Skraps Of My Life

This is a test…

2009-05-06T13:15:00.001-05:00

OK. I just downloaded Windows Live Writer & I want to see if how this works!

On other news, my mother brought me some kick ass drugs yesterday & I’m feeling much better! So much better in fact, that I’m trying to get some gardening done in between rain showers. I’ve actually found that it’s easier to pull weeds after a rain because the ground is so soft! Normally, I just try to stay inside to avoid the mud, but when you are sick, it only makes sense to wander around in it right?

OOOOH…the rain is slowing down! That means it’s time to head back out!

Coming Soon!

2009-05-05T10:38:00.002-05:00

I have so much to tell you all, but I'm battling a nasty case of strep throat. Thank you boyfriend for sharing your germs!

Courtesy of my mom, pharmacy technician extrordinaire, I will have wonderful drugs delivered to me this afternoon. She takes such good care of me!

Things Might Be Looking Up

2009-04-30T20:55:00.003-05:00

I had a job interview yesterday. Let me rephrase that. I had to take a standardized test to qualify for a job interview. First was the typing test which I totally rocked. No prob...57 WPM average between four 5 minute typing tests. (Seriously, company? 20 minutes for typing?) You only needed to type 40 WPM to pass!

Anyway, then you move onto the multiple choice test that includes everything from filing, alphabetizing, grammar usage, etc. Then came the strange questions:

"This is a snippet of the ruler that is typically found in a popular word processing software. If you move the item in the red box, what will you be changing?"

Well, it lists choices naming the specific terms for what this action does. Now, don't get me wrong, I know HOW to use this, but I don't think I've ever referred to it for what it really is...moving the hanging indent setting.

I got that question right, but since when do you need to know the technical terms for formatting a letter as opposed to actually doing the task? Most of the time, I like to have an exact measurement where I'm putting indents & therefore use the format paragraph window. What if someone didn't know about this shortcut?

Anywho, I missed 3 questions out of 60 & that placed me 15th in line for the job. 15th! Needless to say, I was very upset when I found out that they only interview the top 3 positions. I mean, I've always done really well in everything I've tried, but it really hurts your feelings to know that you did well on a test only to suck in the whole grand scheme of things.

THEN, on my way home, a job from a company that is 10 miles from home called me for an interview tomorrow. I never even applied with them! They found me and I would LOVE to work there!

(I've been unemployed since the end of January, so I would be happy to work anywhere, but this company would be not only fun, but it would also cater to my degree that I'm going back to pursue!)

Please wish me luck!!!

My First Award

2009-04-28T14:58:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Cyndi over at Just An Everyday Bitch nominated me for my first award! Thank you Cyndi!

Please go visit her blog & rest assured, she is NOT the average eveyday bitch...she is an extraordinary writer.

It took a while for me to really get into this blogging "thing" and I'm really happy that I did. It's gotten even better since I decided not to remain anonymous as it opens up so much more for me to share. Thank you all for continuing to read & I LOVE signing on to see comments! Hearing what you have to say really makes my day.

OK, back to the award. Here are the rules:

The Adorable Blog Award

Include the award logo in your blog or post.
Nominate as many blogs as you would like.
Be sure to link to your nominees in your post.
Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

I would like to nominate the following individuals for this award, not only for their blog design, but because their stories & posts have really been fun to read & opened my views to more than just my little world here in the midwest.

Ashley @ Hi. I'm Ashley.
Lil' Woman @ Little Woman, Little Home. (Wish her luck on her moving day today!)
Mrs. Newlywed @ Misadventures of a Newlywed.
Grits @ Puttin' on the G.R.I.T.S.
Wishcake @ Your Wishcake.

I encourage everyone to head over to their blogs too because I'm sure you will enjoy them!

Every animal, from the smartest to the simplest, that willingly enters water can swim. Yeah, right...

2009-04-27T10:58:00.006-05:00

I promised some dog stories in the previous post & here is a little from what happened this weekend.

Reilly, our "puppy," got in a bit of trouble as he's known to do. I use the term "puppy" very lightly because most people picture a cute, fluffy bundle of joy that you can pick up to snuggle. Reilly is a 7 month old American Bulldog who now weighs in at 70 lbs. He's clumsy & is more closely related to a bull in a china shop. He thinks he is Sparky's size (a mere 19 lbs) & can therefore fit under tables, vehicles & people's feet as they walk. I. Don't. Think. So.

Anywho, he is like a teenager that is searching for boundaries & how far he can push the rules. Over the weekend, we had a lot of work to do around the house in preparation for my stuff to arrive. It was beautiful outside & I like to leave the doors propped open to the house so the dogs can run in & out as they please.

Reilly decided that our 160 acres aren't enough for him. So, he snuck out of the house (where he was sleeping so cute in his pillow) to explore the field to the west of the house & the muddy ditch. He got his first experience with the garden hose.

That was Saturday. As a treat for the dogs on Sunday, we decided a little trip to the pond was necessary. We ride the four-wheeler & they run alongside.

When we got to the pond, we were in for a rude awakening. Sparky jumped in like he usually does & Reilly followed suit.

REILLY. CAN'T. SWIM.

I thought all dogs could swim! I thought this was something that came naturally. You know, the treading water thing? The dog paddle?

He made it about 10 feet out in the water & struggled. I stood on the bank yelling & Sparky went right by him coming to my side. He couldn't turn around & started going under. We finally realized what was happening & Clay started running into the water about the same time that I started uncontrollably laughing. I was in the water up to my calves when Clay ran past me to go save him in about 4 feet of water.

Don't get me wrong now. If I would have been alone with the dogs, I would've been out there in a second to save the baby. But to see the boyfriend running out into the COLD water (cell phone in pocket) to save our puppy...well, nothing short of ~~hilarious~~ heroic.

By the way, if you ever get your phone wet:
1. Do not turn it on.
2. Take it apart as much as possible.
3. Put everything in a bag of dried rice.

We took it out this morning & it works perfect!

I have ARRIVED!

2009-04-27T09:19:00.006-05:00

I'm done moving! Edit...I'm NOT unpacked yet, but all of my belongings are physically here at Clay's house. I'm excited. I'm exhausted.

Last night I stayed awake lying in bed thinking of all the things that I'll have to blog about now. It's one thing when I had my own apartment. My own little world that existed & everything in it was mine. There was no chaos because, well, OCD doesn't allow for that!

Now, I'm sharing a space with someone. I'm no longer in total control of everything! All three dogs are here all the time now. (I have more on that later.) I'm just a little nervous because there is nowhere to hide anymore! What if I want to sleep in on a Saturday? I can't fib anymore that I woke up at a decent time & got a lot done when what I really did was sleep in late & flew through some chores so it looked like I was up all day when someone stopped by. You have all done this, so don't act innocent.

Don't get me wrong, the boyfriend & I practically lived together anyway. Our time was just split between my apartment & his house with one of us packing an overnight bag all the time. Imagine how strange it is for me to wake up & all of my stuff is here waiting in the bathroom! (Guys may not understand that, but it's wonderful to have everything at your disposal & not have to worry that you forgot to pack your favorite perfume/straightening iron/makeup/fresh pair of underwear the night before.)

Call me sentimental, but once I had all the small stuff out of the apartment, I took pictures while my dad, brother & boyfriend took care of the heavy items. My tiny little world is gone.

A whole new world has opened up...sadly, it smells like hog shit. (For real, the wind is blowing in the right direction bringing with it the smells of a farm a mile away.)

Enjoy a peek into my not so distant past...

More to come a little later. I have to do some unpacking before he gets home for lunch!

Never try to solve serious matters in the middle of the night.

2009-04-19T01:58:00.011-05:00

NEW LAYOUT! YAY!

I've decided that moving my physical address is not hard enough. I've changed my email address too.

If any of you have ever moved before, you know how daunting it is when you start packing your things. You think to yourself, "Self, where in the hell did I obtain all this stuff?!"

Well, take a second & think about everything that is linked to your email address. It's OK...I'll give you a second...

It's harder to think of all my online stuff to move since it's not physically waiting to be packed into boxes.

I have Blogger, MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. I prefer shopping online, so I can't even tell you how many stores I've had to change my email on: Borders, GNC, Walmart, Target, PetSmart & so many more. Then there are all of my newsletters: Get Organized Now & Organized Home are a few. (Don't judge...these sites cater to my OCD fix.) I've had the same email address since I was 18, with a few temporary ones set up for specific needs, but I don't think I will ever change my email again.

I found that changing your "primary email address" here on Blogger is MUCH harder than it needs to be. It took several Google searches & even more blog searches to figure it out. I had to set up a new account, "invite" that new account to be an author, accept my own invitation, give administrative rights to my "new" author, THEN sign in as the "new" author to delete the "old" author! Nevertheless, you all are worth it & I promise to work on this every night during my bouts with insomnia. All of my widgets are gone, my profile needs to be made, EVERYTHING is from scratch (except my past posts). Thankfully, the "old" author approved those to go to the "new" author.

In case you aren't following...I am both the old and the new author.

Here's to starting over...well, as soon as all my stuff is packed up! Never mind...here's to starting over...(I need SOMETHING to drink to!)

To start fresh, how about I win something & provide you with a new entertaining blog to read

2009-04-15T13:52:00.003-05:00

You see, Mrs. Newlywed is having a giveaway and I could really use a new beach towel to go with my new boat! I have to post on my blog to get that third entry. So go and check out her blog. She's awesome to say the least. But don't enter the giveaway, because I want to win!

I'm BAAAACK!!!

2009-04-15T13:45:00.004-05:00

I took a little time to get my life in the order that I like it to be in. I think I've fully decided that I'm not good at the anonymous blogging, so in order to make it easy for me (and possibly more entertaining for you) I will not be anonymous anymore. Give me a little time because I'm in the middle of moving!

Yessss! Clay has asked me to move in with him!!

Inspirational Movie

2009-02-19T15:31:00.010-06:00

My Valentine's Day weekend was super busy & super fun! Friday night , the boyfriend & I rented a DVD to watch after we went out to dinner. Saturday was spent running errands & then hitting the St. Louis Boat Show with some friends followed by dancing at Laclede's Landing until all the bars closed. Sunday was supposed to be a lazy day for us, but we had to catch up on everything else we didn't get done, so it wasn't as lazy as planned.

We went out TGI Friday's for dinner the night before Valentine's Day - Friday the 13th! (Not romantic enough for you? Don't judge...we eat at romantic places all the time! AND we happened to have plans with friends for Saturday.) We had a great time & even saved room for a shared dessert!

On the way home, we took a few back roads instead of the highway & hit hysterics when we passed a trailer park court that had "BE-OTCH" written on the side of one mailbox. It was too dark for pictures, but if I see it again, I'll try to remember a picture for you!

I had to tell you about that...it's just too funny!

Anywho.

We come home & pop in the DVD & get comfy on the couch. Just so you have a good picture, between us & the dogs, it's kind of hard to snuggle there. Sparky needs to sleep with you. For some reason, this is usually in-between us. Reilly lays as close to the couch as possible waiting for you to scratch his head/belly/ear with your hand/foot because you obviously have nothing better to do.

We watched Fireproof.

A friend of mine recommended it to me saying it wasn't a "chick flick." This is a "couple movie," "date movie," whatever.

Even though Clay & I are not married, we both have been before. His divorce was MUCH nastier than mine...it's still not completely final & they have been fighting over it for over three years.

We've both been burned before & I noticed that during this movie, if he wasn't touching me in some way, he would reach out & grab my hand. We fight & we make up, but this movie opened my eyes to something that I know I already have, I just haven't solidified it yet.

I was so inspired to make myself better in order to make our relationship better that I purchased The Love Dare Book that is featured in the movie. I got it Walmart, but you can get it at any bookstore or even online at Amazon.

This book is typically written for married couples, but since we've both been married before & failed, I'm going to make this the best relationship I can BEFORE we talk marriage! I'm doing this without him knowing (kind of like movie). I mean, the effort put forth to make a relationship even better? Who's going to complain?

I'll keep you posted on how my Love Dare is going, but watch the preview of the movie & if you think you'd like it...PLEASE go rent it!

Busy, Busy, Busy

2009-02-07T09:37:00.005-06:00

Have you ever had one of those days where you have so much to do & you don't feel like even getting dressed in the morning?

Well, that's me...today.

I attended a birthday party for a friend last night. You could have mistaken it for a bachelorette party because of the decorations, etc. (How to keep this clean????) There were male organs plastered on every surface that would stay still & even some that wouldn't. Seriously, she was turning 31. If anyone does this to me in 2 years...prepare for war. I like a good party, but I don't need the theme...the theme is MY BDAY! Clay, being the good sport he is, laughed it off & played along as one of the few token males while the rest of the bar tried to join in on our soiree!

We didn't stay too late because I need to be prepared for tonight...a REAL bachelorette party!

I haven't been on one of these in a few years, but we are all meeting to eat. Then a bus will pick us up (complete with jello shots & a DJ) to take us where ever our hearts desire. I have no idea where we are going, but the girls I'm going with...let's just say it will definitely be a late night. That just makes me want to take a nap.

Tomorrow concludes the weekend with my nephew's FIRST birthday party! (What's with all the birthdays?) He's positively adorable so I can't wait for this! Squishy babies always make my heart melt like ice cream on a summer day. Not to mention, I've still never seen him throw a fit. Cry a little? Yes. Make faces because you told him no? Yes. Screaming & crying? Never.

I've compiled a list of things that need to be done this weekend. It's pretty long, but I'm just not in the mood!

Why put off today what can be done tomorrow?

What types of things do you put off?

Ever Seen A Dog Trying To Sunbathe?

2009-02-05T14:11:00.008-06:00

So, I went to the grocery store today & as always, I took my dog with me (not into the store, but he likes car rides).

Now I say on my profile that I have three dogs, but I'll break that down for you. I have my dog. He's a little guy...19 pounds of unconditional love...a rat terrier named Sparky. Then Koala Bear has his dog, a husky mix named King. Then we have a 4.5 month old American Bulldog puppy named Reilly. He'll be bigger than the other two dogs (about 100 pounds) - he's a whopping 35 pounds already!

Back to the story...I go into the store leaving the bouncing, barking cutie in the car. As soon as I'm out of sight, he lays down in the passenger seat & shuts up. Usually...

Today, I come out of the store to find my dog fast asleep. In. My. Back. Window. He's smashed up against the glass & snoozing away. People were walking by laughing & I couldn't even help joining them. There he was...stretched out to the max sunning himself!

If he hadn't heard me laughing, I would've grabbed my phone to take a picture. Maybe next time!

So Many Things, So Little Time to Type It Out

2009-02-05T11:13:00.009-06:00

So, it’s been awhile since I posted here! Sorry about that. No excuse...I've been busy, but not THAT busy. So many things have happened in the last two weeks…my birthday, an almost breakup, argument with a friend, antics with my dog, job interviews, parties (birthday & SuperBowl)…the list goes on and on.

That's precisely why I need to be in the habit of writing regularly because, now where do I start?

BIRTHDAY!!!
My birthday is like Mardi Gras. I get a week’s celebration out of it if I can! My boyfriend, family & friends say making a big deal about my day of birth will pass, but let’s face it folks. I’m 29…it’s gonna be a BIGGER deal next year!

ALMOST BREAKUP / ARGUMENT WITH FRIEND
One of my closest friends of 13 years, Kimi, is one of those girls that become a hobbit once she’s in a relationship. You hardly hear from her unless she becomes single again, or by some off-chance that her boyfriend has plans & she goes along.

Well, she’s been friends with my boyfriend, Koala Bear, for a year longer than we’ve been dating. In casual conversation, he said that she calls him all the time. Not in the creepy “I want your boyfriend” way. More like “I need a guy’s perspective on my own crabby man” type of conversation. I’m not a jealous type, so I wasn’t going to make a big deal.

I told him it bothered me a little since she’s cut communication from the rest of us. He understood, but in an effort to get us to talk…let her know that I was bothered by their conversations. I had already left her a message asking her to call me, but by the time she called back, she was overreacting & I got upset. The conversation went well, but she wasn’t truthful about when they talk, how often, etc. Tired of the drama, I ended the conversation & decided that I deserve a better friend than one that will lie to me.

This prompted yet another discussion between me & Koala Bear about how he MUST communicate with me in order for our relationship to work as she dished on details about our relationship & things that bothered him that I never knew about.

Sorry about the high level briefing, but it could get long with the 45649843 details about each conversation!

By SuperBowl Sunday, my man & I were fine, ready to party & then the text came from Kimi, “I had a dream about you so I must miss you. By the way, Mike & I broke up.”

WTF? Come begging for MY shoulder to cry on when you & your man split? Well, I’m a sucker, or just a good friend. I listened to her assure me she’s okay, then I went to my SuperBowl par-tay! Haven't heard from her since, so hearts may have changed & they are back together again. I haven't tried too hard to find out.

That’s about all I can cover today as I do have things to do today! I am looking for a job, you know?

The Post-Inauguration Post

2009-01-21T13:28:00.006-06:00

Hello Internets!

I didn't want to add to the millions of inauguration posts that I read yesterday. Mainly due to the fact that I was too busy WATCHING the inauguration to write anything. It's an exciting time for our nation & even though I know that it will take time to see changes that have been promised, I'm ready to be patient for the outcome.

I know not everyone agrees with my particular political view, but I heard a few derogatory comments regarding our new president yesterday both on the TV, radio and out around town. I actually heard someone say, "I hope he fails at the presidency." No kidding...that's an exact quote. I'm sorry, but if you are an American WHY would you ever say anything so brainless?! (Trying to keep the name calling to a minimum there!)

First of all, if the President does not succeed at his job, the nation as a whole will suffer. Everyone will experience the failure in some way: jobs will be lost, the stock market will plummet even further, families will struggle to provide, domestic & foreign affairs will become a joke. Regardless if you are Democrat, Republican, Independent, Christian, Muslim or even an Atheist...you are first & foremost an AMERICAN. Barack Obama is now the AMERICAN President. To wish him to fail is to wish the worst upon you.

This is the perfect time for everyone to shred their differences, band together & work toward the changes that we all want & need. This nation needs help & there is plenty to work to be done.
So, to steal yet another Democrat's powerful words spoke on January 20, 1961, "And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you - ask what YOU can do for your COUNTRY."

I hope this finds everyone well as I myself have been affected by our wonderful economy by being laid off. I can only wish that this will provide an opportunity for me to grow into my full potential!

My First Post

2009-01-19T14:42:00.010-06:00

Welcome to my blog!

Confession.

I’ve been secretly reading some blogs (the ones on the left) since last October. (I’ll get into why I had so much extra time on my hands in a later post.) Well, my guilty conscience got the better of me when JenBun did this post categorizing me as a “lurker.” I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound like a very positive term. In fact, it made me feel downright creepy so I thought if I can read them maybe I should try to write one! I will allow others to lurk me now.

Here are some tidbits about me to get you more associated with my craziness:

I’m 28…I’ll be 29 next Monday (January 26th). Don’t forget it!
I love dogs. I have 3 of them. Don’t judge me. I can still keep my house clean!
I have OCD. Really. I’m medicated for it, but even my close friends & family still think I’m crazy.
I’ve been married before & now I’m divorced. A mistake that I’m not likely to make again. I learned a lot about what I want out of life & plan to make the next commitment a lifelong one (kind of what I expected the last one to be).
My favorite color is red…St. Louis Cardinals red to be exact! Go Birds!!!
Unlike most girls, I hate to shop. I’ll do it online, but PLEASE never ask me to go for an all day excursion. Call my mother or sister for that.
I’m addicted to soda. Pepsi or Coke, whichever is available, just don’t put any flavors in it & I’ll be happy.
I’m VERY clumsy. A fact that sometimes provides entertainment for the masses.
I live in a small farm town east of St. Louis (too far to be considered a suburb, but close enough to go there for the day or even work there like I have).

I figure I’ll either bore you with details of my life but you’ll keep reading anyway (the way people complain about Howard Stern & contribute to his HUGE ratings) or you’ll find me funny, entertaining & quirky enough to leave comments and keep reading anyway (which will make me famous & I’ll be asked to write for the Ellen DeGeneres Show so I don’t have to watch it every day).

We’ll see if this lasts as I’m already famous for starting things & never finishing them. It’s the perfectionist side of me! In true Aquarius form, I expect too much of myself & others so it’s just easier to fail to satisfy my self-fulfilling prophecy.

To be honest, I'm really being selfish by writing a blog. Surprise, surprise. This is the one place that I will finally be free to push all my ideas & opinions on everyone else, cuz I am always right ya know!