SHIFT BID

When you are 153 out of 160, there isn't much of a "shift bid." But, theoretically, as a close relative would say, I did my shift bid last week. I still have Sun/Mon off, but I will be on a flex-shift of 1-4 pm; whenever I start I'm off 8 hrs later. I could be off as early as 9 or as late as midnight.

One good point is that I can sleep in. Another one is that Wiener will have 24-7 care. She will love it. Bob and I will wave at each other as we pass in the night or early morning hours. I'll be coming home about the time he goes to work and he will be coming home about the time I have to go to work. And, of course, we don't have the same days off. It will also impact my participation in the Christmas program. I will have this shift for about 6 months unless a shift becomes available and no one else wants it. Oh well. It's only life.

It was a privilege to be able to go to a new resort restaurant on Thursday. I think it might be a little too "limited" for the "usual" palate, but everything was interesting, at least. (The desserts are to die for) And, I had several friends and relatives with me. A good time was had by all.

On Tuesday or Wednesday, I will take a tour of the new resort. One of the advantages of my job is that we get to visit all the new "things" that open so that we are able to answer questions about the areas. I am looking forward to doing that also.

I don't know how my new shift will work out, but it is certainly something new and different. I'll keep you posted.

REALLY TICKED OFF

Dr Andrew has made a pronouncement - Wiener needs to lose weight. SHE IS NOT A HAPPY CAMPER. He also changed her brand of "dog food." (She hates it.) After a week of not eating anything, I called Andrew and he said to put her back on her regular food. Since that little fiasco didn't work, she has gone on a "hunger strike" and has quit eating dog food altogether, or two or three pieces of food per every second or third day. Rather than let her go without food, guess who caved in first. I'll give you a hint - It wasn't Bob. I bought some rotisserie chicken from Publix; separated it into several sets; put it in baggies and threw it in the freezer. I also had some roast beef that was frozen. The only thing she likes better than chicken is . . . you got it, roast beef.

I don't like admitting that a small, feisty, little thing like Wiener is so stubborn that I would give in first, but I couldn't stand seeing her NOT eat. Her stomach would make all sorts of rolling and grumbling sounds. She has this very pitiful look that almost makes you cry when you see her. I call that her "squinty-eyed" look. She squints at you, as if she is trying to find out just what you are thinking and then opens up those "brown-black" little marbles and looks so TOTALLY innocent and can't even imagine why you would be upset with her; throws herself on the floor and shows her stomach to you so that you can rub her tummy. She is such a brat. But, a cute one isn't she? even if she is looking more like a bratwurst than a wiener. The real question is - Is she sitting or standing? It's really hard to tell.

Davy has still got it.

One of my perks, is being able to have "ring-side" seats to concerts. At the Davy Jones concert in one of the parks, I was up close and personal or he was. We also went to another concert with the Turtles, but I haven't down loaded the pics yet.

Work is really crazy. We're probably one of the few departments on property that have overtime. I've already told friends there that if I EVER say yes to any more over time to just smack me up the side of the head. On Friday, I worked over and after 3pm, everything just went DOWN HILL with the calls. My last call ended with a man wanting to talk with a manager who could guarantee the temperature of the swimming pool because I couldn't guarantee it. (I really DO like my job though most of the time. I was just tired.)

I took off today because I didn't feel well. It was a (blustery day) yucky, windy, rainy day and even though this job is inside, I still was glad I was home and not out in it.

Bob took off some vacation days, but picked up 8 hrs at one of the parks to cover his "Seasonal" status. He's probably not happy it was so rainy. Although he is usually under cover, the wind has been so strong that he probably got quite wet even with a poncho. And, a person I'm not supposed to write about will be gone next week to GMA awards. I asked if he needed help. He assured me he didn't.

Spent the day yesterday with a friend that had surgery. He is in some kind of pain today. Men are such wimps. It's a good thing they weren't designated to have babies. And yet, if they were, the population would be less than half of what it is not. So, that could be one method of birth control. I think I'll suggest that for the next time God creates something.

WIENER OR ME?

Analogies have never been easy for me. I used them when I taught in 5th grade, but I had the answer book to check the real meanings so I would be able to use them in class. I rarely use them in conversation and I certainly don't advocate trying to use them if you don't know their meanings. But comparisons I can and do use, especially when I am trying to move to another level of learning.

Yesterday I saw my own behavior in Wiener (For the uninformed she is our dachshund) - Not a pretty sight. She is extremely stubborn, self centered or at best self absorbed, unwilling to listen, and manipulative. For some reason, she has decided to pee (at will) on the carpet in our apartment. I have rubbed her nose in it; put her in time out; cut off her rewards; and, spraying the areas with some unpleasantly scented sprays to no avail. She will come in from just being outside, and go on the carpet.

I want to clarify something up front - I DON'T PEE ON THE CARPET!!! But, at times, I can be stubborn, self centered, etc... I still try the same stuff and expect different results - go figure. I'm not totally stupid. I do have an education. I am fairly capable, most of the time. Wiener-like behavior gets me absolutely no where with anyone, especially not with God. And, unlike the aggressive salesmen on TV, true life is absolutely not like Burger King - God does not make deals and I can't have it "MY WAY." And, yet I still try. At times I hate being human.