Apron Strings for Emily

29 November 2008

Show and Tell: Little Piggies

I decided to post my Show and Tell post today instead of tomorrow; mainly because I knew that I’d be seriously busy this weekend. We’re in Chicago again this weekend, which means yet another week of not having done laundry.

Yeah, I know. I suck. I just haven’t been feeling so hot lately. Tired, really. But I digress. Getting back to Show and Tell …

Since this past weekend was the “Stuff your face” type of holiday, where it’s expected that you eat tons of food, I thought I’d share with you a picture of the pigs I had as pets growing up. Ha ha … get it? Pigs?! (Okay I’m trying not to be lame …)

Except they’re not those kind of pigs. They were the guinea pig variety. And they were so adorable!!

Meet Flaffy and Fluffy. The short-haired American Guinea pigs that Dr. Bro and I got when we were about 8 and 10 years old.

You see, Flaffy and Fluffy were the family pets that were supposed to take the place of the dog that Dr. Bro and I always wanted. We were constantly reminded by our Dad that he was allergic to dogs, so we could never have one.

Flaffy, the predominantly white one, was mine. While Fluffy, the brown one was Dr. Bro’s. And yes, they were as cute as they look in the picture. And amazingly very cuddly, too. They loved to just sit on our laps, while munching on some fresh lettuce.

Sadly, Flaffy and Fluffy met an untimely death about two years later. A story that I’ll probably share in another post. Let’s just say that shortly after their passing and subsequent funeral in our backyard, our family dog, Muffin came into our lives.

So that’s my Show and Tell story for the week. Make sure you check out all the other Show and Tell blogs here!

28 November 200803 May 2010

Trip-Toe-Fan

That’s it. I’m officially on a Tryptophan trip. I’ve eaten enough turkey last night to hibernate for the rest of winter.

The turkey we had at my in-laws house last night was delish. I think what made it more tasty was the fact that the Thanksgiving lunch we had didn’t exactly have “freshly carved” turkey. But the company at the restaurant was worth any time spent there.

My 18-year old cousin, the one that recently had her cotillion, was there along with my parents and our other aunt’s (by marriage) mother. Unfortunately, my cousin’s mom and our shared uncle and his wife (said aunt previously mentioned) weren’t able to make it as they were all working.

Let me tell you. The fact that both my aunts still work as nurses in the “trenches” (read: bedside nursing) after more than thirty years is f*cking amazing and I’m so proud that they still do it. Because I sure as h*ll couldn’t do it anymore. But I digress …

It was just a great time, eating and talking, and watching the Lions lose (no shock there) at the restaurant. Which was then followed by going over my parents house to look at some of their recent pictures from their vacation in Greece and Turkey. Believe me, the irony that we were looking at pictures of Turkey on Turkey Day was not lost on all … well, at least me anyway.

Sandwiched in a "manly" iPhotoBooth — Being sandwiched in a "manly" iPhotoBooth pic

After that, it was a quick drive to our house, to pick up our Wii and other fun things and then it was off to the in-laws where we devoured that delicious turkey, watched the second Hulk movie with the boys (which included Hubby’s four younger cousins and our nephew), and finally played Rock Band and Wii Sports for the rest of the night.

Overall it was a wonderful day. The best moments of which were:

Sleeping in this morning and subsequently snuzzling next to Hubby.
Taking silly pictures and playing iTouch Air Hockey and Hangman with my cousin on the couch at my childhood house.
Sitting in my nephew’s room surrounded by all boys; three of which decided at one time or the other to snuggle up next to me.

Those moments … those snippets in time … they’re the ones that make the holidays memorable.

27 November 2008

Fleas On My Dog

No … there are no fleas on my puppy-girl, Kozzy. Actually, this is the way that my co-worker sings the Christmas carol, “Feliz Navidad.”

“Ah … now I get it,” I can hear y’all chuckling. But what does this Christmas carol have to do about Thanksgiving … other than the fact that today (or tomorrow, how ever you want to look at it) is the “official start” of the Holiday season?

Well, funny you should ask. Last year at this time Hubby & I, along with my parents, were on a Caribbean Cruise. One of the days was spent in Cozumel, Mexico where, as we stepped off the “boat” all I could hear throughout the plaza was that Christmas carol. And just the thought of hearing a Mexican Christmas Carol while in Mexico … it just had me in hysterics.

Anyway.

It’s about 8:00 am on Thanksgiving morning. Hubby’s getting some much needed sleep in the bedroom while I’m on the couch typing away on my lappie. I’m still getting these horrible coughing fits, but for the most part I’m feeling much better. Although, I have this feeling I’ll be losing my voice by the end of the day today. Damn sore throat.

Plans for today include lunch with my parents after the traditional Filipino Thanksgiving Mass. My parents asked us if we were going to attend; in which I promptly said that this morning was the only opportunity for us to unwind before another busy weekend. Which, in a sense, is the plain truth. But I also just honestly don’t feel like having to deal with the inevitable social conversations that involve Filipino acquaintances commenting on our child-less status. Seriously, there’s only so much of this an infertile can take … even if it’s been more than ten years! But seriously, it should be a nice sit-down lunch with my parents at the local Italian restaurant.

What?! Did you just say restaurant?!

Mmhmm. Yes. Emily, with or without the apron strings, is not exactly that great of a cook. And quite frankly, while I can do a turkey dinner, it just doesn’t seem to make much sense to do so when it’s only going to be the four of us. Oh, I suppose I could invite Hubby’s family and the other members of my side of the family … but then that would mean 20+ people in our home which, at most is only comfortable to fit five around the table. So yes … turkey lunch at a restaurant with my parents.

But don’t you worry, we’ll still have the traditional turkey fixin’s. At Hubby’s parents house. Later tonite. Where YAY! I get to see my nephew and niece. And BOO! Might not get to hold niece because of being a bad sicko.

So overall, busy day. But one that will be spent with family. After all … isn’t that what holidays are about?

Oh, and technically this is also supposed to be the day to express gratitude … so, without further ado …

Things to be extra-thankful of this year:

An incredible husband who takes care of me when I’m sick (and we’re talking both physically and emotionally), and who has been my rock for the past 12 years.
Loving and supportive parents who understand the reason for upcoming changes
IRL friends and co-workers (not to mention bosses) that have also been supportive and excited for my upcoming change in employment
Extra-wonderful pets … who have no idea what changes are store for all of us, but who are always willing to snuggle with me and give me some furbaby love
An incredible online group of friends who have weathered with me during some of THE MOST difficult times in my life over the past year
And last but certainly not least,
God for giving me back a little bit of faith in this world. That somehow when one door closes … another door opens. Even though it might not be the door that you were hoping would open.

Happy Thanksgiving, Blogland!!

26 November 2008

Kitten It Just Right

So I bet you’re wondering why I’m still purposefully being vague on my blog about the big move out of state. To Chicago, to be exact.

Well, this here is the reason:

While I’ll be starting my new job in January, Hubby will still be working in Michigan. At least until February when (cross your fingers) he’ll be able to get his company profit bonus (if there is one this year … see?! Told you those fingers needed crossing!) that he has so rightly earned.

Hubby hasn’t told anyone at work just yet, as he’s (justifiably) nervous about the reactions he might get; especially in the line of work that he does. (He’s a graphic designer / art director for a small Ad agency.) SO … until he’s told his current employer, I’ve been keeping the Out-of-State move under wraps.

And I’ll kindly ask that you do the same by not mentioning in non-PWP posted comments.

But as always, anything you comment on a PWP post is only visible to those that have the password.

Thank you SO much!!

26 November 2008

Cat Outta Here!!

Well … apparently, abstaining from all those lemon poppyseed muffins for three months was a good thing. Because YAY! I passed my pre-employment drug screen.

As if there was any doubt … well, except maybe for the other prescription meds I’ve been on (good thing I didn’t need that letter). And okay, those two Cokes I had last night … (tee-hee!)

I haven’t told any of my co-workers (except for the three I trust the most) that I’m leaving. And that’s mainly because I wanted to make sure I passed the drug test and the background investigation. Apparently, I should be hearing sometime next week that all is okay. So chances are, the big news will be revealed within the next two weeks.

Late Monday, my supervisor asked me if she could fill our manager in on my impending leave. She was the only leadership person I told, because I fully expected that she’d be getting a call to confirm my employment and ask how I am as one of her direct reports. I just didn’t want her to be blindsided when that phone call came.

Anyhoo … the reason my supervisor asked for my permission is because they wanted to try to get the “OK” from the higher powers that be to fill my position a soon as possible. I told her that it was okay to do so and pushed the thought to the back of my head.

So yesterday, as I’m working furiously at my desk … I suddenly feel this presence over me. And the thing is … I knew who it was before I even turned around. And sure enough, as I swiveled my chair counterclockwise, I’m suddenly facing the VP of our department. The same VP that I have been working closely with on this Process Improvement Workgroup. The same one who asked me personally to reconsider the decision I made to not be part of the workgroup for the second phase.

As I looked up at her face, I saw this very … concerned (for lack of better word) look on her face. And I knew at the moment that the cat was let out of the bag.

Since I didn’t want anyone around us to hear the inevitable conversation, I dragged her into one of the small conference rooms on our floor. As we sat down, she told me that she received an interesting email from my manager about my impending resignation. She wanted to know if it were indeed true … and if the reason I was leaving was because of this job and, in particular, the stress that I had endured while being part of this Process Improvement Workgroup.

So I told her the story. About how this job opportunity came out of the blue. And how it was the perfect time and the right set of circumstances in our lives to make these changes that Hubby & I have been longing to do. And how as the events started to unfold right into our laps, it appeared that this was the natural direction our life would take us on.

And I also told her that no, I wasn’t leaving this company because of the stressor of my current responsibilities. How, if anything I would love to see the things I’ve implemented on this workgroup progress forward. But how could I not follow my instincts? How could I not take this shot at a new path in life?

And my VP was very understanding; expressed happiness for Hubby & me. And she graciously wished us the best of success in my new position.

So there you have it … one of the bigger cats are out of the bag now. All is left is to confirm that I am, indeed a good upstanding citizen. Which, I supposed could be harder then we both might think …