TGIF!!!

So glad the weekend is here! 

The garage door saga began slowly this week.  No word from the installers within 48 business hours so Michael called the salesman on Wednesday.  He stated they would call to confirm the appointment for Friday on Thursday evening between 8 and 10.  Then there was.....nothing.  No phone call.  Didn't it just figure???!!!  Michael called Sears this morning, which was not open so he called the 800 number.  Turns out, Sears was using my old phone number, not the one I gave to the salesman to call.  Apparently the installers had been trying to call me to confirm the appointment but were unable to due to the outdated number.  Arrrggg!  However, Michael got everything straightened out, the installers appeared today and voila!  My new garage door opener has been successfully installed!!!!    It's a good day to celebrate!

Saturday will find me breaking bread with my brothers and sisters in celebration of the June birthdays in my family, including my dad - Happy Birthday today Dad!!!!  Saturday evening will find me waxing nostalgic when I attend my 30-year.....yes, 30-year....high school reunion.  Wow.....quite the landmark!!  At least we have finally reached the point when we don't care who has gained weight or who has gone bald!

Have a great weekend, Divas!!!

Case of the Missing Sharkie!

One of my fish has disappeared.....yes, disappeared into thin air!  I noticed yesterday morning one of my sharkies was having some issues - not eating, kind of floating around, and just not with it.  I figured he'd be sleeping with the fishes, literally, when I arrived home after work.

When I peered into the tank that evening, there was no floating fish.  No sunken sharkie.  In fact, no dead sharkie at all.  His buddy was swimming around with the rest of the pack but his twin was no where to be found.  I asked Sam if he had flushed my fishie and he said "No".  Hmmmm....very mysterious.

I further investigated the case of the missing shark tonight after work.  I finagled the fish net through the water to see what might appear.  I turned over the fake chest, investigated under the pirate ship, and wiggled the fake log with foliage.  Nothing.  Michael suggested Mr. Shark may have jumped out of the tank.....I looked toward the back of the tank then on the floor, at which point Michael mentioned that Stubbs could have had shark for a snack. This was a possibility!  I have my suspicions that the good old algae eater, which I received from Michael and is quite large, ate Mr. Shark for a snack.  In looking up the diet of plecostamus, Wikipedia states not only do they eat algae but also dead fish.   This could be it!  Poor sharkie could have just been gobbled up by the prehistoric plecostamus looking for a midnight snack.

Regardless of his end, my little sharkie will be missed.


My theory!

Frogs and Flowers

Today Michael and I made our way to my stepmom Arlene's house, where she was kind enough to prepare lunch for us.  The food was scrumptious and included a chicken pasta dish, salad, blueberry muffins and, to top it all off, homemade strawberry shortcake!  Michael was also given the free garden tour, which he enjoyed immensely, especially since the sun was shining. 

A very small part of Arlene's garden

Before we left, Arlene introduced us to Mr. Frog, who has rooted himself permanently underneath a pillow on one of the front porch chairs.  He appeared to be pretty comfy and in no way eager to leave, although he better keep an eye out if someone chooses to sit on his chair as this could prove to be disastrous for the little guy.

Thanks for the great lunch and welcoming visit, Arlene.  I appreciate all you do in taking care of Dad as well as keeping us posted on his progress.

Mr. Frog

Saga of the Garage Door Continues...

One day soon my garage door will work.  But not today. 

As you know, I have spent the last several months opening and closing my electronically-broken garage door by hand.  I purchased a new opener at Home Depot, waited two weeks for it to be installed with little to no communication from the store then returned it.  Hit Lowe's with the full expectation it would be a better experience.  It wasn't.  Purchased an opener, then had to purchase an extension rail, which ended up being the wrong extension rail.  Returned it, ordered a new rail, and have been waiting since mid-May for the part to arrive.  Little to no communication once again forced me to return the opener to Lowe's yesterday and obtain my refund.  Arrrggg!!!

After some preliminary investigation and phone calls, Michael suggested Sears as the next garage door opener target.  We went, we saw, we conquered.  I purchased a new opener and installation at a cheaper price and actually booked the install for this coming Friday.  However, I won't be able to breathe until I actually have the remote in hand, pressing the button for the door to open.  But I feel it happening soon!

Evil Amongst Us

I was so happy today when I read the following verdict - Jerry Sandusky trial: Former Penn State assistant coach guilty on 45 of 48 counts.   Finally....he behaved criminally and sadistically for at least the last 15 years and everyone turned a blind eye.  He was even witnessed in the act of abusing boys and no one spoke up.  Why?  His wife had to suspect something was going on when her husband invited boys upon boys over to their home to spend the night...in the basement...and he'd have to go check on them or spend time with them.  Why?  Why didn't anyone question this?  Why didn't the kids tell?  Why didn't people believe the kids who did tell?  Why didn't someone do something so this could be stopped?

From a different point of view, there was a recent headline in the news "Texas father kills daughter's alleged molester."  Hearing his 5-year-old daughter crying from behind a barn, a father ran and discovered the unthinkable: A man molesting her. The father pulled the man off his daughter, authorities say, and started pummeling him to death with his fists.  Was this right?  Was this wrong?  Police have declined to press charges against this man because he was authorized to use deadly force to protect his daughter.  I must say that if I had ever witnessed someone abusing my children, there would be no other choice for me than to give the molester this same treatment.

I pray that the boys, now men, who told their stories during the Sandusky trial are given peace.  They've kept this secret a very, very long time; having to relive it during the trial was more than likely overwhelming.  And I hope the judge throws the book at this sinister man.

Packin the Park 2012

Today was the annual company picnic at Black Lake in Olympia.  We arrived around 10am and the picnic was due to start at 11am.  This year I was on face painting duty; we set up the table, then waited for the fun to start.  And waited.  And waited.  We ended up eating early then walking around the park, watching horseshoes and enjoying the lake before returning to the picnic area, where a healthy dose of employees began trickling in for the festivities.  I returned to the face painting table where I ended up painting several kid's faces.  Weather was great, company was entertaining, and kids were happy.  I also got a free t-shirt so how can you beat that?

Ashley and Christina mugging fot the camera

Getting my face painted

Horseshoes

Sasha in green

Attempting a  balloon bouquet

Michael giving the peace sign

Happy kids

More horseshoes

Kids in line, waitin for paint



Attempt at an Original

January Jones, Betty from Mad Men, just dyed her blonde hair red.  Reviewers are comparing her to Rita Hayworth.  Uh...no.  Rita Hayworth was an icon; although I like January, her red hair does not compare to the classic.  (And by the way, I can't believe the season is over for Mad Men....so few episodes.  Hopefully it will return sooner than last time!)

January Jones with new red hair

Rita Hayworth - the original!  Love the dress, too!