Yeah...

Mom's coming up in a week to see our favorite band in concert. They just announced today that they're guitarist quit -- what the hell is that? I hope it won't be hugely noticable. At least I saved up money to take her out to a swanky restaurant. And if I can get a few Saturday appointments, we may do some apartment shopping.

I'm looking to move. I'll either move when my lease is up in April or sign a 6 month lease (the shortest they offer) and stay until October. The big problem is knowing what is a good neighborhood and what isn't. Obviously Madison is nice, but there's only 2 in my price range there -- one I'm told is a wretched place and the other just raised their rent and doesn't have anything available for months. And sure I can wait -- but I'd like to at least get to see one to know if it's worth waiting for. Then there's some over on Wynn across from the post office. They seem nice enough - and there's no other apartments over there. However they are behind a car dealership -- which just jumps out at me as bad. They are in the top spot at the moment though so we'll see how the tour goes. I also plan to drive by on Friday or Saturday night and get a feel for the neighbors, if you know what i mean.




I don't understand God -- but He's awesome.

I've been hoping for a raise, bitching about needing a raise, and worrying about not getting a raise -- but I've not prayed very much about it. This isn't because I don't pray about what I need/desire but because I'm much more concerned with my mom's financial situation. Yet i know others (my mom, Beth and many more I'm sure) have been praying for me to get in a better financial situation.


The situation. Well, I live in about the cheapest rent apartment that exists and I'm too stubborn to get a roommate and move somewhere better. I've got medical bills and copays from my emergency surgery in August that I just can't pay. It's not that they're even that much -- but a dollar might as well be a million when you don't have it. So those have been one by one being sent to creditors. Obviously, my credit score is plummeting. And most who are close to me and have payed attention know I don't take my vitamins. (which will pretty much eventually kill you when you've had most of your intestines bypassed). They're too expensive to buy. I even had to stop going to the psychiatrist because I can't afford the copays anymore. And it's not like I buy things - the only store I ever see the inside of is the grocery store on my weekly trip.


I finally reached the point where I need to seek another job. This is where I was on Wednesday. I spoke to the supervisor of another department about applying for an open position and perhaps hiring in at a better pay. He explained that my chances were slim but I could apply -- but I had to tell my supervisor about it. So I went to my supervisor and explained what I was planning to do. He was shocked and asked why I'd want to transfer -- I explained that it was money. Money isn't the most important thing in life -- but when you don't have it, it becomes the most important thing. I could hire in as a supervisor at Target (my old place of employment) for more than my current salary.


Then he let me in on a secret. Apparently they had just that day had a meeting about me -- they being my current supervisor, my old one, the man I work under, the head of the department and probably HR. They met to discuss my situation and raising my pay. All my friends at work know that I'm struggling, but I never took it to my higher ups -- I guess it just made its way there. My supervisor highly recommend "holding tight" and not applying for another job.


Yearly raises are in May. They range from 2-5% of your salary. I need 20% of my salary. I explained this to him and he said he'd speak with them again and see if he could get some numbers. So I told the manager of the other department that I would not be applying and I trusted my supervisor -- he's a great guy and I know he wouldn't tell me to wait if he didn't have good reason.


Then Thursday (the next day) my new supervisor (not the one I was speaking to -- me being under him doesn't happen until next week -- called me up from lunch to talk to him. It didn't sound good. It especially didn't sound good when he led me to a conference room and sat me down. I was kinda freaking out -- I thought this was about the current work I was doing. He handed me a letter. For a second I thought I might be being let go...

But it was a RAISE.

I did seek a raise when I became permanent last May -- but they only gave me 2%. THIS WAS THIRTY-THREE PERCENT!


I ran to tell my friend I work with and then went to the man who told me to hold tight to thank him -- he couldn't believe I received it so soon -- he was also under the impression that it would be May when the regular raises were given out!


My cell was dead so I had to borrow someone elses and go hide in the bathroom for privacy to tell my momma. She was on the verge of tears! She can't believe it and I certainly cant either!


I'm still hesitant and waiting until I see how much my paycheck net pay will actually change. I just can't believe I'll be living easier soon. I can't believe I'll be able to MOVE. And soon! I can't believe I'll be able to buy everything I NEED and still maybe have a bit extra to pay off my debt. I'm going to be afloat again!


It's all tempered by how sorry I am that it wasn't my mom who got this blessing -- but God is awesome. Here's a praise for undeserved blessings and love.


Life honestly gets better every single year!



Dude. Thats fucked up.

Some of my neighbors have a Chucky doll in their window -- hes posed looking out at the parking lot. It's fucking creepy. No matter where you are -- hes looking at you. If I opened my door and he was standing outside I don't know what I'd do. I can't even think about it. It's just too fucked up. But I tell you -- it would remain in my nightmares until I die.

From Crystal

I cut out the stupid questions so the numbers are all messed up:



1. Have you ever taken a shower with another person?

Yes



2. Who ended your last relationship?

Him



3. When was the last time you got in trouble with the police?

Do security guards count? I got kicked out a hospital the night the last Harry Potter came out.



6. What was going on in your life today?

Work. Work. Lunch @ Jason's Deli, trip to Sam's. Trip to Publix. Now I'm going to Asleep



11. Have you ever kissed in the rain?

Yes, and it was just as romantic as I always imagined it would be...



12. What's one thing you wish to change about yourself?

Tighten up my skin!



13. Are you spoiled?

HA. No.



18. How many brothers/sisters do you have?

2 sisters, 1 brother, 1 sister-in-law



19. Do you have a secret crush?

Surprisingly, no.



20. Do you keep in touch with your exes?

No. Notice the period after no.



21. Do you dislike anyone right now?

The majority of the population, actually. I guess thats bad, isn't it?



22. Something you are excited about?

Having my mom up in 3 weeks :)



23. What is your favorite flavor of Jelly?

Grape. Though Strawberry and Raspberry are growing on me.



28. Can you tie a cherry stem with your tongue?

No, but I know what you're getting at and the answer is: better than you can imagine.



31. What did you eat yesterday?

We took an adventurous lunch to a place we've never been -- the Po'Boy Factory. -- It's cajun food.



32. Who was your first best friend?

First? Michelle.



33. What is/was your least favorite class?

All of them.



43. Do you regret dating someone?

No. I regret my choice of college major -- but not my flings, romances, or what others would consider mistakes.



44. What are you doing tomorrow?

Sleeping late. Mmmmm.



46. What annoys you?

Mostly sounds.



1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?

Two Christmas trees. One is full size and ones 3ft.



3. What your favorite curse word?

Fuck and all it's variants.



8. Have you ever been to a strip club?

Yes. Is that odd?



9. What is the last thing you said aloud?

"Thank you, kind sir"



19. Ever go camping?

Yes -- not enough



26. Are you someones best friend?

Yes.



32. Ever ridden on a roller coaster?

Just 1. Told myself I'd go ride the rollercoasters when I got below 200lbs. haven't had the money or the friend who'd take me.



35. What is your favorite number?

zero



38. Have you met anyone famous?

Only minor celebrities.



49. Are you jealous of anyone?

Yes



50. Is anyone jealous of you?

Yes

54. What do you usually do during the day?

Work



55. Do you hate anyone right now?

Yep.



56. Do you use the word hello daily?

No. I say "Hi" or "Hey" usually.



58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?

26.

59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?

Yes but I was too fat to ride most of the rides.



60. How did you get one of your scars?

Skinned my face.



2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?

To the cart return thingies, I don't take it back in.



3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?

Talker.



4. Do you take compliments well?

No.



5. Do you play Sudoku?

Yes. It's either way to easy or I get it down to the last row and I'm wrong and then just fuck it, I'm not starting over.



6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?

Yes.



7. Do you like to ride horses?

Never done it. Want to though.



12. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?

I've done it.



13. Do you like to pursue or be pursued?

Be Pursued -- but it usually doesn't happen and I'm pretty aggressive.



14. Use three words to describe yourself?

Creative, Loyal, Southern.



16. Are you continuing your education?

Unfortunatly.



17. Do you know how to shoot a gun?

Yep.



18. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed?

The cats. Then my purse.



19. How often do you read books?

hardly ever.



20. Do you think more about the past, present or future?

Future.



22. What color are your eyes?

Bright Green -- they're my best feature.



23. How tall are you?

Around 5'4"



26. Have you tried sushi?

Yep. Not as bad as I expected but not something I'm going to go out and get alone or anything.



27. Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth?

Actually, no. I should fix that.



36. Can you do the splits?

Yeah right, like thats gonna happen.



38. If you could fast forward your life, would you?

Probably.



39. What did you do for New Year's?

Nothing.



40. Do you think The Grudge was scary?

Don't watch scary movies -- I'm chicken-shit.



43. Do you have an "ex box" with pics and letters from past lovers?

No.



44. Was your mom a cheerleader?

My mom twirled batons in the band -- and she was hot.



46. Do you like your middle name?

Love it - Alexa



52. What do you wear to sleep?

Pajama pants and a camisole.



53. Anything big ever happen in your hometown?

The civil rights movement.



58. Do you like funny or serious people better?

Bitter and sarcastic. Damn I love someone whos sarcastically bitter.



65. Are you a gullible person?

Mostly no -- but there are times...



67. If you could have any job what would it be?

Artist



68. Are you easy to get along with?

Depends on if I like you.


Public Service Announcment

Tomorrow (Tuesday Feb 12th) is FREE pancake day at IHOP. Check out the link: http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/index.html. No purchase necessary but they do ask for a donation. So really it's as cheap-as-you-want pancakes -- which is still awesome.

My sister sent me a Valentines Day card.

That was super sweet of her. Makes me happy. I love getting cards in the mail :) So much better than bills.

Oh speaking of, filed my taxes today. Turbo Tax is free if you make less than 30k (http://turbotax.intuit.com/taxfreedom/). I did them by hand and was going to get back 59 dollars. But Turbo Tax found some deductions I could use and now I'm getting back almost 200. Snazzy.

Holy Shit! We have a safari!

I was meandering around the internet tonight and discovered that Huntsville Alabama has its very own no-cages drive-through SAFARI. With Zebras and shit. On my side of town too! Holy shit! Why don't I ever know about these things!?

Look at this Zebra practically licking the guys window: http://huntsville.about.com/od/photogallery/ss/harmonypark_3.htm

I can't find a webpage for them but it's called "Harmony Park Animal Preserve." And it's open from March to November and it's only 7 bucks and you drive your own car through it -- and they have baby deer and zebras and all sorts of cool shit. I'm going March 1st. There will be pictures.

Holy Shit -- Mom's coming up on March 7th! WE'RE GOING.

Cat Antics

Today I woke up to find many of Jacks toys in the toilet & one of my upper kitchen cabinets emptied. Most notably, all the new rolls of paper towels that had been in the cabinet were now in the trash can. What the fuck, Jack?

Tabitha was curled up on the electric blanket that one of them had turned on.

Today is a study day -- meaning I have a test this evening so I took the day off from work to cram. The kitties are always noticeably pleased to have me home -- they follow me around and try to get my attention. So while studying at the kitchen table, Jack kept laying across my notebook. Then when he realized that I wasn't having any of that, he decided it was more fun to lay next to it and flip the pages when my attention was diverted to the text book.

Tabitha sat in a plastic bag in the chair next to me.

Now that I'm on the couch typing on the computer, they're both curled up next to me purring.

Damn - they grow on you, don't they?

I am quite blessed to live my own apartment which is inhabited by these affectionate & playful furballs. I love my home :)

Jack cleaned up.

Usually I come home to find whatever new mess Jack has made -- he has a habit for destroying various things while I'm gone. It's not his fault -- he gets bored. But today... today he cleaned...

I found Roomba stuck on a feather and my apartment covered in its telltale cross-hatch tracks. I haven't had Roomba out in quite a while due to battery problems -- so it was a nice surprise.

Thank you, Jack & Tabitha. That was really sweet of you.

Of course I find myself more and more disturbed at their intelligence. They turned Roomba on -- and stopped Roomba. Sure, they might have accidently turned it on -- probably did -- but Jack knows that when he brings Roomba toys, it stops.

They also know how to turn the electric blanket on (by jumping off the bed and landing on the button, I surmise).

It's fucking creepy.

Hodge-Podge

BAD: Today I found out the co-ops make more money than me. The co-ops who have less school and less time at the company than me. Dude, that hurts. I already figured I'd take the highest bidder when I graduate and I felt like maybe I owed my company some kind of loyalty -- but no. No I don't. At least that's settled, eh?

GOOD: Thing I'm looking forward to the most:

I got tickets for me and mom to see Third Day in March. I love Third Day and Mom loves Third Day and we're both super excited. And it makes me so happy to give her that -- that something to look forward to and excitement. And She has a reason to come visit me and stay the night! I've already been planning that I'd take her out to dinner one evening and cook us something elaborate (and healthy) for dinner the other night -- and I'll cook here a healthy breakfast too. It's gonna be awesome. I'm looking forward to it greatly. Between buying the tickets and saving money to take her out, I dont know that I'll be able to afford it -- but I'd like to buy a Third Day T-Shirt too -- A MEDIUM ONE!

BAD: Speaking of size -- I feel so fat! I've gained a slight bit of weight -- now I'm 170lbs.

GOOD: That weight is nothing compared to how much I've lost (150lbs @ 170lbs -- had lost almost 160 overall). And I'm still a MEDIUM top (Large bottom -- I've got a large ass. A great ass though -- it's what i get the most compliments on. Well, second to facial features -- what can I say, I'm hot now). And I wear a size 12 pants. -- I have some super sexy jeans now -- LOVE THEM. And I ordered some spring tops (pink & yellow) and new khakis to wear.

Work gave out the yearly work shirt (polos with the company logo) and they only gave out mens sizes -- I had to get a SMALL. How awesome is that?

The Crazies Are Escaping!

I was going to post about how much I hate UPS -- and I was even gonna title it "Why I Hate UPS" -- but then I realized I already did a "Why I Hate" Post this week and we just don't need that much hate around here. Even though I could work in "Undignified Piss-Ant Shit-Heads" for the acronym.

But rather let me pass on a thought I had on my way home from the UPS center this evening...

I drove past the mental care center that I live next to (convenient eh? -- but no my psych doesn't work there -- I think it's more of a commit-you thing). So I drive past like always and there's a car in the drive with its lights on and the trunk open and a guy standing next to it -- and my first thought is:

"Oh man, the crazies are escaping!"

Heh, hiding in the trunk. LOL. I found myself quite amusing.

As a certified crazy, medicated person with a psychiatrist and a therapist, I can crack on my fellow crazies all I want. You cant. But I can. And thats a shame for you, because it's fucking funny.

Mom, Serenity made me cry!

I'm watching the Serenity DVDs. Do you know I never realized there was an episode I NEVER SAW? YES! Bushwhacked -- I had never seen it. It was so exciting too -- new Firefly!

Right now I'm watching the pilot episodes -- and you-know-who just got shot (don't want to ruin it for people who haven't seen it -- plus I can't spell the name -- convenient). They're all watching to see if she'll be ok -- and they just cut past Jayne watching through a window where no one can see. Oh my god it made me cry.

I'm so freaking emotional. Dammit.

This is the best show ever made. WE NEED MORE FIREFLY.




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