The end of the year is here, and tomorrow a new chapter begins. I have so much hope for this next year. There is much to look forward to. A new president, one who shares my views and my hope for this country. I'm moving back home to prepare for starting out on my own in a couple of months. And I'm ringing in the New Year in Nashville, with someone I love.
There are scary things, too. My brother Bryan deploys for Afghanistan in January. I am so scared. This year has potential to bring so much good, but also to be full of fear for my family.
Either way, I'm ready to embrace it. I want to be the strongest, bravest, most improved version of myself. I want to continue to grow and open my mind to other people's ideas. I want to learn to love myself more, by shelving my own ego and putting others first. I want to be the kind of person I would want to know. I want to be filled with grace instead of negativity.
Be safe out there, kids.
We're still here.
I hate packing for vacations. I always feel like I'm bringing too much. Or like I'm not packing in the best possible way. This whole thing where the laptop has to go through in it's own bin? Stresses me out. Or the little baggie thing? For all your liquids and gels? Bah.
Because I don't do the checking of luggage. I'm always afraid I'm not gonna get my shit back at the other end. Lol, which I guess means that I'm actually bringing less, because if I checked my suitcase, then I would bring an additional carry-on on top of my purse.
I have a tendency to overthink things.
And I hate to fly.
We're still here.
I strongly dislike the Gig Harbor PD.
Sunday, December 28, 2008 | Classifications:: Vapid CommercialismBut on a more upbeat note: look! New shoes.
Yeah. I'm still bummed.
Laini's Mom 3 gave her a crap-ton of Coach. I am insanely jealous of her three Coach wallets, two of which are big enough to hold a checkbook. I want a new Coach wallet. My little pink one is too small.
Okay. I'm done here. Peace out, playas.
We're still here.
So I had this minor speeding ticket, and I couldn't afford to pay it right away. It was sent to collections, and my license was suspended.
Then I got a job, and I paid my ticket. Or so I thought. Apparently, I didn't pay it all. I went to the DOL and renewed my license, paying a $25 fee for a new license, and $75 to unsuspend myself. I wrote a check for $100 on October 7th, I believe. Or the 6th. One of those two.
I'm driving back home from my mom's house, when all of a sudden I get pulled over. I have no idea why, as I'm not speeding. Or driving erratically in any way.
Apparently my license is suspended. Still. Or again. I don't know. I almost got arrested this afternoon. Arrested. The cop was a jerk, and I am a big fat fan of cops. They've never done anything but do right by me. Rushed out to my house when I needed them. Drove around my exboyfriend's apartment the whole night while we slept because his creepy ex roommate with a APB out on him kept harassing us. But this cop? He was mean. And I tried to ask him questions because I was scared and confused, and he threatened to book me and impound my car if I continued to be noncompliant. I wanted to die.
I have a court date on January 14th, and tomorrow we are calling the different courts to see where exactly this ticket issue lies, and then hopefully going to pay the fines at the DOL. I hope that it will all get sorted out tomorrow, and I'll be all set on the 14th. And I'm going to Nashville anyway, so I'm just gonna go hide out and forget this nonsense. From Tuesday when I get to the airport to the following Monday when I get back, well as far as I am concerned this business is not happening.
Boo.
By the way, they had my shoes.
We're still here. (barely.)
naked blogging.
Saturday, December 27, 2008 | Classifications:: too much information?, Vapid CommercialismLol, overshare?
I'm doing laundry so that I can pack for Nashville tomorrow night. I leave on Tuesday afternoon, from work. I can not wait.
My brother got me these really cute packing checklists from Urban Outfitters, and they totally mesh with my crazy OCD. I love how I am so anal that I highlight the things I want to pack, and then check them off as I put them in the suitcase. I'm crazy.
And by the way, do you see those finger nails? I got them done for my trip/New Year's, and the color is plum noir. It's the exact same color as the detailing on my purse. Love.
I'm currently sitting on my couch in a down comforter and my birthday suit (TMI?), watching the last episode of Sex and the City, Season 3. I'm daydreaming about a pair of shoes I almost bought today (some purplish suede Clark's, sooo comfy). I am hoping to God they have them there tomorrow morning, but I'm also not holding my breath. Sales! Eeek. I returned a coat I got for Christmas and got a very cute, very large pair of Betsey Johnson sunglasses that Weezer will hate. I love them.
Don't we look cute? I am not loving my hair at the moment, though. Ah well. I'm off to go dream about those shoes I wish I'd bought. Ugh. Mentally kicking myself over here.
We're still here.
Yes. Love.
I know the real meaning of Christmas is being with family, and celebrating Christ's birth. But oh man.... This is sexy stuff.
We're still here.
Merry Christmas, from my family to yours....
Wednesday, December 24, 2008 | Classifications:: Holidays, Klondike, Pictures.jpg)
Man, aren't the holidays exhausting?
I finished my final Christmas present this afternoon, right before I left for my mom's for Christmas Eve. Being the product of a broken home means that my family does Christmas presents from each other at my mom's house Christmas Eve. (Although, come to think of it, even when my parents were together we did family presents on Christmas Eve. And hell, Santa still comes to my mom's Christmas morning, so I guess not much has changed!) Anyway, the point is, I think the present was wrapped for all of a couple of hours before being opened again.
I got new pajamas, which I am excited to bring to Nashville with me. They have elephants on them. Excellent.
I hope you all have an equally wonderful holiday.
We're still here.
Just remember, we're making a memory.
Monday, December 22, 2008 | Classifications:: Day to Day, Freaking Snow., Rant., Winter WonderlandIs it overly optimistic that I keep peaking out the front window to check out the snow, and notice that our icicles are melting considerably? Or, you know, just neurotic? And you know, I know. Sure. It's a whopping two whole degrees above freezing right now, but yeah, it's supposed to be 29 degrees tonight. This will not improve my morning commute. I get that. But still. The damn icicles are melting.
This morning I woke up at 5 to a text message from Angela, wanting to know if I could drive her to the airport.
This made me very apprehensive, but I said yes anyway.
It took us about a half an hour to dig my car out of it's permanent parallel parking spot in front of our house. At one point I was stuck halfway in the road. We don't own a shovel, so she dug me out with a plate. I'm fretting. How am I going to get to work? And she keeps reminding me, we're making memories! It would have been really funny if I hadn't wanted to punch someone in the face.
So we finally get out, and after a quick stop at the local Forza, where we discussed the liklihood of Angela's flight actually leaving with the baristas, we were on our way.
For those of us who know the area: we went down 21st and turned left on Pearl, getting on Highway 16 on the Pearl St entrance. It took forever. And you know? My car sucks. I got on the freeway, which was supposedly much better, and was still sliding all over the place. I had visions of a car accident on the way to SeaTac, or getting stuck in Auburn again. I told her what I should have said all along: I can't do this. We got off on 19th, and headed up towards Jackson. I didn't think we were going to make it through the traffic light at 19th and Mildred. My tires were just... spinning. Turning right on Jackson, we headed down to 17th which turns into 21st, and tried turning right onto our road. And got stuck. In more snow drifts. I ended up backing out (finally...) and driving up to Orchard, only to do a u-turn, coming back up 21st and ending up at Forza, almost where we started. I had to leave my car in a parking lot. I don't like that. At all. I like things contained. That is far too spread out for me.
She ended up driving her Prius to the airport, getting there fine, and I assume taking off, since I haven't heard otherwise. I have taken a nap. This much time spent by myself is not good for my sanity.
I'm about to go for a walk to my car and the grocery store nearby it. I have a movie rental to return.
And by the way, I was taking the trash out this morning, and how cute does this sound? I am wearing white thermal long johns with little jewel toned polka dot's on them, a white cami under a pink thermal top, Ugg boots, and this ginormous green down coat with a fur lined hood that goes to my knees almost. What? You wish you were me? I know, my eccentric fashion sense is definitely conducive to jealousy. Don't worry folks, there's plenty of style here to go around.
We're still here.
1-Where
I worked New Year's Eve, so I was at home by midnight, ready to go to sleep.
2-What was your statu
In a dysfunctional relationship with a single father of a 11 year old girl. Oy.
3-Were you in schoo
Yes, I graduated from the University of Washington this year with my Bachelor's in Social Welfare.
4-Did you have to go to the hospi
Yeah. I went to the ER once because I am crazy and my Lithium levels were too low. Funny, now that I am not taking any medication at all I haven't had to go to the ER once.
5-Did you have any encou
Nope.
6-Where
Nashville twice, San Francisco once, and Portland once.
7-What did you purch
Huh. I don't know that I purchased anything that was over $100.
8-Did you know anybo
Yes, my friend Amanda got married and had a baby.
9-Did you know anybo
No.
10-Did you move anywh
I moved to Tacoma.
11-What sport
None.
12-What conce
Sia, Gogol Bordello, Jason Mraz and New Kids on the Block.
13-Descr
Richard flew out from Nashville. He and I spent the day in my hometown with Laini, Kaleb and Lilli. My family and friends had a small party at my house in Tacoma, and then Richard, Angela and I went to see Gogol Bordello in Seattle.
14-What is the one thing
Fly to Nashville to visit someone I met on the internet, and then fall in love with him.
15-What has been your favor
There are sooo many. Making up with Laini is one, meeting Richard is another. Graduating, finally!
16-Any new addit
Not as such.
17-What was your best month
Either June or October. This one is pretty good, though.
18-Who has been your best drink
Well, when I go drinking, Dana is usually my go to drinking buddy.
20-Favor
Sia with Angela, Opryland with Richard, Twilight and Mojitos with Laini and Angela.
21-Other
My mom's or Laini's. Or work, lol.
22-Have you lost any frien
Not really, no.
23-Chang
Um, hi. Have you met me?
24-Have any car accid
No, thank
25-How old did you turn this year?
26.
26-Do you have a New Years
No.
27-Do anyth
Probably. I can't think of anything off the top of my head.
28-Buy anyth
Just Richard's camera.
30-Get arres
Nope.
31-Go snowb
I don't know how!
32-Did you get sick this year?
Yes. Like, a week ago, actually.
33-Are you happy
I'm ambivalent.
34-Been naugh
Probably a little of both.
35-What kind of phone
Um, a pink one. I've had three. They were all pink.
36-Did you date anybo
Yes.
Okay, fine. You win. Let it snow, already!
| Classifications:: Day to Day, Klondike, Pictures, Videos, Winter WonderlandOkay, Winter. You win. I've resigned myself to just loving this snow for what it is, and relaxing about everything else. If I can't get to work tomorrow? Then I can't get to work tomorrow. I'll survive, and so will they.
It helps, I think, that I'm at my own house, and I've done laundry and cleaned up, so I have nothing to do except sit back, relax, and enjoy this winter snowstorm.
This morning I walked a couple of blocks to the grocery store to rent a movie. They didn't have the movie I wanted (P.S. I Love You, don't judge me Weezer) so I rented The Women (stop judging me, Weezer!) instead. Then I stopped at Game Stop to buy a certain 12 year old boy his Christmas present. Once I finish knitting my mom's present, then I will be done. I would like to point out that I did the handmade thing this year, and I made gifts for my mom, my dad, both of my brothers, my step mom, my step sister, my god-babies, my laini, my adina, angela, and my grandma. I ended up buying Joe's present, Weezer's present (because I can't make a Kodak Brownie Reflex, I fail) and something to go along with Laini's present. I am quite proud.
Anyway, I stopped at Forza on my way home for a cup of coffee, and now here I am, in my cozy sweats, sitting in the chair in my room watching it snow.
Here is a picture of my backyard:
We're still here.
I made it home. The roads actually weren't that bad. I mean, it's starting to snow again, and apparently we're supposed to get 5-8 inches tonight, but it was pretty easy to get home. I went to the grocery store because I started my period, and the lines went from the front of the store, all the way down the aisles, to the back! Crazy.... Stupid period! :P
Now that I am home I'm doing lots of laundry. My room hasn't been cleaned since right before Richard got here, and my laundry has been in a state of limbo. I have lots to do. I just want to settle in at home and ride out the storm. After tonight, I think it's all supposed to start getting better.
I'm sitting on the couch in my front room, with my Christmas lights on. I'm washing my sheets and getting ready to make my bed. I want to clean my room. I'm knitting my mom's Christmas present. I'm cozying in. It's good stuff.
We're still here.
One of the best ways for dealing with my condition is that when I'm feeling down I keep busy. When I'm feeling anxious, I keep busy. This is how I keep from going crazy.
I feel trapped. I'm trapped at my mom's house, far enough away from my own house to make me worry and wonder when I will be able to comfortably drive back. If I'm bored I can't just drive to Laini's house, or run out to Target. I hate Winter storms.
The weather report seems a bit confused. The forecast says we will get snow showers basically through till at least the 29th. However, temperatures will start rising tomorrow, and continue to do so. Until Friday, when they get above freezing. Now how is it gonna snow with highs of 42 and lows of 36? Ridiculous.
I'm overthinking the world. I'm a little bit... moody. But hey, apparently what else is new?
We're still here.
Please forgive my harsh words. It's been a trying week.
That is what we are dealing with. My brother, who is the most confident inclement weather driver I know, (and also a Marine, so he's basically a superhero) plastered my mom's car around a tree down on Ruston Way at 8:40ish this morning. I had to drive home from Auburn to St. Joe's ER, where he was taken by ambulance.
It was actually pretty funny. After the accident Bryan and his friend Amber got out of the car and walked to a nearby restaurant, where they had some coffee and waited for the EMTs. When they got there, the EMTs put him in a C-collar and strapped him to a board. I took a picture because I suck.
Bryan is fine. He walked out of the ER after some x-rays. My mom's car is totaled, and she is not doing so well. She's really worried about this car situation. I feel helpless. I barely have enough money to survive, let alone help her to buy a new car.
I HATE snow.
We're still here.
I'll tell you what you can do with your Winter Wonderland....
Thursday, December 18, 2008 | Classifications:: Rant., WorrisomeOkay. I get it. Winter is coming, let's prove it with snow! Woohoo. Snow is so fun, and cold and pretty. We can make snowmen, put on warm fairisle sweaters and drink hot cocoa. It will be grand.
Except it's not. It's icy and dangerous and mean to me and my car. It causes me to drive into a ditch on the Olympic Peninsula. Were it not for those teenage angels, I might still be stuck on 101 somewhere.
Snow makes me late to work. Snow causes me to get stuck on my mother's lawn at 6am, when I should be getting an early start to my day. Snow makes it so that I am stuck in Auburn, unable to get home tonight, with no toiletries, no pajamas, and only a sweatshirt in my car, which luckily will prevent me from wearing the same outfit two days in a row. I mean, the panties, bra, jeans and cami will all be the same, but that hoodie will make all the difference.
Those of you who know me understand that I do not deviate from the routine very well. I do things a certain way for a reason. I like them that way. That is how I roll.
Snow? Seriously. I'm done with you. If you could go away tomorrow so that I could drive to my mom's house to grab my stuff and the dog, and then to my house to settle in for the holidays, well gee. That would be awesome, possum.
And that's all I have to say about that.
We're still here.
6 years
1) How old were you?
2) Where
3) Where
4) Where
5) Where
6) Did you wear conta
7) Who was your best frien
8) How many tatto
9) How many pierc
10) What car did you drive
11) Were you singl
12) How many kids did you have?
***4 YEARS
1) How old were you? 22
2) Where
3) Where
4) Where
5) Where
6) Did you wear conta
7) Who were your best frien
8) How many tatto
9) How many pierc
10) What kind of car did you have? '98 Ford Escort
11) Had your heart
12) Were you Singl
13) How many kids did you have?
*
1) How old are you now? 26
2) Where
3) Where
4) Where
5) Do you wear conta
5) Who is/
6) Do you talk to your old frien
7) How many pierc
8) How many tatto
9) What kind of car do you drive
10) Has your heart
11) Singl
12) How many kids?
We're still here.
winter wonderland?
Sunday, December 14, 2008 | Classifications:: Christmas, It's a Beatiful World, PicturesSo this weekend I went to Sequim to do some work at one of our other buildings, and then I went on this "booze cruise"/Christmas light bus tour. We had a fantastic dinner at the senior center in Port Angeles, and then drove around looking at lights, with a couple of alcohol stops. I had three glasses of wine, a cup full of hot apple cider and rum, a taste of eggnog (so. ew.), and two cups of hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps. Sheesh!
At the last stop it started snowing REALLY HARD and all these adults were having a snowball fight. It was silly.
This morning when I woke up there was snow everywhere. I took pictures.
The view from my dad's house, of a snow covered P.A.
My daddy.
Snow boots! Or, you know, Uggs.
Kay, I've lost interest in this business. Bye. :P
We're still here.
"There is nothing more truly artistic than to love."
Thursday, December 11, 2008 | Classifications:: Day to Day, Dreams, It's a Beatiful WorldI want it to be made perfectly clear that I love my job. I do. I enjoy getting dressed up in my suits and going into work every day. I have business cards, and an office, and I get to have meetings, and make a difference. It's like playing grown up.
But sometimes I wish I had the resources available to not work. Or to only work part time. Or maybe run a cute little business that I could pay other people to work for me, and then me and the pretty family I plan on having someday could go in and make appearances.
And I would be able to run my house, and make it beautiful, and surround myself with oh so pretty things. Peaceful music, and organic foods, and environmentally friendly products. And the tv would stay off for most of the day, and I would have a SEWING ROOM to make all other sewing rooms jealous.
I would craft, making as much for my home as I could, and only buying what is absolutely necessary. I would bake, and learn to be a better cook. And I would write. And make music. Because my dream home has a piano. And it's someplace removed, maybe on the Olympic Peninsula, where I see green everytime I look out the window. And on snow days I wouldn't have to worry about driving to work, because I could just stay in bed having sweet winter dreams.
I've been sick for the last 48 hours. Apparently the nausea and orange strawberry gatorade has made me delirious.
I want nachos. :P
(BTW: The above quote? Mr. Vincent Van Gogh.)
We're still here.
You make the birth of Christ scary!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 | Classifications:: Fairy God Babies, Moving, VideosSo Kaleb decided he wanted to sing some Christmas Carols tonight. As you can see below, it was pretty flipping weird.
I'm tired. I wish that I lived closer to work. Except I don't want to live in the city where I work.
I wish I worked closer to home.
So after I get back from Nashville at the beginning of the year my plan is to move back in with my mom for a couple of months. I need to save up to get my own place. I'll be sleeping on her couch. This will not be fun. I have NO IDEA where we are going to put my bed.
I may not have thought this through, completely.
I just want a place that is all mine.
We're still here.
I'll give her that, the girl can eat!
Monday, December 8, 2008 | Classifications:: Fairy God Babies, Pictures, VideosToday Ryan and Laini met me at my mom's house, and they brought Miss Lilli with them. Lilli noticed a box of candy canes, and was on it! 
Later, after heading to the high school to buy our Christmas trees, Lilli fell asleep in her car seat. She was not, however, too tired to enjoy some yummy chicken nuggets! It was SO funny.
And we wouldn't want to forget Mr. Kaleb! Silly boy!
We're still here.
Today I got my very first Christmas tree. I am in love. It is beautiful and my home smells like Christmas.
We're still here.
Today was really weird. Parts were really not great at all. Other parts were quite good. The bad parts? My Good to Go account was not taking money out of my bank account when I was making online payments. I have a total of 53 toll violations. All but 18 of them have gone to collections already. Meh. I have two court dates, one in January and one in March, for the remaining 18. Bah.
Nini and I went to the mall. Guess what? Even though I'm fatter than I have ever been, I still look kinda hot in my new skinny jeans:
I got new jeans, two new tops (one for New Year's in Nashville!) and two camisoles for $50. I also got new shoes. I'll post a pic tomorrow.
I got lowlights. I like them:
K. Now I am listening to Paramore. This video is awesome:
Okay. I should go to sleep. I am touring an apartment tomorrow in Parkland. Not my ideal neighborhood, but the complex looks nice enough. We'll see, I guess.
We're still here.
Is it possible to feel fat and fragile at the same time?
Thursday, December 4, 2008 | Classifications:: Day to Day, MoodsSo much has been going on. I don't know how to put it all into words. I'm not really sure that I want to.
Work has been really busy this week. The other social worker is training to fill in for someone else, so it's been just me in the department. This means instead of creating a to do list and finishing it every day, I have a list that grows and grows, without much actually getting accomplished. I guess that's the way of the world, though. My boss's to do list is four pages long! Or it was, until he gave it to me. :P
I'm spending a lot of time at Laini's. This weekend I am touring a new apartment in Tacoma. And on Sunday I'm going to rent a Christmas tree from Ikea.
I just want to spend a week in bed, (after someone magically cleans my room when I'm not there) reading library books, catching up on my shows and taking naps.
I don't know.
We're still here.
So I'm all stoked yesterday because November is over, and I don't have to blog, but here I am. Blogging.
I found these pictures in my camera. Last week (?) Laini and I went to Shari's, and my ex boyfriend Matt was our server.
Matt and I dated at the beginning of my senior year. He was my first "real" boyfriend, I guess, since I didn't really date in high school, and anything before that doesn't count. Laini was actually responsible for us going out to begin with. We didn't date for very long, though. He started making out with my friend Amanda a lot in the science wing, and by the time I found out we were through. About a month later Donovan and I started dating, anyway, so it was no great loss.
We're still here.
