One down, MORE to go....

Patrick has moved out! He bought a house about 10 miles away from us in O'Fallon. In the weeks leading up to the closing, I assured Jim that I would help with painting but I refused to do any cleaning. Considering all the times we had to harp on Patrick to clean the bathroom downstairs, there was no way I was going to voluntarily clean anything in his house. As it turned out, I wasn't able to help much because the JCI January Board meeting was taking place and I put in a lot of hours (teambuilding, of course) and wasn't available. I painted one night and planned on helping the next night, but lo & behold, someone died & I had to go to the funeral parlor instead. Then the following morning, I had my carpal tunnel surgery (January 18) and there you go - no more help from me! I would be off work for a week and I had a project I could work on. I bought two 5X7 photo albums and organized all my recipes (most I haven't even made) into the books. Barb, you'd be proud - it took me hours! When Monday morning came around, I confessed to Jim that I was feeling guilty because I really could go to work. I was feeling fine but the problem was that I could only type or use my mouse with my left hand because I had a cast on the right. It didn't take me long to get out of the guilt-ridden mode after I told Jim that although I couldn't paint or lift heavy things, I was more than happy to shop for items Patrick needed. I confronted Patrick to ask if he was planning on decorating or just leaving everything plain and boring. He said he'd probably decorate a little. So, I took over. I assured him that I wouldn't use any flowers or anything that might possibly be misconstrued as "gay". My "Barb" mode kicked in and I was practically in a frenzy going from Aldi's (yes, I got a nice shower curtain with matching rings for $10!) to Old Time Pottery to Target to Home Goods (you'd be surprised how easy it is to drive left-handed!). I also got a great deal on clearance pleated shades from Domestications in which he's getting 9 various size shades for $112! After spending another $300 on decorations & a few necessities, Patrick's house looks like a home. There's still more work for Jim & him to do, but it really is a nice house and I had a great week off.

I went to my hand surgeon last Friday and after he freaked me out by saying that the cast would have to stay on for another 6 weeks, he cut it off. The incision really looks awful and is longer than I imagined, with alot of bruising up my arm. I enjoy showing people & grossing them out!

So I went back to work Monday and told Pedro (JCI IT guy) that I was having problems with my laptop. I had brought it home with me and after only a couple of days the screen went blank. Pedro went right to work on trying to figure out the problem and then the electricity went off. No problem, he used the wireless and continued working on it. Turns out that when I received an e-mail from the IRS and tried to open the attachment, my computer got a virus. In my defense, it looked official with their logo and all and I was freaking out because it said they were going to audit JCI (not that we have anything to hide) and I've never been audited at anyplace I've worked. This is the first time I've gotten a virus on my computer and let me tell you that EVERYONE else at JCI has had at least one in the past. We have the privilege of receiving them from all over the world and passing them around the office! Pedro fixed my computer and then the electricity went out again. Needless to say, it was not a good first-day back!

I'm going back to the doctor to get the stitches out this Friday. I guess I'll have to wait until I'm healed all the way before I can start my next project - the dining room.....

The holidays in a nutshell

It was a great holiday season for us. The Smith Family came in Thursday evening, Dec 20th and the party began!
We started off by playing poker. Ronnie came over since he was off work Friday and Angie & Patrick joined the table. I was sitting next to Ronnie and had to reprimand him a few times for his constant chatter. I know it's hard to believe but he was talking so much that it was annoying. I got so fed up that I had to echo his own words from the past, "Are we playing cards here or what?"
I was off work Friday and we went to the Science Center to see Body Worlds 3. It was pretty neat and somewhat creepy seeing bodies with no skin on them. I had sent the website to Joyce & Scott to make sure they thought it would be appropriate for Devon & Madison and they said okay. I don't think the girls liked it too much but, hey, I pride myself in trying to shock them. We also went to the Hill so Joyce could buy the blocks of provel cheese and salami that she likes to take back to South Bend. That night Ron & Janet came up and we went to see a light display that was synchronized to music in the O'Fallon area. It was really cool but we had to cut it short since Scott had to use the restroom and Ronnie whined about being hungry. Another night of poker rounded out Friday.
Saturday was the only day we planned on staying home but managed to go visit Mom for a couple of hours in the afternoon. The girls got the opportunity to see my & Jim's handiwork as we had decorated Mom's front porch. There was a competition in her complex and Mom wanted to beat the lady who won last year. Imagine that, competitive at age 76! I went over there to take the decorations down the other day and she told me that she won and she's got more ideas for next year. I can't wait!
Sunday we went to Matt & Sharon's house and played more poker.
Monday, Christmas Eve, Jim & I went to his dad's for the Miller celebration. While we were there I got a telephone call from Jennifer as she was supposed to pick up Mom and there was no answer at her door or on her phone. I won't get into the details but suffice it to say that Mom gave us all a scare. It seems she's getting forgetful these days. By the time Jim & I got back to the house, the party was in full swing. We played rob your neighbor and the number game and everyone had a good time. Uncle Tony was absolutely delighted with the GM jacket Matt had contributed and Greg was thrilled with the purse he ended up with. He even posed for pictures! It was a great time with family, food & drink.
Christmas Day we went to Ron & Janet's for an open house. It was fun visiting with her brother, sister-in-law, nephews and Gene & Maggie Schuermann. We played more poker and I ended up winning back what I had lost (sorry Mike) on previous nights.
The Smiths left Wednesday after breakfast. All-in-all, it was a great holiday season but I did miss my big sister & her gang.