Candy by the fistfull

Hubster said hand out the candy by the fist full. So I did. We are almost out. But the trick or treaters have fizzled out in number so it's probably about over anyway.

The dogs haven't stopped barking since 5:15. It's now 8.

Excedrin, you are my friend.

And the kids, just adorable. It didn't get as cold or miserable as they threatened. It was actually a pretty descent night for the kids.

And, the first group of kids, I handed them each their fist full and one kid said "Thanks"
"Wow, lady, THANKS"

Next year, we'll get even more candy. It's too funny to see the kids expressions when we give them more than one tiny little piece of candy.

And like all good non-parents, we have no problem sugaring up someone else's kids.

Yep, still barking.

Hope everyone had a fabulous Halloween.

BOO

WWC

Inspire

This is one of my favorite photographs I have ever taken

Create

Fun interesting versions

Day two went as smashingly as day 1. Hope all is well with everyone. I have to catch up on my blog reading. Please don't think I forgot about you. After work last night I picked up the 672 photos I had printed at Target. I am putting together a photo album for both my parents and my Aunt and Uncle. I am heading for California for a little vacation Saturday. I know, I know, I just had time off. But this trip has been scheduled since the summer. Anywhoodle, it took me till after 11 to sort through them all and get them photo album ready. They get pictures of the dogs, the garden and our little mini trips around MN and WI. Most of the pictures are of the puppies of course.

Hugs to all

Newt's First Day

First, I had to go to the corporate office to do my paperwork. I was greeted with the most impressively presented little benefits book and informational packet, very nice people, a nice leather portfolio and a book bag. Their corporate office is gorgeous. It's in a fantastic woodsy setting and the building has lots of glass, beautiful woodwork, and lots of polished stone. It's simply impressive. From start to finish I was wowed by them.

Then it was off to my campus at the other end of town. Let's just say it's a titch more rustic. More industrial. I was greeted by the Admin/Coordinator for our group. He's fantastic. I liked him from the second we met. He took me to my cube. It's in a sea of cubes. My co-worker that has the same position is officed in a small office with two other people. It gives cozy a whole new meaning. I'm not sure what I did to deserve my own little cube, in fact my boss is in a cube next to me and she has the exact same shabby chic little cube. I think that is the best word for our area, shabby chic. But everyone has a smile on their face and everyone is friendly.

I have a laptop. The building is wireless enabled but the network cable works a little faster. I realized quickly why they are set up for wireless. Everyone goes everywhere with their laptop. They go to other people's cubes to do work with their laptops. They go to meetings with their laptop. It was fascinating. But, I guess when your job is the computer systems you just might need to have those resources.

Then they told me I will be getting my Blackberry in a day or so. A what? At my last job the only people that got those things were the ones in bed with the CEO. You had to be more than somebody to get one. I don't know what to do with this much technology. Damn.

So, for the rest of the day I got hooked up to all the programs I'll need. I got access to a bunch of stuff. And spent a few minutes on the phone with the helpdesk because a few bugs couldn't be worked out of my laptop. And Matt was wonderful.

So, our facility is rustic, my cube is shabby chic, and the people I work with are wonderful, goofy, and all about working as a team to accomplish our goals. I couldn't be happier. I felt instantly at home. I felt like I belonged.

And then to confirm that I was in a whole new world in the work place I noticed that my boss reads a book during lunch. As does my partner in crime. As does our admin. And then I noticed there is a bookcase in the lunchroom full of well read paperbacks. And there's one in the hall, and one in another hall, and one in the next building. And by paperbacks, I mean horror, mystery, adventure, drama. A full selection of pleasure reading books, no business crap books. OH MY GOD! I've joined geek heaven.

And then, I noticed the next thing. Everyone, was dressed my type of business casual. I didn't see one dark suit, white shirt, and red power tie. In fact, I never saw a tie. Or a suit. And the outfit I wore, my partner in crime told me it was as fancy as I would ever need to be. That business comfort was more the style of the day.

So, when all was said and done I felt like I had made a good decision. I have a lot of reality ahead of me. It's not going to be all smiles and happy thoughts. But I think I am in a work group more suited to who I am. I adore the friends I made at my previous job. I wouldn't trade my experiences in for anything because of the people I met. But I have never been cut out for the sales world. I'm not a good schmoozer. I'm not good at B.S. I'm not good as selling a bridge in New York to make a quota.

So, there you have it, my first day. I'm excited. I'm invigorated. And I'm encouraged.

I also found out that the ultimate plan is to move us all to the Corp. Office when the new additions are built. They figure around 2009 sometime. So my commute will go down to 15 minutes. And the direction I will have to go is exactly opposite the commuter traffic. I don't know if it will ever actually happen but it's nice to know that my long commute might not be forever.

A Quickie

Monday is the big day. I'm so nervous and excited and just a bundle of butterflies. They called Friday afternoon. I was just praying their weren't taking back their offer. They just wanted to make sure I was still planning on joining them.

Got my hairs cut - went for the same sassy but easy to handle short hair

Hubster will be coloring the hair in a few moments. I've chosen a bronzed brunette color whatever that might be.

I have my 2 forms of ID ready.

My paperwork originals they told me to bring.

Map to get from Corp. office to my regular location as I have to visit both.

Outfit picked out. A fabulous autumn number with browns, golds, and reds in the top. Should accent the bronzed brunette color quite nicely.

Shoes, fun yet practical since I'll probably get a tour etc. I can't wear the sexy but unwalkable shoes.

I even have a nice business bag to carry it all in so I look professional yet hip and stylish.

First impressions do count. I'll wait till Wed. or so to shock them with my true Bright Goth tattooed white trash self. :-)

Wish me luck. I'll let you know how it goes Monday night.

Tagged and then some

First, a very important mistake to clear up:

Thank you Kell, the label at Target is Archer Farms. And the berry blossoms are their Archer Farms label. I'm not sure why I fixated on Market Pantry. So if you are looking for them it's Archer Farms. I'm a dork.

Next up a Meme:
I got tagged. By Tim. I have to tell you 6 random things about me and then tag six more people. I tag whichever 6 people wanna play. Cop out? Yep.

So, 6 things:

1. Listening to Lily snore has become my most favorite sound in the whole wide world.

2. I have a shoe fetish, but I also have a fetish for unique silver jewelry. Especially big interesting and artistic rings.

3. I am very insecure.

4. Halloween is my favorite holiday. If I had the time, money to burn, and gumption I would decorate the entire house for it. And do a big show out front for the kids.

5. As I have gotten older I have become far more aware of my mortality. Up until a few years ago death never crossed my mind.

6. I still like to look at my Phoenix tattoo. It hasn't gotten "old" yet. I feel like my tattoos are one of the things that will make me a cool old lady.

7. I like to be a little rebellious.

And Lastly an update on Mom and Pop:

My parents got their electricity back on Thursday morning. When I talked to them they were in the process of throwing out the contents of their fridge and freezer. And though they had to throw out everything they were just thankful they had a fridge that needed to be emptied. Dad was also telling me that as the firemen were fighting the fires at houses if they could they were taking out things and putting them on curbs that were undamaged. He said that one family came home to a completely destroyed house but for some reason the firemen had found family photos completely in tact and their grandfather clock. How weird is that? And how awesome of the firefighters to preserve what they found that was salvageable.

The only funny/annoying thing is that the neighbors alarm is going off. It's LOUD. If dad calls me from outside it's hard to hear him because of the alarm. The police haven't been able to get out there to do anything about it, and when they called the alarm company he supposedly has they had no record for that house so it can't be shut off. It's been going off since the power came back on. I don't know how they are going to sleep. But dad assured me that in the house they can barely here it. I'd be insane. The hubster said the solution was simple, go cut the power line to his house.

They also went to their coffee shop and every one of the usual crowd was there anxiously waiting for everyone else to make sure they were all ok. All coffee shop friends were accounted for and everyone still had a home to go to.

Updates and more

From the bottom of my heart thank you to everyone who sent their thoughts and prayers to my family. And Jay, thank you so much for the weblinks. And Nettie, thanks for being their eyes and ears while I was away. Thank You THANK YOU THANK YOU! All of you have been wonderful and supportive, and just ***sniff*** the best blogger friends a girl could ask for.

My parents got to go home Wednesday night. And all is well. No power yet, but they are home.
Dad said that they can't see any destruction anywhere around their home or neighborhood. Their coffee shop friends Jack and Sheila are fine. They only need to get a hold of their friend Jim. His home was located in one of the devastated neighborhoods.

Dad said the air was still, so still it was eerie. After 80 mile an hour winds he said it's freakish. But it is the blessing the firemen needed.

On a completely different note:

Conversation with Nettie
Nettie: You know, I'm not even sure how I got to be the shoe whore, you're the original shoe whore
Newt: Well, since I am bringing more and more of you whores into my fold wouldn't that make me the shoe Madam? Is that the right word? Madam?
Nettie: Yep, that's the right word, you are the shoe Madam.

Conversation overheard at the Olde Triangle Pub the other day
Old Bitty: Ahem
Old Bitty: EXCUSE ME
Fabulous pub owner: Did you need something
Old Bitty: That would be why I was clearing my throat
Fabulous pub owner: Did you want more coffee
Old Bitty: Yes
Newt to Hubster: Holy Crap, did that old Bitty just say that?
Hubster: Yes, and that would be why she is an old bitty.
Newt: What is a Bitty?
Hubster: Her - bitchy old woman that is too stubborn to die.

And lastly, not only am I the original shoe whore now known as the shoe madam but I am also a Target whore. I love Target. And their Market Pantry line is awesome. I have used several of their Market Pantry items and they have been very good. We recently tried their thin crust pepperoni pizza and I don't know what it is about it, but I love it. I don't' even like thin crust. It's not New York Pizza, it's not the greatest pizza ever, but whatever it is, I like it. A lot. We have a freezer full now. Then, this past evening I brought home a box of their frozen dessert Triple Berry Blossoms. OH MY! Those damn things are tasty. DO NOT look at the fat content if you get them. Just know that they are little fruity orgasms. The hubster loved them as well. There are four to a box so we get to repeat this little bit of heaven tomorrow night as well. Normally private label food is comparable to blase. But Target has nailed it with their Market Pantry line. It's simply fabulous.

A Day Trip South

The Hubster and I took a mini-vacation. We drove down to Wabasha Minnesota to see the National Eagle Center. We had the most wonderful day! I had to load tons of pictures because I was having a hard time eliminating them. So, I am VERY sorry for the length of time it might take to load.

National Eagle Center

Harriet, she was wounded and actually has part of her left wing amputed. Also due to lead poisoning she never fully developed an all white crest so some of her head feathers are still a little brown. She also has a few feathers on the top of her head that stick up. She was the model for the Minnesota Wild Habitat license plate.

Angel, another permanent resident of the center.

Columbia

Newt being silly

The hubster told me I should try to look more like a frog - How'd I do?

This eagle is the centerpiece of the domed roof of the center

This stretch of the river is one of the only spots along the N. stretch of Mississippi that never freezes in the winter. So from December through March they get about 200-400 Bald Eagles that winter right along this area. Judging from some of the pictures they had on display this is a sight to be seen. With dozens of eagles grouped together in trees and on floating ice in the river. We are definitely going back. The river doesn't freeze in this area because of the tremendous currents caused by the narrowing of the river just north of Wabasha. A wide section of the river actually referred to as a lake, and the Chippewa River both meet and converge into this very narrow channel.

After visiting the eagle center we walked around the little downtown portion of Wabasha

Before heading home we decided to have lunch at The Olde Triangle Pub. A fabulous Irish Pub in the center of downtown Wabasha. We had their homemade cream of tomato soup which Hubster and I rate as one of the best bowls of soup we have ever had. Then hubster had a pint and a bowl of Irish Stew. It was fantastic. I had bangers and mash. And it was also fantastic. We finished the meal off by splitting a bowl of strawberry shortcake. All in all, a new favorite place to eat.

Then we hit the road. The next set of photo's are various pictures along the Mississippi River and the beautiful bluffs that surround it.

The stretch of river just north of Wabasha is so wide that the winds were causing waves and white caps on the water. You can just barely see them in this photo.

Barge on the river

We initially went down south to see fall color. But the eagles and the town stole our focus.

Traffic jam Wisconsin style

Sun is setting and we are almost home.

WWC

REFLECTION

My shoes are a reflection of who I am

Reflection: As seen through a mirrorReflection of my sunny personality
DISGUISE
Sophie is disguised as a bad dog

I tried to disguise myself but my reflection gave me away

As of Tuesday early morning it looks like my parents home is still standing. The fire storm through their area destroyed well over 100 homes. But it looks like it is moving east. It's up to the winds as to where that fire will spread. I was looking through the news stations all day trying to help my parents. I have to say that when Paris Hilton goes to jail there is no lack of information and detail. When hundreds of thousands of people are evacuated and their entire lively hood is at stake you get bup-kiss. There is information out there but trying to find out specifics is not easy. You really have to hunt around for the information you truly need. Now if you want video and pictures of devastation, no problem. But try and get an updated status on highway 15 closures and you really have to hunt. It sucks. If I was not good at working the internet I would be having a miserable time trying to find out real information. God forbid the media be informative rather than sensationalist.

I'd be a nomad

I'd be a nomad in a second if I could. We talk about the progress and advancement of man but this morning, driving through rush hour traffic to get an oil change (don't ask) I thought about just how advanced man has become.

We work 40-80 hours per week. We spend our free time cleaning big houses full of stuff that we really don't need. We mow lawns, patch holes, paint decaying siding. We rake leaves. Then we sleep a few hours and start the whole process again. Week by week.

I think the industrial revolution might have just been our biggest mistake. And I sometimes envy the lifestyle of the plains Indians, the nomadic desert tribes, and the rural tribes of Africa.

Ok, so our life span is longer. But, if you think about it so what. We spend the vast majority of it working. Take out the years of your life that you toil just to pay the bills and you get back to the life expectancy of ancient man.

Perhaps living in a cave, keeping the home fires burning and dressing a deer for winter weren't all that bad a way of life.

What is it all for? Ok, yes, I like my warm cozy house. I like having electricity, heating, running water and a toilet. But, if I didn't know any better would I really care?

Setting up our tepee for the summer then pulling it all up and heading south to the warmer winter camps doesn't sound like such a bad life.

30 years of quiet peaceful nomadic living in a small village or 70 years of the rat race. Both have their good and bad but right now, the simple life seems really appealing to me.

I think the majority of this stems from the fact that I have to clean the house and it is full of crap we really don't need or use. Grrrrr. I guess since I am stuck in this time and space the best thing I can do is start pitching the shit out of my life. I mean, I really need to adopt the theory that if you haven't used it in months throw it out. Unfortunately at this point I have 30 years of that to get rid of. Sigh....................

On another note, (and a little ironic from the above rant) please think good thoughts for my parents. They were evacuated from their home in San Diego this morning. And left with their dog and the clothes on their back. Plus, as mom said, a change of underwear. The important thing is that they are together, all three of them. But I hope for their sake that they have something to come home to. The only positive thing I can think of is that if they loose their home they have NO excuse not to move to Minnesota anymore.

Today I am planning on getting some cleaning done. Its nice enough to open the windows and let out all the dust and fur bunnies. They are big enough to live on their own so I think it's time they left our nest. Well that, and the dogs are starting to bark at them when they move around the room with the air currents. It's never a good sign when the fur bunnies are taken for an actual critter in the home.

Tomorrow, WWC! Have you played yet?

Review and other stuff

Well, getting 5 out of 5 sporks is a good sign for any movie. So, because I am currently on vacation, don't get to go to too many movies, and, well, it had Viggo in it, I went to see Eastern Promises.


Tink was totally right. This was a fantastic film. Dark, violent, with an interesting premise.


I liked it. A lot.


Ok, and I have to admit, half of my liking it had to do with Viggo's screen presence. He's, how do you say it, fuck'n yummy.


I'm sorry, there is just no better way to say it. And when Tink further mentioned he got naked, well, um, duh, I had to go.


And the naked sauna battle - totally worth it. TOTALLY.


Ok, so I'm sounding more like a lusting teenager than a grown adult woman reviewing a movie, but did I mention he's naked?

***

I'm reading a book that has been on my list for a while. Love and Other Impossible Pursuits by Ayelet Waldman. She is married to Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Chabon. Anyway, it's a pretty good story so far.

A few good lines:

"....he is my bashert, my intended. I knew it from the first moment I saw him. There is a Jewish legend, a Midrash, that before you are born an angel takes you on a tour of your life and shows you the person whom you are meant to marry. Then the angel strikes you on your philtrum, leaving that subtle channel in the skin between the nose and mouth, and makes you forget what you have seen. But not entirely. There remains a vestige, enough to evoke a jolt of recognition if you are lucky enough to stumble across your bashert during the course of your life."

and

"Why is it that loving something provides so little protection from betrayal?"

***

It has been raining here. A lot. We are 6.7 inches over average so far this year. I know many other areas in the country are in severe draught so I shouldn't complain. But at this point I am more than willing to send our rain your way. We are starting to mold.

***

Don't forget to play WWC hosted by the amazing and beautiful Tink! Words for Tuesday are:

Disguise and Reflection

Tid Bits of Newtness

Don't laugh but I bought my first pair of Levis over the weekend. Honest, I've never owned a pair. They were always so much more expensive than other brands. And I'm kinda cheap. But now, damn have jeans gotten pricey. So Levi's are actually starting to be the cheaper option. Plus they made my butt look great :-)

I am in love. I heard a song in the car that I just loved. I had to know who sang it. For once the radio station actually said who it was. That almost never happens. Anyway, I'm officially in love with Mat Kearney. I like the entire album. The ENTIRE album. That also, almost never happens. The song I liked was Breathe In, Breathe Out. But really, the whole thing is great. Sort of a Coldplay sound but a little more folksy.



Because I worry too much about everything I was concerned about finding the Corp. Headquarters for my new company. So I did a test drive out there. Yes, I'm stalking my future employer. Ha ha ha ha. But, I won't get lost that first morning. I was actually kinda giddy. As if it was sacred ground. Is that sad?


Then I went shopping. I'm a girl, I had the day off, it just sounded like a good way to spend my first free day. One more pair of Levis and a cute pink sweater later I headed for my favorite place in the whole wide world. Barnes and Noble in Rosedale. This is the location with a huge used book section. I told Nettie that it was the one thing I wanted to do for myself while I was off work. Go to B&N with absolutely no time constraints and just wander, and browse and wander some more. I lucked out and found a bunch of books on my reading list in the used and clearance area. And added two that weren't on my list but sounded really good. Then I got a cup of coffee, a cookie, and I started reading a book I have been looking forward to. Of course I have to finish the one I am currently working on but hey, I can multi-task/read. It was perfect. Simply perfect.


Ok, my next thing is a sort of challenge: More than one person has said that I am probably the only person that ever gave my bus driver a thank you and a gift. So, my challenge to you is to go commit a random act of unexpected kindness. Nothing extravagant, just say thank you to someone that doesn't normally get thanked for what they do. Or buy them a cup of coffee. Or, ask the quiet and invisible mail clerk to lunch.


Ok, enough goody goody Newtness.


Have a great day everyone.

Bittersweet Freedom

I will miss Nettie. There is no question about it. Yes, we will remain the best of friends. Yes we will see each other all the time. But not having her 8 floor away will kinda suck. We are each other's anchor and crutch. We take care of each other. We keep each other from going postal.

I will miss BFFM and our trips in the morning to get coffee.

I will miss all the wonderful people I met there.

I won't miss the politics. I won't miss the desperate struggle to stab co-workers in the back. I won't miss the gang pile of people who have given up everything else in their lives to get ahead.

It was a bittersweet last day. So weird to be closing a chapter in my life that seemed to take up so much of my life.

Nettie gave me a travel mug. It's fantastic. It's got a girl on it and she is surrounded by shoes. It says "It's not shopping, it's retail therapy" Funny thing is, I wanted a new travel mug because our old ones are looking a little gross. No matter how much I clean them, soak them, etc. they still have that old stale coffee smell.

Amy made me a tiny little pillow with pink flamingos stitched on it. She actually made me a cross stitch of pink flamingos for my collection. It is incredibly sweet. I love it. And I can't wait to set up my new office. There will be pink flamingos everywhere.

Ok, I interrupt this post to mention something on MPR right now. There is a new super bug ear infection. I can only guess that might be what I had. I had an ear infection for almost a year. Nothing I got from the doctors would clear it up. 9 kids in Rochester MN have had it and they couldn't clear these infections up. Oh, gross, to test for it they have to insert a needle in the ear drum. Alright,, good thing it cleared up on it's own. Grant you it SUCKED to have an ear infection for a year. But that would explain why I couldn't get it to go away. I'm not a hypochondriac, honestly, it just makes sense. My doctor was totally baffled as to why we couldn't get it to clear up. This would explain it. They reported that none of the usual antibiotics could clear it up. They had to use a super high dose to get rid of it.

Oh god no, they are going to go live to the Bush conference in a while. NOOOOOO - I won't ruin a perfectly good day by having to listen to Commander Coo-Coo Bananas.

Back to the normal post:

So, ultimately yesterday was really nice. I went to lunch with three girls I worked with in my sales group. We went to a wonderful Thai place. Ok, it took them an hour to bring us our food but it was damn tasty.

When I finally headed for home it was weird to know that I would never be going back.

Well, except for meeting BFFNettie for lunch and stuff.

I took the bus home. I gave the super wonderful bus driver lady Pat a card with a gift certificate to Target in it. The card said "Thank You for being such a sunny and delightful person" and it had a big yellow sun on it. It was the perfect card for someone as wonderfully sweet as she is.

She opened it while she was driving. I didn't think she would do that. And while she was opening it I could hear her

Pat: "Oh, oh what is this? Oh my goodness"
Pat: "DID YOU MAKE THIS CARD?" she yells to the back of the bus
Newt: "No, I don't think I could have made one that perfectly expresses who you are"
Pat: Oh, THANK YOU SO MUCH THAT WAS SO NICE, I"M GOING TO KEEP THIS FOREVER!"

When I got off the bus we said good-bye and she said she would miss me. I told her I wish I could take her with me and if she ever wanted to drive an express SSP to Minnetonka I would be her most loyal rider.

So there you have it. Once chapter closed. And I am looking very forward to the new one opening. I can't wait.

It's a little weird that I can't wait to go to work.....................................

WWC + More good stuff

AUTUMN
I love autumn for it's contrasts

The Starkness

The Beauty

HOME

For me, they are my home

A GIFT

Thank You Mike, The hat and scarf are beautiful.

One Project Completed

Monday Quickie

***Rockstar86 - if you are out there, say hello, email me! You left a nice note on my comments back in the summer but I don't know how to respond or get a hold of you.

***One more day. Just one more! And then I have a short couple of days off before the big new job! Which, by the way, I will officially announce the new digs: SAP Training Specialist for a medical device company in the TwinCities. I am SOOOO excited. I am leaving sales and joining the IT geek world. And I think it's where I belong.

PROJECT GOALS:
***I completed one project this weekend. A table runner that is sized to our coffee table. This is not an old project but it was still a project. And now I have a padded cover for the table. One of the pets managed to put some nice scratches in it. And its one of my favorite pieces of furniture in the house so I wanted to protect it better.

***Now on to a more long term buried project. Small cross-stitch I was going to make for a friend. I will start working on it again tonight. And I hope to have it done by end of October.

***Caleb made a big puppy progress this weekend. Two of them. First was the fact that it was raining on Sunday morning. I decided to capture the puppies the easy way and as they came in the back door I wiped their paws. Normally we let them all into the kitchen and then wipe their paws. If I do this at the door method Caleb never comes in the house. He stands in the yard and shakes. He won't come inside. But Sunday, for the first time ever he pushed his way through the door, let me wipe him off, and then happily trotted off into the house. His second HUGE moment came when I got up from my chair in the living room. Caleb and Lily were curled up in little puppy balls on the couch. Up until Sunday Caleb would have looked at me wearily, gotten up and went somewhere else for fear of me crossing his path. But yesterday he stayed in his puppy ball. And I leaned down and I got to pet both him and Lily. He even wanted belly rubs. This was huge. A huge moment for him. He never lets us approach him for love. He always does the approaching.

That's it, have a great day!!!!

Don't forget WWC tomorrow - Home and Autumn

Favorite Things

A tribute to my current favorite things:

Pat the bus driver - she's awesome. The happiest, friendliest lady! Imagine the nicest woman singing her heart out in a baptist church, now triple it, make her face even friendlier, throw in a sparkling attitude and you have Pat. I love this woman.

The boys at Pino's Pizzeria - This is the best pizza outside New York. I'm going to have to figure out a way to get me some of this pizza even though I'll be working on the other side of the cities.
It's a little corner of New York, I'm telling you, they are wonderful.

Afterglow by Sarah McLachlan - I heard a song from this album on a tv show. I knew it was her but I wasn't sure what the song was or what album it was on. I googled the lyrics and it was from the one album I didn't have of hers. She's fantastic. This album is my favorite.

Million Little Pieces by James Frey - I don't care about the truth, I don't care about the controversy, and I sure as hell don't care what Oprah thinks. I loved this book. It was a really good read.

Hank the corner grill guy - He's crabby and he teases us every time we go get a burger or brat. But he's wonderful. And I'll miss him.

Debbie the ice cream lady - She has a cute little snack shop. Nettie and I have been going to her shop regularly getting a small scoop of ice cream. Then we eat outside and people watch. It makes for a perfect day.

My Ipod - always my Ipod

Dresden Files - I got the 1st season on DVD and I've been rewatching it. I love this show. I can't believe they didn't pick it up for a second season. Bastards!

Sweatshirt season - I love when the temps hit 50-70 and I get to wear sweatshirts. They are so comfy. Nothing beats a warm fuzzy sweatshirt.

Cranberry wine - We got a bottle of cranberry wine from a winery in WI. It is SO tasty. I just love it.

My bed - It's that time of year when it's not to hot and it's not too cold. So I snuggle down in my bed all warm and toasty. It's wonderful.

Sneakers - If I have to suffocate my toes again at least I do it in style. Today I gave up the sandals for my yellow converse sneakers that have daisies and lady bugs on them. Not only are they cute and comfy but they have made a lot of people smile.

Getting coffee with Girl M - This is one of the things I am really going to miss when I leave.

WWC - I look forward to this every week. It keeps the wheels in my head spinning. And I start to see everything through a camera lens.

A little sunshine

I didn't realize I was glowing. But everyone has told me that I look incredibly happy. I didn't know that I looked unhappy................

Or maybe I just existed. Which, truth be told, is how I have felt for almost a year now.

But enough already. New topic.

Back in June I asked about obsessing over great ideas. And many of you responded that yes, you too obsess when you get a great idea. And all of us said that usually the enthusiasm fizzles and the idea goes away or we loose interest. Or we have piles of great ideas sitting in closets and craft rooms and garages.

I am happy to report that for this great idea I didn't loose enthusiasm. And for 4 months I remained obsessed with it. And I worked on it as I was able to.

Last week my great idea got shipped out. And yesterday it was received.

I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed what I did. And I knew that with every step I completed, I just knew, that they were going to love it. And that the heart and soul that I put into the project would be treasured.

So ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to say that I completed a great idea. I saw it through to the end. There aren't many of those moments for me. You just have to look in my craft room for proof. In fact while frantically searching for my social security card I realized how many damn projects I have. Including a stitchery I started when I was 11. Two decades + that project has been unfinished. How sad is that?????

I really have to focus better. Wow, if I committed to finishing a project a month even. Hmmm. Maybe I should make that my goal this winter.

Anyone want to join me? Come on, I know you have at least one project you haven't finished. Who's with me?

Oh, and the hubster found my social security card. Right where I told him I always kept it. Of course I looked in that exact spot 5 times. Plus the desk, my office desk, my office storage cabinets, my cupboard of purses and wallets, my jewelry case, the storage container with random and Misc. items I don't need but can't throw away, the craft room, the entertainment center, the car, the kitchen, even the damn bathroom. Grrrrrr.

Thanks hubster. I wouldn't be able to start my new job without you.

I passed!

Well, it would appear that the authorities didn't find the body. I passed my background investigation so I am officially hired. I'm excited, nervous, and feeling full of possibilities and opportunities.

I've been reading "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey. I am reading it as I always thought I was supposed to, as literature/fiction. I didn't pay any attention to the story about how much truth is in the book. I have no clue. And honestly, I don't really care. It's a well written book, raw, eloquent, and full of beautiful passages I stop and read over sometimes more than once.

I was out last night with my training group and my friend Amy was in the class. She went shopping with me after dinner. I have been encouraging her to come out of her box and try new colors and styles. She's a good student. Stubborn, but still a good student willing to expand her horizons and try new things. She even tried on a pair of red patent leather spiked pumps. The spiked 4-5 inch heal was actually bright silver.

I'll pause here while Nettie picks herself off the floor......................................hopefully she didn't hurt herself. Because I know she is having trouble recovering from the thought of Amy in a spiked red heal.

The hubster and I were trading mushy sweet emails yesterday. One of the guys I work with met Hubster on Saturday when we got together for lunch. He said to tell Hubster that he looks surprisingly good for a guy married to me. He thought he would look more worn and beaten than he did. The hubster responded that he looks as good as he does because of my love. Awww, how sweet was that.

The hubster also let me know that none of the puppies would cuddle with him last night. The girls sat in front of the door waiting for me to come home. He said Sophie kept going between the front and back door because she wasn't sure which door I would come in. And it wasn't until after I was home that any of the animals would cuddle with him on the couch.

Now that I am winding down at my current job I realized that I no longer think, obsess, or worry about what I am doing. I'm not slacking off, I just don't let it worry me any more. What I am focusing more on are my co-workers and how much I will miss some of them. And I am thankful for the wonderful friends I have made.

The entire journey was worth it because I met Nettie. If I got nothing else out of my job I got the best kind of friend a girl could ask for. The kind of friend that helps you bury a body. And did such a good job of it that I passed my background check.

See how I took that full circle :-)

WWC

Posed

Natural

The photographer was reloading his camera and Hubster and I were just talking and laughing and he took this before we knew he was ready. It's one of our favorite pictures.

Happy Doggiversary

One year ago today we brought you angels home.

And every day since then has been filled with joy and laughter. With progress and landmark moments.

You came to us as two puppies that wouldn't leave the safety of your kennel. You wouldn't let us touch you or come near you.

Now you leap into our laps. You paw at us for pets. You nudge us with your noses.

When we come home you are a fury of furry dancing paws, panting happy faces, and a frantic need to be touched and loved.

When we leave you sit at the door and wait for us to return.

You are our babies, you are our happiness.

Raindrops keep falling on my head

I woke up this morning to the sound of barking dogs.

It was pitch black out so I grumbled that they were up so early.

Roll over, check my watch.

Oh crap, it's late,

Shit, that's right, I turned off the alarm yesterday morning since I got up an hour and a half early.

Good thing the coffee pot starting up still gets Lily up and crazy.

Awww crap, it's raining, she'll never go outside.

Go through morning routine.

Hubster offers to drive me to work.

Assure him I won't melt, it's just rain. I love rain.

Wait for bus.

Ride bus to work.

Pulling into St Paul

Whino on bus: "So, is it supposed to rain all day?"

Random guy on bus: "No, they said it would stop between 1 and 3"

Whino on bus: "Oh, the paper said it was supposed to be nice today"

Random guy on bus: "It is nice if you like rain."

I think I fell in love just a little bit with the random guy on bus. He had such a positive outlook. He is definitely someone that goes through life finding that the glass is half full.

Walk through skyway to get to work

Stop at Caribou and get a mocha

Didn't get to drink much coffee at home since I woke up so late

Ahhhh coffee

The day will be great

Autumn Air

There are changes brewing in the air.

The nights are getting longer

And colder

I watch the sunrise while at the bus stop - it used to be high in the sky when I left in the morning

The dogs fur coats are getting heavier and thicker

Our oven is being turned on again

Lasagna is tonights dinner selection. Something we haven't made since, oh, March.

I have blankets on the bed

But I don't use them all the time yet

I have a new job

I start in a few weeks

I'm very excited

I might have found out what I want to be when I grow up

I'll let you know

My new job hints at world travel

Belgium in the summer

And then places beyond.

Right now, it feels too good to be true.

WWC + Bonus Photographs

Common

Rare

Sleeping Babies

Sleeping Angel

Lily Licks
Crashed guest pet Lucy
Lucy saying Hello!
Max crashed