It's been a while...

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?  Okay so it's not you it's me.  Sorry, it seems like the days fly by yet there has been nothing to say.  I'm sure you know the feeling. 

Work is winding down.  Only 7 days left - it still seems a little surreal - I wonder when I'm going to get it.  Sometimes I just have to learn the hard way (okay maybe a little bit more often than sometimes...).

The dog was shaved again.

Exhibit A:

Does she not look pathetic?  And she is cold.  Honestly she comes in, looks right at the nearest human and then shivers - like we don't feel bad enough already.  I bought her a sweater yesterday (yes it's true) now she looks like a pathetic dog pretending to be a little old lady - but the shivering has stopped.  I'll be posting monthly pictures just so we can all appreciate her regrowth journey :-)

Oh and while we are talking about this really important stuff - are you watching The Bachelor?  I mean I saw Brad the first time around but this new touchy feely Brad - I find him a little annoying.  First can he really be that understanding and second did the casting call for this season state that sad stories are a plus?  I mean really - what a tragic group of women - good for them caring, understanding, vulnerable Brad is on the scene to hug and kiss and kiss and kiss them and make all their troubles disappear.  Ahhhh reality TV.  May the saddest woman win... Okay well now that I have that off my chest I won't even get into my thoughts on Nicole Kidmann having a baby through a surrogate mother.  I KNOW - how could I possibly have time to think about finding a job when I have so much to think about! 

And lastly, I baked a pie.  I really should NOT bake pies. 

It isn't that the pies don't taste good - they taste great - but that crust thing - well let's just say it needs improvement.  And did you know one of the purposes of a top crust is to keep the apples from burning?  Because seriously, when the crust you made kind of doesn't stay in one piece so then you take the bits and pieces and lay them on top here and there part of the apples show and then they burn - WOW who knew.  I certainly did not.  And just so you know my culinary expertise is not lacking in only pie baking it extends to layer cake baking also.

But I do make a mean Manicotti

TTFN... and now do you see why I haven't been writing - so many deep thoughts...

Too much trepidation...

Here it is New Year's Eve day - the last day of 2010. It came so quickly. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to let it go. Last year, as far as I was concerned, 2009 could not come to a close fast enough. For some reason it was a hard year. This year was a hard year also but 2011 will be even harder. Although I will still be employed for one more month I believe I've started to say goodbye - goodbye to a 14 year career with a good company, a great boss, fun co-workers (well several of them anyway :-)), fair compensation and a comfortable place where I knew I belonged. Although I have started to say goodbye I'm not ready to say goodbye (I'm known for my ambivalence).  I thought I was ready but I'm not.

I know people become unemployed every day - I know I've had plenty of time to look for another job - I know many would tell me to straighten up, cope and deal - but I'm not ready. The strange fact is I didn't even realize I wasn't ready until today when I was reading someone's thoughts on the end of 2010 and my eyes started welling up and the tears started flowing and then I realized I'm not looking forward to 2011, I'm not ready. 2011 is too much uncertainty and unfamiliar territory and budgeting and soul searching and trepidation. Too much trepidation. I'm not ready.

TTFN... May your 2011 be filled with good things in familiar settings and not too much trepidation.

The most wonderful time of the year...

The follow-up edition.  I love Christmas - I really do.  I love the hustle and bustle and good cheer and pretty lights and Christmas trees in windows and little kids singing and shopping and wrapping and seeing family and sharing the love.  What I don't love are the days following Christmas when the trees start coming down and the lights begin blinking off and the stores are filled with muddy foot prints and people returning the gifts that they just didn't like.  There isn't so much good cheer as resentful impatience.  And it's all happens so quick.  One day everyone is hurrying and scurrying and the next they are trying to figure out what to do with all their old junk.  I know it can't be Christmas every day but maybe once every six months??? 

Personally I won't be taking my tree and decorations down until New Year's Day so that leaves me six days to savor the season.

I'll just be over here - gazing at the tree and thinking about the memories of the season...

Merry Christmas...

Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas!

Let the Festivus begin!

Only two short days before the beginning of the biggest season of the year.  I'm not ready.  Cookies are not baked - except for one batch of Peanut Butter Star Cookies, which are tasty but falling apart because I used too much flour and the little helpers in the house were pretty heavy handed with the sugar rolling so the stars have all fallen off.  Guess which cookies I'm making again along with the others on my list?  I had plans of mixing up several batches tonight - I got ONE done.  And that one looked iffy along the way.  First I forgot to add and melt my chocolate chips, so back to step one.  Okay good, chips added and melted - now to add the eggs while beating.  Great - well except for that piece of egg shell which slipped in the bowl and never made it out.  UGH.  I'm claiming ignorance when someone gets that crunchy bite of cookie (Yuck and for some reason finding egg shell in my food TOTALLY grosses me out so I certainly hope I'm not the finder/keeper).  When I talked to my sister to find out if she was making her "famous" Swedish Creams she told me she wasn't because she wasn't stressing herself out about baking this year - which I sort of sneered at (sorry Nic, but it's true).  Now I'm wondering if she had the right idea - but darn if I didn't already buy the heavy cream to make those Swedish Creams...'
Along with the baking I have yet to wrap the majority of the presents to go under the tree and I never did make much progress on that Christmas card thing (I haven't given up on the dream - it could still happen).  So I am hoping to accomplish much in the next two days - along with finding my Christmas spirit.  The reason for the season has been totally lost on this soul lately.  SIGH.  I've had enough whine with my cheese so I won't even get into the cleaning I have yet to do before the present UNwrapping begins...

TTFN...  May the Spirit of Christmas find it's way into your heart.

BLIZZARD...

Yes, as the rest of the universe has heard we had a blizzard. The Metrodome collapsed. The Vikings had no where to play their little game. It was a weekend.

I haven't stepped foot outside of my home since Friday evening. I'm beginning to get a little stir crazy. That and as I was doing ANOTHER load of laundry I realized there is only one weekend left until Christmas and I now have an almost irresistible urge to venture out into the frozen tundra to complete my shopping. And really, how in the world does the time slip away from me every year? You would think after 40 something years of celebrating Christmas I'd get how the whole thing works. Not so much I guess.

Just a short post tonight. I wanted to include some pictures of the snow but I'm so sick of looking at it I couldn't bring myself to take a picture.

TTFN...

Well that snuck up on me once again...

It's Christmas Card time.  I always fail to remember I need to prepare for these things.  You would think the big green tree in the living room and those cards arriving in the mail would be a daily reminder but it doesn't seem to be doing the trick.  I haven't sent cards for the last two years.  No Christmas picture, no cheerful letter rejoicing in the wonders of my young Einstein's, no pretty glittery card - NOTHING.  Nothing for two years - but now I'm starting to get a little worried that people may cut ME from their Christmas card lists so this year I'm sending the cards - at least that's what I decided five minutes ago.

Sooooo, if I am on your list do not cut me - I really didn't cut YOU from MY list - NO ONE has received cards from me - really, I promise.  And I might even put together a little letter (note to people - I like the letters I really do so if you can send a letter do it - and a picture - a picture and a letter - that's the best Christmas card) just to let everyone know about our lives and the dog (it's always about the dog). 

Okay gotta run.  I've got places to go and things to do.   But if you see me out and about please remind me I said I was sending cards this year.  Really, I seem to keep forgetting...

TTFN... I found that card on Etsy - here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/studioflowerpower?ref=seller_info - Pretty cool!

There's a mouse in the house...

Sydney was in this year's presentation of the Nutcracker - Clara's Dream - as a mouse (she has self-named herself "Squeaky".

Squeaky was fabulous - of course that is my opinion - but she was a great little mouse.

Although there was much whining and crying about rehearsals and having to miss the very newest episode of Wizard's of Waverly she stated it was all worth it in the end.

A great start to the Christmas season.

I wanna go home...

said in my absolutely whiniest voice. Really, just take a minute and imagine it. Dejected face, whiny voice, a longing gaze to the North. No I haven't been kicked out of my home to live on the street but I have been relocated to a new work space (no I don't have a new job just a relocation by my current employer). So this new work space - I DON'T LIKE IT! I have no natural daylight, I'm in a cube, my workstation is burgandy and grey (think early 1990), thousands of people work here, parking sucks and did I mention I have no natural daylight? See why I miss my old home?

On the bright side - even out of the thousands who work here I did randomly run into two people I know (not involved with my own division) on my very first day. It was kind of like being the new kid in school and then finding a first friend. I even had someone to talk to while walking in the building.

I'd post pictures but I'm assuming there is a policy against such things.

My world has gotten bigger yet smaller and filled with rules - you know how I am about those rules - some stick and some not so much. I've got some work to do.

TTFN...

It's been a bad day...

first let me say I know exactly how self-indulgent writing a blog can be. It's my blog I can say what I want to. I can talk about whatever I want to. I don't have to wonder if you want to hear what I have to say or even care but I can talk anyway because like I said - it's my blog. Yep, blog writing is very self-indulgent. I wonder if they did a socialogical study of bloggers what prominant personality traits would surface. Egotistical, insecure, fame seekers. It's an interesting concept - I'm not sure I want to know which category I would fall into.

So in my self-indulgent vein I guess I'll talk about me - again. WOW surprised aren't you :-) Anyway, It has been a bad day. One of those days where I have been near tears all day long. Maybe it is the upcoming changes in my career life. Maybe it is the weather. Maybe it is the dream that I had last night that seemed so real I felt the loss when I woke up in the morning. Maybe it is thinking about what the future holds for my kids. But probably it is a combination of all the above. UGH.

I just deleted two paragraphs of blah blah blah. Even though I thought I wanted to talk I guess I really don't want to after all...

Sorry, let's try to get together again tomorrow. It will be a better day.

TTFN...

Another parental decision that didn't turn out quite as planned...

Really, there are so many opportunities to make bad parental decisions that I don't really have to go out of my way to find them - but sometimes those decisions that you think are great - well sometimes bad happens before you even realize it.

Tonight is the perfect example - with a point on it. Every other Sunday night we have family movie night. We find a great family movie, dim the lights, find blankies and cuddle buddies, place the pop and popcorn within easy reach and settle in for whatever movie extravanza is on the agenda for the night. Usually it is a Disney movie, or Hannah Montana or Barbie or some other animated flick. This week I picked the movie and hyped it up all day long. Marly and me. A movie about a dog, a funny movie about a dog, a funny movie about a dog with a personality which too closely resembles a dog we all know and love (and I'm not exactly comfortable about that). I knew it had a sad ending but I assumed we could all deal with that. It's life, life happens, not every ending can be a happy ending. Little did I know it would be heart wrenching, openly sobbing, throat closing sad. And the best part of it all - bedtime was supposed to follow. It was an event - sobbing children and a dog, wet from the tears which were shed all over her shaggy coat. If it wasn't a Sunday night I'd be having a cocktail. Next movie night it's back to kids choice. But the dog - she's very happy - tonight she walks on water (the cat is really ticked off).

TTFN...

A sneak peek...

Another Halloween over and done. This year I guess you could say we had hybrid costumes. They weren't quite homemade but they weren't standard issue store bought either - hybrid.

We had a Pirate Skeleton (part skeleton t-shirt, part new "sword", part hand-made vintage pirate cape from 1999), a Ballerina Skeleton (new skeleton costume with repurposed tutu), and a Devil Princess (new princess dress with new devil accessories, old leotard underneath for warmth). No one can say we aren't creative in this house.

And did you see those descriptions, that wonderful vocab (just call me the vocab queen - it's happened before) - hybrid, repurposed, vintage - I feel so so so 2010!!!

I'm leaving you with pictures. I'll have more to show later this week. There was caramel apple dipping, pumpkin carving and of course the pumpkin gut eating picture.

TTFN...

Oh and BTW - just when I thought it was safe to mention the frontage road and how road rage free I have been about it lately it happened - this morning - Walmart driver pull-out inches in front of my car. NICE! If Walmart can offer a photo center, and a pharmacy counter and a vision center why can't they offer a DMV branch???? What do you say Walmart - as long as you are holding all those bad drivers captive why not give them a little somthing to aspire too - like responsible driving???? It's just a suggestion :-)

Random Thursday Thoughts...

I have had a lot of quirky random thoughts running through my head today and since my writing has been less than inspired lately I figured I might as well share. I mean, what have I got to lose, it isn't like I don't eventually end up sharing everything anyway.

So first, I have noticed there has been an epidemic of people calling me "Ang" lately. I'm not saying I mind but typically the "Ang" tag is usually thrown out there by people who know me well. People who are an immediate part of my life. People who I consider a friend and I assume feel the same way in return. BUT that being said, even among the intimate group there are some people to whom I have never become an "Ang". Angie yes, Angela sometimes, but the "Ang" thing just never seemed to come from their lips and I was fine with that - it's all a personal preference, although in the past week some of the "Angie" group of friends have actually started to become "Ang" callers. Again, I want to make it clear I don't mind at all, and typically it isn't such a big deal - but there have been a handful of people just this week (or maybe I just noticed it this week) who have begun calling me "Ang". It kind of makes me wonder what it is about. Has something about me changed. What? What changed me from "Angie" to "Ang" for them? It's a ponder...

Oh and on a tangent - here is a little trivia about me and my name. I used to HATE my name. HATE IT! I wanted to be Susie or Beth or Jennifer or Velvet (remember that doll with the plaid dress and "growing" hair) or anything but Angela or Angie. As far as I was concerned it was a bad name. But then somewhere along the line (and really I'm ashamed to say it probably wasn't until I was a young adult) I decided to embrace my name and love it. I didn't even realize it until one time during a doctor's appointment the young doctor asked me if I liked my name (while I was in the dressing room changing no less). Ffter I got done thinking "wow that is a weird out of the blue question to ask me while I'm changing my clothes" I said Yes and I realized I meant it. I liked my name. He then went on to explain he and his wife were expecting a baby and Angela was one of the names they were considering. At least it didn't seem quite so random then. I wonder what they named their little girl? I guess that will just have to remain up there as an unknown mystery just like the "Ang" thing (I don't think I have used quotations this much in my entire life).

Anyway, the other thing I feel a dying need to discuss is toothbrushes. This thought isn't quite as random as you would think as one of the columnists in our local paper was discussing the rules of toothbrushes - like no matter how immediate your connection sharing a toothbrush is pretty much off limits and I couldn't agree with her more. I just wish my daughters agreed because they seem to be under the impression that toothbrushes are equal opportunity household items. They have used my toothbrush, they have used each other's toothbrush, they have no sense of boundaries when it comes to teeth brushing. I've tried to talk to them. I've tried to buy different colored brushes. I don't know maybe it is a twin thing - but still - YUCK. USE YOUR OWN TOOTHBRUSH. Not doing so is gross!!!

Okay, that's it. My ramblings for a Thursday. Aren't you glad you stopped by - so much information in such a little space :-)

TTFN... have a good night.

Parenting - it's a hard job...

UGH! Parenting. You would think I had never done this thing before but as I'm trying to guide my daughters through the trials and tribulations of second grade I am realizing how some things were soooo easy with Alex. His elementary school years included teachers and paras and counselors and parent advocates and case managers telling us what to do along the way. There was a plan and things pretty much went as planned - well until about fifth grade - but that's a different story for a different day. Anyway, with the girls it is MUCH different - seriously, I am winging it most days. I have no idea if I am doing the right things. I consider it a good day if I remember to sign papers and get folders into back packs (and really some days - it doesn't happen). I have to admit most days I feel like a failure as a parent. I actually let them skip dance every once in awhile, have candy after school for a snack and watch tv. If I was a real parent we'd have play dates and swimming parties and study time with apple slices and milk. I'm sure that is how it works in every other family - right??? So for today I'll just hope and pray that they grow up to be healthy, productive, well-adjusted adults. Did I say UGH already?

Sorry to be Debbie Downer tonight but I'm just feeling overwhelmed with life. I hope you understand.

Here's to a better day tomorrow...

I'll be putting this on the list of things I'll never do again...

So earlier this summer I started having my nails done on a regular basis. I found a great salon and I just kept going. One day I decided to really live on the edge and have an acrylic tip attached to one nail that just wasn't living up to the expectations of the other nails. I know it isn't like acrylic nails are anything new but I had never done them before. So I got the tip and I liked it - I really liked it and the polish stayed on that nail much longer than the rest (ha, so much for the underachiever status of left hand index finger).

Next time I went to have my nails "done" I threw caution to the wind and said give me a full set of acrylics. So she did - and she did a great job and the nails looked perfect. BUT once I had a full set I didn't like them. They were too thick at the tips and I couldn't use my nails as screwdrivers or scrubby pads any longer. I couldn't even give a decent scratch to a mosquito bite. So I had them taken off assuming my nails would go on as previously living. WRONG. My nails are ugly, and scratched up and weak and they hurt. I know - who knew? See where vanity got me? Sore nails. So acrylic nails - been there, done that - not doing it again. I've learned my lesson but I'm wondering how long it will take them to get back to normal - anyone???

And the real lesson in all of this is I have long nail beds (it's a good thing - long nail beds mean your nails never look short and stubby) so there was really no need for the acrylic nails other than the allure of PERFECT nails. From now on I'm settling for above average :-)

TTFN... take care of your nails - acrylic is NOT the answer

It's an annual thing...

Today we made our annual trek to view the fall colors in the bluffs and valleys of our own home state as well as neighboring state (should state be capitalized???)

I'll get into more about the trip later this week. Tonight it is just the pictures. Oh and FYI - these pictures were taken with the iPhone. I think they turned out pretty well considering they were taken with a phone.

About my daughter - what's her name...

So Lauren has feelings which become hurt very easily. She is the pleaser in the group and can get upset if she doesn't think her efforts have been noticed. Tonight, while playing a game (I think it is called Buzz Word) Lauren insisted she had previously said the category we were getting ready to play - something that no one could recall and no one could recall it because WE HAD NEVER PLAYED THE CATEGORY BEFORE. No matter how much we tried to convince her that we had not played this card she insisted that we had, finally disolving into tears and claiming we never remember anything she does or know anything about her - which was followed by the following facts which she claims we couldn't possibly remember about her like, what her favorite thing to do in the winter is and what her favorite color is and what she likes to do on stay home days and then her parting words "by tomorrow you won't even remember my name" put the HotY and I over the edge. We were laughing so hard tears were coming from our eyes. This probably didn't help matters and certainly did not win us any parent of the year awards but it was just so dramatic and if you know Lauren it is all about drama. If she hurts her foot she may never walk again, gets a hang nail and her finger might fall off, and let's not even get into the dire consequences if she bumps her head. So her parting words were just so-so-so--- Lauren. We finally stopped laughing long enough to reassure her that not only did we remember her name but we knew her favorite activities and her favorite color but I couldn't bring myself to claim we remembered playing the category she insisted we did - BECAUSE WE DIDN'T PLAY IT BEFORE and that is my last word. That girl - she can be so stubborn.

TTFN...

Awkward silence...

I have not been able to put a finger to the keyboard in weeks. I want to write but I have nothing to say. It's like that awkward silence when you are with talking to someone and you don't want the conversation to end but you just don't know what to say. It's exactly like that. So just like when you want to say don't go in that instance I'm saying don't go now - stick with me. I'm sure I'll figure out something to say sooner or later - in the meantime hang in there with me - Deal???

So this is reality...

sometimes I tend to live a bit in denial, hoping and praying things will turn out okay without having to go to too much pain and effort. You know, like thinking there really is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. If only...

So as I briefly eluded to on this blog at an earlier date my job is not in a stable place right now. As a matter of fact my job will cease to exist as of January 31, 2011. I have known this for over a year. I have not done much of anything to secure another job. The fact is I just keep thinking things are going to turn out fine. My instinct keeps telling me not to panic. Last night I had a dream I actually looked for a job. This morning I woke up - my mind ignoring my instinct - PANIC!!!

I don't have to get a job immediately and maybe I can come up with some super creative idea to make my little Glitter Me! business more profitable and my friend Amy and I have a few ideas swirling around but the fact of the matter is - January 31 - it is almost here. What the heck am I going to do? Where is that darn pot of gold????? Where are my rose colored glasses - because really - seriously - Reality Bites!!!

TTFN - oh panic is a great motivator so if you have any job leads please do not hesitate to let me know.

GGGGOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL......

or whatever it is that they yell at those world soccer championships. It's another one of those details that I kind of skip over.

So I think it is safe to say I have a soccer player. Lauren had her first game of the season this morning and she was awesome if I do say so myself. She hustled and moved the ball and wasn't afraid to get in there and block. The girl is competitive and yet she is a good team player. All the makings of a good competitor. I was so proud of her today. Even with an aching head she kept at it - coming to the sidelines crying but still not failing to play her hardest. That's my girl!!!!! GO LAUREN!!!

And the halftime show...