This may get really deep and personal so feel free not to read on...
Okay here goes. You know how when you are younger you pray that you aren't preggars. Even if you are not sexually active at that moment, if you are late you have this panicked moment where you are like "I cannot have a baby right now!". I know you think like this too, don't lie...and if you are male and your g/f told you she was late you probably had a similar reaction. Anyways, how many days/nights do we spend as young twenty-somethings (sometimes teens) praying, begging the higher powers to send you your monthly visitor. Then when you see that lovely speck of red you do the freaking happy dance all around your room. It sounds dumb but most of us are totaly guilty of this.
Why does being an adult suck? Well because as an adult, married and "ready" for a kid(s) that little speck of red crushes a piece of your soul. You think back to how many times you begged not to be prego and wonder if the universe is playing an ugly game with you. Its like well you said before you didn't want it, why do you want it now. Cause I do dammit, that's why! Anyways I am not that far into this new way of thinking but I saw a friend go through it a couple times. You know where she swore she was and then BAM mother nature said "just kidding". I mean one time she was like two weeks late and although she was making jokes, I know she was crushed inside. I hate that for her and for me and for anyone for that matter. I mean now she has a beautiful baby and I just hope I am that lucky.
Like I said before I am not that far into this "lets have kids" mantra (just a few months) but I know every time, I mean every time I get my period a little piece of me will want to just scream! We are serious about this now, like taking temps and tracking stuff and you get the picture. But I am trying not to be all stressed because I know that is bad too. Like the last couple months was this and I just and panicked wondering if we waited too long. I know I am not that old (not in twenties but not near forty yet) but these are the stupid things that go through my head at night...and now during the day. It kinda sucks! Plus I know how much trouble my mom had and of course that concerns me...I just hope I take after one of my g-ma's...they both had more than 4 kids with minimal issues, of course they started much younger back then. *sigh* being an adult sucks! I hate that wanting to have a career and find my perfect match makes us wait longer to have the babies and well we all know waiting too long can be a problem.
This on top of almost everyone I know watching everything I drink! Seriously the holidays were hilarious! I didn't want wine but I got a glass because I KNEW the second I didn't have any alcohol, everyone would jump to conclusions. Even with the glass I was getting stares. Then my dear cousin made an announcement (which I am BEYOND excited for them) and everyone was like yay! Then secretly they were like I totally thought it was going to be you...gee no pressure, y'all! So I am totally "drinking" for NYE and NYD! NYE I am buying a ginormous VIRGIN daiquiri so I don't have to pretend I am drinking...I can drink and no one will know, muahahahaha. I am not preggo by the way, but I am trying to reduce alcohol consumption, I hear that helps *wink*.
So on top of my own freaking out internally, all of my family...including all the in-laws are like we need a baby, stat. And while I laugh and smile, a part of me is like "stoooooooooooooooooooooooooooop!" Even my dad...he handed me one of my nephews and was making him "talk to me" saying, "I'd really like a little cousin, please". OMG, really?! alright, already, geez, hahaha...ha. But I am not mad at them, don't get me wrong...I actually think its kinda cute that they all want a little me. I just hate being monitored constantly.
Okay no more negative thoughts. *whooosa whooosa* butterflies, rainbows, no pressure! Hahaha, back to my happy thoughts.
Nola Gurl out :)
Monday, December 30, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
So I took a Quiz...
... you know, one of those "which character are you" quizzes
If you read my last post about my jacked up dreams you will appreciate this.
I got *drum roll*:
When the result showed I legit laughed out loud!
If you read my last post about my jacked up dreams you will appreciate this.
I got *drum roll*:
Monday, December 16, 2013
My dreams are WEIRD!
I should really stop reading right before bed...seriously sometimes I have the most jacked up dreams because I read so much. But this time its different. I read before bed but I was reading Ever Shade (Dark Fairytale)...but my dream was about... Game of Thrones, WTH!?
Okay don't crucify me I know that's only the name of the first book but its the best way for me to reference it. I'm not finished all the books released so far, I'm about 1/3 way through "A Storm of Swords". I am waiting on it from the Library again. It expired on me and now I am on a waiting list, boo.
Onward to the dream of weirdness. So I was Arya...weird because I am MUCH older than that character in the books but she/I was older, like 18 (still WAY younger than I actually am). We discovered that the world of Starks and Lannisters was just another realm adjacent to the world we readers currently live in. We were at war with the other houses and Robb was leading us to safety in the other realm. I was with Jon, who happened to look like the actor from the HBO series, which is weird because I haven't watched the series but I have seen pictures and stills. I on the other hand looked nothing like Arya...I looked like me, long blonde hair, tan-ish and petite but in my head I was her. Our whole army of allies was making its way to the "portal" but what we didn't know at first was the other army was headed our way to battle us in the new Realm through another portal they discovered. We somehow found this out and while trying to prepare for this possible encounter the mother of dragons came up from behind with her army and her dragons, forcing us to rush through the portal. It was chaotic and bloody to say the least.
I was sword fighting back to back with my favorite big brother who was probably twice my size but I managed to keep up. At one point we stumbled through the portal, which functioned strangely similar to the bifrost bridge, into a world of amazement. We were in modern day New York. To my astonishment, I recognized this place. Jon thought I was crazy. He was in awe of the skyscrapers and the temperature, winter definitely wasn't coming here (stop laughing at me). I was trying to figure out why I seemed to know this place. I knew where to go and where the "strange" roads lead. Of course the people of New York were wigging out because a giant army of what looked like an ancient civilization just appeared in Central Park. Thankfully the other army and the dragons couldn't follow us for some reason so we were relatively safe for now.
There is a big chunk that is a blur but I know there was an enormous amount of fighting when we finally met up with the Lannisters and somehow mama and her dragons showed up. I was hurt, Robb died and our army was weary.
Then it switched gears a bit, it was still GoT but it turns out I wasn't Arya, I was a faery half breed that was sent into the other realm for my safety because people in our realm were trying to steal me and I wouldn't be safe in faery. So that explained why I looked nothing like my siblings and the real Arya was safe and being held by the Seelie court. Being fae also allowed me to communicate with the dragons which saved everyone from the fate of being BBQ'd. Everyone stopped fighting for whatever reason and when my memory block was removed I fell in love with Jon and woke up. I know that ending was rushed but there is much I cannot remember.
This is by far one of the most messed up and detailed dreams I have had recently. Its like a mix of Game of Thrones, some sort of Faery tale gone wrong and possibly some Thor/Avengers mixed in just for fun. I woke up laughing at myself because of the extreme level of weirdness. I mean I was a fae, living in a world of winter and war with a memory block that when removed caused me to fall in love with a guy who I thought was my brother while fighting a war that somehow contained dragons in New York...wow! I've had dreams based on books I was reading before but this one takes the cake.
Okay don't crucify me I know that's only the name of the first book but its the best way for me to reference it. I'm not finished all the books released so far, I'm about 1/3 way through "A Storm of Swords". I am waiting on it from the Library again. It expired on me and now I am on a waiting list, boo.
Onward to the dream of weirdness. So I was Arya...weird because I am MUCH older than that character in the books but she/I was older, like 18 (still WAY younger than I actually am). We discovered that the world of Starks and Lannisters was just another realm adjacent to the world we readers currently live in. We were at war with the other houses and Robb was leading us to safety in the other realm. I was with Jon, who happened to look like the actor from the HBO series, which is weird because I haven't watched the series but I have seen pictures and stills. I on the other hand looked nothing like Arya...I looked like me, long blonde hair, tan-ish and petite but in my head I was her. Our whole army of allies was making its way to the "portal" but what we didn't know at first was the other army was headed our way to battle us in the new Realm through another portal they discovered. We somehow found this out and while trying to prepare for this possible encounter the mother of dragons came up from behind with her army and her dragons, forcing us to rush through the portal. It was chaotic and bloody to say the least.
I was sword fighting back to back with my favorite big brother who was probably twice my size but I managed to keep up. At one point we stumbled through the portal, which functioned strangely similar to the bifrost bridge, into a world of amazement. We were in modern day New York. To my astonishment, I recognized this place. Jon thought I was crazy. He was in awe of the skyscrapers and the temperature, winter definitely wasn't coming here (stop laughing at me). I was trying to figure out why I seemed to know this place. I knew where to go and where the "strange" roads lead. Of course the people of New York were wigging out because a giant army of what looked like an ancient civilization just appeared in Central Park. Thankfully the other army and the dragons couldn't follow us for some reason so we were relatively safe for now.
There is a big chunk that is a blur but I know there was an enormous amount of fighting when we finally met up with the Lannisters and somehow mama and her dragons showed up. I was hurt, Robb died and our army was weary.
Then it switched gears a bit, it was still GoT but it turns out I wasn't Arya, I was a faery half breed that was sent into the other realm for my safety because people in our realm were trying to steal me and I wouldn't be safe in faery. So that explained why I looked nothing like my siblings and the real Arya was safe and being held by the Seelie court. Being fae also allowed me to communicate with the dragons which saved everyone from the fate of being BBQ'd. Everyone stopped fighting for whatever reason and when my memory block was removed I fell in love with Jon and woke up. I know that ending was rushed but there is much I cannot remember.
This is by far one of the most messed up and detailed dreams I have had recently. Its like a mix of Game of Thrones, some sort of Faery tale gone wrong and possibly some Thor/Avengers mixed in just for fun. I woke up laughing at myself because of the extreme level of weirdness. I mean I was a fae, living in a world of winter and war with a memory block that when removed caused me to fall in love with a guy who I thought was my brother while fighting a war that somehow contained dragons in New York...wow! I've had dreams based on books I was reading before but this one takes the cake.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
A peach is a peach, a prune is a prune...
...I really need to trust my ideas.........va-va-......voom
Alright, I never claimed to be a poet *plfeet*. So my "peach" was a hit. Well I think it was...she told me she loved it so I feel like it was a success. Since its given I can say what it was...it was a homemade tutu. I made it with light green, light purple, light pink and white tulle and BRIGHT skinny coordinating ribbon. It looked fairy-esc, which is totally me! I love girly things but like I said before I am not all pink ribbons and bows and I don't think that should by any means be forced on lil ones.
Where did this come from you may be wondering. Well a friend of mine posted this video about GoldieBlox. I LOVED it. I mean just absolutely adored it because it shows girls doing engineering type building "experiments". Something I do agree we do not encourage our young ladies to do enough. What irritated me is my friends caption for the video. It said something along the lines of stop buying everything pink for little girls. My question is, why blame pink?
I am certainly not a huge fan of pink...I never have been, I am more of a purple/blue kind of girl. But just because a girl is girly doesn't mean she can't be interested in science or engineering. I mean GoldieBlox stuff is actually mostly light pink, yellow and purple, stereotypical girl colors. So her comment pisses me off. It's not the color, its the message. When I was five I got my first "kiddie" microscope, a few years later I got a much nicer one and I freaking loved it. I caught and released critters, played (hard) outside, built with Legos and created domino rally runs. All considered "boy" activities. But I also wore frilly outfits (mom made), had baby dolls and took dancing. My point is I was very girly by most standards yet I am and always will be a science nerd. I love science, I love science fiction, I love knowing how things are made and how inventors come up with their ideas.
What I am trying to say is people/parents need to stop blaming everyone else for creating future women. Ladies and gents, it is YOUR job to encourage your daughter. Just because it is something boyish doesn't mean a girl cannot play with it. Expose your daughters to science/engineering and see if she likes it. If she doesn't that is okay, it is not everyone's cup of tea. Yes, I know there is a stereotype that females can't or aren't qualified enough for those types of jobs/futures but that stereotype is there because of us. Because our society at some point decided women were inferior in intelligence. We all know this isn't true but its up to YOU to mold the next generation. My mom NEVER discouraged me from being me, if anything she encouraged me to be different. If I showed interest in something she let me explore it, if I got bored with it we moved on...if I showed more interest I got more exposure to it. And no I did not come from a family with money so I wasn't able to just do whatever I wanted but she was always very supportive. And yes people tried to put me in a "girly" box. For birthdays I would get things like "girl talk", pink everything, barbies and baby alive type toys. I liked that stuff enough but I remember one year a boy in my class gave me a bug/critter catch and release kit and it was my favorite thing. He clearly understood me and we were best buds, till he went to another school :(.
In other news, this goes for boys too! Stereotypes go both ways!!!!! I know a boy playing with dolls is a big no no in our society but what is the big freaking deal??? Kids should be allowed to like whatever they want without parents being afraid it might "turn them gay". I played with trucks, he-man and GI-Joe...it didn't change the outcome of who I am. Come on people, it is 2013, we all should know by now playing with barbies wont make a boy like other boys just like playing with trucks wont make a girl like other girls. You can beat "masculine" things into your boys all you want...but if they are going to be gay, they are going to be gay, deal with it and quit creating more flipping stereotypes! With that said not all homosexual men are "girly" and not all lesbians are "boyish", staaaaahp it right now!
Back to the subject matter, quit trying to force kids into your ideals. If your daughter likes pink princesses that is okay, if she likes frogs & snails & puppy dog tails, that is okay too. If your son likes trucks and superheros that is okay, if he is full of sugar & spice & everything nice that's okay too. Forcing boys & girls into boxes of what boys/girls should be just enlarges the gender gap. We are supposed to be moving forward, becoming more accepting not acting like just because one has or does not have a penis/vagina makes a difference in what they are capable of accomplishing.
Rant over, NOLA Gurl out :P
Alright, I never claimed to be a poet *plfeet*. So my "peach" was a hit. Well I think it was...she told me she loved it so I feel like it was a success. Since its given I can say what it was...it was a homemade tutu. I made it with light green, light purple, light pink and white tulle and BRIGHT skinny coordinating ribbon. It looked fairy-esc, which is totally me! I love girly things but like I said before I am not all pink ribbons and bows and I don't think that should by any means be forced on lil ones.
Where did this come from you may be wondering. Well a friend of mine posted this video about GoldieBlox. I LOVED it. I mean just absolutely adored it because it shows girls doing engineering type building "experiments". Something I do agree we do not encourage our young ladies to do enough. What irritated me is my friends caption for the video. It said something along the lines of stop buying everything pink for little girls. My question is, why blame pink?
I am certainly not a huge fan of pink...I never have been, I am more of a purple/blue kind of girl. But just because a girl is girly doesn't mean she can't be interested in science or engineering. I mean GoldieBlox stuff is actually mostly light pink, yellow and purple, stereotypical girl colors. So her comment pisses me off. It's not the color, its the message. When I was five I got my first "kiddie" microscope, a few years later I got a much nicer one and I freaking loved it. I caught and released critters, played (hard) outside, built with Legos and created domino rally runs. All considered "boy" activities. But I also wore frilly outfits (mom made), had baby dolls and took dancing. My point is I was very girly by most standards yet I am and always will be a science nerd. I love science, I love science fiction, I love knowing how things are made and how inventors come up with their ideas.
What I am trying to say is people/parents need to stop blaming everyone else for creating future women. Ladies and gents, it is YOUR job to encourage your daughter. Just because it is something boyish doesn't mean a girl cannot play with it. Expose your daughters to science/engineering and see if she likes it. If she doesn't that is okay, it is not everyone's cup of tea. Yes, I know there is a stereotype that females can't or aren't qualified enough for those types of jobs/futures but that stereotype is there because of us. Because our society at some point decided women were inferior in intelligence. We all know this isn't true but its up to YOU to mold the next generation. My mom NEVER discouraged me from being me, if anything she encouraged me to be different. If I showed interest in something she let me explore it, if I got bored with it we moved on...if I showed more interest I got more exposure to it. And no I did not come from a family with money so I wasn't able to just do whatever I wanted but she was always very supportive. And yes people tried to put me in a "girly" box. For birthdays I would get things like "girl talk", pink everything, barbies and baby alive type toys. I liked that stuff enough but I remember one year a boy in my class gave me a bug/critter catch and release kit and it was my favorite thing. He clearly understood me and we were best buds, till he went to another school :(.
In other news, this goes for boys too! Stereotypes go both ways!!!!! I know a boy playing with dolls is a big no no in our society but what is the big freaking deal??? Kids should be allowed to like whatever they want without parents being afraid it might "turn them gay". I played with trucks, he-man and GI-Joe...it didn't change the outcome of who I am. Come on people, it is 2013, we all should know by now playing with barbies wont make a boy like other boys just like playing with trucks wont make a girl like other girls. You can beat "masculine" things into your boys all you want...but if they are going to be gay, they are going to be gay, deal with it and quit creating more flipping stereotypes! With that said not all homosexual men are "girly" and not all lesbians are "boyish", staaaaahp it right now!
Back to the subject matter, quit trying to force kids into your ideals. If your daughter likes pink princesses that is okay, if she likes frogs & snails & puppy dog tails, that is okay too. If your son likes trucks and superheros that is okay, if he is full of sugar & spice & everything nice that's okay too. Forcing boys & girls into boxes of what boys/girls should be just enlarges the gender gap. We are supposed to be moving forward, becoming more accepting not acting like just because one has or does not have a penis/vagina makes a difference in what they are capable of accomplishing.
Rant over, NOLA Gurl out :P
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Lemons, lemons everywhere...
...then suddenly a peach, whoop whoop
Okay maybe peach isn't the best choice since I don't really like peaches but its something better than a lemon and I always hear southerners say "aren't you just a peach" as a compliment so it must be a good fruit! Well usually its a compliment...sometimes its pure sarcasm but you get the picture.
So what are the lemons, while they aren't terrible lemons they are utterly frustrating! They are work and regular life related and they are preventing me from going out of town for a special event. Its been insane, I clear one thing up and something else pops up. Like the issue that originally was preventing me from going got postponed. Then I got subpoenaed to appear in court, crap! Today I got word that, that was resolved, whoooo hooooo...then I found out about a new complication which requires me to stay in town, waaaaahhhhh. I've accepted that there is just no way to make this work.
So where did the peach come from, well ya see I feel extraordinarily guilty about not going, so it got my creative juices flowing and I think I came up with something awesome. Well I think its awesome...I hope I am right in this assumption. I would have done something meaningful even if I was going but I went a little over the top, whoops. It's a baby shower for one of my oldest and best-est friends. Since I plan on being well known to this new bundle of joy I feel like I need to start spoiling her NOW! I can't say exactly what I am doing, in case she is reading this but I think she'll appreciate it, mom...not baby...hello, baby can't read yet...well baby will probably appreciate it later...like when she is more self aware...oh and born.
I just hope my peach doesn't turn into a prune. Well I think a prune is bad, some people would love a prune but for the sake of this conversation its bad. Like I hope I am not totally off with this...but I really don't think I am. She's having a baby girl...a princess...she should have girly stuff, right? But not all pink and bows...something else that's more NOLA Gurl-esq. Ugh, the uncertainty! I will feel awful if I make her cry...but if its because she is happy that's okay, right? right? My note to her has silliness in it (it wouldn't be me if I didn't try to make her laugh) along with a lot of love so I think it will be great. Why am I second guessing the peach...I should embrace the peach...love the peach...become the peach...alright maybe not that extreme and wow that just sounds dirty...maybe a peach wasn't the best choice. I gotta go...fingers crossed that she likes it :)
Okay maybe peach isn't the best choice since I don't really like peaches but its something better than a lemon and I always hear southerners say "aren't you just a peach" as a compliment so it must be a good fruit! Well usually its a compliment...sometimes its pure sarcasm but you get the picture.
So what are the lemons, while they aren't terrible lemons they are utterly frustrating! They are work and regular life related and they are preventing me from going out of town for a special event. Its been insane, I clear one thing up and something else pops up. Like the issue that originally was preventing me from going got postponed. Then I got subpoenaed to appear in court, crap! Today I got word that, that was resolved, whoooo hooooo...then I found out about a new complication which requires me to stay in town, waaaaahhhhh. I've accepted that there is just no way to make this work.
So where did the peach come from, well ya see I feel extraordinarily guilty about not going, so it got my creative juices flowing and I think I came up with something awesome. Well I think its awesome...I hope I am right in this assumption. I would have done something meaningful even if I was going but I went a little over the top, whoops. It's a baby shower for one of my oldest and best-est friends. Since I plan on being well known to this new bundle of joy I feel like I need to start spoiling her NOW! I can't say exactly what I am doing, in case she is reading this but I think she'll appreciate it, mom...not baby...hello, baby can't read yet...well baby will probably appreciate it later...like when she is more self aware...oh and born.
I just hope my peach doesn't turn into a prune. Well I think a prune is bad, some people would love a prune but for the sake of this conversation its bad. Like I hope I am not totally off with this...but I really don't think I am. She's having a baby girl...a princess...she should have girly stuff, right? But not all pink and bows...something else that's more NOLA Gurl-esq. Ugh, the uncertainty! I will feel awful if I make her cry...but if its because she is happy that's okay, right? right? My note to her has silliness in it (it wouldn't be me if I didn't try to make her laugh) along with a lot of love so I think it will be great. Why am I second guessing the peach...I should embrace the peach...love the peach...become the peach...alright maybe not that extreme and wow that just sounds dirty...maybe a peach wasn't the best choice. I gotta go...fingers crossed that she likes it :)
Monday, November 4, 2013
What the hell is an inkling and how do people get them?!?
Okay, okay I may already know what the actual definition of an inkling is but I only ever hear it from people over 60 y.o.a., mainly from my AMAZING grandma. So by most definitions it means a slight hint or indication. I mean I guess I get "inklings" about different things but I never use this word so when I hear it applied to me it makes me giggle. I know I am weird, we have already established that.
I've heard this term at various stages in my life, either applied to situations involving me or someone I am close to. For some reason even though I know what it means whenever I hear it I picture a fancy ink pen with a smaller (baby) version of itself (an inkling...ya get it?!). Stop laughing...okay laugh it up, because it makes me smile too. Then I start to wonder where I can obtain one of these adorable inklings and I end up smiling like a fool and people stare at me like I need to be medicated.
Where did this come from, you may ask? Well the other night I went to hang out with my fam for Halloween. I helped the g-ma hand out candy and had kids young and old tell me how awesome my costume was. Yes, I am an adult and I was in a costume, I love Halloween, don't judge! And I was informing all the older ones around me what all the kiddies were dressed as because they had no clue. One of my favs was this adorable little girl, maybe 7 or 8 dressed as a witch, with green face and a broom. My cousin was like are you from Wicked??? I said are you Elphaba??? And she said yes and her sister was dressed as Glinda and I was done. I was like everybody go home, this adorable little girl wins Halloween! Wow talk about getting off topic.
Back to my story about inklings (hehehehe). I poured a cup of daiquiri but didn't drink much. I wasn't feeling 100%, as in I think I was starting to get sick (which I am sick now so yuck!). Then later in the night I drank a lot of Iced Tea. The next day I was going to pick up lunch and my cousin texted me. She said "g-ma, thinks you're pregnant...she has an "inkling", hahaha". I was in McAllister's waiting for food and did the stupid smile thing when I read inkling...I think the waitress thought I was mental. What makes this even more strange is we are kinda trying. Like not officially counting and taking temps but we aren't preventing. So then I was like holy shit g-ma is psychic. Not that I think I am preggo, I am just not well at the moment...like fever and everything. But now I am like, what if I am...what if she just sensed something different about me...she had an inkling...how the hell does that work??? What kind of sorcery is this?!?
So now I feel like I need to go on a quest to find a baby fancy pen so that I can have my very own "inkling" and then maybe I'll be able to be psychic too!
I think my fever took my weirdness to a whole new level today...time for me to sign off.
I've heard this term at various stages in my life, either applied to situations involving me or someone I am close to. For some reason even though I know what it means whenever I hear it I picture a fancy ink pen with a smaller (baby) version of itself (an inkling...ya get it?!). Stop laughing...okay laugh it up, because it makes me smile too. Then I start to wonder where I can obtain one of these adorable inklings and I end up smiling like a fool and people stare at me like I need to be medicated.
Where did this come from, you may ask? Well the other night I went to hang out with my fam for Halloween. I helped the g-ma hand out candy and had kids young and old tell me how awesome my costume was. Yes, I am an adult and I was in a costume, I love Halloween, don't judge! And I was informing all the older ones around me what all the kiddies were dressed as because they had no clue. One of my favs was this adorable little girl, maybe 7 or 8 dressed as a witch, with green face and a broom. My cousin was like are you from Wicked??? I said are you Elphaba??? And she said yes and her sister was dressed as Glinda and I was done. I was like everybody go home, this adorable little girl wins Halloween! Wow talk about getting off topic.
Back to my story about inklings (hehehehe). I poured a cup of daiquiri but didn't drink much. I wasn't feeling 100%, as in I think I was starting to get sick (which I am sick now so yuck!). Then later in the night I drank a lot of Iced Tea. The next day I was going to pick up lunch and my cousin texted me. She said "g-ma, thinks you're pregnant...she has an "inkling", hahaha". I was in McAllister's waiting for food and did the stupid smile thing when I read inkling...I think the waitress thought I was mental. What makes this even more strange is we are kinda trying. Like not officially counting and taking temps but we aren't preventing. So then I was like holy shit g-ma is psychic. Not that I think I am preggo, I am just not well at the moment...like fever and everything. But now I am like, what if I am...what if she just sensed something different about me...she had an inkling...how the hell does that work??? What kind of sorcery is this?!?
So now I feel like I need to go on a quest to find a baby fancy pen so that I can have my very own "inkling" and then maybe I'll be able to be psychic too!
I think my fever took my weirdness to a whole new level today...time for me to sign off.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Sometimes I wonder if I'm just weird...
...okay I know I am in fact a bit odd but that is besides the point :)
I've seen the below quote/meme online numerous times and I just have to say something.
I might be alone on this but this "advice" makes me laugh, like manically, every time I see it. Because that will 100% not work with me. All I have to say is if I am mad and you try to kiss me I will bite you or punch you...depends on the level of anger, ha! Hello, that is just common sense... I am mad...why would you kiss me?!? I get it...its a way to distract her from her anger. That way she gets over it and melts into you. But let this be a warning that not all girls will fall for this. So if you do this and get kicked in the nuts, well that's your own damn fault!
My husband would never do that...he knows if I'm being goofy and he covers my mouth I am going to lick him. God only knows what I will do if I'm pissed off and he kisses me! It would be a bloody mess...quite possibly in the literal sense.
Instead he will more than likely try to make me laugh or leave the room until the anger flares out. Not that I get that angry very often but things have been known to happen...its best to just leave me be.
Alrighty, random thought completed...NOLAgurl out.
I've seen the below quote/meme online numerous times and I just have to say something.
"If she's mad, kiss her"
I might be alone on this but this "advice" makes me laugh, like manically, every time I see it. Because that will 100% not work with me. All I have to say is if I am mad and you try to kiss me I will bite you or punch you...depends on the level of anger, ha! Hello, that is just common sense... I am mad...why would you kiss me?!? I get it...its a way to distract her from her anger. That way she gets over it and melts into you. But let this be a warning that not all girls will fall for this. So if you do this and get kicked in the nuts, well that's your own damn fault!
My husband would never do that...he knows if I'm being goofy and he covers my mouth I am going to lick him. God only knows what I will do if I'm pissed off and he kisses me! It would be a bloody mess...quite possibly in the literal sense.
Instead he will more than likely try to make me laugh or leave the room until the anger flares out. Not that I get that angry very often but things have been known to happen...its best to just leave me be.
Alrighty, random thought completed...NOLAgurl out.
Friday, September 20, 2013
My creative genius is so underappreciated...
Here is what happened. I am at work, not wanting to start anything new because I was waiting for a conference call to start. While waiting I read a story...it was about a dog...and I CRIED! Like ugly silent sobbing at my desk. Of course what happens when you are crying...you wipe your tears. And if you are me...you wipe your tears on your sleeves because that's how you roll. So I was trying to calm my stupid emotions when I glanced down at my sleeve and started laughing hysterically. I am talking borderline manic with a touch of giddy school girl. You see on my sleeve was a perfect little illustration. No fooling, my tears made ART!
Do you see it?!?!?! You see it! I know you do, quit lying to yourself! I was so excited I had to share with someone so I, of course, texted my hubs. Here is how the conversation went:
Me: "So I read something that made me sad...I think my tears created art" *insert pic above*
Hubs: "What did you read?"
Me: "Story about a dog. But you are missing the point...my tears created art ;) hahaha"
Hubs: "I don't see it."
Me: *huffing/frustrated emoticon* "There's a silhouette of a person on the right...maybe a young girl...and something that looks like a giraffe/antelope leaping off of its rockers...like a rocking horse come to life...I should write a story!"
Hubs: "You have a great imagination"
Me: "Are you mocking me?"
Hubs: "No...I guess I see it...."
So either I am crazy or extremely imaginative. I am leaning towards the latter. I also think I should write a short story about a young girl who wishes everyday she could have her very own horse and one day her wish is granted when her beat up old hand me down rocking horse leaps off its rockers and becomes a beautiful stallion.
Hmmm my story needs a little more work but I think you get the basic idea.
 |
| "In my sadness my tear art made me laugh" |
Me: "So I read something that made me sad...I think my tears created art" *insert pic above*
Hubs: "What did you read?"
Me: "Story about a dog. But you are missing the point...my tears created art ;) hahaha"
Hubs: "I don't see it."
Me: *huffing/frustrated emoticon* "There's a silhouette of a person on the right...maybe a young girl...and something that looks like a giraffe/antelope leaping off of its rockers...like a rocking horse come to life...I should write a story!"
Hubs: "You have a great imagination"
Me: "Are you mocking me?"
Hubs: "No...I guess I see it...."
So either I am crazy or extremely imaginative. I am leaning towards the latter. I also think I should write a short story about a young girl who wishes everyday she could have her very own horse and one day her wish is granted when her beat up old hand me down rocking horse leaps off its rockers and becomes a beautiful stallion.
Hmmm my story needs a little more work but I think you get the basic idea.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
I guess Bullies never truely grow up. . .
Okay I am not being bullied in the traditional sense. But I am getting really tired of having to defend myself. I am different, that is NO secret. I have my own style that doesn't always fit with the norm. I follow trends I like and I mix traditional with trendy. I have an unconventional personality. I usually make comments or jokes that not all people will get or maybe not all find funny. I'm not being super nerd, its just how my brain works. Its me...its always been me, I am over 30, this is not a new development! But I have no problem making friends and most people like me so I must be doing something right.
I am saying this because today someone whom I see daily just tried to make me feel like ass for one of my trendy choices. This is not a new occurrence, she knocks my "style" and personality regularly. Okay yes I work in a professional environment and must dress accordingly. But I use some flexibilities to express my style with accessories. A newer trend re-surfacing is bow ties. Well I am a girl and while I could wear a bow tie if I wanted, it would look kinda silly with my dress. Instead I found this SUPER cute blue bow bracelet. Its a little big for my arm but I have itty bitty wrists so pretty much anything on my arm looks ginormous. I personally think its adorable and have been complemented by strangers in public so yea whatever.
I am saying this because today someone whom I see daily just tried to make me feel like ass for one of my trendy choices. This is not a new occurrence, she knocks my "style" and personality regularly. Okay yes I work in a professional environment and must dress accordingly. But I use some flexibilities to express my style with accessories. A newer trend re-surfacing is bow ties. Well I am a girl and while I could wear a bow tie if I wanted, it would look kinda silly with my dress. Instead I found this SUPER cute blue bow bracelet. Its a little big for my arm but I have itty bitty wrists so pretty much anything on my arm looks ginormous. I personally think its adorable and have been complemented by strangers in public so yea whatever.
Yes, I know its different but I like it, so :P. Here is how the conversation went down. We were discussing something and I was talking with my hands (as usual) and she stopped me mid-sentence. She said "what is THAT on your arm?" I said um, its a bow. She said "well why are you wearing it?" I said well its a bracelet. She said "yea but WHY? I saw it yesterday and thought it was weird". I replied, its just a bracelet, I thought it was cute. She said "well its not, its weird and it looks silly. I guess whatever". And she walked out. Proceeded to walked to another person and talk extremely loud and both of them laughed wildly. Can I say for sure it was about me...no, but the timing is just screaming they are being mean girls.
Wow...really? So just because its not your style its not kosher? Its a flipping bow bracelet, I didn't walk in with blue hair, shaved on one side and a lip ring. In a professional environment I can see how THAT may incite criticism but really a blue freaking bow bracelet?!? And she keeps harping on it. Like if she annoys me enough about it, I'll take it off. Seriously, I don't look like I'm going to the club or anything. I have on a maxi skirt, dress top, heels and well this.
Its not that big of a deal I know but its not the only thing just the one the pushed me over the edge a bit. I am regularly criticized for not blending with the norm by nearly everyone around me...well except a couple friends and my husband. My family now seems to find my determination to be an individual acceptable. It defines me, ha. I am not a sheep, I do not say Baaaah :P. I am my own person and if I want to wear a bow on my wrist, bright nail polish, whatever, whats the big deal...? Does it break dress code standards...? If so, okay I guess I'll stop wearing it but I really don't see how that would be a dress code infraction. Someone else around here comes to work in t-shirts, jeans and tennis shoes daily maybe go harp on them a bit.
Like I said, not your bullying in the traditional sense but its habitual badgering for me to change who I am and while they are minor personality traits they are me and I don't want them to go away!
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
I am surrounded by uninformed crazy!
There is this notion that religious people don't believe in science. Or that all religious people are taught to blindly embrace fiction and snub science. I don't understand this. I have NEVER understood this.
I was raised Catholic. I spent 13 years in Catholic schools. There was never a point where my teachings on Religion directly interfered with my Scientific learning. They were two separate classes...ALWAYS. We learned about the Bible, Jesus and such...then we learned about Darwin, Newton and the Periodic table. Yes there were some conflicting subjects but my teachers managed it just fine. There was not a day where my teacher said "this is the theory of Evolution but its wrong, we believe 3,000 years ago God made Adam and Eve...Suck it Darwin". We were taught both and left to make up our mind what to believe for the most part.
Maybe this isn't how it is in all Catholic schools but I have a lot of friends that went to various schools and we all seem to have been taught the same things. Maybe its a regional thing... whatever. The religion piece was more of a moral base and the Science was to prepare us for the future. We were left to fill in the rest ourselves with life experiences, etc.
If you want to be a religious extremist and take every word of the bible seriously its not because you were brainwashed in Catholic Schools...its more likely you were brainwashed by your parents. Actually most of the people I grew up with are some of the most open minded and accepting people I know...ya know why? Because we were taught God loves everyone...yea they made comments about sins, etc. i.e. homosexuality being wrong - which it is NOT...I am Catholic...see how I made my own choice in what to believe. If you have 1/2 a brain you know what is right and what is wrong, there is this moral compass thing ingrained in our DNA, well in some of us. As in persecution of ANYONE regardless of what your religion says is WRONG! Yes there are those that hide behind the bible but they don't represent me...they don't represent most Catholics. They my friend are a bunch of cowards who are too scared to admit they are wrong so they use God as their argument. I have news for them...God doesn't like it when you do that!
Okay with ALL that said I am just sick and tired of hearing how "catholic schools" teach children unrealistic or unscientific things. I went to a bloody Catholic school...I LOVE science. In fact in High School I was recognized in a National Publication by one of my teachers for excelling in Physics. So please explain to me how I was taught something Unscientific. I mean do you really think that learning about Jesus hindered my ability to have a scientific mind? I am informed and educated...that is what was and is important.
I am ranting because I keep hearing about how this "voucher" program is bad because it allows public school students to be "enslaved" by the unscientific teachings of the catholic school system, solidifying the creation of a new generation of brainwashed bigots. All I could think was, "What in the ever loving F**k are you talking about?!" I mean seriously?!? The voucher program is incredibly flawed (that is a whole other rant) but it was created (or so I have been lead to believe) because our public school system sucks butt in many areas. Its the opportunity for a struggling family to send their child to a Catholic School...a PRIVATE school which in this state means a significantly better education in most cases.
Open your eyes please. The voucher program wouldn't exist if there wasn't some need for it. Hell private education wouldn't be as necessary if our school system got their heads out of their asses and realized the future of our country is suffering educationally. Don't bash Catholic Schools because they teach religion side by side with Science. Bash the public school system for failing our children. I know not all public schools are bad and I know not all public school students are being stripped of a proper education. I just know where I am from the public school system in a joke in a majority of areas.
Okay rant over.
I was raised Catholic. I spent 13 years in Catholic schools. There was never a point where my teachings on Religion directly interfered with my Scientific learning. They were two separate classes...ALWAYS. We learned about the Bible, Jesus and such...then we learned about Darwin, Newton and the Periodic table. Yes there were some conflicting subjects but my teachers managed it just fine. There was not a day where my teacher said "this is the theory of Evolution but its wrong, we believe 3,000 years ago God made Adam and Eve...Suck it Darwin". We were taught both and left to make up our mind what to believe for the most part.
Maybe this isn't how it is in all Catholic schools but I have a lot of friends that went to various schools and we all seem to have been taught the same things. Maybe its a regional thing... whatever. The religion piece was more of a moral base and the Science was to prepare us for the future. We were left to fill in the rest ourselves with life experiences, etc.
If you want to be a religious extremist and take every word of the bible seriously its not because you were brainwashed in Catholic Schools...its more likely you were brainwashed by your parents. Actually most of the people I grew up with are some of the most open minded and accepting people I know...ya know why? Because we were taught God loves everyone...yea they made comments about sins, etc. i.e. homosexuality being wrong - which it is NOT...I am Catholic...see how I made my own choice in what to believe. If you have 1/2 a brain you know what is right and what is wrong, there is this moral compass thing ingrained in our DNA, well in some of us. As in persecution of ANYONE regardless of what your religion says is WRONG! Yes there are those that hide behind the bible but they don't represent me...they don't represent most Catholics. They my friend are a bunch of cowards who are too scared to admit they are wrong so they use God as their argument. I have news for them...God doesn't like it when you do that!
Okay with ALL that said I am just sick and tired of hearing how "catholic schools" teach children unrealistic or unscientific things. I went to a bloody Catholic school...I LOVE science. In fact in High School I was recognized in a National Publication by one of my teachers for excelling in Physics. So please explain to me how I was taught something Unscientific. I mean do you really think that learning about Jesus hindered my ability to have a scientific mind? I am informed and educated...that is what was and is important.
I am ranting because I keep hearing about how this "voucher" program is bad because it allows public school students to be "enslaved" by the unscientific teachings of the catholic school system, solidifying the creation of a new generation of brainwashed bigots. All I could think was, "What in the ever loving F**k are you talking about?!" I mean seriously?!? The voucher program is incredibly flawed (that is a whole other rant) but it was created (or so I have been lead to believe) because our public school system sucks butt in many areas. Its the opportunity for a struggling family to send their child to a Catholic School...a PRIVATE school which in this state means a significantly better education in most cases.
Open your eyes please. The voucher program wouldn't exist if there wasn't some need for it. Hell private education wouldn't be as necessary if our school system got their heads out of their asses and realized the future of our country is suffering educationally. Don't bash Catholic Schools because they teach religion side by side with Science. Bash the public school system for failing our children. I know not all public schools are bad and I know not all public school students are being stripped of a proper education. I just know where I am from the public school system in a joke in a majority of areas.
Okay rant over.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Here's my 2 cents
I am certain some people will rip me to shreds for this but I have to get this out of my brain.
I know I do not have kids, yet. And I guess it is hard to say how I will react in many situations but I just have to vent here.
Let me set the scene: flash back a few years. Here we have a teenager coming into the beginning of their senior year. They are on top of the world until mere weeks after starting the year they get caught doing drugs. Well not caught so much as tattled on and are now required to be on probation and take random drug tests. Here is where mom and dad step in and make sure they understand how bad this is and exert their parentness...except it doesn't last. They are going to do stuff with friends and going to dances and have their stuff back in just a few weeks. Where is the lesson to be learned? I mean they can't let him/her not experience their senior year, it would be regrettable! I guess I just don't understand since I am not a parent.
Flash forward a few months, its Mardi Gras...said teen is going to a "friends camp" for the holiday. I know where they are really going. . . come one. . . its Mardi Gras. . . where the hell else are they going to go!? But alas we trust the kid and alas we are caught with our pants down again. . .guess where we were. . . come on guess. Again there is a punishment but it doesn't last. . .by the end of the school year we are going on senior trip and to the beach with a friends family and getting a brand new car (nicer than anything I can afford with a full time job) for graduation. Seriously where is the lesson to be learned?! Right...I don't have kids...okay never mind...keeping mouth shut.
Jump to the first semester of college, its the first football game. And they get caught with alcohol and a fake ID (apparently this happened to MANY new students as the one I am discussing was 1of 3 I heard of). As required by law they are ticketed for underage drinking and possession of someone else's ID (I have no idea what it is called but you get the drift). It sucks but I can't fault them too much here (I was a college student once, HELLO!) but come on at least TRY to hide your underage drinking from the nice police officer.
A few months later in a drunken stupor they are arrested for a bar fight. I'm sure the bar fight would have been bad enough but because of the amount of alcohol in their system they feel invincible and put up a fight...for those that don't know that is considered resisting arrest and well cops don't really like it when you do that. So 9 hours in county lockup and $2,000 later the very upset parents manage to get them out. Surely the punishment this time will be harsh! But again I am at a loss. They still keep their vehicle and are still permitted to do whatever they want essentially. The excuse is well they are in college, I cannot treat them like a child. And they are going to pay me back for ALL of this! Sure they are *rolling eyes*. Yea well ya know what when I was in college, if I would have done anything 1/16 as bad as that my daddy would have come find me and dragged me home by my hair. Along with putting me under his own version of house arrest, taking away my vehicle and refusing to lend me any money. I'd be lucky if he allowed me to even finish school at that point. I would have been completely CUT OFF! Apparently that is not how you handle a young miscreant today...now you must not let them feel like you've abandoned them, and coddle them, and let them suckle from your teat until you are in the poor house. Because we would rather backrupt ourselves than teach a juvenile delinquent a lesson in how to be an adult. I just...do not tell me I do not understand because I am not a parent! There is clearly a PROBLEM here!!!!!
And now we are full circle. We are in the here in now. And guess what...our little delinquent has no idea how to be a freaking adult! They still suckle from the parents money teat. Granted they have not been involved in any more trouble...well as far as we know...but they have no sense of responsibility. i.e. they are failing out of school...as in grades so low they can't even get a loan! Dad is irritated. He wants to know why they are the way they are. Mom is saying they are just a year our of high school, you can't expect them to act like an adult. And so we see the problem. If not in college then when should you develop into a responsible adult??? I learned how to manage time and expenses in college. It prepared me for the real world so to say. If we baby our college students, they will have NO IDEA how to handle budgets and time. They will not be able to hold a proper job and possibly never be able to pay bills accordingly. They may live off of credit and not know why they can't get a decent job. We are creating a huge problem! There is a point where you have to push them out of the nest and see if they fly...let them sink or swim...or whatever other analogy you want to use. You can't always protect them from life. The sooner you let them learn how to handle adult situations (once they are adults) the better they will get at it. You can be there to assist but you've got to loosen your grip man.
This isn't the only situation I've heard of others. There are way more than I'd like to admit. Don't get me wrong I was spoiled at times and had to be helped out once or twice financially. But I was also a near straight A student, held down a job and stayed out of trouble. I earned the right to have mom and dad occasionally spoil me.
I know I do not have kids, yet. And I guess it is hard to say how I will react in many situations but I just have to vent here.
Let me set the scene: flash back a few years. Here we have a teenager coming into the beginning of their senior year. They are on top of the world until mere weeks after starting the year they get caught doing drugs. Well not caught so much as tattled on and are now required to be on probation and take random drug tests. Here is where mom and dad step in and make sure they understand how bad this is and exert their parentness...except it doesn't last. They are going to do stuff with friends and going to dances and have their stuff back in just a few weeks. Where is the lesson to be learned? I mean they can't let him/her not experience their senior year, it would be regrettable! I guess I just don't understand since I am not a parent.
Flash forward a few months, its Mardi Gras...said teen is going to a "friends camp" for the holiday. I know where they are really going. . . come one. . . its Mardi Gras. . . where the hell else are they going to go!? But alas we trust the kid and alas we are caught with our pants down again. . .guess where we were. . . come on guess. Again there is a punishment but it doesn't last. . .by the end of the school year we are going on senior trip and to the beach with a friends family and getting a brand new car (nicer than anything I can afford with a full time job) for graduation. Seriously where is the lesson to be learned?! Right...I don't have kids...okay never mind...keeping mouth shut.
Jump to the first semester of college, its the first football game. And they get caught with alcohol and a fake ID (apparently this happened to MANY new students as the one I am discussing was 1of 3 I heard of). As required by law they are ticketed for underage drinking and possession of someone else's ID (I have no idea what it is called but you get the drift). It sucks but I can't fault them too much here (I was a college student once, HELLO!) but come on at least TRY to hide your underage drinking from the nice police officer.
A few months later in a drunken stupor they are arrested for a bar fight. I'm sure the bar fight would have been bad enough but because of the amount of alcohol in their system they feel invincible and put up a fight...for those that don't know that is considered resisting arrest and well cops don't really like it when you do that. So 9 hours in county lockup and $2,000 later the very upset parents manage to get them out. Surely the punishment this time will be harsh! But again I am at a loss. They still keep their vehicle and are still permitted to do whatever they want essentially. The excuse is well they are in college, I cannot treat them like a child. And they are going to pay me back for ALL of this! Sure they are *rolling eyes*. Yea well ya know what when I was in college, if I would have done anything 1/16 as bad as that my daddy would have come find me and dragged me home by my hair. Along with putting me under his own version of house arrest, taking away my vehicle and refusing to lend me any money. I'd be lucky if he allowed me to even finish school at that point. I would have been completely CUT OFF! Apparently that is not how you handle a young miscreant today...now you must not let them feel like you've abandoned them, and coddle them, and let them suckle from your teat until you are in the poor house. Because we would rather backrupt ourselves than teach a juvenile delinquent a lesson in how to be an adult. I just...do not tell me I do not understand because I am not a parent! There is clearly a PROBLEM here!!!!!
And now we are full circle. We are in the here in now. And guess what...our little delinquent has no idea how to be a freaking adult! They still suckle from the parents money teat. Granted they have not been involved in any more trouble...well as far as we know...but they have no sense of responsibility. i.e. they are failing out of school...as in grades so low they can't even get a loan! Dad is irritated. He wants to know why they are the way they are. Mom is saying they are just a year our of high school, you can't expect them to act like an adult. And so we see the problem. If not in college then when should you develop into a responsible adult??? I learned how to manage time and expenses in college. It prepared me for the real world so to say. If we baby our college students, they will have NO IDEA how to handle budgets and time. They will not be able to hold a proper job and possibly never be able to pay bills accordingly. They may live off of credit and not know why they can't get a decent job. We are creating a huge problem! There is a point where you have to push them out of the nest and see if they fly...let them sink or swim...or whatever other analogy you want to use. You can't always protect them from life. The sooner you let them learn how to handle adult situations (once they are adults) the better they will get at it. You can be there to assist but you've got to loosen your grip man.
This isn't the only situation I've heard of others. There are way more than I'd like to admit. Don't get me wrong I was spoiled at times and had to be helped out once or twice financially. But I was also a near straight A student, held down a job and stayed out of trouble. I earned the right to have mom and dad occasionally spoil me.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Hmmm I hope that's not bad JuJu . . .
. . . I try not to be superstitious but sometimes my brain wont stop.
For the past week or so when I arrive at my office there is a cute little grasshopper hanging out by the door frame. Most bugs don't bother me and this one is just kind of adorable...well if he flew and got tangled in my hair that would be a different story but for now cute.
Each morning he is sitting there and when I would get close he turned towards me but didn't move much. Almost like a greeting...well in grasshopper language it could be F**K Off but I am choosing to believe he was saying Hello.
It made me happy and smiley every time I saw him. When I would leave for lunch he was still there, a little higher up but there and when we would leave for the day he'd be somewhere near by. I've gotten used to seeing him now so I was a little sad when I arrived this morning and he wasn't there to greet me. I though it was odd but in nature I'm sure critters must move on or whatever. So I walked in and made a comment to my co-worker. She said she noticed he wasn't there too but was like me, guess he moved on.
After I got my coffee I walked back to the front to get something and noticed something on the floor...it was my little friend. I guess he got accidentally knocked inside or something...he was dead. At least I hope it was an accident because don't forget I do have some "Satan Spawn" co-workers so who knows.
After I found him I looked up Grasshopper Lore. Here is what I found. As a Chinese symbol, the grasshopper offers attributes of longevity, happiness, good health, good luck, wealth, abundance, fertility and virtue. In Ancient Greece the grasshopper is a status symbol. Athenians would adorn themselves with golden grasshopper hair combs and brooches as an indication of nobility. The grasshopper is also a symbol of immortality.
The grasshopper’s coloring is significant. For instance, green grasshoppers indicate fresh starts (new beginnings), as well as the concepts of youth, rejuvenation, sentimentality, nature, adventure, growth and health.
Oh no, maybe he was my little good luck charm!!!
Thankfully there doesn't seem to be any lore about dead grasshoppers as in its bad luck or something so, whew. Like I said I try not to be superstitious but for some reason my brain was really focused on this...I still feel bad for my little friend though :(
For the past week or so when I arrive at my office there is a cute little grasshopper hanging out by the door frame. Most bugs don't bother me and this one is just kind of adorable...well if he flew and got tangled in my hair that would be a different story but for now cute.
Each morning he is sitting there and when I would get close he turned towards me but didn't move much. Almost like a greeting...well in grasshopper language it could be F**K Off but I am choosing to believe he was saying Hello.
After I got my coffee I walked back to the front to get something and noticed something on the floor...it was my little friend. I guess he got accidentally knocked inside or something...he was dead. At least I hope it was an accident because don't forget I do have some "Satan Spawn" co-workers so who knows.
After I found him I looked up Grasshopper Lore. Here is what I found. As a Chinese symbol, the grasshopper offers attributes of longevity, happiness, good health, good luck, wealth, abundance, fertility and virtue. In Ancient Greece the grasshopper is a status symbol. Athenians would adorn themselves with golden grasshopper hair combs and brooches as an indication of nobility. The grasshopper is also a symbol of immortality.
The grasshopper’s coloring is significant. For instance, green grasshoppers indicate fresh starts (new beginnings), as well as the concepts of youth, rejuvenation, sentimentality, nature, adventure, growth and health.
Oh no, maybe he was my little good luck charm!!!
Thankfully there doesn't seem to be any lore about dead grasshoppers as in its bad luck or something so, whew. Like I said I try not to be superstitious but for some reason my brain was really focused on this...I still feel bad for my little friend though :(
Monday, August 5, 2013
Am I the only one who understands Customer Service?!?
I am by no means perfect but I have a thing about poor customer service. Your sole purpose in any field related to Customer Service is to help the customer, make sure the customer is happy and do things in a timely manner.
This does NOT include acting like an ass on the phone because you are having a bad day, taking 2 days to do something that takes less than 5 minutes, or being non-responsive. Look I get it. . . if you don't know the answer or are unable to be helpful by ALL means please pass the customer along to someone who is capable but don't just do one of the above.
Maybe because I've been in a sort of customer service role in some way, shape or form for 10 years I have some expectations but I do not think they are ridiculous. I've been given the task of delegating some of my responsibilities to others to free up my time for new business development. Its been 1 week. . .in that week I've received complaints from both customers and my counter part here. The customers say the don't get helped in a a timely manner...the counter part says the customers have unrealistic expectations.
While I do understand that we are spread thin here. . . I do not think their expectations are unrealistic. Not everyone will want to use an online maintenance system so quit forcing it down their throats. Yes, please offer as its better for us and them but some people would just rather send an email or call in. That is the nature of customer service. . . sorry but some people are just helpless get over it. Your purpose is to assist them to the best of your abilities, quit complaining because its becoming clear that trying to free up some of my time is causing me to spend more time fixing problems with pissed of people.
This does NOT include acting like an ass on the phone because you are having a bad day, taking 2 days to do something that takes less than 5 minutes, or being non-responsive. Look I get it. . . if you don't know the answer or are unable to be helpful by ALL means please pass the customer along to someone who is capable but don't just do one of the above.
Maybe because I've been in a sort of customer service role in some way, shape or form for 10 years I have some expectations but I do not think they are ridiculous. I've been given the task of delegating some of my responsibilities to others to free up my time for new business development. Its been 1 week. . .in that week I've received complaints from both customers and my counter part here. The customers say the don't get helped in a a timely manner...the counter part says the customers have unrealistic expectations.
While I do understand that we are spread thin here. . . I do not think their expectations are unrealistic. Not everyone will want to use an online maintenance system so quit forcing it down their throats. Yes, please offer as its better for us and them but some people would just rather send an email or call in. That is the nature of customer service. . . sorry but some people are just helpless get over it. Your purpose is to assist them to the best of your abilities, quit complaining because its becoming clear that trying to free up some of my time is causing me to spend more time fixing problems with pissed of people.
Monday, July 22, 2013
If Cleanliness is next to Godliness. . .
. . .I work with a bunch of demon spawn!!!
I'm not sure I've mentioned before but I've come to the conclusion that some people were raised in a barn. I honestly work with a bunch of slobs (not all of my coworkers, just a few). I do not claim to be the almighty clean person but I have good personal hygiene and I tend to clean up after myself. I can't say the same for some others I know.
I know some people don't believe in taking that extra step to make a good appearance (lord knows I never wear makeup) but at least try to NOT look homeless. We work in a professional environment, we may not have customers in here everyday but I have to look at you and if you look like you might smell bad I do not want to be near you...just saying. So for future reference a stained/faded shirt, white washed jeans and tennis shoes are NOT business casual nor are they part of/an acceptable substitute for the uniform I personally ordered for you!!!
Moving on. . .how hard is it to replace the TP in the bathroom stall. You are also a female you know how big of a deal this is. We are a small office, 9 times out of 10 we are the only ones in the bathroom at a time...meaning I cannot ask "could you spare a square" to the person in the next stall because no one is there! And I don't mean if you use the last of it...I mean if it is getting low just be a decent human being and grab another roll or I will curse you...if I ever figure out who you are; "may the fleas of 1000 camels infest your pubic hair" and if you don't have any of that I hope it feels like acid next time you pee :P.
Next topic. . .let me set the scene. It is early in the morning. You are making your first cup of wake up juice, also known as coffee. You spill sugar/spelnda/creamer on the counter what do you do next? a) wipe it up because that's what grownups do, b )leave it; who cares this isn't my house, c) swipe it onto the floor, the tile is white who will notice d) some combination of b & c with a dash of spilled coffee. I always love it when I walk into the kitchen to get my wake-up juice only to have my shoe stick to the floor and/or crunch with every step. Oh and aside from cleaning up after myself I just LOVE coming to work and cleaning up after you. Thanks asshole! Not to mention the reconnaissance effort I have to go through to retrieve my shoe when the floor decides it wants to keep it.
I can't believe I actually have to say this but...wash your effing hands!!! Or at least sanitize or something. I feel like I work with a bunch of toddlers. There are greasy fingerprints and smudges on everything! Today when I went to heat my food there was a questionable smudge on the 3 button. I am assuming it was some sort of food product but I swear to you know who that it looked like a booger. WTF man...if you must pick please wipe it on yourself! Or use a tissue...in the bathroom and wash you effing hands! I do not have children yet but when I do those are the only boogers I expect to see or be cleaning *shudder*. You-are-welcome...I cleaned your nastiness off the keypad...if I figure out who you are I am so loud capping you in the next meeting!
Did I forget anything? Inner office manners matter...or am I being a royal B for expecting grown ass men AND women to pick up after themselves?!?!?!?
I think I've developed an addiction to Disinfecting Wipes...they've helped me keep my sanity. They are my precious *insane cackling*.
I'm not sure I've mentioned before but I've come to the conclusion that some people were raised in a barn. I honestly work with a bunch of slobs (not all of my coworkers, just a few). I do not claim to be the almighty clean person but I have good personal hygiene and I tend to clean up after myself. I can't say the same for some others I know.
I know some people don't believe in taking that extra step to make a good appearance (lord knows I never wear makeup) but at least try to NOT look homeless. We work in a professional environment, we may not have customers in here everyday but I have to look at you and if you look like you might smell bad I do not want to be near you...just saying. So for future reference a stained/faded shirt, white washed jeans and tennis shoes are NOT business casual nor are they part of/an acceptable substitute for the uniform I personally ordered for you!!!
Moving on. . .how hard is it to replace the TP in the bathroom stall. You are also a female you know how big of a deal this is. We are a small office, 9 times out of 10 we are the only ones in the bathroom at a time...meaning I cannot ask "could you spare a square" to the person in the next stall because no one is there! And I don't mean if you use the last of it...I mean if it is getting low just be a decent human being and grab another roll or I will curse you...if I ever figure out who you are; "may the fleas of 1000 camels infest your pubic hair" and if you don't have any of that I hope it feels like acid next time you pee :P.
Next topic. . .let me set the scene. It is early in the morning. You are making your first cup of wake up juice, also known as coffee. You spill sugar/spelnda/creamer on the counter what do you do next? a) wipe it up because that's what grownups do, b )leave it; who cares this isn't my house, c) swipe it onto the floor, the tile is white who will notice d) some combination of b & c with a dash of spilled coffee. I always love it when I walk into the kitchen to get my wake-up juice only to have my shoe stick to the floor and/or crunch with every step. Oh and aside from cleaning up after myself I just LOVE coming to work and cleaning up after you. Thanks asshole! Not to mention the reconnaissance effort I have to go through to retrieve my shoe when the floor decides it wants to keep it.
- Sub-topic: please by ALL means use the last of the coffee in the pot and do NOT make another pot. It makes me so happy to push the coffee button and have a splatter of coffee moisten my hand/shirt/cup. I didn't realize my pristine white shirt needed brown speckles all over it to make the outfit. I don't know what your mother taught you but in the office there isn't a magic coffee fairy that refills the pot when its empty. There are more than a handful of us here please at least TRY to pretend you are not helpless otherwise I fear one day when its raining you will drown because you forgot to look down
- Sub-sub-topic: if you do manage to figure out how to use the coffee maker just leave the used grinds in the filter basket to drip all over the coffee maker, table and floor. The floor gets cranky when it doesn't get its morning drip of Joe and steals unsuspecting shoes by luring them in with sugar and creamer
I can't believe I actually have to say this but...wash your effing hands!!! Or at least sanitize or something. I feel like I work with a bunch of toddlers. There are greasy fingerprints and smudges on everything! Today when I went to heat my food there was a questionable smudge on the 3 button. I am assuming it was some sort of food product but I swear to you know who that it looked like a booger. WTF man...if you must pick please wipe it on yourself! Or use a tissue...in the bathroom and wash you effing hands! I do not have children yet but when I do those are the only boogers I expect to see or be cleaning *shudder*. You-are-welcome...I cleaned your nastiness off the keypad...if I figure out who you are I am so loud capping you in the next meeting!
Did I forget anything? Inner office manners matter...or am I being a royal B for expecting grown ass men AND women to pick up after themselves?!?!?!?
I think I've developed an addiction to Disinfecting Wipes...they've helped me keep my sanity. They are my precious *insane cackling*.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ - Dust It
I received the Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Dust it in my Spring Fever Vox Box to try for free from Influenster.
I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand it definitely gives me some much needed texture and volume but on the other hand my hair still falls a little flat fairly quickly. I have theorized that this is because my hair is long and the weight of my hair causes it to fall. I haven't had much of a chance to test this theory because everyone I know has long hair. I finally was able to test this tonight. I am on a business trip up north. There is still some humidity but not NEARLY as humid as my home town in the summer. I have a co-worker with me with short hair. We both used this product. Her hair stayed voluminous and styled...mine fell flat. It looked good when we left but by the end of dinner (2-3 hours) it just looked like my normal limp long hair again.
Also, it makes my hair feel weird Almost sticky and it gets VERY tangled. So if its windy where you are be mindful because you will end up with a rats nest for hair. I will say that it helps with texture and volume but only for a short while if you have long hair. Even my fine hair is too much weight to keep the shape. I do like that if you need to tease up your hair this product helps A LOT.
I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand it definitely gives me some much needed texture and volume but on the other hand my hair still falls a little flat fairly quickly. I have theorized that this is because my hair is long and the weight of my hair causes it to fall. I haven't had much of a chance to test this theory because everyone I know has long hair. I finally was able to test this tonight. I am on a business trip up north. There is still some humidity but not NEARLY as humid as my home town in the summer. I have a co-worker with me with short hair. We both used this product. Her hair stayed voluminous and styled...mine fell flat. It looked good when we left but by the end of dinner (2-3 hours) it just looked like my normal limp long hair again.
Also, it makes my hair feel weird Almost sticky and it gets VERY tangled. So if its windy where you are be mindful because you will end up with a rats nest for hair. I will say that it helps with texture and volume but only for a short while if you have long hair. Even my fine hair is too much weight to keep the shape. I do like that if you need to tease up your hair this product helps A LOT.
Monday, June 24, 2013
This might be TMI. . .if you are of the male gender I suggest not reading further
Ok so I am clearly female...at least I think its clear. Anyways I suffer from all the normal monthly female issues. Now granted mine are not NEARLY as severe as other women but I have some symptoms none the less. Anyways for years I've been trying to figure out how to aptly describe the different feelings to guys who ask without totally ooging them out. Now that I am married my husband has noticed different things about me and I can't ever quite explain them properly.
As in he's asked "how do you know its "starting"? Like is it all pain, grumpiness, or is it just like oh crap now I need new undies?" Thanks dear for the simplification. So I've told him repeatedly its like right before anything , um well happens, if you are paying attention and are not otherwise distracted you feel like a nudge or a jolt or a feeling like in the pit of your stomach. This just seems to confuse him further because he is thinking like an electric shock or a lightening bolt and that's not what I mean.
Its not always pain (at least not for me...not right away anyway). Well this morning I finally had a comparison. I was awakened out of dead sleep by my body. I kind of jerked but only ever so slightly. The 1st image that popped in my head was when the clocks start in the movie "In Time". When the two main characters are talking about when their "clocks" started what they were doing. The guy says he was walking down the street and it almost knocked him over (that has TOTALLY happened to me before...and then I casually rush to the nearest restroom to prevent any embarrassing moments). The girl says she was sleeping and it woke her up (hmmmm yep).
To make this comparison even more weird...now that I've associated the movie and my...um life...I can picture a clock on my arm. But my clock isn't counting down the years I have left to live...it's counting how many years I have left to potentially have kids. Yep...that's where my brain went. I don't ever think like that. I want to have little ones but I'm not rushing or stressing. Yes, we will have them but somehow my 1/2 asleep sub-conscious decided I should start thinking about it now and unfortunately I cannot get this image out of my head. The whole biological clock thing just took on a whole new meaning o_O.
As in he's asked "how do you know its "starting"? Like is it all pain, grumpiness, or is it just like oh crap now I need new undies?" Thanks dear for the simplification. So I've told him repeatedly its like right before anything , um well happens, if you are paying attention and are not otherwise distracted you feel like a nudge or a jolt or a feeling like in the pit of your stomach. This just seems to confuse him further because he is thinking like an electric shock or a lightening bolt and that's not what I mean.
Its not always pain (at least not for me...not right away anyway). Well this morning I finally had a comparison. I was awakened out of dead sleep by my body. I kind of jerked but only ever so slightly. The 1st image that popped in my head was when the clocks start in the movie "In Time". When the two main characters are talking about when their "clocks" started what they were doing. The guy says he was walking down the street and it almost knocked him over (that has TOTALLY happened to me before...and then I casually rush to the nearest restroom to prevent any embarrassing moments). The girl says she was sleeping and it woke her up (hmmmm yep).
To make this comparison even more weird...now that I've associated the movie and my...um life...I can picture a clock on my arm. But my clock isn't counting down the years I have left to live...it's counting how many years I have left to potentially have kids. Yep...that's where my brain went. I don't ever think like that. I want to have little ones but I'm not rushing or stressing. Yes, we will have them but somehow my 1/2 asleep sub-conscious decided I should start thinking about it now and unfortunately I cannot get this image out of my head. The whole biological clock thing just took on a whole new meaning o_O.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Secret Outlast Clear Gel
I received Secret Outlast Clear Gel in my Spring Vox Box from Influenster to try for free and give my honest opinion.
I have used the outlast gel on a few different occasions. I will say it definitely is great for no white marks. It is one of the few deodorants that did not leave streaks all over my clothing as I was putting it on or throughout the day/night. The scent was refreshing. You could catch a whiff if you moved the right way. I never had problems with odor whenever I wore it. My only issue with it is it went on "wet". As in I felt like I had to hold my arms out and wait for it to dry. Even after it " dried" my underarms felt "sticky". So although I never had white marks or had odor issues, my underarms always felt moist which is just unpleasant.
I have used the outlast gel on a few different occasions. I will say it definitely is great for no white marks. It is one of the few deodorants that did not leave streaks all over my clothing as I was putting it on or throughout the day/night. The scent was refreshing. You could catch a whiff if you moved the right way. I never had problems with odor whenever I wore it. My only issue with it is it went on "wet". As in I felt like I had to hold my arms out and wait for it to dry. Even after it " dried" my underarms felt "sticky". So although I never had white marks or had odor issues, my underarms always felt moist which is just unpleasant.
Kill it, Kill it with Fire!!!
So I am having all kinds of crazy around my home lately! Last night I was outside with my dogs, it was just after the sun set. And I heard a noise like a faint buzz saw or something of that nature. It was a very odd noise but that's the only thing I could associate it with. I was like what the heck is that?! I figured a neighbor was doing some late night DIY project or something.
Flash Forward to this morning...I was again outside with the dogs when I noticed a pile of dirt near one of my stepping stones. I was still a bit bleary eyed so I was like "is that an ant pile? It doesn't look like an ant pile. Is that a hole?! Maybe I should get a closer look." It looked something like the below.
Imagine seeing THAT come out of the ground mere inches from me and my dog. My thoughts "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, kill it with fire!!!!!" Convicts response, a huff and a whine. It looks like some cross between a cricket, some kind of burrowing creature and the bug who cannot be named (ya know the ones I am absolutely terrified of). I swear it looked right at me. I picture my reaction being something like....
Meanwhile convict ran off, sacrificing me to the weird insect that just came out of the ground. Since I didn't have any "Fire" readily available I grabbed the next best thing...a can of wasp spray. I had it out because we are ALWAYS having issues with wasps. If it kills wasps surely it will kill this nightmarish thing. So I sprayed into the burrow...
Feeling very proud of myself for killing the pet of Satan, I did a happy dance...until I looked back at the hole and realized the THING was still alive, bouncing from left to right and was looking at me....*crap crap crap* so I ran inside and admitted defeat.
I Googled what kind of bug it might be and discovered....its called a Mole Cricket...they are VERY common in the South...and they can wreak havoc on your lawn. *sobbing*
I just got my lawn back to pre-flood prettiness. Apparently it is best to catch them early (I am hoping this is the only one but I doubt it). They are most active in the late evening and early morning so that is when you should treat for them because they are near the surface and easier to kill AND they tend to do their "chirping" in their burrow...OMG the "buzz saw"...the "buzz saw" sound last night was the effing cricket!!! Something in my brain was trying to alert me to this new found foe.
So then I looked up how to kill them since clearly wasp spray does not work. I saw the usual granular lawn treatment that includes Mole Cricket prevention. Ok cool, guess what I am buying later. Something caught my eye in one of the results. They have a natural predator *sweet!*. Its a black wasp with a red bum that apparently can only be seen during the brightest hours of the day and can kill the mole cricket by laying a parasitic larvae in it that will feed on the host, eventually killing it BUT it doesn't kill the Mole Cricket babies which are very destructive.
Wait..that wasp looked familiar...why does that look...Uh no...that strange looking wasp I killed yesterday...the reason the wasp spray was out...it was black with a colored body....CRAP!!! I hope there are more...
Sometimes I hate nature :P
Flash Forward to this morning...I was again outside with the dogs when I noticed a pile of dirt near one of my stepping stones. I was still a bit bleary eyed so I was like "is that an ant pile? It doesn't look like an ant pile. Is that a hole?! Maybe I should get a closer look." It looked something like the below.
This is not my picture but I couldn't find any info on the source, sorry.
So as I am bent over looking at this mound I see dirt start moving from the hole...WTH?! Mind you my dog Convict came over to investigate as well. As we stared, completely enthralled as to what this was (I was thinking small furry rodent), this is what emerged...
Photo: http://lepidopteradiary.blogspot.com/2010/04/more-on-mothing.html
I Googled what kind of bug it might be and discovered....its called a Mole Cricket...they are VERY common in the South...and they can wreak havoc on your lawn. *sobbing*
http://alltheragefaces.com/face/sad-crying
I just got my lawn back to pre-flood prettiness. Apparently it is best to catch them early (I am hoping this is the only one but I doubt it). They are most active in the late evening and early morning so that is when you should treat for them because they are near the surface and easier to kill AND they tend to do their "chirping" in their burrow...OMG the "buzz saw"...the "buzz saw" sound last night was the effing cricket!!! Something in my brain was trying to alert me to this new found foe.
So then I looked up how to kill them since clearly wasp spray does not work. I saw the usual granular lawn treatment that includes Mole Cricket prevention. Ok cool, guess what I am buying later. Something caught my eye in one of the results. They have a natural predator *sweet!*. Its a black wasp with a red bum that apparently can only be seen during the brightest hours of the day and can kill the mole cricket by laying a parasitic larvae in it that will feed on the host, eventually killing it BUT it doesn't kill the Mole Cricket babies which are very destructive.
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/larra_wasps.htm
Wait..that wasp looked familiar...why does that look...Uh no...that strange looking wasp I killed yesterday...the reason the wasp spray was out...it was black with a colored body....CRAP!!! I hope there are more...
Sometimes I hate nature :P
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Do dogs have nightmares?
I mean I would assume that is possible since I am 100% certain they dream.
I ask this because around 3:51AM this morning I was awakened by something. My arm was hanging over the side of my bed and I felt something nudging my hand. So I instinctively swatted it away thinking it was one of the animals just being curious. A few seconds later I was nudged again a little more forceful. My brain woke up and I was like "Oh no!!!! One of them is going to be sick or has to go out, quick get up before you have to clean up a mess!!!" I opened my eyes to pitch blackness, I just bought blackout curtains so there is ZERO light coming in from outside. *CRAP* I started saying, "hold on buddy, I'm coming" as I scrambled to find my cell. When the phone lit up my side of the room I saw the most terrified looking dog. His ears were back, his eyes were huge and he was using all of his self control to NOT jump in the bed (they are not allowed in the bed)...he looked so scared. My first thought was when did Convict become Courage the Cowardly Dog....
Christ on a cracker cat, WTH is your problem?!?!?!? She was puffed out, ears back, and making all sorts of weird noises. And as fast as she was there she was gone. Great! Is she hunting something or did she get into the nip again... Well since I was awakened so suddenly I now had to potty... should be a private, relaxing moment...HA not in my house
Oh my God! Can y'all please leave me alone!?!?
So needless to say I really never got back into a good sleep and I am pretty sure my cat spooked the dog. My alarm went off at 6AM and my animals were bright eyed and bushy tailed...I was more droopy eye and frizzy hair *yawn*.
As I was dressing for work my cat came tearing into the room. She skidded to a halt right by my feet and let out the loudest, longest MEOW, I have ever heard from her. Then she turned tail and skittered off *bitch*, its actually really funny because we have tile and it takes her a couple seconds to get traction.
I am hyped up on caffeine at the moment. . . it's going to be a long day. Oh yea and my husband and the older dog SLEPT through all of this!!!!!
I ask this because around 3:51AM this morning I was awakened by something. My arm was hanging over the side of my bed and I felt something nudging my hand. So I instinctively swatted it away thinking it was one of the animals just being curious. A few seconds later I was nudged again a little more forceful. My brain woke up and I was like "Oh no!!!! One of them is going to be sick or has to go out, quick get up before you have to clean up a mess!!!" I opened my eyes to pitch blackness, I just bought blackout curtains so there is ZERO light coming in from outside. *CRAP* I started saying, "hold on buddy, I'm coming" as I scrambled to find my cell. When the phone lit up my side of the room I saw the most terrified looking dog. His ears were back, his eyes were huge and he was using all of his self control to NOT jump in the bed (they are not allowed in the bed)...he looked so scared. My first thought was when did Convict become Courage the Cowardly Dog....
Photo: http://www.funbumperstickers.com/detail.aspx?ID=3806
So I sat up and started petting him. "what's wrong buddy??? It's okay. Come on, lay down. Lets go back to sleep." Every time my phone light would go off he would shove his head into my hand...when I turned it back on he relaxed. This went on for what seemed like an eternity!!! He moved away from me so I figured we were done. I got all comfy laying on my side *ahhh relax* when suddenly I felt like I was being watched. . . . I clicked my phone light on and saw a face on the edge of my bed...
Holy crap dog, what is your deal. He whined and whimpered and huffed so I pet him again. Poor dog looked frazzled. I had to get out of bed and sit on the floor on his bed until he got all comfy. Then I was FINALLY able to go to sleep...except I couldn't...all I could think of was what the heck could have scared Mr. Daredevil like that...what is in my room...is it a huge bug who cannot be named...is it a ghost...maybe he had a nightmare...do dogs have nightmares...wonder what kind of nightmare he had...I think you see where this is going. My brain was going a mile a minute...guess I'm never gong back to sleep.
I have no idea how long I laid there but I finally started to drift into dreamland. *bang, bang bang, skitter skitter, hiss, bang bang* WTF I'm up, I'm up. Something jumps on top of my chest *ahhhhh*, I clicked on my phone
So needless to say I really never got back into a good sleep and I am pretty sure my cat spooked the dog. My alarm went off at 6AM and my animals were bright eyed and bushy tailed...I was more droopy eye and frizzy hair *yawn*.
As I was dressing for work my cat came tearing into the room. She skidded to a halt right by my feet and let out the loudest, longest MEOW, I have ever heard from her. Then she turned tail and skittered off *bitch*, its actually really funny because we have tile and it takes her a couple seconds to get traction.
I am hyped up on caffeine at the moment. . . it's going to be a long day. Oh yea and my husband and the older dog SLEPT through all of this!!!!!
Monday, June 17, 2013
Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure
I received the Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure set free from Influenster in my Spring Vox Box. They are a great shade of purple (my fav color) called Joyride. I love having pretty painted nails but I don't always have time to give myself a proper manicure. This idea of these nails seems like an ideal solution.
I followed the directions picking out sizes and cleaning my nails with the included pad before applying. The nails are very pretty, a flattering color (its a deep purple), and are very easy to apply. My issues...where shall I start...well they felt fake. Like when I was typing with them on; I did not have faith that they would stay intact, they felt moveable. But for about 3 days they didn't move so that was good. Second issue is I have very petite hands which means tiny narrow, long nails. This means even the smaller ones look abnormal on my little fingers. They are a little too wide for me. And they are insanely short. I had to cut my real nails down to the skin area so they wouldn't show above the inPRESS nail. Also, they constantly tangled in my hair, which my hair is long so it was quite frustrating. But they looked very pretty and I loved the color.
Moving on. I put them on, on Friday...Monday night my one on my left middle finger popped off. I wasn't doing anything just stirring pasta. Maybe the heat affected it. Once it was off there was no getting it back on. But because I really liked them and the missing one was a conversation starter I decided to leave them on a little longer. Thursday Morning, so 6 days in, the left index popped off. *another one bites the dust* guess its time to take them off.
So my thoughts on them. They are cute and easy and not very expensive. I would totally purchase them again for a special occasion. Unless you never do dishes, clean, fix your hair, cook, whatever they will not last 7-14 days. But for 5.99-7.99 you can't beat them.
I followed the directions picking out sizes and cleaning my nails with the included pad before applying. The nails are very pretty, a flattering color (its a deep purple), and are very easy to apply. My issues...where shall I start...well they felt fake. Like when I was typing with them on; I did not have faith that they would stay intact, they felt moveable. But for about 3 days they didn't move so that was good. Second issue is I have very petite hands which means tiny narrow, long nails. This means even the smaller ones look abnormal on my little fingers. They are a little too wide for me. And they are insanely short. I had to cut my real nails down to the skin area so they wouldn't show above the inPRESS nail. Also, they constantly tangled in my hair, which my hair is long so it was quite frustrating. But they looked very pretty and I loved the color.
So my thoughts on them. They are cute and easy and not very expensive. I would totally purchase them again for a special occasion. Unless you never do dishes, clean, fix your hair, cook, whatever they will not last 7-14 days. But for 5.99-7.99 you can't beat them.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Pennington® Smart Feed™ Sprayer System
I received the Pennington® Smart Feed™ Sprayer System because I am a BzzAgent and I get to try things out for free as long as I give my honest opinion of how it works.
A few weeks ago after receiving my BzzKit I tried out my cool new sprayer system. My garden having been through a major flood looks a little rough. Now that I have time to work on it I weeded it, did some hedging, planted some new plants and wanted to fertilize it properly to give it that extra boost. My initial experience was not pleasant. After hooking the sprayer up to my hose I turned the water on and got sprayed with water and possibly fertilizer I'm not sure. I immediately turned it off thinking I hooked it up wrong but I could see no issues. I detached it and reattached it hoping that would fix it. It only made it worse. When the water got me a second time I screeched because the water was a little chilly. I decided not to waste the pellets I had in the canister and fertilize the garden anyway. By the time I was done I looked like I just went swimming and I am not certain how well the fertilizer was dispersed in my garden.
After a few days under direction from BzzAgent I contacted Pennington to tell them about the defective sprayer. The lady I spoke with was extremely helpful. She asked numerous questions about what happened. I relayed my story and she apologized. I told her I was a BzzAgent and that I was trying to review it but I can't give an accurate review because it didn't work correctly. She made notes of how the defective one looked and what it did. She then said she would ship me a new sprayer and more product because it probably didn't disperse correctly.
Flash forward to today. I was finally able to use my replacement sprayer system. To my pleasure the new sprayer worked perfectly. It didn't soak me and it dispersed the product evenly. I am definitely pleased with the ease of use. It used minimal water and let me feed my whole front garden in about 10 minutes. I think now that it was done properly I will see the results I want.
Monday, May 13, 2013
I looked like the crazy cat lady that tried go out in public and was terribly unsuccessful at dressing herself...
So the last few weeks at work have been stressful! We had a major project with one of larger customers. Like the type of project that if they would have had to do it themselves they would have just said "Eff it I'm quitting". We are talking about days, upon days of tedious organizing and double and triple checking things. Just plain ol' boring shtuff.
So over the course of 2 weeks we collected and separated and alphabatized all of this crapola. And Friday, glorious Friday we finished. Alleluia was sung, angels trumpeted, I may have orgasmed...who knows. Point being it was done, thank tha lord! So today being the bubbly bright little worker I am, I went to deliver the goods to our customer, to make nicey and make sure they knew we took care of all the hard work.
I showed up this morning all excited to finally be rid of this. I had a bounce in my step and was just beaming. So as I drove to the customer's office I sang my little heart out in the car and felt like I was Queen of the World! When I pulled up my first dilemma happened. This box probably weighs 1/2 as much as me and I have to get it out of my trunk, across the parking lot and up the stairs. Hmmmmm, I can do this. . . I carry small children for short periods of time...this should be easy peasy.
Bwahahahaha, I remember why I am not Mrs. Optimism...because THE law always wins out...whatever can go wrong, will go wrong and I will be a hot mess! So there I am pulling a giant rectangle, that weighs more than my 6 years old "niece", out of my little car. I finally get it out....but am having issues balancing it on my leg while I try to close the trunk and not drop everything and trying to not flash the world because well....that is a possibility when you are wearing a skirt. In hindsight my adorable outfit may not have been the best choice to wear today. Moving on, I'm also trying not to touch the trunk because...well because my car is filthy and I have on a pretty black skirt. I managed to do this somehow only to be greeted with the reality that the ginormous parking lot is gravel and I'm in heels. *Oh my God what was I thinking dressing like this?!* I slowly made my way across the parking lot on wobbly ankles that threatened to twist with every step. I looked like a baby deer taking its first steps on hot lava rocks. By the time was about 1/2 way I was perspiring, which is southern girl for "sweating my @$$ off", but luckily some LARGE kind fellow realized my struggles and came to my rescue. "Alleluia, there is a God" and he likes to watch me in socially awkward situations that make me have near mental breakdowns in public. My Good Samaritan hoisted the box up over his massive belly and in doing so I heard the contents inside the box shift. *queue nervous laughter* "Excuse me sir, thanks for the help but please please please be careful with that. The contents are in a particular order and I'd hate for them to get mixed up." He says "I got this lady" with the biggest Teddy Bear smile.... *hahahaha ok, ok...ok ...it'll be fine....hahahaha*
With each painful step I hear the contents shift in the box. It is like nails on a freakin chalkboard! I am trying my hardest not to be a royal bitch but he is just nonchalantly carrying the box. *silent scream, silent screeeeeeaaaaaaammmmmm* I made another comment about being careful and this time he just flat out ignored me...then....hahahah then....he said "naw baby, I'm helping a sweet little white girl carry something". *holy shiitake this mother effer is on the phone....hey hey hey sir...'scuse me....AHHHHHH*. I felt like a little gnat trying to warn and unsuspecting Giraffe there was a lioness about to eat his @$$.
NOLAGurl translation - "big mother effer is totally ignoring me and there is NOTHING I can do to get his flipping attention while he destroys 2 weeks worth of HARD WORK!"
So we go up the stairs *slosh, slosh, slosh goes the inside of the box*. I am a jittery mess of nerves with a nervous giggle and am just utterly frustrated at this point. We get to my final destination and he puts my box down and bolts before I can even utter a half-hearted "Thank You". Guess "baby" was tired of being ignored :P. I frantically open the box to see the damage as my customer comes out of his office to greet me. I must have looked like death because before he can even say hello, his smile fades and he says "are you OK?". *hahaha sure, I'm fine. two weeks of organizing undone in a mere second. hahaahah sure sure sure, I am fine, twitch twitch* I managed to say "sure, I am great. Its just extremely warm out there and I wanted to make sure I brought everything *insert the most reassuring smile I can muster (which probably looked fairly demented)* Thankfully my customer is about my age and VERY laid back and just started laughing and asked if his hulking worker messed anything up. Finally releasing the breath I didn't realize I was holding, I kinda laughed. I checked the contents and it was only slightly askew...easily fixed *whew*. Then....hahahha....then I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirrored window...I looked like the crazy cat lady that tried go out in public and was terribly unsuccessful at dressing herself. Ok maybe not that bad but my skirt had a nice size dust smudge from the box I guess...I had a sweat mark on my side (which you could only see when I raised my arm but STILL)....my hair was unbelievably windblown (a MESS!) with a random piece stuck on my lip (how did I not notice that?!)....and I still had my nervous fake smile. Oh for F****s sake! So as I was rambling I tried to casually dust my skirt, smooth my hair (without raising my arms too much) and not look so frazzled! Then he walked me out and I was like well that ended better than I thought *breathes sigh of relief*.
After returning to my office I was all chipper and relaxed, until I went to the restroom...as I was leaving something caught my eye in the mirror...I had a giant gray dust mark across my @$$! Like two perfect circles...one on each cheek. I guess when I hoisted the box away from my vehicle I leaned back against it for balance...It was like a beacon saying "please stare at my bootay". I was like "geez why didn't so and so say that was there?!?" Then I was like yea right, like he'd say ANYTHING....that would be like totally admitting he was staring at my butt....which is probably exactly what he was doing as we left!
So that's my adventure for today, hope I made you smile!
So over the course of 2 weeks we collected and separated and alphabatized all of this crapola. And Friday, glorious Friday we finished. Alleluia was sung, angels trumpeted, I may have orgasmed...who knows. Point being it was done, thank tha lord! So today being the bubbly bright little worker I am, I went to deliver the goods to our customer, to make nicey and make sure they knew we took care of all the hard work.
I showed up this morning all excited to finally be rid of this. I had a bounce in my step and was just beaming. So as I drove to the customer's office I sang my little heart out in the car and felt like I was Queen of the World! When I pulled up my first dilemma happened. This box probably weighs 1/2 as much as me and I have to get it out of my trunk, across the parking lot and up the stairs. Hmmmmm, I can do this. . . I carry small children for short periods of time...this should be easy peasy.
Bwahahahaha, I remember why I am not Mrs. Optimism...because THE law always wins out...whatever can go wrong, will go wrong and I will be a hot mess! So there I am pulling a giant rectangle, that weighs more than my 6 years old "niece", out of my little car. I finally get it out....but am having issues balancing it on my leg while I try to close the trunk and not drop everything and trying to not flash the world because well....that is a possibility when you are wearing a skirt. In hindsight my adorable outfit may not have been the best choice to wear today. Moving on, I'm also trying not to touch the trunk because...well because my car is filthy and I have on a pretty black skirt. I managed to do this somehow only to be greeted with the reality that the ginormous parking lot is gravel and I'm in heels. *Oh my God what was I thinking dressing like this?!* I slowly made my way across the parking lot on wobbly ankles that threatened to twist with every step. I looked like a baby deer taking its first steps on hot lava rocks. By the time was about 1/2 way I was perspiring, which is southern girl for "sweating my @$$ off", but luckily some LARGE kind fellow realized my struggles and came to my rescue. "Alleluia, there is a God" and he likes to watch me in socially awkward situations that make me have near mental breakdowns in public. My Good Samaritan hoisted the box up over his massive belly and in doing so I heard the contents inside the box shift. *queue nervous laughter* "Excuse me sir, thanks for the help but please please please be careful with that. The contents are in a particular order and I'd hate for them to get mixed up." He says "I got this lady" with the biggest Teddy Bear smile.... *hahahaha ok, ok...ok ...it'll be fine....hahahaha*
With each painful step I hear the contents shift in the box. It is like nails on a freakin chalkboard! I am trying my hardest not to be a royal bitch but he is just nonchalantly carrying the box. *silent scream, silent screeeeeeaaaaaaammmmmm* I made another comment about being careful and this time he just flat out ignored me...then....hahahah then....he said "naw baby, I'm helping a sweet little white girl carry something". *holy shiitake this mother effer is on the phone....hey hey hey sir...'scuse me....AHHHHHH*. I felt like a little gnat trying to warn and unsuspecting Giraffe there was a lioness about to eat his @$$.
NOLAGurl translation - "big mother effer is totally ignoring me and there is NOTHING I can do to get his flipping attention while he destroys 2 weeks worth of HARD WORK!"
So we go up the stairs *slosh, slosh, slosh goes the inside of the box*. I am a jittery mess of nerves with a nervous giggle and am just utterly frustrated at this point. We get to my final destination and he puts my box down and bolts before I can even utter a half-hearted "Thank You". Guess "baby" was tired of being ignored :P. I frantically open the box to see the damage as my customer comes out of his office to greet me. I must have looked like death because before he can even say hello, his smile fades and he says "are you OK?". *hahaha sure, I'm fine. two weeks of organizing undone in a mere second. hahaahah sure sure sure, I am fine, twitch twitch* I managed to say "sure, I am great. Its just extremely warm out there and I wanted to make sure I brought everything *insert the most reassuring smile I can muster (which probably looked fairly demented)* Thankfully my customer is about my age and VERY laid back and just started laughing and asked if his hulking worker messed anything up. Finally releasing the breath I didn't realize I was holding, I kinda laughed. I checked the contents and it was only slightly askew...easily fixed *whew*. Then....hahahha....then I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirrored window...I looked like the crazy cat lady that tried go out in public and was terribly unsuccessful at dressing herself. Ok maybe not that bad but my skirt had a nice size dust smudge from the box I guess...I had a sweat mark on my side (which you could only see when I raised my arm but STILL)....my hair was unbelievably windblown (a MESS!) with a random piece stuck on my lip (how did I not notice that?!)....and I still had my nervous fake smile. Oh for F****s sake! So as I was rambling I tried to casually dust my skirt, smooth my hair (without raising my arms too much) and not look so frazzled! Then he walked me out and I was like well that ended better than I thought *breathes sigh of relief*.
After returning to my office I was all chipper and relaxed, until I went to the restroom...as I was leaving something caught my eye in the mirror...I had a giant gray dust mark across my @$$! Like two perfect circles...one on each cheek. I guess when I hoisted the box away from my vehicle I leaned back against it for balance...It was like a beacon saying "please stare at my bootay". I was like "geez why didn't so and so say that was there?!?" Then I was like yea right, like he'd say ANYTHING....that would be like totally admitting he was staring at my butt....which is probably exactly what he was doing as we left!
So that's my adventure for today, hope I made you smile!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
When did it become not "OK" to be yourself. . .
. . . oh right, its never been "OK" to be yourself. Especially if that self is not in line with what others think is "cool" or acceptable
I can't believe I actually just said that. I mean I am by no means in High School, yet I am experiencing and observing grown @$$ people (yes I said grown @$$) treating others poorly because they are different. Shouldn't we have all learned, possibly in Kindergarten, that being different isn't necessarily bad??? We are all important! I know, I know it is said that people are predispositioned to be wary of anything they don't understand. I just thought with all of the advancements and knowledge we have now that maybe, just maybe we were outgrowing this barbaric attitude. Wow am I wrong, and I hate being wrong.
I am not putting all persons in this category but there are many more than I'd like to admit that fit into this group. I was never one to be bullied back in the day. I wasn't a "cool" person but I wasn't a "nerd". I liked what I liked and no one hated on me for it. Actually, I had lots of friends of all shapes, sizes and interests. I enjoyed science, I was good at math, I had good grades and I was in many extra-curricular activities and I loved Star Trek (shush). I went to college, I partied and I managed to get a degree. My point is, aside from all this "normalcy" I've always been drawn towards things considered "nerdy" but I've never really been ousted because of those interests. I knew of others that were ousted but I myself never truly experienced it and I tried my darnedest to not be associated with those that were so harshly judgmental. Actually I made more of an effort to befriend those being persecuted to let them know they weren't alone. I wasn't always successful but I did try to be the better person.
Flash forward a sum of years. . . some of those that were hurt back in the day have become the persecutors. Again let me say...NOT ALL...but the reversal is astonishing. People who know what its like to be an outcast for liking something different or being nerdy are the ones dishing out the judgement. And then of course there are the others that never quite grew out of the "I'm cooler than you phase".
Why am I ranting, you may ask. Well because as I get older I am not hiding what I like. Not that I really hid it before but I guess to an extent I did around certain people. Regardless, I am still me. I still love science, I'm still decent at math, I watch Sci-Fi shows & read fantasy novels and I still make friends with almost everyone (I don't hold against you for who you are, what you like, who you like or what you believe). But as of late I have been criticized for being like this. I'm too nice, I'm too agreeable and I don't "like the right things" or say the right things or even like the right people. Basically I am being told I need to grow up and be an adult. And I've watched others in various aspects of my life change themselves so that they aren't bullied for being different. But since when is being passionate about...well anything...being childish. Yes I obsess a little over fictional characters and situations but I am fully aware that they are in fact fictional and it does not actually affect my reality. Its my escape from a normal world. Yes, I have a really good life. I do, I am blessed so they say but sometimes you need an escape and that's what these "nerdy" things are for me...an escape. A time where I don't have to think about money or work or cleaning the house. I get to travel in time as a companion, hang out with supernatural creatures, be the heroine and fail miserably. There are lessons in all these stories. . .accept people for who they are because they are important and they accept you for who you are with all of your flaws and desires. What makes my likes and wants any less important than yours? So I am passionate about science and fiction. . . you are passionate about sports or maybe fashion or maybe reality TV or maybe you like playing marbles with glass eyeballs....While I do love me some sports and I dress to impress (sometimes), I am not an huge fan of reality TV. It annoys me to no end but ya know what if you like it, more power to you. The glass eyeballs is a little odd but hey whatever floats your boat. My point is I'm not going to stop liking you because you enjoy something I don't (unless it involves bestiality, murder, torture, etc. . . in that case I think there is a nice padded room with your name on it). . . so don't criticize me for my passions, please.
My lesson to my future little ones and any little ones that look up to me will always be don't change yourself because you don't fit in someone's mold. There is no cookie cutter way to be . . . if there was there wouldn't be any individuals just a mass of the same, like I don't know...like algae...hell even algae varies a little. Just be you and if they don't like you for being you than they do not deserve your friendship or love. Okay rant over. . . closing with some words of wisdom.
One of my favorite quotes from a fictional and flawed hero "Nobody important. Blimey, that's amazing. Did you know that in 900 years of time and space I've never met someone who wasn't important before?" ~The Doctor
This doesn't just apply to my nerdy side. . .this applies to people who are different in ANY way. We are all important damn it! :)
Thursday, March 28, 2013
I think I spooked myself. . .
Ok so I am now home, right? Well like the day before we moved my hubs and I were cleaning alone, at night in our empty home. We took a break to eat and while we were talking in the kitchen we heard something fall in the back of the house. It scared the crap out of us, since there is really nothing in here that could fall! We did rock, paper, scissors to see who got to investigate. . . I lost. As I'm walking down the hall to the back there was a loud noise like something fell in the room I was passing. I screamed, my hubs came running and we started joking about ghosts. We both watch shows like Supernatural, Ghost Hunters and other such shows. So hubs being the silly childman he is said "if there is someone here with us knock three times" and started laughing. We continued our search and as we peeked into the hall bathroom we heard another noise that sounded like a knock. We both got the frissons. So he said "we were talking knock again", immediately there was a noise in the wall right next to me. I freaked out and we decided to leave.
We moved in and a day or so later found out we had a sewage line break/blockage which from what I've been told can cause "knocking" in the pipes due to trapped air/gas or something like that. Ahhhhh ok our ghost was a sewer issue. Mystery solved.
A few days later I was home alone and kept hearing a noise. It was like rustling paper but there were no fans on and the a/c heater was off. I searched around but couldn't find anything. Then it stopped so whatever, right. And here and there I would here stuff over the next few days. You know like something fell but I've been attributing it to a messy house and a curious kitty.
Tonight I am sitting on my couch watching "the woman in black". Well it's a very jumpy movie so I was already a little tense lounging on my couch. When suddenly a stuffed "screaming monkey" doll, started screeching as if someone slammed it. The reason I am a bit wigged out is that monkey hasn't worked in quite sometime and its just hanging on a lamp...on the other side of the room...and no animals were near it. I squeaked, my cat puffed out like a pipe cleaner and one of the dogs growled.
So as I type this I am a ball of anxiety. I am wondering if a playful spirit has taken residence since we were gone for 6 months or maybe I'm insane. Maybe we will never know. So here I sit...alone...watching Fright Night because apparently I don't ever want to sleep again.
Hopefully, I don't had anymore suspicious happenings tonight.
We moved in and a day or so later found out we had a sewage line break/blockage which from what I've been told can cause "knocking" in the pipes due to trapped air/gas or something like that. Ahhhhh ok our ghost was a sewer issue. Mystery solved.
A few days later I was home alone and kept hearing a noise. It was like rustling paper but there were no fans on and the a/c heater was off. I searched around but couldn't find anything. Then it stopped so whatever, right. And here and there I would here stuff over the next few days. You know like something fell but I've been attributing it to a messy house and a curious kitty.
Tonight I am sitting on my couch watching "the woman in black". Well it's a very jumpy movie so I was already a little tense lounging on my couch. When suddenly a stuffed "screaming monkey" doll, started screeching as if someone slammed it. The reason I am a bit wigged out is that monkey hasn't worked in quite sometime and its just hanging on a lamp...on the other side of the room...and no animals were near it. I squeaked, my cat puffed out like a pipe cleaner and one of the dogs growled.
So as I type this I am a ball of anxiety. I am wondering if a playful spirit has taken residence since we were gone for 6 months or maybe I'm insane. Maybe we will never know. So here I sit...alone...watching Fright Night because apparently I don't ever want to sleep again.
Hopefully, I don't had anymore suspicious happenings tonight.
Monday, March 18, 2013
I clicked my heels and said over & over. . .
. . .there's no place like home, there's no place like home.
Then six months and eight days later someone heard me and said "Oh my bad, go home gurl!". Yes that's right I am home...so weird to say but I am finally back in my house. It was a nightmare of a process and I know there are many others that are still fighting the good fight but I made it to round 6, TKO...mortgage company went down and I am no longer homeless.
Now all I have to do is make it more homey. I dust daily and there is still a layer of Sheetrock dust on everything (ah the joys of remodeling :P). I swear I empty one box and turn around and there are 3 more. How are they multiplying?! I didn't know my Lowe's boxes were capable of reproduction. That and my personal items seem to have expanded as well. I guess they had nothing else to do in the storage unit except make more of themselves. With that said I am going to have one heck of a haul to Goodwill because all this crap is not coming back in...only the necessities.
We decided to go with all tile...no carpet. Which is awesome because our fur babies shed like there is no tomorrow. But holy cold floor Batman! I swear our house is 10 degrees cooler which in the summer will be awesome but right now I am on a mission to find my slippers, burr! We will also be purchasing a few area rugs but we are loving the no carpet thing.
I am still having one minor fight. The individual that is still on the loan (which will change as soon as I can refinance) is giving me a migraine. He is refusing to sign the final check saying he wants proof of work done. As in detailed invoices from my contractor. The only reason I can see him wanting this is because he plans on keeping some of the final check so he can profit off of my loss. What a douche! As long as the house is repaired and actually better than is was before. . . what is the big deal. I am not making a profit. I depleted my savings so that I could get the work completed. Otherwise the final check would have taken forever and my contractor would have stopped work and I would not be home yet. I told him this in a few more words and he stopped replying. I have no idea what that means. He is not entitled to the check. I paid for the insurance, I live there, I handled all the BS and I have a gaping hole in my savings. I'm talking like a $8,000 hole in there. This is like my life so far savings (so 30 years of saving, whatever). Its only fair that the $8,000 be put back in there...right. And whatever is left is going to the stupid sewage problem we recently had fixed, a new fence, new exterior doors and painting the exterior. Oh and part of it is going to the Aunt and Uncle that let us live in their condo for FREE for 6 months. They are still paying the mortgage and didn't charge us a dime. I think we owe them something!
So I guess I am still fighting the good fight, my opponent just changed back to the one I've been fighting since 2007.
Then six months and eight days later someone heard me and said "Oh my bad, go home gurl!". Yes that's right I am home...so weird to say but I am finally back in my house. It was a nightmare of a process and I know there are many others that are still fighting the good fight but I made it to round 6, TKO...mortgage company went down and I am no longer homeless.
Now all I have to do is make it more homey. I dust daily and there is still a layer of Sheetrock dust on everything (ah the joys of remodeling :P). I swear I empty one box and turn around and there are 3 more. How are they multiplying?! I didn't know my Lowe's boxes were capable of reproduction. That and my personal items seem to have expanded as well. I guess they had nothing else to do in the storage unit except make more of themselves. With that said I am going to have one heck of a haul to Goodwill because all this crap is not coming back in...only the necessities.
We decided to go with all tile...no carpet. Which is awesome because our fur babies shed like there is no tomorrow. But holy cold floor Batman! I swear our house is 10 degrees cooler which in the summer will be awesome but right now I am on a mission to find my slippers, burr! We will also be purchasing a few area rugs but we are loving the no carpet thing.
I am still having one minor fight. The individual that is still on the loan (which will change as soon as I can refinance) is giving me a migraine. He is refusing to sign the final check saying he wants proof of work done. As in detailed invoices from my contractor. The only reason I can see him wanting this is because he plans on keeping some of the final check so he can profit off of my loss. What a douche! As long as the house is repaired and actually better than is was before. . . what is the big deal. I am not making a profit. I depleted my savings so that I could get the work completed. Otherwise the final check would have taken forever and my contractor would have stopped work and I would not be home yet. I told him this in a few more words and he stopped replying. I have no idea what that means. He is not entitled to the check. I paid for the insurance, I live there, I handled all the BS and I have a gaping hole in my savings. I'm talking like a $8,000 hole in there. This is like my life so far savings (so 30 years of saving, whatever). Its only fair that the $8,000 be put back in there...right. And whatever is left is going to the stupid sewage problem we recently had fixed, a new fence, new exterior doors and painting the exterior. Oh and part of it is going to the Aunt and Uncle that let us live in their condo for FREE for 6 months. They are still paying the mortgage and didn't charge us a dime. I think we owe them something!
So I guess I am still fighting the good fight, my opponent just changed back to the one I've been fighting since 2007.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
That was NOT Alex Cross!!!
I hate when movies BASED ON BOOKS stray so far from the story that you wonder why they even bother to connect it to the book.
Okay, if you know anything about me, you know I am an avid reader. A good portion of my free time is spent reading various genres. Once such genres is Crime/Mystery. I have read every Alex Cross book and am waiting (not patiently) to be able to justify buying Alex Cross, Run. Since I enjoyed watching the Kiss the Girls movie and Along came a Spider, I figured this one being supervised by Mr. Patterson would be at least good.
Side Note - Morgan Freeman is not how I picture my favorite Psychologist/Detective/FBI Agent but I like him as an actor and thought he did a pretty decent job of representing the idea of Dr. Cross.
When I heard who they cast as Alex, I was leery but I gave him a chance. He still didn't come close to the image my mind created. . . Alex is slender but muscular...he's tall...he's sexy and he's suave...not to mention he is a freaking genius!
The scene opens, they are chasing a perp through a warehouse...exciting. Yea no...it looked like Dr Cross was about to have a heart attack from running. Look I like Tyler Perry but he just isn't the right actor for the role. Then the movie went on and I spent 75% of it trying to figure out which book they were trying to portray. Apparently its supposed to be based on the book named "Cross" and it was so far from the book it wasn't even funny.
Where to start...oh I dunno lets start with it takes place in Detroit...DETROIT!!! Alex Cross lives in D.C., he has always lived in D.C. And in Cross the book he is leaving the FBI where in the movie he is about to leave the police to join the FBI. Then there is the whole his wife Maria is alive and she is preggars with little Alex. Then she is killed by Picasso. Yes in the book there are flashbacks to Maria but she isn't alive. Its a flashback. . . Maria is dead when the first book comes out. He is a single father living with Nana Mama and raising his 2 older kids. Then he meets Christine and SHE has little Alex and gives him to Alex to raise because she cannot. Plus while in the movie Picasso is a bit disturbing and Matthew Fox did a decent job of portraying that but its not the same killer in the book. The villain in the book is The Butcher who is just royally f****d up and there are unsolved rapes...and the girls are sometimes left alive but won't speak of said rapes. And it all somehow links to Maria, sort of. It seems like a whole different thought process. Also, Perry just didn't make me believe he was a crime solving genius. He's more of a funny man, which Alex is not. Yes he is quick witted but not like what Perry depicted. Oh and don't forget another pet peeve...John Sampson is his childhood BFF...not Tommy whatever. Unless I missed something. I may have to re-read and make sure. While the books I don't think even say Sampson is black, they elude to him being as tall as Alex and more muscular...not exactly what they showed in the movie. One more thing, Nana Mama in the books is Alex's grandmother...in the movie it seems the elude that she is his mother. But part of Alex's personality is created because he was raised by Nana Mama instead of his mother. I know its difficult to fit a whole novel in 2 hours but its almost like they didn't even try. I thought previous Alex Cross movies paid enough homage to the original stories. I mean I saw Kiss the Girls before I read the book and Casanova scared the living daylights out of me.
So if you've never read an Alex Cross novel the movie isn't bad. . . its not great but it's watchable. Honestly they probably could have shown a better representation of Patterson's famous detective if they would have just made this rated R. I know they were trying to pull in more audience but the Cross series villains are disturbing to say the least. To water it down to PG-13 just takes away the suspense created in the stories. Alex Cross the movie is more of a high level summary pulled from various books. And to be honest, its not done very well. It's very choppy and doesn't always make sense, leaving the consumer wondering why they are even wasting their time. If you have read any Alex Cross books DO NOT WATCH THIS! You will be fuming by the end. Like I said, this is not my Alex Cross.
Okay, if you know anything about me, you know I am an avid reader. A good portion of my free time is spent reading various genres. Once such genres is Crime/Mystery. I have read every Alex Cross book and am waiting (not patiently) to be able to justify buying Alex Cross, Run. Since I enjoyed watching the Kiss the Girls movie and Along came a Spider, I figured this one being supervised by Mr. Patterson would be at least good.
Side Note - Morgan Freeman is not how I picture my favorite Psychologist/Detective/FBI Agent but I like him as an actor and thought he did a pretty decent job of representing the idea of Dr. Cross.
When I heard who they cast as Alex, I was leery but I gave him a chance. He still didn't come close to the image my mind created. . . Alex is slender but muscular...he's tall...he's sexy and he's suave...not to mention he is a freaking genius!
The scene opens, they are chasing a perp through a warehouse...exciting. Yea no...it looked like Dr Cross was about to have a heart attack from running. Look I like Tyler Perry but he just isn't the right actor for the role. Then the movie went on and I spent 75% of it trying to figure out which book they were trying to portray. Apparently its supposed to be based on the book named "Cross" and it was so far from the book it wasn't even funny.
Where to start...oh I dunno lets start with it takes place in Detroit...DETROIT!!! Alex Cross lives in D.C., he has always lived in D.C. And in Cross the book he is leaving the FBI where in the movie he is about to leave the police to join the FBI. Then there is the whole his wife Maria is alive and she is preggars with little Alex. Then she is killed by Picasso. Yes in the book there are flashbacks to Maria but she isn't alive. Its a flashback. . . Maria is dead when the first book comes out. He is a single father living with Nana Mama and raising his 2 older kids. Then he meets Christine and SHE has little Alex and gives him to Alex to raise because she cannot. Plus while in the movie Picasso is a bit disturbing and Matthew Fox did a decent job of portraying that but its not the same killer in the book. The villain in the book is The Butcher who is just royally f****d up and there are unsolved rapes...and the girls are sometimes left alive but won't speak of said rapes. And it all somehow links to Maria, sort of. It seems like a whole different thought process. Also, Perry just didn't make me believe he was a crime solving genius. He's more of a funny man, which Alex is not. Yes he is quick witted but not like what Perry depicted. Oh and don't forget another pet peeve...John Sampson is his childhood BFF...not Tommy whatever. Unless I missed something. I may have to re-read and make sure. While the books I don't think even say Sampson is black, they elude to him being as tall as Alex and more muscular...not exactly what they showed in the movie. One more thing, Nana Mama in the books is Alex's grandmother...in the movie it seems the elude that she is his mother. But part of Alex's personality is created because he was raised by Nana Mama instead of his mother. I know its difficult to fit a whole novel in 2 hours but its almost like they didn't even try. I thought previous Alex Cross movies paid enough homage to the original stories. I mean I saw Kiss the Girls before I read the book and Casanova scared the living daylights out of me.
So if you've never read an Alex Cross novel the movie isn't bad. . . its not great but it's watchable. Honestly they probably could have shown a better representation of Patterson's famous detective if they would have just made this rated R. I know they were trying to pull in more audience but the Cross series villains are disturbing to say the least. To water it down to PG-13 just takes away the suspense created in the stories. Alex Cross the movie is more of a high level summary pulled from various books. And to be honest, its not done very well. It's very choppy and doesn't always make sense, leaving the consumer wondering why they are even wasting their time. If you have read any Alex Cross books DO NOT WATCH THIS! You will be fuming by the end. Like I said, this is not my Alex Cross.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Do you ever want to ask...
...if some people ate paint chips as a child?!? Or wonder if people actually think ...ever.
So here's the deal, a hurricane destroyed my house back in August. As of today I am still not back in said house. Why you may ask...well gee where to start? I have fought with so many people I can't even begin to explain my level of frustration. So I will highlight the two main issues for you. I did everything right...I swear! The day after the flood, still sitting in my ravaged home with bugs and worms crawling on my muddy floor, I called my flood insurance company and my car insurance company (BRAND NEW car flooded too) and made claims. Both were very quick to respond and I had a wonderful feeling that things would get back to normal soon. Boy was I wrong!
I was the second appointment for my home adjuster. The 2nd out of a hundred or so...I was number TWO. And he was an idiot. I'm not exaggerating, he turned out to be an utter moron and that is putting it ridiculously nice. Not only did he not take enough pictures because he "didn't want to go digging in another persons personal stuff" but he also started from the top of his stack of claims. As in the persons who were seen last were assisted first. Makes sense right? I mean being an adjuster you surely don't want to open any cabinets or closets and see what sat in water, no that would be an invasion of privacy. And that person you saw four days after the storm, sure they can wait a MONTH for you to finally get to their claim. Now I didn't just sit back and take this, I complained and fussed and lamented until someone higher than moron called me back and got things going for me. Finally progress, sweet victory you are mine. And then the bottom fell out and I had yet another mental breakdown of sorts. You see after supplying pictures of things he didn't take pictures of and submitting my list of contents not once but twice because his "computer deleted my other emails", I got checks. A mere 3 months after the storm...I should be excited right. . . WRONG, the big check, the one we need to start repairs was made out to a mortgage company I have never done business with in the 7 years I have lived in my home. So begins the process of getting all that corrected...in the midst of Thanksgiving holidays, just shoot me now.
Moving on, in the thick of all of that I was contacting my REAL mortgage company trying to find out what processes I need to go through with them. They said they will send a packet and I need to return it with the check, etc etc etc. That was 11/5. I get a new check at the beginning of December, whoohoo. I called the mortgage company as instructed previously and asked why I never got that packet. Wait for it. . .they sent it to the WRONG address. I'm sorry you "own" the loan on my residence and you don't know the correct address, oh this should be fun. I get the packet (well over a week later). I fill it out, sign everything, get the proper pages notarized and send it certified mail back to them before mid month, all while dealing with Christmas stuff, family parties, friends in from out of town and my husbands grad school graduation. I am super woman. They cash the check but I hear crickets. . . no calls. . . nothing. I call and leave message after message after message. I send emails to generic email addresses, still zilch. Finally the Friday before Christmas I get a call. We don't have your paperwork. WHAT!?!?! How do you have the check and not everything else? They don't have it, can't find it, threw it away, who knows. My only option is to re-sign and re-notarize everything because they need originals. I got to the notary 30 minutes after they closed for the holidays, not to reopen until after the new year *beating head on door*.
I called them back and had the ultimate freakout on the phone with this poor customer service rep that just had no idea that when she went in to work she would be dealing with a mentally deranged person. She tried desperately to get a manager on the phone to deal with the hyperventilating psycho that I had become. No one in the claims department would pick up. She was so sweet I felt awful for losing it. She just wanted to help but her hands were tied, she just didn't have access to that part of the system. She clearly put some scathing note in there about how pissed off/upset I was because before the end of the day I received a call from the Claims Department Manager. She felt horrible and said once I get the necessary stuff resigned I can email or fax it to her to get things started and then worry about sending in originals. There is a God.
And he thinks its fun to watch me go off the deep end. I sent her the necessary forms THREE times. That's right three times via email because for some reason she couldn't figure out how to download it or something. After another couple weeks of living with my new found crazy she called. . .she called last Friday and said a check will be issued and mailed Monday. I saw angels and heard hallelujah being sung all around. Did that really just happen, have I actually understood? Nope someone up there is a jokester because come Monday, after business hours, I get a call. Something about the W9 my contractor filled out is wrong. WHAT!? She said and I quote
"the EIN is legit but the legal name doesn't come up."
Well what name comes up with the EIN?
"I can't see it."
So how do you know it's wrong???
"It just doesn't match. Its like a comma or an apostrophe that's missing from the name, the IRS is picky, sorry but I need a new form signed."
Cue the mother of all breakdowns. I am ashamed to say I lost it. I know she has rules and regs she needs to follow. . . I deal with that daily at my job. If you are missing a comma or have to many periods or abbreviate incorrectly you are declined until the paperwork is corrected. But I had to get her to my level. I had to make her see why I was now losing my mind. I have been out of my house for near 5 months. I received the necessary check way back at the beginning of December. If I didn't have to deal with all the B.S. they've been doling out, my house would have been repaired and I would have been living in it well before Christmas! She says and I quote again "well you can submit a letter stating you will do the repairs yourself and we will pay you based on submitted receipts". To which I replied great, good to know, I have all the confidence in the world that you will actually honor that and I will get any money from you. Then she said "well if you don't like that deal with the contractor" or something of that nature, it became hard for me to hear with all the blood pounding/rushing in my ears. I may have been a bit more rude at that point, I'm not sure, things get a little hazy from this point.
All I know is that by the end of the conversation I did apologize for going a bit bonkers, she said she understands and said I can send the new paperwork, whatever it is, to her email as soon as I get it. I hung up, curled up in a ball on my bed and cried...no that's not the right word...I sobbed. 99.9% of the time I manage to stay calm. I don't "lose my cool" but I have been pushed to my limits. I had nothing left to do but lose it.
So as of this day I have been "homeless" for 4 months and 24 days, all because of a punctuation error...oh and people who ate paint chips as children...actually I think they still eat paint chips, that is the only explanation.
So here's the deal, a hurricane destroyed my house back in August. As of today I am still not back in said house. Why you may ask...well gee where to start? I have fought with so many people I can't even begin to explain my level of frustration. So I will highlight the two main issues for you. I did everything right...I swear! The day after the flood, still sitting in my ravaged home with bugs and worms crawling on my muddy floor, I called my flood insurance company and my car insurance company (BRAND NEW car flooded too) and made claims. Both were very quick to respond and I had a wonderful feeling that things would get back to normal soon. Boy was I wrong!
I was the second appointment for my home adjuster. The 2nd out of a hundred or so...I was number TWO. And he was an idiot. I'm not exaggerating, he turned out to be an utter moron and that is putting it ridiculously nice. Not only did he not take enough pictures because he "didn't want to go digging in another persons personal stuff" but he also started from the top of his stack of claims. As in the persons who were seen last were assisted first. Makes sense right? I mean being an adjuster you surely don't want to open any cabinets or closets and see what sat in water, no that would be an invasion of privacy. And that person you saw four days after the storm, sure they can wait a MONTH for you to finally get to their claim. Now I didn't just sit back and take this, I complained and fussed and lamented until someone higher than moron called me back and got things going for me. Finally progress, sweet victory you are mine. And then the bottom fell out and I had yet another mental breakdown of sorts. You see after supplying pictures of things he didn't take pictures of and submitting my list of contents not once but twice because his "computer deleted my other emails", I got checks. A mere 3 months after the storm...I should be excited right. . . WRONG, the big check, the one we need to start repairs was made out to a mortgage company I have never done business with in the 7 years I have lived in my home. So begins the process of getting all that corrected...in the midst of Thanksgiving holidays, just shoot me now.
Moving on, in the thick of all of that I was contacting my REAL mortgage company trying to find out what processes I need to go through with them. They said they will send a packet and I need to return it with the check, etc etc etc. That was 11/5. I get a new check at the beginning of December, whoohoo. I called the mortgage company as instructed previously and asked why I never got that packet. Wait for it. . .they sent it to the WRONG address. I'm sorry you "own" the loan on my residence and you don't know the correct address, oh this should be fun. I get the packet (well over a week later). I fill it out, sign everything, get the proper pages notarized and send it certified mail back to them before mid month, all while dealing with Christmas stuff, family parties, friends in from out of town and my husbands grad school graduation. I am super woman. They cash the check but I hear crickets. . . no calls. . . nothing. I call and leave message after message after message. I send emails to generic email addresses, still zilch. Finally the Friday before Christmas I get a call. We don't have your paperwork. WHAT!?!?! How do you have the check and not everything else? They don't have it, can't find it, threw it away, who knows. My only option is to re-sign and re-notarize everything because they need originals. I got to the notary 30 minutes after they closed for the holidays, not to reopen until after the new year *beating head on door*.
I called them back and had the ultimate freakout on the phone with this poor customer service rep that just had no idea that when she went in to work she would be dealing with a mentally deranged person. She tried desperately to get a manager on the phone to deal with the hyperventilating psycho that I had become. No one in the claims department would pick up. She was so sweet I felt awful for losing it. She just wanted to help but her hands were tied, she just didn't have access to that part of the system. She clearly put some scathing note in there about how pissed off/upset I was because before the end of the day I received a call from the Claims Department Manager. She felt horrible and said once I get the necessary stuff resigned I can email or fax it to her to get things started and then worry about sending in originals. There is a God.
And he thinks its fun to watch me go off the deep end. I sent her the necessary forms THREE times. That's right three times via email because for some reason she couldn't figure out how to download it or something. After another couple weeks of living with my new found crazy she called. . .she called last Friday and said a check will be issued and mailed Monday. I saw angels and heard hallelujah being sung all around. Did that really just happen, have I actually understood? Nope someone up there is a jokester because come Monday, after business hours, I get a call. Something about the W9 my contractor filled out is wrong. WHAT!? She said and I quote
"the EIN is legit but the legal name doesn't come up."
Well what name comes up with the EIN?
"I can't see it."
So how do you know it's wrong???
"It just doesn't match. Its like a comma or an apostrophe that's missing from the name, the IRS is picky, sorry but I need a new form signed."
Cue the mother of all breakdowns. I am ashamed to say I lost it. I know she has rules and regs she needs to follow. . . I deal with that daily at my job. If you are missing a comma or have to many periods or abbreviate incorrectly you are declined until the paperwork is corrected. But I had to get her to my level. I had to make her see why I was now losing my mind. I have been out of my house for near 5 months. I received the necessary check way back at the beginning of December. If I didn't have to deal with all the B.S. they've been doling out, my house would have been repaired and I would have been living in it well before Christmas! She says and I quote again "well you can submit a letter stating you will do the repairs yourself and we will pay you based on submitted receipts". To which I replied great, good to know, I have all the confidence in the world that you will actually honor that and I will get any money from you. Then she said "well if you don't like that deal with the contractor" or something of that nature, it became hard for me to hear with all the blood pounding/rushing in my ears. I may have been a bit more rude at that point, I'm not sure, things get a little hazy from this point.
All I know is that by the end of the conversation I did apologize for going a bit bonkers, she said she understands and said I can send the new paperwork, whatever it is, to her email as soon as I get it. I hung up, curled up in a ball on my bed and cried...no that's not the right word...I sobbed. 99.9% of the time I manage to stay calm. I don't "lose my cool" but I have been pushed to my limits. I had nothing left to do but lose it.
So as of this day I have been "homeless" for 4 months and 24 days, all because of a punctuation error...oh and people who ate paint chips as children...actually I think they still eat paint chips, that is the only explanation.
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