House Shopping

Moody: Giddy

Hubby and I went to look at rent houses today. I will not stand to live in an apartment another year. I really wish we could afford to buy a house but that's not an option at this point in time. Hopefully within the next couple of years we will be able to do so.

Most of the houses within our price range were just in downright trashy neighborhoods. Not that I'm being picky but I prefer to feel safe inside my own home. The last house we looked out turned out to look pretty good. The neighborhood wasn't the best but i also was the worst. I'm eager to see what the inside looks like. The only thing I am upset about is that in the picture from the listing there was a huge tree in the front yard. That tree is no more. The brick flower bed is still there but no more tree. Hopefully they will have some treed in the back yard but I couldn't see any from the road. I am going to call the leasing agent in the morning to get a tour of the inside.

Oh! With a backyard we will be able to get a puppy! I'm excited.

Open for Business...Almost

Mood: Excited

Well today I opened up by business checking account for my new little business venture - Jen's Hidden Treasures. I feel like a grown up having my own little assumed business name. I wanted Hidden Treasures or the Treasure Trove but both of those were already taken. I'm happy with what I got though. Now all I have to wait on is my sales tax permit. I'm already tired of waiting. Patience is not one of my strongest characteristics. They said it would take seven to ten business days to get it. hopefully I will have it by the end of next week.

Hubby goes out our first auction next Wednesday. I hope he comes away with something good!

Dream

A coworker's car is sitting in a parking lot of what I'm assuming is a car shop. It's a royal blue VW Bug. The parking lot turns into more of a really steep driveway (but still in front of the car shop) as I move toward the car. I get inside to try to fix something that is wrong with it. I remember fiddling with some wire.

The next thing I know the car starts rolling forward. I cry out for help. No one comes. I get behind the steering wheel and try pressing on the brakes but they aren't working.

The car rolls out into traffic on the busy street in front of the car shop. I'm weaving back and forth trying to avoid the other cars. I'm yelling at the drivers that the brakes don't work like they can hear me.

I come to an intersection as the light turns red. I turn right and avoid a car going the other direction. Then I wake up...

The next day I'm telling the coworker about my dream. I'm just about done telling her about my dream and she turns her back on me and walks away.

This is where I really wake up.

Too much to do

Mood: Frustrated

I shouldn't be online right now. I committed to meeting at an ATC swap today at two. I'm suppose to have nine cards ready for the swap but only have four completed. I've been working on them since 7:20 this morning trying to finish up. I guess is doesn't help that I'm extremely slow at making them. I keep getting ideas for cards but none that can relate to the theme of this swap. I have several more hours. Hopefully I will get everything done in time. I hate to not go when I said I would.

I'm a little upset with myself this morning. I had two crazy dreams last night and can't remember a lick. I think it's because I'm overtired. I usually go through a "routine" as I fall back to sleep so I can remember them but evidently I didn't stay awake long enough. I started drinking caffeine again last week and I think it's a mistake. I'm not sleeping soundly if and when I to go to sleep. It's crazy to think one soda or glass of tea can reek so much havoc.

Black, White & Red All Over

I finished my atc's with literally minutes to spare. I was filling out the back of the cards while waiting for the other people to arrive. I'm pretty happy with most of them but I only have eight scans to post. Hubby was scanning them in for me as I was running around like a mad man. I guess I was making him nervous because he scanned one of the cards twice and completely missed another. I listed descriptions below going from left to right.
This Way to the Goblin King - Picture is torn/inked vintage photo. "12" and birds are rubber stamps are TuscanRose stamps. Final collage was given a wash of acrylics for an aged look.
California Here I Come - Vintage photo and ephemera with a wash of acrylic.
Movie Moments - Vintage photo, distressed slide mount and tissue paper.
Take Flight - Masked and embossed stamps and brads. Background stamp is a TuscanRose stamp and bird stamp is Stamps Anonymous.
Say Cheese - Vintage photo and scrapbook paper. Inked and gessoed.
Music is the Key - Acetone transfer image on scrapbook paper. Added key and ribbon for dimension.
Flowers in my Window - Vintage photo on fibers and scrapbook paper mounted on foam board. "Window" was cut out to place dried flowers inside. Sealed flowers with crystal glaze.
Waiting in Paris - Tinted vintage photo on scrapbook paper and collage image cut outs. Background writing and postmark are stamps from Inkadinkado.

Goodbye Goldilocks

Mood: Cheerful

Well, I had another "moment" today. I decided I didn't like my side-swept bangs I cut them off. I also decided my hair was too long and the color too light. Rather than give myself a charming little buzz cut I called my hairdresser up at the last minute. Thankfully she was able to fit me in. It's back at shoulder length with lots of layering. I'm went darker blonde with a few light blonde highlights. It's probably better this color anyway since fall is coming up. I'm happy with it for now but will probably want to start growing it back out before I even go back for a trim.

Hailey seems to be doing better. She's walking around and being mouthy as usual. She's still sleeping a lot more than usual but she doesn't act like she hurts. She also about gave me a heart attack this morning. We have to make sure we leave the toilet seat down or she drinks out of the toilet. I was cleaning the bathroom and started doing something else while the cleaner worked. Next thing I know I hear her lapping at the water! When I looked (after running in screaming at Hailey) all the cleaner had settled into the bottom of the bowl. I don't think she got too much cleaner (if any) in her system. Regardless, I was following her around making sure she was acting right for the rest of the morning. I don't quite know what I'd do if I knew I were responsible for seriously harming her, even if it was an accident.

Got a letter in the the mail today from our apartment complex letting us know about the wonderful rates they are offering for us to renew. They aren't even giving us a discount! With the garage it's going to raise our rent up waaaay too much. I kind of figured it would be the case though. They did that the last time we lived in this complex. ugh. I'm tired of moving.

Poor Hailey

Mood: Worried

Hubby took Hailey to the vet yesterday and I don't think she is feeling very well. Yesterday evening she was acting like she hurt really bad. The would follow me a round and just lay next to me. She growled at me when I picked her up after work. She never does that! Hubby tried getting her to play but she wasn't even interested which is very unusual for her.

The vet said she might be a little stiff for the next couple of days from her shots. She had to get an extra exam because the vet said a couple of her glands were swollen. The blood tests came out OK though so the vet said not to worry. Something about her being fixed and marking territory. I thought only boy cats marked their territory but I guess I am wrong.

She is still eating and drinking so I guess she's OK. I'm just being a worry wart. She is still being a little clingy this morning but not quite as much.

Dream

I was running from something but not sure what. I just remember I was horribly afraid it was going to get me. I was climbing over these buildings to get away from whatever it was. The buildings remind me of the portable trailers brought in for schools that are overfilled except they were half the height they are in real life. I climbed down the stair railings and ran next door to my house but I don't believe I have actually seen this house before in reality.

As I open the door I let a fluffy litle cat I had years ago named Andrew out. I ran to find him. I'm not sure where I go, I just know I find him.

When I find Andrew he's no longer a cat. He is a little cocker spaniel that has been shaved and dye blue. The color of the dog doesn't seem to bother me.

I was upset at the fact that whoever shaved him had also shaved his ears and nicked him pretty bad. He had little cuts along the backs of his ears from the clippers. I was following him down the hall worrying about it when I woke up.

Don't say you are open minded...

***Please bear in mind I have no interest in getting tacky or vulgar emails/comments if you don't agree with what's said below. If you don't like it, stop reading. ***

Mood: Amused

I ticked someone off today on yahoo IM. He started to yahoo me while I was out on medical leave and we IM'd back and forth. Nothing serious in the least. He said he liked chatting/talking to women that stood up for themselves and spoke their mind. Personally, I think he's full it but I went ahead a chatted with him because it was fun seeing how much I could say before calling his bluff and proving it. My views on things always seem to offend people or at the very least get them a little riled up, so I figured what the hell.

Evidently today was the day. The IM started off talking about 9/11. He asked if I had watched the TV program that aired last night. I said no that I wasn't too interested in hearing about 9/11. (Not to be insensitive, I'm just tired of hearing about it). He proceeds to inform me that today is the anniversary as if I have head my head stuck in the ground. I told him I was aware but that I am still tired of the media coverage. This leads to my views on the war. He asks if I think the war was the right direction to take (or something along those lines). I say no. I say I have brothers and friends that have been in and out of Iraq and I don't think the war is worth it for the amount of time and money spent with so little results.

This leads to my political views (never a good idea). He asks if I am a fan of the President. I say I am not. He asks if it's because of the war. I say that's not the primary reason I don't agree with his viewpoints but the war is one of the reasons. He asks what my primary reason is. I say abortion rights. I'm pro-choice. Judging from his response I'm guessing he doesn't like my answer. I tell him that we will just have to agree to disagree. He then proceeds to ask if I'm religious or agnostic/atheist. I say I'm agnostic. I don't think he liked that answer either. He then asks my views on creation vs. evolution. I say I don't know what the right answer is and when you really think about it who actually does? I'm thinking this wasn't the best question for him. He asked what I meant. I replied that no one actually knows what is true or what isn't. It's all based on how we were raised and what religion we come from. I guess this offended him.

He started asking about my views on heaven and hell. I tell him I was raised Christian and I believe in spirits and souls and still believe in heaven and hell. He asked what determines if you go to heaven or hell. I say if you live a good life (i.e. ten commandments) and do your best to help others. I think you will be fine. He then proceeds to say what am I going to do when I die and have to face God and tell him that I don't believe in him. This isn't entirely true but before I could type anything I was basically told to be good because my chances of getting into heaven are slim since I'm going to hell for my beliefs. This is when he signed off.

Imagine that. I guess he was only interested in chatting with women who stand up for themselves and speak their minds as long as they share his viewpoints.

She's gone!

Mood: Ecstatic

What a wonderful day at work! The girl that sits next to me at work finally quit! I can't begin to describe how truly happy this makes me! No more migraine inducing vanilla lotions, I'm better than you and this place attitude or Oh my god, I can't eat there. I'm on such a strict diet!!! I haven't felt the need to do a happy dance in a long time but I'm thinking this constitutes one. What a wonderful day!

Ramblings

Mood: Pissy

Dinner went well last night. We ending up staying there about three and half hours shooting the breeze. I'm thinking our waitress hated us for it. I decided to take the high road and not be a total bitch to BG. Not that it mattered. I think he spoke maybe spoke a handful of words the entire dinner. Regardless, we had fun. It cracked me up SA was playing the demure, "Oh I can't eat all of this. I'm so full" role. I mean come on, after two bites of enchiladas? I'm thinking that's why she's been eating non-stop at work. It's weird how much CP and her husband are like my husband and myself. We already knew it to some extent but the more we get to know them the more it becomes apparent. We should all get together and go out again soon. I had fun.

I got the ok for lasik from my husband last night as long as we can finance it. I am so excited at the thought of not wearing glasses anymore. When you actually do the math I'm been wearing them more than half my life now. I had to get them in the fourth grade. They are running a special where it's only $150.00 for the initial appointment and then you can finance the rest for zero down at 0% interest for 18 months. We should be able to swing that no problem. I need to look into it a little more and see how long the special is for (or if that's just the way they always do it). I have to finish paying off my medical bills this month from my surgery so hopefully it's not just a special. If it is though, I'm sure they will run it again.

I have a headache and to top it all off my husband is irritating the piss out of me this morning. He's slowly learning not to mess with me until I get out of my morning "funk". Normally it isn't too bad but if I don't sleep well or don't get enough sleep I can just be downright mean and nothing drives me more insane than happy morning people. Of course, I had to go marry one of them. If he's not being happy go lucky first thing he's starts the - oh have to hustle and bustle to get all the chores done at the crack of dawn. You can vacuum in the afternoon for crying out loud! Ugh, maybe some caffeine will help me this morning.

Also, why do they have a spell check button on this damn editor if it doesn't automatically work? Grrr. You shouldn't have to download it.

Ebay

Mood: Tired

So I've decided my new hobby will be selling things on Ebay. I'm hoping to make a little extra cash. My highest hopes would be to make enough money at it that I won't have to work. I think that's a little far out of reach at the moment but it's a goal nonetheless.

I'm not sure if everyone starting out has this much trouble writing their ads. I seem to go over them and go over them before I feel they are ready to be posted. Could be I'm just anal or maybe it's just my past years experience in the advertising and pr field kicking in. I see some ads listed and don't know how they sell anything with the way they have the postings set up. Typos, poor grammar, bads pics, etc. Hopefully though if they are able to sell stuff I can as well. (and no, the grammar and/or typing on this journal doesn't represent anything. I do this pretty much half ass).

I need to go to bed soon. I'm suppose to burn a couple of cd's for CP but I don't think it will happen tonight. I need more sleep. I have bad dreams when I don't get enough sleep. I had a cool one last night though I don't remember too much of it. I think I was overtired. Normally I can go over them before I fall back asleep but that didn't happen last night. Oh well. Thankfully tomorrow is Friday and I can sleep in a little over the weekend if need be. I can always give them to her when I meet her and her husband for dinner Saturday night.

I can't decide if I'm looking forward to the dinner or not. It has nothing to do with CP or her husband but with the other couple that's going. I'm peeved at the boyfriend. SA and her boyfriend (BG) and my husband and myself were suppose to go out to eat this past Thursday. SA and I had been planning this for quite some time. SA and BG decided to go out of town for Labor Day weekend and the BG said he would rather not go out to eat so he could save some money. I understood and would probably have done the same thing. Come to find out they went out to another restaurant and then out drinking instead. How completely rude is that??? Talk about first impressions!

I'm still trying to decide how long I'm going to hold a grudge. I'm not one for tolerating outright rude behavior. My husband is PISSED! I don't think he will say too much about it (if anything) when the time comes for meeting BG though. He's not really one for confrontation. That would be me. I should probably be the bigger person and let it go this time but I"m not the best at doing things like that.

Dream

I'm guessing Cory was watching a movie or playing a video game when I was dreaming this. It's so detailed it's seems to me the only way to explain it.

Someone telling me that I won't be able to find a room at the hotel because Carmen Electra and Dennis Rodman are getting married. I don't actually go through the motions of getting a room to stay in because the next thing I know I'm listening to an argument that a father and daughter are having inside this house. Not really sure why or how I'm there. It's some redhead girl with braces telling her father the reason her mother is mad at him is because he won't pay child support or keep insurance on them. The dad is some blond guy and is making excuses. I guess I get tired of listening because I walk outside.

Evidently the house is situated right in the middle of a college campus. I walk over to the bus stop to see one of my friends. As I am walking over I see Dennis Rodman prancing down the street shirtless with a wedding veil on. Carmen Electra is strutting behind him. I go to talk with one of my friends and end up ticking off some other person. I don't remember how or why but they left in a huff and I walk laughing at them. Then someone was talking about how people were getting infected with some disease. Turns out it's not so much a disease but more "monsters" that no one can describe are killing everyone off. This sets everyone into a panic. They keep talking about this one girl who survived.

Somehow we end up in a dorm. Images of people inside their dorm rooms start popping up and we can see them getting attacked one by one. This panics everyone and we start running. We end up in a three story building somewhere on campus. We start off on the main floor but end up going into the hidden underground floor once peple start getting killed off. On this floor the majority of the walls are made of glass. We watch a professor get killed and see the monsters for the first time. They look more like the Storm Troopers from Star Wars than monsters. They are killing people with these guns that shoot off slimy mutant tentacles that suck out the person's insides. We finally figure out that if you stay still they can't see you. We try telling people but they won't listen and are getting killed left and right. We go into another room and stand motionless as we watch more people die.

Out of the group I was originally with it's down to me and one other person. We find this small glass room and lay down on the floor being as still as we possibly can. Other people are finally figuring out the monsters can't see you if you are still. We lay there watching the scene going on outside the glass walls. People are standing everywhere, motionless, as the monsters walk around looking for victims. I hear someone on a radio. It sounds like military personnel. The person is saying to make sure everyone is dead.

I guess the monsters finally think they killed everyone in the building and walk into the room we are occupying. The dump out a bag they have been carrying around directly in front of me. Turns out it's a bag of severed body parts. A pinky rolls over and touches one of my eyelids. I try to move it without the monsters seeing me but I only manage to move it down a little. It is now touching my lip and I'm trying really hard not to go into hysterics.

Where So Ever You Go

I got a little adventurous last night and decided to pull out tools I had either used very little or none at all.This is my first venture into beeswax collage. It's mainly tissue paper and various ephemera on canvas. I colored it with melted crayons.I really enjoyed doing this project. I plan on doing more in the future to become better at it.

Dream

I had dreams of him again. Horrible nightmares filled with violence - one after another. I don't remember which dream was which as they all blend together. This happens about once a month and I'm tired of it. After all these years he still has a hold on me. How long before the mind lets go? Does the mind ever let go? You're told to cope and move on with your life but how can you do that when your dreams pull you back in?