this n that

I finished a Dean Koontz book today. The characters in some of his books are so likeable and they usually crack me up..........

I took a nap today and so I'll probably be up late tonight. It's not a big deal as I'm off work tomorrow. I'm snacking on green olives. I love green and black olives. 5 olives have only 20 calories, but they're loaded with sodium.

I just called oldest son. He stopped over earlier today but I was napping and missed him. So I called him to say hey. It's almost midnight but it's Saturday so I knew he'd be up. Him, my middle son, and their dad were out shooting pool. When I called him he invited me to join them. Part of me wanted to, but I didn't want to leave daughter here alone, didn't feel like dressing, and I really didn't feel like putting up the necessary "walls" to be around their dad.

We've postponed our trip to Colorado. I put in my vacation request in Feb. for the last week of June and first week of July.. When we were (in mid May?) told our company had sold we were also told no vacations would be granted for the month of June. The new owners, assuming we are rehired, probably won't be giving any vacation time until we've worked for them for a year........and I guess our present owners are going to save a buck by not granting any vacations. Kinda sucks. My plan is to call off sick with my weekend off and take a total of 5 days in June. I'll use the sick time i've earned. It's not the 12 days vacation I planned on taking, but atleast it's something. Boyfriend, daughter, and I will probably go to Tennessee. If the new company hires me, and if I decide to stay with them, I'll use the same plan I used last Christmas. I won't miss a day of work for 6 months, I won't be tardy, and I'll work like a dog. But come Christmas I'll call in sick. Sorry. I've worked my share of holidays over the years, and I continue to work them. I draw the line when it comes to Christmas. I want to be with my family on that day, as most people do....................it's not something I'm any longer willing to give up.

A month ago when my mom was in the hospital and after visiting her, my father and I walked to the parking lot together. While in the parking lot we stood together and talked for several minutes. Before we separated and went to our own cars, dad said to me "you have good kids, Sandy. You've done a good job raising them." I was shocked. My dad has many wonderful qualities, but when it comes to giving compliments, he's like the Simon Cal of American Idol.................and he just doesn't talk mushy talk very often. He shows his love in other ways. I love my dad, and I still look up to him. His opinion matters to me.................so when he said to me what he said, it meant the world to me...................................