The Fighting Irish

Well work has not gotten any better with my boss now channeling his boss' ill feelings towards me. This means that this week will be a battle, which has me exhausted. I just want to do my job, not deal with the petty falsehoods that keep getting thrown at me.

I was happy to have taken Friday off. I sorely needed a day off after everything. I was going to head to the beach but my Dad offered up pool time and I accepted. The ladies were heading to Boston so it was man day at the pool, plus me.

Things started off ok with hot weather and a perfect pool temp. There were plenty of beers flowing and not a lot of food. I was not in any mood to drink at all. The day was a lot of fun, but definitely took a turn for the worse. My brother and father decided to have it out. Nothing quite like two stubborn, lubricated with beer, Irishmen and a wrong (perceived or real). I, being an equally stubborn but stone cold sober Irish girl decided to break things up. The men in my family are know for their temper and while I have that temper, it rarely comes to the surface. It was in full force breaking up my brother and Dad. I got my brother to my car and took him home. The whole time all I wanted to do was eat my hot dog as I was starving.

Luckily my hot dog was unscathed and even better with a boatload of adrenaline in my system. It is not one of my high points having to break up my Dad and brother from a fight, but I am glad I was there. I will be sending both of them the bill for my massage this weekend and my next 5 yoga classes :-)

Birthday on the Road

Of course it was my birthday and of course I spent it just the way I wanted - in Dallas working my butt off. Actually I would have rather been sitting by the pool or on the beach. But the database relaunch rolled on and of course, the only day I would have taken off in July would be the day I had to fly to Dallas. It turned out to be a good birthday, in spite of being away from all my friends and family here.

The funny thing about my birthday is that as much as it always involves fireworks (due to it's falling right after the 4th of July) and lobsters there is another constant that means it's my birthday. Peach pie. My stepmom always makes me a peach pie. This year she made it for the 4th since I would be there. The only problem was that the pie ended up on the dessert table. Well of course it got eaten. My stepmom was so upset. I did point out that I was traveling so a pie would have gone to waste. Luckily birthday pie #2 was safe from the dessert table.

Crustaceans and Pyrotechnics

Of course if it's the Fourth of July then it must mean a cookout with my family. While last year it was a delicious pig roast this year went more with an ocean theme. Steamers and a lobster bake (lobsters, kielbasa, potatoes, corn) all cooked over hot rocks under a blanket of seaweed and wet burlap. Everything was incredible and my lobster was quite a monster. The lobster cracker proved no match for the massive claw that took prodding with a hammer to yield it's meat.

It was also nice to be outside. It was not a particularly hot day but the sun was shining and it was nice to quite to relax and catch up with family. After working non stop and getting ready for travel, I needed a break. Of course being the 4th of July in addition to good food there also were amazing fireworks. All in all a great day!

Busy. Busy. Busy.

Since life has been nothing but chaotic and drama filled over the last two weeks, I am first focusing on the lovely peonies in the photo. They are birthday peonies (really they are just plain peonies but since it's my birthday weekend they are birthday peonies). They have all opened into their fluffy blooms and the scent is amazing and makes me smile every time I catch a whiff. The benefit of buying peonies and not merely cutting them from the garden is there are no ants.

I do love flowers that actually have a scent and as the woman in front of me at Trader Joe's yesterday said, there is nothing more disappointing than a gorgeous rose that doesn't smell like anything. All flash and no substance. When I pointed out I knew people like that, she chuckled.

Work has been continued drama with my clueless boss and his boss who dislikes me. I, not being a shrinking violet, marched to HR to defend myself and the drama continues. Basically instead of focusing on all the things I did accomplish (and worked my butt off last weekend for) I got dinged for such minor items that I am truly insulted. So once my travel in July for the database relaunch is done it may be time to move on. It sucks not being appreciated for all my hard work.