December 2004

Bring it on

I'm driving to Anchorage tomorrow to spend an extended New Year's weekend with my sis who's flying down from Fairbanks. I'll also get to hang with my 6 year old godson, play with my nieces, see my 2 brothers and their wives, see a few friends and get out of Homer. All in all, it sounds like a fun-filled weekend. Happy 2005 everyone.

Nearly forgot my severed duck wing

If you walked into an office and someone asked, "Is this your set of severed duck wings?" would you be inclined to take them home just because they had your husband's first name on it?

Like a virgin

I went to a friend's yesterday for a little after Christmas cocktail party. I've never found an alcohol that I can stand, but I figured it'd be nice to hang out. Well, my friend was making Mai Tai's with pineapple juice, orange juice and all sorts of fruity goodness so I asked to try one. He made one very light on the alcohol ("half way between a virgin and a regular") and I totally loved it. Definitely could have more of that!

The day before Christmas in Homer

Metro-huh?

I'm a bit of a metrosexual (no big shocker there) and walking around Homer (the carhart and anti-bathing capital of the world) gains me lots of curious stares. I can just imagine the muttered conversations...

"What's wrong with that boy, Martha? Is he one of them there circus freaks?"
"Floyd, it's called fashion sense. Don't stare dear."

Peddling cheer

How can one take a cheap ass gift and turn it into something special? By creating a personalized message and wrapping it in ribbon, of course!

Aromatherapy votive: $2.00
Cheesy sentiment: priceless

Deep sentiment

On a homemade bumper sticker:

Buck Fush

Happy New Year to me

For New Years I'll be spending a long weekend in Anchorage with my sister "who is a riot." I can't wait!

Last minute Christmas idea

Optimism-R-Us

Started at my new job today. I think it will be a position I can handle, but not a position that thrills nor fulfills me. If only money were a bigger motivator for me... Focusing on the positive, it's good to have a job, a flexible place to work and a much needed income. I won't be on the street anytime soon. Yay! In other positive news, with my part-time schedule for the next month I'll have 4 day weekends! That'll be great.

Ode to a Sharpie

In an array of tones
you boldly do your task.

Through thick or thin
you trudge your way through an existence
wrought with unexpected bends and gleaming surfaces.

Your purpose is clear,
your mission undeniable.

Make your mark on this world
and as you go, leave none to question.

Sharpie has left the building.

Like a needle to the brain

A friend asked me to create a satin edging for a small piece of fabric and said they'd pay me to do it. The whole thing is about 2'x4' and they supplied the materials. It seemed like an easy project, but was much more complicated than I had assumed. As a result the stitching didn't come out as perfect as I would have liked. What should I charge for something like this?

Still kickin'

Lately I've had several people tell me that I look like I'm in my mid 20's. A few actually thought I was lying when I said I was 32. What's really amusing about it all is that I don't at all mind being in my 30's so I'm slightly flattered by the thought, but it doesn't really speak to my ego they way a comment like that should. Very sad, since my delicate ego needs soooooo much help. LOL

Working man

As of 9am Alaska Standard Time I am once again employed. That took less than a week which, considering the job market around here, is a true miracle. What an amazing blessing from God. I am the new administrative assistant for an arts organization. The pay is pretty good for the area, though a little less than I was making at the newspaper. I love my boss already (yay!). I get all major holidays as paid days off. I get vacation and sick days. None of these seem like a big deal, but they weren't offered at my last job so... I'm happy. No other benefits at this time. I can be flexible with days off so if I want to take a trip to Anchorage, I just take an extra day off. Loving that option.

Oddly enough my biggest relief in getting this job is that I can now tell people that I've "changed jobs" as opposed to telling them I "lost my job." I guess the shame of being fired was a pretty big deal for me. I don't actually start work until Tuesday and it'll be part-time for a month or so while I train. By the end of January I'll be full-time.

Go God! Go me! This helps my mood jump up several notches. And we all breathe a collective sigh of relief...

Alaskan irony

Bishops Beach in winter splendor (prior to the major snow fall):

Burrowing my way to freedom

In one night Homer was buried in snow...

Things for which I'm thankful

Making some amazing friends at work
An income for the past 4 months
Never having to go to that horribly stressful place ever again

I was fired on Friday due to "too much conflict" between the boss and myself. Losing a job sucks and I will miss my co-workers very much; we were an amazing team. Still, I've been needing out of that place for my own health. Now I just need to find another income. If only chatting online and maintaining a blog paid better money...

Cuz I'm so filled with holiday spirit

Submersible bliss

Bliss is having an over-sized tub in which to soak. A close runner up is having a friend who has an over-sized tub and has asked you to watch their house while they are away...

Stuffed

My boss has been overly helpful today. She offered to make everyone coffee, to help me prep an 8 page insert, to answer the phones... It's freaky. I feel a bit like a turkey being basted before having my neck shoved up my butt.

Candy coating the future

When I am going through some crisis the last thing I want to hear is "everything will be okay" or "things will work out." It seems like some feeble attempt at predicting a future which is out of our control. It also feels like people are trying to deny me the important grieving/feeling/processing part of the situation. What I want to hear are statements that affirm how terrible the thing is: "that sucks," "I'm sorry," "you shouldn't have to deal with this." I got in a big argument with a friend yesterday about this (sorry to that friend for the mess that became). It made me realize that maybe other people really do find comfort in such phrases as "you'll get through this" and "it'll be okay." Any thoughts?

Inappropriate much?

So if you were in a group of colleagues, meeting at one member's home, and you were a guy who had to pee, and the bathroom was only about 10 feet away from the meeting... don't you think you'd close the door?

It's a freakin' novel

I'm so completely open about my life. I'm sure it's more than most people want to hear. But hey, my life is an open book. Not a regular book. An audio book. No reading or page turning required.