Category Archives: Love/Loathe

April 15, 2010 · 10:45 pm

Love & Loathe — 04/15/10

Loathe:

* How confused my hormones are these days trying to get back into the rhythm of things. (sigh) Mostly physical symptoms, thank the Lord for that, I’ll take physical discomfort over emotional havoc every single time. But the acne, bloating and other weird stuff… well, it’s tiring.

* Traffic. For the most part, I’ve made my peace with the fact that on normal days it takes double the time it should to get to work, or get home, but there are times it just tries my patience.

* We lost two fish this week. The last of our tetras died — we called the tank he lived in “the Guppy Tank with a tetra,” now we can just call it the Guppy Tank. Also, our goldfish died. This really made me sad, because he’d been around for at least three years. He was a Japanese fancy goldfish and swam kind of like an aimless bubble. He confused the heck out of me, because I’m used to observing my cichlids. The way he swam, I constantly thought he was on the verge, but he outlasted all my dire predictions.

Love:

* How excited my husband was when he found an article online about companies (like Starbucks, PF Changs, etc.) who were offering discounts or free things for tax day. He kept getting up and sharing, “Starbucks is offering free coffee if you bring your own mug!” or “PF Chang’s is offering 15% off!” We ended up having PF Chang’s for dinner, by the way.

* The Mark of the Lion series of books, written by Francine Rivers. I’ve found myself as addicted to reading these books as I was to reading the Twilight series. Which also partially explains my absence on the Internet these days.

* Dear friends like Grace. She was there to help me at the hour of 6 AM for a computer difficulty. When she asked if I was alright, I said, “Yes, but my computer isn’t!” She replied soothingly, “Honey, if your computer isn’t OK, then YOU aren’t OK.” *sniffle* So true.

* Watermelon. I bought one, even though I know they’re not yet in season. It’s not very good, but with every bite of it, I glimpse how good they will be this summer and I cannot wait!

* How busy I am at work. I can’t believe how the time just seems to fly past — in a good way. I don’t know what the future holds at this place, or even if I have a future there (since I’m a temp), but I feel so at peace being there… it just feels as if I’m in the right place for my needs, and theirs, for now. That is a nice feeling.

One Last Thing:

Random question: If you buy SmartWater, are you smarter for having bought it or dumber for having paid an exorbitant price for distilled water?

22 Comments

Filed under Love/Loathe

April 8, 2010 · 10:33 pm

Love & Loathe — 04/08/10

Loathe:

* Feeling like I’ve aged about 10 years in the last 3 months.

* Feminine pads. I hate those things and much prefer my Diva cup. But the pads, well, they were a necessary evil for 3 weeks. Trusty old Diva couldn’t handle what was going on, plus I guess when you’re having a miscarriage you really aren’t supposed to be putting stuff up in there. I’m sooo glad I finally graduated to pantyliners. TMI? Sorry, much of my life is about crotch issues these days.

* Being cold. I will never understand why office buildings have to be so cold. When the forecast says it will be 85 degrees outside that day, I feel silly marching into work with a coat on, but I know if I don’t, I’ll be marching out with icicles on my nose.

Love:

* My pay check is now direct deposit. Woo hoo! I’ve long wondered why unemployment checks can’t be direct deposited? Maybe because then some people (me, me, me!!!) would never leave the house?

* Having an accountant. With all that’s gone on with me this year so far, I threw up my hands and had a meltdown over our taxes. So, we now have an accountant. If it was just me and my taxes, I’d be cool. But Tony’s situation is just way over my head and I’m glad we now have a specialist to handle it.

* My husband, who rigged up two of my favorite things (Lovey the Lavender Lamb and my cinnamon disk candy). The dude knows how to make me laugh. LOVEY, GET OUT OF MY CANDY!

* You guys. Every one of you.

One Last Thing:

My lap swimming is going … swimmingly. It feels so good to be swimming again, and that I can do so outside? A tiny slice of Heaven every night. Before I was put on activity restriction by my doctor in February, I swam laps non-stop for up to an hour every single day. To have that taken away cold turkey, no matter how good the reason for it, was especially difficult for me, because I use exercise as an emotional and hormonal stabilizer.

The other thing I use as an outlet is singing. For some reason, that one slips my mind until I’m inspired by someone. I mentioned how much I loved Pink’s song, Glitter in the Air, in last week’s Love & Loathe post. I suppose the reason I love this particular song so much, is to me, it’s a song about moments — the good and bad moments — and acknowledging that it’s BOTH kinds of moments that put a person where they are in their life.

Since I couldn’t get the song out of my head, I decided to download the accompaniment track and sing it myself. If you’ve a mind to, go ahead and have a listen. LINK

In the meantime, I’ll just keep swimming and singing…

28 Comments

Filed under Love/Loathe, Mermaid Envy

April 1, 2010 · 10:45 pm

Love & Loathe — 04/01/10

Loathe:

* Fart fans in bathrooms. I hear our neighbor’s fart fan through the wall. The Farty McFarty’s they must be, because it runs a lot.

*Stanley Steemer trucks. Our other neighbors have them out once a month, it seems like. The thing is, once you have your carpets cleaned, you’ll always have to have your carpets cleaned. The spots will return in the same exact places forever.

Love:

* Glitter in the Air, sung by Pink. I watched her sing this at the Grammy’s and it yanked my heart out. I’d stayed away from her music for some odd reason, never even listened to her. But watching her that night, I re-evaluated my stance. Now I can’t get enough of her throaty, raspy, powerful voice. And I love the lyrics of this song… (link to YouTube video) I play it over and over again, to the point that Tony has started teasing me about it.

* Green bags. I still love them, they still work great for preserving veggies, bananas, etc. But, I have found that they don’t work so well for “wet” veggies, like tomatoes or cucumbers. Also, my love for them was validated by an article in Reader’s Digest about them. Nothing validates a person more than Reader’s Digest, right?

* The irony of having received five calls on my resume in the last two weeks, one from a resume submission I made last November — FIVE MONTHS AGO. Where were all these jobs when I needed them then?

* I found some newspapers from 2005 under my filing cabinet at work. I love old news… one article highlighted a developer who was building high rise towers off the freeway I travel every day, with the byline of “the economy is so booming, they expect to sell out in a matter of days.” Fascinating, given the state of things today.

* Oh, Disneyland, with your magical candy concoctions, how I love thee. At two inches thick, I don’t know how anyone else gets the first bite into one of those things, but I used a hammer and a knife.

* My Easter egg fingernails.

* Easter goodies at Walmart.

*My car passed its smog test tonight. This is a good thing.

One Last Thing:

Last night, Tony and I went for a walk around our neighborhood. We’ve been doing this walking thing when I can’t swim due to “lady problems.” Usually, we hold hands as we pace along together. It’s a nice time to reconnect with each other after having been apart all day.

So last night, we had a couple silly conversations (which I tried to recapture and deleted because they weren’t as funny as having been there), and suddenly we found ourselves skipping together, and giggling like two goofy kids, down the long stretch of sidewalk alongside a very busy street. The more we skipped, the louder our guffaws became. We found ourselves laughing so hard while exerting ourselves, we were having trouble catching our breath.

There were some teenagers on the other side of the street, a 4-lane street, who noticed us two very tall adults skipping, and they started singing loudly at us, “Skip, skip, skip to my Lou, my darling!” And then Tony started singing it back at them, just as loudly.

It was funny. A funny reminder to me to never forget that laughter is good for me, and that as adults, we don’t skip nearly as often as we should. Skip, skip, skip to my Lou, my darling.

Happy Easter.

14 Comments

Filed under Best Husband, Love/Loathe

March 26, 2010 · 11:42 pm

Love & Loathe — 03/25/10 (late)

Loathe:

* I think I’ll just let the previous post fill this slot this week.

Love:

* The movie The Blind Side. We saw it in the theaters and loved it so much, Tony bought it this week on DVD. Watched it again, and still love it. I’m a bit annoyed about that, because you know when people ask, “What’s your favorite movie?” I may have to change my answer… this is a big deal. I must give this issue proper consideration, can’t just decide that over night.

* $.25 hot dogs on Wednesday nights at Weinerschnitzel.

* Tony bought melon seeds at the store the other day. He has no idea where he’s going to grow them, we really don’t have any sunny spots around our place. But I just love his enthusiasm and desire to try to grow plants.

* I read in my community’s newsletter that they’ll start heating our pools in time for spring break/Easter. One more week!!

* I had a hot fudge sundae tonight. It was dark and we were driving to the mountains, and kept thinking I’d spilled it on my shirt, but I hadn’t. We got to the cabin and I looked in the mirror and started laughing. No chocolate shirt, but a chocolate chin. I looked like I had a chocolate beard.

* How joyful our little bird is every morning when she sees me. It’s such a sweet thing to watch her perk up, chirp and lean way far out to climb on my finger. Especially when I remember back to how when we first got her, we had to chase her all over her cage.

One Last Thing:

So, I made it through the week and still have my job… which is nice. More importantly, things seem to be doing OK as far as my health. I learned that Aleve (naproxen sodium) is my friend, especially when taken on a consistent basis. I feel tender, swollen and very tired, all of which seem like normal and expected things given what my body has been through, and I plan to go have blood work done next week to make sure my hormone levels are where they’re supposed to be.

But… I’m OK.

16 Comments

Filed under Health/Endo, Kid Quest, Life Encompasses Me, Love/Loathe

March 18, 2010 · 10:50 pm

Love & Loathe – 03/18/10

Loathe:

* Car trouble. It’s really unfair how one little bitty expensive part can cause so much trouble. Tomorrow will be day two in the shop for the little red car.

* Police helicopters who circle above our neighborhood at 11:15 PM once a week. I don’t buy it anymore that there’s some criminal they’re watching, it’s too predictable. I think it’s a practice flight and I think it’s annoying. I need my sleep or I just might become a criminal for them to watch. *grumble*

* Taxes.

Love:

* A particular blog friend who mailed me homemade St. Patrick’s day sugar cookies ALL THE WAY from the east coast. I opened the package and stood there with tears in my eyes at her thoughtfulness. I love you, Nina. I would have taken pictures, except that there aren’t any left to take a picture of. They were gone within 8 hours. Sorry. You’ll just have to take my word for it that they were delicious.

* Kentucky Fried Chicken’s cole slaw.

* Jalapenos on a hamburger. We had dinner with friends tonight (I love them, too), but putting those jalapenos on my burger made it 10x more delicious than delicious can be defined.

* One more month and my community should start heating our community’s pool. I can’t wait!

* My husband who gladly inconvenienced himself by giving up his car for the day, so I could get to work. Which meant I got to experience what it’s like to drive around at 5 AM to take him to work so I could have his car for the day. It’s weird at that time of the day, no one’s around and it’s all dark and stuff. Weird.

* Tony’s parents. For many reasons, I love them, but heaped on top of it all, since we both need a car for tomorrow, they are gladly giving up one of theirs.

One Last Thing:

I’m just plain tired. The weekend needs to be here so I can sleep.

24 Comments

Filed under I ♥ My Miata, I have Friends, Love/Loathe

March 4, 2010 · 10:19 pm

Love & Loathe — 03/04/10

Loathe:

* Websites who make you change your password because they changed their security protocol. I was fine with my password, it was long enough with enough weird characters in it, and now I have to remember yet another version of my weird characterized password.

Love:

* Brach’s Sugar Free Cinnamon Hard Candy. Now, I just have to figure out where I bought them in the first place. Because they’re gone.

* This tag on my hair dryer. The irony of where I keep it makes me smirk every time I see it. That’s me, living on the edge of danger!

* Dark Sipping Chocolate. The Steve/Marigold/Huck/Milo Show gave it to me as part of my multi-part birthday present last year. I just finished it and it was delicious. I might just lick the inside of the canister (which I also love — it’s SQUARE!) Who knew I would like something from Trader Joe’s?

* When my husband finds the Arrowhead water bottles that have the bigger cap. Often times it’s the smaller things in life that makes me happy, but in this instance, it’s definitely the bigger thing (small though it may be).

* I busted out of my voluntary introverted isolation today and spent a couple hours (maybe longer?) with my friend, Grace. It did me a wealth of good and I just *heart* her so much.

* When the sun breaks through the clouds.

One Last Thing:

I had two phone interviews (last Thursday and Tuesday this week) and in-person interviews with five people (yesterday and today), for a contract-to-hire position.

The recruiter I’m working with has been working with this company for 14 years and she is confident that they’re an honorable company. I hope she’s right.

In an “It’s a Small World” scenario, this recruiter has ties to the Rose Parade and I saw her in the Rose Parade (this year, and probably other years, too) and didn’t even know it. Her story is absolutely incredible and when I met with her today for the first time, and then learned of her connection, I found myself shaking my head inside over the incredible strength this woman possesses.

Anyway, I landed the job** and at a wage that’s just a smidge lower than I wanted, but at least I’m not placed in the dark corner of the clearance aisle anymore with a neon pink “50% OFF” price tag on my forehead. I start on Monday. There’s a lot of work to be done there and they really, really need someone like me. I’m terrified, but in a good way.

Can I get a “WOO HOO!” from My People?

**… just when I was prepared to spend another 12 months sitting on my duff eating chocolate!

28 Comments

Filed under Love/Loathe, Money Hump Building

February 25, 2010 · 4:03 pm

Love & Loathe — 02/25/10

Loathe:

* I had forgotten about these sinus headaches I get when storms move through. I probably forgot because we don’t get that many storms here in California, but this time of year we do. Sometimes. I would be one big walking headache if I lived anywhere else, huh?

Love:

* Honey sticks. I’ve been on a tea with honey kick lately. Could have something to do with my half sore throat, which may be a teensy tiny sinus infection. Or something to do with my sinuses (see first loathe up there). But, yeah, honey sticks. Yum.

* The Mess. That is what I order at the restaurant we go to in the mountains. It has eggs, hash browns, ham, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, jalapenos and probably a few things I’m forgetting right now. I put my hot sauce on it and it’s absolutely delicious. Plus, it’s enough food that I make four or five breakfasts out of it. Delicious and thrifty!

* Opening the windows and watching the cats scramble to get up on the window ledge. I love seeing feline bliss.

One Last Thing:

So, I had my interview yesterday and I got the call today that they decided to hire the candidate who had 6 years of experience in their type of business.

Their decision is actually a HUGE relief to me, because if they had offered the job to me, I couldn’t have turned it down, since I need one. But after I processed yesterday’s interview, I honestly think I would have hated working there (or the PC way of saying it, “I didn’t feel like we were a good match”), which absolutely surprised me given how excited I was about the interview.

The HR person said it wasn’t me, they believed I was “an excellent candidate” and am “a very talented young lady with a lot of skills,” and that my “resume is incredible,” they just wanted someone who already had experience in that industry. Since I hate nothing more than wasting my time, I was grateful when she offered me a couple of critiques about my responses yesterday during the course of the conversation today.

I feel like at least I learned something from the experience, which I can use going forward. For me, that’s what this whole process is about. That and finding a job, of course.

12 Comments

Filed under Love/Loathe, Money Hump Building

February 18, 2010 · 1:03 pm

Love & Loathe — 02/18/10

Loathe:

* Junk mail. Since I’m getting old and persnickety, I simply don’t have the tolerance or fascination for all the catalogs and crap that companies send out. I used to make phone calls and request being discontinued, but nowadays, that’s no longer effective. So, I’ve resorted to ripping off the back page of the catalog (or whatever shows my address), sticking it in an envelope and mailing it back to them with “REMOVE FROM YOUR MAILINGS” written across in big, red letters. It really makes me happy if they’ve included a postage pre-paid envelope.

* Bill collectors. Especially the ones from Chase. Even moreso because they’re trying to collect a debt from someone named “Neil or Christine Trudeau” and I’ve advised them that I am “Jammie” and have been “Jammie” my whole life and there is no one at my number by the name of Neil or Christine and to please stop calling. I’ve been nice to them, I’ve tried being grumpy, I’ve tried sending them to my fax machine. I’ve called Chase back and told them the story, I’ve talked to every department possible, including their legal department, all to no avail. I now call them “my boyfriend” because I talk to them more than I talk to my husband during the day. Seriously, 4-6 times a day is the normal number of times they call me — every single day. At least my phone skills are staying up to date!

Love:

* My husband. He has been and continues to be one of the biggest rocks in my life. No matter what scary path my life takes me on, he is intuitively supportive and a great communicator. I respect him and cannot even begin to put into words how much I love him. I know I’m being mushy, but it’s Valentine’s week, so I’m entitled.

* I have an interview next week with a company that would totally kick ass in the “cool” department and would look great on my resume if I land it. The phone interviews have gone well, and it’s everything I’m looking for in my next position… except for the pay. It’s half of what I was making before (ouch!!), but we all know, jobs these days seem to be an endangered species.

* Organizing. Gosh, do I love organizing things and things are never organized enough, so I’m always tinkering in my brain with ways to organize things even better. Problem is, the external processing of my internal genius oftentimes looks messier than I like.

* Our neighbor’s little girl gave us a little bag of candy for Valentine’s Day. GAH! Be still my heart from the cuteness of it! I don’t remember if I ever told you the story about how she came over with her dad and didn’t want to leave (about a year ago)? He finally left her here after we told him it was OK with us, and then checked on her a bit later, and she STILL didn’t want to leave. She was pretty low maintenance, actually, just wanted crackers and toys. hehe

* We’re going to the mountains this weekend. A quick trip, but still, I always look forward to that.

* Showers. Never undervalue the pleasure of simple things, and I do love my showers. Nice hot water with good smelling soap? 10 minutes of pure bliss.

One Last Thing:

I realized it’s been awhile since I wrote a hair (no shampoo) update. It has, as of yesterday, been 9 months since I stopped using shampoo. Instead, I use a mixture of baking soda/water which I rub into my scalp, when needed, and then rinse it completely out. If I’m swimming daily, I’ve found that I only need to use the baking soda/water mixture every 4-5 days. If I’m not swimming daily, it takes about 2 days before the grease starts to bug me.

For a “conditioner,” I use a mixture of apple cider vinegar, water, aloe vera juice and a stalk of rosemary. This mixture acts as a clarifier, removing the chlorine from all the swimming I do. I use this mixture immediately after I get out of the pool.

Occasionally, if the tangles get out of control, I use L’oreal’s sulfate free conditioner.

This process is now just as normal to me as using shampoo was for years and years. Although, apparently airline security didn’t feel it was normal at all. They inspected my luggage, and opened the two bottles when I traveled in January. I know this because they didn’t securely close the top on the baking soda/water bottle. Thankfully, they did return it to the plastic bag I had it in, so it only leaked a little onto my packed clothing.

9 months, no shampoo:

26 Comments

Filed under Hair Can Be a Topic of Conversation, Love/Loathe

February 11, 2010 · 10:45 pm

Love & Loathe — 02/11/10

Loathe:

* My mom leaves this coming Monday. I really don’t want her to leave.

* Bloating. I still, after all these years, have not learned to enjoy, tolerate or like this bloating thing that my body does. Even when the doctor had me taking diuretics back in 2006, my body overrode the diuretic. It’s ridiculous, really.

Love:

* Sleeping in, just because I can. I mean, what on earth do you people who get up at 5:30 AM do anyway that’s so important?

* All this time with my mom. I have really been soaking it up and basking in it. It sounds so simple — visiting, talking, sharing and quality mother/daughter time. I feel so blessed and grateful. She is truly a gift to me.

* Kidney beans. I know I’ve mentioned how much I love those silly things before, but I decided that since my love for them hasn’t diminished, maybe I should find a cheaper, more affordable way to cook them. Say hello to dried beans, cooked in the crockpot. Plus, it makes my husband cry… if you get my drift. If you don’t, we can safely say that he does.

* Frozen yogurt from Golden Spoon (another oddity that I can eat their yogurt). Doesn’t this look delicious? It’s half cheesecake and half toffee flavored.

* Time wasters such as this website. (Click it!) Great fun, and someone took a whole lotta time to do those pictures.

One Last Thing:

I saw this truck in the parking lot at Costco a couple weeks ago. As I walked past it, I wondered just how many conversations or comments the owner elicited from total strangers by having his truck custom painted, down both sides and the back, indicating his love for USC. I’m guessing he can’t be a fair weather fan with a paint job like that…

(Click to make larger…)

When I left Costco a bit later, I saw him engaged in conversation with another couple and overheard them talking about how the team has done this year. The couple moved on to their own car, laughing and chatting with each other. The owner of the truck got in and started it up to leave. I smiled to myself, because it answered my question — A LOT.

Then I wondered if he has to allot extra “chatting with strangers time” to every errand he runs?

16 Comments

Filed under Love/Loathe

February 4, 2010 · 11:45 pm

Love & Loathe — 02/04/2010

Loathe:

* The smell of freshly cooked broccoli. My mom made some today, I made her wait until at least the afternoon, she was gonna make it first thing in the morning. The only thought in my head as I told her to wait was, I want to enjoy my cup of coffee without THAT smell chasing me out of my own house. Ask Tony about his version of the broccoli story. Go on, ask him! *laughing*

* Despite the broccoli, I can honestly say, the time of our visit has gone way too fast.

* Worrying about stuff. Why can’t I stop worrying about stuff?

Love:

* Everything about our local mountains. If I were rich, I think I would move there. Or somewhere like that. And then buy a generator so I wouldn’t have to worry about power outages.

* Seeing my friend Grace, and her daughter, Mia. I lured them over with my blog tales of baby guppies. Mia is a sucker for fish and, let’s face it, we have fish here in this house.

* All the baby guppies are alive and doing well. Despite a major rookie mistake on my part last week, which I’m still too embarrassed to talk about… I mean, all’s well that ends well, and they’re all alive, so let’s just not talk about it!

One Last Thing:

I’ll leave you with two, no three, adorable images that I managed to capture this week…

Cats on the couch…