Club Life – People Watching March 19, 2013

I am very much a people watcher, not in that creepy stalking way, but just observing. I can usually peg basic body language, facial expressions, etc to know (well assume) what’s going on between people. Of course if they are alone the assumptions can be much more fun, and outrageous. I was sitting at lunch the other day and there were a group of men ranging in age from around 20-70. Granted it was in a private club setting, and I know their common interest is golf. So the men sat around a large round table in the lounge area of the club, some would join the group and others would leave, it was a come and go thing it seemed. During the 45 minutes I sat there these men talked about other people, 16 to be exact, and one person in particular on several occasions. They would speculate about these peoples interest in tournaments, what is going on in their job, what their “position” is in the Club, their personal relationships, among other things. One man in particular was the most vocal about his opinions of others, and when he spoke it was loud and clear enough for everyone to hear. Not smart in my opinion, but of course they didn’t ask. It was very interesting to me that they were just gossiping, literally, but yet any one of these men would be the first to say they don’t gossip. They would swear only women-folk gossip.

As I sat there I got a bit tickled at that thought. Of course anyone watching me would have thought I was crazy or having some great and funny conversation with the voices in my head. Anyways, I determined in my assumption of these men that the loudest one was the most full of shit. The two younger men were chiming in so that the loud one noticed them, and the older ones seemed to join in quietly while laughing. Maybe they agreed with my assumption the the loud one was full of shit. As more people entered for lunch the group got quieter, which is to say not so obnoxious, and no one seemed to notice them plainly talking about other people. It occurs to me that this group would gossip about any of the other members of the table if they weren’t there. Maybe that’s why they are all there every day to drink water and eat popcorn. Hopefully the weather will get nicer so they can get back to a more relevant hobby, like golf.

Blonde Moment…but I’m back! March 18, 2013

A few of you may have been wondering where in the world I’ve been, if not, that’s okay I’m not offended. 🙂

I let just enough time pass that I forgot how to log in to this blog, I guess we can call that a blonde moment. Well I’m back now, and since it’s been a few months it’s time to get writing. The last time I was here I was making a “to do” type list that was pretty obnoxious, however, I have been working on it. We’ve done a good bit of unpacking and organizing, even making a decent size pile (in the shed) to put in a yard sale. I have organized my calendar, and have all the information to get to work on my budget which will probably be tonight’s project. I am taking Photoshop this semester, which is awesome! Keep an eye out for some pictures soon. That’s all I’ve got for now, I’m off to class.

xoxo

 

Time flies December 28, 2012

Hey everybody, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate)! Mine was busy, which was the reason for my absence. Gearing up for the New Year right now. I’m not much on New Year’s resolutions really, they tend to fall by the way before January ends. I do, however, have some things I want to change/work on/etc. So I’m going to start an idea bubble (without real bubbles) here just to get my mind going…we’ll see what I decide to do with the ideas from there.

Budget
Finish unpacking
Keep the house better
Keep a more organized calendar
Keep a personal and private journal
Read at least one book per month
Start a project and FINISH it (I should probably finish the ones I’ve already started first)
Hand write cards and letters to friends and families (would require updating the address book)
Send thank you cards as needed
Take the time to dress and be girly everyday
Blog more regularly, plan/schedule for it
Take more pictures
Deal with my HATE of laundry…why do I hate doing laundry so much?!
Cook at home more

Hmm, so far it seems as though I’m working on cleaning and organization. Wow, that sounds like fun <sarcasm intended>. Rome wasn’t built in a day so I guess the best plan will be baby steps and maintenance. Also organizing the list into action points or something…I sound really motivated don’t I. Sigh, I better get to work. 🙂

Whew! What a week! December 7, 2012

I AM SO GLAD IT’S FRIDAY!

Sorry for the shouting, but it has been a heck of a week. Monday and Tuesday were spent with my ex screaming at me…for no reason other than I wouldn’t come to his house. Um…we are divorced, thanks for offering but, no thanks. It feels good to be able to stand up for myself again, and I fought him the whole time when I used to just walk away. You don’t get to call an hour before I get off work and tell me to drive 20 minutes to your house. I have our daughter this week and I will be spending time with her. Of course the tantrums (his) commence and I really don’t deal well with that. Just another example that I made the right decision. Go me!

Work has been crazy, it’s like special situation week on campus or something.

Student: Yes, I’d like to withdraw from this semester.

Me: Oh, I see, so you don’t plan to attend during the Spring semester?

Student: No, I’m talking about the semester we are in.

Me: Um…the last day to withdraw was the beginning of November, exams start on Saturday.

Student: I know, but I have medical issues.

Me: Oh I see.

So I proceed to follow our procedure while the student has jumped all over my you have no responsibility nerve. Sigh.

WOOHOO it’s Friday! While it’s going to be a busy working all weekend few days, I’m looking forward to them.

Candy cane nails

I’ve had a wonderful time with my sweet pea this week! We’ve put up the Christmas tree, done homework, snuggled, did a few things around town, and stuff like that. I even got to paint her finger nails to look like candy canes. Cute huh?

She’s growing up so fast, but I have to say overall she has great manners, she’s caring, compassionate, and polite. I’m so proud of her!

 

13 is not 13 anymore December 1, 2012

I worked a DJ job tonight, it was a birthday party for a 13 year old. I can’t imagine dancing in such a manner at that age. These kids were polite and it was a good show (that’s what I call the sound jobs) but they were grinding on each other the entire time! Boys with girls, girls with girls, a boy with a few girls, I’m not that old, and I know how to dance that way but I’m also NOT 13. Yes you read that right, 13 years old.

Photo credit: clker.com

We only play radio edited music, but the grandparent that organized the party said, “The kids have been told they can bring their iPods so please make sure to have a connection.” We reminded her that we cannot control the language or content of the music they play from their iPods. She said, “I don’t care what they play.”

My ears are still thumping, but they had fun. I don’t think I’ve heard that many cuss words ever. I’m still in shock. I guess I’m getting old.

Blonde Moments November 29, 2012

Photo credit: sodahead.com

I am blonde, which is to say that my hair is colored blonde (both naturally and chemically). It does not mean that I am stupid or dingy or the typical blonde stereotype. However with that being said I do sometimes have blonde moments, as I had mentioned to The Cheeky Diva when I shared with her that I believe blonde moments are contagious. Just ask some of my friends. Anyways, The Cheeky Diva suggested I add blonde moments into my blog. That’s a hell of an idea so I am!

At this exact moment, I can’t come up with anything that I’ve done specifically, but keep an eye out they happen and now I’ve committed to share them with you, don’t you feel lucky? 🙂

Hey Daddy!

Daily Prompt: Picture the one person in the world you really wish were reading your blog. Write her or him a letter.  

Daddy,

You’ve been gone almost fifteen years already. I’ve had so many things happen in my life that you’ve missed. Changing jobs a few times, getting married and having a beautiful daughter (who you would be spoiling rotten), getting divorced, starting over, and well…alot!

Me and Daddy

There isn’t a day that goes by I don’t think of you. I often wonder what you would think of the adult me and how I turned out. What would you think of the decisions I’ve made? What advice would you give? -I already know one, “If you treat any man the way these women have treated me I’ll kill you.” While I know you weren’t serious about killing me, I know you were hurt and I’ve always tried to take that to heart. Of course one of the most important things you taught me is to treat others the way I want them to treat me, even when they don’t deserve it.

I reflect back on my childhood and remember you taking me everywhere you went, it was easy because you had already taught me how to behave. I’m finally able to do that with Kali, and I think she really enjoys it. I think she will look back and say “Mom took me everywhere, and while sometimes I was bored it was still pretty cool.”

I miss you Daddy, and I love you!

Dust in the Wind

A friend of mine told me a story last night, because that’s just what he does (I wish he’d start a blog, you’d love it), he is an amazing story teller. Anyways, here’s how the story basically went. A woman asked her husband to get her a new car, hers was falling apart and unreliable. He said, no we don’t really have the money for that right now. She said okay. She asked him to take a trip to the lake so they could spend the day together. He said no,it’s too far, we’ll do it someday.

The man passed away, and she was very sad. She had him cremated according to his wishes and picked up his ashes. She drove down to the lake with them, got out of the car and said the following. “You know honey, I asked you over and over for a new car to which you always told me there wasn’t enough money. Well we drove here in my new car. I asked you to come to the lake so we could spend time together, you always said it was too far. Isn’t it beautiful here? You know the blow jobs you always asked me for and I always said no? Well I guess it’s a little late now, but here you go.”

Photo credit: flickriver.com

She had his ashes in her hands, and blew.

Daily Prompt – Advice? I think not! November 28, 2012

Okay don’t go all crazy or anything, but this is my first attempt at completing the Daily Prompt so thank’s for joining me in popping my “daily prompt” cherry. 😉 Anywhoo, here goes nothing.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve given someone that you failed to take yourself?

This question doesn’t exactly apply to me, so let me explain.

It seems as though people trust me with all their deepest, darkest, secrets. Even the people I don’t know. I’m okay with that, I certainly hear a lot of stories and have people ask my opinion often, I rarely provide an opinion outright. It’s just not my place, plus it almost always backfires.

If I have a friend that has some issue and they want advice, my number one priority is to be there to listen. Sometimes that’s enough. If she starts going back in circles or off on tangents (hey it happens) then I try to come up with directed and thoughtful (non leading) questions. Do I have you totally confused yet? Well let me make up an example that is not related to any specific friend or any specific concern…like that caveat huh?

EX: A friend calls and is upset that her boyfriend is out with his friends…again. It was his day off and she thought he’d be working on his honey do list, and had planned to surprise him with supper. She’s certain he’s drunk and he won’t answer her calls or texts. After explaining the situation as she sees it, she says what do I do?

This is where the ALARM goes off in my head! There’s flashing signs saying NO! Don’t answer! DANGER!

Photo credit: technorati.com

So I take a deep breath (to clear the alarm) and say, I’m so sorry you’re upset. What can I do for you? This usually wakes the person up to say, hey, she wants to help me.

Friend: I’m so tired of him not pulling his weight around the house, I have to work too.

Me: I don’t blame you, it can make things stressful when you’re overwhelmed, have you told him that?

Friend: Yes, we just had this fight the other day.

Me: Have you talked with him about your concern when you aren’t arguing?

Friend: No, I don’t think about it then.

Me: What has he done this week that you appreciate or wasn’t expecting for him to do?

Friend: Well he started my car yesterday morning when it was cold. That was really nice.

Me: Did you tell him you appreciated it?

Friend: No, I’m sure he knows.

Me: Maybe you should sit down with him when you guys are having a good day together (soon) and you could thank him for that. Then share with him your stress of feeling as though you have to do it all, and ask him to help you.

Friend: I never thought of it like that.

Okay, so it all seems a little hokey, but I have had conversations like these a million times. We get so wrapped up in our own feelings and emotions we forget to share how we are feeling and what we need with our partner, friend, parent, etc.

Hopefully this makes better sense now that I’ve given an example.

Woohoo, first Daily Prompt…DONE! 🙂 Thanks for joining me on this ride.

The Christmas Gift Idea gone NUTS! November 26, 2012

I am getting my daughter, Kali, a makeup box, and various girly items for Christmas. <SHHHH, it’s a secret, don’t tell her it’s a surprise!!!> She’s 12, so it’s time. I decided that her “big” gift could be a vanity (dressing table), something simple and reasonable. Of course, the more reasonable the price the better. This is what I have in mind.

I found this one at http://www.biglots.com/p/c/dressers-and-nightstands/black-vanity-with-beading-stool

Isn’t that cute?! Well, it’s just $150, that’s at least $75 more than I wanted to spend. So now the search is on…let’s see what else I can find.

I found this one at http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/the-10-most-dazzling-dressing-tables#slide-6

Cute too, but holy smokes $325!

I found this one at http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=16878462&findingMethod=rr

I like it too, but $299 is entirely too much. Well now I know finding a vanity isn’t a problem, but getting my price is. My next idea (yes plan B) is I’ll find a table and make a vanity myself, that should be cheaper. Let’s see what I can find to make that happen. Here are some desks…

Found this at walmart.com for $39.00

Found this at walmart.com for $39.84

Found this at walmart.com for $99

Besides the last one, these are sort of reasonable, but I still have to add a chair of some kind and mirror. It’s been pretty successful at Walmart so let me see what they have for mirrors and chairs/stools.

$18.97

$34.97

$28.97

$39.00

So if I buy everything separate, it’s still almost $90. I’ll keep shopping, hopefully I’ll come up with something fabulous, but in my price range!