he's got the mad skillz

A while ago when my dear friend Chaslyn's mother was visiting we all went out to dinner at a place called Equinox in the Northeast part of town. The food was good (slightly overpriced), the drinks were fantastic, service so-so. We were the last group in the place, not really by choice, but rather because we were waiting for our server to pick up our money/cards so we could pay and leave. We waited and waited and finally I took the cards and pile of money to the bar. As I approached this rather exuberant guy says to the woman who is reaching for the money, "WOW! It's her!! She is the best person to buy clogs from! She is really good at her job!!!" I looked at him and tried to remember him, as I am want to do with customers. Blank. Mind absolutely blank.

Two minutes ago that rather exuberant guy walked into my store as I was putting a spoonful of soup in my mouth. I recognize him as the man behind the bar that night with the friends. He says, "HI!" as he enters the store. I try to say hello back, but it's hard with bean and corn soup so I wave instead. He tells me he's got the waiter skills of asking questions as people are just taking a bite to eat. I told him I was impressed with his skills because he wasn't at work this time, I was.

Oh, I found our server that night. She had retreated to the other dining room to eat dinner herself. Um, word of advice to her: If you still have a table that you have just dropped the bill off with, don't go get your dinner and forget about us. We'd like to leave so you all can go home...

cuz THAT was fun

Yeah, just spent the better part of the evening figuring out how the hell I even did all those links before. Now, it seems to be working again. Yea!

We went out for bbq tonight at Clays Smokehouse. I got home after work and needed some comfort food. Nothing bad happened that made me need it, just felt like I wanted it.

I work tomorrow since Charles is on a mini vacation himself this weekend. I am hoping it will be slow enough to actually get some of the boxes put away. We'll see.

Okay, I know this post is lame, but I wanted to update and what not.

not my doing

Yesterday I was playing around with the template. When I noticed if I had hit change, or whatever, my blogging friends wouldn't be in the sidebar I aborted the mission to decide on things later, when I could highlight them and "take them with" to the new template...

So imagine my surprise when I logged in this am to find a different template AND no friends listed in the links. Stoopid blogger...

and jog in place, two three...

I woke this morning with the knowledge that it was going to be a really cold day. I actually fell asleep last night knowing that it was going to be really cold today. I got up to go feed the crew. Mr. Tree Frog (our thermometer) hanging on the sliding door in the kitchen tells me it's 23º out there. WHAT?!?! And, it's windy (Mr. TF didn't tell me that, my keen sense of deduction did...what, there was recycling from the neighbors flitting about). So, there was a wind chill that was not known. All I knew was it was going to be one cold wait for the bus. Josie doesn't seem to mind the cold and wind, she's perfectly content with going outside and staying out there for what seems like a much longer time than normal. Because I don't want to leave her out there when I jump in the shower I am forced to wait until her little booty is ready to come back in. Also, because I want to foster this feeling of "outside is good!" in her, I don't want to call her in. When she finally bounces back to the door I can get my day really going. I had already made the executive decision that I would wear the warmest sweater I own. It's a crazy, chunky turtleneck that at one point was way too warm for me. Now, it's perfect in this weather! I get all cleaned up and dressed, hair done, make up on...and then, I have to say goodbye to the man who is all warm and snug in bed with a dog at one hip and a cat at the other so I can go stand outside in the brutal windy cold morning. Jerks.

I walk outside, my snot...freezes in my nose. Gross, I know, BUT that is the kind of cold it gets in Kansas!!! Not Oregon. WTF?!? I proceed to walk to the bus (against the wind) and when I get to the stop I do a mini calisthenics class all by myself. People are driving by looking at me and mouthing the words, "are you cold?" Gee, no, I'm just multitasking and getting in some cardio as I wait for the bus. Which I guess I kind of was, but not for that reason was I jumping around like a goon. I was cold!!!

Today as people enter the store and I greet them with my normal, "Hi! How are you today?" The answers have all been the same. "COLD!"

Now, I'm not trying to complain, I'm really not. It just caught us off guard. I do have to say that at least it's sunny here! There is that. I can deal with the cold as long as the sun is shining. The wind, that I could live without.

because I'M the problem with today's society...

I was standing at the counter, helping Mary take her new purple clogs home. Ringing her up and ever so happy that we could find them at one of our other stores. There is another woman checking out her size section and a third woman with her daughter who is probably close to 10 years old wandering around as well.

The door slams open.

A "white woman in her thirties" bursts in and sets her plastic bags down with a lovely production. They must have weighed at least thirty pounds each by the sound she emits. She starts rustling around in the bag. She pulls out two pairs of shoes.

I am in the middle of the transaction with Mary so I say, "oh, some repair to drop off?" as they were NOT from our store.

"NO! I have to return these."

"Not here, we don't carry that brand."

"Well," huff, "do you know who does?" she says with another huff.

"No, I don't. Sorry."

"Well, what about these? Did THESE come from here?" she pulls out something else.

"No, they didn't and I don't know where they might have come from either."

Now she gets loud as she starts saying, "WELL DO YOU KNOW WHERE A WHITE WOMAN IN HER THIRTIES WHO IS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY SO SHE CAN HELP WITH GRAMMA'S HEAT MAKE SOME MONEY?"

I suggest she check with the Unemployment office. She asks why. I say that they can help her find work.

"Well, I have a job, but I don't get paid for another three weeks..." and she rambles on and on about the problem with today's society is people like me who abuse the system.

M'kay.

still here

The brain, she is overworked these days.

Many of you dear people have been so supportive and wonderful to me through this really tough time and I thank you. I still haven't heard from the place I applied at, but I only sent in my resume with cover letter on Monday and I figure I will hear within the next week...IF they are interested.

I'm sad to say that yesterday found me wanting to beat myself with a clog because of some of the questions I was getting...

1. These are going to stretch, right? (don't most shoes stretch? yes, yes they do)
2. Do you have them in leather? (as she is looking at a pair of LEATHER clogs)
3. Can you wear these in the rain? (as she is looking at a pair of MESH shoes) i answered this one with "you can, but your feet will probably get wet"
4. Are you ordering boots in still? (after we'd spoken about us getting in sandals for the spring)
5. Do you know if (store X) carries these? (cuz I work where?)

These were only a few. There are days where I want to scoop my customers up in my arms and smoosh on them all because they are fabulous. Then there are days where 6:00 can't get here fast enough so I can go home and smoosh on the critters.

Funny thing...just had a customer in for quite a while. She made a comment that wow, so many people had come and gone and she was still here. I realized, I feel the same way. I'm still here. Customers I've not seen for a year (because they only come in annually) will say to each other, "Look! She's still here!" It's in a great way, the way that tells me they are happy to see me, but that's just it...I'm still here.

am i the grinch?

**Yesterday as everyone wished me a "Happy Valentines Day!" I would look at them and state, "Yeah, I really don't believe in this holiday. I personally think it's better to share that feeling of love throughout the year whenever the fancy strikes you." I got the oddest looks all day. Towards the end I simply said, "Um, yeah, same to you."

So, what did we do for "the big day", you ask...we made fish.

I found a recipe for a parmesan crusted baked fish. Kev's only job yesterday was to find the fish. He went to some Asian market where he was the only 6'3" person there. Everyone looked at him and for a brief moment he thought about bailing. Then he decided that he would stay and find the fish for dinner. He went to the case where there was fish and other things (I am assuming there were other things since I wasn't there and he didn't really tell me) on display. He explained he needed 12 oz (or was it 24 oz) of flounder. The man said to him, "This will do and two fish will be plenty." What Kev didn't realize is that when he said "two fish" he meant TWO WHOLE FISH. So, he got home, unwrapped them and realized he was going to have to gut and clean two fish.

When I rolled in I was smacked in the face by some horrid scent. The first thing I think I asked was what one of the animals did. He just had this look on his face. Then I got the story. He ended up getting rid of the fish he was not successful cleaning or gutting and he went to another store and bought frozen rock fish fillets.

Everything worked out in the end, but there is still the slight scent of dead fish in the air. I'm sure the cats are beside themselves wondering where it is coming from (don't worry, the fish were disposed of outside...which means we will be thankful the temp is dropping to below 30 this weekend and not baking the fish in our trash can).

**Amendment:

The people I said this to were friends or people I have seen on a daily basis for quite some time now. And honestly, most of them didn't only look at me with that odd look, but once I explained why I feel that way, most of them agreed. It's a holiday that has people believing they can get away without doing things for their loved ones throughout the rest of the year, but save up for the one big day. I say let the love show all year round...but then again, that is just my opinion.

yeah, he is a cat

Crazy Simon

In case I've not told you before, Simon likes to be vacuumed...if the video shows up, you'll believe me.

thank the eyes

Thank you to those who have let me know that they support me. I won't tell you what is going on yet, but if/when I hear anything back, you'll be the first to know...okay, maybe not the first.

I will say that I did just hit send and my resume and cover letter were attached. Now, I will wait.

KU basketball is on right now and it's a bit closer than we thought it would be. Perhaps it was Kev's comment of, "this should be a blow out" that is making it closer? Maybe the team is just tired from so many wins? Maybe Oklahoma State feels they have something to prove with their Coach being out of commission, so to speak. Whatever it is we hope they turn it around and start really playing.

The nag is ringing (aka the laundry machine) and I have some knitting to do. Plus, my mind hasn't settled down since Thursday morning...when all this job stuff reared its head.

Much love, namaste.

the world of hypotheticals

Okay, so what would you do?

A job is listed with a company you have felt from the moment you "met" it would be an amazing place to work. The job sound PERFECT for you, according to everyone who knows you and who sees the listing.

The thing holding you back, the deep feeling of fear. Fear that you will hurt your current employer because they are quite possibly the kindest employer EVER. They have been exceptional to you, really above and beyond. However, you are feeling stifled and not challenged at work.

I think I know what I would do, but I'm wondering what the eyes think...

my random orts (what does that word mean?)

1. I have 8 cases of clogs/sandals in the storage room waiting to be unpacked. None of the new sandals look cute on my feet. :(

2. Sun Kil Moon is an amazing band and can make even the most agitated person calm and relaxed.

3. Big pasta lunches make me want to sleep sleep sleep. Think anyone would notice if I took a nap? Think I could rely on people to leave the money on the counter?

4. People can get cranky if/when their credit card company makes the merchant call for verification. Even when it really is the person's card. I try to reassure them that the company has THEIR best interest at heart. Sometimes, it doesn't help.

5. My yogi and her beau are amazing people whom I love dearly and am thrilled to be able to do some design work with/for them and their new business, Bambuseae.

6. The sun, makes people happy in the Pac NW when it comes a knocking during the middle of winter. You don't realize how much you craved it until it shows itself again after being asleep for so many months.

7. People who stand or pace in front of my store while talking up a storm on their phones kind of bug me. I mean, yeah I much prefer them to be outside and not in my store, but 9 times out of 10 the people who are doing the pacing/standing AREN'T coming into the store. They're just leaning on the wall trying to look all coolio with their headsets on and their tussled hair.

juh?

Okay, so my dear Kev and I have spoken about things in the past about women and men and what makes us all different. One topic was the public restroom. Women, we go in packs where we can totally carry on conversations while in the middle of everything. Men, won't even use the urinal next to some other dude.

Here is where that gets skewed.

Today is my dear friend Chaslyn's birthday. We went to Ya Hala for dinner (man, I can still taste the hummus and baba ghanouj). I ran to the restroom because the wine I had with dinner...was talking. Anyway. Both doors have the "occupied" or "vacant" signs and both were pointing to vacant. These restrooms were one toilet per room. The first door I opened was on two men (mind you there was NOTHING FISHY going on) where I kept saying, "the door said vacant" as they tried to reassure me everything was fine. What confuses me, two men, one toilet (not like it was in a stall) and they were peeping in front of each other...well, one peeped in front of the other and then he left as I was stammering my apologies (let's all thank the heavens above for wine RIGHT NOW!). They had been sitting at a large table next to us, I think perhaps father in law/son in law perhaps?!?! But even then, the code. It's gone against the code of the guy.

I think I need to go rock myself to sleep.

update

Simon has made a full recovery without having to go visit the vet. Whatever it was that was blocking him exited later Monday night. There was a bit of nervousness for me yesterday morning as he was straining, but then later when I saw that he did in fact go poop, I could understand why. I think he ate some leaves or something that came in off either our shoes or Josie's toes. We'll have to be better about getting them cleaned up quickly.

it's about kitty constipation

Last night as we were sitting around trying to figure out what we wanted to eat for dinner we heard this sound come from the kitchen. Well, I heard it. Kev was enthralled with some random video/computer game/website/I have no clue what he was looking at, but it involved the computer.

I get up and rush into the kitchen. The only other time we've heard this deep wailing was when we ended up taking poor Simon to the emergency vet to get an enema. Although an unpleasant experience for the little guy the vet said he acted like a champ and wished all cats she saw were like him. Back to last night...

It was Simon again. If you touched him around his head he was fine, as you stroked his back and got towards his bottom, he wailed. Great, he's impacted again and would most likely need to get another enema. I call our regular vet who can hear him in the background. They are just closing up shop, but instruct me to get him to the Southeast Emergency Vet.

I'm there. I'm loading up the car and am halfway there, at least in my mind. My only boy is in pain and I want to make it stop. Kev, a bit more level headed (which I can only say now in hindsight) says we should wait and see if it passes...literally. Simon doesn't look all that thrilled with life and my heart breaks.

We wait around. I clean out the box (for some reason this makes him feel the need to go use it every time I do it!) even though it is clean already. A little while later, after Simon has stopped with the sounds of "damn, I am really uncomfortable here people" I go into the bathroom and see someone has pooped. It's a bit odd. I go in for a closer look. Yep, there is something foreign in there. Almost plant like in it's look.

By this time Simon is acting like himself again and you can pet him without him looking like he really is going to turn and take your arm off. Not that I think he would, but...there was a look he gave that made me nervous.

This morning he's acting a bit better, however when I went into the bathroom to get ready for the day he was squatting in the potty box. He was there almost the entire time I was in the shower. There was evidence of poop, and this time it looked normal. Poor little kitty tushie. I'm sure it can't feel good for the little guy to go now...

Today Kev will keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't have another issue pop up. If he starts the wailing again, I will be putting my foot down and telling Kev we have to get him to the vet so he can have an enema...

it's done it's done it's done!

Well, knit Sunday turned out to be the best thing ever for getting me to finish Kev's scarf. I am quite pleased with it, as he is. When he picked me up from Jenn's I was wearing it, he was tired from work and didn't see it on me until we got home and I made a point to stand in front of him and just blink. Then he realized. :) He put it on and hasn't taken it off yet.

(Note: he isn't pitted out, the sweater just has an odd shadow there)

I was worried it was going to be too short, but it really is the perfect "boy" length. He doesn't wrap his neck, rather he ties it around his neck...

Oh, and the yarn is from Lorna's Laces. It's a shepherd worsted 100% washable wool. I knit it with #9 needles (this is all for my knitty friends).

it's what time?

I'm amazed at how quickly today flew by.

Getting up at 5:45 this morning I didn't feel tired either. Perhaps I was excited about going to a yoga class this morning at 8:00 with Diana? And then after said class hanging at Coffee Plant for an hour knitting and sipping? I'm just now finally starting to feel the effects of getting up before the birds. But I can say in all honesty that I feel great.

Class was really fun. It was basic, as Diana warned me it would be, but it really felt great to become all stretchy and bendy before a full day at the store. Diana is really an amazing instructor. She helps those in need and pushes those who can take it (that would be me). I love the feeling that she's watching me with pride in her heart. I always feel that she is very excited to see Jill and myself practice in larger groups, knowing we get to share a very intimate setting usually. It's like we have our own little secret (that she tells everyone because she's thrilled to have a student she teaches privately out and showing off her skillz...yeah, that's not really true...she's just excited).

I'm getting ready to do some major PR designs for her and since I've been brainstorming I took some preliminary sketches along to show her this morning before we left her house. She was really excited about the one I really was hoping she'd like (because I really like it and think it speaks of who she is, design wise). We will chat on Monday and discuss when we can get together to get photos done (although she's speaking with the photographer who does her headshots to see if he would be interested in taking some). I can hardly wait to have this put together and ready to take to the printers. When I'm done, I'll post it here.

I am ready to head home for a low key night. Kev will get off work a bit later than normal because he's got to pick up a driving shift (not sure what the story is behind that one). We'll probably do dinner and watch the tv shows we dvr'd. Or not, who knows. :)

But, since it is nearing time to go, I should sign off and get my things together (as well as put the desk in order since I hate leaving it a sty for Charles).

~namaste

when the internet makes sense...yeah, right.

The message I received when trying to visit Kristin's page to see if she'd updated...


You are not authorized to view this page
You might not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials you supplied.
If you believe you should be able to view this directory or page, please try to contact the Web site by using any e-mail address or phone number that may be listed on the spinningathena.blogspot.com home page.
You can click Search to look for information on the Internet.
HTTP Error 403 - Forbidden Internet Explorer


My favorite part is where it tells me I can contact the web site by using any email address or phone number that may be listed on the home page...you mean the page I CAN'T GET TO? :)

kev's scarf...almost

This is Kev's scarf, or at least how much I have done of it thus far. It's probably about 24 inches long right now and I have probably another 24 left in the ball I have to the left. He has been joking about not getting to wear it this winter because it's been taking so damn long. It's a knit 2, purl 2 end on a knit pattern. It's called the "mistake pattern."

The color is camouflage (Jenn, it makes me think of JWo for some reason...).

I have enjoyed this but am ready to move on from this project. The friend who is hosting Knitting Sunday this weekend asked what I was working on these days, the scarf or Jill's hat. I told her I'm a one project at a time kind of girl. I'm beginning to wonder why. I probably should start the hat so that I don't screw this up and hate it more than I kind of already do. Okay, I don't hate it, but I'm ready to be working on something else. So my goal, to be done with this this weekend so he can have a warm neck, stop complaining (he really isn't) and I can move on with my knitting life. :)

wwyd?

I am checking to see what time I'd have to catch a bus to get to Diana's house on Saturday mornings in order to hitch a ride with her to yoga at Lululemon...

These are the two options I was given. I'm thinking option 1 is the way to go, don't you?


Option 1: Your best bet
Walk 0.32 mile west from (the address given) to 82nd & Holgate (Stop ID 7984)
6:36 a.m. Board 72 Killingsworth-82nd Ave to Swan Island-Anchor St
6:42 a.m. Get off at 82nd & Yamhill
Walk northwest to SE Yamhill St & SE 82nd Ave
Travel time: 17 minutes (including 11 minutes walking)
Fares: Adult ($1.65), Youth/Student ($1.30) or Honored Citizen ($0.80) Where to buy
Show this option only Plan return trip

Option 2
Walk east from (the address given) to Holgate & 88th (Stop ID 2768)
5:27 a.m. Board 17 Holgate to Portland
5:53 a.m. Get off at 6th & Jefferson (Stop ID 7765)
6:01 a.m. Board 6 M L King Jr to Vancouver, Washington
6:18 a.m. Get off at M L King & Killingsworth
Go to M L King & Killingsworth (Stop ID 5927)
6:28 a.m. Board 72 Killingsworth-82nd Ave to Clackamas TC
6:53 a.m. Get off at 82nd & Yamhill
Walk north to SE Yamhill St & SE 82nd Ave
Travel time: 89 minutes (including 3 minutes walking and 18 minutes waiting)
Fares: Adult ($1.65), Youth/Student ($1.30) or Honored Citizen ($0.80) Where to buy
Show this option only Plan return trip

it's that time again

...common sense, when does that come into play?

Shoe laces:
"I was wondering, I have a customer who has gone through her laces and tried a 30" and a 36" and the first was too short the second too long. What should she do?"

JUH? I measured the laces from an actual pair of the type of shoe she has. It came to 37" long. I told my coworker to tell the customer to go to Fred Meyer's or some place that sold shoe laces and if she felt that the 30s were too short and the 36s to be too long, look for something in between. Common sense. (this time the customer is also lacking in it to be perfectly honest)


Smoking:
I think I'll stand in front of this business whose door is standing wide open and take my smoke break.

Really? I mean come on boys. It's beautiful out and I want some FRESH air, not stale and gnarly smoke filled air that causes my HEAD TO HURT!!! Shutting the door would solve it, but again, it's lovely out and I really need to cool off the store (the heater works, too well, even when we turn it down/off). They've since moved, but I am not above going out and telling them to move their smoky butts away from my open door. They work upstairs and I see them often so it's not like they are random people. I see them about 10 times a day outside puffing away (ugh, that just makes me sick thinking of it).


Little dogs:
I am going to bring my tiny little dog who loves to run towards the door any and every time it is opened and allow her to run run run all over the store (you know, where people come IN and open the door to do so).

Oy vey! Then when I scramble to pick the damn thing up he tells me to let her run. I have images of this little girl running out into traffic and becoming a Maddie pancake (she's not a customers dog, rather the guy who pays me). So I carry the beast around and get myself all fuzzed up by her fluffy Pomeranian fur.


I am sure there is more, but this will do for now. I must go and sit and shake my head for a little while.

it's here! it's here! it's here!

it is here
Originally uploaded by chlortence.

I got to work today to find a package from Kansas City waiting for me. Kristin, thank you!!! I know you have a lot on your plate right now, but you took time out of your life and sent me the most beautiful yarn ever!!! I can't wait to figure out what it wants to be made into...

Let me just say this right now, the women at this Sunday's knitting at noon (okay, it starts at 2:30, but it doesn't sound right)....anyway, they are going to SWOON! They will be envious. They will want to know if you have more. I can totally be your dealer in the Pac NW!

the brain, she just doesn't work

I had this grand idea of something to write about. It was going to be witty. It was going to be funny. It was going to be great. Then...then I ended up having to get something ready to ship for our friends in Seattle, I had to chat up the UPS driver as we waited for the printer to s-l-o-w-l-y print out the label and then the end of day sheet, and I had to call another store back....

OH!!!! YEAH!!

The status of my uterus. It amazes me to no end how people I really am not friends with will ask me point blank:

"Are you ever going to have a baby?"

JUH? How does one respond to this? I ended up saying (slightly under my muttered breath), "Oh, another person who wants to know the status of my uterus..." before telling the kid that I didn't know what was supposed to happen with that. By that statement, for friends and family who I DO know, I mean this: If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. Most of my family knows that I do not believe in the use of fertility drugs (and those who didn't know that, well now you do). I know that they have helped people (some of those people being family members) have babies. Here's the thing...I don't want babIES. I would like to have one baby at a time, if it's in the cards. You are dealt the hand you are when you sign up for this life. I don't like to fool with it too much because you see, I would be just as fine either not having a child (sad a bit, but okay if that's the way it's supposed to play out) OR I'd be happy to adopt (although we don't feel the overwhelming NEED for a kid so...adoption not sure it's really in the cards for sure).

So, if anyone has any funny and witty suggestions as to how to answer that question, your help would be appreciated.

And that concludes the update of my uterus. We will now return you to your regularly scheduled blog...

nurse maids and hot lattes

Josie has been following me around trying to get her tongue all over my right ankle. She did this last time when I'd gotten the line work done. She just wants to make it feel better and nurse me back to the land of no pain. She's sweet, but at the same time I'm maneuvering myself around this house and around this dog in some interesting ways.

It's not much more than a messy blur still, the ankle. I don't think I am going to post pictures of this stage, although when it's a bit less puffy and healed up I will show you all the shading we started yesterday. It's going to be gorgeous. I know she's got a great eye and I know that the coverup part will be wonderful, but right now...not so cute. In time, in time.

When the alarm went off it was extremely hard to get myself out of bed this morning. All I wanted to do was stay snuggled up with my cat and my husband and not move a muscle all day. No such luck. This mornings coffee is the first I've made myself since Friday morning. It tastes good. It's smooth and frothy (remember, I am a latte drinker) and it's perfect. Since I packed my lunch up last night I have a few extra minutes to just sit and enjoy the perfect, made at home, latte (all while listening to Josie slurp and crack on her pig stick as she lays beside me...stinky!!).

I am hoping for a day that allows me to do the things I need to do without being annoyed. Yeah, cuz that happens all the time on Tuesdays (my Mondays...which I have learned to dislike with quite little effort). I wish everyday was like Saturday. Although then my beautiful Saturdays wouldn't feel special anymore...so nevermind, I don't wish that. I just wish that today goes quickly so that I may get home, where I wish I didn't have to leave.

tiny little needles

This morning I got up at 7:30 to feed the crew and got myself ready for session number two of the great tattoo cover up. I got a bit stuck in traffic, which was fine by Naomi as she was having a tough time getting started this morning. I got there closer to 9:30 than the original 9:00 appointment time. She took a look at the first bit she's done and she gasped. She was smiling ear to ear and just beaming with excitement. I could see her wheels turning as she came up with the game plan for today's session. We are to start the cover up bit she said. Bring. It. On.*

That, that is what hurt the most thus far. Going over the ink and scar tissue from years prior. Thought I wanted today to go a bit longer, she laid the ground work for the rest of the cover up and she started some shading of one of the bits of kelp up the back of my leg. It was a shorter session (just under 3 hours long) and she indicated we can do it in two more. This makes me a happy girl. However, I am nervous that each time will hurt a bit more. You see, when I got the line work done I had forgotten, 100%, how much it hurt. This time, I had memory of pain and it hurt even more. I really am not looking forward to the next two sessions, aside from the fact that it will lead to beauty.

It's under plastic wrap and won't be photographed for a few days so it can heal. I may wait until right beforeI go in the next time to do any photos. It's not pretty (yet), what cover up she's done, but the shading up the back is gorgeous. I can see where she is going and what she's going to do in my mind to the rest so I know it will turn out to be beautiful.

So in about 4 weeks I will go back for session #3. It will be a long one she says. We will do a full 4 hours, maybe longer. We really want to get it done in 4 sessions total although we won't push it if she thinks I need to heal before she starts the next bits. I trust her, she knows her craft well.

Today I got up, got poked with tiny needles (while snuggling the cutest little dog...Rosie), came home and made an apple pie, ran to the grocery store, took the pie to Lawrence and Diana (the first of the five tickets he was given for Xmas) and am now watching KU basketball while waiting for our friends to come for dinner. We're having horseradish and dijon mustard crusted beef loin with garlic mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus.

*Lucky for me I had Rosie right by my side the whole time. Rosie is Naomi's little terrier dog. She gets really upset when Naomi tattoos people. She doesn't like us being hurt. So, before she started Naomi asked if it was okay if Rosie snuggled with me on the table... you know, to make her feel better. Well, I'm not one to make an animal sad, so I told her that she was more than welcome. I am telling you, petting a dog when you are being pricked by the tiny needles of a tattoo gun...way to do it!

quake!

I'm relieved to know I'm not losing my mind!!!

intravenously please

I have never wanted a cup of coffee so badly before. I've been up for almost an hour and a half and since the girls and I are going out to breakfast (brunch) before hitting the outlet mall I figured I'd just wait and not wake up Kev with the grinding of the beans...

Damn, I wish I wasn't so nice.

I think I'm going to call Jill and see if she's up and going and then spring the whole, "yeah, I'm coming over for the coffee that Mark made" on her. They both are early birds so I am sure she wouldn't be surprised or annoyed.

i heart saturdays

All is quiet in the house except the clacking of the keys as I type. It's 7:40 in the morning. I'm waiting a few more minutes before I go brush my teeth and put on my shoes to catch an early bus. It's Saturday. I've taken to going in an hour early on Saturdays because it gives me time to sit in my favorite coffee shop, chat with the two who work there, and knit. I look forward to my Saturdays each week.

A new development has come together though on Saturdays which might make me love them even more. From 8:00-8:50 am Diana will be teaching a yoga class at Lululemon that is donation only (right now it's free, but she wants to have it be donation only and give the $$ to the animal shelter). Considering I usually get to the coffee shop around 9:00 this could be really rockin'. Lulu isn't far from Coffee Plant, which isn't far from my work. Today she's teaching at a later time which wouldn't work, but next week, I'm going.

the photos

front
Originally uploaded by chlortence.

Okay, so it's a work in progress and I will update as we continue.

The bottom (the things that kind of look like bowling pins) is what we are covering...as if you couldn't figure that out?!

I know it's huge, but it's going to be beautiful when she's done. I never felt that way about the other thing.

I heart Naomi.

Oh, click the photo and it'll take you to the flickr site where you can see the other two angles (side and back). Make sure to look at the lower set (the one labeled "this photo also belongs to this set).

reveal time

Speaking of communication being great...

A while ago I'd mentioned having some work done to cover up my existing tattoo. Many asked why not just get it removed. The answer to that is simple. Because the person who did the work originally was not...ahem...skilled, he went too deep with the needles and caused the lines to protrude a bit (so if you run your hand across them you can feel them still...13 years later). If I were to have it lasered off, chances are good I'd have a scar that resembled the ugly thing. I've never liked it, since day one (even though I designed it and like the design, execution was flubbed). When people would say, "Cool tattoo!" I'd respond with, "Actually it really isn't all that good..." I couldn't bring myself to simply say thank you and move on.

Then, months back, I ran into Naomi. She's the artist who'd done work on a former coworker of mine (I would have said friend but the girl was one of the two reasons I got fired from my other job many years ago and that doesn't really say "friend" to me). Naomi gave me her number and I talked about it with Kev. He was not really for it, because he felt it was a waste of money as well as "you've lived this long with the other one...". I told him that even though I have lived this long with the thing I never enjoyed it and for something to be permanent on my body, I really want to be proud of it. Then I reminded him of all his video games he plays for about four months before "needing" another one...and he relented.

I had my first appointment with Naomi to discuss what I wanted to do and what visions she had. We both agreed in the beginning that something botanical would be nice. Then, I got to thinking that instead of above the water botanicals, why not do something from the sea?!?! I've always been drawn to it (all of my projects the final year of my schooling were fashioned around the sea and sealife). I emailed her and asked her thoughts. She ran with it (buying books and doing much research) and at our second consultation showed me something she'd come up with. I wasn't all that jazzed with design #1 because it was just another band that she would do over the existing one. I wanted something more organic and...dare I say...bigger.

The next time we met was to begin work. I walked into her studio and she showed me the transfer. OMG! It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. And the best part, I was going to get to look at it daily once it was placed on my body!!!

It's going to take several sessions, the first has already happened. The second is scheduled for Monday. I know that to many it may seem a bit silly for me to do something like this, but to me, it's a beautiful piece of artwork and I'm the one who is lucky enough to be able to have it. I do know it's permanent. I do know that when I'm a wrinkled old woman it may not look as beautiful, but it always will to me. From the first session I have been smitten with it. When we were in Mexico people would look at my leg, then up at my face and instead of giving me a look of "OMG" they would smile big beautiful smiles. When people have said things like, "Nice ink" I say "Thanks, isn't it beautiful?" I can't wait for it to be completed.

So now the question to you all is, do you want me to post a picture? (dumb question, I know...)

the art of communication

Kev and I were speaking this weekend about my yoga practice and what night it falls on. We'd originally practiced on Wednesday nights but had switched to Tuesdays for a while. When we made the switch I'd asked Kev if it was okay, since that was one of three evenings he was not working. He said it would be fine. Well, come to find out that he really does miss me during that time on Tuesday evening because when we (Diana and I) were discussing switching back to Wednesdays Kev piped in with "I would like that better..."

I explained to Diana that Kev (and I actually) would really prefer Wednesdays since we don't see each other all that often throughout the week (especially in the evenings) and she understood completely. Jill and Mark both have evenings off so the night of the week usually doesn't matter to her. As long as she gets to practice. :)

I'm just glad that Kev has realized he CAN tell me when things are weighing on his mind. Cuz he knows I have no problem with doing that...which reminds me. LOL

Electric Youth

Electric Youth
Originally uploaded by kristinbuel.

my yarn...(hope you don't mind i'm blogging from your flickr photos, kristin)

i just purchased this from my online knit friend, kristin. well, i sent the check today. i think i might make socks, OR a great blue scarf. not sure. will have to see when i get it what it tells me it wants to be.

she dyed and spun this yarn. it's special!

i'm really excited!

am i missing something?

I pride myself on being a very low key, no pressure sales girl. When customers walk into my store I generally greet them with a warm hello before letting them look around on their own. After they've looked and I can see they aren't going to their size section I will usually start up a conversation. On Saturday I had a woman absolutely NOT want to talk because she apparently felt I was being pushy and she was "JUST LOOKING" which she told me anytime I said anything.

The exchange:

me: Hello!

freaked out looker: I'm just looking.

me: Okay, let me know if questions...

f.o.l.: (butting in and not letting me finish) I'm really just looking at the moment.

let her look

me: have you been in before?

f.o.l.: No and really, I'M JUST LOOKING.

me: that's fine but just so you know everything is out by size.

f.o.l.: I'M JUST LOOKING.

me: fine, that's great, just look. (there was a hint of annoyance in my voice at that time too)

I wanted to add not to let the door hit her on the ass on her way out, but it's a push door...damn.
_____________________________________________________

Just today I made the offer to a customer that if the stretching we'd done on her shoe hadn't worked to bring it back and we'd send it to Mr. Lee...

customer: Is he over at your Hawthorne store?

me: Yes, but we can mark where you need it stretched and he can take care of it for you.

customer: It's really more convenient for me to come here.

me: Well, like I said we can take it there for you, saving the trouble.

customer: I'm sure it will be fine.

Did I come off as a pushy bitch? Just curious...

Okay, now have to go and update our website with all kinds of goodness.

frog pond how i hate thee

Well, I had a good two and a half inches done on Kev's scarf when only the yarn knows what happened. It was going really well. I was knitting and purling and it was really taking shape. And then I must have knit when I was supposed to purl AND I somehow picked up another stitch (I think I know how I did it...just not when). So, after back tracking and carefully taking a row and a half off I ended up having to rip the whole thing out and starting over. It's just as well because even though it was looking nice, I didn't like the knit 1 purl 1 ribbing. Instead I'm doing a knit 2 purl 2 ribbing that is looking much more masculine and "beefy" (for lack of a better word).

And wow, when did this turn into Shanny's Knit Blog?! :)

The weekend was good. Went by way too quickly, but it was very productive. We got the house cleaned top to bottom (I scrubbed the hell out of the bathroom and kitchen). We even got the front yard rid of any slimy leaves. We bought a cart (although we left the wheels off) to put in the kitchen so that we have more storage space for food (I can show pictures later kids...for those who've seen our kitchen and know it's just a smidge bigger than a postage stamp and are wondering where in the world we could fit something).

Sunday Jill came over and we reconstructed a ball skirt she'd made me a few years ago (for one of the few ERAC holiday parties) into a cocktail length skirt. We then realized I own a top that will work so that this Sunday when we go shopping with Chaz all I have to search for are some really great earrings and a small clutch. This also means if there is a sweater or a pair of pants I fall for they can come home too (if the price is right baby!).

I'm ready to go in and finish up the order for Fall 06 for one of the companies we sell. Have to have it done by the 15th of Feb to get our dating. My boss is back on Thursday (can you believe he's not called me even once?!?!). Yoga has been moved to Wednesday (which makes Kev happy since he said he missed hanging out with me on Tuesdays). That's pretty much it...

here you go!

hat
Originally uploaded by chlortence.

Okay, so here it is...finished product. I love it. It's big enough for my large head (Jenn gasped when she measured it actually). Jill tried it on and it's so damn cute on her too. I'm sensing another hat project in the NEAR future! :)

Jen, thanks for the tips in the last comments! Actually, they made a ton of sense to me! I already use wooden needles (will never use anything else if I can help it), tried my best to not tighten the stitches when I got to the dp needles, and the crochet hook tip...TOTALLY can see it! :) I've got a pretty good imagination and you describe things well! I only had to rip about an inch out (yes, I'd gone that far without really catching on...d'oh!).

So, how'd I do?

oh snap!

Okay so I am now totally rockin' a burnt orange hat knit by....ME!

I'm still at work (yes, this afternoon was that slow) and I just finished it. I LOVE IT!!!

Knitting is like smoking and the yarn, it's the crack!!!

AD-DICT-ED! ADDICTED...

yeah, if you don't knit...this may bore you

I am in love with the big, chunky orange yarn I am using to make my first hat. It's awesome. Going along great, until...I tried to transfer from the circular needles to the double pointed straight ones. I guess you need to have all the yarn transfer and you shouldn't drop stitches because that will result in large holes. Crapdammit! I had an implosion last night and had to rip out an inch or so of the hat. I had thought I was going to have to rip the whole thing apart, but I got it down to where everything was even and then slowly and oh so carefully rethreaded the stitches back onto the circular needles...

I am at work, just having been at the coffee shop reknitting what I'd lost. I've started the transfer to the straight needles and am all kinds of nervous. I am a bit confused as to how it will all work out in the end, because as I reduce the number of stitches it gets even harder and harder to knit. Jen, any suggestions? I'm hoping my knit guru/friend will be popping in today as she thought she might. I can show her (barring any unforeseen customers) and she can in turn show me. :)

I wish I had a picture to share, but will when it's done. It's been going really well (aside from the whole implosion last night) and I figure by tonight, I'll have a wearable hat!!

Oh, and my knit guru/friend and I are starting our own Knitting Nooners group. First Sunday of the month, traveling between houses (so anyone who joins can offer up their house for the next month, etc). The first one, which is next month, will be at Jenn's house. March, mine. I am pretty excited about it. We'll be getting together around 2:30 so that I can take Kev to work and use the car (and this way it doesn't take away any time from our mornings together).

WooT!

stapler, that's my red stapler...

Milton


What Office Space character are you?
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words

Words escape me at times.

What words to use today?

Brain and mouth, not connecting.

Customers think I'm a crazed lunatic because of this fact but laugh politely as I make a joke about it.

I almost typed tit.

I try not to worry about the words I type here, but I read them through my parents eyes at times and rethink my choice.

Sometimes this makes me sad, other times I appreciate it.

Descriptive words of the way I feel sometimes elude me.

I am happy, yes.

I am content, yes.

I am frustrated, at times.

And every once in a while, I could spit nails.

Thankfully, it is not one of those times.

shoes, i got shoes! come in and get you some shoes!

Today will be interesting, if nothing else. At least the work part of the day. I received in 23 cases of shoes yesterday (that's approx. 240 pairs of shoes). I have no space in my storage room, or on the floor, for these shoes. I suppose I'll have to begin the process of boxing up the old sandal styles in order to make space on top...hey, that just gave me an idea.

I have to ask though, why didn't I get these on the day when I only sold three pairs of clogs? I mean, today, today will probably be busier than any day I've had in a long time for the simple reason...I have things to do. Customers don't like it when you tell them to leave the money on the counter, you're too busy to help them (yeah, cuz like I've ever even tried that one).

Later tonight, after I've scratched the surface of the new inventory, I get to meet my dear friend and go yarn shopping. We're going to go to Knit/Purl so I can get yarn for a hat, needles for making said hat, and yarn for a scarf for Kevy McKeverson. It can't be too itchy, or girlie. Then, after buying all the goodies, we are heading to my friend's house so I can learn how to actually make the hat (I've gotten very good at scarves people!). Kev's supposed to be getting off early, so I might ask my friend if her husband will be around cuz if he is, Kev can just come pick me up so they can hang out (they are both complete gamer guys and get along really well).

Okay, bus is going to be here soon. Should probably be out there waiting for it! :)

time

hungry.
sitting at work.
have had one person come in.
she stayed for maybe a total of two minutes.
rain keeps people away.
people forget that if they don't get out in the rain, they will never leave their houses.
waiting for something to tell me it needs to be done.

tuesdays are hard.
they are the monday of my week.
they sometimes hold paperwork.
they sometimes hold a million phone calls i have to make.
they sometimes hold absolutely nothing.

today, is the third type of day.
time stands still during these days.
makes me watch the clock, even though i try not to.
is it time to eat lunch yet?

yeah, something like this

I had started writing this long entry yesterday about the random things I feel people should refrain from doing while in public (singing at the top of their lungs, passing gas, etc). It was something I was going to work on and post when the time was right...then I was sitting on the bus riding out to my friends house, listening to Wilco, and the thought hit me. Why not list the wacky and wonderful things people SHOULD do while in public?!? So, here we are...

1. Dance. When you have headphones on and nobody can hear what you are dancing too, dance!

2. Make someone laugh. Say you go into a shop to buy something and the person ringing you up seems to be a bit on the side of blah. Try to make them smile. It's great! Acting like a complete loon is not a horrible thing...

3. Compliment someone. You must be genuine when you do too. If you see someone, for instance you are crossing the street and are both waiting for the light to change, and they have a pretty scarf on...say so. Watch their faces change as they go from the deep contemplation they were in to the joy of knowing they have someone's adoration (at least their scarf, etc, does).

4. Remember we are all human. Sounds simple, but it's easily forgotten. Especially living in the place where I do and the homeless population is quite high. Even if you don't have spare change to give, don't ignore. Make eye contact, treat them with some respect (even though the majority of the street kids here who do "spare change" for a living usually make bank...the down side to that, they are all usually messed up on some kind of drug so...).

So, you all got any? Leave 'em in the comments...

it's got beans...AND CORN!

For those of you who know me, you generally know I'm not a fan of soup. Doesn't seem filling, don't like drinking a meal, unless the spoon stands up in it I'm not going to go for it. Broth...no way! But as I get older I realize that I should expand my ways. If a soups ingredient list sounds good, chances are the soup itself will be too.

So, before Kev and I went shopping on Monday, I flipped through my Cooking Light cookbook. I found something that intrigued me. A soup. A Mexican Bean and Corn Soup. Hmmm, should I try it?

I decided that since it's cooler now that a nice, hearty soup sounded pretty good. I liked every single ingredient that was to go into this soup and decided we should go for it. Not only that, but I was going to go ahead and double the recipe from the get go (I know, living life on the edge!). Had planned on just making it for myself one evening this week while Kev was at work because soups do tend to make the easiest leftovers. I got a call yesterday from Kev telling me he was going to get off work early. HOT DAMN! I told him I will make the soup and meet him at home.

Let me tell you, best soup ever. And when it sits overnight, gets even spicier!!!

*I should say that we omitted the lime at the end but added a dollup of sour cream as well as a few sliced black olives.

almost forgot

Please, if you do nothing else today, read this!

It's true and I wouldn't want any of you to get constipated because I didn't send it along...I figured instead of emailing it, I'd get more eyes this way.

Enjoy!

let the checklist commence

Like I mentioned before, Jean's getting married on the 24th of February. This is my list:

1. purchase ticket to San Diego
2. book hotel with Jill and Mark
3. transform skirt into strapless dress (trust me on this one people)
4. figure out outfit for rehearsal dinner
5. continue getting more excited as time draws near

hello body

Tonight was the first yoga class in almost a month. The last practice had been on the 13th of December. The Tuesday prior to Christmas we had chosen to get together and share time with one another.

Jill, Diana, and myself decided at that practice we would meet up on the 10th of January and take a class together. This idea sounded splendid at the time. Jill and I got together once before I went to Mexico to practice, which was good and it was tough. I practiced once while in Mexico, which was short but still centering. Neither practices got me ready for the reawakening of my body that took place this evening.

Shoulders, tight.

Hips, tight.

Neck, tight.

Everything, tight.

As we went through the practice, one of my first ones in which Diana was not the woman pushing and pulling my body, I felt myself loosen up and really feel each movement. I thought about what had gotten me there tonight and thanked myself for that.

I fully expect my body to not be as loose in the morning, nor will it be in two days. However, I will thank it for being the vessel that it is. I will thank it for getting me through another day. I will thank it by treating it with the respect it deserves. I will thank it by continuing the travel through my yoga practice.

holy moly!

Got an email from my friend Jean down in San Diego. The one who is dating the guy who designed the game Quelf (perhaps you remember me mentioning that game). She and Matthew are getting married. Not only that, but they are getting married on the 24th of NEXT MONTH! I am busy searching airfare for myself. I am thinking that Jill and I will go down together. I am not sure if her husband will join us or not. Kev won't be going, but one of us has to stay home to watch the kids and make some money. LOL

So now I'm in the process of finding the cheapest airfare and hotel. I also have to figure out a car rental deal...with Jill going I think we'll split the cost of the hotel and car (assuming Mark doesn't go and we make it a girls weekend). I AM SO EXCITED FOR JEAN!!!!

pet owners/lovers

Read this now! Pass it along to those you know whom have pets.

It's the hot debate in the house right now. I'm going to win though...Josie will not be getting the brand that she once was because it's made by the same company.

Going to get her new food when we are out food shopping for us.

chin

chin
Originally uploaded by chlortence.

I was looking through the photos I have loaded onto flickr. I like this one of Josie. It was the first time she actually snuggled in and stayed snuggled for a long time. Usually, she's up, moving, turing, flopping, twitching..etc. However, this night, she hopped up (please note the sheet that is under us to protect the couch) and she did her one turn and she plopped down. I adore this dog. She is an amazing creature, even when she's bugging the shit out of me. :)

I really don't have much to say, just wanted to share a picture of a shiny dog. She kind of looks sad, even though in a few minutes after I took this shot she was licking and kissing all over me with utter joy.

We can learn a lot from a dog.

can i go back NOW?

Our second day in PV we went to the old part of town to have dinner. On our walk back we saw these men dressed in costume sitting on top of this really tall poll. We weren't sure what was going to happen next, and like everyone else, hung around to see. One of the guys was playing a recorder type instrument that had a little drum on the bottom. The next time we walked by this area, the poll was gone...

Walking down the malecon along the new part we saw these sails. Quite beautiful in the distance, as you come upon them. Also, quite beautiful up close. I can imagine people standing in their shade during the heat of the summer. I guess the new part was finished a couple of years ago and was looking beautiful. Now, the paint is peeling off the railings and things are not looking quite as pristine. It'd be hard to keep anything looking perfect along the ocean.

We sat at this table for a little while, watching the sunset into the mountains as we sipped our mango margaritas. At this particular place we heard a story of the bartender (sadly he was not working this day). The last time Mamasita and Walter were in PV they got to talking with him (I've forgotten his name). He told them that the next day was his day off and he'd pick them up at their hotel and show them the real Mexico. True to his word he came by bus to get them and he took them to his home. His wife and he were so kind and open and loving. They didn't want anything in return, just to share their culture.

resolutions

Today is my sister-in-laws birthday. Years ago on this very day I made the comment to Kev that my New Years Resolution was going to be to send all our close family members (parents, siblings, aunts and uncles...maybe a cousin or two) birthday cards. After I made the statement he promptly asked the date, I told him it was the 7th and that is when he informed me my resolution had been broken...it was his sisters birthday. Crapdammit!

Each year I try to have that resolution, to remember those whom we love on their day of days. Each year I fail miserably to actually send the card or even make the call. Who knows, maybe I'll actually come through one of these years. However, even if you don't get a card, know that on your birthday I usually say or think to myself, "Oh shit, it's _____ birthday!"

So this year I resolve to keep doing what I'm doing. Keep being happy. Keep my chin up. Keep the peace. Keep on keepin' on.

the story...

Okay, since getting back everyone in bloggerville (well, not all of you, but enough) have said things about wanting to hear all that happened while I was away in sunny Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

So, here it goes:

Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006:

We rose at the crack, I mean the crack of dawn to catch our shuttle. You remember, the one I set up last week? Well, by 5:00 it wasn't at our house yet and it was supposed to be there at 4:45. I called and spoke with the same woman who set up the pick up and she's confused as to why it isn't in the log. She got a cab to the house and away we went.

Plane ride, turbulent flying into San Fran. and the stomachs were lurching. Not fun. Flying into Mexico we looked out at sunny skies and could not wait to get off the plane and through customs. We bustled through pretty quickly (odd side note, when at the counter I noticed an earring and felt sad about some woman losing her earring...it was my Mamasita's!!! Had I known at the time, I'd have picked it up for her). Mamasita and Walterita were waiting for us. We grabbed the shuttle to the hotel and checked in. Rooms weren't quite ready, back down to the front desk. Got rooms that are clean and away we go back up.

The hotel was lovely. Open air, squawking parrots...the whole nine yards. We took our things to our rooms and decided to put on our suits and sit in the sun overlooking the ocean. The vendors were done for the day by that time so we got to sit and enjoy each others company while we sipped our margaritas and cervezas. The sunset was beautiful (see post prior to this one). We ate at the hotel that night and made the plan to meet in the morning for a day by the pool the next day.

Monday, Jan. 2, 2006:

Up early and to the beach for me, dressed in my yoga togs and ready to practice. It is an amazing thing, practicing on the sand with the sound of the waves crashing. So peaceful and serene. Although the headstand remained elusive...very difficult to kick up in the sand. Ah well, the practice was great.

We went down and met for breakfast in the open air dining room. There was fresh fruit, omelets to order, wonderful fresh fruit juices (I can almost taste the strawberry juice still on my lips). We ate and then decided to grab our towels for a day by the quiet pool. Yes, this place had two. One where you could play and they were blasting music and one where you could sit and sip your drink while you laid back and enjoyed the sun (don't worry, none of us got burned and all used high spf sunscreen!). We dined at the hotel for lunch before heading into the old part of Puerto Vallarta to have dinner at The Shrimp Factory. The garlic shrimp Mamasita and Catherine shared were yummy. I had the beer battered shrimp, which were also quite tasty.

After dinner we walked along the Malecon (the boardwalk) for a while and watched some street performers. Kev and I walked the mile or so back to the hotel and the other three grabbed a jalisco (taxi) back. We enjoyed walking hand in hand in the warm night air.

Tuesday, Jan. 3rd:

We got up and of course, met for breakfast. We decided that we were going to go to Bucareas for the day. We discussed our options of either grabbing two cabs or hopping on the bus. We opted for the bus. It was a rather quick ride, and this bus was not an old school bus, but had nice plush seats (I'm thinking to make up for the lack of shocks). We spent the day there at a table on the sand by our favorite restaurant (damn if I can remember it's name now...). We sipped our drinks, ate our food and just enjoyed the day (can you sense a theme here?). Kev and I took a walk down the beach where I found the one and only thing we brought home with us...a green piece of beach glass.

We got back to the hotel and turned in our towels. We all went to our rooms and had some nap time before heading down for dinner and drinks and the show. I think it was the Mime night. The hotel was full of people from Canada. Let me just say, they like their mimes! Was fun though, even though I'm not a huge fan of the mime...

Wednesday, Jan. 4:

We spent the morning by the pool before heading into the old part of PV where we sat, ate guacamole and drank mango margaritas by the sea. We did much of this the entire time. After sitting and enjoying the sunset we walked to a restaurant called Pipi's. So good. Margaritas as big as your face. Kev and I opt to walk back to the hotel again while the others grabbed a jalisco again. We had one drink downstairs at the hotel before heading to our respective beds.

Thursday, Jan, 5:

We eat breakfast before Mamasita and sistersita and I head for our massages. OMG. The sound of the waves crashing as she made me melt into one big Shanny puddle was amazing. The other two were in a room together and I was alone. It was such an amazing way to end my day yesterday...yesterday, that is so sad for me to write. I can't believe I woke up yesterday morning in Mexico...

However, we are back and the animals are all happy. I have fun stories of them, but will wait until tomorrow...as of now, I have to go pick Kev up from work.

kicking and screaming!

I am back, but not without a fight. Okay, so there wasn't a fight, but I really didn't want to come back and I fought in my mind with everyone who was making it have to be...like the guy at the ticket counter at Alaska Airlines, the woman who checked our documentation, etc.

It was a wonderful time. We didn't take a ton of photos, although we did end up taking more than we thought we had. We didn't buy a single thing, other than food or drink. We did come home with memories that will hold us over until the next wonderful vacation.

I was on some antibiotics which kept me from really getting nuts with the consumption of as many margaritas as I would have liked, but the doctor told me I could have at least one. I pushed it a bit...but, I'm feeling better (the issue for which I was taking the antibiotics for is gone). However, never did he tell me not to go in the sun. I got an odd rash that is now kind of itching. I took a benadryl last night and it's gone a bit more today so I'll take another tonight.
The weather was amazing there. Sunny most days, highs in the low 80's. The evenings got cooler and the long sleeves would come out. Sigh. I can almost hear the rush of the waves as they hit the beach.

Mexico is an amazing place. It takes you back in time almost. The people there are wonderful. I couldn't imagine putting up with all the tourists that they do ALL. THE. TIME. I just want to thank them for allowing us to share the beauty in which they live everyday.

ready, set...

GO! We are all packed and are ready. Kev's currently at the grocery store. I swear, to get our pet/house sitter, Joe, to give up any clues as to what he'd eat while here was hard. He pulled the, "You guys don't have to worry about that..." routine. To which I informed him we'd end up getting food for him anyway and it would be better if he'd just tell us what he liked so that he didn't end up with something he didn't like. Plus, since he refuses to take money, this is our way of saying thank you. That and we'll take him out when we get home (and find him something in Mexico perhaps).

I hope all you out there in internetland (or Bloggerville as a certain pal has called it) have a wonderful New Years Eve celebration.

Be safe. Be responsible.

psssst!

I'm going to Mexico in TWO DAYS!

Tonight, I get to pack. Those of you who know me well, know I loves to pack for trips! There are weeks of figuring out the right configuration of clothing. Then there are the lists, the sketches...the trying on of all the outfits. When weather permits, I do trial runs of the outfits to work to make sure they are going to be comfortable for an all day wearing. :) I'm a nerd, I know. A bit on the OCD side? Yes. But, isn't that what makes me lovable?

So this week, because I've already done our laundry for the trip and didn't want to have to do it again, we've been wearing things that make me wonder why we have them in our closet. Actually that's not completely true. I kind of told a lie. We are wearing sweaters and things that work in the cold weather because where we are going, you don't wear wool!!!

You'd think I was excited or something...

so, the list as it still stands:
1. empty camera memory stick and charge it. (if I could find the stoopid charger and cord to empty it I would. Kev put them somewhere)
2. redo the mani and the pedi. (going to strike through this now so I don't goof them up in a few minutes)
3. pack our suitcases, setting out the outfits for the plane ride on our dressers. (mine is done, Kev's is still in the car from when Jill borrowed it MONTHS ago...)
4. reassure the animals that we love them and they'll have a blast with their Uncle Joe.
5. get stack of books ready to be packed.
6. get birth certificates in proper place.
7. make sure we have confirmation number with us.
8. put suitcases by door because 4:45 is going to come REALLY early on Sunday morning.
9. go grocery shopping to stock house for Joe.
10. amend Joe's list so it includes the issue that he may have to be on corpse removal duty as well as keeping the house standing while we are gone.
11. write up a yoga practice to take with. will just make it up as I go...many sun salutations and twists to aid in digestion!
12. run a quick html test.
13. buy new white tee shirt at Gap.
14. buy another ball of yarn for flight (just spoke with a flight attendant who gave me the green light on knitting needles). (not sure if I will get a chance to do this, already have the current project packed and ready to go so I may just read and knit the one scarf I'm working on currently)
15. make sure to give keys to Joe!!!
16. take down Christmas tree.

Can't think of anything else now, but sure there will be more that sprouts up...

eeeeeeek!

So I'm chatting with my dear friend in Ohio this evening. I've not chatted with her for quite some time and I really fancied talking with her. Thankfully, she was home and had time to talk for quite some time with me. As we were talking about some issue she had going on in her life I noticed Chloe (the beautiful 8 year old calico cat) playing with something in the hallway.

I caught a glimpse and feared that I knew what it was. It wasn't the shape of any toy we own. Nor was it the material of any toy we own...

No, my huntress (it is a name we gave her for her mad insect hunting skills back in Kansas), she'd caught and killed herself a mouse.

In the middle of the conversation, Reagan was saying something that escapes my memory now, I blurt out:

OH DEAR LORD! OH DEAR LORD! OH DEAR LORD!

She asks what. To which I have to try to calmly tell her that my cat has a *gulp* new toy that we didn't bring into the house and give to her. Reagan proceeds to laugh her ass off at me (she lives in a much more rural place than I and has had many a run in with much larger rodents). She reminds me that she was much better than I was when she called me in the middle of her night when she had a run in with a possum. That was a fun night...

Josie doesn't get into the act until Chloe takes her toy, running away from the crazy woman who is chasing her with their pooper scooper (like I'm going to A. touch a dead mouse with my hands (...hush mom and dad that was a loooooooog time ago); B. touch a dead mouse with any utensil that we actually use to consume ANYTHING). I call Josie off and am thrilled and happy I work so steadily with the "leave it" command. Chloe, not so much about the leaving it.

Keep in mind, the entire time, I have my friend laughing in my ear hysterically.

I get it and then, then I have no clue what to do with it. Reagan tells me to fling it outside. I am not proud to say that that is what I did. Sorry little mousy. Thank you for giving your life so my animal could have something to keep her occupied when I was not home.

Shudder.

back in the saddle again

Well, it's day one back at work. Even though I didn't get any extra time off for the holidays it still feels like I was gone for a week. Ken, the best damn barista in Portland (notice, where he's the best Shari), and I got to talking about it. He too mentioned feeling like it was an extra long weekend, even though he got no extra time off. He attributed it to the fact that we weren't running errands (aside from the Great Noodle Hunt Kev went on) and actually took time to sit still and enjoy time with friends and family (or friends who are family). I think he's got something there.

Today has gone by rather quickly. I am a bit surprised. I mean, think about it...I go on a sunny Mexico vacation THIS WEEKEND and so I'm a little bit excited. Usually when I have something to look forward to later in the week time, she stands still. I'm hoping that I wake up tomorrow and it's Saturday already. :)

So, you may be wondering what wild and fun things we have planned for New Years Eve since our plane leaves at the crack of dawn on New Years Day. Let's just say, very little. We will have dinner with Shannon and Kiley, but other than that, nothing. I don't fancy being hung over on a plane, nor do I really want to have a harder time falling asleep than I would normally when I've got something exciting happening the next morning. Crap, I have to set up the shuttle...

I better go do that before I forget, AGAIN.

i come from a wacky family...

and I'm sure you don't believe that! This morning we all "met" online for our second annual chat room Christmas. This year we were joined by my sister's boyfriend. It was fun, all of us chatting at once. Kev, luckily, got out of it since we have the only one computer house out of the three houses that were chatting.

We had planned on having fettucine at my house, but when one forgets to buy the noodles...one improvises and sends the husband on the "Great Noodle Hunt" of 2005. He was successful, although instead of the fettucine he found penne. It will work though and it will be good.

I've spoken to two of my online (animal list) friends already. I think I surprised one of them. It was lovely speaking with them. I've made an apple pie for Mark. I've thrown together an impromptu snack tray for Chuck and Kev. We are just awaiting our four other friends and then we will share stories, open gifts and just spend time together.

Speaking of that...

Enjoy the time with your loved ones.

done and ready...

I am done with work during the holiday season. It was as slow as we had thought it would be so I got to get out of there at 4:00. I ran one last "gotta find something else for Kev" errand before jumping on the bus and going to the grocery store. Things have been purchased for dinner as well as the apple pie I will be making for Mark's first of many pies. I think he'll be pleased. We've got the clutter picked up (that's half the battle in our house) and will vacuum and dust in a while, after our breaks. I wish we could just really stick to the keeping the house clean routine, but it just gets away from us little by little. I'm going to ask Kev to make a joint resolution...keep the house picked up. Easy? We'll see.

So, with this post I wish all my friends and family a very happy holiday.

I must go clean out the fridge to make space for the pie. Hey! I just remembered, there's cheesecake in that thar fridge!!!

Ho Ho HO!

the art of being "on"

I work retail. It has been a tough holiday season. Not too many people have been buying this month. The only reasons I can come up with are the following:

1. due to Mother Nature's rearing of her head people have donated money to various causes, leaving them tapped out.

2. internet (don't need to say anything else for this one).

3. people actually got out throughout the year and shopped (not really thinking this, but didn't have anything else for a #3)

So when people come into my store, I am on. I am smiling and joking and just being ON. I'm trying to make it fun to be in my store. I want people to feel happy as I take their money. Some people make it easy. They are also "on" and happy and lively so you just want to join in the fun. Others, it's energy zapping. It's nearing the end of the holiday season and I have to admit I'm feeling rather tired. It's been a pretty even ratio of "on" people verses energy zapping, but it's still being on my feet and interacting often.

My goal, is to make everyone feel as though they are the most important person in the world. And, in our store, they are. It's just when I am way out numbered by people that this gets hard. So if I seem a bit grumpy right after work, please understand...I'm tired of being "on".

it's perfect

My dear Chaz came over last night to deliver a myriad of baked goods (all baked by her with love). I showed her Blinky and she laughed. She indicated that his former bands name was...crap, can't remember but I do know that Goldfish was in the name...so, how perfect is Blinky?

The basket of baked goodness was calling to me this morning, telling me to take some of it's wonderousness to work with me, but I declined. I figured I'd wait and share it with friends who are coming on Sunday...I may have to do a taste test though before then. :)

i won i won i won!!!

Not like it was a battle to the bitter end, nobody else bid...

And to answer your question Bronxbt...Blinky is from the Simpsons, episode "Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish" from season 2. There may be an homage to Blinky in Futurama, since it was from the same kids.

Go here to look more.

if all goes according to plan (tempting fate)

I went to a few stores today already, Ahmed was kind enough to come in and sit in the store while I ran like a crazy person in search for the perfect trucker style hat for Doug, Chaz's boyfriend. You know, the guy whose hat Josie ate? It was his favorite. I've not heard the end of it since...I've been on the search for the perfect hat ever since. The guy who owns one of the stores I bopped into (who is said to have the best suggestions of where to find things if he doesn't have anything close to said item) suggested ebay. So, I get back to work and pop online to check it out.

With any luck, in a couple of hours, I'll be able to give Doug this:

This is Blinky, the three eyed fish, from The Simpsons. I do not know if Doug is a Simpsons fan, but honestly, I think he'll love it either way. I am keeping fingers and toes crossed because this is the hat I want to give him.

Until then, since it won't get here until after the holidays, Ahmed suggested I give him a Dansko hat. I decided to take one home and search through my patches and see if I can come up with something to wrap for him, just until the real gift arrives.

oh how i wish

I work until Saturday afternoon (we may be closing early...if shoppers are done and the foot traffic is non-existent). I have two people I still need to shop for. I say need, but really it's a feeling of wanting to get them something because they've been great friends and since this is the time of year where it's deemed acceptable to buy your friends things (although I am a firm believer that you celebrate in the moment and if throughout the year you see something that screams, "TAKE ME TO ______" then you buy it and give it to ______. I do that with Jill often.) I did go a bit overboard with gifts for a few of my friends, but can I help it that things just spoke up this year at this time?

I am just at a loss as what I should get my new and dear friend Shannon. We are so getting Kiley a cordless drill, to start him out right in his new house with all his projects he's got dancing through his head. However, is it wrong to get someone Jack Daniels for a gift? Somehow, I'm not sure it's right...but at the same time, I know she'd appreciate and enjoy it. I had a customer, who is wackadoodle and I see her every six weeks when she gets her hair done, suggest a throw for Shannon. She's a snuggly girl, but I think Kiley would like that more since he's the one who makes a nest in front of the tv on the floor out of pillows and blankets.

Also, anyone know where a girl can find a funny baseball hat that has an image of a pig on it? Perhaps an angry pig (no, not an Arkansas Razorback pig either). You see, Josie's asked if I could help her find a hat to give to Doug, my friends boyfriend. It seems as though she had a taste of his former "angry pig hat" when they were watching the house and sitting on the pets the last trip we took. I've been on the hunt since, but Josie really wants to do right by him this year for Christmas. Any ideas would be appreciated. I am going to check out a store today, if Ahmed can actually hang out and let me run for a few minutes.

All this, and I have to work! I got Chaz earrings from the bead store that I work next to. They are pink and dangly. She'll love them. It's just two more people left and then I'm done...except for the pie and printing out the coupons and the letter to give with the pie. But that's easy. I can get up and make a pie so very easily on Sunday morning, or even make it Saturday night, depending on what we end up doing. I'm not making your traditional dinner on Sunday, but shrimp alfredo. So I'll need to get Kev to get the ingredients tomorrow. Must make him a list tonight so he won't have to deal with it, or have to call me at work asking...

Too many things to do and not enough time to do them...

Happy Flipping Holidays!

word to the wise

When you take your lovely dog on a fabulous hike and you so diligently collect their poo in a bag because you are a good person and then you put that baggie in your car because you are considerate and there are no trash cans at that particular trail head...

don't forget to take the baggie of dog poo out of the car.

Weeks later, it don't smell too good.

creepiness

It is Sunday morning. It's around 5:30/6:00. I am stirring. All of a sudden I hear a voice whisper, "You are going to die." I whisper back, "Shut up Kevin." Then I am fully awake and realizing that it wasn't Kevin's voice I heard. He doesn't stir and when I tell him of it later in the day, he has no clue. Can you say I was a wee bit freaked out? I had just read an article about lucid dreaming in Yoga Journal the night before. Could that have been the reason why I was "hearing" voices? I swear though, so freaking real. Felt like someone was saying it right. in. my. ear. Shudder. It freaks me out now when I am wide awake sitting at work.

you tell me, jen

Okay, so the question was asked, "what kind of yarn" by my internet knitting guru Jen.

You want to try to guess?
Here's a shot of the scarf. I used it as a bow on Diana's other gift. The second shot is a detail.

I will give you two clues:

1. It is made in Italy.

2. It is NOT wool.

I've got a second in the works that I would like to have done by this evening. I'm thinking, it's going to happen!! :) At least, I'll do my damndest to get it done for my friend...

it's back it's back it's back!

For almost an entire 24 hours the internet has been down. It wasn't working last night. It wasn't working all day today.

Last night I made two cheesecakes for a party we are going to tomorrow. I had ment to work on some knitting. However, that is really hard to do when you...LEAVE IT IN THE CAR!

Today we ran around with our friend Kiley (we waited around his house until the cable guy came and then we went and got coffees/hot chocolates for the four of us- including the cable guy who said it made his day).

Even though it's back, I really don't have anything to say.

SNOW!

Yes, we are actually getting snow. It started when I was at the grocery store (where I ended up buying much more than just things I need to make cheesecake).

This is it now, about an hour later:

Josie's favorite thing ever (besides the chicken feet)?

SNOW!!!!

She waited so patiently. Then she decided she needed OUT!

And I finally have gotten a great picture of her paw print. I've been trying to get a good shot of her paw print in mud but still haven't quite nailed it. Who knew I could find it in snow?

So that's it for now. A picture day.

shhhhhh

i don't think diana reads this blog, but if you are...STOP RIGHT NOW! :)


i went to knit/purl yesterday to see if any yarn "spoke" to me. as you can guess, some did (i passed on a skein that was pretty cool, but i'm okay with that). at first i was envisioning myself being hugged by this amazingly fluffy and super soft brown yarn. then, as i started it last night, all i could do was picture diana enjoying it. soooo, if i can do it, i'll have a second gift for her on tuesday. it's a rather narrow scarf and i already have about two feet done on it. it's soft and yummy and wonderful. i don't have a picture yet, but i will get one soon. the thing i love about this yarn, you can't see if you have dropped stitches or missed them or anything because it's that fluffy. yeah, this is my second project ever. the thing i don't love about this yarn is it's as slippery as an eel slathered in oil.

ask me if i'm crazy!

always have back up

Last night was so much fun. Amanda, thank you! I needed that! (and my head didn't hurt this morning, but a few times during the night when I woke up with the driest mouth on the face of the planet I did question my actions from earlier)

And that leads me to my title. Always, always have a full bottle of water by your bed as back up for when you wake with a headache and dry mouth in the middle of the night (so that means, one you have already started AND one full bottle...two bottles total)! I had two half bottles, but damn, a third full one would have been money! It seems as though the hangovers I get are all in the middle of the night. I get woken up by them, drink water, fall back asleep, and wake up hunky dorey. However, I could have used a smidge more in the bottled water department last night.

The last time I woke up, I think it was three times totally, I looked across Kevin to his night stand and spied what looked like a rather full bottle. I envisioned myself taking a nose dive and waking him up with my nose planted firmly in his ear as I tried to reach the water...I opted to just will it to me, it didn't work.

Now, I have a bottle waiting by my purse to take in with me to work. One must re-hydrate after an evening of wine (an impromptu evening I might add). Sorry to have made you envious, Dad. Will tell the girls you say hello next time.

quick WOOT!

Just got done IMing with my dear friend, Amanda. We were both not really wanting to get home right away to the various chores that await. Soooo, we're meeting at Oregon Wines on Broadway for wine and nibblies (I called and the gals there told me I could bring food...cuz I'm special).

YEA!

I'm really looking forward to spending a bit of time with her this evening...