Expensive Mistake

I've been looking for my USB key (basically a memory stick) for a few days now. Gave it up for gone and went to Best Buy west to buy a new one since today was the last day that the rebates were available. No PNY 512m USB key -- all other sizes and makes available. The one guy went out of his way to call other stores. Found the last one available in the city of Madison over on the East Side. Had it saved for me. Trucked over there to pick it up. Brought it home, got going on the rebate forms (unfortunantly don't have a phone number yet). Realized that USB key was in unsearched cell phone pocket of backpack. By this time I'd wasted hours trying to look for it and getting the new one, that I decided to keep both. Once it is all said and done, I should get two USB keys for less than the price of one. Until then, my credit card's got some money owed. Oooops.

Last night Taffy, Heather, and I went bowling at Villiage Lanes. Two games cost us each about $5 ($3 game, $2 shoes, and a free game). I won the first with a score of 81 and drastically lost the second with a score of 56?. Had a great time, and I still believe that the rental guy would've changed my score on the computer if I'd flirted with him a little :) No worries, didn't do that. I lost with grace instead. We watched "Napoleon Dynamite" after that -- the movie just doesn't make sense. At first I thought it was based in Wisconsin since it just kinda had that feel - based in Idaho. Thought the time period was the 80s, but there are many references of computers, internet, cell phones, and the Backstreet Boys. Yep...an interesting movie.

This morning I slept in, went to lunch with the family, bought some classic books like "A Farewell to Arms", "Daughter of Fortune", and "A Tale of Two Cities" for a dollar each at Half Price Books -- I know some classes use these books and you get charged a lot more at University Bookstore! Have had to put them away for the move, but I'm looking at some large, cheap old bookshelves at SWAP (they take old government stuff and sell it for cheap!) for the fall bedroom.

Otherwise, life's pretty dull. No word on Land's End job. Not many hours in catering. Going to the Land's End sales event on the 3rd. Must keep myself occupied until then. Lots of love, Christi and Oscar

waiting

Yay! Aunt Sharon was unable to post in the little box on the side on this page so she e-mailed me instead. Sounds like they may come back Dec. 2006. Other than that, not much is happening. My event was easy today, so I've got in 15 hours this week. Woo hoo (sarcastic). I'm waiting to hear on my application to Lands End. Sharon suggested cross-stitch as a hobby, which sounds interesting. Think I'll look in a craft store when I go out next time. Still waiting on baby news from Kathy. Any minute now. Still working on the trip stuff...haven't heard about Southampton yet. When exactly is "end of summer"? That's how long I have to wait until I hear if I got in or must hand in my other application. Sigh...I can't wait for that news and also to see Kathy's baby when it's born!

Lots of love, Christi and Oscar (tail's getting much better!)

sunny day lifts spirits - Happy Birthday Gary!

Hello all from Memorial Library! After I started to pack my room this morning - one box done! - I found some DMV paperwork I was supposed to give my doctor last Thursday during my appointment. Got on the bus and hand-delivered it to Dean Clinic on Fish Hatchery. Then wandered over to the library to drop off "Wives and Daughters" by Elizabeth Gaskell, who died before the book was finished. I kinda knew what was going to happen, but still disappointed that it wasn't finished. Only really interesting during the last 200 pages. Have now moved on to "Diary of a Mad Bride", which should be interesting. I would check out some of the books on my super-long reading list, but I'm afraid I'd lose them in the move. All is set (I think) with a rented 24 foot truck to be picked up on Saturday, Aug 13. We girls (3) will put all of our stuff on the truck that night. The following day the boys (2) will put on their stuff with whatever room is left. They'll move in to their new place at noon on the 15th and we get to move in at 3PM. So Mom, those times again are..... :D I've been bugging my poor boss with all of this for weeks now to ensure that I will indeed get the times off that I need. We may not be needed in catering, but boy you should see the subslips posted upstairs for those few days. I do believe half a pad of paper is used just for moving days... it's really pretty when you walk past and all that yellow and white paper flutters in the breeze. Hehehehehe....Matt IS expected to help me move since I've helped him so often. Two weeks away. YIKES!

I want to go to the Union tonight for open mic (no, I won't be singing, these are hard-core musicians) and to hear The Profits play. Too bad I have to get up in the morning again. Since it's the last Wednesday night for this, I totally want to stay as late as possible. Wonder if I can drag anyone into going......

I hope everyone can get out into the sunny weather for at least a few minutes. I feel like taking off my shoes and running through the grass. I would too, but I know how much fertilizer they put on the stuff. Lots of love and sunshine, Christi and Oscar

Lunch with Linda and dancing in the rain

Not quite me, but how I felt

Linda was at the State St. Lands End store for work today, so after she was finished she took me out for lunch at Charley's. I had such a good time talking with her. I had hoped to introduce her to a co worker on his lunch break as an example of why I'm so weird (hehehehe :D ) but Linda was otherwise occupied. Got lots of new shirts, including two for work. It started raining (yes, I pulled out some cruddy dance moves on State St. and Linda laughed) so instead of wandering to the library to do computer-buying research (bad Christi!) I came home. Lots of Mt. Dew may help get me ambitious enough for a little packing today. Otherwise, lots of my stuff is already in boxes/transportable items.

Must ask off for the 3rd of August if possible to go to Dodgeville and the Lands End sales event. Not to buy, but to visit again with Linda. May be an opening at the store on State St. and I'm seriously considering applying again. It's not that I don't love working at catering, but I need a productive hobby/activity and this is might be the opportunity I'm looking for. That, and I'm one of the first to even know about this opening since the guy just quit a few hours ago......lucky me. If anyone has any ideas about what I should do, please let me know. Is this a good idea? Two part-time jobs and school in the fall. Would help with the rent and saving for my trip (fingers crossed) in the spring. I'd work mostly weekends and a couple of nights (like, when they close at 6PM).

Otherwise, I think Oscar's been affected with the heat as his tail has split apart again. I don't know if he's doing it on purpose or if his tail just can't stand the heat. This cool-down will do him and the rest of us some good.Grrr...stupid internet!! It has failed me once again. Come on, computer guy in the sky, please help me be connected again! Lots of love, Christi and Oscar

Rain falls not just from the skies, but also from my hazel eyes

Today would've been Mike's 22nd birthday. Instead of being with the family on this occasion, I worked for a crazy, control-freakish customer who has obviously never done an event before because she couldn't help but try to take over my job. It's my job to get the food prepared, to set it out and to replenish. Not a problem, especially for such an easy event. Despite that, she had to mess with stuff. When she found out how much left over we had, she set out to find every hungry person within a two block radius to feed. The only person she didn't ask was me :( It's not that I would've taken her up on her offer because I can't, but it would've been nice to be asked. By the time I got back to RHC, my tummy was grumbling and my break was timed so that I only had 15 mins left of work when I got back. Hahahaha.

No extra hours for me this week, guess I'll have to find another cheap hobby. It'll either be volunteering for the Humane Society (which Moogie says I'm not allowed to do 'cause I'll come home with every animal imaginable), surfing the internet (not possible since both Taffy and I can't get Net right now :( ), reading (been doing lots of that), making pillows (running out of couch space), or something else I haven't figured out. Any ideas--please let me know! Until then I guess I'll have dinner with Mom tonight and lunch with Linda tomorrow (yay!!). And although the movie tonight will not be out of doors, I fully intend to watch "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" at the Memorial Union with or without company. I'd prefer company, but since no one else has definate plans I'm not sure what's up with that. I do know that I don't wanna be alone today, even if I have to be with complete strangers in chilly Rathskeller. Alone is bad, and I'm tired of being lonely. That's why a hobby is such a good thing. Again, all suggestions are welcome!

Huh, the sun just came out. Perhaps it will be a good day after all!

Lots of love, Christi and Oscar (oops, forgot to feed him!!) and all the crazies here

I took a picture of Mike's entry in the yearbook at Sarah's graduation party. Probably one of the best pictures taken of him ever.

Lucky number 7 for Lance

Hooray for Lance Armstrong -- only person to ever win 7 Tour de France titles! Boo for me, who spent the day watching movies, running from air conditioned store to air conditioned store, and generally did nothing to improve myself or the world. At least I had a good time though. Today's heat index was for 115F, so Mom had to be home before the end of the day in order to put in the a/c for the pets (believe me, they needed either it or a shaving). I went home on Friday after work. Saturday it rained, so I didn't get to go to the farmer's market. I did go for a nice walk and saw a little of the Bluesfest, which I think I'll have to attend for a longer period of time as the bits I did hear were really good. Both Saturday and Sunday I got to sleep in. Even 8AM is "late" these days. Can't complain, I do bring home some sort of paycheck. Tomorrow, I work at 6:30AM (at least the walk there will be cool). After that I'm going to the library and to the Terrace for a movie. Tuesday I hope to visit with Linda while she's on State St at Land's End. I work again on Thursday morning @ 6:30 again. Thinking of finding a few more shifts, in hopes of getting a larger paycheck so that I may be able to pay off that beautiful computer I'm dreaming about. And it's ON SALE!!!! Mom laughed at me as I told Matt some of the specs.....yes, I have some of them memorized. It's only on sale ($150 off!) until Saturday, so unless there's a Franklin U or a BB credit increase miracle happening by Friday, I won't be able to get it :( Still, I will not give up hope. Even if I can't get it now, I'll still be dreaming of a Gateway Notebook, with a Pentium 4 processer, 15.4" display, 512SDRAM, 80GB hard drive, 4 USB ports, memory stick ports, XP Home Edition, DVD-R/CD-R drive, ...

Here's hoping you stay cool! Lots of love, Christi, Oscar (in the much cooler living room) and the rest of the hotties :)