Buried Alive…Again

NO, I’m not referring to actually being buried alive or some sort of philosophical thing, I’m talking about being buried at the beach.  I have a tradition of this thing, and last time I was buried was in 1991, after my dad dug a hole far enough down for me to stand in and then get buried up to my neck.  This time around, it was my hubby, Joey and my nephew, Keir, that dig the digging and burying.  The hole was big enough for me to lie down in, and seeing that Keir was too scared to, I graciously volunteered.  It’s a great feeling and almost theraputic with cool sand on top of you, as long as you can rinse off when you’re done!  Enjoy!

The Dangers of Walking your dog

There are many dangers to look out for when walking your dogs in my neighborhood….let me explain…

1) We have many stray dogs in our neighborhood, and I have been confronted by many.  Once when I just had Molly I was walking and turned a corner and out of this fence pops 3 big dogs, I was scared shitless while Molly could have cared less, and wanted to play (ooh friends).  I pretended to be brave and tried to look bigger than them (you know, by stomping at them and yelling) and I finally passed them. 

2) Another stray incident just 2 weeks ago while walking both dogs.  I pass this ditch and see a little dog barking, kind of cute.  Until this big dog pops up from under the ditch, as if the protective male, to let me know this was their territory.  Again, my two dogs just wish to play and I have to pull them away.  Scary, every time I go by that ditch I look out for them. 

3) Only two days ago, as I walk my dogs with mom, we cross this small, small (did I mention it was small) street that has a stop sign, so we have the right of way.  It IS early morning, but the sun is not shining near there at all.  As we cross we see a car coming and slowing down.  I thought (I swear) I made eye contact with the driver as he makes a California roll and almost hits us…Molly first.  Im serious-it was only a cm away probably.  If it was not for my mom yelling (and she can yell) he would have run us over.  How can someone not see 2 big dogs and two people walking (mind you my mom was wearing bright red-like a stop sign)? 

So you see, walking is a sport here in Texas, and you must look out for your surroundings or be taken out.  Anyone want to walk with me?

Molly cracks me up, keeps me young!

Sometimes there is real joy in having a dog; they make you smile, comfort you with a look and can really make you laugh.   She is a child, who still just wants to play, and she keeps me young and playing along…

Molly loves to play hide and seek, she gets a thrill out of running around the house trying to find us.  Well, we did just that on Sunday.  Picture Joey hiding behind the door to the computer room and calling Molly’s name.  She runs into the room, looks around, and then keeps running from room to room.  As joey continues to call her name, she runs in and out of that room, back and forth, up and down the halls of the house.  I think the part that makes it hard, is you just want to laugh so hard watching her through the crack of the door but you have to be quiet so you do not give away your hiding place.  Finally…she finds him.  Now it’s my turn…

I go into the spare bedroom and hide UNDER the bed, she’ll never find me now!  I call her name, she runs into the room and on TOP of the bed and smashes her head into the pillows.  She thinks I’m under the blanket where the pillows are!  She runs out of the room, I call her name again, she jumps back onto the bed and smashes the pillows again and again.  This proceeds for about 3 more times until she finally looks under the bed and finds me!  Victory is hers! 

A few hours later, Joey tells me to play this game that he played with her the night before.  In our living room, you can completely run around the couch, and our coffee table in front of the couch.  There she stands, in front of the coffee table, me, behind the couch.  Showtime!  Joey yells “get her molls” and she starts running for me as I run away.  She reaches the hardwood and starts to slide, only I do too b/c I have socks on.  She stops, runs the other way, and so do I.  This process continues for a couple minutes, all the while I’m laughing so hard my stomach aches and, I hate the feeling of being chased so I’m also squealing.  Finally she catches me, or, rather, I give up and she catches me, Victory for Molly again. 

She keeps me young and reminds me to slow down and play again!  Gotta love your pets!

Some race humor

I saw these online and some of them crack me up…

 

Whatever time you were thinking of leaving to the event, leave 30 minutes earlier. Traffic last year close to race time was horrendous. It would have been faster to walk down 281 to the start line than drive it. Take a shuttle, take it early.

Wear something warm. Last year temps were in the 40s at the start. Could be much warmer this year but who knows. Better to be prepared than stand around shivering for an hour before the start.

If your corral number is at least 2 digits then don’t get too excited when the starting gun goes off, it’s still going to be awhile. Corrals are released with a time delay between each. You will have time for another Red Bull or two before you make it to the actual start.

Remember the Alamo. It comes up early in the race when the crowds are still heavy. After mile 2 you will make a sharp turn and it will be on your right.

Watch for uneven surfaces (formerly known as potholes.) Part of the charm of downtown are the antique streets. Some holes have been around since Teddy Roosevelt first visited. Be careful.

The bands play for free and some are worth every penny. Most actually sound great but there were a few last year that made be pull my headband a little tighter over my ears.

Water. Drink it.

You will be offered a cold sponge near the end of the race. It may seem goofy, but take it and use it on your head and face. It really feels great after all those miles. Then throw it down when you’re done; it’s not a souvenir.

No matter how hard you run, save a little energy for the last quarter mile. There is a death hill right near the finish line. Goats wouldn’t climb it. Just keep thinking that at the top of this hill is the end of your misery.

Stop 20 yards before the finish line to comb your hair and compose yourself. Your picture will be taken as you cross the finish line and most people look like they are ready to faint. Look good in the picture and people will think it must have been an easy race for you.

Don’t forget your ID for the finish line party. A beer might not sound good at the start of the race but by the time you finished it will hit the spot.

After you finish, find the family members or friends who inspired you to run this race and hug them, thank them, and tell them you couldn’t have done it without them. Then tell them they owe you big time for making you go through this.

 

— Scott Peacock

My Bears

Beat the Pittsburgh Steelers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like a good year, despite that first game. 

And here is my favorite player….

Matt Forte, a great Running Back! 

DA BEARS!!

budgets and burned bruschetta!

I have now discovered the world of business and their budgets.  Let me tell you…not fun at all.  I have my rest of the year forecast due on what I should plan to spend for the rest of the year, and supposed to base that off of the previous months.  I’m getting frustrated b/c I dont know what or what we spent, and even by looking at old month statements, I don’t know what things mean.  It’s especially hard when your coordinator leaves work early on friday and is not there to help you.  Something that should take me 20 minutes, I spent 2 hours on and only got half done.  I understand the concept of the report, but I’m stressed! 

Also, I need to turn in a variance report on the 19th.  That breaks down the categories in which you spend money and you providing whether you are positive and negative for that month and why.  Categories include, salaries, what you pay employees, supplies, workman’s comp, liability, insurances, etc.  Again, I understand the concept, but how the hell am I supposed to figure those things out when I’ve only been there for two weeks, and one of those was only the end of the month I’m reporting on!  Ahh!  I told my coordinator we are sitting down together at 9am monday am and doing this and EXPLAINING it to me. 

Maybe then I’ll feel better,  but for the meantime, I really loved that my dad opened a bottle of wine to enjoy last night   I cooked turkey meatballs with tomatoes, sauteed asparagus and mushrooms and roasted red pepper, artichoke, and feta bruschetta.  Quite the experience let me tell you.  I HATE fire.  I burnt the first batch of bread in the broiler that I was toasting before adding the topping.  It literally caught on fire!  I was freaking out.  It was funny looking back though.  Good thing I had more bread for backup lol!

My crazy trip to texas

It was pretty hard to just say goodbye to Molly so when I drove away from the house knowing I still had to say bye to Joey, I was crying already.  The cat even looked out the window at him as we drove away, but I had to keep thinking that this is a good reason and I will see him again.  Right as we started the cat must have been nervous and pooed in the box.  Fortunately, she is great at covering up her messes.  We started to turn the corner where the 17 connects to the 10 and she must have been car sick b/c (get this) she ran to the litter box and barfed in it!  She actually had the decency to make the box!  Go carmen!

About ten minutes later I started noticing signs that read “crash 60 miles ahead, highway closed” but still had to drive.  Then a sign said “14 minutes away” and at that moment the highway stopped.  for 3 hours I sat around in my car.  I did not even make it to Tucson yet, still an hour away and I was stopped with no where to go.  Turns out a semi caught on fire and had aerosol cans in it.  the wife was driving, she died instantly and the husband who was sleeping in the back was in critical condition.  I said my prayers. 

Just when you would think I would be free from AZ troubles I see clouds and lightning.  I hate thunderstorms when I’m not in the comfort of my house.  well I ended up closer to the cloud and it was pouring and hailing.  I had to pull over b/c I could not see one foot in front of me!  I was shaking b/c I was so scared someone would not see me and hit me.  But it slowed slightly and I made it away from the cloud, b/c that’s all it was was a cloud!

Alas, I stopped in El Paso and did not make it as far as I would’ve liked.  Stayed in a hotel where the AC got so cold at night the cat slept under the covers right next to me.  Got up at 4am b/c I could not sleep good and got going.  One hour from SA I had to pull over b/c I was so tired, just to rest my eyes.  But I made it, and unpacked and ended up napping instead of going to my meeting and then unpacking the rest and sleeping again. 

That sleep is already lacking as I have so much organizing to do at work.  It’s going to be fun but the people before me had no leadership or organizing skills and liked to do things the paper way (grr).  But to cheer me up I bought a nice fake flower plant for my office, a reed diffuser, some frames to put pics in, and a cool candy dish.  I’ll be hanging my degrees soon. 

With that being said for now I’m going to eat dinner.  I have to pack my bags already for tomorrow and get ready for bed soon.

I’m on a boat

This will have you rolling.  It is really a catchy song, listen at least twice.  And yes, that’s really T-Pain.  Grab your flippy floppys!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QwM4vXex7c

(I can’t embed it)

PS-not for those who can’t take bad language!!!

Talking cat Translation

Dog lessons of life and my lock in story

This was from a forward in an email my mom sent me, too good to not post.  States the obvious and I already do most of these!

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy..
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you’re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

Just basically enjoy every day of your life as if it were the last.  Its hard to do all the time with the stress of work, sometimes school, family, money, etc.  But we can do this!  Now, On to my funny story…

I went to my apartment complex’s exercise room yesterday.  Now usually I have a hard time getting into the room, the lock is really tricky.  I’ve bent a key, Joey has broken a key in the lock, that’s how difficult.  I walk up and notice a key already broken into the lock, therefore I can just enter.  I walk in, shut the door, and proceed with my workout.  Well, it comes time to leave and I cannot get out!  I tried so hard, pushing the door beyond what it was capable of bending and nothing.  I was starting to stress out but alas, I had my phone and the apartment complex number in it!  I called and even they could not get me out.  I ended up needing a maintenance man to help me out of there!  But I finally was set free, felling a little sheepish ,but I was free!  Thought that would give you a laugh for today!

Free concert tonight at Tempe Marketplace.  Ill be seeing 10 years (who you should know) Razor and Digital Summer.  Yeah for free!