Changes....in a hurry

Because of the washer/dryer changes coming tomorrow, I'm trying to get the new floor down in that half of the laundry/dog room.



I did mention that I'm putting a new floor down, right? Yeah, I did...OK...well, when I first started a couple weeks ago I went nuts and started cutting the carpet into about 5 foot sections and ripping it out. I got almost all of it out except the last 4 feet, or so, and came to a screeching halt because of having to move the washer and dryer. It's a general PITA to do this stuff when you have to shuffle stuff around to do it. With the new stuff coming tomorrow, it gave me the kick in the ass I needed to get going again. Rather than shuffle the stuff, though, I took them right out the back door and put them in my back yard. I can imagine what the neighbors think. They'll be taken away tomorrow by the guys making the delivery. I promise I'm not going to leave them there....honest.



I didn't take a pic of the old carpet....that would be too embarrassing, but I did take it of the floor before I laid the new tile down and, of course, after:

Before:

After (well, actually it's during...semantics):

What are the odds?

My dryer is near death. Runs for 2 hours and the clothes are nowhere near dry, all of a sudden. To be fair, I don't even know how old the thing is. I got it second hand, from a friend, about 10 years ago. I certainly can't complain. Especially since it was free. Along with the washer. My stove is about 8 years old. It's a smooth top and we cracked the top in the beginning of summer. The crack goes right across one of the large burners, so I've made do with the one large burner and 2 small ones while waiting for the moment some liquid goes down the crack and electrocutes me. Don't worry. I've covered the crack with blue painter's tape to help to keep that from happening. High class all the way. I've been meaning to get a new stove since it happened, but you probably know by now how much I procrastinate. I decided to buy new rather than replace the ceramic top because, with the stove being 8 years old, I just know I'd get a new top and then the whole stove would die, or something.

I also had to buy a new A/C this summer. Do appliances always die within a short time of each other?

Although I've made do with the stove while risking life and limb, but cannot survive without a dryer. This is the thing that has finally prompted me to get shopping. My intent was to buy just about the least expensive dryer I could find. I also intended to buy an inexpensive washer because I figure that I might as well replace my ancient one at the same time since the clock is probably ticking on that sucker, also. That was my intent. But. I wound up ordering a HE washer and its matching dryer. I'm inordinately excited about my purchase. I wish the pics could do them justice, but, if I try to enlarge them, they just get all fuzzy:



After I told the salesman that I would take those, I told him I needed a stove. I'm pretty sure the one pictured is the one I ordered. To be honest, once I heard the ridiculously inexpensive price he gave me (It was on clearance and he knocked another 30% off), I swooned and can't be absolutely positive of it. I'm pretty sure this is the one, though. I love, love, love that it has dual burners on the two large ones. Both large burners are in front, also, which I also love.



You just know that I'll be shopping for a refrigerator soon, don't you?

Woot!

Just a few pics

The weather was picture perfect today and we spent some time outside after grocery shopping and dinner.

I can't believe how big my boy is getting:

This one is while grocery shopping and he's showing how laid back and cool he is:

After 7 years of trying...

Pennsylvania has finally passed the law banning mandatory overtime for nurses. It is on the govenor's desk and he is expected to sign it. It will go into effect on 7/1/09. They finally saw how unsafe it is for a nurse to be mandated. This is a huge win for nurses and patients alike.

Confirmed

Well, the only new thing I know re: my mom and her diagnosis is that they re-did the blood work and her WBCs came back at 96,000 this time. The doctor said that there is no doubt at all that she has Leukemia. She has to see a specialist and I'm still waiting to hear what type of Leukemia it is. I have a call out to her, but she has not called me back yet.

ION (in other news): I had to postpone my interview yesterday because I was totally exhausted from my weekend at work. It was unfreakin' believable at work Sunday. I got to bed around 2:30AM and, of course, Kevin woke up at 6. I called the new place and told her that I would come across as a babbling idiot if I showed up for an interview that day. Oh, yes I did.

So....I went this morning. They want to hire me. Alas, they can't afford me. The Personnel Manager said that "Corporate" was working on coming up with new pay rates. Yeah, they need to. They don't even come close to our STARTING rates, let alone someone with my experience. She looked so sad, I almost felt guilty. I told her to hold onto my application and give me a call if something happens. I'm glad I went, though. For one thing, I got to do an interview for the first time and got that out of the way. For another, I got to see how I'd be in an interview. I thought I'd be nervous, but I was very comfortable and confident. It was cool.

Prayers, please

My mom just called me. She had bloodwork and pulmonary tests done today. She also has Shingles. The covering MD just called her to say her WBCs are at 100,000 and that she has Leukemia. That's all he said to her except to say that if anything happens this weekend, to go to the ER. If not, to call her regular doctor on Monday to see what she wants to do...

We have no idea what kind it's supposed to be. We have no idea what the prognosis is. We don't know anything, yet.

The story of my life...

This right here?

Yeah. It about sums things up right now. Finding my sewer line blocked by tree roots was the capper on my week. Two hundred and eighty dollars later...that is 2-8-0 y'all...and we can use our plumbing again. You just don't realize how precious it is until you don't have it.

After playing phone tag half the week with the Personnel woman at the facility I called to ask about a position, I have an interview for Monday. Monday. My worst day. I can go and look like I'm hung over because I'm just not at my best on that day...sigh. In a way, though, Monday is good because I will have been reminded over the weekend why I am trying to leave a job I've been at for so long. See, by now, my memory becomes foggy and my irritation level with the place is way down because I've been away for days, but I'm sure that by Sunday night I'll be aggravated again and will be happy to check out a new place.

I'm making myself a nervous wreck thinking about it. I've never had to have an interview before. I was pretty much just hired on the spot for this job that I'm at. What the hell do I even wear?! I have nothing! I live in jeans or shorts and scrubs. All my "good" clothes from when I was a manager are either gone or outdated.

I think I'm gonna puke