Saturday, December 27, 2008

A Big Wheel Knocked on the Door

Holidays are so much better when there's a child getting presents. As you get older you forget how much fun ripping paper is, or hell how much fun playing in an empty box is. But kids remind you of all these things the moment they giggle and dive right into playing with the gift they got. The hug you get when they say thank you is even better.

I think I went a little over bored, but I dare anyone to blame me. You try resisting the impulse to get one more truck for the cutest boy on Earth before pointing fingers. Thankfully he's almost 3 so the toys aren't all that expensive. He's thrilled with a $1 finger puppet.

Anyway, my family likes to save big gifts and give them in goofy ways. So this year as presents were over a mysterious doorbell rang.

Riley: "Omeone's at da door!"
Me: "I think it's for you..." Who cares that it's the back door we're pointing at?
Riley: "No, Daddy gets doors cuz mailmen bring bills." Makes perfect sense, who wants those?
Me: "I'll come with you." We then go to the door and a red and yellow Big Wheel waiting with a big bow on it.
Riley: "Woah!"
Me: "I think it's for you, let's bring it in." We brought it inside and he just stared at it."
Riley: "That's not a bill Daddy!" If it were, I'd want bills like that.
His dad: "No, it's a Big Wheel and all yours." He then showed him how to get on it and they rode around the living room a bit. For the rest of the night at random points he'd just say, "Big wheel rang da door bell."

"Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving." -- Albert Einstein

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Leavin On a Jet Plane

Thankfully I do know when I'll be home again (3 weeks). However, Dina's already pouting about how long I'll be gone. It just makes sense to make the vacations long to get the most bang for my buck. I don't have to worry about missing work since it goes with me. However I can't help but feel for her. I always get lonely when I'm left home alone. Well lonely after the first night where I drink a bottle of wine and watch a horrible B movie while taking up the whole bed.

I've been homesick and looking froward to seeing mom, the nephew, my puppy, and the rest of the clan. However, I'm going to miss sleeping next to the wiggling lump that insists on scooting back so her back is against me. We could be in a bed the size of Nantucket and she'd still wiggle back to squish me.

It's too bad she couldn't come, but with a new job starting, that's not really possible. I'm sure by the first night she will build a fake me out of pillows. Let's face it... I wouldn't have it any other way.

"If people were meant to pop out of bed, we'd all sleep in toasters." -- Author unknown, attributed to Jim Davis

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Dancin In The Chair

I've said it before and I'll say it again: If I couldn't sit here listening to music blasting while working, it's quite possible I'd have to quit after giving myself a concussion from whacking my head against the keyboard repeatedly. As it is, it's common to see me hurl a kooshball or paper ball at the monitor.

However, occasional frustration aside, I love my job. Any job where you can be barefoot is a keeper. Plus I'm constantly finding myself laughing hysterically at something someone said.

Below is an example of our typical pointless conversation:

Coworker A: "Crap, not snow again!"
Coworker B: "What is this white stuff that you speak of?"
Coworker A: "It's cold bits of ice falling from the sky!"
Coworker C: "You have slushies falling from the sky! Yum! What flavor?"
Coworker A: "They come in plain, plain, and road salt"
Coworker C: "I guess cherry is too much to ask for then."

My mother often worries that working at home will turn me into some type of hermit. I'm already half hermit anyway, so there's really no further I could sink into this. Yet I feel connected to people because I'm constantly chatting online. But I can see her point really. I've recently been thinking about friends who've left my life and the reasons for it. In doing so, I realize again why I'm a bit of a hermit. It may just be better that way.

"When humor goes, there goes civilization." -- Erma Bombeck