What a wonderful Wednesday, this is the first one in a long time that I did not have to attend a hellacious staff meeting at the crack of dawn! The realization that I do not have to suffer enormous amounts of stress at the hands of my boss every Wednesday is still taking some time to sink in. I had so much trouble sleeping last night, when I realized something - I haven't gotten a good night sleep on Tuesday in almost a year! The constant dread of the next morning would only cause a snowball effect of negative thoughts, rendering my mind completely unable to rest. Last night I experienced the residual effects of this, but am confident that things will get better as more time goes on.
This morning I had a fantastic experience at the Acura dealership! Well my precious car was due for an oil change and tire rotation (albeit an overpriced tire rotation), but to my surprise the man asked me if there was anything else that needed fixing - did I have any wheel scratches, paint chips, windshield cracks? Unfortunately I had to answer yes to all of these - BUT they are going to be able to repair my scraped wheel without replacing it! Oh the miracles of science - And they are going to handle the rest for free! Over joyed at this news, it didn't stop there, they gave me a quite luxurious loaner vehicle and now I don't have to wait around the dealership! Happy day! More often than not I leave most stores feeling underserved or irate at the bad service, but today I am gleeful about my experience! And my car will once again have a beautiful unspoiled wheel!
Now if only we could get an offer on our condo - then life would really be great :) I am continuing to think positive thoughts though, we had a showing yesterday, which is of course a good thing :)
For the rest of my week off I am going to be relaxing and getting things done before starting my new job next week, but this mornings events have put me in a great mood - THANK YOU ACRUA!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Oh Insomnia, My Unwelcome Companion...
Irksome is the fact that I once again can not sleep - boo... I need it so, but alas try as I might, my mind will not shut off. I need to have a switch installed, that would be most useful. After laying awake for a few hours I figured I might as well get up and do something useful - so I find myself at my laptop.
Today's open house was a disaster. Not only did I have someone show up early as I was preparing to depart with the dogs, but this person showed no interest in the house, but was fascinated with my furniture and decorations. Flattering as that may be, its depressing when you are trying to sell your house. And no sir all of my possessions do not come with the house - sorry. He went so far as to pick up a vase and examine it. The whole situation was quite uncomfortable and if it wasn't furniture and a vase we were talking about I might have thought that this was really a criminal getting ready to rob us. This man did not seem ripe for a heist, he seemed more the type frightened by his own shadow with his biggest concern being indigestion.
After finally escaping and leaving the work to my almost punctual realtor, I was off with the unruly dogs with high hopes for the arrival of anxious house hunters, being that it was a sunny and almost not freezing day. Most unfortunate was the result...only one family showed up the whole time. How discouraging this news was. Not only did I clean endlessly all weekend in preparation, but the whole day revolved around facilitating this open house. Trying to sell your home is a thankless, all consuming, and utterly miserable job. As a parent is to their child, I am hypersensitive to the negative criticisms heard from potential buyers - my thoughts are "I would like to see you try and find a condo as nice as this for any less money and in a better area". Some of them no doubt will tread the path of a "fixer-upper", come to find renovations are more costly than they imagined and their tastes are not as easily brought to life and now they are living in a patchy update mess of a place. The selling process has no doubt claimed several years of my life as a result of the constant stress, so I hope I can put this all behind me soon. I may just have to get a massage next week, a luxury that I at this time should not be indulging in, but so few are the pleasures of this dreadful phase of things - I need a way to keep my sanity.
Today's open house was a disaster. Not only did I have someone show up early as I was preparing to depart with the dogs, but this person showed no interest in the house, but was fascinated with my furniture and decorations. Flattering as that may be, its depressing when you are trying to sell your house. And no sir all of my possessions do not come with the house - sorry. He went so far as to pick up a vase and examine it. The whole situation was quite uncomfortable and if it wasn't furniture and a vase we were talking about I might have thought that this was really a criminal getting ready to rob us. This man did not seem ripe for a heist, he seemed more the type frightened by his own shadow with his biggest concern being indigestion.
After finally escaping and leaving the work to my almost punctual realtor, I was off with the unruly dogs with high hopes for the arrival of anxious house hunters, being that it was a sunny and almost not freezing day. Most unfortunate was the result...only one family showed up the whole time. How discouraging this news was. Not only did I clean endlessly all weekend in preparation, but the whole day revolved around facilitating this open house. Trying to sell your home is a thankless, all consuming, and utterly miserable job. As a parent is to their child, I am hypersensitive to the negative criticisms heard from potential buyers - my thoughts are "I would like to see you try and find a condo as nice as this for any less money and in a better area". Some of them no doubt will tread the path of a "fixer-upper", come to find renovations are more costly than they imagined and their tastes are not as easily brought to life and now they are living in a patchy update mess of a place. The selling process has no doubt claimed several years of my life as a result of the constant stress, so I hope I can put this all behind me soon. I may just have to get a massage next week, a luxury that I at this time should not be indulging in, but so few are the pleasures of this dreadful phase of things - I need a way to keep my sanity.
Friday, January 13, 2012
The Much Needed Update!
Now that I realize how long I have fallen out of the "blogging habit" it seems only right that I begin again for 2012. My friend Ashley definitely had a hand in my dusting off the keys, so to speak, and adding a new post.
2011...GOOD RIDDANCE! Never before have I been so excited to ring in a new year and leave a complete mess of a year behind! So far, in the only 13 days of 2012 so far, I have had better luck and fortune than practically the entire length of 2011. The tail end of 2011, brought me to my absolute breaking point as I confronted some of the most stressful circumstances of my life, both financial and health related. Many things have changed - I would have never thought that I would have my house on the market a hair shy of living here for only 2 years, but it needed to happen and now if we can only sell! The only thing more stressful than buying a house...is selling one. Now buying a property seems like a breeze, compared to the ENDLESS cleaning and rearranging of schedules that consume my life. Everyone that knows me knows that I like a clean and orderly house. But this is even too much for me....I toil away endlessly in the effort to make a good impression on potential buyers and I am wearing down the Dyson - not to mention the floors. When this hellish journey to selling comes to an end I will bask in the glory of only cleaning once per week!
2012 is exciting for another reason as well, by some miracle I have secured a new job! I really feel that this job move will be a positive one for me and allow me to advance in my career and hopefully have more longevity with a company. February will be starting off with a bang as I am sent to Las Vegas for sales training! Not only have I not been there since I was about 11, but getting away, even for work can be a fun thing!
Christmas was a bright spot this past year :) I am now the proud owner of a Kindle touch and amazing elephant cast iron tea pot! The age old debate between Kindle vs. real books was not a hard one for me - Kindle all the way. Not only is it more comfortable to hold, easier to take around, and generally awesome, but the case is very pretty too :) Don't get me wrong I won't be parting with my miniature library collection - and still have some new books to read (including a massive copy of The Stand, from a good friend that will probably take me a year to read).
Resolutions and goals - another great thing about the new year. Well here are my new goals for 2012 - particularly the next three months:
1) Stress Less - medically its necessary and life is too short to be in a constant state of worry
2) SELL THIS HOUSE!!!
3) Continue process for new house :)
4) Continue reading for pleasure
5) Gain financial stability
6) Find health insurance option that isn't extremely expensive
7) Walk the path of positivity and don't let others drag me down
I feel good about things this January and there is much to look forward to :)
2011...GOOD RIDDANCE! Never before have I been so excited to ring in a new year and leave a complete mess of a year behind! So far, in the only 13 days of 2012 so far, I have had better luck and fortune than practically the entire length of 2011. The tail end of 2011, brought me to my absolute breaking point as I confronted some of the most stressful circumstances of my life, both financial and health related. Many things have changed - I would have never thought that I would have my house on the market a hair shy of living here for only 2 years, but it needed to happen and now if we can only sell! The only thing more stressful than buying a house...is selling one. Now buying a property seems like a breeze, compared to the ENDLESS cleaning and rearranging of schedules that consume my life. Everyone that knows me knows that I like a clean and orderly house. But this is even too much for me....I toil away endlessly in the effort to make a good impression on potential buyers and I am wearing down the Dyson - not to mention the floors. When this hellish journey to selling comes to an end I will bask in the glory of only cleaning once per week!
2012 is exciting for another reason as well, by some miracle I have secured a new job! I really feel that this job move will be a positive one for me and allow me to advance in my career and hopefully have more longevity with a company. February will be starting off with a bang as I am sent to Las Vegas for sales training! Not only have I not been there since I was about 11, but getting away, even for work can be a fun thing!
Christmas was a bright spot this past year :) I am now the proud owner of a Kindle touch and amazing elephant cast iron tea pot! The age old debate between Kindle vs. real books was not a hard one for me - Kindle all the way. Not only is it more comfortable to hold, easier to take around, and generally awesome, but the case is very pretty too :) Don't get me wrong I won't be parting with my miniature library collection - and still have some new books to read (including a massive copy of The Stand, from a good friend that will probably take me a year to read).
Resolutions and goals - another great thing about the new year. Well here are my new goals for 2012 - particularly the next three months:
1) Stress Less - medically its necessary and life is too short to be in a constant state of worry
2) SELL THIS HOUSE!!!
3) Continue process for new house :)
4) Continue reading for pleasure
5) Gain financial stability
6) Find health insurance option that isn't extremely expensive
7) Walk the path of positivity and don't let others drag me down
I feel good about things this January and there is much to look forward to :)
Monday, November 14, 2011
A Time Of Statues
Antiques are fascinating to me, they make me think about what will become of all of my possessions, both trivial and valuable, after I die. Well any antique that ends up at an awesome resale store is lucky :) this weekend while my mom was in town we explored an antique store near the city. I found a very awesome dog statue a tribute to my own dog children, which apparently was a popular prize at carnivals back in the day. I would have been much more excited about awesome statue prizes versus the current animals filled with cheap foam... Ah yes a time when people had more time and desire for detail. There are definitely downsides to living in past eras - more untreatable disease, less product protection for the public, looser sanitation standards...but detail, they definitely had that! I tend to love things that are more vintage than not, yes some things are just down right hideous, but there are always gems hidden among them. I really want to have more time to dedicate to the pursuit of creating crafts, paintings, etc. Thanks to my discovery of etsy.com I have an eventual idea of where I could sell them. We will have to see.
Flavored popcorn is wonderful. "Blue raspberry" may sound questionable to some, but I love it! All things blue raspberry are usually fantastic, and this did not disappoint. There was a lot of food this weekend...as we inch closer to the holidays I can feel myself slipping into holiday feasting mode...that will mean even more trips to the gym.
The wind is gusting outside as I prepare to make my way out for another day of work. Today should prove to be rather interesting, I do hope that the rain holds off until later as I just washed my car two days ago. The dirt was really caked on last time. Hopefully I will have my head on straight as the week continues and will be able to create more coherent postings :)
TILM: Blue raspberry popcorn, good news for friends, FLORENCE, thinking about Christmas, good books, Thanksgiving break is almost here!!!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Long Over-due
Well this has certainly been my longest stint without a new post. With my love of fall and beginning all things festive this time of year, it hasn't exactly been at the top of my priorities to keep writing new blurbs on here. But tonight if I go to bed too early I know I will sleep too long and feel like a zombie for Friday and that is not a good feeling.
So whats new? FLORENCE! Yes the album "Ceremonials" if FINALLY out and I am definitely obsessed (and actually listening to Never Let Me Go at this very moment. The album is certainly different (as Florence always is which makes her genius and unconventional) and some tracks took a few listens to appreciate, others were amazing from the get-go. Her voice is still amazing and "the machine" as it were, is definitely staying strong. The new album actually assisted me in completing my best four mile run yet! *I am considering a small running challenge (5k maybe...) I guess I want to keep improving my ability with distance to prove to myself that I can do it first before officially deciding. I have never found such good running music and I have to give that some credit for my running success this week.
Halloween has passed and it has proved to be another interesting year ;) This was the last epic year of "The French Maid" who is now retiring and a new costume will make its first appearance next year. Fall is naturally flying by and cold winds and gloomy weather make their entrance - ominous of the classic midwest winters we have all come to know. I don't mind chilly, but freezing and windy is another story. As I age I come to desire only mild weather more and more.
I feel oddly optimistic about things (despite the competitive and seemingly unstable nature of my current work situation). Work has little to do with my happiness - I must contribute that to my wonderful boyfriend, puppy children, friends, new music, book project, fall weather, etc. My dream in the future is to work unfettered by a boss or corporate structure, to create beautiful and meaningful things - that would bring me a lot of peace in my life. Joining the seemingly endless cycle of adult working has changed my outlook on things in a darker way - but I feel like I have been able to recover some of my original self slowly over the last six months. It is amazing how that changes things - depressing to think about....but when people forget who they really are and become slaves to their passionless jobs (even without meaning too) it can be a hard place to crawl back from. But I am working on that.
The holidays are my favorite times of the year so I am excited to decorate for Christmas no later than the day after Thanksgiving, per usual! I have ordered more candles and they even came with free "festive" holders so I eagerly await their UPS delivery tomorrow.
In lou of my continual love of Florence:
And the arms of the ocean
Are carrying me...
And all this devotion was rushing out of me...
Seems a heavy choice to make
But now I am under all...
And its over, and I'm going under
But Im not giving up
Im just giving in.
So whats new? FLORENCE! Yes the album "Ceremonials" if FINALLY out and I am definitely obsessed (and actually listening to Never Let Me Go at this very moment. The album is certainly different (as Florence always is which makes her genius and unconventional) and some tracks took a few listens to appreciate, others were amazing from the get-go. Her voice is still amazing and "the machine" as it were, is definitely staying strong. The new album actually assisted me in completing my best four mile run yet! *I am considering a small running challenge (5k maybe...) I guess I want to keep improving my ability with distance to prove to myself that I can do it first before officially deciding. I have never found such good running music and I have to give that some credit for my running success this week.
Halloween has passed and it has proved to be another interesting year ;) This was the last epic year of "The French Maid" who is now retiring and a new costume will make its first appearance next year. Fall is naturally flying by and cold winds and gloomy weather make their entrance - ominous of the classic midwest winters we have all come to know. I don't mind chilly, but freezing and windy is another story. As I age I come to desire only mild weather more and more.
I feel oddly optimistic about things (despite the competitive and seemingly unstable nature of my current work situation). Work has little to do with my happiness - I must contribute that to my wonderful boyfriend, puppy children, friends, new music, book project, fall weather, etc. My dream in the future is to work unfettered by a boss or corporate structure, to create beautiful and meaningful things - that would bring me a lot of peace in my life. Joining the seemingly endless cycle of adult working has changed my outlook on things in a darker way - but I feel like I have been able to recover some of my original self slowly over the last six months. It is amazing how that changes things - depressing to think about....but when people forget who they really are and become slaves to their passionless jobs (even without meaning too) it can be a hard place to crawl back from. But I am working on that.
The holidays are my favorite times of the year so I am excited to decorate for Christmas no later than the day after Thanksgiving, per usual! I have ordered more candles and they even came with free "festive" holders so I eagerly await their UPS delivery tomorrow.
In lou of my continual love of Florence:
And the arms of the ocean
Are carrying me...
And all this devotion was rushing out of me...
Seems a heavy choice to make
But now I am under all...
And its over, and I'm going under
But Im not giving up
Im just giving in.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The Continual Continuing
Yes this cupcake was amazing!
So far the "Autumnal Bucket List" is going rather well. I am continuing on with my reading of The Shining and I must say that it is fantastic! The detail is plentiful and it makes Jack Torrence (who I will always envision as Jack Nicholson) look even more deranged :) I understand the story and all of the intricacies of the story much better. Now when I watch the movie again this month (which needs to be added to my Autumnal Bucket List) I will have a greater appreciation for the subtleties.
In other news I did complete my very first batch of homemade chili - it did turn out slightly less like actual soup then I would prefer, very super chunky. But the flavor was great and with some Fritos added on top I was rather pleased with myself and my ever increasing culinary skills. Pumpkin pie will be on the menu in the coming weeks! HURRAY PUMPKIN! Also said trip to Lemp Mansion has been scheduled and I am super excited to indulge in their chicken, potatoes, biscuits, and other "homemade haunted goods".
Late last week my little grease ball (Mogli) who had become frighteningly unkempt due to his ear infection and castration...FINALLY got his sutures out and was properly groomed this past weekend. And what a difference! He smells like cupcakes and looks very handsome! He will have all the lady dogs swooning at the dog park. His training is slowly coming along - minus a few lite accidents and some hysteria barking out the window.
The weather lately has continued to be fantastic and my allergies are slowly (fingers crossed) beginning to lessen.
Here is my TILT update!
* Car washing, welcome change in schedule for the day, tea (always), feeling good about the future, Jane Eyre (can't wait to watch this!!!), my fitness pal (best free app ever!)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
The Satisfying Weekend
Sunday is almost over, and sad as it is, I am happy that this weekend was enjoyable :) I am still loving this weather, many of the summer-fanatics are now feeling gloom and doom with the chilliness, BUT I AM NOT! I say yes to jackets, blankets, hot drinks, chili making, and hurray to cloudy and cool days.
Mogli has survived his castration and is now in the healing phase - you wouldn't know it by looking at him as he is bounding around the house and even though he does constantly bash his e-collar onto any and every surface, he seems to have no idea that he just underwent a surgical procedure. All is well in the recovery - we are just hoping that he gets over his ear infection so I can stop shooting that disgusting goo (that he completely loathes) into his ears. He looks much like Michael Corleone of The Godfather, with his black, greasy head of hair - there is just no way to keep that ear remedy under control! I anxiously await the day I can bathe him again.
Enjoying the small things this weekend played a huge part in why it was so great! Cooking successes and following through in our reduction in restaurant eating is going well and according to plan. We did let ourselves indulge in a weekend trip to the Olive Garden where we ran into our two good friends while still waiting for our table! Much fun was had as we chewed over the usual gossip and hilarities of life. We also FINALLY remedied that gaping hole in our ceiling! Just a little trip to Lowes and some handyman tricks later we have covered the hole with a vent cover complete with magnet vent seals to keep the moisture from destroying the top of the ceiling (clever invention I might say). I have also procured all the ingredients that I will need to fire up the crockpot this week and make my first every homemade chili! I cannot wait as this was one of the items on my "Autumn Bucket List" (yes I know, but still, a bucket list is a bucket list no matter how small...or seasonal).
Tonight has ended well, complete with HouseHunters and me working on writing :) Happy day indeed!
*Autumnal Bucket List - 2011*
- Make homemade chili
- Visit and dine at the "Lemp Mansion"
- Finish reading The Shining (Im working on it!)
- Carve pumpkins with Mogli for the first time
- Eat lots of homemade pumpkin pie (which I am a seasoned veteran at making)
- Wear my new scarf, and wear it correctly so that I do not look like a fool!
- Continue to wear "autumnal" shades of nail polish
Mogli has survived his castration and is now in the healing phase - you wouldn't know it by looking at him as he is bounding around the house and even though he does constantly bash his e-collar onto any and every surface, he seems to have no idea that he just underwent a surgical procedure. All is well in the recovery - we are just hoping that he gets over his ear infection so I can stop shooting that disgusting goo (that he completely loathes) into his ears. He looks much like Michael Corleone of The Godfather, with his black, greasy head of hair - there is just no way to keep that ear remedy under control! I anxiously await the day I can bathe him again.
Enjoying the small things this weekend played a huge part in why it was so great! Cooking successes and following through in our reduction in restaurant eating is going well and according to plan. We did let ourselves indulge in a weekend trip to the Olive Garden where we ran into our two good friends while still waiting for our table! Much fun was had as we chewed over the usual gossip and hilarities of life. We also FINALLY remedied that gaping hole in our ceiling! Just a little trip to Lowes and some handyman tricks later we have covered the hole with a vent cover complete with magnet vent seals to keep the moisture from destroying the top of the ceiling (clever invention I might say). I have also procured all the ingredients that I will need to fire up the crockpot this week and make my first every homemade chili! I cannot wait as this was one of the items on my "Autumn Bucket List" (yes I know, but still, a bucket list is a bucket list no matter how small...or seasonal).
Tonight has ended well, complete with HouseHunters and me working on writing :) Happy day indeed!
*Autumnal Bucket List - 2011*
- Make homemade chili
- Visit and dine at the "Lemp Mansion"
- Finish reading The Shining (Im working on it!)
- Carve pumpkins with Mogli for the first time
- Eat lots of homemade pumpkin pie (which I am a seasoned veteran at making)
- Wear my new scarf, and wear it correctly so that I do not look like a fool!
- Continue to wear "autumnal" shades of nail polish
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