Road Rants volume 1

I already started numbering these because I have a feeling there will be a lot more to come considering I am driving 70 miles every day to work.

Dear Guy with the Cigarrette,

It's okay if you want to die with your cigarrette smoke but don't make me smell it too. I let my A/C bring in whats supposed to be fresh air not cancer causing rat poison. Please close your windows and hot box yourself and let the rest of breathe freely.

Sincerely,
Not looking to die in my 20's.


Dear Ladies on the Cell Phones,

You know who gives women drivers a bad name, you do! There is a reason there is a law in California not to let people on their cell phones as they drive. If you are too busy yapping away on your cell phone chances are you either are distracted and drive slow (ie 10 miles below speed limit in the fast lane) or worse you don't turn your head or signal when you change lanes. One of these days I am gonna let you hit me in front of a cop and see what happens to your insurance rates for being an idiot.

Sincerely,
See you in arbitration.

Dear Old People,

If you can't see pass your steering wheel chance are you shouldn't be driving. Call your grandson skippy to take you out for a drive to do errands. I am tired of the slow driving in the fast lanes or the merging without signals. Please for your safety and mine.

Sincerly,
Trying not to rear-end you

Friends in Low Places

Last week Molly posted about making friends and it got me thinking. I love the friends I have don't get me wrong but I hardly ever see them. I am 25, living with a roommate and I have a bf the rest of my friends (all girls I grew up with) are now married, married with babies or doing the single-mom thing. Nothing against how they are living their lives it just doesn't mesh well for a Wednesday Night Wine Tasting or other adult spontaneous activities.

My roommate is super cool so we hang out at the house a lot which is almost like having a built in friend. We were friends before we moved in together but not all BFF (oh and we work for the same company). My old roommate and I actually hang out more with socially now b/c I know where to go when I need a drink.

Anyway, I still feel like I am missing in the friend front. I haven't made any new friends outside of work or living situations for many many years. Although my old friends I can call out of nowhere and pick up the conversation like we just spoke yesterday its still not the same as having a real close friend that I actually did have a conversation with yesterday.

After Molly did her post went back and read the comments for suggestions on what to do. The funny thing is that she mentioned her Physical Therapist to be friends with. I want to be friends with my Chiropractor but I have no idea on how to say hey lets hang out without it being weird. She told me she does spin at the same gym but I've tried spin and its too hard-core for me. One day I will get some neve and not sound weird.

One of the suggestions that kept coming up was Junior League. I actually had never heard of the organization before. I guess out on the east coast its a big to-do. I looked up the website for my local chapter and lo' and behold there was actually orientation for new members. Fortunately, my nervousness did not get the better of me and I went ahead and registered. The timing actually worked out b/c the organization I was previously doing my volunteer work has been on a downhill slide with organization and I was no longer being useful there. I was looking for a new challenge.

The new memeber orientation was on Saturday and I actually decided to join. The group of women is very diverse. I was expecting at home moms with a lot of time on their hands. I would say the group was 24-32 professional with lives outside of the home. The meeting was held at the home of one of the recruitment chairs which was beautiful and she had a full spread of food set out early in the morning. She is one of those super-organized not of this world energy person to get it all ready. There was also a lot of bling going on. Newly engaged, planning a wedding or just married was the story for most of these girls. One day I will be there.

I am pretty excited about joining Junior League even though orientation is now the actual group doesnt start until the Fall. Best part? There is a formal event in the Spring! Hey who doesn't like a reason to get really dressed up?

Feed Me!

I probably shouldn't be writing this post when I still haven't had lunch but what can you do? I bought a slow-cooker over Thanksgiving and sad to sat that is it still in the plastic. I really don't know how to cook and even with the help of the slow-cooker the task seems daunting. Anyway, I am looking for recomendations of what to do with contraption. Anyone?

Oh and I don't eat pork so no pork chops for me.

Also any good really really easy cookbook recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Where the paycheck comes from

I wish I could talk about work more openly it would probably make for a more interesting blog. Here are a few of the highlights:

1. My work is one of the places that has been splashed all over the news with lay-offs.
2. I survived a lay-off back in Thanksgiving which I am thankful for.
3. I got transferred to a new location that is not necessarily a lot farther but because of location it can take me 2 1/2 hours to get home from work sometimes. (38 miles in LA?)
4. It takes me about an 1 1/2 to get to work right now.
5. I can't afford to have lunch out everyday anymore b/c of the change in my personal economy and location of new offices. (I am not going to spend $20 dollars on a sandwhich)
6. I have doubled my gas bill but I still can justify taking public transportation because its a joke. Even with the company picking up half of the tab I can't let myself get carsick every day on a train.
7. I've been with the company 5 years and this is my 4th relocation. Everyone always asks me why I don't move with my work my response is why? I am probably going to get moved again so might as well stay close to friends and family.
8. I actually have to put on make up on every day and real work clothes most days now.
9. My soul selling has so far gotten me a tank of gas and utility bill paid. I have some change for lunch too.
10. Being so much on the road not only causes wear and tear on you car but on your brain too. In some cases more on the brain than on the car.
11. The most exciting thing last week was that they repaved the ugliest street with the worst potholes that I use as an exit.

It's taken me 2 days to write this post because I have been sick. I stole this post from this lady .The funny thing is that a lot of her answers and mine are very much alike.

What are your middle names?
Um… I don’t like mine. My whole name together sounds like a bad latin soap opera name. His is Raymond.

How long have you been together?
2 years in May.

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
A week. If you count the time we spent online talking back and forth on IM. For the record if anyone doesn’t know we met on CL. Yes, Craigslist the home o the freakies.

Who asked whom out?
Technically I did. We both knew it was gonna happen I was just the one that nailed down the time and the place.

How old are each of you?
LJ is 29, I am 25.

Whose siblings do you see the most?
His, one lives near us and we visit / they visit enough to see them a couple of times a year

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Right now we are going through some role-reversals which are good and bad all at once. Over-all good. I have come to terms also with some of my traditionalisms which throws a wrench in some of our plans but I think in the long run it will work out for the best.

Did you go to the same school?
No, LJ is from the Northwest and I am from Southern California. Either way I give him a hard time b/c we wouldn’t have even been in high school at the same time. He’s so old.

Are you from the same hometown?
No, totally different places.

Who is smarter?
We are both geniuses. Kidding, sort of. We are very alike but we both have different strengths.

Who is the most sensitive?
I say me. I at least show it more.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?

This little breakfast place about half way on the otherside of town

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
To his hometown to see his family.

Who has the craziest exes?
Me, hands down. Not proud of it but it’s true.

Who has the worst temper?
Neither of us really have a temper but I do get annoyed a lot easier.

Who does the cooking?
LJ. I really can’t cook. Besides, he’s an awesome cook.

Who is the neat-freak?
Neither of us. I have come to terms with my neat-freakness otherwise it would take over my life. When I am really upset I clean like crazy. If you ever come to my house and my house wasn’t cleaned by someone else recently watch out.

Who is more stubborn?
I am going to say him. But I am pretty bad myself. The good thing is that we agree about 98% of the time.

Who hogs the bed?

Me. Including the blankets.

Who wakes up earlier?
I do, b/c I actually have to be at work by a certain time. Even on the weekends I am up earlier. I can’t help it. Though I am not a morning person.

Where was your first date?

A micro-brew on the water. We ate the same thing. I asked him why was he trying to be like me. He said we just think alike.

Who is more jealous?
Um, maybe me. Neither of us really overall.

How long did it take to get serious?

Date one? We went through a lot of the first through date 10 questions/answers within the first week of e-mails. We already knew that we were going to be together. The first date was a formality.

Who eats more?

I do. Easily. I can finish my food and half of his.

Who does the laundry?
Neither of us. I am way nit-picky on how it’s done. LJ doesn’t care and throws it all in. So if anyone started to do it, it would probably be me.

Who’s better with the computer?

He hates Macs so that automatically makes me better. I am better considering that I do tech work part-time. I am PC friendly as well.

Who drives when you are together?
He drives. And when we are on “date nights” he still opens the door for me.

Brought to you by the letter V

I was given a letter by the lovely Brookem. The point is to write about 10 things you love about the letter... in my case V.

If you want to participate, leave a comment on this post and I will assign you a letter. You then write about 10 things you love that begin with your assigned letter and post them on your blog. When people comment on your posted list, you give them a letter and the chain continues on and on.

Alright... on with the show....

1. Valentines Day: Seriously who doesn't love a day full of pink and hearts and love? That and you normally get to have a yummy meal with someone you love. Don't get me wrong I've had a couple of doozies on V-day... but over all its still a day of love (even if it just your mom getting you bubble bath when you are single).





2. Vanilla: Anything. I love the smell of vanilla, the taste of vanilla. I could roll around in vanilla if it wasnt you know... beans.




3. Victoria Secret: I love there cotton underpants. They are cute. Oh and yeah they have all that other lingerie stuff... for everyone else. oh and their Vanilla Lace spray.



4. Valentino: He makes such pretty things.






5. V-Card: Mine hasn't been around for a while but I am glad when I lost it that it wasn't just wasted with some random.




6. Vacation: as in I need one. I honestly don't think I will be getting a vacation anytime soon, probably say not till the honeymoon. my last vacation was a working vacation. I would like to say our honeymoon would be in Australia if I had a choice (or the money!!!).



7. V: my work BFF. Older, wiser, skinnier. She is where I want to be in 10 years. Homeowner (on her own!) porshe driver (paid off!) living the good life. She is smart, funny and if she was a little taller and a dude I would so date her.




8. Vampires: On tv in the HBO Show True Blood. I love it! Mind you I am not into the genre as a whole but I totally love this show.






9. Velvet Cake: Seriously, 'nough said.




10. Vodka!: The creator of many great memories and many horrible mornings. I can drink this stuff like a fish as long as I dont mix. Cheers!

That's it folks! Don't forget to respond if you want a letter of your own.

I'm selling my soul for pennies on the dollar

Everyone I know has been affected by this down-turn in the economy one way or another. I have a nice woe-ful story I could tell you but then it would be a debbie downer post.

I'm not sure how many if anyone knows I have a second job. I was one of those kids that always needed something to do otherwise I become completely useless. It also helps that when I got my second job I hated my ex and any excuse to get out of the house (and make money!) was good enough for me. So what's my talent? I build stuff. Computery stuff. I like hardware and software and making it work on a small scale and sometimes on a large scale. Who knew huh? These skills were acquired from having a slacker nerdy bf that was a real computer nerd many years ago. Another sad story. My second gig is actually pretty sweet and I enjoy what I do. If I could do it full time (which I have before) I would absolutely do it again. For right now I am not in a position to be without health benefits and I can't eat 99 cent burgers like I used to.

Anyway, since my job dynamic has/is changing quite dramatically I am trying to rub every nickel I have together in hopes of having penny babies. It's been a couple of years since I have really had to worry about money. The good thing is that I have been able to keep most of my living expenses relatively low, but with all the changes buying a house has been put on hold.

So whats a girl who already has a second gig supposed to do? Ebay. I am just starting out but I am hoping that eventually I will be able to do something profitable with it. Combinging 2 things I love computers and shopping. Look for my soul with a buy it now of $5.00.

Interview Me!

There's this thing floating around the internet that I stole from Kari, well sort of. She did the interview questions. But, first, the rules:

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone
else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them
five questions.

And the questions:

1. What is your favorite word?
Snufalufagus? It's just funny.
2. Which is cuter, puppies or kittens?
I am going to have to go with puppies. I actually grew up with both but to tell you the truth whenever I have had kittens I have had them try to suffocate me in my sleep or scratch the crap out of my hands and therefore makes them not my number 1 choice. Besides you can't walk a cat and they aren't as cuddly as puppies.
3. What is your favorite holiday and why?
Hmmm this is a tough one. I don't like Christmas or Thanksgiving. New Year's is overrated. I've had some craptacular Valentines days. Even though when I am single my mom still buys me something so I don't feel so alone. So 4th of July b/c normally there is a good party and everyone loves America.
4. What was your weirdest dream?
I've had a couple of weird dreams over the years. Without going into a super long story about my best friend in high school... he stopped talking to us over a rumor that I am now assuming is true. We tried to hunt him down but he kept avoiding us. Anyway, in my dreams I find him in odd places like in a dark parking lot and I yell out his name but instead of responding to me he always backs away from me with a wide-eyed look on his face. One time I got him cornered in his car and I thought he was going to talk but I woke up before he did. There is also the one where I was in the shower and the house caught on fire. Oh and there was demented clowns chasing me around. I actually like clowns though.
5. Which came first? The chicken or the egg?
The egg had to come first. You know if a dog and cat had a baby whatever they popped out would have become the new "chicken".

Leave a comment. :)

Cookies? Delurking?

So our dear Nichole at More is Better hosted a Sweet Treat Exchange last month. I've been meaning to get around to this post but i figured this would be a good time to do it. I am trying to figure out who sent me cookies from Boise, ID. At first I thought it was my bf's sister b/c she is in Idaho until I realized the city was wrong. Without knowing where the cookies came from we still ate them. I am so trusting of the internet. :)

Anyway, On to the big topic of the week even though I have already missed a couple of days of it. I don't know who actually reads my blog besides the usual suspects. Even if you think you are a usual suspect please comment I would like to know that my dribble isn't just going into a dark hole in the universe. Oh and leave your links incase I don't already read you.

** Off to go delurk at the many places I visit but never say anything ***

P.S. for anyone who is keeping track I am down over 2o lbs I will have a real number on Friday.

In Review... Looking Forward...

I can't say anything spectacular happened in 2008. I've had a couple less than stellar moments involving work and my family. These things were out of my control and I just tried dealing with them as best as I could.

This next year I am expecting to see a couple of changes in life for the good. You could call them goals but these are already works in progress.

1. Keep losing weight. So far so good. Need to start hitting the whole thing harder.
2. Hoping to get engaged this year. LJ's business is doing well so it seems more likely to happen now. We've already talked about it. Yes, he knows about my imaginary wedding. He is planning the imaginary honeymoon. Now can we get to the REAL ring?
3. Figure out what I am going to do workwise. I don't want to get put in a position that I am not comfortable with.
4. Still need to figure out what to do school wise. I am getting transferred with work so I think that is going to make it even harder b/c of the location.
5. Need to get a real budget and stick to it. Money will be getting tighter next year. The economy is affecting me too ya'll.
6. I already work with a charity organization, plus my world vision kids but I want to start something else.
7. Start paring down my stuff. I have too much stuff. Or at least organize it better. Ebay anyone?

Ketchup - Holiday Edition

I wish I had a grand story to tell but I don't. So here are tidbits of whats been going on.

1. I am down 18 lbs., but honestly I am totally slacking off. I need to get back on the wagon.
2. Mom made tamales and I have a crapload of them sitting in my freezer... yet I am on a diet.
3. My bf and I did stocking this year b/c we did our big ticket items a month ago. I will smell good for the rest of my life. He got me a lot of smelly stuff plus some jewelery.
4. For those that are wondering what I got. I got a Wii! I need Wii Friends for Mario Kart if there are any of you out there. Oh and I want to do a Mii Parade.
5. I've been slow on my reading so I am still on American Wife.
6. Work has been slow. I don't talk about it much here but the company is all over the news or was in the last couple of months and it is affecting me directly. Everyone tells me I am lucky to still have a job.
   
7. Reason #5012 that my bf rocks: I am not much of a holidays person but my bf surprised me earlier in the month with my first ornament for my tree. This is the first time I have bought a tree for my own house on my own since I have lived with my parents.
8. Does anyone else watch infomercials late at night and want to buy the product. I really want the Cricut Cutter but I can't justify the price tag. Oh well there is still next Christmas.
9. My closet is full of clothes which is good... too bad not all of them fit.
10. I hate to say this but with most of the girls gone from my office with the lay-offs it feels kinda lonley.
    
11. LJ's mom sent me the church's cook book. I've just learned 1001 things to do with ground beef.
12. Am I the only one who has started planning their imaginary wedding with the bf that they have down to the guest list except there is no ring on the finger? Is that just me? Don't tell me I am crazy.
13. Speaking of crazy... some girl called LJ on christmas day at almost 10pm at night. I was like WTF? I was like who is that and why is she calling you so late? He didn't take the call. Said its just a friend that he made when he first moved down here, but he hasn't talked to her in forever. Still feels weird some girl calling my man.
    
14. Met LJ's fake grandma and family who lives nearby. They are pretty cool. Lot's of food. Mmm. Turkey.
    

Starting to feel a lot like Christmas....

Last year was the first year I had really celebrated Christmas in a long time. My family hasn't hosted Christmas since about when I moved away from home. Since then I never really did Christmas tree's or any other kind of celebrating save the office holiday party.

So far this year I have gone to see the christmas lights, sent out some Christmas Cards and actually have a real live tree in my house. Honestly, I think all this Christmas cheer has to do with LJ's love for the holidays. Before I was always the grinch and never wanted to participate in anything holiday related. I know that this year we will be going to Christmas Mass which I am pretty excited about. I will also be making home-made spiked eggnog for our christmas potluck.

When we were in the Northwest we went to Advent services at LJ's families church. They had just built this new church b/c the last one was too small. It was a beautiful church that was massive! It was a great service and the priest made it feel like it was a 2 drink minimum and the bad thing was that instead of completely focusing on the service **sorry God!** I was thinking "I could totally get married here!" Before anybody gets any bright ideas. No there was no engagement.

So I am actually looking forward to having a festive holiday this year. Everything may not be perfect in the world but we should at least enjoy some of the few happy moments we do have.

Thanksgiving in the woods - better late than never!

This year for LJ's birthday I actually planned ahead. I bought him tickets to go see his family for a week in the potato state. Compared to last year's fiasco of a 6 hours before the flight I figured this should be easy breezy.

First off when you have way too much time to think of stuff to bring you end up bringing everything but the kitchen sink *even though I considered it*. The flights weren't actually 2 bad. Well, except on the way back when I didnt realize we were supposed to make 2 stops during the flight. I actually brought a nice coat with me this time so I wouldn't freeze my keester off. It was so nice that while I was running across the street on some shopping venture some ladies yelled out to me ask me where I got it from.

You know you are loved when everyone knows that you are eating healthy even through one of the unhealthiest days of the year and they make the whole Thanksgiving dinner out of Cooking Light Magazine." LJ's grandpa almost had a heart attack over the idea but everyone enjoyed the meal. As light as it may have been it was pretty tasty. I had been bugging LJ to take me to Canada since we were already so close but that didnt happen. This ended up being a working vacation for both of us. Not with my real job but with helping the family. We at least got to see everyone in the family.

LJ's sister and I actually got to bond a good chunk of the time I was there. Everyone has made her out to be a super villan but once you get to know her she's not bad. She's a nice girl that has just made a few mistakes. Not saying she has necessarily learned from all her mistakes but she is really young and honestly at her age I hadn't either. So who am I to judge? In all this bonding time with LJ's sis and her mom I tried to get some dirt that I hadn't heard before. Either they were being nice and not selling him down the river or there really is no dirt. The only comment that LJ's sister made was that LJ was adament about not getting into a serious relationship until he was completely financially established *not in the middle of his start-up company*, yet they know he is serious and ready to settle down with me. There must also be some level of trust b/c other information was shared with me about other people in relation to the family that I probably wouldn't have heard otherwise.

Oh did I forget to mention that I went to my first Black Friday sales. Actually not as bad as everyone makes them out to be. Doesn't help that I didnt go to bed till 11pm to get up at 2am. That's what happens when you are out in the sticks. Last but not least I did not gain any weight over the week I was on vacay including thanksgiving and a prime rib dinner. I count that as a success.

Don't Let The Door Hit You On The Way Out - An Open Letter

Dear Fat,

It's time for you to go. We've had a bad run for the last 6 years since the car accident. You are like my loser brother that I let sleep on my couch so long that it seems like you are gonna live here forever. I've hired the Lindora movers to get you the hell out of my life.

I know it's a drastic step to have to Lindora help get you out but I have tried so many times on my own and it never worked. This is it. I am 25 years old and I want to live a long healthy life. I don't want to be a fat bride that has to huff and puff up the church steps. I want to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. I don't want to have kids to see what kind of food to maintain the level of fat I have. I want them to be healthy and active. I want LJ to be healthy too. Before he met me he was on the right track but you were the horrible fat elephant in the room that dragged us back to the bad habits.

I hope to never see you again.

Sincerely,

Looking at smaller pants.

P.S. I would like to thank Goddess and Jess for being inspirations.

P.P.S. I've been on Lindora since Thursday and down 10 lbs.

Tagged!

Geez I can't remember the last time I got tagged.... so Magda did me the favor of taking the ugly girl home from the bar to put her out of her misery. Or the bar out of it's misery. Either way.

So six things about me....

1. My Spanish... not so bueno. Well depends on who you ask. I can read out loud but I probably can't tell you what it all means. My vocabulary is above "see spot run" but not much above that. I can write but I know its all spelled wrong. A native speaker can spot a mile away that Spanish is a secondary language and not a first, then they make fun of me. None of my friends speak Spanish which would help in my Spanish speaking abilities. The kicker is that my business card says "Hablo Espanol." The good thing is that it hasn't really been tested. All of my American friends think I am 100% fluent. Maybe b/c I tell them that I am and they don't know any better.
2. Sometimes people catch me concentrating and think I am having a real thought but really I am just doing clothing comibinations in my head, planning my next mani/pedi/massage.
3. The reason I cardmake besides the fact that I love real mail and sending it out is b/c I suck at scrapbooking. It's hard to scrapbook when you don't take a lot of pictures.
4. People in blogland don't know that I have a crazy shoe collection. They have their own seperate closet and are in clear plastic boxes. Now you know what Mel is short for. Seriously.
5. Since I started LJ I have become a horrible drinker. As in I used to be able to drink the best of them under the table. Now I am good on 2 drinks and thats it. LJ tells me he wouldn't want to be dating "that girl."
6. I started college when I was 16. See? I am smarter than I look. Now when I will finish that is yet to be decided.

As for the tagging... anyone who reads me (the 3 of you) you're it!

Rambling

I thought I would have something awesome to write but my brain is mush from the week. So here is a little recap of everything that has/is going on:

• I will be going to the Northwest for Thanksgiving to see LJ's family. I actually bought the tickets the middle of last month for LJ for his birthday which is the week before Thanksgiving. He is excited to see his family. I am excited to see his family too. Although, the last 2 times I have seen them I have been sick as a dog and I am hoping not on the 3rd time. Also, a lot of my shopping has been taken up with buying warm things for cold weather. Cuz in California? We have sunshine and puppies.
• Speaking of which? Sweet Baby Jesus its hot! I have all these cute Fall clothes and boots that I want to wear but even though I am by the beach its still hot!
• I've been house a dog my old roommate picked up 2 weeks ago in my backyard. He was on a main street and almost got hit by a car. She couldn't take him to the pound afraid of crying so I took him to a no-kill shelter but they wouldn't take him. The neighborhood is covered in signs and no one has looked for him. He is a great a dog but I can't keep one at my house. I will have to find him a home.
• My new roommate is moving in on Halloween. Sadly *pathetically* I have no plans for Halloween. Am I too old to get dressed up? Yeah.
• There is a restaurant in our neighborhood that we went to for V-day this year that was so awesome and yummy that we wanted to go back for dinner service. Then their chef quit. They still have breakfast which is awesome but for the last 8 months they have been taunting us with "Oh we will be open in the Fall". Guess what ya'll? Its Fall. And it's still not open.
• I am making another huge cake next week. This one is for Halloween. You know what? I am still over cake.
• My house for some odd reason gets real hot and right now with this weather its even worse . I can't bear turn on the AC b/c paying $188 electric bills between 2 people makes me wanna cry. Also, with this hotness my wine fridge struggles to keep my wine cool. It was so bad that I thought it was broken. LJ took it to his office to ship and turns out it works over there just fine. Now I have 2 wine fridges.
• There is a general consensus going around that I am weird b/c a) the thought of living in Seattle where its nice and cool albeit wet is very appealing and b) that I am okay with Gay marriage. I would think I live in place that has open-minded individuals but apparently I don't. I say let everyone be as happy or as miserable as everyone else.
• For any of you who check your stats and know where my cubicle is. I know as much as everyone knows and all I know is that we are set out for a bumpy ride next year.

Cheers!

That Dream Where It All Goes Down In Flames

I realize there are a lot of things in my everyday life that I don't normally write about here. Most of my friends think I am a do-gooder. For the most part I am pretty modest about what I do for good of the world and whenever anyone asks me why I do what I do my usual answer is to build karma points for whenever I do something really bad and hopefully have some left over when I get to the pearly gates.

This week I had an event that I organized for the women's group I mentor with for make-overs for women that are coming back into the work force. I've actually been working on this for 2 months trying to get people to come and help. You would think that working with a group that has a well recognized name would help the situation but not so much. The saying is time is money and money is time. People are being stingy with both.

I was finally able to conjure up 2 hair stylist and a make up artist for our event. I had a location and catering and goodie bags for the women participating in our event. It was all gravy. *Que the heaven music*

As I was doing my final confirmations for the people working our event in a span of 12 hours *i.e. the morning of* All 3 backed out. *Doom!*

So what do I do? The funny thing is that I had already had a dream about this happening and in that dream I had no resolution. We have 15 people coming for this plus our regulars and I have no hair and makeup people. Yikes!

With any problem you can throw money at it is what I have learned. Our event was being hosted at a major department store and we had many ins and one of my own personal ins. I guess if you shop their enough it comes in handy. Said department store has lots of Make-up and make-up artists. After some groveling and lots of money spent 4 of the counters agreed to do make-up for the under privileged. Oh and me b/c you can't host a make-over event and look like hell yourself.

So yeah maybe there was no hair done but the women who came did get their make up done and free stuff and a free dinner. Better than me trying to do a song and dance and sending them on their way right?

Open Letters

Dear Mom,

Do you remember that episode of The Simpsons where Homer got sent to hell and Flanders was the devil? You know the one with donut? Where when he went to hell and got fed donuts as punishment?

I know how it feels now. Taking this cake decorating class sounded like a great idea when you and I discussed originally. I didn't mind spending the money (x2) or having to pick you up on my way home from work and driving you home at 10pm. What I do mind is that I have cake leftover up to my ears and I can't stand the taste of frosting. Before during class I would lick it off. Now I have wet wipes b/c the smell of sugar overtakes me. BTW did you realize how much Crisco is in frosting? And my gone Sunday/Monday nights before class for prep? Ugh.

Never again Mom. Let try sewing next time.

With a frosting full belly,
your hija

Dear Current Roommate,

I am glad you found a home to call your own. I am even glader that all your stuff won't be taking over the whole house. What you call clean and what I call clean are 2 different stories so don't forget to take your dust bunnies with you.

With your housewarming gift packed,
the cleaner of the 2

Dear Work,
What happened to the good ol' days of hours of 9-4:30 plus a 2 hour lunch. Quit kicking my ass and I will love you. Right now I love the paychecks but hate the hours.

your slave,
paycheck in wallet


Dear Paycheck,

Quit dissapearing me.

- dwindling bank account

Seems like a lifetime ago....

Sept. 11, 2001. It was my first fall out of high school. I was done being an office bitch for the summer and was off to my training for a sales job. I was on my way to training around 7 something in the morning west coast time. I was listening to a local shock jock and they were talking about what had happened earlier in the morning. I thought it was a sick joke and was just disgusted at the show.

I made it to training and turns out it was true. It was all true.

Commitments, decisions & a whole lotta money

Even though it seems like I am never around I am always reading. I read so much that I hardly ever write myself. I used to write when I was in the office but I've just been so dang busy that I don't even get to do that anymore. Busy at work is always a lot better than twiddling my thumbs.

The big news of the last couple of months is that LJ and I have been talking about moving in together. It's been going on since March but I didnt want to jinx it by going public with it before knowing it was all happening. The bigger news is that I decided to buy a house. The original plan was to move in together but considering the amount of rent that we are willing to pay we can afford a house. Worse comes to worse I can afford a house. I've learned my lesson about mixing finances before marriage and I'm not willing to do it again.


So where do we live? How big of a house? We have an idea of what we want b/c we have specific needs. 2 bedroom, would prefer a house over a townhouse, would prefere a townhouse over a condo. Beggars can't be chooser though. We need a 2 car garage (considering we have 3 cars between the 2 of us), air conditioning, i would like hardwood floors but its not really a deal breaker.

The other part of the move is really with location. LJ and I live about 17 miles apart and I live 17 miles farther from work. The city I live in is my hometown and all my friends and family are here. He is from the Northwest with only a brother out here but all his friends (frat brothers) all live near him now. His office is less than a mile away from his current location. Living in LA or in the near vicinity even if something is really not that far it can still be a pain to drive to b/c of LA/OC traffic. Anyone who has to deal with 405 going anyway during rush hour knows what I am talking about. I actually don't want to move closer to work b/c I really dont care for the area. I kind of want to stay in the city I am in now but I know I can't afford to buy in the neighborhood I currently live in. LJ would prefer that I move as close to his office as possible as he knows he is not going anywhere anytime soon since I really don't know what my plan is for the next couple of years. Honestly, the thought of commiting to live anywhere for the next 5 years is pretty scary considering that I have been out of my parents house for 7 years and the longest time I have lived in one place was 3 years and almost everywhere else for less than a year. Different cities different counties.

I've already put a couple of offers in and have been outbid and that's even putting in at asking price. The market seems to have slowed down with the end of summer but I would ideally like this straightened out by the end of the year. I am just hoping I can find not the place I am truly in love with but something that is better than rental living that can be a good write-off for the next couple of years. My roommate already found a place that she just went into escrow with this last week so she will be moving and guess what that means? LJ will be moving in next month.