Another weekend

Strange as it sounds, guess where I am again this weekend? Uh huh, Starla and John's. I seem to sense a trend here. Like it here? Whatever gave you that idea?! ~chuckle~ I hadn't even made it home from work before my cell was ringing yesterday evening--and, of course, I had the ringer off. Some instinct told me to check the phone, so there I sat at a red light--what a concept-- a red light in friday afternoon traffic on Memorial Day Weekend ~just shoot me?~ and I pull my phone from my purse, wriggling it free of the straps that are wrapped around my gearshift and unlock the keys, first thing I see is 3 missed calls. ~yay, means someone had called Dani again~ Well, to my surprise, it was STARLA! ~grins~ So, of course, I just *had* to call her back--disregarding my hard and fast rule regarding the cell phone--hang up and drive! To my defense, it was a quick call and I hadn't even made it into 2nd gear before I hung up with her and had our weekend plans made. Wooohooo!! off to Lakeland for the weekend! Woot! Kids pack your stuff--crap--Mike's not home--again--where the HECK does that kid hang out? I swear he disappears like smoke!

Okay, chill out, Miki, no big deal, we can wait for him. We did the big clean up/painting/yardwork thing last weekend--the house is clean, the girls' room actually LOOKS like the girl's room, not the local trash dump, not expecting anyone else to drop in semi-announced--we can run away for the night. 7:30 comes and mom has waited quite long enough--too bad, so sad, Mikey--see ya tomorrow night when we get home, food's in the fridge we're gone. Not my fault you like to hide when you go out so that none of us can find you.

Okay, now that I have proven what a heartless witch I can be, let me remind you of my son's behaviour recently ~low growl~ He may be bigger than me, taller than me and sneaky to boot, but I have the advantage of age, experience and sheer craftiness. Add into the fact that he chose the exact WRONG time to mouth off to me--right when Uncle Pat was standning in the living room--not smart there, bubba-butt. While my brother and I may argue, fuss and fight--he will NOT tolerate a walking ego of a 15 year old boy attempting to bully me on anything, much less smarting back to me. This isn't like telling tales to Uncle Pat when mom didn't do something she was supposed to have done and getting her "in trouble". This is outright disrespect toward his mother and a DEFINITE no-no in Pat's mind. Mike got an immediate, up close and personal attitude adjustment much to his surprise and disgust. Usually Pat's on his side. No pity coming from this arena. This was a well deserved ass chewing and, one of the few times I really wish we didn't live alone and had a better role model for my son. Still, I know where it comes from, even if Mike was too young to remember what daddy was like when we were still together. I can actually now spend small amounts of time with my ex-husband and even welcome him to my home, knowing he is leaving it again in a short while and, I can still get the hell outta Dodge, should the need arise without fear.

Speaking of John, he called the girls tonight (since Mike is still in Tampa) and told them he was planning on coming to visit in July ~just has to laugh~ Florida--in mid July. Too funny, but at least this time when they go to the beach, they can actually go in swimming which they couldn't do when he was down for Christmas. This was apparently a compromise to the kids since he was supposed to bring them home for a couple weeks. ~shrug~ No surprise there. At least now he makes the effort of explaining broken promises and offering compromises. Progress. He's come a long way and, strangely, I am proud of him. ~faints, then blinks my eyes~ OMG in heaven! Did I just say that?!

Anyway, off that topic. Work. Did I mention that I realyl like my new job? The office I am in is wonderful, nice people, awesome work environment and well, I am not doing just the job I was hired for--checking provider info and credentials, etc. Behavioral Health (aka Therapists, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, EdD, Psy D's you name it. Good grief..and all in NY. But it's been fun, aggravating (I really dislike rude people and I don't give a damn what degree you havem buddy, nobody ever died from an excess of courtesy) and a few even had me laughing. But I can also hold my own around the office. If they need help in Claims, I can go over there and work, likewise in Intake (where I actually hope to go after this assignment is completed) and also in the filing department ~eye roll~ I am simply useful all over and I like that feeling. Apparently the manager I am working under likes me, as well as the HR manager, so I have good hopes, although I know better than to expect anything.

I was pleasantly surprised last week. I was working and one of the older ladies came over to my desk with a small arrangement of silk flowers in a tall purple coffee mug and set them up on the edge of the upper cubicle. Green and purple and orange flowers, just because. Just to welcome me to the office and say "hi". Apparently Mary Catherine does this because she enjoys making the flowers. I had noticed them on the other desks, but had not asked about them. Mary Catherine said my desk was too empty and my smile had no obvious reason--it does now. Have I mentioned that they're beautiful? I am not much for silk flowers, I do prefer the live, plantred variety better, but these ones simply warmed my heart. And yes, I also had the not-so-altruistic smirk when I noticed that the other girl I have been working with did NOT get any (and still hasn't to date) and had the audacity to state (loudly) that I did not deserve any flowers and how the heck did *I* rate? This girl isn't known for tact, subtlety or courtesy, either. Hasn't once been on time, has missed several days, talks on her cell during work (after being told the work phone was for precisely that, btw) and leaves early. This is also not a "kid". She's got to be either late 20s to mid 30s and I simply don't understand where she's coming from. ~shrug~ I avoid her--guilt by association doesn't appeal, thanks. I was raised to be polite to everyone or to hold my tongue. Most of the time I succeed. I am a firm believer in "Tis better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt".

~hears Alice Cooper in the back of my mind~ School's out for summer, last day was thursday. God help me, the kids have "nothing" to do--and don't like what I have found for them, either. ~laugh~ does ANY kid like what mom finds for them to do when they're "bored stiff"? I somehow doubt that seriously.

Okay, now my blog has turned into a book, yet again and I have the new Christine Feehan book calling my name--I am already knee deep in it and feel the yearning to dive back in. I shall likely fall asleep reading ~chuckle~ I seem to do that when I am here. Ah, well--better than the alternative, eh? Especially for a chronic insomniac. ~nods~

So, until I get my own internet back on (gimme two weeks) I am outta here, folks!

-Miki