Kudos to Levelor

We finally got around to putting up room-darkening blinds in our bedroom. Now that Kev will be working that awful schedule, he'll have to sleep during daylight hours. He's not had to do that on a regular basis in years and years. So to make the transition remotely possible, we've put away 11 years of just talking about it and actually did it yesterday. And those Levelor room-darkening cellular blinds really are great.

We have 4 windows in our bedroom, 2 facing East and 2 North. Each window is 36" x 62". I started out doing an Internet search, then called a local retailer. The Blind Guys. Cute name, right. They sell only 1 brand of blinds, and I can't remember the name, but it isn't Levelor. And they do only custom blinds. $243. Per Window. Times 4 is way more than I've got to spend. Plus minimum 2 weeks wait.

Yeah, right. Off to Lowe's. Where, for less than $243 total, I purchased 4 wonderful, easy-to-install, totally-do-what-they-say-they-will room darkening blinds. They're awesome. They really do the job. It was like nighttime in the middle of the day. Even better because now, at nighttime, our outside mercury yard light doesn't beam straight onto my pillow through little holes in the blinds (since there aren't any little holes running down these blinds). Very nice. And they look beautiful.

Even a blind guy could see that was a good deal. Ha!

And Speaking of Fun...

Kev started his new work schedule this week, since he returned on Monday from his 4-week recuperative period after foot surgery. The new schedule, known as 3-2-2, is CRAP, utter crap.

Don't get me wrong. We're both very thankful he's gainfully employed. (Yes, it's a theme.) I just hope those responsible for forcing my husband into this 3-2-2 schedule will Burn in Hell for Eternity.

Not that I feel strongly about it or anything.

3-2-2 consists of 12-hour shifts only, either days or midnights. Days are 7:30 am until 7:30 pm, and of course, midnights are 7:30 pm to 7:30 am. The 3-2-2 works like this: 3 day-twelves, 2 days off, 2 midnight-twelves, 3 days off, 2 day-twelves, 2 days off, 3 midnight-twelves, 2 days off, 2 day-twelves, etc etc etc. If you are a 22-year old ugly, single guy (or gal) with no social life, hey, that's an ok schedule. If, on the other hand, you're a 44-year old husband and father wishing to participate in family life, well, prepare for disappointment. Birthday?, too bad, gotta work. Ball game?, too bad, gotta work. Band concert?, too bad, gotta work. Parent/teacher conference?, too bad, gotta work. Christmas?, too bad, gotta work.

So tonight begins the 3 midnight-twelves.

Could he quit? Sure, yeah, of course. Would he ever? No, he'd much rather have the money to pay for his 2 kids to go through college. duh.

Time Flies When You're Having... Well, Time Flies.

Absolutely can't believe it's January 22nd of 2005. I mean, 2005. For some reason, 2005 just strikes me as too futuristic to believe. Maybe I've been seeing too much of "I Love the 90's Part Deux". Livin' in the past, man.

Almost the end of January. Geewillikers. I survived 4th quarter close and year-end. Well, technically, I'm still dealing with it all, until about mid-March, and then it's time for 1st quarter close. It's a never-ending cycle. Did I say never-ending? Hmmm... I meant vicious.

Don't get me wrong. I'm very thankful to be gainfully employed. There are even aspects of my job that I truly enjoy. I just never thought I'd end up doing payroll taxes for a living. Talking with the IRS on a regular basis. Being more proficient in MS Excel than Hoyle Solitaire. Understanding FICA taxes. Booing/hissing Pennsylvania locals. (that's an inside joke that any employer of folks living or working Pennsylvania will most assuredly understand) Millions of bucks without battin' an eye. (And none of it mine.) Planning my life around quarter-ends. Whodathunk.

2012. Now there's a year to wonder at. That's the year I can retire with full benefits. Sounds so far in to the future. But it's only 7 years away. 28 quarter closes. 7 year-ends.