Stuff & Things

So, you all saw my recap of Bachelorette Weekend at Wallace Falls (sorry it was kind of an anticlimactic post). So here is a story of what else is going on in my life right now.

• I am on vacation from work this week to help with the last minute planning and whatnot of Sister's wedding. I'm feelin the stress people. I know I shouldn't be THAT stressed out, since it's not like it's MY wedding, but I am. 
• I went tanning for the first time today since high school. Um, hi. Why are tanning beds freaking ginormous now? Seriously. I've never seen a contraption such as the one I climbed into today.
• I have been having anxiety attacks like nobody's business the past week and a half or so. I don't know if it's because of the wedding coming up or something else. But thank god I don't have work this week because I haven't been getting any sleep. Last night I ended up taking a sleeping pill at 2 am because I couldn't take it anymore.
• Do you guys read About Fais? You probably should. She is just the sweetest little lady. Anyways, she is having a blog birthday giveaway of TWO (not one, but TWO) gift cards for Erin Condren to get yourself a life planner. I don't know about you, but I'm too broke to pay for one right now, so I'm hoping to win.
• My horse is looking better and better with her wound. She's also being a lot better when it comes time for her bandage changes. I'm hoping that after this month she will be able to go back to being a pasture horse and won't need a bandage on.

That's just about all I have to say right now. I've been trying to exercise on my down time (since i have to look good in a bridesmaid dress this weekend). So I've popped in Harry Potter and fully intend to get my sweat on for the second time today (third if you count sweating in the tanning bed...)

Let the Fun Begin...

So my friends, this weekend was the bachelorette party for my one and only Sister!

Rather than a traditional bachelorette party where we go to a bar and get hammered drunk, hire some strippers and basically throw dignity out the window, we opted to be more in tune with nature and rented cabins at Wallace Falls state park.

Honestly, if you live in Washington, I highly suggest you plan a trip to stay in the cabins at one of the state parks. They have power and most of the state parks have bathrooms with real toilets (which were actually surprisingly clean). They were actually more secluded than we had hoped also, so we didn't have to worry quite so much about making too much noise.

I didn't take a ton of pictures, and some of the ones I do have I don't think people would appreciate finding their way to the internet. So, here are a few that I DO have to share.

So there were only 6 of us at this party... we may have gone overkill with the booze. Wait... that's not even possible!

Nothing like a good old fashioned game of King's to get the night started.

The bachelorette!! (this picture is significantly better than the other ones I have of her)

The next morning we decided to go on a mini hike. This was one of the good views we ran across.


Anyways, the night proceeded as follows:


Arrive, throw our stuff in our respective cabins (we had two sleeping cabins and one party cabin)
Start the night off with tequila shots
BBQ up some burgers and hot dogs
More shots
Play Kings. Lots of drinking and shots.
More drinking.


Then people started falling down. Sister, for some reason, decided that she was going to try to go to sleep... outside in the gravel. So I finally managed to get her off the ground and into the cabin to sleep. Next thing you know, her future step-cousin-in-law (or something to that effect) was needing to go to bed. Cut to her bending down to pick up her flashlight and falling on her face. Literally. ON HER FACE. There was blood. Quite a bit of it. Then we get HER into a cabin and she falls on her butt and hits her head on a chair. Good times. 
Next thing you know, it's just me and Sister's future step MIL. CLeaning up and going to bed. I was in my cabin ready for bed by 11:30.


What a night.


The next morning there was a lot of hunger-over-ness on the part of a few people. However we still managed to get a few of us out on our mini hike, which was nice. 
Then it was back home to reality.


Sigh.

Social Sunday

I've never linked up for Social Sunday before, but when I saw what the questions were, I thought I would do it and schedule it! (Like I've said, I'm really busy and stressed lately, so scheduling posts is the only way they're getting done).


1. What is your dream job?: Well, I don't know what my dream job is specifically... I would want it to be something where I don't have to deal with the general public very much. I like doing data entry and basic book keeping stuff. I would LOVE to plan events, but it's a lot of work and I would definitely have to partner with someone and I see a lot of potential for conflict.


2. If you had just won the lottery and didn't have to work for money, what would you do with your time? I would go to the gym (since I wouldn't be working during all the good classes) and I would make REAL dinners every night. I would probably end up getting some sort of part time job to break up the monotony. I would probably even find that I would want to be a stay at home mom... weird, I know. 


3. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? The basic... actress, singer... nothing too extraordinary.


4. What piece of career advice would you give someone just starting in your field? Hm... I don't really have any good advice I don't think. I mean, I guess take good notes? Whenever I was learning something when i started out, I wrote myself very specific, step by step procedures (and I still do now when I learn something new). That way you don't have to be that annoying person who has to ask for help every time something a little uncommon comes up. 


5. Biggest pet peeve, either in life, blogging, or work. Hahahahaha, you are funny if you think I have one "biggest" pet peeve. I hate so many things that people do, I can't even pinpoint the biggest one.


6. Biggest fears. Oh man... losing people I love unexpectedly. You are never really prepared for losing someone, but completely out of the blue is just the worst I think.


Okay, that's it for these questions, I hope you maybe learned a little bit more about me!

Just checking in...

Just wanted to pop in and say a quick hello!

I know I warned you that I wouldn't be posting for a while because I'm a bit stressed and busy right now, but I thought I would let you know a little bit about how things are going.

First of all, my horse is doing pretty well. I was really terrified that when the vet came back for her follow up visit that she would end up telling me that the wound isn't healing right and that Princess would have to be put down. (I know, I get a little dramatic at times) But I was seriously losing sleep and feeling sick to my stomach about it.

Anyways, Dr Hannah came out yesterday and told me pretty much the exact opposite... that the wound is healing better than she had expected it to, and that Princess shouldn't have any real long term issues that will make her unsound for riding. YAY!!

This is her new sweet itch sheet... it makes her look really fat, but that's just because the belly wrap part isn't supposed to be super tight... but it keeps her from getting the allergic reaction to the little gnat bites on her belly!

As for my weight loss, I've lost a couple more pounds the past week or so. I don't know if it's because i am trying to be more conscious about what I eat, stress making me feel sick, or because I've been trying to be a little more active. Probably a combination of the three...

Sister's wedding is right around the corner! Just a week and two days. The bachelorette party is this weekend, and i am feeling a bit of pressure on that one. Mostly because  there is a little more planning that goes into going camping than going out to a bar and crashing at a hotel room. And to top it off, my partner in crime in this thing (the other bridesmaid) is having a rough time herself because her dad has been in the hospital trying to bounce back from a total joint replacement and all the side effects and after shocks of that ordeal. So she is a little stressed out herself.

Chad's birthday is the weekend after the wedding too. Luckily he doesn't expect a whole lot of fancy stuff going on for his birthday, so that's good. I did order him his birthday present yesterday (fancy seat covers for his truck that he's been wanting since he got it two years ago) and I think we will end up doing a BBQ and bonfire at our house. That way we don't have to drive and he can still do whatever he heck he wants to do during the day (aka fishing or jetskiing).

Anyways, just wanted to pop in and say hello and that I am still reading all your blogs, I just haven't been able to write on my own!!

Sorry faithful followers, but I'll be checked out for a while!

I've been feeling really stressed lately between planning for Sister's wedding/bridal shower/bachelorette party, horse stress, and life in general. So blogging has taken a backseat (I obviously have my priorities messed up).

Anyways, I am trying to get caught up on reading everybody else's blogs, but I'm about 268 deep right now, so it could be a while...

TV Tuesday

I don't know about you guys, but my big TV day is Tuesdays.

The lineup starts with Pretty Little Liars at 8pm.

Followed by Deadliest Catch at 9pm.

And then (if I can stay up that late) Dance Moms!!!

Anyways, that's not really exactly what I wanted to blog about.

I've seen the whole "If You Really Knew Me" posts floating around, and I thought it might be a good idea...

If you really knew me...

you'd know that I make my tuna with Miracle Whip

you'd know that I LOVE writing checks (and I also balance my checking register to the penny)

you'd know that I hate dealing with the general public, even though it's 99% of what my job is

you'd know that I have a seriously hard time passing up holiday decorations (especially if they're on sale)

you'd know that I paid for my whole college education out of pocket, with the small exceptions of a $1000 scholarship from my church and tuition reimbursement from my work for a couple courses

you'd ALSO know that I got my AA in the most random mish mash of courses (meteorology, nutrition, interior design, music...) and never found something that I wanted to study for 4 years

you'd know that I daydream about picking up and moving far away where living expenses are cheaper

you'd know that I love watching Animal Planet and that I'm a little pissy about the fact that there hasn't been a new season of Pitbulls and Parolees FOREVER

You'd know that I could eat chinese food almost every day

you'd know that I overpay my bills and leave myself with no money every week

you'd know that I absolutely despise talking on the phone. I feel like a really awful friend sometimes because people will call me and want to chat, and I mentally check out after about 2 minutes and can't wait to hang up.

you'd know that i have a LEETLE crush on Jake Anderson from Deadliest Catch

you'd know that I miss high school sometimes.

Anyways, just wanted to pop in and remind you guys that I'm still alive. Sorry if I haven't commented on your blogs lately, I'm WAY behind on my google reader... I've been reading since i got off work (4 hours ago) and I still have 139 posts to read!

Oh Balls.

Today has been a doozy of a Monday.

Source: Uploaded by user via Kristin on Pinterest

It's not like I broke my arm or my dog got eaten by a wildebeest, but it's not been super pleasant.

After the weekend of hay and pain, I am still EXHAUSTED. I had to pull over on the way to work today because I felt myself falling asleep.

Seriously.


(Another side effect of all the hard work? My fingers are swollen from picking up hay bales by the baling twine, and they now look like they belong on a bloated dead body)

Then I get to work and I'm slammed. And my boss was coming in late, so I didn't even have anybody to divert people to when I was in the middle of some time sensitive paperwork.
Then you throw on the guy who called 6 times in a row and each time left a 7 second voicemail saying NOTHING. Only to hang up and call back 45 seconds later. 


And then the fact that I am kind of stressing out about money.
When I had the vet come out to check on my horse, I had to drop a cool $450 between the visit, the prescriptions, and getting her moved to a full care facility.
Then when I dropped her off, the gal who owns the facility (who I've known for a fairly long time) said that I could wait and pay her for the half of July in August. 
Perfect.
Well, then she e mails me today and says "oh, I need that check TODAY". 
Um, excuse?
So, I almost have a fracking breakdown because I am already so damn stressed for money (whilst trying not to take any from my down payment savings).
I had to run to the back real quick to get my ass together.



I know, I know, I'm a sissy. But I have so many things going on in my head and planning and budgeting for things that I wasn't expecting to have to budget for and it's all getting to be a little much for me.


Boo :(

Oh Baby, Make it Hurt So Good

Well, this weekend consisted of throwing hay. HUNDREDS of bales of hay. And I'm not exaggerating (although I'm sure some of you have also had the pleasure of bucking hay once or twice, so you may know what I'm talking about).

Anyways, Friday afternoon Chad's aunt Carol had texted me and asked if Chad and I would be available to help get hay. Since we were both working, that was a no go. But, on Saturday we spent a few long hours in the HOT sun working on it. It was oh so painful. It was about 85 degrees out, the sun beating down on us, all wearing long pants, boots and gloves while walking around and throwing 50 pound bales of hay onto a trailer. 

The trailer was holding about 85 bales at a time.

So anyways, after we did that. we headed over to barbecue with some friends for a birthday. I was pretty pooped, but was able to whip out my awesome badminton skills. 

I'm a little bummed that nobody thought to catch me in action... but I understand. They were in awe of me, clearly.

Today was spent doing the same thing as yesterday for the most part... but for longer. We spent 6 LONG hours hauling and stacking and salting hay. By the time I made my way out of the barn after sitting what felt like a mile up on a stack if scratchy hay, I was saturated with sweat and falling down from exhaustion.

So I am now practically falling asleep on the couch (at approximately 7:00 pm) because I don't even have the energy to walk to the other side of the house to get in bed.

Although, I have to admit, I'm glad I helped out. Not only because I would feel like a lazy pile if I didn't help, but because it's a killer workout. And since Sister's wedding is only a few weeks away, I have to make sure that I'm not being a slacker all the time.

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

Feliz Cumpleanos!!!

So, this is a few days late, but I wanted to tell you guys about a very special anniversary that I just helped celebrate on Thursday.

The 25th anniversary of the birth of Kristine!!!

We met up at her favorite restaurant Ixtapa for some din din and drinks.

There was an awkward run in with her ex, but after a little bit she was able to shake that off and enjoy the night.

I was able to capture the whole process of her birthday shot:

See that little thing of whipped cream in her hand in the earlier pictures? They made her hold that and then lick it after she took the shot... yeah. They definitely waiting til she got it up to her face and then smushed it all over here. HAHAHAHAHA!

It was a good time.

Linking up this week to share some of my Pinterest finds with you. Mostly because I don't have a ton of interesting things to tell you.

Source: gardentherapy.ca via Carly on Pinterest  Tree branches recycled into coasters

Source: polyvore.com via Carly on Pinterest I would love this for work!

Source: absolutelymadness.net via Carly on Pinterest

Source: sashahalima.com via Carly on Pinterest Harry Potter cocktail recipes!

Source: most-awkward-moments.com via Carly on Pinterest That is terrible advice. (please see the guy right behind her... LOL)

Source: blogs.babble.com via Carly on Pinterest  Modge Podge + Fabric on wooden hangers.

Source: imgfave.com via Carly on Pinterest

 This really happened to me in 3rd grade... now I just hate everybody.

I'll gladly accept donations...

So, I finally was able to get a vet out to see my poor Indian Princess.

What I thought was healing nicely is SO much worse than I had anticipated. 

Basically when she cut her leg, she got REALLY close to some major tendons that, had they been hit, would have forced me to have her euthanized.

OH. MY. GOD.

So, basically the vet had to cut off a LARGE chunk of horse flesh, which bled like a mo fo. Princess was really great for most of the time, she stood pretty well, although she clearly was in some pain, regardless of the fact that the vet numbed the area first.

So, the vet bill was just under $415, then I paid $40 to a friend of a friend to move Princess. THEN I have to pay the fee for the boarding, which is going to be about $650.

So, if any of you have some extra cash laying around, I'm accepting donations ;)

um, you want HOW much for that bracelet?

Sometimes I want to order jewelry from Stella & Dot

Always I realize that I can't spend $60 - $100 on a bracelet

Sometimes I get more stuff done in the morning when I get up early

Always I find myself falling asleep at 8 that night

Sometimes I want to go buy lunch somewhere during the week

Always I hate wasting my lunch time standing in the Subway line for 15 minutes

Sometimes I wish for sunshine

Always I end up complaining that the sun makes it too hot in the house

Sometimes I read a book in one day

Always I get upset when I do that because it means that the book is over faster

That's all for today kids!

Wrapping Things Up...

Since I only posted about half of my weekend, I thought I would fill you in on the rest.

I pretty much did nothing.

Huh... that was easy.

Mostly I went grocery shopping, did some laundry, and tried to keep my horse out of trouble.

Her wound is looking pretty good, although I am still waiting to hear back from the vet to come check her out. This morning when I went over to check on her (at the ungodly hour of 6:30) she was moving a lot better and not limping so much. Her bandage was even still in one piece, as opposed to the past couple days, when she has pretty much had it shredding by the time I got over there.

In other news, I am thinking about doing a local boot camp program. It is an hour a day for  4 weeks, and you can either go 3, 4, or 5 days a week. It's a pretty good deal I suppose, it comes out to be about $15 per day. My only concern: it starts at 5:30. IN THE MORNING. Oy.

Depending on how pricey Miss Indian Princess' vet visit is, I may bite the bullet and go for it.

Out of Body Experience

Do you ever feel like you are trapped in the wrong body? Like, on the show Drop Dead Diva where she dies a skinny fabulous blonde and comes back to life an overweight brunette? (I've never watched that show actually).

That is what I feel like sometimes. I feel like I somehow got myself trapped in this hideous  body that doesn't belong to me. And it seems like no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get back what I used to have.

I also feel like I'm not living the life that I should be living.
How did this happen?? 

I feel like i look in the mirror and I'm a freaking stranger. It makes me sick.

Something must be done. 

Extreme measures are going to be taken.

I'm a Worm

A Book worm that is!!! (hahahahahaa..... I am so clever sometimes)

This week I have not one, not two, but THREE books to share with you.

I seriously have been reading up a storm. But that's what happens when you find some good books I suppose.

#1. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

This is another one of the books that I got in the book swap I did a few weeks ago. Here is the synopsis from the cover:

Despite the tumor shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Yes, it's a story about kids with cancer. Not the most enjoyable subject matter. But ya know what, this was a GREAT book. It definitely made me tear up at points. But it was also funny, and real. Not that it's based upon a true story (I don't think), but it seemed so realistic (for the most part).

Definitely a 4.75 out of 5 (there's always room for improvement)

#2: Fifty Shades Darker by EL James

You'll notice that it took me a few weeks (maybe a month) after reading the first book to read the second one. That's because the first book didn't REALLY make me want to read the second one. I mean, I knew I was eventually going to read the second one, because I wanted to know what happened to Christian and Ana's relationship, but it was something I could wait for. Then I borrowed this from my friend over the weekend and I had it read in approximately 1.5 days.

Here's the deal:

Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur, Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.

But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement Ana can no resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Ana learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven, and demanding Fifty Shades.

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Ana must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

There are still things wrong with this book. I don't like how she calls him her "Fifty". I think it's really annoying. And the writing still isn't the best.

But it has a real story line this time. There is a lot more going on with their relationship, and there is other stuff going on. It isn't just what you are seeing with their relationship, there are things coming out of the closet and some excitement.

If you didn't need the history in the first book, I would tell you to skip that one and jump right to this one.

#3 Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

This book I've passed  up a few times, but I decided to read it because I've been hearing some good things about it.

On the day she was abducted, Annie O'Sullivan a thirty two year old Realtor had three goals - sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it might just be her lucky day.

Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent captive in a remote mountain cabin - which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist - is the second narrative recounting the nightmare that follows her escape: her struggle to piece her shattered life back together, the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor, and the disturbing sense that things are far from over.

I read this book really quickly too. It was right up my alley. I like the suspense books, books about kidnappings and murders and stuff (I know, kinda weird I guess). It also had a lot of twists and turns and things that you never really thought were going to happen, but did.

I would give this one a 4 out of 5. It was good and addicting.

That's all for now kids. I will try to not end up with so many books to review at once...

Uhh...

...sorry about the lack of posting.

Today is the 4th of July. A day of fireworks, sunshine, barbecues, and celebrating our country and all it stands for. 

Thanks to all the men and women who have fought for our country, as well as thanks to those who will in the future. 

Freedom ain't free kids!

Anyways, on this beautiful day, I am spending my time indoors, cleaning. You see, we have a large house. Which means that rooms we don't use tend to get overrun with stuff we don't use. 

Such as our Christmas stuff... that has been in our formal living room since December. It belongs in the basement. We have it in a neat pile, box upon box, all ready to go down there. But we haven't gotten that far yet. 

Whoops.

So I'm spending my sunny day off inside. Moving stuff. And throwing things away (shh... don't tell my mom!)

In doing this cleaning, I have realized a few things about myself and my cleaning habits.

1. I HAVE to light candles when I'm cleaning. Not even just in the rooms I'm cleaning, but EVERYWHERE. Right now I am cleaning in the living room. But I have candles burning in the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom also. I don't know why.

2. I feel the urge to throw things away. I know that's not unusual, a lot of people do that when they clean... it's kind of part of the deal. But I feel the urge to throw things away that I wouldn't normally. Like shoes. Normally I donate them if I don't want them anymore. When I'm in cleaning mode and I decide I don't want something, I have a strong urge to toss it in the garbage can outside. Just to get it out of my house.

3. I have a large amount of magnetic list pads. I got 5 for Christmas this year that i haven't even opened, since I still have 3 that I haven't used from prior years. 

Do you notice a color trend?

4. Chuck and Larry is a very distracting movie to watch whilst trying to rid your home of unnecessary junk.