I Got Stuff

Today was another big shopping day. I wanted to get a white button down shirt to go under a sweater I picked up, a long black skirt and a short coat (a pea green pea coat-always wanted one!). I got all of those things, in addition to a gray sweater, a pair of brown boots (I'm on the fence with these-I have only 1 thing to wear with them) and this:I admit, it was a splurge, though not expensive. I can wear it under a blazer with dress pants and then switch to jeans if I'm going out after work. I think that I've always looked good in this color and the embellishment along the top is just so pretty. I still would really like to find a dress to go with the boots and another sweater. But for now, I think I'm set for a bit. It feels good to have new things.

I'm heading to CT tomorrow for a celebration dinner with my parents and sister. On the way I think I'll stop at my old mall to see if they have anything different. Maybe I can cross the dress off the list and really feel 100% satisfied.

I need a nap...shopping takes a lot out of me!

Models Inc.

Now that I have a job, I'm hiring. I need someone to walk around with me everywhere I go. Their primary job would be to point a fan at me so that my hair floats seductively around my face and my clothes look like they are flowing. This person would also have ambient lighting so that I look angelic and dewy everywhere I go.

This is the only way I'll look nice in some of the clothes I tried on today. I almost never go into a store with a preconceived outfit in mind because it almost always leads to disappointment. The other day in the mail I received a flyer with a coupon and inside was an outfit I thought I had to have. It was sassy, it was pretty and it was unique. It also doesn't look good on unless I arch my back and jump into the air like the model in the flyer.

I understand that they need to make clothes look appealing-they did a fantastic job because I went into the store and picked out every piece of the advertised outfit. But can't they at least try to make it look realistic? No one really sits poised on the end of their seat or turns to look back at people over their shoulders, hair flying, lips pouted...

Needless to say, I did not buy the outfit.

****Changing Gears****

I will continue to cook for the family as long as my hours don't conflict. I'll be closer to them physically now and I'll leave the same time I do now so as long as I don't have tons of overtime I should be OK.

Remember the other day Melody ran up to me all excited? And The Mom told me that she always asks if I'm coming because she wants to see me? Well, today The Dad was home and the girls ran up to me, jumping up and down excited to see me. He said, "They like to eat." Insinuating that they were excited because I cook their dinner. Ass.

Then while I was cooking the older girl came over to ask what I was doing. I explained to her the process of dipping the meat in the flour, then egg and then the bread crumbs. She was just about to leave when The Dad came over and gave her a stool to stand on-out of the way, but still there. He proceeded to then stay with her explaining step by step what I was doing. Then he decided to give her a lesson on how to use the kitchen scale. He crossed my path and got out some butter then weighed it. Finally I had to ask him to move so I could get a cutting board out. He still didn't get the hint so I asked if he could shift over because I needed to multi task in order to get dinner ready.

The Mom had to come in to tell him to leave. Seriously? Is he that insecure that he has to one up me in teaching her lessons? Why does he feel the need to do that? And why does he think it's OK to stand in the kitchen (in my way) while I'm cooking? I swear, he's nicer than he was in the beginning, but he's still so annoying.

Last night he told me a story about how the older girl ordered a chocolate lava cake for dessert. He said he was "just waiting for the day" when she ordered something pretentious...like chicken with sage butter or something, he said. He used a "rich persons voice" when he said it. I felt like telling him that she is exactly like HIM.

Have I mentioned that I really like it when he's not home?

Things

Yesterday I woke up saying, "Like the cheese, I stand alone." I don't know where that came from, so don't ask. :) Today I woke up...at 4:30am saying, "I have a job!" I might still be like the cheese, but at least I can buy stuff now!!

I'm excited to go shopping today. I have a couple of outfits picked out and am hoping that they look good on me so I can get them. One outfit would really, really make me excited if I get it. It's so pretty and I can use the top half for date wear if I pair it with jeans.

I'm also excited that I can finally get my front tooth fixed and I can get new contacts and glasses. I can't wait to get my teeth cleaned. I went so long without going to the dentist before this and forgot out good my teeth look and feel when they are professionally cleaned. I can't wait!!

Other things...I can get the inside of my car detailed, finally. It's embarrassing to have people in my car because it's so dirty and one seat is stained. I can save up for a mattress!!! I should only take me a few weeks. Oh I can't wait to sleep on a new bed. And symbolically, it'll be a mattress in which I have never slept with any man in. I know it's not really a big deal and might seem silly, but it's kind of neat.

Last, I'm excited that Bella sat on my lap for quite some time last night. She even slept there-the true sign that she trusts me. She still won't jump up on me by herselfAs I was writing this, she jumped up on my lap!... she has stopped running away from my hand if she's close to me and she likes being close to me wherever I am.

And she is exploring more everyday...

They Also Bring Good Luck.

The elephants were a sign...

I would like to announce that I am NO LONGER UNEMPLOYED!!!! I got the job I told you about last week. I start on Monday.

I'd like to thank you all for being so supportive and encouraging over the last 10 months. There were days I didn't know if I would make it or not, and you all helped get me here. You're the best.

I'm going to buy a couple of new job outfits...the pay is about $6K more than I was making before I was laid off. :)

Randomivity

Today is my competitions interview. Pray that they don't do as well as I did and that I'll be offered a job by the end of this week.

I forgot how expensive kitty paraphernalia is. And being that it's been a looooong time since I've purchased a whole fresh set of cat stuffage, it was quite expensive.

I never knew the word paraphernalia had a 2nd 'r' in it.

It goes without saying that my cousin picked exit 4 off of 291 for our meeting place. No matter how hard I try to move on, there is always something there to remind me.

It's a bad sign that all of my lucky bamboo dies. This time it's only one stalk, but still. I don't like that. One bit.

How come when you need hope the most it's sometimes hard to find but when you're trying to lose hope you can't get rid of it?

Boston Scream donuts do not have orange cream in them.

The Public Gardens do not house the Washington Monument.

There is a crazy boxing squirrel who does live there though.

"If there's a butt hole, I'm gonna eat it."

I keep having dreams and I don't want to. I hope this ends soon.

I was having a horrible day yesterday (due to the dream, the rain & the 2 steps back) but when I got to work I was greeted by a very happy 2 year old who ran up to me and hugged me. Her mom told me that when she gets home everyday the first thing Melody asks her is if I am coming tonight.

I thanked God for Melody immediately.

I picked Bella up last night before I went to bed & I got her to purr.

A certain part of my body is extra sensitive these days. I don't like it one bit.

CW 09

The first annual cousins weekend was a smashing hit. 7 of my cousins drove to Boston on Saturday morning. They arrived around 2pm and somehow managed to get two parking spaces right in front of my building. After unloading sleeping bags, backpacks, games and food, we all crammed into my living room and talked about what we wanted to do.

Two of my aunts were kind enough to send up a boat load of food. One made baked ziti and another sent chicken cutlets. I made some pulled pork too, so we decided to eat that before heading out to explore. My aunts can cook-so it was yummy! After we filled our bellies, we made our way to downtown to one of Boston's most famous tourist traps...Faneuil Hall.

Tick, Oobie & Jackson on the way up

All but one

We also ventured over to the North End. I'm happy to announce that my very favorite Italian Rainbow cookies even pass the NY test. (Though considering I am from NY and grew up eating NY pastries, they already passed.) We ordered 4 pounds, along with a cream puff, almond cookies and an eclair. The cookies we shared the rest went to individual cousins. We had a feast.

The next day we got up early and went over to my favorite bagel place across the street. Again, these bagels passed the test. Every cousin enjoyed a fresh bagel with various toppings as we made our way back downtown. This time we went to Boston Common, The Public Gardens, Newbury Street and the Prudential Center Skywalk.

You can't see them, but we're sitting on the ducks

Fenway from the Skywalk...during game 3. It would have been cooler if we actually won. But I still think it's awesome.


After we were tuckered out my cousins took me out for a late lunch. We went to the Cheesecake Factory. It was very nice of them to treat me, though I have to admit, it made me feel old. I grew up so much older than them as it is, being singled out made me feel like I wasn't one of them. Though they did it to thank me, so I'm not making sense. Anyway...


Overall, the weekend rocked. I was sad that it was so short and actually didn't mind having people invade my space. I have a group of really diverse, beautiful and intelligent cousins and I'm very lucky to be a part of this family.

Bella, Day 2

I'm sorry that I did not update yesterday-hours 2-12 were kind of slow here. Bella managed to come out from behind the lounger but scurried her way to the hallway where she hid silently behind a chest. I tried talking to her while sitting on the floor where she was hiding, but she didn't budge. So I left her alone.

I went to bed and woke up at 2:30am because she was talking. I came out of the bedroom and noticed that she ate and used the litter box (yay!) and was hiding under the sideboard. She wouldn't budge, so I went back to bed. At 6:00am I heard her talking again so I got up and sat by her (she was in the same spot). I moved her water over to hear and she came to drink. I had to stifle my giggles because as she was drinking, she was also talking...which was a funny sight. After about a half hour I knew she wouldn't come all the way out, so I went to the living room.

She followed!

She got close to me, but wouldn't let me pick her up.

She even came close to jumping on the sofa where I was, but declined the offer. She darted around a couple of times and then hid under the lounger.
I went back to sleep.

When I woke up I noticed she had more food and water, and also went to the bathroom again. But she was under the lounger again too. I finally went to pick her up and was able to pet her for a few minutes before she wanted to leave. I haven't seen her since.

I have to give her some medicine, but didn't want to scare her too much. Tonight when I get home from work I will have to force myself on her, which I really hate doing. But the little bugger needs her medicine...hopefully I won't make her too angry!

We're making progress. I think that in a few days we'll be great friends, but until then, I just have to be patient with her.

Bella's Homecoming

Hour #1

So far, she's still being shy. Which is to be expected. I'm hoping that the next couple of hours will at least show a tiny bit of progress. I have her food out for her and am ready to bring her to the litter box...but I'm giving her some time for now. Poor little thing. Hopefully we'll be friends soon.

Bella

I'm on my way to go get Bella, my new kitty. She was born in Connecticut and is staying with one of my cousins...I'm driving down for lunch & then we'll be on our way home.

I wonder how much bigger she is now...and if she's lost her blue eyes yet. And if she'll really be a Bella when I meet her, or if she'll tell me another name. What do you think?

I'll be sure to post pictures later.

Strip Club

It was a good weekend...
I'm exhausted though and am waiting to see if my cousins post any pictures (that are better than mine). I'll do a post on it maybe tomorrow. But I might be busy playing with my new kitten...who I will be picking up in CT tomorrow morning! :)