Peeps

I made a quick trip to target today.  I didn't make a list and my mind was consumed by thoughts (separate blog post coming soon), but I was determined to have a little normalcy in my life.  After wandering the aisles aimlessly, my favorite Easter candy brought a smile to my face.  There in the sea of candy and other Easter treats were the Peeps.  Pink ones, yellow ones, purple ones, blue ones, orange ones and green ones.  Bunnies and chicks!  Wait?  Since when have there been blue and orange and green?  I'm pretty sure they were only pink and yellow when the big bunny left them in my Easter basket.  Peeps are for kids - just like Trix.  But for some reason I have not outgrown them.  I like to puncture the celophane and let them get hard and a little stale before eating them.  I have a feeling its going to be a good week - thanks to the Peeps!

In my grown up life I have found another way to embrace peeps.  When the last of the slow melts and the mornings are still chilly I am anxious to introduce my toes to a little fresh air.  Peeps toes are the flips flops of the office.  I might have a professional job, but I still find a way to embrace the barefoot child that played with the neighborhood kids on Elaine Ave.  These little peeps were the result of some recent retail therapy. 

Me and my peeps are ready for Spring!

Spring Break (of sorts)

I'm on a Spring Break of sorts.  Nash Vegas Baby!  This is as close to spring break as you will come when you deal with debits and kredits. 

For the past few years I have scheduled an audit in Nashville during March.  It's a breath of fresh air after a long season of auditing.  This is the first year that the audit has gone well.  This is not the first year that I left my inhibitions at Gate C19 at the MSP airport.  A morning flight, lunch on the patio, an afternoon of work, followed by dinner at Jack's BBQ (legendary) and a few too many drinks - all in a day's work! 

I'm determined to have a star sighting while here in Nashville.  Too bad Miley was busy with Simon tonight.  Wonder where Nicole is?  Not sure if it will ever happen, but I do promise to have a few too many morgan diets and listen to a some cover Country bands at the Stage. Not sure why - but I really like this place!  Did I mention the weather?  Vitamin D is a wonder drug. 

Today's quote:  "Nashville is like the Minneapolis of the South."

Will return soon - but for now I'm on spring break.

En Route from En Zed

A group email among some of my favorite girls this morning led to banter between my friend Andrea and I.  She's on the other side of the globe and I was especially missing her.  Particularly the energy level, humor and adventurous spirit.  For the past two months there has been growing anticipation over a package that left En Zed destined for MN.  Once again she inquired if I had found anything in mailbox.  Today I asked her if the postman was swimming to MN?  If so, I feared he drowned and the package was lost forever. 

Having completely forgotten about the potential for a package, I opened the mailbox tonight and let out a squeal!  It was finally here!  The package that started its journey on the other side of the globe.  Wrapped in brown paper with her recognizable handwriting - it was indeed from good old Fran.

Inside the package was a fun spiral book for keeping notes (perhaps an idea log for this little blog!), a cute post card filled with words of love from Fran and..... genuine sheep skin nipple warmers which were handcrafted in New Zealand.  How considerate!  Fran knows me just well enough to know that I have been dying for sheep skin nipple warmers!   Or perhaps this was simply a return favor for a birthday package that I sent to Seattle a few years ago.

Thanks for the love Fran.

The Lady in Aisle A13

I was a bit embarassed and a slightly frustrated by my trip to Target this evening.  After boasting about how the remote control survived the spin cycle it decided to fail me last night.  In a hurry, I headed toward the electronics department uncertain of where to find a universal remote control.  I knew that Best Buy would have been a better option, but time didn't allow for that adventure.  As I scanned the aisles I began to doubt that they even had what I was looking for.  Finally at the end of the aisle I found three different options ranging in price between $6 and $18.  I was pleasantly surprised by the great deal I was getting.  (At one point I tried to justify a new LCD in the bedroom instead of the universal remote!)  After careful consideration between black and silver I opted for the silver - the same color as the old school TV that sits on my dresser.  I was feeling a little ghetto at this point, but none-the-less satisfied as I can once again fall asleep with the television.

What made the trip to Target worth my while was the chatty woman I met at the opposite end of the aisle.  She too was suprised by the great "deals" at Target.  She very much liked the prices she found and decided to toss a second package of 10 VHS tapes in her cart!  I smiled all the way from the electronics department, through the checkout and to my car.  I can't stop wondering what she plans to record on her VCR?

I heard that Young and the Restless is really good these days.  Perhaps she's a Y&R fan!

Spin Cycle

As I ran out the door to take the dog to the new indoor dogpark I had a sudden burst of energy and decided to pull the sheets off the bed and throw them in the laundry.  The thought of having to make the bed later that night was daunting.  But the desire to crawl into a freshly made bed won out.  After finding my uniform (sweats and a white vneck tshirt) I stripped the bed and ran downstairs to start to the laundry.  I even added a little bleach to brighten the sheets. Bonus points for me.

The dogpark was great.  Just the perfect fix for a rainy week of arriving home after dark each night to find a dog that is restless and playful.  Over the past week I have come to view this dogpark as a lifesaver.  It deserves a post of its own, so I'll save the details for later.

Back from the dogpark I dropped the leash and kicked off my shoes.  Ready to find some dinner, but I halted at the washer to transfer my laundry into the dryer.  Upon opeing the washer something strange caught my eye.  After a double take I confirmed that sitting at the bottom of the washer was the remote control.  Hmmm.  Not exactly what I was expecting to find.  But its always nice to know where the remote control is.

Wait.  What the hell is the remote control doing in the washing machine? 

Just like Benson and Stabler I put the facts together and realized that in my swift move to strip the bed I brought the remote control along with the bedding.  I stood there leaning over the washer thanking God that my head is attached to my neck, I'd hate to think what would happen if it wasn't attached! 

I was pretty certain that the dose of bleach on top of the laundry detergent and the spin cycle had left the remote control out of commission.  To my surprise, it works better than ever!  Looks like I found a way to make doing the laundry a little more interesting.

PTO Planning

That was the subject line of an email I received yesterday.  The message came from HR.  Felt like pouring salt in the wound.  Trust me, once I find myself on the other side of this busyness I will welcome plenty of PTO into my life. 

I believe that most people define this as "personal time off" or "paid time off".  I like to refer to it as "purchased time off".  As in I paid (dearly) by putting in many hours for the ability to take some time off.

After receiving this untimely message I proceeded to daydream about how I would spent my day of PTO.  I would be elated for just ONE day of PTO. In fact, at this point I might be willing to use PTO on a Saturday.  Yes - you heard me right... on a Saturday.  I know it appears as if I have been brainwashed if I'm willing to cash in my prepaid for use on a Saturday. 

With this week's dreary weather I have dreamed up a day of PTO that consists of sweats, raindrops, a little tunder, the dog, my downcomforter, remote control and possibly a fresh batch of gooey chocolate chip cookies.  I am 142% certain that I could spent the entire day alternating between napping, reading a magazine, watching worthless daytime television and more napping.  If I got restless in the afternoon I would simply roll onto my stomach and let one leg hang off the bed.  That would be me making a statement to the dog that I'm not planning on moving anytime soon.  Wait - for the dog's sake I would likely grab a Dingo for him when I went downstairs to get more cookies and some milk (in a glass with ice and a straw!).

After putting the finishing touched on my perfect day of PTO I was starting to feel guilty about wasting my day away so it was back to the drawing board.  Take two would likely involve getting up early for coffee on the deck and my Google reader.  Then maybe I would head to the gym for a class.  I would likely sneak in a quick tan on my way home.  The rays make it feel like an official vacation, so I'll try to ignore the cancer warnings and just pretend I'm in Mexico for about 15 minutes.  After a long shower I would start some laundry, organize a closet or possibly the disaster area in my basement.  Next up is lunch with a long lost friend - not one in particular - but any of them as I haven't seen anyone in weeks!  wait I think it's been months!  I would definitely follow the rule about letting your food settle so I would head over see my favorite nail artist for a mani and pedi.  After a little pampering I would pick up some groceries, catch a quick nap, play fetch with the dog and then cook up a delicous dinner.  As long as this is a fantasy PTO day I would likely crawl into bed around 9:30 and read. Bedtime before 10pm would be perfection.

At this point PTO is only in my imagination.  Come April, or better yet May I plan make these dreams a reality!

For now, it's back to work.

Turkey Meatloaf

Each and every time I left Tucker out to go potty he runs over to the neighbor's house and excitedly wags his tail at the door.  He is hoping that his Buster will come out and play.  When the neighbors are on vacation or just away for the day I struggle to explain to Tucker why we shouldn't sit there and whine while waiting for them to return.

Tucker isn't the only one that is excited to see the neighbors.  I enjoy hanging out with Cara (and her husband) for many reasons.  Perhaps there is good gossip about the neighbors.  Sometimes we share a bottle or wine or bake cupcakes - or possibly drink wine while baking cupcakes!  My favorite visits to their house are when dinner is involved.  At first I was reluctant to accept their offer.  These days I practically invite myself inside after playing with the dogs.  Cara is a great cook and always makes a full meal (salad, main dish and side/s).  I'm impressed with her recipes and pairings.  I honestly can't remember all the meals I've had at their house but the Asian sloppy joes and turkey meatloaf were a few of my favorites. 

Someone to cook me dinner is just the first part of my wish list.  Part B includes someone to blow out my hair every morning.  I'm jealous of women on television as I imagine how relaxing it might be to start my morning with a cup of coffee and the newspaper or better yet my google reader as someone does my hair.  Heck while they are at it can they just take care of doing my makeup as well?

So as I devoured one of Cara's meals a few weeks ago I mentioned to her how this was fulfilling only part of my wishlist.  When I told her about part B she offered up her husband.  He didn't seem all that interested, but I really hope he changes his mind!

Not only do I owe them dinner, but I think I better throw in some dog food as well asTucker helps himself to his fair share of Buster's food!

February month-end reconciliation

February came and went with a blink of the eye.  That's what happens when I'm busy auditing.  Better late than never, here's the month end reconcilation:

February 2010

(+) Vancouver Winter Olympics

(-) Grandpa Lenie passed away on February 12th

(+) Barley John's Brew Pub

(+) Baby Sam was born on February 27th - his proud mama is an Andersen friend

(+/-) Lots of auditing

(+) FIT class

(+) Valentine's Day care packages

(-) The curse of water - leaky kitchen sink, broken toilet tank lever, and spilling an entire water bottle on my computer.

(-) Little sleep and lots of work

(+) Pottery Barn's spring catalog

(+) Lemon and lime water at my new favorite client

(+/-) Breathtaking frosty trees the morning that Grandpa went to heaven

(+)  Reading the Sunday newspaper

(+) McDonald's filet-o-fish commerical.  Give me that filet-o-fish... give me that fish.

(+) Papyrus gift wrap

(+) A beautiful full moon

Porcelain Problem

Toilet tank lever.  That's the formal name for the little thing that you push down to flush the toilet.  Mine broke this morning.  Annoying.  Called Dad on the way to work.  He assured me I could handle this one.  I went with the new townhome for a reason.  I wasn't up to the challenge of the fixer-upper house.

Stopped at Home Depot on the way home.  Purchased my toilet tank lever and was on my way home.  Follwed Dad's instructions, but the plastic nut wouldn't budge.  Tried it with a pliers.  Then tried 2 pliers.  Said a quick prayer.  Tried again.  Nope.  Tried a few harsh words.  Nope.  As I shook my head in disbelief I wondered what the lesson in all of this was.  Sent a few picture texts to Dad so he could assess the situation.  More harsh words.  By this point the dog ran to hide under the bed.  Apparently he responds to harsh words only when they are directed at the toilet.  Charged with a new idea I borrowed a steak knife from the kitchen.  Steak knife turned saw was wasn't working either.  It was hardly a blade.

Not ready to give up.  Back to Home Depot.  At this point I mean business and I am looking for a hacksaw.  The three nice men standing at the end of the aisle quickly point me in the right direction.  They agree this saw will definitely do the trick.  Driving home I try to look in the bright side.  I am now the proud owner of a mini hacksaw.

Back at home I saw in all directions.  Perpendicular.  Parallel.  Diagonal.  The blade is scraping against the porcelain, yet I still can't get what is left of the plastic nut to budge.  That's when the waterworks start up.  Yep.  Tears.  This stupid toilet tank lever had wasted almost 2 hours of my night.  The harsh words and tears didn't work.  I removed the blade from the saw to get flush again the inside of the tank.  It slipped a few times, cutting my skin.  But I was finally making progress.  Done.  Mission accomplished.  It took 2 trips to Home Depot, many harsh words, tears and a little blood. 

I plan to use that toilet as much as possible tonigh to make my efforts worthwhile.  I may even set an alarm to get up in the middle of night - just to flush the toilet!

Oh and did I mention I bought a mini hacksaw tonight? 

Going to Tracy.

Right now I'd like to pull up to the drive thru at the coffee shop and order a large non-fat cup of patience.  Actually make that 2 of those. 

I have reason to believe that I was an annoying kid.  You know the kind, the ones that ask approximately 1,000,000 questions.  Oh wait... that's most children around the age of 5 or 6.  In fact, when the Doody brothers came to visit in early January I think they broke the record and asked more than 1,000,000 questions.  Their parents were headed to a football game and I happily agreed to spend time with the brothers and their sister.  They arrived bright and early (it was early for my childless self!) on Sunday morning.  Within the first 15 minutes of their arrival I was completely out of answers.  I was exhausted, needed a nap and couldn't come up with another answer if my life depended on it.

I was likely that kid that asked 1,000,000 questions.  I remember a certain time when my parents were short on patience.  I asked them where they were going and my mom promptly responsed that she was going crazy.  Now there was a small town about 10 miles away by the name of Tracy.  So I assumed she said that she was going to Tracy and immediately responded (likely in a whiny voice) that I wanted to go to Tracy too!  If I recall correctly both of my parents burst out in laugher. 

Just needed to clear my head.  Now its time to get back to work.  Deadlines are looming!