I'm missing book club

I missed book club tonight. Argh. Sometimes I wonder if it's all worth it to work up here. Each day seems okay. But I'm stuck in two worlds. I like both of them, but am not fully invested in either. Sucks sometimes.

I didn't read the book anyway. I'm like that. I don't read books that I have to make myself read. This one "The Promise" by Chaim Potok had potential, but by the time I started to read it, it was too late. At least that's what I told myself.

I'm reading a book at work that I'm not wild about too. I may have to bail on that one too. The book I'm reading at Joan's (my Waukee home) is kinda hot, and/or I'm lonely for Pablo the Pool boy.

Sharpest Scimitar

An Alex Delaware (Jonathon Kellerman) book I'm listening to had a good line in it that I heard today - "She's not the sharpest scimitar in the scabbord." Made me chuckle. I don't always feel too sharp.

Now I have a new line to describe me!
I made a new friend at work today. NOT! Actually I get the idea a woman who works on my floor does not love me as she should. I mean, what's not to like? Okay so I can be a smart ass and opinionated. But I try to hide it most of the time.
The person took offense to my suggestion that we shouldn't purchase a gift card from a certain vendor - a huge retailer that evidently had toxicity issues with their bags somewhere in the country. So I passed that information along in an email, which I said in my usual witty manner, taking care not to sound too bossy. I guess I didn't take enough care because said employee took offense. Another woman in my department said I should just "leave it alone". So I will.
But oh I won't forget! I've got quite an elephantlike memory when it comes to things like this! Like the time in 6th grade when I was going to climb onto my desk like another student was doing and Mrs. Pellett chastised me. She never did like me much. And she wasn't my fave teacher either! I don't get mad, I get even...

It's your last chance

"It's your last change Dave Bullock". I don't' know how many of those mailings we've received in the past two years since Dad died. I always chuckle to myself. He did love to order things - he could just reach out from his toasty grave (not that he's in hell, but he was cremated) and ring up one last purchase.


The year after Mom passed away, our family went to Florida for Christmas. And Dad had gone hog-wild on the home shopping network. He had not one but two special mops. Like he ever mopped in his life! And he'd joined VHS tape of the month club and had a large library of videos. I think Reader's Digest stock actually plummeted when he passed away - they ended up refunding over $50 - like 4 years worth of magazines.



I spent some time removing Dad and the Goldsmiths from catalog lists. If your getting catalogs you don't want or need, do Mother Nature a favor and register on: http://www.catalogchoice.org/

Groucho moucho

At left, my dad (handsome Dave Bullfrog) with the 3 eldest Bullock girls - Susi, left, me (the favorite) on Dad's lap and Cindy with the big grin and bad bangs.

I'm feelin' grouchy today. This cold wet weather, and my recurrence of shoulder issues despite several weeks of therapy with Dr. Wes.

When I was a little girl, my sisters teased me unmercifully. When I dared act all crabby-like, they called me Groucho Moucho. They had a little ditty they'd sing. "Groucho Moucho - oooh that puss". I thought they made Groucho Moucho up, but I just googled it, and and Marx videos popped up. Hmmm.

Cindy the blondie was the evil sister. I guess you can tell by the grin. One time - it may have been on that very couch - she caused me to impale my ass on a nail. We were playing the bounce on the couch game. I bounced while she darted a stick with a nail on it under me, snatching it away when I bounced down. And then she left it under me, and was forced to cover my mouth so I didn't shriek to our parents upstairs. It's a good thing I didn't get lockjaw.

Cindy and I are good friends now. We're a lot alike. we have the same sense of humor. Hell I can't even feel the scar from the puncture incident.

Tonight I did a little shopping therapy, and after buying $59 Eddie Bauer pants for $20, I feel much better.

Stormy weather

It's been stormy all weekend. I'm tired of it. Iowa weather is quite bi-polar this time of year. Cold, warm, sunny, windy, cloudy and then - tornadic.

We had a ranch house while I was growing up in A-town, and our safe spot was in the basement - in a corner of the playroom just next to the piano. In extreme weather, mom would pack us all downstairs with blankets and she would listen to the radio. It was quite exciting for a kid!

Of course we've done the same thing with our kids, though we were very hesitant to wake them up to wisk them downstairs. Just last year Jud, Paul and I were downstairs during the rain, hail, tornado in April. Jud gets pretty freaked out and was wishing Paul had built a "safe room" in our basement. The safest spot was filled with pain cans - Jud was ready to start flinging them so he could fit.

I think the most scared I've ever been traveling was when I was driving a couple times. The wind was so fierce and the car felt like it would topple! Last year after we moved Jud into his new apartment in Ames, we drove through such a storm in between Ames and Boone. Made my heart go pitty pat!

Then last fall, cruising in McKim's recreational vehicle after a football game, a windstorm nearly wisked us off the road just before Ogden. The awning whipped out and flopped around. Don said we slid across a whole lane of traffic - good thing it was late at night! And good thing my crisp chardonnay had not yet totally worn off!

Weather is something to respect.

Career to mom

Paul enjoyed a successful first "boss man" job for USDA's Soil Conservation Service in Osage, Iowa for two years - from 1984-1986. It was a very flat county, so not much work load. The clerk Sandy was excellent and taught him a great deal! We still exchange Christmas cards with her.


I found gainful employment in the computer department at Fox River, a woolen mill. Soon after starting my job, I found out I was pregnant. I had been pregnant the fall before, but there was no heartbeat, so I'd had a D&C, ending the pregnancy in October 2004. It was pretty devastating. Things like that NEVER happened to me! And my best friend was pregnant, and I no longer was. It was a hard time.


Then the doctor said he was concerned I'd had a molar pregnancy - where the tissue becomes almost cancerous and overgrows. He said I needed to wait to try again to get pregnant until after the first of the year, which was right after I'd started the new job at Fox Sox. After January 1, the doc wanted to re-test to make sure I was okay. When I got the all clear on that med test (phew...if it had turned out bad, I was facing chemo), I was preggers in about a minute.


This pregnancy we didn't tell anyone the news except our families, until we heard the heartbeat. I had another scare when, while a few month pregnant I got a bad case of food poisoning after attending VEISHEA - must have been something I ate after the parade. I was sure I'd killed the kid, but it was a hardy little bastard. I had a very re-assuring doctor from Mason City named Dr. Dunker. He was awesome!

The rest of my pregnancy was pretty uneventful. Friends loaned me maternity clothes – and I went from “you’re not very big for being X months pregnant” to you’re huge! I gained some 40 pounds, and Paul heeded the advice never to mention to your wife that she weighs more than you.

We took a last “single” vacation to a resort in Minnesota in August. I was due October 7. In September the doc started teasing me with – “you’ll go early” statements. I believed him. I got uncomfortably huge, with painful hips. Finally, in early October I wasn’t able to work. It was depressing to be such a whale – I wanted that baby (nicknamed Turdell) out. I cried and was a bitch.

Finally, Dr. Dunker said “we’re going to induce labor Wed. October 9th!” We called our family and friends. We were so ready! The big day we traveled to Mason City very early in the a.m. When we got there they said “no room in the Inn” the maternity ward was too full I’d have to come back next time the doc was on call – Monday October 14. Shit! Sentenced to another few days of misery. I cried. (it happened a lot back then – hormones)

So the big day ended up being the 14th – which I like better than 9 anyway. I truly believe I would still be pregnant without my good friend pitocin (labor inducing). And Turdell ended up being our beloved Amy Elizabeth – 9 lb. 7 oz, ripped from my womb with forceps. Perfect baby with red hair. The hospital used her as the demo baby for “teach the parents to bath the newborn” class. I was so proud. Somehow my career didn’t seem all that important anymore… I was a mom!

Ahhh, a day working at home.
My new job (okay I've been at it for four months now, but it's gonna feel new until the first year is over) is hard. I work hard at it, and the commuting part is hard. There are a lot of logistics involved, starting Sunday night when I pack my bag.
Cue "all my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...I'm waiting here beside my door" (Leaving on a jet plane - Peter, Paul and Mary song, and...written by John Denver and another guy)
I've got to put together clothes options for the week - keeping in mind the weather (especially now that it's spring and it can be hot or cold), and my schedule. I can't show up for a meeting in jeans in a t-shirt now can I? Plus I needs me workout clothes - something I walked out without this week, forcing me to purchase another pair of walking shoes. Now I have a pair for each location.

Plus I have to refill my meds. Yes, I'm my father's daughter. I recall he had a whole little shaving kit bag filled with various meds, salves and beauty aids. I've actually got one of those little pill organizers, just like an old person (argh - truth revealed). Plus I take vitamins daily, but they are relegated to a baggy. So they all need to be dispensed into the right place.

Then there's the food. I usually shop over the weekend and get my bag started of stuff for work - cereal, snacks, drinks. Then there are the cold things - cottage cheese, yogurt, leftovers and fruit. A girl's gotsta eat.

Last but not least there is reading material and a book on CD to listen to during the commute. I do keep some stuff at Joanie's place in my corner of the basement. A million thanks to Joan for that. And Krissy made space for me in the bathroom - so I don't have to drag my huge makeup collection back and forth. (LOL)

So a day working at home is a huge relief. I slept in my own bed last night. With my own man. Ahh he's a good back scratcher. Nuff said. Odie was a bit restless last night. When it's cold, she's under the covers in a minute. I got up this a.m. to walk with Deb and Susan. Patti was evidently heading to Des Moines with her momma for garage sale heaven.

Home by 7 a.m. tired and sweaty. A quick shower, breakfast and then to my comfy chair to review Qualifications from a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). I got through 5 of ten in 5 hours today, with a nice break in the middle to meet Pablo for lunch. How nice is that work day? My kitty is by my feet. Makes all that organizing and packing worth it. That, plus the 'ol paycheck. I'm enjoying the hell out of that!