I realize it looks like I don't like my job if you read the posts below, but the funny thing is that I love it! Kate is the only thing/person that/who stresses me out, but even when I'm working with her, I still enjoy the proposal process. So I do love my job. ;)
Have Awana (I'm a listener--I listen to the kids say their memory verses) and music rehearsal tonight at church, which always makes my Wednesdays very long (work 8:30-5:00, rush home to eat a quick dinner, Awana 6:15-8:00, rehearsal 8:00-9:15 or 9:30).
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
What I Do
by Katie Varela
Job Summary according to Beech Street:
Responsible for preparing proposals for existing and prospective clients, evaluating client requirements and coordinating/updating information. Will provide assistance to sales personnel including preparation of "Requests for Proposals" (RFP's). Screens RFP's for specific and/or unusual requirements; inform department manager of special needs. Performs word processing of rough and final draft or various materials involving varied and specialized proposal requests. Requires an Associates degree or equivalent work experience. Two years in a healthcare environment preferred. Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Requires a working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and 40-wpm typing.
Job Summary according to real life:
Responsible for preparing proposals for existing and prospective clients, evaluating client requirements and coordinating/updating information. Will provide personal assistance to sales personnel, especially lonely 45-year-old condescending cat owners, including preparation of "Requests for Proposals" (RFPs). Screens RFPs for specific and/or unusual requirements; informs department manager of special needs. Performs word processing of rough and final draft or various materials involving varied and specialized proposal requests, including making copies, downloading files, teaching basic computer skills, and answering 25 to 30 calls per day from said cat-owning salesperson. Requires an Associates degree or equivalent work experience. Two years in a healthcare environment preferred. Ability to be subservient, submissive, and patient preferred. Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Requires a working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and ability to teach said programs to stupid salespeople and 40-wpm typing.
by Katie Varela
Job Summary according to Beech Street:
Responsible for preparing proposals for existing and prospective clients, evaluating client requirements and coordinating/updating information. Will provide assistance to sales personnel including preparation of "Requests for Proposals" (RFP's). Screens RFP's for specific and/or unusual requirements; inform department manager of special needs. Performs word processing of rough and final draft or various materials involving varied and specialized proposal requests. Requires an Associates degree or equivalent work experience. Two years in a healthcare environment preferred. Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Requires a working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and 40-wpm typing.
Job Summary according to real life:
Responsible for preparing proposals for existing and prospective clients, evaluating client requirements and coordinating/updating information. Will provide personal assistance to sales personnel, especially lonely 45-year-old condescending cat owners, including preparation of "Requests for Proposals" (RFPs). Screens RFPs for specific and/or unusual requirements; informs department manager of special needs. Performs word processing of rough and final draft or various materials involving varied and specialized proposal requests, including making copies, downloading files, teaching basic computer skills, and answering 25 to 30 calls per day from said cat-owning salesperson. Requires an Associates degree or equivalent work experience. Two years in a healthcare environment preferred. Ability to be subservient, submissive, and patient preferred. Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Requires a working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and ability to teach said programs to stupid salespeople and 40-wpm typing.
Hello again. I have some interesting news to report on the work front:
On Friday, Kate sprung a good deal of work on me at the last minute (her exact words on the phone: "We are going to do a proposal, but trust me, you aren't going to have to do any work"). I came to find out yesterday that she has known about it for 3 weeks but just didn't do anything about it until Friday, even though this work is due today. Because she knew I would push back and remind her of our department and company turnaround standards (in this case, at least 10 business days), she tried to push some of this work off on someone in another department who knows basically nothing about proposals (she just changed positions from accountant to client relations manager, both unrelated to proposals). Once I realized what was happening, I tried to make the girl (Martha) feel better for not knowing how to do anything, and I told her that it's my job, not hers, so if Kate asked (told) her to do anything else, just direct her to me. By the end of the day, I got a call from the boss of Martha's boss (Carol) saying she was so sorry about the mixup and the last-minute work. That's when I found out it had been in Kate's hands for 3 weeks, but she hadn't done anything about it. Apparently, Carol and Kate got together 3 weeks ago and Kate decided they wouldn't do a proposal for this prospect; she'd just "write a letter." Of course, that would have been too much work for Kate (a 2-page letter? No!). I told Carol that this is something I have come to expect but am not going to continue to put up with (and Kate knows that, which is why she didn't come to me to do the work like she should have, even if it was last minute). I also told Carol the proposal would be a good one and I'd get it out on time. I could tell she was upset with Kate. That made me happy! The more advocates I have, the more people see what Kate is really like, the better I feel. I do not want to get Kate fired, but I do want people to understand that I'm working hard! I also think that the more people who understand what Kate is like, the more likely she will have her blinders removed to see that she treats people like dirt.
On Friday, Kate sprung a good deal of work on me at the last minute (her exact words on the phone: "We are going to do a proposal, but trust me, you aren't going to have to do any work"). I came to find out yesterday that she has known about it for 3 weeks but just didn't do anything about it until Friday, even though this work is due today. Because she knew I would push back and remind her of our department and company turnaround standards (in this case, at least 10 business days), she tried to push some of this work off on someone in another department who knows basically nothing about proposals (she just changed positions from accountant to client relations manager, both unrelated to proposals). Once I realized what was happening, I tried to make the girl (Martha) feel better for not knowing how to do anything, and I told her that it's my job, not hers, so if Kate asked (told) her to do anything else, just direct her to me. By the end of the day, I got a call from the boss of Martha's boss (Carol) saying she was so sorry about the mixup and the last-minute work. That's when I found out it had been in Kate's hands for 3 weeks, but she hadn't done anything about it. Apparently, Carol and Kate got together 3 weeks ago and Kate decided they wouldn't do a proposal for this prospect; she'd just "write a letter." Of course, that would have been too much work for Kate (a 2-page letter? No!). I told Carol that this is something I have come to expect but am not going to continue to put up with (and Kate knows that, which is why she didn't come to me to do the work like she should have, even if it was last minute). I also told Carol the proposal would be a good one and I'd get it out on time. I could tell she was upset with Kate. That made me happy! The more advocates I have, the more people see what Kate is really like, the better I feel. I do not want to get Kate fired, but I do want people to understand that I'm working hard! I also think that the more people who understand what Kate is like, the more likely she will have her blinders removed to see that she treats people like dirt.
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Nothing too new going on this week at work. I just finished some not-in-my-job-description work for salesperson Kate, so I think she'll be off my back for THAT kind of thing for a few days (we'll see).
Last night we went to Jon's parents' house for dinner (yum!), which we have done on most Mondays for the past couple of months.
Tidbit: I will be going today or tomorrow to get a passport picture taken, as my passport expired in February 2003, and I'll need the new one before September! :) ~K
Last night we went to Jon's parents' house for dinner (yum!), which we have done on most Mondays for the past couple of months.
Tidbit: I will be going today or tomorrow to get a passport picture taken, as my passport expired in February 2003, and I'll need the new one before September! :) ~K
Monday, March 22, 2004
Weekend
Our weekend was very nice. On Friday, we had 2 couples from church over for a "Salt and Pepper dinner." The church organizes host homes and who will go where, and at our house we had Neil and Casey Anderson, who we already know, and another couple, Brent and Orchid, who I'd never talked to before. They were very nice and we had a great time. The wives even asked for the recipe for the taco soup I made! ;)
On Saturday, I went to Casey's for a baby shower for another church friend, Liz. I gave her the CUTEST little girl bathing suit (0-3 months size--so teeny!). Then Saturday night, Jon and I went out to sushi at his favorite sushi place (I Love Sushi in Costa Mesa--very good and relatively inexpensive for good sushi). We also rented Runaway Jury but weren't too impressed with its very liberal message ("guns and gun makers are bad!") or its portrayal of jury duty. Having just served on a jury, I kept thinking, "That isn't really what it's like..."
On Sunday, we attended a great church service (Arch's message on Jesus' words, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?" was very good) and went out to lunch at the mall food court with everyone afterward. The rest of Sunday afternoon I spent finishing up 3 editing jobs while Jon went to the driving range, and then we went to Jon's basketball game at 7:00. Both Jon and Scott had incredible games; they had 18 and 19 points, respectively.
And that was our weekend!--basically all play and no work! :) ~Katie
Our weekend was very nice. On Friday, we had 2 couples from church over for a "Salt and Pepper dinner." The church organizes host homes and who will go where, and at our house we had Neil and Casey Anderson, who we already know, and another couple, Brent and Orchid, who I'd never talked to before. They were very nice and we had a great time. The wives even asked for the recipe for the taco soup I made! ;)
On Saturday, I went to Casey's for a baby shower for another church friend, Liz. I gave her the CUTEST little girl bathing suit (0-3 months size--so teeny!). Then Saturday night, Jon and I went out to sushi at his favorite sushi place (I Love Sushi in Costa Mesa--very good and relatively inexpensive for good sushi). We also rented Runaway Jury but weren't too impressed with its very liberal message ("guns and gun makers are bad!") or its portrayal of jury duty. Having just served on a jury, I kept thinking, "That isn't really what it's like..."
On Sunday, we attended a great church service (Arch's message on Jesus' words, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?" was very good) and went out to lunch at the mall food court with everyone afterward. The rest of Sunday afternoon I spent finishing up 3 editing jobs while Jon went to the driving range, and then we went to Jon's basketball game at 7:00. Both Jon and Scott had incredible games; they had 18 and 19 points, respectively.
And that was our weekend!--basically all play and no work! :) ~Katie
Thursday, March 18, 2004
I haven't written anything about my "weight loss journey" in here, but I think I should since it has been such a part of my life for the past 9 months or so.
I wasn't overweight growing up, but starting in college (when I no longer participated in organized sports and also had cafeteria food every day), I did the rollercoaster thing--up 10-20 pounds or so during the winter, down 8 to 10 pounds in the summer. I hovered somewhere between 135 and 145. For my 5'5" frame, I think around 130 is really optimal. I got to a great weight--probably around 132 (I never weighed myself)--for our wedding, and in the year after we got married, I gained just under 30 pounds. I don't feel like I "let myself go," but with adjusting to married life, cooking for two (instead of eating my mom's healthy cooking), working in a job I disliked (until May 2003 at least), and all in all loving food and eating, those 30 pounds flew on me so fast I didn't even realize it was happening. I hated looking at myself in the mirror. When we went to the beach with our church friends on Sunday nights beginning in May 03 for cookouts, I wore regular clothes while most everyone else wore swimsuits. I was not as good of a wife as I could have been--feeling bad about myself often put me in a bad mood or made me snappy towards Jon. I get embarrassed thinking back about how I was. I am embarrassed that I let myself gain so much weight, when I have always wanted to look great for my husband. It isn't about looking great for other people, it's about my husband and being desirable to him. Here is sort of a "before" picture of me (I don't have many!)--this was actually taken when I had already lost 8 pounds.
Exactly at Jon's and my one-year anniversary, June 2003, I went back to Weight Watchers (I had done Weight Watchers with my mom a few summers before with just about 10 pounds to lose, and I lost the amount and then stopped going, since my mom was paying for it). I just love WW! It is such a healthy, balanced way of eating and thinking. I don't feel like I'm "working" to get the weight off; I just need structure, and then I'm on a roll. I got down to my WW goal of 140 at the end of October. My personal goal was 132. Here is an "after" picture of me--much happier and with my new hairstyle (a reward for losing 28 pounds)!
I am most thankful for Jon, my wonderful, supportive husband who never said anything demeaning about my weight and who always told me I'm beautiful. Now he DOES call me "Skinny Wife" though! The other day when we were out to dinner, he even told me he thinks I'm thinner now than I was when we got married--which surprised me because I didn't think I am. But I guess I am!
Here's a link to my weight loss chart, which I last updated in December when I reached WW lifetime status. I have since kept watching what I eat (I don't think that will ever end--it's a "lifestyle change," not a diet) and have gotten down to my personal goal! Now that I've started to go to the gym again, I think I will make it down to 2 pounds below my personal goal to end up at a nice round figure (but not a nice round body!), which will also put me 10 pounds below my WW goal (a good buffer so that I will remain at lifetime status).
Feeling better about myself and my health has been such a wonderful change. This is not about all of that new age, self-esteem, "you need to love yourself" mentality stuff--this is a health thing: a healthy mentality and attitude toward food (it is not a bandaid or comfort to run to when sad/happy/bored) and a healthy physical body. I am definitely a better wife now, and that is what is most important to me. I am back to being more outgoing and friendly with our friends. I am also proud that I lost weight the "right way"--not by giving up an entire food group or losing weight at a too-fast rate, but by balancing what I eat and adding physical activity into my day to lose weight slowly but steadily. This is something I can stick with forever! :)
I wasn't overweight growing up, but starting in college (when I no longer participated in organized sports and also had cafeteria food every day), I did the rollercoaster thing--up 10-20 pounds or so during the winter, down 8 to 10 pounds in the summer. I hovered somewhere between 135 and 145. For my 5'5" frame, I think around 130 is really optimal. I got to a great weight--probably around 132 (I never weighed myself)--for our wedding, and in the year after we got married, I gained just under 30 pounds. I don't feel like I "let myself go," but with adjusting to married life, cooking for two (instead of eating my mom's healthy cooking), working in a job I disliked (until May 2003 at least), and all in all loving food and eating, those 30 pounds flew on me so fast I didn't even realize it was happening. I hated looking at myself in the mirror. When we went to the beach with our church friends on Sunday nights beginning in May 03 for cookouts, I wore regular clothes while most everyone else wore swimsuits. I was not as good of a wife as I could have been--feeling bad about myself often put me in a bad mood or made me snappy towards Jon. I get embarrassed thinking back about how I was. I am embarrassed that I let myself gain so much weight, when I have always wanted to look great for my husband. It isn't about looking great for other people, it's about my husband and being desirable to him. Here is sort of a "before" picture of me (I don't have many!)--this was actually taken when I had already lost 8 pounds.
Exactly at Jon's and my one-year anniversary, June 2003, I went back to Weight Watchers (I had done Weight Watchers with my mom a few summers before with just about 10 pounds to lose, and I lost the amount and then stopped going, since my mom was paying for it). I just love WW! It is such a healthy, balanced way of eating and thinking. I don't feel like I'm "working" to get the weight off; I just need structure, and then I'm on a roll. I got down to my WW goal of 140 at the end of October. My personal goal was 132. Here is an "after" picture of me--much happier and with my new hairstyle (a reward for losing 28 pounds)!
I am most thankful for Jon, my wonderful, supportive husband who never said anything demeaning about my weight and who always told me I'm beautiful. Now he DOES call me "Skinny Wife" though! The other day when we were out to dinner, he even told me he thinks I'm thinner now than I was when we got married--which surprised me because I didn't think I am. But I guess I am!
Here's a link to my weight loss chart, which I last updated in December when I reached WW lifetime status. I have since kept watching what I eat (I don't think that will ever end--it's a "lifestyle change," not a diet) and have gotten down to my personal goal! Now that I've started to go to the gym again, I think I will make it down to 2 pounds below my personal goal to end up at a nice round figure (but not a nice round body!), which will also put me 10 pounds below my WW goal (a good buffer so that I will remain at lifetime status).
Feeling better about myself and my health has been such a wonderful change. This is not about all of that new age, self-esteem, "you need to love yourself" mentality stuff--this is a health thing: a healthy mentality and attitude toward food (it is not a bandaid or comfort to run to when sad/happy/bored) and a healthy physical body. I am definitely a better wife now, and that is what is most important to me. I am back to being more outgoing and friendly with our friends. I am also proud that I lost weight the "right way"--not by giving up an entire food group or losing weight at a too-fast rate, but by balancing what I eat and adding physical activity into my day to lose weight slowly but steadily. This is something I can stick with forever! :)
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
Nothing much going on this week, but that is nice. I've been having fun looking on Better Homes & Gardens' website (www.bhg.com), especially at the decorating gallery. I like adding rooms to my "favorites."
Last night Jon and his dad drove to Ontario to sign some papers... There is a good chance the Indian tribe the Varelas are part of may be federally recognized. They are Vuyume (I forget how to spell it), part of the Chumash Indians. Pretty cool! If they do get federally recognized, they may get some land, but we'll see. It has been in the works for a while, but it still may take some time.
Jon and I have instituted our new weekday "get up a little earlier" morning plan, and so far we're sticking to it. I really like it.
Monday - Bible study on own
Tuesday - gym together
Wednesday - Bible study together
Thursday - gym together
Friday - sleep :)
For my "on own" Bible study, I've been going through Beth Moore's study on the Old Testament tabernacle (I think the study is called something like "Woman's Heart, God's Home" or "My Heart, God's Home"). I really like it.
OK, that's it for today!
Last night Jon and his dad drove to Ontario to sign some papers... There is a good chance the Indian tribe the Varelas are part of may be federally recognized. They are Vuyume (I forget how to spell it), part of the Chumash Indians. Pretty cool! If they do get federally recognized, they may get some land, but we'll see. It has been in the works for a while, but it still may take some time.
Jon and I have instituted our new weekday "get up a little earlier" morning plan, and so far we're sticking to it. I really like it.
Monday - Bible study on own
Tuesday - gym together
Wednesday - Bible study together
Thursday - gym together
Friday - sleep :)
For my "on own" Bible study, I've been going through Beth Moore's study on the Old Testament tabernacle (I think the study is called something like "Woman's Heart, God's Home" or "My Heart, God's Home"). I really like it.
OK, that's it for today!
Friday, March 12, 2004
This has been a very busy week at work, which is why I haven't posted. Annoying salesperson Kate is monopolizing my time, something she seems to be very good at doing. Oh wait, my phone's ringing again...and it's her.
I'm back, after having explained to Kate over the phone how to do a Ctrl+Find. She thinks of me as her personal assistant, but no, I am her proposal writer. I write proposals for her. I do not train her on computer programs. I do not make copies for her. I do not call other employees to ask them questions for her. I do not stand by at my telephone waiting for calls from her every 15 minutes. As a matter of fact, I have 6 other salespeople for whom I write proposals.
OK, I feel a little better now. And I'm glad it's Friday! As for plans for the weekend, I think we'll mostly be relaxing, especially since the weekend after this one will be much busier: hosting a Salt & Pepper dinner at our house Friday 3/19, going to a baby shower Saturday 3/20, and more I'm sure that I've forgotten. I do have at least one editing job to work on this weekend, though, so that will take up a bit of time.
Oh yeah, and we bought tickets to go to Germany in September! We will be visiting Jon's best friend Nate, and Nate's wife and daughter Louise and Ellie at the military base in Wiesbaden. We are so excited! The trip is September 3-12. Jon even found a decent price for a non-stop flight on Priceline (cost less than a flight with one layover on Hotwire!). Yay! :)
I'm back, after having explained to Kate over the phone how to do a Ctrl+Find. She thinks of me as her personal assistant, but no, I am her proposal writer. I write proposals for her. I do not train her on computer programs. I do not make copies for her. I do not call other employees to ask them questions for her. I do not stand by at my telephone waiting for calls from her every 15 minutes. As a matter of fact, I have 6 other salespeople for whom I write proposals.
OK, I feel a little better now. And I'm glad it's Friday! As for plans for the weekend, I think we'll mostly be relaxing, especially since the weekend after this one will be much busier: hosting a Salt & Pepper dinner at our house Friday 3/19, going to a baby shower Saturday 3/20, and more I'm sure that I've forgotten. I do have at least one editing job to work on this weekend, though, so that will take up a bit of time.
Oh yeah, and we bought tickets to go to Germany in September! We will be visiting Jon's best friend Nate, and Nate's wife and daughter Louise and Ellie at the military base in Wiesbaden. We are so excited! The trip is September 3-12. Jon even found a decent price for a non-stop flight on Priceline (cost less than a flight with one layover on Hotwire!). Yay! :)
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
I had such a great time with the family here!
Thursday - After the family's flight got in late, I thought they would be too exhausted to do anything. But apparently, absence from good Mexican food--and the need to have it if it is within a 100-mile radius--will overcome most anything. So we went out to Javier's in Laguna Beach for dinner (YUM!). Greg nearly fell out of his chair with the first tortilla chip.
Friday - I worked on Friday, so Mama, Greg, and Lucy met with friends during the day. Then we went out to dinner again! This time, Jon took us to his favorite sushi place in Costa Mesa (I Love Sushi). It was REALLY good.
Saturday - After Jon got home from playing basketball, we all went out again, this time to Ruby's. After breakfast/lunch, Mama and I made the other 3 sit outside (in the gorgeous weather) while we shopped a little dress shop. I got a cute skirt (denim with red/pink on the bottom). Back at home, we put taco soup together in the crock pot for dinner (had we had a meal at home yet? I don't think so!) before heading out to Fashion Island. It was nice just to walk around, see the shops, and spend time with Mama and Lucy.
Sunday - We all met up after church on Sunday at the mall food court for lunch. We went into Williams Sonoma for Mama (salt and pepper shakers) and Old Navy and a dress shop for Lucy and me (I don't think I'd ever done so much shopping in my life!). I got a shirt that matches my new skirt from Saturday. That night, Mama, Lucy and I went to Jon's basketball game (they won), and Scott and Kim came over afterwards with all of us for dinner. We had burgers on the patio and then roasted marshmallows in our little fire pit.
Monday - I took the day off from work, and we went to A's Burgers for lunch (fried zucchini!), then to the beach to walk around. We got some cold coffee drinks (it was in the upper 80s!) and also went by the grocery store to get some things for dinner. Before heading home, we dropped by the pound by our house and saw some of the cutest dogs. I resisted temptation and remembered that Jon and I work way too much to be able to treat a dog the right way (what dog wants to spend 50 hours a week alone in the yard?). So we headed home. We had stirfry (turkey, veggies, rice) and fruit salad for dinner, then we had coffee and roasted some more marshmallows.
From my description, it seems that our long weekend revolved around shopping and food! But really it was about spending time with Mama, Greg, and Lucy and having fun. I'm really glad they could come out and stay.
Thursday - After the family's flight got in late, I thought they would be too exhausted to do anything. But apparently, absence from good Mexican food--and the need to have it if it is within a 100-mile radius--will overcome most anything. So we went out to Javier's in Laguna Beach for dinner (YUM!). Greg nearly fell out of his chair with the first tortilla chip.
Friday - I worked on Friday, so Mama, Greg, and Lucy met with friends during the day. Then we went out to dinner again! This time, Jon took us to his favorite sushi place in Costa Mesa (I Love Sushi). It was REALLY good.
Saturday - After Jon got home from playing basketball, we all went out again, this time to Ruby's. After breakfast/lunch, Mama and I made the other 3 sit outside (in the gorgeous weather) while we shopped a little dress shop. I got a cute skirt (denim with red/pink on the bottom). Back at home, we put taco soup together in the crock pot for dinner (had we had a meal at home yet? I don't think so!) before heading out to Fashion Island. It was nice just to walk around, see the shops, and spend time with Mama and Lucy.
Sunday - We all met up after church on Sunday at the mall food court for lunch. We went into Williams Sonoma for Mama (salt and pepper shakers) and Old Navy and a dress shop for Lucy and me (I don't think I'd ever done so much shopping in my life!). I got a shirt that matches my new skirt from Saturday. That night, Mama, Lucy and I went to Jon's basketball game (they won), and Scott and Kim came over afterwards with all of us for dinner. We had burgers on the patio and then roasted marshmallows in our little fire pit.
Monday - I took the day off from work, and we went to A's Burgers for lunch (fried zucchini!), then to the beach to walk around. We got some cold coffee drinks (it was in the upper 80s!) and also went by the grocery store to get some things for dinner. Before heading home, we dropped by the pound by our house and saw some of the cutest dogs. I resisted temptation and remembered that Jon and I work way too much to be able to treat a dog the right way (what dog wants to spend 50 hours a week alone in the yard?). So we headed home. We had stirfry (turkey, veggies, rice) and fruit salad for dinner, then we had coffee and roasted some more marshmallows.
From my description, it seems that our long weekend revolved around shopping and food! But really it was about spending time with Mama, Greg, and Lucy and having fun. I'm really glad they could come out and stay.
Thursday, March 04, 2004
Mama, Greg, and Lucy had some flight mishaps today (thankfully while the plane was still on the ground), so they're arriving about 4 hours late--after 16 hours of travel for what should normally take more like 5 non-stop or 7 to 8 with a stop. Poor family! But I'm still so excited for them to come. And their late arrival actually means I'll be able to leave straight from work to pick them up, instead of having to take a long lunch, pick them up, then go back to work.
I'm most excited for the family to see the new things we've done to the house... the guest bathroom, kichen, master bathroom, patio furniture, etc. And of course, Greg hasn't seen any of it. I can't wait! :) ~K
I'm most excited for the family to see the new things we've done to the house... the guest bathroom, kichen, master bathroom, patio furniture, etc. And of course, Greg hasn't seen any of it. I can't wait! :) ~K
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
My mom, Greg, and Lucy are flying out tomorrow to visit. They'll be here Thursday (3/4) through Tuesday (3/9). I can't wait! We don't have too many things planned except to hang out and have fun. Greg has never seen our house before--this is his first time back in CA since they moved in December '02. I'm taking Monday off from work, which will be nice. They're staying at our house on an air mattress and couches--bless them!
Monday, March 01, 2004
Mammoth and other news
Our trip this past weekend to Mammoth was a lot of fun. The drive up there on Friday was even longer than I had anticipated since I'd never been up there. It took us about 6.5 to 7 hours. We ate dinner right when we got there at Berger's, and I had some really good chili. Then the 5 of us (Jon and me, Scott, Kim, and their daughter Sierra) found our 3-bedroom, cozy condo. It was just as the owner had described: "all 70s'd out." On Saturday, we went sledding, ate lunch out, and Kim and I watched as Scott and Jon tried to start a fire using wet wood. Once they conquered the beast, we watched a movie, had dinner in, and played Settlers until 11:30 or so. Sunday we went out to breakfast at The Stove, packed up, and headed home (another long drive). It was nice to relax, not have anything planned, not have to do anything around the house, and just hang out! And we even got home in time to see most of the Academy Awards and drop a couple of loads of laundry into the washer.
Our trip this past weekend to Mammoth was a lot of fun. The drive up there on Friday was even longer than I had anticipated since I'd never been up there. It took us about 6.5 to 7 hours. We ate dinner right when we got there at Berger's, and I had some really good chili. Then the 5 of us (Jon and me, Scott, Kim, and their daughter Sierra) found our 3-bedroom, cozy condo. It was just as the owner had described: "all 70s'd out." On Saturday, we went sledding, ate lunch out, and Kim and I watched as Scott and Jon tried to start a fire using wet wood. Once they conquered the beast, we watched a movie, had dinner in, and played Settlers until 11:30 or so. Sunday we went out to breakfast at The Stove, packed up, and headed home (another long drive). It was nice to relax, not have anything planned, not have to do anything around the house, and just hang out! And we even got home in time to see most of the Academy Awards and drop a couple of loads of laundry into the washer.
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