This work thing is hard
Intel has gone a little nutty. We laid off 1,000 managers on July 13 with their end date being July 28. That makes for a lot of work right now. And we got news that more cuts were going to be made. We just don't know who or where yet. I just didn't realize how much work stress invades my life until I was off for 7 weeks and came back. I have been having work nightmares the last couple of nights. I suppose I will start taking my anti-anxiety medicine before bed again.
The knee has been giving me a great deal of trouble since returning to work. I still go to physical therapy twice a week. Randy, my PT, says that I am making very good progress. But he also said the pain I am feeling could last as long as 6 months. Six months?!?! If I had known that, I probably wouldn't have had the surgery. One of the aides at the clinic says that my legs are getting buff. I just laugh at the thought that there is anything buff about me. :-)
We had a nice birthday with Larry. I made him the cake I made for Paul but he had chocolate pudding for a filling. He seemed to enjoy it thoroughly. Because it was over 100 degrees, we did take him out to dinner at PF Changs, an upscale Chinese restaurant. We had a great time and enjoyed the truly awesome food.
It is hard to believe that it is almost August already. I don't know where the first 7 months of the year went. It has been a busy year full of change, pain and sadness. But, it has also brought love, light and laughter as well. I guess it has been bittersweet. I am hoping that the rest of the year brings more joy than tears, more hope than despair, and more love than anything else.
Peace, love and joy,
Louise
Back at work
Back at work and things are slow. Intel is undergoing an efficiency study right now to see how we can become more nimble. I hope they don't stop by my desk anytime soon.
It has been great to see everyone and get caught up. It hasn't been easy pain wise. The swelling in my leg is so bad that I am having a hard time putting on the blasted support hose. My leg just throbs by the end of the day. And, well, the pain is incredible. I think it is all the walking I have to do everyday. I swear that they put in an invisible football field between my desk and the bathroom. The building is much larger than I remember it. Getting a cup of ice water turns out to be a real challenge.
Today is Paul's birthday. I am so excited for him. I spent Sunday in the kitchen making his birthday cake. I made, from scratch, a chocolate buttermilk cake with raspberry filling and chocolate ganache as icing. We cut into it on Monday and this one came out really good. Larry and Brandon are coming over for dinner tonight. We will see if we have any cake left after they get through with it.
Hope all is well with everyone.
I go back to work on Monday
I am so excited to be returning to week. I may not feel the same on Monday afternoon but today, I can't stand the waiting. I am bored with being at home. I am tired of movies, books and TV. I am tired of Sudoku and Kakuro. I just want some work to do. My manager is dying for me to come back.
I have read some very good books while I have been on leave. I think that
Memoirs of a Geisha was my favorite. I liked
Angels and Demons as well but it is a typical book for me.
Memoirs was outside the realm of books I usually read so I just loved it.
I am going to miss watching What Not to Wear everyday. Of course, I have watched so much of it that I am now completely self-conscious about the clothes I wear. I critique everything I put on and am never satisfied now. I always ask myself what would Stacy and Clinton say? Sad, isn't it?
Well, I am going to watch Lord of the Rings: Return of the King this afternoon as my last day off.
Love to all.
Big Bird?
| You Are Big Bird |
 Talented, smart, and friendly... you're also one of the sanest people around.
You are usually feeling: Happy. From riding a unicycle to writing poetry, you have plenty of hobbies to keep you busy.
You are famous for: Being a friend to everyone. Even the grumpiest person gets along with you.
How you live your life: Joyfully. "Super. Duper. Flooper." |
It's been a long time
I haven't been online in weeks. I don't know why. I just haven't felt like it. I have been watching movies and reading books instead of playing online. I have read some great books in the last several weeks.
Memoirs of a Geisha - Excellent
Deception Point - Very good
State of Fear - Excellent
Whiteout - I really loved this one.
Angels and Demons - Excellent
I have read others but those stand out among the books I have read. There really is nothing better than a good book. I have put down these books and have missed the characters. I wasn't really sure I was going to like Memoirs of a Geisha but found myself drawn into the story, fascinated about the look into that part of Japanese society.
Paul and I had a nice long weekend for the Fourth of July. Thanks to the world's greatest physical therapist, I turned a corner with the pain. We have been to the world's largest Costco located close to where we work. We went to Fort Vancouver to see Larry in Sing Forth, a singing competition. Larry did an excellent job and I think he should have been in the top three. Complete strangers came up to him afterwards and told him what a great job he did. We are so very proud of him and his dedication to his art.
Nothing else has been going on around here. If anyone understood what happened in that movie Syriana I would be glad to hear it. I watched the entire thing and just couldn't figure it out. I am trying to decide if it is just me.
Love to all.
