I'm not sure how this blog never got posted last week.



7:01 pm 9.25.08

I'm doing laundry, making dinner.

My doorbell rings. That's weird. I look out my window, unable to see the front door unfortunately, but able to look for a familiar vehicle. None.

I was in decent enough loungewear that I could be in front of someone else. So I went to the door, and for the first time, was prepared to actually not open it. With everything that's been going on lately, I HAVE to be paranoid.

It was just my neighbor with some of our mail that had been delivered to her by mistake.

We conversed a bit, and then she randomly asked if I had surgery. That was the first time anybody has asked me about it. Part of the loungewear I was wearing was a tank top, and it was revealing the scar. It was an awkward conversation, and I tried to take the blame for the poor scaring, rather than letting her blame my doctor.

I don't know. WAS there anything my doctor could have done differently? I guess it doesn't matter now. I might see a plastic surgeon.

My neighbor said it looked just like her scar from her heart surgery. Maybe that should be story from now on.

On a side note, I graduated from Physical Therapy today.

Sorry to be a downer, but it's been kind of a downer sort of day. I've never hated fall this much.

I won't go into details, but this is my current status, and it pretty much sums up today.

This post has little to do with cleaning, other than the fact that it pretty much hasn't happened yet.

Instead I spent all evening running errands. I had to buy a bunch of stuff. Boring stuff like tissues, toilet bowl cleaner, fabric softener, etc. And I got a ton of groceries. I don't even know the last time my cart was that full!

So, my fridge is ready for my company, but my apartment is NOT.

I wish I had some downtime at work this week. I'd definitely take at least a half day off.

But it's non-stop craziness. At least it makes the workday go by faster.

Well, the cleaning will have to wait til tomorrow. I'm exhausted and, thus, off to bed!

Read THIS! Then tell me how that happened so I can make sure it NEVER HAPPENS TO ME!!!

I almost teared up upon reading this.

But, considering someone once told me that Scarlett Johansson reminded them of ME (??), it doesn't seem as heart breaking.

Why do I hate cleaning soooo much?

Maybe because it seems never ending. Ya know, once you get it all done, it's already getting dusty/dirty again.

My house is definitely dustier than others. It's 89 years old if memory serves correct, and it tends to be quick on the cobwebs.

So, that is discouraging. Literally just a couple days after dusting, I've seen spiderwebs appear.

Never the less, it must be done. I have company coming in 3 days. Fortunately I have Monday and Tuesday evening available to work on it. And a bit of time now too. So, here I go!

During the month of October I will be in a Writers Club. I'll just copy & paste what the group leader sent out, rather than try to explain it myself:

Hello other writerly and creative types,

Sorry this is an extremely late notice, but I need to write another novel, and I figure what better month than October and what better way than to have others join me? I know I've talked to a few of you about this already, so besides my novel, other examples that people are committing to write (or draw) are a full length play, a novella, a graphic novel, and a comic book.

I've done this with some of you before, but basically the way it works is you tell me what you're going to write (or draw) over the course of the next month. The ultimate goal is to set a deadline for ourselves and to crank out something with a beginning, middle, and end by the end of the month. You tell me what you're writing, and we just send out updates periodically throughout the month, "Yea, it's going well," "Blah, it's going horrible," etc. The point is not to have a masterpiece completed. The point is to have something completed. And I find this is easier if I tell others my goal, get others to work on their own projects, and give us all a deadline when they all have to be done.

Also, let me know if it's ok to share your email address with everyone. That way you'll be included in other back and forth emails. Otherwise, I'll just keep you BCCed like this one.

So, to recap,
1. Tell me your writing goal. Mine is a 50,000+ word novel.
2. Tell me if I can include your email address publicly. (There are currently 10 of you I am sending this email to.)

Thanks and good luck!

This is the third time I've participated, and it's based off of NaNoWriMo, the National Novel Writing Month. It's officially in November, but our group is unofficially doing it in October. I encourage you all to do something to be creative. I know many of you/us are busy (Lo, this means you), but if you do have an extra moment, tap into some of the creativity that so often goes unused.

I also think it's great to have a tangible month long goal. I'm really excited about this.

My personal goal is to work in the novel I started 3 years ago.

Let me know if we have any other "writerly and creative types" folk out there who would be interested in joining.

Thanks to those of you who have voted in my latest poll. Polls close Sunday night at midnight, so if you haven't yet given your input, now's your chance!

Do any of my brilliant readers know what/where this building is? I'll give you a hint - it's in Indiana. I'm just trying to find out how familiar (if any at all) most people are with this. Points if you do know!

So, I'm browsing thru online singles ads. Here are some tips, guys.

Include a picture. But...

Do we want to see your car? Pretty unlikely. If your one profile pic that I get to see of you, the first sight I have of you, is of you and your car, I'm movin' on!

Going along the same lines, I don't need to see a pic of you and a jersey from your favorite sports team, guys! Think about your audience!

Smile!

Avoid the senior picture.

Keep your shirt on. Seriously.

If you've got a kid in the photo, I might just assume it's yours. Or I might assume you like kids. Could go either way. One will send me away. One will draw me in. It's a toss up.

If you've got a pet with you in the photo, I'm out.

If you've got a bottle of beer with you in the photo, I'm out.

If it's a picture of you and another guy, how do we know which one you are?

If it's a picture of you with a hot girl, we're gonna wonder who she is and what role she plays in your life.

Don't just TELL me that you're funny. Say something funny instead.

Don't be so laid back that you don't have any of your own opinions and convictions.

Don't just tell me what you do. Tell me what you're passionate about.

If your screen name is EZMONEY, I'm sooooo gone.

i don't think i knew the real definition of "being busy" until the last 2 days. it's been endless nightmares at work. i've got a million priorities at once. and i was out at meetings nonstop today. gone, on the go, for 12 hours. 8 AM - 8 PM. sigh...

yesterday i was in for 3 hours in the AM before being gone at meetings the rest of the day. i ended up going in for an hour in the evening to deal with voicemail and email.

i'm terrified of what waits for me when i go in tomorrow.

i have a sore throat. severely. raw.

I love Wiki's How To. Check out today's!

well, i decided i needed a brief break from housework so here i sit enjoying a little "how i met your mother", relaxing, and blogging.

i thought i'd try to play a little catchup on what's been going on lately or what will be going on in my near future. in no particular order...

• enjoying farmers market
• visiting my friends & their babies in lansing
• spending precious time with friends in three rivers
• physical therapy
• getting very sunburned
• trying "texas land & cattle"
  
• having overnight out of town company
• getting a new job title, and then another new job title and finally a bit of recognition and appreciation at work
• car problems, lots of endless car problems
• journey bible study classes at church
• rm event planning months out
• art beat
• brunch out, lovin' it!
• watching 90210 and finding out my friend's girlfriend sings for annie in it (eeeeee!)
• visiting my friend and her cute itty bitty little baby quinlan in the hospital
• VIPS in town
• trying pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
  
• watching ND games at the folks'
• checking out gyms
• wearing a hardhat
• being told that i'm a "pretty hot hot hot construction worker"
  
• watching "curb your enthusiasm" dvds
  
• buying krispy kreme for college students
• meeting dennis quaid (yah, for real!!!)
• going to nappanee and having my heart broken
• seeing a 7 ft. apple pie
• going to chicago
• surprising my friend for his 30th birthday
• falling in love with cheesecake factory - yum!!
• wondering when my raise will come through
  
• free lunch at tippecanoe place
• dealing with endless problems with our new online event registration system (booooo!)
  
• girls night
• watching the emmy's
• multiple break-ins and even a possible kidnapping, assault, battery, and who knows what else after they were out of my sight
• traveling to the dunes
• home tour planning & organizing
• looking into flights to texas
• stomach pains so bad i almost went in to the ER
  
• conference in bloomington
• magnetic poetry
  
• researching and writing lincoln highway
• asking questions
• wearing tank tops
  
• officially being back on the market again, woot woot!
  

Yah, I'm not really here to blog right now. Just too busy lately.

But I wanted to let you know I have a new poll on my site. In case you haven't seen it yet, check it out. And leave comments with any suggestions. :)

Later.

There have been 3 incidents in the last 12 days that have left me fearing for my safety. It's been a strong personal battle, especially after the latest event which occurred at 3:41 this morning. Just thinking about it now still brings tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat. I can't go into details.

But through it all I have bonded with my awesome housemates and am sooooooooo grateful (again) to have them here. We went through it together, every step, every feeling. And it brought peace to know that I wasn't alone in it. It brought relief to know that everything is gonna be ok.

It may take some time for me to deal with the recent events and go back to not feeling paranoid about every vehicle or every person. I hope that paranoia goes away soon. It's not fun to fear. To be in constant worry and anxiety. I don't want to live like that. I can't live like that. That simply isn't living.

Given a bad situation (or three), it's comforting to know that good can still come out of it.

What’s been going on? Well, since you asked…


I had two meetings scheduled today. Both were canceled.

Music – Jamie Cullum’s cd “Twentysomething”. Love it. Got it from Stephen when he was moving away. I can listen to it repeatedly.

Speaking of “twentysomething”, I’m thinking about my next birthday. Already. It’s still 5 months out, but you know how I love planning.

Last year these friends of mine moved to Ohio. They have a great place in the country, and from what I’ve heard, it’s a wonderful place to spend a weekend away. I was just thinking fall would be a great time to visit. So, I started flipping through my weekly calendar/notebook/life and realized that I have weekend plans for the next 6 weekends! Holy cow! How does this happen?!?

Now, not all 6 weekends have events that consume the entire weekend, but most of the weekend time is consumed. Many by work events. This is starting to drive me crazy. I think I’m gonna have to miss my friend running her first marathon because I was just put in charge of another work event at that time.

I have been getting really overwhelmed and stressed about things lately. The other night I was having a hard time breathing and other problems that caused me to contemplate a trip to the ER. I decided to try to just sleep it off instead. I was happy to wake up fine the next morning.

I am now planning a trip to Texas in February and am really excited about that. It’s gonna be a Girls Weekend with friends from high school, and it’s gonna rock! I love having something to look forward to!!

Don’t forget the upcoming local events. And a couple others that I hadn’t mentioned that are worth a mention: Nappanee’s Apple Festival Sept. 18-21 and Niles’ Apple Festival Sept. 25-28. Like apples? Even if you don’t, there’s plenty to do at these fun events!

That’s all for now!

IF YOU CALL ME, WANTING ME TO SELL YOU A HOUSE, AND YOU ASK ME QUESTIONS AND INTERRUPT AS I AM ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS, AND YOU TELL ME HOW YOU KNOW ALL THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT HOUSES, AND YOU TELL ME TO CALL YOU BACK IN THE EVENING OR ON A SATURDAY . . .



HONEY, I AIN'T SELLING YOU THE HOUSE!

There's always something going on in The Bend!

Why does "proper tutor" sound so funny to me?

How can I get so engrossed in 90210 - again?!

LA - so many thoughts.

Britton vs Britain. Can you tell "Britton" is pronounced "Britain"? Or should it be Britten? Mm, maybe that looks too much like "Bitten".

My bladder is full = a nicer way of saying I gotta pee.

Sometimes I just have to pull the hood up on my hoodie and say "Screw you" to the world. Tonight is one of those times.

I have a rebellious streak. I do strange things to make those "screw you" type statements.

Lori Loughlin as Debbie whatever on 90210 is the coolest mom, and Rob Estes is the hottest husband. I want to be a cool mom. I'd better get crackin'. I'm getting old.

Headache. Should go to bed. It's 9:00.

I wanna watch a movie. In the theatre.

Time is passing me by...

You always have to pick a side. Whether or not you know that, you do. You do it even if you don't know you're doing it. Got that?

Is it strange that I can't remember if I received a BS or a BA?

Have you ever giggled yourself? Oops, that was supposed to be Have you ever googled yourself?.

If I had a do-over what would I do differently? Today I actually thought for the first time that I wished I could take it all back.

"It's just the appearance of sanity that counts." I don't even have that right now.

I'm dehydrated.

I think I've written more that enough...

Tonight is gonna be a quiet night. Just me. I haven’t come home to an empty house since Thursday. I had the pleasure of hosting Jac for 4 nights and Anson for 3. Silly how quickly I got used to it.

Maybe I need a pet.

I hate pets! What am I thinking?!

I guess I’ll just focus on cleaning up – doing dishes, doing laundry, changing sheets. That sort of thing.

And, as Jac reminded me, 90210 will be on! Ha ha!

I’m wondering as I sit here sipping my coffee which I enjoy more – the taste of coffee or the aroma.

Guess what Jac brought with her from Maine for me! Blueberry Coffee!! Yum!

Am I the only one who wants to write “09” for the year lately??

I still need to get one of those converter boxes for my TV.

Wow, it’s always interesting to be reading a piece of informative news and then see “For more information contact…” and then YOUR NAME!!! Yah, that just happened to me.

I came across a listing for a 1 bedroom guest house near my old place in SoCal, thinking about life in SoCal again. And then I saw the price. $1600/month. It made me laugh out loud.

I think I’m getting a cold. Blah.

I added a poll to my blog – just something generic for now, but take a look.

Ok, I’m trying something new that requires reader participation. I got this idea from blogger Corey.

* Who are you? (No, I don’t need full name, DOB, or SSN)
* Where are you? (City/State/Country, etc.)
* Why do you read this blog?

I am thinking most of my readers are my friends, people who I know. But I am curious to know if there is anybody else out there. So, if you’re out there, let me know!

Ugh, I haven’t worked a Monday in awhile. It’s hard to readjust. I think it’s gonna be a long week. Is it wrong that I’m already thinking about taking a vacation?

My brother and sister-in-law are on vacation all week, and I’m a little bit jealous. Today is the one year anniversary of their marriage! Hmmm, I’m thinking about what all was going on a year ago. It was a lot. The day was incredibly long, but it also kinda flew by. How is that possible?

So many great memories from that event! Days leading up to the wedding and fun afterwards (although I don’t think I would count the tear down as “fun”). $1 tacos at Casa, decorating the reception hall, posing for silly pictures, so many friends from across the country coming in for the event, rehearsal dinner at Bruno’s, getting up early the day of, meeting the bride with coffee in hand at the hair salon for an early appointment, stress trying to get ready at the church, posing for lots of photos, going out to Mishawaka Riverwalk for more photos, sweating, drinking water… Suddenly it was time for the wedding, and I was walking down the aisle beaming. My first experience as a flower girl. And it was perfection.

We looked so beautiful. I look back at the pictures and am just stunned. It’s amazing how much a dress, hair, and makeup can do for me! I think what really flew by was the reception. I remember the grand entrance and listening to some wonderful toasts from Sean & Charissa. I remember all of Andy’s roommates serenading the bride with “Pretty Woman”. The food was good, but I didn’t get to eat much. There were a lot of people I wanted to visit with, but before I knew it, it was over.

Why is it when I’m in the wedding the reception flies by, but when I’m a guest, it tends to drag on forever and forever. Come on, people. Isn’t this true? Generally.

Anyways, I totally didn’t intend upon going down memory lane – or aisle. But Happy Anniversary to Jen & Andy!

I LOVE having company!!! And company who have their own transportation and their own things to do is a bonus! Ha! I like hosting, but I don’t like entertaining. Too much pressure I guess. So having both Jac and Anson in town for the last few days has been really great, and I will be sad to lose them.

Another thing I love: BRUNCH! We made sure to meet up with Jen & Andy for brunch at the old school hangout of Tradewinds in Mishawaka. It had been awhile since I’d been there, and forever since I’d been there for brunch! And I’ve decided I should go there more often. Good prices, good food, good atmosphere – homey, friendly. But if you go, take a sweatshirt! It’s always chilly in temperature there. Especially if you decide to order their Eskimo Waffle – a Belgium waffle topped with strawberries, whipped cream AND ice cream! And then there’s the PandaQuake! (which is really termed the Panquake) which, in addition to eggs and choice of meat, is endless pancakes, wow. And for really reasonable prices I’d say. So, there ya go. Free advertising. Go eat at Tradewinds. It’s by Bethel.

I think summer may be officially over now. We’ve got football. And it has significantly cooled off, which I’m still not used to. The other night I showered and threw on a tank top before going out. It was already after 9. What was I thinking? It was probably about 55 degrees!

I don’t like when summer ends… Although I DO like football.

In case this isn’t random enough, here’s more:

Did anyone else watch the new 90210? Tee hee. It makes me happy to see Jennie Garth again. It’s weird to see Lori Loughlin play a mom of teens! And is Rob Estes not the hottest man you’ve ever seen?!? And is Jessica Walter playing Lucille again? Hmmm.

Fonts. I’ve never thought much about fonts. But since I didn’t like the capital G in the Optima font (it looked too much like a C) and I need a new name badge anyway, I’m looking for a new font. Got any good suggestions?

This is what my boss said to my co-worker today who had been working in our library for awhile: “It looks like you’re researching hot and heavy in here.” WHAT?!? I’d say poor choice of words.

I am waiting.

Waiting to find out how much my pay raise will be. I wonder if it will be enough to start up a gym membership again...

I want to go back to focusing on losing weight. I forgot that was a goal of mine. It just kinda got tossed in the back seat. Or more like the trunk.

I've got a headache, but it's my own fault. Have I eaten anything today? Oh yes, I had a little breakfast. It's amazing how weak I get when I don't eat.

But skipping eating isn't the way to lose weight.

I was on the phone with my mom today talking about how I don't really know what to do when I'm home alone with nothing going on. She reminded me about goals. I have to figure out what I want and then do the things to reach those goals.

This is all sort of "duh" stuff. But I need reminders. Am I the only one?

I can't always be waiting. Sometimes I need to be acting, moving, going, achieving.

...And then other times, I like being alone...

I've been spending more time alone and will be in the future too.

It's weird.

I don't know what to do. There are a couple things I could do, like . . . clean. But who wants to do that?

So I watch movies or I write or I surf the net or I sleep.

And I hate it.

And I am anxious to be around others again and have things to keep me occupied and not think about being alone.

I should have told you about this sooner, but oh well. It has kinda snuck up on me, much like Notre Dame's football season in 2 days!
Anyways, if you're in the area, check out Art Beat. Due to weather it will be held inside the Century Center. Better than nothing!

www.artbeatsouthbend.org

For you locals, I just found out about some sweet deals going on at Culver's in Mishawaka in honor of their 3rd anniversary.

Today: $1 Root Beer Floats (and their root beer is amazing!)

Tomorrow: $3.33 single/$4.43 Double Deluxe Value Basket with friends & drink

Saturday: $1 Shakes & Malts (many yummy flavors to choose from!)

I got to enjoy $1 Turtle Sundaes with my sister-in-law last night after church. Yea!!!

5 Recents

1. Aloe Vera Gel
2. Sunsets
3. St. Joe
4. Overnight Company
5. My New Job Title

5 Futures

1. Art Beat
2. ND Football
3. Bible Study
4. More Overnight Company
5. Appointments, Meetings, Tours, & Trips

5 Favorites

1. Farmers Market
2. Casual Day Trips
3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Chex Mix
4. Paid Bills
5. Can I use "Overnight Company" again?

So, this past weekend I got to spend a lot of time relaxing, which was AWESOME. I've been in a real movie mood. Normally I don't watch too many movies - theatre or dvd's at home. I guess it's all relative, but I'd estimate an average of, hmmm, maybe 1-2 a month.

But in the last week or so, I've watched so many movies I can't even keep track! What has been entertaining me of late?

• Mean Girls
• Karate Kid
• The Long Kiss Goodnight
• Sweet Home Alabama
• Eraser
• Crash

That might be all, or at least that's all that's coming to mind right now.

Movies are a nice 2 hour escape from reality for me, and maybe lately I just want to do whatever I can for a bit of a break from the current reality.