As many know, the husband and I have recently moved into a new place for the last leg of our KC metro journey. After a long day of moving, as I was blasted against the back wall of the new house shower by the fire-hydrant like stream coming from the pipes I thought “this might not be working out.” My initial fears were confirmed by the two feet of water I stood in after the first 30 seconds of what was supposed to be very relaxing first shower in my new home. The shower head was not low flow, it was a nipple-burning flesh-eating power washer.
On to Lowe’s to choose a shower head…boy there were a lot of choices! We finally went with the one that will run occasional errands and do some light cleaning around the house. Plus, it caresses me softly during cleansy-time like gentle rain. Come and take a shower at my house, experience perfect shower bliss and you’ll know what I mean.
Tony and I have been watching Seinfeld, all episodes in order. I’m hoping soon we will get to the episode where Kramer paints over the white lines on a main thoroughfare to create bigger, more “leisurely” driving lanes. I don’t remember exactly how it happens, but Newman ends up driving a van down this road and catching on fire. Maybe you had to be there, but it’s really hilarious.
In other news, the husband got a job at the Apple store in KC. An “ijob”, as a mutual friend decided to call it. He’s really happy, and I’m really happy for him. Now we just have to roll with it and see what impact the high gas prices will have on his higher salary. Break even? Hope so.
In other other and sadder news, I will not be completing my practicum for my master’s degree this coming fall semester as I had previously planned. Enrollment was too high, too few slots for too many students. It’s not the end of the world, but it does alter my future plans slightly. It also caused some depression, thoughts of quitting altogether, and general feelings of doom. Ho-hum.
I don’t normally get all excited about dropping a junk of change, but I gotta say I’m really happy about this one. The hubby and I bought this on a whim today. Not at that price, of course. We found a good deal on woot.com and figured “what the hell? we’re gonna buy one sometime in the future anyway, so why can’t the future be now?” A frivolous spending I usually am not, but I’m REALLY stoked about having so much space for movies and tv shows, and psyched about playing MYST and some of my other silly puzzle games on the big tv. Then there’s the leisure of browsing the net on the couch. That’s cool. I can barely contain myself here, folks!
That’s right folks, I got a new and way awesome keyboard. It’s got a lot of cool features and hotkeys. The best part is the ergonomic design allowing your hands and fingers to rest in a more natural position as you type. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I’m already noticing my typing speed increasing a little.
Oh, another small note, if anyone out there is changing their lifestyle (ie exercise and eating habits, etc) check out www.sparkpeople.com. It’s a pretty good motivational site to track progress and get some support while you’re at it.
“The best preparation for a better life next year is a full, complete, harmonious, joyous life this year.”
-Thomas Dreier
I’ve been trying lately to juggle happiness now with planning for happiness in the future. It’s been difficult with our present living situation. I think the hardest part is that we’re all friends, and that makes me want to cut them as much slack as possible. However, it also leaves me feeling used. I understand not making much every month and simply not having money to pay your bills. But why would anyone put themselves in a position to use a friend? Of course, I’m sure nobody knew they would be in this predicament. But all actions have consequences. I feel like my roommates, through their actions however unintentional, have put themselves in a situation where I have to pay for my life and theirs too. More like my giant mistake and theirs too. I can also hear them saying “but we’re doing the best we can, it’s not like we’re giving you nothing.” Yeah, I know. I get that. My point is that it should have never been this bad. This is partially my fault, I suppose, for not being more forceful sooner. What the hell could I have done, anyway? I can’t kick anyone out, and even if I did I would be out what little money I am getting back.
Final conclusion: just don’t have roommates. If you must, then live with only those you would absolutely trust with your life and are so close to that you would have no problem beating the crap out of them. Because you just might have to.
The husband and I looked at several places to rent last week. We got pretty into it, and then realized we might be tying our own noose trying to pay 2 rents for however long it takes to find a new tenant for the place we’re in. We could make it, but we’d be one accident or unexpected expense away from real trouble. Not good. Speaking of the husband, I’ve had a couple people ask me if our present living situation has put any stress on our marriage. The answer is both yes and no. I’m sure we’d be happier together without this crap. And we have had some pretty glorious fights these past months concerning money and roommates (namely, the lack of money because of the roommates). Overall though, our marriage has come through fine and will likely continue to do so. I think we both realize that we’re on the same team here. We used to fight because the husband didn’t think I cared that people owed us. Truth was I did care but I knew that getting mad about it wouldn’t do any good. Now that I’m much more openly pissed, I think he knows I’m on his side.
As many of you may already know, Tony and I are moving soon. We need all of your available boxes! From home, from work, we don’t care! If you know of a place that I could get lots of boxes, please tell me. If you gather some up for us I would be more than happy to collect them. Oh, and if anyone is just in LOVE with packing, you are more than welcome to help. Good times!
If you’re confused by the subject line, you can go here, and that should clear things up. Trouble apancreas…makes me laugh every time.
Anyway, as I’ve alluded above, life has been up and down as of late. I got a bitchin’ new job as lead guitarist in a punk band. (Consequently, I also converted to black and white and sport snazzy vests almost exclusively. Good Lord, my hair is GRRREEAAT!!) The commute is a little long, but hopefully that will be resolved when my lease is up later this year and I can move a little closer to the job site.
Things are going fairly smoothly on the friends front, save for a few isolated incidences here and there. Happy birthday to Raewriter and Mike!! I hope to see them both this weekend to party and wish them well. I am so looking forward to it.
I recently heard something concerning a friend of mine that changed the way I think about the person, and not for the better. It’s really bothering me. I know that what I heard is very negative and I don’t like it at all, but it really doesn’t involve me. I can’t help but think it will continue to change the way I feel towards the person and I don’t know how to stop it or if it’s appropriate. Any useful advice would be much appreciated. If someone has any thoughts for me, comment on the post or contact me if you need further details on the incident in order to give advice. I won’t supply names due to the sensitivity of the situation.
Another angstful spot in my life concerns one of my roommates. I’m having to issue documentation to the roommate’s parents because they want to get him/her out of the rest of the lease. I’m fine with that, especially since they want to pay me up front, but they aren’t agreeing to the commitment to pay utilities until the end of the lease. I have all the signed documents in line stating that the utilities are to be shared by all tenants no matter if they move out early or not. I submitted them, and I’m not especially worried about it, I’m just not looking forward to discussing the terms because, from what I hear, the parents aren’t very happy with their child’s decision to move in with us in the first place, and I just don’t want to deal with the blame and bullshit they are sure to have waiting for me. I’m an adult, my roommate is an adult, and the last thing I need is to have to deal with a pushy mom and dad all over again. My parents were never that way, but I can’t help feeling that I’ve grown up already, I don’t need to deal with parents anymore, and I just in general don’t need this.
Well, on this very happy note, I have to go attend to some work dealings. Have the fun!!
I have been listening to this song for a while, and it really gets to me. It’s beautiful stuff. I’ll include the lyrics and some ideas about their meaning: Read the rest of this entry »
I hope this finds you very well and in joyous glow of the season. Everything is going well around here. I’m enjoying being home with my husband. I’ve had lots of job interviews that I feel good about. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have offers soon, and that’s pretty damned exciting.
I was talking to my Grandma just now, and she brought up the fact that she is in need of assistance in the days preceding Christmas day to help get groceries, haul them in, clean the place up, and other tasks related to preparing for a holiday feast. I’ve helped her organize it as far back as I can remember, save for last year when I had moved away for school. This year, it seems, will be just as busy as the last. My husband and I will come into town and have plans with this person and that the whole holiday through. I love my grandma and want to help, but I feel like now the torch should be passed. It’s time for the younger ones in my generation to pick up where I left off. My brother, sister, and cousins are all very much old enough to run around and take orders from grandma. I feel bad for feeling this way. If I had nothing else to do I would be right by her side making sure everything goes smoothly. But I’m married now, and have not just his but my father’s family to gather with for the holidays. I know it’s crazy, me whining about too much family when some people I know won’t see anyone over the holidays. But it’s just another side of the coin. So much family is a blessing but also a juggle when you don’t want to slight anyone. And finding time to assist your grandma with her gathering when you know she can’t handle it on her own and you know you’re going to have to skip someone to fit it all in just sucks.
My husband gets upset when I get “called in” to help with family events. I think it’s mostly because he doesn’t like to see me get stressed or upset, and sometimes it can seem like I’m the only one helping out. That’s rarely the case though, I’m just usually my grandma’s right hand lady, and I pass on tasks to those further down the line. No big deal really. I hope the magic of the season blesses me with more time. More time for loved ones, more time to make sure my grandma doesn’t freak out and fall over trying to get everything together. More time for the people I really want to be with rather than the ones I see out of some sense of obligation.
Well, in more good news, I think I just developed a game plan with grandma that will make everyone happy. She is going to enlist the assistance of the youngest cousin. She’s just getting to be old enough to be a great help. I will come in and fill in the gaps when necessary. What a happy holiday it will be!
I’m pretty stoked about the gifts I got for people too. Giving is a good thing, almost as good as getting.
the ergonomic design allowing your hands and fingers to rest in a more natural position as you type. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I’m already noticing my typing speed increasing a little.
Anyway, as I’ve alluded above, life has been up and down as of late. I got a bitchin’ new job as lead guitarist in a punk band. (Consequently, I also converted to black and white and sport snazzy vests almost exclusively. Good Lord, my hair is GRRREEAAT!!) The commute is a little long, but hopefully that will be resolved when my lease is up later this year and I can move a little closer to the job site.
I was talking to my Grandma just now, and she brought up the fact that she is in need of assistance in the days preceding Christmas day to help get groceries, haul them in, clean the place up, and other tasks related to preparing for a holiday feast. I’ve helped her organize it as far back as I can remember, save for last year when I had moved away for school. This year, it seems, will be just as busy as the last. My husband and I will come into town and have plans with this person and that the whole holiday through. I love my grandma and want to help, but I feel like now the torch should be passed. It’s time for the younger ones in my generation to pick up where I left off. My brother, sister, and cousins are all very much old enough to run around and take orders from grandma. I feel bad for feeling this way. If I had nothing else to do I would be right by her side making sure everything goes smoothly. But I’m married now, and have not just his but my father’s family to gather with for the holidays. I know it’s crazy, me whining about too much family when some people I know won’t see anyone over the holidays. But it’s just another side of the coin. So much family is a blessing but also a juggle when you don’t want to slight anyone. And finding time to assist your grandma with her gathering when you know she can’t handle it on her own and you know you’re going to have to skip someone to fit it all in just sucks.
