Stuck in the Middle-Saturday 9

1. In romance, have you ever been stuck in the middle with someone?
I probably have.... but I was very trusting. Outside of romance, I have always played the (Wo)Man in the Middle, I am a negotiator at heart.

2. Which current commercial is the currently most annoying to you on TV or radio? Too many to count.  There are so many local  ads on TV here in middle earth, and they are generally awful and need to be muted.

3. What do you think is the most difficult task when it comes to Spring cleaning?
Moving the furniture to vacuum under it.  Baseboards. I really don't do spring cleaning.  I do it all through the year, if I do it at all.

4. What area is your expertise in?
I do a few things well. but I really excel at being a Grandma. DD1 says Лука is always saying "pertend you're Gramma". I also have some good DIY skills and will have a chance this weekend to get started again. I did a great job with the flowers at DD1's wedding, we did most everything ourselves.

5. Have you ever bumped into a former lover/friend  and found out they were now gay or straight depending on your relationship with them? 
Yes. I wrote about it here.

6. When was the last time that you got stabbed in the back?
I usually got good reviews when I worked for the bank, with the exception of one manager I had, about 15years ago, who use to harangue me about my class surveys.  It was a poorly written survey with only 4 points, which would average out low if anyone scored you a two or lower, and surveys can be somewhat subjective anyway. Once we got a better written survey, I generally got better scores. I wouldn't call that back stabbing, just poor management. However, the one time I internally posted for a manager position I got ambushed. When they got around to letting me know that I didn't get the job, the center manager, my manager, and the person who got the job, delivered the news. Then they proceded to let me know what a bad trainer I was, how could I expect to get promoted if I couldn't do the job I already had and here was what I needed to do to fix it, etc. I eventually went to work under that new manager, and flourished, she was such a good boss. Over the years, I realized that it was good that I didn't get that particular job but at the time I really feel that I should have been told I didn't get the job. and then if they wanted to improve performance, have another conversation. I learned some good management skills then, even if they didn't.

7. For a few years in a row, you receive a nice tax refund: do you make an adjustment with your payroll deduction so they’ll take less, or do you leave it that way so that you can continue to receive the big check every spring?
I never had this issue in California, I actually had to have extra money taken out.  When it did happen, I never change the deduction.

8. Do you remember the most naughty night of your life? (And do tell a bit, if comfortable)
I assume we mean sex here? Yes, I remember, that is all you get! This is a family blog, About the only thing naughty I have done, was telling my mother I was going one place (a club meeting) and went cruising  Bob's Big Boy with my friends. I didn't lie alot because I was not very good at it.

9. How would you handle yourself if you were regularly in the press and tabloids?
I might like it for a while, because who doesn't like being the center of attention. I think it could only be good if I was in the press for good reasons. Negative press is very tiresome.

You know you are old when:

This weeks writing prompt is:  Share a joke that always makes you laugh. I never tell jokes because I can't remember them and this has been true since before I got old.  A lot of OLD jokes have been filling up my e-mails lately and they are funny.....sometimes.....Here are the ones that make me laugh.

You know you are old when:

Going braless pulls all the wrinkles out of your face.

"Getting a little action" means I don't need to take any fiber today

Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the guys with the Live Doppler 10,000.

In a hostage situation, you are likely to be released first.

You know you're a grown-up because you groan every time you get up.

It takes a couple of tries to get over a speed bump.

It's harder and harder for sexual harassment charges to stick.

Many of your co-workers were born the same year that you got your last promotion.

No one expects you to run into a burning building.

The twinkle in your eye is only the reflection of the sun on your bifocals.

There's nothing left to learn the hard way.

Things you buy now won't wear out.

When getting lucky means you find your car in the parking lot.

When happy hour is a nap.

When you have a choice of two temptations and you choose the one that will get you home earlier.

When you realize that caution is the only thing you care to exercise.

You finally get your head together and your body starts falling apart

You and your teeth don't sleep together.

At the breakfast table you hear snap, crackle, pop and you're not eating cereal.

AND THEN THERE IS THIS ONE.

Some 15 year old girlfriends decided to meet for dinner. They discussed where to eat and finally agreed on McDonald's next to the Sea Side Restaurant because they only had $6.50 between them and Bobby Bruce, the cute boy in science class, lived on that street.

10 years later, the same girlfriends, now 25-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally they agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because it had free snacks, there was no cover charge, the beer was cheap, the band was good and there were lots of cute guys.

10 years later, the same girlfriends, now 35-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally they agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because the combos were good, it was near the gym and if they went late enough, there wouldn't be many whiny little kids.

10 years later, the same girlfriends, now 45-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally they agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because the martinis were big and the waiters wore tight pants and had nice buns.

10 years later, the same girlfriends, now 55-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally they agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because the prices were reasonable, it had widows which opened (in case of hot flashes), the wine list was good and fish was good for their cholesterol.

10 years later, the same girlfriends, now 65-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally they agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because they had an Early Bird Special and the lighting was good.

10 years later, the same girlfriends, now 75-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally they agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because the food wasn't too spicy and it was handicapped accessible.

10 years later, the same girlfriends, now 85-year-olds, discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally they agreed to meet at the Sea Side Restaurant because they'd never been there before.

1.) Write about a time you had to crawl through a window. (inspired by Barb from Half Past Kissin’ Time)

2.) List of 10 shows you’re glad have seen their last day.
3.) A bad day.
4.) Share a joke that always makes you laugh.
5.) On a piece of paper write down something that makes you happy…take a photo of your paper and wa la…there’s your post.

Christmas Party:LONG Drive Home

This Week TN Chick selected LONG

Every year my boss throws a great party for all the managers (no significant others), and I never miss them, (the parties, not the spouses) because they are so much fun. This year was no exception. We had a LONG but fantastic year so it was a little more lavish than usual.

It was at a lovely restaurant in Beverly Hills, Il Cielo. When you look it up on the Net, it has very mixed reviews, they say the service is slow and dinner takes a LONG time. Our night was lovely! The service and food was great.
This year we had a DJ and everyone danced, even me. (that is not me) The roof opens up so you can see the sky and before too LONG they opened it so we could cool off after dancing I probably wouldn't have danced much if Mr BC was there, because he doesn't dance much, usually one slow dance is his limit. Even though past parties have been fun, I am usually home by 10:00 PM, because it was Drinks and horses'doors, Dinner, awards, skits, laughter and gifts, over! But I acually stayed there until 11:45 and was home after a LONG Drive from Beverly Hills to San Bernardino County.

I didn't win the centerpiece this year. Too bad because they were beautiful. But it was a LONG shot after all. It was a LONG evening, but a good time was had by all !

It Seems I Was A Long Time Gone

Mr Bankerchick has gone to Missouri to take care of his Mom post surgery. At 84 she had a valve replacement a single bypass and a pacemaker installed. She is a tough lady and with a few hicups after the surgery (the pacemaker) she is in rehabilitation and doing well. He has been gone since March 6th, drove back there with DD1 and I was alone, just the cat and me until DD flew back last Sunday so she could start Spring semester. It looks like he could be back there until the end of April, however he is a good son and the experience will no doubt be a good one.
I have been without a computer since Mr B took our laptop with him, now that DD is back we picked up a new (to us) refurbished laptop from Overstock.com. After some fits and false starts I got it up this morning. With our company's new policy on the Internet, I am not able to blog and I have avoided any non work surfing to set a good example. Yeah right! I have 2 years till retirement and I don't want to lose out on the benefits because they perceive that I am using the internet on their time and get my a** canned.

We are going to get a puppy. Our puppy was born March 15 and we should be able to pick her up when Mr B gets back. I get to pick her out as we have 7 females to choose from. She is a tri colored Pembroke Welsh Corgi. The breeder has kept me posted with pictures but they are in my e-mail at work. I figure since I tell the breeder that she should open an account with us, every time I reply, it qualifies as business. Actually my boss knows my e-mail-less life and has been cool with it so I could keep in touch about the birth. I am so glad to be connected at home again. The computer has now come to dominate my life just like my ATM card did 10 years ago.

5 Reasons I don't like taking the train

I commute to work by Metrolink about 3-4 times a week. It is a great thing! Today as I took the shuttle to the station and I was enduring our resident loud mouth. I realized that there were a few things about commuting that I don't like:

1. I don't have my car with me to run errands on my lunch hour. This could also read not having an hour for lunch to run errands.

2. The aforementioned loud mouth, "Michelle" is vulgar, chews with her mouth open, laughs like a donkey, and if I were the evening shuttle driver guy, I would sue the city for creating a hostile working environment. Subtle flirting is not a concept with which she is aquainted.

3. I have a job that I love, however, many of the women on the shuttle work for the county department of social services and they do not LOVE their jobs.

4. My shuttle driver to and from my home station, (my husband) won't let me drive to the station 'cause he does not want to leave the car or truck in the parking lot all day. So I can't run errands on my way home. Taking me and picking me up are things on his to do list and there is no deviation from the to do list.

5. I could only think of 4 things, but it occurs to me that I really like taking the train, it is the Shuttling I don't like.

Oh well, maybe tomorrow it will be 5 things I like about taking the train,
since there is nothing good about the shuttle.