Words to Live By

“For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." – John 18:37

Who knew monkeys and bunnies would be so much fun.

Lrudlrick got his 360 and this weekend he got my Wii.

This is my Mii, sort of. I didn’t save it to my .jpegs to post here so I created a sketch of it at the Joystiq.


Lrudlrick made one too. You use your Mii as your character for the sports game.

My lower arms are killing me now. I’m just too embarrassed to tell my co-workers my lower arms are sore from playing video game baseball.

As soon as I played baseball I knew I had to show this to my brother. When we were kids, we used to play two players games all the time. Of course, I sucked but he was a good sport and played with me nonetheless.

Same goes here with the games for Wii. Many of them are short party games which are fun to play but I’m totally bombing. The only thing I’m good at is boxing and anything that involves throwing things long distance. Need someone to hit a ball with a bat? I’m your gal. Need someone to hurl a cow like a shot-put, give me a call. Need to pummel a monkey’s face in, help me lace up my gloves.

For the love of Pete, I can’t get the damn controls for driving the hover boats. I know in my mind, pull the wiimote down makes it turn right and pulling the nunchuk down makes it turn left. Still, I can’t seem to get my boat to move.

Lrudlrick is great at the dancing games. He’s also pretty good with the every other game I suck badly at.

When I finally had more than 5 bunnies on the dance floor dancing to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, he ran up to me and hugged me. I think the hug was less congratulatory and more, ‘Thank God I don’t have to hear that song again.’

When I play, I need to be extremely animated to get my electronic Mii to do what I want. Lrudlrick could be lying on the floor and his Mii could slap doors closed to prevent pooping bunnies from hitting him with a plunger. Because I’m so animated, Lrudlrick has learned to give me a 100 meter clearance when it’s my turn to play.

Lrudlrick has been nice about my playing style but I’m pretty sure the newlyweds that moved across the courtyard from us are wetting their pants watching me try to launch the Super Bunny over the broken railroad track.

If you haven’t checked out the Wii and how absolutely goofy you can look playing this check out this site.

I will say when you get a home run, you get pretty excited and you better use the strap to ensure you don’t chuck it at your TV.

Telepathy would be a cool super power.

I’m going to break from my family and work adventures and talk about the two shows I’ve tried to be faithful and watch every week, ‘Heroes’ & ‘Doctor Who’. Yes, I’m trying to keep up with the entire season. Ok, I watched Meerkat Manor too but that’s over now.

I so dislike the politician Petrelli. He’s got this face you want to smack with a ten pound sack of rocks. It makes me want to give the actor an award because I hate him that much.

Hiro is still my favorite although his sidekick Ando is left in limbo as he tries to do something with all that sci-fi knowledge he collected through his youth.

The interactions between, Peter and Claire and Hiro and Charlie are great but I still don’t understand how saving the cheerleader saved the world.

I’m liking Peter more and more. Without hesitating he went to Texas knowing he may die. Even without his Japanese sidekick, Hiro, he went into that school to save the cheerleader. Peter apparently has the balls in the family. Guess he got that from his dad seeing that he’s the only Petrelli we haven’t seen yet.

Simone is annoying and looks sicklier and sicklier every episode she’s in. Niki and her doppelganger are just crazy. I’m beginning to like evil Niki over good girl Niki.

I love Micah though. He’s the kid all parents want. Smart, Cute and able to fix electronics without going to Apex Technical Institute. The kid probably performed his own ultrasound.

Mohinder and his sister Shanti have some big shoes to fill. I wonder if we’ll get to see what’s so special about Shanti.

I heard the Ninth Doctor will be in Heroes starting in January. I’m not sure if he’s good or evil but I’m looking forward to it.

Speaking of ‘Doctor Who’, at first I wasn’t sure if I liked the dandy tenth doctor but I’m really liking him. I’m a deep smit now. However, what the heck is happening to Rose? Her face looks different. She dresses differently and she used a whole jar of Stila smudge pot on her eyes. Enough with the black eyeliner! You look like a raccoon!

The doctor is battling Satan while being sucked into a black hole. It should be interesting.

Is it just me of is the doctor just a little too skinny? I mean I understand manorexia is back but the doctor should not be two dimensional.

Some of the things I’d do if I were the Doctor’s companion or could tour the TARDIS:

-locate the bathroom and showers
-try every costume on twice
-use the pass card to get into exclusive eateries
-scrapbook
-ask the doctor what his favorite reincarnation is
-ask to view the birth and death of a planet
-ask if they ever nap or get hungry

I'm very lucky too to have a MIL like you.

Lines I’ll remember from my MIL’s trip:

-They don’t use tokens anymore? How do people pay? --On the subject of Metrocards

-I paid $0.15 last time! –On how much a single ride on the subway costs now.

-Do you want to sleep on the bed? –MIL to Lrudlrick

-I’m like Lucy Ricardo. –On her many schemes.

-There are people like that in the workforce. Yes, that’s why it’s funny. --On the subject of Dwight and Michael in ‘The Office’

-Why is he so mean? He should give her a second chance. If it was you, would you give him a second chance? No. –On the subject of Jim’s coldness to Pam in ‘The Office’

-I’m bad with directions. So is your son. Why?

-New Yorkers are so nice. When you watch movies and read the newspapers they don’t say that. Do you know I’m not from around here? Where I’m from we don’t hear the good stories about New York. Where are you from? I live in Buffalo, NY. –MIL to gentleman who gave his seat up for her on the ‘A’ train.

-You know, I’m very lucky that my son didn’t marry one of the horror story daughter-in-laws I read about. She loves me. --Chatting with tourist from Alabama

If I had kids, I'd probably dress them like pilgrims.

I know it’s probably just a coincidence but my mother has a tendency to get injured prior to family events. My wedding, her husband’s nephew’s wedding, visits from family, Thanksgivings, Christmases plans have had to be altered due to last minute accidents.

I’m completely exhausted with work my mother-in-law, worrying about my mother, brother, my stepdad and Lrudlrick. Yet I ponder whether I should attempt to cook a mini-Thanksgiving dinner and drive it over to my mom’s for Thanksgiving.

Originally, I had hoped to have a small Turkey day at my house. I planned to volunteer in the morning like last year and then come home and cook a few breasts instead of a whole bird.

After 'The Fall 3', my mom can’t make it to my home. I initially thought it was a sign that I should just take the day to rest and catch up on much needed downtime. But my desires for family gatherings on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter tell me that I shouldn’t just let the day pass.

Holiday gatherings are big to me. I really want that Norman Rockwell picture during the holidays. I think sitting down and breaking bread is important. That’s why hubby and I eat at least one meal together every day. That’s why I dislike eating in front of the telly. That’s why I dislike eating anywhere other than a dining room or breakfast nook.

My husband said if my mother doesn’t make a big deal out of the holidays, maybe I shouldn’t subject herself to it. “Just because it’s important to you doesn’t mean it’s a special day for you. I mean the holidays clearly mean more to you than her.”

I guess they do mean more to me. Mom’s not a holiday or birthday type of person. Maybe I should keep my Thanksgiving meal as planned and call her to see how she is doing.

It’s such a fine line.

“Have you ever stopped and thought whether or not these events right before the holidays is a way of drawing attention?” a doctor friend inquired today. “Or maybe she has seasonal depression.”

Is my mom a drama queen? My mother’s side has a long line of drama queens but I never really thought these events could be related in that manner.

Here I was thinking of how the accidents effect my personal desires when I should be thinking about why they happen when they do. These accidents don’t just effect me and my brother. There’s something underlying that I need to explore.

She’s scheduled for an MRI today and I plan on calling her and my brother tonight to see how it went. Her orthopaedic surgery consult is scheduled for Wednesday. I’m sure we’ll know more then.

No matter what I decide for the holidays, the fine line is there. Is being a good daughter continuing the enabling or doing the hard but right thing and nipping it in the bud? Do you stay true to your ideals or become a passivist? Either way I’m going to need alcohol, antiseptic wipes and gauze.

Chillin' at 30 Rock in my PJS

I just came back from a day at Rockefeller Plaza with the hubby. It was great spending the entire day with him doing nothing grown-up, no household errands and no work chores.

We dropped off Lrudlrick’s mom at Penn Station and just let the day take us. Everyone is preparing for the parade so Christmas decorations are everywhere.

Is it just me or does the holiday shopping season start earlier and earlier? I have my holiday shopping list created but I am not ready to go shopping just yet. Usually by this time I start panicking about holiday dinners, cookies, cards and gifts.

Right now, all I can think about is making it through the week.

Lrudlrick and I realize this year will be a quieter Christmas. His job and my job have projects running simultaneously pulling us away from our usual plans. His mother is coming down though so I suppose I will put a bit more effort than I originally planned. I still would like a tree and Lrudlrick’s train to be put up but all other incidentals will just have to wait until next year.

I’m dropping my holiday cookie assortment to just one type this year to keep things simple. I also think I may forgo making my own cards this year. I just don’t have the time.

Going back to Rockefeller Center and my day with hubby, it truly was a treat. We both had work to do but it had been so long since we spent time together that once his mom was on her train back, we took advantage of the ‘empty nest’.

“Let’s go,” Lrudlrick said. “Now? I thought we’d go home. I’m in my pjs underneath this coat.” “Keep your coat on, no one will know.”

Santa was already out and about. He looked slimmer though. “Santa went South Beach on us,” said Lrudlrick.

We went to Toys ‘R Us. Someone needs to tell Home Depot that they are one of the few toys that has bilingual packaging. I applaud them but it’s a joke waiting to happen. Why does the leaf blower have Spanish and English packaging but the Barbie Dream House doesn’t?

How to tire your mother in law out in NYC.

I spent yesterday tiring my MIL out like a child. She had a hair cut appointment at Bergdorf Goodman. Afterwards, I crossed town to pick her up and the we walked from E59th and 5th avenue to W14th street and 9th avenue.

One of my favorite diners was closed between lunch and dinner so I took her to Chipotle’s. We went shopping and I gave her a tour of the neighborhood. Then I took her on her first subway ride since the 70’s/80’s and the woman makes friends with a tourist from Alabama. When a gentlemen gave her his seat she went on and on about how New Yorkers were much nicer than she read.

Three days looking after my MIL has taught me she’s reckless. For a woman is super paranoid and neurotic, she seems to not follow her own advice. From the first day I saw her I kept pulling her out of traffic, away from the curb, pulling my arms down to push her back from crowds and carrying her items that she’d leave behind.

She was so scared that she’d be pick pocketed in Times Square, she pulled everything out to put in a pouch that she wanted to safety pin to her pants.

She put her cell phone in her carpet bag so that she didn’t have to carry it in a purse that could be snatched. However, when she needed to pull it out, she had to unpack most of her items on the floor of Penn Station.

I felt like a safety guard on patrol. The entire time she didn’t stop talking. You ever see the commercial where the dad is strapping in his daughter into the car and she doesn’t stop talking? He doesn’t know when to close the door because she doesn’t stop her story. That was me and my MIL. In the streets of Manhattan, if you saw a red head talking non-stop to an Asian woman using her arms and legs as toll barriers while carrying several bags, that was me and my MIL.

By the time I got her home, she was falling asleep on my love seat. By 8pm, she was ready to crash but she requested coffee. I think she wanted to stay up but by 9pm she resigned her fight and went to the bedroom and slept through the night.

Success!

All in all, I was happy to see her and was glad she got to take a break from her hubby.

I’ll see them both for Christmas.

I’ll end this with a funny story. Friday night, hubby woke up in the middle of the night, went to the bathroom and groggily shuffled into the bedroom. He sat on the bed and was about to lie down when his mother said, “You want to sleep in the bed?” “Huh? Oh. Oh! Oh God, no! Sorry. Night.”

I still don't know what a Snoball is

My MIL arrived two and half hours late due to wind conditions. She was exhausted. We had dinner. Turns out she may be allergic to shrimp. Lrudlrick says she isn’t but I can’t be too sure. When I asked him what are some of her favorite meals that he can recall from his childhood, he said, “Snoballs.” “Sno-what?” “Snoballs. There these white pastry things you can buy at the store.” “You consider that a meal?”

She spent Friday morning at my house alone and walking around our neighborhood. She apparently wanted to find pictures of her ex-husband so she snooped in our drawers and closets. At least she admitted it and well, I expected it.

Then I took her to get a manicure and then we headed home to get dressed for the wedding. It was a nice reception and my MIL got a chance to catch up with her family she rarely sees.

I love Sandy but she’s a bit too much of a worry wart. She’s worried about a disposable camera she left at the reception. She’s worried about getting sick. She’s worried she’s going to be sucked up by a tornado.

Lrudlrick is exhausted. I can see it. We’re all exhausted, my brother, my husband and me. We all need a break. I feel like we’re on a conveyor belt and if we don’t keep moving, we’re going to fall.

I hope he gets to rest a little tomorrow after we drop his mom off at the train station.

Money for the nothing

Ok, since November 8th, we’ve had a newspaper delivery problem. I’ve been receiving the NYTimes but the Daily News has been MIA since November 7th.

We’ve been receiving the deliveries for years and without a hiccup. Could someone be stealing my paper? Should I be putting a camera on my doorstep?

I called the News to speak to the local carrier to see what the deal was. They called me back and said they’d put a monitor on my delivery. Then they had the nerve to try to sell me an additional subscription. “We have a special right now. 52 weeks for 99 cents per issue.”

“You’re kidding right?” I said, “Nothing against you. I’m pretty sure your asked to promote your specials with every call but I haven’t received a paper in nearly 2 weeks and your asking me to give you more money without service and product?”

Customer Service at the News needs to review their policy on promoting specials.

You say meniscus, I say meniscus

I feel drained but not depressed or sad. I'm drained because today was our rescheduled day for go live on part I of the system roll out. There were wrinkles here and there and there are still wrinkles to be ironed out but all in all it could have been worse. I have a great set of people who are positive and enthusiastic who are helping me cheerlead this through.

I'm drained because just when I let out a sigh of relief that a large part of my gargantuan project has been implemented, I get a call. My mother fell and can’t stand on her leg. Now my brother is rushing her to the doctor's/hospital.

As of 5:55pm, I still don't have a full story of what happened and I doubt I ever will.

I went to see my mom and have dinner with my uncle. My brother looks tired and I hope he takes care of himself. He’s grown so much the last half of this year. I’m so proud of him.

I’m sorry if I’m skipping but exhaustion will do that.

Tomorrow is my last day to wash the dogs, put stuff in storage and do the bedding laundry before my MIL comes. Oh, and I just found out that she’s coming back the week of Christmas. “Have you told her yet?” “No, I thought I’d tell her when I get there.” Lrudlrick gave me a heads up.

Oh and thankfully I didn’t buy everything for Thanksgiving dinner yet as my mom will most likely be unable to travel as it looks like she may have a torn meniscus that will have her out of commission for at least 6 weeks.

Stability and the routine sounds heavenly right now

I'm fried. The only thing keeping me going is the belief this product
will do good and that I am not the only in the boat.

Most of my colleagues feel the pain in some form. Misery I guess
loves company.

Personally, I just one thing to go smoothly.

I wrote to my uncle to get info on his trip to NYC. Things are still
up in the air. I don't know what's worse, being in limbo at work or
at home. I guess work trickles into home.

I really am more flexible with home stuff. However when work becomes
a constant set of reschedules and missed timelines, I just want
stability.

My husband is in a similar boat. He has a major data move and system
install scheduled this winter.

He's spending all week in training with his staff.

I guess Christmas will be quiet this year.

Mental note: Talk to therapist about fascination with all things prairie

I ran into a door Saturday. Actually, the door ran into me. That's the story and I'm sticking to it.

I really don't know what happened except I was getting ready to take the dogs for a walk when out of left field a hard pre-war solid wood door came out and slammed me right in the noggin.

I fell back and landed on the floor. Lrudlrick heard the commotion and came in to find me covered in tears and mascara murmuring, "The door attacked me. The door attacked me."

I now have a small welt on my left side of my forehead. Thankfully it didn't turn purple but it's jaundice in color.

My uncle is coming this week. My mother-in-law is coming next week. My go live was pushed back a week and people don't realize how short a week can be because I still have yet to finalize the test plan and live conversion.

However, due to the near concussion, I was able to catch up on all my Law and Orders and CSIs.

For those interested, Scrubs will be returning in the New Year on Thursdays. Yes, this means Earl, The Office, 30 Rock and Scrubs are the new must see Thursday line up.

For Halloween, I was a princess. Yes, it was lame but I was at work until 10pm the night before. Give me 'A' for effort.

By 10am, chaos had consumed the princess and I was seen running down the hall fighting fires. Of course, my years in New York City have lead to inadvertent, 'Oys', which although appropriate at times didn't seem right when you're dressed as a princess. For the rest of the day, people called me the Jewish princess.

Why do I mention Halloween weeks after the event? I sort of missed out of checking out the ghosts and goblins knocking at my door and I'm realizing now that I'm not going to see that again for another year.

I like Halloween. I like seeing all the costumes and the imagination of the kids who actually try to make a costume rather than buy a pre-bought power ranger costume. Do power rangers ever go out of style?

My first Halloween costume was Holly Hobbie. God I loved Holly Hobbie. She was so much cooler than Raggedy Ann. I wore my Holly Hobbie costume for 3 years straight before my mother said I'd have to pick a new costume.

Next year, I'll try to put more effort into my costume. Next year, maybe I'll be a lion or a paper clip. Eh, who am I kidding, I'll probably go to my mom's attic, pull out the prairie dress and be Holly Hobbie again.

Rippy had it right

Does anyone dress up anymore? I feel like I'm dressed up on the wrong
day. Kids are sparingly dressed up.

Work had me swamped and I missed the trick or treaters. Lrudlrick put
out his famous candy soup much to the children's delight.

When I got home he took me out for a drink which turned into a light
supper. It was exactly what I needed, a change from the monotony &
much desired quiet time with the hubby.

Today is Thursday and I'm beyond exhausted. We're scheduled for go
live on a module and the interface engineers are still building
filters. I haven't been able to sign off on testing b/c hiccups still
appear.

All in all I still am glad to be working with a good group on this
development.

Tried calling my mother again. Her voice mail popped up again. I ask
her why she pays for VM if she doesn't listen to them. She shrugs and
smiles at me as if she's too naïve to understand. Sometimes I feel
she is.

I have 2 weeks before my MIL arrives. I'm at a point where if all I
had was bologna and cheese to serve her, wrinkled sheets to give her
and a ragged towel to dry herself off with, I could give a rat's ass.

It's not that I want to embarrass myself or insult her. I'm just too
tired to worry or fret. I can barely get myself to eat. I get home,
attempt to pry my shoes off and drag my sorry butt to the couch and
pass out feebly petting my dogs who are desperately looking for
attention.

Oh, did I forget to tell you my uncle is arriving the week before my
MIL? My mom made me swear up & down that I take care of picking him
up or dropping him off at the airport. I had already planned to take
him out to dinner for his birthday. Now without any details on pick
up dates or drop off dates, I need to coordinate my work schedule that
has me working 12+ hours a day.

I so need to sleep. How did Rip Van Winkle do it? Could I sleep for
years? I'd sure like to try.