Knit

So, I finished my first ever non-scarf knitting project! It is a present, so I have to wait until J&T receive it before I can post any photo's.

In other news, I am knitting another scarf. This one is for the boyfriend. I'm sure he will appreciate it now that it has cooled down below 90 degrees around here.

So Now You're Back - From Outer Space

Hi there. As most of you already know we are back form our whirl-wind trip around the southern parts of the US.

It was amazing, fun, interesting, eye-opening and full of yummy food as we ate our way home.

And now I am back at work. Which wasn't as hard to come back to as I thought it would be. I guess mostly because I got a lot of hugs and "We missed you, if felt like you were gone for months!" which is nice to hear!

And I am back on the South Beach Diet to try and lose some of this car-trip weight I gained (partially due to discovering Waffle House. Have you eaten there? It's freaking AWESOME!) and mostly because I have about 6 months to my 30th Birthday and I am pretty much back to where I started. Oh well, I had a great time, I got to spend a ton of time with The Boyfriend, which is how I would spend everyday if I had the chance, I saw some really cool sights and I visited with my sister and her family.

If I could, I would head out on the road again tomorrow.

Apparently The Boyfriend + Al Franken books on cd + Lewis Black on cd + tons of candy and food make me a happy, happy person.

Who knew?

The Bags Are Packed

And I am anxiously awaiting the time to leave for the airport.

See you all in 2 weeks!

And Happy Early Birthday to my Bro.

The Final Countdown

Oh peoples, the impending "leaving for vacation" countdown rolls on. I guess we should get our luggage out and start thinking about packing. It's hard to figure out what to take on a trip that starts on the beaches of North Carolina (which are right now being pelted with rain) and ends with a road-trip through the hot-as-hell Texas/Arizona.

We just finished house/dog sitting for the family I babysit for. They just adopted a puppy that is just the cutest thing, but he's BIG and playful and requires a lot of attention. If the past 5 days taught me anything it's that I am not ready to be a pet owner or a mother. The constant vigilance is tiring.

T Minus 11 Days

Until The Boyfriend and I begin our roadtrip! I am literally counting the seconds until I have 2 glorious weeks away from work.

O Yeah!

So, I am just going to bypass the long and painful story of my trip to the post office this weekend with The Boyfriend (NEVER had I wanted to own a gun so badly in my life) and jump to the highlight of our experience which was when I realized that this guy was in line behind us.

That's right, Kid, of "Kid 'n Play" fame was standing in line behind me at the post office. Never have I wanted to interrupt a celebrity's day so much!

Except I didn't know his real name. And I realized that my gushing over him would sound something like this "Oh man, you are Kid from Kid 'n Play! I loved you when I was like 12!" and that just sounds mean. Plus, he seemed like a nice guy, goofing around with what I assume was his daughter while waiting in line.

Congrats Bro!

Just found out this morning that my older brother was promoted to Chief of the Fire Department in the town where I grew up.

Congrats Brother! I am so freaking proud of you I can't even explain.

It has been a life-long dream of his to be a firefighter and let me tell you, he kicks ass at it.
When I was in high school he used to let me go on smaller calls with him if they were close to the house. I have even watched him single-handedly put out a small brush fire by himself.

So, you probably get the point of this post already. My brother rocks. I couldn't be prouder of him.

Shout out to Sherry

I just called AT&T to ask a question about my bill. I kind of knew the answer, but it definitely needed to be double checked.

Anyhoo the person helping me, Sherry, was super nice and very quick to get to the bottom of my billing question, also supplying me with the answer I was pretty sure I was going to get going into this call.

Imagine my surprise when, at the end of everything, she thanked me for being so nice when I called and told me I was the nicest caller she had had all day.

I seriously blushed.

I informed her that I, too have worked in a call center and in customer service so I understand the trials and tribulations of the job.

Hmmm

What is it about an upcoming trip that makes you spend lots of money?

What is it about Mondays that makes people let a little too much of the crazy out? I have a co-worker who constantly lets people know that today is the worst day of their life. I have a hard time understanding this.

I mean, I have bad days. Lots of them. But they usually aren't that bad.

I would be more apt to exclaim that today is the most "meh" day of my life than anything else.
I think I will begin all conversations from now on my letting people know that "TODAY IS THE MOST MEH DAY OF MY LIFE."

I think it will be fun.

Two Posts!

One Day!

Also - 2 things I have just learned:

1. I really really really need to have money to travel. Travel outside of the country money. And soon.

2. It's a very long, boring day when I can't pick up the phone and call The Boyfriend whenever I feel like it.

OTC

I had acupuncture for the first time last weekend. It freakin rocks. I felt so tired and yet so energized afterwards. They put 19 needles in me and they were so excited that it was my first time, they kept telling me I was handling it well. I spent most of Saturday feeling pretty rough, but when I woke up Sunday morning I felt AMAZING. I had energy. I didn't have a headache. I am completely addicted.
Migraines run in my family. So do allergies. I was lucky enough to inherit both. At least mine aren't as bad as my Grandmothers. She would be in the hospital for 3 days with a migraine. With the pollen count the highest it's been in years, I have not been having a good spring. And med's just weren't helping. I can't tell you the last time I didn't have a headache. When I found out my Grandmother used to go to Canada to get accupuncture, that sealed the deal for me. I have wanted to try it for years. I am so sorry I waited that long.

The Boyfriend is working as a P.A. for the a few days in Malibu. While the money is nice, it sucks not having dinner waiting for me when I get home. Or breakfast made for me in the morning.
Yes, I am spoiled.

That's all for now. I know it doesn't seem like much, but there are more things going on. Like roadtrips to plan.

If you had one night in Nashville, where would you go?

This is Getting Comical

Today, I wore jeans as it is Friday and therefore "casual day" at work.

Today I wore my new green t-shirt that I was complimented on!

Today, my jeans have finally decided to shuffle their mortal coil and get a whole in the upper thigh area, rendering them useless.

Today The Boyfriend met me for lunch and forgot to bring another pair of jeans, that I had requested so that I don't get in trouble for my inappropriate jeans at work. He has avoided being in trouble for this by being VERY sorry that he forgot them, as well as the fact that my thighs rubbing together seems to hide the whole for now.

Today, I wore underwear, which was apparently a blessing in disguise. Also, I am starting to feel better so instead of breaking into tears over this, I can laugh at it instead!

Great

Now I am sick. This is just awesome. And I know exactly where this sickness came from thanks to the extremely sick co-worker who hacked all over everyone for over a week.

Argh.

I am someone who has sever allergies and yet rarely gets really sick. Since I am used to daily headaches and sneezing and other allergy type stuff, I just don't know how to deal with this type of thing. Why do colds and such make me all emotional and weepy?

Good grief.

Um, hi

I haven't been writing because anything that is going on in my life right now seems to be a fight. I am really sick of pretty much everything and would just like to run away.

Happy Birthday to Me!

So, today is my 29th birthday. What I love most about today is that all last week when people would ask he how old I was turning, I would say 29 and their immediate response was telling me what a baby I still am (in a nice way, I just realized that could sound like everyone was being really mean).

Today has started out pretty awesome. I got to skip the gym, The Boyfriend made me an omelet, Lisa made this awesome blueberry concoction complete with Vanilla Ice Cream and Julie and Angela brought me donuts, complete with SEVERAL choices for maple since they know that maple bars are my favorite!

And it's not over! I am going to Chili's for lunch with Vicki and out to dinner tonight! Good lord, can you tell I like to celebrate with food?! And how nice that all my friends know this about me and keep me supplied with sugar all day!

My Dad called me from work at 7 am this morning and my Mom called me later and sang Happy Birthday to me.
Like I said, it's been an awesome morning.

Last week was another story. Last week I just wanted to stomp around and hate everyone. But this week, this week I think everything is good.

I am happy. And full. And 29.

Next week I will be cutting me hair off again. This is becoming a yearly tradition for me!

Such Sweetness

Said to me yesterday morning, by The Boyfriend as we exited Albertsons:

"I want to carry the bags. If you get hit by a car, the donuts will get all squished."

True love, people. True love.

Overheard at the Gym

Picture this in a very high-pitched Valley Girl type accent that's really really gratingly loud. Also, just to paint this picture for you, this person is the type to stay on the Cardio machines for over an hour EVEN THOUGH THE SIGNS SAYS "30 minute Time Limit", so she re-sets her time every 1/2 hour even if there are people waiting to get on a machine...

"So, I had one of those days yesterday where I just realized everyone I work with is stupid. Like Lisa*. I mean, once someone told her they could totally tell she was not college educated and now she's all fixated on it and paranoid about that."

WOW. That's like walking up to a really fat person and saying "I can totally tell you eat A LOT." and then being all surprised that you hurt their feelings.

AND THEY GYM WOMAN THINKS THE PEOPLE AROUND HER ARE STUPID!

*Not her real name. I was too busy trying to get my brain to not leak out of my ear to deal with people's names and such.

It Was Funny Then Too

The color printer for my office was acting up, so I was on the phone with IT trying to get it straightened out. IT Guy asks if he can take remote control over my computer, I say sure!

He looks around at a few things as I explain what the problem is. He prints a test page. I go to see if it works.

It does.

When I come back, he says, "I'm going to open an email and print it just to make sure everything is working. Can I print this email?"

Before it opens I say "Sure" because what could I possibly have in my work email that would be personal?

As the email opens I begin laughing very hard. He catches this and says "I won't read it."

The email was between a co-worker/friend of mine, containing various personal information about the Diva Cup, the pill, cycling together and how many Valentine's Days I have been on my period.

Needless to say, I didn't want to draw any more attention to the email, so I just continue quietly giggling as I check the color printer to make sure it worked.

After I get off the phone, I am laughing so hard I can barely talk. Leave it to me to have a VERY personal email opened and printed by the super sweet IT Guy. Luckily he has a wife and daughter so if he did read it, I highly doubt it was new information for him.

So Many Things

I may just number this to make it easier:

1. My niece has a brain infection. I totally thought these types of things only happened in soap operas, but here it is in real life. My poor niece has not had the easiest of lives so far. First she was diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome and they put her on some awful medicines and now this. Please send good thoughts to my niece in Texas as she is in quarantine in her home for a month as she is on some serious meds that make her sleep all the time. Also, because of our Presidents freaking genius, "No Child Left Behind" crap, she is going to have to repeat a grade because of being out sick. The thing is, she isn't far behind and has amazing grades, but because she doesn't have the exact number of days in school, she is being punished. I hate our President and his completely idiotic ideas.

2. Valentine's Day is not over for me yet! As I type this, The Boyfriend just received a package from Café Press of some shirt that he designed for me and won't tell me what it is no matter how many times I call home and ask what I am getting.

3. Today is my Future Maybe Mother-in Law's* Birthday! Happy Birthday Marcia! Hope you have a great day!

4. I am no longer using tampons ever again now that I have tried the Instead Cup. I love it. Despite some, um, interesting beginnings, I am now completely in love with this and will never ever use anything else except some other kind of cup because good god people, these things are amazing. If you haven't tried it, please do so. You will understand why I am so happy. I mean 12 HOURS BEFORE YOU HAVE TO CHANGE ANYTHING!!!!
Also, less waste to throw away. Good for you, good for the planet. Everyone wins!

5. I am mostly finished with my first non-scarf knitting project, except I think the pattern was wrong or I read it wrong, but now I need to either start over or go buy more yarn to try and fix it. Instead of deciding I have left it sitting on the back of my couch for a couple of weeks now because I am mad at it for being wrong, so I guess I am punishing my poncho.

6. Does anyone else think we need to get some money together and send Garet to his own vocal lessons? If you watch American Idol, I am talking about the sweet cowboy from Wyoming. He was so damn cute and nice and actually aware of the extent of his talent. I adore him.
Ah! He has a website!

I guess that is all.

* We (being Marcia and I) came up with this name for her awhile ago because we both thought it was funny and I was sick of being introduced at The Boyfriends Girlfriend because really, we have been dating for a long time and "girlfriend" just sounds to temporary. So does "this is my Boyfriends Mom." I forgot about it until I starting writing this post. I may have to start using it again.

Why Me

So, The Boyfriend and I had a wild night last night of shopping at Costco. Whenever we are done with our actual shopping, The Boyfriend likes to look around the DVD section, to see if he can find any DVD's that he will then convince me we HAVE TO HAVE.
Since I don't really care to wander the DVD section (seriously, it is always busy and full of rude people who don't understand personal space) I decided to wander around the women's clothes section.

The women's clothes section of Costco depresses me. I feel so bad for the employees who are always there and always refolding the crap people just throw back somewhere near the pile they picked it up from. It just seems like a never ending job and no one even pays attention to what you are doing. Seriously, I don't know how these people don't snap and start screaming at the customers who walk up right next to them and completely tear apart a pile of clothes they just finished folding. I would actually pay to see that happen.
Anyhoo, the clothes section didn't have anything weird or interesting, so I started meandering towards the DVD's when this man stops me and in a very thick eastern european accent, asks if this is the only women's section in Costco. Now, I had noticed this man not just because he was intently inspecting items in the women's section, but because he seemed to need someone to notice that he was looking at women's clothes.
I answer him that it is.
"I am looking for something for my mother."
I say that's nice and begin walking away.
"Can I ask you something?"
Now here is where I should have just continued walking away. But NOOOO, I turn around and look at him.
"Have I seen you somewhere before? I work in Santa Monica? Do you live around here?"
I answer "I don't hang out in Santa Monica, so no, you probably have not seen me before."
"Don't you live around here?"
"Yes, I live in this general area, but I have not met you before." I continue edging away from him as I am now completely annoyed.
"Well I swear I have seen you before. Are you just looking around?"
"Well, my boyfriend is right over there looking at movies and I am looking at clothes."
He asks me my name. I tell him my first name. He shakes my hand and tells me his name is Sage and that I have a pretty name. (Really, I don't think my first name is all that exciting, so this is how I usually know some guy is just trying anything to get me to talk to him.)
He starts rambling about how he works in Century City, that his work just moved there and something about how he is around this area a lot and asking if I am American. I am totally not paying attention as I am calculating how quickly I can get away from him and how fast I can convince The Boyfriend that we need to leave the store immediately.
I say "Nice meeting you I have to go."
He says "Maybe I will see you around again. Or we could meet for Green Tea sometime."
I walk away.

Okay, I have never been one to get hit on a lot. I know it usually takes me a little bit to realize "Hey, this person is hitting on you!?"
But seriously, how many freaking people have fallen for the "I am looking for something for my Mother" line? I could give a crap that you are picking something out for you Mom. I mean, what kind of creep doesn't pick up on body language or the name drop of Boyfriend and back off? WHY IN CRAPS SAKE DID HE THINK I WOULD GO GET GREEN TEA WITH SOME STRANGE GUY I MET IN THE WOMEN'S CLOTHES SECTION OF COSTCO?
Why didn't I call The Boyfriend "my fiance'" like I usually do when someone weird starts talking to me?

At least we got "Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit ." That makes me happy. But I don't think I should have to suffer through extremely bad attempts at getting picked up just for cheap DVD's.