Leap Day

There's something really special about a day that only comes around once every 4 years. At least there should be. Today was my day off, so I spent as much time as possible in bed - then got up and read. In my pj's...

Reading makes me so tired anymore. Soon I was cross-eyed, and nodding, so I laid down and had a nap.

Tough day.

I'm trying to finish my little tea shop mystery, because earlier this week the newest Josi Killpack culinary mystery arrived at my door.
I entered a contest to name her next book a couple of months ago. I didn't win, but they decided to send everyone who entered a copy of the newest release, which shouldn't actually be out until tomorrow.
I've been pretty happy about that, but I didn't realize it would be hand-delivered to my house! Can't wait to dive in.

The only bad thing is, that I tear through these so fast, then end up wanting more and the next one doesn't come out until (November?)...anyway, it's a while.

My reading keeps me going.

Spent this evening visiting some ladies in my neighborhood.
I love the ladies we visit (my neighbor and I.) They're all good people who have lived here as long as we have and know our families etc. It's nice to be able to share that kind of history with folks.

Speaking of history - I have a High School reunion coming up this year.
I've never been to one, but now that a bunch of them are on Facebook, will I be expected to?
I have issues with that, not only because of how I look, but because I'm still dull as dishwater in person. I'm not sure I can handle the expectations...

I actually dreamed about the event the other night - it was strange. No one had aged much (except me, of course,) and I had such a hard time keeping up with them all - playing silly games, running up & down stairs, etc.
I had such a hard time recalling names too, but I remembered every face, and was so glad to see them all.
Kind of how I have felt about seeing them assemble on Facebook (but the other way around - the names I know, the faces not so much anymore.)

Life is interesting, always changing...

I heard today that Davey Jones passed away.
Sad day - king of the Monkees, and one of my first teen crushes, dead at 66 from a heart attack.

What's The Name of the Game?

It's called pin till your eyes bleed.

Yup.

The internet's version of crack, that's what Pintrest is.
Once you get on, you can't get off. I pinned 'till 5am this morning.

I justified it by thinking I could sleep in today, but my silly body clock had other ideas.
It's impossible for me to sleep past 9.

So, that's where I've been the last two weeks, pinning places I'll never see, recipes I'll never bake, and decor for a home I'll never own.

But hey, it's fun - right?

I got brave and posted a few of my own photos. It's kind of exciting when other people pin them.
(Yes, I have a low threshold for excitement, lol.)

I did try one of the recipes too...

Source: penniesonaplatter.com via Pat on Pinterest

It was quick, easy and tasty too!

It's been a quiet week otherwise, nothing new at work.
They've been leaving me on my own a lot, but it feels comfortable and it's all good.
The boss says he wants me completely trained (that means register training) ASAP.
I am paranoid at the register - that's where all the negative customer feedback happens.
Luckily though, most of the time hubby's schedule an mine coincide, so I won't have to do it that much.
(Hubby supervises the cashiers, and a spouse is not allowed to supervise a spouse.)

I finally got to see the most recent Twilight film this week.
Hubby gave it to me for Valentine's. I wanted to go see it in the theater, but life was so crazy during the holiday season, I never had the opportunity.
And honestly, I've been afraid to see it - all the reviews were so bad, that I would sure it would be a gross-out and that I would be disappointed.

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be though, even hubby said so. :-)

Speaking of hubby, I've got him scrapbooking now.
He's completed a couple of books already.
Working on his life story, he is - which is good, because I have no idea...

I actually have a Saturday off this week. Looking forward to that.

That's about it - now back to the pin-board. :-)
.

Time Keeps on Slippin'....

Just another ditty that was in my head when I woke up, but somehow appropriate today.

It's been a busy week. Inventory is over, and I was expecting a slow day yesterday. Hubby mentioned that I might even get sent home, because the store was over hours on all the prep time. Instead, I was swamped all night.

I didn't look like anyone had been there all day - the place was trashed, and I had 2 carts full of returns, and another 2 of boxes of things to put away.
It took me all night, but the place looked fairly decent when I left.
(I was annoyed though. Is there really nothing else for kids to do in this town than vandalize the toys at Walmart?) Geeze people, check on them once in a while!

I went to bed hurting. I don't remember hurting this much last time around.
Makes it very hard to relax and sleep.

I should have gone to a funeral with hubby this morning. (My Brother in law's father.)
I even dreamed about it last night, (I worked until eleven,) but I couldn't face getting up that early after a late night, and having to go directly back to work afterward.

As I mentioned, the pain.

One thing remains constant though - even in my dreams, my daughter in law is a good mother. Always vigilant. She amazes me.


A friend introduced me to Pintrest a couple of weeks ago. (I've probably mentioned that.) Such a very bad thing for me.
I keep thinking it will get old soon, and I'll stop wanting to spend all my time there, but that hasn't happened yet.

It's interesting - I feel like I'm assembling a visual profile of my personality...

Meaning, I can look at my friend's boxes and get to know exactly who she is by seeing all the things she loves. (For instance - I had no idea she was a Trekkie!)
So, in that way, I guess it isn't a complete waste of time - it's part of my virtual history (along with this blog) that I will leave behind when I'm gone...

Look at me - I'm becoming a true Taylor! (They can justify anything! ha ha)

Speaking of work - it's time to start pulling myself together...

Welcome Back

Wouldn't you know - the week I start back at work would be the week of inventory.

This week's schedule has felt like an initiation. (Or maybe hazing would be the right word.) Late night's followed by early, early mornings.

Valentines was a bit of a joke - hubby's schedule was just as cruel, but opposite of mine. We haven't seen each other in 3 days.

Ships that pass in the night...

I guess I knew that going in - that's what Christmas was like too.

It's a job though, and I have been happier with work to do.

Inventory is today, we've been preparing for the last 2 days, and the store was perfect this morning. I have never seen the place so clean!

The team of auditors descended on us like a swarm of locusts, in their matching maroon shirts, and not a smile to be had among them.

The only thing was, I couldn't figure out why I was there.
While the auditors are in the store, we are not allowed to even touch anything in our department. All I could do was pace the floor and look at it...

My managers were baffled at why they scheduled me so early too - they sent me home after a couple of hours. I finally got that sleep I haven't had all week.

Now to tackle that kitchen that hasn't been cleaned all week...

Ugh.
,

Peace

Having a few minutes to myself this morning - hubby's at work, and the girls aren't stirring yet.

Getting started back at work has been kind of easy-peasy so far. After a day of orientation, and a couple of hours of computer drills, they threw me right out on the floor - alone.

Felt pretty much the same, except that everything is in a different place now.
They just finished inventory, so the shelves are pretty bare. I had to get re-oriented, but I had 4 hours to do it. February isn't the big toy season, so I pretty much had the place to myself.

It has been so nice to have so many people welcome me back. Even ugly old ladies can appreciate that! As Eeyore would say, it's nice to be noticed.

I overslept again this morning, so I made it to church with only 5 minutes to spare.
I hate having to rush like that - I'm always so disoriented for a while.
Plus, there is a heavy wet snow storm going on out there, so I had to dig out the car, then getting around was a bit messy.

We had a nice meeting though - a son of our neighbors' just got back from Rio, and he spoke today. Their family has lived here as long as we have, and a few former neighbors came to hear him speak. It's always so good to see old friends.
We all pretty much raised our kids together, so in that way we'll always be part of each others lives.

I think I'll take the opportunity to get in a nap before the herd descends...

Ah, quiet.
.

XXIVIIVX???

Another Super Bowl Sunday goes down in history.
(Whatever Roman Numerals are assigned to this one.)
We had a nice little gathering here - my daughter in law did all the cooking, and it was Yummy! Amazing that just a few finger foods can fill you up so fast!

She made some Boston Creme Cupcakes in honor of New England.
There wasn't room in my fridge for them, so she set them outside to keep cool.
Unfortunately, the neighborhood cats made quick work of them while we were eating the main course, so we never got to taste them.

It's a shame - they looked so delicious!

Two more days of freedom before my job begins - today my daughter in law asked for my help.
She's attempting to construct her first article of clothing.
(She's made slipcovers for several pieces of furniture, and several sets of curtains, with no pattern, but never anything she could wear.)
I'm sure she'll be great at it - just a few general techniques and she'll be off and running!

I need to make a couple of Valentine cards for my girls and hopefully, their little gifts will arrive in the mail on time. (The etsy seller I bought them from keeps emailing me that she's grounded by that nasty snow storm in Colorado and can't get to the post office.) What are you gonna do?
They'll understand - I didn't get my Christmas necklace from my daughter 'till mid January for the same reason.

It's all good.

They were conspiring in the kitchen yesterday - it seems we'll be having a "special" Valentine dinner - with a Zombie theme.

Can't wait...

My youngest was invited to a Super Bowl party at BYU by her cousin.
She was all excited about it at first, but the closer it got, the more she stressed about it.
She finally talked herself out of it.

That girl is such a home-body. I don't know how I'll ever blast her out of this house.
*Sigh*

Got to get dressed and ready for the day.

Enjoy the sunshine :-)
.

One Last Set...

I'm just finishing up scrapbooking my Christmas & Disney photos.
I've been at it pretty much all month - 22 two-page layouts total.
...And boy, am I burned out.

I've been sitting here for hours trying to think of just one more way to arrange things that I haven't already done yet. I want so badly to finish so I can put everything away for the weekend, but I'm afraid I'll have to sleep on it and start fresh tomorrow.

Why, oh why did I take so many photos? >.<

If there's a next time, I'll know better, right?
(Yeah, sure.)

I'm pretty proud of myself though - I had to break down and buy some more card stock and glue today, but other than that, I've only used what I already have. (And I barely made a dent! *Blush*)

Moving on...
I actually had some emails this week - from actual people!
Sometimes it seems that those things are going the way of the dinosaurs and the dodo birds.

Anyway, one was from a friend who talked about all the changes that life brings.
We've all been through a lot of stuff over the years - things that alter personalities and perceptions of things...
(Mostly health related. Things that we have no control over.)
She made the comment that some of those things are re-defining who she is, (whether she likes it or not.)

I was laying in bed just now thinking about that - and ways that I've changed over the years, and I came to the conclusion that the thing that I miss most about the old me (besides my sense of humor,) is that I miss caring.

I used to get so excited over things like fabric and patterns, all things crafty, but especially painting. I always preferred painting to eating or sleeping.

I can still do those things, but there's no joy in it any more.
Everything I do seems harder, and it's work. If it doesn't get done, well, so what.
It isn't life or death like it used to be.

I keep trying to find something that will make me feel that way again, but it's always "been there, done that, next?"
I guess it's true, life really is for the young.

Blah. Unproductive thoughts.

Anyway, I start work on Wednesday. It seems I'm going to have to do the whole orientation/training thing again, even though I've only been gone a month.
Oh well, I get paid for it either way, so what the heck.

Until then, hoping to get my craft room looking more like a room and less like a natural disaster.

Wish me luck!
.

Pretty Good Day

Finally have the dishwasher fixed, power in the family room, did something crafty - and I got my job back - all in one day!

I had the interview today - such a great experience.
As soon as I sat down, the interviewer said; "We already know we want you back," then she proceeded to skip all the questions and just filled out the paperwork.
...Just a matter of that lovely little drug test, then I'm back!

Several people walked past me in the waiting area and told me how happy they were to have me back - it's a good feeling.
I don't know if I'll be full time or part time, but any income will be helpful to us now.

I ordered some photos to put in the cute mini album that my daughter in law gave me for Christmas. They came Monday, and I finally had a minute to glue them in today.
Just need to add the journaling, and it's all done.

I have to say, I like scrapbooking this way! ...Having everything done for me - just add photos - instant album!

Too bad she doesn't live closer... ^.^

(I'll post photos soon.)
.

Debauchery

One of those weeks again.

Every time I have to start thinking of finding a new job, I start feeling every variation of insignificance possible, and I immediately begin that emotional downward spiral...

I'm getting a lot faster at it these days - I can go from 0 to 500 in 2.9 seconds.
(Depression wise.)

I start thinking things like; I could take classes, or I could go back to school...
All viable options if I were... say, 20.

That thought leads me to the one that says; why bother?
By the time I could finish, I would be (x years old,) and will be only a few years from retirement age.
Why would anyone want to hire me then? Degree or no degree.

...Then I go back to knowing that the only thing out there for me is retail, and even that isn't the greatest option. All the specialty stores that would suit my experience are closing down. No one can afford hobbies anymore.
(Besides, it's hard work, and I'm no spring chicken.)

See what I mean?

Not many options out there for me.

So, I've been down in the dumps all week, and have been feeling completely useless.

Wednesday when we got up, we found that the electricity in the house had gone all wonky. We had power in some spots, and not in others.
(Some lights, but no heat, no refrigerator, and no stove.)

We called an electrician to come and check things out - three hours and $2,000 later, with an entirely new breaker system,we were back in business.
At least we thought...
(No power to the dishwasher yet.)

Hubby made a deal with the guy to come back on Friday and connect the wiring in the family room. (We've been without outlets and lights down there for as long as... well, forever.

So Thursday night, we tore up the entire family room (moved furniture, bookcases, etc.) to get ready for him.
He never showed.

Apparently there were power outages all over the North side of the county, and they didn't have anyone to spare until maybe Tuesday.

So, not only do we not get the dishwasher fixed, (with a week's worth of dishes inside,) but the entire basement is unlivable.

Swell.

Pile that on top of everything else, and it didn't exactly make for a happy week.

We were all so bummed today that we did nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I had my craft table set up in the living room so I could finish up my Disney pictures, but I didn't feel like doing that either - so I just played around and made a few cards, while the rest of the family camped out on the couch and the floor, and we watched videos all day.

Feeling very slovenly tonight.

Maybe tomorrow I'll pull up those boot straps and get this place in order -
Or maybe I'll just pull the covers over my head and stay buried there for a while...
.

Down Time

It's been a quiet week.
The holidays are over, the winter colds have passed, and with no job to go to,
I've been suffering from post-holiday let down.

I finally got bored of myself moping around and ordered a stack of photos that would choke an elephant, and started a scrapbooking marathon.

I challenged myself to use only what I had on hand (I always buy a ton of stuff and then end up not using half of it.) I was able to finish seven 2-page layouts in 3 days!
...Without buying anything! (Except glue.)

That's some kind of record for me.

I put it away for the weekend, because I'm suffering from creative burnout and I need a break. Sad thing is, I still have so many photos left.
I guess I know what I'll be doing next week...

I ran to Wally World the other day to pick up a few needed items, and I ran into my (former) manager. He greeted me with not only a warm smile, but big hugs - told me how much I was missed.

I have to tell you - that felt so nice.

I was only there for 3 months, but people were so positive and friendly.
That feels so good after my last job. I worked there for 3 years - yet, the day I left I told several people how nice it was to have worked with them, and not one of them responded - or would even make eye contact.

I had to go back to pick up my final check, and the only person who said "Hi" and told me I was missed, was one of the new girls who was hired just before I left.

What a difference...

We went out to breakfast this morning, which is fast becoming a new tradition for us.

There's a little place in the next town over that we go to.
I'm not very fond of the town, but the people are so friendly and there's a sense of the old "community diner" that is kind of nice to be a part of.

The cook/proprietor knows us all by name - even customers who we don't know from Adam greet us and ask about our day.

I like that.

No big plans for the weekend - just tidying up and removing the last little remnants of Christmas from the house.
I like that feeling too - all fresh and clean and... open.
Time to clean out drawers and cupboards and declutter. BIG time.

Yeah.
.

Resolutions and Other Myths (Fantsies?)

I couldn't sleep last night, so I went blog hopping.
(Or is that why I wasn't sleeping?)
Oh well, no matter.

A couple of my favorite blogs are ones with nothing but beautiful photos to look at with the occasional uplifting quote tossed in.

Here are a few of the treasures I unearthed...

Quote:

People who have only good experiences aren’t very interesting. They may be content, and happy after a fashion, but they aren’t very deep. It may seem a misfortune now, and it makes things difficult, but well—it’s easy to feel all the happy, simple stuff. Not that happiness is necessarily simple. But I don’t think you’re going to have a life like that, and I think you’ll be the better for it. The difficult thing is to not be overwhelmed by the bad patches. You must not let them defeat you. You must see them as a gift—a cruel gift, but a gift nonetheless.
—

Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You by Peter Cameron

This proves that I am on my way to becoming a fascinating person - who knew? ha ha

Someone is very creative - these moon shots really capture the imagination;





I would SO make this my craft room;


You would never know this by looking at my house, (I am not in control here!)
but, I adore wide open spaces and the fresh clean minimalistic look...



I love this - I would make it my front gate.
It tells people You're in my world now honey, deal with it.


My someday (in my dreams) beach house will look just like this:













Do people really live like this? ...Where do I sign up?

Sometimes life just flips you on your noggin'


These are just too dang cute;



I also ran across this:

I decided that this is as close to a resolution as I'm going to make this year.
It's bound to be a year of upheaval and uncertainty, so if I can manage this, I'll be doing good.

I could add much much more, but I don't want to be accused of overkill.
Maybe another time...

I'll just leave you with this one final thought:


Words to live by. :-)

**Note: All of these images were found on either Tiny White Daisies or Another Passenger. I'm so very sorry, but after going back & forth until 4 am, I lost track of which was which.
Go visit sometime - they're lovely places!
Always inspiring.
.

New Year...

Taking a vacation over the holidays has really messed with my mind.

We got home on New Year's Eve, and were so tired we just crashed.
We missed it entirely - which is weird.

There are still snacks left over from the holidays, so I keep thinking we'll use those up for New Years Eve ...But wait, that's already over!

There wasn't any kind of party, so in my mind it never happened...

Moving onward -

I can't seem to get excited about making any resolutions either.
I've been thinking of a few small goals, but I've been sick ever since we got home, so I haven't had much energy to do (or even care) about anything else.

I have read 3 books this week though, so I guess that's something...

Poor hubby - he's been sick too, but he's had to work.

I ordered vacation photo prints the other day, and finally felt good enough to try to scrapbook a few of them tonight.

I am SO out of practice!

It took me hours and hours to do just 2 double layouts (and they're nothing fancy whatsoever!)
The challenge I gave myself was to use only what I already have.

I always get excited and go shopping when I get new photos, and buy all kinds of embellies, paper and such, and end up not using any of them.
Being jobless now, I can't really do that anymore!

I sorted through my stash and found all the Christmas themed papers - good grief, I think I could do every Christmas we've had since we were married before I run out!
The only thing I may run short on is card stock.

My daughter in law made me an adorable little album for Christmas, so I'll pick a few choice shots to fill it up too. It will be a fun reminder of our trip that I can leave out all year.

I flipped through my old vacation album trying to spark some ideas, and good grief - I have so many layouts that I never finished!
I never got the journaling done for the trip I took with my sisters to Arizona
(2 years ago?) Thank goodness I blogged that trip - I barely remember any of it!

...Anyway, we had kind of a nice evening - my oldest daughter and I.
Just the two of us home tonight, so she sat with me while I scrapped and we went through season one of Gilmore Girls together. She even ran out for tacos for us.

Chick night.

Just blabbering to myself - it's late now, and I tried to sleep, but sleep won't come.

I guess I'll go and finish book #4...
.

Holidays 2011

I've been away for a while, so much catching up to do...
Where to begin?

The holidays were such a blur this year - many hours at work,
and much going on.

Grandma's Christmas party went off without a hitch again this year,
even without grandpa. He was missed though.


Had a very good turn out - most of the family was there except for a few out-of-state renegades...

Our little Christmas Eve gathering was less than perfect - a couple of the girls had the stomach flu, so they took turns leaving the room to... expel their demons (or, dinners.)



And we didn't do the annual Christmas morning breakfast, because we had to hurry and get ready for church.
(Our program was really nice though - even though Wayland got called out of the meeting to go with his brother to the hospital.)

Christmas morning



We spent Christmas day packing.

Early the next morning (we're talking 5-ish) we hit the road for California.
It was a long ride, especially with everyone in my son's family still sick. We arrived at our hotel around 4:00. We were all so beat, most of us went to bed as soon as we checked in!

But first thing the next morning, we were all raring to go!

Leaving the hotel Tuesday morning to catch the shuttle to the park.



Disneyland!



We rode every ride we could, from morning 'til night...

Jenny waiting to set sail on the pirate ship;


It's a Small World was by far the most festive:
(Hubby and I went twice)


Inside


We saw lots of celebrities:

Pooh Bear

Eyore

Tigger

Tinkerbell

Blue Fairy

Mickey


Photo opps a plenty;

Fairy door

Jeff meets White Rabbit;



The parade was exciting the first time we saw it, but after a few times, we started running whenever we started to see people line up - once you get in that mess of people, you can't get out!



You always expect to see strange animals in a place like this,
Santa's Reindeer



...but this poor house cat was definitely lost! (Spied him hanging out with the fairies.)


Random decorative shots:
Frontierland was very Christmasy;


New Orleans Square:



Chip & Dale's Treehouse:


Love Goofy's garden:


Always wondered where Santa goes when Christmas is over:



Millie got the chance to do battle with Darth Vader (which broke Arilie's heart when she wasn't chosen.)


The firework show was canceled for the duration of our stay, due to some insurance debaucle, but the lights at night were pretty;


I always wondered what Christmas time would be like in a place where there was no snow, but I think I could live with it...

We spent a little time at California Adventure too.
(But not much, totally different vibe there.)



Hubby and I left a little early on Thursday to drive down to San Diego to visit with his sister. The rest of the family joined us on Friday.
That afternoon, we convinced Kelsey (niece) to drive us to the beach.

At the beach at Del Mar:


We had so much fun, I'm so glad we took this opportunity to go. I don't think I would ever go at Christmas time again though - SO many people!

Melissa sent us a text telling us that she had seen on the news that Disneyland set a record this year for the most people in one spot at the same time. They were turning people away at the gate.
I totally believe it, it was crazy! We saw both of the football teams who would be playing in the Rose Bowl, (along with the rest of the world.)
I think it would be safe to say that every country, state, race and walk of life was represented there.

Well, that's our vacation in a nutshell. We arrived safe at home on New Year's Eve.

Not all is well though; note the sure sign that the end is truly coming in 2012...

Hubby drinking COKE! (California is NOT a Pepsi friendly state!)
.