My Internet Sucks

I am mad. Steaming mad. I had to call Qwest to see what the deal with our internet speed is and I was on hold for 20 minutes and transferred to THREE different jackasses....er people.

The last time I had to make a call about one of our services, it was about three years ago and I acted like a monster. The call always starts off pleasantly, they take my information, as if they don't have it right there and when I ask a question, the first person doesn't have a clue. Forcing me to hold for the next person. I lost my temper, screamed a little at the service person, causing THEM to hang up on ME.

I forever swore never to talk to another dumbass again and told Ben from here on out he had to make those calls. Which he does, with total charm and patience, usually ending up getting a deal or two out of the process such as 10 bucks nocked off the bill. Usually his very pleasant - Can I talk to your manager please? - Gets him whatever he wants.

I just get so uptight when I call because there is a problem in the first place. When I start getting bounced back and forth, I start getting more upset and by then, they don't want to help me anymore. Well, today was one of those days. By the time the tech guy gets on to check the spead of my modem, I'm waiting for 20 minutes and told numerous times there is some crisis in Mexico that is the holdup, and all the while hearing about how great the internet service is and how super fast it is on their elevator on hold music. Plus, do I want to bundle and save a measly $5 for the month?

So when the guy told me I am getting the correct speed and is there anything else he can help me with I got all mad as said - Yeah, what can I do to get faster internet? He got all defensive and told me to call Apple because it's probably a problem with my computer settings, NOT his problem. When I said, well that's disappointing, he goes - What is, our service???? Because there is nothing I can do for you! Then I blew up on him, told him they suck and hung up. In A Rage.

Stupid people. I will never ever have a customer service job. Mainly because of beatches like me!

The Letdown Begins

The holidays are over and I feel...well...sad. And let down, like my big high has just been burst and I'm floating back down to reality.

I always feel let down after the holidays. Mainly because we just spent a frenzied three weeks of parties, shopping, decorating, gift wrapping, visiting, and generally being in high spirits.

For me, Christmas is for my children and I spend a huge amount of effort creating "traditions" and finding the perfect presents. They love to pick out and decorate a tree, as well as putting decorations up in the house. I make the family sit down to watch National Lampoon's Christmas vacation because it's the ultimate Christmas movie. We love to bake cookies and I bring the girls to pick out presents for each other and their daddy. I love to plan meals and send out Christmas cards, which is up to 40 family, friends, and coworkers.

So amidst all of the work and shopping, it's always a lot of fun and my favorite time of the year. Then after the holidays are over, it's coming and going to work in the cold winter wasteland that is Minnesota and I pray for summer to come faster.

It will be interesting to see what 2009 brings with this economy and a new President.

But for now I am content to have my children at the age they are because once these years are gone, they are gone for good.

Busy at Work

I just had to upload a picture of my desk at work. It looks like someone threw up on it, I've got shit coming out of every corner! People love to drop product and fun stuff off at my desk, and in this case I couldn't even get to my chair.

I like when it's busy at work, but one thing I can't stand is when my desk gets so messy I can't find anything. This would be that case now.

So obviously I've been scrambling to get stuff done at work before the holiday break. Our clients usually go into hiding for the next two weeks, so I will be pretty bored at work next week. Ah well.

Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year!

WHAT did you just ask?

Mommy, can I have a step-mom? Asks my precious 6 year old.

I slowly turned my head to look at her and go...WHAT did you just say?

Alex: "Well, Reilley has a step-mom, so I think I want one too."

Oh boy.

So I got to have a talk with my daughter about why she could not possibly want a step-mom. I explained to her if she had a step mom, that means that mommy and daddy would get a "divorce" and that we would not live together anymore and mommy would have her own house and daddy would have his own house. Then someday, daddy would decide to get married again and this woman would be the "step-mom." So then you'd have two moms. And mommy wouldn't like that very much.

"Oh." Says Alex. "Guess I don't want a step-mom. Because I don't want you and daddy to ever be mad at each other and live apart."

Which brought tears to my eyes thinking of my own childhood and parents divorce. Even though I never asked why or how it happened I still feel as if I missed out on having my real parents together. It's a terrible feeling, full of doubt and self pity and I don't want my kids to ever feel that.

However, when I think about it, Reilley is so much better off without his real mother who is a trashy pot smoking non responsible adult. His step-mom is the one who takes care of him, gets him to school, buys everything he needs and loves him unconditionally.

It was the same for me. I always got along with my step-mom, she took care of us and was there when my real mother wasn't. And for that I am grateful.

I find my real mother to be a piece of work as well, and growing up I always felt bitter toward her leaving us. But as I became an adult and you start to go through life and relationships yourself, you learn life is not perfect and you start to let go of the anger.

You realize things are not that bad and it's tough to be the step parent. I just hope my kids never have to go through a divorced family, because it's hard.

My Early X-Mas Present

So most of you would like an early Christmas present, right? Hmmm. We'll just see about that after you've heard this story.

So my ironing board broke down about a month ago. It was getting all rusty and wouldn't open or close properly so I slammed it around until it would open. I think that was my first problem. Well, the bottom legs came flying off one particular day, leaving the top of the board.

Not to be daunted (after all, I am a girl with resources) I layed towels down on top of the very nice expensive dining room table, put the board on top, and proceeded to iron all those pants and shirts Ben loads me down with EVERY week.

Well, you can imagine the look that crossed my husband's face as he came into the house, using the table as a psuedo ironing board. The roll of the eyes and shake of the head did not phase me, as I am by now used to such looks after seven years of marriage. He kindly suggested I not do that since I would scratch the beloved table.

The look I gave him was something along the lines of go to hell, but I finished up and over the course of the next month, I calmly layed all of his pants and shirts over the banister to be "ironed" later.

Well, he never said a work about his clothes. Until last night.

He gently asked if I wouldn't mind ironing his clothes, knowing such a request would send me into a rage as I had no way of doing this without again using the broken down ironing board.

So as I gave him the silent treatment, glared daggers at his back and brought up old rusty from the basement, he said: Wait! Can you do something for me? This while I am struggling to get it upstairs and set up...so I snapped "WHAT?"

Husband: "Can you go into the other room for me?" There is something behind the door you need to get."

Wife: "Thinking grouchily to herself---WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU NEED? Can't you see I'm all pissy and mad because I have to iron your F'ing clothes when I was giving you the hint I wasn't going to do it by laying them out there for you to see???????"

Wife's Real Response: "Sure." What do you need?"

Husband: "Just go check it out."

Wife: Steaming mad. Literally.

And there it is. Right behind the door is a brand spanking new ironing board with a slight upgrade to the last version. And Ben is extremely proud of himself, because in his brain, he thinks it's a great "early" christmas present.

So I weakly smile, mumble my thanks and head upstairs to iron the months worth of clothes.

And then....and THEN....

I couldn't get it open. OH. HELL. NO.

Old Rusty has come back to me. **sigh**

We Visited Santa!

Christmas is Almost Here

Got all your shopping done? I did. I actually dared to go shopping on black Friday this year and got most of it done that day. I had a few items to pick up here and there that I was waiting to go on sale and all done. I had a budget and stuck to it believe it or not. So now the kids are just waiting for the day and they have been mighty patient! I love Christmas and I'm happy to say we'll be celebrating the day in our cozy little house with the girls, the dog, our tree and presents. And boy do I look forward to it because the girls are at an age where they still believe in Santa and will rush down to open their presents. From our very own tree that Santa will drop stuff off at.

I remember the days when my brothers Jake, Brandon, and myself would rush down in the morning to see the tree and what presents were put under there for us. As we got older, we'd always have to go do chores and then run to the house to see what we got. Then later that day Grandma Radi would come over and Grandpa Maygra, and when we were younger we'd go to Grandpa Donny's and Muriel's. Grandpa Donny would always give us 2 dollar bills and silver dollars, which became a tradition. Then Uncle Jim got married to a lovely Italian lady and we started having Christmas at her house too, and boy did that woman make the best Better than Sex cake. Those were always good times.

Now I am excited because this will be the very first Christmas our girls get to wake up in their OWN house on Christmas morning and open presents. Because every year since we've been married, we've always traveled and spent it elsewhere. Which means we'd have to pack not only clothes, but kids, presents and a dog as well.

It will feel so good to not have to rush out somewhere or be somewhere and be able to attend our own church for Christmas service instead of some strange church. Ben's family is pretty religious, his Uncle was a former priest, his Aunt (who passed) was a nun, his crazy aunt wanted to BE a nun, his mother is a devout catholic and so is his sister. And....that leaves Ben who wouldn't go to church another day if he wasn't forced to by me. Hello...our kids go to daycare at our church. He has no choice but to enter the kingdom of God everyday...literally speaking:)

So with the Christmas spirit almost upon us I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!