Online what's it all about.

I have a blog, a facebook account, a twitter account, a linkedin account, and three email accounts. What's this all about. Why do I need all this stuff and why am I spending so much time online? Although, having been laid off has shown me the power of some of these networking tools, it has been great to reconnect with people and I think I will stay better connected from now on.

No I'm not.

So it turns out I'm not starting that new job after all. The position was closed prior to me ever starting. That was a bummer. This was the first week of my at home unemployment, sort of. I'm still collecting a paycheck until the end of the month, thank god. I wish I could give myself over the the freedom of being unemployed but I just can't. The CEO is confident I'll have a job by the end of the month. I'm glad to have her on my side, there are often advantages to living with an optimist.

Changes

I'm starting a new job in a couple of weeks, it's a contract position and should keep us going for at least a few more months and give me some valuable experience in Medical devices. Actually the really big news around here is that my little 4 year old girl learned how to ride a two wheeler! She's amazing and I love her so much.

When is it going to end?

I can't handle any more poop in my life! Between the dog, and the boys that enough clean up. Then there's the girls with the farting and monopolizing the bathroom when they go number two. The kid could sit on the pot all day long, we literally have to yell at her to get her off. I know it sound gross but I can't wait for the day that the only persons shit I have to worry about is my own.

Ugh....

The CEO was saying yesterday it was much nicer when she was sitting back with her fancy coffee drink thinking about how bad this recession was becoming, yet not being part of it. Now we are in the masses of those being laid-off it and it stinks. I don't like this sort of stress, the CEO seems to handle it a lot better. Ugh...

Karaoke

On Sunday night we went out as a family to a great Chinese food restaurant. Not because it was great food, although it was good, but because it was Kid Karaoke night. I have to admit that I was just as excited as the kids because I have come to love Karaoke. I was a bit disappointed on the way to the restaurant when the CEO informed me that it was for kids only. Yet when we arrived I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the parents were welcome to sing. I was able to satisfy my Karaoke needs with two horrible performance (Prett in Pink & Safety Dance). However the kids really stole the show The Kid did a fantastic job singing YMCA and the Z got up the courage to sing Happy Birthday. The Kid must have gotten up and done at least two more songs and when we left she said she had I great time and wanted to make this a weekly outing. That may be more than we can support but we will definitely be back soon. Rock On!

Trapped!! Trapped? Trapped...

It's not supposed to snow like this, not here. Our drafty old house can't handle this. The furnace has been running non-stop since last Sunday and we still need space heaters to get the chill out. With the furnace on all night and no space heaters on the downstairs drops to 60 degrees. I'm not looking forward to the gas and electric bills, yikes! I'd like to know how many plows this city has, I'd guess five.

I'm here with three of the four. The CEO went out to the store. The CEO is back! Thank God.

X-mas photo complete!

We just completed the Christmas photo. When you have a perfectionist for a wife it ain't easy, however, it does always come out looking great. Hopefully we'll get the cards in the mail in time to make it before Christmas day, this is not likely.

The Missing Pickle Incident

Yesterday I took the girls to the park on their bikes. They had a great time riding around and working up a good appetite. We headed on over to a local diner-ish establishment for some grilled cheese sandwiches with fries. When the plates arrived each one came with an nice long 1/4 slice of a pickle. The Kid made it very clear that she was happy to have a nice pickle and she dove into taking a couple big bites. Lunch continued on with the regular Dad and Daughter conversation until The Kid noticed something.

The Kid: "Hey, where's my pickle? Dad, did you eat it?"
Me: "No Honey, I didn't eat your pickle, I saw you starting to devour it right away you probably finished it already."
The Kid: "No I didn't! I took two bites and put it right back on my plate"
Me: "Nobody here ate your Pickle. Z have you seen The Kid's pickle"
Z: "It's not in my tummy. Maybe it's on the floor."

We all looked on the floor but to no avail. I was convinced that The Kid had so swiftly eaten her own pickle that she just forgot. Lunch continued on without another incident and we occasionally joked that this lunch would always be remembered for the missing pickle incident. As lunch came to an end I made mention of the pickle one last time and thats when Z felt the need to share.

Z: "I ate the pickle, it's in my tummy. I reached over and I sneaked it away!"
Me: "Really Z, you ate the pickle."
Z: "No."
Me: "Oh, so you didn't eat it"
Z: "I wanted it, it's in my tummy."
Me: "So you did eat the pickle."
Z: "I ate-ed it."

Mystery solved. Later the next day when retelling the story with Z present she added that she "sneaked it away and ate-ed it under the table." It's kind of funny that her presence under the table is such a regular occurrence that I didn't even think twice about it.

Pie again.

Made another apple pie, I did not put it in the oven because I finished it so late (10:45 pm). Now it is 12:06 am and my pie could have been done and getting to bed is still probably about 30 min. away. There are just too many hours to the day which I'm not utilizing for sleep.