it actively encourages you to *peep* into private lives. I KNOW that these people ask to be put into that position... it's all voluntary but there is something about the concept of actively asking the world to be Peeping Toms into you private life. It's just NASTY imho.
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Apr. 11th, 2009 @ 10:19 am Weekend update, in the world of Raven
location: Home
Current Mood: sore
Current Music: Rain on the tin roof
Tags:

(x-posted to my Nephir journal)

I managed to survive the anniversary of my mom's passing with only a week long melt down, some of which embarrassingly happened at work. I'm feeling more stable now though, and less prone to random fits of anger and/or tears so that's of the good.

Yesterday was the Son in Laws (forever more to be called Soldier Boy) birthday. Poor Boy..... birthdays are chaotic and weird at our house. We like to go all out in ways, treat the inner and outer child, so you're as likely to get toys and candy as you are serious gifts. Favorite food preference is a must and cake.

So, he got computer games, books on tape, Pez, a dinosaur picture punch out book, little plastic cowboys and indians (we couldn't find army men), silly putty....you see what I mean?

He couldn't articulate what it was he wanted for dinner, so I chose to do pasta alfredo, garlic chicken, salad and steamed asparagus.

For cake, we had Cookie Dough Extravaganza ice cream cake from Coldstone. All in all, I think it was a good day for him. Tonight they are planning on going over to friends for another party, so it should be a good thing for them both.

On the down side, Middle Spawn (Soldier Boy's wife unit) lost her job, so she's a little less than happy with that.

In rest of the family news we're mainly doing okay here. My knee's been giving me grief like woah, so much so that I actually went to see the doctor yesterday about it. (I know, mark the date!) Xrays didn't show any fracture, but a weird shadow which my inner voice has decided is cancer (yeah...right, just paranoid). The still need to be read by the radiologist though. I'm gonna hold out for an MRI rather than PT first though. The manipulations for the xrays my knee kept me up most of the night aching and hurting so I really cannot even begin to imagine what PT will bring about. That was with taking two pain pills before I went to bed.

Yeah, no fun there.

I'm sure that the knee issue started on the trip home from California last year after Mom's death. I slipped coming out of the shuttle bus and missed the last stair completely landing flat footed with all my weight on one foot/knee combo. It ached and by the time I was done sitting trapped in a tin can and got home it was swollen and painful and just not happy. I didn't go see a doctor then (as I told my doc, I wasn't in the head space to do anything for months after that) and after several weeks it finally began to feel somewhat better.

Now, it hates me again, and I am tired of it.

On other news, I got sucked into the cult of Facebook, where I play a lot of Mafia Wars and that's about it.

Hope your spring is looking up for you where ever you are.
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Mar. 26th, 2009 @ 05:18 pm Is been a rough day (warning, wibbling and wangst ahead)
location: On the bus home
Current Mood: discontent
Current Music: Horselips; Trouble
Tags:

Its roughly the anniversary of mom's passing and I find myself breaking out in random tears and taking stuff personally.

Even when its not.

I hate it.

It sneaks up on me while I am in meetings at work. When I am in conversations with others. While I am driving the car or riding the bus.

Tears leak from my eyes without stopping and I am finding it hard to deal.

For me, this is not normal. Death is a part of life, and I KNOW in my deepest of hearts that her passing was the best thing that could have happened for her. I accept death and don't tend to dwell on it, except this year I am.

I'll call my sis tonight, share some tears with her. Spend sometime hiding in the bath, trying to ground and find my balance again.

Because I must.
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Mar. 13th, 2009 @ 06:45 am Birthday carnage....
location: home
Current Mood: dorky
Current Music: cats running and noshing in the kitchen

My eldest Spawn had her birthday yesterday, [info]passive_stalker. I took a half day off from work to come home and bake a cake (now I have Sharon, Lois & Bram stuck singing in my head) and decorate it.

Lolz - she wanted to two tier pink frosted cake with rainbow star sprinkles and monkeys.... its hard to believe that she is 26!

You must excuse the crappy picture -- it was taken with the camera phone :o)

Megan

the cake view 2

Afterwards we had nummy nomnomnom garlic chicken and pasta alfredo, salad and warm crusty french bread. I think I am still full.
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Mar. 12th, 2009 @ 12:18 pm (no subject)
Happy Birthday Megan
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Feb. 8th, 2009 @ 04:12 pm Random meme and life update
location: home
Current Mood: bouncy

Things I have done this week....

I joined the cult of Facebook -- so if you knwo me and see me there, please friend me.

One word meme -- harder than it looks to some extent. Answer each question with just ONE word. Cleverly hidded behind the cut ( meme )

We did a belated Imbolc last night -- ritual went well and all I think were pleased with it. It's been a tough couple of years to get together and do circle on a regular basis. I miss it but what I really need is more support from the existing members so we can get stuff done.

Oh well....

Work is work. We moved offies yet again, this time to a brand new building where we are the first team to move in....which has its good points and bad ones. The good being that we et to be the ones to discover all the cool stuff about the new building...the bad being that we get to discover all the not so cool stuff about the new building.

Anyhow... spring is around the corner, and I am happy about that.
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Jan. 30th, 2009 @ 06:58 pm Friday evening meme
Current Mood: lethargic

Stolen without shame from [info]bev_crusher1971 over on Live Journal and [info]herbmcsidhe because all the cool kids are doing it

1. The phone rings; who do you want it to be?
My mom, but it won't ever be again.

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
Usually yeah

3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?
depends on the group

4. Do you take compliments well?
No.... I tend to blush

5. Do you play Sudoku?
I suck at it, but I occasionally try try again

6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?
I'd like to think os, but probably not

7. Do you like to ride horses?
I did, haven;t been on one in toooo many years

8. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
day camp, occasionally bible camp and that was about it.

9. What was your favorite game as a kid?
dodge ball for some reason

10. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew he/she was married, would you go for it?
only if I'd cleared it first with the spouse, and I was attracted to them

11. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?
Have done so in the past, don't really have any desire to do so though. It would depend on the person and whether or not the reason they wanted to date was to try and convert me.

12. Do any songs make you cry?
yes

13. Are you continuing your education?
the day I stop learning is the day I die. but no, I'm not attending a school except for the school of life baby!

14. Do you know how to shoot a gun?
Yes, very well. Learned when I was big enough to hold one from my dad.

15. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed?
If alone, BOS, pictures and cats. Otherwise the folks in the house, then if the op presented itself the BOS, pictures & cats.

16. How often do you read books?
no longer daily, at least paper books -- I read everyday, online, on my PDA, and in the books I carry with me.

17. Do you think more about the past, present or future?
I try to remain focused on the present. Cannot change the past and the future is fluid.

18. What is your favorite children's book?
Andrew Lang's Crimson Fairy Book

19. What color are your eyes?
grey/green/blue? what ever color I am wearing that day?

20. How tall are you?
5'6'ish? 5'7"ish? Heck if I know

21. Where is your dream house located?
Right where I am

22. Do you have a secret fetish?
what part of SECRET don't you understand?

23. Have you tried sushi?
yep -- love it.

24. Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth?
yep

25. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden?
Herb swears we went with a greatful client, but that was actually another chain Italian place. I've been there in California -- it's okay... not great, but okay.

26. When was the last time you were at Church?
to attend? several years ago the Eldest Spawn and I attended midnight mass for Christmas in CA while visiting family.

27. Where was the furthest place you traveled today?
from the bedroom to the kitchen? I'm sick.....

28. What was your favorite job?
Stay at home mom.

29. Do you like mustard?
yep

30. Do you prefer to sleep or eat?
depends, am I sleepy or hungry?

31. Do you look like your mom or dad?
My mom I think

32. How long does it take you in the shower?
usually 5 minutes, I pefer to soak in a hot tub of water though

33. Can you do splits?
No, and never could.

34. What movie do you want to see right now?
Watchmen I think maybe?

35. If you could fast forward your life, would you?
I think I'll hold the party line and ask to rewind a little

36. What did you do for New Year's?
hung with the family and slept

37. Do you think The Grudge was scary?
ehhhh.... not really. I did like the original Japanese version though

38. Could you relate to a character in Mean Girls?
Never saw it

39. Do you own a camera phone?
yep

40. Do you have an "ex box" with pics and letters from past lovers?
nah....

41. Was your mom a cheerleader?
nope

42. What's the last letter of your middle name?
E

43. Do you like your middle name?
it's okay

44. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
usually around 8

45. Do you like care bears?
I thought they were cute, but I prefer stuffed bunnies and cats

46. What do you buy at the movies?
popcorn

47. Do you know how to play poker?
yep -- it was a family thing to get together and play

48. Do you wear your seatbelt?
Every single time.

49. What do you wear to sleep?
skin

50. Anything big ever happen in your hometown?
Buck Owens owed half of it?

51. How many meals do you eat a day?
usually 2

52. Is your tongue pierced?
nah

53. Do you like funny or serious people better?
depends on the person

54. Ever been to L.A.?
yes, and I'd prefer not to go back all that often (no offense [info]bjjones

55. Did you eat a cookie today?
I can has a cookie?

56. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads?
*shifty eyes*

57. Do you hate chocolate?
are you insane?

58. What do you and your parents fight about the most?
nothng anymore, their both dead. before that? we really didn't.

59. Are you a gullible person?
yes, I think I am

60. Do you need a boyfriend/girlfriend to be happy?
no.... I create my own happiness

61. If you could have any job what would it be?
own a bookstore

62. Are you easy to get along with?
I think so

63. What is your favorite time of day?
dawn
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Jan. 20th, 2009 @ 09:29 am Welcome Barrak Obama.... sit down and listen to the people for a spell
location: Redmond WA
Current Mood: pleased
Current Music: News on MSNBC

I'm sitting at work this morning watching the feed of the inaguration of the first President of color of the United States and I am praying to all the Gods that he follows through on his speech.

Goodbye Bush... I can only say that I have every belief and faith that what you have sown in these past 8 years will come back on you three fold both bad and good.

Thoughts on this inaguration:

The opening prayer could only be described as offensive. Having a belief and love of ones God is good, but should never be shovled like nasty tasting medicine down the throats of those who happen to be listening.

The closing blessing (?) in contrast is wonderful. A sharing of belief without the force feeding so prevelent amoungst white upper middle class preachers.


Congrats America.... it looks like we may survive for a while longer.
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Jan. 17th, 2009 @ 08:11 pm bleeh
location: what I though of as home
Current Mood: frustrated
Current Music: the pounding of my blood pressure

One daughter is getting married (huzzah for her) another is falling apart in fear because of it (throws hands in air in frustration) and the third is keeping low to avoid the fallout.

Middle Spawn is having a civil service on the 26th .. and can only have 4 people there. Not happy making in the house because of this. I mentioned that this is why some people eloped.

We offered to find a spot to host the civil service so that all who wanted could attend, so we're looking for space now on short notice.

In the midst of all of this, BJ discovered that he had a detached retina, so went in and had an air bubble shot in the eye, with the instructions that he was to remain flat on his back for 55 minutes out of the hour for 2 days to allow the retina to *hopefully* reattach.

He didn't (no big surprise there, sorry BJ) so he then went in for surgery yesterday to have the tear repaired. Now he needs to stay on his stomach for the next couple of days so that it can heal from the surgery (...)

Stress levels are climbing through the roof and I am ready to scream.

Other than that, how has your week been?
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Jan. 15th, 2009 @ 09:44 pm .....
location: Home, in front of my computer
Current Music: commercials

So yesterday started out okay... not great, but okay. I had to go into the radiologist for a mammogram (nothing wrong, I just had dodged getting one ever) and my doctor called me on it when I went in for a checkup.

( probable TMI )

So after it was all said and done I headed in to work and spent the day in various meetings.

So I have to explain something here first -- I rarely drive these days.... there was a time in my life where like clock work, I was in an accident every two years.... never was I at fault, folks would pull out of no where and hit me, or skid out driving too fast and hit me head on, so that it got to the point my insurance guy would just shake his head at it all. But for the last several years thats been different.... no accidents, everything was cool.

Then I had the chance to carpool with the Spawn, and after wards, I was able to take the work provided bus to and from the office, so no real need to drive. So I hadn't been driving very much at all.

Yesterday I felt guilty about getting up the Spouse just to drive me into the doctors office and then to work, so I decided to just drive myself in.

Coming home, less than 4 miles from my house a woman pulled out right into the side of my car. DAMNIT!

I wasn't hurt (other than the muscle jerk from the hit) but I woke this morning with a migraine (I am sure influenced by the accident) and spent most of the day in my bed with pain killers.

Tomorrow should be *hopefully* a better day.

Xposted to my ravenmcside account.
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Jan. 14th, 2009 @ 11:20 am Thanks!!!!
location: The Evol Empire
Current Mood: content
Current Music: Arguments in the hallway...

[info]pandaluvs83! I adore it. And the roses look lovely.
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Jan. 12th, 2009 @ 04:08 pm Well.... it's Monday....dang it and I'm ramblin'
location: The Evol Empire
Current Mood: amused

(ramblin'..... r a m b l i n '..... ramblin')

So Mercury is retrograde and brought with it it's normal communication foobars and flubs. I made it into work today after working remotely for the past several weeks due to the weather that's been hammering us and now I kinda wish I'd stayed at home and hidden under the covers....

Today's been periodic episodes of panic interspersed with boredom and exhaustion, and it's only MONDAY!!!!!!

I'm not sure I'll make it to Friday at this point.

Mid-year reviews are already upon us, so I need to look into what exactly I commited myself to doing this year, and I need to think about what I want to be when I grow up.... (I wanna be an airforce ranger......)

Went out and rented movies -- we picked up the 'stoopid' movies for the week (not enough brain power to figure out something tricksy or with real depth). So far we've watched "House Bunny", "Disaster Movie" and "You Don't Mess with the Zohan".

We still have "Beer for my Horses" which I am not sure about, but keep running across random recs on various sites and one other I think.... *see what I mean about the brain thing?*

We've also been watching Dexter and made it through seasons 1 and 2 and partially through season 3.

The Spawn have also been sharing the original Ben 10 cartoons in order, which now make so much more sense!

I think Leverage is on tonight, but I won't see it until tomorrow.... it's on past my bedtime.

And how is your Monday so far?
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Dec. 31st, 2008 @ 09:35 pm Happy Fake Holiday for getting drunk.....
location: home
Current Mood: grumpy
Current Music: Theme from Dexter

It's not that I hate New Years Eve... I just hate that folks take this as some sort of excuse to drink to excess. Sorta like St. Paddy's Day, another 'holiday' I don't celebrate.

I guess I am just grumpy so I apologize if I offend.

Over the past year I've had many ups and downs.... the overly expensive house repairs that we'll be paying off for a very long time. The death of my mother. The struggles of so many people this year with the recession and financial hardships that has hit everyone.

If I made resolutions, then the only one I would make would be to get the bills under control and life to be better for all my friends and family.

May Light Shine on you and Give you Illumination in the coming year my friends.

xposted to ravenmcsidhe
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