Well Happy New Year To You!

Hello all you three folks out there that read my random drivel I call writing!

It's that time again where we all wrack our brains and trying our damndest to come up with some really great resolutions we are bound to forget about before you can say happy Easter. I am no exception to this today. I have been thinking about what I had hoped to accomplish in the last year and while I did take care of some business, I left much to be desired in the resolution category.

The sad part is I started off with a vengeance in 2008. I made a goal to run a road race and while I was doing so well running and preparing, it all fell short when life caught up to me and overtook my 'me-time.' I'm still shaking my fist over that one. But alas, a new year and a new chance to show my body who's boss. Hopefully I can actually stick to it this year for no other reason to be as healthy as I can possibly be.

Another goal I made for myself for the last 356 days was to do less for others and more for myself. Sadly, my tub was not filled with little opaque spheres of joy and my bare butt as often as I had planned. 'Butt' I am sure to do my damndest to remedy that this year. On the other hand, I did step down from a couple responsibilities that were more time consuming and less fulfilling than I had hoped. So kudos to me on that one. Right? Hey, throw me a bone here people, I'm trying. And yes, I am talking to YOU NICOLE! :) Too bad I replaced them with other, more enjoyable yet time consuming places to be. Whoops.

For 2009, I really have only one goal. Put me first. Now don't go thinking this is an excuse for it to be open season on everyone's feelings because it isn't. It is putting myself first and my happiness first and foremost. I spend a lot of time putting myself on the back burner for the sake of others. I have every intention of still loving and caring for those that love me back, but the ones that are just here to suck the life out of me little by little, day by day... well boy are they in for a surprise. I actually have had a good laugh about recent conversations I have had with several people I love dearly. One such conversation included the statement "you know how you can be, Anna" and "you're just going to do whatever you want anyway" and my favorite insinuated I just blast off my mouth with no regard to others for the sake of blasting them. All of which may or may not have a grain of truth to them, but for the most part wholly missed the mark.

Sure, I am generally known for telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God, but it doesn't mean I am delivering my sentiments in a rude and unfeeling manner. It's hard to actually tell people the truth sometimes and dangit you better be grateful that someone cares enough to tell you. Right? maybe not, but that's how I'm telling it. You know, since I do what I want anyway. Which brings me to the next point... generally I don't do what *I* want. I do what the world thinks/says/assumes I should do. If for nothing else, just for the sake of NOT causing more drama. So what if one day I want to do nothing more than move from the bed to the couch, stuff my face with enough junk food to kill Lance Armstrong and watch made for tv movies until my eyes are about to fall out of my head?! There is no shame in that. Okay, so maybe there is, but whatever. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!

And now I've lost my train of thought. Well not entirely, just derailed a little. Good thing I'm not filled with toxic waste huh? That sure would be a bummer for Kyle.

Again, I digress...

But all is lost now. My flitty little brain has moved on to all the things I plan to do for myself. And I am starting off the year right spending it with family and friends and maybe even my good buddy SoCo and the distant cousin Jello Shot. Who knows! What I do know is, there is a drawing on my desk completed by yours truly that is begging to be permanently etched into my wrist. (Sorry Grandma! I can't help myself...)

So until I come up with some more self-indulging crap to write about, stay safe, stay warm and most importantly, stay happy people. There's a new year a brewin' that is begging to be awesome.



Much love,

Your Friendly Neighborhood Crazy Woman/Granddaughter/Cheesehead

Damn you Jeana!

Here are the rules:
1-Link to your tagger and list the rules
2-List 5 random facts about yourself
3-Tag 5 people
4-If you're tagged, play along and pass it on!

1. I am allergic to raw fruits and vegetables. They make my mouth and throat itch which is never a good thing. I have only recently been able to eat them again thanks to allergy treatments.
2. I wish I could be a photographer. I have an obsession with pictures and keeping them forever, even the bad ones.
3. I write stories for fun.
4. I have been in two major car accidents myself and a few minor ones therefore any of the Final Destination movies make me cry like a little girl.
5. The only bones I have ever broken were in my three smallest toes on my right foot, at the same time.

I am tagging:
Jen
Stacy

Okay, so I don't have enough blog friends to re-tag, so I will also direct you back to Jeana for her answers.

You must watch.

I don't care which side you root for, you need to watch this. There really aren't even words...




And hey, Willy. I love ya man.

I'm baaaack!

SC was a BLAST! I am so sad that I only got to stay for the weekend. Nicole is awesome and of course I still think she should move up here. Ha ha!

Jennifer and Jessica are equally as awesome, as you can see by the craziness that was taking place and only captured in a small portion.







Saturday, Nicole took me in a sightseeing whirlwind. First stop was some spring of some sort. (I don't remember the name!)





Then we headed off to bald rock.









And then to Ceaser's Head (or something like that). Which also included the Devil;s Kitchen.









And of course there was plenty of time to hold baby Hazel.







On our way out of the mountains Nicole stopped and bought some boiled peanuts. At first I didn't think I liked them, but the more I ate them, the more I loved them. Now I am stuck in a state with NO green peanuts and trying to find someone who can ship them to me. Nicole needs to fly up here!






Hope "all" my readers are well. Feel free to say hi.

Oops.

Sorry about that folks. I just don't have much to update you all on as of late. Summer is in full swing and we are STILL planning out some very big projects. We started remodeling the master bath and it got put on the back burner when the money ran out. It is functional and there is mostly just cosmetic things to do, but it is just finding the time to do it.

Last weekend Liesl, mom and I went down to Chicago for an overnight for the girls. This is where I was introduced to Mohitos. Now I am not usually one for "fad" drinks, but my oh my where they tasty. We went to dinner at 1492 and had tapas. It was very tasty and sure beat out all the deep fried food we get in WI.

This coming weekend I am flying down to SC to visit some very important people! I am VERY excited for my whirlwind weekend and personalized tour of SC. I am beyond excited.

OH AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRIEDRICH!!

Hopefully I don't have any clients tonight so I can at least get the man some decent dinner. I think brats and beer are in order! Maybe even a cabinet full of food.



Other than that, life as usual. Work work and some more work.

So...

It's been a while.

My bad.


Life is pretty darn boring for being so crazy. I really have nothing exciting or even remotely interesting to talk about. I know, I thought that a little odd myself!

I stopped running. I was doing so well too. Oh well. Maybe I will actually get my butt out of bed in the mornings now that I will be heading in to work a little later than I do now. I just have to resist the urge to change my alarm time.

Other than that, I think we have one weekend left that isn't packed to the gills. The joy of summer...


I hope you are all well, and that hopefully I have one or two hangers-on here. I will try and post more at least letting you know we are still alive.

Long time no talkie talkie, er bloggie bloggie.

So... not much has happened in the last month or so. I got a second job at Euphoria in Burlington working Wendesday nights and a Saturday rotation. Yippee...

I am now FINALLY state certified massage therapist. Go me.

AND

I am getting a third dog. But alas, she is sweeter than honey and cute too. And trained. So what more could I ask for? The short version is I found her walking down the middle of Hwy 142 and she gladly accepted a ride in my car. Handed her over to the Humane Society and now they are charging me $175 to get her back. 3

*shakes fist in anger in the direction of Kenosha*

Anyway, we now need to construct a gate across the driveway to keep all beasts inside the perimeter. I go tonight with the other two doggies to have an "interaction" between the three of them to ensure they get along. Hopefully they do! And then tomorrow I will be dropping some serious green when I take all three of them to the vet... at once.

Other than that, nothing exciting to report. Working on getting the odds and ends together to start the ever-pending wall dig. And that's about it.

Hope all of my three readers are well.

Couch To 5K

That's right folks, I have my happy hiney running again. (That alliteration was for you Mr. Monday...) This wonderful little program called Couch to 5K has so far been going well. I finished the first week without too many problems, but I did lose 2 pounds, so I'll take it. The second week (last week) was a bit more challenging. Monday felt GREAT, but Wednesday I wanted to die. Made me wonder what the heck I was doing running for four years in HS... without MUSIC! Anywho, I am back at it with a new pair of kicks that I believe to be broken in sufficiently. So tonight is the last day of week 2. I just need to find some motivation to get my rump running. (again... ha!)

So... motivate me people. Remind me of all the wonderful benifits of busting my butt and suffering through my runs. (No, not THOSE kind of runs, although they sure do make a person suffer.) I think maybe some new tuneage would work, but then I would have to somehow figure out how to get Istore downloaded on my computer.

Okay, so I am totally random today. The bottom line is I am running again and it is good. Just have to find the will to stick with it.

Other than that, nothing new to report.

FOUR HOURS!

Yes, that is the time it took for me to get home from work on Friday night. I am thinking someone needs to set mother nature straight because this whole snow for spring is really getting old.

We finally left work at 2:00pm and they weren't even plowing the roads yet. So we got to mom and dad's driveway, say oh about 4:30pm. So 2.5 hours to travel, what 45 miles? Sweet. Mom says she will walk up the driveway in the two feet of snow, but being the wonderful daughter I am I decided that would really suck. I slammed the gas and was *THISCLOSE* to making it up the hill. But alas, I got stuck. We dug with the ice scraper and I pushed the car out. Too bad we didn't go STRAIGHT back down our original tracks, so we got stuck again and had to wait it out until Friedrich came with the plow truck.

Finally got mom up to the house and headed home to find 3 feet of snow piled up at the end of the driveway from the plowtruck. I backed into the neighbors driveway across from ours and gave 'er the beans. Too bad I almost got sucked into the ditch on the side of the driveway. So I walked up to the house and got the shovel. Got out from that mess only to get sucked towards the house and had to stop or take out our bedroom wall. Dug myself out again. FINALLY got into the garage. (90% of this was all done in 4" heels. Now THAT is talent.)

I got bundled up to go and snowblow the driveway. First the darn thing wouldn't start, so I figured I would shovel for a bit then come back and try again. I got it running only to find out that the snow was far to deep and heavy for the snowblower to even work! AGH!!!

I ended up shoveling from the corner of the house to the road and gave up before my arm fell off. I was eating dinner (since it was now about 8:00) and I hear a four wheeler. It's ADAM! I have never been so glad to see him in my life!

Of course in my appreciation, I promptly went inside and baked him some carrot cake. I have also decided that I will not be shoveling any more until next winter. I absolutely refuse. Poor Sadie can't even go outside to go potty because all the snow is over her head!

So here is your reminder Mother Nature. It is SPRING! Please adjust your temperatures accordingly.

Forget Girl Scout Cookies!

I have found my new crack. First it was Oreos, then I moved on to Girl Scout cookies and even THOSE have been surpassed by these little pieces of heaven...



Thank you Nabisco, for making it that much harder for me to watch my figure. Well, I am watching my figure, expand. I was trying to explain to Warren last night that I found a new love and he scoffed at me! Apparently, I have known how awesome these round cookies filled with sunshine really are,I had just forgotten.

So as I was perusing the photos of 'Nilla Wafers, I found this. And now I must have it. They should so make Nilla Wafer cereal. I would have to invest in much larger britches if they did. But could you imagine?



Of course, we ran out last night (mostly because, well, I ate them all) so maybe I should pick some up today. Does it count if I eat them while THINKING about exercising? Or would eating while walking be better?

A bad day may call for a fruity drink in a big glass, but a REALLY bad day? That requires a chocolate snack pack eaten with a 'Nilla Wafer...

Dreary nasty day.

It is all sorts of foggy, rainy and cold outside. This sort of weather usually reminds me of the movie The Secret Garden. I always wanted to live in that movie. A big house to explore, a mystery to solve and a kickin garden to play in and make beautiful again. But alas, I have none of these nor do I live in England. Instead I have a very tired body, a long drive home, and a to-do list longer than Santa's naughty list.

Basically, I am a giant bummer today. Debbie Downer's got nothin on me. I need sunshine. I need warm weather. But most of all, I need to go home to more than just two whiney dogs, but this is where that wonderful phrase of "Spit in one hand and wish in the other see which one fills first" comes in handy.

Stupid brain...

So last night I had a freakish dream. I was driving my new 2 door white sports car through a forest trying to get somewhere. Apparently 90mph is not that fast is sports cars since I saw my spedometer and thought, I could so go faster. After all I was trying to track down someone's possum. Right. Well, I am driving along and all of a sudden I swerve to miss... a freaking jaguar. Not the car, the animal. So as I am swerving I note that the grass is wet with dew and obviously this is going to make me spin out of control. Then I note that my seatbelt is not on. Knowing that I will be thrown out of the vehicle and die if I don't have it on, I reach to click my belt. But of course you can't do that in "real time" and everything becomes slow motion. I have to pull really hard to get my seatbelt on and just as I click it I see the front end of my car barely miss a tree as I spin out of control. I shut my eyes waiting for impact just listening to my breathing. Breahting and a heartbeat. All dramatic like. Then black.


I open my eyes and there is an EMT over me, poking me in the eye. I know what is going on, but I can't speak. When she pokes me I flinch and they rejoice that I am still alive. I also have a 12-lead hooked up already. I am all hot and sweaty, obviously because I crashed in the jungle and it is hot and humid, which would explain the jaguar. I look out my driver door and there is another one of my EMTs. She is putting a tourniquet on my left arm and tells me I have an open fracture. I can talk at this point, but I don't know what changed that made me able to talk. Then I asked her if it was radial or ulnar. She didn't answer just looked at my like I was a ghost.

Then I woke up. Sweating like a fat kid in dodgeball with my left arm wrapped under my body and so numb I couldn't feel it.

Still, can you explain the jaguar? Really?

Another piece of evidence that I am whacked in the head.

I HATE DST.

There are not enough vile words in my vocabulary to describe how much I hate having my schedule switched up by an hour. Either way it screws with me.

There is not enough coffee or Xanax in the world to make me a decent person today.

The weird things that make me smile.

I love paying the bills. I know that sentence alone is enough to consider your friendship with me, but I do. You would think chocolate or vacations or proving I'm right would be on the top of the list (they are all VERY close!) but I just absolutely love paying bills. If you slap a budget in front of me, I am in heaven! You would think I would go into accounting or something, but eh. That isn't fun when you HAVE to do it.

I am such a ginormous nerd, I have a 5 page spreadsheet with our finances in them. I could show you our checkbook from two years ago. I know, I know... what a loser, right? But when you pay your bills you get to forget about paying them for another month AND you get to see how much LESS principle you have - it gives me a giddy feeling. (I exclude paying a mortgage from this entire feel good post. That is just depressing since only like $0.03 goes to our principle every month.)

The other kind of bills I don't like paying are the ones that you didn't know about and didn't know to plan for. Just BAM! There it is in your mailbox, staring back at you with it ominous return label. You kind of just grab the very corner of it with your fingernails and toss it on the table to sit for a while, pretending the whole time it isn't there. I hate those kind. They make me cranky.

But otherwise, since today is pay day, I am in a generally good mood. Especially since that stupid boat should be paid off shortly. Paying off a loan, now that gives me a real high.

You are a toilet, not a sprinkler!

I hate, no scratch that, loathe automatically flushing toilets. They either flush prematurely or never flush at all. Nastiness either way. I know it prevents you from touching that yucky handle, but seriously, you are going to go and wash your hands anyway. I would rather get germies on my hands that I can easily wash with soap and water, then have nasty toilet water sprinkle on my hiney. Don't get me started on squatters.

See Stacy's blog for a humerous clip about squatting, AKA hovering. (I would give you a link, but apparently I am too dumb to do that. Some day I may learn.)

Another thing. WASH YOUR HANDS! I don't care what business you had to tend to in the stall. If you come out and do not wash your hands (and no, rinsing them for 3 seconds under running water does NOT constitute as washing), I have every right to label you as dirty. Seriously, that is just nasty. Makes me gag every time I think about touching a surface in this building. Thank goodness for Clorox wipes.

Also, I think I am on my way to getting a cold. Good thing I have Zicam to shove up my nose in an attempt to thwart the cold that is going around. Kind of hard to do when I am surrounded by harbor seals here at work. COVER YOUR MOUTHS PEOPLE!

Then kindly wash your hands.

Thanks Jeana

Some random thoughts I have today...

1. I am still giggling and gagging from last night. "For the love of god... stop compressions!" Thanks to Erica, I can never again eat tomato soup.

2. I am not hungry and yet the bag of cheetos in my drawer are yelling at me to eat them.

3. I need to go to the gym tonight before the meeting. I need to blow of some steam in an effort not to go nutso while listening to all the drama.

4. I have too many blogs.

5. I love mashed potatoes. But only real ones.

Shut Yer Mouth!

So I had to go and open my big fat mouth Saturday night. You know, the dreaded "it's been slow" conversation. Yeah, 4 calls yesterday. FOUR! And one that involved copious amounts of vomit. It isn't every day that you get to hear someone yelling "For the love of god" in the back of the ambulance. I was feeling pretty good about my mad IV skillz when I sank an 18g without blinking. Yeah, took me back down to Earth when I couldn't get a 22g in to save my life. So today I am tired, sore and cranky. I need more sleep.

After work I am going straight to Wally World to purchase a new roll of duct tape. Maybe that will keep my mouth shut.