Spin Me Right Round, Baby

“Confusion is a word we have invented for an order which is not yet understood”
-Henry Miller

My head is spinning. So many choices, some many decisions, so many plans to make. On Monday, I put one step forward and visited a career counselor at the Alumni Association. It was really nice to have someone who listens intently as you talk about your dreams, your complaints, and the obstacles in the way. I left with my spirits lifted a little, but it was short-lived. Now I have all of these options, and still can’t act on them yet.

I went into this meeting thinking that just having a plan would help, but now I want more than a plan. I want action, and I want it now. And yet, I’m scared to death of action. And, thus, I fear that I will just stay as I am now. Working the same job, complaining about the tasks I have to do, spending the weekend dreading the next week at work.

I did find a job opening that I’m qualified for, in the environment I want to work. I filled out the application, updated my resume, and even wrote a cover letter. Now I’m too scared to send it.

And, Rob had to throw something else into the mix. He talked with his boss this week, and they both seem to think that Rob’s not going to be transferred anywhere anytime soon. So he suggested that we could move out of the city and closer to his job, thus forcing me to find something new anyways. But, there wouldn’t be as many options for starting over as there are in the big city. However, there’s no timeline on that either, since he seems to think we should wait for the unscheduled building audit that will happen sometime before the end of the year.

I’m just not sure I can handle my job until then. I’m sketching this week, and thus it’s been a crappy week. However, as Rob has begun to notice, it doesn’t matter whether there’s a lot or not much at all going on at work, I still come home grumbling.

And worst of all, it’s hard to find someone to talk through all of this with. Everyone has their own agenda, and they hear my story through their own mind, instead of through mine.

Wish someone would wake up when I have a new job.

Weekend Recap

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."
-William Arthur Ward

I've been contemplating what to say about last weekend, and can't really decide. So here's some pics of the good day--Saturday.

At the Children's Museum. At the playground at the airport.

Making pizza for dinner.

Never good enough

“It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else's eyes.”
-Sally Field

My SIL and nephew are coming to town today to spend the weekend with us. It’s the first time that they’ve been able to visit just for fun—no graduation or wedding to spoil the weekend!

Rob and I have spent the last two days scrubbing and cleaning before their arrival. Not that our apartment was super messy, but it was a good excuse to declutter and organize a little.

This SIL is the daughter of my infamous MIL—both of whom would rather criticize and tease rather than compliment and accept. Sometimes I just get really bummed about their responses, even though I know that’s just how they are.

This morning I was walking around the apartment, wondering what she would make fun of. The fact that I have a shelf full of shampoo in the tub (I use all of them!), or the fact that we have lots of wedding pics framed around the house (yes, we’re still in that phase of decorating!), or perhaps the fact that the clothes in my closet are organized by color (hey, that advice is from experts, and it really does help me find an outfit to wear!).

I don’t really care what she thinks about how my house looks, and I certainly didn’t change anything to better suit her tastes. It’s still my house after all. Now I’m just prepared. My defenses are ready!

But, I’m also still keeping my fingers cross that we will spend a splendid, non-judgmental, relaxing few days together.

Don't quit your day job

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”
-Henry Ford

Sssh, don’t tell my husband that I told you this….
But he’s really not a very good mechanic. And not too terribly great at haggling over a car either.

He always has great intentions. But after spending several hours outside in the dark (holding a flashlight with his teeth), getting super dirty, and making more than one trip to the store for supplies, his truck is still overheating. Again.

Last night we even went to the car dealership to look at a new car for him. They had a car on sale (one that looks almost exactly like mine, however without all the good stuff like air conditioning, cruise control, and power windows!), and Rob had convinced me that he loves to drive with his windows down! So we went to haggle them down from their already discounted price. And as crazy as he is for wanting a car with no air conditioning in the middle of July, the salespeople were just unwilling to budge.

So alas, no new car and no working truck. Keep your fingers crossed that Rob comes to his senses and we drop that bad boy off at a real mechanic.

Hen Party

“All life’s joys are doubled when you share them.”
-George Merster Douglas

This past weekend was wedding weekend. My younger sister got married this weekend in my hometown. Check out photos of the parties, ceremony, reception, etc at the bride and groom’s Flickr site.

Now I can share the juicy secrets of the Bachelorette Party that I planned for Callie.
About 12 girls met up at our old (as in previous, not old age) neighbor’s condo at about 3:30 pm. The invitations instructed everybody to arrive in black shirts and jeans, and to bring a sexy, flirty, fun outfit with them to change into.

We carpooled downtown for a photoshoot with Callie’s wedding photographer. We took photos in front of the courthouse, on a train bridge, and next to a bright blue wall. And somewhere along the way, there was a wardrobe change in the parking lot.
As a party favor, I gave all of the girls a little photo album and directions for how to find the photos once they are posted.

Then we went back to the condo for pizza, drinks, and fun. No one in my family can throw a party without a craft project, and I didn’t want to let anybody down. So I brought t-shirts and panties and a big box of supplies to decorate “lingerie” for Callie. It was a lot of fun, and I think there may have been one or two sets that are actually wearable!

Hair today, Gone Tomorrow

“You're only has good as your last haircut.”
-Fran Lebowitz

My hair had been driving me crazy. Only an appointment with my hometown hair lady kept me from running into a GreatClips or SuperCuts last week.

When I got to the beauty shop in her garage, I told her to cut away. I’ve been admiring some of my favorite bloggers newly-cut bangs, and I decided to take the plunge. I’m going through an adjustment period (and so is Rob!), but I think I like them.

And then, that evening as my mom was painting highlights in my hair, the magazine I was reading instructed "Ask for bangs at your next hair appointment!" I can check that one off of my list.

What do you think?

Can't Buy Just One

There are three ingredients to the good life; learning, earning, and yearning.”
-Christopher Morley

Rob worked a long Friday, a long Saturday, and a semi-long Sunday. When he got home Sunday afternoon, he was ready for the weekend!! We packed in a spur-of-the-moment dinner at McDonalds, a movie, and an impulsive trip to Kroger for ice cream. When Rob came back from Kroger (I stayed home to finish up the last of the wedding projects), he had bought three different ice cream treats. He just couldn’t pick one. Luckily for our tummies, last night we managed to only eat one.

Busy as a Bee

“Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week”
-Spanish Proverb

found via www.apiologyphotography.com

Yay! It’s the weekend! A couple of days rest before a short work-week (for me!!). It’ll be a busy weekend though. Lots of projects to complete before Callie’s wedding, which is a week from tomorrow. Yikes!!

Fortunately for me, Rob will be out of the house, so I can print, cut, tie bows, and watch chick flicks as much as I want.

Unfortunately for Rob, he has to work long hours this weekend in order to get off on Friday to drive cross-country for the wedding. Maybe he’ll come home on Saturday to a clean apartment and dinner on the table—maybe, we’ll see. I guess it depends on how many bows I have to tie.

Photo Centerpieces FOR SALE

FOR SALE!! Photo centerpieces similar to those created by Martha Stewart

There are a total of 99 frames—that makes 33 sets. I used 3 sets per table, so do the math, and that means 11 tables.

AVAILABLE FOR $50!!!!
We printed photos from our childhood on vellum paper, and set a battery-powered tealight in the center of each set.
Most of the frames are brown, with just a few gold ones mixed in.
There is glass or plastic in almost all of the frames, but keep in mind that the backs of the frames have been discarded to let the light shine through!
It will not be cheap to ship, so I’m hoping for a local sale (Atlanta Metro area or even the Northwest Louisiana area)!! If you’re not local and still interested, let me know and perhaps we can work out the shipping costs!

Email me!

Thanks!!

Come on baby, light my fire

“We hope that, when the insects take over the world, they will remember with gratitude how we took them along on all our picnics.” -Bill Vaughn

A couple of pics from the weekend's picnics.