02.03.2009 Crafty

What? I finally got my craft on. You betcha! Here is proof with a crummy photo from my phone. Granted you can't tell the gorgeous green colors of the scarf but I am sure you can use your imagination. Needless to say my craftyness resulted in this fantastic scarf I am modeling for you viewing pleasure. I knitted this scarf in four days. I went to Hobby Lobby on Saturday and finished this tonight. It is about 5 feet long, maybe closer to four. Anyways... I didn't knit in the traditional sense. I have been wanting to learn to knit. Somehow I ended up in the yard section at HobLob and noticed their knitting supplies were 40% off. So I look around and came across this knitting loom. It is just a plastic ring with knobs on it... granted I didn't get the ring but the more elongated rectangular one to make scarves. It is so easy... I am starting on a thinner more fashionable scarf this evening versus a winter/neck-warmer scarf. I am using the leftover yarn on the second scarf... leftover considering I purchased this ginormous skein of yard. And I bought two more skeins of yard from Etsy... more artsy type yarn (if there is such a saying). Yarn made from banana fibers and and some handspun wool yarn from a women's collective in Nepal and very inexpensive as seen here:

Handspun wool.

Banana fibers.

01.22.2009 Angry Whopper

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um_hineki0o

Why do I love this commercial? The whip and the cattle prod are my favorite parts. I smile every time I see it!

01.19.2009 Etsy

Look at this sweet fabric I just purchased from Etsy. Isn't it adorable? (And expensive). I only got a half yard and it cost as much as a yard of regular fabric would be. It is a Japanese import so that is why it cost a little more. I had to have it... those sweet little deers!

01.16.2009 Nothing New

I haven't posted lately because nothing really new is happening. I did get my furniture and it is lovely. I will post a picture once I have my living room set... which will probably be two thousand and never (as my sister and I like to say). I can't even use my new furniture because my living room is still full of unpacked boxes. I hope to remedy that this weekend, especially with a three day weekend.

And for Kerry, the miracle drug was Zyrtec D (or shall I say the Walgreen's generic equivalent Wal-zyr D.) It is for allergies believe it or not... whodathunkit that I had allergies and not a cold or the flu. Because to be honest I can't tell the difference between a cold or the flu.

And for Joni, I hope to get crafy soon. Maybe not scrapping but something crafty. Again, I need to get my stuff unpacked and organized to attempt to get crafty.

Work is going great. I can't get enough of the great Mexican food here. Looking forward to the weekend.

Oh, I do have one major event to report. So I got the new furniture on Saturday. Pearl broke it in on Monday by chewing on the edge of one of the end tables. Pearl got into so much trouble and new she was in trouble. Poor thing. I was on the computer and she just wanted to hang out. She got a little bored and started to chew as dogs do. And Pearl not only loves to chew but she loves her some wood. I heard her chewing and called for her. Lo and behold, she was chewing on the brand new table. Not a brand new cheap table either. Needless to say that edge will be hidden in the corner until I can figure out how to "fix" it.

Have a great weekend!

01.10.2009 Furniture

I am sitting here killing time waiting for my new living room furniture to be delivered. Finally! After some hassles with the store with ordering and reordering pieces that weren't in stock. Of course I don't have all my crap unpacked yet. I just hope that I have enough space in the living room left to fit what is being delivered. I didn't get much done in the last couple of days because I have been sick. I came home from work early on Thursday and stayed home all day Friday too. Nothing like being in bed all day and can't breathe. Fun! I broke down and went to Walgreens last night to pick up some OTC medicine my sister recommended. Worked almost immediately. Okay it didn't wave a magic wand over my nose and all the mucus disappeared. But I am definately breathing easier and sound much better. Oh I am still sick and am going right back to bed after the delivery guys get here.

01.01.2009 Happy New Year

I hope I started the new year out right... Got up and ready to go pretty early today. Went to Ross (will tell you this story in a second...), Barnes and Noble, and then the laundromat.

Here is where I am hoping I started the year our right. I made a donation to Kiva.org Kiva is an organization that offers loans to enterprising individuals in third world countries. For as little as $25 you can change the lives of many individuals. I have made three $25 loans in the past year. I have been paid back according to the schedule by the individuals who borrowed the money. Granted $25 is just a small part of the loans requested. You would be amazed how far a couple of dollars go in these third world countries. I just think it is a great idea. It takes so little to make such a big impression in someone's life. And the Kiva organization runs on so little funds. The money I have been paid back on the loans, I have donated to the Kiva organization because I think it is such a worthwhile effort. Anyways I hope you are inspired to donate. Not necessarily to Kiva but to something... whether it is time, money, or goods. I know I have so much compared to many that have so little... and I have room to bitch about how bad my life is or when something doesn't go my way. Guess what... I have a job, a warm place to sleep, food to eat, a car to drive, and plenty of clothes. Not to mention all the other things that I think I need to make my life compete.

Now back to my Ross story (to purchase more of the things to make my life complete). I need some drinking glasses and curtain rods. I really didn't feel the need to pay full price when I saw what I wanted at Ross. Well I tried two times in the past couple of weeks to buy these items from Ross. Let me tell you that everyone from Las Cruces, El Paso, and Juarez must have been at Ross the same time I was, on both occasions. The lines to check out snaked through a roped off maze, along the side wall, and along the back wall. I said to myself do I really need to stand in line at least a hour to purchase $30 worth of stuff. The answer was definately NO. Plus you know there is never enough cashiers working the front and the ones that are working aren't in any kind of race to see who can get the most customers out the front door. Knowing I was going to be off today, I made sure to call Ross to see when they opened. I got there right at opening and was the only customer for a good 15-20 minutes. Bliss. I spent an hour in the store and was the only customer at the checkout. Bliss again. By the way, I also purchased the cutest little red skimmer shoes. Cutie patooties!

Happy New Year to each and every one of you. Wishing you good tidings for the new year to you and your family!

12.26.2008 After Christmas Shopping

I had a nice day yesterday for Christmas. It was just me, Baby, and Pearl. I made a wonderful meal and we just hung out at our apartment. The downer of the day is there wasn't shit on TV yesterday. I spent more time changing channels than actually watching anything. And I have movies on demand and couldn't find anything I wanted to watch.

I didn't intend to do any after Christmas shopping today. However, I did venture out. I needed to return a pair of jeans at Catherine's but they didn't have the size I need so that pretty much was a wasted trip. I went to Wal-mart to pick up a few things. The one thing I really, really needed I forgot, a mop. I went to a rubber stamp store that had some neat stuff. Where I hit the jackpot on after Christmas sales was Cracker Barrel. I stopped there for two reasons: 1) I was hungry and ate a late lunch and 2) I know there Christmas stuff is the shit. I bought about 13 ornaments plus a paper machete house for a whole $10. All their Christmas is at 70% off. Folks were in there grabbing ornaments like crazy... and of course I fit right in.

So basically I went out today to run errands to purchase/return stuff I needed. I didn't load up on too much Christmas stuff, just the few things from Cracker Barrel. I feel I had a pretty good day. Now I need to get to cleaning and go to the laundromat later this afternoon.

I hope all of you had a joyous holiday yesterday and a great day out today (if you were the adventurous type)!

12.24.2008 Happy Holidays

12.21.2008 Pecans

I have had a pretty exciting week. Lots of holiday cheer at work. We had a birthday lunch for the boss on Monday, the boss threw a department holiday luncheon on Wednesday, and we had an employee holiday party for the entire agency on Thursday. So you can see we Federal employees didn't do much work this week and will do even less work this next week considering we have half of the week off for the holiday. Our Commissioner gave us half the day off on Wednesday, Christmas on Thursday, and the President gave us Friday off. Yay me!

Now the exciting part that happened this week, happened to me on Thursday at the employee holiday party. Right before they were going to serve our meal, a police officer came to the party asking for the owner of a certain vehicle. Before the vehicle was announced, my table was laughing saying they were looking for each other's vehicle. As you guessed it, I was the lucky owner of the vehicle in question.

I got down to my vehicle to discover while parked, a 14 year old kid and his girlfriend had hit my car. They were driving a friends car and the young man was digging for something in the backseat when he jumped the curb and hit my car. He just happened to miss a tree and a street sign, going through them like a goal post to land on my car He pushed my car a good foot and without hitting the car parked next to me. Of course his car, or shall I say his friend's car was toast. The front airbags deployed shattering the windshield. The front right tire was blown and fluids were leaking. My car suffered damage to the dumper and left fender, maybe a little to the grill too. I do have uninsured motorist coverage which is a good thing because this kid wasn't insured as any 14 year old that isn't legally allowed to drive wouldn't be. I did feel a little for the kid though... his older brother showed up to the scene and between him and the cop, they gave this kid a lecture of a lifetime. They were going to have to take him and the girl to some juvenile detention facility until their parents showed up which wasn't going to be anytime soon. The kid was so apologetic and I really wasn't upset. Really it was just one of those things. Shit really happens. Yes I am not happy that my insurance company will probably have to foot the bill. I am happy that I have uninsured motorist coverage to my deductible is $250 vs. $500 and I am not limited to a $20 a day rental car. I can get a rental comparible to my car while the repairs are being done.

My appointment isn't until Wednesday to see the insurance adjuster. My car is drivable. My insurance premium will probably increase. So overall I am not too happy but what can you do.

Maria and I went to Stahmann's Farms yesterday and loaded up on pecan candy goodness. They have the best local pecans and make the most delicious candies and goodies. Always a nice trip "out of state". They are located in La Mesa, NM.

Nothing really planned for this Christmas week except to get a little work done. Seriously need to get some boxes unpacked today. Make room for my new furniture which I still don't know when it will be delivered. Making a roast today in the Crock Pot for dinner. Basically I will try to be a hermit today and not leave the apartment. Now if I could just get dressed and out of bed!!!

12.14.2008 Furniture

Imagine this in a sofa and loveseat. That is exactly what I just purchased today. You see I didn't bring my old living room set with me. Number one it wasn't that old but number two is was filthy dirty (as my Brother-In-Law would say). Dirty with everything you can imagine plus add dog hair. Nice. So I decided to donate it to the Salvation Army. Sorry but I am sure someone can clean it and use it... it was still in great condition except for the dirt/hair factor.

Anyways, I think I signed my life away to finance this new living room set. Of course the salesperson did her job and talked me into spending WAY too much money. She was only doing her job. I was hoping to have it delivered before Christmas but it doesn't look like that is going to happen. Everything was in stock except for the sofa. I would rather have it all at one time versus piecemeal. By the way, this furniture if orange. ORANGE if you didn't get that. I jumped in with both feet (after a little convincing by my sister). My new color scheme in my living room is brown and orange with a little blue thrown in. Granted I don't really have anything blue to throw in just yet.

I am going to make my living room a nice enjoyable atmosphere not just a place to watch television. Well that is my goal anyways. I am tired of not having the house decorated like I want and that is basically laziness on my part. So with the new job and move, I am making a new life out of it and doing it the way I want instead of settling. Well that is the goal anyways!

12.09.2008 Twilight

You got me. Hook, line, and sinker. I loved this movie. And yes I have read 3/4 of the series. I am on the last book. Did every book make you cry like it did me? I seriously loved this movie and will definately invest in the DVD upon release. Grade: A+++++

(Keep in mind, I am still a True Blood fan and prefer it over Twilight. Especially the books. But they are neck in neck in my favor!)

12.07.2008 El Paso

So I am finally settled in El Paso. Okay not really unpacked but I am in my new apartment. The best thing I can say about my apartment is that it is cheap and close to work. Super close. It takes about 5 minutes to get to work. The apartment is just old... it will work for a six months. At that point I will start looking for a new place, probably a rental house so I can bring Sugar. Baby had no issues adjusting to a new home... now Pearl on the other hand has had it rougher. She isn't used to being confined inside the house or on a leash outside. She also isn't used to all the noises an apartment brings. So she tends to bark a lot at people taking outside or the upstairs neighbors. She is getting better though.

Pearl has learned a new trick on her own that was rather impressive to me. We were eating a cheeseburger and fries the other day. I threw a fry and she caught it. Three times even. This isn't anything we have really worked on. I don't necessarily throw her food to get her to catch it. She just did. Well... it did help that I threw the fries right at her mouth. Regardless I was impressed.

You should see Baby play with Pearl. Pearl is always going up to Baby and putting her paw on her or nipping her butt to start some shit. Normally I get Baby away from Pearl to protect Baby... since she is a senior as well as blind. Now Baby is starting her own shit with Pearl. Baby will start to search for Pearl to play. It is the cutest... so I guess I dont' have to protect Baby anymore.

I have got two weeks on the job minus a day and a half for the Thanksgiving holiday. And it has been a great two weeks. Kind of laid back since I am the new girl and don't have too many responsibilities. The ladies I work with are great. We are a three and a half person office. Two other full-time staff and one part-time staff besides myself. They have been great to me... plus I think I have impressed them a little with the skills I bring to the office.

I have ate some great Mexican food since I have been here. I have now ate a cream of green chile soup twice this week... it is wonderful. My friend Maria and her office buddies took me to Rosa's Cantina, the famous one from the Marty Robbins song. Just a small little dive that was super busy. We all ate the Mexican plate special. I ended up in tears the damn chile relleno was so freaking hot. My face turned red from the heat and literally tears were shed from the heat. Never again!

I saw Four Christmases last weekend with Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon. What a disappointment. The two leads have a rather weird relationship. And the funniest parts you have already seen in the trailers without even going to the movie. It was an okay movie but considering who is in it... it was disappointing.

Not much new other than the job and move have been going on. I am shopping for new living room furniture. I have found one set that I like but want to keep searching. I might go today to another furniture store. What I really need to do today is unpack some boxes. Coure my apartment is so small with very little storage I don't even know where I am going to put everything. Much of it is my scrapbooking junk that needs to be organized. Even with all the stuff I threw away before the move, I probably have plenty that needs to be discarded still. And I probably need to do some laundry today too. Not fun in a laundromat. Luckily there are some washers and dryers on site. The problem is finding enough quarters. Plus I need to find my dryer sheets!

I went to one of the three scrapbooking stores in the area. This one, unfortunately, is closing at the end of the month. They really dont' carry anything except A-Muse stamps. It didn't stop me from making a rather large purchase. I still don't know how I spent that much money for what I brought home considering everything was 25% off. I did pick up some supplies to make a few Christmas cards. I only need to make about 10.

12.07.2008 El Paso

11.09.2008 The Secret Life of Bees

My mom and I went to see this Friday afternoon. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful this movie is.... a definate must see. However, be forewarned that you will cry. Not just a few tears, I a mean sobbing cries. But through the tears you will have witnessed a fantastic movie. Maybe I need to read the book...

Grade: A++++++++++

11.06.2008 Nothing New

I do not intend to ignore you dear blog but I have been a little busy with something I call a move to El Paso. So don't expect any updates from me until probably the end of the month if not early December. Everything is going smoothly. Almost have all plans set just waiting for the final approval of my apartment and U-Haul reservations. My goal to have the house packed and purged by this weekend is not going to happen.... glad I still have a week and a half to get that done. I will be taking several trips to the dump this weekend to clean out some crap which will help tremendously. E did come this week for an overnight visit to help me, a little. We did go through all the packed boxes in the sunroom which is the major storage area. And since most of the stuff has been picked through by all the mice that don't pay rent in my house, I have decided to throw most of the stuff away at the dump. It is too much stuff to sift through and wash to donate in the little time I have left. Believe me, I still have plenty of junk that I am going to have the Salvation Army pick up.

10.27.2008 Heat

I had to break down and do it. Turn on the heater. I have resisted by wearing a sweatshirt or putting on an extra blanket. Tonight that isn't cutting it. Yahoo reports my current temperature is 48. I believe that my house is probably almost that cold. I had to turn on the heater for the first time this fall season. It is still warming up to high 70s and low 80s in the day which is extremely comfortable. However, my fingers are freezing right now. I have put off turning the heater on because my house is heated by propane. Not only am I not comfortable with using propane but it is expensive. Ridiculously expensive. Anyways, I will be snug as a bug in a rug tonight!

10.26.2008 Weekly Goals

Since I just posted about the purging and packing for the move, I thought I would set some goals for myself this week and report in next Sunday to see how I did.

1. Finish packing bathroom (almost done after this weekend). COMPLETED 11.02.2008
2. Clean second bathroom.
3. Clean out laundry room (almost done after this weekend).
4. Clean kitchen and start purging/packing.
5. Clean dining room and sort stuff already there into purge pile and pack pile. COMPLETED 10.29.2008
6. Empty living room of the stuff already there (not the purge/pack stuff and furniture).
7. Empty and clean foyer. COMPLETED 11.02.2008
8. Work on computer room.

I hope I have set some reasonable goals for myself. I think I have and should have time to do much more. I will keep you posted!

10.26.2008 Moving

So here are some decisions I have made regarding my move:

* I am not taking any dishes, glasses, toaster, or cookware (except for my La Creuset - sp?). Too much to pack so I will just buy new in El Paso. All my pots and pans are a hodge podge collection of crap and I want new dishes anyways. Toasters and glassware are cheap.
* I am going to purge, purge, and purge again regarding the scrap crap. I seriously don't have enough room to pack it uncensored. Plus I really have too much scrap crap to begin with. I will never and I mean NEVER use it all in my lifetime... even if I weren't to make another purchase.
* I am not taking my living room furniture or kitchen table. Not enough room and I want new. Now don't think I have all this extra cash sitting around to purchase new kitchenware and furniture. I don't. However, I do know how to peruse Craigslist and shop for bargains. I will do without until I can afford to purchase what I need.
* I am getting nowhere fast on packing. I have given myself a two week deadline for purging and packing. I want to be finished by Sunday, November 9, 2008. This will give me a week and a half before I actually move. A week and a half to rest and not stress over packing.
* I have decided to sell some of my crap at the local flea market in my last two weekends. I live too far out in the country to have a yard sell so the alternative is to setup on Sunday at the local flea market. What I don't sell, I will donate to a local charity. Plus the proceeds can go to replace a bunch of the junk I will be selling.
* I seriously don't know how I am going to fit all my crap in the back of my car and a U-haul. Granted I do drive a Ford Freestyle which is a station wagon type vehicle so I do have plenty of room in the car. But for a household... not so much. I have decided that all my scrap crap has to fit in my car to go.

I did start purging and packing this weekend. I did not get far and fast. I have crap spread all over the living room. I did get several loads of laundry done. Now my next big decision is what to purge from all my bedding. This is one of several things that I tend to collect. I love comforters and have far too many sets of sheets. It is going to hard deciding what gets packed and what gets purged... I cannot take all of it.

I will keep you posted on the progress. Hopefully there will be progress and not a breakdown with tears. Oh a breakdown with tears is inevitable but I am hoping not... so that means I have to be successful with the purging and packing and NOT STRESS. Right!?!?!?!?!

10.23.2008 Happy Day!

I am happy to report that I got offered a job today. Not just any job but THE job. THE job that I coveted. The job that was worth the wait. I officially report to my new job with the Federal government in El Paso, Texas, on 11.23.2008. Well I don't actually report on Sunday but Monday... Sunday is just the start of the new pay period. I am truly excited. While it is sad to leave my family but it is a nice new beginning!

Thanks to everyone that took this job journey with me offering me great support!

Now off to find a place to live...

10.20.2008 Today's Recap

1. Major argument with my mom at work.
2. Nap after work.
3. Nothing accomplished on the household purge project.
4. No word on the job.
5. Gathered three bags of trash (two from previous purge work), three empty boxes, and two storage cubes used as my coffee table to dump in the dumpster tomorrow.
6. Fight on the phone with E.
7. Feeling pretty crummy as I prepare to go to bed.

All totals up to a pretty crappy day with an even crappier ending.