Friday Klatch?

[tbb113]

Okay were is everybody? I can't believe I'm starting it....have we lost interest or is it just a busy week?

Not much happening here. The boys have a 3 day weekend for MLK but I have to work on Monday (since it's not a holiday for my client but it is for my company :rolleyes: )

I did see Syriana last weekend. Very good and thought provoking. I would recommend you see it...but see it with a friend so you can talk about it afterwards.

[Peggy]

Hi Tyra!

Sitting here at the computer with cat on lap purring. I usually don't join in on these threads because I find it very hard to keep up with everyone's news. It moves so fast!

Another dreary raining day up here. Looking forward to a fairly quiet weekend. I'm going to try to catch up on some projects and start the scrapbook of our trip to Europe last summer.

How is the Nordic Track walker working out for you and your son?

Peggy

[Kathy B]

Hi, Tyra and Peggy! Sounds like some low-key weekend plans.

The kids get out at noon today, and they also have Monday off, but we have Girl Scout cookies to deliver and Eagle Scout project stuff to work on. I also HAVE to get the rest of the Christmas stuff put away! :o

So of course I spent the first part of the morning over at my mom's showing her how to use her new computer! :p Not like I know that much, but I did show her how to GOOGLE, how to check her email, and how to start a "favorites" list. That ought to keep her busy for a while!

Haven't heard of Syriana. May need to check it out. This would be a good weekend for DH and I to try to catch a movie.

Have a good day! :)

[Canice]

Wow, where is everyone? I was having trouble with the boards last night; hope there aren't any problems with it.
I just found out yesterday that DBF is going away for the weekend, so I'll have to re-think my plans. A trip to the farmers' market is always in order, so maybe I'll go enjoy it without the summer crowds! I'll also check out the neighborhood walking tours for Saturday, they're always fun. Tuesday I take off for my last visit to my mom before she moves back around the first of March. It'll be great to see her!

[Robyn1007]

Hi all!

I was wondering too but I don't have much to report here. I'll give everyone one guess as to what I'm doing this weekend. ;) Tomorrow will be my first day as an official coach so I'm excited and nervous all at once. Tomorrow night we have a team get together and handing out team jackets. I plan to stay at a friend's condo up there Saturday night and ski for myself on Sunday.

On another note, I think I found my perfect bra this week which is a major win for me! Its fairly new from Victoria's Secret and called Angel Embrace. It's comfortable, pretty and pushes me up all at once. :D

Tyra, I want to see Syriana but with my schedule I can't seem to get myself to a movie. My cousin wants to see it too so maybe one evening next week.

Robyn

[tbb113]

Peggy - Alex didn't like the Nordic Trak at all. He isn't co-ordinated enough to keep it going. He needs an electric treadmill. I started off with great intentions and then let it slide. I need to get back to it!

Robyn - have fun. Hope the kids and you have a blast racing down the hills.

Canice - have a good weekend and a good trip. I watched Check, please last night and now I want to try Burma Super Star on Clement. Have you been there?

[Gracie]

Hello!

I've been busy this morning. We are applying for a grant that encompasses patient safety issues and preparing physicians to adopt health information technology by automating the way notes are sent back and forth from primary care physician to specialist. I have 4 weeks to get this written! :eek: I always have such a hard time starting out and I don't write particularly well when it comes to using formal/stuffy words and phrases that are necessary for grant writing. But I also get to run it by other people here so everyone will be able to chime in.

This weekend should be fairly low-key. I have to get my oil changed and my car inspection done tomorrow and I still have a big list of things I have not completed since I've been back from CA. My vacation really got me out of the "do" mode when it comes to my free time! Saturday night will be for watching the Patriots WIN. The weekend won't be good for much else since it's supposed to pour buckets then get super cold on Sunday and freeze everything.

Tyra - I haven't heard of Syriana either. I'll have to check into it. What's a Nordic Track walker? Is it different than their ski machine?

Robyn - have fun with the kids! This should definitely be an eye-opening experience! ;) I'm sure you'll be excellent at it and that you'll enjoy it, too. These kids are on a higher level of ski commitment than the average 6 year old that's just been dropped off in ski school for the weekend.

Kathy - I remember GS cookie time. Erin used to sell over 400 boxes each year and most of it was to people in my company so guess who had to deliver them! I was also Cookie Mom for the troop for 2 years and that meant that our entire spare room was given over to cookies for a time.

Canice - a nice weekend to yourself can be great! Go see or rent a movie that DBF would never want to see. Get a manicure, pedicure, take yourself out to eat with friends, the list is endless!!

Peggy - I have a hard time typing with the cat on my lap, but I'd never move her! She climbs up the back of the desk chair like it's a tree then maneuvers her way down one side and onto my lap.

Loren

[tbb113]

Syriana is a political thriller about the oil industry/big business/government. Its been out since Thanksgiving and they are talking nominations for George Clooney (and I think he has won some awards already for it).

The Nordic Trak is a non-electric treadmill for walking/jogging. Peggy graciously gave me her old one and I really need to use it more often.

I hear you on the oil change...I've been procrastinating it all month and I was hoping Michael would do it over break (but I never gave him the money :rolleyes: and he spent his allowance to quickly!) This weekend for sure since its almost 4 months and over my 5000 miles.

[lhall]

Well, I spent 3 hours at the tire shop this morning then I still had to do my grocery shopping. I didn't get home until almost 1.

I'll check back again later, probably after I pick up Mariel.

Leigh

[Escher]

Hiya Klatchers.

What a wild, wacky, bewildering few weeks it's been....

Let me explain... No, there is too much, let me sum up:

....my contract nearly ended, two days before it did they extended it with the intent of hiring me permanently, I still had several interviews to go to (might as well) one of which is very promising, I'm considering a career change altogether, Son1 got sick, then Son2 got sick, then I got sick, my wife is working 6am-9pm for 2 months straight (isn't there a law against that?), I got a traffic ticket, I got a flat tire pulling away from the traffic ticket, and oh yeah, Christmas, New Years and two college football bowl games of note occurred, and today I darn near cut off Son2's pinkie finger in the door by accident.

Every one of those events have occurred since Christmas.

Did I mention that it's Friday the 13th and a Full Moon? I guess that means I'll have to don a tux and head to the big Charity Auto Preview tonight.... what's one more thing, right?

Yes, Escher in a tux, enjoying champagne and the finest cars in the world.... James Bond has _nothing_ on me. Eat your heart out, ladies!

[tbb113]

What a hair-raising two weeks! Think of it this way...the rest of the year just has to get better. :)

I'm considering a career change as well...just don't know what I want to change to other then kept woman and at the moment I have no prospects in the pipeline for this job :D

[Escher]

I'm considering a career change as well...just don't know what I want to change to other then kept woman and at the moment I have no prospects in the pipeline for this job :D

Escher's Harem has the following positions available:

Pillow Poofer Supervisor
Grape Quality Control Inspector
Ostrich Feather Fan Repair Technician.

[tbb113]

I'm probably most qualified for the pillow poofer position (not sure if I'm up to supervisor level though :D ).

[Gracie]

Escher - good luck with all the job decisions! I hope you're fighting that traffic ticket!

Tyra - how is your job situation? Do you know if they're keeping you? What else would you like to do if you could (besides Pillow Poofer :) )?

I just went out for an iced coffee and since I prefer Starbucks, I went there. They don't have iced coffee "at this time of year" despite having the frappachino and offered me an Espresso Americano, made by brewing espresso and adding water. I almost caved but I have to have decaf or I'll end up in the ER so I asked if they put the decaf espresso in the same machine as the regular and the Starbucks woman told me that "if I can't have caffeine I shouldn't be having coffee" and proceded to lecture me about decaf still having 5% of the caffeine in there. I thanked her as politely as I could muster without smacking her upside the head :rolleyes: and went to Dunkin Donuts where they do have normal decaf iced coffee year-round, even when we have snow on the ground, and an extremely nice and polite waitperson. I may turn into a Dunkin Donuts girl yet...

Loren

[donleyk]

I just went out for an iced coffee and since I prefer Starbucks, I went there. They don't have iced coffee "at this time of year" despite having the frappachino and offered me an Espresso Americano, made by brewing espresso and adding water. I almost caved but I have to have decaf or I'll end up in the ER so I asked if they put the decaf espresso in the same machine as the regular and the Starbucks woman told me that "if I can't have caffeine I shouldn't be having coffee" and proceded to lecture me about decaf still having 5% of the caffeine in there. I thanked her as politely as I could muster without smacking her upside the head :rolleyes: and went to Dunkin Donuts where they do have normal decaf iced coffee year-round, even when we have snow on the ground, and an extremely nice and polite waitperson. I may turn into a Dunkin Donuts girl yet...

Loren

Interrupting your regulary schedule thread to say OH MY GAWD! Is the woman insane??!?!?! Heavens yes! Pick up the phone!!! Editing: Oops, I miss read your meaning ~obviously ~ so to clarify I'd call StarBucks and suggest they train their staff to answer questions not offer opinions.... :rolleyes: I'm such a goober.

Okay.. back to your klatching....

[Escher]

Gracie, you don't happen to drive a silver Jeep Liberty and are wearing a positively kick-butt red power skirt-suit with calf-high boots, are you?

I only ask because the girl ahead of me at DD ordered the same at lunch... I only remember because her smokin' figure made me forget about everything else for awhile.... I'm only now picking my tongue up off the floor.

That girl knew what she wanted, and knew how to get it. It was inspiring.

You might even say she lifted my spirits.

[Gracie]

Gracie, you don't happen to drive a silver Jeep Liberty and are wearing a positively kick-butt red power skirt-suit with calf-high boots, are you?

I only ask because the girl ahead of me at DD ordered the same at lunch... I only remember because her smokin' figure made me forget about everything else for awhile.... I'm only now picking my tongue up off the floor.

That girl knew what she wanted, and knew how to get it. It was inspiring.

You might even say she lifted my spirits.

Yes that describes me exactly!! :D The Jeep part, but not the silver or the Liberty or the smokin' figure (but that part's in progress ;) )

Editing to add - the Jeep part and the know what I want, and know how to get it part :D

Loren

[colleency]

Late as always!

Tyra, I have to work on Monday, too. And some friends are coming in from Mass (but not Boston) to show off their new baby.

Peggy, I'm jealous of you cat owners. I'm so very allergic to cats! My landlady will let us have a cat, but not a dog. So we have a cute, but not very cuddly turtle.

Kathy, mmmm...Girl Scout cookies!

Canice, Are you close enough to walk to a farmer's market? That would be so cool. My closest on a Saturday is either Santa Monica or Torrance, each about 30 minutes away.

Robyn, I think you're going to make a great coach. You'll probably be the one that all the kids remember fondly when they're older.

Loren, I'm with you on the not getting back on schedule, and I didn't even go anywhere for the holiday! Yesterday morning I couldn't sleep, so I got a lot of cleaning done, but I'm really not getting back into the swing of making dinners. And I think I'd complain about the girl telling you what to drink (if I had the energy.)

Leigh, ick. Tire shop.

Escher, Wow. What a fortnight! I hope things calm down. Have fun at the car show.

Tonight I've got to make a couple of bundt cakes to take to parties this weekend. Last weekend was my day to expand my wardrobe for my cruise next month. Tomorrow is DH's turn. I think his wardrobe is even worse off than mine! Sunday we're taking the little girl that is in our cruising group out to the park or for an ice cream, so she gets more used to us before we go. We want to be able to pick her up from the daycare without her wailing for mom and dad.

If anyone remembers the evening gown I've been dragging my heels on making, I got the preliminary mockup done. Hopefully the next mockup will fit. I'm actually glad that I've stalled. I got cruise documentation. The captain's ball is black & white theme, so I could potentially run out and get more fabric in black & white!

[lhall]

Peggy,
Sounds like you're in a nice comfy position, with the cat purring in your lap. Or at least, you were when the klatch started.

Tyra,
I guess you haven't had any luck on a permenant position yet?

Canice,
Enjoy your trip to see your mom & the farmer's market this weekend. :D

Loren,
Good luck on your grant, and enjoy your low key weekend.

Kathy,
Girl Scout Cookies already? Ours don't go on sale her until February or March. Of course, my neighbors moved so I need to find a new girl scout.

Robyn,
I'm sure you'll do great as a ski coach!

Escher,
You've definately had a rough couple of weeks. I'm do hope things get better soon!

Believe it or not, we've got a pretty low key weekend too. This morning I spend three hours at the tire place. New front rotors, flush brake fluid, two new tires, rotate old tires, balance tires, align tires......three hours and $$$ later I was on the road. I still need to have the oil changed, but won't do that until next Friday (when I can go w/o the kids!) That means I wasn't done with the grocery shopping until 12:30. Really put a crimp in my day.

Tomorrow I want to go buy the tile for the floor. There's a big sale going on this weekend. Then, tomorrow night we're going out to eat with the family for Ginger's birthday. Monday the kids are off school, but Al has to work.

Leigh

[Robyn1007]

Thank you all for the vote of confidence! I had lunch with the woman who recommended me for the job and asked a few questions on how to handle situations. (Like if no parents stay with me and I have more than 3 kids who rides up the lift with the extras?)

I'm reading everyone's notes but have no time to respond to everyone but want to say hi!

[tbb113]

Its an awkward situtation since I am a full time employee, but its for a consulting company. The client site has told my employer that I'm good until the end of March, but I am hoping that will be extended. Since I like the commute, I'm not looking for a job yet, but if at the end of Feb I'm still being told end of March, I will actively start looking since I'm 99% sure that the consulting company doesn't have a place to put me :(

I really don't know what I want to do, but I do know that I can't see spending another 20 years doing what I do. The market just isn't there anymore and as I'm getting older, its less and less appealing (and I don't want to learn new technology). So, I need something that will bring me close to 6 figures (I can't afford a cut in salary and still make ends meet. As it is I make about 50% less then the average household income in my area. But I'm only 1 wage earner instead of 2 wage earners.) And I don't want to go back to school only because I don't know how I would fit it in or afford it. So...kept woman still sounds like my best bet :)

Loren - I would definetly complain to Starbucks (both corporate and to the store manager). That kind of attitude is completely unacceptable.

Colleen - SF is fairly walkable (as long as you don't mind hills ;) ). I would think Canice would take public transit though since she doesn't live that close to the Ferry Building.

I might hit the local Farmer's market this weekend myself. I actually have eaten ALL the fruits and veggies (except the carrots) that was delivered last week, so I need more stuff.

[Canice]

... I watched Check, please last night and now I want to try Burma Super Star on Clement. Have you been there?

I have, though not in a couple of years. It's also a great outing because you can go to Green Apple Books, New May Wah Grocery, and Haig's (Mediterranean/Middle Eastern) before lunch and they're all right there. Kind of a nice way to spend an afternoon.
I used to walk to the farmers' market (can't be 2 miles, though there's Nob Hill to contend with) but you're right, nowadays I usually take the bus -- I just don't get those early starts on the day! :o

[tbb113]

Thanks...seems like I might need to find my way into the City one of these days. haven't been in a while (and I still haven't been to the Ferry Building since it opened :o )

[Robyn1007]

I just have to share this. I am instant messaging with my friend in Iraq! I just found him online for the first time since he got there in November. I am so excited. I miss him so much, this just made my day! :D :D :D

[Canice]

WOW, Robyn, that's pretty awfully cool! :)
I'll have to refer to it next time I have to listen to someone carp about how cold and alienating our computer culture is.

Hope your friend is doing well.

[Robyn1007]

I agree Canice that things can get pretty cold in our computer world but I have to say its so nice to get an immediate reply to my questions. He is doing well, though he's stuck at a base other than his own and can't get back right now for safety reasons. Apparently he was also nominated for a combat action medal which really scares the living daylights out of me but I am so proud. :eek: