Saturday, July 29, 2006

Cute Overload

If you haven't checked out this wesbite, you really should! It brings a smile to my face each and every day! http://cuteoverload.com/

Friday, July 28, 2006

It just keeps coming...

So the Townley's ask to have some boxes that we have stored in our outside storage area... simple enough, right?

Wrong... open the storage and holy mildew it smells... and the boxes are damp... definitely not going to be of any use to the Townley's. Adam and I decide, sooner than later we have to get in there and get everything out. Our thought being, we could pull it out and store it somewhere else so it doesn't get destroyed... ahhh, young naive thought.

Thursday - Adam graciously agrees to clean it out while I am at class... thinking "half hour tops and then I am on the couch surfing the net" - again, young naive thought. Them moment he starts bringing stuff out it is very clear that there is substantial damage to whatever is in there.

About 2 hours later Adam emerges drenched with sweat, inhaling and smelling like toxic mold and covered in cobwebs... everything is out... lets asses the damage....

1. First and foremost - the boxes that are specifically designed to hold my mothers (now mine) Lladro... ruined. They either had ripe, teeming mold growing on it or it has the damp flimsy feel of sogginess. Every last one had the putrid smell of mold/mildew. Useless. My mother has had them for thirty years, moved from country to country, state to state, used and reused them... I get them and less than 2 years later, they are landfill bound.

2. Any and all extra packing boxes - Death.

3. Adams baseball bag/bats/gloves - bag = death; bats = outside, will try to save; gloves = inside, will try to save.

4. Microwave - God awful horrendous death. Up chuck reflexes in full swing when this is viewed.

5. 4 or 5 boxes/4 or 5 shopping bags of clothing and miscellaneous stuff; all was destined for Goodwill or the Salvation Army - Death... if it isn't covered in mold then it reeks of it. You can't wash that smell out... nevermind the likelihood that wearing that stuff probably isn't good for the wearer.

6. Cardboard box of Christmas ornaments/wrapping/trinkets - anything that is paper/cloth/cardboard = death. The ornaments are spared, thank goodness because they are VERY special. The paper towels they were wrapped in... death.

7. Plastic tub of various Christmas things - I opened it and gave it a whiff... sweet smell of plastic! It's been saved!

8. 2 Good pieces of luggage - Thank goodness someone had the forethought to wrap them in a trash bag - salvageable! The handles have a slight bit of mold (they were sticking out of the bag) but the rest is in good condition!!!

9. Set of good china left to me by my mother - china was ok but the box that it was in... not so much. Had to take out all the china, run it under steaming hot water for now and set aside for a more thorough bath later... then discard the moldewy boxes.

So when I get home from class all the Lladro boxes are spread out on the kitchen floor... my dear sweet husband knows what they mean to me and is desperately trying to save them... no such luck. They are gone. I suck it up, put aside any anxiety I feel for throwing them away and we bag them up. We go to open the door and find that it won't open.

Let me repeat that... the door, to our house, from the inside - WILL NOT OPEN. It turns but the latch... not budging. Hit it, jiggle it, credit card it... nothing. It isn't opening.

I actually have the thought that this is someone's elaborate way to kill us with mold.

Adam resorts to taking apart the doorknob. First in a valiant attempt to fix it but as it becomes apparent that it refuses to be fixed, it becomes a grudge match between Adam and the door. The thought of being in a fire and not being able to get this door open was weighing heavily on my mind so with all his might, he pulls the latch out of the door and it pops open.

Now we have a gaping hole where our knob used to be (of which we put the knob back up without the locking mechanism so at least we weren't advertising that we had lock issues) ... and a deadbolt that uses a key on both the outside and the inside... Apparently this is because we have a window pane next to the deadbolt and any old burglar can smash and turn... whatever, all I can think is fire hazard!

Whatever, the outside is now accessible... we throw the trash out on the porch area... and boy to we look like some hillbilly, straw munching, cousin dating white trash. Our porch is covered... overflowing with trash.

Then we go through the fine china... rinse off the dishes and throw out the boxes (to our ever growing white trash pile)

Finally, at 11 we finish. No time for relaxing... straight to sleep.

Now, this would be the part of the story where an ending would be... oh no, not for this story! It continues... is anyone still reading this?

So we wake up this morning... get ready and we are walking out the door... and it starts to rain. I look at the pile of trash that is sitting there... cluttering up the porch which needs to be somewhat clear in the rain so there is somewhere for the water to collect. There is a drain but it gets overly worked and inevitably clogged so the water doesn't drain fast or sometimes at all. So, I realize that we have way too much stuff blocking the area... not to mention, if any of it gets caught in the downpour, it will be unwieldy to deal with later.

So, I call into work and tell them I will be an hour or so late... head to the grocery store to get trash bags, come home and get to work... I bag every last piece of box, trash and clothing.

I arrange everything so there is as little as possible on the ground and so it sits around the edges, leaving plenty of room for the G Lagoon to create.

I move the last bag into position and I hear a pop... then I see white liquid running out from underneath it...

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME

So I get to work fixing this situation... pour water on it to make sure it doesn't stain our porch... comes up ok, I think we will be fine... put the trash bag in another bag..... still leaking.... put entire trash bag in recycling bin.... realize that the bin probably has holes for water to drain... push it over... it does, 4 to be exact.... realize I have to do the unthinkable (to me at least) and I open both trash bags exposing some sort of grossness I don't want to be privy to again.

I starting pulling out smaller trash bags and start a new 'non leaking' trash bag. It doesn't take me long to find the culprit... Floor Primer. Some of you are asking... what the heck are the G's doing with Floor Primer.... cut story for explanation.

Adam and I helped Danielle move out Wednesday night and we put a hefty bit of garbage out for pick up... some of which the garbage men didn't pick up... instead (and I don't know how) what was left was put into their recycling bin and pulled up to the steps of their house... I have no idea who or why. I see it, know that the tenants are moving in on Sunday and shouldn't have this to deal with (and the Townley's won't be back until Sunday night) so I pull it to the house and rebag it.... enter setting it down wrong and thus a steady stream of Floor Primer heading for the drain. Which I know, probably not a good thing.

So, back to the story. I now have the leaky bottle in my hands (leaky from the bottom of course) so I put it in a bag while I try to figure out what to do. I have white floor primer all over the porch now and I really don't want to know what all day in the sun will do to it, so I fill up a pot with water and wash it down the drain (this takes a few trips back and forth to the kitchen sink)... I set the floor primer (and the bag holding it) in a tupperware container (that will obviously not be used ever ever ever again ;~) Now, the trash is in its correct spot and the porch doesn't have primer on it anymore.... now I can dedicate time to the leakiness of the situation... I quickly figure out that if I tip it upside down and set it in the bowl and prop it up against something, it won't leak. Genuis, pure genius.

I shower (again) and head off to work. Never, in my life, have I been so glad to be at work.

Much love to you all and may your day but MUCH better ~

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Local News in North Fayette, PA

When this happens, it is time to find different transportation... "The passengers were transported to another plane." - Not if I were on that plane... no thank you!

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

My Job

Have you ever had to work with someone who all they did was push back on you? You ask them to do something and they resist, ask a million questions, try to skirt the bigger issue and ultimately leave you with a headache? And they repeat this formula each time you have to deal with them?

I have such co-worker. I will not mention names... for reasons which I hope are obvious.

Nothing I do is ever right for this person. Each dreaded time I have to deal with them, it turns into an all out event. Now keep in mind I have plenty of other people that have the same issues and yet they respect me, praise me and try their best to get it done without having to push back on me. God Bless those people.

I mean honestly, my job is to protect the company contractually. I am trying to protect our best interests. I don't do or say these things for kicks... I have to.

I think that is the real crux of my issue. My job is to be pushy, day in and day out. I have to say no more times then I care to count. For the number of times that someone comes to me and I can straight up say "yes", there are 100 times that I have to answer "no and here is why"

Who really wants to be an obstacle everyday?

Gas over Groceries

I discovered this morning that gas for our cars ($60 for the Jeep and $50 for the Honda) is more essential then eating.

When the hell did that choice come into play?

Adam and I talked about having tacos tonight (a family fave) and because we didn't have all the ingredients, we resolved to have something else. Nope, sorry, no food because both of us need to get gas today.

I feel physically ill.

PS - Please do not tell me to get rid of the gas guzzling Jeep... I would if I could but I can't.

Monday, July 24, 2006

Lord have mercy

So the evil empire where we used to live has decided to mess with us again...

This time, they deducted over $400 from our security deposit because, they say, they had to replace all the carpet because of urine.

Can you even believe that??? I mean certainly Adam and I are very apt at using the bathroom and as for our dog... once... the dog peed in a house (pasadena) once, many, many moons ago in the first house he ever lived in, on the day he was brought home from the pound (which was the day after a snip snip surgery) and since then NOTHING!

Best dog ever when it comes to that. He always barks or scratches at the door. Gives you the pleading eyes. Whatever it takes to get our lazy butts up and take him outside. For heavens sake, we probably spent more time outside with Riley on the leash then we did in the apartment!

Not to mention the fact that who the hell lives with a urine soaked carpet... the crazy lady down the street... certainly not me... princess of nothing gross (newly appointed title, you may not recognize it yet).

Anyway, I am so mad I could cuss up a storm right now but I am refraining (as much as possible)... Jesus in, Jessi out, Jesus in, Jessi out (Thanks Danielle!!!)

Just know that we are not taking that laying down. Absolutely not... more to come as things unfold.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Think fast survey

I am supposed to write the first thing that comes to mind...
1. My ex was... very sweet
2. I am listening to... keyboards clinking
3. Maybe I should...get lunch
4. I love... adam
5. My bestfriend(s)... is moving ;~(
6. I don't understand...why I am still at my job
7. I lost...my mom
8. People say... stupid stuff
9. The meaning of my display name is... a glimpse into me
10. Love seems like... a necessity
11. Somewhere, someone is... being nice to someone else, hopefully
12. I will always... miss my mom
13. Forever seems... like a long time
14. I never want to...parachute or bungee jump
15. My mobile phone... is ok
16. When I wake up in the morning... I want to go back to sleep
17. I get annoyed when..... ever I want to
18. Parties are... ehhh, I am a quite chill at home kinda girl
19. My pets are... SPOILED
20. Kisses are the best when...from my hubby
21. Today I... go to sign language class
22. Tomorrow I... have to help an awesome friend get packed to move ;~(
23. I really want... children

Repost if you want... no pressure ;~)

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Dinner

So I discovered that a full bag of popcorn (movie theatre butter no less) and a code red mountain dew does NOT make a good dinner.

Just a little FYI for everyone out there.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Weekend Getaway...

Adam and I traveled to Saratoga Springs, NY last weekend. As it turns out, I do have family! Who knew. My grandfather was the oldest of 10 siblings and his youngest sibling (Terry) happened to be celebrating her 80th birthday... well it was a surprise party thrown by her daughters - Terri, Helen, Ret and Cheryl. All of my aunt Terry's siblings have passed away so having a few of us there to represent the "Lopes clan" was really special to her.
This is us right before hitting the road (yes, Danielle came out in her PJ's to take a picture of us!!! Thanks Danielle ;~)

I appreciate the effort but a sign (prolly cost the tax payers a pretty penny) over a highway as you are going 80mph past it? Is that really effective?

Lunch stop along the way... Here I am holding up the Cherry Hill Diner sign...

and Adam trying to crush the sign... yeah, we are SO grown up!

After we made it to NY we went out to eat at Bookmakers... we were seated outside (1 of 2 couples there) and had a fabu waiter and ate some darn good food! This is us waiting for dinner...

More to come!

Thursday, July 13, 2006

New Shoes!

For Jaime's wedding! I am anxious to wear them! Now I just need to get the dress altered ;~)

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Update on the tire

The whole tire blowout/tow thing worked out for the better... If I had gotten the spare put on (by divine intervention because I wasn't doing it) then I would have had to drive the money pit to the mechanic and then found a way back to work while it was getting new shoes.

The way it worked out was better... Karen was on her way in so she just swung over and picked me up... I got to work somewhat on time... and I didn't have to worry about another accident (this time I would have been on I-95). And honest to goodness, the price for the tow was perfectly fine with me... I don't know what everyone complains about... seemed absolutely reasonable and completely worth it to me ~

Besides, without Karen, I wouldn't have gotten my awesome pictures!!! And Danielle... yes, they are totally making it into the photo album! This is deserving of its own page ;~)

And the story ends happily... we got the Jeep, err money pit, back yesterday (yes New Life is that good!) and it's running great.... well, it's running and all the tires are on and in tact... really, that is all I can ask for.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Tire Blowout

Ok, so Adam and I went away this weekend and had a GREAT time... and I will post about that soon... however, I have to post this first...

This happened on my drive in this morning...

That would be the front driver's side tire...

This is me pulled over in a shipyard/warehouse type place... at the exit ramp from I-95. Luckily I blew out on train tracks so I was moving slowly and I was not on the highway!


Karen (aka KMR, aka my hero) came to get me and take me to work... For anyone that knows me, you know I have a 'wall' of tow truck pictures (self-fulfilling, maybe). So far it has Jaime and Kelly from Spring Break 99 and Adam from Niagara Falls 03... now I can add Myself (portrait done by Karen)... Work 06!


Ahhh the money pit in all it's glory! Thanks to New Life Automotive, it won't be too much of a stretch on the wallet ;~) Love those guys!

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

I am so old...

it apparently takes a few hours for injuries to set in.

I played Ultimate Frisbee and volleyball this past Saturday. We got our you know what's handed to us in Ultimate Frisbee but won 2 out of 3 in volleyball... good times had by all. So Adam and I leave the field, rush home to get ready for a party... shower, change and jump in the car. We drive to Hagerstown (good hour and a half car ride) and stop at a grocery store to bring chips and dip. I step... err, attempt to step, out of the car. Yeah, not so much, I can barely put pressure on my left foot. At first I think that I just have to walk it off... be a man, shake it off...

Not so much again. I am basically limping my way through the grocery store. We pick up an Ace bandage (didn't you know I have my medical degree) and get back in the car. I wrap my foot and ankel (3 times cause I couldn't get it right...) and think, yeah, this will go away.

Meanwhile, we are heading to a house full of poeple that I haven't met and that Adam hasn't seen since graduation day (for the most part)... something of an inpromptu high school reunion brought on by myspace. Anyway, here comes hop-a-long Jessica... what an entrance to make! We make our introductions and I sit down, keeping my foot elevated (told you I have a degree in medical-ness).

The host, Pat, asks if I wanted some ice... nah, big strong Jessica can walk it off... (in reality I just didn't want to be 'that girl'... you know, all the attention must be on her even though this event is totally about Adam. Anyway, Pat (aka my hero) didn't take no for an answer... he brought me tylenol and ice and made me sit through the pain of the ice until my foot numbed.

Sweet relief! I still felt some pain but nothing like it had been (I was near tears and contemplating asking Adam if we could leave and swing by the emergency room on the way home). Pat, your my new best friend ;~)

The rest of the evening was great and everyone was a lot of fun. It was great to see Adam mixing it up with old friends ~ and to see how far he has come since his days in high school. I am pretty darn proud of that boy, err man ;~)

Monday, July 03, 2006

Perils of moving...

Some of you may remember when I asked around if anyone had seen the tray that goes with our end table. Last week I was unpacking yet more boxes and I opened the bottom of my China Cabinet and lo and behold, our tray was sitting neatly in the bottom. Not only that but so were several book shelves that we thought bit the dust in the move. Apparently I just have really good storage.

So all is well that ends well ~

And because I love pictures... here is the set back together again!

Thanks again to everyone that helped us move!