It's All Poop

I hate to use the same meme base in two blogs, back to back, but whatever.  This best described my day.

The journal prompt for the day is: Describe your day in ten words.

1 & 2 - Dragon poop
3 & 4 - Cat poop
5 - Sick
6 & 7 - Boring shopping
8 - CHORES
9 - Tears
10 - Cranky

I guess today was both a good day and a bad day.  I'd rate it a solid 6/10.  I woke up and got ready at a reasonable hour, regardless that it was my last day of winter break, to go see my new doctor - Dr. Hotty McHotface.  I've had sinus and lung issues for about 2 weeks which had not been improving on its own. 

Before heading out, I decided to make good on my promise to the husband to clean the cat box.  For two cats, there was way too much poop in that box.  Maybe the weight loss kibble is working?  Maybe the husband is using the box too?  Who knows. 

As I was washing my hands, I heard the bearded dragon start pacing around her terrarium.  I went to investigate.  Now, the dragon is poop shy.  She will avoid pooping when someone is watching.  Today I discovered that she will stop, MID-POOP, if someone is watching.  She froze. She looked at me, I looked at her.  Disgusted, I went off to get cleaning supplies.  I came back to a dragon poop explosion.  Sometimes I hate her so much.

I finally made it to my appointment with Dr. Hotty McHotface.  He was super nice and straightforward.  I don't have the death-plague, so I have to go to work.  

After grabbing Chicken Fries from Burger King (they make me happy), I decided to brave the Walmart Neighborhood near my house.  It wasn't bad, which led to me doing more shopping than I had planned.  I guess the fancy cottage cheese with fruit mix-ins counts as therapeutic shopping.  I'm still counting this as a No Spend day in my n-bujo-jo.  I even remembered to pick up bacon for the instant bacon maker my mom sent me.  We'll try that another day.

As I pulled up into the garage, I broke down crying over my dad.  I don't even know what triggered me.  I tried to pull myself together, but couldn't quite get myself to stop.  It hits me hard when it hits me that he is really gone.  It's so easy to tell myself that he is just doing his thing - going to work, then heading off to the lake for the weekend.  I don't know why I'm breaking down randomly.

In an attempt to pull myself out of it, I did a bunch of chores around the house.  The husband was visibly pleased (actually smiled at my accomplished tasks) when he got home.  Making myself busy helped.

I'm just cranky at this point.  Not sure why.  I've made myself a coffee, Sadie is curled up behind me, acting as a kitty heating pad, dishes are done, laundry is almost done (early! Not even waiting until Sunday!)... but still.  I'm ready to start another day.

2018 - Let's Do This

When I was thinking about arbitrary New Year resolutions I could gleefully decimate or habits I could track in my fancy new non-bullet journal journal (n-bujo-jo, for the hip), I remembered that I have a blog.  I also remembered that I loved writing and I haven't done much of it in a very long time.

Armed with 365 prompts and endless electronics which connect to the intarwebz, I find myself with no excuse not to blog. So, here we go.

Also, I'm making up for Monday because I already skipped day one (HA).

Jan. 1 - What are you most looking forward to?

Positive change.  I need to be more mindful of the things I do and how they effect me mentally, physically, and financially.  Yes, this all sounds like work, but holy cats, it's about dang time.

I've been watching some of my friends set up their fancy bujos (bullet journals).  I started pinning ideas I liked for my own bujo.  My wonderful mother, though confused by my request for pens and markers for Christmas, bought me what I asked for.

I set out to make my own bujo.  After several days of frustration and stress (this thing was supposed to make my life better, not more stressful), I gave up.  I mean, really, I can't even handle the stress of adult coloring books.  I can't imagine what made me think I would find peace/happiness/whatever-it-is-you're-supposed-to-find by making one of these things.

In a random retail therapy trip to Hobby Lobby, I discovered their Create 365 - The Happy Planner line of planner things.

Now, I put everything of importance on my Google/MS Office Calendars.  If it needs to be done, or someone needs me somewhere at a particular time, it goes there.  Then I get reminders on my myriad of connected devices.  I have no need for an actual planner for things like that.

However, these things have stickers.  LOTS of stickers.  I like stickers.

So, I bought a mini planner and an obscene amount of stickers (thousands...).  I also bought more pens because I found some which were glittery and my world needs a little more shine right now.

My mother thought I was crazy for numbering each day of the year on my new calendar.  I know you can buy calendars with the days already labeled for you, but this one has STICKERS for each day!

I've put a few different things on the sideline under "Notes" that I intend to track: Blogged, No Spend, No Sugar, Cooked at Home, etc.  

I'm hoping this new toy keeps me entertained enough to keep to these resolutions/goals.

Jan. 2 - Three goals for this month.

I feel less bad for starting this blogging thing on day 2 as opposed to day 1 since the prompt is connected.

One of my main goals I'm tracking in my n-bujo-jo is No Spend - my goal to spend less on stupid (though fun) stuff.  So far, so good.  I fear I'll just save up everything I want to buy and buy it all at once so it looks like I've made progress in my n-bujo-jo... We'll see.

A huge goal is to start renovations on my bathroom.  Our bathroom had to be torn out completely due to mold and moisture in the insulation in the walls.  It's unrelated to Harvey, but it occurred at the same time.  Let's just say the people who flipped our house before we bought it deserve whatever poor karma comes their way.  

Finally, I need to get my eyes checked.  My old glasses work ok... but not well enough for me to want to bother with them.  

My Midlife Crisis

After taking a moment to sit back and consider my life, I realized that I am having a midlife crisis.  Really, there's no need to panic - I think all of my "crazy" is actually what most would call normal.

When my mother had her midlife crisis, she bought tap shoes, a baton, and a hoola hoop.  She wore said shoes to work.  (I may need a pair...)

They looked something like these, if I recall correctly.

My midlife crisis looks like gardening, buying stocks instead of more shoes, planning out meals, and doing The Big Purge.  I'm not sure which one surprises me more.

As previously posted, I bought plants while out of my right mind.  12 out of 12 of the plants (Blue Hostas) in the front yard are happy and thriving.  The two butterfly trees I purchased are doing okay in the back yard.  I ordered 6 more plants - Mandarin Honeysuckle and Gardenia "frost proof" shrubs.   I really want a watering can and new water hoses. (WHO HAVE I BECOME?!)

I decided to start playing with the stock market.  Instead of buying more shoes I won't wear (I have over 60 pairs and rarely wear anything other than my tennies), I decided to buy stock.  I have no idea what I am doing, but I do know that I've already lost 42 cents in my first week of stock ownership.  It's bullshit, I say.

 While I was in El Paso, I bought a chalkboard weekly menu board with the intention of meal planning.  We typically go out 4/7 nights a week, with the remaining three spent ordering take out or fast food.  In an effort to increase our bank account balances and decrease our waistlines, the decision was made to eat in more often.

The Big Purge has begun.  I am a (recovering) make-up hoarder.  It took me two hours and several trash bags to clear out 2 of my make-up drawers.  I'm not done.  Next up will be my closet.  After that, the craft closet and office (summer project - gonna need time for that one).  

I don't know about most people's midlife crises, but I'm thinking it might be a good thing if mine become regular habits.

Nocturnal Gardening, Shovel Services, and the Mosquito Den of Creation

I know that had a fever and/or was highly medicated when I decided it would be a good idea to order live plants on the Internet.  I was in crazy mode and ordered all sorts of things for DIY house plans!  I also ordered wallpaper.  That's another story for another day.

I selected the plants based on the fact that the sale said that they would tolerate lots of water or drought (this equals I can ignore them).  Also, they're blue plants.

They're "Cool Blue Mix Hosta" plants, whatever that means.

They arrived yesterday with the instructions to plant immediately.  I've been really sick lately and Dan is still sick, which meant the planting had to be soon, but not immediately as suggested.  Dan and I set out for garden soil, gloves, a tiny shovel, and a kickboard to save my aging knees (32 is hard!).

By the time we got home from the store, it was after 9 pm and dark.  I sent Dan inside because he has the death plague.  I grabbed a rather large shovel and set out to work.

Let me sidebar for a moment - I've joked/"joked" with one of my friends for years that she has unlimited "shovel services" since we're such good friends.  This translates to I'll bury whomever she needs me to bury when the time comes.  I suppose, before tonight, I'd never really used a shovel seriously.  IT'S A LOT OF WORK.  While I know it will definitely mean more loose ends if we have to hire outside help for shovel services, that's where we are.  I had a hard enough time digging up the soil in the planters by my front door to mix it with the gardening soil.  I absolutely doubt my abilities to dig a large hole.  So, all shovel services are officially cancelled.

Must be great at digging holes

Back to my nocturnal gardening adventure.  I managed to get 2 of the 4 bags of soil put out and mixed in with the stuff that was already there.  I planted the dang live root plant things.  I watered them.  I cleaned up (most of) my mess.  

All the while, I was thinking that it was amazing that I was not being bothered by the legions of mosquitoes which guard my front door.  Anyone who has been to my house knows that the front door area of my house is the Mosquito Den of Creation - where all mosquitoes come from.  They swarm even when it is chilly.

The entire time I was out there, not a single mosquito even came near enough for me to hear its high pitched buzz.  I was seriously impressed by the bracelet things I bought from Big Lots for $0.95 each.  I bought two and stuck one on each wrist.  Totally worked.  I highly recommend these things if you're going to exist in the outside world with mosquitoes.  

Buy these!  Buy all of these if you see them!  They work!

I'll update at some point with pictures of the plants, should they ever actually grow into things with leaves.  For now, I am going to go celebrate my nocturnal gardening accomplishments with some Easter clearance blue Peeps.

30 Things Series - My Thoughts on Age & Numbers 3, 4

I haven't posted a 30 Things blog in a while. This is mostly because I've been so dang busy with other things (end of the school year, making travel plans, wedding stuff, house stuff, running, whatever). It's also maybe because I've been thinking about getting old, myself.

Seriously, don't laugh. Peter Pan Syndrome Miss Lindsey has those days, too!

I remember when I was 22, on my way to Disney World for an internship, when I discovered my first wrinkles on my forehead. I blogged about them then, horrified. Life was going to be over after Disney, I may as well buy a dozen cats, start drinking martinis and sign up for regular Botox shots. Then, I got to Disney and forgot how old I was. While I can't visit Disney every time I start to feel old, I can recapture the wonder of being young.

Age is nothing more than a number. In many ways, I'm more mature now than I was 10 years ago. I'm many other ways, I'm still the same kid at heart. It's important to find what makes you happy. Bring yourself back to whatever that is, whether it be in person or in memory, and hold onto whatever it is. Take a walk, see something new, read a book, learn something, make things, set unreasonable goals, or simply hang out with kids and see the world through their eyes. It'll keep you young, always, no matter what your number may be.

Now, to get caught up with 30 Things. I feel like 3 and 4 can be lumped together in one post. Here goes:

3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or the man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.

4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you're not ashamed to be seen carrying.

I own several suits which fit me. I've amassed this collection throughout my 20s, making sure to choose stylish, yet classic looks so I can wear them for many years. Some weren't expensive, found at Marshalls or on Ebay for a steal. Sure, you may not think you have an excuse to own a suit, but just wait until you need one last minute. You'll wish you had some in stock. Buy something you can use the pieces of during your regular work week, like a black skirt suit, and wear the skirt or jacket with other items from your closet.

On the other side of the coin, you need to own a little black dress. Nothing too slinky or short. Just something that hangs just right on whatever your frame may be. If black isn't your color, find something in a solid, reasonable color. You can never go wrong with a great, simple dress. They can be dressed up or down for whatever the occasion may be.

Though, truly, I'm the kind of girl to show up to meet the man of her dreams while wearing jeans, tennies and whatever random shirt looked good at the time. He ought to love me like that if he is the man of my dreams, right? ;)

As far as the purse, suitcase and umbrella go, I wouldn't say they are staples a woman must have before 30, but are good ideas. There's no reason to be carrying around purses a teenager might carry, toting a SpiderMan umbrella and a beat up, 5th generation thrift store suitcase.

The Christmas before I left for Houston, my aunt Barbara bought me a black umbrella which folded up small enough to fit in most purses. I still have it and prefer it. I suggest something like this. Though, I also have a bundle of Disney World umbrellas, since I never seemed to have one when I needed one in Florida, which I find acceptable.

My fantastic suitcases I stole from my mother. I'll be honest. They're great and a result of me traveling to El Paso with a tiny bag, necessitating a larger, or second bag, for the return trip. (Thanks, Mom!). While shopping at your parents house seems like a good idea, Marshalls or Burlington Coat Factory are really great for finding decent luggage at reasonable prices.

Belated Two Things Tuesday

My evening was very busy yesterday, so I did not get around to posting this on the right day. But, seriously, who cares when I post these things anyhow?



Two Things:

1. I hate UTEP - I cannot overstate this. While, yes, I had a handful of fantastic professors during my time in college, the whole experience is severely soured by my dealings with the administration.

Without delving much into past events, let's just jump to today, rather, last night, when I received an email stating that there had been a grade change initiated by one of my instructors, changing it to a score which implies I never finished the course.

Ahem, I GRADUATED 3 YEARS AGO! I wasn't even aware they could change grades after a degree had been awarded, especially so long ago. Without a grade in the course, I would be lacking enough credits for my degree, possibly rendering my degree invalid. You can imagine my fury last night after reading the email. I was literally shaking. I thought I was done with UTEP.

It became my mission today to short things out. It's a good thing I don't live in the same city anymore. Instead I started calling this morning, trying to get ahold of anyone who knew anything or could do anything. That became a chore in of itself. It took me 9 phone calls to the operator and transfers to the Registration and Records office before I bypassed the operator and just called directly repeatedly. Each time, no answer, transfer to voicemail, voicemail was full. The operators had tried transferring me to two real people instead of the main number. The same thing happened, no answer, transfer to voicemail, voicemail full. After 6 more phone calls to the Records office, I finally got someone. She was kind enough to giggle at the situation and remark that I shouldn't have graduated. I reiterated how important it was to get things sorted today and she promised someone would call me back. I was less than hopeful. After some extra help from a few fantastic people, I did receive a call back. Everything would be sorted out ASAP. Apparently, no one signed some sort of paperwork and the system caught it in an audit. Whatever. It's done.

2. Getting Organized - I bought Dan a shelving unit for his pint glasses. They used to be stacked in groups of 2 or 3 on top of the game cabinet. Nightmares of a cat jumping up on top of the game cabinet out of curiosity drove me to my purchase. It looks much better and makes me feel better, too.