woof.

Before&After..















Obviously, I painted my bathroom. It doesn't look too different. I cleaned out a lot of the clutter, although you cant really tell in the "after" photo. I still had my painting crap out. I even changed the light "bubs" and painted the ceiling as well!

Extreme Home Makeover ALWAYS MAKES ME BAWL. The episode tonight was about a family who used all their money to care for abused animals they had rescued. They showed all these dogs and horses who had been starved, neglected, etc. I started crying, because that stuff makes me so sad. I have so much respect for people who dedicate their lives to caring for others. ESPECIALLY helpless animals. Ive always said that if I had the money, I would start a farm and take in abused animals, so they would finally be safe. I think people who hurt animals are EVIL.

It has been one crazy week. Nathan has been trying to get ready for his new job. He will be making a *tiny* bit less money, but he will be home by 6:00 pm at night, off every other Saturday, off every Sunday. Opposed to him sometimes not getting home until 2:00 am at Lonestar. This job is such a relief, it will do so much for "us". We are actually going to be able to SEE each other! He left today for training, for a week. So Im all alone. Its weird, because last year, when Nathan and I were apart for awhile, I spent every night alone. I was scared at first, but I got used to being by myself. Its different now. I have not spent a single night alone in over six months. Ive never slept in this house alone. Im trying hard not to think scary thoughts, or pay any attention to bumps in the night. Its only one week. I can handle one week. RIGHT?!

always the bridesmaid, never the bride..oh wait..

Old news to all who are reading this--but I am happy to announce that Nathan and I are getting married. Again. :)
It has taken a lot of work, especially on our "communication skills" to get where we are now. It's hard to fall off a horse, then have the courage to get back on. Especially when you know some people around you might not think you are doing the right thing. It means a lot to me to know that everyone who is reading this has been 100% supportive of Nathan and I.
Anyway, I feel really lucky that we have been given a second chance. For me it's a chance to do things right.

We have had a lot of stress this week. Nathan found out he got the job he had been wanting, and that they wanted him to start "immediately". Its great news, but it sent us in a tailspin, trying to get everyone together. He has to leave town to train for a week. Im going to be home alone, which I hate. Maybe Toonces the cat will protect me?

Thad, this is a warning that part of this entry is about YOU. To those of you who don't know---Thad is my brother. He is the funniest person I know. And by funny...I mean not funny at all. Im serious. His jokes are TERRIBLE.

I saw this on some random person's blog...and thought it was hilarious.

Type your name with various parts of your body:

nose: ev ynn (that made me cross-eyed!)

elbow: e3vynhj

tongue: evyn (that is so gross.)

chin: edvcytnb

feet: evbyn

eyes closed and one finger: ebum (hahahah!)

back of hand: 32gv7yn (not even CLOSE!)

palm: evhyum n

mouse: evgyn

wrist: rnbvkjyunm (why was that one so terrible?!)

Now, for what I mentioned about my brother. He is a great big brother. He has a 2 year old son, Lochlan, and a baby on the way, to be named Natalie. Thad, this is for you. I was looking through some old gmail emails, and I had sent a snippet of one of our Harry Potter conversations to a friend of mine. I thought you would get a kick out of it.

Conversation had with my brother Thad, and his wife, Julie. Keep in mind this is an OLD conversation.

Julie: Are you two talking about Harry Potter again?

Me: Er..

Thad: Uh..

Julie: You know, he was watching that new Harry Potter movie again last night.

Me: *doesn't say anything, because I was totally watching it again last night too*

Julie: What was up with that dog biting that redheaded kid?

Thad: That wasn't a dog, that was Sirius Black.

Julie: Looked like a dog to me.

Me: Hes an animagus.

Julie: *stare*

Thad: Hes a person that can change into an animal.

Julie: *stares back and forth at me and my brother* You two are the biggest dorks Ive ever met.

Hee.

I have found out that Ive lost all patience for human kind. Well..not all humans. Just 18-19 year old girls. NO ONE can annoy me the way these girls can. It seems to be the most annoying age a girl can be. They all think they are totally grown up, but really they are still in the high school mind set. I deal with young girls every day, coming into my job, wanting to see "the biggest diamond Ive got", and hearing them proclaim that they wont marry ANYONE unless they have a one carat on their hand. I want to shake these girls and tell them to GROW UP! I know I was that age once, I just hope I wasn't as irritating. Im sure I was though. I cant imagine measuring my love for someone by the size of diamond they could afford.

In other news, Im wearing one white sock with tiny paw prints on it, and one brown sock with black stripes on it. Mis-matched socks are fun. You should try it.

Everything in my neighborhood seems so bleak now that Winter is here. I decided to post a picture I took during Fall to add some color. The streets near mine have the prettiest trees!

I am stealing an idea I saw in Marie's blog. That may not be very creative of me...its just such a good idea I had to do it. So here are ten (very) random facts about me.

1) When I was in first grade, I placed "first runner up" in a beauty pageant. They accidently gave me the winning trophy, and for about a week I thought the judges had changed their minds and placed me the winner instead.

2) I dont eat any kind of fish. I think all of it smells.

3) I bit my fingernails until I was a junior in highschool. A girl I was an office moniter with told me her little sister "got worms" from biting her nails. I stopped biting mine that day, and never have again.

4) I am a WUSS. Im scared of knives, bridges, snakes, spiders. Im scared of big dogs wandering the streets. Im scared of the power going out. Im scared of everything basically.

5) I took French for two years, and I dont remember any of it.

6) When I was little, my favorite band was The Beach Boys, and I listened to their greatest hits record over and over on my Care Bears Record Player.

7) I have a bad habit of getting light headed and passing out. Ive passed out at Six Flags, getting out of bed in the morning, and at the doctors office. I nearly passed out INTO the kitty litter pan one time. Luckily I got myself to the doorway before I fell down.

8) I cant remember the last time I ate a steak, or hamburger. I mainly only eat chicken, and occasionally pork.

9) I love "war" movies. Any movie that is almost three hours long, and has huge battle scenes.

10) When I was growing up, my mom refused to let my brother and I watch MTV. I thought I was being a rebel by sneaking into my room to watch "Singled Out".

Good news! My "child", Calypso is all better. Calypso is my adopted child. When my brother and his wife had their son, Lochlan, I took in their furbabies, Juno and Calypso. They have Juno back now, but Calypso took to me so much that she wanted to stay :) She is my official lap cat. Also, dont be jealous of my spongebob pants.

I was informed last night that I have really fallen behind on my blogging. I figured I should take care of that right away. Now if only I had anything to talk about!

My new years resolution of reading more in 2006 is going pretty well. I started reading my 5th book yesterday. Its called "She's Come Undone", by Wally Lamb. Its one of Oprahs Book Club choices. I usually enjoy the books she reccomends, even though I dont care for her or her show. This book is kind of crazy though. Hopefully it will get better as I keep reading.

COMING SOON: People who destroy the english language so badly it makes your head explode. Stay Tuned!!

I am finally getting the hang of this whole blog thing. It only took an HOUR to figure out how to add links. It took much less time to figure out adding pictures.

I have taken a few days to figure out what my resolutions for this year should be. There are the classics of "spend less money" or "eat less junk food"....and as much as Id like to do those, they seem shallow and non-imaginative. I decided to to really challenge myself this year. I've decided to make more time to read. I have a shelf full of books that I have never opened. As much as it pains me, Im really going to make the effort to turn OFF the tv, and crack open a book. (typed while the Rosebowl is playing in the background...This might be harder than I think!)

I also really hope that Nathan gets this new job he is wanting. I have always felt that our relationship has taken a back seat because of our jobs. Not by choice though...We do what we have to do to pay our bills and have a comfortable life. I just wish we had more time to spend together. I cant even remember the last time we went out to dinner. I shouldn't complain, we are both healthy, and we have a roof over our heads. Still though, this new job would be so fantastic for him!

Happy New Year!
This is my first "official" blog ever. Im not even sure what to say.

My New Years Eve was uneventful. Nathan worked, and I was sick. I mainly just laid around and watched the Law and Order CI marathon. Im addicted to Law and Order! I need a support group.

Also, one of my cats has been really sick. I came home from work yesterday, she was bleeding really bad, and was very weak. I had to rush her to the vet. She has a urinary tract infection....it cost $99 for her medicine. I cant believe I spent that much on a cat.