A post in which it is the long road home*

I slept pretty well.  Better than I thought I would.  When I woke up, folks were already stirring.  It was the start of another pretty day (aside from spits of rain, we've had unusually pretty weather for the trip), but I really felt like I needed to get moving.  I don't travel light, and had stuff strewn all over the house to gather up.  I'd had the foresight to get my toiletries out of the bedroom last night so I could get ready this morning, and proceeded to do so.  Rob was up in time for me to get all the stuff out of the bedroom.

The rest of the gang were going to the flea market today, which has become another tradition, but the traffic back after a holiday weekend is always awful.  I wanted to get out in time to beat it, and hopefully have a little downtime before I had to go to bed. 

About the time I was ready to mobilize, Miss Kat and Dana were up.  We decided to go for breakfast on our way out of town.  Since we'd had such a good experience yesterday, we just went back to Perkins.  It was just as nice today, and I really enjoyed nabbing some more time with them.  Miss Kat allowed me to buy breakfast for them.  I am always trying to find ways to do a little something for them.  Miss Kat has mentored me through so much garbage in my head, and they were so good to me during treatment.  Dana has always been gracious about sharing Miss Kat time with me.  I feel like I owe them more than I can ever re-pay, but they usually won't allow me to do anything for them in return.  It was especially nice to be able to do that today. 

And then we hit the road.  Ugh.  The traffic, always bad, was worse today.  The wrecks apparently started early, and things slowed to a crawl.  Mile after mile I spent creeping along, bumper to bumper.  I thought once I got off of highway 95 it would get better, but the back-up on 95 actually proceeded onto the exit and around onto highway 26.  It was excruciating, but there was nothing to do but wait.  A four hour drive took six and a half hours.  Boy was I GLAD to be home. 

So I had been playing with my phone because the traffic was so vile.  A guy I've been chasing for some time hit me up when I got home.  I had just finished unpacking, cleaning up the (epically loaded) catbox and destroyed bathroom, and stepped out of the shower when I got the all clear to come see him.  There was (yet another) storm moving in, which squicked my phone AND the computer out, but when I got there it was completely worth it. 

Afterwards, I was pretty relaxed.  I had felt the tension coming back on the drive home, but it was a really great end to a nice vacation.  I got home, made a smakerel of supper, and gratefully turned in. 

A post in which it is the big day

So I slept pretty well this morning.  When I woke up, I was in no hurry to get up.  One, I was losing my bedroom tonight to Rob, because Jo Ann's guy Dan was coming in: and two, I figured no one would be up for hours anyway, so there was really no point in leaping out of bed.  I had signed on to my computer and was lounging around like a maharini when Billy tapped on the door to tell me we were going to breakfast - super! 

Russ, Billy, Logan, Miss Kat, Dana, and I headed for the local Perkins.  Now I hadn't been too impressed with the Perkins in Greenville, but it was nice to be out with the gang.  I was very pleasantly surprised.  Our server was super nice, all our orders were right, and my food was really good.  They even made Miss Kat's eggs the way she likes them, and that hardly ever happens. 

We headed back to the house and relaxed for a while before heading out to the pool.  We watched movies, hung out, and relaxed.  There was discussion of a cook-out for lunch, but because breakfast had been late and large, we didn't really get around to that.

While we were lounging around in the house, Jo Ann overheard that my phone was having issues, and that I was waiting for Billy to upgrade.  "I've got a Thunderbolt I'm not using that you can have." she said.  Jo Ann is an early adopter too, so she didn't need it any longer.  I am not proud.  At all.  So I accepted it with profuse thanks.  I can hardly wait to have it activated!  Woo HOO!

We were in the pool with cocktails when Marty and Petal arrived.  They changed and headed out as Dana, Rob and I went out to get the shrimp for the Low Country Boil.  I went out with them to run errands and get the rest of the stuff for supper.

About the time we got back, Dan came in.  Now Dan is Jo Ann's guy, and I hadn't met him before, although I have heard an awful lot about him.  At first glance, he was a fairly standard-looking guy.  But then he hits you with those eyes.  He has intense light-blue eyes that are kind of like being pierced by twin lasers.  After being skewered, I was like "OK, now I get it."  He was here to see Jo Ann, and that's fine, but he was cordial to everyone else.  I didn't interact with him that much, but he seemed nice. 

When we got back we all relaxed before starting hors d'oeuvres and cocktails on the fabulous porch.  The boil was prepared, and the feast began.  The weather has been cool enought that it was enjoyable to sit outside, so I had the first plate outside with folks on the porch, and then moved indoors for the second plate.  Jo Ann, being Jo Ann, had made me my own separate boil (without sausage).  It's very sweet of her to do it, but I hate for her to go to the trouble when she already has a house full of people to deal with. 

So after we ate, it was time for more relaxing and lying around.  We watched some movies, and played on our relative electronic pacifiers.  It has been a good trip, and a nice visit.  I have really enjoyed seeing everyone.  It's kind of sad that it's all over tomorrow. 

A post in which it is vacation*

Ah, glorious vacation.  The sweet surcease of toil that is all too rare.  I woke up today prepared to be a soap bubble.  As it turned out though, the fates had other things to strew in my path first. 

My smart phone is working just fine.  I was hooked in to the wi-fi and getting all my notices.  I have to say that the Savannah natives were both welcoming and appriciative.  Shortly after I awoke this morning I had a message from one of them to come visit, so I did.  Lovely.  A very nice way to start the day. 

When I got back to the house, Rob was up and Izzie had been delivered.  I sat down with Rob and Izzie for a bit for some quiet time.  Izzie was up, though, and ready to roll.  She wanted an apple, but she couldn't have one until Rob washed it, and he seemed most disinclined to move.  So I just got up and washed it for her.  When I handed it to her, she thanked me.  I was quite surprised.  Kids now just don't say thank you, and she's only 5!  I complimented her on her manners. 

By the time Billy got up I was pretty hungry.  I decided to take matters into my own hands and decided to make some breakfast.  Jo Ann doesn't eat left-overs, so I know that anything from dinner last night was up for grabs.  I made some toast and did a scramble with onions, broccoli, cheese, and some of the rice, which made for a surprisingly good textural element. Rob kind of hovered all around me while I was cooking, which was getting on my nerves, but I got it done.  After scrambling Izzie an egg, the four of us sat down and had a nice breakfast.  Afterwards, I was scrupulous about cleaning up.  Jo Ann is even more OCD about the kitchen being spotless than I am. 

We hung out, watched TV, and waited for Russ to get up.  And waited.  And waited.  Sleeping Beauty finally made his entrance around 1:30.  I was glad that I had gone ahead and eaten breakfast.  Jo Ann was up shortly after.  Apparently they both had been up most of the night.  So after some discussion, we decided on shopping.  But first, lunch.  Jo Ann always lays in enough food to feed an army, so there was plenty at the house to eat.  We did ham and cheese sandwiches (mine sans ham) and chips.  Afterwards we got dressed and headed for the stores.

The shopping trip has kind of become a tradition on the Savannah trip. They have a great Tuesday Morning down there that always has cool stuff, and there's a big Home Store we usually hit too.  I didn't have anything in particular I was looking for today, but I picked up a puzzle for Izzie, since she was looking for one earlier that wasn't at the house any longer.  I also picked up a 10" ceramic non-stick sautee pan (I have despaired of finding one of the down market GreenPans from Target in the regular size - I have a big one, a small one, and a wok, but not the standard 10" size, aggravatingly).  I don't know how it will work, but it is sparkly blue on the outside and is marked POFA free, plus it was a great price, so I am game to try. 

After that we made a stop at the grocery store.  Apparently Jo Ann was upset because we had eaten part of the cheese for lunch, and it had to be immediately replaced (no, there was no plan for it, she just wanted it replenished).  We picked up a few things and then headed back to the house.  Miss Izzie had charged Russ with finding her some colored marshmallows, but they apparently don't make them except at Easter.  He picked up some others to try to appease her - she is not thrilled with them at the mo. 

After we got back to the house, it was time for them to get ready to go downtown to meet Lee and Joel.  They had planned to go out to The Lady and Sons tonight.  This was partially a show of solidarity with Paula Deen - Russ is way in her corner, but I think it was also partially because those restaurants are part of the national focus at the moment.  They're kind of the place to be.  Because we were right there, I think he just wanted to go and be a part of it in some way.  The idea of it is exciting, but I knew it would be a mob scene (which is definitely not my scene).  I've heard that the food there isn't spectacular.  Plus, I come to Savannah to spend time with Jo Ann and Rob, hang out at the house, and take some time out of time.  Jo Ann really loves to have everyone come, and attendance was low this year.   It just fit with my natural inclination and social calling to stay home.  So I did.  I can see Joel and Lee (who are sweet guys, don't get me wrong) every week in Greenville. 

So Jo Ann, Rob, and I repaired to the porch, ordered a pizza, and settled in for some quiet time together.  It was quite nice.  We ate and talked.  I don't spend a lot of time with them when the boys aren't around, so it was kind of a treat for me.  After dinner we went in the house and I sat with Izzie until her Mom came to get her.  She really is a sweet child. 

Miss Kat and Dana were on their way in tonight so we settled in to wait for them.  When they arrived I got to spend some time with them.  I haven't seen them in a couple of weeks, and I've been missing them.

But it was getting late.  There was no sign of the boys, and I had been up early.  I said my goodnights and turned in.  It was a long, good day. 

A post in which I am headed for Savannah!

As it turns out, I wasted half the day myself.  Not sleeping in, which of course was impossible (althought I slept longer than I thought I would), but doing all the last minute prep to leave the house. 

I got up and made myself a nice breakfast, then cleaned up after that.  I packed toiletries and the last minute things as I got ready to go.  I saw to the cats.  I packed the last of the food into a small cooler to take for lunch later.  It seemed silly to stop and buy something when I was going to have to throw food out when I got home.  That took care of the last of the food in the fridge quite nicely, but of course all of that takes time.  Ironically, I finally got on the road about 11am - the time I said we would have left if Russ had lollygagged around. 

The weather has been odd.  It has rained every day for what seems like forever.  I ran in and out of it most of the way down.  When I changed highways in Columbia, it was raining so hard that we were going 27mph in the fast lane, emergency blinkers going, with the windshield wipers beating frantically to try to keep up.  You could still just see the car in front of you.  Ten minutes later, it was beautiful.  Weird. 

I stopped on the side of the road and had a nice little impromptu picnic on the side of the road.  Pasta salad, lemonade, and a tomato sandwich.  I stopped and got gas and some junk for dessert a little later.  I enjoy Rohnda's company, and would have enjoyed her company on the ride down, but I had some books on CD from the library, and started listening to one called Becoming Marie Antoinette.  It was pretty interesting, and kept me company.  It's a historical fiction, and not bad.

The ride down was long, but not endless.  This was the first time I had used the new GPS from Dad and Eve.  Although she told me they had problems with it, it worked beautifully for me.  Eventually, I ran through a final spit of rain and arrived. 

Surprisingly, Russ and Billy were there.  They were supposed to go see Russ's mom today, but since he apparently hadn't informed her of this (more volunteering without notice), she wasn't home when he called.  He was in a mood, and almost immediately left to go off by himself for a while.  I offered to go with him, but he didn't want company.   Jo Ann immediately ushered me onto her new, huge, glorious screened in porch.  She was on tenterhooks to get it completed before the gang came, and it triumphantly was.  It is wonderful. 

Miss Izzie was in residence, and although she is a precious child, she is a child.  But she was there last year, so it wasn't so unexpected.  And she's getting older now, so she isn't quite such an attention hog.  Molly was there too.  She's a sweet girl, and I really like her.  We all visited and caught up.  Molly and I went for a dip in the pool. 

So kind of a funny thing happened tonight.  Logan came in.  He had spent the week with friends and so hadn't seen the boys.  Naturally when he came in he climbed Billy like a monkey.  Logan needs a LOT of petting and touching - it's just part of who he is.  The funny part was Izzie's reaction.  She was not at all well for it.  She regards Logan (which she pronounces as 'Looooogan' as her boyfriend, and she was not at all pleased with so much of his attention focused away from her.  They did eventually go back to her room for a bit and he looked at some of her toys with her, but she was in a right little snit about it for a while. 
Dinner tonight was pork chops, but Jo Ann had picked up some mushrooms at the store for me.  I did a fricasee out of them and ate them over the Rice-A-Roni.  They acutally turned out quite good.  There was also steamed broccoli.  Jo Ann, being Jo Ann, asked for my advise on how to cook it, and then explained in detail why she couldn't use any of my suggestions.  Eventually I just left her to it and went back in the other room.  But dinner was nice, and we enjoyed the meal together.  Molly, being a such a sweet girl, cleaned up the kitchen almost single-handedly. 

We ended up the evening relaxing on the porch, watching videos on the now-ubiquitous pads, visiting, cracking jokes, and talking.  It was absolutely delicious after the rough beginning to the week, and I could just feel the tension leaving me.  A very nice beginning to the trip. 

A post in which things are back in order

For the most part. 

Jeffrey (thank God) came in today.  I immediately forwarded him my works in progress, and he was able to get the weekly reports finished fairly quickly. The meetings for those numbers, though re-scheduled, were able to happen. 

I turned back to my regular work and got my desk sorted so I could leave.  I would have been happier if he had completed the US short form today, but it isn't due until Friday, and he'll be in the office tomorrow, so it shouldn't be an issue.  I checked in with my boss before I left, and let him know the status on things.  It's hard for me to leave the office without knowing that things will run smoothly and be turned in on time, but I really have done all I could do to foster that this month.  There will be plenty of time to finish up all the Canada work after I return (their schedule is different than the US - much more sane, and there is actually time to do the work).

I got home and collapsed, drunk on the luxury of having some time off, and rather limp after all the stress of the week.  The last two days were some of the hardest I have had with the company, and I am profoundly grateful they're over. 

I had a message today from Russ about the ride down again.  Apparently some time between last night and this morning, Rhonda changed her mind about going.  So I'll be riding down by myself.  I am so glad I didn't agree to go down tonight.  There is no way I want to do that drive after the last couple of days. 

Tonight I stayed in and ate left-overs.  I am trying to clean the perishables out of the fridge before I leave.  I finished laundry and packed.  I made a small batch of lemonade out of the last lemon in the house, which needed to be used.  I watched Master Chef, which is really good this season.  I hoped that the one I hate would be sent home tonight, but they decided to keep her. 

Tomorrow - Savannah!

A post in which the torture continues

So after a night of stress-induced insomnia, I got up and got ready for work.  I dreaded it, but at least I knew what was coming today.

Canada was back up.  I was able to pull an aging, and the reports started flooding in.  In between doing the reserveres I did as much as I could on the weekly reports, did my slides on the US monthlies, and prayed that Jeffrey would be back tomorrow.  I had a meeting with my boss today, during which I explained to him that one man in Manila was apparently running the entire department.  I also explained that the US short form was due Friday, and that I was worried I wouldn't be able to take my day off on Friday, but he assured me that I could. 

One of the new revenue streams, that I thought was sorted, is still screwed up.  No one here (including the VP in that area) has a clue how to report that portion independently.  They'll have to write a new report for that.  In another area, I sent an email to that manager and my boss, basically telling them that they needed to come to an agreement about how to report yet another revenue stream diversification.

Then I turned my attention to yet another problem area.  The manager of this department has formally been rather a pet of mine.  He's good-looking, personable, and up until this point has seemed relatively compitent in my dealings with him.  Until today.  He (and as previously reported, this is not unique) has no idea how the accounts in his own area are split out for reporting purposes.  I basically sent him a combined aging and told him to sort it out.  He told me that he did, but his split of accounts didn't balance to the overall total for his area. FOUR times today.  And this after I repeatedly explained to him that all the parts had to add up to the whole.  Now part of this was that he started out trying to use another report to balance to mine, but even after he started using what I sent him, he failed to re-add the split to make sure it totaled correctly before sending it to me yet again!  He was making me nuts with that today.  By the end of the day, one of his reports balanced, and the other still did not.  I sent it back to him, and when I got his out-of-office reply, I left.  After all the stress of the last two days there was no way I was hanging around to work on problems the managers themselves handle with blithe indifference.

By the end of the day, I no longer felt that I was at sea.  I have a handle on things.  I have gotten a lot done, and with the work I've done, we should be able to get the month back on line tomorrow if all goes as it should.  So I don't feel as crazy as yesterday.  I am just frustrated with the people here that can't manage their own fucking areas.

At this point, I'm just hoping that Jeffrey will be back tomorrow, and that I'm able to take my days off.  That's what is strengthening my flagging hold on sanity at this point. 

I found out today that Russ is refusing to go to Savannah on Thursday.  They're leaving Wednesday night without fail, so I told them to go down without Rhonda and me.  I would have loved to spend the time with them (not to mention sharing the driving), but there is just no way I want to be on the road half the night tomorrow.  I called Rhonda and talked to her about it tonight.  She understands. 

A post in which work is killing me

At first, it seemed like it would be an ordinary day.  I came in to close the month.  It wasn't quarter end.  It is a short week this week, but I figured I would have things pretty much under control.  Oh how mistaken I was.

The first thing I do at month end is pull agings.  I couldn't get into the Canadian system.  It is Canada Day.  The whole office was out, and they shut down the entire system for maintenance.  No reports were coming out.  I couldn't even pull an aging.  That was a pisser. 

Then I noticed that Jeffrey was unresponsive.  Apparently his grandmother died last week.  Funeral processes are quite extensive in Manila, and he won't be back in the office until Wedensday.  Presentations are due in on Friday.  Grrrr. 

I started working on the weekly reports and presentation myself.  We are supposed to have written procedures in place on how to complete reports, but the weekly slides change about once a month.  It is almost impossible to keep up with all the changes if you're not actually preparing the reports - which no one in my office is doing.  I reached out to the supervisors of the various departments for help, only to find that most of them had no idea how their accounts were divided into factions - their own accounts, mind you.  GRRRRRR.

So I started fighing that battle.

By the end of the day I was disgusted, frazzled, and discouraged.  I went home to re-group.

I talked to Logan today about driving his car back from Savannah.  He admitted that the master plan was a suprise to him, but said he was OK with it.  I talked to Rhonda and she's OK too.  So all that remains is to firm up the leaving date with Russ.  They're going down either Wednesday night or Thursday morning.  I definitely want to go down Thursday morning, even if we lose half the day.  The rationale for going down Wednesday night is that Russ won't get out of bed early enough to go.  He is quite a slugabed.  But if we have to lose half the day so be it.  With the way this week is shaping up, it would be WAY too stressful to have to be ready to leave after work on Wednesday.