Josie's Too Courageous

If you follow my blog at all, you know I have a Yorkie-Poo named Josie. She is almost seven months old, but she is such a fun and playful dog. While only weighing 3.8 pounds, she still loves to play with our other dog, Charlie, a Newfoundland weighing over a hundred pounds. But sometimes she is too courageous...

Like this morning. I was downstairs getting ready for work when I heard a series of yelps from Josie. I ran upstairs to see what was wrong with her. She had either gotten stepped on or bitten by Charlie, and her eye was completely out of it's socket. She was bleeding all over the carpet, shaking, and pretty scared. I quickly called our vet and asked if we could bring her in to get looked at. My sister drove me to town as I held Josie, shaking and still bleeding in my arms. The vet said  that this problem was common in small dogs, because they didn't have strong optic nerves because they were so small. She said that Josie would need surgery, but she would be just fine.

Josie went into surgery early this morning. The vet placed the eyeball back into it's socket and sewed it shut. The plan is to remove the stitches and to re-evaluate the eye in two weeks. It's almost guaranteed that she will be blind in the eye, but it will only need to be removed if it gets infected. Otherwise, it will move and operate normally, even though she will not be able to see out of it. But it shouldn't affect her way of life, and she will live like any other dog.

I guess the situation could have been a lot worse, and Charlie could have seriously injured Josie due to their size differences. It's just I always thought if anything happened to her when she and Charlie were playing, she would get a scratch or a broken leg. I never even considered she could go blind.

So I am sad. But relieved that Josie is alright. And scared that she might lose the other eye if the two dogs play too rough again. Hopefully, we will get lucky. Because I love Josie. She is the first puppy that I've ever owned on my own, and I am pretty sure I would be heartbroken if I lost her.

Diseased

Today I found out that I am diseased. Yes... diseased.

My problem is that I love, absolutely LOVE to chew on ice. And although that sounds very very strange, it's completely true. I chew on ice every chance I get. I especially love chewing on ice that was once cooling my iced tea. It's very weird, and I'd have to say, I'm obsessed.

So after chewing a whole cup full of ice today, I decided to jump on the web to see what in the heck is the matter with me. I mean chewing on ice can be a pretty bad habit. It is definitly not good on your teeth, it can be annoying for the people around you, and one can look pretty sloppy trying to get all of the ice out of their cup at the dinner table. So after a bit of searching, here is what I discovered!

"Chewing on ice is a variant of pica, an eating disorder characterized by craving and eating non-food items such as ice, dirt, glue, paper, and hair. While pica is typically seen in young children, it also occurs in adults."

(Hmm... I can remember chewing on my hair as a young girl.)

"The specific compulsion to chew ice is called pagophagia and has been associated with pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia, a sign of emotional problems, such as stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder or a developmental disorder, and other nutritional problems."

So there it is... I am a pagophagiac. And it's weird too, because I can kind of see myself having some emotional problems. My mother is anemic, so that means I could be anemic too. And I am a little obsessive-compulsive about things. (But no, I'm not pregnant... I can guarantee you that!)

But it's really strange, because as I write this, I am starting to get really really hot and light-headed, and I kind of feel like I might pass out... which someone who is anemic might do. My head is starting to hurt, and I feel like I might cry... which makes me a little over-emotional. And all this new information has really got me thinking AND OBSESSING on whether or not I should go to the doctor and have this all checked out. The evidence is there and maybe there really is something to this.

Or maybe I just like to chew on ice, I'm over-emotional, I'm a little low on iron, and I am a perfectionist. And these four things have nothing to do with one another. They are four separate faults.

OR just maybe... I am a hypochondriac... That could be it too, right?

Christmas Came and Went...

It is the 27th of December and just like that, Christmas came and went. It was actually one of the best Christmases ever for me. Don't get me wrong, I can remember many great and wonderful Christmases, but I was just so excited and so happy this year. My family is amazing and so fun to be around. My boyfriend and his family are equally fun and enjoyable. I got everything I wanted as far as presents go, which is outstanding! The food was great, while I don't feel like a pregnant cow from eating too much. And Jesus was born yet again, reminding me the real reason for the season. I am just so lucky! It really makes me wonder why I complain so much. There is absolutely nothing wrong with my life right now... besides the fact that I have to return to work tomorrow after a five day weekend. But at least I have a job and can pay back the rather large credit card bill I've acquired over the holiday season, right? Oh and I have a wonderful puppy, Josie who just ran into my room to say hello. She's my pride and joy right now... Wow, I've never thought I'd say that about a dog, but she's a great friend, and she fits into my life (and my heart) perfectly. I don't think I could be in any better position as we head into a new year...

But we'll see what tomorrow brings.

My 1st Year Blog Anniversary

Today is December 14th. And on this exact day last year, I wrote my first blog entry ever. I can't believe it's already been a full year... and 139 blogs... since that day. Of course, like with every anniversary, one thinks back to the day it all started. Here is my first blog written December 14th 2009 at 8:57PM...

Reality...

The reality is... A million thoughts run through our head every single day, but few people ever write them down. They come to the front of our mind for a split second and then are lost forever in the matter and mush that make up our minds. Grocery lists, old memories, shoe prices, fairy tales, dates and times, song lyrics, dreams, hopes, wishes.

The reality is... everyone has something that makes them smile. Everyone has something that makes them tear up and cry. Everyone has something that ails them and keeps them from sleeping at night, realities that would be all too horrible even for a nightmare. If only we would share these thoughts with the world. My triumph might make your day a little brighter, or your despair might remind me to be grateful for my own blessings. We could help each other. We could relate.

So here I am trying to connect with you, trying to help you, to teach you, to learn more about you. The world is easier to conquer when you are not fighting it alone, when someone can relate with exactly how you feel. We can struggle together.

Maybe I am crazy, but the reality is... maybe you are crazy too. And that is the whole point.

So 365 days later, I reflect. Have I accomplished my goal? Have I made you smile? Have I made you cry? Have I shared my real and true thoughts with you no matter how horrible, no matter how exciting, no matter how personal? Have I been able to relate with you? Have I helped you to realize that you are not alone in this world?

I hope so. I really really hope so.

I know I have gotten some comments on my blogs saying, "I know exactly what you mean..." and "I totally agree." And I've also received some disagreeing comments as well. But I still have so many questions... Who exactly am I relating to? How many people am I reaching? Am I doing enough? Can words really make any kind of difference? Are words any kind of answer?

Are words any kind of answer? Wow! That is really a question for the books, huh? All I know is that I read every single day, whether it be a magazine, a book, a blog, an online article, or a newspaper. And every word I read contributes to an emotion I have. I get nervous and alarmed when I read about a robbery and murder online. I get anxious and happy when I read a wedding announcement in the paper. I feel warm and hopeful when I read about a romantic couple in a novel. And I regain a sense of peace and faith when I read one of the many verses of the Bible. Words do something for the soul. They are traces of our past. They hold the key to our heritage and our future. They invoke communication, which is our largest method of relation and connection with every other human being in the universe.

So are words enough? Is this blog doing anything? Helping anyone? Are words any kind of answer? Are they enough? They are for me.

And I hope my words inspire you to agree ...and to hope ...and to believe ...and to feel empowered ...and to relate ... AND to face reALIty, not alone...

... but together with me.

Another Wedding Down...

My oldest sister got married last weekend...

It was an overall good time. There was a 70's rehearsal party. With bright costumes and platform shoes. There was the big day itself. With one pretty white dress and a suit pressed to fit. There was good food and great champagne. There were six flavors of cake. There were Grandma's sugar cookies, and my great aunt's kolaches. There was lots of family home. An inch or two of snow. Lanterns glowing and a fireplace lit. Good music and crazy dancing. Great company and better friendships. And I think my sister is truly truly happy... which makes me happy.

Congrats K and S!

Black Friday Bargains

Last week, my boyfriend and I hit up the Black Friday bargains. And although we planned to leave home around 3AM to beat the crowd at some stores like Wal-Mart and Target, we didn't end up leaving the house until 6AM. I thought that the alarm never went off... Turns out, it did. And the boyfriend shut it off and went back to sleep! The booger! But don't you worry, I still got my full day of shopping in. We didn't get back home until 8PM that night!

I love Black Friday! Whether or not you are shopping for yourself or you are actually buying some Christmas gifts, it always is a great day of shopping. Even if you hate shopping and hate crowds and hate spending money, you have to experience it at least once! But it's true! I always spend too much. I get home and open up all my bags, evaluating my purchases, and then I fall into a deep depression and develop a huge case of buyer's remorse. The nice thing is, I usually regret the purchases I made for myself, not for others. Needless to say, like many years before, my boyfriend and I got up again on Saturday, and I took some stuff back! Haha...

What were some of my best buys? Well, I always swear on the DVD deals posted on Black Friday. Some of the year's best movies go on sale for around $3.00. I usually spend close to $100 on DVDs the day after Thanksgiving, and usually they are all for myself. But I usually end up with close to 25-30 DVDs, and I don't buy any throughout the rest of the year. So there's my case! :) Some of the movies I got this year were Harry Potter, 500 Days of Summer, The Hangover, and Remember Me.

Some of my other great deals this year were... a Black and Decker Family Size Griddle for $19.00... which I took back... a Perfect Pillow Memory Foam Pillow, originally $80.00 for $19.97... which I also took back! Yikes!... a Weight Watchers digital scale... which I returned on Saturday...Man! I am horrible! (My sister's always say, "You know you bought a great gift, when "reALIty" keeps it and doesn't take it back!) But now for some items, I actually did keep...

...a Hydraulic Plaid Winter Coat for $39.99... a Shark Steam Mop for $49.99... a CHI hair straightener and a CHI blow dryer for a total of $159.99, as opposed to $129.99 each!! (My boyfriend got these for me for Christmas, making up for not waking me up on time!)

So overall, it was a very productive day! And we got a lot of our Christmas shopping completed! And if you've never gone out on Black Friday, see ya next year?

Whether It's Nerdy or Not...

Whether it's nerdy or not... my sister and I are continuing our tradition of going to every movie in the Harry Potter series at midnight on the day that it opens. (Much like a million other people in the world... ) Thus, the first part of the seventh book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1." is officially being released tomorrow, November 18th at 12 AM.

My sister and I actually started this tradition when the second film in the series, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" came out in 2002. I, having not read the book series by J. K. Rowling, was not in a rush to see the first film but was quickly intrigued by the writer's vivid imagination and creativity. Rowling's series was definitely a case of, "Who comes up with this stuff!?" because there is always a meaningful twist that leaves you both shocked and puzzled. But the world seems to love it, as do I. So wish me luck as I head to the theater tonight, along with the tons of other "nerdy" folks who have drawn lighting bolts on their head and are wearing all too perfectly rounded, wire rimmed glasses.

P.S. And if I asked which Harry Potter movie/book is my favorite... I really don't know if I could pick just one!

Missing the Moments

I have a really hard time leaving people. It's as if deep down I have this feeling that my world will somehow come to a crazy halt without them in my life. Even if they will only be gone for a day or a week, I can't help but get emotional when I think about their absence in my life. Saying this now, it sounds really selfish.

I can remember this one time, when I was about eight or nine, and my family was visiting relatives who lived in the state of Washington. It was the first time I had ever flown in an airplane. And since it was such a long way away and we hadn't seen our family in a while and we'd never been to Washington or an ocean, and my parents were paying for six round trip air flights, we decided to make it all worth our while and stay for a week and a half. So we did. We went kayaking in the ocean, ate amazing food, saw orcas and dolphins flipping out of the water, and rode ferries around the islands. We drove up mountains and hiked to waterfalls. And I learned to ride a bike with no hands. I had such an amazing time with my aunt and uncle and cousins, and I saw them every day and night for ten days that I was overwhelmed with sadness when the trip was over. I can remember bawling as we drove our rental mini-van to the airport. I remember thinking that my life just wouldn't be the same if we left. I would miss my family too much. I wanted to live within the memory of our trip forever, because there was no possible way that the future could be any better than our time in Washington.

And just this past weekend, the same thing happened again. I had such an amazing time with my boyfriend, visiting his family, playing with my puppy, going out for meals, and shopping, that I started to cry as he drove me home, because I knew that in an hour, we would be apart. And I know this sounds like a sappy-girly-emotional-love problem, but it's all true. I just think that so much of my life is spent stressed and over thinking things and worrying, that when I finally slip out of that routine and let myself enjoy life, I just don't want it to end. Because for those moments, I am truly truly, springing from my head, seeping out of my toes, happy.

It's like I want to live within the memories of these moments forever, because I am scared that the future might not be as great as the present. But mostly I think I am scared that I might lose the people I love before I get the chance to share those future moments with them. And that... I just don't think I can bare.

My Frustrations With Wal-Mart

It may just be me, but the enter/exit automatic doors at Wal-Mart drive me insane! First off, nobody goes in or out the correct doors. People just kind of enter and exit through whichever door they so desire. Which causes traffic jams and annoyance and confusion. And there are those couple of people who get really pissed off, because they noticed you used the wrong door. And you just give them a weird look while screaming in your mind, "HELLO! NO ONE IS USING THE CORRECT DOOR! GET OVER IT!" Plus, the doors are only marked "enter" or "exit" on the outside, so if you're exiting it really isn't your fault if you go out the wrong door. Plus, the doors are so slow to open and close that my clothes practically go out of style waiting. Especially if you have someone in a wheelchair or one of those motorized chairs or a mom pushing  a stroller in front of you... it's ridiculous! Plus, the exit-marked door is actually on the right side, while the entrance-marked door is on the left, which seems completely weird to me considering automobile traffic is the exact opposite! It just doesn't make sense in my mind!

And if we are going to be talking about Wal-Mart, I might as well say a few more things...

If anyone ever says, "Ya I am just gonna make a quick Wal-Mart run..." just look at them and laugh, because there is nothing quick about Wal-Mart. First there is the whole automatic door deal. And then there's the fact that there are a million store associates running around, until you actually need one to help you and then you can't locate a single one of them. And then there's the million vacant cash registers, while you are jammed in a line of five with three more people behind you.

And then, (and this isn't Wal-Mart's fault necessarily) there is that one great day, when you actually think you are going to accomplish "a quick Wal-Mart run," because you managed to park, make it through those crazy doors and grab your shampoo and toilet paper (which are on opposite sides of the store with the toilet paper now in the grocery section) all in a short five minutes. And then, because you have only two items you think to yourself, "Wow! I am going to hit up the "20 Items or Less" cash register line and get our of here in no time." And your luck continues because there is only one person in front of you when you jump in line...

But then of course the lady in front of you has exactly 25 items, not 20... and you know this because you counted them... Then one of her items is missing the price tag, so the cashier has to call for a price check.. And then once they decipher the price, the lady decides to pay for a check, of which she has to borrow a pen to write out and in which she wants to get extra cash back...

So fifteen minutes later... you set your items on the counter and the cashier asks, "Did you find everything alright today?" And you manage to squeak out a "yes" without going off about the damn lady in the "20 items or less" line who actually had 25 items, who had  a price check, and who paid with a check!!"

But you feel better when you are finally checked out, items in hand, receipt in your purse, and heading towards the exit, when you are stopped. "Excuse me, but can I see the receipt for that toilet paper!" Damn Nazi Wal-Mart employees! Just let me go... so you search for the receipt which you finally find after  dropping your keys and spilling your purse all over the floor.... Then the employee highlights your receipt without even really looking at it (which is actually quite pointless, because who ever really looks to see if your receipt is marked once you walk out the door) and sends you on your way, FINALLY! And you scowl as you exit through the "enter" door sick and tired of "quick one stop shopping." What a nightmare!

Bucket List Entry: NYC for New Year's Eve

Today, I was looking at the number of PTO days I have going into the last two months of the year. And I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I had more than enough, and that I could probably even take a mini-vacation sometime here soon if I so desired. So I started to think about a destination that could be a fun vacation in the winter, and for some reason, one place popped into my head right away! No, not traveling to Colorado to go skiing. and no, not trekking down to Florida to warm up. But I thought about how I've always wanted to go to Times Square to celebrate New Year's Eve one year! And while I have been to New York City and Times Square before, I've never been there for New Year's Eve. You could say it's one of the things on my bucket list, as I am sure it might be for many people. And today I thought to myself: Why not make this year, that year! Right away, I got really excited and started looking at prices of hotel rooms and flights online, but it turns out the hardest part for me is going to be finding someone to go with me... No one seems to have enough money or enough time off work to go. And what would New York City be on New Year's Eve, if I had no one to share it with, no one to hug and scream with, to yell HAPPY NEW YEAR! with... It would probably be about as good as a really buttery bag of popcorn in front of the T.V. So I didn't do anything crazy and book a flight today, but it would be really awesome if this would work out. It makes me feel so GREAT when I am able to cross things off my bucket list... It makes me feel like I am actually alive and experiencing the world around me. I don't want to be just some bum on the couch, picking kernels out of my teeth, who falls asleep before the ball even drops... Ya... that would be lame. I want to experience NYC on NYE... Honestly, is that too much to ask?

Reading for Fun

I have been doing a lot of "reading for fun" lately, which is good because it stimulates my mind and really gets me thinking about my own book. I take a half hour or so during lunch and open the book I am on or while I am waiting to operate the catch cart for my dad in the field, I flip on the overhead light in the tractor and find my dog-eared start page. I've never had a chance to read much before this. College was overloaded with reading for all my classes (hence this being titled "reading for fun")... and quite honestly, as a child, I hated to read. (And now I want to write novels so other people can read them? Weird, I know!) So this has been a pleasant change for me. But since normally, I don't have this extra time to read, you will more than likely never EVER catch me reading the same book over again. I mean, I'm limited, and I am not going to waste my time on a book when I already know how it is going to end. However, just last night, I started a book that I thought I'd never read before. Turns out, I have... but by the time I realized this, I was so engrossed in the storyline and characters, I decided to keep reading anyway. And I kind of decided that I think this is what makes a good book AND a good writer... when you can't put it down, even when you know you know you've read it before or it's two hours past your bedtime or a half hour late coming back from your lunch break (Oops!). I hope my book can do that for people. I hope my book can be either so emotionally stimulating and interesting that my readers can't put it down... or so wonderfully well-written that readers must read it again!

P.S. I've set a goal for myself regarding my own book. I want to have my book done and sent into a publisher by my five year high school class reunion next spring. Why then? Two reasons. I need a reasonable timeline to work with so I push myself to get it done. And two: I want to be able to say I've accomplished something in my life since high school. Okay three reasons: And so I can brag! :)

Childlike

Do you ever do something that is childlike? You do it and don't realize until after you did it that you did something that a grown up wouldn't normally do, something that a grown has long since "grown out of." Now, I don't mean "childish" as in stupid and immature, I mean "childlike," as in young and innocent and all-believing. A good example would be like sitting on the floor cross-legged. Or putting out cookies for Santa Claus. Or coloring from a coloring book with real Crayola crayons... I did this just the other day.

I was sitting in a Chinese restaurant eating with my family. When I walked in, I had placed my keys on the table, because I had decided to leave my purse in the car. During a lull in the conversation, my dad asked me: "Are those your keys?" (Now that I think about it I have no idea why my dad even asked me this question, considering they were in fact keys, and they were in fact sitting right in front of me... but the story goes on.)

And I replied, nonchalantly: "Yep... and I even have this wicked cool key chain on them."  Now, this key chain had been one that had come on my keys when the salesman handed them over to me the day I purchased my new vehicle. You know, it was one of those plastic oval key chains with the dealership's name on it. And normally, I would have taken this key chain off long before that night because I find items with company's name on them to be really stupid things to keep around, but I liked this key chain for one simple reason: It glowed in the dark! And I don't know if you've ever been stuck digging around in your purse, outside your vehicle, in the dark and cold, but I figured this little diddly might come in handy one night in the winter. So I kept it attached to my keys and proceeded to hold it up and show it to my dad that day at the Chinese restaurant. And then I acted childlike.

I said: "It even glows in the dark!" To prove it, I pulled the key chain up to my eye and held my hands around the neon yellow key chain, as to block out the light and allow myself to see the glow. My tongue stuck out as a attempted to block out different angles of light.

My dad laughed at me... "What a goof ball," he said.

"It does!" I claimed, "See..." I handed him my keys, and he proceeded to do the exact same childlike thing. (And he's fifty years old!)

This may seem like a really funny experience to blog about or even tell again, but I felt really good after I did this childlike thing, because I felt relieved. I thought: Yes! I am not a boring, old, workaholic, adult. My childlike qualities are still intact. I am still going strong. And while in some situations, acting childlike isn't a good thing, I think it keeps you positive and believing in something somewhat magical. So my goal is to stay "forever young"... and childlike.

Color Blind

Yesterday at work, a group of my co-workers and I were discussing our grandparents and how they tend to make racial comments, because they grew up in a time "before" all men were created equal. And while we all believed their behavior to be inappropriate, we all decided that there was really no changing their minds. Then a co-worker through out a quote that really stuck with me.

"Old people may be deaf, but they sure aren't color blind."

And while at first, this phrase may seem semi-comical, it is such a true statement. And then I thought about how the world would be so much different, if we lived in black and white. There's no doubt that life would be altered on a grand scale, but would skin color still be an issue? More than likely the answer would be yes, considering we would all still be different shades, but who really knows? In a world in which color would be extremely limited, maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal.

A Morning Commute

My dad and I have about a thirty minute commute to work everyday. We pull out of the drive way in the early morning, right about that time when it's not quite dark and not quite light out yet, so your eyes play funny tricks on you. This has come to be an everyday routine for us. My dad drives... and I ride. My dad always eats his breakfast, a bagel and fruit, and the truck begins to smell of blueberry and banana.

We usually listen to the radio, turning to each other with smiles on our faces when the morning radio topics are really comic. But most days, we sit in silence, tired and commited to simply observing. I stare out my window into a world, that is becoming more and more visible to me with every minute. Despite the darkness, people are up and about, commuting to work, fighting the small town traffic, and stopping at the local gas stations for their morning fix of doughnut and coffee beans.

Yesterday, while my dad and I were on our regular commute, I noticed a flock of birds, picking up from a lake near the highway and taking off into the air. I remembered how cold it had become outside and how it had come so quickly too. To me, it seemed that mother nature had flipped the switch, demoting summer and pushing fall right into our laps. At the time, I was comfortably sitting inside my dad's truck, while those poor unprepared birds flew around outside. They probably had not received any warning of sudden change in temperature. Much like Pearl Harbor when the Japanese struck, these birds were ambushed by the cold. And while I could remember so many times as a young girl that I wished that I could be a bird so I could fly, at that moment, I did not envy the winged animal. I spoke in disgust.

"If I were a bird, I would have flown south already!"

My dad and I turned towards each other with smiles on our faces... despite the fact that the radio was only running a commercial.

My Barren Mind

My mind is barren. It is too poor to develop any deep, intelligent thoughts to post about today, which is strange, because I feel like when I first started blogging, a lot of my blogs were so deep and critical. I think it's the whole working thing. My mind is constantly moving from subject to subject throughout the day, computing, analyzing, creating... that when I get off work, I am ready to just sit and not think at all, which is perhaps why my novel is going nowhere fast.

Which is also strange because when I was in college, I had this theory. I believed that college and all the homework and reading that comes along with it, drained the creativity right out of you. In a place that is suppose to stem brilliance and authenticity and innovation, instead you get none. Why? Because college students are too busy reading pages upon pages of books for their classes, that they never get a chance to sit down and read something that could actually develop their mind in other ways, or heaven forbid, something they might actually enjoy! And college students don't have the time to draw or paint or create poetry and short stories, because they are too overwhelmed and consumed with writing essays and papers for all their other classes. They don't have time to investigate and research their own topics, because they are in the lab for four hours every other day of the week picking at frogs and mixing substances. My theory was that college froze up the mind.

But now that I am out of college, here I seem to be stuck in the same situation. I can't blame college anymore! I guess I might have to actually step up and have a creative thought. I guess I might have to step up and start working on my novel. No more excuses. No more alibies. The time is now.

(Whoa... wait a second. Did I just CREATE a blog topic?)

A Victim of the Infomercial: A True Story

Yes. I am a victim... a victim of the CRAZY, UNBELIEVABLY CONVINCING ATTACK of the infomercial.

And it's my own fault really! I know I shouldn't be watching them, because yes... I love to shop. And yes... I like to hear about and purchase products that will solve BIG PROBLEMS in my life. Or so the commercials say. Problems with things like cooking, cleaning, fashion, diet and exercise. But I know I have an problem. I admit it. I mean in college, I actually fell asleep to infomercials, just like babies fall asleep to lullabies.

This past Sunday, my boyfriend and I sat down to watch some T.V. Now with I only having regular T.V., no satellite or cable channels, we didn't have a lot of options. We flipped through the channels endlessly, until finally stumbling upon the last few minutes of an infomercial for the NuWave Oven. We paused, as the announcer on the show showed us the pleasures and perks of this AMAZING device, broasting a full chicken, steaming vegetables, and grilling burgers. After only five minutes of watching how this NuWave Oven was going to save us not only time and money but calories as well, my boyfriend and I were both convinced and already configuring a plan to buy the NuWave Oven... when the next infomercial popped up.

I fell into a trance for another ten minutes as I watched a man who seemed to be a well-known hairstylist (even though I had no idea who he was) explain to me how the InStyler Hair Straightener was going to miraculously change my life. It could straighten and curl and flip, all without any damage to you hair! I was in awe! So I turned to my boyfriend puppy-eyed and drooling... "PLEASE," I begged. "My birthday is coming up!" I said. Even though I knew full well my birthday was not until June, but technically it was coming up right!?

NuWave Oven what? I ran to the computer to check out the deal online... and within ten minutes of turning to the infomercial, I had NOT JUST ONE, but TWO InStyler Hair Straighteners on the way to my door... BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!... and billed to my boyfriend's credit card. (I DOUBLE promised to pay him back.)

Horrible, huh?

And then the next infomercial came on... It was for a workout DVD package called Zumba, which my sister has done at her local gym and has actually seen results from. "My sister loves this workout!" I exclaimed, beaming towards the T.V. screen.

My boyfriend quickly changed the channel. He was looking out for his credit limit. What a selfish guy! :)

My One Block View of Cincinnati

And which block you ask?? I couldn't even tell you!

Now is the Only Time

"Now is the Only Time"... is a quote I read today in Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Eat Pray Love. And for some reason, that quote has really stuck with me throughout the day.

Why? Many reasons I suppose...

I am afraid I won't have enough time to do everything I want to do in this life. 

Why? Like every other human being, I am afraid of change.

Why? I am moderately struggling through my life right now.

Why? I am afraid I will get hurt.

But Why? Probably because I am scared of not measuring up to the expectations set before me... by me... and by others.

My whole life has been spent fulfilling the expectations and the standards, that I thought were bricks, set in stone and layed out before me. So doing something in the "now," something at the spur of the moment, simply wasn't smart. It was thoughtless, careless, sometimes hurtful, but always always stupid.

But what is so wrong with spontaneity anyway? What's so wrong with stepping out of the sidelines and becoming the talk of every one's gossip-filled lives. The truth is, most of the time I gossip, because I am jealous of that person anyway. Not for what they did, but of the COURAGE they had to do it.

For instance, I don't have the courage to quit my job to open my own business. I am too scared to work hard at writing my first novel, because I'm scared it will be too hard, and I will fail. I am too afraid to admit that I need someone. I am too honest with myself to believe I am beautiful. I am too stubborn to admit that someone else could be right, because I am too cocky to ever admit I am wrong. I am too careful to move too fast in a relationship. I am too lonely to live alone again. I am too cautious to move to a war zone to help people. I am too nervous to walk the line. I feel too much to feel nothing at all.

I am too afraid to live in the now! I am too busy to live in the now! I am too shy to live in the now, because I am too good at excuses.

Why? I guess it could be any of the above. But I guess it could also be because I am too afraid of what comes after the "now". Because from what I've observed, that whole "later" part can be quite the kick in the ass.

Non-Stop Fun!

Now is the time for corn dogs and funnel cakes! Now is the time for the Giant Slide and excellent shows! Now is the time for camping and riding shuttles and the Butter Cow! Now is the time for "Non-Stop Fun" @ the Iowa State Fair!

This past weekend, I spent at the Iowa State Fair, which by the way, I have been to every year since I was born... or at least that's what I've been told. And I look forward to this time every year, because there is just something about that place that gives me the tingles. It brings back so many good memories that I go back every year hoping to create just at least one more.

And I know some people just don't get it. They are the skeptics, the people that go to the fair for one day and jam everything into that eight hour period: all the shows, all the animals, all that food, and all that walking! Plus, they have absolutely no idea how to get around the fair efficiently! So I can understand why they don't enjoy it. But when you are able to camp there, you get to take it all in strides: seeing all the shows you want to, eating some cheaper, healthier food mixed in with all that grease on a stick, AND you can take mid-day naps! I love camping at the FAIR!

Supposedly, the ISF campground is the third largest county in the state during the fair with all those people staying there. However, supposedly, there is also a long, long waiting list to get a camping spot at the fair, so while I urge everyone to try it, it's just not gonna happen for a lot of ya. Sorry!

But the fair is a great place for everyone! It's a ten day celebration of everything Iowa! And while some people also might be skeptics and believe that there is nothing worthwhile in the state of Iowa, I beg to differ and would like a chance to convince you otherwise.

1. We are the largest corn producing state!

2. Ashton Kutcher is from Iowa.

3. Field of Dreams was filmed in Iowa.

4. As was the Bridges of Madison County.

5. Iowans actually say "Hi" back to you in an airport.

6. Grant Wood and Herbert Hoover both called Iowa home...

Okay okay... So Iowa doesn't have the most amazing specs, but she is still a great place to live! Just make a visit to the Iowa State Fair and you'll see why!

P.S. Make sure you try a shake from the Dairy Barn, Cheese Curds, a corn dog, and a Chop on a Stick while you are there... and then you can eat whatever you want for Lunch and Supper. :)

My New Puppy!

Last week, I decided to take on one of my life long goals and challenges: to purchase and take care of my very own puppy! And while this decision came on, developed, and took place all within a 48 hour time frame, I am ecstatic with my results. I am now the proud owner and mother (lol) of my very own Yorkie Poo named Josie.

Josie is eight weeks old and so very very tiny. I've always wanted a small dog, so she is just perfect! Josie is black with a spec of white underneath her chin. She has the curly fur of a Poodle but is small  in stature and has a face similar to a Yorkie. Josie has been a very good eater so far and is very active for an eight week old puppy. She is absolutely fearless, which makes me happy and yet scares the crap out of me as her mother. I am not sure if she knows enough to be scared of the things that can actually harm her, like cars, holes, or other large dogs. However, she seems to be getting along pretty well with Charlie, our very large Newfoundland. Josie wasn't potty-trained when I got her last Thursday but she is already doing an amazing job going pee pee on her training mat. However, we are still working on those number twos. :)

Needless to say, I never thought I would be the type of dog owner who would speak in baby talk, dress up my puppy, or wipe her little puppy butt after she poops, but I am definitely getting there. I love buying her new toys and really don't mind getting up in the night to take her outside. I definitely get a sense of pride when she and I get through the night without any accidents (which has happened the last two nights)!! I can definitely see now why dogs are considered man's best friend, because Josie has become such a good friend to me already. Not to mention, she is cuter than a button! Check out some photos of her below!

Josie resting.

Josie and Charlie together.

Josie mid-play!

Me and my little girl.

What is This World Coming To

It's simply amazing how many things you can purchase from a vending machine these days. I mean you've always been able to get the basics: candy, chips, pop, and gum. But now you can get milk. And coffee. And fruit snacks. And cheese. I've seen tampons, pregnancy tests, and Ibeprofen. And sewing kits and condoms and toothbrushes. And Ipods and cameras and phones. But things are getting really crazy now... because this weekend while camping, my family was able to purchase firewood from a vending machine. I couldn't help but think... now, that is a blog topic! So I snapped a couple of shots. See photos below.

After seeing this vending machine contraption for firewood, I couldn't help but laugh! And the funniest (or rather not so funny) part about the whole thing is that you know how items are a lot more expensive from a vending machine then say purchasing them at Wal-Mart, well the same rang true for firewood. My Dad said that he used to cut huge loads of firewood and sell it for $15 a load. Well, after putting in a nice, new crisp $5 bill, out popped six lousy little logs. What a rip off, huh? And to top that off the machine only took 1, 2, and 5 dollar bills!!! I mean what is this world coming to! 

In the Land of the Giants

These photos depict the GIANTS of our future. These enormous wind turbines, located in Blairsburg, Iowa, have become popular sources of wind energy around Northern Iowa and the rest of the country and will continue to be for centuries to come. Sooner than we might think, these huge structures will be lining our fields and road ways, creating multiple kilowatts of energy every day.

But these GIANTS also remind me of my past. I don't know if any of you out there ever watched Wishbone, the Iowa Public Television show that featured a little dog named Wishbone who entered historical stories and became the protagonist, but my sisters and I loved this show! And it was from this show that I was first introduced to the tale of Don Quixote. 

This story by Miguel de Cervantes, is about a retired country gentleman who has become obsessed with books of chivalry, believing them to be real and true. He decides to go out as a knight-errant in search of the adventure he reads about in his stories. He wears an old suit of armor, renames himself "Don Quixote de la Mancha," and names his old horse "Rocinante".

During his second quest, Don Quixote comes upon the Windmills of La Mancha, believing them to be ferocious giants waving there magnificent arms in battle. So he attacks them, only to be beaten up pretty badly. This is where we get the phrase "tilting at windmills," describing an act of attacking imaginary enemies. This is just one of Don Quixote's many adventures, but this is the one that I think of every time I enter "The Land of Giants" in Northern Iowa. I look towards these monstrous structures and instead of thinking about the huge amounts of energy they create everyday, I am reminded of an old tale and little dog named Wishbone.

 

The Three Day Weekend: My Solution to a Happier World

Last night I pretty much decided that the world would be a greater place and people would be a whole lot happier, if we only had a four day work week. Like if the President of the United States suddenly declared that the whole world would now operate on a four day work week, the idea of it wouldn't be strange at all, because it would simply be the norm. All businesses would still be fine and still make money, even though the weekend would start on Thursday night, because all businesses would operate in conjunction with how they work now. For instance, if a company is opened on weekends now, it would continue to be open on weekends. And if a small business is only open during the week, they would lock their doors on Thursday at 5:00pm when the week days end. See... it wouldn't be a complicated change at all.

Plus...I just feel that we, as human beings, spend way too much of our lives working. I mean just a few days ago, I was sitting in the breakroom when I suddenly realized that I WAS NOT in the office for only ONE number on the clock, six. Because I work from 7:30am-5:30pm, I am never in the office when the clock reads 6... BUT for every other number on the clock... I am in the office, working. How depressing is that? And I just can't get myself to believe that God put us on this planet only to work. Instead, we should be celebrating life by expriencing the world and making new friends and loving your old ones. It should be about being happy, not working.

And I can't help but wonder if this is all one man's fault. The guy who invented the dollar. Whoever he is. Because before the dollar and money, people simply traded and bartered. They did work, but only what was necessary to live. For example, a man raised dairy cows, and he didn't raise them to become rich and famous and to one day own Anderson-Erikson, but he raised them to feed his family and have just enough excess milk in order to buy the other few essentials of life, like food and clothing (Not an IPhone or Mercedes-Benz). And don't ya think life could be so much more simpler if we went back to this ancient system? I mean, I would have a trade. And you would have a trade. We would trade. And then we would be happy.

So VOTE TODAY! Vote for change! Vote for the three day weekend! Vote for the four day work week! Vote reALIty for President of the United States! And I guarantee that your life will be so much more simpler... and happier!

Did I convince you?

Lines & Rows

Rows of corn and beans popping up all over Iowa has brought to my attention how many things around us come in or form rows: eggs in an egg carton, vegetables in a garden, coffee drinkers at Starbucks, days on a calendar, cars in a parking lot, cans of peaches on a shelf at Fareway, lines on a ruler... I mean our entire world is mapped out by longitude and latitude lines, is it not? And while it is quite obvious that all these things come in lines or rows because it is the most efficient and effective way to do things, it scares me to think that perhaps our world is restricted by these lines as well.

Order is all around us, molding us, shaping us, telling us right from wrong. And not just in lines and rows, but in signs and arrows and alphabetazation and piles and the Dewey Decimal System. It's like it's not okay to freak out every once in a while: step out of line, go down a one-way street backwards, place the Y file in front of the Z, throw those peaches on the shelf without stacking or straightening them. But I feel like it would be almost empowering to do so, to break the line... like you are defying the ways of the universe! And it wouldn't be in order to piss anyone off by budging in line or not piling up your laundry, but just so you feel like you have some control over your own life, like you make the rules...

Otherwise, you are just contantly following directions, walking in order, standing in line... And please tell me, right now, where the world would be if people like Albert Einstien and Alexander Graham Bell and George Washington Carver always stayed in line? We'd be stuck in time, probably... reading a book by candlelight, stuck in the middle of nowhere without a phone, or eating a PB&J without the peanut butter... and that would just be boring!

Jersey Boys: FIVE GOLD STARS!

Now I think I've seen enough musicals in my lifetime to know that Jersey Boys, the musical featuring the lives and songs of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, is simply AMAZING! It is one of the best musicals I've seen, and I'm comparing it to shows like Wicked, Mamma Mia, The Lion King, Rent, and Chicago, all huge musical hits.

For me, the show was the perfect mix of history, music, drama, and comedy. I laughed out loud more than once and erupted into applause after the musical numbers! And by the end of the show, my companion and I were ready to jump from our seats in a standing ovation! (Everyone in the audience was I think, considering we were up from our seats before the actors even entered the stage to bow!)

The four actors/singers who played the Four Seasons played their parts so well. Their facial expressions were hilarious! The actor/singer playing Frankie Valli had a very impressive voice, sounding almost exactly like the original Frankie: high and mighty! In fact, all of the actors/singers voices were great, and the harmony was fantastic!

As a twenty-three year old, I wasn't sure how many songs I would know by this famous group from the mid-Sixties, but I could practically sing along with every single one. I would recommend this musical to anyone ready for a night of laughter and great music! ENJOY!

Another year...

Another year has passed in my life... yep, tomorrow is my twenty-third birthday. And while all you folks out there older than me are thinking that I have tons more life to live, the time has come for me to evaluate my life. It's a human thing, a habit I think.

And surprisingly enough, this year I actually feel pretty good about where I am and what I am doing. Sure, there are those days when I just can't believe I haven't done anything with my life yet, but today while reminiscing in the past, I feel good at what I've accomplished and what I have. For instance, I have an amazing family... a good paying job... a place to live for now... I am still writing... I have a great boyfriend... I am having fun in my free time... I am spiritually strong... I have pretty great friends... and I am in good health... Overall, I'd say that's a pretty darn good life. Who am I to complain?

So I guess all I really wanted to say is: "Bring it on number 23... I'm onto you!" :)

The Routine of Writing

Now that my life has settled into a routine with work, I hope I will be able to start blogging more frequently. At the same time, I plan on working harder on my novel. Although my few avid blog followers are really important to me, I probably should pick my dream up where I left it... last summer. I want to write a novel. And how amazing would it be if it were published? Even if only my mom bought it... A published book becomes a part of history as soon as it is printed. The pages could last for over a century. My words could be read years from now. I mean the thing has a better chance of lasting longer than I will. How cool is that?

So... wish me luck... and watch those book store shelves. I could be famous one day! :) And YOU could say you were with me in the beginning!

Compare and Contrast

Palm readers believe that one can tell
by reading the lines of your hands,
your rich or dreadful fortune
and the extent of your future plans.

Does this mean that one can read
one’s life through the eye of the past?
Reading the stresses of your feet
is it possible to compare and contrast?

For your feet are a tracking device,
a recorder of where you’ve gone.
On the sidewalk or through unknown waters,
your life is erased and redrawn.

Examine the feet of an American girl,
they are pedicured, smooth, and tan.
She would give anything to look just like Barbie,
her only goal, to please her man.

Caress the foot of a Haitian child,
it’s dirty and undersized and rough.
His family, too poor to afford shoes;
His supper will not be enough.

The feet of a single woman
swollen until almost blue.
Unable to see them, not sure
if the right matches the left shoe.

Callused and cracked from workboots,
Take a look at a farmer’s toes.
the sacrifice to make a living,
he most certainly knows.

Then there’s the Harvard scholar
who thought himself the prestigious rule,
Feet worn out and numb,
he waited tables to pay for school.

An unappreciated beaten girlfriend,
her foot in a solid, white cast.
Bruised, battered, and broken,
keeping her from running too fast.

The strong and nimble Pro athlete
whose feet are dressed in Nike.
Millions of dollars in endorsements
do much to ease his psyche.

A forty-year old female executive,
persistent in doing her best.
Her feet tired, high arched, and in heels
Knowing she’s always paid less.

Simon Peter, the disciple
His feet washed clean and dried.
“Do as I’ve done for you.”
Jesus has notoriously replied.

My own feet, narrow and cracked
From a life of dodging eggshells.
Where I’m heading, where my feet will go next
One must look to my hands to tell.

Every Moment of Every Dollar

So tomorrow I will have completed my third week of working in the real world. And although, I work long hours and have to go to bed early and get up early and my weekends are way too short... I don't completely hate my job... which is a GREAT THING! Quite honestly, it's exactly what I went to school for, and not many recent grads, can say they got a job in their field right after graduating. And at least when I am paying off all those very large college loans I have stored up, I will know that it was all worth while.

But THE REALITY IS... having a job does make a lot less time for other things. Like hanging out with your family... dating... seeing your friends... shopping... reading... staying fit... going to movies... and taking naps... and writing my novel... and blogging. :( And I thought having only one job would give me so much more time for other activities, but I guess it really does make the time spent actually doing those other things, that much greater! I kinda like that feeling too. It really makes you cherish every moment... (and every dollar spent, lol)

The Biggest 'Naners I've Ever Seen

Today was just like any other day. I woke up, showered, went to work... but who could have predicted that today was the day that I would find the biggest 'naners I've ever seen in my entire life. I mean the photos above don't even do this bunch of yellow, titanic bananas justice! Bet you, they'd win a world record... if I didn't eat them first!

Ahhhh.... who'd a thought it... What a day! :)

Everything Summer and So Much More

This past weekend, my family and I went camping for the very first time! Now, this wasn't the up in the mountains, stuffed into a small tent, eating only what you catch, relieving yourself where every you please, type of camping... we actually did stay in a camper, which is a bit more civilized, but it was a first for me, and I actually had a lot of fun!

About a month ago, my parents bought a used camper, hoping that my family would take more time out of our busy schedules to use it. Now, I inform you that prior to this we only ever camped in a camper once a year, and that was for the one and only, grand ol' wonderful, Iowa State Fair (which doesn't actually count as camping, considering you are nowhere near a lake or nature area). So, the chances of us using this new camper was not very high. However, within a couple of weeks, we had set a date... and surprisingly enough we kept it!

My entire family got to be there, including the boyfriend, fiance, and husband. And I think everyone had an amazing time! We fished from the shoreline, rode the bike trails, sat around the camp fire, went on walks, played yard games and games of cards, ate smores and hamburgers, and just spent time together. I even caught a pet snail and named it Egor...haha! But even though between the nine of us, we caught only one fish, it was everything summer and so much more! And just to relax for one whole weekend, was simply luxurious! I can't wait for another camping weekend! :)

First Day!

Today was my first day at my first BIG PERSON job... and I didn't completely hate it! Which is a huge plus for me, considering I've only ever had summer jobs, all of which I end up disliking by August. So I'd say we are off to a good start with this one!

For those of you who don't know, I am the new marketing coordinator for a John Deere dealership in central Iowa. So today I sent out two radio ads and a newspaper ad. I met both of the contacts for that media. I read up on some guidelines and restrictions for advertising imposed by John Deere. I made a new contact with someone we might be working with to create a new website, as well as some new magazine advertising. AND all that in my first day!

I'd say that's a day well spent! Just pray I continue to enjoy it... I need to stay at this job for a little longer than three months! :)

Did You Know?

DID YOU KNOW...that there is a SPAM Museum? Okay... well I had no clue, but while visiting a friend up in Austin, Minnesota this Memorial Day Weekend, I was able to check it out! It is located near the HORMEL plant in Austin, just over the border into Minnesota. The museum was actually pretty big and had a lot of neat stuff in it! Here are some photos from my trip!

Above is the entrance to the museum... with a perfectly quaint statue of a farmer and two pigs guarding its doors!

Directly inside, there is a giant wall of SPAM! I couldn't believe how big it was... I mean I had to zoom out the lens of the camera just to get all that meat into the photograph! It was quite the entrance I'd say! And check out the GINORMOUS spatula below! That thing would fix you quite the hearty breakfast!

If you've been following my blog for awhile, you might remember that I am a huge supporter of Brett Favre. Guess who I found in the museum promoting SPAM!? #4 himself! Can you believe my luck?

There were so many interactive things to do in the museum. You could try on HORMEL gear like I am doing in these two photos. There was a game show room where you could test your knowledge of the product. You could hoist crates of SPAM high into the air, grocery shop for SPAM products, learn how to cook dishes from all over the world made with SPAM, and so much more.

PLUS, there was huge gift shop where you could purchase anything from SPAM clothing to SPAM cooking utensils to SPAM refrigerator magnets to actual cans of this "gourmet" meat. I bought a SPAM shot glass as a souvenir of this crazy experience. I've never even tried SPAM before, but don't worry... if you are interested, they were also handing out samples!

Overall though, it was a pretty enjoyable visit to the SPAM Museum! Definitely something to check out if you are ever in that area! Because how many people can honestly say, they've seen that many cans of SPAM in one room! Not many... And of course, everyone who hasn't, will be completely and forever jealous of those who have!

Interesting in checking out the SPAM MUSEUM in Austin, MN? Get more information at http://www.spam.com/!!

FUN FACT: The SPAM Museum in located at 1937 SPAM Blvd. Ironically, SPAM branded products were first made in 1937.