Black Friday

The sales this year suck. It might have something to do with the products sucking as well. I didn't get up at the crack of dawn but I did get into Harrisonburg at 10am on Friday morning.
Walmart was my first stop, the parking lot was not full but the hitching posts for the Mennonite horse and buggies were all taken. Inside the deals were many but all one items I'd rather pass on or things I already had. I did find deals still available on Thanksgiving food staples like stuffing and baking supplies.
I then had to take a time out, due to disappointment and get some lunch. I hit the local hotspot - Taste of India. Yummy. After several servings of masala, paneer and other strange things I was ready to take on Black Friday shopping.
So I drove up the road to Target. Boring. It was packed but again, boring. No big sales on Christmas decorations, no sales on kid toys that I was interested in. Blah.
Kmart was next and again, it was disappointing. I will say that they did have a decent mark down on the Martha Stewart Christmas stuff that i took advantage of.
Finally I thought that Kohl's would be a sure bet. The mark downs were great but the line to check out was an hour long. I think not.
My decision for shopping this year is to take to the internet. After all that driving I think I only spent $200 not counting groceries. It just wasn't worth the hassle. I compared prices at Amazon to those at all the stores I shopped at today and there was little to no savings. So, tomorrow it's off to my office and to Amazon to get these gifts bought and done.
I'm pooped now. I must get some sleep!

Too Much TV

We are a family of couch potatoes. I admit I watch way too much TV. It's always on. Because our viewing is continuous you could say that we've developed some strong relationships with some of our favorite personalities.
Vince:
Wow, or shall I say Shamwow. This guy is annoying but somehow makes me want to dial them up and order those dumb towels. The Husband and I are now always quoting Vince.
"You know the Germans make great stuff."
"You following me camera guy?"
Out of pure boredom yesterday I Googled our buddy Vince and found that he's quite popular on the internet.

Flo:
Oh Flo, you are so loved. Our son is totally in love with the lady who plays 'Flo' on the Progressive insurance commercials. He stops what ever he is doing and stares at the TV when ever the commercials come on. He smiles very big when Flo is on screen. She's his first big crush.

Bringing Sexy Back

Not. This week has been an exercise in growing old gracefully. First, I finally found out about what was wrong with my wrists then I got a yeast skin infection. Trust me that's all the information you want to know about the latter. Luckily I have an appointment with my doctor next week to resolve the infection and get me more drugs (DRUGS!). I still don't have a consult with the surgeon who will do my wrist surgeries.
Other than my aging body I am gearing up for the holidays. The Husband is planning to host his single co-workers at our house on Thanksgiving. Since we've never cooked a Thanksgiving dinner before this ought to be memorable. This week I will gather all the necessary ingredients. I'm also hoping to get my hands on a free range turkey.

Speaking of turkey - Hunter finally ate a meat he liked tonight - turkey! I had to mix it with apricots but he ate it all. We got three solid meals down him today... which is hard to do with our schedules and laziness. Hunter just eats them up now within 10 to 15 minutes.
We still haven't decided on Christmas cards yet... gotta get on top of that. We also still have masses of Christmas shopping to do. Thank god for the internet!
That's it for now.... remember to keep wearing your WRIST STRONG BRACELETS!

Blue Jays & Overcast Days

We've got some colorful neighbors here in West Virginia. I first noticed them a few weeks back but today they are going crazy nuts in the bushes behind my house. Olivia Kitty is very excited by their presence. They are Blue Jays. They're very pretty but look like trouble makers. I watch them as I work in my office. Olivia has a little bed on my desk where she too spies on the birdies and salivates.
After weeks of temperatures in the 70s we are finally deep into fall weather here. It's 40 something and overcast. It's one of those days best spent in bed. Unfortunately I can't do that. I have Mr. Man to take care of. Speaking of Hunter he is getting his first tooth. It's coming in on his bottom left side. He's been pretty fussy the past few days - doesn't want to sleep and is never satisfied. I've tried doping him with Tylenol but he stays awake. Even Olivia is concerned about him. After an hour of screaming yesterday she came in my room and meowed until I picked him up. She thinks the cry out method is too cruel and too annoying. The Cheat can sleep through anything.
I'm on a mission today and tomorrow to get our house and routine back to normal. The Husband's father was in town over the weekend and we all got a little off. Unfortunately I'm still not on task myself. I wanted to do a cleaning spree this morning but really didn't get far at all. Hunter is down for a nap and I might join him. Hopefully this afternoon I'll get some motivation and energy to get going.
Ok, I'm too tired to type anymore... must go take my meds and lay down.

Wrist Strong

Like Stephen Colbert I now realize the importance of the wrist. It's a nifty little joint that when working is like a ballerina, so swift, graceful and talented. When something goes wrong with the wrist life loses it's gracefulness and beauty.
i have struggled with my wrists for about a year now. It became noticeable during my pregnancy and then raged last month. I had numbness and pain. The numbness consumed my hands and the pain shot up through my elbows and into my shoulders.
I finally saw the neurologist today and the diagnosis was confirmed - carpal tunnel in both wrists. The condition is common in my family and isn't totally surprising. For many years now I've been typing up a storm on computers, doing downward dog during yoga and knitting. All these activities have slowly become more taxing on my wrists and hands. I knew in college that I was on the road to this condition... I'm just surprised that it happened at 29!
I'm now waiting to see a surgeon about a proceedure for both wrists. I'm also going to buy myself a WRIST STRONG bracelet. We must protect our wrists!

Progress Halted?

For those who know the details of my daily life then you will understand what this post is in reference to. After months of work a project I was a part of was permanently stopped today. To say the least it was a totally bummer.
Now, after a little chit chat and a couple hours of digestion I feel totally deflated. It's tough when you put a lot of your time, talents and heart into something only to see another just say 'no'. I understand the justification behind the no, still the way in which it was done was tough on the soul. I'm not alone in this. I served next to others who also worked to bring this project to light. They too are upset this evening and in a state of shock and disappointment. For those folks I hear ya, let's remain positive and back the new direction of this endeavour. It may take a week or two to get back on our feet and reconnect with the new team but I still believe this project is needed in this place and at this time.
I'm going to go hit my head against a wall...

Da Vote

I finally got a quiet moment to fill out my absentee ballot tonight. I've always been pretty goos at going out to vote, even in boring school district elections and off year elections. I know my vote is just a drop in the bucket but I feel like I'm taking my country and my rights for granted if I just ignore each election, despite the popularity of one side or another. I know some people feel overwhelmed by the choices this year. I was one of them. I've been going back and forth on a few races. Because it was such a tough choice I think it's double important to get out and vote! We need to be very sure of who we pick at the state and federal level.
Anyhow, I filled out the absentee ballot, not all the races got filled in, because I live so far from home now I only vote in the races I know something about, and that have websites. FYI candidates - get internet sites! Military people in your district need to know who you are and the web is the best place! After the Presidential race and state senate... hardly anyone had websites.
Now it is back to organizing my office and drinking water to get rid of my nasty cold. The poor baby has it too! We are in hell over here! This is one of the drawbacks to moving to a very small base, the viruses make the rounds fast. I know that every family on our block has had this cold... I think we were some of the last.
Anyhow, please get off your duff and vote. I don't care who you vote for... it's just important to get everyone's vote in - otherwise the election results will not be representative of what America wants. Even if you think you know who is going to win vote anyhow! The more you vote and become involved the more you can actually make change come about. I'm living proof with my 'skinny house' crusade a few years ago in downtown Boise, Idaho. I was vocal, I went to meetings, I networked with the neighbors, talked to media and voted! Just recently one of those developers got in trouble with the Idaho Supreme Court. So, see, eventually your hard work does pay off but it starts with a vote.

FYI - Although I currently do not endorse any specific party I put the picture up because it's funny, and most of my family would agree with it.

Back In the Saddle

Finally, our phone and DSL are working. All is well in the world, except for me. I've come down with a virus. It includes horrible headaches, sore throat and a general cotton head like existence. In addition ever since the move began I have been suffering from numbness and pain in my hands, fingers, wrists, elbows, fore arms, arms, shoulders and neck. In fact after typing this much both hands are now numb. It's that bad. I went to the doctor today and he is ordering a consult with a neurologist. He believes there's something strange going on in my neck. Of course, with the approval process through my insurance it will be up to a month before I make it to the neurologist, so I must suffer until then.
Ugh. I want to keep typing but I'm so out of it. The two Sudafed are really kicking in. Maybe I can sleep now...

Communication Meltdown

When you live 45 minutes from civilization and have NO CELL PHONE SERVICE, things get hairy.
It's been a over a week without a phone or decent internet service. I'm starting to develop a tick. Verizon is in charge of our internet service and they failed to show up for two days in a row, now it's Monday or Tuesday or Never. Of course I can't call and chew them out because I have no phone. We're doing that Vonage thing. Ugh.
So I'm getting a little lonely up here. It's totally my fault. The neighbors are very nice and people are always out and walking around here. I'm just busy unpacking and getting everything in it's place. I do have a deal planned for Monday. I'm going to help decorate the local baby/kid thrift store with the Spouses Group President, Jen. As for the rest of the week I have lots to do online like change our address on all our accounts, make phone calls to get about 4 doctor appointments made, and book a flight for our dog to come out here. Grrrr.... Verizon better be here Monday.

Home Base

We are done with the bulk of the move. Our old place in Harrisonburg is cleared out and cleaned. We've turned in our keys. I probably have about 50 to 60% of the unpacking done. Now I'm starting to miss the old place. I'm not saying that it sucks here or there are any issues... infact it's perfect. Still, you miss what's been your norm. We really had some great neighbors in Harrisonburg. We were also so close to fast food, grocery stores and other marks of civilization. Here we have deer in the front yard and a small commissary.
Hunter and Olivia seem happy with the new digs. Olivia spent the first 48 hours running from room to room with her tail straight up and wiggling. She was so excited. she loves the big windows, the view of the park and walk ways and the newness of everything. Hunter was so happy to get his crib back up and is sleeping very well now. I am enjoying the nice walks, views of mountains & deer, and the ability to decorate again and again.
Today we will get the 'good' internet up and going. Right now we have a spotty wireless network. I will blog more soon and update the Flickr site with photos.

SerineKat