The Things We Do When We Are Bored

The Wallet Melter

J and I just got home from The Melting Pot, aka The Wallet Melter if you ask him, and it was AMAZING as always. I love that place. But I love it even more now that I know about their happy hour. Any day they are open you can sit on the patio or at the bar and feast on half-priced cheese, chocolate and cocktails. We just had an awesome dinner and plenty of cocktails for under $50 with tip. I think I may become a regular.

Hungry Dog

The things Fletcher has eaten today:

dog food

cat food

a black Old Navy flip flop

a dog bone

Hank Panky underwear

one of Josh's dress socks

a blue plastic water bottle

some plumber's tape

a paper towel

my hand

a dead bird

a dingleberry that Jack dropped 

I've Failed

About a week ago, when I first accepted the 365-day challenge, I didn't take weekends, holidays and other busy days into account. For a brief moment in time, I thought I had more time than I actually do. No, I guess I have the time; I just, at that moment, felt like dedicating more of it to this blog than I actually should. So, I have failed at the challenge this weekend; I didn't post yesterday. 

However, the purpose of the challenge was to be able to look back at the past year and have in writing a snippet of each day of one's life. Now while I didn't write about it yesterday, I will tell you today that the writing is there. It is permanent, and there will always be a picture attached as a reminder. All I have to do if I want to remember yesterday, June 27, 2009, is take a look in the mirror and I am sure that many memories will come flooding back. Just as I can remember everything about my 27th birthday, the day I got my first tattoo, I am sure that I will be able to remember everything about yesterday, the day I got my second tattoo. So, that is the reason I didn't post....I went to OKC to get tatted up! I may post a picture someday, but I feel like this is a private thing. It is in a private area, one that I will show if I want to, but one that most people will never see (it is not gross; I promise). I did it for myself, so I really don't care about anyone's opinions. It is there, and I love it and the memories that I have associated with it!

6ix

Josh scraped his finger the other day, and asked me for a bandaid. All I could offer him was a pink Hello Kitty bandaid, which I love and wear with even the slightest hint of an abrasion, but he refused. I don't know why; they are pink and therefore fabulous. But, I came across these tonight on the net and think they may just be what my big, macho hubs is looking for. They seem to be the manly cousin of Hello Kitty, and I think they just scream to you to venture a guess as to what is underneath. If the sore you are trying to hide is not bad enough, just slap on a giant piece of plastic meat resembling a giant bloody scab. It's attractive. Trust me.

5

My decision to start this blog was the result of an agreement with a good friend that was made one night after several glasses of wine. She had broken up with a serious boyfriend (they lived together), and we were taking a break from packing her stuff so she could move out of his house and in with her parents. She said that she was thinking seriously about starting a blog on which she could chronicle her breakup and use for her own therapeutic benefit. She already had a title picked out. I was glad to hear that I wasn't the only one who had had this thought, and we decided at that moment that we would take the plunge together. I plunged; she didn't.


It's not that I blame her. Blogging takes up time, and I am sure that she didn't have much time to spare at that point. Whatever the case, I am glad that I carried out the plan as writing about my daily experiences has been a release of sorts even though I haven't been going through anything nearly as serious or painful as a breakup. Knowing that I have the opportunity to share the highlights or low points of my day/week/year, forces me to really reflect on my life. And, even though posts are rarely serious, I am constantly thinking about what is good and what is real and constantly taking stock of the "graces" in my life..

So, in honor of "daily graces," as brought to life by Wallycado, today I am thankful for...

-My patients. These roses are thriving in the 106 degree Oklahoma heat, outside the home of one of my patients, and because she can't get outside to see them for herself, I took this with my phone to show her. Although the flowers are beautiful, they are not my grace. Instead, I am thankful for the opportunity to spend time with patients like this little lady; I learn something from every one of my patients every day.

-The library. I love to learn; I get this from my father. Where else could I have gotten information on business plans, writing grants, traveling to Europe on a budget, growing old gracefully, and some sheet music for the piano all at once and all for free? I'm like a kid in a candy store the second I set foot in the library. See the stack of books I checked out this evening...I'm still wondering why they don't give out sacks at the Jenks Library though.

3. Michael Jackson. I am a child of the 80s. I have moonwalked. I have worn a single metallic glove. He was weird, but he was talented, and his legacy will live on.
4. Farrah Fawcett. She was a classic beauty, there is no doubt. But, by documenting her battle with cancer she showed a grace and inner beauty that most people don't possess. I am thankful that she publicized her horrific experience to teach others just how ugly cancer really is.

- And last, thank you to the news-, weather-, and sportscasters on Channel 2 news. I'm not sure if they all passed around a joint or a case of "pink eye," but whatever it was, they all seemed to be sharing whatever it was that makes one's eyes really red, squinty and glossy. Thank you for giving Josh and I a laugh at 6 and again at 10.

Quatro

Today was one of those roller-coaster kind of days. Nothing too bad happened, so I'm really not trying to complain. It was just one of those days that you are excited to roll out of bed because of something that is supposed to happen. So, you wake up with a "high." Then, when said something doesn't happen you feel disappointed, almost deflated. Then, you learn that the plans will actually work out after all, and voila, you are on cloud nine again. Oops, wait....nevermind, it's not gonna happen, and suddenly, you find yourself back down in the dumps. Up and down, up and down. Well, the one constant happiness of the day was this smiling face...he makes this ride worthwhile.

Three

When we adopted Fletcher, we immediately went to Petsmart to purchase everything we could possibly need for our new puppy. I figured we had to crate train even though I honestly didn't even know what crate training was. So, we bought the crate, and in an attempt to build  a nest for new puppy, we bought this top-of-the-line brown velvety soft pad (with egg crate cushioning) for the bottom of the crate. This thing was so soft, I may have even considered sleeping on it a time or two. It was also nice looking and was a perfect fit for this crate. Well, I guess Fletcher didn't see it the same way because when I came home from work today, this is what I found. He'll have to make do with a hard plastic bed from now on.

Day 2

You would think it would be easy to pick out the single most important/exciting/ interesting point of your day to highlight, but surprisingly, it's not. I'm certainly not going to complain about my day because it really was a pretty good one, especially for a Monday. There just wasn't one stand out moment from this pretty mellow day, so I will share a couple of less than spectacular events. 

1. The first thing I saw when I pulled into work this morning was this helicopter parked in the parking lot across the street. The photo is not great; it was taken from my phone out the passenger side window as I tried to make a left turn. Nevertheless, a helicopter in the middle of a parking lot is a strange sight when it's smack dab in the middle of Tulsa and not associated with a hospital. Look closely.

2. Jon and Kate as in Jon and Kate Plus 8 made a really sad (although not surprising) announcement on tonight's show- divorce proceedings began today to dissolve their 10-year marriage. I'm not going to delve into personal opinions about Kate's personality or what Jon did or didn't do. Instead, I just wanted to mention it because I have spent many, many hours following their show and therefore can't help but feel some sadness for their entire family. These are human beings; lets cut them some slack.

3. I spent a solid hour this evening trying to get some sort of foreign object out of my eyeball. It was painful. And frustrating. But in the process I noticed that I have a freckle in the middle of my blue eye. I had never seen it before.

 

Day 1

I had a particularly bad day at work a couple of weeks ago. I don't remember exactly what precipitated it, but I do remember that whatever those events were lead to several sobbing phone calls to my closest friends and family. These were the kind where you are crying so hard you can't talk, and the person on the other end is going into panic mode because they are already fearing the worst. The calls usually start out with "Mom, I'm OK but..." before I can barely mix in a few unintelligible words with many, many breathless sobs. I'm sure we have all had them, but my bad days seem to be occurring more and frequently lately, leading me to believe it's time to make a change. 

Anyway, the purpose of this post is to show off my sweet flowers. After said bad day, I came home to find them laying in the kitchen with a  super sweet card from Hubbins, and although they have been sitting in my kitchen for weeks now, I just can't yet bear to throw them out. They still make me smile. So, this morning when I changed the water yet again for what will surely be the last time, I snapped this picture to share. Thanks, Hubbins, for brightening even my worst of days.

Project 365: A Challenge

Hubbins and I have been talking a lot lately about how we feel like we are just going through life but not really living it. I think that being in our line of work (hospice) really makes you think about your own mortality and how short life really is. I meet people every day who have been given a prognosis of 6 months or less, and almost all of them will share with me the things they regret never doing. I don't want to feel that way. Ever. 

So, I have decided to challenge myself to living life to the fullest. I know it's easier said than done though, so I will document one moment of every day to remind myself of my lofty goal. At the end of the year, I can (hopefully) look back and remember all of the little details that make my life mine, make me me. I thought about starting on my upcoming birthday, but why wait? I'm starting today, and I plan to write a post with a picture (probably from my iphone) for every single day. Anyone wanna join me?

The New Man in My Life

We got a puppy! He is a Goldendoodle, and is name is Fletcher! We have actually had him for a couple of months now, so I figured it was about time to post some pictures. He is very sweet, but he wants to chew on my hands ALL THE TIME.

The Big 3-1

Today is June 20th, which means it is exactly 22 days until I turn the big 3-1. Although I am tempted to call it the "dreaded" 3-1, I think I will abstain since it really isn't any worse than the big 3-0, and they probably won't get any better from here on out. Not better. Not worse. Just older. There's just something about moving out of your 20s and into the next decade of adulthood, where there exists a certain expectation of maturity, responsibility, and establishment. And whether I am there or not is beside the point. Regardless though, my birthday is looming on the horizon, so I have decided to share with you some things that will soften the blow.

1. A Clary Sage Giftcard

Clary Sage is a T-town cosmetology school that I like to frequent when I feel the need to be pampered. Although the services are performed by students, they are fabulous. Where else can you get a full-body massage or facial for under $40 with tip? Plus, the students are graded on your reviews, so they really strive to perform great work.

2. The pink tutu in the window at The Spotted Umbrella (Jenks)

This tutu has been sitting in the storefront window for months now, and to be honest, i don't even know if it's for sale. Plus, even if it is for sale, I don't know if it will fit me. But, everytime I pass by that shop I dream of a fun night out in that tutu. Now, I just need some really snazzy shoes to go with it.

3. Some Seasonal Whisper Bracelets

I spotted these on the arm of a friend recently and have been drooling over them ever since! Since said friend works at a boutique that sells them, she told my husband that she would pick them up for him if he would give her the money. Hubbins, please take her up on this offer!

4. PB Loco Peanut Butter in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

It's peanut butter combined with cc cookie dough. Need I say more? 

5. Tickets to the Oprah Show

If you've ever read this blog, you've probably read about "the walk" I am doing in August. It is in Chicago around the same time that Oprah resumes taping of her show, and I am dying to go. So, if anyone out there has a "hook up" and can help get my mom and I a pair of tickets, I will be so grateful! We will be there from August 10th to August 12th.

6. A trip to Thailand

If I could go anywhere in the world....

Oh and no, I'm not asking for anyone to pay for my trip. I'm just saying that I want to go!

7. Photography and/or Yoga classes

I want to learn photography (I have a really cool DSLR camera) and I need to take yoga. I just wish I could find someone to join me.

8. Dinner at the Melting Pot

It's my favorite restaurant and I would eat there once a week if I could!

Just in case anyone was needing any ideas....and feel free to share this with others!