Interviews

I had a scheduled interview today at 2pm with a Government contracting firm located in Fairfax, Virginia.  I met with the HR Director, who tells me the detail of the workload she is facing.  The primary company located in Fairfax, Virginia, just acquired another company located in Rockville, Maryland.  Both companies total about 500 people spread across the United States in different locations.  Right now there are two of everything until things come together, which is anticipated to be within the next year.  The HR Director explained the anticipated company changes, expectations of the job, and tasks at hand.  She said I was one of five selected for interview, she is halfway through interviewing, anticipating a decision next week.  She didn't sound happy.  I was surprised this company was located in a medical building (below).  I liked the windows on the top floor.

Looks like the landscapers paid a visit....more spring flowers, they appear to be pansies.

While I was at home this morning, preparing for my 2pm interview, I checked my "professional" email account that I use for job hunting.   A company I applied to last week located less than 5 miles from home asks in their email if I was available today for an interview.  I responded that I was available after 4pm.  I now had two interviews today, good thing I check my email!!!  Why would someone use email to set up an interview instead of calling?

This (second interview) company is an Environmental company with two subsidiaries, one is an IT company and another is a Government contracting firm.  These companies total 300 people together.  Turns out the person who had the job retired after working there 25 years.  I interviewed with Vice President who would be the direct report.  They had a temp in the job for the last couple of months who made several mistakes, she was let go this morning.  The job also requires interaction with two accounting people, who I also met with.  Basically, the job is set up, binder of instructions, they just need someone who will do the job.  The company appeared to be a slower paced type company and everyone has worked there for awhile.  One of the accounting ladies said "this is the place where you can work forever."  I take that as a good thing, a guaranteed job as long as you do the job.  The VP said he's looking for someone who will be around for a long while, not a job shopper.  Sounds right up my alley, I'm not a job shopper.  Here is the building where I interviewed with the VP.  It's not a good picture, facing into the sun, you get the idea.  The other side has a pond with ducks and benches, a lovely place to sit and have lunch when the weather is warmer.

The VP asked when I was available, which I said "immediately"!!  I really don't want to get my hopes up.  I try to look at each interview as a learning experience.  Sure would be nice to have one of these jobs.

Hope your Tuesday was eventful, mine certainly was, thanks for sharing it with me.

Waiting for Spring

Mother nature is such a tease.  I think she knows I'm waiting on her this year.  I was excited to see my Hostas are popping up.  Look closely, can you see them sprouting?

In July, we have a beautiful Peony plant in the backyard that I put wire around to keep it standing up.  I has huge pink blossoms on it for about two weeks.  Can you see it coming up around the oak tree root?

The daffodils are still trying to bloom.  The cold weather (and yesterday's light snow) has been a bit of a set back.  A few are in bloom with plenty coming.  The lone one below is by the shed and the grouping is around the base of a small pine tree (newly mulched!) in the backyard.

Last week when my best friend visited, we sat on the back deck for awhile and also took a walk around the yard.  I pointed out to her some daffodils in the woods that would bloom soon.  I asked her "have you ever wondered how daffodils bloom in such odd places, like the middle of the woods?"  She responded "the squirrels dig up the bulbs and bury them, thinking they're food, and forget where they buried them".  I can accept that explanation, makes sense to me.  She said at her house she lost a dozen tulips thanks to the squirrels who carted hers off somewhere else, leaving holes where she had planted them.  Here's a bunch in the woods next to the house.  I have never planted daffodils, perhaps a previous owner had these dug up and replanted courtesy of the squirrels.

Finally, the Dogwood tree has started budding.  It is so pretty when the buds open up, just a few more weeks I hope.  I was worried that a couple of the heavy snows we had this winter caused the tree to lose branches.  It looks like it is fine.

I got some dusting done around the house and some other small chores, I was somewhat productive.  Kind of a slow boring Monday, at least the sun is shining, just wish it was warmer.  Hope your Monday was a good one.

A New Day

"Are you feeling any better?" John asked me last night.  I've been running a low grade fever with a runny nose since Friday evening.  I'm sure it is just a cold, I've had my flu shot.  I wonder how many times a doctor has heard that this season.  "Yes, much better, honey, thanks" I replied.  No fever today, nose has stopped running, and I have some energy, thankfully.  I must have picked this cold(?) up at the grocery store on Thursday, those nasty carts (yes, I used the wipes provided).  Improved health and an out of season snow is all I have to share today.  It's a blah Sunday.

We were forecasted for S-N-O-W(!) overnight with an accumulation prediction of less than an inch.  They got it somewhat right, it was a tenth of an inch.  The Annual Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, DC was postponed due to the snow.  The Cherry Blossom Festival runs through April 12th, plenty of time to reschedule.  No harm is expected to the blossoms.  An expert from the Park Service said the snow will insulate the blossoms to slow their growth.  I suppose that is a good thing, since the blossoms usually pop in warm weather in about a day or two followed by windy weather to blow them away.  I'm looking forward to the warm weather.

Here's the backyard with the Fosynthia bush in the background.  As you can see, it is barely a dusting.  They treated the roads last night as well according to the news, I couldn't believe it.

I think my car may have sustained the worst of it.

The good news, it has melted.  It is 36 degrees expecting to go to mid 40s today.  On the eleven o'clock news last night, they showed a few people at the grocery store stocking up with the necessities, imagine!  This area panics quickly at the word of snow.  Grocery stores are wiped out in a short period of milk, bread, eggs, and toilet paper, items that somehow manage to become the necessities.  It is a comedy to see.

I was able to get some chores done, the kitchen floor is clean, also making me feel a little better.  I'm no longer looking at it thinking "the floor needs to be cleaned".

I'm refreshed for a new day.  Hope your Sunday is refreshing and relaxing.

Grocery Trip

"I can help you over here, M'am" the cashier said to me as she flagged me over to her newly opened register.  I was third in line at Giant and there was another lady behind me.  I specifically planned my grocery shopping for today, as yesterday was forecasted rain.  It didn't start raining until almost 7pm last night, they were wrong....again.

I woke up this morning suspecting that it was not going to be clear as forecasted since they had messed up yesterday's forecast.  It was still raining this morning.  It's cold too, colder than it has been in awhile.  I thought of my blogger friend, Happyone, on her daily walk in the rain today, hope she's dry and warm.

I don't like grocery shopping in the rain.  I convinced myself to just do it and get it over with while I was into my third cup of coffee.  It was 10:30am when I finally left the house.  The rain had stopped, everything is still wet, it just isn't raining.  As I was getting in my car to head out, I had forgotten about the tree at the end of the driveway that leaves its debris all over the bottom half of the driveway every Spring before it blooms.  Half the driveway is red from the droppings of this tree.  Those who know trees, probably know what this is, I don't.  What I do know is that it will all fall off the tree onto the driveway and leaves will sprout from the tree.  Isn't Spring great?

It sure was chilly this morning.  My car exterior temperature gauge read 41 degress.  I checked the forecast to be sure I was clear of the rain.  I noticed the high today was expected to be 48 degrees.  I put on a sweater and my raincoat, just in case.

I got to the grocery store armed with my list and to my surprise, found everything on my list.  I did not get any Diet Cokes, we still have plenty.  That would require a trip to Shopper's Food Warehouse anyway, not a day for an extra trip.  This trip was groceries only to the Giant.  I pulled back into the driveway at 12:10pm.  Whew, an hour and 40 minutes for that trip.  I got everything unpacked, put away and turned on the TV to get the last of the noon news.  The "normal" high for today is suppose to be 58 degrees.  Did anyone see what happened to Spring?  Usually we only have about two weeks of Spring before we roll into the heat and humidity with temps in the 80s.  I just heard the news tonight, you won't belive this.  S-N-O-W is expected on Sunday...accumulating snow, great.  Last Friday we reached 79 degrees.

I suppose this is our cold spell before Spring arrives.  Next week we are suppose to have overnight temps below freezing.  I'm so glad I haven't taken the comforter off the bed or put away my sweaters.

Do Nothing Day

"Hey Baby, how was your day?" my husband asked as he walked in the door smiling.  "Great, how about yours?"  I asked giving him a peck on his cheek and he was still smiling.  He had a meeting at work that went well, which he feels really good about.  "Nothing wrong with that in my opinion" I said.

Today it was suppose to rain and didn't, not yet anyway.  Supposedly, we're under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 11pm.  There was a Tornado Watch earlier, I think they took it down.  I told John about the Tornado Watch when he came home.  He thought it might be a good idea just in case to tuck the patio chairs under the patio table, better safe than sorry.

Before the previously forecasted rain expected today, I had planned to go to the grocery store.  I postponed that trip until tomorrow when no rain is expected.  Just my luck everything will be pushed back.  I'll end up loading and unloading groceries from my car in the rain tomorrow, ugh.

I did hear on the news this morning Elizabeth Taylor passed away in the middle of the night from congestive heart failure.  She was one of Virginia's first ladies, married to former Senator John Warner from 1976 to 1982.  Unfortunately, she was not very happy being a Senator's wife.  She stated later she did not agree with some of the issues and had to keep quiet because of her marriage and not cause problems for Senator Warner.  She was also the catalyst in AIDS information and fund raising.  Rest in Peace Elizabeth Taylor, you gave so much to so many.

To my credit and patting myself on the back, I spent all morning and into the afternoon on the computer applying to jobs.  Oh, the interview at the Sheraton last week, I received "thank you for your interest, we selected another candidate" email on Monday from them.  I have another interview scheduled next Tuesday with a Government Contractor whose office is about seven miles from my house.  That sure would be a sweet commute.  Once again, I don't dare get my hopes up, the fall is still painful.

The remainder of the afternoon was some TV watching and preparing spaghetti for dinner.  I hesitated again whether to post or not.  It was a pretty boring day, thank you for joining me, I appreciate the company.

Just as I am about to post this, it has started raining, and I hear thunder in the distance.  Happy Hump (Wednes)Day!

Best Friends Forever

"It's so good to see you again" and "good to see you again, I've missed you" were the words my best friend and I exchanged today as we hugged.  We stay in touch over email, by phone, and yes, by Facebook.  Seeing each other face to face is the best.  We've been through good times and bad, happy times and sad.  She's like a sister, we couldn't be closer.  So much catching up to do.  Neither one of us like talking on the phone for the sake of "conversation" or gabbing.  When we talk on the phone, it because we're setting up a reunion or maybe to check in on the other because of concern.  We talked last night on the phone for a few minutes about what time she would be arriving at my house today.

I was so happy to see her pull in the driveway.  She was thinner than last year or maybe she just looked thinner.  She still looks almost like she did over 35 years ago, only more mature, still happy.  She was wearing her trademark smile with her arms open for a hug.  We went inside for a few minutes and talked about her trip.  She said she saw an accident on the interstate.  Nothing serious, a "rear ender", usually caused by someone tailgating or someone else stopping too fast or both.  She said it slowed her down about 10 minutes while the cars passing slowed to a crawl to stare.  If you life anywhere near the Washington, DC metropolitan area, you know what I mean.  Other than that, she said her trip was uneventful.  By this time it was almost 1:15pm, we were both getting hungry.

We headed out, I drove since I know the roads.  We agreed yesterday to go to Logan's Roadhouse.  I had emailed her the link for their menu.  Always good to know what's on the menu ahead of time, saves time when ordering.

We both ordered salads, I had a rum & diet coke, she ordered a glass of red wine.  The salads were delicious.  We talked about my unemployment, the difficulty of finding employment in this economy.  She's been retired for about 5 years, her husband just retired last year.  She talked about the aggravation of putting new windows in their home last fall.  They're talking about putting on a new roof to their home maybe this summer.  She's hoping not to have to relive the nightmare of having the project of a new roof dragged out over months, similar to their window replacement project.  The company they're looking to at has done work for someone else they know.  The roofing company comes highly recommended and the job can be completed in a day barring no complications.  We talked about so many things.  You know the feeling when a family member comes home for the holidays and you catch up on each others lives?  It was that kind of feeling.

She picked up the check, calling it my birthday present.  We always exchange birthday cards, usually not gifts, I thanked her for her generosity.  About 3pm we headed back to my house.  Such a nice day, the sun was out, it was about 65 degrees.  We sat on the back deck with another glass of wine.  We continued to exchange lives for almost another hour and half, time went too fast.  She left around 4:30 for her dinner meeting about half an hour from my house.

We promised each other we would not wait another 8 months before we got together again.  With the summer coming and me (currently) not working, it would be a good time to get some plans in the works.  We agreed to set something up, we hugged.  She waived as she pulled out of the driveway, I waived back.

Such a nice feeling to share your life with someone over so many years.  I missed her already and look forward to our next reunion.  We are BFFs.

The New View

I hope you got a chance to sneak outside after dark this past weekend, the Super Moon was fabulous.  I took this picture of the moon through the trees, not the best picture, but hey, it won't be around for another 18 years, at least I have this picture.

Every Sunday someone drops a newspaper in our driveway.  We don't subscribe to any newspapers, yet every Sunday, we have one delivered.  I headed out Sunday afternoon to fetch it and throw it in the recycle bin.  On my way back to the house, I noticed the two bunnies I have by the front porch look so much happier sitting in a fresh bed of mulch.  I just had to take a picture - don't they look happy?

I woke up early today waiting for the "anytime after 7am" telephone call to notify me of our delivery window.  The call came at 8:30.   The delivery of our new addition, a new Mitsubishi 72 inch TV would be between 10am and 1pm.  This TV is more for him than me ~ boys and their toys.  Below is our old TV, which was hauled off by the delivery guys for recycling.  Such a shame, it is a perfectly good TV, nothing wrong with it, other than it is 8 years old (again, boys and their toys).  Nowhere could I stand without getting a reflection in the screen, oh well, you can see the fireplace and a plant too in the reflection.

I didn't bother taking any pictures while the TVs were on because you really don't get good picture of a TV when it is on anyway.  You can only tell how good (or bad) a TV picture is when you're standing in front of it.  We bought the 8 year old TV from Best Buy.  They had a special dark room with recliners just for projection TVs back then.  Below is the new, updated addition.  Notice there is no reflection?  You can see the window reflection that faces the TV.  Must be one of the new features, anti-glare or something.

The stand we choose is no where near the huge cabinet that housed the TV at The Big Screen Store.  The Big Screen Store was set up like a huge living room with large recliners a in theatre style.  Each recliner had a cup holder, something everyone needs, right?

Tomorrow, my best friend for over 35 years is coming to visit.  She lives about an hour and half away.  I haven't seen her since last summer.  She has a meeting close to my house, so she's coming out early, we're going to have lunch and catch up.  I'm so excited and looking forward her visit.

Hope there was something new in your view today.

Tired and Sore

We supported the local Boy Scouts when they distributed their flyers in the neighborhood last month selling mulch.  We bought 16 bags, which were delivered at 7am this morning as promised on their flyer.

After my coffee about 10am this morning, John says "are you ready to mulch?"  So many responses ran through my mind.  I provided the preferred response, "yeah, sure".  It was 55 degrees at 10am, which was just fine with me.  It was suppose to rain, guess there was a change in the forecast I missed.  I prefer to spread mulch when it is cool outside anyway, not too warm, I get really sweaty.  John loaded the mulch in the wheelbarrow, opening the bags at each area around the house.  My job was to rake it flat, making sure it was not too close to the house yet covered the base of all the plants and bushes.  Here's the front porch area...after mulch.  Now we're ready for the hostas to pop up in about another month.



We completed almost the whole area around the house, the back garden, and the shed.  There is a small patch we skipped for now because it is a hiding place for the winter leaves.  We forgot it needed cleaning out before we could mulch that area, so that's a chore for another day.  Here's by the back shed where the Crocus have just popped up.  This was before we mulched.  I was hoping the mulch would not ruin the delicate Crocus.

This is after the mulch was applied.  I did not capture the white Crocus in the picture above, which I did in the picture below.

Along the front of the house, we have a Rhododendron plant that was damaged badly by the heavy winter snow we had in January.  I did alot of cutting of dead branches.  In the picture below the cuttings look green, the branches were brown and dead.  Hopefully, next year the Rhododendron will come back thicker.

John had seen advertised on TV "The Big Screen Store" had a deal for a 72 inch TV Flat Screen (ours currently is 68 inch projection), where they offered $200 off regular price, in addition, haul away (and yes, recycle) the old TV for no additional cost.  This will be delivered on Monday.  We are not buying the cabinet that is displayed (additional $1500).  Thank goodness for tax refunds.

It seems the view will be bigger on the TV in my house on Monday.

Perfect Birthday

Wow, what a gorgeous day, and it happens to be my birthday.  It was 78 degrees today according to my Weatherbug on my laptop.  I had a bunch of errands to run this morning.  John took the day off from work to power wash the deck.  I started off my travels to Bed, Bath and Beyond.  I needed fluffy pillows!  The ones we have now are flat after several years, they don't fluff anymore.

I love this store.  It has so many gadgets, so much more than bedding, definitely where the "beyond" comes in.  I also found a Johnson & Johnson pocket size emergency kit for my car.  Girl Scout Motto...be prepared!!

I had to swing by the grocery store, it is berries that are on sale this week, it was a two for deal.  I bought two packs of raspberries for the price of one, same with the strawberries, picked up some milk and other needed items.  I went to the Bloom instead of Giant.  The Bloom is easier to get in and out, it is never crowded.  I love the Bloom, they see me coming and greet me.

My final stop was the liquor store for some birthday celebration beverages.  Once home, I got the groceries put away and the new pillows on the bed.  I was hungry, I had not eaten all day.  I picked up a premade salad at the grocery store.  John already made a sandwich for himself earlier after pressure washing the deck.  We use to have a hot tub, which we had hauled away last month because the heater was very expensive to have repaired.  With the hot tub being on the deck for years, it left its mark.  John was unable to get the stain up.  He is going to try again on the next warm day with some chemicals and elbow grease.

Time for some relaxation.  John got a couple of chairs set up, we made some cocktails and relaxed in the afternoon sun.  The weather report tonight said we hit a high of 79 degrees today.  They said the record was 81, we almost had a record breaker.

Such a wonderful day, a perfect birthday, thanks for joining me.

Happy St. Paddy's Day

Keeping with the festivities of the day, wishes to you for this St. Paddy's Day.  Although I'm not Irish, when I was younger, I would join the alcohol celebrations of the day and continue through tomorrow for my birthday.  I am happier these days with a green shirt and a birthday card tomorrow.

Today is also Thursday, fetch the trash can day.  Here is where they left it today, still close to where we left it for them.  They don't often get it back on the curb, it must be too difficult a task for them.

I have relatives in the Canadian Maritimes, Nova Scotia, and a few in western Canada.  I stay in touch with a cousin in Newfoundland almost on a daily basis via email.  Her area is under a Winter Storm Watch on "The Rock", which is the nickname of Newfoundland.  I decided to make a trip around the yard armed with my camera for more signs of spring.  Here are a few pictures of our Spring springing.  Newfoundland Spring is around the beginning of May.  I suppose you adjust to your environment.  I'm glad for the four (timely) seasons and especially Spring arriving on schedule here in Virginia.  Today's temperature is expected near 65 degrees, tomorrow even warmer, closer to 75 degrees.  It is always a rollercoaster of temperatures here in Spring.  It is expected to drop to the 50s and rain on Saturday, better than a Winter Storm Watch.

Here's a closeup of the Forsythia bush next to our back patio that is starting to bloom.



Here is a close up of the daffodils that are about six inches high and should  bloom in another week or so.

Here is the Forsythia tree in the backyard, just popped yellow this week.



Finally, here is a picture of the huge tree in our front yard.  I don't know what kind of tree it is, I know it is big.  It also just popped some buds this week.



So as the time changed on Sunday to "spring forward", I'm excited Mother Nature is feeling the same.  I'm hoping the crocus in the front flower soon, they are usually the first to blossom followed quickly by the daffodils.  The hostas in the front only are starting to pop up above ground as well.

Hope there was a little green in your day or spring in your step, thanks for stopping by to share my view.

I Made It

It's Tuesday, guess where I was?  Yep, for the third time in a week, I was at Shoppers Food Warehouse (SFW) to try and buy the large Diet Cokes.  I walked to the back of the store where the Diet Coke is kept fully expecting not to find any.  Shazam, lookie here!

Today was suppose to be delivery day according to the Manager, Dave, when I spoke to him last Thursday about my (then) 2nd attempt to purchase Diet Cokes at his store.  Already they were down to their last two cases, whew, I made it just in time.  I loaded up on a case and snapped this picture.  Just as I was walking away, here comes a guy pulling a pallet Coke products, including more Diet Coke.  I HAD TO take another picture!  I explained that I had made three trips trying to purchase this size Diet Cokes in the past week.  He either didn't speak English, or he was the person responsible for the Diet Cokes not being delivered, because as I was telling my story he just nodded.

I almost wanted to grab a couple of extra six packs just in case there was no delivery next week.  I thought, nawww that won't happen.  That was the highlight of my day.  Oh, I did stop by Best Buy after SFW to buy a different set of earphones.  The ones that came with the iPod Nano kept falling out of my ears.  The new ones fit much better.  It's all good.

Hope your Tuesday was perfect, mine was.

Interview Day

Today was my first interview since February 28th.  The February 28th interview was with a recruiting agency, Office Team.  Today's interview was at 2pm with the HR Director of the Sheraton hotel for an HR Manager position I had applied for. 

I met with the HR Director, who communicated the details of the position.  She asked me a few questions, I ask her some as well.  I am one of five candidates selected from over 100 applicants.  The HR Director said she will make her decision next week, and everyone interviewed will be notified one way or the other.  Wish me luck!!  As I was pulling out of their parking lot, I noticed their landscaper must have paid a visit recently.  Their flowers were freshly planted.  It made me smile and feel that Spring is really coming.  I love Spring, it is my favorite season, when everything begins anew.  I snapped these shots quickly.

I had most of the morning to get ready.  I took my shower, made and drank a pot of coffee, and blow dryed my hair, all done by 10am, still plenty of time left.  Humm, well I suppose I could curl my hair.  I went digging in the closet for the hot rollers.  Hair rolled, I still have plenty of time.  I quickly jumped online and applied for two more positions newly posted.  I was dressed and left about 1:15.  Although the drive time is about 20 minutes, I want to be sure I have plenty of time in case of any hold ups or I get lost.  I was was starving.  I skipped breakfast and lunch, interviews make me nervous, I couldn't eat. 

While I was preparing dinner (my first meal of the day), the phone rang.  It was the HR Director from one of the companies I had applied to that morning.  She explained she received my resume and wants to interview me.  However, she's leaving next week for vacation.  She has lots to do before she leaves for her vacation.  She would like to schedule an interview the week of March 28th.  She will need the first couple of days that week to catch up from her absence and will call me to set up an interview for that week if I am available (is she kidding?).  She gave me her phone number in case she forgets to call me she said.  She asked me to call her if I didn't hear from her by Wednesday (3/30).

I'm going to look at the positive and hope this is a sign of something good headed my way, (fingers crossed, prayers said) I hope so.

Nice Time Change Weekend

Wow, what a nice weekend.  Did you remember the time change?  I was awake at 2am when it actually did change.  Our cable system displays a digital clock on the converter box if you don't select the channel display.  I watched it change from 2am to 3am in a fingersnap.  I didn't intentionally stay awake for the time change, I was already awake watching a movie.

The temps were mid 50s and sunshine both days this weekend.  We made the trip to Best Buy Saturday.  John bought me an iPod for my birthday next Friday.  I selected the iPod Nano.  I don't need anything fancy, and until I know more about it, the Nano suits my needs.

I researched iPods online as I do with most significant purchases.  I've had too many years of buying things that weren't what I thought they were or didn't do what I expected them to do only because I had researched it.  My Blackberry Storm cell phone is one of those "wish I didn't buy this" purchases.  The online research looked great, however, functionally, for a non-geek like me, it is useless.  All the buttons are too close together.  When using "touch screen" that isn't good, it is difficult to select what you want.  It should have included a "wand" to touch for selections (my calling as a fix it inventor, lol).  Anyway, I was surprised the Nano has a built in Pedometer that will be nice when I start walking.  Also included is an FM radio which picked up all the local stations, you can then select your "favorite" station for quick access play.  The Nano comes in a very small box.

Seems Apple took a page from Microsoft (since Steve Jobs and Bills Gates use to work together in the 70s?).  Notice the "Start here" on the inside of the box?  Turns out "Start here" is a very small and basic instructions booklet with a website listed where you download an 85 page manual (bet they're saving gozillions in publishing).  You know how when you buy something new you can't wait to start using it?  Well this is just like a new cell phone, it has to be "charged" first.  The charging took 3 hours!  I hope the battery usage time is at least that.

It is hard to see in my blurry pictures, but you get the idea of what the mini instruction booklet is.  It shows you how different screens look on the Nano.  You are directed to the manual for further instructions on these screens operations.  As with all iPods I suppose, I was required to open an account with iTunes, which I did.  iTunes then requires a "charge account" (credit card) to download songs.  When I was at Best Buy talking to the sales guy, one of my questions "what if I don't like it?"  I must return it within 30 days of purchase WITH THE RECEIPT and ORIGINAL PACKAGING for a full refund.  I specifically asked if it would be for a refund or store credit, he said refund.

My concern is the small screen.  One of the online reviews said that the screens were too small to read, yet another review stated that as long as you knew where and what the icons were, you could pretty much move around the Nano with little problem, while walking or running.

After hours of reading the 85 page manual, going back and forth to iTunes, I purchased three songs for starters (@ $1.29 ea).  The Nano comes with 8 songs of different genre (rock, classical, jazz, etc).  I have to be patient in learning all the functions of the Nano (hopefully, it doesn't take me the 30 days decision time period).  I'm not very patient.  I have put it down several times and gone back to it in a couple of hours only because of my patience.  I want it and I want it NOW!! :)

John mentioned that he would also like to use it while mowing the lawn in the summertime.  I asked him if he would like to hear what it sounded like.  He said he wanted me to figure it out first, then show him (darn).  We also have two completely different tastes in music.  I'm sure there's a way of creating his and her playlists.

I will need to buy another set of ear phones, I think they are called ear buds.  The ones that came with it won't stay in my ear.  I spied alot of accessories.  The sale guy also asked me if I would be interested in accessories.  I hesitated and told him that until I know I'm keeping it, I don't want to buy any accessories to return too.

I did some walking around the yard as I saw some neighbors on our street whose daffodils were in full bloom already.  Armed with my cell phone camera, things are coming up quite nicely as you can see, but nothing in bloom yet.  You can see sprouts of green around the backyard shed.

Even in the woods, daffodils are sprouting.  I noticed the puddles from all the rain have evaporated too.



Just finished making a roast with mashed potatoes and gravy with green beans for dinner and got the dishes loaded in the dishwasher.  I think I'll go play with my Nano for awhile until I get frustrated.  I'll probably watch TV and then head to bed.  Only my nightstand clock is left to "spring forward".  I have another interview tomorrow afternoon, can't be late.  I won't get my hopes up, the let down is too disappointing.  Everything happens for a reason, there will be a job out there for me when it is right, I have to believe that.

Thanks for sharing this small part of the weekend with me.  I hope the rest of yours was good.

Grocery Day

Very sad to awaken to hear about the terrible earthquake and tsunami that followed the earthquake that happened today in Japan.  So many lives lost, homes lost, business, it is complete chaos.  I've been watching CNN most of the afternoon, the video is incredible.  I was going to post their video here, unfortunately, they've popped in a 15 second commercial (frustration), never mind.  It is a little after 6pm EST here, almost 8am in Japan.  Daylight has broke, they are just beginning to evaluate the destruction.  Fairfax County, Virginia, where I live had an Urban Search and Rescue Team they deploy to disasters.  The Rescue Team announced they are deploying to Japan to assist.  I'm so proud to live in a place where people help others (for the most part, anyway).

As planned, I headed back to Shoppers Food Warehouse (SFW) grocery store where I was last Tuesday to pick up 24 oz Diet Cokes, which is what John likes to take with his lunch, and we both drink the (probably bad) stuff :)  There I was in the soda section where it usually is and it wasn't.  I was very irritated, this was my second trip, argh!  I picked up a couple of non-perishable items (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste) items which are cheaper than Giant (where I do my shopping-see earlier blog for this explanation:)  When the cashier asked if I found everything, I explained my frustration about my second trip.  She asked if I wished to see a manager, I said yes.  Manager "Dave" who pointed to his name tag to introduce himself and asked if he could help me.  I explained my frustration that it was 2nd trip to purchase (24oz) Diet Cokes this week.  I informed him I was at the store on Tuesday, the Diet Coke delivery day and there were none.  At that time, I asked the cashier about the next delivery, which was to be Thursday.  Today, no Diet Cokes.  He apologized, saying there was no delivery on Tuesday, the driver skipped that store(???).  He promised me he has 8 pallets ordered for next Tuesday delivery, promise.  Guess where I'll be for the 3rd time in a week?  Yup, SFW.  I WILL accomplished this mission!

Onto Giant Food.  Anyone not from the Washington DC Metropolitan Area, Giant Food is our are grocery store conglomerate, like Winn Dixie is to the South and Shop Rite is to New England.  I go armed with list in hand.

I comb the aisles looking for everything on my list.  Two items John asked for I couldn't find, Vitamin C with Rose Hips and Dr. Scholls Freeze Away (wart remover).  That means a trip to CVS is required.  I think there must be a contract between CVS and Giant.  Most shopping centers have both stores in the same shopping center, and we do too, three doors down from Giant is CVS.  You will notice in both pictures, we are cloudy and overcast today, but NO Rain, yay!

Shazam!  I found both the Vitamins and Freeze Away at CVS.  Something went right today.  John had taken the day off.  I let him know I would call him when I was leaving the shopping center, which is about 5 minutes from our house, so he would be able to help me unload (meaning dressed or not in the shower).  Unloading goes alot faster when two people do it.  I made my call just before putting the car in gear.  We never use our cell phones when driving, we are always parked.  We've had two near miss accidents from people who did use their cell phone.  We would have been killed had we not reacted as quickly (that's another story).  Someday, they will make the law for using cell phones while driving just as harsh as drunk driving.  Let's face it, the possibility of killing someone is just as likely and the driving reaction is the same.  Okay, I'm off the soapbox on that subject (for now).

Finally home, groceries unloaded and put away, three hours after leaving the house, whew I'm tired.  John wants to go to Best Buy tomorrow to buy my birthday present, the iPod I asked for.  I don't want to go to Best Buy on Saturday, ugh.

Have a great weekend.