Last night, as I was closing at Too, and filling out my timecard, I realized I worked about 60 hours in the last two weeks. At my part time job. This is in addition to my full time, 40-hours a week job. AND during this time, I also made my extended visit to Ohio. AND during this time, I held a fundraiser event. AND during this time my car was vandalized. AND during this time, Dave's been "traveling for work", and not staying safe in his cozy little base and IM'ing me on a regular basis. AND during this time, I... well let's just say hormones were a factor.
Well, no wonder I'm tired. No wonder I feel like a wreck. It's lucky no one was killed.
Karlene, I'm going to guard my schedule a little more carefully going forward. It's safe to come out now.
Friday, June 30, 2006
The Ceiling Battle, part 1
The history:
Last September, we bought a newly built house. It had a crack running the length of the ceiling. In the walkthrough with the builder, I asked to have the crack inspected and repaired. The builder assured me that the ceiling was structurally fine, and they sent a drywall team to repair it.
The drywall team fixed the crack, but the patch is more visible than the crack was. They also left a mess all over the floors, dinged up the walls, got drywall on the stair bannister, and generally left the house a disaster.
The builder came back and agreed the patch should be fixed. The drywall company said they would contact me when the weather warmed up, because they can't fix this in cold weather. This all happened prior to October 15, 2005.
May 2006. The weather is warm. I remembered that they were going to contact me about fixing the patch. I called the warranty department of Keyland Homes, the builder. The warranty rep said she'd contact the drywall company, and they'd call me by the end of the week. A week later, I called her again. And a week later, I called her again. This goes on until mid June. She also gave me the voicemail of the head of warranty so that I can leave him a message.
Finally she offers to give me the drywall contractor's number, so that I can call them directly. I do, and I explain the situation. The first person I talked to had no record of any work orders from Keyland. Then the contractor got on the phone, and started a long explanation about how he was waiting on the head of warranty at Keyland to call me and make an appointment. He also explained that they did the best job, and spent the most time that is state allowed on warranty work, on my ceiling repair. And the problem is not with their work, it's with the ceiling.
I call Keyland Warranty again, and as in previous calls, the head of warranty is out of the office. The rep tells me that "T is hard to catch and get him to return calls".
Last night, I came home to this email:
Lisa,
I have been trying to call you however your telephone line has been very busy....
So I responded:
If you are calling the correct number, it has caller ID and call waiting. I have received no calls from your office.
If you are calling my work number, it has caller ID and call waiting. Again, no calls.
If you are calling my cell phone, it has the same services. I do not have any record of any calls from your office or cell phone. That seems very strange that you say my line is busy. Do you have a record of when you called so that I can investigate with my phone company?
Now, I was irritated before that this person did not have the professional skills to manage to return a call within TWO MONTHS, but the fact that he tried to lie about it?
It's war, baby.
Last September, we bought a newly built house. It had a crack running the length of the ceiling. In the walkthrough with the builder, I asked to have the crack inspected and repaired. The builder assured me that the ceiling was structurally fine, and they sent a drywall team to repair it.
The drywall team fixed the crack, but the patch is more visible than the crack was. They also left a mess all over the floors, dinged up the walls, got drywall on the stair bannister, and generally left the house a disaster.
The builder came back and agreed the patch should be fixed. The drywall company said they would contact me when the weather warmed up, because they can't fix this in cold weather. This all happened prior to October 15, 2005.
May 2006. The weather is warm. I remembered that they were going to contact me about fixing the patch. I called the warranty department of Keyland Homes, the builder. The warranty rep said she'd contact the drywall company, and they'd call me by the end of the week. A week later, I called her again. And a week later, I called her again. This goes on until mid June. She also gave me the voicemail of the head of warranty so that I can leave him a message.
Finally she offers to give me the drywall contractor's number, so that I can call them directly. I do, and I explain the situation. The first person I talked to had no record of any work orders from Keyland. Then the contractor got on the phone, and started a long explanation about how he was waiting on the head of warranty at Keyland to call me and make an appointment. He also explained that they did the best job, and spent the most time that is state allowed on warranty work, on my ceiling repair. And the problem is not with their work, it's with the ceiling.
I call Keyland Warranty again, and as in previous calls, the head of warranty is out of the office. The rep tells me that "T is hard to catch and get him to return calls".
Last night, I came home to this email:
Lisa,
I have been trying to call you however your telephone line has been very busy....
So I responded:
If you are calling the correct number, it has caller ID and call waiting. I have received no calls from your office.
If you are calling my work number, it has caller ID and call waiting. Again, no calls.
If you are calling my cell phone, it has the same services. I do not have any record of any calls from your office or cell phone. That seems very strange that you say my line is busy. Do you have a record of when you called so that I can investigate with my phone company?
Now, I was irritated before that this person did not have the professional skills to manage to return a call within TWO MONTHS, but the fact that he tried to lie about it?
It's war, baby.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Happy Anniversary Sweetheart
Today is our six-month wedding anniversary. Six months! So that means it's been nearly six months since I've seen him. But he'll be home in four weeks or less. It's so exciting.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Nifty thing from Too
I got home from work tonight and made this nifty little thing for my favorite Diva. It's pretty cute if I do say so myself.
A random thought: Next time you're in traffic behind a Daewoo, look at the logo. Does it look like an athletic supporter to you?
I've gotta cut waaaay back on the caffeine.
A random thought: Next time you're in traffic behind a Daewoo, look at the logo. Does it look like an athletic supporter to you?
I've gotta cut waaaay back on the caffeine.
Totally frazzled, but still a nice surprise
This morning I woke up, brushed my teeth, let the dogs out, turned on my computer, etc, the normal routine. I logged in, and remembered that my work computer was doing a security update this morning. So, I thought, I'll lay on my bed and pet the dog and listen to the radio, and wait for it to finish.
I woke up about 45 minutes later. Ok, that's ok. I went into my office, got logged in again, and was thinking about coffee and a bowl of oatmeal, when I hear a knock at the door.
It's Tom!
I gave him a hug and apologized for being in my pajamas(!) and he made us coffee while I got dressed. We sat on the porch and had coffee and he told me how things are going. He's doing well there. I don't know if he truly likes it, but it's a life he knows and has figured out how to at least enjoy in a lot of small ways. We had a nice visit, and then he thought he'd better grab some clothes and hit the road. (His civilian clothes live at my house) Now, he just needs the keys to Dave's truck. So I go to get them from the cup on top of the refrigerator.
Where are the @$#%! keys?
I start searching. I check everywhere I can think of. Karlene had gone for a walk, so I can't ask her. I check everywhere again. I know they should be in the kitchen, but I look upstairs again. Finally, Tom finds them in the cookie jar. Now, I swear that I didn't put them there. And actually I don't think I did. I think someone who was helping me put them there for safe keeping.
In fact, I can almost imagine the conversation:
>>mystery helpful person: Hey, I put the keys in the cookie jar.
>>Lisa: Ok!
No idea how they got there. But he found them, he got on his way, and I called into my meeting >almost< in time.
I woke up about 45 minutes later. Ok, that's ok. I went into my office, got logged in again, and was thinking about coffee and a bowl of oatmeal, when I hear a knock at the door.
It's Tom!
I gave him a hug and apologized for being in my pajamas(!) and he made us coffee while I got dressed. We sat on the porch and had coffee and he told me how things are going. He's doing well there. I don't know if he truly likes it, but it's a life he knows and has figured out how to at least enjoy in a lot of small ways. We had a nice visit, and then he thought he'd better grab some clothes and hit the road. (His civilian clothes live at my house) Now, he just needs the keys to Dave's truck. So I go to get them from the cup on top of the refrigerator.
Where are the @$#%! keys?
I start searching. I check everywhere I can think of. Karlene had gone for a walk, so I can't ask her. I check everywhere again. I know they should be in the kitchen, but I look upstairs again. Finally, Tom finds them in the cookie jar. Now, I swear that I didn't put them there. And actually I don't think I did. I think someone who was helping me put them there for safe keeping.
In fact, I can almost imagine the conversation:
>>mystery helpful person: Hey, I put the keys in the cookie jar.
>>Lisa: Ok!
No idea how they got there. But he found them, he got on his way, and I called into my meeting >almost< in time.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Wearing out
Last week felt really long and tiring. All of the little frustrations are adding up and wearing me out. Yesterday after work, I went out to my car to find it had been egged and my "Support our Troops" ribbon magnet was stolen. I'm not strong enough for this right now. I cried all the way home. I should really get more sleep.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Got a message from Dave last night.
I'm doing fine. Made it to the base just fine 3 days ago no major problems. I'll be here a few more days then i'll head out to another site. most of my travel is by flight so I'm pretty safe, only about half or less is traveling on the road.
I've missed him this week. His email was an unexpected surprise at the end of a very long day.
I'm doing fine. Made it to the base just fine 3 days ago no major problems. I'll be here a few more days then i'll head out to another site. most of my travel is by flight so I'm pretty safe, only about half or less is traveling on the road.
I've missed him this week. His email was an unexpected surprise at the end of a very long day.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
The Fundraiser
Today is my crop fundraiser for the Twin Cities 3-Day. I hope it goes well, but I will be glad when it is done. This is my second year to do the walk (Aug 18-20) and I still have a ways to go with fundraising and training.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Unexpected Free Time
I have a day off! (Until 5, then I work at Too. But that doesn't count) My goal is to clean my office, go to the bank, get bushes planted in my yard, and maybe- just maybe- sneak a little scrapbooking in.
Tom should be getting home in a day or two. He is Dave's old roommate, also in Iraq. Some of his stuff lives at my house. I'm excited about seeing him, he's my buddy.
Dave will be home in about five weeks!
Tom should be getting home in a day or two. He is Dave's old roommate, also in Iraq. Some of his stuff lives at my house. I'm excited about seeing him, he's my buddy.
Dave will be home in about five weeks!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Home again...finally!
Tuesday, I went to New Albany, OH, to visit my team at the Aetna office there. I left home at 7 and had an uneventful flight there. When I got to the office, my boss took me out for lunch, and pretty much spoiled me. I met as many people as I could, and had a fantastic dinner with my team. Then a coworker and I walked around the shopping area, and went out for a drink. It was great to get to know her better. I went back to my hotel and went to bed. A very good day.
Wednesday started out fine too. In fact, the work day was pretty enjoyable. I left work and dropped off the rental car and got to my gate with the perfect amount of time before my 6:30 flight home.
Here's where it starts getting messy.
There were storms all over Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. They had cancelled the flight before mine to Detroit because of tornadic activity. The 6:30 flight was now looking like a 7:30 flight. When they finally were ready to start boarding the Minneapolis flight, they said they were overbooked and needed to bump 5 people. I asked if they would check my seat, and they said my seat was double assigned, would I take a hotel voucher and fly tomorrow morning.
Well, when it comes down to it, it didnt really make that much difference if I came home Wednesday night or Thursday morning. I didn't have someone waiting at the airport to pick me up, or kids at a sitter or a lonely husband at home. So I agreed to fly Thursday morning. It took some playing with their computer to get the five of us bumpees onto replacement flights. But we were laughing and joking and getting to know each other. We took a dinner voucher and Susan from Montana and I went out to dinner, compliments of Northwest Airlines. We got to our hotel a little after 10, and it was a very nice new hotel, I might add. They had put me in a king room with a huge jacuzzi tub, but I was sorry to realize I was too exhausted to use it.
This morning (was that today? It seems a long time ago) I got up at 4:15 (EST) to throw on some clothes, brush my teeth and take the shuttle back to the airport. I got through security and got to my gate by 5:20 for my 7:00 flight. And there it was: Minneapolis / St Paul Flight 101: Delayed.
I laid down on the floor by the wall and took a little nap.
Around 8 they announced that flight 101 would leave at 9:30. It was a bit turbulent on occasion, but the pilot said we were flying above storm activity. Finally, 11 am (CST), I was home. (16 hours later than scheduled)
Thank God for carry on luggage, the T-shirt work gave me as a gift, and the common sense to carry a spare change of undies.
My boss gave me the rest of today and tomorrow off. So I got a chance to take a nap before I head to Scrapbooks Too.
There's no place like home.
Wednesday started out fine too. In fact, the work day was pretty enjoyable. I left work and dropped off the rental car and got to my gate with the perfect amount of time before my 6:30 flight home.
Here's where it starts getting messy.
There were storms all over Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. They had cancelled the flight before mine to Detroit because of tornadic activity. The 6:30 flight was now looking like a 7:30 flight. When they finally were ready to start boarding the Minneapolis flight, they said they were overbooked and needed to bump 5 people. I asked if they would check my seat, and they said my seat was double assigned, would I take a hotel voucher and fly tomorrow morning.
Well, when it comes down to it, it didnt really make that much difference if I came home Wednesday night or Thursday morning. I didn't have someone waiting at the airport to pick me up, or kids at a sitter or a lonely husband at home. So I agreed to fly Thursday morning. It took some playing with their computer to get the five of us bumpees onto replacement flights. But we were laughing and joking and getting to know each other. We took a dinner voucher and Susan from Montana and I went out to dinner, compliments of Northwest Airlines. We got to our hotel a little after 10, and it was a very nice new hotel, I might add. They had put me in a king room with a huge jacuzzi tub, but I was sorry to realize I was too exhausted to use it.
This morning (was that today? It seems a long time ago) I got up at 4:15 (EST) to throw on some clothes, brush my teeth and take the shuttle back to the airport. I got through security and got to my gate by 5:20 for my 7:00 flight. And there it was: Minneapolis / St Paul Flight 101: Delayed.
I laid down on the floor by the wall and took a little nap.
Around 8 they announced that flight 101 would leave at 9:30. It was a bit turbulent on occasion, but the pilot said we were flying above storm activity. Finally, 11 am (CST), I was home. (16 hours later than scheduled)
Thank God for carry on luggage, the T-shirt work gave me as a gift, and the common sense to carry a spare change of undies.
My boss gave me the rest of today and tomorrow off. So I got a chance to take a nap before I head to Scrapbooks Too.
There's no place like home.
Monday, June 19, 2006
So very much to do!
What a crazy day. Thankfully, because of my trip, I only worked 6 hours today. Since then, I have picked up my house and washed dishes, done laundry, and now I'm waiting for the cleaning ladies to come so I can run errands. I need to be home by 3:30 so I can change and leave for Palamino. Tonight we're going to see La Cage aux Folles. I am looking forward to it, I've heard good things. I haven't finished packing yet- tomorrow I will need to leave home by 6:45... and it's off to Ohio.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
And here is my heart.
Dave left Minnesota last September, and was stationed at Camp Shelby, in Mississippi. He spent two months in New York, staying at a hotel near Fort Drum, for training. When he came home for two weeks at Christmas, we got married. He went back to Mississippi, and then went to Iraq on March 20.
He will be home for a two-week leave sometime around July 25, and will be home to stay, hopefully, next spring around April or May.
I admit it, I am a copycat!
Ok, I've noticed all of the COOL KIDS have blogs, and all I have is my little web journal. That nobody has a password for. And I've kinda gone off of writing in it.
Did you hear that sound? It was me, jumping on the bandwagon.
Did you hear that sound? It was me, jumping on the bandwagon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
