My Epic Morning

Oh I know it's an overly dramatic way to describe my morning, but hey, I'm the baby of the family and as such, I must do my duty and over-exaggerate things!

It was a bit nerve-wracking I suppose...

Last month, Katherine's little friend from school, Jasmine, asked if Katherine could attend a tennis camp sort of thing. I guess Jasmine goes every year and loves it, so she wanted a buddy to go along with her. Janet (Jasmine's mom) signed the two girls up - and paid for them by her credit card.

Last night after worship team practice, I was going to stop at the ATM in town to get cash. What should happen? About two or three fire-trucks were in front of the building! This is an apartment building which houses the bank. The last time I saw fire trucks there, it turned out to be someone forgetting that they were boiling eggs on the stove. I don't think it was anything major, because there wasn't billows of smoke pouring out the windows. Nor were there any elderly plummeting to their death trying to escape. Obviously, I couldn't just pull up and run in....so I just said, I'll run up in the morning before Jasmine arrived.

This morning rolled around and Katherine was up and dawdling as usual. I told the kids that I was just going to run uptown to the bank and get the money. This is normally a 3 minute task. All of the spaces in front of the bank block were taken, so I parked on a side-street....hit the ATM & got back to the car. When I got into the car, I tried starting it... it gave me this weak attempt at starting, then farted out on me! I tried again...nothing. I was doing everything except breaking into burlesque in the middle of the street! Dang...I should have tried it!

I called Katherine & told her what was happening - she was calm. I told her to hurry up and get dressed because Jasmine was planning to be at our house by 9:15 (It was 9:05)

I was really taking my life into my own hands, but I decided to do it anyway; I called my mother-in-law. Thankfully, she was home and was able to get me and give me a ride across town. I thought for sure that she was going to just give me the third degree, but she didn't say a word about the kids being by themselves. You know what? She may have not known. She may have assumed that Craig was home watching them.....

Well, what she doesn't know....

This afternoon we needed to drive to the post office & to my insurance office...because we had to drive right by it, I decided to stop real quick to see if the car would start...Did it? 'CHA! Figures right?!

I had a lot of errands (including grocery shopping) that I needed to do - but whatevs!! Life goes on.

Pen Bay Christian School VBS

It was so nice to be able to have a couple of hours off every day for a week! :) The Littlefield Baptist Church VBS was actually pretty good...considering the size of the school. It's not THAT small, but at the same time, I didn't expect there to be enough man power to put together something extremely fabulous. Overall, they did a really good job! :)
Just like Trinity, they did "Crocodile Dock". Obviously it wasn't as large of a scale, but I saw about 50 kids - which was really good!! :) Mrs. Becknell (the pastor's wife) I'm guessing was in charge of it all. She did the majority of the singing with the hand motions, etc....she's a fantastic singer btw.
This coming week, Katherine was invited to do some tennis lessons with a girlfriend of hers from school. Katherine has mentioned wanting to do something like this before, but she also wants to try skydiving....soooo.... Now I just need to figure out what to do with the boy... he's NOT going to like her going to do something like this & leave him behind. He'll cope.

A New Day

Five-thirty came early again this morning. Thankfully, the getting-ready-for-work process was much more pleasant. Craig didn't have to be the single-plumber today - instead, he was off to Mid-Coast Energy Systems in Damrascotta.

I mentioned a couple of entries ago that Craig has had it "up to here" with being a lone plumber.
Yesterday, Craig worked for Donnie at a Camden job. He was working on (kind of like) a laundry sink...just 100% fancier. The faucet alone was very modern and obviously purchased from Home Depot or Lowes or something. What people do not realize is when you purchase such a faucet from a box store, you are going to get a "lower grade". If you purchase the same fixture through your plumber/contractor it will cost you a little more money, but the quality is much better. It's kind of like buying something generic. You can purchase some great shampoo which smells good etc, then purchase the generic brand of the same...you can tell the difference. So, although the company...Kohler for example will sell the same type of model - there is a huge difference. Whereas the one the contractor can get his hands on is commercial grade (I can't remember if that's the term) is more solid. The one a Joe Shmo can get...is basically plastic on the inside. A faucet that a contractor gets, is basically all put together...the customer one - well, you need a degree in rocket science. When we had our business - we had some customers insist on getting their own stuff - there were a few times where we just out and out refused to install it... but every time, we would let them know right up front...WE WILL NOT WARRANTY IT!

As I was saying; Craig worked for Donnie yesterday and the faucet for this sink he was installing was one that takes 100 years to put together - he was working on that faucet & sink for 4 hours! Gee, no wonder he wants out!! I don't blame him! He has been offered his job back at MCES & has been thinking about it. My opinion: GO!! His whole demeanor has been as if we were back in business. An absolute replica of his late father! MAJOR jerk!! <----- that's being nice!

Before he wanted to give a solid "YES" to MCES, he wanted to write up something he titled "Simonotes". When I say "he" wanted - I mean...he wants ME to write it up. Isn't that an utter shock? So, this whole 5 page write-up was one ways to help the company to save money & help the business run a little more efficiently. Sure, we applied all of this to our business, we just didn't have the man-power, etc to do all of this work - so it fell on him. He showed it to one of the mucky-mucks & he completely agreed with Craig's assessments & advice. The head hauncho is coming in next week I believe and Craig is ready to sit down with him & go over all of this.... it kind of makes me nervous in a way. I don't know the boss that well, but Craig seems to think he'll listen and agree with Craig's thoughts.

I'm curious to see what kind of mood he'll be in when he gets home. Last night, I got yelled at for stupid crap. I'm not one to just take this - I'll yell back & tell him.... I'll even verbally hit him below his psychological belt.... but I wasn't up for it. I let him be a Dick Simoneau (his dad) & just ignored his moronic behavior.

I'm off!!

Blogger: A great place to vent!

I wish that I wouldn't rant in my blog so much; but it's a great place to get out my frustration...you know...for whosoever sees it.

I got to see my chiropractor yesterday - this may sound kind of odd to some people...or maybe NOT... but I couldn't wait to get there! I dropped Nicholas off at my parent's house and couldn't have arrived there fast enough!! All morning I was so afraid that I was going to throw my back up, but thank God I got there!! Does it hurt like mad? Um YAH! Does it help...VERY MUCH!! I could feel those knots get worked out - it's kind of like a little bump type of thing, but you can feel it move and smooth. (lol) After I left, the muscles in my neck & back were soooo sore, but you know - today - still feels a leeetle bit sore, but after a few days of having some fiercely knotted up muscles... it's understandable! ALL IN ALL... soooo much better!! :)

This morning has been majorly crappy. Craig woke up cranky because he knew he had to work for Donnie today. Of course, when he's in a bad mood...I get the brunt of it! (Hence the need for a chiropractor!!) When I was getting dressed this morning I kind of said..."Ooowww", just because my muscles are getting back to normal - so he acted the same way...like a jerk!! 'WHAT?!!!" God forbid I don't feel 100%. Jerk. I can't wait for Craig to be done with Donnie - I'm sick and tired of hearing him whine and complain continually. I KNOW he hates working for Donnie....maybe I'll buy him a diary...or maybe some menstrual cramp pills!!

I'm out for now - hopefully, I'll be able to post a blog soon that won't be completely negative!!

BACK to normal...

I love dorky puns. On my Facebook I wrote: "Tonight I have a weak back...I hurt it about a week back." I got some "Ughs" - and rightfully so! I would have done the same thing!!

Lame pun or not - My back was MAJORLY hurting yesterday!! Mostly the bone - I kept *snap*crackle* and *popping*! This morning I could feel the tightness (in the muscle) on my shoulders! I did the type of kneading that my chiropractor does - I could definitely feel the knots. Although I did quite a bit - my shoulder/neck muscles are still sore. I mentioned that yesterday it was killing...it was killing to the point where my fingers were numb. Pretty bad yeah? I know it's kind of

I called my chiro today to see if she could fit me in - unfortunately, she's closed on Mondays. (Dang) We'll see how I feel by tomorrow morning! If I keep finding myself grinding my teeth and having my shoulders shrugged, I'll be on the phone the millisecond she opens!!

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VBS for the Littlefield Baptist Church started today. They're doing the same Crocodile Dock thing that we did at Trinity. Having come fresh off of Trinity's Katherine was right on the ball with the whole, "FEAR NOT!!" response....AND the motions to the songs! It was pretty cool :)
I asked Katherine after how she liked everything, she said it was boring. Well, I would imagine so after the huge production we just finished up, it pretty much pales in comparison! She also told me that she didn't like her crew leader! I guess she's some old lady that has "lots of wrinkles and shushes us all the time". My whole thought on these matters: If you are (how to put this delicately) 'seasoned' in life and noise, smells, singing, chattering, cheering, children annoy you...LEAVE your sorry, wrinkly, grouchy heiny at home and watch Judge Judy!!

Nicholas seemed to like it. He isn't Mr. Over-excited about things - he just takes them in stride. "Did you have a nice time Nicholas?" "Yup." Unfortunately, his lack of enthusiasm didn't last too long. When we reached McDonalds after sitting in the noontime traffic on Mechanic street the boy basically DEMANDED that we eat there! A child demanding something of me? Aaaaaaaaaaaaa nah! He got over it by the time we got home. (surprise surprise)

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So, I'm pretty much home for the rest of the afternoon. Tonight is worship team practice and I'm certainly hoping that we won't be having a repeat of the past couple of practices. There has been MAJOR negativity coming from a person on the team. Just A LOT of criticism...UNNECESSARY criticism. If a person can't be a part of a "team" with a good attitude...well, just walk right out the door after the leader who can't stand being a part of VBS!!

GAAAH!!

It's 8:30 Saturday morning!! Do you know where your stress is?!

Yeah. It's on my shoulders and in my jaw. If I were a drinker, I would probably have knocked back a few by now.

The kids have been fighting over one stupid spot on the couch....Katherine slept there last night, so I let her keep it. Nicholas can't have his way on everything...and shouldn't!!
Craig just heaped a TON of stuff in my head. i.e.: The future of "Rudy's Apartment"...being made into a nice bedroom and all the work it will entail - I also just sat for about a 1/2 hour while Craig complained about Donnie, (Who is a complete moron if you ask me) and about how Donnie treats Craig as if he's a five-year-old and can get away with it.

On numerous occasions, Craig has requested of Donnie some help from one of the other employees. It has nothing to do with being alone - it's just difficult trying to set a pedestal sink by oneself. Donnie has thrown him a bone by saying, "Oh...I'll send Austin to help you." Austin may help for about five minutes, then run outside to play on the tractor. Does Donnie give a crap? Uhhh nuh. Craig has sat down with Donnie a few times to let him know how he feels with this treatment...his response: "You'll be okay." What?!
He's been working off and on for Donnie and for Mid-Coast; it's an obvious choice where he wants to be, however; there are certain things he wants to discuss with the chief about how to save money for the company, utilize the crew, materials, deliveries. He IS knowledgeable with that sort of thing. That's where his trash-picking skills come in handy. So, "we" are putting together an epistle for MCES.

Donnie's book keeper who has the personality of a shrub and the personality skills to match it called me when I was at my sister's last week. "I need Craig's hours" This is something I fax in and honestly don't mind doing. In June (before we left for Mass) I had stopped at the office to see if we had any paychecks...they don't mail them or anything. Donnie said, "I don't think we have anything" Sure enough, there was no check. I had left a message for the shrub to call me and let me know what hours she needed.... You know what hours she needed? THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JUNE!! I have one fax that I sent in TWICE - not including the re-send from yesterday!! So, re-fax on all of the hours for June I did.... I called the shrub after I faxed them and out to make sure they came through...for the 200th time:

Me (in my nice voice) "Hello? I was just calling to see if the faxes finally came through?"
Shrub: (in a dry voice) "Yes"
Me: "There should be 4 pages"
Shrub: "Yes"
Me: "Okay...well...I just wanted to make sure that you all got them this time..."
Shrub: "Yup"

Of course, when I hung up I had to do my imitation of her in my best baby-of-the-family-mocking-someone-voice: "Yup. Yup. Yup. Yup." As awful as this sounds... the woman has the mullet looking "feathered" hair....she's stuck. Well, I shouldn't talk - I'm not out there changing my hair every 5 minutes to keep up with fashion.

So, the long and the short of it is:

1. Donnie is disrespectful. He thinks Craig is a pee-on ignorant loser.
2. He and his book keeper have their heads up their -----.
3. Craig doesn't want to go to work in the morning because of all this crap.
4. He really wants to go to MCES because he'll have help which Donnie doesn't want to give.
5. MCES has health insurance & I believe dental? That would be a good expense cut.

I was just about done with my rant, but I have another thought:

One of Craig's "best friends" is in the Gideons with us. Craig had shared his WWII hobby with him & this guy "got into" this hobby as well. I know that sounds like one of those, "He's copying me!!" Things, but it's true. So, in the past Craig had gone with his friend to WWII shows to buy patches & look at all things WWII. Within the past couple of years, this friend has gone off to these shows alone - which is kind of one of those, "Gee, thanks friend - I'm glad that you thought of me - you know - the person who has been serious about this hobby since I was 11 (That's not an exaggeration)." Now, the actual kick in the groin: This "best friend" has (within the past few years) become VERY good friends with Donnie. Donnie unknowing how annoyed this has made Craig has mentioned what great friends they have become & how they go out to eat all the time, etc etc. One of their daughters is getting married this Summer - has his "best friend" been invited?? What do you think?

Being a back-up friend is so fun!! I've had too much experience there.

Nicholas has a birthday party to go to today. This should be fun for him (I hope) The last time we went to a party, he didn't interact with the other children at all. In all honesty, I think I understand why now... there was so much noise and so much confusion that it was just too much over-stimulation. We've discovered that is something that Nicholas is learning how to deal with. ie; VBS week.

That was my vent for the day - now I need to go and chew some gum to get the stress off my jaw!!

VBS Week.

I can honestly say that even though I love being a part of the VBS week at Trinity, the best part of being there for that week, is just begin near my sister & girls. It's awful to be so far away from them! Sure, it's a pain to be living out of your suitcase, but hey - it's worth it!!

The entire week was a lot of fun! Of course, by Friday everyone is ready for the weekend! Except me, I knew the weekend would be the close of my visit!! :'(

On Wednesday afternoon, Cathy, Rachel and myself went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch, then wander around the mall a bit. I guess, THAT is the mall where Paul Blart 'Mall Cop' was filmed. It was pretty cool :)

One super-cool thing that happened is that I got to watch my sister lead worship at their church! In my opinion, it's a pretty big deal. I know it's nerv-wracking for her, just because of the size of the congregation and all of the attitudes that come into play. I thought it was super-cool and I think she did a wonderful job! (I'm so proud! *Sniff*Sniff*!)

When we got home last night, I just felt kind of disoriented. My house seemed so old and it was damp. Just from all the rain I suppose. I really think that we need to invest in a decent dehumidifier. The ride home.... well, it was typical. Craig yelling at me because he has no confidence in what direction/exit we're supposed to take.
"Are we supposed to go at this exit?!!"
"What exit did you take when you went home...without me?!"
"NOW is NOT the time to be a B!"
I swear...one of these days....

Nicholas was pretty funny... a couple of years ago after having dropped Katherine off for a week, she was NOT HAPPY to leave! She screamed her little head off...."TURN THIS CAR AROUND NOOOOOW!!" Yeah, that's Katherine. Nicholas took leaving pretty hard. He loves his cousins, especially Danielle, who is a mother hen type. When we were saying our goodbyes, he looked at Daisy and with these tears pouring down his face was saying, "Daisy, I have to go now...I live very, very, very, very, very, very, very (etc etc) far away" Obviously I couldn't witness this without shedding a tear of my own...neither could Stephanie! It was so heart-breaking!!

"...And the award for the most sorrowful farewell goes to..... NICHOLAS SIMONEAU!!" My poor baby.

He seems to think that we are going to be returning next weekend. Again; poor baby.

We did have a nice distraction of watching the 4th of July fireworks. They postponed them on account of the rain. Nicholas was completely freaked out by the thought of going to watch them. We just went up across the way to Montpeillier. They showed up nicely and it wasn't painfully loud.... so it was a good thing. :)

First thing this morning when the boy woke up: "How is Danielle's house today?" I really don't get what he was asking.

That's all for now. I'm unpacking and doing laundry for Captain Helpless. He had no underwear left. Do you think he could grasp the way the washing machine worked? He knows how it works....he lived without his mommy for long enough!!