Vets Ventings

I'm a Pinja!!

2012-01-28T17:00:00.000-07:00

So, chances are these days, if I've seen you around, or we have had a conversation of any kind (electronic or live) I have raved about the website Pinterest.

I full on admit. I'm obsessed. I have sent out a ton of invites to the site, I have (as of the writing of this blog entry) 36 different Boards, 1191 pins, and 229 likes. (If you know Pinterest at all, you will understand this, for the rest of you, hang tight.)

I got started on this a while ago, and never really got the hang of it at first. Then, during one of my oh so fun afternoons of funemployment, I forced myself to start exploring more of the site. Well. There went about 4 hours of my life before I knew it. (In a good way, I assure you.)

I'm obsessed. I have always been a Facebook addict (though I'm getting better, trust me, it may not seem like it, but I am), and go through phases with Twitter (mostly with a few certain people in the yarn world), but Pinterest has recently become a bigger time suck than any of the others combined.

For those of you not familiar with Pinterest, let me give you a bare bones rundown.

Common Pinterest terms:

"Pin" - Picture (with corresponding website link) of item you don't want to lose track of.
"Board" - Place to organize Pins
"Like" - Much like the Facebook "like", this one will simply save the item in your likes, doesn't mean you've saved it in any category or on any of your boards.
"Follow" - Your friends might already be on Pinterest, you can follow what they pin, and it shows up when you log in. You can easily browse through to see if there are common interests ad

Seriously, that's it. Terminology is simple and basic, much like a standard bulletin board. In fact, honestly, that's what you can equivocate this to: A Digital Bulletin Board.

If you want more details (because lets face it, I just want to show you what I've been up to instead of tell you how to run your account, however I am more than happy to give you lessons one on one if you would like), Mashable.com has a great article about the basics of the site, complete with a Beginner's Guide. You can find that article here. In fact, in doing a bit of digging, Mashable actually has some great articles about Pinterest in general, check them out here. Also, if you get yourself an account, make sure you look me up! :)

ON TO THE FUN STUFF!!!!

As I have said, I am a full on Pinterest addict, and I listed my stats above. Of the many boards that I have with my account, I have quite a few crafty boards, and quite a few food related. I used to just have one food one with recipes I'd love to try, but it got so full, I couldn't find things easily, so (another beautiful thing about the site) I simply created more boards to make it easier to find. Appetizers, Drinks, Entrees, Crock Pot, Desserts...you name it.

I have a few favorite things on there myself. One is my board that has all my funnies on it, if I ever need a giggle, that's where I go. Plus, my love for all things Mason Jar. I don't know what it is about something so basic and simple, but I adore those things. They are all over my house. So, that board has all kinds of ideas for using them on it as well.

A small list of the recipes I've tried already:

Roasted Sweet Potatoes (big hit at Thanksgiving)
Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies (The Boy raved about these, I wasn't as much of a fan)
Ham and Cheese Crescents (Would have been great if I didn't leave them in the oven a skosh too long)
Mini Chocolate Chip Cheesecakes (HUGE hit at girls night)
Buckeye Bark (easiest thing in the world, big hit at Christmas, and is quickly becoming a go-to for something easy to take to parties for a dessert)

This weekend is action packed (as is par for the course for me most weekends it seems, right?), and The Boy and I are going to a dinner party tomorrow night. Sadly, running all over hither and yon for other things before our party, doesn't leave one much time. So, tonight I will be making these: Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites (Update: they were a piece of cake, and the only way they would have been easier would have been having more freezer space). As well as my traditional Pretzel Magic (thank you SIL Maggy for that recipe). (Update: both were HUGE hits at the party, and at the office on Monday when I had too many leftovers of the Pretzel Magic to safely leave in my own house.)

I know that there will be many more recipes tried, and hopefully more crafty ideas attempted. :)

If you are already on Pinterest, please find me and follow me! If you're not on Pinterest, hopefully I've piqued your interest to start pinning!

Many Things, Crammed Into One Post

2011-10-11T20:07:00.000-06:00

So, as the title states, lots to cover. Everyone got their favorite beverage or snack, comfy seat, blanket and are ready to go? Okay, here we go.

Today I have been wracking my brain trying to write my 19 BILLIONTH cover letter. It's not going well. I need to finish it tonight and send it off to my friend of a friend at a company downtown that would honestly be the bomb-diggity to work for, but I need to give myself a break. I need something that is not a cover letter, and is not an online dating profile or witty text message to a certain someone. (Actually, the witty text messages I don't mind so much.) At one point today, I came scarily close to combining a cover letter and dating profile. That's when I knew I am to the point of overload.

So, in order to distract myself for a short amount of time, I have decided it's time to blog. Mentally vomit (sorry if you got an unpleasant mental image there). Get things off my chest/off my mind. Insert the next cliché here. (BTW, totally just found out recently how to do that little ´ over the e. Feeling pretty badass, it's the little things people.)

Unemployment has had it's perks. Time to rest, time to spend with friends, time to put other parts of life in order, or back out into the world, depending on which part you're talking about. However, it's been almost 3 solid months now...Sister...I don't have a CLUE as to how you did this for a year. Kudos. I find myself missing the outside world. I miss being a productive person in society. I guess it's good that I miss that instead of getting incredibly used to living off of unemployment. (Which honestly...no thank you, I'm going freaking stir crazy.)

The next thing I have on my agenda (besides the last part of this blog post, which was a great way to distract myself for just a short while) is to make my adorable cousin Anke's hat she has asked me for. I have to get goin' on it. I have the yarn, I have the hook, and finally have a pattern (I am insanely meticulous on picking these out...). I also have 3 other projects I need to get working on too. Two wish fulfillments, and I go back and forth about figuring out making something absolutely fab for myself. :) Who knows what it will be at this point. What I love is that it's (almost) fall so knit/crochet wear is a bit more "accepted". Because who wants to be working on an insanely hot blanket or warm hat in 80 degree weather? (By the way, for those that don't know, Colorado has been going a bit CRAZY with the weather fluctuations. I'm so ready for fall, it's sick.)

Also, when your dear, dear friend is sitting across from you at breakfast one morning, and says (as you have your sunglasses on your head, pushing back part of your hair) "HOLY COW, you weren't kidding! You DO have a lot of gray hairs!!" it's time to break out a new box of color...it's kind of sickening how many more seem to be showing up these days. Not just sickening...flat out SCARY AS HELL. I know that Grandee (dad's mom) was completely white haired by 19, but for the love of PETE...as long as boxes of hair color are stronger than genetics, my grays will be hiding under brown hair color!!!! Now, time to google for a coupon.

Up next: my time waster/cover letter distraction for the evening.

I love a good "tell me about you" survey, though many are geared towards high school students and the drama that surrounds their lives. I was going back through some old notes of mine on facebook, and found this one. I decided to brush it off, spruce it up, and post it here. Feel free to comment, steal and/or whatever you like.

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?

Credit cards

2. Do you miss being a child?

Back when wonder was the best thing ever and your biggest choice was Princess or Rainbow Brite underoos? Heck yah.

3. Chore you hate the most?

Dishes

4. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?

Sadly, with the ex, there weren't many romantic dinners...so uhhh, no idea.

5. If you could go back and change one thing what would it be?

Living with Roomzilla

6. Name of your first grade teacher?

Miss Crowell

7. What do you really want to be doing right now?

Snuggling with someone at a movie, or at home with a movie.

8. What did you want to be when you grew up?

Veterinarian

9. What college(s) did you attend?

CCU

10.Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?

Because I love this t-shirt!

11. What are your thoughts on gas prices?

Could be better...

12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?

It didn't therefore it was great.

13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?

I love this movie...

14. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?

Christopher Meloni

15. Have you ever crashed your vehicle?

Yes...

16. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer?

Heck yah.

17. Get up early or sleep in?

Sleep In.

18. What is your favorite cartoon character?

Smurfs or Animaniacs

19. Favorite thing to do at night?

Hang out with friends, knit or crochet, watch movies.

20. When did you first start feeling old?

Seeing friends' kids and how old they are already...

21. Favorite lunch meat?

Ham

22. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart?

No Wally World...I'm a Target girl!

23. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?

No. Not at all.

24. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?

I honestly don't know...(I'm scanning my DVD's as I type)

25. What's your favorite drink?

Vodka Cran or a really good Margarita, although I had a Strongbow Cider last week that was really good!

26. Who from high school would you like to run in to?

Facebook has actually helped me "run into" a bunch of folks...so I think I'm good for now.

27. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?

94.1 - so that my iPod can play.

28. Sopranos or Desperate Housewives?

Neither

29. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?

Probably Brian...in general, I'm not sure really how else to explain it...

30. Do you like the person that sits directly across from you at work?

N/A

31. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purposes?

32. Last book you finished reading?

The Help

33. Do you have a teddy bear?

No.

34. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?

No idea.

35. Do you go to church?

I try to go every week, but some weeks is tougher than others.

36. How old are you?

37. How many kids do you have?

38. How many times have you been married?

39. Why have you chosen this lifestyle you live?

Life is short...live it to the fullest.

40. What pleases you more than anything else?

Making others happy.

Hey look! A Craft Post!!!

2011-09-24T12:54:00.001-06:00

So I have been remiss in posting/crafting lately, however, good friends, Mike and Amy, found out they are having a girl, and I immediately had to craft SOMETHING. I chatted with Amy, got the nursery colors (by her own description "wackadoodle" until you see the whole design) and we discussed what she would like. She decided between a blanket and a snuggle bunny, and to surprise her.

Mike, Amy and I have known each other for about 10 years (holy cow!). Mike was my manager at ESPN Zone, and he helped me get a second job with Amy (the store manager) at The Right Start. Mike and Amy moved back to the East coast not long after I was hired on at Amy's store, and we have kept in touch since (yay facebook!). Recently, the three of us have been chatting back and forth with regards to our mutual love for all things Mad Men. So, when they found out Amy is having a girl, we were talking one night and throwing all kinds of names back and forth, especially from the show. Since they had just found out she is a SHE, there's no names in stone yet, so my nickname for her has become Ms. Blankenship. So, Ms. Blankenship, needed a blanket! (I know, I made something, and it's not a hat...I was shocked too!)

As I worked on this, I posted sneak peek pictures on facebook, but it was tough, because I didn't want to give away all the colors/final design, so thankfully, the iPhone has a great selection of apps to totally distort photos. :)

I wanted to do this in acrylic so that it's easy care for mom and dad. Once I finished, I washed it in SOAK (in the Unleash sent, very light and crisp, my fav) in the washing machine on the delicates cycle and then threw it in the dryer. I did this instead of traditional blocking because it is a machine washable piece, and I wanted to soften the yarn and take out that "store" smell. Now, it actually feels like a great baby blankie. So, without further ado...Ms. Blankeship's Blankie!

I can't wait to hear how mom and dad feel about Ms. B's new blankie! ;) Happy new baby Mike and Amy!!

I'll Follow You

2011-09-10T13:26:00.000-06:00

I love this man's music...and on his new album, this is my current obsession...because come on if the lines "You're a beautiful woman/And I'm just a man" and "So in the hours of the darkest kind/When it's hard to find who we are/One can stare into the other's eyes/Be each other's light in the dark." don't touch you...you're freaking made of stone.

I'll Follow You - by Jon McLaughlin

People tell me there will come a time

When your heart and mine will grow cold

No more staring at the evening sky

Low replaces high when you're old

As long as you're around I'll follow you

You won't ever be alone

As long as you're around I'll follow you

I will be wherever you go

They say the future is our enemy

Time eventually will set the sun

But I believe in you and you believe in me

How can we ever go wrong?

As long as you're around I'll follow you

You won't ever be alone

As long as you're around I'll follow you

I will be wherever you go

So be patient baby

Hold me close

I hope you understand

You're a beautiful woman

And I'm just a man

So in the hours of the darkest kind

When it's hard to find who we are

One can stare into the other's eyes

Be each other's light in the dark.

As long as you're around I'll follow you

You won't ever be alone

As long as you're around I'll follow you

I will be wherever you go

20 Questions (times 5)

2011-07-10T21:21:00.000-06:00

My friend Stacey, who is also my neighbor and 4am Royal Wedding Watcher Partner, loves these questionnaires, as I have for quite a while...(enter the many MySpace ones I filled out...back in the day, as well as I've done my fair share on facebook as well.)

Anyways, as I can't turn down a good set of questions, here we go:

1. How old will you be in five years?
Ugh...38 years old. Holy crap.

2. Who did you spend at least two hours with today?
Me, Myself and I.

3. How tall are you?
6' 1"

4. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks?
My crazy upcoming week, Idina Menzel with the CSO at Red Rocks, Harry Potter final movie premier (yes, I am going to a midnight showing with 7 friends and a grip of other HP nuts, and yes, I am SO stinking excited about it.)

5. What’s the last movie you saw?
I'm currently watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix on tv, however, before that, I think it was Food, Inc.

6. Who was the last person you called?
My folks

7. Who was the last person to call you?
My SIL, Maggy

8. What was the last text message you received?
From Marly in response to one I sent her.

9. Who was the last person to leave you a voicemail?
Dad

10. Do you prefer to call or text?
Depends on what's going on, 8 times out of 10, a text. Unless I'm driving, it would take too long to type out or needing to confirm something right away, then a call.

11. What were you doing at 12am last night?
Settling in for bed. Just got home from John and Kendra's wedding.

12. Are your parents married/separated/divorced?
Married, for 37 years this September

13. When is the last time you saw your mom?
Last night at the wedding

14. What color are your eyes?

Green

15. What time did you wake up today?
Uh...I'm not sure...I think until about 8:30...which is really sleeping late in my world.

16. What are you wearing right now?
T-shirt, yoga pants. I have a current obsession with Old Navy's yoga pants. I blame my BFF Cheryl and SIL Maggy for this.

17. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Uhhh...this is tough. Must consult iTunes...brb...apparently my most listened to is Ave Maria, as performed by Chris Botti. Um, duh, I should have known that. Other than that, the Straight No Chaser Christmas Album is up there, as is Kristen Chenoweth's Christmas album...

18. Where is your favorite place to be?
Depends...I'm becoming more of a homebody lately, however I am def a sucker for an afternoon at Chautauqua Park in Boulder.

19. Where is your least favorite place to be?
Work. I know it's sad because it's where we spend so many hours of our lives there, but it's just hard lately because of the nature of patients we work with and it's been stressful lately. I enjoy being with friends and laughing instead of being reminded how nasty cancer is. (I had a particularly rough week last week, so it's a bit bitter right now.)

20. Where would you go if you could go anywhere?
Europe and Austrailia

21. Where do you think you’ll be in 10 years?
I would hope to be married...and an Aunt. (NO pressure siblings...I know it's a ways off and I'm totally cool with that!!)

22. Do you tan or burn?
Burn. I typically look like a boiled lobster.

23. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child?
Uh...can't say as I can remember anything like that...

24. What was the last thing that really made you laugh?
A quip between Marly and I on Thursday night.

25. How many TVs do you have in your house?
2, no need for anymore than that.

26. How big is your bed?
A queen, juuuuuuust right.

27. Do you have a laptop or desktop computer?
Laptop

28. Do you sleep with or without clothes on?
PJ's are my favorite clothes ever.

29. What color are your sheets?
Currently they are a white with polka dot/bubble-esque pattern.

30. How many pillows do you sleep with?
Usually two, but there are some nights it's more.

31. What is your favorite season?
Fall

32. What do you like about fall?
The colors, the crispness in the air.

33. What do you like about winter?
Multiple parties to see friends.

34. What do you like about the summer?
When the weather is warm but not scorching hot.

35. What do you like about spring?
Rain, cool-ish weather.

36. How many states/provinces have you lived in?
Two, Washington and Colorado

37. What cities/towns have you lived in?
Edmonds, Broomfield (x2), Lakewood (x2), Arvada (x3), Westminster

38. Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?
Socks or barefoot

39. Are you a social person?
VERY.

40. What was the last thing you ate?
Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich.

41. What is your favorite restaurant?
Wazee Supper Club and On The Border

42. What is your favorite ice cream?
It used to be B&J's Triple Caramel Chunk, but honestly, as long as it has caramel involved...I'm thrilled.

43. What is your favorite dessert?
Hmmm...for my birthday it's DQ ice cream cake...otherwise, ice cream in general...

44. What is your favorite kind of soup?
Panera's Chicken Noodle

45. What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich?
Raspberry

46. Do you like Chinese food?
Yes. YES YES YES. Chicken Lo Mein and Sesame Chicken are huge weaknesses of mine.

47. Do you like coffee?
Nope.

48. How many glasses of water, a day, do you drink on average?
Not nearly enough. probably only about 2 right now, but there is a reason I constantly try to carry a water bottle with me.

49. What do you drink in the morning?
Bing. It's my caffeine weakness.

50. What non-banking related card in your wallet is the most valuable to you?
Hmmm...Driver's License

51. Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?
Left (while you're in the bed, right when you're looking AT the bed.)

52. Do you know how to play poker?
Barely.

53. Do you like to cuddle?
Yes, yes I do.

54. Have you ever been to Canada?
When I was really little.

55. Do you have an addictive personality?
In some instances.

56. Do you eat out or at home more often?
It's been out more than in, but I'm trying to get better about that. Plus, I want to expand my cooking repertoire.

57. What do you miss about high school, if anything?
Nothing. Other than my clothing size.

58. Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you?
Yes, a couple folks!

59. Do you want kids?
I go back and forth...for now, I live vicariously through friends and their munchkins.

60. Do you speak any other languages?
Pig Latin

61. Have you ever gotten stitches?
Yes, surgical procedures tend to require them.

62. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
Sadly, yes.

63. Do you prefer an ocean or a pool?
For swimming? Pool. For visiting? Ocean. (Leaving Stacey's answer...it applies here too.)

64. Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seat?
Aisle. Always the aisle.

65. Do you know how to drive stick?
Only in an absolute emergency.

66. What is your favorite thing to spend money on?
Others. :)

67. Do you wear any jewelry 24/7?
Yes, one silver ring I got in San Francisco on a girls' trip about 5 years ago. (Holy crap...5 years ago???)

68. What is your favorite TV show?
Currently? How I Met Your Mother.

69. Can you roll your tongue?
Yup.

70. Who is the funniest person you know?
Huh...good question...I know many funny people. Including myself.

71. Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
Nope

72. What is the main ring tone on your phone?
One of the defaults on the phone, I need to actually look into one that I like more.

73. Do you still have clothes from when you were little?
I'm not sure. There are about 8 boxes in my closet from mom and dad's house marked "baby stuff" so it's likely.

74. What red object is closest to you right now?
The buttons on the Comcast remote.

75. Do you turn off the water while you brush your teeth?
Yes

76. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
Open

77. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of bees?
Um, what's option #3?

78. Do you flirt a lot?
No. One area of my life that is rather...(insert proper disparaging adjective here)

79. What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
Either ranch or bbq or sweet and sour sauce...

80. What is your favorite food?
Typically...mexican

81. Can you change the oil on a car?
Hm, no...although, I've watched Sparky do it enough, I should.

82. Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket?
Yes.

83. Have you ever run out of gas?
Twice. Only ONCE was it my fault. The other was a faulty gas gaug

84. What is your usual bedtime?
Lately, too late. Need to start getting my booty in bed by 10ish.

85. What was the last book you read?
The Help. OMG, if you haven't read it yet, you should.

86. Do you read the newspaper?
Nope.

87. Do you have any magazine subscriptions?
No, but if I were to get one, it would be People. Love it, truly, I do.

89. Do you watch soap operas?
Not now. In college, there was a rather serious Days of Our Lives addiction going though.

90. Do you dance in the car?
Yes, often.

91. What radio station did you last listen to?
98.5. I'm a country girl, but I have my occasion where I switch to 105.9 for the

92. Who is in the picture frame closest to you?
My "European Grandpa", Willi. He's pretending to be the Berlin Wall. I love that picture.

93. What was the last note you scribbled on a piece of paper?
Grocery list

94. What is your favorite candle scent?
A clean fresh scent...lately it's kind of a white tea or laundry-esque scent...

95. What is your favorite board game?
Taboo

Where’s 96?

97. When was the last time you attended church?
Sadly, June. Travel, plans and sheer exhaustion have interfered lately.

98. Who was your favorite teacher in high school?
Huh...I have no idea...likely Mrs. Schlicker.

99. What is the longest you have ever camped out in a tent?
4 days. Loved almost every minute of it too.

100. Who was the last person to do something extra special for you?
Family for birthday and Cam for my bike. :) Although I am VERY excited for Tuesday night's joint birthday party with one of my all time favorite people. :)

30 Day Music Challenge - Day 5

2011-05-29T16:58:00.000-06:00

Day 5 - A Song That Reminds You of Someone

One of the closest people in my life and I LOVE this song...and we crack up laughing EVERY time it comes on...Cheryl Brown, this is for you!!!

30 Day Music Challenge - Day 4

2011-05-28T16:37:00.000-06:00

Day 4 -

A song that makes you sad:

Uhhh....if it makes me sad, I probably turn it pretty quick...however...this song, while it makes me sad, also paints an amazing picture in my head at the same time.

30 Day Music Challenge - Day 3

2011-05-27T10:30:00.000-06:00

Day 3 - A song that makes you happy...

This song just has that beat that makes you smile and shake your booty. And if you are C or I, you dance in your chair at the office...

30 Day Music Challenge - Day 2

2011-05-26T09:59:00.001-06:00

Day 2 - A song you hate...

I think most of the world (over the age of 13) would agree with me on this one...her voice drives me BONKERS.

HOWEVER!!!

I DO like this version...

30 Day Music Challenge - Day 1

2011-05-25T11:53:00.001-06:00

Day 1 - Your Favorite Song

Well geez...you would think that this would be super easy to rattle off right? Yeah, no. I have at least two or three come to mind. I checked my iTunes, and according to that, my most played should be my favorite song, right? Um, nope. Just a bit Glee obsessed I think. Plus, when I transferred all my songs to the computer they are on now, I lost all my play counts...so no bueno.

After some thought, I realized there shouldn't have been a need for thought...here it is:

I'm Movin' On - Rascal Flatts

A New Challenge!!

2011-05-24T07:25:00.000-06:00

So, you know when you sit down to write a blog, you have serious writer's block and can't think of a single thing to write? Yeah...totally have been there the last few weeks. My 30 day photo challenge finished up and then the Royal Wedding, and then...(insert the sound of crickets here)...nothing.

Oh sure, I was able to post a couple times, one being silly YouTube videos, the others being small things. But I've decided it's time to start a new thread. You guessed it. Another challenge.

No, no it's not another photo one, this one is a bit easier because all the pieces are already out there, I just need to cull iTunes to find them all. That's right it's the

30 DAY MUSIC CHALLENGE!!!

No, I will not be boring you with only country music, I have quite the eclectic taste in music really. But, fair warning, I am a country fan, so there will likely be a sizeable smattering of that genre in this challenge...oh, and Broadway...and...oh you get it.

I am half asleep as I am currently typing this, so I will start the challenge tomorrow. According to the list, I am to find my favorite song. Well crap, this might be harder than I thought...

PS: Yes, Maggy, this is my carrot. :)

Defying Gravity

2011-05-19T23:32:00.000-06:00

So for the last almost year, I have had this insane pull back to Seattle. I can't explain it, I don't know what it is exactly...I can't put my finger on it. The stars haven't aligned, the plans haven't worked out, the ducks aren't in their row. (How many more cliches can I come up with for this?)

I can't put into words myself this feeling that has been in my gut, and I don't know what will eventually either satisfy this "craving" or pull, or whatever you want to call it. I visited in October, and that seems to have been enough for a little while...now I'm going back for a friend's wedding in a month, and I can already tell, I don't want to come back.

I love Colorado. I love my life, friends, family, everything that is here. I have a pretty sweet gig. But there is this nagging feeling, and I don't know how to explain it. (It doesn't help that work is incredibly stressful right now and putting everything in a moving van and driving West sounds absolutely awesome.) Am I going to pack my entire life into a U-Haul this weekend and move across the country? No. (First off, it's already Thursday, I don't have enough time to pack everything, plus I'm getting a nice table and chairs on Monday.) Do I wish I could some days? Yes. (Oh, and PS: the week straight of Seattle-esque weather Colorado has been having, isn't helping. Don't get me wrong, I ADORE the rain, but the rest of the state is starting to freak out a bit.)

Some people find references for life in a tv show (and trust me, usually I would find one in the show "Friends"), but with my theatre loving background, I have taken to my favorite musical...Wicked. The closing song to the first act, Defying Gravity, brought me to tears the first time I saw it live. Such power, such strength, such emotion, such...wow. To give you a bit more to work with other than me sitting here gushing about the song, here are a few snippets of the lyrics...imagine these powerful words being sung by a girl painted green...and a girl who is dressed in buttercup yellow.

Something has changed within me

Something is not the same

I'm through with playing by the rules

Of someone ele's game

Too late for second-guessing

Too late to go back to sleep

It's time to trust my instincts

Close my eyes: and leap!

I'm through accepting limits

'cause someone says they're so

Some things I cannot change

But till I try, I'll never know!

Too long I've been afraid of

Losing love I guess I've lost

Well, if that's love

It comes at much to high a cost!

I'd sooner buy

Defying gravity

Kiss me goodbye

I'm defying gravity

And you can't pull me down.

Maybe I'm supposed to eventually move back to Seattle, maybe I'm supposed to be here and go back to visit...I don't know right now. Hopefully though, the stars will align, the plans will work out and those elusive ducks will get into their rows...and life might start being clear again.

Unfinished Thoughts...

2011-05-18T08:39:00.000-06:00

So I have two other blog posts in the works, but I'm having a hard time bringing my thoughts together to finish them. Plus, it's been a bit...weird...around here lately.

So, in the mean time, I found THIS little gem while going through pictures the other day, and just had to share...my brother-in-law ladies and gentlemen...

This picture also makes me remember that FIESTA is around the corner...WAHOO!

Giggles

2011-05-10T23:05:00.000-06:00

So, lately, life has been a bit...well...stressful. (I'm fine, I swear.) Lots going on. I'm not trying to complain, and bring everyone down, so I'll share a few of the things that have been definitely making me laugh/smile/happy in the last few weeks. Because c'mon...who DOESN'T want a youtube video to chuckle at?

Yes, I realize that a few of these involve babies laughing...I can't help it...that sound is good for the SOUL.

Up first: Emerson FUH-REAKING out at his mommy blowing his nose.

Next: A little girl, her dog, and bubbles.

Two Bunnies in Cups. No, it's not one of those weird clips...it seriously is just two ADORABLE bunnies in cups. The one on the right, is my fav.

French Bulldog puppy who can't roll back over...I know, you are supposed to let these puppies figure this out on their own, but how stinkin' cute is he???

Whose Line Is It Anyways? - This show originated in the UK, but had an awesome run here in the States as well. I LOVE this show. I have a fav ep where Ryan Stiles hits the neon light on Drew Carey's desk, breaks the light, but never breaks character. I about died laughing.

I can't embed this one, but here is the link, skip to about 2:15 to see the part where I literally almost peed my pants (after I figured out he wasn't hurt).

So there you go...a couple of the things that are making me giggle these days. Anyone reading or watching anything funny of note to share?

Will and Kate, The Sequel.

2011-04-29T20:08:00.002-06:00

Ok, I thought I'd put this off till this weekend, however, now is just as good a time as any! Plus, I fully intend on crashing until my body decides (hopefully late Saturday morning) "Okay, we are fully recharged now, we can wake up."

The Princess was beautiful, William was very dapper in his military jacket.

Westminster Abbey...wow...just...WOW. I have always wanted to go to London, and now even more than before.

Stacey and I stuck with NBC for our wedding coverage, though I'll admit, I had the DVR running on TLC as well. (Nothing like making sure you had things covered right?) She had tea, I had juice and then I switched to my beloved Bing. Caffeine, oh how I love you. Thank you for keeping me propped up all day!

I promised pictures...and here we go...Stacey was a bit more brave and willing to take one of herself, whereas I opted for just one of the top of my head. So, here is Lady Carol Buttercup-Inyo in her beautiful hat!

I am not so brave as to show my face/full head of hair, as I had showered the night before and went to bed with wet hair. Although, you can see some of my bedhead/unruly curls under my tiara before I attacked them with a flat iron before heading to work. (Pay no attention to the gray hairs peeking out, I'm between dye jobs...)

Stacey brought some traditional English treats, which I loved the names of...particularly the one on the left...Digestives...huh, nothing screams COOKIE! like a name like that! ;)

I chose to make traditional scones, which I think turned out yummo good!

Hmmm...I miiiiight need to go warm some up for a snack tonight...

Ok, I'm off to wach the "pre-show" and arrivals off of the DVR, because I'll admit, I can't get enough today, and then, I will fall asleep and dream of my own Prince Charming.

Cheerio!

PS: Between 3 separate conversations, I've agreed with the fact that we Americans don't have enough activities where we wear insanely outlandish and fun hats. My birthday is around the corner...I'm beginning to get ideas...

Will and Kate

2011-04-28T12:27:00.001-06:00

I admit it. I am going to be one of the millions of Americans who get up at the ungodly hour of 3:30 am and watch The Royal Wedding.

I have to admit, I haven't looked at much of the hoopla going into this shindig, however, my friend Stacey (who happens to live very near my apartment...as in...about 10 buildings away in my complex), is ~~full on OBSESSED~~ more of a general anglophile than a royal-watcher. I promise to post some pictures this weekend of our little tea party, however I can pretty much guarantee you that my face won't be in them. (I fully plan on being in pj's, sans makeup and with really wonky hair.)

In fact, Stacey just posted this as her facebook status:

What is your Royal Wedding guest name? Start with either Lord or Lady. Your first name is one of your grandparent's name. Your surname is the name of your first pet, double barrelled with the name of the street you grew up on.

Yours Royally,
Lady Carol Buttercup-Inyo

She cracks me up. She has had a countdown app on her phone that shows details of the wedding for over a month now.

However, back to OUR party.

Stacey is bringing macaroons, I am making scones, and while she sips black tea, I will be sipping hot chocolate (no matter how hard my mother has tried, I just don't like tea...sorry mom). Then after the whole sha-bang, I will be chugging caffeine to make it through my day. I have never been so grateful to have both doctors on vacation in my life. :)

I find it funny remembering how my mom stayed up to watch Princess Diana and Prince What's-His-Bucket's wedding...and now here I am staying up for their kid's wedding. Full circle I guess.

Anywho...I will update this weekend with pictures...like I said, no guarantees that I will actually be IN said pictures...plus, my apartment is a bit of a mess, so no guarantees that the pictures will be of much other than the food and our *ahem* headwear.

Yours Royally,
Lady Doris Happy-206th (Yeah...just doesn't work for me like it did for her!)

Deutsch Überraschungen

2011-04-24T21:27:00.010-06:00

This blog post is very overdue, the last week has been even busier than normal. But, I promised someone I would post this so here I am! :)

My amazingly wonderful cousin, Anke, who I have mentioned before (here) surprised me (mostly because I forgot that she asked me for my address) with a super fun surprise!!! I went to my little mailbox last week, and it was crammed full! (I'm also not the best about getting my mail every day, but hey...)

There was a package I had ordered, some Netflix DVD's, and this package (telling you, it was a PACKED little mailbox):

And in that wonderful package! Such fun things!

SEE!! Handmade potholders/hotpads, a handmade little stocking, German chocolates (!!) a great card and (oh crud, it got cut out a bit...) an adorable little angel!!! (Scroll down to see it...)

See? Cute eh?

Anke: I love it all!!!! Your little stocking is amazing! I envy that skill, I'm still figuring out/working on my first pair of socks in my knitting!

Danke!!!

Shel Silverstein Sunday

2011-04-17T19:41:00.007-06:00

I found myself (in the last few days) thinking about how much I loved Shel Silverstein and how he could put things, both silly and otherwise. I don't know exactly what triggered that thought, and yes, while it's not often, believe it or not, occasionally book related, semi-educated thoughts roll through my noggin.

I went to my bookshelf to grab my favorite "Where The Sidewalk Ends" to thumb through a few poems, only to be completely surprised that while I thought I owned that book, turns out, I don't. However, I do have it in audio form, read by Shel himself, and that brings a whole new life to the words. Hmmm...I see a trip to a bookstore in my future.

In the meantime, massive Googling (thank you to amazon.com for listing every poem in the book on the website, that definitely helped!) ensued and while I know there are other poems I love in that book (Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout and Peanut Butter Sandwich comes to mind), for some reason, these ones stick out to me today. Enjoy!

Spaghetti

Spaghetti, spaghetti, all over the place,

Up to my elbows--up to my face,

Over the carpet and under the chairs,

Into the hammock and wound round the stairs,

Filling the bathtub and covering the desk,

Making the sofa a mad mushy mess.

The party is ruined, I'm terribly worried,

The guests have all left (unless they're all buried).

I told them, "Bring presents." I said, "Throw confetti."

I guess they heard wrong

'Cause they all threw spaghetti!

No Difference

Small as a peanut,

Big as a giant,

We're all the same size

When we turn off the light.

Rich as a sultan,

Poor as a mite,

We're all worth the same

When we turn off the light.

Red, black or orange,

Yellow or white,

We all look the same

When we turn off the light.

So maybe the way

To make everything right

Is for God to reach out

And turn off the light!

Work In Progress...

2011-04-15T09:37:00.000-06:00

So last night, I went to get my tattoo fixed, as I have wanted to get it fixed since 2006, not long after I got it. There is a bit of a story here, because Sister went with me yesterday to get it fixed (she was there when I got it the first time), however the gal who I had the appointment with, had a client suddenly change what she wanted which ended up taking a LOT longer than expected, plus she didn't have the right materials clean she wanted to use with me. So, instead, she asked if I could come back the next day.

I have had my appointment for about a month. I won't lie, I was MAD. Sister wouldn't be able to be there, she came down specifically for this. (Insert mad pouty face here.) We went to dinner instead, and then on to trivia night as usual for a Wednesday night.

Thursday, C went with me to get it fixed, and the gal who asked me to come back was more than ready for me. Once we got going, it took her less than 20 minutes to fix what needed fixing, plus add some shading that was definitely needed.

Here I am with Jeannie, who honestly is awesome, and, you would never guess, but she KNITS! That's where I met her, was across the street at the shop where I get all my knitting stuff! Yes, there were times I did wince like this, but rest assured, this picture is indeed, staged.

So, I won't show the fixed version, because it's in the healing stages, however I will show you the initial, my tat as of last night, and then as soon as it's healed, the finished product!

So, here we go:

Day I got it:

Finished product after infection pulled out half the color (and 5 years later...this picture was taken Wednesday night) :

Do you see why it needed to be fixed? It was driving me crazy. Right now, it is ~~really pissed at me~~ not happy with me. When it calms down and decides to play nice (gimme about a week or so), I promise a finished post with (hopefully if I can manage to figure out enough html) all three side by side for a progression shot...no promises yet though!

Happy Friday!!!

Hodge Podge Post

2011-04-14T01:10:00.004-06:00

Ok, so I've been a wee bit absent since the end of the photo challenge...apparently I need something daily to keep me posting! However, since that can't always be the case, time to start stockpiling ideas, and daily nuances to tell my peeps about!

Wrapping up the photo challenge...

It was a LOT of fun!!! If you were bored by it, I'm sorry, look at it this way, it could have been MUCH longer! In doing a little research, I found out that there is not only a 60 day, but a 100 day photo challenge too! 30 days was more than enough for me. Especially when I started looking at the rest of the 100 day challenge list...and realizing that I think a high schooler took the 30 day list and started adding things randomly that most grown adults either wouldn't have pictures of or have done in the last few years...so time to resume regular blogging.

Regular blogging...ummm...right...time to start looking for topics! Any suggestions? I know it's a lifestyle kind of blog that I'm doing here, and I'm sure I'll have some events (knitting and crochet projects etc) to post. I was given a few links (this blogger that Maggy introduced me to, broke it into a three-part series on her blog: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) to look at for blogging tips, and I've already implemented a couple of them, but am still working on a few. I'm still getting a grasp on the whole formatting thing. (Thanks, Jenni at Story of My Life!!)

I recently started running the Facebook page for a local knitting shop (Knit Knack in Arvada, yes, that was a shameless plug for you to check it out), and wanted to get a bit more info, so I went in search of some "for Dummies" books at a local Barnes and Noble. They had the books on their website, but I wanted to look at them before ordering.

(Because sadly, they were much cheaper through amazon...Samantha...that was for you, oh, by the way, she's doing a GREAT little giveaway on her blog right now...click, go...I swear, her cookies are THE BOMB.)

I went with my best friend, Cheryl, and in an entire bookstore, not only did they not have the two books I was looking for, but when I looked for a couple other guides on writing, styles etc. Nothing. Nada. ZIP. Instead, there were 3 wall sections of THIS:

REALLY?? 3 whole wall sections on "Teen Paranormal Romance", yet I can't find a book on writing? What, is Barnes and Noble afraid people will start writing instead of reading? Good grief.

So, to get back onto topic, yes, I went and bought not only Facebook Marketing for Dummies (um, holy cow, the thing is littered with post it notes already...and I thought I already knew a lot about Facebook!), which led to also buying the Blogging for Dummies book. Now, to put them both to good use.

I have to give a couple shout outs...my sister in law, Maggy, has been a great help with learning HTML and photobucket, and is a plethora of blog knowledge. (PS: Check out her blog HERE.)

My next shout out is to my cousin Anke, in Germany (Hi Anke!!). She has written me a couple sweet comments and sent me an email the other day, so I just thought I'd give her a special hi. :)

Not much else is goin' on right now, however I am getting my tattoo touched up tomorrow/today (it was supposed to be tonight while my sister was here but that story will be for when I get it fixed), so I am excited about that!

Since I don't have much else to share at the moment, I'll give you a "before" picture of the tat...when I initally got it. Then tomorrow I will (hopefully) have 3 pictures for you...initial, oops, and the fix. Until tomorrow!

(You'll have to forgive me, the pic is 5 years old, and was taken on either an older camera or cell phone, so the quality isn't exactly stellar.)

Toooomorrow...tomorrow...

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 30

2011-04-01T08:30:00.003-06:00

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss.

I know that this is a photo challenge, and trust me, there will be pictures (no judging, it was the late 90's, and yes, I'm aware of my hair)...however, please allow me to tell some backstory on my friend before you see what a beautiful woman she was.

Julie (Fawthrop) Telfer

Julie and I were randomly paired as roommates my junior/her senior year in college. Never have I had such an amazing roommate. (No offense to my senior year girls...we had fun...Julie was just...Julie.)

I saw her a few times after her grad, my family went to Albuquerque to see the hot air balloon festival, and she and her husband (boyfriend at the time) came with us. She came back to my grad the next year, and not long after (I think it might have been the next summer), my family and I went to the wedding. At that point (if timeline/memory serves...) she was 29.

We kept in touch via email, postcards (she went to Europe for a summer), and the occasional phone call. Through Christmas cards/letters etc, she told me about how she had been getting her migraines checked out. Things weren't looking good...it was brain cancer. She went through the traditional routes of treatment, and the tumor seemed to be responding. She had gone the holistic route as well, thankfully with good response. In 2002, the tumor stopped responding to treatments.

In early 2003, I had this feeling I needed to call. I called and happened to get Chris. We exchanged pleasantries...and then I asked how things were. He said "It's bad. I'm glad you've called when you did...Julie is on her deathbed...if you are able...you should come now."

Um...holy $h!t. I asked him some basic questions, made some phone calls, and thanks to dad, had myself and 2 friends booked on a flight to New Mexico within the week. Tobi and Cheryl knew Julie, Cheryl had become our adopted roommate, and Tobi knew her from her brief stint in one of the shows we did that year in the theatre.

Cheryl and Tobi were amazing, and provided a welcome relief from the sadness of the trip. (A certain trip to Wal-Mart for bathing suits, games of Phase 10, the hot tub and Cheryl laughing so hard she fell off the bed are all happy memories from that trip, but those stories are for another blog.)

That trip was emotional hell. We got to the house, and saw Chris, and I will never forget beautiful Julie, and what cancer had done to her...I know that sounds terrible and sad, but other than my pictures I have from our time in college, it's what is burned into my brain. We spent time with Julie, who was in such a comatose state, I only pray that she was able to hear everything we said, and returned to Denver with heavy hearts.

Julie passed the next weekend. She was only 31.

I think of her often, and have a picture I took of her and Chris, at their wedding, hanging on my wall (it was one of the few I don't have digitized) and forgive me, but you're just going to have to take my word that it is one of my most treasured pictures.

On March 4th of this year, it was 8 years ago that she passed away...I can't believe it's been 12 years since we met and already been 8 years since she passed...

Julie...I miss you...

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 29

2011-03-31T14:04:00.000-06:00

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.

"Auntie Jonene, what are you doing?"

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 28

2011-03-30T12:24:00.001-06:00

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of.

*DISCLAIMER* Do NOT click on the link in the paragraph below if you do not like spiders either...I've already been scolded...so now if you do, you've been warned! :)

Do you know how hard it was to go find this picture, and put it here? Even the picture FREAKS ME OUT! (Plus, thank you Google Images for the oh so terrifying picture of camel spiders...that is something I will not be able to shake for a while now.) *full body shudder*

PS: Normally I enlarge pictures, today, I can't shrink this sucker small enough...YUCK.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 27

2011-03-29T21:33:00.016-06:00

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.

I'll do you one better...here's me with all of my immediate family members...accompanied by Baxter's behind...thanks Bax...

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 26

2011-03-28T21:32:00.016-06:00

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you.

Where I've come from...

Where I am....

And where I'm yet to go....

PS: No stock photos today...boo-yah! :)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 25

2011-03-27T21:32:00.178-06:00

Day 25 - A picture of your day.

Sunday lazy Sunday...

So, today was/is (because it's not Monday yet) a relatively lazy day, and I have loved every minute of it. For the photo challenge, I have found myself finding stock images for a lot of the days instead of using ones I have. Granted, I haven't had good ones to use for most of the days, so Google Image Search has been my saving grace. Today, I wanted to use as many real pictures as possible, and between my iPhone and my camera, I feel like I got some decent shots. Here we go!

Oh hey, look, today's blog post is supposed to be about pictures of my day...well, today is likely to be rather boring, but hey, I'll have a bit o'fun with this so...ok...

*sound of my phone going off*

Hmmm...how the heck am I going to make a word with no vowels...

Sheesh my place is a bit messy...so I should really pick up and do some laundry so I'll have clothes for the week. Oh, and I haven't run the vacuum in a bit, so probably should do that too.

*sound of my phone going off*

Well crap...all vowels...I wonder if I can make a few weird additions to something...

LUNCH! Italian Pasta salad...love that it keeps for a few days after I initially make it...

Hmmm...lazy day + cleaning + lunch = naptime...zzzzzzz

*yaaaawn* *streeeeeetch* hmmm...I'm thinking a movie...but which format...DVR is caught up, so maybe some Netflix goodness.

George gave me a super fun present last night...I might have to crack the spine today...

Evil Easter Crack...I shall resist your temptation...(well, I'm going to try to anyways...)

Rawr...can't figure out side by side photo placement in the blog, my sister in law, Maggy (and researcher extraordinaire) informs me she's figured it out (have I mentioned you should check out her blog? You really should...) and came over tonight to help me out. She taught me about html embedding (I was a bit more intimidated by this than she was) and I taught her the tricks I learned with regards to some photo downloads. We cracked open my book I just got (Blogging for Dummies) to get a few more tips here and there.

What you don't see...well, mostly don't see (on purpose) are two girls who are in pj's/sweats, surrounded by 2 laptops, 2 iPhones, a bunch of cords, the Blogging for Dummies book and there may or may not have been some consumption of the above mentioned Evil Easter Crack. Yay for teamwork!!

After Maggy left, I tuned in to my weekly Sunday Sobfest...the lineup of Secret Millionaire, Army Wives and Coming Home. I have gone through 2 boxes of Kleenex in 3 weeks...ugh. I either need to start crying less (doubtful) or buy cheaper Kleenex for the living room...

Normally yes, I'd be a bit grossed out by used Kleenex, but rest assured, they are all damp only from tears, no boogers.

Well, since I can't bring myself to end a post talking about boogers, then I have to wrap up today by talking about what's I'm excited about for tomorrow: Dinner at The Melting Pot with three great friends!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 24

2011-03-26T21:31:00.020-06:00

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.

Something I wish I could change, or something I'm really trying to be better about changing?

I wish there were a magic pill to make it easy, but I guess I also don't want something that is that easy, because of the possible repercussions when you stop taking a med...bounce back and gain it all back.

In the meantime...I continue the process of brainwashing myself (again) into eating food that's better for me and moving more...not because I feel this need to be super skinny, but I want to be healthy. I mentioned this before, and now I just have to make sure I actually DO it. :)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 23

2011-03-25T21:30:00.004-06:00

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book.

The book, the play, the movie, the name Atticus...I love this book!!!!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 22

2011-03-24T21:30:00.026-06:00

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at.

Uhhhh....I dunno...remembering to update my blog?

Orrrr...pack my gym bag so I'll actually go after work instead of coming home and then not going?

Yeah...we'll stick with those two for now...

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 21

2011-03-23T21:29:00.020-06:00

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget.

Ok, if it's something I wish I could forget, why on earth would I be bringing up pictures of it? Argh...

Anyways, if I had to pick...The Roommate. That's what I wish I could forget.

For obvious reasons, I will not be posting pictures of the real Roommate, but when you Google Image "Bad Roommate" there are some...well...interesting pictures...so this is the tamest I could find...

For MOST of the Roommate story...click HERE...now, I will admit...living with her definitely made me feel like this...

Thankfully I don't have to worry about that now, and thankfully memories of this ugly time in life, are starting to fade.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 20

2011-03-22T21:29:00.012-06:00

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.

I've been once, am really wanting to go back!! (Germany)

London...foggy foggy London (C'mon...Mary Poppins is from here!)

Have wanted to go for many years...someday...

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 19

2011-03-21T21:28:00.013-06:00

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little.

Yeah...we were pretty dang cute...

I have to say though, I think this one is one of my favs...epitomizes the era...I mean c'mon...Raggedy Ann, and my glasses...tell me there isn't enough stand-up comedy material here for days...

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 18

2011-03-20T21:28:00.002-06:00

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.

'Nuff said.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 17

2011-03-19T21:27:00.047-06:00

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

Impact: The effect or influence of one person, thing, or action on another.

This person came into my life, first as my teacher, then as my friend. The first night I met her, she quoted Bill Cosby, and a massive amount of laughter later...I can't imagine life without her and the massive amounts of laughter that still happen whenever we are in the same room.

Without her, I wouldn't know how to knit (remember she was my teacher first!), wouldn't have challenged my skills with new projects...the conversations we've had at the gym, at our weekly trivia night, I love it.

I have recently started helping her out with her business, and it's SO COOL to see her succeed, because she's REALLY talented at what she does. I'm weird, I get this huge surge of pride when she gets recognition for what she's accomplished...she deserves it...I just love seeing her get the recognition she deserves!!!

Marlaina Bird and I...doing what we do best...laughing.

Not a great shot of me, but a very accurate depiction of how we end up spending most of our time together!!!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 16

2011-03-18T14:27:00.000-06:00

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.

I don't know what it is, but someone (especially kiddos) fighting with all they've got, and have what I have nicknamed a "Chemo Cue Ball"...totally puts things I might be struggling with in perspective.

**Please note, none of these people are any of my patients. All of these pictures are from Google Images.**

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 15

2011-03-17T21:16:00.000-06:00

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.

Have some pounds to shed first, but it. will. happen.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 14

2011-03-16T21:24:00.011-06:00

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

Really? Did you expect me to put anyone else??

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 13

2011-03-15T12:45:00.000-06:00

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.

Oh how I love him, and his music. Now, if only he'd put out another album and tour again. Ladies and gentlemen...Jon McLaughlin.

(This was taken in 2008, his last jaunt through town...)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 12

2011-03-14T22:35:00.000-06:00

Day 12 - A picture of something you love.

"There's a difference between like and love. Because I like my Sketchers, but I love my Prada backpack."
"But, I love my Sketchers."
"That's because you don't have a Prada backpack."

While this is in no way the tone I took today's photo challenge, (bonus points to the person who comments with the correct movie that above quote is from) I get to choose how I interpret these challenges, and if you want to do it differently...kudos, embark on your own photo challenge and do as you please!

You will notice there is a theme to these pictures. I'm kind of curious as to what everyone else thinks is the theme, but that's the fun of it...

Can you guess yet?

No? C'mooon...sensing ANY kind of theme??

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller...Bueller...

What I LOVE is not taking myself/life too seriously. (I know, I'm weird...work with me, keep reading.)

There is 99.999% of the time, something that can be made light of in a situation (when appropriate). There is something that when skewed juuuuuuust right...turns something either said off hand, looked at just wrong, or caught in the right mood, is absolutely hilarious.

Do I take life seriously when it needs to be? Yes. (For the most part.)

However, since I am one of those oh so annoying glass-half-full people who refuses to dwell in the Pit of Despair (another movie reference...oh c'moooon, humor me, you've read this far...) for longer than the shortest amount I can possibly can, I am constantly amused by the simplest of things that you may think "Um, ok, yeah, whatever, ya freak." the whole while, in my little world, the laughter...is the best part.

Epilogue/Note:

I contribute the talent of not dwelling in the Pit of Despair (C'mon, really?? NObody??) to the fact that I am 1) one of those annoying glass-half-full people, and 2) I am easily distrac...oooo SHINY!!! so something is bound to come along shortly to distract me.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 11

2011-03-13T19:45:00.000-06:00

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate.

These are a few of my least favorite things...

If God wanted me to chase little green roly poly's around on a plate, they would taste good when I caught them. Blech.

This is a brain cancer cell, under an electron microscope.

This is a breast cancer cell, under an electron microscope.

Honestly, the second two scare the buh-jeebers out of me...

PS: if you ever go Google Image searching for cancer cells...make sure you look up cancer cells under a microscope or you will be scarred for life...I know I am...*full body shudder*

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 10

2011-03-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.

I wouldn't say we DO the most messed up stuff but we had our fair share of fun...yay for adopted brothers that turn into awesome roommates, that turn into great friends!!

Love you Sparky!!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 9

2011-03-11T21:20:00.013-07:00

Day 9 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.

Cheryl Brown

and

Rachel List

I love these girls...

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 8

2011-03-10T21:19:00.008-07:00

Day 8 - A picture that makes you laugh.

One of my dearest friends who has one of the bestest laughs...

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 7

2011-03-09T21:18:00.017-07:00

Day 7 - A picture of your most treasured item.

People. People who need people...are the luckiest peeeeeeeopllllllle....iiiiiin...theeeeeeee...wooooooooooorld!!!

I am lucky enough to have some pretty awesome folks allow me to call them daughter/sister/friend...now, I can't post everyone's picture, so I went for a simple, understated way to recognize you all...

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 6

2011-03-08T21:17:00.027-07:00

Day 6 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.

I tried to come up with a huge deeply thought out person to trade places with, heck, even a celebrity, but I couldn't come up with someone...so instead...I bring you this little guy...

Baxter J Vetterling, the family dog.

Because you get taken for a ride...

And you can sleep just about anywhere you want, whenever you want...

Your food and water comes to you, you're spoiled rotten and the fact that you're so cute saves your butt around just about every corner.

In all seriousness though...I really love my life...are there aspects I'd love to change? Yes, but on the whole, I have a pretty fun deal...

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 5

2011-03-07T16:10:00.129-07:00

Day 5 - A picture of your favorite memory

I can't narrow it down to one summer...but the annual family vacation spot, Sandpiper Resort in Pacific Beach, Washington is the winner. Every summer from at least once Sister and Brother were toddlers until we moved to Colorado in 1994...it was a LONG haul in the car with the whole family squished together (a couple years with the dog too) but when we were there, you could smell it...the ocean...the sand...smores...fire on the beach...

We went to the same place every year. We deviated one year, but only for the one...after that, Cabin A (for A-Frame) at Sandpiper Beach Resort was our home for 4 days or more, depending. (I could be wrong on the total amount of days...but who cares at this point.)

The next few pictures include only a few stock photos from Sandpiper's website...the rest...real life...geez my hair was nuts...

The lawn, where many a game of catch and frisbee were played.

Brother, playing in the window of Mom's room.

Sister, doing the same.

Yes, occasionally it rains at the beach...

I want to say late elementary school for me...but whatever it was, it was NEON!

L-R: Lyndsey, Sister, Me, Brother, Kevin

This was when I was in Junior High...I can tell by the sweatshirt.

Yes...this is me...gum in the corner of my mouth...white girl fro in full force...

Napping Cousins

One of the trips we made back after moving to CO.

The Path to the Beach

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 4

2011-03-06T21:57:00.002-07:00

Day 4 - A picture of your night

I kind of used stock photos, but my night was not all that exciting tonight, and honestly I loved it...(other than the bills part...)

Went over some bills...(being a grown up is HIGHLY overrated)

Did some laundry...

Cooked food for mom (she had foot surgery last week, and she can only stand for so long)...this picture was on the way from the store to the house...I forgot to take pictures of the finished product! I made taco salad...

Caught up on some reading...

I never said it was Mensa material...but hey, I enjoy it. Plus, I can't find my book at the moment. (BTW...shameless plug for my current reads: Wade Rouse's "At Least In The City Someone Would Hear Me Scream" and "Confessions of a Prep School Mommy Handler". I have literally laughed out loud at parts.)

And to wrap up the evening...crying my eyes out to DVR'd episodes of Secret Millionaire and Coming Home. (And loving the start of a new season of Army Wives in between!) Pass the Kleenex!! (It's just beyond the remote...*sniffle*)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 3

2011-03-05T18:27:00.001-07:00

Day 3 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

By far, Friends wins all time fav, hands down. I can quote the show backwards and forwards, and give you a Friends reference for anything in life. Don't believe me? Try me.

I am a fan of a couple other shows as well, and if you notice, all are ensemble casts...up next, I have Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. If you didn't see this gem, don't worry, apparently not many folks did. HOWEVER...it is some of the best writing, acting etc that never made it past a first season. Aaron Sorkin is an amazing writer, otherwise the rest of the world wouldn't have loved The West Wing. Coincidence that Matthew Perry (oh how I love how he makes me laugh...) is in Friends AND this show? Maybe. More like happy chance? Much more likely. I have to admit, other shows ranked above Studio for a while...but thank you to the wonderfulness that is Netflix, and a killer Black Friday sale on amazon.com...it's been moved up to 2nd.

After Studio 60, I have Law & Order, SVU. I have had this weird crush on Elliott Stabler (played by Christopher Meloni) for many years...and the fact that SVU is the longest running L&O spinoff, is just more and more eye candy for little old me.

Okay, last one...picture wise...I promise. I recently got turned on to the show NCIS, thank you to a USA network marathon about two years ago (maybe a little more). Ever since then, it's a DVR staple that is much like a Friends or SVU episode, if I see one on, I automatically stop to watch. Oh, and Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly and Sean McMurry? Each hot in their own special way...

There are a few new additions, but I'd say this covers the top 4 for now...what about you? What are your favs??

3, 3, 3 Hat Posts In One!

2011-03-04T13:37:00.005-07:00

So, I eluded to CMM's hat in previous posts (see: here) but it's done! In fact, it's been done for a bit, so I'm surprised at myself for not posting it already!

Cameron's Spikes (will be updated with the picture of him actually wearing it later)

Also, Kathryn turned 7 just last week...and I am still having a hard time with this...to me, she still is this:

As you will see in pictures below, she's definitely NOT that little girl anymore. I am refusing to believe that means I am any older though. Anyways, in working on her birthday present, I realized (after finishing) that I had done something horribly wrong, or the pattern wasn't written the same or something. (Likely, it was me doing something wrong.) However, my mistake on the first go round ended up being a PERFECT hat for a 6 month old little someone. (That should give you a hint as to how off I was...was supposed to fit a 7 year old, instead, fits a 6 month old.)

Here are pictures of Kathryn and her hat!

And now...big girl in her hat...ugh, she CAN'T be seven already!!!

(I have to admit, I love this shot...you can see just a hint of her eyelashes and her adorable little nose...ugh...Auntie Jolene isn't biased AT ALL...)

So, of course, if this means this is the good hat...the oopsies one, has to still be around, right? Nope, boxed it up, and sent it off to one of the cutest 6 month olds I know...

Still is pretty cute though right??

Momma Molly got the package SUPER fast and w/in a day and a half, THESE showed up on facebook...

The first picture, I just died...that little face, and the fact that she was obviously having such a good time, that we lost a sock. LOVE.

The second one...who doesn't love an adorable kid with her Baby Ray-Bans and the beach?!

Lady A...Auntie Jolene just wants to EAT. YOU. UP.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 2

2011-03-04T12:00:00.019-07:00

Day 2 - A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.

This was tough...because I have a couple people I could put in here, however, while we haven't always been the closest, she's known me the longest, and she's stuck with me for life...so she wins. Yay Sister!

PS: Cheryl and Rachel...you're tied for a close second, I swear. Love you both...

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 1

2011-03-03T20:31:00.000-07:00

Day 1 - A picture of yourself with 15 facts.

1- I am the oldest child in my family.
2- I love hugs.
3- I love being crafty.
4- I am a gadget/tech geek.
5- I cannot finish getting ready for the day with shoes on.
6- I have this insane need to please people.
7- I am often quick to emotionally react to situations.
8- If you are my friend, I will be one of your fiercest protectors.
9- I love the smell of the world right before and right after a rainstorm.
10- I have a huge pull to move back to Seattle, but I don't know when or if it will happen.
11- I have a love/hate relationship with food and money.
12- I am terrified of snakes, spider and being the next one in our family to have cancer. (Not necessarily in that order.)
13- I suck at making small talk in new surroundings.
14- You see a problem, I see a solution.
15- I love my busy social life, but some days want to just be at home in the quiet.

The To-Be-Read-Because-I-Already-Own-Them Shelf

2011-02-28T00:19:00.000-07:00

I am a rabid reader. I love it...I love getting lost in a story, having all those images swirling, twirling in my brain...however, usually when you are reading, you aren't doing anything else. I'm sorry, have we not met? It seems I am in a perpetual state of motion.

Thank you to a very good friend, I re-discovered my love of reading a couple years ago. I've always enjoyed reading, but was inspired to go back to the world of books by her massive collection. She has 3 bookcases (large ones, not puny ones) that are chock full of books. She has an entire bookcase (of 3 shelves) that is full of books she's yet to read. Somehow, in our trips to Borders and Barnes and Noble, there was either always a sale or we had Borders Bucks to spend or a coupon...but now, I too, have a shelf of books that are yet to be read.

I've gone back and forth, considering the option of buying a Kindle. One more tech gadget, and it would be easier to carry many books with me in one toy. However, I can't justify the expense of such a fun toy when I can't transfer my already loved, can touch, feel and smell the paper of, books to the e-reader. My brother has an iPad and I know he loves it, but reading is not Brother's favorite past time. It's his wife, dog, youth group kids and baseball if you must know. (and likely in about that order too...) So, with Kindle being an option only if someone decides to give me one (which, dont' get me wrong, I would love the black one, 3rd generation. You can see the exact model HERE.)

My list of books to be read: (not ones I want to get, this is my To-Be-Read-Because-I-Already-Own-Them shelf...) All book links are furnished courtesy of amazon.com.

Retail Hell - by: Freeman Hall: After working 5 years (total over the course of many more than that) in retail, I have a new found respect for those that work with the uber-demanding, high maintenance, public.

The Diary of a Young Girl - by: Anne Frank: I've read it before, in high school. However, after watching Freedom Writers about 10 times, I feel I need to re-read it and appreciate the immense story telling that a 13 year old girl can portray.

Someday My Prince Will Come - by: Jerramy Fine: One of those books you pick up because hey, the cover is pretty!

The Time Traveller's Wife - by: Audrey Niffenegger: I admit it, I picked it up because the movie was coming out, but I had heard great things about it long before the movie was being released.

The Icing on the Cupcake - by: Jennifer Ross: Not only a novel, but cupcake recipes sprinkled throughout, plus this one was a gift from my bro/sister in law...two, two, two gifts in one!!!

How Starbucks Saved My Life - by: Michael Gates Gill: It was in the bargain book section at Borders...can't resist a book for under $5. (Cheaper than a drink at the restaurant listed in the title...)

Vision in White - by: Nora Roberts This is the first in a series, and I have yet to crack the spine. Another friend has finished the series and said it's a great read.

The Blind Side - by: Michael Lewis Ties in with the movie...more in depth of the story.

Little Earthquakes - by: Jennifer Weiner I have loved her other books, and it's a natural progression when I find an author I love...gotta read 'em all!

Secrets of a Shoe Addict - by Beth Harbison (the sequel to the hysterical Shoe Addicts Anonymous)

Chasing Harry Winston - by: Lauren Weisberger I loved The Devil Wears Prada, and thought since her second book wasn't my fav, I'd give this one another shot...

Inside Inside - by: James Lipton  I LOVE this show...I have admittedly bought the book twice. Once before a business trip where I promptly left the book in the hotel in Nebraska. I honestly thought the book would be more about the show, and the many guest stars that have graced its stage. However, this is Inside Lipton's life. I've gotten about 1/3 of the way through it, and "Oooo...how pretty is THAT book cover??" tends to take over. I do plan on trying to finish it soon!

Son of a Witch - by: Gregory Maguire The sequel to my beloved Wicked. I have to admit, I'm nervous to read more in this series for a couple reasons. 1) it took me four different attempts to get into the first book but once I got past chapter 4, I was hooked. 2) I don't want to ruin the loveliness that is Wicked.

A Lion Among Men - by: Gregory Maguire Book Three in Maguire's "Wicked Years" series. I haven't heard if there is going to be a 4th or more book yet...which bodes well so that I can actually catch up.

Confessions of an Ugly Step-Sister - by: Gregory Maguire I have always loved Cinderella, she's always been my favorite of the "Disney Princesses". C'mon...her story hinges on SHOES. What girl doesn't love her and her dashing prince (and the many different versions of the story that Hollywood can't stay away from, Enchanted being my current fav) and the happily ever after?

Home - A Memoir of My Early Years - by: Julie Andrews C'mon. Mary Poppins/Maria wrote her memoirs...why WOULDN'T you buy this book???

A Reporter's Life - by: Walter Cronkite  I am a HUGE sucker for biographies/autobiographies. Who better than the man who watched and reported so much of the world's news to learn all about his story. I've gotten through about 2/3 of this one, but thought I lost it. Turns out, the trunk of my car was hiding it from me.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (Book 7 in the Series)  I've already read this entire series, however since the first half of the seventh movie came out, I want to make sure I read the book again before the second movie comes out this summer. I have managed to download this book to my iPod (holy CRAP that is a lot of space on my iPod!!)

The Wedding Girl - by: Madeleine Wickham  Madeleine Wickham, aka Sophie Kinsella, is also the author of the wildly popular Shopaholic series of books. My sister has been hooked on her books for a long time, and I started reading the first Shopaholic book many moons ago, but had to give the book back for her to lend to someone else. The Shopaholic series is also on my list of books I'd like to read.

Other authors I'd love to read/finish their other books: Emily Giffin, Marian Keyes, Jane Green, Meg Cabot, Wade Rouse, and many many more.

Oh, and those books I love and recommend to anyone? Thus far...Jen Lancaster has that distinction...hands down.

I've discovered with my little habit of knitting, that while I can't read and knit at the same time (trust me, I've tried, with no success...) audiobooks are another option...but then I'm faced with the same dilemma as before...how do I transfer the many books I already have?

What about you? Are you a book hoarder? Do you have a Kindle, do you miss the smell/feel of paper? What's on your to be read list? Who is an author you can't get enough of their writing?

November, 2008

2011-02-18T15:08:00.041-07:00

Enough time has passed, that I've decided it's ok to post this. Names and initials have been removed, as I have no intent of being mean, but I am someone who has every intention of being transparent, and not hiding parts of who I am. If you have further questions, I will be happy to answer them on a one on one basis...also, this original blog is over 2 years old now...so all things have happened in the past.

**Disclaimer - portions of this blog have been cut and pasted from emails and/or IM conversations, so there may be some lack of continuity at some points as well as a bit more emotion as they were "live" conversations vs a recounting of a part of a story.**

So I have a roommate. As do most people who can't afford renting a decent place on their own. My roommate owns our townhome. I help pay the mortgage. Anyways. I moved in with my roommate in July of this year (on one of the hottest days of the summer no less) and have been having quite a good roommate experience. Until last month. Now, don't get me wrong, the rent is good, the location in reference to work is great and most of my social circles are within a reasonable driving distance.

Roommate and I were friends from church before I moved into the house. Roommate knew of many different aspects of my life, as friends do, including some of my so-called love life. I have eluded to the guy I have had feelings for in previous blogs...see HERE.

But it's amazing how things change and how fast they change.

I had never told the guy I blogged about how I feel about him. Yes, I know, some say chicken. I guess I would prefer to say self-preservation. Roommate has known about my feelings for this guy long before we lived together. Before me, she knew vaguely who he was. Now, because I pushed, she knows him, as well as our other mutual friend.

Fast forward a month or so and we (Him, Roommate and I) go camping. GREAT time was had by all. The following weekend, Mutual Friend, Him, Roommate and I all go camping again. We end up stranded for a couple extra days yet, we had an amazing time again. It was at this point that I began to wonder if Him had feelings for Roommate and vice versa, so I asked her/told her my thoughts. She told me, no, don't give up, it's all in my head. I try to put the whole scenario behind me and move on in the weekend. The next week, Him, Roommate and I went to dinner, and Roommate pulls me aside before we meet up with Roommate. She said she had to talk to me, and she had to admit she lied to me, that she too had wondered about how Him was acting. She said she couldn't lie, it felt good to be paid attention to like that. I had my freakout the next day at work. My poor co-workers had a blubbering Jolene on their hands all day.

*Now, mind you, at this point in my own relationship with Him, we were emailing, texting, calling etc, MULTIPLE times per day...once we were done camping, this quickly became a thing of the past.*

A couple weeks later, Roommate asked me while we were hanging out at home, what did I think of Mutual Friend? I asked "romantically?" and she said "Well, that answers THAT question!" but she also pointed out that I should think about it. Well, hindsight is 20/20...now I know why she was pushing Mutual Friend so much. Her feelings for Him were getting stronger...and she was starting to act on them.

So, in late September, it finally comes to light (btw...late September was only about 6-7 weeks from when I called her out on her feelings before) and only because I flat out asked her again, you have feelings for Him don't you? She buries her face in a pillow and says "I'm such a slimeball". Then after about 10 seconds, she answers me with a "Yes". Immediately I am hit with a tidal wave of emotions. It runs the gammut, from sheer rage and hurt to pure anger and hate to another sense of complete devastation and rejection. It's funny how you can get these feelings of rejection from a man I didn't truly give the chance to do just that...reject me. Instantly Roommate wants to go for a drive...to go see the colors/leaves change. I was incredibly quiet the entire time. Which creeped Roommate out. (Good.)

Incident #1 -

Later the same week, I had tickets to a concert (Jon McLaughlin...I love you.) and ran into another fan I've seen at other shows and have gotten to know. She offers me a ticket to see him again the next night at another venue. I accepted, but then on Thursday, realize I have so much to do and how tired I am from the night before, so I decided not to go. So after going to my parents' house I make it home just before 8. Now, we are not the neatest of girls, but we also get to a point where we clean up after ourselves as well. I got home and the house looked like we had been cleaning for a while (when in all actuality, we had NEEDED to have been cleaning for a while). She comes downstairs and says "what are YOU doing home? I thought you were going to a concert?" Hmmm...seems I have thwarted some plans. Yup, Him was coming over after he got off work, and not only did she clean the house, but she made him dinner. This whole charade happened only FOUR DAYS after she told me she had feelings for the guy. This made me so incredibly pissed, its not even funny. I was a good girl though and sat and suffered in silence. I thought about saying something to her, but knew that Saturday, the four of us were going hiking, and I really was looking forward to that and didn't want to make it anymore awkward than it was already going to be.

Incident #2

A couple weeks or so later, on a Tuesday, Him, Roommate and I go to dinner. We have a great time. We are headed back towards our part of town after dinner and they were going to go with me to take care of a friend's dogs really quick. Instead, about half way back, Roommate says "why don't you drop us off at home so we can talk"? So I drop them off. Okay, still doing good. I get back from taking care of the dogs...they are in the living room about to watch a DVD lecture from an author who's book I haven't finished yet. I also have a TON of laundry and other things to do downstairs in my room. I leave them to their DVD. I'm doing great, I'm very proud of myself. Everything is going great. Until about 1145/midnight. I hear a soft knocking on my door. It's Roommate and she says "Him fell asleep on the couch...what do I do?" Now, mind you, this is by far NOT the first time that Him has fallen asleep on our couch and stayed there. I told her "You leave him...obviously he is tired." "Yeah, he's had a hard week." "Oh really? What's going on?" "Oh," (insert smug smirk here) "sorry, I've been sworn to secrecy". W...T...F... Who the hell does this kind of "I know something you don't know" kind of thing outside of Junior High???

Incident #3

It's Roommate's birthday. I planned dinner with Him and Mutual Friend and I for the Monday after her birthday. Complete and total DISASTER. Mutual Friend made amazing food. stuffed chicken, cous cous and caesar salad the rest of the night (except for a few moments of conversation and a good game of Taboo) sucked. Roommate essentially scolded me like a frickin' 3 year old at the dinner table when I brought the cake over. I have pretty much lost any kind of real friendship/relationship I ever had with Him at this point, he doesn't talk to me, doesn't respond if I try to get ahold of him (rarely anyways). So when Roommate scolded me at the table and said "his blood sugars are FINE you should have ASKED" I just shut down. I was so embarrassed. Mutual Friend came to my defense, he got the same thing, but since he and Him actually TALK, he could snap back at her. I have tried to talk to Him, I don't get answers, I don't get anything but the "I'm fine". So at this point, I'm done. She is mothering the crap out of him, (which obviously he's eating up), they are getting along wonderfully (as I can guess by the myriad of secrets going on), and apparently I just don't have a place in their world. I'm so incredibly sick of being treated so crappy. The rest of the evening went on, but let me tell you, it was STONE SILENT in the car on the way home at 3:00 that morning. 3am, You ask? Him's blood sugars were all out of whack, so we stuck around playing taboo and talking until then. There was another issue that I'm dealing with at church re: a serving team that Him, Mutual Friend and I all work on, and who better than my two fellow servers to help me out right? So I was talking about what was going on, and Mutual Friend offered to help me out with the confrontation that is going to have to happen (I HATE CONFRONTATION) and before I could say anything, Roommate jumped in and said "No, she needs to do it herself." EXCUSE ME??? Am I not a frickin' 30 year old who can speak for my own damn self???? Mutual Friend still offered to either coach me as to what to say or be there when it happens so I could have someone to lean on, and he kind of said that softer after the attack from Roommate and I whispered/mouthed "Thank You" to him.

The Confrontation...

So after all this, I finally broke down and ended up having it out with her about the whole thing and bringing up these three incidents and I still don't feel like she really understands what exactly she's done, but she also, honestly, I don't think she will until something else would happen. What I don't know. Everything in me just wants to be done with this whole situation, but I'm also not one to give up on friends, so I feel like I'm so incredibly torn. I KNOW that the best thing for myself and the friendship with Roommate will be moving out, but sadly, that just won't happen for another few months.

I finally sent Him an email the Friday after the confrontation regarding our own issues, and I got a response and have been able to converse with him since.

In the mean time, Him had to have a semi-serious surgery last Wednesday. He dropped a rather large bomb re: surgery stating he had surgery in an hour and would talk to us tomorrow. Uh...HELLO??? When Roommate got her message, panic completely sets in. She left him eleven...ELEVEN voicemails in a 24 hour period. That doesn't count the numerous text messages and emails she sent him as well. I knew that once he went in for surgery, there wasn't going to be much we could really do. He's under excellent care and he said he would get in touch with us. I come home that Thursday night and Roommate is having a mental breakdown because she feels she's getting mixed signals from Him. What the hell did you think you were going to get? Glowing cones that say LAND HERE or COME THIS WAY? HELL NO! I sat there for about 2 minutes, spouted off a couple of trite things and then went to bed. I couldn't do anything else so why torture myself? At one point in our short conversation she actually tried to justify Him's actions/downward spiral by accusing me of sending him over the edge with my email. Are you F$&%ING kidding me???? Right, because an already answered email is what sent him over the proverbial edge. Try again.

Friday (the next day) I come home after work having received an email from Him stating what has been going on (quite a bit but that's another day...) to find Roommate in a state of relief that Him is alright, but to also find out that even though the email we all receive from Him stating that he is not at a point that he is willing to hang out/see folks, Roommate has pushed her way in. I call her on her actions to which I don't get the nicest of reactions. Oh well. Oh, and she informs me that the next day, Him will be coming over.

The Prelude to Incident #5

THANK GOD I have plans for 90% of the day Saturday. I don't have to be here to watch this monstrosity. (Dont' get me wrong, I did want to see Him to give him a hug, tell him how I would personally rip his arms off if he ever pulled that again, but didn't want to have to sit through the awkward crap that was going to happen.) She tells me how things went with Him and how she talked him through all this. She even went so far as to try to justify some things and when I called her on THAT, again, I get crap. She was trying to go into more with him that he definitely needs a professional for...not someone who is still dealing with enough of her own things. I told her that I thought that was something that someone outside the four of us (Him, Mutual Friend, Roommate and myself) should handle. Apparently, I am wrong.

Incident #5 - Tonight in my living room

Unbfreakinlevable. It's happened. Tonight, Roommate tells me that on Saturday, in the midst of their huge conversation, Roommate went and told him how she feels...and he actually feels the same...well, I should rephrase. Not the same, he has feelings for her, but not at the same level of intensity. What the hell.

(Now, I should tell you, I've been over Him for quite some time now...what I'm NOT over is the bullsh!t that Roommate is consistently pulling so that she can feel better about her decision to continue pursuing a relationship with Him.)

Anyone have the winning powerball ticket so I can afford to move out?

Stay tuned for the latest developments, brought to you as my brain can handle dumping them here.

It is now after 1 am and I am in much need of sleep...until later...good night, and good luck.

contented sigh

2011-02-05T19:45:00.000-07:00

I have nothing of note to report really...just that I think that I have finally gotten my blog to look a lot more like I wanted it to! :)

Oh, and if you have the chance...Banjo Billy's Bus Tours is fab! My friend Stacey and I were supposed to go to Breckenridge today for the annual Snow Sculpture Competition. Alas, Feb weather in Colorado prevented a trip up the mountains. I'm bummed, it is the first time in at least 4 years I haven't been able to go, plus, Stacey had never been and was SO looking forward to it. So as a last minute change of plans, we went with the tour of Denver with Banjo Billy...and it was GREAT!!

Check them out!

www.banjobilly.com

Catching Up...

2011-01-30T13:09:00.005-07:00

So, I have the following to add to the finished objects list...and my queue of upcoming is getting longer by the day! This is when I would love to still be unemployed so I could work on them so much more!

I have an afghan (for me) that has been in progress for over a year. A friend has finished hers, and is definitely inspiring to get mine done. However, in the meantime, I have (as of today) 14 (omg, FOURTEEN) pieces that are on "order", not counting the two that are in progress. THIS is why I could never do this for money. My life is busy, and sadly things end up going by the wayside. (In other news, I'm actually trying to un-busy my life some this year...not a resolution so much as an overall goal.)

On the needles now is a hat for CMM that I promised him months ago, but thankfully, 1) he's understanding, and 2) he took forever deciding on what colors and 3) kept forgetting to get me his noggin measurements. Pictures will be posted after he receives his hat, as I never like spoiling the surprise for the recipient.

In the meantime...two finished objects to show! One for Shannon, as a birthday present (I busted butt on his, I had a short turnaround!) and then there was Philip's Roar. What could be better for a 2 year old who loves dinosaurs??

Up first: Shannon's Dream Catcher. Same pattern as Bailey and Robin's hats, but without the pom-poms!

This is the picture that arrived at my phone right after he opened his package!

Up next: Birthday Boy Philly's Dino!

But of course, how CUTE does little brother Jake look in Philly's Roar hat???

Munchkin-Love

2011-01-29T22:14:00.001-07:00

I am a lucky girl.

I have amazing friends who have absolutely adorable kids.

Now, don't get me wrong, when I become an aunt by blood, I'm gonna be all over that...but in the meantime (and trust me Sister and Sister In Law, no rush...) I will continue to be Auntie Jolene to some of the cutest munchkins in the land.

I would have to say that list is at about 7 kiddos right now. I'm not trying to play favorites, but those are the ones that immediately come to mind.

So to my munchkins, Kathryn, Brent, Phillip, Jake, Bailey, Grace and Jackson...Auntie Jolene loves you so much!!!!

Kathryn, Brent, Phillip and Jake

Photo by LifeReflected Photography

Bailey

Grace

Jackson

Oh the Life of the Unemployed...

2011-01-29T19:15:00.000-07:00

So, as of Dec 2, I became unemployed. Something that is definitely scary in this economic climate. (Wow...that was very grown up sounding.) I wrote about this earlier in a short blurb here, and I promise this won't be a misery-laden diatribe. (That word was for my Scrabble loving sister in law and BFF English teacher...)

I have honestly LOVED being unemployed. I know that sounds so weird. I was lucky to get severance pay so I have had income...but I've been able to spend time resting (something I'm not normally too familiar with), knitting and crocheting (something I am so loving), spending quality time at the gym (something I need to still be better about) and spending time with good friends (something I always love).

I was lucky enough to be able to enjoy this unemployment over the holidays, so I could actually relax and enjoy the holidays for one of the first times since working retail. I seriously think everyone should be forced to work at Target the day after Thanksgiving and WalMart the day after Christmas at LEAST once in their lives, so that they will have a respect for those that do that every day anyways. (sorry...sidenote...)

I am now amongst the employed once again, and I can with all honesty, say that I didn't miss it. The office politics, the waking up at a "decent" hour (although, to be honest, my body never adapted to my "vacation", I still woke up at 745 every morning), the need for caffeine to be functioning, etc. However, it's the patients I did miss. The interaction with some amazing folks, and some, well folks that are just going through some really hard times in their lives. I look forward to being able to help them again.

As I did say above, I did get some serious knitting and crochet time while I was w/o a job. I love how portable this hobby is. Throw it in a bag...and go. I've posted some of the stuff I've done, just need to catch up on a few others...

Employment...here we go...

Whipped Up in a Frenzy...

2010-12-19T23:59:00.000-07:00

Since being unemployed, there are 3 things I've been able to do a lot of: rest, knit/crochet and go to the gym.

My friend ITGD saw Bailey's birthday hat and requested a version for HIS 5 year old, Livy. I didn't take pictures of it, so imagine Bailey's hat w/o the funky teeny white stripes. :) Just the big ones, pink, white, orange, repeat.

I have had the yarn and pattern for what seems like FOREVER to do a hat for my dear friend Samantha (who doesn't know her hat is done and coming yet) and it is finally off the needles. Pictured below!

Then, since I was actually able to whip out ITGD's daughter's hat in time, he asked if I could do a beanie for his sister in law, who just finished breast cancer treatments and is bald as a cue ball. Oh, and by the way, she's a huge Denver Bronco's fan...think you can whip something up by Christmas? Good thing I can crochet like the wind, and the pattern was nice and easy!!!

I was truly excited to do this one for ITGD's sister in law...anything for a chemo cue ball!!! :)

Bailey's Birthday Present

2010-12-15T14:24:00.001-07:00

My friends Casey and Bethany's little munchkin has a birthday this month. Happy Birthday Bailey!!!

Since I always get the kids pj's for their Christmas presents, I needed something for her birthday present!

Mom said that Bailey's favorite color is red, however I wanted to do a few colors in her hat, so I needed a little more help. When I called, she said that Bailey's other favorite colors were pink and orange.

Red. Pink. Orange. Well crap. Those don't work together. However, you leave red out, add white...and VOILA!!!

YOU GET THIS:

Can't wait to see it on her! :)

Hats Hats Hats!!!!!

2010-12-14T14:46:00.001-07:00

Now granted, I did have these done prior to being unemployed, just haven't had time to post them!

My bff Spartacus saw Sister's newsboy hat I was working on, and I knew she'd look fantastic in it...so I whipped one up for her too! She (like me) has a love for things that are that beautiful combo of robin's egg blue and chocolate brown, so when I got this Spud and Chloe yarn, I knew it was perfect for her hat!

"Jack" for Spartacus

Yay!

My friend Robin, saw me making the pink hats for my friend from high school (see here) and asked if I would make her a hat for running. I had her look at a couple patterns and as soon as she saw the pattern for a hat with pom poms...that was it...and THIS was born...er...made...

Ummm...ignore the badge on the counter and cords on the floor! :)

Fun right??? I've already made another hat in this pattern, but for a munchkin. I just haven't gotten pictures taken of it yet. Plus, I'm not as thrilled with the pom pom placement, stay tuned for that in the next post or two!

Life...

2010-12-14T14:10:00.001-07:00

So, as of 12/3/10, I lost my job. Actually...technically, I lost my job the evening of 12/2/10. What a blow. I'm doing okay. I know what I did was right, and if that is what it takes, then so be it. As one of my good friends (ITGD from "fanny pack" fame) said...now nothing is standing between me and Seattle.

That's right. I'm not limiting myself to job searching in Colorado. I have a prospect here in Colorado, and I'm eagerly waiting to hear what the details might or might not be. I'm just not putting all my eggs in that basket. :)

Anyways, I'll be happy to tell you all the details if you just call...it takes too long to write out, and Lord knows what someone might do with my words if I put them here. :)

In the meantime, I have been having lunch with friends, working my network, spiffing up my resume, doing a LOT of knitting (and those pictures and posts are to come) and actually getting some rest. I know that all these things happen for a reason...even if I don't know what it is, HE does. Just have to keep reminding myself of that.

Enough seriousness...on to the knitting posts!!! :)

The Year Round Faux-Hawk

2010-12-03T10:23:00.002-07:00

So, Audrey's momma ordered a Roar hat (just like Jackson's) so that her super cute faux hawk could rock year round!

Here's a picture of the adorable faux hawk in it's natural warm-weather state:

This also one of my all time favs I've seen of her yet!

And here is the year-round, cold-weather version:

Can't wait to see it on her noggin at Christmas time!

Jack Kelly

2010-11-27T10:29:00.002-07:00

Hello all!!

So, Sister and I were chatting one day last week and I sent her the link to a pattern I had found that I had fallen in love with to which she too fell in love with and HAD to have. One trip to Knit Knack later, some stash yarn and the holiday weekend and voila! Her Perfect Newsboy Cap! I love how fast this worked up, and already have another request for one for BFFR. I just might have to make one for me!

Didn't it turn out cute??? BTW, mad props if you can figure out why I called it "Jack Kelly"!!!

Sister came by today and picked up her hat, snapped a couple pictures! She looks so cute!

Yay! Sister!

Side View

Audrey, Aubry and Emily - The Inspiration and the Product!

2010-11-25T09:46:00.005-07:00

Months ago, I did a hat for for my SIL's new niece, which turned out so teeny and SO cute. (See the original post here.) Well, Peanut has grown enough to fit into her beanie, and SIL's Sister, sent/posted the cutest picture of little Audrey!!! Also, this was one of the first pictures of one of my finished projects on a munchkin, so it's fun to see!!

*squeee* she's just so CUTE!!!

Back when I finished Audrey's hat, one of my friends from high school (who I've reconnected via facebook) saw the pictures I posted and was so thrilled by it, she asked if I could make it for her little girl. Emily sent me the yarn that her little girl, Aubry, picked out. I cast on for the hat and did everything according to gauge, only to wind up having a hat that was nowhere NEAR small enough for a 2 or 3 year old!!! (Let me put it this way...MY fat head could fit in it!) I decided, hey, I have enough yarn, I'll finish this one off and then mom will have a surprise when she opens the box! So, here are the pictures...Mom's is the dark pink, and Aubry's is the light pink!!

I have them all bowed up and ready to mail out, just need to make it to the post office! Can't wait to see how they look on the girls!

I've figured out that in doing these hats, that super bulky yarn, is VERY warm (when all done)! I switched after these to a worsted weight yarn project and it's like comparing rope to spaghetti noodles! :) I loved learning from these!!!

Patterns are all available on Ravelry!
Audrey's Hat: Umbilical Cord Hat (my modification was to not do the cord)
Emily and Aubry's hats: KnitPick's Easy Peasy Hat
Both sets have the following pattern for the flowers: Crochet Flower Fridgies

Whitecaps

2010-10-31T23:38:00.002-06:00

Yay! A project for ME!!! :) I started this one while on vaca in Seattle, and the title of the pattern is Beaufort (based on the wind scale for nautical waves) and when I saw the whitecaps on the water, I decided that would be the name. I searched all over Seattle for the right yarn, and I love this tweed yarn in the natural color. Enjoy! (I know I will!)

Whitecaps - laying flat

Top View

On my noggin! I love that its long enough to cover my ears too!

Pattern is on ravelry here. :)

Payin' Rent!

2010-10-27T11:30:00.000-06:00

Not as exciting knitting post...

Our good family friend, Jane (also referred to as Auntie Jane) let me stay with her in Seattle on my recent vacation, and she at one point had made a comment to my mom about with my new found knitting ability, she would love to have some potholders and/or dishcloths.

WHAM.

Mom goes and gets the yarn, I do a quick couple ravelry searches and have 2 potholders and 2 dishcloths completed, however, one of the dishcloths I finished, while I love the pattern, hate how the yarn looks. (Note to self, basket weave looks better with solid color yarn than self striping!) Oh well, live and learn right?

Dishcloth # 1 (not my fav!)

Dishcloth #2

Potholder #1

Potholder #2

See...interesting turnouts, but not as fun as the hats right? ;)

Jackson goes "ROAR"!!!

2010-10-27T00:51:00.001-06:00

Jackson...such a cute punkin boy. I use punkin because he decided to make his world debut on Halloween last year, and knowing how close momma was due to the holiday, I found him a jack o' lantern hat. Just so happened, it was the perfect birthday hat!


How freakin' cute is this Punkin???


Momma and Jackson!

Daddy and Jackson

Couple months later, he, Momma and I got together...this is one of my favorites of Jackson and I...

Look at that squishy cute face!!!

So, Jackson's daddy went to University of Michigan. I looked around and tried to find a relatively easy U of M pattern to do for a hat for J-man. (Sensing a theme? Yes, I'm a bit hooked on hats...) No dice. Found the infamous "M" but decided to go a different route. Jackson is about to be the recipient of a "Roar" hat. :) I wanted to do something a bit different from the hats I've been doing lately. So after doing a bunch of looking on Ravelry I found this adorable pattern for the "Roar" hat.

Now, as I said before, Jackson's daddy went to University of Michigan. MY daddy, went to Michigan State University. When my dad found out I was doing a hat in the traditional blue and gold, he looked at me with that "look" and asked "could you do another one in green and white?" (Michigan State's colors of course) After doing some quick research (clickity click, scroll scroll...compare colors, clickity click) I found a green that looks very close to the Michigan State green. So, Jackson, for your 1st birthday, you are going to be the lucky boy who gets two hats. I just hope daddy lets you wear them both! ;) (Update: the yarn for hat #2 hasn't shown up yet, so it's more likely that he's going get the Michigan State hat later!)

Jackson's Hats:
University of Michigan:

View #1

View #2

How cute is he???
(I love the look he's giving me...hurry up already, I wanna take it off!!)

Michigan State University hat to be added when finished!

Fall Play Day

2010-10-10T18:56:00.002-06:00

We're a motley crew, but we're fun!!!

Some friends and I went to Estes Park today to play some disc golf. Gorgeous day and fun course. I had a crappy round of disc golf, but got some great pictures of some aspen trees! :)

Homesick

2010-10-07T17:42:00.002-06:00

I love Colorado. Colorado is called "God's Country" for a reason. Sunsets on the water, at the beach are wonderful (don't get me wrong) but if you have never seen a full blown, absolutely gorgeous Rocky Mountain sunset, you my friend, are missing out on one of God's most beautiful creations.

We moved here while I was in high school, at quite possibly one of the worst times in a person's life to move. Right smack in the middle of high school. Just when you're finally finding your niche in things, WHAM, everything gets upended/uprooted and you start all over again, only to find that everyone else has already settled, and squeezing your way in to the already established grooves is a lot harder than you think it will be.

I digress...

We moved here as a family in 1994, from the great city of Seattle. We have gone back for visits, my mom still goes back to go to the Washington State Fair every year, my sister went to college back up there, and I've been able to keep in touch with many people from those 16 years of my life. I have now lived in Colorado (basically the Denver area) for the last 16 years. I have said before that I would have missed out on a LOT if I hadn't moved here with family (there was an offer from friends to let me stay with them and finish out high school where I was). I am about 99% sure I wouldn't have gone to college where I did, which means I never would have met my amazing friends that I still have from that experience in life.

In the 16 years I've been away from the Emerald City, I've only gone back for fun, one time. To see my fellow graduates from the class I would have walked with as well as three of my best friends graduate from their local high school as well. It was so much fun, it was also fourteen years ago.

Since then, I have been back for funerals, weddings and the like, even one Christmas and a couple summer trips with the fam. I have never made a trek on my own for fun. (As a matter of fact, I can't say as that I've ever been on a vaca by myself before.)

This summer, I have been the most homesick for Seattle I have ever been (outside of the summer we moved to Colorado). I can't explain it. I have this weird pull to go back. I've been wanting to go for a while, but this summer, something intensified that feeling, and I can't put my finger on it as to what it is. For the longest time, I pushed off the thoughts only because lets face it, I just can't afford a plane ticket, hotel room and rental car it takes (which by the way, are all complete rackets I swear) to go on vacation. Then, I discovered how many frequent flier miles I had stored up. The day I figured out I was less than 300 miles from flying for free, I started crying I was so happy. Then, a great family friend said that I could stay with her. (CHECK, no hotel cost!) All I had to do was pay for a rental car. At this point, I said screw it, there are very few things I am willing to put on credit cards anymore, but this one was worth it. My plane ticket cost me $5, hotel is nil and the rental car...almost $300. Ouch...but still doable.

I had been dreaming of what I would do on this vacation of mine for months, where I would want to go, what I would want to do, who I would want to see (and not see), and let me tell you, I have/had quite the list worked out. Everything from exploring the towns I remember so vividly while growing up to visiting grandparents' graves, to visiting with a few old friends. What I can't figure out for the life of me is why every time I started thinking about this trip, I started crying. I think about the fact that I will actually be able to sit on a blanket at the waterfront area I grew up going to, and just relax and enjoy it. I have been talking about wanting to do this for MONTHS and now that I'm THIS CLOSE to actually doing it, my body reacted this way. This was especially bad for a few solid weeks. I can say though that since talking about it with a couple friends and my sister, as well as since I booked my actual ticket, it's stopped. Now, it's anxious anticipation of finally doing something for myself that I feel that yes, I deserve, but am also proud of myself for finally doing this instead of just talking about it.

Now, clear (dry) eyes, and 12 days to go. Look out Emerald City. Here. I. Come.

Just some good ol' boys...

2010-09-18T09:11:00.002-06:00

...never meanin' no harm...beat all you ever saw, been in trouble with the law since the day they was born!

Today's knitting post comes to you courtesy of one of my sister's oldest and dearest friends, her hubby and baby Logan!

My sister and Becky have been "blood sisters" since kindergarten. Becky and her hubby, Matt, have 4 munchkins. Jacob, Grace, Nicholas and now Logan.

I have known Becky since she and Melissa were in kindergarten, however I've only known her hubby since my sister's wedding last year. One funny funny man. That, and we share an affinity for a certain 80's TV show featuring a certain orange Dodge Charger. Yes, that's right. Dukes of Hazzard and the General Lee. (insert sigh of *OMGIFIEVERWINPOWERBALLIWILLFINDAWAYTOOWNTHATCAR*)

Anyways, that amazing car was the inspiration for my latest creation, that and the fact that Matt's company, The General Plumbing Company, has our beloved car as his mascot. (If you need plumbing help, contact me and if you're in their neighborhood I'll totally send you his info!!)

All that story to lead up to the pictures of the finished project! I had planned on stitching the famous "01" in the side, but stitching wasn't working so I tried to go to with iron on numbers...no dice. 1) the ones that fit didn't look like the true "01" and 2) I couldn't get them to stick. So without further ado...The General!

"The General"

Up next on the needles: Someone's turning 1 and I found a great way to celebrate that as well as celebrate Daddy's alma mater!

For Audrey...

2010-09-02T21:19:00.002-06:00

Hi all...yes, this is another knitting related post! :)

I recently finished Baby Audrey's hat, and her proud auntie is taking it to her for me.

Without further ado, Ms. Audrey Leith's hat:


Front View


Side View

What you can't tell, that hat is TEENY!!! The stack of Post-Its in the background...the orange ones are standard Post-It size...note to self...don't photograph finished projects on my desk...not such a great background! I think this one is my most favorite yet...although I'm excited to get the next project going! I'll post pictures of that one when finished. Let's just say that the "General" would be flattered by the imitation (of sorts). ;)

Crafty Crafterson...

2010-08-05T22:25:00.001-06:00

Just a peek into what I've been keeping myself busy with lately...more to come as projects get finished!!!

J


Project #1 - Ratatouille Hat by Marly Bird


Umbilical Cord Hat - for Baby Braddock #4 (We weren't sure what this munchkin would be, I'm pleased to say that Jake Braddock will soon be enjoying his hat!)


A version of the Umbilical Cord hat...w/o the cord - for Lia Wallman, my first time using self striping yarn!

I've been working on an afghan since October...and it's kind of my go to in between projects. Eventually I'll finish it. A friend of mine teases me that we'll be sitting in the nursing home in rocking chairs and I'll STILL be working on it...I'm trying to make it my Christmas present to myself, but we'll see!!!

I currently have another couple baby hats in the works, but since I'm tweaking the pattern, I won't post it until it's finished though. Look out Baby Barkhurst and Baby Leith!!! ;)

Top Ten Ways to Know Yo' A$$ Belongs In The Gym...or how I came to realize that I had fallen off my game...

2010-08-05T17:06:00.000-06:00

So, yes...I am a fluffy girl. Fluffier than I'd like to admit...and I've struggled with this for a while. There is a part of me that would love to just blame the fact that the summer before my family moved to CO, when I destroyed my ankle on vacation, THAT was the downfall...but I can't blame ALL of my fluffiness on that.

Yes, screwing up my ankle was the catalyst...it ended any and all athletic career hopes I might have once had. However, I'll fully admit, I've been lazy when it comes to working out. My sister got married just over a year ago, and that bridesmaid dress...was some serious motivation. I got a trainer (holy CRAP that wasn't cheap), was much better about what I ate and did really well...lost about 20 some odd pounds. Yeaaah...amazing how when you aren't paying someone to get your butt to the gym things seem to come up and the gym goes by the wayside. Now that I am at a point where I am not happy with that number on the scale, here is my top ten reasons I have been able to tell my butt belongs back at the gym on the treadmill or on a machine of some kind instead of only my couch.

1 - The shirt I bought on clearance that was a size too big, is now snug.
2 - I recently saw a picture of myself and got MAD...
3 - I'm not 20-something anymore.
4 - I have a job where I don't move around a lot, I sit at my desk, this definitely doesn't burn calories.
5 - My overall health and energy levels.
6 - Randolph. (See THIS for further explanation.)
7 - Self esteem (yep, I'm a girl, and yep I'm insecure at times...deal with it...I do.)
8 - I've recently taken up a new hobby (knitting) and to make the fun things you find, you need a certain number of skeins of yarn. When you are fluffy, you need more. Depending on what you are making and what type of yarn you are using, this gets VERY VERY expensive!!!!
9 - Boys. (See #7 for additional reasons this applies)
10 -I caught myself resting the remote on my tummy. (NO NO NO NO NO!!!!)

I've been much better about cooking my own meals instead of running down the street (and lets be honest "running" means getting in the car and driving the 2 minute drive, not literally running) to get something at the drive thru instead. (This is not only better for me, but apparently saves money??) Which brings me to my most current frustration, fluffy girl on a budget who needs to eat better, goes to the grocery store and spends more in 15 minutes on fruits, veggies and other healthy things (I swear, this was not the trip that had that Snickers Ice Cream Bar in it...Scout's honor!) than I would spend in a WEEK eating out at Schmurger Schming, Schmendy's and Schmakdonald's. Why is it that so many people comment how Americans are so fluffy, yet it's THREE TIMES cheaper to hit the "value menu" than go get 2 bell peppers and a cucumber????

You want me to start eating healthier? Raise the price of crap food and lower the cost of my veggies...

The House That Built Me

2010-06-24T00:06:00.001-06:00

So, Miranda Lambert has this song out right now, called "The House That Built Me" and it has resonated with me, especially in the last month and change. I haven't been this homesick for Seattle since we moved to Colorado in 1994. Below are the lyrics...below that are more of my thoughts.

I know they say you can't go home again.
I just had to come back one last time.
Ma'am I know you don't know me from Adam.
But these handprints on the front steps are mine.
Up those stairs, in that little back bedroom
is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar.
And I bet you didn't know under that live oak
my favorite dog is buried in the yard.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself
if I could just come in I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years.
From 'Better Homes and Garden' magazines.
Plans were drawn and concrete poured,
and nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to Mama's dream.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself.
If I could just come in I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

You leave home, you move on and you do the best you can.
I got lost in this whole world and forgot who I am.

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
this brokenness inside me might start healing.
Out here its like I'm someone else,
I thought that maybe I could find myself.
If I could walk around I swear I'll leave.
Won't take nothing but a memory
from the house that built me.

I can't seem to put my finger on what it is that is making me so homesick lately. I have friends there from back in the "old days" that I would love to see...but more than anything, I want to take the time to explore the places I still remember.

The cul-de-sac I grew up on, the streets I used to remember how to navigate to get to a former friend's house and back, where I used to catch the school bus every morning, Elementary school, Junior High and High School. The huge hill that leads from where our house was, right into the heart of the middle of our little town, and even further, to the waterfront. I have distinct memories of how to get to 2 of my best friends' parents house. It wasn't very far from where we met, at school, as well as it wasn't very far from our church I grew up in.

To go along with Miranda Lambert's song, I go back and forth as to whether or not I would want to walk into the house I grew up in. I can still remember the back yard, the front yard, the front porch my dad built, the look of the floor in the entry, the stairs, the playroom upstairs and to the right, the bedrooms upstairs and to the left, the view from my bedroom window, the sunken living room, the kitchen, laundry room, garage, every inch of that house. How as kids, we would pile our bean bag chairs in the landing and on the slickest sleeping bag, slide down the stairs into them, peals of laughter coming from all three of us as we did it. I know that as kids, that house felt huge. They say when you go back and look at the place you grew up in, it seems SO much smaller. Part of me wants to keep my memories intact...the other part of me wants to walk in and touch and feel that house again.

Where I went to Junior High and High School has the most beautiful campus, and I loved every minute of it. The front lawn, where we played frisbee during lunch (trust me, Seattle doesn't ALWAYS have rain.), the tree that my mom would always pick me up at (if it was one of the rare days I didn't have to ride the bus home)...the list is rather lengthy.

More than ANYTHING though, I have been craving a trip to the coast, where our family vacationed every. single. summer. The sights, the smells, the s'mores. Yes, I've Googled the location where we used to go, and yes, the cabin of my youth is still there. With less than 300 yards from the porch to the beach.

Part of me wants to go with someone who would appreciate that this was part of my past, part of what makes me, well, me. The other part of me wants to simply go by myself, spend time soaking in the city that I love and the parts that I remember and the parts that I want to be able to remember more of.

Anyone up for financing my dream vacation?

...won't take nothing but a memory...

What is it about TV Shows that sucks us in?

2010-05-23T23:32:00.000-06:00

What is it about our favorite TV shows that suck us in to their lives and make us identify with completely fictional characters that have no actual day to day interaction in our every day lives? (I am in no way passing judgement...I have a slight obsession with a couple shows myself.) I find it hysterical that I myself (in life BEFORE my DVR) would schedule my night's activities around a TV show. Now, thankfully, DVR has changed that radically. Oh, and I'm talking about NON-reality TV people...I'm talking about the shows that have characters where writers bring them life, not teenagers stuck in a house and "start getting real".

It's finale week, time for cliffhangers, wrap-ups, and character killings. Tonight, as I write this, LOST is airing it's series finale. I personally never got into LOST...but I understand people who have gotten attached to shows. Lord knows I threw a full on party for the end of my favorite show, Friends.

I know that there have been shows that have been a part of my life, (Friends having been the biggest one) and that there are shows on now that folks embrace in their own lives. How is it that we find ourselves completely enraptured in these fictional lives and discuss them at work with co-workers the next day? However the writers manage it, they do a damn good job at pulling people in!

Back to topic, since it's finale week, I thought I'd touch on a few that instantly come to mind when I think of series that throughout their seasons had touching season and/or series finale episodes.

Friends - (like you didn't expect me to start with them, come ON) Wait, if Rachel is preggers, then who is Rachel's baby daddy?? Is it Tag or is it Ross? (Finding out was HYSTERICAL the next season.) Then there was the series finale. Saying goodbye to 10 years of Chandler, Joey, Monica, Pheobe, Rachel and Ross... (Okay, okay, I'm moving on...)
ER - when Dr. Green finally succumbed to his brain cancer. I have a distinct memory of my roommate Jen and I sitting on the couch, watching this episode, literally SOBBING and sharing an entire large box of Kleenex between the two of us. To this day, whenever I hear that gorgeous ukulele version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World, I get goosebumps and flash back to the two of us sitting there crying like babies.
M*A*S*H - (yes, I know I didn't see this one when it originally aired, but hey, re-runs count) When Radar comes into the OR, and announces that Henry didn't make it home, instead his chopper crashed. Holy cow. I heard that the cast didn't even know that was the outcome of the episode until the moment that the actor playing Radar came back into the OR on set. (THAT is good writing!!!)
Grey's Anatomy - when they finally at the last minute figure out it's George, and then there's Izzie in her pink dress in the elevator and George in his Army uniform...good LORD pass the box of Kleenex again.

I'm sure that there are others out there that I will think of immediately after hitting the "post" button, but hey, those are the four that come to mind off hand. Thoughts?

You're Always On My Mind...

2010-05-21T11:47:00.003-06:00

Okay, so there's not really a "you" on my mind to go with the title...but it definitely sums up my head lately.

There are a lot of different things running through my mind. Stressful ones about bills; medical costs (mine, not the world's in general); frustration with people; frustration with myself; the stressful list definitely outweighs the frivolous list most days.

One of my thoughts within the last week, is how much I crave interaction with other people. You would think I get more than enough of that during a work week with my daily interactions with patients and co-workers, and when I'd get home be THANKFUL for the peace and quiet. There are days, that is exactly right.

Then, there are the days where I'm tired of the crap (can't we all just get along, really??) and I get home and want nothing more than to have someone to talk to, so entering my empty apartment is frustrating. I have only lived with family and roommates, this is my first venture into living alone. Dont' get me wrong I love it. Really I do...but there are days, where I would kill to have someone I could talk to (in person instead of via phone, IM or some other virtual reason).

Just a random set of thoughts that were running through my had this week...

Giggle-fest 2010 (Day 2)

2010-05-18T14:40:00.000-06:00

Yes, this was taken from an actual virtual conversation today...

C: I have SERIOUS ADD problems these last couple days.... ooh shiny....

J: BADGER PANTS!!!

C: Don't joke about it... I was afraid of napoleon this morning. PTSD I am telling ya

C: Hey wait... do they make shiny badger pants? That would be awesome

J: Only if they can still make the sound....

C: I imagine shiny badger pants are for a whole different purpose other than badger mating pants. It's only logical... really

J: For ADD Badgers??

C: STOP THE HATE! DON'T DISCRIMINATE!

J: I wonder if you can get those paid for by insurance...you know...as a learning tool for badgers with "special needs".

J: Louise...

C: Roger that... I am going to need a LOMN

J: I'm on it...would that go under DME or as a high tech radiology procedure, and do you have the correct CPT and ICD-9 codes?

C: Do you have any idea how frickin' weird we appear to "normal" people?

J: Pfff..."normal" is boring...look how much more fun we're having!!!

C: true... back to DME.... how durable do you think badger pants are? I figure they are pretty feisty creatures... I bet they are hell on pants.

J: Doesn't Sears make those "re-enforced" pants? I wonder if those would qualify. We'll have to see if there is any study documentation on this though.

C: Sears Associate: "I am sorry Ma'am? You are looking for Badger sized re-inforced, shiny pants?" (snort)

J: Hmmm...good call...I wonder where Smokey the Bear gets his pants...I'm sure he has a great contact. His are probably even made of fireproof fabric...so no shiny corduroy fires can start.

C: Scruff McGruff might also be a good person to check too.

J: Hey I think he's in Chicago, Illinois, 60653 right?

C: 6065-TWO ... HELLO haven't you heard that all the million times I have? Sheesh.

C: Thanks for bringing me back to reality. It's amazing I get any work done with you around :P

*And THIS is why I love working with C...conversations like this really, truly, happen.*

The Many Adventures of Two Front Desk Jockeys

2010-05-14T14:40:00.006-06:00

In order to stay sane at work, folks resort to many different tactics. Some healthier than others. My good friend C and I have worked together for a total of almost 2 years. We worked together in the same office, yet for different practices and now, we've worked together for the same practice for 3 months.

We share daily life outside of work stories, laugh at things that probably aren't funny to anyone but us, listen to patients' families and the "interesting" parts of their lives that never cease to make us wonder which crazy tree folks fall from. (Trust me, we're our own brand of crazy too, so we don't pass judgment, just are thoroughly entertained.)

If you are friends with either of us on facebook, you would see that we both update often with some of the funniest things that happen in our office or something absolutely dumb our boss has said. After today's latest installment, I decided I had to compile some for a blog...if you don't get them, no biggy, some are inside jokes anyways...but oh how we laugh...I think it's how we have stayed sane (if you can call us that) while working with cancer patients.

Without further ado...some of our gems...
(PS: I reserve the right to update this as time goes on only because I can't even begin to imagine that this is the end of our hysteria...)

J: "C! Say Chicken Fajita!!!!!" BAAAAAAAAH HA HA HA HA HAHA!!! C: "SHUT UP!!!"

C: it was just a toxic toot. J: A what??? BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH H AHA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! C: I swear! That kid rivals a 13 year old boy!! J: (collapsed in hysterical laughter)

J: you do realize we're missing one key thing right? C: I already told you I have a plan for that!

J: M=me P=Patient: M -"Help yourself, there is hot water for tea, or just plain water, and if you like we can make some more coffee." P -"What, no beer?" M -"No, sorry, they caught on and wouldn't let us tap another keg." P -*sigh* (He is officially my new favorite...)

C: Me: "I never got that email" P: "You never got that email?" Me: "No" P: "So you didn't get the email?" Me: "No, I never got the email" P: "I sent it at 7:56" Me: "I didn't get it" P: " Oh, I guess I sent it to the wrong address"

C: Patient's are often like my 14 month old daughter. They argue for no other apparent reason that to argue. Hmm...

C: My boss: "So what's this about today? Office helper day?"

J: Napoleon is wearing the badger mating pants!!!!!!

J: From now on...you are Louise.

(For the record, we were reading back on these and laughing so hard, tears and snorts abound...)

J: Ever since Legally Blonde (moreso the Broadway version than the movie), whenever the UPS guy comes into the office I almost lose it giggling...

J: $23 mouse for the doc? Denied. $260 headset for me? Approved. ????

C: ...and short sleeve pants!

J: what's that? Two grown women laughing (and admittedly yes, I snorted) at a name like we're 12 year olds? Yes, yes we did.

J: Actual question from an insurance company: "is the patient experiencing symptoms?" No, we just like to zap people for no reason, especially in the BRAIN. YES the patient is experiencing symptoms, why do you think she's seeing a doctor????

J: bootlegging, birthday suits, suitors being run off by crazy aunts...nope, not watching an episode of Dukes of Hazzard, instead, listening to the folks in my waiting room. I swear Boss Hogg or Roscoe P. Coltrane is about to come waltzing through my door.

And THAT is Why You Get A Second Opinion...

2010-04-12T16:19:00.000-06:00

Okay, I won't torture you...I won't drag it out to the very end of the blog. In fact, you can't even really call this one a blog since I'm not going to go into huge detail, only because Mom wants to be able to link to the blog, and get her email out to her folks.

I DO NOT NEED BRAIN SURGERY. (If you had just seen how many times it took me to get the minor typos out of that sentence though, you'd wonder. HA!)

When I saw Dr. N and Dr. M, they were ready to slice and dice...when I asked Dr. O about the other "crowding" that was on the MRI on the right side, he very easily explained that...my brain isn't doing what they thought, and it was the angle of the MRI slice. Well, glad I didn't go with Dr.'s N and M!!!

As it turns out, Randolph, is a wanna-be Chiari. According to Dr. O, a "true" chiari starts at 5mm. Yeah, good ol' Randolph stops at 4. He got close enough and gave up.

What does this mean? This means I have another test to go through with my eye doctor to check the pressure in my skull to make sure that things aren't under too much pressure (all kidding aside) and then a follow up with my regular doctor. I already have my regular doc appointment scheduled, we will be having a looooooooong chat.

The thing that is going to help reduce any pressure I already have and what is causing my current headaches (besides stress) is getting up off my booty and moving more and being better about what I eat. (We all hear it from the regular doc, and we all know how fun that is...imagine hearing that from your NEUROSURGEON.) Ok...got it.

Okay, that's all I'll say for now, but will update later. I'm making mom and dad take me out for steak and margaritas.

Take THAT Randolph.

Too Much Brain To Contain...

2010-04-02T16:30:00.002-06:00

Fair warning to all...this post is not a happy-go-lucky, snarky, sarcastic fun post...sadly this one is a heavy, crap I'm dealing with, have finally gotten to a point where I'm ready to share a bit, okay, here we go kind of post. You have been warned!

A lot has been going on in the last two months, and now that I'm finding out more, I feel more comfortable sharing more information. Don't get me wrong, I have been more than willing to share info with folks, but because I haven't had definitive answers/better ideas of what is going on until recently, I wasn't ready to share news with the world. Even now, I don't know all the details, as there is more investigation to come. I promise to keep you all posted though.

I had an MRI done in January for my migraines. My mom suffered from migraines until after she had us kids, and my sister suffers from them as well. Let me tell you, feeling like your brain is being smashed by an elephant into a box the size of a pea, not the best feeling in the world. (For those of you who know what this feels like, you understand.) Most migraine pain is pretty localized to one side of the brain and typically towards the front of the brain/skull. My headaches on the other hand, are distinctly different. Mine are at the base of my skull, and have been for years. I've been able to cope with migraine pain pretty well for a number of years (the first one that brought me to tears was just after college), however over the course of the last 6-8 months, they are becoming more frequent and increasing in pain. To the point where I had one semi-recently that kept me in bed for 18 hours, and not allowing me to watch my beloved football games, let alone cheer for any teams. Not only did I miss most of that Sunday, I had to stay home from work the next day and go to the doctor (again) regarding how these are getting worse.

I love my regular doctor, and she has been amazing for just about everything I've ever had to see her for. It's her office that I'm not the biggest fan of. I called to make an appointment after spending all day that Sunday in bed and part of the morning Monday. I specified that I didn't want to see one of the PA's or a nurse, I wanted to see an MD. I got a DO (I know, to some this is semantics...bear with me...) who I had never seen before and knows nothing about me. I tell her what's been going on, express serious concern over the fact that these have been getting more frequent as well as more intense over the last 6 months, and asked if it was time that we do something like an MRI or a CT scan. I was told no, and to "try this new migraine med". Grrr...

The next day I went to work, (by the way, the new migraine med didn't work) and spoke with Dr. M, the doctor that I work with. I asked him what he thought...he cut me off and asked "when was your last MRI or CT scan?" when I told him I hadn't had one yet, he stopped me, and promptly ordered one. One MRI later, we have a very pretty picture of my brain, and on the report, the radiologist noticed that things didn't look quite right.

I have been diagnosed with a Type 1 Chiari Malformation.

No, this isn't cancerous, no it isn't fun, and yes, it explains a lot. Basically, Chiari is when the lower part of your brain is so compacted into your skull that it tries to come out the bottom of it and into your spinal column. To put it in simpler terms...my brain is too big for my head. It explains why all my headaches are at the base of my skull instead of towards the front of my head. (I shouldn't say all, most.) I was born with my brain this way.

I have had two appointments with two different neurosurgeons in the last two weeks. One of which is nationally known for his work with this specific type of malformation, the other is one of the neurosurgeons who refers patients to our practice.

At my first appointment, Dr. O was very nice, and I was lucky to get an appointment with him so quickly. (Yay for working in the medical field.) A good friend went with me to the appointment (thankfully she drove, otherwise I don't know how well I would have done) and I had a very brief "Hi, how are you" meeting with the doctor, where he tested arm and leg strength/weakness, balance (I'm a klutz anyways, but hey, he asked me to walk...) and sensation. Yes, all my limbs work, no, I'm not the most graceful, and yes, I can feel everything. (Dr. N did this at my other appointment as well...standard tests...) At my appointment with Dr. O, my cd w/my MRI images on it wouldn't load in their system. So, I couldn't discuss what we saw on the MRI, which was frustrating, I was really hoping for some answers. Instead, he's ordered a more comprehensive MRI, along with an appointment immediately following with him. Hopefully then we will be able to compare the MRI's, and get some more answers. I met with his nurse practitioner four days later, and went over a lot of other things that pertain more to general health than just the Chiari.

This week, I had my appointment with Dr. N. Dr. N and his partners refer patients to us often, so there was a little more comfort level, plus I am pretty sure this isn't the practice I want to go with for my treatment anyways, so I was going as more of a professional courtesy. (Nothing against Dr. N, he's very nice, but their office is not my first choice.) My MRI images DID load for him, and we did discuss more since we were able to actually LOOK at what was going on. One of Dr. N's partner's, Dr. M happened to be in the office and we all three were looking at my MRI. Come to find out, not only do I have a Chiari, but there is some serious crowding going on with the right lower side of my brain as well. Just imagine my surprise/ultimate JOY to find this part out (and yes, I'm being sarcastic) about my noggin. After having this conversation, Dr. N and I went into his office and sat and discussed the fact that yes, I would indeed be a good surgical candidate, but that I am not in need of surgery tomorrow. Does he think it will help my headaches? Yes. Does he proceed to tell me that this is a surgery that is going to hurt because of where the incision would be? Yes. Do I proceed to feel a panic attack coming on? You bet your Sweet Sally I do.

I still have another appointment with Dr. O for another MRI and an appointment with him immediately afterwards on 4/12. I am definitely going to point out what Dr.'s N and M pointed out to Dr. O at our appointment to see what his thought is on that...

Am I doing okay with this whole thing? Not really. Do I force myself to push on through and deal with things as they come and still try to function as myself? Yup. Am I anxious about the actual results of the second MRI...yes and no. Do I know for sure that this is out of my hands and that all I can do is trust that God is going to take care of me and this "thing"? You bet.

I have to keep an upbeat attitude about this, because I refuse to be brought to the point of insanity by something I have no control over and have apparently lived with all my life. Instead, I greet this with humor because I can't cry over it every day. My good friend C has come up with a name for my little problem, and we are from here out calling him Randolph. Randolph, meet everyone, everyone, meet Randolph. Now that the introductions have been made, here is a picture of what's going on for you all.

Do you see the little tail that is at the base of my skull? (Not the long part that runs out the bottom of the picture, but it's riiiiiight next to it before that drops down my spinal column.) Yeah, THAT is Randolph. (Annoying little bugger.)

Here is another picture, this time of the crowding that is going on in the lower right side of my skull...

Do you see how it's kind of all squished up on the right? Yeah, not supposed to be like that. Supposed to look a LOT more like the left side.

SO...all that to say...this is what's going on right now...it sucks, I'm not thrilled with potentially facing brain surgery, but if it's what we deem is the best situation for my head...a Zipperhead I will become. (That is what they call folks who have had the decompression surgery, because your scar looks like a zipper on the back of your head.)

I will answer and and all questions I can as I can, I've started doing some research and have found some folks here in the local area (one even at my church) that have had the same thing, so it's nice to have local folks to network with and talk to about what is going on who understand completely how I'm feeling.

For now...Randolph and I are headed into the weekend. :)

Bittersweet Excitment

2010-02-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

I sit here, 7am, on a Saturday, writing. Normally, I am BEYOND comatose. Saturday mornings I try to sleep in a bit so that I can recharge from the week. Not this Saturday, today...I move.

Today, I move into the first place since my first little apartment after college, that I qualified for all on my own. No roommates, just me and 720 square feet of mine. (To answer the question, no, I don't own it, I'm renting, but still...it's mine.) It's closer to work, it's closer to a lot of my friends and church, and I'm not living in my parents' basement at age 31.

I'm ready to be on my own, have been for a long time, but until now, due to unforeseen circumstances that were beyond my control and the grace that my parents have shown me (more than I'd care to admit or deserve), I wasn't truly ready or appreciative.

ROOMMATES AND RENTAL HISTORY

I had my freedom, or at least pieces of it for a long time until I discovered those pesky little things called credit cards. This led to my first stint at living at home (this was many moons ago, and at this point I had lived with one girl who had never lived away from home before or gone to college, (she was 3-4 years younger than I) and a friend from college). I will never deny that I dug myself into that hole, and I've had some help digging out of it. Then, I moved out with two roommates, and while I never felt so safe as living with the boys and all the firepower they kept in the house, sadly the bills weren't getting paid by one of the roommates, causing me to have to pay most of them by myself or at least 2/3. I moved home again after that fiasco. Then, a friend from church offered for me to live with her at a very reasonable rent and I took her up on it. Looking back on the situation, I definitely learned what NOT to do. But, I am trying to move past that 8 months of my life, and move on. I've never been one whose dwells on the hurts of the past, and since this is one I am having a hard time letting go of, I need to work on it. My new roommate (me) and I get along great, although at times we piss each other off. However, at least arguments between us end up pretty one sided and easy to win. I'm looking forward to it.

GOOD OLD ARVADA

I've been very lucky in the times where I have needed to for multitudes of reasons, to be able to move back home with my folks. Is it my ideal? No. Is it humbling? As all get out. Is it where I was supposed to be? Apparently. I hope my parents know that I have never tried to purposefully take their kindness, support and love for granted, no matter how frustrated with my living situation I am/was.

I have to be honest, this time, leaving home is a bit more bittersweet. I loved being here while my sister was here before her wedding. Melissa and I have grown closer in the last few years, but being able to help her day in and day out (when we both were home) with wedding details, help her with things that only a sister can, all those little things. I've been home leading up into my brother's wedding. Now, this is completely different than helping in your sister's wedding, but I have gotten to spend time with my soon to be sister-in-law and have loved hanging out with her and getting to know her a bit more.

This last stint at home, I've been a lot more financially stable than in the past, with occasional moments of weakness/stupidity, but I can honestly say I'm doing a lot better than before. I have my dad to thank for that, many knock down, ugly nights of sitting in the den looking at my checking account, trying to figure out what my next move should be (no judgment, at 30 yes, I still didn't have all my spending under control, but hey, I'm getting better) etc. Now, I'm doing a heckuva lot better than when I started this last journey.

I'll be honest, no rent is a great reason to stay somewhere, but it's not always the best. My folks are getting older, and are ready for their empty nest in ways, but I think that come April, after my brother and sister in law get married, and I'm gone, and Melissa will have been gone for a year, they are going to be in for a bit of a shock to not have one of us around, or our multitudes of friends,
parading through the house.

I feel, in ways, like this is the first of many firsts this weekend, and while I'm slightly sad at the thought of moving away, it's bittersweet excitement that I feel, because while I may be leaving my folks house (which is exciting don't get me wrong), I know it will always be home. The excitement part comes in because it's a new chapter in my life, and hopefully this chapter will bring closure, peace and forgiveness to parts that have been churned up and frustrating for so long.

Why Even Bother...A Random Moment of Weakness and News

2010-02-21T19:31:00.004-07:00

I was only gone for three days. THREE DAYS. I had a temp scheduled, she cam in on Wednesday, I went over the basics of what I needed her to do. She took copious notes. I felt pretty good about it. I left her detailed instructions on the one or two things I forgot to show her. Left my cell number in case she needed something she just couldn't figure out.

Mini stay-cation...omg...I SO need to do that more often. yes, I booked myself solid for 5 days, but it was so much fun. I didn't sleep in much but between finally getting my hair cut, seeing a play, hanging out with friends and family, play a LOT of Rock Band, and laid low. It felt glorious.

I relaxed on the last day of my mini stay-cation. I didn't get out of pj's all day. Did laundry, played Wii w/my brother, cleaned...all kinds of that mundane stuff that tends to stack up. I was ready to go back to work on Tuesday from the standpoint that no matter what I knew that there would be some catch-up to be done. Yeah, I missed that by a long shot. Not only did she leave me a mess...she left me a story too.

Apparently she came in Thursday but had to leave early b/c she was the "only one" who could go to her house for something (rumor was the excuse she gave was that her alarm went off and someone was breaking into the house). If that truly happened, I wouldn't blame her for taking off. But then she came back...if someone broke into your house and stole all your electronics, why on God's green earth would you come back to work? I don't get it. Friday, apparently she got a flat tire (happens to the best of us) but has to spare tire. What? Who doesn't have a spare tire? She eventually took so long to even get close to coming in, that my boss told her to just not come in. Monday...she just no call no showed. Way to go. You just got your temp service fired from us ever using them again! In the meantime, two and a half days of work sat on my desk piled up for me. Welcome back from a relaxing vacation J! Three weeks ago, my co-worker The Crazy Italian quit. I've been flying solo for 3 weeks, and I can honestly say I have never been more excited for someone to start work. My new co-worker starts tomorrow! Now, yes I'm a bit odd to be this excited to have a co-worker, but this co-worker is a friend of mine, I've mentioned her before, she used to work for another medical practice, and we share an affinity for a certain NFL quarterback who will or won't be back again after coming out of retirement Twice. Judas. Anyways...C starts work tomorrow, and I can't begin to express how excited I am to have a competent counterpart! Don't get me wrong, TCI was more than competent...just very negative on everything and I am ready for some sunshine again.

NEXT TOPIC:

We all know I'm a facebook junkie. In my feed the other day, a friend from college befriended a guy I had a HUGE crush on in college. Now, of course, 10 years after graduation, I had to click on the name to make sure it was who I thought it was. Ohhhhh yeah. Married, still adorable, and his wife is gorgeous and their little boy is so cute. (Can you tell he obviously didn't have a closed profile? What this? 2 albums of pictures that are wiiiide open? Why yes, yes I will!) So normally not a huge deal, ah neat, another person from college...but for some reason, the other day it made me pause ans start going down the "why not me" (not necessarily with him) path. I don't go down this path very often because I hate dwelling on things I can't change or that bring me down. However, ask my BFF's, they will attest to the fact that every once in a while, I wallow for a day or two. Then I'm back to my normal self.

NEXT FUN TOPIC!!

I AM MOVING!!! I've been pretty tight lipped with details only because I didn't want to jinx anything, and technically I don't "have" the condo yet. I have to go and sign the lease Friday night. However, my latest stint of living with the 'rents because of the housing debacle of 2008/2009 is thisclose to be behind me!!! No roommate(s), just me and my fabulous self.

Now, it's been YEARS since I have had any of my own kitchen stuff (among other things) out of boxes, I honestly couldn't tell you what is in any of them (except for the ones that I had the clarity enough to label correctly), but I foresee a lot of dishwasher running going on in my near future. I went to my storage unit today, Dad in tow, to straighten up, condense down and get ready for moving day. It's official; the storage unit is ready to go. The things I have at my folks house (bedding, clothes, bathroom things, Wii, Tivo, small TV, books, handful of DVD's etc) are not however. I purposely left 90% of this week open to pack and get things ready to go. Instead, I managed to book 30% of my wee (and I swear, that's only 2 nights!) but if I can manage to get a lot done tonight (so yes, I should wrap up my blog/epistle) then that makes it that much easier the rest of this week after work. I hate packing. For the few things I know are here, good Lord, they fill up boxes fast. I was thinking I'd only have a few...apparently, I thought wrong. Amazing how much crap/stuff one person accumulates in the span of one year...and I've been good, been on a budget and haven't really bought that much "stuff". (Books don't count as "stuff", they are a category all on their own.)

So to wrap up, the temp sucked, I'm excited that C is starting work with me tomorrow, and my (old) new Indian name is: Dances With Cardboard. Catch you later!!!

2009 In Retrospect...

2010-01-03T22:44:00.001-07:00

So my bff CB, did this amazing look back at her life over the course of the last year...and has come to some pretty awesome conclusions about where she sees her life going. Her goals are incredible, and yet I KNOW she'll reach and exceed all of them. This particular blog is definitely going to be one in progress, and will most likely be one that I update more than a couple times because I don't have it in me to be deep for more than about 5 minutes.

2009 got off to a yucky and rough start.

My roommate at the time, was dating the guy I had liked for over a year, and I could tell they were headed for a nasty breakup, and they did. Not only did I have to endure living with the relationship in the house I lived in, but I had to pick up the pieces of the nasty breakup. That was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

In church you're told/taught that you should always turn the other cheek and love no matter what happens. Yes, this is true...but I guess I never realized how incredibly hard it is/was until I personally had to make the best of this situation and do exactly that. Do I still socialize with this former roommate? Only when forced to. Am I still hurt and bitter about this as well as what happened in the month following helping her through this incredibly ugly and bad breakup? You bet your ass I am. Will I ever be over it? Time heals a lot of things, and I sincerely hope that with time I will completely be over this situation. But, being just shy of a year past all of these things, I can honestly say I'm not over it...part of me is still VERY angry with my former roommate for what happened. I'm hurt that someone could basically cast aside any friendship for selfish reasons, and can without regard for how it will affect someone else's life, make decisions that radically change it.

In February, this same roommate lost our house to foreclosure. I can't wish this kind of misfortune on anyone, and I wouldn't. However as someone who was paying her rent money every month, I think I deserved a bit more notice that my living situation was about to change radically.

Thankfully, I am quite quick at adapting to life's situations and my annoying way of having a sunny outlook/finding that silver lining is a way that not only I think preserves me for the moment that I'm going through, but it also helps me realize, that no matter how bad the situation may be, God knows it could always be worse.

When former roommate and I parted ways, my housing options were pretty limited. So, I moved home. I'm so not thrilled with the fact that I'm 31 and living at home because my roommate couldn't manage her money. But (here comes that annoying silver lining) I got to be here for all of the little intricacies for the end of wedding planning for my sister and I wouldn't trade that time for anything.

The rest of 2009, while eventful, was relatively drama free compared to 2008. I am still with the same job, I have money to pay my bills, (which thanks to no rent are slowly coming around), I have a roof over my head that is also filled with people that I know love me. I have an abundantly busy social life (sometimes too busy, but that comes back to establishing boundaries, see my other blog entry here).

I catch up with friends who I haven't talked to in a long time and one of the first questions some ask, is "so, any new men in your life?" and just recently I have come to the conclusion (with help from a couple conversations with my bff CB) that if I'm going to find someone to be in my life, he has to compliment my life, not complicate it. Tall order to fill...but if he's worth it, he will. Do I wish I was in a relationship some days? Hell yes, I'm human. Do I look at couples some days and say "THANK GOD it's not me!"? Hell yes again. I see the drama that some folks put themselves through, and am glad that I'm not in that situation. I also see other couples that are not as drama-filled and wish/hope for that in my future relationship.

(I promise I'll revisit this soon...but my poor brain just can't do much more right now.)

The Magic Word

2009-12-11T17:32:00.003-07:00

We are raised to use "Please" and "Thank You" in our every day lives. We are taught from the time when we can understand Big Bird that please is the magic word to get what we are wanting/needing.

As an adult, I've discovered a new magic word. NO.

It's next to impossible for some of us to learn to say this word. I know that I have had an extremely hard time re-acquainting myself with this word. As children we are all VERY familiar with it. (Who hasn't heard a precocious 3 year old loudly proclaim "NO, MOMMY!!" when in a restaurant/grocery store etc?) As you grow older, you learn to spare people's feelings, and bend your schedule to accommodate other folks.

I had myself extremely overbooked and since I am a people pleaser, it is extremely hard for me to say no to something. I am normally the person that will just make things work to help out whoever I can. Don't get me wrong I love helping folks out. I just lost sight of boundaries. I got a rude awakening this summer when I agreed to take on a project that while near and dear to my heart as a cause, I could already see into the future was going to eat up any possible free time I may have had as well as been a bad match with the cause's leader. It took me a week of going back and forth, fearing that the people I agreed to help would be disappointed in me, that they wouldn't want my help in any other capacity. Instead, when I said I had to step down, while it was met with resistance, when I stood my ground, it was AMAZING the feeling I felt afterwards.

Since then I have learned that wielding that word can prove dangerous, yet fruitful at the same time. Dangerous in the sense that if you don't phrase your answer juuuuuust right, you might truly hurt someone you didn't mean to, and the time to recover that is harder than the time it would have taken for you to think about what you were about to say. Fruitful because it sets up a boundary with some people that may need to be pushed back in your life for a season. You don't hate them, you don't not want them in your life, you just want them to respect the fact that you have to have some time (no matter how little it seems) for YOU.

How Full Is Your Tank?

2009-12-11T17:19:00.004-07:00

Now, some would take this cliche (I can't for the life of me figure out the damn accent thing on words like that or fiance.) phrase a bunch of different ways. Is your emotional tank full? Is your spiritual tank full? Is your financial tank...you get the point.

However, since we all know that I am not a deep philosophical person...I simply mean energy wise. In otherwords: Am I the only person on earth who seems to be absolutely exhausted ALL of the time? (Yes, I've had my thyroid checked and no I don't have mono, so let's just get that out of the way now.) I don't know if it is the time of year with all the hustle and the bustle, the parties, the white elephant gifts you need to dig out of nowhere for that Secret Santa you forgot (no, I swear, it didn't happen to me.), the fact that it gets darker so much earlier in the day or what.

I am BEAT. Yes, I could go to bed earlier, but guess what, even if I'm all tucked in (TV off, laptop closed down etc) my brain refuses to shut off until at least 1130 or later. Last night, prime example. I didn't start making Pretzel Magic until 1030pm. By the time I sat down to wrap my brother, brother-in-law and sister's birthday presents for today, it WAS today. 15 minutes INTO today. I am not a morning person, not since working at the hospital (even then it was a struggle at times) have I been able to go to bed so early and then get up and work at 7am. Thankfully, I don't have to be at work until 830 now. Is it greedy that I would kill to be able to be in at 9 instead, and yet leave at 4 instead of 5? (I know...never gonna happen...) Maybe it's the lazy side of me, maybe it's the social butterfly in me...who knows. What has to give? Social interactions (the thing that I think I crave more often than ice cream)? If that is what I decide I have a hard time thinking about the fact that means telling more folks no. I REVELED in the fact that I had 2 whole nights where I didn't have to be anywhere at all other than the recliner those nights if I wanted to.

Ok, that is my little rant for the time being. I reserve the right to come back and edit as time allows/if I am up to it!

Vets Ventings

I'm a Pinja!!

Many Things, Crammed Into One Post

Hey look! A Craft Post!!!

I'll Follow You

20 Questions (times 5)

30 Day Music Challenge - Day 5

30 Day Music Challenge - Day 4

30 Day Music Challenge - Day 3

30 Day Music Challenge - Day 2

30 Day Music Challenge - Day 1

A New Challenge!!

Defying Gravity

Unfinished Thoughts...

Giggles

Will and Kate, The Sequel.

Will and Kate

Deutsch Überraschungen

Shel Silverstein Sunday

Work In Progress...

Hodge Podge Post

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 30

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 29

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 28

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 27

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 26

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 25

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 24

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 23

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 22

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 21

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 20

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 19

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 18

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 17

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 16

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 15

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 14

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 13

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 12

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 11

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 10

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 9

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 8

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 7

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 6

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 5

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 4

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 3

3, 3, 3 Hat Posts In One!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 2

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 1

The To-Be-Read-Because-I-Already-Own-Them Shelf

November, 2008

*contented sigh*

Catching Up...

Munchkin-Love

Oh the Life of the Unemployed...

Whipped Up in a Frenzy...

Bailey's Birthday Present

Hats Hats Hats!!!!!

Life...

The Year Round Faux-Hawk

Jack Kelly

Audrey, Aubry and Emily - The Inspiration and the Product!

Whitecaps

Payin' Rent!

Jackson goes "ROAR"!!!

Fall Play Day

Homesick

Just some good ol' boys...

For Audrey...

Crafty Crafterson...

Top Ten Ways to Know Yo' A$$ Belongs In The Gym...or how I came to realize that I had fallen off my game...

The House That Built Me

What is it about TV Shows that sucks us in?

You're Always On My Mind...

Giggle-fest 2010 (Day 2)

The Many Adventures of Two Front Desk Jockeys

And THAT is Why You Get A Second Opinion...

contented sigh