grab a cocktail, a coke or a cup of coffee ....

THIS is going to be a lengthy post (probably) .... because I have a LOT to say (duh) and, more importantly, because it is post #499 and I want to save the next one for something special I have been working on. yeah, yeah, yeah ... I could have planned things out better - but that would have required "thinking" and I try to avoid any of that outside of my job!! WHICH .... now that I mention it, could use some talking about. If you haven't read previous posts that might explain some of my comments today- then just deal with it. I will be spending enough time on this post already without added detailing! We are losing another 1.25 chick from the nest. I put it as a fraction because even though 2 people are leaving, I only saw one of them a fraction of the time. The other I am far more familiar with and she probably could be considered the 1.25 & more on her own. I am sure she often gave thought & planning to her job outside of paid hours! This is a big loss on top of another that was suffered just a few weeks ago. Thank you ever-so much Mr President .... the loss of medicare revenue, increased problems with the economy, etc has made it tough for medically oriented businesses to pay competant employees what they deserve and even worse ... when someone leaves- it's management's opportunity to have one less person to pay, while leaving more to do for those already overworked! I might also point out at this moment (this bears repeating) if everyone employed would work equally hard, it wouldn't solve all the problems at my job, but it surely would help. And by this let me clarify, that even if someone is not equally qualified or skilled- they can still work as hard! Those of us (and I toot my own horn here) who dig deeper to pull more of the load, end up being expected to do just that because it is in our nature. Like I said "expected" but not necessarily appreciated. In response, I have cut my days of work so that I can still enjoy what I do with minimal stress. I am not happy about how that affects my fellow workers, but I am responsible for me so my choices have to reflect that. UPON hearing of her 2 wk notice, I was already missing the calming affect she has on an environment. My mind was wandering to a place (?) that was trying to figure out how she, as a massage healer, & my bud Spikey who is an esthetician & myself could work together in serenity. One who makes you feel better, one who makes you look better and .... a princess. perhaps I could work on the mental issues. I would be the objective listener. well, ok ... it all sounds good anyway. MAYBE I will let that idea go for now. BTW .... does anyone know if there is such thing as carpul ear? I know that sounds silly but my stiff wrist, worked it's way up my arm, to my shoulder then into my neck (or I slept wrong on it a few days ago) and it even bothers my ear. bummer. I am thinking I pinched something. With the help of motrin it's getting better but ..... (of course it could just be that I am getting old, but I shudder at the thought). As I sit here (with my 2nd cup of java), the kitty cats are snoozing away atop the entertainment center-turned scrap cabinet. This is not unusual for Monkey- but lately Popoki has begun doing it as well. The first few times, he jumped up and gave Monkey his "evil eye" vibe as if he wanted the bed she was in. But the past couple of days, he just goes to which ever one is unoccupied. At a glance you might think he would better fit in the purple one but he isn't one to care about what hangs over or out (sorta like the males that have dunlaps, but still think they are an 8 if ya know what I mean) Poki thinks he is lean & mean even though he is the biggest scardy cat I have ever had! And up til last night, Monkey was the only one stealing my new craft chair but as you can see .... another critter is taking his turn. Ken claims it means I have to get another chair. I claim it means their napping might get interupted.

Speaking of interuptions ... I would like to point out that our back yard reconstruction is still ..... unconstructed, and it has to do with the Captain. There is something going on with him. The past few days he has been acting a little different. He was gone a couple of days .... pretending like it was a big inconvenience of his daily routine and all. He's been up a little earlier these past couple of days and this morning ... I think he was talking in code. There was something about someone named Azimuth and then he mentioned Snoopy (not sure if it was an adjective or the dog?) the size of this, the scale of that, AOA & UAV and I'm thinking maybe it's some sort of surprise for me. like a party. maybe Azimuth is an event planner & he was trying to keep things mum because sometimes I figure things out without even realizing (ie "snoopy") ... maybe he's concerned about the size of the cake, but knowing I am trying to cut back a little so the scale is a weekly concern for me. and the initials are acronyms ...... like maybe Another Opal Accessory & the Ultimate Accessorized Vehicle. He seems (and sounds) different than he's been in the past year or so. The funny thing is .... there are no special events or dates on the calendar for me. Not my birthday or anniversary, or retirement. WELL REALLY the funny thing is he has been doing some contract for for his old job!! And it's funny because as much as he has avoided getting tied up with them asking for his help over the past 16 months since he retired- he is actually enjoying the interaction. There is excitement in his voice and a sparkle in his eyes. He is also very pleased that the answers come right back to him as if he retired last week. That 'ole dog doesn't need to learn any new tricks, he's got plenty right up both sleeves!!! Way to go my engineer scientist!! Well folks, you might be glad to hear that I am closing this post now. I may be "editing" it later to add to it .... but you are off the reading hook for now :o) have a GREAT weekend.