Monday, December 25, 2006

They didn't

Oh yes they did. I got called at 5am, to get low-censused. I told them, I had driven home from my vacation to work today, and I was coming to work. I can't believe it. There was no reason why they couldn't have called me off yesterday, but she didn't want to make that call. I told the night shift manager, that I only wanted to be called off if I got to stay at my family's house. So, I didn't get to stay, so I went to work.

It was a good day. Slow for me, but the time still went by pretty fast, up till the last couple hours. Those seemed to drag!!

Well, some more tv for me, and my nice warm bed. My mother got me an electric blanket for Christmas, and I put it on my bed when I got home last night. Cozy!!

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Christmas Day

Well, it turns out I didn't get low censused, so I have to work on Christmas Day. I had a wonderful Christmas Eve with my family. We opened gifts (read: I opened all my gifts, and they opened the ones I got them), and at some din-din. Mom made (yummy) lasagna. I even got some for lunch tomorrow. Now I just have to remember to bring it to work tomorrow!

No hard feelings. I truely didn't expect to get off, besides...I get paid time-and-a-half for it. I got a Christmas with my family, so now I can go spend Christmas with my other family.

Tonight, gonne eat lots of cookies (I brought some of those home too) and watch some tv, before I head to bed (finally get to sleep in MY bed) early tonight. Well, early means about 10. Normally I head to bed about 11. So, its early. I haven't slept in my bed in about three weeks. I have been at DeAnn's (housesitting) since Dec 6, and then at my parents since the 19th. I can't wait!!

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Christmas is approaching

Although I got all my shopping done, I haven't even started warpping. Which I will need to do today, since tomorrow is MY Christmas day. My family has decided to come over tomorrow morning, and watch me open all my gifts. They will also open the gifts that I got them. That is nice, at least I get a Christmas morning. It just happens to be on Christmas Eve. Then, I get to head home. My parents don't want me driving at night, so they are trying to get me to go home early. But, I don't want to. This is my vacation, and if the weather is bad, then I won't go home. I will call to work and tell them, I have inclement weather, and I will come home when the roads are better. However, I think they know I am gonna try to do something. I have flat out told them, I want Christmas Day off. I am gonna try to get off. Tomorrow at about 4 pm, I am gonna call in and if the census is low, I will try to get off. I think there are about 10 nurses scheduled (normally about 7-8), so I see no reason why I can't get off. Wish me luck!

Today, I was gonna go to my friend, Bonnie's house, in Benton City, to go horseback riding. However, it snowed last night, and I still have a bunch of baking to do. I haven't gotten those no bake's made yet. That is the whole point of Christmas Season, I think. So, I don't know if I will go out there. If I do, I will probably only be for an hour or so! I have to call her this morning!

Other that what I have mentioned, no other big plans. I haven't seen Jackie, or Kat. My guess is Kat is in Montana. Jackie, maybe Montana too. I don't know. Oh well. I will get to see them later. Maybe for my birthday, which is coming up soon too!! (See countdown at sidebar)

Merry Christmas!!

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Productive Day

Yeah. I am so glad. I got all my Christmas shopping done, in one day. Actually in just a few hours.

Today started off great. Breakfast with Mara at IHOP. Although, the roads were bad, so she was running just a bit later than planned. I decided to sneak a little eye brow waxing in. They were in desperate need of a clean-up. I feel they sprouted over night.

Then, went shopping with my friend, Rachel. We decided since I had no clue what to get my family, I should just start browsing. So we did that, we started at the mall. I managed to get my sister and brother-in-law, and both my parents done this morning. I was so pleased, considering I had no clue what to get them.

Then, went and had lunch at Platt Electric Supply. Annual (free) Christmas lunch. Yeah. I love (free) lunch!! Then went more shopping with my Mom. We decided to head to Wal*Mart, and Fred Meyer, and I got everyone else shopped for. I can't give away too much here, since my entire family/friends reads this blog. I wouldn't someone getting hints as to what they are getting ahead of time. Granted, it is almost Christmas, and granted, they will be opening up their gifts early, since I have to work. So, it isn't like they have to wait a long time to see what I got them.

So, my day is very productive. It is still light out, so I may even go for a run. Yeah, I need to do that. And, tonight I am staying at Jen/Joel's, cuz I get to babysit tomorrow morning.

Oh yeah, I even got a chance to stop by and see some people I hardly get to see anymore. One was Bonnie. SHe used to work at Dr. Tan's office with me. Now she is at Lincare. Point...I stopped by, said hello, and she invited me to her place on Saturday. Bigger point...she had horses, and I get to go ride them!! Yup! You may remember, not last year, but the year before, she invited me out there for my birthday, to go riding. It was freezing cold, but still a ton of fun!! I can't wait to go freeze me buttocks off again. It will so be worth it. Mom gets to come too. She hasn't riden in a long time.

Well, I better get that run in, like I said I would!

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Bunco!

Last night, went over to my sister's house, and played Bunco. It is a no-brainer game of dice. More of an excuse to get together for a girl's night in. Kind of like guy's poker night. Usually you win prize money for most bunco's, and most wins, things like that, but last night, we did an ornament exchange instead. So, it was fun. I met a bunch of my sister's neighbors, and got to spend time with my long time friend, Rachel. It was fun!!

Today, was a boring day. Didn't get much done. I want to go running. I brought my running light, and warm running clothes, so I may still go out tonight. I hate that is gets dark so quickly. I slep most of the day away, since my dog kept me up most of the night. I just don't get any good sleep when he sits at the door whining, cuz he wants to go play with my parent's dogs. Hopefully tonight will be better.

No plans so far this whole time I am here. I guess I will just wing it. I still need to shop. I have gotten nothing for anyone, except Grason and Kaitlyn. The two easiest to shop for. Maybe that is why I have their stuff. I don't know. Speaking of...Grason is here now, so what am I doing on the computer. See ya!

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Home for the Holidays

I am headed home today. I can't wait. My stint at house sitting is finally over, and I get to spend a week with my family. I am just gonna do a little clean-up here at home, then I am off.

I had fun at DeAnn's house, sitting, but I am glad that it is over. I think Charlie was starting to not like it too. He stopped wanting to go "bye-bye", and refused to listen to me. That is ok. I know he likes it at home, so he will be happy to go there.

I have to work Christmas Day, which I am not happy about, but I don't want to get started on that rant. So, I will be coming back to Portland Christmas Eve. I am gonna try to get off, but it will depend on how many nurses are working, and how many patients are in the hospital. I think she pads holidays though. Maybe half expecting people to call-in sick, or maybe just because we are always super busy, or just to make it so we have a good day...I don't know. All I know is, I have to work, and I don't want to.

So, I am off now. Hope everyone has a Happy Holiday Season. I will try to keep updated while at my parents, but it doesn't always happen. So, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight! Hehe! :)

Sunday, December 17, 2006

2 months and its over

So, Jeff and I broke up last night. I had noticed him not calling as often, and just generally getting phased out. He didn't realize he was doing it, but since I had been there before, I totally knew what it felt like. I wasn't gonna put up with it.

Last year, we were friends for a long time. But when Jeff gets interested in someone/thing else, he tends to ignore, or make excuses in the current relationship. We used to talk everyday, several times a day, then it started to slack. He stopped calling at night. Mostly because he was super busy, majorly stressed, and just starting his new job in Seattle. But, in the past, when he had been really busy, he still called, because he wanted to. Well, apparently he stopped wanting to talk to me. Luckily, I had seen it in the past, so I knew what it felt like, so I only put up with it for about 4 days. If he hadn't done it to me last year, I wouldn't have thought anything of it yet. The only downside, which he will realize soon, is he ruined it again, and this time....there won't be a next time.

So, I cried alot last night after it happened. It was so hard to say goodbye. The hardest part for me will be the friendship. We were great friends, could talk about anything. But, I can't be just friends with him, so I had to completely cut it off. I feel like I am losing my best friend. Not a long time friend, just a good friend. We talked all the time. It was great having someone to talk to about the daily stuff. Oh well, my family/friends will have to deal again!

So, I realized last night (after all the crying) that there were MANY things that I didn't like about him. Granted there were so many things that I twhought were wonderful, but some very important qualities that I want from a boyfriend, I just never got. And, I derserve so much better. And, I am gonna get so much better. I don't know when, but I will.

So, please don't worry about me. Yes, this totally sucks. Yes, it is hard. But, yes, I will get over it. And Yes, I will be fine.

So, I guess I am single once again...bring on the single, hot guys...in Portland!! No more long distance stuff. Maybe I will go back to that hash, and see if that cute guy, Andy, is really interested. Hehe :)

Monday, December 11, 2006

Running and Wheels

Alrighty. So yesterday ran a 10k race. It was fun. My friend Audrey ran it with me, and she had a friend Angela, that also ran too. We all had a ton of fun. I really wanted to dress up in Santa hat and bells, but didn't get the Santa hat in time, so just had the small bells that the race provided for us. Oh well.

We decided to ride the MAX to the start. It was fun. For those of you who don't know, the MAX is the public transportation of choice here in Portland. It is the train that runs East-West. You can get most places from it, but it can take a long time. For instance to get from my place in Southwest Portland area, to the airport (Northeast Portland area), it can take about 1 1/2 hours. Luckily, this was just downtown, about half that distance. I think it was maybe 30 minute ride. It was fun though, we were just chatting away.

So, the run. Yes. It was good. A little rainy, and a lot windy. That part totally sucked, but we managed to get through it. The first three miles were the worst. Uphill, against the wind. Yeah. But, once we got past that, we were flying. We managed to finish at 1hr 11 minutes. Which is just under a 12 min/mile pace. Slow for most people, but I was happy with it. If I can keep that pace up for the winter, great. Then, when I start training again early spring or late winter for my next marathon, then I will be set. Hopefully I can start losing weight again too.

Moving on. Went and got my brakes done. I dressed in my running clothes thinking I would run while they fixed my car, but when I got there, it was pouring rain. Now, don't get me wrong. I don't mind running in the rain, but pouring rain...no thank you!

I waited. It wasn't bad. I brought my palm this time, so I could play some games. I did have a bag of that popcorn I mentioned in the above post. I couln't help it. It stared at me, and begged me to eat it. So I did!

Well, when they were done. They guy told me my Left wheel bearing is going bad, and it needs to be fixed soon. I knew something was wrong, because my car had been running loud lately. Before it sounded like a smooth car, now it sounds like a rough truck. So, of course with my luck, they couldn't get the part, except through an authorized Pontiac dealer. No one sold them. So, he was nice enough to call and get a quote. The guy said without ABS, and a front-wheel drive system, they couldn't order just the wheel bearing, they had to order the whole hub system. I don't really know what that means, but whatever. I do know, that it needs to be fixed, and he is the first one to tell what is wrong. I have asked several people, and no one knew why it was making that noise.

So, he went ahead and ordered the part, it will be in on Wednesday. I can take my car in again on Thursday morning (for another 2-3 hour wait), to get that fixed.

Another $300 down the drain. Okay, maybe not down the drain. My car is an investment, and I do need to take care of this investment. An investment I will be keeping for a very long time!!

House Sitting and Brakes

So house sitting is going great.

My boss, DeAnn, asked me to dog/house sit for two weeks. I said no problem. I don't have anything at my house I need to stay there for, so why not stay at someone else's house. They even allowed me to bring Charlie over to stay here too. They have a 15 year old Border Collie named Chayse. She puts up with Charlie, but hobbles around a lot. I have to keep Charlie off her half the time.

I like their house, and their dog. I am staying in their spare bedroom, and she has a really nice down comforter on the bed for me. When I arrived, she had towels laying out, some blueberry muffins for breakfast, and even a flashlight at the bedside (in case I needed to get up in the middle of the night, that way I wouldn't trip on anything-how sweet).

When I have to work though, Charlie goes back to my home, and the neighbor girls let Chayse out in the afternoon once. 12 hours alone is really hard on the dog, so they are nice enough to help out.

On to the brakes. I went and got my oil changed on Saturday, and my brake light had been coming on, so I asked them to check my brake fluid. They didn't want to, but I explained to them that if it isn't really low, then I know it is an electrical problem, not a real brake problem. I told them, I didn't expect them to fix it, I just wanted them to check, since they were already working under my hood.

They did. That was nice.

It is low. Grr.

Well, since they don't do brakes, I decided to head over to Les Schwab and have them looked at. See what needed to be done, and how much. Well, when I arrived I told the guy my brake light kept coming on, and I needed to know what I needed to do about it, and how much would it cost.

He said " No problem, we will take your car back, check it out, and I will get back to you to let you know what needs to be done"

"Great!"

"It will take about half hour"

"No problem, I will wait"

So, I waited, and waited, and waited. Finally they pull my car into the service bay, and check my brakes. I also had them rotate my tires while they were there. Last year I had to buy new tires, so they needed to be rotated.

After 45 minutes + of waiting, the lady finally comes back in, tells me what that I have 15% left on the front, and 60% left on the rear. They recommend replacing the front brakes at this time. She tells me it will cost ~$200 to replace brakes, flush the system, and fill my brake fluid. And, if my rotors need to be replaced, it will cost an additional $80.

I can't exactly afford that, but I figure this is safety I am talking about, and I have lots of traveling in my future. So, I say "Go ahead. How long will it take?"

"M'aam, we are closed now, you will have to make an appt for that."

"What? The guyt told me he would check things out and come back to let me know what needed to be done. So, not only did I wait for 45 minutes for you to tell me something I already know, but now I have to come back and wait again. Okay, I guess it needs to be done, can I make an appt for tomorrow?"

"We are closed"

"Are you kidding me?" I said a bunch of other stuff under my breath. About ready to cry, holding myself back. "I guess Monday then"

So, I have an appt to get my brakes fixed in 45 minutes. They said it should take about an hour. Right, an hour. I will believe that when I see it. I have decided to wear my running clothes, and when I drop off my car, I will go running. What better way to waste time? Even if I don't run for a full hour, I won't just be sitting there, staring at the popcorn machine, debating whether to have any or not!

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Back to work, I go!

Well, I guess the title says it all. I have been on a little hiatus (aka days off) for three days, now I am headed back to work three days. Then I get another three days off. I had asked for those days off because Jeff was supposed to come visit me that weekend. Of course, he decided to go and get a job in Seattle, so will be moving that weekend instead. Now, I have no clue when I will get to see him again. Boohoo!! :(

Well, I am off to bed! Tomorrow I start house sitting at my boss's house for two weeks. I am watching her 15 year-old Border Collie, Chase. She is white with a few black spots. A very gentle soul. Charlie is going to ruin her. Kidding. But seriously, I will be staying over there for two weeks. I, however, don't feel comfortable leaving Charlie in a new house, with another dog for 12 hours while I work, so I will be dropping him off before work, and picking him back up after work. It makes things easier on the house. I don't want to be responsible for paying for new couches, linens, toys, whatever else he may decide to chew on. I just don't want to, nor can I afford it. It will be lots of extra driving (she lives about ten mins from me), and will require me to get up just a few minutes earlier than I normally do, but so be-it. I can do it.

I am actually looking forward to it. It will be weird to be in a strange house all alone, and my boss's house when she isn't there, but still fun just the same! Wish me luck! Then, when the two weeks is up....I get to go home for Christmas and spend six days at home with my family (hopefully with Jeff too, somewhere in that mix), then come back to work on Christmas day. Yes, you heard me correctly. I have to work on Christmas Day. Even though I offered to work all other holidays, just to have this one off, I still have to work on Christmas Day. At least I get time-and-a-half, right? Yeah!

Well, those are my little rants for tonight. Have a great day. Oh, and I have not started shopping yet. I had better start thinking about what I want to get for my family, hadn't I?

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Kahuna Hash

Another hash night. It wasn't as fun as the first night, but still fun. I got about the same amount of running in, in less time. Lasted about an hour tonight. We ran all over downtown Portland, so it was fun.

I have another race on Sunday. So, the running is much needed. Tomorrow is a full moon hash, so I may go to it. Depends on if I get any running in during the day. I really want to get a 4-5 mile run in tomorrow afternoon, sometime. I will see if that happens. Usually I am lazy all day, then the evening/night comes, and I start wanting to go do.

Weird how that works.