Stab Stab DIE!!!!

Today was just a no win kind of day.

1st appt wasn't an appt, one I could do anytime.  Took so damn long I was late for my first real appt.

2nd appt, huge mother of a house, finished with a minute to spare

3rd appt, even huger mother of a house, finished late and didn't get to settle with the homeowner

4th appt, better, I had 15 min to spare until I realized my 5th appt was 20 min away.  FAIL

5th appt, nope didn't happen.  Van battery died.  Had to call my co-worker to come jump me (not the good way either)

This evening it's been all about playing catch up and the van is fixed (can I get an amen).  Mike even took me to 5 Guys for burgers.  And I've been drinking beer while finishing up.  I really want to dive into my bag of cheesey chex mix, but instead I think I'll shower and go to bed early.  

Tomorrow doesn't have that great of an outlook right now, but I'm going to do the best with what I've got.  It has to be better than today.

Falling Short Sunday

I dare you to tell me which kid is the cutest?

The top one asked me to come home so I could read the heavy book to her.  I'm pretty sure it was one of her dad's text books, but I'd do it.

The middle one?  He asked me to not work and that I should come over and slay dragons with him.

The bottom one whose 18 shades of naked?  She runs around making everyone laugh and saying HEY YOU and Awwww Mannnnnn.  Oh and she's officially 21 months today. 

Today is day 12 of being gone and it really kinda sucks.  I have no clue how long I'll be here and I'm really not prepared for anything more than another week or so.  I used to be so good at this but it was much more defined than what I'm doing now.  It's getting really cold in the mornings and I just hate it.  I resume my proclamation of how much i HATE fall.  Gah-Ross!!!!

I realized how much I sucked at blogging this week but lets wrap it up like this, 3 14 hours day, beers, football and a rain day.  The highlight has to be my co-worker Mike.  Dude takes care of me!  Friday night he ordered pizza for us.  Yesterday while it was raining he took me to lunch, then we hit the stores for beers and steaks.  After that he cooked me dinner too.  Today he got done working first so he secured us a table at Hooters so we could watch the game.  We all have our faults with work, but personally, he's pretty awesome.

There is one observation I have to share about Bismarck, huge huge huge shortage of women.  The ones that are here, I don't think it's by choice.  Also, it's a very interesting demographic too.  The waitresses today were what I would assume the "A squad."  It wasn't pretty.  If you've ever seen the Southpark where they take Stan to Raisins and Butters falls in love with Lexus, that's what we were dealing with.  Bad hair, worse make up and no boobies.  Although our waitress was a cross between Elvira and Snookie.  The highlight was the group of Hispanic ranchers that came in.  Those men had some mustaches!  I immediately thought "Free Mustache Rides!" and then giggled like a 12 yr old.

I also made the mistake of Walmart on a Friday night.  The store wasn't busy but it was full of single men stocking up for the week.  The median age of death can't be much beyond 55 based on what these guys were purchasing.  And if I ever did I need an ego boost it was in that store.  I was still in my work clothes and could feel all kind of eyes on me.  Flattering yet creepy at the same time.

Now it's time for some more football because I can!  I should also work on finding some dinner, but that mean less football.  hmmmmmmmmmmm

Training Tuesday

Does anyone else remember these markers?  If these came out you know your school day was gonna be epic.  I walked into my training today and a pack was on each table.  I was chosen to write later in the day and loved the weird blueberry smell that took me back to 3rd grade.

My training was really good today.  I'm learning so much, but my brain is mush.  I actually just remembered I have homework to do, which requires getting out of bed.  Boooooo!

First day of swimming today and yesterday was first day of Pre-School!!

Sucky Sunday

I did not make this, but believe me I'll be trying my own spin on it!

Today has just been shitty.  It rained this morning, and my insured's were dicks.  All of them, dicks!  Look I don't want to work on a Sunday but I'm here, in the rain, so let's make this happen.  

Now my team lost and I'm stabby.  I HATE and I mean HATE the QB for the 49'ers.  Like HATE so bad I can't even be bothered to look up how to type his name.  Oh and thanks refs for the bad call that potentially cost us the game.  That's just super!

And the cherry on top is that I'm packing up all my crap again just to leave and unpack it tomorrow and then do the same thing on Wed afternoon.  The plus side is seeing some friends over the next 3 days and I'm coming back to Bismarck, not starting all over in a different city.  It's all a bit exhausting so maybe it's time for dinner and bed.  Some extra sleep cannot hurt today.

It's the most wonderful time of the year . .

Yes I still hate fall, BUT BUT BUT I LOVE FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!  Tonight is the official kick off and I'm not watching because this hotel blows big donkey balls.  I'm so excited for Sunday's game!

So ND isn't so bad.  They have a Pita Pit and a Hobby Lobby within walking distance of my new hotel.  I cannot wait to move out of this hole they put me in.  There's absolutely zero soundproofing and it's on the corner of a major intersection.  Men of Bismarck, loud pipes do not save lives, they make me stabby and less prone to be nice to you when I do your hail inspection. Plus the new hotel is new and pretty and has decent food and nicer people and a huge patio and a hot tub and I can drink with my coworker.  Yay for drinking.  It has to be better for me than smoking and I was dangerously close to buying a pack today.  Yay for willpower!  Now it's sleepy time.  I hate not getting enough sleep.  Tomorrow could be very interesting if I don't get enough zzzzz's

Just my luck

 Her future's so bright she's gotta wear shades

Today has been so less than ideal and definitely felt like a Monday.  It deserves a list!

• I've been deployed to Bismarck ND and I won't be home for a couple weeks.
• It's the National Pow Wow in Bismarck this weekend, hotels are impossible.  Thank heavens for working for a huge company who can pull strings.  I'm pretty sure I have a bed for the next 2 nights.  I know I for sure do this weekend
• My hand is not getting better.  I tried to get in to my specialist but can't.  He's very busy.
• I won't be able to keep up my therapy
• I have to cancel my exam.  My study guide shipped today but I won't have any way to get it, making it very ineffective.
• I just did the math and I will be spending 5 nights in ND, then 3 nights in NE, then 4 back in ND then 1 back at home, then back up to ND or maybe to southern MN.
• I've gotten a fair amount accomplished today but feel like I spun my wheels quite a bit.
• I'm almost looking forward to the 7 hour drive tomorrow just to zone out.

Salsa Sunday

 Yesterday's Pinterest Project completed!

1 cheap frame, some cardboard with burlap glued on and an initial I've had glittered up since a failed Christmas project. 

I've got one more project planned for this weekend and it's a bit time consuming.  I know it's going to turn out great I just need to dedicate some time to get it all finished up.  I will of course post it.  I made some great progress on the baby blanket too.  Watching a boring movie, Admisssion, last night really helped me move along.

She's getting really good at taking pictures.  We used the Ipad this time around which is a bit easier to see.  It's a good thing we are both so photogenic :)

Today was a great family day.  Canned 15 small jars of salsa with mom and peeled tomatoes for several quarts of stewed tomatoes.  I'm guessing by Wed I'll be back up there and making more stewed tomatoes for myself.  No jarred sauce this winter!

My friend Tori came out too and we had a great time visiting and just hanging out.  Boo was at the house so she kept us all entertained until her parent's got back and regaled us with some very funny furniture shopping stories.  Long story short, no new couch for them.  Overall a great way to spend a Sunday.  The bummer was the cool weather.  Yes it's been unworldly hot for weeks now, but 68!  Well that's just too chilly for me.  I'd like 78 and sunny, here's hoping tomorrow pans out a bit more to my liking.  I am enjoying having my windows back open!  And as usual it's time to put the hot pack on my arm and take a load off.