arewethereyet

Well it’s been a long and interesting day so far, and it’s not even half over yet I fear. So let’s start with the news that I think a number of my buddies are looking for… my meeting this morning went very well. I received a ’soft offer’ from the hiring manager and was sent on my way to ponder that overnight. He will call me tomorrow, or Monday latest, with the actual offer, presuming I want one, which I do. (Getting a job is very complicated, you know?) I came home very happy (and btw I was back in the house by 9am so you know it was an early meeting) and made a few phone calls. Found out that the other job that I thought I’d be getting an offer to was GONE. They extended an offer to another candidate, who accepted it. So that’s that, I’m expecting to accept an offer to work for MDR, a division of Dun & Bradstreet, tomorrow. I’ll be a National Account Executive so perhaps I’ll be jetting to a city near you!

Other news. Had lunch with my gluten-free longest friendship of my life pal Betsy. We literally were in a playpen together. She’s awesome. She’s very emotional today and burst into tears several times while we were talking about life, love, and all that good stuff. It’s funny. She’s always been the sap, I’ve always been the stalwart. Some things never change! But we went to this place called Ted’s - they have an amazing gluten-free menu - and we ordered the same thing we did last time…. house salads (no croutons), bison burgers wrapped in lettuce instead of buns, and french fries which are gluten-free (btw, not all fries are gluten-free… who knew?) Anyway, we just gabbed and talked and caught up and it was great. I ate the entire salad, the entire burger, and about 10 fries. Just a delicious lunch. And a ton of fun.

Then I went shopping for a V-Day gift for Tim. I realized that I needed to get him something when my mom asked me what I was getting and I didn’t feel comfortable saying “me in a sexy negligee.” Figured he should have something to show for it. So I got him a grilling cookbook and a picture frame that says “Love” on it. And me in a sexy negligee - don’t tell mom! We are celebrating V-Day tomorrow. I have school tonight and as you can see my day has been quite long already. It’s funny how this year when I have a Valentine, the day isn’t monumental for me. Why was it so monumental when I was alone? Anyway, the important thing is celebrating the love, not celebrating it on the day. We are going on a romantic date downtown to a French Thai restaurant. Should be wonderful.

And with that I must fly. I have reading to do before class and I’m so tired it’s going to take me a very very very long time! Hugs to all, and Happy Valentine’s Day. XO Ellen

Oh wait! I promised you a rant! Well here it is. You know how I got that amazing suit on sale at Macy’s last week? Well I wore it today and I felt great in it so I decided that I’d go suit shopping again at Macy’s, albeit a different one. Macy’s recently took over Marshall Field’s here, much to everyone’s chagrin, and I knew that particular Marshall Field’s well. I walked directly into the door that would have put me in the expansive plus-sized section and it wasn’t there. Instead I found teeny-bopper bathing suits. Hardly what I was looking for. I saw an arrow pointing to the Women’s section and so I followed it. Walked the entire floor to be shown a sign that said, “Women’s 14W-24W has been moved to the Lower Level.” Then I got downstairs and I was already so hopping mad that I wasn’t poised to like anything anyway but they had no suits! Just some junky play clothes. Is it me? Have you noticed how they tuck plus-sizes away in the corner? Away from noise, people… away from being seen? I mean you guys know I’m on the cusp between departments now - should I have to go between 2 or 3 floors to see if the 1X jacket is a better fit for me than the Ladies XL? I mean, it’s ridiculous. I’ve always felt hidden away, like a dirty secret, when I’ve shopped in these sections. This particular Marshall Field’s I loved because it was prominent and I just loved what they had. And now, NOTHING. It’s ridiculous. So I’m absolutely boycotting that particular Macy’s and after I go through their downtown location one last time I may boycott them all. Bastages.