Raised on Dairy Queen

uh huh

2007-04-17T21:18:00.001-07:00

I have been...uh...busy. Yeah. Reeaallyy Busy.
Okay, lazy. I have been lazy. Mostly lazy and sort of busy.
From now on go here.
This will be my new space to nurture. I can hear you now, "Yeah. If she gets off her lazy ass".
You won't know though unless you check it every hour of everyday. I know you have nothing better to do.
This site is a work in progress.

Carry on.

Portrait

2007-01-30T19:12:00.000-08:00

Below you will find pics from the snow day(s) Portland had a couple of weeks ago. I am not going to go into much detail, but as you might guess, most of the city was shut down for 2 days. It was pretty ridiculous (even though I understand Portland isn't prepared for such things).I went to work both days as did Tyler driving a two wheel drive vehicle with crappy tires.

In other news. I bought a domain name. Guess what it is?
Okay, I will tell you. www.katiesimon.com
Yeah Boyee!
I currently have a website that was VERY quickly put together almost four years ago, www.ksimonphoto.com, showing a VERY small collection of my photographs.
I haven't fully decided what to do with katiesimon.com but it will involve photography, art and words. I hope that it will also involve making me happy.
You see, I am not very happy. And I don' t have very much free time to do things that make me happy. Shoot, I barely have time to see the doctor, do laundry, spend time with my loved ones... You catch my drift?

One thing that once made me happy was that I felt like I was creative and I knew who I was.
I thought I had a voice. I was sure of it. But I seem to have lost it.

I will keep you updated on my new website to come.
(Between working a FULL time job.) Wish me luck.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

2007-01-25T19:40:00.000-08:00

I love sleeping.

All shook up

2007-01-15T17:29:00.000-08:00

Today while driving home, one of my neighbors gave me a scare.
We were driving on a two lane road. Me in the right lane him/her in the left lane.
The right lane was going to end. I had plenty of time and space to merge so I sped up to move into the lane in front of my friendly neighbor.
Neighbor did not like this. Apparently he/she didn't want to be driving behind me.
Neighbor proceded to speed up, barely giving me enough time/space to merge over, turn on his/her brights and honk that lovely "two ton" horn.
Needless to say it scared the bejusus out of me (and Chloe).
After the fear came the anger.
I attempted to call the police to report him/her.
Neighbor turned off the road we were on so I turned around and followed him/her to what I am assuming is their house.
Big driveway for a big truck.
Now I know where my neighborly neighbor lives.
But I am on hold with 911 (because it was not technically an emergency) so I say "fuck it" and hang up.

This effects me for many reasons.
The main one being we live on a very busy street.
Neighbors pass by our house all day and night.
My car is distinguisible because I am tacky and put stickers that say how great my dog is and stickers that proclaim I am from Wyoming. Tyler hates them and now he is getting his wish. They are coming off.
I don't want to draw any attention to our car.
Especially in this neighborhood.

(Side note: I attempted to take one of the stickers off, my fingers, ice cubes because it was so cold. I manage to turn the fresh razor blade around and press into it with the tip of my finger. Let me tell you. I was pressing down hard because I thought it was the dull side. It took me several seconds to notice however because my fingers were so cold I didn't feel any pain.)

I ask you now:
("you" being my family, the only people that read this blog)
Should I report this driver?

You know how we do

2007-01-14T11:02:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we made a trip to Ikea.
We purchased a new bedroom set and a couple other odds and ends.
A new mattress is needed but will have to wait until we have more moolah.
Tax return time most likely.

Anyway, check- check- check- check it out.
(And if you haven't seen the New Year's Eve pics, head on down. \/ )

Sharing is fun!

2007-01-13T15:16:00.000-08:00

Pics from New Year's Eve...

Jen Classy

Jen Sassy

Me and Jen

Mike was cheering for 2007!

Tyler was trying really hard to keep his eyes open.
Believe it or not he had only consumed one drink.

Hi Charlie!!

2007-01-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

Done and Done

2006-12-26T19:12:00.000-08:00

I am happy to report that Tyler and I were awake during the arrival of 2007. Pacific Time!!
This is quite a feat ordinarily but even more so this year as we have both been pretty damn sick all weekend.
We didn't even close our lids until almost two hours into the new year.
Happy New Year Bitches!

Oh Snap!

2006-12-09T20:52:00.000-08:00

Did you ever know..

2006-12-05T13:18:00.000-08:00

...that you're my hero?
You're everything I would like to be.

Heroes. Are you watching it people?
Because it fricking rocks.
I am telling you. I am in LOVE with this show.
It's everything I would like to, oh, wait, I mean it has everything a good series should have.
Dynamic characters, good, evil, twists, turns and most importantly, Hiro.

My new crush.

Leftovers

2006-11-26T16:24:00.000-08:00

~ To whom it may concern,
Please turn off the water.
Portland is very clean.
Our fingers are raisins.
NO MORE RAIN.
Thank you.

~ I can not drink like I used to.
The nausea and pounding headache the next day are my proof.

~ Being poor is no fun.
Especially when you want to buy fun gifts for your friends and family.

~ What is going on with Gwen Stefani these days? I mean, really. Please advise.

~ Lastly, we acquired a Christmas tree today. We then made it festive.
We made snowflakes. Tyler's are very pretty.
He is thinking about quitting his job and going into the snowflake making business.

Happy Holidays Y'all.

(It looks much better in person.)

Stitches

2006-11-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today is my Mom's birthday.

When I was in the accident last week, she was one of the first people I wanted to call and see.

One of my fondest memories with my Mom happened when I was 7 or 8 years old.
I was in a bike crash and cracked my head open.
I had to get something like 13 stitches.
My Mom was sitting eye level with me as I lay on my side in the doctor's office.
She was so close.
The doctor asked what color I wanted the stitches to be.
To this day I take decisions like these very seriously.
I mean, WHAT COLOR?
There are so many to choose from.
What if I am not happy with my decision?
I can't just exchange them.
(Yes, I am weird.)

My Mom asked if I would get her favorite color, blue.
At that moment everything lifted. I wasn't scared anymore.
The pain went away.
And all I wanted was to get stitches in my Mom's favorite color.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Thank you for being the stitches in our family.

I love you.

Unforeseen

2006-11-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

Oy. And Oy.
Let me just say, accidents are NO fun.
I was rear ended on Wednesday morning on my way to work.
I was stopped in traffic and a woman hit me going about 20 mph.
Her car was totaled. Spewing fluids, smoke and candy.
Okay, not really candy.
I was shakey and wanted to cry.

All in all I am okay, but my neck and back are, well, a little fucked.
As the amazing acupuncturist and chiropractor proved to me.
My reflexes on my left side aren't, um, reflexing.
"That can't be normal", I thought.
Damn.

I am happy that everyone is okay.
Overall it is more of an annoyance. Auto body shops, insurance companies, doctors, accidents reports...Blah.

I got acupuncture for the first time.
The doctor asked how I felt about needles.
"I have four tattoos, so I should be alright."

Shake That Laffy Taffy

2006-10-30T19:50:00.000-08:00

We went to a costume party on Saturday night.
After debating about what to be, we got a suggestion from my Mom.
Essentially it was, "Go as the people who are hosting the party".
This made sense because they are good friends of ours, Chaz Fresh and The Wife.

Here we are as Danny and Dichelle.

It is only funny if you know them.
But I think everyone reading this blog does.

Tyler and I carved a pumpkin.
Check it out.

Happy Halloween Bitches!

Tidbits and Bidtits

2006-10-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

Tidbits and Bidtits
Two weekends ago Tyler and I went to Sauvies Island to a pumpkin patch.
To, well, get pumpkins.
It took A LOT of convincing to get Tyler to go.
Okay, convincing and chloroform.
He woke up just in time to walk in the dirt and pick out heavy vegetables.

Another thing. What is wrong with people??
Someone stole the copper fence toppers from our front fence.
I have never gotten so mad over something so small.
Small but OURS. Something we worked at and for.
I know it is not our car or something terribly expensive.
I know no one is hurt.
Then why am I so pissed?
Shaking my fists in the air mad.
Screaming in my pillow mad.
Stomping the ground mad.

I was mad.

Harvest Moon

2006-10-06T14:58:00.000-07:00

One of my most favorite things about Winter:
Hot Toddy!

Tell me people, What are your favorite things about winter?

Bone thugs-n-harmony

2006-10-01T17:14:00.000-07:00

That is right, it is the first of the month.

Chloe the Peasant

Another

2006-09-28T22:49:00.000-07:00

I love this season. Unlike spring or summer it seems to take its time.
Showing itself in bits and pieces, the leaves, the smell of cold soil, the heavy sun...
Every season, especially fall and winter, seemed so much grander in Wyoming.
I think my preference has a lot to do with my memories of those seasons.
The memories feel safe.
It is 3 blow zero and 60 mph wind but I had a warm place to be.
The memories feel stable.
I haven't had a home in Portland for more than a year.
I have moved from house to house, year to year, like clockwork.
Not to mention the beauty of fall and winter in Wyoming.
So many idiosyncrasies. So many layers.

I am excessively sentimental about Wyoming sometimes.
I will see the way the light hits a wall or feel a chill in the air and at that moment I wish I could close my eyes and go back.
I wouldn't be able to speak or hear, just feel that place and my memories and know I had been there once before.

A season in Portland
Holy Tomato! We have gotten 2 more harvests like this one from our two plants and I think we have two more on the way.

Sunflower, neighbors House, Rainbow
It looks like spring but the garden will tell you it is fall.

Oh Snap

2006-09-18T12:49:00.000-07:00

My phone was full of pictures dating back to over a year ago...
I dumped most of them here.
enjoy.

Make it worth it

2006-09-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

Two weeks gone: Birthdays, Wedding, Work
Summer is coming to an end.
More to come soon. Whenever I get over this writer's block.

My Ma sent me these flowers for my birthday.
Aren't they the coolest flowers you have ever seen?

Chloe likes to make herself a bed with our decorative pillows:

She also likes to sit in the dark and wait for the possum or raccoon to come back. I think she would do it for hours if we didn't make her come inside:

Billy Blade

2006-08-13T10:48:00.000-07:00

He drives a black 78' Ford Pick-up Truck.
I could always recognize the engine barreling up the hill towards our house.

Happy Birthday Dad!

My parents dog, Kodi. He is 14 years old!

Flash Back Friday!

2006-08-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

This was Chloe almost a year ago.

Here she is now. (I think she was scared of the camera.)
I'm not dead. Just so ya know.

Where the Men are Men

2006-07-26T19:40:00.000-07:00

Highlights from a place I will always call home.

One of the best moments of my trip.

That's right. My Mom is hardcore.
In a pink heart kind of way.

If you don't know what this is, then you haven't lived.

$800 dollars.
Cute. But I am not sure they were 800 dollars worth of cute.

Fried Dough, Cowboy Hats, Bud Light and Carnies. What more can you ask for?

Behold.

I will leave you with this to ponder.

Big Ol Jet Airliner

2006-07-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

First night in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Two things:
Steve Miller Band and Bud Light

Mama I'm coming hooooommme!!!

2006-07-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

I am planning a whirl wind trip to Wyoming next weekend. Fly out on Friday morning return Monday afternoon.
What do I plan to accomplish while I am there?

1. Purchase Cowboy Boots (Frontier Days Ya'll)
2. Go to the drving range with my Dad. That is right...THE DRIVING RANGE.
3. Spend some QT with my mama.

Gone Baby Gone

2006-07-03T09:19:00.000-07:00

I have sad news about Fred. You remember Fred.
The Rendezvouing Rodent.
Well, he's dead.
We had to do it. Tyler said that he saw him wander all the way into the living room many times while we were watching movies.
He didn't tell me because he didn't want to interrupt my movie experience.

We picked berries at Sauvies Island yesterday.
I want to post pics but I can't find the battery charger for the camera.

So far we have seen two movies this weekend. The Family Stone and Friends With Money.
Both were refreshing and somewhat realistic.
Although The Family Stone was VERY predictable, I enjoyed it.
Friends With Money was what I wanted it to be. Lots of dialogue, and characters and pretty fucked up.
Fucked up like real life can be.
My kind of movie.

I hope to post pics tomorrow.
Until then.

Ice Cream Cake

2006-06-25T14:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Raised on Dairy Queen!!
You are one year old today!

I am so Country

2006-06-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

Fridays are awesome!
Dairy Queen is awesome.
Chloe is awesome.
My family is amazing and awesome!
Funny people are hilarious!
And Awesome!

*If you didn't tune into Dateline last night,
you probably have no idea what I am talking about.

That is okay. You are still awesome.

Mononucleosis

2006-06-14T14:39:00.000-07:00

Tired. So tired.

I had Mono about 4 years ago.
I didn't find out that I had it until a couple of months after I had the symptoms.
I was having tests done on my thyroid and they said "Guess what? You have mono."
That would explain the two weeks spent on the couch with ear infections in both ears.
My ears rang for a week. That was fun.
I went to the doctor during that time, but instead of doing anything he lectured me about smoking cigarettes.

Anyway, rambling on. I feel like I have it again. The symptoms anyway, I guess the mono never goes away.
Yawn. I want to lay down. But I can't.

Mega Cute Period

2006-06-05T15:59:00.000-07:00

Hey Ladies!!
Don't you love bleeding once a month?!?!
I do!
Don't you love bloating!
And Cramps!
I do!
I have taken 2 aleve and 2 ibprofen today.
I LOVE IT!
I wish I could do this twice a month!

MEGA CUTE PERIOD

It is all catching up to me now.

2006-05-31T21:39:00.000-07:00

Just a bit from the past 10 months...

Got hitched

Adopted a dog (the cutest dog in the world, just so ya know)

Started a big scary job

Bought a car

Gained all the weight back that I had lost two years ago

Dealt with my Grandpa's death

Bought a house

Bit my nails off

Grew them back

Officially stopped making art

Had a series of (on going) nervous breakdowns

Asked myself "What the hell am I doing?" (I am still looking for the answer.)

6 miles

2006-05-28T14:56:00.000-07:00

I just want to wish my Sister and my Mom good luck in the BolderBoulder.
Strut your stuff ladies!

I am having an affair...

2006-05-28T14:48:00.000-07:00

Someone got a new necklace...

Lets call him Fred

2006-05-20T10:26:00.000-07:00

While sitting on the couch waking up this fine Saturday...
We had a visitor.
He just invited himself in and began helping himself to all of the crumbs on the kitchen floor.
His hair was dark grey and he was quite tiny.
I am not sure if we will be seeing him again.
Alive anyway.

I didn't sign up for this

2006-05-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

I'M MELTING! MELTING!!

Hair Did

2006-05-14T22:53:00.000-07:00

I cut off approx. 8 inches

On this Hallmark Holiday

2006-05-14T00:28:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!
Good Morning!
Its nice to see your face.
Good Morning!
Good Morning,
to you!

When I was young, my mom would sing this song to me while waking me up to go to school.

When I was a little older, but still so young, I put my Mom through a lot.
You may think you know what I am talking about.
And you might. But I would be willing to bet that my story beats yours.

I am sorry now and my Mom knows that. But what she knew then, and I didn't, was that she would always love me.
No matter what.
Sounds cliche, doesn't it?

I will take that cliche. I am so lucky to be able to.

I miss her. So much it hurts.
For so many reasons.
The way she makes me laugh, her honesty and even just being in the same room as her.

I love you mama.

15 Hours

2006-05-09T00:03:00.000-07:00

I have been at work for 15 hours.
That isn't a typo. 15 hours.
I haven't left this building in 15 hours. Going on 16.

Just thought I would share my Monday with you.

Oh wait. It is Tuesday.

Good Morning.

Where my homies at?

2006-05-02T18:33:00.000-07:00

Recently I have noticed something.

You people aren't writing in your blogs!
By you people I mean Chazzy, Wacky, The Wife, R the pirate, K-rollin...Amongst others.

What is up with that?

Maybe it is the weather. Or the fact that everyone has busy lives.
Where the hell is everyone?

I will leave you with some pics.

Queen Chloe and her kingdom. All she needs now is a Long Island Iced Tea.

Cutest dog ever!!!! Okay, of medium sized dogs.
Lucy is the cutest big dog and Velcro is the cutest small dog.

Isn't it amazing? This was done all by the hands of Tyler. (I nailed 3 boards and glued two toppers on.)

Question: Do we paint it or stain it???

Drop it like its hot.

2006-04-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

Forgive me blogger, for I have sinned. It has been two weeks since my last posting.

Work takes the majority of my time, but I have also been enjoying the beautiful weather, a new home and my fabulous friends.

I would like to welcome a very good friend of mine back to Portland.

I will call her R, the pirate.
Unlike a pirate, she is one of the most genuine and honest people I know.
She is an amazing artist and musician and Portland is lucky to have her back.
New York City didn't deserve her.
She has uprooted her life and taken charge. She is such a strong person.

I wouldn't fuck with this pirate.

Our New neighbors

2006-04-11T16:02:00.000-07:00

Let me just say, the house is fantastic. I am really lucky.
And I know this man!

That said, let me introduce you to my new neighbors.
They make a really great alarm clock.

Scrubs

2006-04-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

I am not in the hospital.
I felt like it was a possibility though.
And sometimes feel like it still is a possibility.
I think it is mostly just exhaustion.

I want to say that I have the best friends and family in the world!
Check out what m. (a.k.a Debbie) wrote. It is pretty awesome.

Thanks to everyone.

If I did end up in the hospital, I would want to be in Zack Braff's hospital.
nuff said.

Now I am the crazy person

2006-04-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

I am going to fucking lose it.
Questions?

Answer:
If I haven't posted in a while, check the hospitals because I am probably in the middle of a nervous breakdown.

Have a nice day!

Keep your crazies to yourself

2006-04-01T22:00:00.000-08:00

I have lived in Portland for almost seven years.
I can handle me some crazy people.
Everyone knows Portland is full of them.
I lived two blocks off of Burnside on both the NW side and the NE side.
I had a roommate that would often invite crazies into our home.
I used public transportation on a daily basis for two years.
I have been yelled at, spit on, followed home, had crazies come to my door (on two separate occasions), been run down by a shopping cart, and the list goes on and on.
One woman, "fuck it-suck it lady" scared the bejusus out of me. (This, by the way, is a whole other blog.)
I saw her so many times, in so many places, on so many bus lines...She was scary.
Obviously mentally ill and a drug addict but still scary.
I was able to ignore her, hop off the bus and sometimes laugh about it.
I understand most of the crazy people that I have crossed paths with are probably mentally ill, homeless, on drugs or all of the above. I am very sympathetic but that doesn't make it any less frightening.
That brings us to today.
I had a very long week and have a lot on my plate. So I am a little sensitive. Or this is what I am telling myself.
Tyler and I were at our new house today, cleaning, repairing, dropping stuff off. I was on the front porch trying to fix the broken address numbers.
Crazy person approaches. I say person because I am unsure whether it was a man or a woman.
It was very difficult to understand the person, but I thought he/she was asking about the free stuff on the side of the street the the previous owner had left.
I said "Take it. Its yours."
The person became more difficult to understand.
I impatiently (I will admit) said, "What? What? I can't understand you."
The person became more erratic, sort of sounding like he/she was talking in tongues. Then started dancing around from side to side and becoming louder.
It freaked my shit out.
I ran inside calling for Tyler and burst into tears.
Damn.
I just thought I would share my crazy person story.
You may have one of your own.

Continental Divide

2006-03-31T19:21:00.000-08:00

My Grandpa woke up on his last day here on earth.
He made coffee. He ate grapes. He made his bed.
He drove his car to church then to the bank.
He returned home and decided he should shovel the snow off of the walk way in his back yard.
The snow.
Never constant but there.
Slowly melting away.
Then he lay down surrounded by snow.
And looked up at the blue sky.

Landslide

2006-03-28T08:22:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in almost a week because I am in Colorado.

My Grandpa died last Thursday.
My Dad found him in the snow at 6:30PM where he had been laying since 10AM.
He was shoveling snow after his children and numerous doctors told him not to.
He died doing what he wanted to, outside in the snow.

Straight up now tell me

2006-03-22T18:29:00.000-08:00

I don't know if many of you tune in but...

I'll have what she is having.

Oh, Paula.

Shit Happens

2006-03-21T16:59:00.000-08:00

And so does rain.

Sometimes life makes decisions for ya.
It is suppossed to rain the entire time we were planning on being in Hawaii.

yeah. I know.

My family is planning on going to Las Vegas.
Not really my cup of tea.
I suggested Canada, maybe a little shopping, a little winter wonderland.
The winter wonderland wasn't very appealing to my family as it just snowed over a foot in Wyoming.

So. Here I am.

Should I stay or should I go?

2006-03-19T21:42:00.000-08:00

Now.
My family is supposed to be going to Hawaii next weekend/week.
They have extended an invitation for me to join them. So kind.
My Mom even said they would help me pay for everything.
So, it wouldn't cost me much.

Anyhoo, I can't decide whether or not I should go.
Getting off work seems like it will be a possibility.
(I never know until the last minute because a shoot could come up.)
But we are planning on moving the weekend after next so I should be packing.
And it will be difficult to get more time off of work for all of the moving tasks to be done:
packing, unpacking, cleaning, repairing, decorating etc, etc.

So Should I stay or should I go?

Pack it up Pack it in

2006-03-18T14:58:00.000-08:00

Let me begin.

I HATE moving. Many of you can probably relate.
Moving sucks.
The thing I hate the most? Packing.

As you might of guessed, we have started packing.
It is making me a little crazy and I have only been doing it for an hour and a half.
I want to run. Far far away.
Seriously.

I am a bit of a pack rat too, making it twice as difficult.
I blame it all on art school because most of my pack ratting is in the form of prints, painting, collages, stuff to collage with, random (and I mean random) art supplies...you get the drift.

Not only am I a pack rat, Tyler and I have a lot of stuff.
Camping gear, wedding presents, random pieces of furniture, a giant grill, a giant fish tank and on and on and on.

I bet all you peeps who are helping us move (you know who you are) are getting really excited right about now.
Most of you (I might add) have volunteered. There will be (as usual) free beer and pizza involved.

This rant didn't make me feel better but it has allowed me to do something other than pack.

I think I will go do the dishes.

By the power of Greyskull!

2006-03-12T10:03:00.000-08:00

I am sorry to report that Evil has been defeated.

Skeletor is dead.

We found him floating in all his dead fish glory this morning.
Chloe detected the smell and led us to the discovery of his death.

Even though he was a fish that did not swim and he was very territorial, he will be missed.

Puppy Love

2006-03-11T10:33:00.000-08:00

Saturday Morning

Tyler to Chloe: "Your face smells like your butt."

Life

2006-03-06T21:37:00.000-08:00

so. yeah.
Tyler and I are buying a house. We made an offer, it was accepted and now we are going through all of the loops to close.
Isn't that crazy?
WE ARE BUYING A HOUSE.
fuck.
sorry for the language but it is more than appropriate.

This is all so fast.
August- Get married.
September-Buy a dog.
September-Get a high stress, high responsibility job.
December-Buy a new car.
March-Buy a house.

I am very lucky.
I am a little overwhelmed.

Is there a pause on this thing??

No, I am not pregnant.

2006-03-02T10:04:00.000-08:00

Alright, Alright.

Tyler and I are preparing an offer on a house.
This is just an offer.
We will find out if it is meant to be soon enough.

This is scary.
This also would mean, no more cable, no more going out to eat, no more XM radio, no more splurges.
I can live with that.

Check it out...

Testing 1...2...3

2006-03-01T22:51:00.000-08:00

He ya'll. Yes, I am alive.
In case anyone cares.
Just working my booty off.

I have some exciting news, but I think it might be a little premature. So, I am going to have to leave you in suspense.

Note:
Tyler and I threw out the cake last weekend.
It was hard as a rock.
A 15 pound rock.
And sharp.

Basically our poppy seed cake could have been used as a weapon.

Piece of Cake

2006-02-19T17:58:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning I woke up and said to myself, "I am going to bake a cake."

This same Saturday I had the pleasure of spending a full day with Lisa. On this day we baked a cake.
Hopefully soon you can read about it here, Lisa's blog.

Otherwise, I thought I would share some pics.

It has been too long.
Here is Chloe on her favorite pillow.

Bath Time

These are pics from our room in Steamboat, Colorado.

This is me just after I got my hair did.

ValenTimes

2006-02-14T10:56:00.000-08:00

Extra! Extra! Read all about it.
(I know what you are thinking right now. And, yes, I am a dork.)

2 years ago today Tyler proposed to me.
He loves me too much.

Fun Fact du Jour:
We are listening to Smooth Operator at the studio right now.
That's right.
Smooth Operator.

Happy Valentine's Day all!
Much Love.

between us

2006-02-10T17:04:00.000-08:00

Update:
My Mom is better.
She received surgery last weekend. In which the discs that slipped in her spine (just below her neck) were replaced with a titanium rod and a bone from a cadaver.
I am so relieved that she is feeling better.
I was seconds away from getting on a plane in San Francisco and flying to Wyoming.
(Tyler and I were in California with his family celebrating his Grandma's 90th birthday)

I asked Karolyn how my Mom felt before surgery. If she was scared.
Karolyn said she was (scared) and had tears in her eyes.
But that it was okay, because my other sister, my Dad and my Mom's Dad were all there to hug her and tell her everything was going to be okay.
That hurt just as much as knowing my Mom was in pain.
Knowing I couldn't be there with her.

My Mom said that she was left alone for a while before going under anesthesia. She said she was very scared.
Then she said a prayer and took a breath and became very calm.
So calm she almost fell asleep.

I thought that was beautiful.

um yeah

2006-02-02T19:14:00.000-08:00

I mixed up my links and no one said anything.
It didn't really have the impact it was supposed to.

Is anyone out there?

How do you like them apples?

2006-02-01T21:15:00.000-08:00

It has been a while.
Do you want something to chew on?
Here ya go.

Sunday night Chaz, The Wife, K-fed and I drove up to Timberline lodge to have a bite and a drink.
This is where parts of The Shining were filmed.
The scene where Danny climbs out the bathroom window and slides down the huge bank of snow.
Yep.
I think that was filmed there.
Here is the trailer for the film. I am a big fan (of the trailer). I think it is pretty brilliant.

A film production company held a contest where co-film editors were asked to re-edit trailers from famous films to make them appear as completely different films. Funny.

If you haven't seen the movie, you won't get the full effect.
Watch the film.

PS. K-Fed got the Element stuck in the snow. Twice.
I COULD HAVE KILLED HIM.
I could have gone all "Here's Johnny" on his ass (another film reference).
Luckily The Wife convinced me to restrain myself.

This weekend we are going to California to attend a celebration for Tyler's Grandma's 90th birthday.
It is Sunday afternoon so there will be no Super Bowl viewing.
Um, Go Seahawks!
I guess.

We are leaving Chloe at her day care for the weekend.
Honestly, it is making me really sad.

Lastly, My Mama is hurt right now, so if ya'll could keep her in your thoughts that would be cool.
"They" think she slipped a disk, but there are more tests to determine what is wrong.
She is just in A LOT of pain.

I love you mama!

What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man.

2006-01-24T13:46:00.000-08:00

Yes he is-ah!
My husband works so hard.
He worked all night last night.
And when I say all night, I mean ALL night.
I woke up at 2:00 AM. Not there.
4:00 AM, still not there.
6:15 AM, call him at his office, still working.
crazy.
What a mighty good man.

Take it as it comes

2006-01-14T17:32:00.000-08:00

This week in a life...

Received flowers from a boy.
Orchids.

Tried to support someone I love while they cried 2000 miles away.

Worked with a bigot client. Wondered why he is that way.
Thought about how sad it is.

Bit my nails.

Nearly had a couple breakdowns.
Nearly, being the important word.
I did not cry.

Saw a bum taking a shit.

Hated my boss.

Missed friends.
Both near and far.

Loved my boss

Was proven, yet again, that my Mom is a rock star.
ROCK STAR.

Cuddled with the best dog in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD.

Told someone I loved them.
Over and over again.

Daydreamed about living in Colorado.
about making art.
about a lot of things I no longer do.

Worked really hard.
Even on a Saturday.

Learned a lesson.

Thought about how lucky I am.

Made plans for the future.

Told myself to be patient.

Buying myself Flowers

2006-01-07T11:00:00.000-08:00

Yay for overtime!
This month is going to be full of it.
Overtime that is.

I have to do something this weekend that I really don't want to do.
Thank you cards.
Yes, our wedding was 5 months ago. We can not let this go longer than 6 months.
My family gave us so much shit for not having them done.

There will be many hours of sitting at the table thinking of what to say.

Oh and yesterday I considered buying myself flowers.
Not just at the store and bringing them home.
No.
Ordering them and having them delivered.
It came up because I saw someone getting flowers across from the studio.
It is that feeling.
Receiving flowers.
It feels so great, even for just a little while.

Is that weird?
Um, don't answer that.

2006

2006-01-01T11:47:00.000-08:00

I am not afraid to admit it.
I slept into the new year.
yep.
I fell asleep at 11:15.
Tyler and the fireworks going off around my house woke me up at midnight.
Chloe was freaked out because of the fireworks.
I snuggled her into my blanket and we went back to sleep.
lame?
maybe.
That's how I roll.

Home Sweet Home

2005-12-30T17:34:00.000-08:00

Back in Portland.
Tyler and I arrived late last night.
I worked most of the day, then went and had some retail therapy at Johnny Sole.
I know, I know. No more retail therapy.

My mom spoiled the shit out of Chloe in Wyoming.
We left Chloe with her Grandma for one evening.
Chloe got people food, treats for no reason and slept an entire evening on my Mom's bed.
Um, No.
We get back from skiing and play with Chloe for a bit, then she disappears.
Where is Chloe?
Curled up in the middle of the bed, looking at us like,
"You gotta problem?"

Lisa followed us in her new car for the 18 hour drive yesterday.
I drove with her for 3 or 4 hours.
During that time I had one of my most frightening driving experiences.
We are driving along, at night.
A semi in front of me swerves. I think it is the wind or something. Semis have been swerving all day.
I go to change lanes and prepare to pass him.
I am in the middle of the freeway and within seconds there is a large, dead deer in the middle of the freeway.
It was looking right at us.
Lisa and I in Unison,
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!"
Thump, thump.
I am not sure how high the car jumped but I do know water bottles flew up and hit the ceiling.
The car seemed to be fine.
We pulled into a gas station 75 miles later.
"What is that smell? This town stinks! Ask the gas attendant what that is."

Needless to say, remnants of that large dead deer could be found underneath Lisa's car.
It was now a carcass on wheels.

My lovely little lumps

2005-12-20T19:09:00.000-08:00

Check it out.

I am tired. Oh so tired.
Somedays 10 hours is too much.
Ya know?

Per the request of someone I happen to like very much,
I have made comments open to everyone.
So post some comments, bitches!

Someone likes the fire.

Chloe's snow boots and jacket. She pretty much hates both.

Are You Reaadyyy?!

2005-12-18T10:20:00.000-08:00

For a TMI?
(too much information)

Wanna know what gets Tyler hot besides kitchen gadgets and Honda Elements?

Computers you say?
nope.

Sale Tables.

Thats right people.
Sale Tables.
I have never seen him more excited.

Represent

2005-12-17T15:19:00.000-08:00

So yeah. I tried to go out and do a long list of things today and I did two of them.
Why?
It is out of control.
Mass people.
Traffic.
And more people.
I can't handle it.
Tyler has been out all day. I think he has an easier time blocking things out. And by things, I mean annoying people.
As far as traffic goes, he is driving the Element, so he could give a shit.

Check out my sistas blog.
www.k-rollin.blogspot.com
Her name is Karolyn. Get it? Get it?

No seriously. She has always been an awesome writer, way better than the stuff I churn out.
Now you have the opportunity to read it.

You should feel lucky.

Long Overdue.

2005-12-16T19:26:00.000-08:00

To a man that makes a mean dough and a woman that makes me laugh.

Tits.

Rant

2005-12-11T09:01:00.000-08:00

I have about a million different subjects I would like to discuss.
Where do I start?

Work:
Let me give you a little background info.
I applied for a position with *this-place (where I am currently Producer/Studio Manager) one year ago.
It was for a Production Coordinator position. Basically helping the Producer pick up the loose ends.
I was told that the position was dissolved.
Then told later that they thought I was over qualified.
Whatever.
I learned this week that the position wasn't dissolved, they hired someone else.
Someone else that sucked and was let go.
hmn.
It is funny how life works.
If they had hired me, first of all, I would have kicked ass at this job. Second, when the previous producer decided to leave, it would have been a much easier transition into the position I currently have.
I was intrigued to find out what happened and what could have happened.
You are probably just bored.

Subject number 2-
Life:
Tying in with the last subject...
Tyler and I are driving to Wyoming on the 22nd.
In our new Honda Element! (Subject 3)
Anyway, it has been really difficult for me to get the time off at the place.
I had to put my foot down because this might be the last time I see my Grandpa.
I don't think I have given an update, but the surgeon in Cincinnati would not perform the heart surgery.
It was too risky.
The doctor told my Mom that my Grandpa maybe has 6 months.
This being my last Grandparent living, watching him face his mortality has been really difficult for me.
To say the least.
When my other Grandparents passed I was young, selfish, stupid and probably stoned.
So it didn't affect me as much. I regret that because they were good people and I loved them.
This all has made me think about how important family is to me.
They are the only ones that will be there.
They can tell me when I am acting like a idiot and I can accept it and not take it personally.
I miss my family so much.
You know that feeling when you have been punched in the nose, your eyes start to water, your stunned, not really in pain but something hurts.
That is how much I miss them.

Subjects to come:
Honda Element woohoo!
The Holidays ( a love/hate relationship)

*name changed by suggestion to protect identity (hopefully not too late)

Joy to the world

2005-12-05T17:55:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I haven't posted in a while.
Busy, Busy, Busy!

Don't you worry, I have some breathtaking and groundbreaking blogs on the way (pictures too!).

Preview of subjects to come:
Christmas Trees, Cars, Chloe (of course), Wyoming, Love, Life, Tits and Ass.

Are you holding your breath?

I hope so.

Brisk

2005-11-26T20:47:00.000-08:00

One holiday come and gone.
Why do weekends and holidays go by so quickly?
We went to Garibaldi to spend some time with Tyler's parents. It was soggy outside and mellow inside.
I baked a blackberry pie. No pictures this time. It got gobbled up too quickly.
I was pretty happy with it. My preference is berry over apple, in both preparation and taste.

Chloe has been barking more lately. Her bark is one thing that proves to me that she is in fact a big dog.
(I know what you are saying to your self, "All she does is talk about that damn dog". And, yes I am one of those people. But in my defense she is cute right now and that kind of cute only lasts so long.)
She is also a crier, just like her Mom. Some of her wails sound a lot like Chewbacca. She may have a little wookie in her too.

I busted out my sewing machine for the first time in months. I made cute little waist pouches for Tyler and I to keep treats in during Chloe's obedience class.
Maybe I will post some pics.

Anyway tomorrow it is back to the grind.
It has been quite frosty here lately. Especially at 7 am. To all you Wyoming folks, I know our weather doesn't compare.
I mean no disrespect.
The High Wind warnings are a blast though, aren't they?
Suckers.

Turkey Shmerkey

2005-11-22T19:13:00.000-08:00

She is scared.
Scared of us.
Chloe that is.
We went to our first puppy training class last night. They use clickers as part of the training. It is an easy way to tell your dog he/she provided the correct response Rather than using something like "good girl". Which we have been using the entire time we have had her.
Anyhoo. We came home from class and decided to work on our first assignment.
Teach the dog the clicker is a good thing and that a treat will come after the noise.

UM. Yeah.

Chloe was SO not into it. It scared the bejesus out of her. We tried again this morning and tonight. She is not a fan. But the strange thing is, now she isn't so scared of the clicker but more us. She cowers away, into corners. Making herself as small as possible with her little belly sticking out.
Hmnnn.
We are going to have to figure this one out.

In other news,
Here we are again. Thanksgiving.
(I may have to work on Friday :( Well shit, this real world thing just snuck up and slapped me in the face.)

I hope everyone has a warm and happy holiday.
I wish I could spend it with each and everyone of you.
(Well, maybe not everyone of you. Pretty much just the people I know.)

Blood Lines

2005-11-20T12:22:00.000-08:00

I miss my family.
I was at a party on Friday and the host's brother and sister were at the party too. They were taking pictures together and laughing. It made me a little sad.

Sisters. I love that we are all so different and love each other just the same.
I love Kylie for her joyful energy despite a hot temper.
I love Karolyn for being so young and so wise at the same time.

I have been thinking about family a lot lately.
My Grandpa is going to Cleveland a week from today. He will find out there if the doctors will perform his third heart surgery.

Karolyn said that she might skip work to be with him the night before he flies. She said because it might be the last time she sees him.
That made me think about the last time I saw him. In May. At Karolyn's graduation. I was very ill and had lost my voice. I hardly spoke with him.

I hope I get the chance to see him again.

The days in his house surrounded by snow and trees are finished. Never to be revisited. That tears at my heart.

This posting is for my family.
Especially for my sisters who know what it is like to have an ample derriere and share in wondering "damn can this thing get any bigger?"

Shut your pie hole.

2005-11-14T20:48:00.000-08:00

Apple Pie Bitches.
I baked this on Sunday. It is yummy. There are two pieces left.
Little Piggies.
The bottom crust was a little thin and I think I cut the slits too big because the top crust expanded and the fruit sunk.
It seemed a bit hollow, but when I cut into it, the top crust collapsed onto the fruit.
It was all good.
This was my practice pie for Thanksgiving.

Isn't it purty?

HOT Eats COOL Treats

2005-11-13T13:14:00.000-08:00

First item of business: Today is my Ma's birthday!
Happy Birthday Mama!

Here are some pics for your enjoyment.

Snow! Snow! Snow! Snow!

Little Crater Lake

Twist My Arm

2005-11-10T21:48:00.000-08:00

Let me propose a few questions.

1. Who becomes the person that cleans your teeth?
2. Who wants to become that person?

Think about that and get back to me.

Also, Wisdom teeth: In or Out?

What's Cooking?
Well hmn. What is on the stove?
Work and Chloe and Grandpa.

Work. I can't even go there.

Chloe. She has started attending doggy daycare and she loves it. She is usually the littlest and she always looks as though she is saying, "Hey. Hey guys. Over here. C'mon, play with me." She comes home soooo tired. If you are ever at 16th and Burnside (west) peek in the window, she might be in there.

Grandpa. My Mom and him are going to Cleveland in a couple of weeks to get tests and consultations done for the possibility of heart surgery. This will be his third. My Mom is taking care of all of it by herself. She is fucking strong.

Hit me baby one more time!

2005-10-31T18:37:00.000-08:00

No, really. Will someone punch me in the face?

What you can't see are my short jean skirt and UGGs.

Two towns in Nebraska

2005-10-28T19:31:00.000-07:00

This is a story about two people I love. Two people from Nebraska.

One grew up on a farm and he is as genuine as that sounds.
The other is beautiful, but her honesty is what you see.

They fell in love, raised a family and most of all, stuck it out.

These two people share humor and struggle. Highs and lows.
Faith and Fear.

A life.

These two people have helped to make me strong.

There are many definitions of strength. I am not talking about physical strength. I am talking about the kind that counts.
My definition is simple.
Strength lies in loving someone despite difference of opinion.
Strength is making mistakes, big and small.
(I say, its okay to fuck up, just stick around to admit that you did.)
Strength is being there when stuff gets ugly.

Let the clouds roll in.

All of me

2005-10-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

Our Child. All of our time.

HALLOWEEN

"Get me out of this."

ho hum

2005-10-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

So.
I have pics I want to post. Of what you ask?
Well, of Chloe, of course.
She is a fatty.
Her leg is still hurt. It is so sad to watch.
The vet said it could take weeks to heal. It is so difficult to know there is nothing we can do.

The pics will have to wait. As will an interesting blog.
I can't manage the work thing and the life thing.
I am not sure how to juggle it and be happy.
Any tips internet land?
I have worked 41 hours this week and tomorrow should be an 11 hour day. There is one thing that means, money.
I am not sure if that is enough.
This is such an amazing opportunity, I have to push through and try to find my happiness.

See what I mean?
Not so interesting huh? Just more of me bitching.
I know I am not alone.
Many work long hours at stressful jobs.
Whats the secret?

My so called life

2005-10-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

MY SATURDAY

7:00am: wake up (going to bed at 9:30 the night before after 12 very stressful hours at work)

7:10am: my sweet puppy at my feet giving me kisses and letting me pet her without trying to bite my hand off.

7:15am: a puddle of green chunky vomit covering my bare feet and white carpet.
*imagine this if you will, a warm liquid seeping between your toes.

7:25am: going to search for carpet cleaner finding another smelly runny substance on the kitchen floor that obviously came out the other end of Chloe's body.

7:30am: assisting Tyler in the clean up of #2.

8:30am: Dealing with a customer service rep from Target online who has informed me that the two wedding gifts we returned, one for being damaged and the other we had already received, were credited back onto the Purchaser's credit card.
um, thanks. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

8:45-1:30: rather enjoyable

1:30pm: start to get a heavy head and runny nose. I thought I was going to be the only one that didn't get sick. Drats!

4:00pm: Taking Chloe for a walk, overwhelmed with guilt because of how often/long we leave her alone. She jumps forward at a passerby as she always does. The height at which she elevated herself combined with my late reaction time of pulling the leash caused her to twist and land on top of one of her hind legs. Letting out a shriek and laying on her back crying, holding her injured leg close to her body.
I nearly had a breakdown. Before all of the people at Big City Produce trying to choose apples on a Saturday afternoon.
I nearly lost it.
She was able to get up and walk, although limping and not putting any weight on the leg.
It is still swollen today and she is limping here and there. The swelling has gone down and it is probably just a sprain.
I was freaked out, but Tyler assured me that she would be fine.

6:00pm:Portland City Grill, get hit on by the sleaziest guy to ever cross my path.
After making it apparent I wasn't interested romantically (actually not interested at all) and removing his hand from my thigh, He throws my business card at me acting like I had just offended him and says, "Keep your card".
Thank goodness he didn't take my card. The story is much bigger than this, I am just providing the trailer.

MY SUNDAY (so far)

8:45am: (minutes ago) I was cradling Chloe in my lap, very worried about her even though Tyler keeps insisting she will be fine.
(I have shorts on)
I feel a warm sensation on my leg. I think to myself, "oh it is nothing". A few seconds later after readjusting Chloe's body on my lap there is a brown streak on my hand. Yelling for Tyler to lift her out of my lap, I find brown runs on my leg.

Good Morning!!

Weekend

2005-10-08T11:17:00.000-07:00

Oh Boy.

Friday I worked a 12 hour day, so at the end of the night, I needed a drink.
Hey, it was Friday.
I went to the Low Brow.
Yes, the Low Brow. A bar that I used to call my own, before it got popular and they started carding people at the door.
Well, Actually I started going there before they carded people at all.
More than 5 years ago, during college. I was there at least once a week, if not 4 times a week.
Ahhhh, the memories.
That is another blog.

This blog is about hangovers.

I thought whiskey might ease my pain after a long stressful week.
Oh sweet whiskey.
I proceeded to put back 5 large shots of whiskey, 4 of those with beer backs.
It was top shelf whiskey and good beer, so I won't get a hangover. Right?
W-R-O-N-G

I don't remember going to sleep and I woke up at 4 a.m. and Tyler wasn't in bed with me.
Hoping I hadn't made him angry (I was drunk and feisty), I found him on the futon in a sleeping bag.
"Tyler, why aren't you in bed with me?"
"You were snoring so loud, I couldn't sleep."

VERY Attractive.

I woke up again at 7 a.m. with a S-P-L-I-T-I-N-G headache.
I am not joking, that is the best way I can describe it. I was in tears.
On top of it the room was spinning, I was nauseous and having my monthly cramps.
Of course, there wasn't an advil or tampon in the house.
My sweet, sweet husband, at 7 am on Saturday morning, went to the store for pain killers and tampons.
P.S. I am not looking for sympathy. I am the genius who drank 5 shots of whiskey.

Label this one under: Dumbass with the Sweetest Husband

nada

2005-10-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I don't have anything fun to say. All I do is work.

Notice her festive collar.

"Hi, I'm cute."

Rude awakening

2005-09-30T14:09:00.000-07:00

So I started this blog yesterday then things got crazy, and when the craziness died down around 7:15 I was too tired to blog.
What happened after I started this blog only reinforces my topic, "One of those days."

The first three paragraphs I wrote before anything else happened.

First of all, "ITS FRIDAY! I'm gunna get you high!"
Actually I'm not. Sorry.
My point was, ITS FRIDAY!

Second of all, Tyler and I had a bit of a harsh wake up call this morning.

KA BOOM! Does that explain it?
Well, in more detail, our power went out several times this am starting at 5:45. Then at about five till six a large power strip in our office BLEW UP. Causing a very large BOOM! POP! KA BOOM! (that should be a rap song).
Tyler and I jumped out of bed not knowing what the hell just happened.
We determined the power had been going off and somehow caused the power strip to short and explode.
I have yet to learn what happened, if a power station blew up or what. Does anyone know?
For the next 45 minutes helicopters were circling the neighborhood, preventing me from getting that precious last 30 minutes of sleep.
The day continues...we have a good sized shoot at the studio. The client and art director get lost, anhhh no big thang.
Then something is wrong with the camera and computer station, that is a little bigger of a thing.
I stand back as a producer knowing there is nothing I can do. Silently panicking. After a while it is fixed.
These problems are nothing during a photo shoot. Something always happens, big and small. I don't really know why, I just know it sucks being the person that has to manage the shit when it hits the fan.

SO, this is approximately where my story was going to end and I was going to wish all of you a happy weekend.
It is almost 4:00, not much else can happen in a day right? Wrong.
I will give you the short abbreviated version considering most of you have probably stopped reading by now.

The alarm at the studio goes off, client and everyone there. I go to investigate and try to turn of the alarm. I manage to turn it off but it comes back on every time someone opens the door. I start to investigate the door and what I find is water pouring in the roof, down the wall and over the door. Shit.
For those of you that don't know, it was raining cats and dogs yesterday, no, cats, dogs, birds, fish and rabbits.
It is approaching 5 on a Friday. I call the roofers, no way are they coming to look at it.
I call the alarm people spend 30 minutes on the phone when they realize someone is going to have to come down, and boy they are not happy.
Meanwhile it is now almost 6 and I have a shoot to wrap and a large shoot to prep for Monday.
The photographer comes up and asks, "Geez, can anything else go wrong today?" I say, "Its only six o'clock, don't speak so soon."
Not five minutes after that I am walking through the studio and what do I hear? Drip..drip...drip..drip. Not even five feet away from the set, lights, camera and all.
yep.

Did anyone else have one of those days?

Oh, "Its the first of the month, so wake up, cash your checks and roll on."

If anyone can tell me where the quote at the beginning AND this quote are from, that would be cool.
Hint:Two different sources. Also, Manny I am not sure if you count, because I am betting you know this.

9, 040 Feet

2005-09-27T16:37:00.000-07:00

My last grandparent living is my Grandpa Jack.
He is 84 years old.

His heart is tired and wants to quit. In addition he is losing his sight due to macular degeneration.
Because of this he is being forced to leave his home in the mountains.
His mind and will are strong, making this move very difficult for him and my family.
I have spent every winter holiday there for fifteen years.
Without being able to go to the mountain one last time, all I have left now are memories.

This entry is for my Grandpa who is (all of this and more):
an excellent skier,
witty,
stubborn,
loving,
proud,
and
Stronger than me in so many ways.

Hey Bitches!

2005-09-24T16:57:00.000-07:00

How you doin?

One Sick Puppy.
Chloe had her uterus taken out on Wednesday.
She doesn't seem to notice.
At all.
She also has tape worm, ring worm, vaginitis, and chronic hiccups.
Oh, and one hell of an attitude.

OMG!!

2005-09-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

hi.
It is FRIDAY!!!!

Dialing Germany

2005-09-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

I am trying to find a way to describe how my brain feels after a day of work. Scrambled? No that's not it. Mushy? Nope not that either. I am closer to fried I think.
I multi-task like a motherfucker. Deal with annoying people from Ad Agencies. And deal with annoying things like shipping Fed Ex.
If anyone from Fed Ex is listening out there, PLEASE REDO YOUR WEBSITE! I would rather stab my eyes out with a spoon then try to navigate it.
(I should be careful what I say about the workplace on my blog. People have been known to fire other people for that sorta thang'.)
Anyway I had to deal with this package of shoes and files and such that we sent to Germany. It was stuck at customs and our people in Germany NEEDED the images. Long story short: It was a bitch.
The bonus was getting to talk on the phone with charming Germans. Oh, how I love accents.

The job is getting better day by day. I am filling my brain up with knowledge, getting to know my work mates and getting used to the long hours.
day by day
I got some good advice from someone really awesome. "Take it day by day"
Sometimes it is easier not to look at the bigger picture.
*Enter dramatic sound of dial tone here*

Its my party and I'll cry if I want to

2005-09-18T10:04:00.000-07:00

So about one week of my new job has gone by, and I am exhausted.
I am taking the transition of 50 hour weeks, seeing little of Tyler and Chloe and a stressful position......How should I put this?
Lets just say, not so gracefully.
I am going through a difficult period, but I will adapt.
I JUST NEED A LITTLE TIME.

One of the reasons I started this blog was to make myself feel better. Work shit out. If you know what I mean.
Even thought I rarely write about how unstable I can be, it still helps. It helps because I write about the fun and happy things. Humor.
Humor that helps me and, a lot of us, get through the days.
This idea of blogging as therapy was introduced to me by the talented, hilarious and admittedly unstable Heather Armstrong of dooce.
A VERY well known blogger, Heather helps to break down the stigmas of depression.
One of those stigmas being that people are feeling sorry for themselves.
Anyway, check her out if you don't already know about her.
Oh, did I mention she lives in Utah? Wyoming's dear cousin. After Montana, Colorado and Nebraska of course.

In other news:
Kissy is dying. She is extremely thin and has lost all of her color. At first I thought she might be following in the foot steps of Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan. But I am pretty sure she dying. She is moving very little but we are going to wait before we pull the plug.

We have lost many members of our fish community in the past 6 months.
Mr. Crabs: Our beloved blue crawfish.
Will: I am happy knowing he is with Grace.
and most recently,
Salvador: A member of our Hispanic community, I know he will be missed dearly by Pedro.

seis la' vie

2005-09-13T19:54:00.000-07:00

I am sad to say that I may soon be neglecting my blog.
I will be working approx. 50 hours a week and I don't think I will be posting much.

To all my loyal fans: ("he he, I am so funny")
Don't stop reading because I may "maintain" (if you will). You never know.

Also, don't you want to see how Chloe grows up? She is so fucking cute!

I mean, COME ON! You would die if you didn't read this.

I understand how important this blog is in each of your lives and I accept the responsibility.

I couldn't help it. I had to post these.

2005-09-11T10:23:00.000-07:00

My Lovers.

Who do I want to read this blog?

2005-09-09T10:34:00.000-07:00

I received a job offer today.
I said yes.
I think I actually said something like, "Wonderful, of course!" Yep. That is what I said.

It is a big job. Benefits, great money, RESPONSIBILITY.
I am scared.
I am not afraid to admit that I am nervous. It is an overwhelming feeling.
I also feel like I should be jumping up and down instead of fighting back tears.
But that is the truth and I am a lousy liar.

Now, about the title.
I started this entry wondering who I really wanted to read it.
"Not my employer of course because then I would be projecting a weak image of myself."
So... "Who do I want to read this?"
Well, most of you are friends and family...And I could give a shit about what anyone else thinks.
Yep. That is what I said.

Oh, in time I will share what it is I am doing. Many of you will find out before I post it.
I just need time. to swallow.

Say Hello! to Chloe

2005-09-05T10:31:00.000-07:00

She is around 8 weeks old and one spunky little bitch.
We are crazy.

Solace

2005-09-01T13:46:00.000-07:00

I just want to say that my thoughts are with those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

To tell the truth, I haven't been following all of the details. Today I read a few articles and looked at some images and was left with a hollow lump in my throat.

I have been so lucky.
I haven't been directly affected by mass tragedy in my life. I almost feel guilty but most of all lucky.

This also makes me miss my family. Terribly.
I miss them everyday, but when I am reminded of how fragile we are I just want to hop on a plane to the open spaces of Wyoming.
I know this is cheesy. It is also true.

My Family. My Wyoming. My Solace.

I miss you.

Dumb Fun

2005-08-31T22:54:00.000-07:00

There is really so much I need/want/should say.

Honestly there is.
Tyler's birthday is today, I have been working a lot, the possibility of a puppy, still coming down from a wedding...

and so on and so on

BUT this little story is all I am going to share. For now.

Today Lisa, one of my oldest friends, and I were chatting at my favorite coffee shop. You know, chit chatting.
We were talking about planets. How some scientists are now thinking Pluto is not a planet. yada yada yada.
We both agreed that planets are cool. PLANETS ROCK!!!!

Just look at them. They are totally rad!

"YOU GUYS ARE SO COOL!!!"

wedding

2005-08-28T14:50:00.000-07:00

Twenty-four

2005-08-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

Hours in a day.

Years of my life.
I turned 24 last week.

It was an odd day.

A group of us went camping outside of Estacada.
We were having a slow morning drinking mimosas and the boys were playing Frisbee, and what did "Debbie" find?
A little bag of marijuana.

"What do we do?"

All of us rarely, if ever, smoke pot. Some hardly ever did while others confessed to being pot heads at one time.
We had to make a decision.
So all six of us climbed into a tent.

Lets just say our goal of getting back into town at 12:30 ended up being more like 2:30.

Tyler ended up surprising me by taking me over to Adam and Reeds for dessert. Adam made a chocolate peanut loaf.
I will let you use your imagination.
Reed made all of us lovely pink drinks that tasted like Kool-aid.

Tyler got drunk and passed out.

I drove us home.

The End.

Honey, I'm Home!!

2005-08-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

It has been a whille since my last post but I have been a busy girl!
Well shoot. Where do I start?
I got married.
yep. tied the knot. It can only go down hill from here.
kidding.
This is when good things start to happen. Right?
I will post pics soon.

The wedding was great. All I have to say is that I have the best friends in the world!
I am serious. My friends are awesome. If you are reading this, you are probabley one of them.

The actual day of the wedding is a bit of a blur. I remember being really, really tired. It is too bad that I was feeling so poorly on my wedding day. That, and our crazy officiant are my only complaints. I shouldn't even be complaining, considering how lucky I am.
But. Some of you saw it. He was crazy. Crazy. Smoked too much crack, crazy.
I could write a slew of jokes here but there are more important things to talk about like, St. Thomas!!

Our honeymoon was amazing.
I went snorkeling for the first time. I panicked a bit at first. "Humans aren't suppossed to breath under water" and "Damn this water is salty". But it was increadible. We saw all kinds of awesome fish, some sea turtles, a sting ray, coral and a lot of other cool stuff.
We also wen't sailing. The captain of our boat was a drunk but a riot.
Pics soon to come.

Anyway, It was a stressful, emotional and incredible month...
more to come.

Thunderstorms

2005-07-22T12:07:00.000-07:00

Early this morning the thunderstorm was beautiful. I listened to it for at least thirty minutes. Finding it ironic that Tyler and I went out late last night to get a sprinkler, (our grass is dying) set it up in a hurry, and there I was listening to the rain.

Summer is always a difficult season for me. I get this overwhelming feeling of "blah".
Winter makes you look for the pleasant aspects. Like sweaters, fires and hot toddies.
Summer just says, "Its sunny! Be happy because its summer! Yeah!"
I am interested to hear other opinions on the subject.

On another note. I am getting married in two weeks. It is kind of scary.

Getting married in no way means I am a grown up.
I just want to make that clear.