Thursday Thirteen

Thought I'd try this out, looked like fun. Just one more thing to keep me from working... Things I Am Thankful For(In no specific order) 1. pajama pants 2. babers! 3. cheese (any and all kinds) 4. my health 5. my family 6. my sense of humor 7. my boobs 8. Saturday sleep ins 9. pizza delivery 10. air conditioning 11. baber naps 12. people who read my posts and actually comment (which makes me feel like less of a loser, sniff sniff) 13. num numming Don’t hate my mostly superficial list, it was all in fun. *sticking tongue out*

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Bosses and Their Nasty Habits

When I first started the job I’m at now I thought, “Office is nice, work is interesting, boss is great.” And then that thought about my boss all fell to shit when I went to the office restroom one day. Upon approaching the porcelain beauty, I was confronted with a horrible image. Immediately I thought, woops – someone got distracted and forgot to flush. But it wasn’t just a one-time thing. Since then, almost every time I’ve been to the bathroom (unfortunately after my boss) I have found something new to be disgusted by. First the whole forgetting to flush thing, then the peeing on the floor, and then the peeing all over the seat. I mean really, you’re a fucking grown ass man and you can’t make it into the humongous toilet bowl hole??

I am beyond disgusted. I guess that’s the downfall of working in a small office with a shared, unisex bathroom.

So, the bathroom situation got me thinking – is it the same with all bosses?? My last boss also had a nasty ass habit of picking his nose right in front of you. I remember the first offense as if it were yesterday…

Boss: “And then I would like you to call the board and arrange a meeting.”
Me: “Would you prefer I book on –“
Finger inserted into nose.
Me: Blank stare. “…and…um…”

I can still hear my co-worker laughing as I walked off from my boss mid-sentence, unable to complete my thought due to his nasty little habit.

Sorry for the gross post – hope you guys aren’t reading this mid-lunch. The ranting does help. Thanks for listening!

Silly Fears

WARNING: The following post may list things that you possibly have not thought of to fear before. Apologies in advance.

Most people know that I’m a worrier. I think about situations that most likely will never happen and yet prepare for them mentally just in case they do.

1. Parents finding sexual paraphernalia at my untimely death. When I was single, my room mate promised to discard of my toy (singular, I have one, don’t judge me) and anything that may lead my parents to believe I was anything less than a wholesome young lady, should I die. I imagine them sobbing quietly while packing my journals and shoe collection, and then both having heart attacks when opening my nightstand. I no longer have a room mate and have recently asked Jason to discard all things naughty, including any lacy nighties (that I never wear but for some reason still have).

2. “Tooting” in my sleep. Thanks to the movie Good Will Hunting, I now have a (small) fear of tooting in my sleep. If you haven’t seen the movie, one of the characters is reminiscing about his deceased wife to a patient. He tells a story of how his beloved wife would sometimes fart so loud in her sleep that it would wake her. “Wha? Was that you??” she would sleepily ask her husband, to which he’d reply “Yes dear, sorry. That was me. Go back to sleep.” He said he didn’t have the heart to tell her, all the while laughing hysterically at the memory. I hope my husband also doesn’t have the heart to tell me should this unfortunate thing happen to me.

3. Being terribly out of style or “not with it”. I try to pick clothes that are simple and classic, and now turn to my sister (who’s a hairstylist) to make sure my hair is hip. Make up is something I usually keep simple. Still, I worry that one day I will end up like one of those women on What Not to Wear or 10 Years Younger who suddenly doesn’t have a clue. Who wakes up one day wearing her husbands cut off sweats and has crazy eyebrows, all the while her kids and husband glaring at her with disgust.

There's more silly fears brewing inside this worry wart, but I'll save them... maybe for another post. :) Do you have any silly fears?

Easy Cheesy Enchiladas

Warning – I am on a semi-health kick. The title of this post for the following recipe sounds delicious and the ingredients are low-fat or fat free, but the end result really is yummo! (So stole that line from Rachal Ray…)

1 lb lean ground meat
2 cans Campbell southwest fiesta cheddar soup (low-fat or fat free kind)*
light or fat free sour cream
light shredded Mexican cheese (jack & cheddar or something of the like)
fresh cilantro
1 onion
a couple stalks of green onion
enchilada seasoning (dry packet, try McCormick)
one 8 oz can tomato sauce
corn tortillas

Brown ground meat in skillet, add half of chopped onion, a handful of chopped green onions and a handful of chopped cilantro. Season with a little chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.

In separate bowl mix tomato sauce, enchilada sauce packet and amount of water called for on the packet. Mix well and put about half of that mixture in the ground meat once the meat and other ingredients are fully cooked. The meat should be chunky and juicy, not swimming in the sauce.

In small pot put the 2 cans of cheddar soup and 1 can of milk in pot to heat. (You are using less than called for amount of milk to make the cheesy goodness thicker.) Add a tablespoon of sour cream. * If you can’t find this soup in your grocery, using regular Campbell’s Cheddar soup and a can of Rotel is just fine.) I also gussied up the soup mixture with a little salt, pepper, chili powder and onion powder for extra kick.

Heat tortillas in non-greased skillet and put a spoonful or two of ground meat mixture in each, topping the meat with shredded cheese. Roll each up and place in baking dish. After you’ve filled your baking dish, top with shredded cheese, then pour Mexican cheddar soup mixture over all enchiladas and top with more shredded cheese. Sooo good!

Made it up myself and tried it this weekend with J. We loved it and hope you like as well!!

P.S. – If you like all things spicy, I suggest throwing a can of Rotel in with the soups anyway or maybe adding jalapenos to the ground beef mixture.

Five Things Made for Men That Are Better on Women

See the full story with pictures here.

Kelly has introduced me to a few sites by way of her blog that are now in my favorites for daily reading. The Best Article Every Day posted a nice little article that I thought everyone would enjoy, especially the guys. (Jason, I will agree to wear everything but the tie, including the motorcycle if you don't stare at the chic in the last photo too long... hee hee.)

Five Things Made for Men That Are Better on Women

1. Boy briefs
2. Ties
3. Sport Jerseys
4. Baseball caps
5. Motorcycles

The only ones I seriously agree to are #1 and #4 . I'm sure most females own a pair of boy briefs, especially seeing as how they land two of our necessities when it comes to undies: cute and comfy.

And the baseball cap thing - a must have in my wardrobe, and a "need" for 4 wheeling. Now that my hair can no longer be pulled into a pony tail, baseball caps are my savoir. After the first ride with short hair I spent 20 minutes getting the knots out. I now own 4 caps.

So go read the article - silly but fun.

Naps, Ditch Diving and Killer Mosquitoes

Most of you know J is living out of town due to his project/job location. It’s been a few months and we felt it necessary that I make the hike to see him in his new living environment. I have never made a trip longer than 30 minutes or further than 30 miles on my own. So, when Jason told me it was a straight shot I was relieved. But then when he told me I had to cross the Atchafalaya basin, all I could think about was the possibility of being knocked off the bridge to my death. Or worse, not to my death and faced with human eating alligators.

The trip was a cinch. When I see him, I am like a little girl on Christmas morning. He cooks me dinner – pork chops, mashed potatoes and Cajun gravy, and spicy boiled mushrooms. A little southern din din. We watch Ghost Rider (which we don’t recommend) and it’s soon bed time.

The next morning all of J’s plans for us are shot to hell. We’re staying in J’s camper trailer on a piece of his co-worker’s 600+ acres of property, surrounded by trees, pastures and cows. And it’s raining. Hard. And there’s nothing even semi-entertaining for less than an hour’s drive away. And, because of the rain, we can’t go 4 wheel riding or canoeing.

I recall saying that J and I could have fun in a room with no windows. This weekend truly backed that statement up. And we had some help! Over the course of 45 hours together, we managed to spend only 21 hours of complete “awake” time together. Meaning we slept for 24 hours of the weekend which included 4 hours of napping. 4 HOURS. If two people sleep 10 hours two nights in a row, why would they need a nap??? Because our naps are yummy, that’s why. Puhh. Fuhh. Shhu.

Besides the sleeping, we passed the time taking little road trips to see different areas of Jason’s project and his office. It was cool to have a visual on things so I know where his ass is when he’s leaving me sweet blog comments. Heh heh.

On the way home we did a little “ditch diving”. The road he lives off of is dirt and gravel (like I said, he’s in the country) and as we’re driving down it he shows me how he speeds up in the curves to let the tail end of his truck swing around. Puts a couple butterflies in yer belly, but its fun none the less... That is, until you go a little too far and slide into a ditch on said gravel road with no shoulder. Bump! Bump! and BRANCHES IN THE FACE!! And then… TA DAAA! Jason’s full of talent, yes siree! He swerves back up out of the ditch just in the nick of time. *whew* Suuurrre, its all fun and games until someone gets hurt.

Then there’s the mosquito swatting. After a good rain there’s bound to be a few mosquitoes around, but let me tell you – the size of these suckers will have you running for shelter. Killer mosquitoes on steroids!!

It may not have been a romantic trip, but it definitely gave us a few humorous stories to tell. (Which, by the way, are way better in person with hand motions and noises…)

Inanimate Objects

This is a postcard that is displayed on one of my favorite websites, PostSecret. I got a lump in my throat when I saw this today because it reminds me of my childhood.

As a child, the final step of making my bed would be to strategically place all 31 of my stuffed animals on the bed. “Strategically” because I knew which animals were friends and which weren’t. (I wouldn’t dare place Tigger next to my stuffed mouse because he may get hungry for a little mouse snack during the day.) I also placed them on the bed because I thought it was more comfortable, and I thought they would be less likely to “get me” while I slept at night because in order to sleep in my bed, the 31 animals had to sleep on the floor. And who likes that?

Later on my sister began showing signs of believing the same thing. I had long since grown out of the idea that my stuffed animals were animate during the day, but found it so sweet that my sister thought the same, even though I had not been a part of creating this belief. I found myself positioning her stuffed animals while she was out of the room to back up her theory… Sometimes my toothbrush would be missing. Magically my little sis would find Cabbage Patch girl red-handed. Interrupted in a game of hide and seek by my sister’s presence, Raggedy Ann and Pooh Bear would be found peeking out from under her bed.

I had completely forgotten about this!! It amazes me, the things we share and do as siblings when we are young. It makes me want to have a sit-down with my sister and reminisce about all the silly things we did for one another. Or even better - pull some adult prankage on my sister now.

7 Random Facts. You're Next.

I was unfairly tagged by Kelly. *sigh* Okay, we all know everyone loves these things so why front? Its a chance to blog about yourself.

The Rules:

Each player starts with 7 random facts about themselves on their Blog. People who are tagged need to blog 7 facts about themselves and post the rules as well. At the end of the post list 7 people you are tagging. Let them know they are tagged by leaving them a comment.

7 Random Facts About Myself

1.) I can wiggle my ears. How does one come to know this about themselves? I have no idea, but I can wiggle on demand and you can actually see my ears moving.

2.) I am afraid of the dark. Have been since I was a child. Still sleep with a night light. I’m pretty ok if someone is in the dark with me, but if I’m alone and find the night light has burned out when I turn my overhead light off to go to sleep, I wig out. Heart beats fast, hold my breath, the whole nine.

3.) I secretly wanted to be a microbiologist or psychologist. I graduated college in the graphic design/fine arts field but took every class allowed to me as an art major for microbiology and psychology. In reality I knew that landing a job in the field of graphic design would be more likely than becoming a psychologist or microbiologist where I live. Sometimes I would like to kick myself in the rear.

4.) One of my worst fears is of being attacked or mugged. Since a young age I’ve had it in my head that it will happen to me someday. Like it’s something I can’t get out of… its just going to happen and I can’t prevent it.

5.) I adore movies with human struggle in them, mostly ones that have a main character that has a disorder or a disability or psychological problem. For example: Girl, Interrupted, Good Will Hunting, and The Piano. I find movies that yank the most emotion out of me to be the most fulfilling.

6.) I am terrified that I will turn out to be like the women in my family. Not going to elaborate on this one.

7.) I used to read the Encyclopedia. Not just when I was a kid, but even when I was living with my parents at 21. And not just when I was bored. Information vacuum. I love learning stuff.


Okay now that everyone thinks I’m a loon, I’ll have to taggeth someone else. Like Kelly, I don’t think I have many readers, so let’s see:

Michelle

Dave

Violet

Blogarita

Dan

LBB

Shoot. I can make 7. Did I miss anyone? lol.

More than meets the eye

When I was first asked by my boyfriend if I would go with him to see the Transformers movie, I gave him a look and replied "Maybe that's a movie you and Mike should go see together..."

I hardly wanted to watch a movie that was based on a toy that my brother played with as a child. (Imagine constant transforming and robot noises coming out of a kid's mouth for hours on end.) I never really saw the point: a toy that transforms from a car to a robot, orrrr maybe an airplane to a robot. Wow. What's it good for after that? Barbie, on the other hand, could transform into many things: evening Barbie for a night out with Ken or maybe Hawaiian Barbie for another vacation. Endless possibilities.

Anyways, it wasn't until I saw the intriguing trailer in the theatre to see Spiderman that I decided I wanted to see Transformers. It seemed to have everything I needed to stay awake in the movie theatre: comedy, a teen love connection and some really awesome graphics (enter Jill the nerd).

Let me just tell you, it was hands down the best movie I've seen in the theatre in a while. (Before that it was The Notebook. I know, sad right?) At one point in the movie I found myself tighting my grip on J's hand while watching the action scenes. Then, of course being the ultra-aware person that I am, I became paranoid about doing it again and paid attention... only to notice J was doing it too. Yesss! Other times I had completely forgotten I was in the movie theatre at all. (Did I just unawaringly do something I'd only do at home while watching a rental??? *gasp*)

Still, it was one of those movies that you actually wait to read the credits on. A movie with a great pace and not a second of downtime. You know those movies. Movies that are 2 hours long but seem so short. Movies that are so captivating that you have forgotten about your popcorn for fear of missing a second when just moments ago you were elbow deep in the buttery goodness. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

Now I've really built it up for you with my rave review. Guess if you haven't seen it already, you really shouldn't go. Sorry guys. ;) Just wanted to note that this was a really cute movie, one I plan to purchase for my stock.

(Btw, have you guys been to the movies lately? Even a Sunday matinee at the theatre will wallet-rape you these days!!)

Cows can be funny

Have you seen the Happy Cows commercials? They are just so darn funny and charming. I literally stop whatever I'm doing to watch them. They are my 2nd favorite - the Sonic commercials being my number 1. Okay, maybe its a toss up.

Check 'em out. They may jist put a smile on yer face.

Happy Cows

Funny Read of the Day

Hello?”

“Hi honey. This is Daddy. Is Mommy near the phone?”

“No Daddy. She’s upstairs in the bedroom with Uncle Paul.”

After a brief pause, Daddy says, “But honey, you haven’t got an Uncle Paul.”

“Oh yes I do, and he’s upstairs in the room with Mommy, right now.”

Brief Pause. “Uh, okay then, this is what I want you to do. Put the phone down on the table, run upstairs and knock on the bedroom door and shout to Mommy that Daddy’s car just pulled into the driveway.”

“Okay Daddy, just a minute.”

A few minutes later the little girl comes back to the phone. “I did it Daddy.”

“And what happened honey?” he asked.

“Well, Mommy got all scared, jumped out of bed with no clothes on and ran around screaming. Then she tripped over the rug, hit her head on the dresser and now she isn’t moving at all!”

“Oh my God!!! What about your Uncle Paul?”

“He jumped out of the bed with no clothes on, too. He was all scared and he jumped out of the back window and into the swimming pool. But I guess he didn’t know that you took out the water last week to clean it. He hit the bottom of the pool and I think he’s dead.”

***Long Pause***

***Longer Pause***

***Even Longer Pause***

Then Daddy says, “Swimming pool? Is this 486-5731?”

Toot toot

Can I just toot a horn real quick on the current job status? (Tough, I'm doing it anyway...)

I have been on a journey through some seriously dead end jobs…

First job was in my field of study straight out of college. I was a graphic designer at a studio where I was creatively challenged every day as well as financially challenged. After 2 years of being poor, I moved on.

Second job was in a field I had never even heard of before – association management. While it was it a very stressful, thankless job, it did challenge me and I was fulfilled in a way. I was able to do a little traveling and developed many great skills and habits. But, most jobs have a balance of good and bad. When I finally told my SOB of a boss good bye, I was able to take along with me three great friends that I still adore and talk to on a regular basis.

Third job. *smirk* This is what I like to call a "stepping stone". I so desperately wanted out of my previous job that I took the first job that went up the scale in pay and what I thought sounded like a prestigious position. Ah, how I was mistaken. After being the community complaint center and defending myself on a regular basis for happenings I had no control over, I began a real search for a career. I was tired of positions with asshole bosses and catty women, where ridiculous things like filing was more important to your boss that tending to your deadlines.

The point of my rambling? For once in my life I am in a position where I feel part of a team, where I am thanked every day for what I’ve done to help someone else’s life a little easier. I learn something new every day and while most days fly in a rush to close a deal, I also have days that are so laid back we take 2 hour lunches just shooting the bull with the boss. Can’t beat that.

Most of the time people just speak out to complain and never really broadcast the good. Flipping the switch on ya. ;)

So anyway, I’m just as happy as a tick on a fat dog and just wanted to share. Toot toot.

Finally, some inspiration

Oh... Please go look at this website. Jeshderox's Photography

Beautiful, inspiring.

Makes me want to run out of this office and grab my camera...

(Thanks for sharing, Kelly. This has been the highlight of my day.)

Ghost of Babers?

I think I actually wrote a poem last night. Well, maybe not quite a poem. More like just thoughts that kept circling in my brain that I had to get out before it became a song or even something more annoying… like a chant. That hasn’t happened in a while. I used to create poetry when I was younger, but decided after high school that it was no longer cool. (Shut up.)

It all started when I was brushing my teeth and caught a glimpse in the mirror of what I thought was a lump under the covers of my bed. Like someone was in there, the way it looks when Babers is in there, waiting for me to finish my nightly routine. Kind of reminds me of how it feels when you lose a pet. You find yourself looking down before rounding corners or hopping off of beds so as not to step on them. As if they’re still there. Not to compare Jason with a dog, it’s just… similar, in a way.

Sometimes to my own advantage, I like to pretend he’s still there during the week. For instance, when I’ve been a little lazy on picking up after myself, I like to shake my head while picking up the multiple cups I’ve left around the house. “You may have a nice ass and all, but that doesn’t mean you can get away with leaving your cups every where.”

Or, when it’s really cold in the mornings because I’ve set the temp too low, I like to jump out of bed cursing “just because you are hot natured doesn’t mean I have to suffer. Brrr!”

I’m pathetic.

Maybe I’ll post this “poem” later. If I get brave, that is.

P.S. - How cool is that bed? www.slmetalworks.com/beds_a.html

A Beach Wedding!

No, not for me!!! An old, loyal friend of mine called this past weekend to announce that the wedding she planned for January of 2008 is now being pushed up to September 2007. “I’m not pregnant,” she explained, “it’s just that we have our vacation planned for September, and we’d like nothing more than to be married on the beach.” Priceless.

Good things about this change:

1. I am no longer a bridesmaid. Due to the last minute change – and expense of travel - most of the wedding party won’t be able to make it. Now it’s just the best man and matron of honor.

2. Jason and I are turning this into our vacation as well. Why not?

3. I get to spend some time with my friend in a beautiful place free of every day stress and responsibility.

4. Ditto on the above except replace “my friend” with “my boyfriend”.

Notice how I just turned my good friend’s wedding into something good for me? Sounds terrible, I know, but if you’ve been a bridesmaid for years and have accumulated several odd colored dresses that you will never wear again you would feel the same way. However, I’ve never in my life felt the saying “always a bridesmaid, never the bride” related to me, but I do feel a little envious that she is getting married soon and on the beach. I’ve never really wanted to be married before but I guess now that I’ve found “the one” I just want forever to start now.

Anyway, 10 more weeks and I’ll be watching my friend get married on some beautiful beach while holding my sweetie’s hand. I can’t wait!

Three Words

Mu wah ah ah! Another meme stolen from Miss Blogarita! (I have SO much work to do so if I get fired it's her fault...) *wink wink*


1. Where is your cell phone? Hidden in purse
2. Boyfriend/girlfriend?currently loving babers
3. Hair? newly short, easy
4. Your mother? intelligent, trying, strong
5. Your father? quiet, pensive, rock
6. Your favorite item(s)? sudoku, crockpot, scrapbook
7. Your dream last night? no dream thankfully
8. Your favorite drink? Sweet iced tea
9. Your dream guy/girl? my funny babertine
10. The room you are in? my boring office
11. Your fear? heights, being attacked
12. What do you want to be in 10 years? happy, stable, hot (hahaha)
13. Who did you hang out with last night? Suzy and Doozy
14. What are you not? Babers says I'm not high maintenance and my momma says I'm not a dummy... oh wait that was more than three words.
15. Are you in love? yes very much
16. One of your wish list items? my own home!
17. What time is it? who really cares
18. The last thing you did? talked to Amy
19. What are you wearing? slacks, heels, mascara (and that's it! My boss LOVES me)
20. Your favorite book? probably White Oleander
21. The last thing you ate? chicken salad, pickle
22. Your life? calm, fufilling, perfect
23. Your mood? happy but restless
24. Your friends? fun, supportive, non-psycho (smirk)
25. What are you thinking about right now? my growling tummy
26. Your car? sporty white accord
27. What are you doing at this moment? passing the time
28. Your summer? so much planned!
29. Your relationship status? with my soulmate
30. What is on your TV screen? no tv screen
31. When is the last time you laughed? 5 minutes ago
32. Last time you cried? yesterday at song
33. School? college grad, craziness
34. Why did this end so abruptly?what? huh? who?

The Ups and Downs

I feel like I’m on a freaking rollercoaster right now. The weekends bring J, who supplies tons of ridiculous behavior, tons of fun and laughter…just never a dull moment. He brings out the crazy in me – wait - I should probably say J encourages the crazy in me, and well, when he leaves I have no one who can match this as well as he, so I basically stare at the walls until the weekend again.

I exaggerate. Still, between doing stuff with friends during the week, creating art, walking, and new on the list – playing my fantasticable Sudoku game that Jason bought me – I’m just sitting there wishing he was with me. Of course I don’t want to bore my friends with my whining and wishing, so I usually keep it inside. (Or put it on the blog.) Of course, this build up eventually comes out in a tantrum directed at Jason in hidden form. *sigh* The man doesn’t verbalize his brain, so I often wonder if he feels the way I do. Or does he not think about it at all? *gasp* OR is he so wrapped up playing with his new puppy that he doesn’t think about me at all??

Grr. Stoopid puppy.

I’m kidding! I seriously love that little slut. Except when she makes me itch and gets between Jason and I on the couch.

I digress. But then, I’m not really going anywhere with this am I? Call it a Dear Diary entry if you will. I just… feel like I’m ever so grateful to have this perfect-for-me human being in my life to love and love me back, but the distance and lack of togetherness is so huge for me that I often obsess about that instead of how great our love is. (Did you just throw up in your mouth a little?) And I also feel like I've waited so long for this - why is he being taken away now? Why not a job here?? If I had something to throw right now I would. (Eyeballing phone and stapler on side of desk.)

I know, I know, he's apart from me too. He's experiencing the distance too. Its not just about me. But, it really hurts when you're the one being left.

That’s all…. for now.

The Sleeping Memes

I saw this while visiting Blogarita and thought it was cute, so of course I had to "borrow" it!

6 Weird things I do while getting ready to sleep or while sleeping:

1. I get irritated and cannot fall sleep if there is any sound in the room other than the fan whirling or the air conditioner going. For example, a dog scratching in the room or people outside talking will keep me up. However, I can fall asleep sooo easily (unintentionally) while watching a blaring televison.

2. My only sleeping position is on my tummy with one arm under my pillow. The only time this varies is if I decide I want to jack one of my legs up on the side of me. I cannot fall asleep any other way.

3. Relative to #2 – When Jason’s home on the weekends, I love love love cuddling with him right before falling asleep, but I can’t actually sleep that way. So we roll over to sleep the way we must, but our legs or feet have to be touching or tangled up together in order for me to crash.

4. Not really following the title, but: On Thanksgiving day, all the women make fun of or fuss about all the men in the house falling asleep right after stuffing themselves with turkey and dressing. I secretly wish I could kick back and fall asleep with them, but don’t want to be talked about by the rest of the women.

5. I prefer to and will probably always sleep in shorties and a t shirt. Non of this pretty lingerie in bed, or baby dolls or a la nakedness – I’ve tried. Really, I have. Just can’t seem to kick the comfort habit. (So sorry Babers…)

6. Before getting into bed I always check behind my shower curtain, in my bedroom closets and under my bed for intruders. This started the first day I moved out on my own and I imagine will continue until I’m living with someone who can protect me.

Looking at my 6 items, none of them are really weird except for maybe #6.

Life's a Beach!

If there is anything obvious that Jason has changed about me, it would definitely be my spontaneity. Before him, I really didn’t have any. But, I know how much he loves being spontaneous and so this past weekend for his birthday, I threw a comment in the air about going to the beach for his birthday. I hesitated before saying it, being the planner that I am, but once I saw his excitement I was in for it.

Together we probably spent about 4 hours on the phone and internet trying to find a place to stay in the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores area. If it wasn’t sold out, it was priced at a ridiculous rate. We ended up broken hearted believing that our little last minute plan had been squashed. We woke up Saturday morning still anxious to get away, so we jumped out of bed to start packing – destination: Biloxi beach!

Now, I’ve seen the pictures and heard the stories from people that have visited Biloxi. I’ve heard about how much has changed and how the rebuilding process has been so slow. We knew it wouldn’t be the same as trips to Biloxi before, but we still wanted to play together at the beach and I guess we were in denial about what to expect.

The beach line was completely vacant. Trying to find a place to eat, or even something as simple as a bag of ice was really trying. We’d see a restaurant sign in the distance and get excited, only to be knocked down as we got closer and saw it was only a sign, that the restaurant itself had been destroyed.

Despite the disappointment and shock, we still had an awesome time. As I said to my mother when she warned me before we left that there was nothing to do: Jason and I are not just a couple, we’re best friends – we’d have fun in a room with no windows. Just being together, making drinks and being silly, filling the Jacuzzi tub with overflowing shampoo suds and talking… serious fun. Not having any distractions really filled this void for me with him being gone during the week. And I think this weekend gave me a new appreciation for him: the man is an optimist. Almost to the point of annoyance. Okay, so not really – the only annoying thing was realizing that I’m not the optimist. (And I’d so like to be one!!) It was pouring down rain with no chance of hitting the beach the first day we were there, and I never heard him complain or give up on the trip.

I just have to complain about one thing – sunburn!! I have serious side boob burn (that one’s for you Babers!)

All Grown Up

Last night Toot had his kindergarten graduation. He attends the same school that I attended K-12. To be there again for this event felt so odd – they still have the same style ceremony as we did. The kids still had life size drawings of themselves hung along the walls like we did.


















As I mentioned in my last post, my nephew is growing up too fast. He’s the tallest in his class! I tried to take as many pictures as I could last night to hold on to this time. I even stole a pouty face moment when he learned that one of his classmates would be leaving the state.















I can’t believe ten years have passed since I’ve graduated high school.

Altogether it was a good night. I even had a strange, but, very… nice thing happen to me. An old friend whose child is in my nephew’s class was there and he approached me at the end of the evening. There was a huge misunderstanding and much wrong doing that happened between us over six years ago and he wanted to apologize for it. After going through a lot of his own drama and ups and downs, he said he was so clear and aware of what happened back then. His apology was so sincere it brought tears to my eyes. It really takes a big person to see through and reach out to apologize, especially after that many years. It was great to finally close that chapter of my life.

Only in Louisiana

Only in Louisiana....

Will you see an alligator sunning itself on the banks of a subdivision lake.

Only in Louisiana....

Will you be given a personal cell phone number for the town sheriff to come by and trap this alligator when he gets off work.

Only in Louisiana....

Will this sheriff comment on how glad he'll be to "get his hands on this bastard" and how he'll just dump it in his ice chest with the other one he caught two days ago.

Random Ramblings

For the last three months my president was MIA. Couldn’t reach him at his home, on his cell or at his office. No return calls. This is the problem with working for associations. Your bosses are volunteers. Guess the saying you get what you pay for relates.

I quit my job. Put in my two weeks last Monday. This of course has nothing to do with my missing president. However, once he caught wind of my leaving, he’s back in the picture with whip in hand. I have now been assigned to create a “procedures manual”. Ask me how much I want to just walk out now and not come back so that I can avoid this task.

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My nephew graduates kindergarten today. First grade is on his horizon and I feel old. No wait, I meant, OLD. I think I’d feeler older if I had kids of my own, though I’m not sure the reasoning behind this. It’s amazing how quickly time goes by when you’re a child and then when you are older, you sort of hang and time seems suspended. For example, my car is paid off in 3 months and damn if I can’t wish those months along any faster that their slow crawl. And yet as a child, those 3 months off of school for the summer went by so fast.

___________________________________________________________

Food is always better if someone else has prepared it. Prime examples of this are sandwiches and potato salad. I’m munching on some of my Maw Maw’s potato salad now that she sent home with me. Yummo. (That was my shout out to Rachel Ray.) This stuff is just not the same when I make it.

___________________________________________________________

I ordered my first Christian contemporary cd last week. I don’t think it the norm for someone my age to listen to this music, though I may be mistaken. Anyway, it’s a Third Day cd and it’s really good. If I heard the music playing at a friend’s house, I’d think it was just contemporary rock. Can’t really tell the difference until you hear the occasional “holy” or “glory”. Ha. I sing along to the music without really thinking that in some way it could be a form of worship. I’m not a church goer or a holy roller. In fact, I’m still somewhat confused about my religion and my beliefs. I just… enjoy the music. So leave me alone already.

Question though – is it weird or wrong that I have this new cd in my six disc player next to Saliva and 12Stones?

Hmm… anything else… nope, I think that’s it for now.

Weekend Awakening

This weekend has flown by. I had a "romantic" dinner set up Friday night when Jason came home. Then Saturday morning Babers took me for breakfast out, which has started to become a regular thing for us now. Then we went riding on the river all day. Its nice to be able to just relax and do as you please all weekend without worrying about anyone or anything else. Being out on the river is like being in another country or on vacation -- no cell phones, no contact with anyone other than those you are with, no worries.

A couple Jason and I are close to tried consoling us just before Jason left for work out of town. They told us that being away during the week made the weekends even sweeter. They said that we would appreciate each other more and quarrel less. While I agree that the weekends are sweet, I can't say we will ever experience the other - Jason and I have never quarreled, so we see no difference there. However, I feel like I'm finally getting into the groove of things and its a big relief.

I feel like my life is finally starting to become more enjoyable and definitely more peaceful. I've made several changes in my life recently to rid myself of debt, chaos, hurt, and dead ends, and I've never been more sure of myself and the decisions I've made. I woke up this morning with an extremely sore body (from riding all day Saturday), sunburned shoulders, and serious allergy side effects, but for the first time in a while I was able to take a deep breath.

I am happy.

One Year of Wonderful, Blissful, Crazy Love

This Sunday marked our one year anniversary. The year has absolutely flown by. I still can’t believe it’s already been a year. I guess the saying “time flies when you’re having fun” stands true.

Jason surprised me with the most beautiful bouquet of flowers that held all of my favorites – star gazer lilies, sunflowers and orchids. The only thing missing was him to smother with hugs and kisses. The flowers sit on my dining room table and fill the entire apartment with that yummy flower smell. I think I may just be the luckiest girl in the world. Not only is the love of my life romantic, he listens too!


I racked my brains the weeks before our special weekend for something amazing to do for Jason but nothing, I mean literally nothing came to mind. What kind of girlfriend comes upon a special day like this with no great ideas? After rummaging through a few websites for inspiration, I decided on my surprise.

Jason is definitely a kid at heart. It was hard blowing up these balloons with such a big smile on my face – I just kept imagining his reaction...

And, of course, his reaction was everything I hoped it would be. The plan was to blow up 365 balloons for every day we’ve been together, tucking notes inside each balloon before blowing them up. The notes were marked with all the reasons I loved him or memories I love that we’ve made together. Needless to say, the apartment isn’t big enough for 365 balloons, nor is my lung capacity.

Jason popped all 175 balloons (hey, it was close enough) spreading them out over the weekend. He requested I rubber band all of the notes to keep in our box. His sentimental side never fails to amaze me.

The entire weekend was awesome. We splurged on dinners out from Friday to Sunday, visited pet adoption centers, had wine and cheese and barbequed with friends – basically had a spontaneous, care free weekend full of fun. (Wow, that sounds cheesy.)

Jason has become such a big part of my life that I can barely remember what my life was like before us. Finding your soul mate is definitely something worth waiting for. He keeps me laughing and guessing, makes me feel beautiful and is ultimately my best friend.

This has definitely been the year of my life. I can’t wait for the next anniversary.

Blank Wall Covered!

A bit of catching up to do… Once Jason left for his new job out of town I had a good bit of time to myself for creative adventures. I finally finished my three piece painting for the large blank wall of my living room. Its one of the first paintings I’ve done that I’ve felt is complete as it is, instead of wanting to take the thing back off the wall to add or touch up as I’ve done in the past.

Nightmares on My Street

Lately I’ve been having the scariest dreams. People I love are getting hurt, I cheat on my sweet boyfriend, animals are chasing me and I can seem to make my legs work. Last night I had a dream that the world was ending.

I would like to blame this entirely on the film An Inconvenient Truth. Jason and I saw it this past week. While it was interesting, it didn’t really say much that hadn’t already been said, but definitely stuck enough to pop up in my dreams.

An old best friend, an acquaintance and I ran around the chaos trying to find a way to survive the end of the world. There were fires everywhere, buildings were crashing, people had gas masks on, the scene was terrifying. I jumped in a helicopter with my two partners and we took off, watching the horrible destruction below. One of us made the point that soon our copter would run out of gas and we would still be doomed. I reached into my pocket contemplating a bottle of pills I had stolen in the event that I would need to make my death less traumatic.

We landed back on the ground near NASA – I know, I know, but it’s a dream. We climbed into a rocket telling the astronauts we were inspecting it and then took off. I woke up in the middle of the night, interrupting the dream. I think the worst part was waking up and feeling this horrible guilt that I wasn’t with my family, trying to save them as well.

Just thought I’d share.

Random Thoughts

I love Cocoa Krispies. LOVE. The local grocery I go to was out of them at the time so I bought Cocoa Pebbles. Not the same. Don’t be fooled. Now I have to eat the entire gosh darn box before I can return to the real thing.

Jason elbowed me in the eye last night. I saw it coming but what can you do? The boy takes up my entire bed and most of my pillow with his big ole elbow but I love it. Oh, and he tried shoving me out my bed at one point with his butt. This is a guy whose bum is half the size of mine. He’s just a bully, that’s all.

30 Seconds to Mars is my most recent cd purchase. I decided it was time seeing as I hadn’t bought a cd in 3 years or more. Sad, right? I’m not really satisfied and I’ve decided I know the reason. Hearing your favorite song on the radio by chance is what makes the song really awesome. Unless of course you get to listen to the radio all day. I only listen to the radio to and from work and occasionally while I’m cooking so I’m less likely to hear my favorites. So, once I buy the cd and can hear it all I want, I’m no longer in love with it. Makes me think of jr. high school and having a different boyfriend every week.

Did you know that rubbing your eyes is what makes dark circles? It’s true. I have created my circles. This saddens me. Same goes for the 5 pounds that have taken residence on my ass in the last few years. They won’t go away and I’m to blame.

I need a name for my plants. Particularly my petunias. They are “sugar daddies” but I refuse to call them that. I need a name so I can coo to them in the evenings which will make them grow.

Hmm. That’s it for now.

Do you know the Muffin Man?

It's been a while since my last confession...

There's so much I've been meaning to post but the internet connection at the homestead SUCKS. Therefore I can't post or check email or look at porn. (j/k on the last one, or am I?)

Valentine's Day... I have pics! One day soon I will post them. Jason gave me the most thoughtful V Day sweets ever -- my three canvases for the painting I will be creating for my living room wall. He knows I'm on a budget and have been saving for the creation of this piece. I'm thrilled that this project is no longer put on the back burner because of him!

I made him a bunch of sinfully delicious little red velvet cupcakes along with a goody bag filled with some naughty items & some chocolate items. Altogether it was a great night. We cooked together and opened a bottle of bubbly and were just together. It was all I wanted and everything I wanted it to be. :)

Big Office Move -- coming soon. I am so ready to be sans dirty old men and loud men and well, just men in general. No offense, I love you guys, but sometimes you just don't understand the saying "there's a time and place for everything". For me that means from 8 - 5 I don't want to hear how your wife likes it or where she likes it, nor do I want to be touched by 80 year old men, and I certainly don't want to hear your bodily function contests.

Now, if only I can get rid of my pesky co-worker that is computer literate -- "Jill? How do you save this document again? Jill? How do attach a document to an email?"

Numero Uno on my mind -- Jason's move. He's leaving for his new position 2 hours from here next week. I'm excited for him, more now than I was when I first learned of the move. While I'll miss him terribly during the week, I know I'll have something to look forward to on the weekends. And besides, I love spoiling the people I love and I have many tricks up my sleeve for care packages. *rubbing hands together in a sneaky fashion* I may have to take on a P.I.C. who has much experience in these. You know who you are.

That's all for now. I mainly wanted to update my blog lurkers and get the PPP post off the top. And well, I wanted to show appreciation once more to my monkey for Valentine's Day -- it means a lot to me that you really listen and know what's important in my life and aim to make me happy in the ways that you can. Love you bitch!

Paw Paw Pervy Episode #51

A conversation I just had with PPP:

PPP: (mumbling) Hey girl. I just walked down the sidewalk.
Me: Sir?
PPP: (somewhat louder) I walked down the sidewalk. (he pauses, distracted by school bus passing) I SAID I WALKED DOWN THE SIDEWALK.

I look at him. At this point I’m trying to decide if I should set him in his place for raising his voice to me or try and figure out what the fuck he’s talking about to shorten the conversation and get on with my workless day.

Right now he’s gazing out the window. Cathy, my co-worker, says that old people do that. Gaze and daydream a lot. She says she thinks they may be thinking about their “time on earth”.

She doesn’t know I call him PPP. However, she does know I’m ooged out by him and his constant touching and slurring “you’re soooo pretty.” I was relieved to hear he tells Cathy the same thing and touches her frequently as well.

I hope when I get older I don’t gaze and call people “hey girl” and get frustrated if they don’t understand my incomplete sentences.

Change

It's Tuesday and I'm bored out of my mind. Usually I'm okay with change but lately I think I've had more time on my hands to notice it.

I came from a company that had its employees logging their actions every 5 minutes: timesheet, 10 minutes. Conference call, 25 minutes. Bathroom break, 5 minutes. We had a "helper" to do less demanding items on our to-do list because of our heavy workload. Overtime was not something I looked forward to, like most, because of the extra money. It was just more time I had to spend slaving away in that hell hole.

Now I sit comfortably in a cushy chair with an office to myself, complaining because I already have my work for the day done. I'm flipping through Redbook. I don't have to log my time.

There is a happy medium.

I get home from work and walk aimlessly around my little apartment. Sure, I could fold the clothes or straighten up the many areas that need de-cluttering, but I can't find a bone in my body that feels like doing that. I could scrap! Nope, don't feel like it. Cook? Watch TV? These days I feel lost. Eventually I do the stuff but I'm definitely on autopilot.

Another big change: J and I have been dating for a little over 9 months now. While I'm still completely in love with this man, I'm very much aware of the changes in our relationship over the last few months. The honeymoon stage is definitely over. Sweet little notes that were once left on each other's cars in the morning no longer exist. Daily phone calls and text messages are fading away. We talk less and "just be" more.

It saddens me to the point where I get teary-eyed thinking about the death of our honeymoon phase. And speaking of waterworks, I'm bored to tears at work with nothing to do. On top of it all, I have no one to discuss it with. Sure, it may seem like whoa-is-me here talking, but this overwhelming feeling of boredom and the sudden change in my life has knocked me for a loop.

I went from this maniacally happy person with tons of energy to a big blob of uncertainty, and for once in my life I feel like I don't know myself at all. And this is a really strange comparison, but I can't talk myself out of it like I imagine psycho chics try to stop themselves from being crazy. I mind-f*** myself --"Don't be sad, you have no reason to be sad. Smile and your emotions will catch up." Psycho chic -- "Don't run him over, they're probably just friends." Screeeecccchhhh!!!!

Maybe I just need a little sunshine and summertime in my life...

A Trip to Memory Mania

Just sharing some of my latest creations...Can you tell I just got back from Memory Mania?

Childhood Partner in Crime

After posting the page of Jen & I, daydreams of childhood began to flood my mind. When I think about my sister and me as youngins, I always think of the same things: playing Barbies, refusing to let my brother in on any game, and best of all, fucking with my parents.

One entire summer my sister and I spoke only in song. Meaning, if we had to say anything to each other or to our mother, we would sing it. “Pass the ketchup, pllee-eeaa-sseee!” The agony on my mother’s face only fueled it. At first she fussed at us and then she stopped and pretended to ignore us or not be bothered by it. Now, as an adult, I realize she was trying to pull some child psychology tricks on us that she learned from college to make us stop. When they realize they aren’t getting my attention from their antics, they will stop. I just shake my head thinking at how psych didn’t even work on my sister and I.

Jen and I shared a room with twin beds until around the age of 11. When we were younger and down for bedtime, we would shove our faces into our pillows and yell curse words. “SHIT!” “DAMN!!” It was very liberating for a 9 and 6 year old. The best was letting out ear-piercing screams into our pillows. Just hearing your own muffled scream is for some reason freakin hilarious. Okay well, it was for us.

After letting out a long, muffled, terrifying scream into our pillows, one of our parents would walk down the hall to scold us.

“Girls! Get to sleep! Your brother is in the room next and you’re keeping him awake.”

Of course we always played the innocent card and pretended to be asleep. Sucking in a loud breath and opening our sleepy eyes we’d say “Whhaaa Maa? What did you say we were sleeping.”

Back then we thought we were being so slick. Mom would walk back down the hall and once we’d hear her settle onto the couch we’d smother our faces again and let out more screams. I’m laughing just thinking about it.

My sister is just as weird as I am

My sister is the only other person I know that can make faces more hideous than mine. Imagine the delight when J gave me a digital camera for Christmas...

Me: Let's take a really awful pic.
Jen: Okay!

*SNAP*

Jen: Lemme see... (I turn the camera around to view our distorted faces.)

*two adult females rolling on the ground laughing*

Jen: Let's do it again!
Me: Okay!

Repeat scene.

How could I not scrap this?

Oh yeah...

See that little flashy, pretty rectangle thingie on the right? It's what's keeping me somewhat sane these days (besides my sweet boyfriend). Go look at it. (Or else!)

Rain = Depression?

Normally you give me rain and I’ll get cozy in bed with fuzzy socks and a good sappy movie. Rain usually gives me the excuse to do absolutely nothing. But lately, this obsessive rainage is giving me depressionage.

Can constant rain give someone depression? Seriously.

I haven’t walked/ran in weeks. Sure, I could get a gym membership but I’M BROKE. And pilates indoors just ain’t cutting it for me. Then of course there’s the sense of failure I get when walking by my plants that I cared for so tenderly this summer which now have died and gone to plant hell. There’s no turning back for them, at least I don’t think so. I feel I’ve let them down.

In the summer there’s so much to do when you’re bored: swimming, 4-wheeler riding, taking walks, exercising, tending to plants – I could go on. Now the only thing to do is #1. watch movies, #2. cook and eat (which is not helping me in any way, shape or form), and #3. scrapbook. While I love to do all 3 of those things, doing those things day in and day out will make you crazy.

That’s all.

80’s Music Lives On

I was told I need a new post. Can no one sympathize with what I must deal with on a daily basis? FINE. One day I hope that you are plagued with a party that leaves you feeling less than comfy.

Moving on…

If you have not seen the Molly Ringwald’s perform, you simply must. If you are an 80’s music fan, then not seeing the MR’s is definitely a crime. These guys put on the best show I’ve ever seen, and I’m comparing them with today’s best alternative rock shows, or country concerts if that’s your flavor.





This band plays the following songs while dressed up in 80’s gear, pouring Crown Royal and other various liquors into the mouths of singing fans in the crowd, all while doing ridiculous choreography that came from the era none other than the 1980’s.

Check ‘em out: www.themollyringwalds.com

You Shook Me All Night Long- AC/DC
Take On Me- A-ha
Summer Of '69- Bryan Adams
Fight For Your Right- Beastie Boys
Livin' On A Prayer- Bon Jovi
Just What I Needed- The Cars
I Want You To Want Me- Cheap Trick
Lovesong- The Cure
Photograph- Def Leppard
Pour Some Sugar On Me- Def Leppard
Whip it- Devo
Come On Eileen- Dexy's Midnight Runners
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of These)- Eurythmics
Sweet Child O' Mine- Guns N' Roses
Rebel Yell- Billy Idol
White Wedding- Billy Idol
Any Way You Want It- Journey
Dress you Up- Madonna
99 Red Balloons- Nena
Your Love- The Outfield
Keep On Loving You- REO Speedwagon
Tainted Love- Soft Cell
Jessie's Girl- Rick Springfield
Jenny 867-5309- Tommy Tutone

You get the picture. Makes you feel left out, right?

Pee Paw Pervy

Okay, I have plenty of work to do today but I just can’t get motivated. Besides that, I’m extremely irritated by my subject: Pee Paw Pervy

Let me give you a run down – I work in a small building which we share with another company. The set up is ridiculous; we actually share a fax/copier/printer with this other company which is located in my TINY office. So, these men are coming into my office all day long, bumping into my chair constantly, etc.

One of these men is a 70+ year old man who a dear friend has tagged “Pee Paw Pervy”. Reason being – the man asks me how to use the fax e v e r y s i n g l e t i m e he comes in here. Then after I “help” him, he has to lean over very slowly, put his hands on my shoulders and hug me, then kiss the top of my head. GROSS. If he’s not doing this, he’s telling me how “attractive” I am or how nice my outfit looks on me. *bleh* I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.

And that’s not all – the “Pee” in Pee Paw stands for exactly what it is. The bathroom shares a wall with my office, so I can hear everything going on in there. Let’s just say he is not a quiet rest roomer. Believe me, I’m being polite about this part with you. I’m so lucky!

Jason tells me I should say something to him when he makes me feel uncomfy. I just want to keep the peace because I know I’ll be moving into my new office in February. However, I am getting better at avoiding him. I suddenly have to get something out of my car when he comes in to fax. I’ve memorized his footsteps so I can get on the phone with nobody when he’s coming my way. I will walk all the way around the building from the front door entrance to the back parking lot if he’s gazing out the back door, just so he doesn’t have the chance to open the door for me and touch me unnecessarily.

I’m worried I’ll go berserk on him if February doesn’t come soon.

Weekend of Camping

It seems as if I’m having a lot of “firsts” lately. Jason purchased a camper trailer to live in for his new job. He’ll be moving to a small city a couple hours away in the next few months. (I know, *wah*, I’ll save details for a later post.) So, what better way to break in the new toy than by taking it on a camping trip.

At first I was on an emotional rollercoaster about this whole camper trailer thing. Having new toys to play with is always exciting, and being able to use it for travel is so great... BUT... this camper trailer will be housing my boyfriend for around a year. He will no longer be sleeping with me during the week, he'll be sleeping with her. He will be with her after work every day instead of me. I have decided to call her The Bitch.

Playing house in The Bitch was fun though. What a weekend. We did a whole lot of nothing, but the fact that all errands, laundry, and life’s demands were non-existent at Chicot campgrounds made that whole lot of nothing extremely satisfying. Cleansing even.

We built fires all weekend and ate really bad but good food, played very competitive games of rummy, slept on rigged up pillows made of towels stuffed into t-shirts because Jason forgot the pillows from home and even went boating.

You could hear the boats less than a mile away from our site on the lake, so Jason and I set out to rent one Saturday morning. The girl at the office runs Jason’s debit card, hands us those gorgeous life vests and then hands us... two paddles. We just cracked up. We assumed they would be motor boats. Well, you know what happens when you assume. Let’s say it together “you make an ASS of U and ME”. Jason, me and the paddle boat didn't last 10 minutes together, but it made for good pictures.

Lil Bits

A blog I visit pretty often had a post titled “Lil Bits” where she had taken pictures of her favorite bits and nooks in her apartment. Things like a table with her favorite candles & a bowl full of matches, her purse collection and so on. I thought it was a great idea and set off in my apartment to take pictures of my favorite lil bits.

I couldn’t find a thing to take a photo of. This saddened me. I’ve spent over a year in this apartment and I have no corner of interest or wall of photos or bowl of matches. The only cool thing I could take a photo of was my little bamboo plant that sits on my kitchen counter.

Looks like I need to start adding some character to my apartment.

Sweet Memories

I haven't created any pages for my scrapbook lately and all these great photos laying around being neglected was making me feel guilty. Sooo... a page to remember our first Christmas together. I'm really in love with this one.

Beware the Old Friend’s contact

I just recently decided that it’s okay to not have a “best” friend or to not have many friends for that matter. I do have a few close friends that I completely adore and love hanging and chatting with but it’s just been a while since I’ve had a bff (ha, I had to) that really gets me.

I’m not pouting about this, I’m very much a loner and am totally okay with this. This is mainly me putting it out in the universe that I’m A-okay with it. That being said, an old friend contacted me just recently and for a second I was a bit hopeful. She was my best friend for around 20 years. We went through high school and college together and share many crazy memories. So when she contacted me I guess I thought “maybe we could catch up.” I responded to her first email and when she responded to mine I got a big ole slap in the face.

She wanted to invite me to her Pampered Chef party. You know, one of those parties you host and receive all kinds of discounts and free stuff depending on how many people you get to attend? Yep. I should have known. When she contacted me a couple years earlier it was to let me know she had just become a Mary Kay consultant and “did I want to buy some beauty products?”

Some people are just so dense. How can you not know that’s rude or in the least just inconsiderate? To just one day out of the blue call someone up to solicit after not being in touch for years?

Okay, ranting over with.

Sharing the Goods

If you’ve have a burrito or salad at Izzo’s Illegal Burrito, then you know their cilantro ranch. Seeing as my new year’s resolution (as always) is to drop a few pounds, I thought what a better way to help break the food boredom by eating Izzo’s salads with cilantro ranch more often? But, I hardly want to empty my pocketbook just to lose a few, so after a little experimentation I’ve worked up an almost exact replica of their cilantro ranch.

This is really good with chicken or shrimp, Mexican style with black beans tossed in with everything. Enjoy!



Cilantro Ranch

You will need:
Bunch of fresh cilantro
1 lime
Big tub of sour cream
1 (or 2) packets of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix

If you get one of those big tubs of sour cream, I suggest using more than one packet of HVR mix. I use light or fat free sour cream and you can’t tell the difference.

Put the sour cream, HVR packet, juice of 1 lime (or more if you want your dressing really runny) and a ton of the leafy parts of the cilantro bunch in a blender or food processor. When its well blended it should have a minty green coloring. If not, keep adding the cilantro!

Be MINE

I guess this year I'm a little excited about having a valentine. I made a promise to myself not to purchase any more scrapstuff for the next few months, to use only what I have. Here are a few cards I worked up for family with my current stash.

I have some venting to do and will post some not so hugs-and-puppy-dogs posts soon. I promise. I'm at work with an exrememly nosy co-worker and well, its kind of hard to goof off on the clock when she's around.

Happy New Year!!

Sunday evening I put on my best game face and headed over to a bonfire celebration for New Year's Eve. Jason and my nephew Toot lit fireworks all night and we cozied by the fire to count down until midnight. Best of all, I received my first real new years kiss.

How I Know

You hear stories of “how I first knew he was the one”. With Jason, I really believe I knew instantly, like the realization snuck in when I wasn’t looking and just implanted itself in my head. I wish I could recall a certain instance in which I knew.

While everyone was preparing for their wild, hopefully memorable New Year’s Eve weekend, I was on my bathroom floor wishing for someone to take me out of my misery.

I woke up Friday morning at 1:00 am with food poisoning. Severe, stomach-wrenching, forehead sweating, achy body, take-everything-out-of-you food poisoning.

I was alone that morning, Jason had spent the previous evening with friends. I spent the entire morning sick, wishing more than anything he was there beside me. Why, I kept asking myself, would I want the man I love and share a bed with, to see me like this?? I was far from attractive in my face sans make up with unmatched clothing and deep circles under my eyes. Not only that, I was losing it every hour on the hour. Why would I want him to see me like that?

Instead of wanting my mother as I have even in my most recent past, I wanted nobody but him. Badly. I actually cried during that first night because I wanted him so badly. He came over the next day and nursed me for the next two days. If I wanted 7Up, he brought me 7Up. If I needed something different to drink, he’d fix it for me. He tried feeding me and even cleaned up the apartment for me. He went to the store twice to purchase medicine for me. He laid beside me and let me make sad little noises and didn’t fuss once when I asked him not to touch me.

While I was laying there wiped out beside him with only our feet touching, I realized that this was definitely one of those “how I know” moments. I have never been so comfortable with someone that I could let them see me at my worst and most vulnerable and not worry about them bolting at the sight. And I’ve never wanted to be that vulnerable with someone either.

So, if years from now someone asks me when I knew J was the one, this past weekend filled with his TLC will definitely come to mind.

This one's for you Michelle!

I'm back to the land of the blogs, thanks to my new digi cam! For so long I've wanted to post my projects and now I finally can! Mwuahh ahh ahh! J has no idea, but he's created a monster. But, I think I'll blame it on Michelle. :)

So, here's what I've been up to the last couple of days. Oh how nice it is to be in the comfortable stages of love. I can scrap my little heart out if I want to while Jason watches his crime solving shows, each of us looking up occasionally to blow a kiss at the other.

Getting off the subject, sorry. (I know you guys just love hearing me gush about my babers.)

And now for my first scrap-post!!! (Michelle, grab a tissue. Your little girl is growing up.) It's a few cards that I've made, one is a thank you for my Paw Paw who sent me some moola for Christmas, and another is for Jason. The girly one just may make its way in one of my friend's mailboxes someday.

Christmas 2006

I got my digital camera!!! Yes, my sweet sweet boyfriend surprised me with the bestest present EVER. I took a total of 175 pictures over the course of 2 days.

Jason and I had our own special little Christmas party Saturday night. We cooked a pot of gumbo together, opened some champagne and settled down in front of the fire to exchange gifts. My babers gave me my digital camera with all the accessories, and I gave him his GPS and knife. I think we equally love spoiling each other!

The next photos are of Christmas Eve with the family, and then off the new parents! The gave everyone the best gift of all -- a new baby girl, Kaitlyn Nicole.

Tacky Christmas 2006!

Below are pictures from the annual Christmas party, this year's theme being "Tacky Christmas". As you can see, all of us dressed accordingly!

Enjoy!

Sing Along

WHO thinks its okay to sing or hum out loud in public? WHO told the person that shares an office with another, that its OKAY to hum or sing out loud along to the music playing on the radio? WHO DOES THAT???

I don't do that. If you do that, you seriously need to reconsider your public singing. Its not cool. No one feels comfortable being around another person, especially one that you don't know very well, while they are singing. Its like laughing out loud at a movie when you are alone.

Oh wait. I do that.

Situations that are most uncomfortable to me:

1. Sharing an office that is exactly 15 feet by 8 feet with a person who sings along to music. And this is not just any music, but CHRISTMAS music. I was in the mood for it today and turned the channel. I can't tell you how quickly I realized my stupidity when the woman I work with starting to hum & sing with Mariah Carey. NO ONE has her voice. Just don't do it people. And for some reason I decided that coughing and rustling things around on my desk spastically would make this woman stop but noooooo. She had no idea that it made me uncomfortable. It should be on some sort of documentation in the work place. Maybe the W4. Right after you decide what you are claiming you can decide if you plan on singing in the office or not. All those that do can be placed in the same office together. In the basement.

2. Riding in a car with someone when they suddenly say "I love this song." Not with an exclamation. Sometimes when that sentence is used with an exclamation, its meant in a lighthearted way. Usually the person may pretend to sing the song they "love" karoake style while mouthing into an invisible microphone. This can be endured if it lasts for a few seconds, which has been the usual in my experiences. However, if the person just says "I love this song" but in a way that you might say "I love this man" then you might as well open the car door as its speeding down the highway and hurl yourself onto the concrete. Most of the time this singing is low which is even more uncomfortable that loud singing because it feels like you've walked in on something really private.

I feel much better. Thanks for reading.

Sharing & Twirling

I WANT A DIGITAL CAMERA! ARGH!!!!

I look at others’ websites and I get this urge to create and share. (Yes Michelle, you ARE responsible. You and you're darn perfection of blogginess.)) So I sit on my living room floor and I make cards and jewelry and other fun stuff and *sigh* have no one with the creative bug to share them with. Well I do, but I want to archive them on a website just for me to view anytime I please.

Even if I did have a digi cam, I don’t have a computer. And I refuse to buy a computer. Maybe one day I will if I ever have kids and want to send my distant relatives (like I have any) pictures of my chirren getting dirty in the backyard or making a birthday cake for their daddy.

Doesn’t the word “daddy” just make you want to see yours?

Anyway, I guess if I had one I would still be able to upload. I do have available computers – um, I’m on one now. So yeah, I didn’t finish about the not-buying-a-computer rant. People get into relationships and marriage and they get a computer and it’s just one more thing to do that takes time away from their loved ones.

Wait a minute. I’m totally contradicting myself now.

Talking about wanting to share memories and pictures makes me think of the only other thing that gives me a feeling pretty close to what I feel when I see great photography and scrapbooks filled with love and hugs and grandpa’s and friends. Twirling.

Please tell me you remember this as a kid. I remember twirling in my mother’s living room, her yelling at me to “stop that! You’re going to knock the lamp off the table!” or “you’re going to make yourself dizzy!”

So what. That’s the point.

I don’t really know what I’m rambling about. It may just be my restlessness from sitting here at the computer all day with nothing to do. And see, if I had a camera I could be uploading images of my creations and loved ones and memories. But tomorrow I will probably be in a different mood and want something else. Like a house. That’s been on my mind a lot lately too. So yeah, its on my wish list.

Well, that’s enough rambling and wishing for now. Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Crazy Week

This week has been completely exhausting so far. I’m complaining and it’s only Wednesday!

Monday I attended a BOD meeting that lasted until 9 pm and I have another meeting of the same nature tonight that will surely last till then or later. Knowing this, I spent all evening yesterday cooking for the remainder of the week (and weekend hopefully), washing clothes and picking up. Its amazing how easily your home can become cluttered and a crazy mess when you’re busy or tired. You tell yourself “Just pick up the clothes and put them away after you wear them,” or “It would be easier if you just washed the dishes now instead of waiting until its piled to the top.” Nope. You don’t listen and then you’re spending an entire afternoon making up for it.

Thankfully I have a sweet, adorable boyfriend who plays house even when I’m not there. (Did you really think I was going to post without talking about him?? Nonsense!)

It’s so nice to be part of a “we”. Most of the time it’s more work, but if you are with someone who cares about your feelings and needs, then it can be completely rewarding. While I cook more now (just stating a fact, I love to cook so this is not a complaint) and wash twice as many clothes twice as often, I also have someone to lean on, someone to be my therapist after a hard day of work, someone to meet me at the door after a long ass meeting with a hug and a plate of peeled shrimp. Yes, he peeled them too. Someone to num me in the crook of my neck to make my frown turn upside down. (Did that make anyone lose their lunch? If not I’ll try harder next time.)

Next on the agenda – a weekend filled with crafting fun! I’ll be participating with my good friend Michelli in the annual Broadmoor show. I can only hope the long hours of jewelry making and booth-manning pays off.

Random Photo

I'm terrible at using a roll of film and waiting months to develop it, or in some cases I use only half the roll and by the time I use the rest its 2 years later. "Oh wow, these are pictures of my family reunion... in 2003."

So here's a cute pic that surprised us on the roll we just developed. We're surprisingly good photographers of ourselves. Most of the time we are centered and smiling. This is my new favorite pic of us! (Don't look at my messy kitchen!)

All Alone

Monday made 6 months for J and I can’t remember the last time I dated someone for that long without getting tired of them or annoyed by them. And the strange thing is that I spend way more time with him that I ever have with anyone else. I mean, we’re practically living together.

We spent the weekend apart and I didn’t know what to do with myself. I exercised like a fiend so that I could pass some time. I cooked, I cleaned and I organized. I went shopping with a good friend of mine. I spent time with my family.

I went back to my old ways too. Yep, I checked in every closet, under by bed and behind my shower curtain for bad people waiting till I fell asleep to kill me and rob me of all my possessions. Again, what exactly would I do if there was someone lurking behind my shower curtain? I never don a knife while checking for intruders. I’ve always thought if I were ever kidnapped or attacked in my home, that I would just act crazy to scare the bastard off. Like start singing Happy Birthday to him, or maybe Kung Foo Fighting.

Anyways.

I missed him. Every time I thought of something funny to say I’d look over at the empty place on the couch, or the spot beside me in bed where he’d normally be laying. AND THERE WERE NO FEET LOOKING FOR MINE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I think I missed that the most.

I opened my fridge Saturday night and looked over my shoulder at the couch.

“Hey babe, what do you want for dinner?”

Silence.

“Nah, I don’t really feel like chicken. How about Mexican?”

Silence.

“Okay good! Mexican it is!”

I am a sad, sad person.

Mr. Friendly!

This is Ian. He is the friendliest guy you could ever meet! When he walks into a room it just lights up with hope and happiness. Puppy dogs and lollipops ain’t got nothing on this friendly, fun, super guy!!

Jalapenos & Stepford Boyfriends

Its been a while since my last confession...

With jewelry shows coming up to prepare for, my new sideline job, and spending time with my semi-new boy toy, I hardly have time for blogs these days. *sigh* I missed you.

First things first -- I got a new job! No more micromanaging, condescending asshole standing over my shoulder, no more obsessive paperwork, no more knots in stomach.

Last night was my second interview and I came home way later than usual. They told me they knew they wanted me right away and that they'd send me an official offer tomorrow (today). I'm driving home beaming, immediately feeling a weight being lifted from my shoulders. And then I pull into my complex, open my door and the most beautiful sight... *tear*... wait, I just need a minute... J was in my kitchen and a yummy aroma of pig and pasta salad filled the air. He had dinner in the oven for me -- how cute is that? Fixed my plate and everything. (I sound like a chic who has really been deprived in the past huh?)

"Babe," he says, "come see." I walk up to a pan he's just pulled from the oven that holds two large pork chops, covered in jalapenos.

If you know me well then you know this is a running joke with me. My J loves to cook with jalapenos. I've had a la' nachos with jalapenos and his famous breakfast omelete stuffed with mushrooms and jalapenos. Mmm! While I love the jalapenos, parts of my body don't really take too kindly to eating a lot of them. (More than you needed to know? Get over it.)

So imagine my surprise when I looked at those pretty little pork chops. I gave him the run down and we laughed about it all night. Needless to say, my sweet stepford boyfriend scooped the japs off my piece of meat.

He sure looked good in my kitchen. (Licking lips) I wonder what he looks like pushing the vacuum...