Went to the doctor today...

Back on the drugs...

And admitted that I might be drinking too much.

Things should get better soon.

Sorry to move you down, Chris...

Its finally time that Chris move down a little. I've been super busy these days.

My horoscope is nice... so I'll share.

"Your personality is exuding a confidence that's synonymous with charm, expansion and love of life, dear Jennifer."

I like to think I have a love for life. Even if I feel like an old sweater sometimes. I think we all do occasionally.

With Age Comes...

OMG... this man... is not only the hottest man alive... he's so, so, so talented...

This is a show that will not be easily topped. I can't wait to see him again.

Tonight...

I get to see the new Sprint Arena.

Epidural # 2...

and no... not the kind you get when you have a baby.

I have 3 buldging disks and one with a significant protrusion that's aggravating my sciatic nerve root. Yesterday I received my second epidural injection of steroids.

It hurt. Bad.


I'm eligible to get one more shot before insurance won't pay... when earlier I was told that I wasn't a candidate for surgery, the doctor is now asking me if he's referred me to a surgeon yet.

So, it appears that somebody's trying to put 'Scraps under the knife.

I've heard horror stories about surgery, I was conforted knowing that I wasn't a candidate.

I'm not even 30 for Christ's sake!

So, once the soreness from yesterday's intrusion on my spine goes away, hopefully I'll be feeling better for at least a few months.

*Sigh*

I want him to be my new boyfriend...


It's OK John, the paparazzi wouldn't come looking for you on the farm.

How I Feel Today...

Rosie says it perfectly...

She's like a sweater, old and used
Tossed & overworn too many times through
And she used to look so bright
All her seams were tightly tied
She's like a sweater that's just worn out
Fading, coffee stained, and out of style
And she's just about to run
Before her stitches come undone

She's gonna pack her bags & leave
No more loose, unraveled seams
She is young & she still has her confidence
And it's not too late to tie up those loose ends

She's like a fire in the rain
His words will damp her eyes & heat her veins
And the love she thought she found was just another hand-me-down of ? grace

She's gonna pack her bags & leave
No more loose, unraveled seams
She is young & she still has her confidence
And it's not too late to tie up those loose ends

She's found a refuge for her face
While dividing her unfortune ? ?
Now she stands too high for them to ring her dry
She's found her way

She's gonna pack her bags & leave
No more loose, unraveled seams
She is young & she still has her confidence
And it's not too late to tie up those loose ends

I'm sure tomorrow will be a better day.

Life is so much easier...

...when you tell the truth.

That way, you don't have to remember what you told to who... and if you tell two people two different things, you worry about them talking to each other, and *gasp* what if they talk about YOU...

I've always made it a practice to not lie about family members and death/illness.

For example, even as a kid, I NEVER used a sick/dead grandparent as an excuse for not doing something... because, just think of it... it COULD happen and then I'd feel like shit.

Telling people lies is mean. Don't do it.

And if you do... feel bad, really, really badly about it.

Oh yeah, and I hope you get caught.

Tarot Reading Tuesday...

Love: Death

Touchstone: The Judgement

Career: Strength

You’re emerging from a period of loneliness today, Jennifer, with the resolution to open yourself up towards others and to accept the gestures of love and affection they’re offering you. Judgement and Death are signaling a new departure in your romantic life. This could mean new encounters or re-bonding with old friends and acquaintances – but above all it means joy of life. Make the best of it! Opportunities arise in your professional life that might well improve your situation beyond your expectations. Judgement is the messenger of good news, and Strength gives you all the energy and the determination that you need to seize the moment. So, keep your eyes open and your ears pricked. You don’t want to miss out.

Drum Roll Please...

As I put the finishing touches on my bag of goodies I shall take to Chicago... I'm thinking about all the hard work I've put into my new job. I love my new job!

I've been planning, along with 3 other gals, a very, very large conference... and after next week, it will be over and we will start working on next year's conference.

Who would've though that I'd be SO excited to work 15 hour days... I seriously can't wait to board the plane on Monday.

I cannot wait to see the accumulation of our efforts, all laid out nice and neat.

I'll take pics and share of my adventure upon my return.

Go Huskers!

Headed to Lincoln, NE over the weekend to attend the Huskers vs. Ball State game.



Football isn't taken lightly in those parts... they are FANS. It was crazy. I'd never have imagined that a college football team could attract more people to a game than could fit in the Chiefs' stadium.



W and I were two of like 85,000 people there. It was insane... in the fun-est of ways!

Already... Feeling Better!

So I had my appointment at the Pain Clinic yesterday.

Apparently I'm not doomed and under 30 after all! :) Yay!

I got my first epidural shot of steroids and I'm feeling so much better already. My disk is protruding centrally, so I'm not a candidate for surgery... Yay, Yay!

I'll go back in 3 weeks to get another shot, and see how I'm doing. Hopefully these shots will keep me moving and let me do the fun things I've always done before.

So, today, I'm feeling brand new... and couldn't be happier.

I'm SO too young for this shit...

So I have a hurty back... so I went to the doctor when I couldn't stand it anymore...

So... two weeks later... and today I get this shitty news...

1. Moderlately large left paracentral disc protrusion with mass effect upon the left S1 nerve root.
2. Mild broad-based central disc protrusion at L4-L5.
3. Mild bulging disc at T12-L1.
4. Degenerative disc changes (arthritis) at L4-L5 and L5-S1.
5. Slight retrolisthesis of L5 on S1.

So, my next move is to leave a message to make an appointment to schedule a "consultation" at the pain clinic.

I wonder how long it will take them to call me back... and then how long it will be before they have an opening...

Won't somebody give me some drugs to make me a little happier?

I might just pull this off...

Paid all my bills... with the check half the size it should be (due to time without pay from my trip to Kauai).

This makes this 'faux' Monday a little easier.

I *heart* DMB

Thanks for visiting last night... you guys rock.

How does HE choose?

Late Saturday night a friend, Coop, died.

Its been a little while, but I've lost MANY friends in my life. I just don't understand it. I mean, I get it that people are born and people die... but shouldn't good people have the right to live to a nice ripe old age?

I can be consumed by stupid and meaningless shit sometimes (see yesterday's post) yet there are things that are so much bigger going on.

Am I that self absorbed? Why does someone have to be taken to make me realize this?

Well, thanks Coop for taking the time to talk to the only gal in the room that you didn't know ... I'm blessed to have known you.

Umm... What was I doing?

So I'm working 2 jobs... to pay off bills. Stupid Bills.

And I'm working too much. Actually right now, I'm working 2 full time jobs... and you could say I'm pretty tired. Silly, Stupid Bills.

I haven't seen some of my best friends in months. And this makes me very, very sad. I hate you, Stupid Bills.

I'm almost so-tired-that-I'm-sick. And it sucks. Stupid, Stupid Bills.

I'm bartending now. I like it. I like the money it makes me. I like money.

Never again will I spend money on anything/anyone other than myself. Seriously. I'm tired of being in debt. Stupid Fucking Bills!

Sorry... I'm cranky.

My Baby... When She Was A Baby...

The Everlasting Souvenier...

So, while on our Girls' Vacation... we all got new tattoos! Mom and Aunt J got hibiscus flowers on their shoulder, Sister got a tramp stamp of hibiscus flowers... and see below... my newest turtle addition.





It really is quite amazing in person. So, thanks to Jarod at Farsyde Tattoo in Kauai, HI.

Yeah, he was pretty hot too. ;)

I just don't understand some things...

My Sister has decided that she's getting a divorce... and I'm devestated for my brother-in-law.

I always have thought that we was an angel to her... he's SUCH a good person. He's put up with a lot of crap over the 9 years of marriage (and two years of dating)... I mean, my Sister is HIGH maintenance, and at times TOO high maintenance.

And he was a trooper through it all.

She's decided that she's just not happy and can't continue to live her life that way.

I can't blame her for wanting to be happy. I WANT her to be happy. No one should live their entire live unhappy because they don't want to 'hurt someone else's feelings'.

I just don't know what a divorce is like... when there's not a 'bad guy'. My brother-in-law didn't 'do' anything wrong.

And so he's devestated... and my heart is just broken for him.

He's been my brother for almost 10 years... and now, he's supposed to be live evictecd from our family... it just doesn't seem right.

I cry each time I think about it... everytime he emails me... I'm also feeling guilty that I don't 'have time' to spend with him. Hell, he's invited me to dinner (I'm going) and we're not even going until NEXT Monday because I have to work or already have plans I can't really get out of.

I just feel horrible!

My First Kauai'ian Sunset...

It may not be the best pic... I took it from my new MotoQ phone... I'll update when I get home with pics from the camera.

Aloha!

And the countdown begins...

I've been a bad, bad blogger lately. With working two jobs, a sister in the crazy house and just too much to do, I've been away.

But those who work hard... get to play hard too! In less than 24 hours, I will be on a plane... traveling to Kauai... to be in tropical heaven for 9 whole days.

I might just want to stay there.

Sorry Folks...

The Meebo screen is gone... I know, it's so sad...

Earlier today, I had someone IM me... that frankly freaked my shit out.

I think that anyone who was a friend would have confessed, and said, "Jen, quit freaking the fuck out!", but alas, they didn't.

So now, in the wake of poor Kelsey's body being found... I will go and purchase some pepper spray... keep it handy while I am out and about... and try to stay away from freaky mother fuckers...

Paranoid? Maybe, but at least I'm still alive.

Bye, Bye... Bob...

Sniff... sniff...

Today is Bob Barker's last day hosting The Price Is Right.

Plinko will never be the same.

Just because I'm so fuckin' cool...

FO - My First Baby Hat

A friend of mine had a baby recently... and now I have a present to send her!

Here you go... a turtle themed (surprise, surprise) baby hat for Alex! Yay!




Not quite sure why its so darn yellow... silly, cell phone camera... hopefully I'll get better pictures with a regular camera before I ship it off. Anybody got a blow up baby that would model this for me? :)

15 days... and counting...

We're going to have SUCH a good time...

I've been doing some thinking...

I often talk about how unlucky I am in love... about how my "picker" is broken... etc.

This talk puts me into a category of people I can't stand... the eternal victim.

I am not a victim.

I'm the one making the poor choices, I'm the one not standing up for what is important to me, and I'm the one who sticks around... delaying the inevitable because I'm too chicken shit to talk about the issues.

The fact is, without beating myself down, I could save myself a lot of heartache, or whatever, if I would just act like a normal person and when someone says something stupid I just reply back with something like, "Hey asshole, stop being a fucker!"

Then they stop... and I don't hate them. (secretly, of course)

Also, when something's wrong... I don't bitch about it to my poor, poor girlfriends... I need to face it head-on, take the bull by its horns... and get it over with already.

I need to learn to be a little bitchy... get what I want, when I want for a damn change.

Two things...

That made me smile this morning...

1. Fresh cut grass under my feet, right before it rained...

2. Fresh flowers on my kitchen counter...

Someone Give This Gal a Sandwich!!!

Whoever said that bony ankles and elbows were sexy... should be shot.

It's Been a Long Time... Since I Got Poked in the Ass...

Yesteday I went back to the doctor for this silly, silly poison ivy.

Apprently the first round of steroids wasn't enough to keep Lucy out of the devilish weed.

So, now my ass is a little sore... I didn't sleep a wink last night... and I'm going to pray that extra attention to my diet and a few more times at the gym this week, will keep me from gaining an another five pounds (like I did with the first steroid pack).

At this point... I'm at a "whatever it takes" attitude with making the itchy go away.

I think the last shot I got in the bum was in 6th grade... yeah, that's been a while ago now.

James Bond - Like You've Never Seen Him Before...

Its almost lunchtime...

With so much going on right now... both of my Grandparents being in the hospital for potentially serious things... poison ivy on my face (ugh... itch, itch, itch) and other random things to stress over... I'll try to find joy in the little things...

Like my brand new Hello Kitty lunchbox! Isn't it cute!



If only it were nice, warm and sunny outside... I'd be set. Instead, I'll eat here... at my desk.

In other news... I got another really kick ass package from Nana, my secret-no-longer buddy from the Punk Rock Gift Exchange. I am WAY beyond spoiled... and I don't care if SHD says the pattern looks like a watermelon (which it doesn't).



I can't wait to finish what's currently on my needles (at least some of them) to start on this new-super-fantastic felted purse.

Thanks again, Nana!

I can't believe I forgot!!!

So, I've mentioned this Punk Rock Gift Exchange here... and I thanked and posted pics on the PRGE bloger site, but I forgot to post those same pics and thanks here!

How could I?

So, here it is...


Package numero uno... from my Secret PRGE Pal.

I don't have any pics, but I did start on a pair of socks with the great sock yarn you see in the pic... there was a note pad (because all good knitters take notes... at least I do), my WIP - work in progress - is currently residing in the great Betty Boop bag, the body butter... great smells, one at home... one in the car... and one at home, and last and certainly not least... Domiknitrix! I can't wait to start one of the many super cool projects in that book!!!

Thank you bunches, Secret Pal... I love it all!

A New Feeling for Me...

I won't pretend that I'm perfect... actually, I may be as far from it as possible.

I say the wrong things, don't apologize when I should, don't call when I say I will... I could go on and on.

But one thing I promise... is that I always care. You don't forget those things in life that really matter.

I'm feeling a bit down... something very big happened to someone who has been around longer (but recently dissapeared) than any boyfriend, ex-husband... hell, the only people who've been around longer are family... and I didn't even hear about it.

Its not about me... and feelings of insecurity... at least I don't think it is.

I'm just sad that I couldn't be there for that person... you know?

Because I Love 'Em...

Five... Six... Seven... Eight

Lucy's Wait is Over...

They finished our fence today! Hooray!!!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game...

Anna & Scraps - Home Opener
Originally uploaded by NutScraps.

Take me out and get lit....

This is a pic taken at Monday's Kansas City Royal's Home Opener! We had a super fantastic-kick-ass time!

The best part? The Royal's won!!!

The Cutest Thing I've Seen Today...

Otters... holding hands!!! Awww...

So, so, so busy!

I moved... again.

I've lived SIX times since October 2004... I'm tired of moving!

This move is for the best though... I just know it.

So, I signed up for a Punk Rock Gift Exchange. Am I super Punk Rock? No, but I like things that are... I'm all about branching out.

I don't know what all is involved in these things though. We're supposed to keep our identities secret until the 2nd package arrives... so you know, there are 3 packages total; one to be recieved by April 1, the second by May 1 and the third by June 1. I think I already fucked it up though. I'm listed as NutScraps... so I probably should have used my Jen email address... I mean, they don't know who Jen is, right? Oh well. My PRGE Buddy seems pretty fuckin' cool. She's got a great blog... check her out!

So, I think I'm supposed to email her a few times a month and send her cool stuff. I have my first package ready... I hope she likes it. I was supposed to send it out on Saturday... but that was moving day... so I hope she's not too dissapointed that it's going out tomorrow... I know, I'm late... again. But I think she'll like everything so I'm pretty happy.

On the other hand... someone has me as their buddy. I haven't really heard from that person... I'm not too, too worried... but it would be nice to know that they have my new address, right? Oh well, we'll see how it goes.

So, note to my PRGE Buddy... If you've figured out who I am... package is on its way tomorrow and I do apologize about its tardiness. If you don't like the stuff... let me know... I want you to like your shit!

Slow and Steady Wins the Race...

As of last night...

I've lost 10 pounds in 4 weeks!!! I couldn't be happier. Well, I could be a little happier... but that would be sharing TMI.


Ewww!!! Thank goodness that's gone!

You may think its easy being this cute…

But its not! It’s painful.

Case in point…

I bought a super cute dress this weekend and decided to wear it to work today. Now, everyone who has ever worn them knows… panty hose suck ass. So, instead of traditional panty hose, I opted to wear a new pair of nude colored fishnets (that my friend Beck pulls of sooo well!).

Super cute? Hell yeah!

Super comfortable? Hell NO! NO! NO!

How are you supposed to wear these things? Thank God they put regular hose on the bottom of your feet, because walking around on this stuff all day would be impossible! The pain comes from the fishnets rubbing the oh-so-delicate sides of your feet against the sides your shoes.

It’s not like the crazy girls we saw in Las Vegas who were stupid and wore stilettos out dancing. I’m wearing flats! Flats are not supposed to be painful.

Damn… a girl tries and tries and tries… soon I’ll go home and soak my feet.

At Last... No Dress Code to Stop Me!!!

Oh Crap! This is late!!!

I joined a Punk Rock Gift Exchange and I was supposed to post this by March 4th. I swear I'm not a slacker!!! I've just got a lot going on. :(

So here it is! And, thanks in advance my secret buddy!

1. How long have you been knitting/crocheting/spinning?
I learned to crochet in 3rd grade… so I was 7 years old? I’m still a novice crocheter but love to do it! I have knit for almost two years now.

2. Do you consider yourself a beginner, novice or experienced yarn artist?
I would consider myself a novice.

3. What fibers (materials) have you knit/crochet with?
Wool, cotton, acrylic

4. What are your favorite yarns?
Soft but not fuzzy.

5. What fibers are you dying to try?
I’d love to work with t-shirt strips.

6. Do you prefer solid, self striping, or hand painted yarns?
I’ve never worked with hand painted yarns, but I love self striping!

7. What fibers do you dislike?
Fuzzy or scratchy

8. What are your favorite colors?
Pinks, reds, browns and black.

9. What are your least favorite colors?
Peachy colors…

10. How did you learn to knit/crochet/spin?
My 87 year old Grandmother taught me how to crochet and knit.

11. What projects are you currently working on?
I’m working on the “We Call Them Pirates” knit-a-long.
I’m making my first ever double knit project, a stocking cap that’s hot pink and black with a skull and cross bones pattern on it.
I’m getting ready to start a stocking hat for a friend.
I’m working on a baby blanket for friends who are expecting.
I just bought my first skein of sock yarn to make socks!

12. How old is your oldest UFO? What is it? Will it ever be finished?
The pink devil hat from Stitch n’ Bitch book, my first knitting book.

13. What is the most heartbreaking project that you ever frogged?
The pink devil hat… I started over three times.

14. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I don’t prefer one over the other… I like them both for different reasons… I do love my Denise interchangeables though.

15. Do you own a swift and/or a winder?
Unfortunately, I do not own either.

16. Where do you keep your needles?
Everywhere!

17. Do you enjoy helpful hints about your knitting or does it just piss you off?
I don’t ever assume that my way is the best way. I love feedback!

18. What techniques are you still a virgin in (lace, cables, ect.) and are you interested in trying them?
I’ve not tried cables yet… I’m scared. :)

19. What knitting magazines do you subscribe to?
Interweave Knits

20. Are there any books, needles, yarn, patterns that you are dying to get your hands on?
I would love to knit some Noni bags… I love felted purses!

21. Do you enjoy knitting socks? How big are your feet?
I haven’t ventured into socks (see #11) I wear a size 8 in US women’s shoes.

22. Do you have a wish list?
No, not really. Anything pink and punky is my friend.

23. What are your non-knitting, crochet, spinning hobbies?
Spending time with friends and my Golden Retriever, Lucy… and I sew.

24. How do you feel about sports?
Sports are great!

25. What is your favorite season? Least favorite season? Why?
Fall… I love sweater and jeans weather… Summer, I hate super hot Midwest summers!

26. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween, who doesn’t like to dress up and pretend you’re someone else?

27. Do you like handmade gifts?
I love handmade gifts… they are from the heart.

28. Do you wear jewelry that isn't real?
The question for me should be… do you own jewelry that IS real? I don’t wear jewelry much, but what I have is mostly fake.

29. What are your favorite foods? Scents that you love?
I love sushi… wine… French fries.
I love the scent Honeydew.

30. What is your family situation? Do you live alone?
As of Saturday… I live alone, unless you count my dog.

31. Do you have any pets?
I have a 3 year old Golden Retriever, Lucy.

32. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3's?
I like all kinds of music… My favorite is Dave Mathews Band, but I also like: John Mayer, Rosie Thomas, The Killers, Evanescence, Patti Griffin, The All American Rejects, Audioslave, Blue October, Gwen Stephani, Joss Stone, KT Tunstall, Norah Jones, My Chemical Romance, Rufus Wainwright, Social Distortion… I could list more.

33. What are your favorite movies? TV shows? Actors?
Romantic comedies… if only real life were that way too…

34. What do you collect?
Turtles… but only really cool ones.

35. What do you do in real life -- besides knit and blog?
My fancy title is: Senior Program Coordinator

36. When is your birthday? Is it a national holiday or just another day?
December 10th, just another day…

37. Do you have any allergies, medical conditions or disorders that your pal should be aware of (ie. diabetes, food/pet allergies, ect.)?
Nope

38. Are there any scents, phobias, or sensory thing (ie, the way certain objects feel) that your pal should be aware of?
I don’t like the scent of pear… an ex boyfriend really, really, really, really liked pear… the smell is horrifying to me now.

39. What is the most difficult thing that you have ever knit/crochet?
A baby blanket, believe it or not.

40. What is your personal style? Is there a time period/fashion movement that you take your cues from?
I don’t know that I have a style yet… simple, not too jazzy.

41. Anything else that you would like to say?
They really do call me NutScraps.


I'm super sorry this is late!!! I'll stay on top of things better now... I promise!

Why...

Is it that when you make decisions... that you think are the best... for everyone, not just yourself... the point is never expressed right?

It's safe to say that I'm going through a really rough time... I know I'm not the only one, either.

Speculation is the worst... I really am a good person. My intentions are never malicious.

Take it or leave it... Believe it or not... I can't control that.

So much stuff!!!

I don't even know where to start!

My dear friend, JR is now in Tokyo... JAPAN! I've never had anyone call me from Japan... yeah, its probably because I'm so cool. I don't know why more people don't call me from super remote locations... I'm fun to talk to, I never run out of things to say... at least that's what my friend Slimm thinks. :)

Anyway, I'm sending out my happy thoughts to JR, hoping he is happy, hoping he is safe, and hoping these next two months pass quickly. I can't wait to see him again... it will be a week of partying like Rock Stars! As it should be.

I started a new job on Monday! I absolutely love it! I'm now co-workers with Toasty; one of my closest friends. We had sushi for lunch yesterday... very yummy sushi.

Other things are happening that are yet to be announced... good in many ways, sad in others... but as I like to think, everything happens for very important reasons. Even if they suck at the time, they make us better people in the end. Well, at least they make me a better person!

I posted my Mardi Gras pics on my myspace page... you should check them out! www.myspace.com/nutscraps. I sure hope that url works!

Little Men Wearing White Lab Coats in My Brain

I totally find it interesting the way our brain does things to “protect” us.

So I’m upset about something that’s going on right now in my life. At the same time I’m getting ready to start a new job that I’m super stoked about and contemplating a super exciting (but super scary) prospect at the same time.

The 'real' exciting part is my excitement about the new job… I start on Monday and I’ve wanted this for quite some time.

The 'fake' or 'protective' exciting part (that makes me think my brain has gone into protection mode) is this second thing I might do. It’s a BIG step. I’m wondering if I’m only making this bold move so that at a time when I’m devastated about one thing, I’m so excited about the 'fake' exciting thing that the hurt doesn’t happen?

Confused? Yeah… me too.

I don’t normally speak in code… but I just don’t know that I’m ready to talk about it.

So much is going on right now… so many confusing feelings… all big things… I’d just like to sleep... for a long time... and wake up happy and different, all this crap resolved.

Oh, and I’d like to finish my super cool hot pink on black skull and crossbones stocking cap.

I’ll be fine… I always am.

And tonight… We dance!

Last night Toast, St. and G finished up our crawfish costumes for tonight’s Mardi Gras parade in the Crossroads District. We shall be at 18th & Wyandotte promptly (or a little late as usual) at 7:15ish.

I’m SO excited! My costume kicks ass! Have you ever seen a crawfish with feathers?

Well, if you are at the parade tonight… you just might!

Come one, come all. Tonight is going to be a blast! Remember… BYOB!

Good people… Even better times...

Saturday night I went to a going away party for a friend who’s moving to Japan for a year to work. I had the B-E-S-T time ever! I was able to catch up with tons of people I haven’t seen in years… it really is such a shame that I lost contact with them in the first place and I'm super bummed that it took a going away party for me to reconnect.

Good people… that’s what they are. I'm lucky that way. I have the best friends ever. New... Old... they are all the best!

How exciting would it be to work in another country! I’m so excited for JR… I just know he’s going to have a great time. Imagine the stories he’ll come back with. I can’t wait to hear them.

Tonight I’m finishing my costume for Fat Tuesday’s Mardi Gras parade in the good ole’ Crossroads District in Downtown KC. A few of us girls will be all dolled up… as crawfish! I can’t wait. The weather should be just wonderful.

I hear the block party starts at 7:30-8ish and we start the parade about 9. The festivities should commence about 11… with plenty of time for me to get home and hit the hay. With this being my last week at the hospital… I need to be clear when here. I was really hoping to slack off this week (you know, like I usually do everyday) but the projects are truly coming out of the woodwork. If I’d only been this busy for the past two years!

Tomorrow night – plenty of canned beer drinking… lots of crawfish dancing… and hopefully a bacon flinging float! Be there or be square!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Today is turning out to be a KICKASS day!

I got the job!!! I got the job!!! I got the job!!! I got the job!!!

I couldn't be happier.

Now, the hard part. Putting in my notice.

Any advice in how to tell a boss you love, you're leaving?

Please, share the weatlth... of knowledge and experience, that is.

Today... we celebrate!

Hmmm...

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 0 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Today... I am sad.

Home Sweet Home...

Well, we're back from vacation...

Las Vegas has to be one of the best places on earth.

SHD and I LOVE Vegas. We have such a great time there.

I think because of SHD's gambling habits, I just might get to go on another cruise someday... just because there's a casino on board.

Vegas was great.

SHD's Sister and I saw Celine Dion... and I'm proud to say it was one of the best show's I've seen. I really like her... I don't care how much shit I get either. It was amazing.

SHD and I went to the Price Is Right, Live Show... my ticket was a Christmas gift from SHD's Mom and another Sister. We didn't get called up on stage, but it sure was like we were at the original show. We had a blast.

I'm not rich, but I didn't spend near the amount of money I actually took.

Now my only decision is... do I take my extra vacation money and pay some bills... or get that new tattoo I'm considering?

Tomorrow I'll talk about the pipe that burst in the dining room upon our return to frigid KC... but today... I'd like to bask a little more in the great vacation we had.

Why do I watch these things?

Because sometimes they kick ass!

I just love to watch people dance, like really dancing. Probably because I can’t do it. So when I see movies and shows where they dance, and they are really good dancers, I’m a sucker and most likely I’ll watch.

So, I’ll admit that I’ve been recording the “Dirty Dancing” reality dancing show on WE. I pretty much fast forward the bulk of the show (because the actual show is kinda lame) and just watch the final dance where the guy has to choose his “Baby” character.

Last night I watched the most recent new show. They were dancing hip-hop and there was a red-headed gal and a super cool Asian chick (can you tell who I liked best?). The Asian gal, her name was pronounced Va, kicked ass. She was super cool and good. The red-headed gal was OK, I mean, I couldn’t do what she did, but she was stiff and just didn’t move like Va.

So the guy had to pick his partner and said, “there’s only one choice, only one partner that I can take to the championships and win with”. And he chose Va. Kick ass right? No, it gets better.

Va asked for the microphone and asked to speak. She told Mr. “Thinks-he’s-hotter-than-he-really-is”, (this isn’t really a quote, but a run down of how I interpreted her little speach) “I came out here tonight and really rocked it out; dancing is one of the only things that I truly love and just wanted to have fun. This past week, you have taken the fun out of dancing for me. This is where my journey ends.”

So, Mr. “Thinks-he’s-hotter-than-he-really-is” has to choose the other gal to stay in the competition. She’s all like… “you can only win with one person? But that person wasn’t me?” but then agrees to stay in the competition and dance with that creep! Get it… because he’s hot! I see some pretty steep self esteem issues there.

Anyway… I guess you’ll find drama anywhere you look these days.

One more thing… and then I’ll quit, I promise.

People are giving Simon a really hard time for berating people on this year’s American Idol. Please… if you’ve watched the show and you look like a circus freak, how could you NOT expect to be belittled. If you are a parent, please, stop lying to these circus freaks (Mom of the Novela writer) and spare them the embarrassment of looking like a complete ass on television.
IMO, if you go on national TV to try out for something you have absolutely no business doing, you deserve to hear the things Simon has to say. Go Simon!

I am the Queen of Patience...

Update on the job front...

I have been notified that the interview process for the job I so desperately want... is temporarily on hold. This makes me a little sad.

Apparently, I am the only qualified candidate (my interpretation of what I was told) and they would like more than one person to interview with the department before they make their final decision.

My interpretation of being the only qualified candidate stems from the email I received saying that although they are definitely interested in having me come back for a second interview, they want 2-3 qualified candidates to interview with their department (within the same week) and at this time, they didn't have any others for a second interview... so, that leads me to think that I'm the only person they are interested in hiring at this time.

I wish they would just realize that this job is a perfect fit for me (I actually told her that) and that they are just delaying the inevitable.

I'm the best. They would love me... and I really think I would love them too.

Next week... Las Vegas... I LOVE vacationing with SHD... I can't wait. Send me winning thoughts!

Ha... Haa... Haaa... Haaaa!

"Dear Lord," the preacher began with arms extended and a rapturous look on his upturned face, "without you we are but dust..."

He would have continued, but at that moment one very obedient little girl (who was listening carefully) leaned over to her mother and asked quite audibly in her shrill little girl voice,

"Mommy, WHAT is butt dust?"

Church was pretty much over at that point...

Maybe I’m just a silly romantic…

I’m listening to the soundtrack to Moulin Rouge and I LOVE IT. Moulin Rouge is a truly kick ass movie.

So, the other day a small group of us were talking about books. I’ll admit that I’m not an avid reader. But when I do read, aside from Janet Evanovich (who's a mystery writer), I want it to be something that is mindless, exciting (not kinky), funny and romantic... hopelessly romantic.

I like to read books that make you feel good… not always with a “happily ever after” because sometimes the ending is tragic (i.e. Message in a Bottle, which IMO the movie did NO justice to) but the love story is incredible. Nicholas Sparks and Jennifer Crusie are the authors coming to mind right now that I absolutely love.

I think I inherit from my Mother. I like to be entertained when I read, reading is a relaxing thing and I don’t want to have to think a lot. No, I’m not lazy, either. :)

We also talked about these books portraying an unattainable goal. No man, I don’t care who they are, does the things the men in these books do. Seriously. Have you read the Notebook? That stuff just doesn’t happen.

Don’t get me wrong… I have met many super wonderful men. Even some considered to be pretty romantic and they still don’t do the things written in some of these books… and there’s nothing wrong with that. As long as you’re in love and feel loved, that’s all that really matters.

But just for the record… not giving flowers because “they’re just going to die anyway” is not a good enough excuse not to give them. Girls like them... they don't have to be delivered to the office... they don't have to cost a fortune... hell, steal them from you next door neighbor... we don't care. Flowers make girls happy.

I want this t-shirt!!!

And a happy new year...

I'm not sure about anybody else... but I drank WAY too much champagne on New Year's Eve! I LOVE cheap champagne!!!

I hope that everyone is happy and safe in 2007. I usually like to stick close to home (thank goodness most of our friends live close by) because I am scared to death of stoopid drunk drivers on New Year's. I was hit head-on when I was 16 by a drunk driver... I don't want to tempt fate by asking for trouble... ya know?

Anybody know where I can find a cheap... cheap, manequin head and dress form?

I need a head to model my stocking hat creations... and a dress form to help me sew something that isn't meant to necessarily fit me.

Anyways... much love to all in 2007!

I hope *fingers crossed* the gym isn't filled to capacity. I'm starting my from "Couch to 5K" tonight... again. I just found out that an old friend ran his first marathon in October. Yay for you! I want to do that too!