Share the love!

Well blow me down and pick me up! (um, I'm not sure where that came from... I had some sugar for/with lunch) I have been chosen by Dixie Chick...to do the "Share the Love Meme"....

This is how it works, pick 5 bloggers - tell why you love them give their link and ask them to share the love with 5 more . Ok Here goes:

1. Beth from Adventures in Apple Valley. She is super funny, and honest, and one of my favorite people in real life. And she has known me and Jerad for more than 10 years and still talks to both of us, so she gets the #1 spot by default.

2. Stuff White People Like... oh my gawd. This blog cracks me up and makes me seriously laugh out loud. Probably because I can relate to so much of it growing up white, in California, on the Central Coast. Seriously, add this one to your reader.

3. Amalah from Amalah.com She is funny and witty and makes you feel like a part of her family and posts hilarious things like this: http://www.amalah.com/amalah/2008/06/the-battle-for.html

4. Jill from Homemade by Jill. She is a girl after my own heart. I have gotten so many great craft ideas and links from her. I love the projects she does and I get so excited when she posts a new blog!

5. Piper from Bliss in Bloom. I love her honesty and writing style and she cracks me up on a daily basis.

How can I only choose 5? This is tough. TOUGH I say! There are a ton more that I look forward to reading on a daily basis. I didn't list more from 'real life' friends on the principal that they don't post as often. I also love love love craft blogs. And funny mom blogs, the ones that don't make it seem like its all roses and make you laugh along their journey. I also read alot of organizing blogs. Because I'm a geek that way:)

Your turn!

My Self Indulgent Weekend... oh wait

This last Friday and Saturday Jerad and Beth's hubby Tyson went to Promise Keeper's. I was so excited. I'd get some quality alone time, and Jerad would come back recharged and extra lovey. I pictured 2 days of sleeping in, dinners consisting of waffles with freshly whipped cream, strawberries, syrup AND powdered sugar. Yes you read that right, I guess I'm trying to make myself diabetic.

I knew that Friday afternoon I was working a few hours at Beth's daycare, then I thought I'd take the dogs to the park or river or something to wear them out so that I could spend a few hours getting the house spic and span that evening (and with Jerad gone it would stay that way) then watch hours of something ridiculous like Lifetime television and take a bubblebath and read from a girly favorite like Pride and Prejudice before going to bed early.

Apparently that is my dream if I get alone time. Because I am a 40 year old cat woman.

Saturday I could feed the dogs (who wake up at 6 sharp), put them out then go back to bed and wear my PJ's around the house (another guilty pleasure). I could sort out my closets since most of my clothes don't fit me anymore. Instead of working on the yards in the blistering heat like I have been, me and the dogs could catch up on my tivoed programs like Sex in the City reruns and Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and I could color... because apparently I am also a 10 year old girl. Thats okay though, because 40 and 10 average out to 25 and I turn 24 soon so at least thats close right?

The cherry on the top of the plan was to have a "man dinner" waiting for Jerad when he got home like some sort of meat and potato thing... which is a BIG thing for me to do because touching raw meat literally makes me gag. I can eat it, just not touch it raw. Anyways make that and a yummy dessert and I wanted to buy him a new glove since he is playing softball and his glove is better for baseball.

Well.... of COURSE things didn't work out that way.

I totally forgot about the garage sale that I knew I was participating in for probably 2 months now... I think I even blogged about it. The week before my much anticipated "me time" it clicked that I wouldn't be having all the time I was planning on. Oh well, garage sales are only a few hours right? Like 7am-11?

On Friday Jerad left bright and early as usual for work (he didn't have to leave for PK till 3) and I didn't have to be at Beth's till 10 or 10:30... I get a call at 8 that he forgot his phone and really needed it right that minute. Wonderful. I am still in my pj's and I agree to come as long as he PROMISES to come out to the car and get the phone himself so I don't have to walk through the various buildings looking for him, I pull a comb through my hair, look in the mirror and just give up, throw the dogs in the car and leave.

You are waiting for the story to go horribly awry and 100's of his coworkers to see me looking like a bed head in a nightie and flip flops huh? Don't worry, my pride was saved, he immediately came out to the car. That would have made this blog way more interesting though... I really have no idea why you are still reading at this point hahaha. By the time I got back to the house and finished washing and packing what he needed I was already running late for Beth's. Oh yes my friends, I am the kind of girlfriend that washes, folds, and packs for her boyfriend before trips btw. Not only packs, arranges things by matching outfit.

I "worked" at the daycare for 4 or so hours that just FLEW by. I seriously can't believe I get paid. The time that Beth is there, its great because there is the two of us so more adult to child ratio, and I get to visit with her at the same time, and then when she left to run a few errands the kids were sleeping so... yeah. Nice. And, I love kids so again, its like I get paid to play with them. I'm suuuuuure it would be different if that was my only, full time job, but a few hours once a week I love it! I really don't feel like I do anything, but she always tells me I am a help, so... that's good I guess.

From her house I went over to my sisters to organize and price my garage sale crap that Jerad had dropped off the night before. Hmm... I forgot how much there was. I have been making a pile in our basement since we moved in almost 2 years ago... Then there is the entire set of furniture that used to be in my living room before we got new furniture: 2 couches, a papasan chair and footstool, another chair, a big coffee table, plus the vanity sink that was in our bathroom and medicine cabinet. And since everything had been sitting in the basement so long it was COVERED in dust. I had to clean each and every item. Hmm... Basically, I was there for another 4 hours.

*******************
Side note, it is harder to get Jerad to part with things than... I don't even know. There is no comparison. Than a dog with its tail? It was bad. We were going through the basement and closets and I would point out that he had three of these, or hadn't used something in over a year and I thought it was time for it to go. Well he is one of those "I might/maybe/could possible/someone I know/could meet might need it some day" people. This is my favorite conversation we had:

me: babe, what about this broken weed-eater thing? why do we have this?

him: It's not broken, it just needs a new (something)

me: um... we just bought a new $280 weed-eater. lets get rid of this one.

him: it has a perfectly good 4 stroke motor!!!!

me: what the heck do you need it for?????

him: I don't know yet, I might want to build something later and could use the motor. besides, you could only get like $5 at a garage sale. Do you have any idea how much it would cost me to buy another one?

me: APPARENTLY $5!!!!!!!!

In case you are wondering, yes we still have a broken weed-eater sitting in our basement. Its okay though. I guess its really valuable. Or something.

I finally pointed out that I was getting rid of so much compared to him and it wasn't fair so he better start coughing up some junk or I'd do it for him, especially since the plan was to buy a TV that HE wanted. Then he said "well, who would get the TV if we broke up?" Yes. good logic to bring up to your over-tired girlfriend. Ass. When he saw my death glare face he took it back and decided that there were a few things that he could in fact live without and I was just asking him to get rid of things that he didn't use, or had a bunch of when he only needed one or 2.
Okay, end side note.
*********

I got home and had time to feed and throw the ball for the dogs, water the plants, get together a few more things for the sale and go to bed. No waffles. No Lifetime. No Bath. No book. No fun.

Saturday morning I woke up at 5:30AM. Ya. I got ready, loaded my car, and headed over to Atascadero to help set up. Long story short, every time we thought that people were done and we could pack up, more people would show up and start buying things. I think we finished at 4:45 (the last hour or so was cleaning up). The good news is, I think I made somewhere around $700. I sold a few things after the sale too that counted into that. So, now I have more room in my basement, and made a bunch of money for stuff that we weren't using.

I got home and had just enough time to take a shower and straighten up the house before Jerad walked in the door. Not quite the relaxing self indulgent weekend I was hoping for, but at least it was productive which is more up my alley anyways...

A Cleaner Bill of Health...

I had another doctor's appointment today. My thyroid levels all looked really good, my heart sounded good, and my potassium levels were better. Still not good... but better. Which is probably why I have been feeling stronger lately. The only bad news were my lungs sounded horrible. Its probably from all the construction dust and the recent fires. I had asthma as a kid and since we started the construction I've had to use an inhaler again. Mmmhmm, because I'm a cool kid. It should clear up.

Okay, they best part. The dreaded weigh in. 127 pounds!!! Yesssssss. I was floored. Especially cause everyone knows that doctor's scales always measure you heavier than you are. So really, I'm probably about 120. Just kidding, I am MORE than happy with 127. Getting my thyroid working right is one reason I'm loosing weight. Also obviously the Curves helped. Then there were the few weeks I was so sick and weak I couldn't eat. Then I switched to nothing but organic meat and dairy, and probably 90% organic fruit and veggies, and cut out most refined and processed foods, hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated oils, and saturated fats. I'm talking about at home. I don't get all weird when we eat out or at someone's house (which isn't often since we are chained to the remodel lately).

On my last blood test they also tested for Reverse T3 and I had very high levels. Basically this means that my body produces a hormone that destroys my thyroid. Go body. Between that and it refusing to absorb the Potassium, I think we need to have a little talk. My next appointment is in 8 weeks. Right before my b-day. Yeay!!!

After my appointment, we went to Jerad's eye appointment. He finally got a new contact prescription and can see again. Yeay! I kept telling him to ask for some of the free samples that they were advertising all over the office but he was too scared to or something. So I did it for him. Contacts are so freakin expensive, I thought a few free pairs would be nice and besides, he has only ever tried one kind so maybe he would like another better. They had all sorts of one day samples and they give you a whole week's worth. Score!

We had a fun time going together. I think this is the only time he has been to the doctor with me since... hmm, I don't even remember when. Anyways, since I go so often now at least he knows where my doctor's office is and that I'm not faking it or something. Then to celebrate my weightloss we went and pigged out at the Pita Pit. Man I love that place.

Tonight we packed up a bunch of stuff for a garage sale this weekend. Getting rid of stuff makes me feel soooo good. I am wishing, hoping, praying to get enough money to get a 42" LCD wall mount TV to replace the old 27" one that is on the huge coffee table taking up most of our living room. I would be more than happy with a 32" and Jerad wants a 52" so 42 is the compromise. I just hate it when huge TV's are the focal point of living rooms. I buy art and nice furniture for that. I think its a guy thing.

Jesus love me this I know...

For this mix up tell me so...

This was on my porch. A UPS package, with my name and correct address clearly printed on the label.
This is what was inside:
Tons of Body Shop products. Products I didn't order. Product's I didn't pay for. Oh and I checked. Every credit, debit, paypal account...

I love love love Body Shop stuff. I never buy it though. Its so freakin expensive. Yeah, you add this up, figure everything costs $20. And it showed up on my doorstep. The only thing in the box is a packing list that shows everything and says ship to me. No buyer. No amount due. Hmm...
Their body butter's and exfoliate's are my favoite EVER. But, each are $20... so I have one little body butter that I use super sparingly. Not anymore my friends, not anymore.
I figure I'll set it aside for 2 weeks and wait for a phone call then its mine allllllll mine.

Finally!

So *knock on wood* I think Jerad is getting a new job. I know, I almost peed too. He has been at his current job for almost a year now, and its been a hard year for us. Its a great job (and by great I mean he likes a few of the people there and loves his supervisor which is GREAT), but thats about it. Before he started we talked long and hard about if it was the right thing and decided to try it for a year.

He had been working doing various things, mostly construction. He was working with our friend Taylor remodeling a restaurant for $40/hr. He also worked for my dad. Depending on what he was doing there were a lot of days where he would work for 6 hours and make $600 or $800. Yeah, in a day. They would also have slow weeks but it wasn't really a problem because he could just do something else. He also worked on and off for a framing company when he needed work. Or he did side jobs on his own. He could always haul stuff for people in his big old truck if all else failed. Life was good. We got spoiled.

Basically, he made a ton of money and got to write his own schedule. I work 4 ten hour shifts, Monday through Thursday. So if we wanted to take a 3 day weekend and go to Disneyland, Monterey, Oregon, Camping, whatever it was no problem. And we could afford it. When I got home from work, he was home and we could always eat dinner together. Weekends were always date night. Depending on where he was working he could meet me in the middle of the day for lunch, he used to stop by my work all the time to say hi. Like I said. Life was good.

Then he got an offer for a temporary job driving forklifts at night for a few weeks. Well, if you know Jerad, it was like someone was paying him to play. So, the plan was he would do that at night for a few weeks and we would have some extra Christmas cash. Then they offered him a job. Not just driving forklifts, doing other maintenance stuff. We talked and talked about it. It was for A LOT less that he had been making. At least half. Probably less than half. About a third. BUT, it would be guaranteed hours. And they said he could work as many overtime hours as he needed. Also he would be getting benefits which was something he didn't have before. Then there was the chance of moving up... so we decided to try it for a year and see how it went.

Well, this last year has been hell. Its not the job itself. For the most part he likes it. Its how it effects the rest of our lives. Now I am the major bread winner. Which is fine, I could care less who makes more as long as we can pay our bills, eat, and tuck a little away. Oh, but Jerad sure does. It drives him crazy. Budgeting drives him crazy. He hates the phrase "hmm, we can't really afford that babe." I don't think we have gone to Disneyland ONCE in the last year... not that all couples are entitles to go to Disneyland or anything. Its not that we flat out can't afford to go, but we try to do things like put money in savings and keep our credit cards paid off instead.

Now, if we are super lucky we get to have lunch together once a week. And to make up for all the money he doesn't make at work, he works one or two days doing side jobs on the weekend or at night. The first 8 months or so he worked there he worked most nights too at his job also. Even now he still works at least 50 hours a week and sometimes more. He has been to my work twice in the last year. He is so busy that he didn't have time to make it to the eye doctor for his yearly apt. Yeah, his disposable contacts basically disintegrated (he has been wearing glasses again and we are going today for a new contact prescription). He "doesn't have time" for a teeth cleaning. He "can't get off work" to go to the DMV. So instead if things need to be done in the middle of the week I take the time off. Which frustrates me to no end. Yes, I make more yet I am the one that has to get time off of work to do his errands.

With everything that I went through with the miscarriage last year, and now all the health stuff this year he couldn't take off one day to go to the doctor or hospital with me. Because they always have something sooo important going on that they neeed him for. Or they give him tons of grief for asking for time off.

It is really hard on him. And I'm sure frustrating to be working way harder, doing way less rewarding work, for way less money. To top that off the other guys in his department are lazy and don't do as much but get paid way more. Yesterday morning he got a phone call at 6:30AM from a contractor... at home asking him a question (this happens a lot). He doesn't get paid extra for that kind of stuff.

We started going back to school last fall and (well, I started back and Jerad started for the first time) and he did great. I think he got a 3.8 GPA. This Spring semester because he "had" to work a few Saturdays at his job helping them do a few major moves and "had" to work a few nights doing the same thing, he missed exams and ended up with a 1.5. Thats right. He is now on Academic Probation. If he had passed those classes, he would be 1/2 way done with his AA right now.

I start the accelerated program for my BA at Colombia this spring and then the Teaching Credential program after that. I need to save up a bunch of money between now and then so that I don't have to take out student loans. Obviously, I can't save up money while things are the way they are now because I am basically supporting both of us.

Jerad kind of talked to his supervisor a little bit and his supervisor basically told him that he would be up for a raise in January. Well... that doesn't really work. January is a long time away. Last time he got a raise it was $1.50. If he gets that again, then he will be making $1.50 more than not very much... So, we've been looking at other jobs and in about 30 minutes found about 20 that all paid at least $5 an hour over what he is making now. Most of which had health insurance. The plan is, if his current job can't offer him something to make it worth him staying before January then he is going to get another job for now. Or go back to what he was doing before. Then this fall he can take the last welding class he needs and in the spring get a welding job which is something that he LOVES and pays well.

I think our relationship will really improve. His stress level will go way down. He won't be running himself so ragged. He will feel better about what he's doing. I'll be able to save money for school, we will have time together again. We have been together for over two and a half years now and last night we both agreed that the last year has been steps backward instead of forward.

Needless to say I am very very very excited that he is being proactive in improving things and I didn't have to put a gun to his head to do it either. He finally figured out on his own that most of the stress in our relationship stems from issues that arise from his job, and that he could do better. Waaaaaay better. Also I think he got kind of excited about having the time and money to FINALLY fix up his project car.

So, cross your fingers for us. I know its not going to be how it used to be, but, hopefully we will actually have the time to "date" again. Cause that would be nice. Or, if not at least he can buy me shiny things to distract me.

Bad Dog

Apparently if you have a frisbee obsessed dog, moving plants to the back yard for safety isn't safe at all. Because apparently the dog will do whatever it takes to get to what she thinks are the frisbees hiding under all the pots.

Thanks Bailey.

I guess its my fault for getting plastic pots. I just wish I hadn't been meticulously caring for them for the past two months (the plants, not the dogs). Grrr.

Morning Sunshine!

Well, I just had the most fabulous morning... not. After hitting the snooze button about 32 times, I decided I didn't have time for a shower and would straighten my hair instead. It seriously looked about like this:

Since I figured my hair was slightly beyond straightening, I decided to curl it. Since I try to look like a fancy girl now. So, I'd put on a little strand of hair, spritz on some hair spray, curl and release.

Then it all went down hill. I got a phone call. I was tired. Apparently I can only do so many things at once at 6:30 am before having any coffee. I somehow managed to glue my hair to the curling iron with the hairspray and singed a section. Right in the front. Whatever. I'm not overly attached to my hair so its not the end of the world.

After I got to work, seeing it sticking out, right in the corner of my vision kept driving me crazy. So... then I did something really stupid. I just cut the whole thing off. Hmm, thats going to grow back funny.

To Combat the ridiculous gas prices...

I am looking for a new vehicle. I have it narrowed down to three:

The Electra Gypsy

The Electra Navy
And The Electra Gigi
Okay, who am I kidding its not about the gas, its just about the bike. How cute are these??? Sometimes I try to ride my bike to the store now but its a mountain bike hybrid so... not very efficient. I loop the bags over the handles but half the time they break. CLEARLY I need a basket yeah? If I get the Navy we will add one.

Jerad said he will get me one for my b-day. Kinda excited...

Updates/Clarifications on recent posts

Mmmk. I have gotten a few emails which makes me wonder if other people have these questions too so we will have a little clarification sesh:

1. My post about breaking up with my friend: Right after I posted that I got a message from her that was really nice and mature and said that she had felt that we were growing apart the past few years and was sorry that our friendship was ending but hoped we would be able to be civil when we ran in to eachother in the future. Good, that is exactly what I wanted too!

When I posted that blog, I was prepared for a lot of negative comments. I didn't really get any. Yesterday I accidentally clicked "refuse" instead of "post" on an anonymous comment that read something like "I too think you should delete this post and move on with your life." I bet I can guess who it is from, which doesn't really matter but I would just like to say that I NEVER delete posts, or comments, and um, I have moved on with my life. The only thing I have EVER deleted was one comment that I wrote to Jerad, as a joke.

I think deleting a post would mean that I am ashamed, or sorry, or embarrassed, and I'm not. I fully admit again that yes, this was not the tactful way to handle this situation but really, I was at my wits end.

Honestly, I tried a little. I didn't copy it only my myspace page where we have lots of mutual friends who would have seen it. I didn't put any names, or the names of any places or event's (besides Hallmark).

I wasn't trying to hurt anyone, I was venting... on my own blog. I didn't post the same message on the person's page who it was about. If this post and the comments it got (and still is getting) bothers you, stop checking back and reading it, but I'm not going to delete it.

I don't delete old posts about Jerad and my arguments, or stupid things that I do. This is a diary of my life, and the feelings and events in it and I want to be able to look back on a complete picture, not an edited version which is why I made an effort like I said, to leave out names and events. Looking back, I will remember what it is about, but hopefully it will be more vague to the people not involved.

I'm not saying that the things I do or say or how I act are always right. Um, FAR from it. I'm 23 and can be quick to react at times. And I want to remember that when I'm older and hopefully wiser.

2. The post about Jerad and my ridiculous argument: No Jerad does not EVER throw things, or knock things over, or ever do anything remotely like that... thats why it was so immature and annoying/out of the blue. And I am OBSESSED with pickles. Dill pickles. I could live on them. Seriously. Dill pickles and cheese. Mmmmmmmm.

3. My last post reviewing the week in pictures:
Softball-Jerad was going to play the last game of the season, and has signed up for the next season which starts July 17th.

Babyshowers- yes I had three babyshowers in one weekend.

After I posted the pictures of how my pepper plants and tomatoes had grown, a deer ATE them. I am so freaking pissed. One of the peppers is missing all but three of its leaves, and one of the tomatoes is looking pretty bad too. Stupid deer. Everyone thinks they are so cute and cuddly. I live IN TOWN, I shouldn't have this problem! Breaks my heart. Jerad moved everything into the back yard last night... which broke his back. And that was WITH a hand truck. Maybe I put too many rocks in the bottom of the wine barrels? The dogs better not mess with them while I'm at work today...

And the rest of the weekend in review

After Jerad was so excited to get to play softball, the other team never showed up... so, they just had a batting practice instead. At least they won right?!? Even if it was due to a forfeit... Buddy was really excited to come.



Okay, this is really zoomed out and blurry so you can't tell, but everyone is holding a beer. This cracks me up. Oh, men's softball...

Saturday I went to a babyshower at my work for Keith and Tammy. They don't know (or are pretending they dont know? I'm not sure, I get confused) if they are having a boy or a girl. Tammy is Due July 14th.

One of the games we played was "Guess the Arbiter Baby." Can you find me? Hint, its not #1, or #3-14...

The really really weird part for me is that Tammy's due date is 4 days from what mine would have been. As in I could have been that pregnant. Um, I don't even know how to process that.








Keith is just about the proudest, happiest dad-to-be I have ever seen. Adorable.







This gift was super cute too, its from one of my coworkers who is a total country western girl all the way:









This was my gift, a bathtud that could be used as an infant or toddler that had a terrycloth sling that looked like a frog. Also a portable frog mesh fold-out travel bath sling that could be used in a sink or tub, lil rubber duckie, head to toe wash, bed time lotion, and regular lotion.

Also, one of my little secrets is I love the smell of Johnston's lavendar baby bedtime lotion so much I buy it for myself. Yup. That stuff is yummy.






After that was my friend Christina's baby shower of which I have no pictures.

Sunday was Sarah's and Baby Brody's Shower where I had some of world's yummiest cakes:



We played some really really fun games. And I won two, ALMOST 3! Also, the food was divine. I had so much fun!!!
















































Remember those tomatoes I planted?

They have GROWN



Same with my little window herbs. Before:

Now:



And the peppers:













This is what I really want to grow; the little lawn under my Orchid Tree.



(PS, the ghetto chain linkage and whatever the random lumber sticking up in the background is in our neighbor's yard)



No matter what I do, this is what the grass looks like. Drives me crazy.



The back yard is finally cleaned up, as soon as we finish the dog area, stain the deck and concrete and patch the lawn its party time!



The dogs love their new, bigger water trough. When its 100 degrees outside I get kind of jealous.


Hi Buddy



These are the new purple flowers I planted. They don't look as wilted now.






And my bug eaten sun flowers.



Our pups. And back swamp lawn,


I bought this, and have high hopes. Cause not re-sodding the lawn would be nice.



And my new Zinnias






The new dog fence.



The old fence behind it is getting replaced soon. Then the plan is to put smooth, rounded river rocks down the 35 or so feet on the side of the house, right to the left of the white fence (through that chain link gate) its about 8 feet wide. In the area right behind the white picket fence we are going to cover it with a tall shade cloth awning and misters on a timer. Under it we will put synthetic grass (that they can't ruin) their metal water trough, dog house, and build a wooden platform that they can lay under or jump up and lay on top of. I think that area is about 10 feet by 13 feet and opens into that 35 ft dog run area on the side of the house which we are putting a gate in that will open into the front yard. They can stay in that area while we are at work and they back lawn/ patio furniture will have a chance. Plus, that will still be enough room for them to run around and be crazy.

Here is the start of the full wall of beadboard in the new bathroom:



And the new un-grouted tile floor (laundry room going into bathroom):



And the inside of the bathroom alcove where the toilet will be (if you are looking straight at the picture, the laundry room sink would be on the right on the other side of the wall):



And Jerad saying "for the love of God let this be over with..."