She’s getting the boot

It was only a matter of time, but it finally happened.

Got a call a few nights ago from my bff@work. Said things had gotten out of hand at home, and he needed to get away.

SHOCKER!

The woman he moved into his house is a psycho. Trust me. From one to another. She’s fucking crazy!

He tells me story after story, and they get worse with each one. It’s unbelievable. Honestly, I’m surprised he’s kept her around this long, especially since his kids don’t like her, but that’s his decision. There’s obviously something about her that he likes. And most all of us that know the situation, cannot figure out what it is.

He’s asked her to move out, and it looks as if she’ll be moving out this weekend, but he doesn’t want their relationship to end. He just wants her to move somewhere else. I’m sure that’ll change. Once he sees what he gets when she’s gone, he’ll change his tune.

Guaranteed.

One Year

I just don’t know what to say.

For hours, I sat staring at this blank page. I’d start to type out a few words, but then delete them because they just didn’t express how I felt. Words that just didn’t say enough. I guess I’ll just make it simple.

It’s been one year since bff@work lost his wife. He misses her. And so do I.

We miss you, Kelly!

Friday Rant

Hi. Remember me? I used to blog here. I used to share things here that were important to me. Things that I wanted to share with others because, well, I just wanted to.

I blame it on not having a computer. It's a lame excuse, especially since I could technically blog from my phone, but really, who wants to type out a page long blog post with photos on a small iPhone screen? Not this girl. I refuse to blog from work. Work is for work. I don't have time to search the internet for cool quotes, or interesting pictures to post that wrap up what I'm writing about. I barely have time some days to post on Twitter. It's such a rough life, I know.

I have an actual reason for blogging today though. I'm annoyed. Big surprise, I know.
It's an actual annoyance. One that doesn't seem to go away. The kind that has a name.

For four years, bff@work and I developed a relationship that some didn't understand. We became even closer after the passing of his wife, but I was shortly forced from his life when the new woman came into town. He moved her into his home, and she took over his life. His entire life. She tells him where to go, and with whom.

A few days ago, I asked him to give me a ride to pick up my car from the shop. Imagine how surprised I was when I found out he had to come up with some sort of a lie to tell her, just so that he could go. Can you believe that? He had to LIE to the woman he professes to love, just so that he could help a friend. A friend that was in his life looooooong before she was. Un-freakin-believable. Sounds like a match made in heaven to me.

When I found this out, I became so mad, that I cancelled my plans for him to help me, and asked another. Someone more interested in helping, not someone who needs to hide secrets. I'm not interested in being part of some stupid game he's playing.

I thought he was a friend.
Guess I was wrong.
Really wrong.

Enjoy your weekend, folks.

-v

:-)

A holiday Christmas party at The Ranch, and K Mo and I are the only ones with Santa hats.

9/30 Things: List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.

In no particular order….

RJ: He makes me a better person. He gives me confidence that I can do anything. He makes me feel invincible.

BFF@work: He influences me to relax when I’m not working. He pushes me to enjoy time off and not let things beyond my control, control me.

StepDad: He raised me. Enough said.

JK: He makes me want to be a better girlfriend. ;-)

Sis: She influences me to play with her cats. Even if I don’t want to.

Squid: He influences me to be lazy. He’s one of my favorite people with whom to be lazy.

Mom: She taught me that hard work doesn’t always equal happiness.

Dad: Taught me about the kind of person I don’t want to be. He showed me an example of how unhappy life can be when you push everyone around you away.

Boss#1: He’s taught me the most about money.

DD: She is the one person, that makes me work hardest. She expects the most from me while I’m in the office. She doesn’t allow me to slack off. She is one of my closest friends.

Ghost Town

A few months ago, Sis mentioned she wanted to go check out this place. An old silver mining town just a few hours from our house. So, when Sis says she wants to go, we all go.

Bff@work and I hoped into his camper, while Sis and Squid followed in their car. No dogs, no kids. Just four adults, ready to spend three days out in the middle of the desert.

Oh my GOSH, it was so hot!!

The first thing we did, was set up camp. Then, I climbed to the top of one of the mountains and looked around. This is what I saw…. (that’s our campsite with the arrow)

As I looked down on our campsite, I was amazed at how beautiful this empty desert was. I stood there, staring at what was below me, and called a friend.

We walked through the small little town, overwhelmed by the simple way life was…

 

 

 

 

 

 

bff@work bought me this REALLY cute clock! (the pendulum has a star - can’t see because it’s moving).

One of my favorite things to do every night before I go to bed, is sit out in my backyard and look up at the stars. While we were camping, we stared at the stars every night. It was amazing.

I saw this really cool pocket watch décor item at one of the little shops. It wasn’t for sale, I asked. If anyone knows how to steal get this item, I’d be very grateful.

It was an amazing place and we had a really great time. If you ever find yourself near the Barstow area, it’s a cute little place to visit.

4:52am

I thought for days and days about saying goodbye. I heard him tell me about so and so coming by, and how maybe their seeing her is what she needed to peacefully pass. I'd listen to him ramble off names of people he figured it must be, all the while secretly trying to figure out what I would say if I went upstairs myself. Afraid of what might happen. I mean, if there ever was a time for her to suddenly sit up in bed, THIS would have been it.

I knew where I stood with this woman. I knew exactly. Her and I had conversations about things nobody knew we had. All because I wasn't afraid to ask about them. Emails that go back over a year or mores time, explaining. Although I was "just the coworker of her husband", she knew much more. And there wasn't one person I could share that with. Not even myself.

After getting my thoughts together, and three days later, I finally made the decision to go upstairs. As soon as I walked in, I knew that my prepared thoughts, were NOT what I needed to say. I held her hand, and said something completely different.

I was the last visitor she had.

He was relieved. Saddened, yes, but relieved that it was finally over. He held her as she took her last breath. It was the perfect scene of a romantic love story movie we've all seen a hundred times. From being high school sweethearts to having three children, they did it all together. With hiccups in the road, they both fought for each other. It was actual LOVE that carried their family around. It flowed through their house with ease. Something I'm not familiar with and still struggle with today.

Today we gather. To celebrate the things we remember about her, no matter happy or sad. People from all parts of their life, will come to pay respects.

My heart goes out to two boys who will no longer come home from work and share stories of their day with their mother. And to the daughter that will forever try to be, just like her mother. And to my bff@work, your strength throughout this has been amazing. You've shown me what family is supposed to be about. You have forever taught me something important.

-val

Awake.

It’s 4:20am and I’m awake. I’m awake because I’m sad. I’m sad for bff@work. Yesterday, his wife went into a coma. Doc came to the house and said, “any time now”. I’m sad because he’s sad.

I can tell things are different by the way his texts come across. His wording is different. Almost as if someone else is texting for him. It’s a bit of an uneasy feeling to all of a sudden be talking to someone you don’t know. Someone you have no connection to. It’s strange.

I’ve never lost someone close to me, other than my grandparents, so I’m not real good at “handling death” etiquette. I offer to be there for him and his family, to help with anything they need, to just be a shoulder to cry on, because that’s all I know to do. Will they ask for my help? Probably not. I’m nobody to them. Just a coworker.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

Live & Learn

As I get older and my relationships with people change, I learn more and more. I don't just go through life taking for granted everything that happens and never learning from mistakes or wrong decisions I've made. It's not how I was raised, and it's not how I've lived my life thus far.

The very first time I met JK, he got me into trouble at work. It was minor, and I laugh about it today, but it was trouble nonetheless. Perhaps it was his way of saying "notice me". Who knows. Whatever it was, I remember thinking to myself, "Why has this person been put into my life?" After six very long and exhausting years, I was finally able to answer that question.

The very first time I met Squid, I laughed. My then stepdaughters and I continually made fun of his nickname and couldn't believe this was the guy Sis was dating. I even remember saying to one of my stepdaughters, "I hope he's not around long." It's been seven years, and every day I'm reminded about how grateful I am to have him still in my life today. 

The very first time I met bff@work, he came into my office being loud and obnoxious, demanding something I couldn't provide to him. I was annoyed and remember thinking, "What did I do NOW?" Four years later, I have that answer too.

My point is, it may not be right away, but eventually there does come a time when things just become obvious. And I like that. It's so much easier to understand something when the answers are right in front of me. Sometimes, and only sometimes, I'm just not smart enough to figure it out on my own.

-v

A new friend

It’s been a rough couple of months for bff@work. Ever since he was told his wife was dying from liver disease, the stress, loss of sleep, and constant concern have taken its toll. He’s tired.

A few days ago, I sat and listened to him talk. For hours. I listened to him share genuine concerns for his and his children’s futures. He’s more scared than he wants to admit. And he knows I know it.

A surprise knock on my front door today made me smile. I received this gnome. A thank you gift.

I’m excited to see how the solar part of it works. And he needs a name. Any suggestions?

Happy Friday!

4:19 - incoming text: “I’ll be there in 7 minutes. just crossing the intersection.”

4:23 - phone rings: “I won’t be there. Just totaled my car. I’m bleeding, but feel fine. Car is smashed. My fault. Gotta go. Will call you back soon.”

This was a moment in time that seemed to stand still. For the next five minutes, everything happened in slow motion. Images of body parts laying on the floorboard of the driver side, flashed through my head as I tried to gain some sort of composure. I was, after all, still at work.

Tears started streaming down my face. A couple of coworkers tried to console me, but the irrational thoughts and fears had already taken up residence inside my mind. I wanted to drop everything and drive down there, but knew I’d just be in the way.

I phoned a friend to help calm my nerves. One I knew would be rational. Naturally she was concerned, but once she realized he was okay, her focus turned to what was actually making me so uneasy about it. Would I have reacted this way if it had been the guy I went out with last night? What about if it had been the person I met at the bowling alley last week? Probably not. And then she said it. She said those words that I never in a million years thought for one second anyone would ever say to me.

You love him, Val!

A phone call about 20 minutes later, put a little bit of relief to the situation. The ambulance had already been there to check him out. The car was up on the flatbed and being taken away. His dad showed up to take him home.

Know how many people in his family knew? None. Two phone calls were made. One to me and one to his dad.

I’m so happy he’s okay.

 

 

Dear bff@work: if anything happens to you, I’ll be real mad, please take care of yourself.

Welcome Back BFF@work

Ever since bff@work got his new "daytime" job back in January, The Ranch has been a totally different place for me. He used to spend a lot of time here, making sure feeding and cleaning was being done appropriately, kept me entertained with funny stories or rants, and always made sure my candy jar was full.

Because the hours of his daytime job are later, it allows me less time to see him. For me, it's unfortunate. For him, he's probably glad. (I annoy him just as much as he annoys me. We work well together like that.)

He was out of town for two whole weeks doing some sort of training for his job. I'm sure it was nice being out of town and away from the day-to-dayness of life, but he was SURELY missed here at The Ranch. The funny stories I heard from others aren't quite the same. :-/  And my candy jar was empty.

It was soooo fabulous to have him back yesterday. Things got taken care of that were otherwise left unattended. The comedy and rants are more hilarious than ever. And my candy jar is full again.

He’s baaaack

Thank goodness.

Showing up to The Ranch every day isn’t as glamorous as it sounds. Ha. Glamorous and The Ranch in the same sentence? No freakin’ way.

Anyway, it’s always so much better to come in to work knowing you’re favorite person is going to be around. And when there are gifts on my desk, it’s even better than I had expected. Check this out…

This is the new candy dish that was waiting for me, ever so beautifully wrapped on my desk, when he returned. I ♥ him and his wife.

This morning when I got in, it was full of SweetTarts. I’m not really a SweetTart kind of person, but somehow I managed to go through half the jar. *sigh*

I’m expecting some fabulous company this evening. Maybe dinner. Maybe a little snuggling. Who knows. I sure hope these SweetTarts I’ve eaten don’t put me in a sugar high I can’t come down from. Yikes!

Happy almost Friday, y’all.

Dear bff@work

On occasion, bff@work reads this blog. So, this is for him...

Dear bff@work:
I understand your need to "get away" from three kids and two jobs, but geez. Three days in Vegas is long enough. I miss hearing you yell at dumb things people do. I miss casually flirting with you. I miss hearing your lame jokes. Dude, I freakin' miss you.

Come back!

Don’t park like this

Went to run some errands with bff@work the other day. I was so annoyed at how rudely he parked, that I had to get out and take a picture. It was beyond irritating.

And I’m pretty sure I’ll never run errands with him again, if this is how he’s going to park every time. Grr.

Where’s John Goodman when you need him?

Tuesday was an exhausting day at work. I came home, prepared to relax and enjoy an evening with Sis and Squid (who were staying the night). That was, however, not what I got.

As I’m walking through the hallway, I hear one of the dogs barking some rapid fire bark. Annoyingly I yell, “Susie! What are you barking at?”, but before I could get the entire sentence out, I yelled out a blood curling scream. I looked back down the hallway, still screaming, as RM#1 looked at me with serious concern. I was pointing towards outside while screaming, so naturally, RM#1 thought something was wrong with one of the dogs. She expected to see a dog with a missing leg, or blood spewing everywhere. I promise she was not prepared for what she was about to see.

As I continued to scream, she ran down the hallway at what seemed like an extremely slow pace, and as she looked out the sliding glass door at what I was screaming at, she let out a scream that could be heard for MILES! This is no exaggeration. Susie continued to bark, as RM#1 pulled all the dogs inside.

Folks, this is what Susie was barking at…

There was a moment of time, where we thought this might have been a Halloween joke someone was playing on us. Then it moved and we screamed even louder. LOUD screams, y’all, I’m not kidding. Two different neighbors came over to see if everything was okay because they heard the screaming. We were sweating from the fear, and had chills from the ewwyness of it. My anxiety level reached a point I hope it never does again. Simply put…I. Was. Scared. She called three different people to come over, all while screaming into the phone at everyone who wouldn’t answer.

Finally, about 15 minutes later, it was bff@work to the rescue. It was safely removed, but not before we all did a bed check.

My bff@work

My BFF@work is an amazing person. His positive outlook, when things are very shitty, is honorable.

A few weeks ago, he found out that the plumbing division of the company he works for, had been bought out by a Japanese company. Freakin’ yippee! All-of-a-sudden, he was out of a job.

Whoa!

Just then, everything changed.

His wife, who has been medically off work, felt the guilt of not working settle in and take up residence in her mind. One of his three kids was off to college, but had to come home because the expense was just too much. He’s picking up odd jobs here and there, but of course, that just adds more stress. It’s heartbreaking, and I so desperately wish there was something I could do to help. Or even take away a little of the frustration.

But then I catch him in the middle of one of the jobs.

It’s then that I realize that when he gets another job, and is spending less time working around the ranch, I’m going to miss him. I’m going to miss his annoying personality. I’m going to miss his funny remarks, and his hilarious Bubba Gump jokes.  :-)

Until then, I’ll just continue to bother him as he works.

He says “goodbye”

Remember this post?

Got a message from bff@work this morning saying today was the day. Caiden had to be put down. The cancer had eaten through her leg so bad, she could hardly walk. Coming downstairs in the morning to have breakfast proved to be tougher than anyone had thought.

A hug and a card couldn’t stop the pain he was feeling, but I did promise him the pain would go away.

*Hugs*

When a tree falls in the woods, it DOES make a noise.

Whew! What a busy few days. After getting back from vacation in Oregon, I spent the week getting caught up at work, fixing a few things that went wrong, and getting ready for another vacation.

LZ and Squid wanted a weekend of camping, so camping we did.

… This is where we camped …

                    … and here …                

… This dragonfly hung out with us the first night we stayed …

… BFF@work came up with his wife. This was her chair …

… Here are the critters that annoyed us the 2nd night …

    … BFF@work and meee, cooking breakfast for all …       

… we all went for a walk (except Squid. he stayed to clean up camp) …

… this tree fell the first night we were there. sitting around the campfire, and all-of-a-sudden, it fell. cracked at the base. weird.

I saw, for the first time, poison oak. Guess what? It has THREE LEAVES! That’s all everyone kept telling me all weekend. I felt like saying, Isn’t here another plant in the world that has three leaves? What if I mistake all three leaved plants for poison oak now?

All my summer vacations are over. I have come down with what seems to be the beginnings of a cold, and I’m thankful it waited until vacations were over. Remember that episode of Friends where Monica had a cold, yet she thought she was still sexy enough to have sex with Chandler? Ha. That’s totally me right now. No matter how bad my cough is, or how runny my nose is, I’m still looking for …

Never mind. G’Night all!

Hello NyQuil. Welcome to my Monday night!

blah, blah, blah

Partied with a few friends the other night after partying with some other people earlier in the evening…

Unfortunately, in between beers, a certain someone dropped my iTouch. (warning: do not operate machinery when drinking heavily) Screen cracked, so it went into the shop today. :-( I’m sad about not having it for a few days, but at least I’ll have a non cracked screen when I go on vacation.

While I was giving them all my info for the warranty, the guy says to me “Do you know a JK?” An instant sigh ran through my body. For reasons beyond my understanding, my warranty info was put into his name. Not a big deal, and not annoying to anyone other than me. I am, however, grateful I didn’t have to call him to get permission to take his name off. Whew!

Hope your Monday was awesome! T-minus 5 days till vacation.