No Tricks, just lots of treats

Ummmm what chocolate?

taking some selfies

Hey YOU!  Got anymore chocolate?

Best Halloween ever?  Tonight, hands down.  Boo and I watching some Dora Halloween specials and coloring.  She finds it hilarious if I trace her hands.  She does mine but manages about 2 fingers before cracking herself up!  I even got cuddles and hugs!  And as we were rocking before bedtime she said Auntie!!!  Little moments like that make the worst day so much better!  Wuv you Boo!!

My oh my how a year flies by

• A year ago that bitch Hurricane Sandy changed me for the better.
• I interviewed for my new job, and got it
• I plunged further into a relationship that quickly failed.  And that's for the better
• I got to explore more states and realize how much I appreciate home

It's a amazing how 365 days can change everything

Beep beep!!

This baby is going places!

• Boo and her parents stopped by to say hi tonight.  She called her Mommy Cookie Monster, wouldn't give me a kiss or a high five, and was obsessed with the My Little Pony on her DVD player.  I thought I had another year before I got ignored :)
• I had dinner with my mother tonight.  I don't mind spending time with her but my life is so boring I only have talking points for 1 meal a week!
• A friend declined my b-day celebration because Mexican food doesn't align with her WW points.  Bitch please, every person I invited is on or has done WW.  You can come eat with us!  On the other hand I extended the invite out of courtesy and it made me realize I don't need to anymore.  OVER IT! (this isn't the first decline I've received and there hasn't been a lot of going out of our way to see each other either)
• I really want to bake something but it's too late and I don't have any butter out.  Probably for the best.

Still Mad

It's been 5 days since a very wrong situation at work took place and I'm still mad.  I finally talked to my boss about it and I was enraged all over again.  He tried to diminish it until I told him "I'm fucking over this!"  Then I think he got it.  Long story short I'm done working claims unless something happens.  Flying under the radar is my mojo until spring and for now I'm ok with it.  I even got up at a decent hour and had all my work done by noon.  Yay me.  Let's see how long this motivation lasts.

In other thoughts I was working on some goals for next month and my top is to stop being a hermit.  I even sent out an invite to celebrate my birthday.  I like to be social, but on my terms.  Lately it's not been that way and I don't like it.

I also reviewed what's important, personal life or work.  In my personal life I'm a creator, a doer if you will.  I like to make things and have projects.  For work, that's not what is needed of me.  I need to be a student and show that I can keep learning.  What that has to do with my job, well it beats me.  But I know this, I am not a student.  My BFF, she is.  She loves learning and reading.  Me?  I'm a crafty one.  I bake, I crochet, I quilt.  Right now I feel like I'm punishing myself because I'm not studying and I refuse to start a new project.  So I have all this time in the evening to accomplish things and I don't.  I just lay on the floor and listen to Pearl Jam.  And no I'm not joking, it's what I did after my walk today. I really need to work on priorities.

Eating gooks with bumpa

 

Dinner at my parents house.  I made cookie dough and above you can see Boo and her grampa eating them hot out of the oven.  She's smart enough to blow on them and then mash them all in her mouth!  She's so much fun, and such a little copy cat.  A little family time totally helped my super crappy week.

Top 10

So my sister loves to engage in crazy conversations when she's been drinking.  AND they are awesome.  This weekend she started with songs, artists, TV shows and movies.  I'm going to share mine with you because it's my blog and I do what I want.

Songs (this one is seriously hard and the order changes)
1. You Are - Pearl Jam
2. Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
This is a 3 way tie.  I like in order U2, Rolling Stones, and The Sundays
3. Free and Wild - Dierks Bentley
4. Fast Cars and Freedom - Rascal Flats
5. Suspicious Minds - Elvis
6. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
7. Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns - Pearl Jam
8. Somebody Callin you Baby -  Luke Bryan
9. Truth -  Jason Aldean
10. Only Girl in the World - Rhianna

Artists
1. Pearl Jam
2. Luke Bryan
3. Dierks Bentley
4. Pink Floyd
5. Korn
6. Gary Allen
7. Lady A
8. Guns and Roses
9. U2
10. Elvis

TV Shows
1. The Mindy Project
2. The Big Bang Theory
3. 2 Broke Girls
4. Nashville
5. New Girl
6. Modern Family
7. Duck Dynasty
8. SouthPark
9. Dallas (old and new)
10. The Vampire Diaries

Movies
1. Princess Bride
2. Blow
3. Wizard of Oz
4. Reality Bites
5. The Wedding Planner
6. Talladega Nights
7. Anchorman
8. 27 Dresses
9. Caddyshack
10. Smokey and the Bandit

Oh you wanted something, NOPE!

Recent purchases that I luvre!!!

both at Nordstroms, jacket Laundy by Shelly Segal and boots by Clarks

Today was just blah.  My boss is offering up my claims skills like I'm a cheap whore!  No overtime no per diem no traveling.  Blech!  I wanted to go to Milwaukee and work with Mike, instead I'm staying home and working crap claims.  Booooooooooooooo  Oh and my whole developmental opp and going to Lincoln, likely not going to happen.  So wish he had never told me about it, I hate getting my hopes up and then being disappointed.

I did work out today so yay me.  It was freezing and I still have the chills, but I did it.  I may have ruined by my giant vodka and the pumpkin snickerdoodles I'm making.  But I did it!

Oh and these cookies, reviews are very very mixed.  If they turn out, you get a link.  If not, there's one more pin that I delete.

Missin and waiting and hopin and lovin

Your argument?  Invalid, baby in a Dora poncho!!!

• Today was a lot of work people, I needed a drink when I got home
• Nashville marathon.  Holy Goodness BATMAN!!!
• Had a follow up on my hand today and it appears to have self healed.  Or something like that.  
• My old boss came into town today and man it made me miss her.  I cannot wait to go back to the office and have a nice long chat with her.
• I also got to see my friend David.  He's always makes me wonder, What If?  We've been friends/coworkers for 10 yrs now and never worked it out.  Maybe it's not meant to be, but I always wonder.  A good man is hard to find!
• Day 7, no new matches.  Way to go Eharmony, way to go!!!

A Pinteresting Sunday

 I decoupaged a G onto a faux pumpkin

Added a little glitter to an already white pumpkin

 And I made a new sign for the front door

 And I made this, but I cooked on high for half the time.  And I used frozen dumplings instead of the egg noodles, my Walmart only had the dumplings no noodles.  I also added  about 2 tbsps of course black pepper and used reduced fat/sodium soups and broth

And now it's time for more football.  Have I ever told you how much I love football?  Cause I do, A LOT!!  

Throwin up gang signs

Thursday I spent chilling with my lil homies.  We played with blocks, made a chair for a monkey, had a tantrum or 2 and watched some cartoons.  All in all a great way to spend an afternoon.  The BFF and I slipped out for a grown up dinner and when we got back it was bedtime.  As I was giving kisses and hugs good bye Sara stopped me and said "High Five Auntie.  Great job building stuff and playing with blocks!"  She was so sincere, and I could tell she'd had a great afternoon.  They melt my heart!

Full Moon Friday

Generally I hate all things hipsters, but this sweater, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!  Purple on purple and they are unicorns!!!  I am so rocking this at my sister's housewarming tomorrow.  Oh and I got it at Target.  Cheap and fabulous, not unlike me :)

Boo provided me some great shots on how to eat a cheesy poof tonight.  All while wedged between the fireplace and the entertainment center.  I love that baby.  AND she said auntie and Libby tonight. Woo Hoo.  I'm quite enjoying being home just to play with her.

Throwback Thursday

Age 9 at Disneyland

You are welcome!!

Stupid Happy

Enjoying her very own chair!

 WHEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Here are a handful of things that are making me stupid happy:

• I've managed to stay in the state of WI since Saturday.  And I even traveled 400 miles.  Yay me.
• I don't have to go to Rapid City on Monday.  Well, at least for now I don't
• My team meeting went well, but man are those 4 men exhausting! 
• Boo can say auntie and Libby, but refuses to say either in front of me.  Lil stinker
• My boss thinks I have vacation the next 2 days.  I don't, but I'm going to let him keep thinking that :)
• I cannot wait to be crafty this weekend!
• I also get to see a lot of family this weekend, which means drinking too
• I had to turn my heat on today.  58 inside is soooo not ok!  I HATE FALL (ok that doesn't make my happy, at all!  I just had to share)
• I realized I have approximately 0 clothes for winter, soooo online shopping binge.  Cannot wait to see all my new stuff next week.

Tying up loose ends

She was sharing her leaves with Grandpa and I

Baby's first Playboy pose, or maybe just copying the cat

This weekend has flown by so here's the cliff notes:

• Friday night, unpacking and laundry
• Saturday, breakfast with the family, errands, dinner with Team Ingram and cuddles on the couch while watching her stories aka Dora
• Today, baking, football, family dinner, work stuff, and now a little more football.

Time has flown by, but for once I don't feel dog tired.  Sleeping in my own bed has some restorative powers and I feel almost human again.  I'm not super pumped to go to Milwaukee tomorrow, but it will be a good time.  If it isn't, I just have to remember I'll be back home on Wednesday night and get to stay home until at least Monday.

Oh and here's a little follow up, on line dating has gone no where fast!  I know I'm selective but I have some tough deal breakers.  I'm down to about 1 match a day.  Wooooo.  Also, I still hate fall.  Everything is brown and dying, my allergies are horrific, and it's cold.  Yes I live in WI but cold is anything under 65.  I went from 75 on Friday to 60 today, not cool!  I'm already ready for spring!!!

Status Update here

This is short and to the point.  Fuck Dakota.  That's what I'm renaming South Dakota.  Just fucked.   All over and never in the good way.  Today was just exhausting and I got things done, but not the things I needed to get done.  Now my hotel is being a giant dick and I have to be out by noon or get charged a half day.  Um yeah, you fucktards I'm here working and I can't work with all my shiznit in my van.  So thanks for the added challenge in the morning.  Gonna be real fun trying to explain to my insured and his contractor why I have half a case of Coors light and 2 coolers in my van at 10am.  FUCK DAKOTA!!!

Shaking things up

It's Monday and I've been in Iowa for 2 weeks, so naturally that means I have to move locations.  I'm now in Sioux City, IA and will be working claims up in Jefferson, SD.  An F4 tornado went through on Friday night and I've been dreading my bosses call all weekend.  I had a feeling he was going to pull  me from Des Moines and I was right.  Now it's a shame he didn't take Mike too, instead he took one of the lesser workers.  At least I'll shine like the little rockstar I am.

If you've never been to Sioux City you aren't missing much.  This town has a serious lack of hotels, particularly extended stay hotels.  As in they have none, apparently you aren't that welcome to stick around.  My hotel has a lodge theme and it's very cutesy.  The best part is my shower seat!  YESSSSSSS, the downside, a complete lack of water pressure.  I could sit there but my knees would barely be getting wet.  I need to combine this stall with my last hotel's pressure and shower head.  Now THAT would be a shower!!!  (yes I'm obsessed with a nice shower, sue me!)

I should really get to bed.  I need to sort through a bunch of stuff in the morning and try to get all my appts set up.  I did a quick check and nothing seemed too bad.  Now it's all a matter of how quick I can get them all done.  Faster I'm done the quicker I get to go home for the weekend.  4 more sleeps to home!

Sunday Funday!!!!!

Today is day drinking at it's finest.  Mike called and woke me up at 10:40, I had a bloody and a beer by noon and just kept going through the game.  My plan is to maintain a nice buzz until the game is over tonight.  I love a day off, especially when it's rainy out and football is on!  Relaxation bitches!!!  Now it's time for another beer and to go put my laundry in the dryer.  36 hours of freedom never felt so good.

F'd up Friday

Monkey's in a tree.  

Can you tell which one is more natural at being a risk taker!?

School Photo

Epic fail, super funny!!!

This week has been never ending.   Bosses came to visit, rain screwed up the last 2 days and now tornadoes are jacking up my weekend plans.  So far 2 towns have been hits, and 1 has some hail.  Tomorrow is gonna be soooo long.  I can already tell I'm getting nothing done that I had planned.  I'm curious if I'll even be staying here past tomorrow night.  It's a good thing this state isn't that large and we can get everywhere pretty quick.

Personally my life is a joke right now.  I haven't checked in with hardly anyone.  It's horrible but I'm just so exhausted and by the time dinner and cocktails are done it's 10pm and I'm wiped out.  I was so looking forward to coasting through this week and it just doesn't seem to be likely.  I did make an attempt to go to the mall tonight because I don't have any clothes with me for my meeting in 10 days.  Shame I found nothing, not even a pair of shoes to buy.  The only thing I contemplated is a work out shirt and a sweat shirt.  Neither of which is appropriate for anything right now.  Guess I'll be calling up my mom to ship me down some sweaters and heels to get me by.

I haven't even watched any of my shows with the exception of The Mindy Project.  I watch and text with Sue-bee the whole time and I love that it's our weekly connection no matter where we are.  I guess my DVR will be ready and waiting for me whenever I eventually get home.  I just hope it doesn't get too full and stop recording stuff.  That really pisses me off!

It's nearly 9pm and I just got another email from my boss.  BLECH!  I suppose I should go read it and maybe get some dinner too.  I'm in need of an attitude adjustment STAT!  Maybe a day off and some football on Sunday will help.  Somehow I think those plans are getting canceled too :(

Starting to hate Iowa, but not really

Brennan Huff: This house is a fucking prison!

Dale Doback: On Planet Bullshit!

Brennan Huff: In the galaxy of This Sucks Camel Dicks!

That is how I would appropriately sum up my day.  Thank you Step Brothers for providing me a great quote.  I'm so over work I'm about ready to cry over it.  My boss is coming tomorrow and I'm pretty sure he's first on my list to nut punch tomorrow.  GAH!  Men are fucking fools!  I wish I worked with some women in mgmt, but then I'd wanna boob bunch her and call her a c word.  Things have to change, if not I'm packing up Billy (the name of my mini-van) and we are heading north!

My sparkle of the day is this:  All my food is now in Mike's room because it's just easier.  So I went upstairs to his room to make my epic grilled cheese and he let me watch New Girl.  I missed some because he talks, all the time.  Then when Mindy Project came on he was soooo nice.  He sat in his chair and played on his phone while I watched.  Then during commercials he would blurt out whatever he needed to tell me.  Now that's some mad respect for a co-worker! 

As soon as the show was over the others came back from dinner and my zen harmony for the evening was gone.  I called it quits early because I just can't be nice anymore!  My mom kindly pointed out that I'm on week 4 of being gone, I've had 2 days off in 28 and this is usually when i hit my super crabby week.  I will likely be crabby all week, get a good sleep this weekend and then just keep moving on and the bullshit won't bother me so much.  I learn to accept whatever my fate is and off I go. I apologize in advance to anyone who deals with me this week, it's not gonna be pretty.