Life update

I think it's time for a little life update...

Professional life: (I need just a moment to vent.) Last week I was handed an additional task on top of my 8 hour work load. This new task is an full job in itself...yet somehow my boss wants me to cram it all into an 8 now 9 hour period. No I am not getting any sort of compensation...

I went in to talk with him this afternoon because I'm feeling overwhelmed and I'm seriously concerned that I am triple-booked. And he basically said, "you'll figure out a way to handle it once you get used to the ebb & flow of your new work load. And you can always give some of the work to your co-workers." Okay fine, but as far as I know, they are already full up with things to do. I feel like his response just shows how out of touch he is with us minions.

So I'm frustrated. I'm angry. I'm annoyed. But mostly, I feel taken advantage of. I know it will all work out and I'm probably being a big baby. But right now I just want to be mad.

Personal life: My dad's cousin died last week, so I'll be attending a funeral this week. It's pretty sad because cousin Bill was still young (in my eyes) and so full of life. It's hard to imagine his family without him. So if you remember, please send some prayers to my cousins in MD.

As I mentioned, this past weekend I was dog sitting and it went really well. I've been hesitant about getting a dog because I didn't want the additional responsibility. But after hanging out with Jax for a weekend, I realized that it isn't so bad...and it was actually quite enjoyable. And Jax-sitting gave me more faith and confidence in myself as a dog owner. Hooray for that!

This weekend I also got together with my college roommate, KDog. I heart her. I love getting together with her because we get along really well. She's one of those friends where conversation flows easily, we laugh and it's nourishing for the soul. She took me into Georgetown to walk around. I visited Zara for the first time and I like it! The quality of some of the clothes isn't the greatest, but there are so many cute things. And their sale section was pretty good.

After Zara, we walked down to Anthropologie and Kdog said, "It's like being in someone's really cool house; it's huge!" She was right on the money. Anthro in G-town is BIG. We headed downstairs and I almost bit the dust and tumbled down the stairs. Luckily I grabbed the hand rail and Kdog grabbed me and together, we stopped gravity from taking me down. Even though I was embarrassed, I was pleased when I looked up and realized no one really noticed.

So that's the latest with me. I'm sorry I haven't been posting and haven't been commenting the lately...the hours in the day seem to be filling up faster than I can count. I hope everyone is doing well and I miss you.

Jax sitting

My friend Kathy went to JMU this weekend and asked me to watch her toy Australian shepherd, Jax. I’ve watched a dog before, specifically my in-laws' cocker spaniel, Morgen. Mo Mo is well trained, she’s very used to seeing me (and she loves me), so it’s a piece of cake watching her.


Jax is still a puppy and in comparison to Morgen, he’s 18 while she’s 70-something. Even though he’s young, he’s well behaved too. Kathy took him to an obedience class and he passed with flying colors. But I was wondered if he would be behaved with me too.


Kathy dropped Jax off with me on Friday afternoon. One of the first things I did was find a tennis ball. My plan was to do something with Jax and form a bond between us. Catch was the perfect game: a solo game or a duo game with me. Thankfully we have tennis balls so we played catch for a while. And a bond definitely formed.

I remembered watching the Dog Whisperer and he said taking walks is a good way to get a dog accustomed to a new space (or something like that). When Kathy takes Jax out, he has to sit before she attaches the leash. When they come back inside, he has to sit before she takes off the leash. SO I did the same thing and he did too!! He sat for me. My heart fluttered with happiness.

The first walk wasn't too bad. I did have a little trouble juggling a poo bag, a leash and a phone while keeping Jaxman from jumping on two pedestrians. But I'm sure that comes with a little practice.

We came back in and Jax sat for me while I removed the leash. *hooray!* For the rest of the night we played catch, did laundry, watched TV, etc.

It was a good first day.

Grrr

I HATE TAXES.

They try

They Try ~ Rascal Flatts

Nobody thought that we'd last
As long as we have
I guess we showed 'em
Now I don't mean to brag
We're pretty good at
Keepin' what we got goin'
I guess we beat the odds
Hey how 'bout us

(Chorus)
In this crazy world
Of mirrors and smoke
Where hearts can get broke
And forever's so hard to find
People still dream
And people still hope
That someday they'll get it right
And love like yours and mine is why They Try

{love}

You know i'll kiss you downtown
Right there on your mouth
With everyone staring
I don't mind if they see
Just what you mean to me
Girl, that's something worth sharing
Love's a beautiful thing
Hey, let it catch on

Chorus

Baby, our best days are up ahead
Girl we ain't done yet
No far from it
In this crazy world

In this crazy world
Of mirrors and smoke
Where hearts can get broke
And forever's so hard to find
People still dream
And people still hope
That someday they'll get it right
And love like yours and mine is why
They try, they try,
They try, they try

{heart}

You did what?

Friday afternoon I came back from chatting with the customer to find numerous gmail chats and several unread text messages.

"I threw my back out... where are you?"

"PEACHES!?"

"This is something other than pain. I've never experienced this before."

After I scanned through my missed messages I called Husband immediately.

"OMG are you okay? What happened?"

In a hushed, strained voice he said, "I don't know. I was walking across the parking lot back into work and, BAM I threw my back out and I had excruciating lower back pain...I think I pinched a nerve."

I couldn't resist the overwhelming urge to do anything in power to make him stop hurting.

"What can I do?"

"I have a chiropractor's appointment at 3pm, do you think you can get off early to take me?"

"Of course. I'll let you know when I leave work."

After 30 minuts at the chiropractor he was able to walk and go up/down stairs without grimacing in pain. I was relieved, but definitely not as much as him.

The rest of the evening was spent sitting in the healthy back chair with an ice pack. And we ordered Chinese food, because it makes all things better.

After a good night's rest on the Tempurpedic (thank God we bit the bullet and got one), he woke up much, MUCH better.

I hope you have a happy, healthy weekend!

This one's for the ladies...

Dear PMS,

If you would leave my hormones at a reasonable level, then perhaps I wouldn't feel like a crazy person. Please take your cramps, fatigue, and cravings for chocolate and all things sweet/food related back to where you came from. No one likes to feel fat and bloated, it hinders any sort of healthy motivation to work out. Plus you're making my thoughts run rampant and I do not appreciate it.

I know I have to put up with you because *sigh* I am a woman, and that is fine...but can we at least find some terms that we agree upon?

Thanks and I hate you sometimes,
Peach

Happy Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year! My family celebrated the New Year last week, because my brother Bubba was in town. We went to a nice Chinese restaurant and had soup with those yummy crispy noodles, followed by beef, chicken, and shrimp dishes. Wikipedia says it's traditional to have a chicken and fish dish, which we did! To top off the meal we had strawberry and lemon ice cream which was sweet and refreshing. This year I remembered to cut my hair in the days leading up to New Year because it's supposed to symbolize a fresh start.

MamaH sent this excerpt about the New Year to the family and I thought it was interesting so I wanted to share it with my bloggy friends.

{via}

THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT, 2011

02/03/2011 - 01/22/2012 (Metal)

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2011 is the Year of the Golden Rabbit, which begins on February 3, 2011 and ends on January 22, 2012. The Rabbit is the fourth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animals signs. The Rabbit is a lucky sign. Rabbits are private individuals and a bit introverted. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are reasonably friendly individuals who enjoy the company of a group of good friends. They are good teachers, counselors and communicators, but also need their own space.

According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves. It is a time for negotiation. Don't try to force issues, because if you do you will ultimately fail. To gain the greatest benefits from this time, focus on home, family, security, diplomacy, and your relationships with women and children. Make it a goal to create a safe, peaceful lifestyle, so you will be able to calmly deal with any problem that may arise.

Not many people know that the Rabbit is the symbol of the Moon, while the Peacock is the symbol of the Sun, and that together, these two animal signs signify the start of day and night, represent the Yin and Yang of life. It is said that anyone making supplications for wishes to be fulfilled are certain to get what they want... and in the Year of the Rabbit, the wish-granting aspect of the Sun and the Moon combined is multiplied. The Moon is YIN and this is the Yin of Heaven, signifying magic. Thus on each of the Full Moon nights of this year, go out into your garden to gaze into the Full Moon and visualize plenty of Moon dust and Moon glow flowing into you, filling your whole body with bright white light and granting you fearlessness, love and courage. This will not only strengthen your inner "Chi" energy, it will also bring wisdom into your life.

That last part, about channeling the moonlight during nights of full moons, is something I've never heard. before But I'm open it! If I remember I will go out side and soak up some moon glow so I can strengthen my inner Chi.

Peace

...in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul...

Hair cut

I used to hate getting my hair cut. I have thick, coarse, curly hair and it was tough finding a stylist who understood what my hair could handle and what it could not. In my 25 years (geez i feel old), I've only had 3-4 stylists.

My current stylist, Nicole, was recommended by a friend. Of course I checked her out online and found that she is the owner of Ruby Red Salon and is DevaCurl certified. She's certified in cutting curly hair!? Yes please.

Nicole has given me wonderful, wonderful hair cuts for the past year or two. She understands my hair and my needs, and when my hair grows out I'm amazed that it still looks good.

I'm excited today because I haven't had a hair cut in months...and when I leave Ruby Red I feel like a new person. Lighter. Happier. Satisfied. It's as if when she cuts off my split ends, it's like she's cutting away some of my negative energy and restoring me with more positive energy. Which is something I definitely need right now.

I've been feeling a little blue lately. It's a combination of things like work, my purpose in life, my lack of confidence, self doubt, blah blah blah. Maybe it's the gray weather, maybe it's PMS, maybe it's just me in a funk. This just means I'm looking forward to my hair cut this afternoon that much more because I could use a little boost. Every girl needs a pick-me-up now and again, whether it's getting your hair cut, a mani/pedi or taking a bath.