old skool

Christmas Confessions

Unless I want to get a lump of coal in my stocking, I figured I might ought to share something with you guys here. I've planned to do this at the end of 4 months anyway...and now is that time. Yes, I've been keeping something from you, my readers, for four months. But no, my eggo is not preggo.

My hubby and I have been living apart for the past four months :( But not for the reason you might think. We are not having problems. We were apart due to his new job. When he got out of the Navy, he took a job with a major defense contractor doing computers/network security/etc. He will be primarily working from home with occasional travel to military sites. He is a network engineer and as such works with a lot of other engineers, assistants, tech writers, etc. Because he will work so closely with these other individuals, his boss felt like it wasn't a good idea to start him off working from home. Otherwise, the tech writers and fellow engineers would be like, "Trevor? Trevor who? We don't know no Trevor!"

Sooo...given all that, hubby was living in a 400 square foot studio apartment outside of Boston since he started his job in mid-August. We closed on our house September 8th and our stuff was delivered on September 9th, and that is where I've been since. It has been lonely. He has been here some of the time of course (the whole week of our house closing, the whole week of Thanksgiving, plus some weekends), but primarily it has been just me. Hence the reason why I didn't want to post this all over the internet back in August, or anytime since then.

But as of last Friday--December 11th, our 5-year anniversary--he's back, baby! He's got his "home office" all set up and the house is a lot less quiet but more like normal :) 

This photo from my work Christmas party last Saturday...

This photo from my old roomie Deborah's Ugly Christmas Sweater party last night...

I've tried to be concientious and not make this totally obvious in my posts here, but needless to say, I'm glad he is back :)

Ten on Tuesday (v.4)

Before I get started on my questions, I wanted to say thank you to everyone for the compliments on my hair! I am getting more used to it and it is starting to seem more "normal" to me. It's just weird when you see yourself one way for so long, and then there is a drastic change! My hubby likes it, so that's one good thing, right? :)

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Visit Chelsea to read more participants' answers to Ten on Tuesday!

1. If you could change anything about your physical appearance, what would it be?

Well, I sort of established this last week. I am not a fan of my nose, which I feel is too big for my face. I'm also not a fan of the hip/thigh area, but that is probably most women! There are other things, but we'll just leave it as is...

2. Is there a habit in others that you find annoying?

I hate it when people hum incessantly. Oh dear. Walking slow in stores...makes me nearly lose my mind! Get out of my way! Pointing...lots of things. I can't believe I'm having difficulty thinking of these things, as I am generally an easily annoyed person (character flaw, sorry).

3. What is your favorite recipe using ground beef?

I would have to say meatloaf. I know some people hate meatloaf, but I like it, and so does my hubby. Plus, making it reminds me of my nanny. I used to spend a lot of time with her in the kitchen as a child and the smell of all the ingredients reminds me of her :)

4. What was your favorite book as a kid?

I can't really name one particular book, but my favorite series were The Boxcar Kids and The Babysitters Club. Those were when I was a little older. There was a book about a pancake that I liked as a smaller child...it was called Runaway Pancake. Another favorite was Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day.

5. Did you work as a teenager and if so, where?

I did! In high school I worked at JC Penney in the catalog department.

6.  Did you work while in college and if so, where?

Wow, get ready. I worked for LCC Computer Labs/UK Student Computing Services, a local scrapbook store, Lazarus (now Macy's), Board of Education (summer job), Depot restaurant (summer job), Residence Life (as an RA for a semester), and Applebee's. I realize that sounds like a total job-hopper, but I always had two jobs. The most consistent of those jobs was working for the computer labs. I did that the entire time I was in college.

7. When you go to sleep do you like  total darkness or semi? When you go to sleep do you need quiet or is some noise ok?

I prefer pretty much total darkness. I can sleep with a small night light on, but I don't really like a lamp or anything. I can fall asleep with some noise (like the tv), but I prefer the quiet. With the exception of the white noise machine. I like that :)

8. When doing laundry, fabric softener or not?

If I remember, yes :)

9. Open toed or closed toed shoes?

This depends on whether or not I have a pedicure! I love flip flops and open toed shoes, but I hate my feet/toes...so it depends!

10. Would you rather be blind or deaf?

This is a tough one, but I think I would rather be deaf than blind. Though I certainly don't wish to be either...I like having all my senses.

11. Dangle or stud earrings?

Dangle. Though I do like "stud" pearls...

12. Bottled water or tap?

Bottled water...or filtered tap water, please. I'm such a little snot. I hate/won't drink water straight from the tap. It just tastes gross to me!

13. What do you put on pancakes?

Generally, syrup. Sometimes (like at Cracker Barrel or something) I'll do strawberries and whipped cream and that is delishhhh :) Though I do have to say, I don't eat pancakes very often.

14. On a long trip would you rather drive or fly?

Fly, assuming the flights are on time and I'm not sitting by a really large person. I hate driving in the car for long periods of time!

15. Do you prefer classic old movies or new?

New :)

Ten on Tuesday (v.3)

Ten on Tuesday is hosted weekly by Chelsea over at Roots and Rings. This week's Ten on Tuesday questions come from yours truly :) Visit Chelsea to read her answers to Ten on Tuesday and to visit other ToT participants!

I'd love it if you'd leave me your answers in the comments, or link to your blog :)

1. Cost aside, if you could go (back) to college for anything besides what you currently “do,” what would you study?

If I went back to college...which won't happen because I feel like I've been in school forever...I would probably study graphic design. It is something that has always interested me...but then again I might study something like nursing or dental hygeine. How awesome would it be to work 3 days a week and still make good money? It'd be pretty awesome, LOL. Not gonna happen though. My bachelor's is in Psychology and my Master's (spring 2010) will be in business.

2. What do you do for a living? Do you love it/hate it?

I work in marketing/public relations for a "quasi" government agency. I don't want to get too specific because...it would be way obvious. I've only been there a couple months, so I'm still feeling things out, but I like it fairly well thus far. Over the last few days my responsibilities and "to-dos" have increased...exponentially. Hopefully it will work out for the best :)

3. What is your favorite Christmas ornament? If you don’t celebrate Christmas, what is your favorite holiday tradition?

My favorite ornament is one my mom bought me when I was a senior in high school. I was actually in the hospital at the time and my mom bought it at the hospital gift shop. It is a little white dog with grey coloring on his head, sitting in front of a red gift. She bought it because the dog on the ornament resembled my real-life dog at the time. Because I'd been in the hospital for so long, I hadn't seen him and really missed him. This year when we (TJ and I) were putting up our tree...at first I couldn't find the ornament and got upset. Finally, I located it. That dog is still alive, and he is very old and in poor health. When I saw him at Thanksgiving, I cried :(

4. Name something you could literally do without for the rest of your life.

Neck pain. This is more of a whine, so I apologize. My neck is hurting right now and I could really do without it! I have too much on my plate right now to feel bad.

5. If you were going to have any kind of “cosmetic procedure,” what would it be?

I would totally have a nose job. I hear it is painful, but I have hated my nose for a really long time. I would deal with it. I think :) I will probably never do this, though, because I don't really have that kind of money to throw around on something that will cause me pain, put me out of work, and generally make me look bad for a little while.

6. Do you have any “collections”? (comic books, shoes, etc.)

To be honest, I don't really. You'd think I might have asked this question because I had some awesome collection to talk about, but just the opposite really. I am not a big "collector." When I was a child I collected silver spoons...you know, the kind you get from landmarks and such. I do have a big of Parisian/Eiffle Tower themed stuff, so you might say I collect that, but mainly I like it for decorating. I think it really bugs my mom and my grandmother that I don't collect anything...I'm a minimalist in their minds! I don't really think I am, my style is just different than theirs.

7. At what age did you get your first cell phone?

I think I was 15. I started paying for it myself when I was 19. There was actually a reason why I had it though, it wasn't "just because," and I wasn't allowed to use it much. I think I only had like 60 minutes a month or something.

8. What is currently in your purse (or pocket or backpack if you’re a guy)?

Oh geez. Wallet, keys, hand sanitizer, chapstick, 2 kinds of lipgloss, lipstick, compact, mirror, tweezers, pencils, pens, USB flash drive, business cards, the usual...oh and receipts. Somehow I always have receipts in there.

9. Are you a neat-freak or a slob ? *this applies to house, office, car, etc.

I'd say I'm pretty middle-of-the-road when it comes to this. I'm definitely not a slob, but am not as much of a neat freak as I sorta wish! I wish everything were always put away...never out of place...but as it stands right now, I have three textbooks and a novel on the coffee table, as well as two coasters, a can of Sprite, and a camera. Jacket is on the back of a kitchen chair. My bible and random pieces of mail are on the kitchen counter closest to the garage door. Just stuff like that...but all my dishes are in the dishwasher, so that's one thing, right? :)

10. What kind of parent do you think you will be? If you’re already a parent, what is your style?

I must admit, this really makes me nervous. I am really scared that I won't be a good mother. That I'll smother my child or be a helicopter parent, or that I'll be one of "those" parents--ya know, that teachers dread and other parents despise. I'm afraid I'll be inconsistent...or be too lenient and nice in an effort to not have my child(ren) dislike me. I want to teach my child to do the right thing, to be polite, to respect others, and to generally be someone others look up to. I do NOT want my child to be spoiled, but that is also something I worry about. I don't spend a ton of time thsomething inking about it or dwelling upon it since it isn't something "on the forefront" or anything like that, but it is something that crosses my mind from time to time.

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Oh and in other news, I did decide to color my hair this weekend! It is quite tough to color your own hair (or perhaps I'm just inexperienced). For comparison...some "before" pics. In this first one, you can't tell too much because it is pulled back, but here is my hair on Friday night, when I went out to dinner with my friend Ann...

This picture is from Thanksgiving and you can get a better idea...with my little buddy Laurel :)

Here is the "after"...I took this spur of the moment last night to show my friend Megan, who provided me with guidance through the process :) It is much, much closer to my natural color.

  

What do you think? I won't be offended, I promise (as long as you're polite haha)...I'm still deciding on it myself. Part of me thinks it looks better lighter (but that could be because I haven't seen this color in so long), but another part of me thinks it looks better and more natural. Still deciding!

Seven Quick Takes (v.5)

Seven Quick Takes is hosted by ConversionDiary. Visit to link up with other "quick-takers!" :)

1. Last night I wrapped my first Christmas gifts of the season. One is for my mother, the others are for my husband. And two of them are technically anniversary gifts since our anniversary is 2 weeks before Christmas.

2. I think they are getting ready to build on the lot next door to us. One part of me is happy because it looks pretty awful right now, but another part is kinda bummed. I kind of like only having the neighbors on one side, haha.

3. I sincerely apologize for mostly only blogging on Tuesdays and Fridays recently. It has been a really tough semester of class in addition to personal changes and such. I wish I could say I would do better. I mean, that is my hope and everything but I'm just not sure how quickly I can make it happen. Next semester is my last (thank you Lord above!) and I will be taking the capstone course which is a killer, I hear. Plus I might be busier at work...

4. The reason I might be busier at work is that yesterday afternoon my supervisor/director resigned. It was kind of shocking the way it occurred. It was an "I have just resigned" and then a bolt out-the-door situation. It happened so late in the day, and my "boss-boss" wasn't there so I couldn't go talk to him...so I don't know how things are going to play out. My Friday to-do list instantly grew, as did my list of "questions/reminders for myself."

5. I am considering going back to my natural hair color. My hair has been light for so long, though, that I'm not even quite sure I know *what* my natural color is. Here are two pictures a couple years apart that probably show a pretty good representation of my natural color...even though the 2nd picture looks lighter and more auburn, there was no color on it. Strange...

January 2002

March or April 2005 (I think)

6. As I eluded above...our anniversary is fast approaching! Next week will mark five years! Sometimes I cannot believe it has been 5 years, especially considering I'm only 26! Unfortunately both of us will be traveling (separately *sad face*) on our anniversary and getting back pretty late. Celebrations will have to be delayed.

7. We ordered some new furniture last weekend! It is very exciting. It probably won't be delivered for another week or so, but that is fine with me. We ordered a dark brown leather sectional, new coffee/end tables, an "official" dining room table w/6 chairs, and a console table for the living room. This will allow us to add furniture to 2 of the 3 currently empty rooms. We'll have real dining furniture, and we'll move our current sofa set to the upstairs loft/tv area (assuming it will fit up the stairs). The front room will still be completely empty but I'm not too worried about it. The good news is that we got all this furniture for between 43 and 50% off, plus no delivery costs! Even still, it was quite a chunk of change, so I don't think we'll be buying any additional furniture until after the holidays!

I'm so glad it is Friday...it has been a long week! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Because everyone needs a great start to their day...

Last night I was up way, way, way too late. It is my own fault. You see, I had a paper due at midnight. I have been a really poor planner and major procrastinator these past few weeks, so I was up late. The paper was submitted around 12:30. I can only hope she doesn't penalize me TOO much for that.

After staying up so late, I was worried I wouldn't wake up on time this morning. I had a training class at 8am so being on time was pretty important today. Not that it isn't important most days, but you get my drift. So I got up on time, got ready at a reasonable pace, etc. One of my dogs had been downstairs getting a {LARGE} drink of water. When I went into the closet to get dressed, she followed me.

She also proceeded to gak all over the floor.

Awesome.

If that weren't awesome enough...when I finally got that taken care of and came downstairs, my other dog had pooped in the floor.

I know you wish your life were so glamorous. Be jealous.

Ten on Tuesday (v.2)

First of all, please allow me to say that I cannot BELIEVE it is December! Where did this year go?! holy cow!

Visit Chelsea to read her Ten, and link up with other Ten on Tuesday players :)

1. What was the last concert you’ve been to?
Well, I guess you could say I went to a concert tonight (Monday). I went to see The J-Town Brass which is a quintet composed of my brother and 4 of his college friends. They were really good and I enjoyed it. My brother plays trumpet and is very talented, so I enjoy his performances. In terms of more famous acts, I guess the last group I saw was Eve 6 in about...May or June. I think they are trying to make a comeback.

2. Is it easy to make you cry?
That depends. I cry easier now over things that would not have bothered me in the past. Things that make me really angry sometimes result in crying. I guess the short answer is yes. But if you make me cry, don't expect to find yourself in my good graces...

3. Do you ever feel like people underestimate you?
I feel totally snotty and self-absorbed saying this, but yes. Yes I do. I've dealt with some really hard things in my life that people are surprised to hear about, and even more that I'll never tell them (unless of course they're a therapist or something ha). It is those things that have made me strong and independent, and have given me perseverance.

4. Name 7 completely random things that you like:
clear Christmas lights--the feeling of new socks--a clean house--my tempur-pedic pillow--polka dots--eiffel tower/parisian things--the beach

5. What’s your favorite reality TV show and why?
I barely watch TV so I don't really have a fav reality show. I'm a loser, sorry.

6. What is your favorite hair care product?
Bed Head "After Party" smoothing creme

7. What’s your favorite song at the moment?
Oh Holy Night...it is easily one of my fav Christmas songs :)

8. What’s the number one thing on your Christmas wishlist?
Yikes! The number one thing? This is a toughie. I've barely made my list, much less prioritized. I guess I would say a new Blackberry or iPhone.

9. Have you ever lost your cell phone?
Yes. In high school I sat my phone on top of the car as I was getting in. I left it on top of the car and proceeded to drive away. I didn't realize what had happened until way later (back then, ya know, texting wasn't around so I could go a day without realizing!). The next morning on my drive into school, I found my phone in the median. I threw that baby into Park and got out to retrieve my phone. Amazingly it still worked. They just don't make em like they used to!

10. Did you attack the hordes of shoppers for Black Friday?
No, no, and no! I did however score some big bargains the night before Thanksgiving. I got TJ 2 coats for $99 eacy at Macy's. One coat itself was $200+ on the regular price tag!

My eyes are literally closing...so I'm out peeps!