Domestic Geek

I agreed to go into work today, but I couldn't make myself get out of bed. When I finally got going and started driving, I really couldn't do it. Yesterday was a really trying day and I really didn't want anything to do with that place. I got as far as I-225/Parker Rd., then decided I was going to go check out the new location of a quilt store in Parker that I used to frequent instead. I called my supervisor and asked if it was OK if I came in tomorrow instead and then I continued on. The store I was going to is called High Prairie Quilts. I originally found this store way back when I worked at AutoZone and I used to have to drive the parts truck to Parker to deliver filters and junk to this one mechanic. The quilt store was in the same shopping center and I'd stop in and browse if I didn't feel like going back to work right away. I would tell my manager that traffic was really bad if he asked what took so long, and as that was the case on a lot of days, it didn't hurt to use it. One day when I went down there looking for something in particular, they were no longer there. I didn't think anything more about it until I started working where I am now. We actually print their newsletter, so I had their new address and made a mental note that if I ever had to go by that area again, I would stop in.

I found a pattern for a table runner that I really want to do, but except for three fabrics, they didn't have what I wanted. This started one of my "Toodles." This is what Marcus calls my little treks that takes me all over town, the state or into another state (as one trip took me to Wyoming). I used to do it so frequently that Marcus would joke with me after I'd had a day off about what state my "Toodle" had taken me to today. Since my periods of underemployment hit a couple of years ago and the soaring gas prices continue to rise, I've not allowed myself to take such trips. It felt really good to just drive about.

After Parker, I hit Holly's Quilt Cabin at Holly and County Line Rd. I then went to The Creative Needle over on Broadway (South of Arapahoe). There is also a JoAnn's in that shopping center, so I hit that and all quilting notions were 50% off! I got myself a quilting square and a mini iron that I've been wanting for over 10 years and never allowed myself to get. I then went to Fabric Expressions on Platte River Drive and Bowles, but they were no longer there. The website is still up, but I don't know whether the store closed or moved. After lunch at Wendy's, I continued on to Harriet's Treadle Arts in Wheat Ridge over on 44th, between Wadsworth and Sheridan. I checked out the Pointsettias and other holiday goods at Paulino Gardens. My final stop was Heirloom Treasures' new location up at 136th & Huron. I wanted to make a stop at The Great American Quilt Factory over on Hampden & Tamarac, but by this time I was tired and I wanted to do was head home. I'll hit that one on my way home from work tomorrow. I think that's everywhere I went. I may have made a couple of other stops, but I'm not remembering at the moment.

While I was at Paulino Gardens, I saw the most pretty purple Pointsettias. There were also some navy blue ones. I was curious as to how they bred such a color, touched a leaf to inspect it and ended up with purple dye or paint all over my thumb and index finger. Yeah, these things are white plants that are airbrushed or something. Yuck. I would've realized that if I had seen the neon pink, blue or orange ones I came across later. I didn't get any yet because they're still a little pricey. I know if I wait until closer to Christmas or go to Lowes or Home Depot, I can get them cheaper.

It became official this evening that Marcus and I are hosting the annual Christmas Eve get-together. I've got a lot to do between now and Christmas to get ready, especially if I want to actually finish this table runner I got today. I'm also making a Christmas theme for the blog that I hope to have live next Saturday (since I totally never finished my fall theme). Guess I'd better head to bed so I can get to work tomorrow and then get cracking on holiday stuff.

Heh, I totally did what I said I wasn't going to do yesterday. I racked up almost 5 hours of OT today. I had a project that was kicking my ass and I wanted to see it through to completion. Partially because I love a challenge and didn't want it to beat me and partially because it was a real learning experience. What sucks is the files that were submitted shouldn't have been allowed. They were everything that a PDF for print shouldn't be (RGB, missing fonts, low resolution images), but we were told to make it work. Frustrating.

I did make it to the liquor store to get the orange liqueur I needed for my cranberry recipe. I also splurged and got myself a six pack of Michelob.

I've baked my pumpkin pies and am in the middle of a cheesecake. Marcus is going to put the turkey in the oven for me while I'm at work. I'm not sure if I'll put in my full shift tomorrow. Turns out the supervisor working is not one of my favorites. We'll see how busy we are and how crazy she makes me.

Yep, that's me...a glutton. I've put in a lot of extra work this week and I'm going in tomorrow, as well (I haven't had time this week to perform much of my archiving duties). Depending on how much of a tax hit I take, I'm hoping the extra in this check I get next Friday will cover most (if not all) of my holiday shopping. I'm really wanting to get all my shopping done online and finished the first week of December. Last year I was one of the fools out shopping on Christmas Eve. I hated it. There was even point where I started bawling in a store because last year's money situation sucked so bad.

I'm really starting to get the hang of being a prepress operator. Fortunately, there are plenty of people with whom I work that are willing to share their knowledge if I ask the right questions. My supervisor today told me he is thrilled at how quickly I'm picking this up and proud and appreciative of the work I'm doing. It's really nice when a supervisor will take the time to praise someone he feels is doing a good job.

My knee popped today when I walking to my car after work. Joy. I sure hope it feels better in the morning. Unfortunately, I need to stand and walk around when I work in the archive room — there's not much I can do back there sitting on my butt.

Note to self: Something is up with my moblogging module. Must look into it.

Whew, I am so glad I bought the domain DomesticGeek.com when I did, even though I haven't taken the time to move the blog over yet (it'll be soon). I was putting random search terms into Winzy and Blingo today trying to win some stuff and found out that as of this last September, someone is now blogging at DomesticGeek.net. I wonder if she was as upset when she saw the .com domain was gone as I would have been. Of course, she's being more of a DG than I at the moment. I'm not doing much domestic or geeky. She's also doing way better on her 1001 list than I am. Must dust that off and get cracking.

I got in another couple of hours of overtime in today. I would've stayed longer, but the girl I sit by was really grating on me today. By 5, I'd had enough. I need to find some headphones this weekend. My supervisor gave me a replacement keyboard today. I've been stuck using one of those old iMac keyboards because the girl that uses this particular computer on the weekends has a habit of dumping her drinks. So help me, if she (or anybody else) destroys this one, they will feel my wrath.

I'm hoping I can sneak away and get some work done in the archive room tomorrow. I've got tons of stuff I need to file away. It's amazing how quickly it accumulates when the presses are going 24 hours non-stop.

I was feeling a little blue this morning when I got up. I finally put my finger on why once I got to work. I didn't have a chance to kiss Marcus at all yesterday. That hardly ever happens. He was asleep when I left for work and I was dead to the world when he finally rolled in after 11:30.

When Marcus got home, we noticed a horrible burning smell in our house. Not sure if it is the furnace or the newly repaired washer I had just used (or something worse). It's making me incredibly nervous since we can't pinpoint the origin.

Just realized it's been weeks since I posted a Thursday Thirteen. Whoops.

Lots of blogs today now showing a PR of 0, including this one. w00t. Not. I realized that this whole thing is reminding me of why I don't work well in offices or as a teacher in a school system. To succeed you have to play the game and I hate playing games. This whole PR thing is a big game (except you don't get to look at the rule book). Popularity contests and game playing. Not my thing.

Sorry I've got nothing profound to post. My carpal tunnel is acting up again this week and this little post has been excruciating. I think I'm going to go ice the wrist and then head to bed.

I was hoping for extra work at my job and it is finally materializing. I pulled a 13 hour shift at work today. So far that's about 16 extra hours total for this pay period. WooHoo for over time! I also put myself on the Thanksgiving Day schedule. Since I'm full time, I'll get a day of holiday pay plus time and a half for the hours I work that day. There was also a note posted that the company is providing a meal at noon for those employees that work. I'll try not to eat too much since I'll be fixing my own feast here at home for Marcus and dad.

I'm hoping that this kind of work keeps up and that my supervisor keeps allowing me to stay extra (preferably without putting those hours in on the weekends where I'd have to drive across town an extra day or two). Since I'm learning more every day and being able to complete lots of the odd tasks that come up, it seems that will be the case.

One thing I am going to purchase with my next paycheck is a new set of headphones. I was using mine today to drown out the girl I sit next to when mine broke. Man, they were cheap, flimsy plastic. When I tried to take them off, the cracked plastic got all stuck up and tangled in my hair. I wish I could get a nice pair of noise canceling ones, but unfortunately I still need to be able to hear when my supervisor calls out my name.

Speaking of being late at work, it's 10:30 and Marcus still isn't home yet. The hard drive in the computer of the owner's best friend and longest client took a dump today, taking all of the projects he and his wife were working on. Marcus is trying to recover as much of their data as he can. I know he hates this kind of stuff, especially when someone is running a business without an adequate backup scheme. Hopefully, he doesn't get stuck there too much longer.

OK, with that I'm off to bed. I'm exhausted.