Where the Sane Should Fear to Tread

( Fics read 11/21 - 12/13 )

Oh dear goddess, there are not enough hours in a day. My apologies for not posting sooner.

The roof survived with nary a scratch. Couple little marks on the edge of the metal flashing, but nothing notable on the roof itself. The tree snapped at just the right point - dead-even with our roof line - had a smallish diameter and looks like it 'gently' fell over, landing flat instead of a pointy branch down. We got lucky, damned lucky.

Our neighbour, the one who's tree it is, was nearly a basket case. The next morning she called a few 'tree people' and took the first one who could come out. And she got royally ripped off. The guys got the tree off our roof just fine, but that's all they did. Didn't clean up/take away the broken/chopped stuff ("That'll be another $200 extra.") and didn't take down what was left of the tree ("It'll grow back.").

( Hubby has an oops! )

( Miscellaneous (love typing that word) )

So we're sitting in the kitchen, just finished dinner, when there's a great bloody boom/crack sound outside the back door. The wind was howling, rain pelting down (hooray for storm season!) but couldn't see anything. Ran into the neighbours when Hubby and I went out for a look-see and they were wondering what the hell happened too. Turns out, one of the neighbours trees split and toppled onto our roof. That's right, there is a tree on my roof. No damage on the outside that we can tell right now (dark and rainy means ya can't see much) and hubby crawled into the attic and said there's nothing obvious there - slight bowing, but nothing cracked or leaking. I'm hoping this takes care of my "tree falling on the house" premonitions - really do not want one of the monster-trees in our back yard falling on us.

( Fics read 11/16 - 11/20 )

Ubbie3.2 officially went into service a week ago Sunday. Compared it and Ubbie, installed what was left to install, transferred files across... hot damn. Even figured out how to find the config file for the FTP (thus saving mucho time trying to remember address and passwords) and how to backup/install all the FF presets and bookmarks. Apart from configuring Apache and Samba, which are a bit of pain to get up and running despite my notes, everything else was a bloody breeze. Plug a device in and let 'er rip. Even the printer! Hadn't got around to installing the file from HP but hubby printed from Ubbie3.2 just fine. The one thing I have not checked is PHP, or even if I installed it. Have to get on that since I'll need it for one of the projects.

Speaking of printing... Squirmy can now print and boy is he happy about that! I've got three new dinosaur pictures decorating the 'puter room.

( Fics read 10/27 - 11/13 )

Picked up MrFixIt's desktop two Thursday evenings ago. Wanted to work on it while keeping Ubbie intact to ensure I installed the right packages and recreated the correct settings. Good idea, but no way to execute it without rearranging and cleaning the 'puter room. Most of a Saturday was spent cleaning out that pig-sty. Squirmy's computer is now hooked up the KVM with MainXP, 'cause I still need that stupid bugger. Squirmy has access to a printer now (or will, once I get it 'installed') and won't be bugging me to 'move my stuff' so he can use 'puter. Ubbie and Ubbie3.2 reside on the now neatened and cleaned table.

Ubbie3.2 (so named for the CPU speed; original I know) should be a definite improvement over Ubbie. Two processors and a gig of RAM... sweet. She's configured and tested as far as Apache and Samba go (the two biggest pain-in-the-ass things to install/configure) so now it's a matter of installing the other, easier, things. Oh, and figuring out the fucking permissions, users and groups! I did something on Ubbie and failed to write it down, so now I'm trying to figure this crap out blind!

With everyone out of town last week (annual meeting time), the office was DEAD. Rather than waste another day sitting around playing games (there was, approximately two-and-a-half total hours of actual work) I took Friday off. Of course, that had to be one day the phone went nuts - there were ten messages waiting on the voice-mail.

Halloween weekend was a busy one. TheDog had a big show Saturday/Sunday, so while hubby and MiL did that, Squirmy and I got to the grocery and mall shopping. Everyone home by four-ish, then dinner and trick-treat prep. Up to SiL's place (her area is rather closed in so no traffic concerns) for nearly two hours of candy gathering (Oy!). Squirmy's candy count at the end was one hundred and eighty-four. This does not include the bits MiL, SiL, Devil-Child and me snuck out of overflow bag I was carrying.

Sunday saw all of us out at the dog show. Ollie (TheDog's cousin/uncle/whatever) had won the day before and if he won on Sunday he'd get his championship. And get it he did!! Ollie is now an official CKC Champion - HOORAY OLLIE!

( Not obsessed, not at all )

( Shhh.... )

In between site-work my Lego skills were honed building tanks, planes and bulldozers for the duck armies (my ducks were small and 'bad', Squirmy's big and 'good'). Need more ducks, more gold, more tanks! We need more Lego! TheDog was not happy being barred from the computer room, but as Lego is 'crunchy' there was no choice.

( Soon, I'll have a new toy )

The trailer is back in our garage for the winter. Glad I cleaned that place out as that made maneuvering the utility trailer to the other side much easier this year. Still have crap in the garage, just less of it. Also discovered another break-in attempt at the side door of the garage. I'd like to electrify the door so when the idiots stick their metal pry bar in between the door and the jam they're nicely crisped.

( Thanksgiving Dog Show )
( New Project? )

Hubby picked up a replacement for his dying computer monitor - a loverly flat-screen with acres of viewing area. He also picked one up for me (huge sale!) but mine had to go back. The optimal resolution was way over what any of my computers (or Squirmy's) would do and hubby's just made it (last option). Hubby's suggestion of getting a new computer for me (since I'm the one that does all the "computer work") is a good one and I found one that's really not that much, but I just can't (don't) want to spend that kind of money right now.

Second interview yesterday afternoon at the place close to home. Meant I had to drive to work in the morning, which really sucked. No accidents (thank the goddess) but it was dark and rainy (blech!). [Edit] Went okay, down to me and two others. Should know something today or tomorrow.

I am behind on my TV watching - so far behind I'm just now finishing off the last season of House - and that will explain this temper-tantrum...

Goddammit!!! Why Kutner? Whywhywhy!? I loved that character, everything about him... damn you!

Now back in the real world...

Hubby made a thrilling discovery Friday. That nest of renters in the front yard tree? It wasn't the only one! There were two other hornet nests in the lilac bushes across the yard. Couldn't see them for all leaves, but now that the leaves are starting to drop... holy crap! I am really surprised no one was stung this year. Took the nests down on Sunday (after giving them all a really good shake), gave one to the neighbour kids and the other two are in a bin in our garage. Going to see if I can cut away some of the outside layer(s) to expose the combing inside. Squirmy thinks that would be cool to see, and so do I.

Got another interview on Wednesday morning. This one is really close to home, so here's hoping!

Desperate enough at work for something to do, I've been working on the database. Nothing major, fine-tuning some features, trying to implement a couple make-life-easier ideas (IF-THEN-ELSE and other such expressions are so easy to screw up if one is not paying attention).

TheDog may like love deep-fried fish and chips, but they do not love him... as evidenced at his show on Sunday (at least the explosion wasn't in the ring this time), and again Sunday night.

( Updating computers )
( Halloween and puppet shows )
( The renters have gone... maybe? )

And speaking of Thanksgiving, I still can't let my mother know if we're coming for dinner at all or at what time we can be at the house. That is a dog show weekend and the ruddy schedule has still not been posted. The two schedules for the specialties have been, but not the main show. Idjits.

Another Boring (the capital is intentional) day at work. Christ-on-a-cracker, just give me something to do!

In the local news...

Nearly no accommodation left for Olympic tourists AHAHAHAHAHAHA! Is this coming as a surprise? This was forecast eons ago!

Vancouver Humane Society calls for boycott of Petcetera stores I'm boycotting for a different reason - (from Service Canada's Job Bank web site) Payroll Clerk, $28000/yr, 45 hours a week. Shove it, and a fistful of sharp objects up your ass!

Crown won't pursue prosecution of Abbotsford dad who left kids in car. Abbotsford Police already decided not to recommend charges I just... why?? ASSHOLES!

( Poor Blueberry )

This evening I have sewn two buttons back on, fixed the hem of a blouse, ironed five blouses, sewn up holes in three dog beds, the face of a bunny and the ass-end of a fish. I'm done!

( The List )

Job interview yesterday morning, located in my old stomping grounds, went well. Rather different from what I do now, but with some similarities. Learning new stuff does not daunt me in the least - a day without learning something new is a wasted day. The hours aren't the best (I'd prefer an earlier start/end time), but they will work. Pay-wise, I'd be losing a bit (once the year-end bonus here is factored in) but for what I'd be gaining (seeing more of Squirmy, shorter commute) I think it would both workable and worth it in the long run.

Yellow jackets were seen congregating around the back porch light this morning. I'm hoping the light and heat of the bulb were a passing attractant and they're not setting up a nest.

After running a full blood panel, and various other tests, the conclusion on MrFixIt has "something viral". Nothing like a specific diagnosis.

The 'fridge just might survive after all. The faulty relay was replaced, 'fridge plugged in and it fired right up. Hubby stuck an ice cube tray in the freezer and it froze up nicely. The 'fridge part didn't seem as cold as it was, but it hadn't been twenty-four hours (the recommended waiting time) yet. We'll how it's working when I get home tonight. ETA: It lives!!

( Job interview and what not to wear at one )

( Hubby scores a deal )

Well... MrFixIt is in the 'not too well' category. For good or bad, that will change once he's seen at the hospital. I get to pick up DevilChild from work in an hour. I'm hoping to have something to tell her besides "Mom took Dad to the hospital."

Talked to the 'fridge repair guys, who are coming tomorrow. If the recalled relay (the one that can make your 'fridge catch fire) simply quit (as opposed to catching fire) then replacing it will cure the 'fridge. If that doesn't do the trick, then the problem is most likely the compressor. Which this company can't fix, nor is it worth fixing. *sigh* Here's hoping the compressor is NOT the problem.

At ten tomorrow morning I have a job interview. The location is not the greatest, but it's workable... I think. If the pay is right, I'll make it work. Due to the fact most companies don't seem to include their name in CL job listings, I've no idea which ad it was and, consequently, can't look up the details. Annoying as hell. And, given the time and location, I'll have drive into work after the interview. That means driving home after work... in full rush hour now that school is back in session. Fark.

The 'fridge is dead. The camping cooler - the monstrosity we bought last year - is now holding everything that absolutely needs to stay cold. Things that aren't critical to keep cold - jams, koolaid, some fruits/veggies - remain in the 'fridge. Some of the other jarred items... well, if they don't survive a couple days then there's a legit excuse for pitching them.

Squirmy got a new lunch box (hubby said something about a 'rotation' and 'easier'), one with green skulls and a hair cut. Only nine weeks between cuts this time; a big improvement over the fifteen weeks it was last time. Hubby, of course, thinks it's too short but Squirmy does not (nor do I).

Put some of the accumulated and saved-for-who-knows-why stuff on Craigslist. Squirmy's old bikes, stroller, too small clothes, etc. I am going to reclaim some of the space in this house! I will never stop being a pack-rat (nor will hubby), but the stuff there is no use for has got to go. Next up will be the big closet upstairs and my dresser downstairs - I've finally admitted I will never be back in a size small. *sigh*

The Squirmy one is home from his time at the iL's. He's got a baggie full of money - amongst real chores/tasks, MiL was paying him to fold his pj's and get dressed - a new hat, and is one tired boy.

After much searching, I found some hair sticks. Nothing fancy, just frosted, white plastic, and found at an out-of-the-way dollar-type store. I'd tried the three local dollar stores, Walmart, Zellers, local drug stores... every where I could think of that might carry hair sticks. I'd love to find some fancier ones, but where the hell would I even start looking (besides the Internet)?

While hubby went to Island to help transport/move furniture for his folks (and bring Squirmy home), I cleaned out the garage. Cut up all the cardboard (since it's been there forever and a dump run doesn't appear to be happening), reorganized some crap and swept it out (what I could reach). Tidied up the family room too, getting the back 'pile' down to four old things of Squirmy's to be sold/given away.

And, if the puddle on the floor and the unfrozen stuff is any indications, the 'fridge freezer has quit. For the moment, the 'fridge is still cold but I'm not betting on that being the case come morning. For two days I've thought the motor didn't sound right (wrong tone, too clicky, on/off too much) and I was right (ha!). There's a repair guy coming on Wednesday for a 'warranty' repair (in quotes as the 'fridge is long out of warrently, but there's a part that has to be replaced due to fire hazard) so I'll call Tuesday (curse the long weekend) and see if a repair can be done as well. Crap.