Oh Seesh!

Sorry, it's been well over a month since I last updated this blog! Well first off, Happy Thanksgiving & Merry Christmas! Past tense of course....at least I can say Happy New Year before it happens!

Well the reason probably why I was not able to update was that it was Toy Bank season, and things really get hectic for me. Its a very fast paced time of year for me and it goes by so quickly. This year we helped approx 85 families have a Christmas, that may not of had anything otherwise. New this year, we assisted 10 of those families with giving them a gift card to the local supermarket as well as a gift basket. It's truly a wonderful feeling I get when doing this program each year. Although it stresses me to the MAX, I still enjoy doing it. There were several occasions that I bite my dad's head off a bit, but who doesn't ....hehehe, my dad knows first hand all that goes on, so I am sure that he is a very understanding man.

My own holidays this year were lovely. Thanksgiving was great. Even better was the Black Friday shopping the day after with Tabs. Although there was nothing stellar out there for deals, we did manage to put a good dent in our Holiday shopping! Christmas came quickly this year, and for the first time ever I was out on the day before Christmas Eve trying to finish up my own shopping! (I worked a 24 hr shift on Christmas Eve, so I wasn't able to go out then). I spent this Christmas with my own family, and then in the afternoon made my way north to Ben's mother's house, in Maine for an afternoon Christmas and dinner there. Which was absolutely lovely there! All in all a fun holiday season!

So since early September we have been down a dispatcher at work. That means that in the past 3 months we have only had 3 people to work 24/7. I am a bit burnt out of work. On top of that HCAPS, the doctor's office that I work part time for, has wanted me more hours and at another location. So in all I am a bit burnt out, and cannot wait for the FD to hire someone so that I can use my days off as just that DAYS OFF! The new dispatcher has a start date of January 15th. And hopefully she likes it and will stay! That would mean that I get some much deserved and needed time off. See, the shifts that are open and need covering all fall on my regular 4 days off, they do not overlap one another. So when I work extra, its on my days off.

And this month was unique, in that we had a terrible ice storm early in the month. My apartment in Kingston was without power for 4 days, and without cable another 2 days. And since Hampton was hit just as hard, I was called in for extra coverage. So I practically lived at work for those first few days. When I was home, I would sleep during the day, which I typically do not do. After the ice storm, we had two back to back heavy snow storms, which left the area with about 14-16 inches of snow. Then this week, we've had warm weather, in fact on Sunday it was up near 60 degrees! Which basically got rid of all the snow. Gotta love this New England weather! lol. Then on top of that, a few days after we got power back the furnace in our apartment building went (in the middle of one of the snowstorms) and we were without heat and hot water for another 2 days! We went out and bought some space heaters though, which made it a bit more bearable.

I was sick for Christmas, Christmas Eve I was so miserable, a) I was at work for 24 hours straight, and b) I had a full blown cold and was miserable! I think I got sick because of staying in my apartment with no heat or power for several days, working too many shifts, and stressing about Toy Bank, I think the trifecta made my immune system weak that it just got sick. But I am much better now.

I am looking forward to New Year's Eve and spending the night with Ben and hopefully some of my friends. Then January is Nichole's Baby Shower, my Girl's Night In party, and a Rhode Island Christmas! And then in February I am flying down to Georgia (well Nashville, TN) to see my cousin Amy and spend a few days with her! I miss her so much and I am looking forward to seeing her. I have a lot to look forward to and a lot to be thankful for.

I wish you all the best in 2009!

The 10 Germiest Jobs in America

I got my annual flu shot last week and it got me thinking about germs this week--specifically how to avoid them. So a recent headline caught my eye: The 10 Germiest Jobs in America. Of course, I had to click and learn more. Here's the scoop ...

Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, whose nickname is "Dr. Germ," spoke to ABC News recently, about the germiest professions in America:

1. Teacher/day-care worker
2. Cashier, bank employee
3. Tech support/computer repair
4. Doctor or nurse
5. Lab scientist
6. Police officer
7. Animal control officer
8. Janitor or plumber
9. Sanitation worker (AKA garbage man/woman)
10. Meat packer

I think I'd add pest control workers to the list. Just think of those poor guys (and gals) crawling around in dark basements in search of rats. Ewww. I mean have you seen the show Verminators...gross!

And basically any job on Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe, I don't think that I would want to do. I used to work as a bank teller. Money is so gross, I've noticed now that toll-takers and cashiers are using gloves when they handle money. Probably a good idea. I remember reading something awhile ago about how much drug residue is left on money from the drug trade, crazy huh?

I still do work in a doctor's office, and its a very sick and germy place! That is why I get my flu shot each year, you never know who you are going to come into contact with. people have sneezed on me before. EWWWWW! Seriously! Cover your freakin mouth!

And, a quick side note about Purell, and all other alcohol-based hand sanitizers folks: These don't "breed" bacteria as many people fear (I've been seeing some comments to this extent on the blog, so I thought I'd speak up). It's easy to come to this conclusion given all the warnings from health experts about superbugs and how bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics, yada, yada, yada--but rest assured, hand sanitizing gels aren't the reason. These are alcohol based and don't contain any "antimicrobial" properties (most don't, anyway). It's antibacterial soaps and wipes that have some health experts worrying. The thought is that bacteria are becoming stronger and bolder as a result of our love-affair with antibacterial everything. So, Purel away--it just kills the bugs and doesn't make them grow bigger and stronger. And maybe read up on antibacterial soaps and products before using--just FYI.

Prop H8TE

So in case you lived under a rock, Californians passed Prop 8 banning gay marriages. Supporters of the bill stated that they wanted to protect marriage.

WTF people. If you wanted to protect the state of marriage, then ban divorce! Make people responsible for their actions. Let them marry who they want to but outlaw divorce! Protect marriage that way.

People get married and separate/divorce/dissolve marriages everyday and its terrible that people would enter into relationships and marriages like it was nothing.

STAY OUT OF PEOPLE'S BEDROOMS! Let them be happy and be with who they want to be with.

Just my 2 cents...

It's Early

It is a bit early this morning, but I thought I would post. I am practically living at the fire station for the next 2 weeks. I was talking to my cousin online the other night and I really cannot wait to go for a visit to see her. Still a ways away, but it gets closer each and every day ;-) That is most likely my next vacation....go figure February!

Toy Bank is going well. The ball is rolling and we have kicked off! The chili cook-off is the first public event, but all the motions that we go through have started. The guys were great, and all the boxes are already wrapped! I didn't have to wrap a single box this year! I've got all the applications printed off and ready to drop off at the stations. Things are moving right along!

Apartment life is wonderful, I really do enjoy living with Ben. I love coming home to him and spending time with him. I don't know if I said it here or not, but the apartment is really perfectly laid out, and sized. I can be in the bedroom and he can be in the living room and we won't hear each other. But when we do want to be together its easy to do so. That is one thing that I really do enjoy about Ben, is that I don't feel that I need to be around him all the time, but when I do want to be around him, he is very accepting of it. LOL. He's a keepa for sure ;-) Being with him is unlike anything I've experienced before. I feel like he has always been there, I have to keep reminding myself that its barely been a year!

Stopped by the rents house on the way to work last night, they seem to be doing well. Dad is as usual super busy. I was actually surprised that he was home when I was there! But it was nice to catch up with Louise. I saw Grandma G last week and she seems to be doing well. I guess they are trying to go through the process of her becoming a permanent resident of Haven Health. I think that would be the best option for her. Although she is making progress and healing; she will never have the same ability she had before and over the years, its just gotten worse and worse.

Last week I was able to go up north and chill with Tabs, Page and friends on Trivia Night. I am horrible with Trivia, but for me, it was more of a social hour to visit with Tabitha. Unfortunately Tabs was sick, so not her normal self. It was good to see Page out and about again, he and I talked for quite awhile after and just tried to catch up on the past year or so. I was so impressed with how much he had grown over time...not physically grown, the man is already huge! But just in the way he conducted himself and the way he was talking. It was great!

Friday night was Nick's (my brother) 25th birthday party, which didn't start until 10pm in Boston. Since I had to work the next morning, I went out for dinner with him. We went to Hooters, my brother is a class act. It was good to see him and hang out with him. Mom and Darla were there as well as some of Nick's friends. Ben joined in after work and it was a fun time. Nick got a bit tipsy, so one of his friends drove him into the city for his bigger party. Seeing mom was a bit weird, things between her and I are strained as usual, but I was cordial I thought...I'm sure I came across to mom as a heartless bitch. So Nick went off to Boston and I headed home! I was some tired, but I knew I had to work and then Tabs birthday dinner was Saturday night!

So Saturday night, Ben and I went north for dinner out with Tab and crew. I got to see Kelley, Mannix and Ian. It was good to see my cousin! The table set-up was a bit awkward Tabitha was way on the other end of the table, so we were kind of divided. Ben, Page, the Muir family and myself sat on one end of the table. We were literally having our own conversation separate from the rest of the group. I thought it was fine, I was hoping that Tabs didn't feel slighted, but the space just wasn't really good for whole table top discussions. But it was a fun night, but man was I tired. Ben called it, I feel asleep in the car on the way home. And Sunday morning came oh so quickly. I had to be up early for work again. Sunday morning was the worst. I had such a rough morning! Thankfully, work wasn't too bad.

All in all a fun week, this week is more work than anything else. And I am going to try to get my car fixed on Friday, I blew some sort of high pressure hose to the A/C. Not hugely important right now, but I thought it would be better to get it fixed now as opposed to wait. Sad thing was, I just had an oil change (at the dealer) the day before and they didn't mention anything at all. I heart my own mechanic, he is so wonderful! LOL. I guess sometimes free isn't the best option...

Have a great week!

This could be dangerous...

Fears of a Dem crackdown lead to boom in gun sales -SeacoastOnline.com

I didn't think about this, mainly because I am not really concerned with guns or gun rights. I do believe that people should have the right to bear arms. But in the article it says President Elect Obama believes in 'common sense' gun control. Now everyone does have a different opinion on what common sense is, but I do believe that there are changes that could be made to be beneficial. But you do have to tread very lightly.

What did you think?

Don't you think that the new first family was a bit too matchy, matchy? The girls, I mean they looks so cute, they really cannot help themselves. But Michelle? I am not a big fan of her dress, there is just something about it that stands out as wrong. It makes her hips look bigger than normal.

Although I voted for 'the other guy', I must say it will be nice to have young kids in the White House again. I wonder what type of dog they will get.

Isn't red the Republican color? Stick with blue Obama family. Though I did read somewhere that men are more attracted to red than any other color. Red is more sexy than any other color. Who would have thought?

I was listening to Obama's speech and he used the same line as before, about not having red states or blue states but the United States. And I agree in a perfect world, it would be nice to have no conflict. But its bound to happen. With the rest of Washington being in the democratic majority, he will probably have an easy term.

Conflict sometimes is beneficial. It gives you a different perspective and who knows, something good may come out of it. Obama ran on the platform of Change. Sometimes change is not what we need. It will be interesting to see where the next 4 years take us.

It is great to hear though that in the end, there was a record voter turn out, that is incredible. Although we may not always like the results, its great to know that many Americans went out and voted. Many people have fought hard for us to have that right.

I don't get very political often, its not something that I would consider a deep interest of mine, but I think it's important that if you make a decision that you stand behind it. And I really didn't like Michelle's dress...

Rest and Relax

So those are my marching orders. Rest and Relax. I have been on the go so much lately. I came home yesterday after working and then holding a sign for dad, and my legs were just SO tired. I litterally colapsed when I got home. I wasnt planning on taking a nap, but that is exactly what happened. Ben woke me up after some time, I didn't want to sleep forever and not be able to fall asleep that night.

As it turns out that Ben and I stayed up late to watch the election results. My dad won his race, so he is going back to the State house for a 5th term. Unless you live under a rock, Obama won the presidential election. I just hope that things go well. His speech was very well executed. But actions speak louder than words, and we shall see what happens.

In other news, the Chili Cook-Off did change venues. We are now at Wally's. Everyone at Wally's is excited about having us, and I think the space will be a great added bonus for us. I am just hoping that everything falls into place. I had to set-up a google calender so I could keep track of my life in case I don't have my pocket planner on me. Again another reason why I need a blackberry.

Thankfully, I have a good group of people to help my during Toy Bank and I know that it will all come together, so I am going to try and not stress out about things. hehehe, try being the optimum word.

But Ben is right, I need to rest and relax....

From the old blog....

So I combined accounts so I didn't have to switch back and forth. And since Goggle doesn't allow you to merge accounts this is what I have to do. Sorry, everyone!


Wednesday, October 29, 2008
@ Work
So the title says it all, I am at work tonight. My mind is in a million different directions. Between work, Toy Bank, Chili Cook-Off, Home, Appledore....yeah and a social life. No wonder I have a hard time keeping things straight.LaBec's is closed for renovations, now they called me prior to them closing saying that they will be open for our Chili Cook-0ff, yet I am hearing from many multiple sources that they are closed for good, closed for a few weeks...etc. It doesn't help that they didn't even tell their help that they were closing until it happened. Just really makes me nervous because we went ahead with all of the press and saying that LaBec's was going to be the location of the event. Tracy and Desi have been good to us. I would hate to move the venue, but at the same time, I need for the new owner to contact me back!I worked at NHFP yesterday and I'm at Clipper tomorrow. Thankfully I live with Ben and he is graciously doing laundry tonight :-D He is a great guy. So tomorrow, when I get out of work, I am shooting over to Curves, getting a workout in and then going home, shower and off to Clipper.I guess I am glad that I left my volunteer position with NH HOBY. I wouldn't be able to do all this and keep it straight. I hope someday to go back and help out in some capacity. but it would be extremely difficult under the current leadership. Who knows what the future will bring for me.Work has been crazy for over the past month we have been down a person in dispatch, and the 3 of us have been super cool about picking up the slack. Sure the money is good, and I am not going to complain about good money, but I think some normalcy would be appreciated. Actually this cycle of 4 days off has been the most normal, I've only worked this evening as overtime.Monday was awesome, I got to go down to Billricia and see Ben and the co-workers. We met for lunch it was a good time, and I miss the guys. I haven't seen Marlon since before his new little girl was born. Actually I think the last time I saw him it was the company Red Sox game. After lunch, I went to see Nick, I stayed for a few hours. It was good to talk to him and Lindsay, its been awhile since I've been able just to sit and chat with my brother :-DSo things are well, just busy and hectic as always. Trick or Treat is Friday, I'll miss the start of it, but Ben and I plan on handing out candy when we do get home. Saturday, I have to work, but then we have a costume party to go to at Scruffy's new place. I'm excited to see his new place but also all of my transit friends, its been awhile for some of them. And then hopefully lunch with Ben's mom on Sunday, since her birthday is Halloween.That's all for now :-D
Posted by Cassie at 5:21 PM 0 comments

Friday, October 24, 2008
Maybe I need to start drinking coffee....
So I came across the following report....http://www.medindia.net/news/Study-Finds-Coffees-Potency-to-Drop-Bra-Size-43100-1.htmFor those of you who don't want to click through the link. There was recently a study conducted and the findings were that women who drink coffee in excess of 3 cups or more per day were more likely to see their breast size shrink.While caffeine may shrink women's breasts, the reaction is the reverse for coffee-slurping men - it can make their "moobs" swell.On the plus side, the study showed regular hits of caffeine reduce the risk of women developing breast cancer.All the more reason to start drinking coffee...now if I can only get past the taste.Speaking of taste, I tried yogurt yesterday, Ben had purchased his usual brand which is "Whipped" OMG, it was SOOOO gross. Grosser than I remember just regular yogurt. I cannot stand the after taste and the texture of it. I know its good for me, but I just cannot get past it for some reason. Yet I can drink yogurt smoothies with no problem. Who knows.I am such a picky eater and I am very particular about food.
Posted by Cassie at 6:02 AM 2 comments

Thursday, October 23, 2008
Welcome....
So since I don't really go on MySpace much anymore, I decided to start blogging over here.Not that I have much to say tonight. I worked today. Tried to stay out of trouble. Sometimes it works....today was one of those days. :-DI am in charge of Toy Bank, and its mid to late October, so its starting up....lots to do as usual, if any of my friends know, that I get busy this time of year. Lots of phone calls to make and following up and such.After work I worked out at Curves and came home :-D Ben just got home recently we both had some dinner, we are going to relax tonight and catch up with our TiVo....So here I am, hopefully someone will read this, I'm sure my friends will migrate over here.~ Cassie