Lamenting...

About why I thought a second job would be a good idea?! The extra income is going to be nice but I have firmly set myself to have little or no time off.
eeeee
I realized today as I sit still in my jammies nothing accomplished that a second job is either going to support my procrastination problem (I am too tired...) or stop it. (Gotta work got get this done)

My stress level is going down a little. Had a good heart to heart w/my Mom. She can put things into perspective like no one else can. I also had a talk w/my other half. Who literally took the bull by the horns and laid down some ground rules for me.
Because you see a lot of the stress I am having is because of $. Lack of...
Because unlike in my early and mid 20's when I was stressed I drank. Don't do that anymore - need 8 hours.
In my late 20's I ate. Trying to be healthy, don't do that anymore.
Now in my early 30's when I am stressed I spend $. Which would be fine if I spent in moderation.
A new pair shoes only makes a girl happy for a little while. So I am trying to cut out some stupid habits I have that cost dough and revel in the free stuff.
Like naps w/Max. :)
Or kicking my husband's booty at Yahtzee. I got a free foot massage and a home cooked dinner of my choice out of the deal.
Not bad.
Or an hour reading a great book.
Drinking a diet soda.
Cleaning out my closets...
These are things I am going to do to deal w/my stress.
If you have any other ideas - I am all ears.

Stress...

Just got done reading my dear friend Annie's blog. Why is it as we get older our stress manifests into not being able to sleep? Remember when we were younger and could pass out at the drop off a hat? What happened? Oh that's right we are aging.
Remember when $5 was enough to get by on?
You were able to live off microwave popcorn and baked potatoes quite happily? Maybe this was just me...
Your weight decreased rather than increased because of stress.
Parts of me love the fact that I am getting older. But lately I am craving the days of little responsibility. Responsibility has been banging me over the head lately and I am feeling like I am drowning in it as a result.
I know if I can just hang on everything will work out it always does just seems like as I get older that youthful optimism isn't so strong.

Adventures in retail, hair ,and nails...

I think I am becoming a girlie girl.
I have always been a little bit after college. Lately however as I delve deeper into my 30's I have become obsessed with all things that we can use to make us appear pretty.
As I type this I have a head that has a hair color remover in it - so strong it turned a spot on my black tank top to a rusty brown. I am doing this now so if I really screw things up I can throw on a ball cap and run to the nearest Cost Cutters for trim and Walmart for black hair dye.
I am trying to no longer be a red head. Too much work - my hope is to be a brunette again. I am trying to cut down where I can so in July when our lease is up we can buy a house.
The one vice I can't seem to give up is my obsession w/nails. I have traded - hair to nails.
I love the gossip and the bonding that goes on in my salon. The women are a variety of ages and since I have a standing appointment it's the same women all the time. Like it a lot. And it prevents my thumbs from splitting. It's gross so I won't go there but if you have dry skin you know what I am talking about.
So hear I sit as my scalp is itching hoping my hair doesn't fall out. Good thing I actually like short hair.
My other obsession - designer shoes and perfume at knock off prices. God bless you Marshall's, TJ Maxx, and Burlington coat factory. No more payless for me - oh no. I know own a pair of red leather/lizard pumps that are the envy of my office. $11!!!!
Bonus found Hard Candy liquid perfume for $10!!!
Finally I am also taking on a second job to support my habits and get me out of debt in the form of a second job.
Start on Wed. god bless you too Lane Bryant as you will be my home away from home and my source for extra cute work clothes at 40% off!!!
And all of this from the girl who used to pull things out of her hamper and smell them for cleanliness and used Sun In in her hair.
:)

No more Spanish - NADA

Some of you may know - I speak the Spanish.
I am alright - if you don't see me and just hear me, some may say I sound as though I am from a Spanish speaking country.
However, I am boycotting. Because of yesterday.
We have a facility in Reynosa. (Mexico)
My friend Amy our safety director has to try and train these people on procedures we use.
Two problems - language barrier and we are doing this via phone.
So she asks me a week in advance if I can help her train our doctor and his nurse on our accident/injury log - SHEMIS.
FYI - doctor trained on this already.
I say sure, get a guide translate it - appears pretty easy.
It's not if you don't freakin' listen!!!! IF ANYONE WHO SPEAKS ANOTHER LANGUAGE SAYS OK I UNDERSTAND TO EVERY QUESTION YOU ASK - UNLESS YOU CAN SEE THEM - VERIFY IT!!!
We spent ten minutes on one screen only to find the doctor was on the wrong one. Did I mention he speaks some English?! And guess who figured that out?! The nurse who speaks no English.
OH MY!!!
I love my ability to speak another language, I love the culture I do!!!!
BUT I am so tired of people not being up front about not getting stuff.
I understand it's embarrassing to say I don't get something, especially when there is a language barrier but my god - we are here to help. We come in peace. OK is not a valid answer. I will not accept it anymore. I want concrete sentences in response to my questions.
So for tomorrow I have decided no espanol.
Unless it's for fun - cause work Spanish - it's no good.
I know some of this may seem silly to vent about but kids - one of my primary duties is translating and I am so tired of people not listening and then saying I didn't say it right. Amy by the way speaks a little Spanish so she can back me up. I said everything right - people just weren't listening.
Thank god for nurse Nora. Girl power.

Ditch work

That is what I would like to do on Wednesday.
Sheryl Crow is coming to town to support John Kerry. I am not a huge political person but the fact that the man is bringing along Sheryl Crow - pretty cool.
Please note that does not in anyway mean that is why I would vote for the man. Right now everyone involved in politics is making me more than a little nervous.
Lots of waffling going on - lots.
More than people should this close to election time.
Bleh....

Oh well - and tomorrow primaries.
Scary - even though I bought my car from Russ Darrow not a big fan of the vote for the right Russ crap.
C'mon dude.
Tacky... Mr. Feingold is the man and no one is going to change my mind about that.
Stepping off my soap box and going to greet my spouse who will be hard to communicate with in little over 2 hours.
Go pack...

Just a quick I am sorry

I apologize for grossing out anyone regarding Max.
Sometimes forget that not everyone has animals or that they want to hear to this stuff.
Sorry - this is my vent page but sometimes the venting should be internal.
No more puppy stories that are gross...
Me

Thursday nights solo and dogs...

So Thursday nights my spouse "games" which leaves me alone w/our mini zoo.
I was looking forward to hanging out w/everyone and watching Joey in the big bed.

Until about 5 minutes ago. Max just threw up and I did the bad thing, just walked away.
Because for those of you without dogs - they will eat it. That's right minimal clean up for you.
Is it sad that that relieves me? Or that I know that?
Either way - I came back into the office - continued checking my email and then went back in.
Max had cleaned up most of his mess - what he didn't I proceeded to put in the toilet. Did I mention my dog is smart enough to come upstairs and get sick in our bathroom? Don't know how he knows but that is where he comes when he is sick.
Love this dog. Anway as I am cleaning what he doesn't eat - he starts sticking his head in the toilet. I say - if it's in the toilet you can't eat it.
Is it bad that I even have that phrase in my vocabulary?

ohhh...
Ok I am still looking forward to relaxing but what is even worse - Max wants his dinner now. He has gone and sat in front of the closet w/his food.
Uh no - we are going to take a little break from eating.
I love my baby - all 75 lbs of him. :)

In other weirdness - I subscribe to Marie Claire the October issue has a what would you do type article. What would you do if you lost your hair at 18, blah, blah, blah.
Well ironically there is a woman who got dentures at 23 and she goes into detail about how it sucks dealing w/men etc.
Lady - try 12. I didn't even have a chance.
Do I write and say shut it - try getting the mofo's during your formative years.
Or just think hey I am not alone?
Dunno know.
Right now I feel like writing - I wouldn't be catty but maybe let people know it happens a lot more than you would think. Hers was a result of periodontal disease. ew! I just was genetically cursed.
yick!

on that note - i might try to feed the monster...

Visiting and stuff...

So I went to PA and visited w/the family.
So nice there - everyone at least in York so very very nice. It's also very pretty there very green and warm.
What sucks - the driving everything is spread out and people drive like crazies. York only has a population of 56,000 but everything is all over the place. They have two malls one of which we have dubbed the molester mall. The day I get there the place is busted for alleging having a sex ring going on in the men's restroom and get this most of the guys were in their 60's and 70's!!!eeeeeee - scary scary. The code for free love was a foot tap - so the rest of the vacation we warned my brother and Dad to avoid foot tapping.
The majority of the vacation was spent eating, reading on their beautiful deck and drinking really good wine. My Mom and I got a little tipsy the first night. The also made me Mojitos - yum. My new favorite drink. My father introduced me to some great wines too. The only thing that could have made the trip better - Max and Chris. It was really hard not being with them.
Especially for that long.
I found I enjoy traveling alone - you can get some reading done and just zone but I don't like other travelers.
But that is another blog.
I need to have some time w/my hubby.

German - the mean language...

It not only sounds mean but apparently the people are mean there too. People in Europe - odd.
What is with them? So some of you may know my Dad spent a year there and he liked some of it, but for the most part was terribly lonely and starved death and did I mention picked up smoking and drinking again? Did I also mention this is a culture that thinks cheating is well fine.
eeehhhh.

Well now one more reason they are no good I tell you!
My best bud Beth - her younger sister Laura has taken a job in Europe as a nanny.
On the surface sounds so cool, kids I can't even get into it.
Reality it makes the Nanny Diaries look well tame.
Let's just say the child has rage issues and the parents are clueless. Laura is made to take to her room and be quiet and then summoned to dinner.
Hello what century is this?!
Add to that she doesn't speak German. And aparently the US Embassy hasn't been very helpful. I just feel for her. This is a very talented, bright, young woman. There has got to be other opporutunities in Europe.
I say she starts applying for job with American companies w/subs there.
God knows she's got the education!

That's just me.
In other news - I leave Friday morning.
So excited and scared - can not freaking wait.

Oh and had my meeting w/my boss.
That went well but dinner is ready
got to roll...