A typical holiday happening

Last night SH and I were in bed and I got up several times throughout the night to turn off the heat. I never really noticed that it wasn't actually turning off each time. This morning when I got up, I realized it was STIFLING in the house. I went yet again to turn off the heat. It wouldn't turn off. It was about 80 degrees in the house. SH got out the toolbox and did what he could to figure out the problem. Finally he just turned off the circut breaker. Whew...a little relief. I had to turn on all the ceiling fans to get the temperature somewhat comfortable. Everything SH tried didn't work so it was time to call in the repairman. He is currently working in the laundry room trying to get our problem fixed. I only hope it isn't too expensive. Why is it that on almost every big holiday, something major breaks at our house? Not just a blown bulb or a toilet that doesn't stop running. It is always something BIG. I know we have had similar problems with the heater/AC unit and I only hope it has a few years of life left in it. Fingers crossed!!! LOL, Before the repairman arrived, I scrambled around (in usual Cla fashion) cleaning and straightening up. SH even joined in.

possibly the last post of the year

Seems like it has been ages since I blogged......

Following that wreck in front of the house, I have been kind of in a slump. I have been so sad thinking about the family of the driver. She didn't get to be at home for the holidays. I assume following the funeral/memorial service, the family drove up to see the accident site. There were flower arrangements and a funeral wreath placed at the scene. There are orange/white DOT barrels on the median warning drivers that the pavement is pitted and uneven from the extreme heat.

I had pretty much fallen off of the exercise wagon after quitting my job. Recently I have slowly gotten off my arse and climbed back on. I started doing two workouts in the day. I have been doing at least 30 minutes on the treadmill, walking and running. I usually burn about 200 calories or more. Yesterday I went almost an hour and made up for two cinnamon rolls I ate. It felt so good to feel like I never even ate them!! I try to treadmill earlier in the day, then at 6 pm I do my regular workout. I have all kinds of workout videos, but I am trying to stick to cardio for the time being. I am also back to counting calories. UGH. I read somewhere online about a way to start cutting calories that is a little easier to stick with as opposed to immediately slashing your intake by several hundred calories. It suggested cutting 100 calories per day and sticking with that for 4 days. On day five, cut another 100 calories and stick with that for 4 days. You will eventually be down to the calorie limit you should sustain.

This has been on my mind and I want to bring up a question to see how others feel. Say you want to add a pet to your family. Specifically a puppy. You already have a very sweet 5 year old dog. Do you get rid of the first pet to add a new pet to the family? I have a friend who is "retiring" pet #1 for pet #2. Pet #1 will be going to live at the parent's house. I could never get rid of a pet for the sake of adding another! You certainly couldn't do that with children!!

Xmas was great this year. I didn't have many wants this time around. Normally I have all kinds of wishes and "needs". I felt bad asking for things since I was not working and bringing in a paycheck. I did get one of my big wants....an iPod!! SH got it for me for my birthday and all the accessories came for xmas. I even got a really cool cover for it. It is hard plastic with a chrome-type finish on it. When the ipod is on, the screen is visible through the cover only to the user. It rocks. I have since become a Podcast nerd. I have all kinds of podcasts and have actually been BUYING music. I hadn't purchased music in ages. I have used the ipod while treadmilling and it makes the time go by much faster than staring at the walls or the tv.

I have still been crocheting blankets. I ended up making one for SH's mother that I finished in record time. I completely forgot that SH mentioned that his mother would love to have one of my blankets until 10 days before we were to visit them. We made a mad dash to pick out yarn and I got to crocheting. I thought a pattern utilizing squares instead of a full-on blanket would be fastest. In all the rush of holiday-ness, I forgot to take a pic of it!!! I found the pattern at Bernat. The site is running v.e.r.y s.l.o.w. today so I couldn't link the pattern but here is a pic. I went with a similar color pattern too. It looks so much prettier in person.

The current wip (below) is a lapghan using leftovers from the MIL blanket.

I am working on another blanket for a certain someone when they get knocked up.......*wink-wink* you know who you are. It just needs one more skein to be finished. I also have plans to re-start a blanket I intended on making about 5 years ago for my nephews. I had all the best intentions when the boys were babies to make them a blanket, but since I was looming it (waaaay before learning crochet) I couldn't figure out how to attach the squares correctly. I had 70% of the squares done when I completely trashed it. I am now going to make good on the promise I made myself and get their blanket in the works. :) Only now it will need to be much bigger!!!

P.S. I need this and/or this. Mother of Purl, you need this.

A Donnie Darko moment

A little after 6 this morning, an explosion woke me from a sound sleep. I sat straight up in bed. Was it a propane tank? Was it an airplane crash? The airport is directly behind our house. It was a total Donnie Darko moment for SH and me. We jumped out of bed and looked out the front and back doors. Nothing unusual. I looked out the front door again and saw our neighbor running down the street. He yelled "call the fire department! We heard several smaller explosions and were confused as to what they were. We dressed and while I was waiting for SH, I saw smoke rising from the front of the neighborhood near the highway. We started walking that direction. I was scared about what we were going to see, but human nature made me need to see what was going on. I was just hoping everyone involved was alright. As we crested the hill, we saw flames. Huge flames and billowing black smoke. It wasn't someones house. It was an 18 wheeler on fire. The story is that the 18 wheeler rear ended a loaded log truck that had just started moving after pulling out of a driveway. The "bangs" we kept hearing were unfilled propane tanks that the 18 wheeler was carrying. The driver of the log truck was taken to the hospital and we hear he may have a broken neck. The driver of the propane truck never made it out of his rig. They are saying that he was likely asleep on impact. Through the grapevine, we heard the parents of the log truck driver say that their son saw the propane truck driver coming down the hill in his side mirror. He said to himself "you are gonna slow down buddy aren't you?" He never did. The propane truck hit the log truck and they both slid several hundred feet. The parents also said that all the controls in the cab of the log truck were shaken loose. Once the fire department put out the fire, what was left of the propane truck was shocking. The rear end of the trailer shell was crumpled and blackened. The cab was gone. It was like it was never there. You could see the frame and front driver side wheel, but no cab. There was empty space where the cab would have been. I couldn't believe my eyes. It made me so sad to realize that someone isn't coming home tonight.

The family of the log truck driver kept talking about how their trailer is totaled. Wah-Wah. I know that sucks and they will need to buy a new trailer. Isn't that what we have insurance? Big deal. True it will be inconvenient, but it can be remedied. For another family, their father/husband/son won't be home tonight.

Update: The only remains they have been able to recover of the driver is a few bones. The local news is saying that the family hasn't been notified yet. I don't know how on earth they can figure out who the driver was with nothing left of a truck. I just hate to think that somewhere there is a family who still thinks their family member(s) is on the road hauling their shipment, expected to be home for Christmas.

At least I don't have a tum-ah!!!

I have been having headaches and migranes for quite some time now. There is really no rhyme or reason when they hit, they seem random. I finally saw a doctor about them. She sent me off for an MRI and bloodwork. In the process of taking my blood, the nurse gave me a major crack bruise. LOVELY! During the MRI I also was gifted with yet another crack bruise when they added the contrast. I have been doing my best to keep that arm covered when I leave the house. :) My results from the bloodwork and the MRI were both normal. I have been given a Rx for a medicine to take at the onset of a migrane. I haven't taken one yet and am a little anxious about taking one. I was informed that about 30 minutes after taking the pill I will experience some interesting side effects. My heart will start to race and I will get flushed. This is the medicine getting into my bloodstream and starting to take effect. She told me that she just wanted to let me know so that I won't freak out when I start to feel the side effects. These pills aren't cheap either! Six of them were $120.00!!! I sure hope they work.

Still no word about jobs. I found out some crappy news about one of the jobs on campus. I was their first choice for the job. BUT, a higher up involved in the hiring process didn't like the way the other administrators were interviewing. He went over their heads and hired a friend of a friends wife who needed a job. Now let me add that this woman knows absolutely nothing about computers and the university system. They will have to train her from the ground up. ARGH!!! I do know that they will be opening yet another position, basically to take up the slack from this lady. I will have to reapply and reinterview. That should be a barrel of monkeys.
I have registered for another test so that I can be eligible for another state job. I would much rather prefer a kush state job over one on campus, but I am not going to be picky at this point.

In all my down time, I am still working on blankets. Most recently I started working on ablanket for the MIL. SH mentioned last week that his mother would LOVE a blanket for Christmas. We went to get the yarn and I started working immediately. I had 14 days to get it done since we will be doing family christmas Saturday. I had 80 squares to create, attach them into strips 8 squares long, attach the strips together, then finish the entire blanket in 5 rows of stitches. I finished the last 14 squares yesterday since I ran out of 2 colors of yarn. While waiting for more yarn, I managed to get most of the strips done. Today I have 6 major connections to sew and will hopefully get started on the finishing. I have never done a blanket of this caliber in this amount of time. WHEW. I will be glad when it is finished. Will get pics soon.

Ingenious!!!

A fellow blogger (who I am completely enamoured with) has released a product that has been in the works for about a year now. I have been patiently waiting to see her Trash Ties and learn exactly how they work. Check out her site if you are interested!!! http://www.trashties.com/ I am gonna have to order some soon.

Still unemployed

SH and I finished up our x-mas shopping this morning. It felt so good to have that chore complete! I picked up the mail on our way in and there was a letter from Troy in the stack. Oh goodie!! News about the jobs!!! Wait a minute sister. Not so fast. I had to read the letter twice to make sense of it. The position I interviewed for last week has been filled. SHIT. Oh well, still no word yet about the interview yesterday....until I checked my voicemail. YUP, they filled that job too. DOUBLE SHIT. What gets me is that I had two friends associated with each of these jobs who were pulling for me. I am seriously at my wits end. I had a little mini breakdown after getting the double thumbs down today. Why is it that the only place that was interested in me treated me like crap and paid me even less? Why will nobody hire me? I am at a complete loss.

One month and counting

I have been unemployed for over a month now. I am really getting anxious about finding a new job. I have made several charity blankets and am almost at the end of my rope...no pun intended. I took a trash bag full of blankets to a local charity last week. I am working on another one right now. This one is a round blanket. I have seen several patterns for round blankets and wondered why one would want a round one. It just seems that it wouldn't cover the body well. Anyway, I wanted to give it a try, nothing wrong with learning a new pattern. I had an interview today for a job at the University. I had another interview last week for a different job at the University. Lord knows I have applied for almost every job they have open. Surely something will pan out...right???!!!???

On a positive note, Christmas shopping is almost finished. We managed in record time this year. We started actually purchasing gifts last week and have 2 more small gifts to buy. We also managed to buy while sticking to a budget. We should do it this way every year!! I didn't get to do my usual "home/handmade gifts" this year. I didn't really have the time/money/desire to think about that kind of gift anyway. Maybe next year. I thought about compiling recpies for a cookbook as the homemade gift. When I started looking at publishing, I realized that I should have started a few months ago. I think I am going to do that for next years X-mas. I sent out a mass email entitled "call for recipes" to all my friends and family and have the highest of hopes that they will reply with their family favorite recipes to add. I am pondering the title for the cookbook now. It wouldn't be anything super fancy, just a collection of recipes from people I love. :)

Charity Lapghan Finished!!!

I drove myself crazy with this lapghan. I don't even want to think about how many rows in all I had to frog to get the pattern correct. I think the first frogging was about 7 rows.... eek. It made me so sad when I realized I had to, but to see it finished makes it all worth it. I really like how the edging turned out too. Note to self, don't watch movies while working on this pattern!!!! This lapghan took less than 4 skeins of Simply Soft and is amazingly thick and warm. The original pattern can be found here. I tweaked the pattern for size and added an extra row of edging. The photo in the link above highlights the texture better than my picture.

My lovely assistant always has to be center stage when the camera comes out.

Music is my king sized bed

I cannot get the song from this commercial out of my head. Therefore I am sharing it with all of you. :)

Exploding Pyrex

Since I have been sick, the types of food I am able to eat numbers about 12. I cannot eat anything with a real texture. It bothers my throat and sends me into one of my coughing fits. I have been on a soup/pudding/jello diet since Tuesday. I bought a few acorn squash the other day and decided that would be something that I would be able to tolerate. I decided to prepare them like my mother always did. Baked in the oven, halved with a spoonful brown sugar and a pat of butter in the cored out center. I lovingly prepared the little squash and even made them a little nest of aluminum foil to prevent them from rolling around in the baking dish. They had been in the oven about 20 minutes and I went to check their progress. The oven door was open and I pulled out the rack just a bit so I could see them better. At that point, SH decided to step outside and opened the back door. Our back door is about 10 feet directly behind our oven. I don't remember what the exact temperature was outside, but it was COLD. A few seconds after he opened the door, the pyrex dish shattered. Glass went everywhere. I think I screamed since I was standing about a foot away from the oven. I was standing there dumbfounded. I thought Pyrex was some kind of superhuman material. Then I realized that this was the second piece of Pyrex broken in our house in less than 2 months. The first was a measuring cup that I broke while putting away dishes. Standing there with scalding hot glass fragments melting into the floor, I was at a complete loss. Where on earth do we start this daunting clean-up? SH decided to first be sure the glass didn't stick to the floor and did a preliminary sweep. We waited for the glass and the oven to cool before we started the main clean up. This of course happened at dinnertime and neither of us could use the oven for food prep. SH took out the oven drawer and took it outside to clean up this am. I just now finished cleaning up the interior of the oven. I am still a bit scared to use it for fear of microscopic glass particles getting into my foods. I decided to check the internet to see if this is a regular occurrence. Apparently it is and it mainly happens with the size dish I was using!!! 13x9!! Those of you with older Pyrex dishes, be careful!! I found out that over time, the Pyrex develops tiny cracks and if it experiences an extreme temperature change, it could shatter.

Charity Blankets and a Cold

I finished the Mile A Minute charity blanket late Saturday evening! It turned out so pretty!! I even found a blanket I did earlier in the year that never was sent off to a charity, so I will be delivering two blankets this time.

Mile a Minute Afghan

Rippled lapghan

While at a friend's house Saturday, I ended up smoking several cigarettes while watching the Bama game. I woke up Sunday with a hell of a cough. I was under the assumption that it was just the cigarettes. It wasnt. I coughed all day yesterday, had a runny nose and my throat has been sore to boot. Lucky me! I have a cold! I spent all morning in bed and have been drinking water like it is going out of style. It has been ages since I have been sick so I have forgotten exactly how it feels. I am going to do everything in my power to prevent this cold from turning into a sinus infection. The last one I had was the worst one ever. I remember sitting in the waiting room at the doctors office with a terrible cough. I really thought I was going to cough up a lung. I know everyone else in there was getting p'od because I couldn't stop the coughing, but I was a sick girl. They ended up giving me two shots in the heinie. One was an antibiotic, the other was a steriod. Needless to say I am trying to nip this one in the bud before it turns. I have a dentist appointment AND a job interview Thursday morning, so I need to be as close to 100% as I can by then. SH went and bought me some chicken soup and meds to help me heal. Wierd but I have been craving oodles of noodles soup. mmmmmm. Warm brothy goodness.

Charity blanket and a Chicken

With a week off, I have almost finished the charity blanket. I have 2 more strips to make before I can stitch them all together. Maybe that project will be finished over the weekend. I wanted to share a recipe we made for dinner last night. It was absolutely fabulous. It came from an episode of Good Eats on Food TV. The host, Alton Brown is one of my all time favorite TV chefs. His shows are so informative and his recipes are wonderful. This one is super easy and well worth the hour and a half cooking time. Peeling the garlic takes some effort, but you will enjoy the end result.

40 Cloves and a Chicken
1 whole chicken (broiler/fryer) cut into 8 pieces
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 sprigs fresh thyme
40 peeled cloves garlic
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil and brown on both sides in a wide fry pan or skillet over high heat. Remove from heat, add oil, thyme, and garlic cloves. Cover and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
Remove chicken from the oven, let rest for 5 to 10 minutes, carve, and serve.

When I started fixing my plate, my chicken fell off the bone it was so tender. The cooked garlic cloves are wonderful smooshed onto bread. This dish is going to be a regular fixture at our dinner table.

My latest crochet

I finally got around to taking pictures of my newest pieces this afternoon. I even updated the ole' resume and got together a cover letter for another job. I have almost finished the 4th strip of the Charity blanket. I have attempted two different designs. One is the Annies Attic Mile A Minute variety and the other is a Make it Quick. Both style are made with several strips that are created seperately, then stitched together to create the blanket. I like both versions, but I will most likely stick with Mile A Minute since I have more strips completed.

Version 2 - Mile A Minute

Version 3 - Make it Quick

This is the Spiral Simplicity Doily I finished weeks ago. I blocked it but since it has been stored on top of some other stuff, it isn't flat anymore.

I QUIT

I decided earlier in the week that I would quit my job on Friday. I realized that with an "end in sight", work was much easier. I wrote a letter of resignation Wednesday afternoon. I decided (with a little help from Mother of Purl) to go ahead and just finish out Friday and leave the letter and all my stuff on the Supervisor's desk after I clocked out. I knew that if I told her Friday morning, one of two things would happen. Either they would be rude and mean to me all day, or she would try to talk me out of leaving. I am not very good with confrontation like that and I knew I wouldn't be able to deal with a conversation like that. Luckily we were slammed yesterday afternoon, so when I clocked out, the supervisor was still in the main office. I didn't have to deal with her. I hated that I had to leave my new work buddy, but she understood my decision. She is really in the same boat I was in except she had an even longer commute! We exchanged email addresses and I hope to keep in touch with her. It certainly feels good to be away from that place now. I feel so free!!!
BUT, I am jobless again. I applied for a job here in town Wednesday and am going to keep my eyes peeled. I don't expect to find anything right away, but I hate being the unemployed member of the household. We are just gonna have to tighten our belts for a little bit.

The charity blanket should move along quicker now. I started another strip this afternoon and have made quite a bit of progress on it. I keep forgetting to take pictures!!! Must do tomorrow.

Charity Blanket #2

Since it is the time of year that it starts getting cold, I decided to get started on another charity blanket. I started a little late last year and only got one finished. This year I am doing a "Mile a Minute" version of a blanket and hope to have it finished before it gets too cold out. I am also going to donate the blue/white ripple blanket I did last year that I never "turned in".

On a sidenote, does anyone here use Ravelry to keep up with their projects? I have seen other blogs where their ravelry "project progress" is added and can be viewed on the blog. Anyone know how to do that?

Happy Anniversary to me and the SH

Well folks, three years ago today, SH and I tied the knot. It seems like we have been married for eons though. I guess that has something to do with the fact that we dated for about 10 years before deciding to stop living "in sin". It really only seems like yesterday that I was knee deep in wedding planning, choosing what kind of flower arrangements to have, what to use as favors and all the other necessary wedding vomit taking up housekeeping in a corner of the office. The wedding was beautiful and I couldn't have been happier with the way everything turned out. Thanks SH for sticking by me through the thick and thin of our lives together. We have plenty more to come. :)

Almost holiday time!

I can't believe it is already The 2nd week in October. Normally by this time, I would have already figured out what I will be doing for Christmas gifts. I haven't even thought about it yet. I tend to do things that I can make and buy my supplies in bulk. I don't remember what I did last year, but the year before I did solid perfume lotions for all my girlfriends. A few years before that I did a trio of herb mixes in little aluminum tins. I am drawing a blank for this year. I have absolutely no idea what to get family either. The only gifts I have are the two wraps for the mothers. Looks like I need to get pondering!

My MIL has asked me to make some beaded ornaments for her. I don't know if they will be gifts or if they will be for her own tree. I made about 24 of them last year to sell at a craft fair. I thought for sure I had pictures of them, but can't seem to put my finger on em. Anyway, they were a huge hit. Many were purchased to give as teacher gifts. That will be another fun project to get started on.

Faboo news on the home front!!!

I called SH while I was on my way home from work and he was out shopping for steaks and Champagne for dinner. I asked why on earth were we eating so high on the hog on a Tuesday evening. He told me the good news. He has finally been hired on as a full time employee (WITH BENEFITS) at Troy. We both worked there for ages and they never really wanted to hire us on full time. Lord knows, that would have taken away from their football budget!! Apparently with a few threats that would have meant closing the department, they agreed to hire him!! I am so happy this finally worked out. This makes me a little happier about keeping my crummy job. This week has been bearable at work and I know I can soldier through if I really want to. I am still going to look for other job opportunities though! I would love to be making more money for the work I am putting out.

HIP HIP HOORAY SH!!!!!!

My latest doilies

Here are my two latest doilies. Both are done in a light light pink. The color looks very washed out, but I promise they are pink. :)

This one is quite large, maybe 9 inches across.

This one is small, maybe 5 inches across.

One not so crafty bitch

The past few weeks have been very un-creative for me. I no longer have the time to devote to what I really love to do, create things. My work has become all I think about from the time I rise to the time I got to sleep. It has even made its way into my dreams...nightmares actually. I feel I am doing my best to learn everything they are throwing my way, but it is just so much. When did I start college again???!!!

I started a new doily earlier in the week and made it through several rounds but as I started another round, I found a boo-boo at the beginning of the previous round so I ripped it all out to start that round again. I haven't started back. Maybe I will work on it this weekend.

I now think that the toe is really broken. After two weeks, it is still swollen and tender. I can move it, but the motion is very limited and painful. I feel at times that it is a "ghost toe". It seems to not want to follow the movement of the rest of the toes. When I take my work shoes off, I find it kind of overlapping the toe next to it. Very odd. I have tried to spend any "free" time I have with the foot up but that hasn't helped one iota. About 97% of my workday is spent standing and running around, and I know that doesn't help. I have never had a broken bone, let alone a bad sprain, so all this discomfort, pain and immobility is new to me.

I even think I am developing some kind of arthritis or tendon issue in my right hand. This morning I had trouble grasping things. Mainly with my thumb and forefinger. When I tried to pick up something or turn my wrist, a dull pain would radiate through those fingers towards the wrist. Simple things such as picking up the Brita filter or turnng on a faucet makes it hurt. I am going to do my best to not over-exert and over-use the hand but that going to be a difficult task for me. I guess I will does up on ibuprofins. That should help both the toe and the wrist.

I got some sad news Monday evening. I knew it was coming and it was only a matter of time before it happened. My Oma died Monday morning. She has been in hospice for a few months and her health has been declining over the last 4 years. She has had several other problems over the past few months that actually should have killed her. She developed sepsis following a UTI and bladder infection that went unnoticed for a while. Somehow they got those problems under control with some hella-high dose antibiotic and she made it through. I think she just didn't wake up this time. I take comfort knowing that she isn't in pain anymore and is now with her beloved husband, my Opa, who died in 2002. SH and I are leaving for North Carolina tomorrow for the funeral.

*Oma is the german word for Grandmother. Opa is the german word for Grandfather. My brother and I started calling our grandparents this since we lived in Germany as children.

overworked, overwhelmed and underpaid

comic from: http://www.toothpastefordinner.com/

The past week at the new job has been exceptionally trying and exhausting. I have been thrown into the pit to so to speak and have been extremely overwhelmed. I don't have a problem working with the patients, I just am still not familiar with exactly what tests to do when and things like that. They are teaching us stuff but everyone does things differently and certain docs prefer certain forms/tests/ways of stating things. I really feel like Peterman from Office Space. I have found that the technicians that work alongside me do all the work and basically bring in all the money, but we don't get jack in return. We have those stupid morale/teamwork building meetings too. BOOOORRRIIINNNGGG. We even have our own Lumberg except there are two of them. Chris and Barbara. One is the gum nazi and the other is just a bitch. Neither of them works "the floor" or deals with patients. They are basically paper shufflers. They both work upstairs, wear suits, have nice offices and drive nice cars. They are the ones making all the money that should be ours. I found out yesterday that we have to stay late 3 times a month and have to come in EARLY too. Come on folks, I have to get up at 5:30 just to get there by 8. I seriously doubt I can get up much earlier and keep my sanity. Conversely, I get home at 6 even though I get off work at 5. Just what I want is to stay another hour at work!!! The pay seems virtually non existent once I fill my gas tank. I haven't made this kind of pay in over 10 years. I also didn't have nearly the workload, commute or stress. I think I am going to continue looking for jobs elsewhere. One of the new girls that started the same day as me shared some interesting news. Apparently "the test" to move up one notch on the ladder, will max out our pay at 12.50 an hour. Again, really not a lot of pay for all that the responsibilities and drama. She and I both had been at jobs that paid quite a bit more than now and we both are making commutes of at least an hour. It is funny how when I interviewed they made the job sound so much better. Enough griping about work...it is the weekend.

Back to the toe-lio, The bruising has oddly migrated to other areas of the foot through the week. After a full week on my feet, yesterday morning I noticed that toe was itching. I took off my sock and was shocked to realize it had swollen and looked like a vienna sausage. I vowed to stay off it as much as possible and keep it iced all weekend. Of course my new health insurance policy won't kick in until I am "off my probationary period" at work, which could be up to 90 days depending on how they think I am doing. Unfortunately because of this, I can't go to the doctor and have it looked at. I was supposed to go watch the Bama game today at a friends house but backed out to spend time with my foot up.

I even attempted to do some exercising this afternoon and realized how bad I am out of shape YET AGAIN. I am now only able to workout 3 days a week and with toe issue it makes it more difficult and I can only do pilates in the floor. I guess I will go back to being a lard ass.

On the crafty side, I haven't made much of anything lately. I did make a pair of earrings the other day to wear to work, but I have been so tired after work I have just want to eat and go to bed when I get home. I am contemplating pulling out some crochet yarn and get to hooking. :)

I noticed this morning that "little" Disco (aka Gigantor) grew overnight! We were weighing her on our bathroom scale. The last time we weighed her (with SH holding her in his arms), the scale wouldn't register. I assume it topped out. At last weight, she was 80 lbs. She is only 8 months and I think she will go through one more growth spurt. I can only imagine what the rest of her litter weigh since she was the runt.

Toe-lio

I don't think the toe is broken but I have one hell of a bruise. My old boss would say I have Toelio. :)

After the swelling went down a bit, the bruise started forming. I was then able to move things around a little and could tell where the initial injury was. The boo-boo is on the inside of the pinkie toe where it joins the foot. The skin isn't broken, I think somehow I pulled the toe away from the rest of the foot by getting it stuck in the wheel mechanism of the shopping cart. The bruise runs down the medial side of the toe and extends about 3 inches into the anterior side of the foot. (Nice use of medical jargon huh?) It looks like a puddle of purple on the top of my foot. It seems to get more purple every hour and I imagine it will molt into a lovely shade of greenish yellow, reminiscent of my lipo bruises. I have been doing my best to stay off it and keep it iced, but with weekend chores it has been difficult. I am going to see if there is something I can do tomorrow at work that will allow me to sit. Visual field tests maybe...... Walking hurts and I waddle when I do. That sucks. I really hate this happened within my first week of work!! I would show yall a picture but I don't want to scare you off. I don't mind my feet, I just hate the pinkie toenail. Sometimes I wish we didn't even have a nail on that toe because it is always misshapen and wierd looking. I have NEVER seen a pinkie toenail that was pretty.

The new job

I have been completely overwhelmed with oculary learning this week. It has been AGES since I dealt with eyes and eye related stuff. Even then it wasn't nearly as in depth as now because I worked with an Optometerist instead of an Opthamologist. I have been given a stack of handouts to read/study/learn. I will eventually take written tests on this information, in the event I want to get certified. I have taken pages and pages of notes and just this morning retyped them into a somewhat legible document. I have even gone so far as to get definitions for all the bolded words in my study guides. Retyping my notes has helped me become more familiar with the info too. As far as dealing with patients goes, I have been given the ok to start taking basic histories (Hx), acuities (VA) and such. We were in training all day yesterday and I really think my brain stopped working at about 3 o'clock. Too much information for one day!!!! I really hope that I learn as quickly as they want me to, and learn how to follow their procedures correctly. The staff is very friendly and almost all the girls on the floor with me are nice and easy to get along with.

Another good thing happened last week....SH got a call back from a job he applied for. He has an interview next thursday. I really hope he gets the job!!!!!!

I think I broke my toe!!!

I was walking through the parking lot at the grocery store when somehow I got my pinkie toe hung up in the wheel mechanism of the shopping cart. YOW!!! I still had more errands to run so I hobbled around to get everything done before going home. Walking on the foot is excruciating. I have been trying to bear weight more on the instep of that foot to help. I got home and iced the toe and checked it out a little better. It is very swollen and is starting to show bruising. Great. Just what I need right now. I don't even think my insurance at the new job has gone in yet. I just hope that I twisted/wrenched/sprained/pulled it instead of actually breaking it. I am on my feet ALL DAY LONG at this new job and a broken toe would be very bad news. NOOOOOOOOOO.

Less than 12 hours to go

before I start my new job! I am so anxious about it and obsessing about things that don't really matter. For example...which door do I go in?...front or back? Where do I park?...out front or on the side? Will I have a locker or will I have to leave my personal stuff in a drawer somewhere? I know everything will be ok and I will do well at the job. It is just the anticipation of the unknown, and my Worry-wart acting up.

I doubt I will have time (or access) to a computer at work so chances are good I won't be able to post during the week. Lord knows by the time I get home I won't want to do anything but eat dinner, relax and get ready for the next day. I really hope SH can find a job soon so we will be able to move closer to our work. It would save several hundred dollars a month in gas money and would return a couple of hours to my day. :)
I also have to take a test for a state job this weekend. I took another one last week and should have the results back sometime this week. Ya never know, something better may roll my way.

Square doily....almost done

I have been trying to keep busy on another crochet project until I start my new job next Tuesday. I am doing a fairly large rectangluar doily made up of lots of smaller square doilies. This is yet another of my doily projects I am hoping to eventually frame and have hanging on the wall of my craftin' room. I think it is going to be quite pretty when it is finished, assuming I can figure out the instructions on how to join the squares! I'll picture it when I am finished!

Update: I can't seem to make sense of the finishing instructions so as of now I am stuck with the nine squares. I have put this project away and finished another small doily last night while watching a movie and started yet another one. I will block the small one sometime today. Pic coming soon.

Ever hear of the Diva Cup?

I am seriously considering ordering one of these. I saw it mentioned in a friends blog and was completely fascinated.

One year ago...

One year ago this weekend, one of my best friends was given some very bad news. She found out she had breast cancer. She has always said she "felt" something like this would eventually happen to her. SH and I had already planned on a visit to see her and her SH that weekend, we always visited them for Labor Day. When we arrived at their house, she was already home and was outside with her neighbor. We thought it odd that she was already home from work, but didn't really think much else...until we saw her face. Something was not quite right. We all went inside and she sat us down at the table as if we were her children and delivered the news. We spent the entire weekend researching on the internet and doing as much as we could to learn about what she would be going through in the months to come. The doctors weren't 100% sure yet, an MRI, genetic testing and a biopsy still needed to be done, but they were pretty sure of what the diagnosis would be. She had noticed a lump months ago and went for a mammogram when she turned 35 and her insurance would cover it. Her doctor basically dismissed it saying she had "fiberous breasts". FF to last Labor Day weekend. The lump had continued to grow (it was roughly the size of an egg at this point) and she decided she better get a second opinion. When all the test results came in and were read, the findings were clear. She did have a cancerous mass in one breast, had another small mass in the other, was a carrier of the "cancer gene" and would possibly have additional cancers come up in the future. Because of this, she opted to have a hysterectomy along with a double mastoctomy. She soldiered on through several months of draining chemotherapy. SH and I were only able to visit a few times during this period and seeing her soo weak and frail was extremely difficult. Her physical strength was diminished, but her inner strength was stronger than ever. Her SH and family were always there to tend to the house and her. She finished her Chemo in February and has been slowly recuperating from that. Her hair is slowly growing back and she is starting to look more like herself. She is scheduled for breast reconstruction breast next week. Because of the double mastectomy, she was left with virtually no skin on her chest to hold implants. Over the past coupla months, she has been undergoing a procedure that creates extra skin to hold the implants by means of ballon expanders. From what I understand, they placed balloons under her skin that are slowly "inflated" with fluid. I think every few days/weeks they put more fluid in until the pocket is large enough to accommodate the new mams. They will tattoo new nipples on the skin too. How crazy is that?

I am so happy she has finally made it through to the other side. It is amazing what can transpire in a year. She has soldiered on knowing that things had to be dealt with only to move forward. She has kept her sense of humor and almost the entire time she has had a positive outlook. I am sure she has had some moments of negativity and dejection, but who wouldn't? D, you are a superhero to me. I love you and can't wait to see you...and the new tits!!!

Disaster averted

I ordered scrubs last week for my new job. I told the woman at the store when I was checking out that I would need them BEFORE September 4th. She assured me that wouldn't be a problem. I was hoping they would be in by today so I called them a little while ago to check the status. I was told they wouldn't be in until late next week. WHAT!??! I told her of the conversation I had where I was assured they would be here in time since I will also need them hemmed. She gave me a "oooohhhh" and couldn't offer me any help since they didn't have what I needed there in the store. I called the other uniform shop in town and they didn't have what I needed either. Okay, starting to panic. My only other options were to order online and pay for rush shipping, or try calling around. I called the next closest place that carries the brand I need. They have the style and the size I need!!!! WHEW. I have to take off work this afternoon and make an hour drive to buy yet another pair of scrubs, but at least I will have the proper attire for work. ARGH!!!!!!

Ants and Bookworms

Sugar ants. Everywhere!!!! I made a trip to the big city Friday to take a test for a state job. I decided to stop at the local Chick-fil-a drive through at lunch to get a bite to eat. This was the most unusual drive through I have ever been through. It made a spiral around the building! The only problem with it was that when you got your food at the window, you had to go through the outer line of cars in the drive through line AND try not to get creamed by outgoing traffic. Anyway, back to the ant story. I was in the drive through line that wasn't moving. My temp gauge in the truck was slowly rising, so I turned on the heater for a few minutes in an attempt to bring the temp down. Lord knows I don't want that stupid thing to strand me in a drive-thru line!!! When I turned the heat on, lots of crud and dust came flying out of the vents, covering me. I shook it off and went about my business ordering lunch. I ate my chik'n sammich and made it to my test early. When I was done with the test, I got back in the truck for the ride home and the console was COVERED in ants. GROSS!! Some were alive but most were dead. Nooo, not in a locked up car in this heat!?!?! There must have been 2 lbs of ants covering the console and carpet. Being a neat freak, I had serious issues with this. I felt so gross driving home with ants all over the place. Bright and early Saturday morning, I got up and started the de-antification process. Needless to say the truck hasn't been vacuumed or cleaned in months. I spent about 3 hours vacuuming, armor alling, windexing and leather cleaning. That should last her a few more months!

Now on to the bookworm section of this post. SH finished reading Marley and Me and passed it on to me. I won't give away any of the story, but if you are a pet owner and/or a labrador retriever owner, you will certainly be able to relate to the author and Marley. It was a wonderful read. I finished it in two readings. I couldn't bring myself to stop. The last time I did that with a book was when DaVinci Code came out. I read from the time I woke up to the time I fell asleep. I even read it in the car whilst we were traveling through Atlanta. Anyone who knows me knows how much I loathe the trip through Atlanta. I normally pop a Valium and recline the seat back for that drive. Anyway, if you are looking for a great book, give Marley and Me a try. I am willing to bet you will love it. Prior to Marley and Me, I read We're Just Like You, Only Prettier: Confessions of a Tarnished Southern Belle. It was absolute hilarity. I have to get some of her other books. In between bookworming, I watched Shindler's List. I saw parts of it several years ago but never really knew the story. I knew I was in for a long ride since it arrived on two DVDs. I had been holding off for when I knew I had three hours to commit to it. I have always been fascinated/horrified with the Holocaust. I remember watching some documentaries as a child about concentration camps and for some reason I was under the impression that that is how everyone died. I think that is why I used to fear death so much. I almost had to turn the movie off at one point, I didn't think I could take it anymore. It made me so sad. I figured I needed to trudge through it. Of course at the very end of the movie I was bawling yet again. Whew.

OMG IS IT SOOO HOT

The heat here in the south can be pretty oppressive at times, but this year definately takes the cake. By 8 am, it is already blazing. Opening a door to let a dog go potty will result in immediate face sweating. The heat continues until about 9 at night where it may let off a tad. It has also been exceptionally still out. At least with a breeze you feel a bit cooler. The simple act of walking outside to your car will leave you with googly-moo. What's that you ask? What is googly-moo? Googly-moo is the sweat you get in between the "twins" and underneath your cleavage. It is a big problem in the summer round here.

SH and I have to run some errands this afternoon and we will close the day with a fancy shmancy dinner, where we will use a gift certificate we got last x-mas. YUM!! My question, can we run our errands in our underpants? It would be soo much cooler!!!!

Rant rant rant rant

I have been fuming about this all day, so I will rant a bit about the parking situation at my part time job and the general issues I have with this place that I want to expose. I wish there was a way to get this information out where there would be ramifications for the university, but that will never happen. It would get covered up somehow.

I returned to work in the Archaeology Department at a local university (Troy University at Troy to be exact). They have been doing everything in their power to become a major player in football over the past few years. This spring, they built 4 new dorms on campus and moved our department to another building so they could have our old building for some other random purpose (that is a completely different rant). Well since the school has been expanding, they have increased student enrollment. What they have failed to do is increase parking to accommodate these new students. I heard through the grapevine that the university sold twice as many parking permits as they have available parking spots. As a result, students are parking in our assigned faculty spots, the grass and even right in the middle of the freaking road! On the first day of school, SH and I were on our way in to campus and saw a tow truck towing away several cars that had parked in the road. Not on the curb but in THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD!! I understand parking is at a premium, but what makes you decide to just stop where you are and park?!?! Anyway, this morning SH and I drove around for 30 minutes looking for a parking spot. He finally dropped me off at our building so I could go ahead and go inside. I was LIVID. It so pisses me off that the place is only interested in how they are viewed by outsiders. They don't give a rats ass how their faculty is treated, or the conditions in several of the buildings. The commercials for the school make me want to blow chunks. I have been told over the years that some of the practice fields that are used by the band and the intermural sports teams are basically made of sod on top of barrels of toxic waste from the lead plant nearby. I have also been told that Troy has an extremely high lead content in the city water (we never drink water straight from the tap 'round here). I have also been told that the building we were moved from contained asbestos. If you were to ask someone in a high position about this matter, it would be denied. One of our maids was so concerned about it she went so far as to take a sample and have it tested at her cost. Guess what, ASBESTOS!!! SH and I worked in that building for years. The repairs that we asked to be fixed were never done, the handicapped doors worked 15% of the time, you could see sky through the brand new roof, AND we didn't have a working bathroom. All we had was "the dungeon" which was never cleaned and looked like a bathroom from a horror movie. We were the department time forgot. But in the meantime, there was a brand new shiny football stadium going up across the road. There were new wrought iron signs put up at all the buildings, the quad was completely renovated and several of the buildings were refaced, but we couldn't take a pee in a clean facility. Now, during this move of our department, we were split so that our wet lab would be located off campus (in a building almost as crummy as the one we just left). This presented yet another challenge since we previously had access to all our equipment for the field as well as laboratory. We now have to schlepp stuff from one place to another and each place isn't very well equipped for our needs. Imagine that! This location off campus is a mixture of offices and two what look like airport hangers. This is where they put all the "trash" from the university like marble gateways, surplus and other stuff. SH told me that another employee at that location was told that her office area used to have a mold problem. You know how the university fixed it? Well they just covered it up with sheetrock and slapped a new coat of paint on it. Problem solved! The things that go on here just chap my hide and I am so glad that I will be leaving it for good soon. SH is still looking for a different job so hopefully my little family will soon be clear of this place forever.

I got the job!

I returned a call to the Opthamologists office this morning and was offered a job! I was given first choice of three jobs they had open. I took the one with the most possibility for growth. I start on September 4th!!!!! YAY!!!

Banana Chocolate Crepes

I was watching a show on Food TV that featured Banana Chocolate crepes. I decided I needed to give them a test run. Here is the recipe.

Crepes:
1 beaten egg
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
1 t. oil
1 T sugar

Caramelized Bananas:
3 bananas, sliced on the bias
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
cinnamon to taste

Nutella

Mix all crepe ingredients together. I used a whisk to make the mixture very smooth. Heat a small skillet over medium heat and lightly coat with oil/Pam. Remove skillet from heat and add 1/4 cup of mixture. Swirl the skillet to evenly coat with crepe mixture. Put back on heat for 2 minutes, flip crepe gently and allow to cook for another minute. Continue with remaining crepe mixture. I set the finished crepes aside until ready to assemble.


For the bananas, melt butter in large skillet. Add brown sugar and mix thoroughly. When combined, add bananas and cook for a few minutes. They will become very soft. Add cinnamon and mix to coat.

To assemble, coat 1/2 of crepe with a little Nutella. Add your bananas and flip the other half over to cover. Top with some of the banana juice if desired.

These are DELICIOUS.

Doily #2

Doily #2, blocked and ready for framing.

Job Offer!

I finally returned calls this morning to the Opthamologists office and the Insurance company. I had been unable to get in touch with both those contacts for days now. I have scheduled an interview with the Insurance place tomorrow a.m. The job sounds like an absolute no brainer, but I will find out more tomorrow. The woman at the Opthamologist told me that they were goinng to offer me the job. I told her that they were still #1 on my list, but I did have another interview to go to. I told her I could come by there after my interview. I guess we will talk logistics like pay and insurance in the event I accept. I am on the fence about which job is going to be best and the most lucrative. I will have to think this through over the weekend before making a decision. I am excited and scared all at the same time. I guess everyone gets that way when it comes to a making a big life change like this. At lunch today, my fortune in the fortune cookie said: You will take a chance in something in the near future. Interesting.

Hmmm, maybe I need to something to take my mind off the job hunt. :)

Why the British accent?

I watched 300 this past weekend and it lead me to a question. Have you noticed that in movies like 300 and Clash of the Titans most of the acting is done with a british accent? Most movies that are mythologically based are. Why is this? Could it have something to do with the fact that many of these stories were originally plays done in Europe? Ponder that one.

I may be re-employed soon!

I got another call from the Opthamologist's office today. I didn't recognize the number so I didn't answer it. I will call them back tomorrow. I am really hoping they offer me the job. I remembered something in the job description about a sign-on bonus. I will be sure to ask about that tomorrow. It would kick much ass if the bonus could pay off my surgery loan. Then I would be able to go ahead with a new vehicle purchase. ROCK!! I have also been involved in a a rousing game of phone tag with another job possibility. This is an HR position. I know I could do it but I don't know if I would really enjoy it.

On the crochet front, I have finished mom's wrap and it looks great. I ended up with 2 1/2 extra skeins of yarn since the yarn I chose didn't have the weight listed on it and I am still kinda ignorant as to weight/length in skeins. I am gonna use the leftover to make another wrap for SH's mom. Doily #2 is completed and is being blocked at this very moment.

Classes start back at the college tomorrow and I am sooo not excited about that. I am so tired with dealing with college students. The best time in this podunk town is summer, when all the students are gone. I have refused to buy a parking permit since chances are prety good that I won't be able to find a parking spot. They continue to build dorms and increase enrollment but can't figure out that they will need more parking. Go figure. If it ain't football or elementary school teachers (aka sorority girls) it don't matter.

Finished projects

Here are pics of the two projects I recently finished. The pics actually are kinda crappy, but you will get the jist. Now, without further adieu, I present to you the fruits of my unemployed hands.

Doily #1, freshly blocked and starched.

Pink and red loopy belt.

This will have to go to someone with a smaller waist than me. I doubt I will list it on Etsy, I will probably give it away. It fits me but I am not one of those fortunate souls that can pull off a viewable belt. I hide mine under a shirt.

I have been working on Mom's wrap since last night and it is going VERY quickly. The pattern called for an N hook but I couldn't get gauge so I am using a R hook. I am about 3/4 of the way done with the wrap, the pockets should take no time flat.

This is the wrap. Pretty cute huh?

My first doily is done!!

I finished my first doily last night!!! I was so excited to get it finished. I blocked it earlier this afternoon and will photograph it tomorrow when it is dry. I even finished the loopy belt that was at a standstill. I had stopped working on it since I couldn't remember how to finish it off UNTILLLLL, I was at Michael's this morning and they had the book that belt pattern came from. I flipped to the instructions to see exactly how the ends were done and jotted a few notes in my notebook. When I got home, I finishsed it up. It will be pictured tomorrow as well. The main reason I went to Michael's was to get yarn for mom's pocket wrap Christmas present. I got some chunky variegated Homespun yarn in a deep blue/purple. Really pretty and soft. She is gonna love it! SH said that his mom would probably like one as well, so hers will be next in line. Yeaaaaaa crochet!!!!!

I found it!!!

Back in the 90's a friend let me borrow a video tape of a Mr. Bean special. I have been looking for the video for ages just for this one clip. Mr. Bean plays a teacher who is going through the roll of all his students who have very unusual names. I FOUND IT and it is hilarious!!!!! Enjoy!!

*Warning - contains sexual references

Get the walker ready, Cla is OLD.

I started a project yesterday in an attempt to keep my mind off the one vice I am trying to quit. I had thought about this project months ago. When I have the ClaDesigns crafty room I have been dreaming of, I hope to use these as decoration. I had thought about making several doilies in bright colors, frame them and use them as wall art. Now I know, I sound like an old lady when I say doily. I never contemplated that my crocheting would lead me to them, but oddly enough it has. IMO if they are in pretty colors and framed, they aren't nearly as Old Ladyesque as if they were under lamps and on coffee tables. BUT, if I ever, ever mention wanting to crochet a TP cozy, please just shoot me in the face and put me (and SH) out of my misery.

With the doily idea in hand and antsy fingers, I started Doily #1 yesterday afternoon. I am doing an "easy" pattern in a light purply-lilac. I have attempted doilies before but have always managed to screw them up at about round 5. I would rip out my progress only to start again. Inevitably I would mess up again and rip it out again. To date, I have still not completed a single doily. Hopefully this will be the first. I am up to round 8 of 12. I got to round 9 last night but realized I frucked up and ripped back to round 8. I decided to put it away before I did any more damage. Hopefully I can finish #1 up tonite and get it blocked and ready for the crafty room.

In the bag

After a sleepless night last night (i'll tell ya about that in a minute), I rose dark and early for my interview at 8. I arrived at the office and was rudely greeted by a teenage receptionist. She gave me a dirty look, then proceeded to give her teenage cohort deskmate another look like "what does this old lady want?" Whatever little beotches. I have been menstruating longer than you have been alive so take your dirty looks and shove 'em up your ass. Insert snide smile here. Beotch #1 called "S" and I was instructed to start filling out the job application, she would be by shortly to talk with me. That sucker must have been 8 pages long. I wasn't quite finished when S showed up and took me back to another room where we could chat. We talked jobby-job stuff and then she offered to show me around and let me shadow some of the technicians. I dazzled her with all my answers and she seemed really happy with all the experience I have. Seriously, I think I blew this interview out of the water and feel very positive I will be getting a job offer soon. She said she was going to check my references, do a background search (no problem since I am a perfect angel) and would then get back with me.
The job itself isn't too much different that what I did previously at Dr. McA's. There are several more instruments to learn how to work since this is an Opthamologist instead of an Optometerist, but I really think I would do great at it. I did mention to S that everything was a little overwhelming, but of course with any new job it will be. She laughed and reassured me. Get this, they even get to wear SCRUBS. That is so freaking great. You have no idea how much I love the idea of wearing PJ's to work every day! No need to buy fancyshmancy work outfits. No need to plan the night before what you will wear the next day. In this case it would be a choice between the blue scrubs the blue scrubs or the blue scrubs. The office has a yearly allowance THEY PAY for your scrubs. ROCK. S also mentioned that Wednesdays are only half days. That gives the employees time to do doctors appointments and errands. Also Rock!
Nedless to say, I shot my interview out of the park.

Lets see how SH's interview goes. He is taking a power nap now and will be getting ready for his in the next few hours. *Spoken like Tony Little in the Gazelle commercial* You can do itttttttttttt!!!


Oh yea, I completely forgot to elaborate about the sleepless night. I tried going to bed early to get my beauty rest. LOL. What a crock. I went to bed around 10. I tossed and turned for a while and as soon as I was almost asleep, Baraka decided that he needed to go out. This seriously went on for HOURS. When he wasn't asking to go outside he was panting. He wasn't hot, he does this for attention and it is extremely annoying. At 2:30 I had had enough. I jumped out of bed ready to beat his heinie and I slipped on the carpet and busted my ass. I let him out and he ran directly to the woods. He had to poop. OK. FINE. SH heard the commotion, woke up and offered to watch for Baraka and let me get back in bed. He closed off the bedroom so Baraka would'nt bother me. Instead, Baraka tap-danced on the linoleum outside the bedroom the rest of the night. He really isn't a dancer, We call it tap-dancing because that is what it sounds like he is doing. Sooooo, neither I or SH got much sleep last night and we are exhausted. Maybe I need a nap toooooo. :)

j-o-b interview!!!

I got a call yesterday afternoon about a job I had applied ONLINE for on Sunday. I called the woman back a few minutes ago and I am meeting with her bright and early tomorrow morning. I am actually kind of excited about the possibility that I can work in the eye-related field again. The job is for an opthalmic technician at a large surgical center. I think I could do it easy cheesy. I am also excited about the possibility of getting to wear scrubs to work instead of dressy clothes. Ahhhh, dressing that requires no thinking. I like that! I am keeping my fingers crossed but not holding my breath.

UPDATE: SH has an interview tomorrow too!!! I am preparing a celebratory dinner of s'ghetti and vino to ready us for our interviewin'. mmmmm.

A serious world o' hurt

Yesterday I had one of the worst headaches I have ever had. It was seriously like #2 of all the bad headaches I have survived. At one point I thought I may have had an aneurysm. They say that an aneurysm feels like the worst headache in the world. Part of the time I felt that my head might actually explode, the other part of the time I thought that killing myself would hurt less. (not really) The remainder of the time I was either sweaty with chills, unable to get comfortable or nauseous. I couldn't strip down, I was at a friends house. Getting comfortable simply wasn't gonna happen. I knew that puking wouldn't help, it would merely increase the throb-ocity. Those of you who get headaches know what I am talking about. Any movement that lowers your head over about 30 degrees make it throb even harder. I medicated with Ibuprofin early on trying to stop it before it progressed into a monster. I was too late. I went from leaning against the bed to sitting in a rocking chair to sitting on the toilet in the bathroom. Sometimes splashing cold water on my hands and face would help. SH had a pow-wow with the lady of house concerning my condition. She brought me real meds. I took 2 pills, one to make the pain stop and one to make me sleep. I took half of the sleep pill. This made me almost unable to stand/lean anymore. I spent what felt like an eternity sitting on the floor in a bedroom, eyes closed overhead fan on full blast. The coolness of the fan felt good but on the flipside the cold air hurt my skin and made me even more nauseous. There I sat, eyes covered, sometimes I rocked, sometimes I sat still. Always rubbing my forehead. Everything above my neck hurt. I did my best not to concentrate on the pain and just breathe. *Insert annoying yoga instructor here* Focus your breath. Long, slow breath in. Long slow breath out. Long, slow breath in. Long slow breath out. This did help and has always helped me when I have this kind of headache. The SH finally decided we should head home and he very sweetly packed up all my stuff, the DiscoGirl, and a to-go plate the lady of the house had prepared for me. We started the trip home. At first the headache got worse and I started to worry. I eventually calmed down and settled in for the quiet ride home. We got home and I felt a bit better. SH made me some soup and I got in bed. Blinds closed, lights off. I stayed there for about 30 minutes and felt loads better. I took it easy the rest of the evening and am back at 100% today.

I think the headache was from too much sun. I had been drinking water all day, and I had eaten. I think I just got too damn hot. :(

My hook is a smokin'!!!

I have finally finished the charity rectangles! I have 4 done in each color in a shell pattern, 2 granny rectangles and 2 done in a tunisian stitch. Twelve 'tangles total. The newest ones are getting blocked right now and I will post pics when they are finished. I used up all my leftovers in three shades of blue! Sweet.


Mother of purl has kindly offered to take all the other leftovers off my hands too. I will now have room to make a NEW YARN PURCHASE to get Mom's shawl started. I am still unsure and debating colors. I am leaning heavily towards a variagated blue or purple or green. I guess once I see them in person I will have an easier time choosing. I know that she cannot wear certain olivey-yellows or else she looks like death warned (warmed?) over. I will opt for something bright and cheery. I just know she will love this shawl.

Werk?

toothpastefordinner.com

This is how I felt at my job. :)

Charity squares

I have gotten another 2 squares, I mean rectangles done for the charity blanket. I think I can get another 3 out of the remaining skein. Hopefully I will be able to get them all finished and blocked sometime this weekend. YAY for a good cause!

I also have lots of odds and ends of yarn that I seriously doubt I will ever use. Anyone want it? Mother of Purl? This means you. I bought several small skeins of baby eyelash yarn ages ago that I cannot stand working with. I wish I would have kept the receipt!!!

Black Bean Salsa

I absolutely LOVE black beans. I was recently served a Black Bean salsa at a friends house and have been looking for a recipe to recreate it. I hear that Publix has a ready made BB salsa, but I prefer to make my own. Here is a recipe I found and made last night. The result is pure salsa-ey goodness.


3 15 ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 11 ounce can of Mexicorn, drained
2 10 ounce cans Rotel, partially drained
2 tomatoes, diced
2 bunches green onion, chopped
Cilantro leaves for garnish (The SH and I HATE cilantro so I omitted it)

Mix everything together in a large bowl. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight before serving. I took it out of the fridge every few hours to stir and remix the ingredients.

I forgot to mention, this makes a LOT of salsa. The container I put it in is 13 cups.

You know you want some. ta-ta-ta-tastey-tastey.

Back on the workout wagon

Since I had my "procedure", I have been kind of slow to get back in to my workout routine. I am still in the healing process, but each day I feel less tender and have a larger range of motion. It had been difficult to stick to my schedule since I got my job in December because of my hour commute home. By the time I get home, I want to eat, hang out for a little bit, get ready for the next day, then go to bed. Exercising is the LAST THING I want to do. Since today was my first day at home I did a bit more of a workout than usual. My goal is to get back to 45 minutes of cardio at least 4 days a week. I am also going to have to go back to the stricter portion sizes. I went to a nutritionist last year just because I needed more help with my eating habits. I was rudely awakened as to the portion sizes we are eating. I knew we were often eating more than we needed, but I had no idea. The nutritionist and I came up with a nutrition plan that was doable for me. For the first few months, SH and I stuck to it. Portion sizes were carefully measured for each meal. Calories were recorded BEFORE I even consumed them. I recorded the amount of time I exercised and what kind of workout I did. That regimine stopped around the holidays. Imagine that.
I gotta get back into it. I paid, correction, am still paying for the procedure to help me lose my biggest problem areas. I can't just regrow them now. It would be a waste of my investment. I feel pumped about getting back into my workout schedule. I can't wait to start seeing the results of a good, sweaty, muscle burning workout.

Another blog

I have made another blog to house all my favorite words. It can be found here.

Last day

Today is the big day. The last day at my job. I have already cleaned off my desk and taken the last plant down to the truck. As I was leaving last night, my supervisor's supervisor stopped me and invited me to lunch with her today. Kinda scary! I have no idea what we will talk about since I usually do best in a crowd. Oh well. I can do it. I keep in the back of my mind a glimmer of hope that she will be extending my position another few months, but I am not holding my breath. I don't want to have a big hoopla surrounding my leaving today either. I hope I can slowly and quietly slip out the door. I hate goodbyes. I just hope a new job rolls my way soon. I don't know how long I will be able to stand it at my old job. I would rather stick forks in my eyes than deal with college students again.

Heres to one more day at the office!!! :)

The last Monday at work

Today is my last Monday at work! Tomorrow is my last official day. When I arrived at my office this morning, I was shocked at how empty it looked. I had kindaaa forgotten that I had slowly been taking stuff home to make for an easier last day. I still have a few plants a calendar and an oil lamp to schlepp home. I contemplated not even coming in today since I have enough leave, but I had a chiropractor appointment at 8. I knew I would feel much better once he cracked, twisted and electroshocked me. I got my sleepy ass out of the bed and got moving. Unfortunately last night was YET ANOTHER sleepless Sunday night. Sounds like a Bangles song. I tossed and turned until at least 1:30, then once I fell asleep I proceeded to wake back up every 30 minutes. The dog had to go out sometime around asscrack thirty. He doesn't do this on weekend nights, only weeknights when all the adults have to go to work the next day. ARGH. Soooo annoying.

Anyhoo, enough bitching. I worked on my charity squares this weekend and even did a few in Tunisian stitch. I think I will have a nice variety when they are all finished. I ended up leaving my yarn at the office over the weekend so I ended up using up some leftovers from other projects I did in the same colors! Yea for destashing!!!

A very merry unbirthday to the SH

The SH's birthday is coming up in 2 weeks. I ordered his gift online wednesday. I was expecting it to arrive next week, plenty of time before his day. I got the email shipping confirmation at 10 this morning.
At around 2 SH answered the door. The UPS man had come a callin'. The gift had been delivered early! Cool! Wrapped in the manufacturers box. Not cool. Labeled with exactly what was inside. Also not cool. I think the labeling even went so far to tell him the person who put the monitor in the box. I was the dumbass that did not check the "this item is a gift" option during the checkout pro-cess. I was under the ASSUMPTION that if I checked that box, I would be charged another 5 Simoleons for gift wrap. I didn't realize that it meant that the gift would ship discreetly. Double DOH!

SupaHubby is currently at CrapMart buying new speakers to go with his early birthday present. A 19 inch widescreen LCD monitor.

New project idears

I think my next project will be a wrap/shawl with hand pockets or a lapghan with a footie pocket for my mother. She is always so cold and either of these would keep her nice and toasty.

I also found this through the annies attic website. I am sooooo gonna make something.

I am finished with square #4 for the group charity blanket. I think I am gonna wait until I have a few more squares before I finish blocking. I have 1 skein of yarn left in dark blue so I guess I will do another 4 squares. They are actually rectangles so I don't know why they are called squares. Discuss amongst yourselves.

Is there such a think as a granny rectangle? I have a bit of leftover light blue yarn and I assume I will have the same amount of dark blue. I guess I could do a 9th square, I mean rectangle in a grannyesque pattern.
Update: There IS such an animal. Mash here

New post

Mother of Purl told me I needed to update my blog. Done. :)

Seriously though, my time at work has almost come to an end and I am none too pleased. I started gathering my officey stuff together and have taken an armload of it down to the truck each evening. I had no idea how much stuff I had amassed over the past 7 months. It consists of four plants, two blankets, a desk lamp, toiletries, tchotchkies, magazines, books, training binders, crochet supplies, a RioGrande catalog and a plethora of work related paperwork. Where on earth am I gonna put this stuff now?!?! ARGH.
Dont.want.to.go.

Another thing. I need a neeeeewwww crochet project.

Rescued puppy update

We picked up the puppy (Domino is what I have been calling her) from the veterinarian this morning and took her to the Montgomery Humane Society. Every other shelter we called wasn't accepting animals at this time because they were at capacity. I sure am glad we called ahead! She is there now and we hope that she will be adopted soon. We had to sign away all rights to her, which means we won't be able to find out if and when she gets adopted. That made me sad, but the most important thing is that she finds a good home.

If you are interested in adopting her or any of the animals, the shelter is located at 1150 John Overton Drive, Montgomery.
phone: 334-409-0622

Their website (link above) has a "featured pet". I am going to keep an eye out to see if she becomes one, she definately has potential. I am also curious to see if she will be featured on the local news. Every (I think) Thursday, they feature a few adoptable pets from the shelter. She is gonna be a supastar!!!!

One last pic before leaving her.

All hail the squaremakers!!!

A few of the crafty ladies at work have decided to create squares for a charity blanket. This is a project right up my alley. I have done charity blankets before and feel it is something I can do to help a person in need. We got the idea here. I purchased two skeins of Caron Simply Soft in Country Blue and Dark Country Blue (for those who would like to coordinate colors). The yarn is inexpensive, easy to care for and as the name implies, soft. Perfect qualities for a charity blanket! I started on my first square and imagine I will continue to crochet squares until I cannot make another dc in sc. lol, I am such a crochet nerd. :)

Off to a shell start!

How can people be so cruel?

This morning on my way to work, I saw a dog on the side of the road. It looked to be a pit bull puppy chained to a fence. I had seen the dog in the same place earlier in the week. She looked a little thin but there were people working in a field nearby so I assumed she was theirs. I continued on my way to work but thought about her the entire drive. I called SH to see if he would do me a favor and drive over to where I saw her, just to see if she was still there and whether or not she was chained. He called me back and said he drove through several times, but no dog.

On my way home, I slowed down when I approached that area and rolled down the window to get a better look. There she was. Hiding under some overgrown bushes she cowered. I called "puppy puppy" and she lit up. She knew I was trying to be sweet but was still completelly afraid of me. I told her I would return and continued home. The SH had just arrived home with our 2 dogbabies and I told him that I found her and had to do something for her. We rounded up the dogbabes and off we went. Now I might add that we didn't really have a plan. We were just going to see if she was still there. She was. She responded to sweet talk and crawled out from under the bush she was hiding under. She seemed friendly but still very skittish. SH started checking her out and aside from being obviously underfed, her ears were INFESTED with ticks. One of her ears had an abcess somewhere deep. SH would pull out a tick and she would yelp and yelp. She eventually understood that SH was helping her and you could see the appreciation in her eyes. Ok, so we know where a starving, tick-encrusted, black and white lab mix puppy is located. Now what? We can't take another animal. We are bursting at the seams as it is. What do we do? We decided to bring her home (getting her there was another story altogether), put her in the pen and see what we can figure out. If anything, she will have a nice meal and plenty of water. SH has arranged for her to visit our veterinarian tomorrow. I guess her fate will be decided then. She may be too far gone. She may just need some medication. There isn't a pound here in Podunk, Alabama so I may have to take her to where I know there is a no-kill shelter.

What pisses me the fuck off is why on earth would someone do this to an animal? Just dump it out of a car like a bag of trash. It broke my heart to see her there KNOWING she wouldn't survive too much longer. There is no telling how long she has been there. How long ago it was that some douchebag decided to throw away a 5 month old dog. This dog is so adorable I couldn't imagine anyone not liking her. She is a sweetheart and I know a little boy would adore her. If only we can find that right little boy.

Update: She made it through the night! We took her to the vet a little while ago. They are going to clean her up, check her out and if possible give her all her immunizations. If they can't find a home for her, I have offered to take her to the nearest no-kill shelter. Here are a few pics of her. Again, if anyone in the Montgomery or surrounding area is interested in her,let me know and we may be able to arrange something.

Going Away Lunch

The Going Away Lunch today was scrum-diddly-umptious!! We went to a local bistro, Nancy Pattersons. Upon looking at the menu, I was totally unsure of what to order, everything sounded wonderful. I decided to go out on a limb and ordered their Beef Tenderloin Sandwich. It was wonderful. Lots of lean beefy goodness covered in Provolone, grilled peppers and onions. MMMMM. I decided to only eat half in order to save room for dessert. I have every intention of taking the other half to SupaHubby for him to try. He loves a beefy sammich!!! With almost half a tummys worth of room for dessert, I chose Chocolate Peanut Butter pie. You can NEVER GO WRONG with chocolate and peanut butter. It was delicious and very rich. This was the first case of me not finishing a dessert. I almost couldn't believe it. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals and I enjoyed the comradery.

I am so sad to be leaving, but I am also glad I was given the opportunity to work with everyone...and make new friends. I only hope that the chance will arise where I can return.

Want to read a review of Nancy Pattersons? Mash here

Black Belt Treasures

A coworker pointed me to the website of a shop nearby that carries art made by local artists. I am going to see about the possibility of them carrying my jewelry! I looked over their webshop and their jewelry selection is very minimal. Maybe they will want my stuff for a change of pace.
Here is the site if you want to take a looksee: www.blackbelttreasures.com

Going away party

My office supervisor has decided that since I will be leaving at the end of the month, I should be given a party. I didn't want a party to celebrate the fact I was given the boot! I envision everyone cheering "thank god she is leaving us!!!" I decided a simple lunch would be best. Everyone in our division will be attending and even the big bossman wanted to attend but (fortunately) he has a prior engagement at that time. WHEW. It was very sweet of him to want to be there, but we all wouldn't be able to cut up and act like we normally do in our building. :)

Only 10 more work days to go! I think the number may actually be 9 since I am pondering taking Friday off.

On a lighter note, a friend has passed my resume on to her old boss who is looking for a replacement for a position in his office.

why would you?

While driving to work this morning, I passed a truck that was covered entirely, with the exception of the glass and tires, in a camoflauge print. Now I know hunting is big here in the south but why on earth would you camo-fy your vehicle? If you took it hunting, chances are you would lose it! You won't blend in with traffic on the interstate since you now stick out like a sore thumb. The boy driving this truck looked happy as a hog in mud. He looked ready to have some good ole boy fun! His mandatory 4 wheeler was on the back of the truck, his hunters orange hat was hanging on the gun rack in the cab and the mandatory Browning and John Deere stickers were plastered all over the back glass.

That leads me to yet another vehicle I see almost every morning. It is a truck that has bull horns on the front where the hood ornament would normally be located. Think Boss Hogg from the Dukes of Hazzard. What is the significance of that? Will his cows follow him when he drives into the pasture? Will it scare the cows when he drives into the pasture? Will it scare other cars and motorists into thinking his truck is actually a bull? I would be interested to hear his reasoning behind this.