My World and Welcome To It: friends

Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts

Monday, July 04, 2016

A Little Monkey and Tails.

I had this cute munchkin visit me yesterday for a bit. Her father (my nephew) was passing through. He and his wife have a set up where he takes this little one to visit his friends from around where he grew up (they have children also) for the week-end, and her older son (from another relationship) goes to his father's grandparent's for the week-end - resulting in the Mom getting 2 days all to herself. They call it a mental health day (or something similar). I think that is wonderful! Although I am not positive when my nephew gets any totally alone time.

She is the cutest little 3 year old and she climbed the neighbor's swing set/fort like a little monkey.

I am going to try harder to post more often. I have so many things I can do on-line that almost all of my time is spent sitting here at the computer. Almost everything I do can help me in my job in one way or the other. Helping people is still one of the biggest areas in my life for me. Online, I am a reader of redd!t and have several divisions that I read to see if I can help. I also get several ideas and tips from readers to benefit myself.

Just last evening I was reading the area about Tor (The Onion Router). This one has been an example I use when I am instructing the techs about the filter. Most of them have no idea what it is, or how it works. Sigh. But that is an entire book in itself and if you know me, you are probably aware that I can get very long winded when I start talking tech.

Anyway, the user mentioned Tails. I had not heard or read about this one. So, I had to investigate and of course I had to have it. For testing purposes and to present to the techs how end users (the savvy ones) are getting around the filter in the schools and endangering their network.

I had to find 2 USB sticks with 4 GB available. (I had always referred to them as flash drives, but I kind of like this term). So I did have one empty 4 GB one (how did THAT happen?), and the other had just back up data on it - so I moved that to one of my external HDDs.

So, I started this new endeavor. Four hours later I went to bed. LOL! I am learning a lot, but I am also being very, very cautious. I have screwed up my system before trying this stuff and I should have known not to start this after 9 p.m. I was much too tired to think this through and follow long, intricate instructions.

It is one of those deals where you are going through the steps one at at time, and you come across the step that reads "If you don't have such and such, click here to set that up (or install it). So, you follow that link and you start installing that program. You get halfway through the steps and you come across another one that reads "If you have never installed such and such before, you need to change this or that before you can enable it". And I follow the link to THAT site. It went about 4 sites deep and I was getting very tired.

Well, it didn't work my first go round. But hey, I did learn a lot. And, I will try again today. Maybe. Of course I will - I am too excited to get this puppy on a flash drive and see what I can do with it in my work environment so I can bring it to their attention to watch out for this work around.

I run into the techs who have the attitude "So, what? They are always going to find a way around the filter. I can't stop them all." This might be true, but I can see that he/she has given up the fight. This saddens me. Yes, there will always be a rogue student who knows so much about technology that he will consider this a challenge (sometimes they don't mean harm, they just want the ego boost that they were able to beat the system) and brag to his friends and share his knowledge.

But once in a while, guys......once in a blue moon - I get a tech who gets that look in his eye, the "Oh really?" look and they write this down. They hopefully are going to take action to block or attempt to block this activity in his or her district.

And that is why I do it. That is why I share what I know with others. I want to make the schools safer for the students. It may be a losing battle, but I can't just say "Screw it. Let 'em see it. They're gonna see it anyway." Well, I'd prefer them NOT to see it in an educational environment. In other words "Not on MY watch."

Did anybody watch the movie "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?" You know how I love my movies and I have so many I can talk about. I like Tina Fey in MOST of her movies. I am not a HUGE fan, but at least she does not make me cringe. For this movie, they delicately add humor to a horrifying situation that so many live through. But then there was MASH. I know the humor was exaggerated, and there were only a few times when the show brought us back to the reality of the horror of war.

It is slowly coming back to me. I had trouble remembering my password today. I had trouble finding spell check. But it is coming back. I need to go and ready all of YOUR posts this past year (or has it been longer) to see what is going on with you.

I have a lot more to write (tell). This year seemed to be a bad one for cancer hitting my friends. They are fighting the fight. A lot of little children in my family. I always like that. I was the youngest of 8, and I was 12 years old before any of my siblings had a baby. They then came thick and fast, but that first grandchild (for my Mom) and first nephew (for me) was doted on. My sister was the type who packed up her husband and baby and drove 50 miles one way EVERY week-end to stay with us (at my Mom's house). And on Sunday evenings drive 50 miles back. Well, her husband drove. Her husband did everything for her. Nice in some ways, but over the years (as she has told us) it can be very smothering. We used to chide my sister when the gas stations changed over to self-serve. She had ALL the gas stations marked out who would pump the gas for you. It was ages before she was able to pump her own gas. I'm not sure she can, even now. Hmmmmm..... LOL!

Sunday, February 08, 2015

One book down...

Books read: 1

Movie: Yet to be seen.

Bathroom remodeling: 0

Have a good friend in the hospital close to my home town. She is currently battling COPD with pneumonia. Horrible jolt of reality when visiting her. We laugh about the good times we have had.

I leave and wonder about smoking, about illness, about cancer, over eating, about diabetes, about life. I skip stopping to get slices of my favorite pizza on the way home.

Tuesday, September 02, 2014

Hibachi - style

I joined some friends and we went to Wasaibi's Steakhouse a few days ago. I love this place but the night turned kind of sour.

I've been here before so I understand the fun of the chef squirting sake into the customer's mouths across the table. (Using the squirt bottle shown above in the photo). The last time I was there the sake tasted like water.

This time it was very strong tasting. I closed my mouth and he continued to squirt sake all over my chest and top area. It dried sure enough, but in the car it was all I could smell. Sour sake.

The other issue I had that evening was one of my friends that sat to my right became a little juiced and smacked my leg almost all night long.

I hate this. I swear, I looked for a bruise on my leg the next day.

They just kind of smack you with the back of their hand as if they are used to people ignoring them and they have to smack them to get their attention. I came very close to saying something to her but I bit my tongue. It was her birthday celebration, after all.

The grand finale was when one of the waiters bent over in front of us and his clothing was quite tight to say the least and she continued to smack my leg for about 50 whacks as if saying "Look! Look! Look!"

For starters, I don't care to make an ass of myself and ogle men (or women). And, I certainly believe that one short discreet look would have been plenty and not fifty whacks of her hand to let me know she was looking at him.

I bucked up and just enjoyed the food for the evening. She had the nerve to say "You were awfully quiet tonight."

Probably because I was biting my tongue.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Sake

I had my first "intentional" sake last evening. When a group of us went a couple of years ago, the performing chefs squirted some in our wide open mouths with a squeeze bottle. Hell, could have been water they were squirting at us for all I know.

I liked the immediate "punch" feeling that it gave me. The atmosphere was right. I was with other women from work. I had an empty stomach. The air was full of friendship, laughter and gossip. The first little tiny cup of sake went down quickly and "bang", I was buzzed.

As with all alcohol, after you eat a meal - that same little cup of sake has no effect. Or not near as much. I long remember the days where I had to keep that buzz going and food was forfeited and in return I was blessed with a long, painful hangover the next morning. Ah, those were the days. (NOT!)

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Warmth

(Photo lifted from the tavern's web page)

It was a cold, blustery day when we headed out after work. Eight of us in three different vehicles. We drove for over an hour and we braved the brisk air to scurry inside a beautiful, warm and glowing barn-like building. Full of good smells and decorations. The hostess walked us past table after table of smiling diners. As we walked the age-old wooden floor beams we passed fireplace after fireplace.

Winding our way through the rooms and hallways, we finally ended our journey in a room next to the kitchen. With no fireplace. Zilch. None. Boo! My face fell. Ah, well.

We were still in for a treat. I had prepared myself for the sticker shock by looking the menu up on line and the gal who arranged this night out warned us also. Pricey. Indeed, it is. You can see the menu yourself. It is really no different than some of the wineries I have been to, though.

I usually save a few dollars by refusing to order anything to drink (table water is fine), refusing to order an appetizer and skipping dessert. Those three items can cost as much as the entrée. I heard one of the gals say she did not bring near enough money. She ordered the house salad and an appetizer. I saw the appetizer when it came. What a disappointment. It was so tiny. She had ordered the pasta pinwheels. It was no bigger than a skinny hot dog bun. Actually since I didn't want to stare it may have been smaller than that.

I ordered filet. I was prepared for the cost. I was not disappointed, nor were any of the others (as far as I know) - except the poor gal who ordered the appetizer. She raved about the salad dressing on her salad, though. I should have been more daring and ordered a dish that raved about the toppings and sauces that sounded so delicious. My steak was good but not the best I have ever eaten. The baked potato was just that - a baked potato. The vegetables were cooked correctly, but no great sauce or taste accompanied them. There was no salad with the meal - salads were extra. The bread was warm and very good - it was complimentary. They were out of duck. I have never eaten duck. I did not want to order lamb (my mom never fixed lamb - she raised baby lambs and had to live through them being slaughtered and refused to eat them and she passed that on to her children), and I don't eat veal .

My niece used to work here. I do know that Reagan dined here and I have heard that Quayle stayed overnight here. This is a tourist sort of place, but there are no malls, no metropolis for miles, it is out in the middle of nowhere.

I have wanted to dine here for years, and now I can finally say "Been there! It was great!"

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Relaxation

This photo was taken last month. I was visiting my "north" friends (previous co-workers). This friend has had this little camper on the lake for maybe more than 15 years. She was going to sell it once but I am so glad she did not. It is a beautiful spot by the lake.

Across the way there is their big shelter house. The president of the board of this campsite had a son getting married. The wedding party arrived in big decked out golf carts. The photo is dark, but you can see them a little bit parked on the lakeside of the big white tent.

This day was hot. The weather today won't reach above 65º Fahrenheit in my neck of the woods. I have an outdoor genealogy picnic to attend. My jacket is clean and ready.

I have made my calico beans that a lot of my family enjoys. Here is a similar recipe to what I use for my calico beans. I am running behind or I would look up my recipe and post it. Gotta go!

Monday, March 04, 2013

The bar back then

Maybe 2006? When my niece lived with us and my daughter had friends over and they all congregated in the basement. OMG! I just realized that somebody hung that Happy Birthday sign upside-down. LOL!

I sort of had a meltdown last week. I was tired and overwhelmed. I felt like things were moving too fast and I did not or could not deal with any more. I wanted all those guys out of my house. The noise, the smells, the stress was too much for me. I was wiped out all week-end. I planned to move stuff into totes and out and into the garage. To prepare for the next stage which is to pull up all carpet on both sides. I had water damage on the other side a couple of years back and I never did get it taken care of.

Nothing happened over the week-end. I was wiped out. The migraine monkey hit me hard on Friday. I had to take two Imitrex to get it out. I met friends Friday evening and I felt wonderful but hit a blinding snowstorm coming home. The meeting with my friends fell flat. They chose a restaurant that was so crowded and so dark. The waiter said they could not do anything with the lights because they are on an energy saving plan and they have no control over it. Everybody was tilting their menus towards the window to read them.

Most of my friends are struggling and either out of work or had to take a job that is way below what they were doing for the past 25 years. The company we had all worked at and met at folded. To hear them struggle and try is so depressing. We are all over 50, now. I got out in the mid 90's. They stayed. They were on unemployment for a while. Some received free schooling. Some did not qualify. I have no idea how that works.

I awoke Saturday morning with a smashing headache. Not a migraine but a huge pain in the back of my head. I swallowed three Advil every four hours to keep it at bay. I can work with a sore back and sore arms and sore legs. You just rest for a bit and the soreness fades and you can go again. Not so with a headache. Bending, lifting, hauling - you cannot do it with a headache. Any movement starts the pounding. Sigh.

Screw it. I guess there is no hurry. I am not going anywhere.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The Lighthouse

I had dinner here last evening with the ladies from my work building. Our "Girls Night Out". I had the loaded baked potato soup and a chicken gyro with a tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, cucumber, onions, lettuce and grape tomatoes. I asked for black olives to be added, but either they did not have any or the preparer did not get the message. No worries. I did not like the soup which is very rare for me. The huge ham chunks in the soup had a bite to them, maybe allspice or nutmeg?

Monday, July 30, 2012

That sky

I grabbed a shot of the sky Saturday evening. I was at a Jimmy Buffet tribute party where the dj played mostly JB songs. I have no idea what that flash of fire or light is just off-center to the right. I was trying to get a shot with no people in it.

It was a beautiful evening. We were celebrating my birthday (2 months late). Hey, I'll take what I can get these days. I was spoiled beyond belief as is the way with this group of friends who have been gift giving since the late 80's. I joined them around 1992. When you reach a certain age most people no longer get gifts on their birthdays. Only one of us have a significant other. None of us have married. Only I have a child. There are stragglers. My sister joins us now an again. She is married and has a grown son. None of us are gay. That I know of. I figure I would know by now - we have all spent so much time together. We are just a group of old maids. Two came very close to marriage. Whoops. Make that three. I have been engaged twice.

Ah, well. We have good times. Of the group - the original six of us have worked at one certain location. It just went out of business - putting three of my friends out of work. The other three of us had moved on long ago. Only one is not currently working. I believe she is using her unemployment and furthering her education to obtain a new job.

I believe that leaves every place I have ever worked at - out of business/gone. Let me think. Oh...there is an ice cream stand I worked at when I was 17. It still operates. And Ponderosa. I worked there one summer. All the rest... gone.

Headache update - a bad one Sunday - but only took Advil. It was from lack of sleep. Too much caffeine the evening before. I do not drink alcohol while on this new medication. So THAT is not the reason for the headache. LOL!

Okay. I have rambled on long enough. Ciao!

Thursday, May 03, 2012

Doll face

My great niece brought a friend with her to Key West. I let her wear my glasses one morning and snapped this photo of her. This friend was amazing. She won ALL the staring contests - hands down. She also won the "Who can be the quietest the longest" game and I don't think I have ever met a friend so polite and quiet. She just went everywhere we asked her to go and didn't even mind if we left her in the room while we went on without her. She did sleep when she lay down and never opened an eye until she set up the next morning.

Well, come to think of it, I was sleeping - so how do I know she didn't open her eyes? She may have been watching us all night for all I know. Creepy.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Cookie Cutter Housing

I worked at an automotive/hardware store in the late 70's and early 80's. I made a lifelong friend there. She was (is) about 14 years older than me, but very young at heart. She and I clicked right away. I've seen her through three divorces, she is now a great-grandmother.

About fifteen years ago she left her job and her life to stay at home and care for her ailing mother. No easy task. She comes from a family with six children. Her oldest sister was wheel chair bound and lived in Florida. Her younger sister was off and busy with her life in Columbus.

The eldest brother provided the double wide for her and their mother to live - on his property. A couple of years back after thirteen years of lifting and caring for their mother, my friend had heart trouble and was admitted to the hospital. The mother died while my friend was in the hospital. She rarely got a free week-end or free time to herself. I remember one such week-end she escaped to my house for a much needed free week-end. The poor lady slept the entire time - she was that exhausted. It took it's toll on her health and especially on her back. The mother could not walk or go to the bathroom by herself. My friend would have to beg a sister or sister-in-law to come and stay with their mother while she got a much needed hour or two to herself.

They finally qualified for a hospice care that came four hours a day to relieve my friend. She said that mostly she slept the entire time since she was up all hours of the night caring for her mother.

She did not get to say good-bye to her mother since she was in the hospital during the funeral, etc... She now stays at the double wide and has multiple medical problems of her own. One such recent incident is her teeth. She had to have them all surgically removed. Since she is no longer married she relies on medicare for her needs. Their answer was to send her to a Columbus dentist.

She did have that younger sister in Columbus that would take her to the doctor and get this done. The problem was getting her to Columbus. Her daughter has panic attacks and cannot drive anywhere other than around her home. Her son is in California with his family. I have no idea where the other two brothers are.

Do you think one brother or the younger sister would offer to help her? Not a one. I saw two of them yesterday and they were very friendly, chatty and just puttering around doing little odds and ends. The younger sister would take her to the dentist surgery but could not be put out to meet anybody halfway or drive down to get her and help her out. However, she certainly is willing to brag about her two Cadillac Escalades and all their latest GPS features, etc... Maybe she just did not have the money to put gas in these large SUV's. My friend was buying the gas, anyway.

My friend is also on oxygen. Years of smoking.

I drove her to Columbus to her sister's house and picked her up and took her home yesterday. With the family that I have I just am totally mystified that sisters and brothers turn a cold shoulder like this. I was amazed and a bit confused. What goes on in a family that they all act like they care and love each other but when it comes to favors and time - they cannot be bothered?

The really odd thing was that if she did not get a ride on Sunday, her first ex-husband with his third wife were going to drive up and bring her home. She told me (after I offered to come up and get her on Sunday) that she would have died a slow death if she had to ride with them. One feels completely naked and vulnerable after having all of their teeth removed. It is a very humbling experience. Her ex-husband was going to also have to bring his three sons (from his second marriage) with him. They were older and I am certain they could have stayed home by themselves. I think he was just telling my friend how inconvenient everything was going to be for him but (sigh) he would do it.

Oh, the cookie-cutter part. Her younger sister lives in one of those housing developments where all the houses look alike. If it were not for the distinct wreath on her door, I am not sure I would have found it by myself. This type of housing is nuts!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

It's a food day

Frying bacon in a pan this morning. I got very little sleep last night again. As usual. I have a big day today. I am making calico beans and stuffed shells and taking them to a double birthday party.

That bacon smells wonderful! And, I don't care much for bacon. The pets are going insane with the smell. I wish I had lettuce and tomato.

The camera battery is charged. I will take pictures unless I get strapped for time and forget.

I did end up going to dinner Friday night. That makes an appt. Wednesday, dinner out with the girls from work on Thursday. Dinner with sisters on Friday, b'day party with my previous work place friends on Saturday. And a big double birthday party out of town today.

Linux? - I'll catch ya later!

Friday, November 12, 2010

At the office and away

The ladies in the building where I work at started a monthly night out for the gals. I hosted last night's get together and I could not think of anything to do with them or have for them.

The host is not at all obligated to do anything but pick the restaurant and get the tally of gals coming and show up. An hour before the event it hit me.

A "get to know you" questionnaire. Who is your favorite actor and why? Who is your favorite actress and why? Who is your favorite male/female singer. What song did you like?

Oh, it was hilarious. We had 8 gals show up. Our list includes over 20, but life does get busy.

I had no idea we would have this great of a time talking about movies, music and books.

The funniest was of the group of the ladies that liked Elvis - that age group, one of them was into heavy metal. We were shocked! She liked Ozzie Osbourne. She named a few others I don't recall, but it was quite the surprise.

I had 3 pages of questions (about 20) and we barely got through the first page. I know a little bit more about the women I see every day and what they like. It was great!

Oh, the food sucked. They burned my seafood and I had to get a re-do on some of my dish. The hot sauce made me sweat and started a hot flash and that (with the excitement and laughing) brought on a royal headache. I used to work in a grill restaurant and I could tell they had the grease too hot - or they forgot about it - or both.

I came home to a basement full of kids playing video games. (Why do I still say kids? They are in their early 20's except for my daughter who is still 19). They were hungry. I ordered the pizza and wings and gave them the coupon and money and told them when to go pick it up. We have 3 pizza joints within walking distance of my back door. Easy peasy.

The dogs were in heaven with all the company. And I am certain they were drooling in hopes that somebody would let a chunk of sausage or pepperoni fall off of their piece of pizza. Me? I read my e-mails and went to bed. Didn't hear a thing until I woke up at five.

Sister 1944 posted a remark on Facebook about brother 1957. She told his lady friend/wife/ex-wife to post a picture of our brother, she forgot what he looked like. Coming across as "he never comes to any get togethers." Sister 1956 mentioned to me that brother 1957 was a little bit upset by it. I said "Oh, he needs to lighten up."

Brother 1957's lady friend stated that she didn't know how to post photos, yet.

So, my daughter and I found the funniest looking monkey photo on the web and I posted on Facebook : I said "here. I found a picture of brother 1957. I'll post it." And I slapped that monkey up there. Hee, hee. Take that brother. I don't let my brothers and sisters get miffed at me. I'll be right in their face saying "lighten up! I love you!" Then I give them a big hug. It is completely futile to get upset with me.

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Where did they go?

I have had a mystery that has puzzled me for years. Where do people go if you have missed their call and you try to call them back within seconds? Do they throw the phone over the hill in anger because nobody answered? Do they drop the phone and run like hell? Where do they go?

It happened the other day to me. I was driving and my cell phone rang. I glanced to see it was a very good friend calling. I wanted to tell her I would call her later in the week when I had time to chat.

I drove another 100 feet and pulled the car over. I dialed her number - no answer. Where did she go in 30 to 50 seconds? Did she scream and throw the phone out the window? What?

I don't get it. I have not remembered to call her back since. Now it is past 9:00 and I don't want to call in case she is in bed.

I understand that some phones do not return a busy signal. My work phone doesn't. To the caller it just rings and rings and rings. Work phone. Go figure. No answering machine picks up either. I just tell my co-workers if it just rings and rings, I am probably on the line talking to somebody else. If I am away from my desk and I don't answer the phone, the machine will pick up fine. When I am not actually on the phone.

Wait. Maybe the callers are messing with me. Laughing at the ringing telephone at the other end. "Don't answer my call, will you?! See how it feels?!" Creepy.

Saturday, September 04, 2010

Burn baby, burn

Good grief it looks as if we are burning one of the chairs in this photo. Not at all. The chair was safe on the other side of the fire. This is the camp fire we build when I go to visit friends near the lake at the campsite.

It was a beautiful day (August 27th) and a lovely evening.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Oh, woe is me

Using my backup computer again. Here is a photo a month or so old with our cat Teton looking at some fish in a bowl. They are there, up near the top. The food cover we use so the fish can't jump out and so the cat can't stick it's paw in is kind of covering them.

I have my main computer down to change the battery. I got one at Radio Shack and (par for the course) got the incorrect one. I also changed the fuse in my sub woofer and promptly blew the new one out. So that means a more serious problem. I must find a place that repairs sub woofers. Oh, woe is me.

And, I have insomnia. I have been up for an hour. The dogs have been taken outside and fed. I still have some kitty litter duty but I kind of procrastinate in that area. Work has been busy in an interesting kind of way.

I hope to visit some family and an old friend this holiday week-end coming up. Labor day. Hah.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Eye liner

My niece's cat

I've never seen a ring around just one eye like this. Then again, I don't see many white-faced cats. In the middle ages or in ancient Egypt, this cat may have been considered an omen. Hopefully a good omen.

It was a great week-end with plenty of friends and family. But WAY too much food. I remember saying "Eat light, we eat again in just 4 hours!"

Work is crazy with the beginning of the school year.

Now the sub woofer on my computer system blew a fuse. I am so glad I thought of the fuse. That will cost just a couple of dollars to replace. I pulled the fuse out and it is burnt black. I was pulling cables out and getting them all organized and I thought to myself 'here I am again, messing with electrical stuff!' Yikes!

I need to have sound so I can hear all the funny videos and enjoy the clips folks send my way. A couple of cute ones I saw over the week-end are 'machine-gun kitty' and 'surprised kitty'. Both found on Youtube. Both of them showed up first when I typed them into the search feature on Youtube. If you like cats, you should check them out.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Jive Talkin'

For my friend's birthday bash she requested a little disco music. I found some. I don't have much of that flavor of music in my stash. Maybe five songs or so from (please let us forget) that era.

Had a wonderful day with friends at the camp grounds yesterday. Could not have asked for a more pleasant day. It was beautiful outside. Just beautiful.

Driving around on the golf cart we drooled over the camp sites that were for sale. So nice! So shady. Not many were lakeside, and some were downright shabby. Ah, well.

We will survive! We did survive the disco craze. LOL!

Friday, July 30, 2010

Riding on the B-Train

I was going thru my nephew's photos and I found this. Yes, it is the same barrel train that I took a photo of back in September of 2007. My good friend's nephew made it I think. Here he is hauling some kids thru the Memorial Day parade in their home town. Notice the little girl in the blue barrel holding her hears. That would have been me at that age. My ears are still sensitive.

Here is my photo: http://welcomemyworld.blogspot.com/2007/09/barrel-train.html

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Eye Dee Ten Tee Error

A picture of my pineapple pudding cake before adding the pineapple and cool whip.

I had to throw almost the whole dang thing out after my party this year. I guess I just had way too much food this year. Nobody ate any of it. I gave a couple of pieces (or with this cake it is more like huge spoon fulls) away, and I ate one myself - but the rest? Garbage disposal got it. Oh, well. Mama said...

Anyway... good news. I figured out half way through the day (when I dropped my cell phone) that it was still missing the battery, so when I went home at lunch I found the battery under a hamper and my cell phone is fine. I am kind of bummed because I really want a smart phone and I need a good excuse to treat myself to one. (Just because I am eligible for an upgrade isn't a good enough reason for me). This coming from someone who will get her daughter the latest and greatest gadget while I take her hand-me-downs.

As to the title of the post, has anybody ever said to you "That's an eye dee ten tee error?" It certainly is NOT a compliment. We techs would jokingly tell each other that and when we came across somebody who did not know what it is, we say "write it down." Phonetically it is pronounced eye dee ten tee. Written down it looks like this:

id10t. :)

What a lousy host I am! A good friend e-mailed me Saturday morning and said she was getting a group together that evening to play cards and such. I said "Sure" because I did not have plans. I had worked on a small "mini-laptop" that she purchased for her niece and this would be a good time to return it. (I'll post more about this unit another day.) Note: I am seriously "NOT IMPRESSED" with this device.

So, I head up north and settle in with good friends, good snacks and good games.

I get a message from my sister in Columbus. She was visiting her daughter (autistic) and she, my nephew and niece were headed to my house and would be there in an hour. I was an hour away. Whoops. I had forgotten they were coming. Yikes!

I tried to call them back, but they were probably travelling through the "no man's land" area where I had worked at a week before and I did not reach them. My nephew still had his key so it all turned out okay, but I felt bad. I stayed to play cards with friends (because we were playing teams and stuff) and I made it home around midnight.

Bad sister! Bad host!