Just when I start to mentally prepare myself for the next wave of babies coming into the lives of my friends, one jumps right in early to surprise us all. This afternoon at work, I received a text message from my friend who was due with her first child on September 23. She lives out in a more rural area of the state, so I do not see her nearly as often as I would like and updates are a little harder to get through.
Nonetheless, she texted me to announce that her baby girl was born this morning and that everyone was doing great. It was such a shock coming just over two weeks early and I was so unprepared for the news that I gave an audible yelp of surprise from my desk.
Immediately, I sent a message back and we exchanged a few words. Not too many, however, because if there is one thing I know about child labor from all the stories I have heard is that it wears you out. I am totally excited to eventually get all the gory and painful details of the act of childbirth, but I think I will wait until she has a little time and distance between present and the experience.
One of the unexpected reactions I experienced immediately was to find myself on the verge of tears. Not totally inappropriate, but I am generally speaking not a crier at happy moments like weddings and births. But this news nearly had me bawling with happiness. I kept in check as I was at work and did not feel like freaking my new coworkers out completely, but I did share the news with the gal in the cubicle next to mine.
As I meandered through the craziness that is Babies R Us after work in search of some new baby gifts, I analyzed my tears a little more. If I had to name a reason (aside from just happiness), I realized that I have been carrying a little bit of tension over my friends and their pregnancies. A couple of years ago, this would not have been the case, but the heart-wrenching loss of my best friend's first born just over a year ago did a number on my sense of tranquility when it comes to babies.
Maybe it is irrational, but it will probably be like this until sometime next year after the last of the expected babies for my friends and family members are done. In the meantime, I am channeling my feelings into shopping and maybe even a little embroidering project and possibly some more cross-stitch.
In other news, my doggie weekend continues uneventfully. Tomorrow I am getting a pedicure and leaving them to their own devices for a bit. Sunday I may go out again. Crazy, I know.
This morning, I had a bit of a crazy impulse moment. My company's internal website just started locally based social pages for internal sharing, and on a procrastinating whim, I decided to peruse the page for the Twin Cities. I was attracted to a thread in which a coworker was consulting the experiences of others to help him decide if he should pursue an MBA and if yes, where he should go. The responses were interesting, and I found myself briefly considering a return to graduate school. Fortunately, the financial requirements put me back in check.
However, in reading the thread all the way to the end, I found that the original post-writer came back to offer up a little explanation of his background and perhaps to brag a little bit about all the seemingly ah-maz-ing things he has done thus far. Rather than just snort in disgust and move on, I read. Maybe it is all part of the whole "don't knock it until you try it" mentality that led me to read Twilight. Maybe.
Either way, I was caught by a casual description of the author's experience taking Norwegian language courses through a local Norwegian-American church organization. To clarify, I have always wanted to find a way to take Norwegian classes that are affordable and could maybe, possibly, hopefully one day give me the ability to converse with natives. On the off chance I ever get the chance to go back to visit (or live).
So I braved the work firewall and went to the website of the church. Classes are starting next week and the price was reasonable. I signed up. It is funny because just the other day I had marveled at the fact that this was the first fall since 2008 that I have not had homework. Not that I expect a ton of homework to come with this class, but I look forward to practicing my skills on my grandfather and maybe others in my family.
PLUS... the name of this blog is in Norwegian, right? It is time to acquire the skills to support the awesomeness of my blog name. Good justification, at least to me it is.
Check back periodically and see if I can manage to insert some useful phrases and demonstrate my linguistic prowess. I promise to try my best.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Branching out
It is truly a magical time, you guys. I have spent this year (so far) doing a lot of new things.
New job, moving and selling my house, paying for new school loans. You know, fun stuff.
Oh yeah, and I finally gave in and read the craptastically "amazing" Twilight series. I would apologize to all of my friends and potential friends and readers for my assessment, but I am entitled to an opinion and now that I have actually read all of the books, I am qualified to express it.
If you are not familiar with me and my ways, you may not be aware that I have a tendency to resist things that I sense are silly or will waste my time. This is, of course, subjective to my personal taste as some may argue that I willingly spend a great deal of time on silly endeavors such as blogging, reading or talking to my dog.
The whole Twilight thing is a case in point. I knew the basic premise of the storyline for the "saga" because several of my friends were fans and felt compelled to share. Also, I am not blind or deaf. I have seen all the hoopla on TV and online about the books, movies and more importantly, the actors who star in the movies. Even my idyllic romp through Tuscany in 2010 was marred by friends giddily traipsing through the streets of Montepulciano pretending to be Bella, Edward, Ginger or whoever it was that was in that part.
My point is that I spent a great deal of time making fun of the books based on what I had gained through hearsay and not through personal evaluation. And I always find that arguments are much more compelling when one has the facts. So I read them. And now I can mock them.
This brings me to another such scenario: Pinterest. Earlier in the year, I watched with skepticism as one of my dear friends whiled away the hours exploring the "wonders" of this website. When I asked her what exactly it really was meant to be, she had a hard time explaining it. She invited me to join, but I sensed that it was perhaps a magnet for the crafty or wannabe crafty set, and I declined.
But eventually, like many things, I capitulated and decided to make an informed decision. I joined and navigated my way through the rules of "pinning" things to my "boards." It was actually fun at first, but my interest dwindled a bit after a while when reality set in and it became clear that I was unlikely to ever use any of the fabulous recipes or make any of the seemingly easy projects.
That is not to say that I do not check on things periodically. I like to see what other people are into, for the most part, that is. Some people are just a little overzealous in the amount of pins they collect. I mean, seriously, WHEN are you ever going to find time to do any of the 300+ DIY decorating projects you have lined up for yourself? Are you really a sewing master? Do you really think that sprinkling epsom salts on your stovetop will make it clean? (Don't actually do that, it's not a real tip. I think.)
Despite my pessimism and slight irritation over some of the pins I have seen that are either downright wrong or insanely stupid, I find that the most perplexing situation I have found involves MEN who use Pinterest. Let me qualify that statement: STRAIGHT men who use Pinterest.
In specific, there is one male pinner I follow who really isn't a close friend, but he is a Facebook friend and I have known him since childhood, so I thought maybe he would have some interesting or funny things to share. After all, he is a comedian.
At first, his stuff was pretty entertaining. Then he started pinning fashion ideas for himself. Again, not a terrible thing, but a little weird. Maybe my personal experience is too limited, but I do not interact with many men who give that much forethought to their wardrobe. But whatever, cool.
Then he started a board entitled "girls, do this." Don't freak out, it is nothing dirty. It is, more or less, a way for him to show the women of the world what kind of fashion and accessories he finds to be attractive. Sort of a template for women to say, "See gals? If you dress like this, I will find you hot and might consider making you my girlfriend."
Oh, did I not mention that he is single? A girlfriend might actually take offense to this unless he was paying tribute to her natural style by telling other girls to be as awesome as her.
And it really isn't that the outfits or shoes are ugly, inappropriate or demeaning. It is just weird. I do not understand the purpose. Is it to be funny? Flirty? Assertive? Ironic? As far as I can tell, these are things he really does like.
But this leads me to the inevitable fact that in order to pin these items, he has to go looking for them. Sure he could troll the fashion boards of female friends and just repin. But I get the sense that he is going out to clothing sites and pinning directly. Either way, this guy might just have too much time on his hands. It may be time for a "pintervention." Do you like that? I am sure I am not the first to use it, so I won't lay claim to it, but it is good. I know.
OK, so it is time to take my next allergy pill. You know how I know? My eyes are burning. And no, it's not because I am mocking too many people tonight. It really is allergies.
Oh, and wish me luck. I am in charge of all three dogs tonight which means slumber party!!!!! But we cannot stay up too late; it's a work night.
New job, moving and selling my house, paying for new school loans. You know, fun stuff.
Oh yeah, and I finally gave in and read the craptastically "amazing" Twilight series. I would apologize to all of my friends and potential friends and readers for my assessment, but I am entitled to an opinion and now that I have actually read all of the books, I am qualified to express it.
If you are not familiar with me and my ways, you may not be aware that I have a tendency to resist things that I sense are silly or will waste my time. This is, of course, subjective to my personal taste as some may argue that I willingly spend a great deal of time on silly endeavors such as blogging, reading or talking to my dog.
The whole Twilight thing is a case in point. I knew the basic premise of the storyline for the "saga" because several of my friends were fans and felt compelled to share. Also, I am not blind or deaf. I have seen all the hoopla on TV and online about the books, movies and more importantly, the actors who star in the movies. Even my idyllic romp through Tuscany in 2010 was marred by friends giddily traipsing through the streets of Montepulciano pretending to be Bella, Edward, Ginger or whoever it was that was in that part.
My point is that I spent a great deal of time making fun of the books based on what I had gained through hearsay and not through personal evaluation. And I always find that arguments are much more compelling when one has the facts. So I read them. And now I can mock them.
This brings me to another such scenario: Pinterest. Earlier in the year, I watched with skepticism as one of my dear friends whiled away the hours exploring the "wonders" of this website. When I asked her what exactly it really was meant to be, she had a hard time explaining it. She invited me to join, but I sensed that it was perhaps a magnet for the crafty or wannabe crafty set, and I declined.
But eventually, like many things, I capitulated and decided to make an informed decision. I joined and navigated my way through the rules of "pinning" things to my "boards." It was actually fun at first, but my interest dwindled a bit after a while when reality set in and it became clear that I was unlikely to ever use any of the fabulous recipes or make any of the seemingly easy projects.
That is not to say that I do not check on things periodically. I like to see what other people are into, for the most part, that is. Some people are just a little overzealous in the amount of pins they collect. I mean, seriously, WHEN are you ever going to find time to do any of the 300+ DIY decorating projects you have lined up for yourself? Are you really a sewing master? Do you really think that sprinkling epsom salts on your stovetop will make it clean? (Don't actually do that, it's not a real tip. I think.)
Despite my pessimism and slight irritation over some of the pins I have seen that are either downright wrong or insanely stupid, I find that the most perplexing situation I have found involves MEN who use Pinterest. Let me qualify that statement: STRAIGHT men who use Pinterest.
In specific, there is one male pinner I follow who really isn't a close friend, but he is a Facebook friend and I have known him since childhood, so I thought maybe he would have some interesting or funny things to share. After all, he is a comedian.
At first, his stuff was pretty entertaining. Then he started pinning fashion ideas for himself. Again, not a terrible thing, but a little weird. Maybe my personal experience is too limited, but I do not interact with many men who give that much forethought to their wardrobe. But whatever, cool.
Then he started a board entitled "girls, do this." Don't freak out, it is nothing dirty. It is, more or less, a way for him to show the women of the world what kind of fashion and accessories he finds to be attractive. Sort of a template for women to say, "See gals? If you dress like this, I will find you hot and might consider making you my girlfriend."
Oh, did I not mention that he is single? A girlfriend might actually take offense to this unless he was paying tribute to her natural style by telling other girls to be as awesome as her.
And it really isn't that the outfits or shoes are ugly, inappropriate or demeaning. It is just weird. I do not understand the purpose. Is it to be funny? Flirty? Assertive? Ironic? As far as I can tell, these are things he really does like.
But this leads me to the inevitable fact that in order to pin these items, he has to go looking for them. Sure he could troll the fashion boards of female friends and just repin. But I get the sense that he is going out to clothing sites and pinning directly. Either way, this guy might just have too much time on his hands. It may be time for a "pintervention." Do you like that? I am sure I am not the first to use it, so I won't lay claim to it, but it is good. I know.
OK, so it is time to take my next allergy pill. You know how I know? My eyes are burning. And no, it's not because I am mocking too many people tonight. It really is allergies.
Oh, and wish me luck. I am in charge of all three dogs tonight which means slumber party!!!!! But we cannot stay up too late; it's a work night.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
A little something for you
Slow and steady wins the race.
This is my mantra as I try to focus my eyes long enough to complete an entry. You see, my seasonal allergies have smacked me in the face and nearly stolen my sanity. As a person who rarely gets ill, this is as close as I have come to being really ill in quite a while, and it is not comfortable. Thankfully, my life is not too crazy-hectic at the moment, so I will survive.
Last weekend represented the first time since starting my new job that I have had any time off other than regular weekends. True, it was a government holiday, but I will take what I can get, even if the freebie day is consumed with snot-rags and hallucinations. Sadly, when I really stopped to think about the last time I took a true "vacation" day, it starts to look pretty bleak. As close as I can figure, it happened sometime in April. Yikes.
When I have had lucid down moments lately, I have taken to thinking about where I want to be one year from now. If all continues to go as scheduled, I should be done with my home-owning relationship by that time and will actually have the freedom to really reconsider my life. Work wise, things are pretty good. I like where I am and I like my prospects. True, it is no library job, but the amount of rejection I have faced on that front has left me desperate for working in a place that actually wants me.
It is strange, though, because I have spent so much time wishing that I could ditch the trappings of the big city life for a simplified existence. Now that I am facing the possibility of pursuing such an option, I have no idea where to start.
But rather than continue to rant about this, I am going to heed the ache behind my eyes and get ready for bed. I just wanted to be sure to write something in the month of September before things start moving along too quickly. So there you have it. Something.
This is my mantra as I try to focus my eyes long enough to complete an entry. You see, my seasonal allergies have smacked me in the face and nearly stolen my sanity. As a person who rarely gets ill, this is as close as I have come to being really ill in quite a while, and it is not comfortable. Thankfully, my life is not too crazy-hectic at the moment, so I will survive.
Last weekend represented the first time since starting my new job that I have had any time off other than regular weekends. True, it was a government holiday, but I will take what I can get, even if the freebie day is consumed with snot-rags and hallucinations. Sadly, when I really stopped to think about the last time I took a true "vacation" day, it starts to look pretty bleak. As close as I can figure, it happened sometime in April. Yikes.
When I have had lucid down moments lately, I have taken to thinking about where I want to be one year from now. If all continues to go as scheduled, I should be done with my home-owning relationship by that time and will actually have the freedom to really reconsider my life. Work wise, things are pretty good. I like where I am and I like my prospects. True, it is no library job, but the amount of rejection I have faced on that front has left me desperate for working in a place that actually wants me.
It is strange, though, because I have spent so much time wishing that I could ditch the trappings of the big city life for a simplified existence. Now that I am facing the possibility of pursuing such an option, I have no idea where to start.
But rather than continue to rant about this, I am going to heed the ache behind my eyes and get ready for bed. I just wanted to be sure to write something in the month of September before things start moving along too quickly. So there you have it. Something.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Good Advice OR Sorry For Being a Jerk
Folks, I know we've talked about this before and we will probably talk about it again. I am single.
I know that I have ranted about my irritation with the dating "game" and my desire for reform, but you should know that it was to no avail. The problems persist.
Not that I am desperate. Please know that I am not to the point that I will throw myself into whatever new-fangled dating scheme has come on the market. I am still an advocate for good old-fashioned chance encounters. Taking the reins and making things happen can actually work in other areas of life, but this is literally a crap shoot and you cannot control the outcome.
I write this because I have once again come up against the well-intentioned attempt of one of my loved ones to set me up on a date. And as always, it was a short-sighted endeavor fueled by a desire to see me settled and "happy." To clarify, I have no problem with the fact that my family loves me and wants what they think is best for my life. I just have a different opinion of what that picture actually looks like in the end.
What failed in this latest attempt? Perhaps it was the fact that the proposed date lives at least an hour away from me. Or that the matchmaker was relying entirely on word-of-mouth, with that mouth being the sister and sister-in-law of the man in question. But really, to be honest, the most crucial component of the failure was the fact that she couldn't even tell me his name. Not even his initial. Because she did not know it.
All in all, the only thing that could be known about the man (other than what could be seen in his awkward color-coordinated extended family photo) was that he liked to read and play piano. To be sure, these are both things that I myself enjoy, but as the lone factors they are insufficient to pique my interest.
So again, let my story be an example or template for you of how to properly set up a single friend on a date. First and foremost, do your research. Knowing me from birth is great, at least it is great for the person you are trying to convince to go out with me. Try to know (or learn) as much about BOTH people before you even approach the idea of making a match. Think long and hard about their personalities and what you know they like to do.
Do they both like to read? Great. Take it a step further by asking what kind of books they like to read. If one likes to read Steinbeck and the other prefers Harlequin romance, you may have a problem. Do both people like comedies? Cool. Slapstick or satire? Think about it.
I am not suggesting that you conduct personality inventories on both parties or put them under the microscope at such a magnification as to be analyzing their genetic compatibility (although I wouldn't be upset if you did). Just a little investigation and common sense are sufficient.
One final little tiny thing. If you do not find one of the people to be interesting, attractive or special, that is probably a good sign that your friend or family member may not either. Just a good rule of thumb. If you really like your friend/family member, you want the best for them, right? Not just the first available person you could find with gainful employment and most of their original hair. Correct?
For those of you who will read this and be sad/worried/upset, relax. This does not mean that I have given up on dating. It is just an affirmation that I have waited 32 years, and I can wait a little longer if it means being with someone I actually really want to date. Not just whatever I can get.
I know that I have ranted about my irritation with the dating "game" and my desire for reform, but you should know that it was to no avail. The problems persist.
Not that I am desperate. Please know that I am not to the point that I will throw myself into whatever new-fangled dating scheme has come on the market. I am still an advocate for good old-fashioned chance encounters. Taking the reins and making things happen can actually work in other areas of life, but this is literally a crap shoot and you cannot control the outcome.
I write this because I have once again come up against the well-intentioned attempt of one of my loved ones to set me up on a date. And as always, it was a short-sighted endeavor fueled by a desire to see me settled and "happy." To clarify, I have no problem with the fact that my family loves me and wants what they think is best for my life. I just have a different opinion of what that picture actually looks like in the end.
What failed in this latest attempt? Perhaps it was the fact that the proposed date lives at least an hour away from me. Or that the matchmaker was relying entirely on word-of-mouth, with that mouth being the sister and sister-in-law of the man in question. But really, to be honest, the most crucial component of the failure was the fact that she couldn't even tell me his name. Not even his initial. Because she did not know it.
All in all, the only thing that could be known about the man (other than what could be seen in his awkward color-coordinated extended family photo) was that he liked to read and play piano. To be sure, these are both things that I myself enjoy, but as the lone factors they are insufficient to pique my interest.
So again, let my story be an example or template for you of how to properly set up a single friend on a date. First and foremost, do your research. Knowing me from birth is great, at least it is great for the person you are trying to convince to go out with me. Try to know (or learn) as much about BOTH people before you even approach the idea of making a match. Think long and hard about their personalities and what you know they like to do.
Do they both like to read? Great. Take it a step further by asking what kind of books they like to read. If one likes to read Steinbeck and the other prefers Harlequin romance, you may have a problem. Do both people like comedies? Cool. Slapstick or satire? Think about it.
I am not suggesting that you conduct personality inventories on both parties or put them under the microscope at such a magnification as to be analyzing their genetic compatibility (although I wouldn't be upset if you did). Just a little investigation and common sense are sufficient.
One final little tiny thing. If you do not find one of the people to be interesting, attractive or special, that is probably a good sign that your friend or family member may not either. Just a good rule of thumb. If you really like your friend/family member, you want the best for them, right? Not just the first available person you could find with gainful employment and most of their original hair. Correct?
For those of you who will read this and be sad/worried/upset, relax. This does not mean that I have given up on dating. It is just an affirmation that I have waited 32 years, and I can wait a little longer if it means being with someone I actually really want to date. Not just whatever I can get.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Can we say RANDOM?
Welcome back! It is August 23, 2012 and I am writing in my blog. You might assume that my life has taken a crazy turn for the busy, and I won't stop you from this assumption. And it isn't totally wrong either.
My new job is going well, but seriously, it does not encroach on my personal life in any way, which is nice (for a change). Meanwhile, back at my old job, things are not quite as clean. But there is always room for improvement, so hopefully things will turn around for them. I am just glad that I got the hell out of Dodge when I did. Yikes.
As for my house? Things are moving forward. Onward. Upward? Twirling towards freedom? (There is a Simpson's allusion that just happened, did you know?) I have an offer on the table and it is now just a matter of getting my lenders whatever information they need so they can make a decision about whether or not to accept the offer, which is a short sale.
In my (optimistic) opinion, I should be house-free by Christmas. Until then, I keep paying the bills while remaining encamped at my parents' home. So far, it has not been that bad, but I suspect when the winter confinement starts, things might start to get a little more tricky for us from a psychological standpoint. There are many potential outcomes in circulation for what I will do when I have the financial freedom to seek out a new living situation. So many, in fact, that it is hardly worth getting into them right now because it would make your head spin.
Long story short, I am starting to get my head around the idea that I will finally be able to have options. One of the downsides of home ownership is that one's options become very limited. Not just financially, but in general quality of life. I love the show House Hunters International and secretly wish one day to be featured as I seek my new living quarters in some fabulous place like London or Stockholm.
In the past, knowing that I have this house/mortgage weighing on me has kept my imagination in check. But now, very slowly, it is starting to run a little wild.
Perhaps I will move up into the north woods and become the next big hermit author of the great American novel. Maybe I will get a nice little apartment in this area, keep my current job and enjoy the proximity to civilization and the workplace. Maybe I will build a yurt in the tundra and live with no indoor plumbing. Or not.
This much I do know: I am not buying another house. At least not in the near future. I have student loans to repay and other financial responsibilities that will not go away with the sale of my house. My plan is to live on a different kind of budget; one that does not require that I fork out nearly half my monthly income to put a roof over my head. At least if I can help it.
So does that help you understand where my thoughts have been as of late? I know it is a stupid excuse and I should really get back on track with writing, but I am not making any promises. But stay tuned.
My new job is going well, but seriously, it does not encroach on my personal life in any way, which is nice (for a change). Meanwhile, back at my old job, things are not quite as clean. But there is always room for improvement, so hopefully things will turn around for them. I am just glad that I got the hell out of Dodge when I did. Yikes.
As for my house? Things are moving forward. Onward. Upward? Twirling towards freedom? (There is a Simpson's allusion that just happened, did you know?) I have an offer on the table and it is now just a matter of getting my lenders whatever information they need so they can make a decision about whether or not to accept the offer, which is a short sale.
In my (optimistic) opinion, I should be house-free by Christmas. Until then, I keep paying the bills while remaining encamped at my parents' home. So far, it has not been that bad, but I suspect when the winter confinement starts, things might start to get a little more tricky for us from a psychological standpoint. There are many potential outcomes in circulation for what I will do when I have the financial freedom to seek out a new living situation. So many, in fact, that it is hardly worth getting into them right now because it would make your head spin.
Long story short, I am starting to get my head around the idea that I will finally be able to have options. One of the downsides of home ownership is that one's options become very limited. Not just financially, but in general quality of life. I love the show House Hunters International and secretly wish one day to be featured as I seek my new living quarters in some fabulous place like London or Stockholm.
In the past, knowing that I have this house/mortgage weighing on me has kept my imagination in check. But now, very slowly, it is starting to run a little wild.
Perhaps I will move up into the north woods and become the next big hermit author of the great American novel. Maybe I will get a nice little apartment in this area, keep my current job and enjoy the proximity to civilization and the workplace. Maybe I will build a yurt in the tundra and live with no indoor plumbing. Or not.
This much I do know: I am not buying another house. At least not in the near future. I have student loans to repay and other financial responsibilities that will not go away with the sale of my house. My plan is to live on a different kind of budget; one that does not require that I fork out nearly half my monthly income to put a roof over my head. At least if I can help it.
So does that help you understand where my thoughts have been as of late? I know it is a stupid excuse and I should really get back on track with writing, but I am not making any promises. But stay tuned.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Can you tell it's been a long day?
Just when you think that you are finally "moving on" with your life, you find that you are still following similar patterns. First of all, my job is fine. Sure, things are a little slower at the moment than I would like, but compared to the alternative 13 hour day my former coworkers are experiencing today for company conversion, I cannot complain.
My house remains on the market. It has been nearly three weeks, and I am not that surprised. There have been almost eight showings, which is good (I think), but the comments I have received have all pertained to things over which I have no control. No fireplace, not big enough, short sale, blah blah. All things that people could have figured out from reading the listing, but who reads nowadays?
I know I have said it before, but I will say it again: it feels a lot like online dating.
You put your best image forward with nice pictures. You get a fun and catchy write-up. And then you get interested parties who clearly do not read any of the crucial information you put forth but still want to meet in person and see what you have to offer. I sense a pattern.
Tonight I am going to a book signing. I have never been to one before, and I am nervous, excited and a little scared. It is for a book written by one of my favorite bloggers, The Bloggess. She is funny, crazy, clever and has an affinity for taxidermy. It's hard to explain. Check out the website and then read the book.
As for the rest of the weekend, I haven't really decided what to do. I do need to move some of my scattered belongings out of the basement and into an upstairs closet now that is now available due to the return of my visiting uncle and aunt to their home in Belgium. That's right, the country. As in the place where waffles, chocolate, beer and fries come from. All the major food groups.
But right now I am at the computer reveling in the fact that I have two days of not working in a row. You might not be impressed, but maybe you do not understand. You see, I have not had a non-weekend, non-holiday day off since sometime last winter and I will not be eligible to have one until winter comes again.
It's my own fault, really. I didn't take any time off between jobs, and I really should have. Not that I would have gone anywhere, but it might have been good for my mental health. Of course, that would have happened in July when we were in the midst of the horrendous heat/humidity wave that has ensconced my beloved state for nearly the entire season.
Speaking of weather, today has been AMAZING. Temperatures in the upper 70's and I am in HEAVEN. If I didn't have this book thing tonight I would totally be going for a walk around the lakes. I guess that can wait until tomorrow, right? Because this weather is supposed to continue all weekend, folks.
That said, I would like to give a nod and a shout out to my former coworkers who will or may already be stuck indoors at their respective locations to endure an extended workday to convert their old computer systems over to the new company's platform. I do feel sorry that you must be indoors on this glorious evening.
OK, so this has been a pretty wordy entry for me. I am quite proud of myself. So on that note, I shall conclude. Should tomorrow's house date/showing produce any new comments or positive results, I will be sure to mention it. Otherwise assume that my house, like me, remains single.
My house remains on the market. It has been nearly three weeks, and I am not that surprised. There have been almost eight showings, which is good (I think), but the comments I have received have all pertained to things over which I have no control. No fireplace, not big enough, short sale, blah blah. All things that people could have figured out from reading the listing, but who reads nowadays?
I know I have said it before, but I will say it again: it feels a lot like online dating.
You put your best image forward with nice pictures. You get a fun and catchy write-up. And then you get interested parties who clearly do not read any of the crucial information you put forth but still want to meet in person and see what you have to offer. I sense a pattern.
Tonight I am going to a book signing. I have never been to one before, and I am nervous, excited and a little scared. It is for a book written by one of my favorite bloggers, The Bloggess. She is funny, crazy, clever and has an affinity for taxidermy. It's hard to explain. Check out the website and then read the book.
As for the rest of the weekend, I haven't really decided what to do. I do need to move some of my scattered belongings out of the basement and into an upstairs closet now that is now available due to the return of my visiting uncle and aunt to their home in Belgium. That's right, the country. As in the place where waffles, chocolate, beer and fries come from. All the major food groups.
But right now I am at the computer reveling in the fact that I have two days of not working in a row. You might not be impressed, but maybe you do not understand. You see, I have not had a non-weekend, non-holiday day off since sometime last winter and I will not be eligible to have one until winter comes again.
It's my own fault, really. I didn't take any time off between jobs, and I really should have. Not that I would have gone anywhere, but it might have been good for my mental health. Of course, that would have happened in July when we were in the midst of the horrendous heat/humidity wave that has ensconced my beloved state for nearly the entire season.
Speaking of weather, today has been AMAZING. Temperatures in the upper 70's and I am in HEAVEN. If I didn't have this book thing tonight I would totally be going for a walk around the lakes. I guess that can wait until tomorrow, right? Because this weather is supposed to continue all weekend, folks.
That said, I would like to give a nod and a shout out to my former coworkers who will or may already be stuck indoors at their respective locations to endure an extended workday to convert their old computer systems over to the new company's platform. I do feel sorry that you must be indoors on this glorious evening.
OK, so this has been a pretty wordy entry for me. I am quite proud of myself. So on that note, I shall conclude. Should tomorrow's house date/showing produce any new comments or positive results, I will be sure to mention it. Otherwise assume that my house, like me, remains single.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Oh la la!
Yesterday I experienced something new. I had long been dreading the event, but I always knew that one day I would acquiesce and allow it to happen. Surprisingly, I actually enjoyed it. Sure, it tickled a little and I was a little tense at times, but once I just sat back and let it happen, it was fine.
So what was it?
I should just let you stew about it for a bit. Let your imagination run wild.
OK, there, rein it in. Don't go too far.
Any guesses?
Isn't this game kind of fun?
Alright, I get it. Just say it, already, right?
I got a pedicure.
Are you shocked? No? Maybe you do not fully understand the gravity of the situation.
I have always been a bit self-conscious about my feet. They are on the bigger side, but they are no more than what one would expect from someone of my greater height. It really comes down to my toes. I have been blessed with some special gene that makes my toes long and skinny. Almost finger-like, in my opinion.
Seriously, it took me a long time to even contemplate being comfortable wearing sandals because I thought everyone would be drawn to stare at the freak show. When I finally was brave enough to try, no one even commented, so I grew more confident.
But when it came to the thought of a pedicure, I drew a line. No way was someone going to get that up close and personal with my feet to view them let alone TOUCH them. Gah. Gross.
My aversion to pedicures is long-standing and well-known among my closest friends and family. So my split second decision yesterday to venture into the unknown came as a bit of a shock, even to me. Around noon, my best friend called up to see if I wanted to come with her to the little nail salon by her house to get a pedicure. And I said YES.
I do not know exactly why I did it. Maybe I was tired of staring at the calluses on my heel and was finally ready to shed all the dead skin. Maybe I was tired of being ashamed of my feet. Or maybe I was having an out-of-body experience. Who knows.
But I did it. And you know what? It was nice. I got to sit in a nice massage-chair while a very nice woman pampered my least favorite body parts. I even had my nails painted. My favorite part was the Micro-plane cheese grater type contraption she used to shave off the dead skin on my calluses. It did not hurt at all and made a huge difference.
So will I now become one of those girls who has to get her feet done? Maybe. But it was only $23, so I think I can swing it once every couple of months if it always feels this nice.
What is the lesson to be learned here? Never say never to beauty and spa treatments, especially when they include a lengthy sit in a massage chair and fuchsia nail polish.
So what was it?
I should just let you stew about it for a bit. Let your imagination run wild.
OK, there, rein it in. Don't go too far.
Any guesses?
Isn't this game kind of fun?
Alright, I get it. Just say it, already, right?
I got a pedicure.
Are you shocked? No? Maybe you do not fully understand the gravity of the situation.
I have always been a bit self-conscious about my feet. They are on the bigger side, but they are no more than what one would expect from someone of my greater height. It really comes down to my toes. I have been blessed with some special gene that makes my toes long and skinny. Almost finger-like, in my opinion.
Seriously, it took me a long time to even contemplate being comfortable wearing sandals because I thought everyone would be drawn to stare at the freak show. When I finally was brave enough to try, no one even commented, so I grew more confident.
But when it came to the thought of a pedicure, I drew a line. No way was someone going to get that up close and personal with my feet to view them let alone TOUCH them. Gah. Gross.
My aversion to pedicures is long-standing and well-known among my closest friends and family. So my split second decision yesterday to venture into the unknown came as a bit of a shock, even to me. Around noon, my best friend called up to see if I wanted to come with her to the little nail salon by her house to get a pedicure. And I said YES.
I do not know exactly why I did it. Maybe I was tired of staring at the calluses on my heel and was finally ready to shed all the dead skin. Maybe I was tired of being ashamed of my feet. Or maybe I was having an out-of-body experience. Who knows.
But I did it. And you know what? It was nice. I got to sit in a nice massage-chair while a very nice woman pampered my least favorite body parts. I even had my nails painted. My favorite part was the Micro-plane cheese grater type contraption she used to shave off the dead skin on my calluses. It did not hurt at all and made a huge difference.
So will I now become one of those girls who has to get her feet done? Maybe. But it was only $23, so I think I can swing it once every couple of months if it always feels this nice.
What is the lesson to be learned here? Never say never to beauty and spa treatments, especially when they include a lengthy sit in a massage chair and fuchsia nail polish.
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