Today was a WILD WORK DAY -- and that's no exaggeration at all!

Marilyn mistressmarilyn and I were at the office around 8:00 a.m. We both went to our workstations and got started. I had TONS of IT-related stuff to tackle (of course). The phone guys had come in right with Marilyn and me. (And were standing behind us on the elevator, poor guys, considering I was laden with stuff I was carrying in...)

I sat in for both of the phone lessons, which Chris directed. Prior to that, the guys spent ages doing more setup (they'd worked on it yesterday, as well). They set up in our conference room with phones for training purposes and did screen to show the computer screen part. (By the second class I was feeling strong enough to help out and am sure I'd be able to train new people on the system in no time.)

What a GREAT phone system!!!

After we were done I went to congratulate Jeff on the choice. These are amazing phones that can do amazing things! Really cool. And managing them on the backend (Administrative side) is going to be so EASY -- so much better than the old system. I'll probably go on (and on and on) about the various features in the future, but for now I'll just say it's so good!

I microwaved one of those Hormel dinners and ate at my desk while working. I was putting together a punch list for Kent, in case I had to leave before he got there.

Kent arrived and my life went CRAZY!!!

I was going from computer to computer working on settings -- literally RUNNING from place to place to get it done. I'd have one doing one thing, then another doing it, then another doing something else. Racing, because Marilyn was having a meeting at OUR HOUSE, and was supposed to leave (originally) by 2:00 p.m.

She had to keep phoning to change that appointment, because I just couldn't break away! Most people were pretty cooperative, thankfully, but in all honesty that didn't make my job any easier.

We finally headed out more than an hour late, with most of my work done and Kent prepared to finish the rest -- plus the phone guys going from computer to computer to set up the phone-related software. I had to phone Kent to tell him about something I'd only started to ask him to do, then he phoned me several times (in the car and at home).

I came home to TWO messages from my dentist, wanting to know how I was doing and trying to decide whether to CANCEL my appointment Thursday morning! The funny thing is that I didn't connect this with sister Sue suzy_qp at all, even though I knew she was seeing Mary at 7:00 a.m. this morning for her bridge. She'd told Mary how swollen I was, so...

But I finally got through to her and told her the swelling was way down (most people at the office didn't even notice it), the pain was slight and the eruption was way down, too. So it's a go for 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. (woo hoo) I get that there's still a chance I won't be able to get it done, but I'm hopeful. (fingers crossed)

I did the cat boxes while Marilyn was having her meeting with Angel (about his contract), but I still need to do the rest of the garbage and recycling. I haven't really had dinner yet, so I'm hungry, but thankful I ate lunch.

(My blood sugar was actually good this morning, by the way!)

I need to get in a tackle my normal Wednesday night task. Last week we put out the usual trays of goodies for the garbage and recycling people (which we try to do for all holidays).

Oh! I forgot to mention that Marilyn and I took Jeff a 'dog stocking' for his dog Moki for Christmas -- it was really cute (and huge). He was delighted and said Moki would love it, that he just loves dog toys, even now. (Why, of course he does, Jeff! I hope he never outgrows that!)

I had a long nap, anyway, which I really needed. Most of the time both cats were there with me (either on the bed, or in their nearby cat beds). So sweet. We call it 'giving us their cat-ly energy' -- and it's their way of helping us to feel better. Cats do seem to know when you're down, emotionally or physically, as all cat people know.

I also had a long talk with Kris before my nap -- always a good thing. He makes me smile and he makes me laugh! Such a nice, nice guy.

I just called the festival to see if the phones are working, but no go, as yet. I'm sure we'll have them in place by tomorrow, though. This is really big, by the way. Businesses often have to wait 30 to 90 days to set up a new phone system, so getting it this quick is nothing short of amazing. (I keep pointing this out to people, so they can try to appreciate how cool it is.)

I think everybody in the office now has internet access again (win), which is essential for the new phones (we now have IP Phones, so...). I'm THIS close to being sure the MAC users have Remote Desktop (again), which is also a good thing. I hope Kent figured out the Blackberry thing, but if not, I'll tackle that soon, too.

Obviously I won't be going to work tomorrow (after oral surgery). And Marilyn is taking Friday off for my birthday, so we won't be at work again until next Tuesday.

On the 'sad news' side, sister Sue's kitten Sammy is still missing. (Marilyn and I drove to her house last night after shopping and hunted for some time with no success.) I'm still hoping Sammy will come home -- can you all please pray for the kitten (and Sue) -- or send good thoughts her way? Thanks!

Well, I'm off to eat!

Happily, the Writer's Digest Short Short Story Competition DEADLINE has been extended, so I have more time to submit. I was going to submit my story "The Christmas Cat" anyway. I'd gone over it today and had it under the necessary word count, plus I'd proofed it fairly well. But now I can go over it again even more carefully. Plus I can submit a second (or even a third) story with the extra time, so that's a very good thing.

The main thing I love about the Writer's Digest contests is that it's SO EASY to make a submission! They're very smart about that, I think.

In health news (smile), I'm having far less pain since my damn tooth has an eruption and swelling. (Marilyn mistressmarilyn calls it an 'explosion,' by the way!) I look pretty scary, but that's okay -- at least I'm barely in pain now.

I am TIRED as can be, and literally slept almost all day long -- no kidding.

We're headed shopping, so I've got to dash. More later (I hope).

Sailing to Byzantium
W. B. Yeats, 1927

I
That is no country for old men. The young
In one another's arms, birds in the trees
--Those dying generations -- at their song,
The salmon-falls, the mackerel-crowded seas,
Fish, flesh, or fowl, commend all summer long
Whatever is begotten, born, and dies.
Caught in that sensual music all neglect
Monuments of unageing intellect.

II
An aged man is but a paltry thing,
A tattered coat upon a stick, unless
Soul clap its hands and sing, and louder sing
For every tatter in its mortal dress,
Nor is there singing school but studying
Monuments of its own magnificence;
And therefore I have sailed the seas and come
To the holy city of Byzantium.

III
O sages standing in God's holy fire
As in the gold mosaic of a wall,
Come from the holy fire, perne in a gyre,
And be the singing-masters of my soul.
Consume my heart away; sick with desire
And fastened to a dying animal
It knows not what it is; and gather me
Into the artifice of eternity.

IV
Once out of nature I shall never take
My bodily form from any natural thing,
But such a form as Grecian goldsmiths make
Of hammered gold and gold enameling
To keep a drowsy Emperor awake;
Or set upon a golden bough to sing
To lords and ladies of Byzantium
Of what is past, or passing, or to come.

Shannon got me a dental appointment for 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. I need to hang in there until then. There's pain, but I'll deal.

Kent wrote back to me today. He said he never got my email I sent last Monday (???). Okay. Of course, he checked in with Marilyn mistressmarilyn first, who asked him about contacting me. The list of things to tackle is long and needs to be addressed right away, but I've no clue when he's coming to the office at this point.

I'm finally coloring my hair. It's needed it for ages. When I had the flu, I wasn't up to it. Then I was busy. Then with this dental issue I didn't feel up to it, either. But I'm FORCING myself today!

Hopefully our Domain issue is resolved. I tried to phone them, but couldn't reach a person. I left a message, and they FINALLY phoned back hours later, while I was napping. I won't say what I'm thinking now, as I'm pretty annoyed with them. But we used another credit card, so it should be okay. If not, we'll be pulling a bunch of our domains and hosting them somewhere else -- and we have quite a few! So...

We just watched an episode of "Hoarders" on A&E. I immediately started dumping things! No, we don't BEGIN to be like that. We have a lot of stuff, but it's not all trashed and disorganized. I can usually find what we're looking for and keep things neat and orderly. But we have way too much and need to get rid of tons, so we're back on it! Watching that show freaks me out. How do people live like that?

Actually, I've tried to help some friends who were living somewhat like that. But it's tough, because the person you're helping has to be willing to try -- and to try very hard.

My face has really started to swell up. It started while I was napping today. I'm going to try some cold packs to see if I can bring it down a little. Right now it hurts, but I'm not dying, thankfully. And I did get good enough to eat, too, so that's a good thing.

Clearly I'm due for a root canal, because the tooth I had emergency work done on (last Monday) is giving me some of the worst PAIN I've ever felt. (And remember, I have a pretty HIGH pain threshold, as a rule.)

Dr. Mary (my dentist) told me the tooth might not settle down -- meaning I'd have to have a root canal and get it crowned, so this isn't out of the blue. I was HOPING it wouldn't come to that, of course, but I've had a lot of root canals in my life...

The COST concerns me. I have no dental insurance and it's expensive as hell, so how am I supposed to pay for it? (I guess I should say, how is Marilyn mistressmarilyn supposed to pay for it? I'm the full-time volunteer, so it's not like I make $$$ that could cover it.)

Anyway, thank God for the Hydrocodone-APAP (generic Vicodin). Even that doesn't begin to do away with the pain. Last night I was in so much pain I couldn't sleep, so I sat up at the computer, instead (wondering if I could take additional pain meds on top of the Vicodin). When we finally went to bed around 4:00 a.m., I just propped myself up in bed and tried to lie as still as I could. Every heartbeat was another throb of pain, but I did finally go to sleep.

Waking up was the bad part, as the minute I got up and moved around it began to hurt again. (sigh) I've taken another Hydrocodone (I can take one every six hours) and I've used Campho-Phenique inside my mouth (I know they don't recommend it, but I've been doing that since childhood with a lot of success). Happily at this moment in time, the pain is somewhat under control.

I somehow doubt Mary can work me in tomorrow. In fact, we're not even sure she'll do the root canal (part of the problem). It should prove interesting to find out, anyway. And I keep taking my Amoxicillin, hoping that will help things. (It always makes me laugh, as Amoxicillin is what we've given to our CATS for years and years! Usually as a pink liquid, though -- mine is capsules.)

Meanwhile, life goes on, pain or no. I'm so thankful we're on vaca right now, with nothing at all to do. (I need to color my hair, but that's honestly all I have to do right now.)

My blood sugar was elevated yesterday morning (not over 200, but still pretty high), but it was much better today. So that's a good thing, anyway! One issue at a time, please. (grin)

By the way, yesterday we go to Rite-Aid, which is our pharmacy. I'd talked to Mary first thing in the morning, so she'd phoned in a refill of my Vicodin at 8:00 a.m. Marilyn needed her pills and I needed this, so we head over well before 5:00 p.m. (the pharmacy closes at 6:00 on Saturdays). They have NO RECORD anywhere of prescription. So I phone Mary who tells me she did it right after we talked, which I figured was true. She has to phone the pharmacy and give them the info, then she calls me back and again assures me that she had done it in the morning. They barely get it ready before 6:00, so it took us over an hour at the store. (sigh) I think we were lucky to get it at all -- but I made it damn clear I wasn't leaving the store without my pain meds! (I was in a lot of pain at that point and out of medicine, facing the rest of Saturday and all day Sunday -- and I was getting pretty angry and upset, needless to say...)

It's another BEAUTIFUL day here, by the way! I realize I haven't mentioned anything much other than the dental thing, but life does go on, after all!

And Marilyn and I have managed to eat a lot of good food and watch a lot of TV and play a lot of Zuma, pain or no pain. (smile)

I love vaca!

Reality TV mostly bugs me. Yeah, I've watched a lot of it and I admit I've enjoyed it. But I've also been disturbed by these shows -- over and over again.

And when some couple thinks it's okay to go to the White House for some Reality TV show??? That's just WRONG. It's bad.

And the people behind it? They should be FINED. Fined over and over again. Because MONEY is the only thing people like that understand.

And, hey, people? Let's NOT make celebrities out of this misguided couple, please. They weren't clever. They don't deserve praise. They should be jailed and fined and we should treat them like criminals. Because that's what they are.

Do we really want people trying to crash gatherings at the White House?

Personally, I zero tolerance for all this Reality TV CRAP that is making people behave in insane ways. People are crazy enough without making it more desirable. The problem is every one of us who watches this crap. In fact, I'm borderline myself, by even blogging about it. Which is why I'm not going to mention any individual names or any the titles of any shows.

Okay, I'll admit that I think there are some really GOOD Reality TV shows out there, like "American Idol" and "The Biggest Loser" -- even though I've had frustration with "The Biggest Loser" when it becomes another "Survivor" with crappy gamesmanship. (I don't like shows that pit people against one another and that REWARD negative social interactions. Period.)

Balloon Boy didn't help things AT ALL. And all the jokes about it and attention? Figure it out. (sigh)

The day started out with SLEEPING IN, so that was good from the get-go. (smile)

Then eating (and eating and eating) and games (loads of Zuma). Then the movie with Jodi and Mitch (to see "2012"). After that Jodi headed home, but Mitch stayed and we all ate more and watched "Angels & Demons" On Demand. Marilyn mistressmarilyn and I had wanted to watch it anyway, and Mitch had never seen it before, so it was good fun.

Mitch left around midnight, then we headed to right to bed. I was having trouble sleeping (pain from the tooth that was worked on Monday morning), but I was lying down and reading -- and slept in again today, so I got a lot of rest.

Today is eating and watching TV and playing games, yet again. I actually just got my best score ever for Zuma -- cool, huh. And I had a long soak in a hot bath, too. What a blast! No work. In fact, I don't think I've done one single useful thing all day long. (shock!)

We didn't end up doing the Black Friday shopping (no real surprise), but we're getting ready to buy some things online, so... (grin)

And it might be time for another nap!

We stayed up ALL NIGHT LONG last night, and didn't go to bed until around 7:00 a.m. (smile) Fun, fun!

It's been a rainy day, but no matter -- we've been warm and comfy in our house!

So much to be THANKFUL for this year. I should do a long, long list later on...

I didn't get up until past noon, which was very nice. Now Jodi is here and we're visiting as we wait for Mitch to arrive. Then the four of us are heading to the movie to see "2012."

Marilyn mistressmarilyn and I are now eating berry pie (heated with ice cream). Yummy! Hump's has the most wonderful berry pie...

And I just made a new icon. A little doofy turkey, wearing a Pilgrim hat. (heh) Okay, it's not a classic, but I like it anyway. (And I sat here at Hump's and made an icon, for crying out loud...)

Good coffee, too. I think I'll have another sip!

Marilyn mistressmarilyn and I are not only here eating at Hump's Restaurant & Lounge (in Clatskanie, Oregon) -- we're also online! They now have a cyber cafe! How cool is that?

Marilyn is eating a nacho, and I'm having our usual (very good) chicken strips.

But the main goal is the homemade pie that we'll have for dessert! (smile)

We brought along our laptops, but I don't think either one of us was thinking we'd use them here! This is truly a first for us. (Messy fingers makes typing this a bit difficult...)

I'll wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving now, but I'll hopefully repeat that later, too. I hope all my LiveJournal Friends are enjoying today as much as I am!

We started the day with Marilyn mistressmarilyn taking me to the dentist. Mary filled my tooth, but told me if it doesn't take, I'll need a crown -- and if I need a crown, she'll have to do a root canal first. My fingers are crossed that it will be okay. I was supposed to get Vicodin and penicillin to take. We dropped those off, but never had a chance to pick them up, so I'm in some pain tonight. (We'll get them tomorrow after work, for sure.)

Next we went shopping, mostly for groceries for dinner -- focusing on a Thanksgiving dinner-type theme. (smile)

Then we came home and both wrote for our Writing Circle assignment.

Then I started cleaning house, and Marilyn took off to get her hair done.

I scrubbed the bathroom and vacuumed the living room and kitchen (mainly rugs there). Plus I picked up and moved furniture and decorated for Thanksgiving. I also did a load of dishes.

Finally I started cooking. I made a chicken and rice casserole using turkey gravy (for flavor). Then I made sweet potato balls and put both in the oven. I also made cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. I cleaned celery for a vegetable dish (celery, black olives and carrots). I fixed a salad and a plate of potato rolls. Marilyn made her fabulous bean dip and put out salsa and chips. It was a huge spread, with more food than we could all begin to eat!

Sister Sue suzy_qp brought over party mix (woo hoo), so we snacked on that, too.

Then we had both pumpkin and mince meat pies for desert (with coffee). Yummy!

The usual suspects were there: Angel, Dick, Jodi, Sue, Marilyn and me. We read our stories (except for Dick, who didn't write this time -- he read from a Stephen King book). And we did our monthly exercise, where Marilyn gives us two topics and we write for around 15 minutes. Some good stuff comes from that, by the way!

We shared and laughed and had a good time.

Now we've played some Zuma and watched some TV -- and I'm headed for a much-needed nap!

Tomorrow we have work -- and I have a bunch of IT work to tackle...

Plus I need to FINALLY get my health insurance paperwork done, or else! (It's due in a few days...)

And Marilyn's supposed to take the car in tomorrow, before our trip on Wednesday...

I was just 'tweaking' the area around my computer desk (my desk) in our home office, and the entire experience just makes me SMILE so damn big! I really LOVE the entire office now. Wow, it's very cool.

Some basic elements are unchanged, actually. The desk that belonged to my grandparents and then my Mom is still in the same place -- and I'd already cleaned it off previously, which has been helpful already. Our two computer desks aren't moved, either -- but these new (used) desks are quite an upgrade from what we had before! So many of the changes are really little things, but cool ones! Like Marilyn's mistressmarilyn bulletin board hanging on the corner wall near her desk, which I can easily and happily glance at by just turning my head. And these new (used) chairs will lean back if you want them to, which I find nice.

Anyway, it feels NEW to me in every GOOD way possible. And more organized and easy to use. After we finish up the last of it, I'll be sure to take photos and share them here. (There are still a few things that need to go 'back' from where they had to be moved when the furniture was brought in. But no big deal.)

This is all a very good thing as we get ready to both work here at home during the day time. Obviously I've been doing that for years and years, but it's going to be different with both of us doing it for the next couple of months. That's not to say that Marilyn hasn't done a TON of work from home forever, but this will be different with her doing all sorts of projects she's only done in the office in the past.

And speaking of offices, I'm very much looking forward to going back in to our interim festival office, too! I'm really pleased with where we'll be. It's just a really nice and really workable space -- and it feels like a lovely surprise to me. I hope the entire Staff feels as good about it as I do.

So very much to be THANKFUL for this Thanksgiving! And I'm looking forward to hosting the Writing Circle in our 'new' living room -- and potentially having some work-related meetings there, too! I always (daily) have a LONG list of blessings that I'm thankful for. But this even tops that list! (happy dance)

Today is sunny and NOT raining, so I need to shower so we can run necessary errands. Tomorrow will be about cleaning and cooking, as usual. Hopefully I'll get some WRITING done today, otherwise tomorrow will be about that, as well!

LIFE IS GOOD. It's really worth every second of all the hard work that has gone into it. I'm still sore and tired, but that's okay. Look at the outcome, after all!

We got out of the office around 10:00 last night. Headed for Taco Bell for dinner and then home. Got to bed by around 1:30 a.m. Up again early today and at work by just past 8:00.

Today has been WILD. We had to take a break to run home, as sister Sue suzy_qp is picking up furniture we've given her, so she needed the alarm left off and the cats locked up. There's no way we can leave the cats locked up until whenever we finally get home today (???). And we hate leaving the alarm off -- it's just not safe.

Anyway, the afternoon will be setting all the computers back up again -- Marilyn mistressmarilyn and I will be doing that all alone (of course). (I'll do my IT-rant later on -- I don't have time for it now.)

I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL TODAY IS OVER.

Sue B. got us all Starbucks and lunch (lunch is waiting for us downtown when we finally leave here), to keep us going. Doesn't she ROCK (as always)???

Gotta run! Later!