Complaining Corner

Usually, I don't tell you guys whatever I'm bummed out about, right? But here are the ways that being acquired by a huge and apparently stone-age corporation will affect your life, if you are me.

1) You've been employed at a company for 9 years which means you get 20 days of vacation each year, and then the new company's HR policy busts you back down to 15 days of vacation each year.

2) This huge company is trapped in the 80's, management-wise, so they have no telecommuting policy. Which translates to, no one is allowed to telecommute.

3) Your manager's manager tells everyone these things, accompanied with the obligatory "be happy you have a job" speech.

On the bright side, I really AM happy that I have a job, but today I'm in a bit of mourning for the above-named losses. I'm going through the stages of grief; I've done Denial, Anger, and Bargaining, and I'm up to Drinking A Can Of Dr. Pepper Because Who Cares. Did you know there are 40 grams of carbs in a can of Dr. Pepper? No one said the grieving process wouldn't be rocky.

Juli

More Memories

Let's all remember the snack that is a winner and yet won't spoil your dinner. I love when his legs go all wavy.



Juli

Movie Memory

The movie Sixteen Candles came out when I was 13, and I think I saw it for the first time at someone's sixteenth birthday party. I recently caught just the end of it on TV the other day, and although I remember it being totally brilliant, my adult self just didn't have the same appreciation for it that my teenaged self did. And it has the weirdest break-up scene in the history of cinema:

Hung-over blonde cheerleader, to Jake Ryan: You know, neither one of us is going to, you know, die, if it doesn't work out for us.

Jake: That's true.

Cheerleader: But don't worry, I'm covered ok? I won't get hurt.

Jake: Good.

Cheerleader: Take care of yourself.

Jake: Okay.

(awkward hug)

Seriously, what happened there? I'm mystified. What does, "I'm covered, I won't get hurt" even mean? At the time, I'm sure I just thought I was too immature or uncool to get it. Now I wonder how anyone even knew they were breaking up. It's like they're speaking in code.

Still, Jake Ryan is hot.

Juli

Recovery

My knee is MUCH better. Turns out, once you stop re-injuring things they tend to heal. I'm pleased to have discovered that breakthrough. Someone name that phenomenon after me.

While I was limping around and using my cane, however, I hated getting in and out of my car the most. It hurt. Here are the various things I wished I could get or take care of at some kind of massive drive-through, during the past 6 weeks:

• Books
• Birthday Presents and Cards
• Envelopes
• Physical Therapy and other Dr. Appts.
• YW Activity Supplies

I'm just saying, more things should be available via drive-throughs.

Juli

Girl's Camp 09

This year, I'm only going for Wednesday of Girl's Camp. I'm doing the Golden Hour talk, which is crazy. Put on your prayer pants for me, friends. My talk is treading the perpetually fine line between cheesy and interesting-to-teenaged-girls-yet-spiritually-uplifting. Pray for a cheese free experience, por favor. Gracias.

In other news, the knee is improving. I'm still rocking the un-sexy, 4-legged cane, and the pain is definitely more bearable. A trip to an Ortheopaedist to get a more expert opinion about the root cause of all this is in my future.

Kristin's going to be my chauffeur down to camp tomorrow, and that is a fantastic and wonderful thing because driving is the most painful part of my day and camp is FAR. Away. Ok, 2 hours, but still. Far. I owe her big for this one.

Hope your summer is going beautifully! Let me know what you're reading, I need some new ideas.

Juli

Summer Stuff

I love summer for lots of reasons. Here are a few.

1. Sometimes, we go for a few days in a row with no rain. I love the rain and I love the Pacific Northwest, but when the sun comes out it's kind of like a little miracle, just for us. Thanks, summer.


2. Kids get to get out of school. I still have to go to work, but I remember and love that delicious feeling of summer vacation, without homework and with lots of pool time coming. Awesome. Plus, they often run through sprinklers, and it's so fun to watch kids do that. Moms, let your kids run up your water bill shamefully this summer. It's worth it.


3. It's finally warm enough to leave doors/windows open in the evening, and Chip gets to run outside whenever he wants. We both love it.


4. July 4, one of my favorite holidays, is smack in the middle of summer. I love all of it -- the big family party, the cook-out food, the fire pit hang-out time, the feel of sunblock/insect repellent-coated skin, flags everywhere, and most of all...fireworks. Big ones, with lots of color and multiple explosions that make you happy to be ALIVE. Oh, gosh. Fireworks.

I don't know why I had to make a numbered list about it, but there you go.

I am totally digging this song lately, and it sounds SUPER summery to me. It's Metric, singing Gimme Sympathy. Enjoy.




Juli

Finally

Where has this been all my life? I'm totally excited. Check out the "Finale Racks" and "Repeaters" sections.

July 4 is coming up, people. I am accepting requests.

Juli