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...