Netflix

I don't watch the normal things other people do. The popular shows seem to be Game of Thrones, Walking Dead, and Breaking Bad.

It's hard when all of my friends watch these shows. They think I'm crazy for not wanting to watch them. I "have to" watch them because they're just "so good." When we are hanging out in a group and someone brings these shows up, I am left out of the conversation.

But it's just not my thing. I have no interest in explicitly sexual scenes, zombies, or a man selling meth because he has cancer (where did that idea come from anyway?).

So I get on Netflix and watch other things (and think about how I should probably be working out). Although my show selections aren't any less strange. I watch documentaries about people who have been stalked. I like "Switched at Birth" which is about these two teenage girls who found out (of course) that they were switched at birth - and one of them is deaf, so it has ASL, which is really cool. I like to watch space documentaries. Raising Hope is a nice little light-hearted comedy. English shows like Call the Midwife and Doc Martin. I really love Mythbusters. Fatal Attractions, which is about people who kept deadly pets (and died as a result).

My latest has been Alaska: The Last Frontier. I started watching the first show thinking I would stop if it didn't look interesting. It focuses on the Kilcher family, who have a 600 acre homestead. They live the life of pioneers. There is no indoor plumbing, so they use outhouses (this Phoenix girl is having a really hard time imaging that in freezing cold weather...or any weather really). They have a small summer window, which is four months but can be shorter, to prepare for a very harsh winter. When I first started watching the show my first reaction was that it was just a bunch of poor hicks (who chooses a lifestyle with outhouses?). But as the show went on (yes, I watched the whole season in about two days) I really came to respect the family. They know how to do SO MUCH. Tracking animals, skinning the hunted animals, preserving the meat properly so they don't get botulism, rebuilding broken heavy machinery, building their own structures, chopping enough wood for eight months of winter, protecting cattle from predators, building fences, growing and harvesting hay and a garden...it's so much. It's not anything I could do. And how the heck do they not get lost in a snowy forest that is covered in snow?

I did an online search to do a little more stalking research since this family had piqued my curiosity, and I discovered something interesting. Jewel, the famous singer, belongs to this family. Her father and brother are two of the main characters. She and her father sing the opening song for the show. (It's mostly her father, she only sings a couple lines, otherwise I should have recognized her distinguishable voice).

I hope Netflix gets the rest of the season. Or I'll see about watching them online. Maybe J and I can take a trip up there and learn how to Homestead. Hahahahaha....yeah right. This city girl doesn't even like camping. But I still like learning about this different way of living. And it sure makes me appreciate my toilet and shower.

Long Hair

I watched this show on Netflix about stalkers. It's creepily interesting because I don't understand stalkers. They must be mentally ill. If you really cared about someone, why would you try to hurt that person? There was an episode where a woman made friends with her next door neighbor, and the neighbor started acting weird. The stalker started mimicking the way the first woman dressed, cut and dyed her hair the same way, and started following her everywhere.

I was joking with my friend Deni that I was stalking her. That I was going to cut bangs like hers and dress like her.

The problem is that once I brought it up, I started thinking it might be a good idea (cutting my bangs, not stalking her). I've become attached to my long hair. Sometimes I get bored and think about cutting it. But I am pretty sure I'd be upset if I did. So what else can you do but try to change things up a bit? Bangs might be good.

So I had my hairstylist (who is also my sister) cut my bangs. And I tried to not look creepy when I saw Deni at work.

She laughed, so I think things are ok.

A couple weeks later, she was telling me a story about this girl who asked her where she got her jeans. Then the girl asked where Deni got her hair colored. I was joking with Deni and said maybe that girl would start stalking her.

"Maybe she's going to buy your jeans and cut her hair like yours. Cut some Deni bangs." I brushed my hand through my bangs in a big show-offy way, smirked, and said, "Pfft, who does that."

That Moment When

That Moment When...

...You're enjoying a song on the radio and realize it's an advertisement jingle.

...You say goodbye to someone in the parking lot and walk away...but they're walking beside you...and keep walking...all the way to their car, which is right next to yours.

...You tell your friend how much it creeps you out when your friends talk about how their kid is going to marry their best friend's kid (it's creepy because these children are three and if they grow up together it seems like incest)...and the look on her face tells you she does this.

...You're in a public place just sitting and breathing and suddenly a large crusty booger falls out and you wonder how long it was just hanging there.

...You laugh because you think someone was making a joke. But it wasn't a joke. It was just stupid.

...You burp with your mouth closed because you're trying to be polite but your friend stares at you and asks why you're growling.

...You proudly inform your husband that you haven't dropped your phone in three days....and that's when your phone decides to jump out of your pocket onto the floor with a very loud clatter.

Little Newborn Firefighter Outfit

My senior at work asked me if I could make a little newborn firefighter outfit for her brother's baby. I had some time because the baby wasn't due for another six weeks.

This is the first pattern I have had to buy and I'm pretty bummed. I could not find a cute baby firefighter hat ANYWHERE. I would have been fine with the ruffle cover and booties, but the hat could not be found.

The HFD is for Houston Fire Department. She lives in TX. And it's for a little girl in case you can't tell.

I asked around to see if anyone had any recent trips to San Antonio and if someone could just take the outfit for me. I found a coworker who was willing to take it.

And he forgot it at home.

So I got to mail it. It was delivered the day after the baby was born, who was born weeks early.

Tricky little babies.

She sent me a picture of the little baby.

Jett's Baby Pictures

This was harder than I thought it was going to be. I was fooled into thinking that since my sister Danielle has a good baby, it would be cake.

No cake.

I can see it from the baby's standpoint. You don't want someone moving you around and putting a hat on your head when you're trying to sleep.

I am so glad that the pictures turned out adorable....I may have been a bit anxious.

Just a few:

Post for making the moon bed here.

I found this bed at Goodwill for $5 and stained it. Best find ever.

I just love this face.

I did get some good grumpy faces. And that first one where he is smiling - oh, it just swells my heart.

This was the weekend before Joseph's birthday. It was a crazy weekend.

Saturday morning I woke up to maggots in my house. EVERYWHERE. I almost threw up. I blame Jacob. He had left the back door open and didn't close the screen so we had a ton of flies. Even laid-back Joseph commented on the excessive fly population.

Well, they laid eggs in my trash. Those eggs hatched and the maggots made a run for it.

It was probably the nastiest thing I have ever dealt with. And that includes when little Jett had a poop explosion during the photo shoot.

It took a few hours to round up and completely annihilate all of the grossness. Joseph had to leave; he tried to help as best he could, but he was already late to go to my Dad's house, where my Dad was going to help change his shocks (shout out to the best dad ever, saved us hundreds of dollars).

So I dealt with the maggots and sanitizing my house. Then I had a self defense class. Which was awesome but all three friends I had lined up to go with me bailed.

They do partnering in that class. One person holds you and the other breaks free. There is one where the other person sits on top of you and you have to flip them. I still haven't decided if a stranger I'm never going to see again was better than a friend/sister putting their elbow in my sternum and brushing against my lady parts.

I ended that class with a migraine. Which meant I couldn't hang out with Brian and Katelyn, who have since left to Chicago for summer pest control sales. Super lame. (We did hang out another time, but still. Quality time is quality time.)

The next day I went to take photos of Danielle's little baby and it took all day. Because of the aforementioned lack of cooperation from a newborn. I was still at her house when my friend texted me to ask if I was still picking up that futon.

CRAP. Totally forgot. Friend had posted on FB that a free futon was up for grabs, so I snagged it for my sister Shanna.

Because I am the best friggin sister ever.

I had to run home, drop off all the baby stuff, drive to Goodyear which is a good 45 minutes away, get lost because the address was wrong, swing by the guard gate (soooo glad there was a guard gate with a helpful guard), get proper directions, pick up the futon, and then go to my Mom's house where we celebrated Easter a week early by painting cookies with frosting and dying Easter eggs.

My hair was a mess because I hadn't had time to shower and it was fourth day dirty. My Mom was taking photos for FB.

It was a crazy weekend.

My Fur Children

I got suckered into getting a puppy. I almost feel bad for my old man dog Micah. And a little for Lilly the cat.

My poor little Marley has been missing since before Christmas. I really hope someone just stole her. She was a BEAUTIFUL cat. Everyone commented on her beauty. I would rather her be happy somewhere than eaten by a coyote.

I really miss this cat. She was our first baby.

So we were down to two little fur children. My plan was to let Micah live out the rest of his life and then see what happened. I really liked being able to give a homeless dog a home. I feel like I'm making a small difference in the world. 

Then my baby sister Breezy started texting me. I said no. My Mom started telling me how adorable and sweet this little girl is and how she needs a good home.

I am a sucker for little fur children.

I told Breezy I was worried about my old man dog and my cat. We could try out the little dog for a test period.

I'm pretty sure Breezy knew I would be hooked and never return the little dog. I believe in forever homes. Animals aren't trash you just get tired of and give away. I try really hard not to judge people - live your life how you want as long as you're not hurting anyone - but giving animals away (especially if they end up in a shelter) IS HURTING SOMEONE. Might not be a human but it's a little spirit with its own personality.

Rant over. Let me get back to introducing our little bear. Her name, Osa, means she-bear.

Here she is with her new brother Micah.

She looooooves the water.

We got her a collar with a rose on it and I just love it.

I got Micah a bunny because I think he felt a little left out since Osa got some new toys. Osa keeps stealing it the little stinker.

Don't let the picture fool you. He just tolerates her. She is a little too rambunctious for his liking. I think once she calms down and grows up a little they will be good friends. I am trying to make sure Micah still gets plenty of attention since I give a lot of attention to the little dog. She is now house trained (fingers crossed, no accidents inside in a few days) and is learning she is not allowed in the bedroom. She has a problem with nipping and I'm working on that. Once she has her shots I'm going to make sure she's introduced to other dogs and well socialized.

I take being a fur mother very seriously. So serious that I make sure I get Mother's Day presents.

I'm baaaaaack

My computer is back!

More importantly, Joseph is back. But since he took my laptop with him, my laptop is back as well.

Joseph went to a nerd wordpress conference where he mingled with other nerds web developers, marketing, IT people....

Starting a few weeks ago, I started asking him when his flight left on Friday. I was under the impression that it was a Friday to Sunday trip. After asking a few times, he finally checked his itinerary....it was a Thursday to (late Monday night) flight.

Not my picture. No clue as to the identity of this perturbed baby. But this it matches my inner feelings.

There was a time in my life when I was proud of my independence. I don't need anyone. I get stuff done on my own.

Now I am pretty sure I have codependency*. What do I do without my Love?

Well, I kept myself busy. Since last weekend was Joseph's birthday I didn't get much non-fun stuff done. So this weekend was non-fun stuff overload.

• Returned Shanna's borrowed pan
• Frontyard weeds obliterated
• Found a baby swing for my Mom (tried to go to a community garage sale...it rained**...found one at Other Mother's)
• Costco run because I was out of popcorn which is a Major Problem
• Pet mess spray from the pet store ($3, marked down from $12, woooohooo)
• Bought an air pump to pump up Joseph's new basketball, purchased for his birthday because what kind of a present is a FLAT basketball you can't even use
• Library to pick up some books (this is only on the non-fun list because I do not enjoy picking up the books...I usually have J pick them up for me....because he is my minion sweetie)
• Gas station
• Post office to mail crocheted items to my sister and coworker, both in TX
• Best buy to buy a thumb drive
• Went to TJ Maxx where I bought a new dog bed (for the new dog baby) and some photo frames for a secret project
• Vacuumed my truck
• Housetrained the puppy (she is soooo smart, no accidents in the house since Saturday and today is Tuesday ohhhh yeah)
• Cleaned the house (like really, really cleaned...we're talking moved everything out to sweep and mop, sanitized the animal bowls, vacuumed, organized the tupperware drawer - things seem to be disappearing since Jacob has moved in - scrubbed the bird poop off the side of my freshly-painted house, scrubbed the tree sap that dripped on my sidewalk, swept my back porch which is really just a cement slab, put all of Joseph's tools in the shed where they belong instead of strewn all over the backyard, etc)

I need to catch up on some stuff. Now that I have my pictures back. 

*I am not co-dependent in the clinical definition, where someone is controlled/manipulated by someone else who has other psychological issues such as narcism. It's a NICE codependency. Where I want to be with him because I like him and he makes me laugh and he laughs at my stupid jokes. The dogs just don't get my jokes. The puppy pretends she does, but she's just trying to fit in because she's new.
**Side note about the rain. The last three times it has rained I am pretty sure it was my fault. It POURED BUCKETS during my sister's baby shower that was supposed to be outside. Then it rained when I got Joseph a car detailing for his birthday (we were able to pull J's car into the garage....but still). And then when I decided I'm going to go to a community garage sale....it rains enough that everyone went inside. What the heck weather gods.