Simply Wonderful

Today was really just the best day of work I've had in ages.  I love love love my new job and what it entails.  I got to drive around in the sunshine, talk to agents who needed help, provide needed help, AND tell other people what to do.  It really highlights all my skills.  The best part is I was done by 5pm, my boss is happy, Fargo isn't flooding AND I may be able to go home as soon as tomorrow.  Travel is all hinging upon whether or not is snows heavily.  I may still just ride it out and travel safely on Thursday.

This evening I had dinner with a great co-worker and her daughter.  Good pizza and great stories, plus I have a list of stores to go to tomorrow.  Scratch for cupcakes, Hobby Lobby for another look around, and Scheels because it's just awesome and brand new.

Everything has really fallen into place today.  I feel like all my hustling yesterday paid off big time!  Now it's time for some happy dreams.

Super Manic Monday

Hanging outside, FINALLY

Naked Baby!

• I was home for 22 hours and am already back in Iowa.  Lucky lucky me.
• I'm in Cedar Falls this time, and I forgot how much I love this town.  And remember my way around.
• Here's the real fun part, I may still have to go to Fargo this week for work.  I really hope that doesn't happen and I just ride it out here in CF.
• I have to keep reminding myself the light at the end of this tunnel is a huge paycheck on Friday
• I got to spend a little quality time with BooBoo yesterday.  She's getting so big and adorable.  
• I have cramps that could take down a rhino.  I've already taken Advil for a sore back and made a giant tequila spritzer.  I should feel nothing, yet every time I have one I gasp.  I blame my IUD not being settled yet.  This pain could be really fun as I visit with the 10 local agents tomorrow.
• I'm watching the new as a hail cell is moving across the state.  I could be busier than I thought.
• I think I'll just go to bed and start fresh in the morning.

Flying by Friday

Shit you only see in Iowa!

Clint sent me this, from an invoice.

  I'm not sure I want to deal with a roofing sales evangelist.

• I saw lots of Amish today
• I drove a lot today
• I'm 100% exhausted
• I feel like I spent every free second on the phone today, a majority of with my MBFF (aka Clint)
• laughter and other peoples pain is the best medicine for a long day
• I'm 100% positive my manager doesn't know how to manage.  I've been trying to work out a problem for a week and it's just getting worse.
• I got in a workout in the beautiful 70 degree weather.  I didn't want to go and I really half assed it, but I did it and that's what matters.
• I'm watching really stupid TV tonight because it's all my brain can process.
• 1 more day and I have to keep reminding myself I'm getting paid.  Real time and a half OT for 40 hours this week!  Oh yeah!!!

Blechy, it's a word

There was nothing wrong with today but nothing really felt right.

• I still have a migraine
• my claims were harder than they needed to be.  I dislike when people don't listen
• I'm still mad at my slacking co-workers
• My boss is a dill-hole who never called me.
• I have an awesome secretary but she can't help me until next week
• I finally got Pizza Hut and it was worth every delicious calorie.
• I worked so late it was dark out by the time I was done, no walk for me :(
• I've wanted to smoke so incredibly bad today.  I drank water and ate mints instead.  It's not the same and I still want a cigarette.  I'm sure I'd regret it, but it sounds so good.
• I'm going to bed now.  I don't have my first appt until 9am tomorrow, so that means extra sleep for me.

Exercising vs Hulking out in Anger

This little tunnel , under I-80, led to the best park to walk around!  I had a great walk tonight and I so needed it.  I had already vented to 3 people and still wasn't feeling better.  I knew I needed to just clear my head and I feel amazing for doing so.  I did get lost on my way back and added an extra 1/2 mile to what I had planned.  It was totally worth it.  Now I need to figure out why my right foot is rubbing weird on my new shoes?  I hate feet pain.

I really need to decide on a plan for dinner.  I really want Pizza Hut but that really isn't the healthiest choice I could make, but it is the tastiest.  And it's what I smelled the entire extra 1/2 mile I walked.  Damn you delicious pizza smells.

Not so manic Monday

His Name is Rooney and he sat outside my van and "guarded" me while I wrote an estimate

Another good day in the books.  The best part is I was done by 6pm and that includes travel time back to my hotel.  Yay me.  The above puppers was probably my favorite part.  He was so lovely and totally thought he was a lap dog.  I wish I had room in the van, I would have stolen him :)

After I dropped off carpet samples at UPS I ran up to Walmart.  I am not a huge fan of the store but it's brand new, it has everything I need, including liquor, and people watching is epic.  I forgot some really stupid things at home that I thought I could go without, turns out I can't.  So cheap is a good way to purchase new ones.  I am excited I got leggings and a new sports bra for less than $20 total.  Woo Hoo.

I had every intention of working out tonight until my stomach reminded it had not ingested anything since my 10am Starbucks.  Sooo now I have a full stomach and not a whole lot of time for working out before bed.  I bought some snacks so hopefully this won't happen tomorrow.  I really wanted to enjoy the warmer weather today but tomorrow's rain/snow will be a good motivator too.  I'll want to get inside and work up a sweat.  Or I'll just curl up in bed and watch crappy TV.  Either way it's win/win.

Earning some overtime!!

Today was such a good day.  Totally renewed my spirit of why I love my job.  PS - People of Iowa you are awesome!  Everyone I met today was so nice.  I hope the rest of the week goes as well.  It feels good to be serving a purpose, to know the people I'm helping in the office really appreciate it and the biggest one, OVERTIME!  For the first time in 9 yrs I am getting straight time and half, bring on my 80 hour work week.

So today's fun story is this:  I was writing an estimate in my van and heard a loud thud.  So loud I actually jumped, and started looking around for the car that hit me.  Nothing, no kids in the streets, no errants sports balls laying around.  I thought maybe a dent had popped out, I didn't know and didn't have time to care.  I finished my work and got out to talk to the insured's, when lying on the ground I saw half a koi fish.  My best guess is that a bird flying overhead dropped the back half of it's breakfast.  I posted the photos on facebook because it's just too odd not to share.  The best comment was from a co-worker who commented "Sushi from heaven"  I really want to believe it's a sign I find some soon.

Scales on the roof of my van!

Happy Boring JuJu

Booboo is really good at unorganizing a kitchen

Epic Dress Up

I scheduled all my claims today and I may have time to eat like 3 days max.  It makes me a little happy because I really do love my job and it's great not being at home.  It was 50 today!!!  I cannot believe I left my work out pants at home, for some stupid reason I only brought shorts.  I may have to find some time to go to Old Navy and buy another pair.

The highlight of this very boring day was finding a Pita Pit just down the road.  All my favorite things are lining up so close to my hotel.  It makes me very happy.  Tonight I'm being as low key as possible, I'm hesitant to admit that I'm watching Tangled on ABC Family.  It's quite good.  I should be getting ready for bed as I just figured out I have to be on the road by 7:15 and that's without coffee.  Think I'll set the alarm 10 min earlier so I can get a coffee and not be a total uber beast at my first house.  I think I could be faced with some unique challenges these first couple days.  Here's to happy juju thoughts and that I don't screw up too many things.

Frantic Friday

This how my drive to Iowa City ended.

This is the cup I'm drinking my tequila out of

So I got sent to Iowa City, IA today.  It's nice to be out of the snow and cold and into cold and sunshine.  I'll be working mainly back up of sewer and drain claims, gross, but at least it's inside.  I should be here about a week and that's just ok with me.

Tonight I've decided to just drink it all away.  I had the strongest craving for tequila so off to Walmart I went to buy a bottle.  It's delicious and totally numbing everything I want it to.  Of course I'm inappropriately texting Clint, but to be fair he started it and we are technically drinking together.  AND I'm watching a movie with Ryan Gosling, who was just naked.  This could end badly!

Horrible documentation

I am crap at taking photos if I've been to a location once or twice before.  These are all the photos I have from 4 days in Vegas.  It was a great trip and I loved every second of it.  I am going to start looking into a timeshare out there.  I spend way too much on hotel rooms that I don't really need.

Swan in the Bellagio Arboretum

Favorite Movie and slot machine

Mom's small pancake at Hash House a Go-Go

Getting my tan on (read sunburn that is now itchy)

Reuniting

1995 Varsity Football Cheer Squad

Today was filled with food, fun and laughs.  I had the above girls over plus a couple more for a mini-reunion.  The blonde lives in FL and we try to get together whenever she comes home.  What a blast!  My cheeks hurt from smiling and my throat hurts from laughing.  Both wonderful problems to have.

Now I need to clean up and pack for Vegas.  I cannot believe I'm leaving tomorrow.  So looking forward to some sun and fun!

Change is good

And my trip to the doctor today will prevent it from happening in the next 5 yrs.

 I would only procreate if I was a unicorn, and could make more unicorns.

Nothing went as planned today and that's just fine with me.  I didn't make it to the office thanks to bad weather and a bad reaction to some medication.  I spent most of my morning trying not to throw up and coordinating my team's deployments.  I'm a teensy bit bummed that I'm not getting to work, but my awesome vacation and tan will be totally worth it.  All my errands are done, my house is clean, sloppy joes are made, furniture is staged, table is set.  I'm all ready for tomorrow.  Well minus the fact that I have to clean the bathroom, make grape salad and attempt to get in a pedicure.  That last one may be a last minute item.  Thankfully MSP airport has an express spa and I can get one in, in under 20 min on Sunday while we wait to board.  

I did really well on my WW this week and am down 2.2lbs.  I'm pleased as I wasn't really diligent with my exercise but monitored my food very closely.  Tonight the family went out for fish fry and my mom gave me some cookies.  I ate it all with no guilt, but feel like I've opened Pandora's box.  All I want to do is get up and bake everything in my house!  Cookies, cupcakes, puppy chow, chex mix.  You name it I could make it.  I'm trying to distract myself by looking up pretty things on Pinterest  So far I'm still on the couch and not in the kitchen.  I'm considering it a success.

You know how that thrills me . . .

I say the bottom part all the time at work.

New VS Old living room carpet

I have to say I'm in love with my new carpet.  It makes me so happy.  Now I wish it would stop shedding.  The house is dusty with fibers and I'm tired of vacuuming and dusting all the time!

I got a new cable box today because mine was dead and the tech had never even seen the version that I had.  How awesome is that?!  Oh and he found out my picture quality was super bad because of kinked cables.  So now I have a better cable box, my DVR back AND awesome picture quality.  I'm so happy.  OH and he was super cute and totally my type.  I looked a hot mess in sweats and with wet curly hair, but I still got a little flirting in.  I wish I could have found more things for him to fix.

Work was still a struggle today and no end in sight.  So many emails are flying about with contradictory messages.  I hope the patch that goes through next week can really fix the issues we are having.  I also really need it to get done before I actually get back in the field and work remotely.

Tonight it was a marathon phone sesh with Clint, snuck in a work out, did my nails, and made my favorite portabello pizzas for dinner.  Now it's time for my daily dusting and vacuum.  Gotta get the house as prepped for Saturday as I can.  Tomorrow it's off to the office and then the doctor tomorrow afternoon.  AND I need to get to a bakery and get my toes done.  So much to do for so much fun to be had!

Deep in thought

• Today was more insanity, but I think the worst of it's over.  Tomorrow brings on the snow and hopefully a bit of calm.  At least my house is back in tact and I feel zen again.
• I had several deep conversations today.  One about love/relationships/soul mates.  The other work related and not near as fun.
• I worry I've already met my soul mate, Sue-bee laughed at me.  It's just a thought that crosses my mind when the loneliness creeps in.
• She helped me figure out I don't date.  I just know if things will or won't work.  My gut instincts are always right.  I just want to move right into that comfortable stage with someone.  I hate putting on the pretty face and playing the game.
• Here's my list inside of a list.  Phrases I will cut a bitch over:
• YOLO
• You just haven't met the right one yet
• Have a baby, your maternal instincts are great
• Stop looking and he'll find you
• Try eharmony, my (fill in the blank with a person) just married their match
• Bitches I am unmatchable!  3 tries, 3 failures.  OVER IT
• And now I'm going to turn on my heated blanket and watch Duck Dynasty

Challenges

Right now this tangle of wires is super pissing me off.  I don't think it's the wires, but more that my cable box is fried.  I had to move everything for the carpet today and now it's not working!  It's been a bit funky but I may have just jacked it all up.  First call in the AM is to the cable company.  I do not like not having my DVR work or being able to pause TV.  (First World/White Girl problems, YO!)

• Work totally sucked today.  New program still blows big donkey balls.  And that's the nice way of saying it
• My new carpet is awesome.  It's dark and gloomy here so I can't get a good photo showing the new color.  It matches my laminates so well.  I'm pleased with my picking abilities.
• New hair today too.  No purple like I wanted, but it still looks good.  It always looks good, my stylist is thebomb.com
• I went to IKEA tonight to get another desk for my office.  Yes I'm so OCD I need a work desk and a personal desk.  I'm also getting rid of the daybed I had in there.  No one ever sleeps in it, everyone chooses the couch instead.  I looked at IKEA for a plain frame or something more suitable and came up with squat.  I'll keep the mattress for emergencies, it's ok to lay it on the floor right?
• I'm tired of being busy and I'm only on day 2.  Tomorrow is an early early start with moving all my bedroom furniture, eye dr at 8 am, carpet guy at 9 am and a facial at 5 with some work and organizing in between.  OH and another blizzard.
• Phil the ground hog is going to die.  That bastard totally lied.  April 10 and under a Winter Storm Watch, 5-8 in predicted.  FML

Talking or Walking it out

Today was just craziness!  I started off talking to Clint for 1.5 hrs at 8 a.m.  I'm really not sure how we can have so much to talk about and really not say anything, but we do.  We kept talking all day via text and IM.  I'm not sure I'm really "over" our whole situation but I like where we are headed.  Plus he's my ultimate weight loss motivator.  He has no clue about me even trying to lose weigh, but he's the reason I walk faster, harder and longer.  I want to show him what he's missing.  That's my inner Scorpio coming out.  I want the attention that he gives other girls.  It's shallow but I want it.  What happens if I get it?  I have no clue.  I just want it.

Work was just a cluster today.  I took a training that was only half useful.  I started to use our updated estimating program and it was just annoying.  What normally takes me 15 min took 45 and a phone call to my co-worker.  I really hope tomorrow goes better.

My walking partner tonight

Wish in One Hand

Dancing to Blake Shelton's opener of the ACM

Today's been long but very fulfilling.  Brunch at Mom and Dad's to sample his homemade maple syrup.  Yes that's correct, my Dad has been tapping trees and boiling it down for weeks now.  It's actually really good for his first try.  Shame pancakes and waffles are such high points, I'd drown them in that stuff.  

After I ran a few quick errands it was time to babysit BooBoo.  This baby is simply awesome.  She's finally getting into walking, it's so cute to watch her walk/run then fling herself onto you in a big bear hug.  She's also obsessed with my hair.  My sister has a very short and cute hair style so I think my long hair up in a bun is a fun novelty.  She's constantly taking out my barrettes and trying to put them in her own 6 hairs.  We also have really gotten into dancing.  She clicks her tongue and attempts to snap her fingers at the same time.  She's got rhythm and is advancing in her head banging too.  I was singing her row row row your boat and she "sang" gibberish and head banged straight into the cat's face.  I so wish I had that on video.  The poor cat was terrified and BooBoo cackled when she was done!  Parenting done right!

Staying In

Today was a glorious day of doing a whole lotta nothing!  I did get my entire office cleaned out for carpet install this week.  I organized my garage and work van.  Oh I also got in a walk and made a new recipe; Creamy Taco Soup.  Make it, it's crock pot easy and you don't need much prep time.  I'm still full 2 hours later, very hearty on this chilly rainy night.

I should really go to bed right now as I'm headed up to my parents for family time at 8 am!!  Instead I think I'm going to hunker down in bed and watch Reality Bites.  I've been very retrospective lately, so a journey back into the grunge 90's is just what I need.  Plus Winona and Ethan's relationship will make me feel better about my own.

Wonderful

I received this awesome glitter pink T-Rex christmas ornament from my friend JJ today.  I have some of the best friends on the planet!  I cannot handle all the awesomeness in this glass figure and need to get a special spot in my office for it.  So far it's hanging out next to my Schrute buck.  I think a special shelf is in order!

My drive home today was long!!  7 hours isn't that bad, but I was in no mood for it.  I tried my hardest to just blast music and prevent myself from thinking too much but that didn't happen.  I don't even want to talk about it with anyone because I cannot deal with all the judging.  I fully recognize my pattern, the repetition I keep allowing and how it's really not good for me.  All that said, I made the choice and it's my life.  I'm not any different than I was on Tuesday before I saw him.  If anything I'm happier, and have some more fun memories of Lincoln.  I have my pattern, he has his pattern too.  I will say that this time around he's been much more affectionate and so far his period of being an asshole lasted less than 5 hours.  We live up to our definition of our relationship, the best of the worst.  I don't know that I can imagine it any other way.

On a sour note, it's snowing.  AGAIN, in the spring!  OVER IT!!!  I'm going to go crank up my heated blanket and hibernate until I have to BooBoo-sit on Sunday.

The best of the worst

• Evenings that start with wine don't end well for me.  Restaurants should not let you take your bottle.
• I got a tour of Clint's new ladies, I'm better than they are.
• One is obsessed with me and blew his phone up looking for us
• The new one I met last night has been texting him asking me to go drink with her
• I'm starting to wonder if I should have been born with a penis.  Either that or I am just a fun new attraction in this little town
• I learned how to play keno last night and won $60!  Good thing I did, otherwise I would not have been able to afford lunch today
• Clint and I had some very awkward yet very necessary conversations last night.  It's still agreed we bring out the best of the worst of each other.  
• We whole heartedly agree that we make horrible decisions together, but lack the willpower to stop ourselves.  The one thing we do right is maintain a solid friendship no matter what.  I'm not sure how that happens, but it does.
• We also agreed that if we were in the same city it could be different.  A co-worker mentioned yesterday that 80% of relationships are formed based on proximity.  Maybe some day we'll both end up in the same city, until then we keep our friends with benefits status.
• My presentation went awesome.  I have finally earned respect from these people, maybe the nastygrams will stop.
• My upper mgmt is amazing.  Genuinely happy to see me and care about how my life has been over the 6 weeks since I last saw them.  Something I'm very much not used, but appreciate.
• Now it's 9:30 and I'm going to bed.  4.5 hrs of sleep is not enough.  I'm officially old!
• 
  

Home Sweet Home

  It's a tie between A-Rodge and Clay

It's in the tassels

 There is a difference!

Always, it's just easier!

 And you know who's driving said tractor

 always and forever!

Always and forever!

 Yes, yes, yes!

No April Fool

My new floors were installed today.  I'm so happy with how they turned out.  I cannot wait for the carpet to be installed next week!  My sis stopped by and said it makes the house seem cozier, like it shrinks up the expanse a bit.  Now I just want everything new new new

I spent a lot of today hiding out in my office and getting work done.  I'm pleased with my productivity and I got in some IM's with friends.  I'll be seeing a lot of friends this week, some coming to my town, others I'm visiting in their town.  I love this time of year for work and socializing.  I finally feel like this long long winter is coming to an end.