Ramblings of A Mutant Penguin

The Mutant Penguin Herself Speaks - Personally

Friday, October 05, 2007

Other Things of Interest...

Oh Boy... Interesting Things!

Yeah, I thought it was higher, too!!

Free Friday!

Yes, everyone knows I love Fridays because I have the afternoon off. Today, however, is an extra special Friday - I have the entire day off! MY VACATION HAS OFFICIALLY STARTED!!!!

I am finished packing except for 6 items that cannot go into my on-board bag until the last minute. The biggest and heaviest is the photo printer. I can't check that. I know it would get stolen. But it is heavy. It would already be in the bag except that for some unknown reason last night when I put the camera back on it to charge, it didn't. Usually it is lit up so I can tell. So I unplugged it from my computer this morning and put it in another outlet and when the camera has finished charging, that and the printer will go into my on-board and the list will be down to 5.

I love vacation but figuring out what to pack is terrible. Especially since I know I will be buying things while I'm there. Maybe not as much as in the past. I think Sunday I will pick out what size box I want to send to myself to ship some of the things back (the photo printer will go in it) and limit myself based on that. I did that last year and it mostly worked. Granted, there will be a little extra room in my luggage because the big duffle bag that I pack has plenty of room and I have quite a few presents for mom, Ally and Matt in my luggage (I am carrying Den's birthday presents in my on-board) but still, don't want to make the luggage so heavy I can't lift it into the car when I get home!

Today is filled with plans. Once I finish breakfast and doing computer things, I'm changing the sheets on the bed and getting that load of laundry started while I take a quick shower. The nice lady who comes to clean for me every 2 weeks is due today so I want to be dressed and on the road by then. I am going to Joann's because there is a 50% off a regular item coupon sitting on top of my purse begging to be used. I need to go to the post office on the way home, get gas and at 4pm Amy is picking me up. They've opened up a bigger and better Costco and we're going to check that out before dinner. Once I get home, the last load of laundry will be done. Oh, and I need to do the breakfast dishes before I go out this morning. Fortunately it won't take long. I decided to have scrambled eggs with blue cheese and toast with my coffee today. Especially since I didn't really eat anything last night.

Ally called me yesterday morning on her way to work before I went to work. She is feeling better and mostly over her cold but now Matt has it. Fortunately they have about a week before they fly so hopefully he will be better.

Now this might seem odd to a lot of people but I sometimes am too overly emotional for my own good and here's how you can tell - last night while I was in the kitchen getting a glass of water I started to cry. I realized just how much I have missed being able to see and hug my mom over the last year. No sitting together in the livingroom talking. Sure, we talk on the phone but I miss seeing her smile and hearing her laugh and the way she occasionally will walk by and just touch my shoulder, the way dad used to. I don't think she even realizes he used to do that, too. How nice it was last night while we were saying goodbye on the phone, Den and I, to have him say, "See you Sunday" and to know it would be in person instead of over the internet. I really do miss them a lot. But I am in California by choice. It is where I have a job to support me with a great place to live and fabulous friends. I would be lost without them, especially Jo. When my life really went to hell 3 years ago she was so there for me that THAT is how I was able to get my life back together and on track. I love her so much and will miss her terribly while I'm gone for two weeks. I have a good life in California. I think I just need to see if I can arrange to see Ally and Matt more often and to get two smaller trips to NH a year like I used to. I just admit that I love having 2 weeks at a time which is why I haven't gone back to twice a year.

Well it's time to get moving. Still have a lot to do before Michelle (my cleaning lady) gets here and so I can hit the road myself to get a couple of errands done.

No idea when I can post again. Just thought whlie I had time this morning, I'd do it. If I don't have a chance before I get back, I'll blog when I do on Sunday the 21st. Until then, be happy and enjoy life - I will!

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Almost There

It's almost time to go on vacation. Today is my last day of work until the 23rd. I can hardly wait. I have so much to get done and so little energy! I kept waking up last night - too many things on my mind. I finally got up at 3:30am. Ugh. I will be exhausted tonight! I just know I'm gonna drag tomorrow on my day off. At least I am making headway for the packing. Now I just need to figure out what I really want to bring, what I need to bring and what can stay home. And try NOT to forget my photo printer!!

Probably won't have time to post while I'm on vacation. But you never know.

I am going to enjoy my birthday, time with Den, Mom, special time with Ally and Matt, my visits with Sherry and Jeannie and getting to meet Den's grandson Andrew.

For right now, though, I'm tired. I need more coffee!