Puppy Makeover!

The Before:

....and after her puppy "spa day":

If it weren't for her eyes, I'd think they'd given me an entirely different puppy back! :P

Day two of my "home-cation"

The red and gold that I've lived with in my bedroom for about five years now will be no more... I've finally reached my limit with it! And since I'm taking the next five days off of work, for a break from the idiocy before holiday shopping really commences, what better time to make it much better to live with??

The befores:

Also, hopefully I'll figure out a better furniture arrangement and stuff! If only I didn't have that blasted built in ledge along one whole wall..

No officer, I'm not drunk.. I'm just a puppy!

I just took the puppy for a walk. I swear if she had opposable thumbs, I'd be looking around the house for a hidden bottle or two!

We just went to the top of the street and back, and I swear she ran on both sides of each sidewalk sqaure, instead of her normal straight-lined prancing/bolting/walking/grazing gait.. it made me giggle. A lot!

Incompetent parenting, Male tact and Cloning needs to happen like NOW!

Such a very looooooonnnggg day at work. Not too hard, nothing too time-consuming, but those two things alone can make a day seem that it drags on and on..and on. The only thing that really sticks out about my work day at the moment is the question: Why do parents drag their sick children shopping??

Come about seven o'clock, I was told to zone Halloween for a half hour before I locked up, took my last break and left. 7:05, and I look up just in time to see a miserable looking little girl getting sick all over the floor. I didn't even have time to react, before a second.. and a third giant mess appeared. And her parent's didn't even apologize or offer to help clean it up. They just took to another area of the store! What the F is wrong with some people? Poor little thing needed to be at home in bed, not dragged around a big box store!

And of course, the only maintenance that was there was the slower one, and the method he was trying to employ to clean it was not at ALL efficient, so his helper had to stop him from doing anything but guarding it and we ended up cleaning it up. Soooooooo what I like doing, I can tell you! Hmmm.. but it did get me out of zoning Halloween for a good fifteen minutes.. so there's the silver lining, I guess.

I got another reminder via text from a friend that Nick either needs to be cloned or somehow overwrite every other man's mental stuff with his. Why do I say this? I got a text from a male friend that said that I seem disinterested in him lately. Self-centered, much?

The only response I could think of was: "Hm. How to respond non-bitchily.. Because I don't really want to be..? How about i just say that comes across kind of self centered regarding your perception of my interactions.. When I've been increasingly and persistently sick the past week and a half?"

His response was, "Ok all you had to say is no just sick? But i understand." (Complete with grammar & spelling errors.. and he's a writer. But no, he is not a reader of this, so I'm safe to vent.) Anyway. Self-centered, much? And not even the cute self-centered!

Okay, onto more cute guy traits, the one that made me laugh today.

The male species seems to have little tact naturally, it seems. One of my favorite co-workers walked by me, and stopped. And after looking at me for a minute, asked me if I was alright, because I look really pale.

Yeah, I'm not feeling the best, but thank you for telling me I look yucky! lol

And he didn't stop there, which made it even better! I'm still giggling now. I said, at least my skin isn't breaking out in spots as bad as it usually is when I'm ill.. and he said, "Well, if it does, then you can just tell people you're trying out different Halloween costumes!"

What?? I just said I'd walk away then, so he wouldn't put his foot any further into his mouth.. and giggled the whole time. lol

I told Nick about it, and he explained it as, " We have male tact. Completely different to female tact. He said that because to a guy that sounds compassionate, but not queer." (Such a way with words, yes? But it makes sense, if you think about it...)

This evening we started painting mom's bedroom, but I'm getting so very sleepy so I'll update on that maybe tomorrow...

What happens when your own self goes on strike...?

Well, it's a good thing last night was so nice, relaxing and wonderful.. because my morning was physically a rough one, indeed.

I slept wonderfully hard, and no dreams for once. Which was a good part, followed by the immediate hour that I was awake which wasn't so good.

When I woke up, I apparently did so waaaaaaayyyyyy too quickly. Usually when I do that, I'm just slightly dizzy and nauseated.. But this morning, I almost fainted from the hallway upstairs spinning. That was just the beginning.. Then my body just decided to go on an all around strike-on the verge of throwing up for over a half hour, dizzy, temperature spiking in moments, asthma freaking out.. just to give the not so disgusting highlights.

Good news (I guess) being that my mind pretty much wiped my memory clean for this morning until I was back in bed recovering. I don't know how unusual that is, or about anyone else, but when I have sudden episodes like this morning, my brain makes them going away. I don't actually have clear memories of the beginning of my day, just know that it happened and the remnants of yuckiness throughout the day. I really don't know what I'd do without my mom. I try not to think about it, because my anxiety freaks out and is paralyzing. She's wonderful, supportive and there for me no matter what. I'm very lucky.

After I rested for a bit, my day got a little better. I just took it very easy while we ran the most necessary errands and then curled up on the sofa alternating between watching TV and doing a few of the things that absolutely had to be done today. Resting was top priority, considering I have to start my work week in the morning. Thank goodness my vacation starts next week, I'm definitely looking forward to it!

Very nice evening had, and not too bad a day

Best evening I've had since I got really sick last week, following a pretty decent day, health-wise!

This morning I woke up feeling pretty good. (Which is every morning, the real test is when I start moving around.) But the good, energetic feeling stuck around for a good portion of the day.. once it kicked in.. which was after some breakfast, some TV off of the DVR, some lunch, and some Daily Show episodes.

Slowly, but steadily, I picked up and did a little cleaning in every room.. took far longer than usual and I did less than I usually get done on a typical Sunday. But at least the house looked a little better! The stairs only started to kick my butt near the end of my cleaning..

Now onto the pleasant surprise of a nice evening.. Nick and I hadn't had time to ourselves for a few weeks, so he invited me over. Which isn't that unusual, Sunday's are pretty much our "unofficial" night each week. On the way over, Def Leppard, "Pour Some Sugar" came on the radio.. Aweeeesooooommee! That's almost always a good sign.

I get inside, and Jon Stewart's "Night of Too Many Stars" was playing on the TV, about twenty minutes in. Which made me very excited, because I had forgotten to put it on my DVR's recording list. But kind of bummed, because I missed a good chunk of it.

Nick's sweetness kicked in then, when he shared some YUMMY chocolates with me. Within the next hour, he was sweet and funny and teasing, and VERY accommodating. Which was very much different than he's been the last few days... but very nice :-) That might mean that his typical mood/thought cycle has made another round and his charming self is back instead of his asinine self. I can hope, yes?

Now back to Jon Stewart's charity program and another example of unexpected sweetness. Even though he'd already seen the first part of the program, which would usually mean he'd change it once it restarted, he just let it play until it hit back to the part it was at when I walked in.

Then he switched to Netflix, and the first thing I pointed out, he switched on. (Which was Kathy Griffin's "Tired Hooker".. love her!) I had started to get tired and my stomach was slightly upset, so I laid down on the sofa while he made some brownies. Which helped him deliver a totally unasked for, unexpected, and wonderful massage that helped me feel better.

A little more TV and that was my wonderful and relaxing evening. And now time for sleep and hopefully nice dreams!

Newest little find..

Before scootching off to bed for the night, I must share my newest little guilty pleasure:

 

 Salted caramel and chocolate? I had my doubts, yes. But as soon as the first tiny little spoonful (have you SEEN the cute little spoons that come with these??) passed my lips, I was hooked.

Good news? Each one is one perfect little serving. 

Bad news? Each one is one perfect little serving! They don't seem to carry it in the normal family sizes yet. 

And it doesn't come in Wal-Mart, I have to go to Hy-Vee for it. I haven't decided if that's good news or bad news yet!

One (major) thing accomplished today

Earlier I took the time that I was just being curled up in the comfy chair in the living room to watch the second debate. I had recorded it on my lovely, new favorite toy-my DVR and all I have to say is Mitt Romney is an idiot. "Used Car Salesman" came to mind once again. I mentioned this to Tab, and she had a better one, "Southern Baptist Preacher".

Which is funny, because towards the end, he said that he was a pastor for ten years. Ironic, yes?


Anyway. In related news, it's all ready to go out in tomorrow's mail! One of my duties as a citizen of the U.S. is fulfilled.

Halloween Awesomeness Has Commenced..!

I must take a break from my sleeping/napping/resting and share the pictures that my sister-in-law sent me of my niece and nephew modeling their Halloween costumes.. how freakin' cute are they??

Awesome. Aren't they just the cutest kids ever? I'm in no way biased, by the way. I swear.

Party on, Wayne. Party on, Garth!

New title, look

Okay.. so my penchant for rearranging and redoing has spread here, to my blog.. New title that seems to fit it better, new brighter (happier) design and a few other changes. I like it much better, what about you all?

Wardrobe wondering..

Hmm.. as I'm arriving home early from work, (another day, I just couldn't hack it as miserable as I feel- which makes me feel even worse that I couldn't do it), I'm wondering: Am I weird and alone in color coordinating my pajamas? They always have to match or have a common color palate. Is that weird? It's not like I actively think about it, I just do it..

Anywho. That's my thought for the moment.. now to make some comfort food, and curl up in bed with some medicine, warm furballs and remote to my DVR..

Unplanned Mini B*tch Session..

I was right. It was a very long, long, LOOOOOONNNNGGG day. Socially, not TOO bad.. well, at least with people at work. But energy/health/physical-wise? Sucked.. sucked big time.

I need out of there. I need a new, challenging, comparable pay job. Where people are treated better, and it's nice and fun, not so rushed. Hmmm... I doubt such a thing really exists.

My God, the interstate is flippin' blaringly loud the last few nights. I can't hardly hear myself think, or hear my TV at a comfortable level. 


And while I'm on a mini complaint-athon, do people really not know that they are annoying? Whether the really loud, obnoxious chattering magpies that always seem to be in the break room when I want to relax and enjoy quiet time, or the customers that make the same old tired jokes, over and over again ('I don't think you can give me the help I need, but I AM looking for... (har de har har har)'.. or the people who keep bringing up the same innuendos repeatedly, day in and day out. Like, yeah, it stopped being funny and in any way interesting/relevant DAYS ago. You'd think after you stopped responding to them and changed topic, they'd pick up on the hint and drop it. Yeah... right. Unfortunately, not so much. For one tiny example: Like the $5 bucks joke charge to use the department phone.. or to throw something away.. yadada.. OLD and I ignore him EVERY time, but yet his little brain hasn't picked it up yet. Threadbare jokes/innuendos/conversations/etc are just such a turn off and instantly make my brain want to automatically avoid any further contact. Is anyone else like this?

And, don't get me wrong.. I KNOW I have my faults, and annoying features.. but we're not talking about me. We're talking about the abnormal people we have to share this environment with ;-)

Anyway, it's late. I'm tir-- scratch that-- I'm EXHAUSTED.. and still sick. So it's past time to curl up with my furballs and sleep, sleep, sleep!


**This entry sort of inspired by the awesome Miss Sara at Sara's Organized Chaos, you should go check out her blog. She's a pretty phenomenal writer, and on my list of blogs I read regularly :-)**

Effects were shortlived :-(

This is going to be a loooooooonnnggg day, I do think. I woke up feeling much better, energy-wise, and thinking, "Yes. I feel good. Sleep must've helped.

Sadly, no.

I've been up a half hour, and after only two trips up and down the stairs during taking care of the animals, I'm already beat. And that is after a two hour nap yesterday, resting for an hour before bed, and sleeping about eight hours. Work is going to suck. I could take another day off, since I already have a point against me from yesterday, but I can't do that regularly the rest of my life. I have to push forward, and only let the worst of the worst days get to me.

Speaking of work, I've gotta go back upstairs, take a shower and get ready to go.

..Or not. Since someone else just told me they had to take one first. I guess I'll be doing other small things before that..

Just another day..

I did something today that I haven't done in at least two or three years.. (if not longer). I called in sick to work. I haven't been feeling well anyway, and my lupus symptoms have been pretty prominent lately--especially the fatigue and sore joints. I had an appointment this morning, and by the time I was done with that, I was dragging, my feet feeling like they were cement blocks. I just couldn't see myself working a shift after that.. instead I came home and actually took a nap for a couple hours! I don't remember the last time I did that either, even though I've been craving doing it a lot.. might have to work that into my schedule more.

(In other news, I think I may have just stumbled across how to fix my formatting issue with my blog.. I guess I'll find out when I publish this entry, hm?)

I feel a little bit better tonight, a little less sniffly and congested, a little more energy.. but still much lower than even my normal. I'm hoping a good, decent night's sleep is ahead of me, so that tomorrow is more productive... and work is okay. I'm hoping a certain coworker of mine either calls in or opts to work in a different area, I just really don't feel like dealing with drama and attitudes tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, it's going to be that in about five minutes, and I want sleep.. so off to curl up I go.

Making progress...!

Okay.. So about four-ish hours later(?), and I've finished for the night, on the closet overhaul. My last post had the before shots, here is what the in-progress looks like:

I've just gone through the two hanging shelves, and my cubby's. That leaves dresses, coats and the topmost shelves for hopefully tomorrow. Goodwill will like me, I hope! This is what they're getting tomorrow:

There's been one casualty found so far in my treasure hunting, I found my white corset ruined because my red one somehow bled onto it.. (fitting color for such actions, especially this month, huh?) I almost cried when I saw it, because it was one of my all time favorite pieces. I think it's ruined, but someone suggested bleach to try to get it out. I figured what could it hurt, since I can't wear it as it is anyway :-( Anyone else have any suggestions for possible repair? Wow. I just realized it's almost 2 a.m.. No wonder I feel dead on my feet and my eyes are protesting staying open- I'm usually laying down at the very least two to three hours ago!

New Project time!

In between coats of paint in the Master Bedroom closet, I have decided to tackle my closet. I have waaaaayyyy too many clothes, and a LOT of them need to go! (How many times have you ever heard a woman say that?) So, I am going to try on EVERY stitch of clothing in there, and if I am not completely in LOVE with how it looks, it is going bye-bye- first to Stuff, and if they don't take it, then to Goodwill. The befores:

Not to mention, I think I may have a few more plastic totes in my shoe/storage closet! Wish me luck!

Such a productive day, thus far!

Wow.. only 3:30, and I've gotten so much cleaning caught up, the living room carpet shampooed, the master bedroom closet half taped off (for painting in the near future), and stairs vacuumed! I even managed three episodes of Two and a Half Men (Charlie Sheen ones, thank you very much!), and an episode of How I Met Your Mother. Now, before I get any more things accomplished, I think I'm going to make the most out of the house being nice and quiet with only the furballs home with me. Nice, relaxing shower, here I come!

Hmm.. what can I get into today?

Oh, how I'd love to have been able to sleep in this morning! But, nope, the furballs didn't think that was acceptable. Gage actually started walking on me and meowing (that's a first, ever!) for his food, puppy started bouncing around on the bed to go outside. For once, Spaz was the only good, quiet one. That's weird. So, first full day off without Facebook. Let's go see what I can accomplish! I shall update you all on it, I'm sure you're on the edge of your seats in anticipation! :P

It's 5 a.m. .... why am I awake??

Gah! Something funky is going on with my sinuses lately.. isn't that one of the weirdest sensations in your head?? Got the weird feeling between my ears and mouth (ack! driving me INSANE!), sniffly and starting to get congested.. blah! Another one of the divine rug rats that go through the store regularly must've passed along something to me. Either that, or my co-worker's baby's constant sick stuff must've traveled to my work environment through her... I haven't seen anyone using sanitizing cleaning stuff on the counters and such lately, come to think of it... Anyone have good medicine referrals that they'd like to pass along? I think I may need something..

Cutting ties and starting anew..

What a very, very LONG day! It's funny the unusual things that happen through the course of the day that you don't expect when you wake up. But, first, Day One of Facebook hiatus is completed! Made it a whole 24 hours without it, and with the exception of automatically thinking, "Day one of Facebook free, how freeing and interesting this will be" in Facebook status form this morning while I was getting ready for work, I didn't have much of an urge to sign on. This could be easier than I thought! Which brings me to the the other somewhat (but not really) related events of the day. I traded my old phone number for a brand new one. After drama events found their way into my inbox, it pushed me to make the decision that I've been contemplating for while to change it. At first, I didn't think I'd be able to afford it right away, when I called customer service, they told me that it would cost $36 dollars to do! I was texting my friend Tab about it, and she said to hold on and she'd talk to her buddy who apparently works at the At&T store in the mall. When I got off, he told her to tell me to go into the store and he'd take care of it for me. Less than a half hour later, I was all set with a new number, for free! A half hour after that, and I was in the middle of helping her hold up the counter at her job, chatting away. :-) She's cool, I like her. And she's 'what you see, is what you get'. I need more friends like that! After I finally made it home, I whittled down the people who actually have the ability to reach me by phone down to a mere 14 for now.. and I think that that will be good. Others I see at work, and people also have my email address. I figured this would be the best time to cut ties with benefit-less relationships, creeps, stagnant friendships and people that tend to try to bring me down. And now, I figure it is time to curl up under my covers with my furballs and sleep, sleep, sleep! Did I mention it was a very, very long day?

T.G.I. (my) Friday!

One more day.. I can't decide if I like my last day of the work week being a busy Saturday or not..

Deactivation initiated!!

Bye, Bye comments, Bye Bye, long news feed, Hello, free time, I think I'ma gonna enjoy this! After a few weeks of planning, figuring out how to download all of my Facebook photos onto my computer, letting my close friends and family know, and un-linking every app I've added my FB account to, I finally pulled the plug on it at midnight. I stayed up much longer than my body was wanting, but my brain locked in on doing it at midnight, and tonight was the night in it's opinion. And with my OCD, it won out. As the hours progressed closer to "D-time", I was actually getting more and more excited.. and relieved. Does that seem silly to anyone else? Oh well. It's how it was/is. I'm interested to see if I will have much in the way of cravings or withdrawals.. and how long this hiatus may last. And how friends/family that either didn't get the mass message I sent out in time, or don't remember reading it, will react? Which reminds me of the strangest thing. I've not been much in the mood for texting lately either. Technology and nonstop interaction is past the "starting to get on my nerves" stage, so I haven't looked at my phone much this week. And you'd not believe how many people either assumed I was mad at them, or are mad AT me for not texting them! I am just baffled. Anyway. Instead of writing many statuses, and notes.. I think I will center that attention on this blog. Make notes either in my phone or on my kindle and compile them later for you all (and myself). But, for now, this will have to do.. for I am very sleepy and my bed is winning out on the luring me to it for the next eight hours! Good night :-)