Oh, Really?

I have been a little lax in posting recently. I think that is for more selfish reasons of trying to get my act together than the fact I just didn't want to write. I hope I can be forgiven for not writing.

Anyway, nothing much has happened here recently. Last evening, Stephen, J. and Bill, and the Grand Matriarch went to the Columbia CheeBurger CheeBurger for a cancer fundraiser. I got to meet a couple of Stephen's high school friends and the Grand Matriarch really was pleased by the people she got to see by going to the event. Good food. Great company! Who could ask for much more?

I have also decided that I officially feel old. I have been interacting with Stephen since October of 1996 and have listened to him speak of his family for so long, I felt like I knew most of them before I got to know them. He spoke often of his briliant niece and I was delighted when I finally got to meet the special young lady. That special young lady will be graduating from high school in a week. It seems like yesterday that Stephen and I married and I gained such a wonderful niece. I hope her future brings her all the happiness that live can provide.

Oh... and one last thing... I predict that Adam Lambert will win Idol tonight. But I want Kris Allen to win. *Fingers crossed for the upset*! GO, Kris!

Second Day...

Today, I woke up at a "respectable" 2:20 am. Got up and drank a cup of french vanilla espresso. Although, I don't not enjoy being without company when I get up, it is amazingly peaceful. Left the house at around 3:30 am. Got to the door and there was already a crowd waiting to get in. 5 minutes later, no one had let anyone in. At 3 til, the key person arrived and let all the people in the building. Wooohooo! The start of another beautiful planogram-er-rific morning. I have never been so glad to see 12:30 come around. I looked like a student running out of school on the last day of school. Stephen had been at lunch and he saved me some chicken fingers and some bread. I am so grateful since my lunch was at 9 am.

I have discovered muscles in my back that I didn't even know could give pain are now hurting from the "power squatting" I'm doing with the planograming. I think, if you currently do not have stock in Aspirin maker Bayer, with the amount I'm taking, you should really think about purchasing some. They are going to get rich on me.

Dinner was absolutely wonderful. J outdid herself again with the stew beef over egg noodles. I never can get tired of J.'s home cooking. What a great mother in law I have.

One more hour til bedtime. Some day I might even get used to going to bed while the sun is still shining brightly.

First Day Of Work

Argggg! I feel stiff!

Today was the first day of work at my new job. I have to be at work at 4 am and get off at 12:30. I am not saying I hate my new job because I honestly think I like it. However, I work with a device that is about the size of a PDA and I am having a really hard time reading the device. The frustration level is really high right now. I emailed my DORS representative and he, although was somewhat supportive, really is annoyed I accepted this job and warned me "no job is forever". I want to give myself days to see if I need to say something to someone about the vision issues. I mean, I am not only learning but trying to work quickly and efficiently. Maybe some of it will become easier with rote! Planning on working on learning this week and, if I still feel the way I do today about the PDA device, will find someone to discuss the issue with.

The Agony.... Derby Day, A Birthday, and that Crab Smell

Today is my father in law's birthday. Normally, I would be be psyched. Another Wenzel birthday should mean family time. Not in the case of my FIL. His birthday wish? He wanted some crabs and to be left alone in front of the TV to watch the Kentucky Derby ALLLLLLLLLLL day. Since 10:30, he has been in front of the tv with his crabs watching all the races. I hope he is having fun because I am not. That crab smell is making me feel like I am going to lose my lunch. That is IF I had eaten lunch... which I didn't... because it reaks of crabs in HERE!

I hope he finishes those... things... soon. I cannot stand this smell much longer and I want out of here!!!!

Sometimes I Wonder...

You know, some days I just wonder why things happen the way they do. I spoke with my biological mother this morning and she informed me that she had had a stroke. I admit, my first concern was not if she was doing better or whether or not she was ok. It was, what would I have done if she wasn't ok. Would I have hopped the first flight? Would I have thrown my hands up in disgust and let others handle the situation. And, almost immediately, I felt guilt because I didn't know what I would have done. Whether people like it or not, she is the woman who gave birth to me. I do not wish pain or conflict upon the woman who is almost as accident prone as I am. (AT least I can say I get it naturally!) What would I do? Would I do the same for her that I would do for any other family member. What if my biological grandfather, whom I have probably spent a grand total of 4 hours in his presence, died? What then? Would I go? Would I hestitate to go unlike if my 3 remaining grandparents were in poor health. I would be there in a heartbeat for my family... but would I be there for Sandy's family. I would do anything for Stephen's relatives. But, would I do anything for those who share my blood? I only hope I never have to know the answer to the extent of this selfishness I feel.

What The Heck IS A Planogram?

I have been asking myself this several times in the last 24 hours. WHAT IS a PLANOGRAM? Let us turn to Webster's to get our answer. Planogram: A visual plan which designates the placement of products on a retail store's shelves and displays. The planogram is often delivered in the form of a diagram or drawing, and is usually created by a visual merchandising employee or the merchandising team. Ok... I know I understand this concept. So, why the heck does it matter to me? My new job (yay, me... really 9 to 5 job!!!) has me being a Planogramer in a retail setting. Actually the new job is a 4:30 am to noon job, but you get the point. When I accepted my job, had very little understanding of what one was and what it is used for. But, now, I am excited about starting my new occupation as a planogramist? A career in Planogramy? What the heck do you call someone who creates planograms?

Wait a second... I have to get up at quarter til 4 every morning Monday through Friday? I'm going to have to learn to love coffee. :)

By Popular Demand... Introducing Blitz!

I know... I know! There is a photo of a snake on my blog! His name is Blitz the Blizzard Corn Snake. And, he just so happens to be our other family pet.

Blitz was born in the summer of 2005, probably around my anniversary (July 9th). When I got him, he was the length of a sharpened #2 pencil minus an eraser (about 6 1/4 inches) and the diameter of computer power pack cable. Today, he is nearly 4 3/4 ft long and is the diameter of a endoscope. When I got him, he ate a pinky mouse (smallest rodent avaliable) 1 time per month. Now, he eats a small mouse 2 times per month. His favorite place to sleep is inside the cat head. The cat head was once a birdhouse owned by J. and Bill. But, J. found it to be of better use as a snake habitat. The bedding in his aquarium is crushed walnut shell and on average, his aquarium temperature is between 75 and 78 degrees during the day and around 72 at night.

Yes, the snake is a light pink color with a darker pink color. Yes, I have been bitten by Blitz. Yes, he has pink eyes like an albino. Yes, he has an abnormally tiny head for a snake of his size. Yes, he has escaped before. Yes, obviously we found him. Yes, he could still get bigger (around 5ft).

No... he won't get any darker during his life. The color he is now is approximately the color he will be for the remainder of his life. No... he isn't poisonious. It feels like a small prick when he bites and it always bleeds. He isn't not overly fond of being picked up anymore and I do so only wearing gloves because he wants to chomp on anything mobile. No, he may somewhat have a copperhead pattern, but he is most definately a corn snake and not a copperhead. I would not keep a baby copperhead and I think Petco would never sell one. No, he doesn't escape any more. He has a new aquarium since he escaped last and this one is supposidely "snake proof". When he got out the two other times, he immediately found a safe place to sleep in Bill's bowling ball. I don't think he'd fit in the ball anymore, though. No, I don't plan on getting rid of him any time soon. Rather fond of the little guy.

Why did I post a photo? Had a couple requests to see how the little guy was progressing. He isn't so little anymore. Matter of fact, he is nearing big snake status. Should be done growing by this time next year. I'm hoping he tops out under 5 feet because he is getting pretty strong and the cat thinks he looks like food. He thinks the cat looks like food. Those two get hours of entertainment value out of each other. Snake: Are you food?? You smell like food! Cat: Oh, good! Snack! You wouldn't be a big challenge. I think they both fool themselves. The other would be a challenge and, in a fight, I think the cat would lose. Then again, the snake isn't too bright. His food is dead when he gets it and doesn't know how to stalk live prey.

Hope you enjoyed the Blitz.