laa dee da da lalala hmmm..hmmm.mmmm...

So nothing really exciting happening lately. I worked a full 8 hour shift at Sears Studio today, it went by pretty fast. Sears has this thing they call the "posing sequence" and the "six sellable poses"(Amber.. you may want to skip to the next paragraph, you may find this part boring because you know it all) anyway, you have to follow this sequence EXACTLY: Full body standing, extreme close up, 3/4, close up, tummy, and full body sitting. Through various studies, I'm sure, Sears has found that if you use these six poses with your subject that you will be able to sell more pics. So everyone has to has 20 'perfect sittings' that follow this posing sequence. We have to keep track of our sittings and the goal is to have EVERYONE have thier 20 perfect sittings by February 5th.
Now, I don't think anyone (besides Amber because she is the closest one to being done) will get this by feb 5th. I don't even work enough to even HAVE 16 more sittings (I got 4 done tonight) before then, let alone 16 "perfect" sittings. But I'll give it my best shot. I kind of feel like I don't have a "groove" there yet, like I'm still fumbling around trying to learn everything and I ask the same darn questions tons of times. But it is getting easier, so soon I'll get into my groove and start pumping out those 16 perfect sittings. Even though Lisa was like "your job depends on it" oh, well thanks, Lisa, no pressure...

Anyway, it is the weekend which means Kevin is home! It is soooo nice to have him home, even though he risked his life to get here yesterday. On the way home he was driven into the ditch by a psyco driver who was going way too fast on the icy roads. Kevin found himself waste high in snow and his car covered up to the windshield. He had to call 911 to get help and $30.00 and hours later, he was out of the ditch. The highway patrolman that were sent to his rescue got out of their car, walked slowly up to kevin, looked at the car in the ditch and said "car stuck?" Kevin was like "NO! Darndest thing happen, that darn snow bank came right up on me.." idiots... but he is okay, and so is his car, thats all that matters. Amy on the other hand... she was driving back to St. Cloud and also drove into the ditch, she called 911 and when they got their they decided she needed medical attention, so she was lifted into the ambulance and taken to the hospital where they discovered she had a bruized kidney... now I'm no expert, but how the hell do you bruize a kidney by drivin into a ditch?! But she is okay, when she left the hospital she decided to keep driving to St. Cloud... and went into the ditch AGAIN and called 911 AGAIN. Then she gave up and stopped in Fargo to spend the night so she wouldn't die.

Our Christmas Party (now labled the "employee appreciation party" because it is soooo not chirstmas time anymore) is tomorrow night. Bowling and finger foods and FUN! (yup just a little sarcastic) But it should be okay, I like all my coworkers and I like to bowl... I guess thats all about that.

Last night Kevin and I went to a UND hockey game. I went to UND for 5 years and was my FIRST hockey game! And I graduated already! UND is a HUGE hockey school, we're national champions... yet last night was my first game. I had a killer headache so I didn't really get into it, but it was fun. UND and BSU tied 3-3. Our seats were really good, and the Ralph Engelstad arena is truely a beautiful building (www.theralph.com) Okay, so this is a really long post... onto something more important like spending time with my hubby... hope everyone is having a really good weekend! comment damn you people!!! I know you're reading.... more pics to come soon...

What is my prime instinct?? I took a quiz to find out...

Compassion: Compassion is your prime instinct. You
have a truly beautiful soul, it belongs to
Heaven. It makes you sad to see how life became
so cruel, but you always hope that the best
will happen. Don't stop being yourself, cuz
your friends need you.
Your Evanescence song is >>>> Forgive me


What is your prime instinct?
brought to you by Quizilla

music and memories

I can see why there are so many oldies radio stations. I was sifting through our collection of MP3's and listening to some stuff I used to listen to in high school and realized I still really like these songs and a lot of them are tied to memories of my friends and family and summers at the lake and proms and dances and car trips and different groups of people I've met. I still know every word. When the Oldies stations start playing the music I listened to when I was younger and now, I'll appreciate it a lot. So I get how people my parents age relate to the music they play now. Its sad that the music that is on the charts today is all pretty much the same. Is it me, or does it seem like there was more variety 5 years ago. The bands (and I stress the actual word BAND with real instroments and vocals without stupid sound effects)all sounded different and had different "feelings" The songs were all about different life experiences, today they are all about getting wasted, wanting sex, or how much their lives suck because of a relationship gone wrong. I mean that is what most songs are about anyway, but before they would have to be poetic about it all, now because of weak cencorship they can just flat out say bluntly (and disgustingly sometimes) what they want to say. You don't have to think about the lyrics. It is sad. Most of the music comming out today is rap and hip hop (and way too many "featuring" so and so because we are not talented enough individually to make it) which is okay sometimes because every now and then a good song will come out, and they make the bar scene a whole lot more interesting and fun because they are all good to dance to, but that is about it. So right now I'm listening to NIN before that I was listening to the Cranberries and a little Smashing Pumpkins and before that it was Metallica. Which all remind me of Doug, Amadon and Kevin. I think this all came from Amadon's last post on my blog.

Amadon and Josie, and McCloud (sp?) came to town tonight but I'm just too tired (and cranky) to be around anyone tonight so I kind of just hung out at home , I was supposed to have tomrrow off, but Jan conned me into working. Now I don't have a day off from working one job or the other until Sunday. Kevin came home Sat. and left Sunday, I saw him alone for maybe 2 hours (not counting sleeping) because I was working but I'll take what I can get. I can't really complain though, the money will be good and Its not like I do manual labor for 8 hours.

Kevin has like 6 weeks left with his clinical. It is REALLY weird not to have him home. It is nice to just go do something without telling him, or doing stuff that I don't always get to do when he is home (like watch sappy movies and load my popcorn with Cajun seasoning, the little stuff like that) But I'm bored more, but work more too. okay, I'm really tired, I'm nodding off WHILE I'm writing this... time to go to bed..... enough ranting for tonight.

FRIENDS

I was reading Janelle's blog and got to thinking about all my friends that I have back homd in DL. I got to thinking of all the memories I have with them and how although everything has changed (marrages, children, schooling...) it all feels the same. I can go home and no matter who I see, we hang out like it was 5 years ago. So Janelle said she feels bad that if she knew that we would have lost touch like we did, then she would have made different priorities. Well, Janelle Cassidy is Beautiful and you guys are such a happy family, you were meant to have all that no matter what, and it is our fault that we haven't seen you as much because we get all caught up in stuff when we come to town. But it is nice to know that when we do see eachother it'll be like old times, and we won't have to "fake" the hello, how are you doing, Im fine.. yada yada yada.

I have friends here in GF and it'll be really hard to leave them when Kevin and I move (to whereever we go) and I'm really glad I have them here. so this post is about nothing really except a shout out to all my buddies, I love you guys and appreciate all of you being EXACTLY who you are!!!

HUGS HUGS HUGS!!! (and a small peck on the cheek..)

Tab's nephew, his name is Farnum (yes unusual name, but it is a family name, you get used to it) He is going to get lots of girls when he grows up. My chair must be pretty comfy cause he fell asleep in it. 

My friend Blake... very sexy in this pic I might add... :) 

My weekend

The funeral went well. Very sad, but it was nice. Tab is doing okay, they are focusing on "what comes next" She and Derek brought me home last night, and we went out to eat.

Saturday night I went to Amadon and Josie's and we played poker, my first time. I won one hand... and folded most of the rest, I kept getting delt really bad hands.. I blame Kevin... j/k love ya dear. Here are some pics of our poker night where Josie whooped our asses! She just learned not too long ago too, but it comes a little more naturally to her because she won A LOT, too bad we weren't playing for real money, she'd be very wealthy! She played some hands without looking at her cards, and still one!

There was drama with Amadon's EX, and if you care to read it is on Josie's blog. WOw, I mean just wow, that's all I have to say about all that.

I'm going back to DL tomorrow for a couple nights so I can get the car starter put in my car!! very nice, considering it was -32 this morning... that is NEGATIVE 32 degrees!!! BRRRR..!!!!

G'night all...

Josie wins all... kicked our asses! Fair and square I might add.  

Butto loses to Josie... but is a good loser.. kind of.  

josie's SECOND WIN.... WITHOUT looking at her cards!!! YOU GO GIRL! 

Josie's first win of the evening...  

Kevin deals...hm... to fold or not to fold... 

After Case went to sleep we decided to play poker... nice poker face Kevin! You must have pocket aces! 

Case chilln' look at how his legs are crossed.. just cute!!! 

Case looking VERY smart reading AND listening to a movie... he is 2, very adorable! 

my dad looking very smart with his reading glasses. I love this pic... was he reading? no. was he fixing something... no. He was taking apart a toy to see why it wasn't making noise... just because... it was very cute! 

hope this works.. a quiz i took to show how old i act.

You Are 34 Years Old

34 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

So it says I act 34 years old... 11 years older than I am... hm. I don't know if thats good or bad.

Its probably because I'm married, that probably adds like 5 years. :)

Going home

This weekend I was going to go to Bemidgi to see Kevin and his apt. with Doug and Karissa, but now I'm going home to go to Hank's funeral. It is tomorrow at 10:30am. Kevin came home tonight so he can go with me. Thank you everyone for your kind words. I'll tell Tab you are all wishing her the best, and that she and her family are in your thoughts. I've talked to Tab and she seems to be doing okay (as okay as anyone can be under the curcumstances) She has always had to be the strong one in her family though, and I'm sure that it is extra hard on her now because she is the one who holds everyone together and so I hope she is finding her own way to grieve and not holding everything inside too much.

So, I'm on my way now. Oh, on a happy note, I'm getting my car starter put in my car Wed. or Thurs. next week. WOO HOO! It has been SOOOOO cold! It'll be nice to get into a nice warm car in the morning.

Tab's dad passed away this morning. I feel soooo bad for her and her family. She was 5 hours away when he had a heart attack in his home. He had had 4 heart attacks before and just got out of the hospital on Friday and was recovering from the last one. They said he was stable enough to go home and come back later this week to have heart surgery... When I talked to Tab she said that was the longest drive ever to get home to her family.

I don't even know what to say, Hank was a very caring person. His family meant everything to him. He was always joking around. He's been sick for as long as I have known him, I guess his body just couldn't handle any more. I love Tab and her whole family and hope everything works out for them.

I have never really had anyone I really have known die before, its kind of weird. I mean I know people that have died, but not anyone I talked to and seen as much as I did Hank. I'm sad, I can't even imagine what Tab and her family feels like. I can't imagine losing my dad or mom (I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!) I mean, I don't even know what to say to her, I guess I'll just be there for her and call her to make sure she is doing okay. So yeah, for those of you who know Tab, now you know whats going on, so if you see her, you know.

ONE WEEK DOWN..... only..8 to go.

Kevin came home yesterday from the first week in his clinicals. I saw a pic of his apartment... wow, it is really really crappy! But at least he doesn't have to live there for ever. It is really good to have him back for a weekend. It's gonna be harder for him to leave tomorrow though because this time I know how long one week can drag out.

He couldn't have come home at a better time either, I woke up sick today. My head hurts, I'm achey, my chest if full of gunk, my nose is leaking gunk, and ever single muscle in my body hurts! I've taked cold medicine, so not only do I feel crappy, I feel high. I had to work at Sears today for a couple of hours and the manager wanted me to do a sitting all by myself... mind you I've NEVER even DONE a sitting with someone in the room, nor have a ever posed someone, and I've only framed twice. At first I was up to the challenge and thought hey if they think I"m ready, I must be ready. But I couldn't even move the stool or take the background down withough feeling a warm rush over my whole body. Then my expectorant kicked in and I started caughing lots, so I asked Betsey if she could help me cause I really did feel like I was going to die. I was sent home early (not because I was sick but because there was NO more apointments for the night) I was supposed to work next saturday but Amber said she'll work for me so I can go to Bemidji to see Kevin and his new place. THANK YOU AMBER!!!! (You can always change your mind, I will understand and I wll not ask questions, just let me know if you want me to work) So yeah, that is my plan for next weekend.

well, I'm getting tired, even though I've been sleeping ALL DAY. So I'm going to go to bed now. Hopefully I'll wake up and I'll be able to breathe!

ALL BY MYSELF.... part deux

So kevin is still gone... I'm pretty bored by myself... I mean I'm not really by myself because I've kept myself busy for the past couple days, I've hung out with my friends and gotten some housework done, but it just isn't the same... so continueing with the list of reason I love my Kevin... (remember, you don't have to read this if you don't want to...)

6. When I talk about nothing, or I'm complaining, he just listens then when I'm done, he is sympathetic, and even tries to carry on the converstion by asking me questions about my day, or whatever I was talking about. I think he does this more because he wants me to know he was listening, not because he was all that interested... but it is the sweet thought that counts.

7. Kevin is funny. The most fun I have with him is when we are home alone and have nothing to do so we just act silly, and make stupid jokes and he really is funny! I laugh a lot, and he makes me happy.

8. If it is stormy outside, and I can't drive my car on the ice because i might die, he lets me drive his car and he drives my car around until it is safe for me to handle my car. Ah.....

9. Even though this gets on my nerves, I think it is cute that when he cleans the house, I find things in odd places all week. Like the fingernail clippers on the bookshelf, the pens and pencils standing up on end on the coffee table, the toilet paper under the sink in the kitchen, just cute.

10. (don't worry this is the last one for tonight) When he is away and all by himself with nothing to do, he doesn't really complain, he asks me what I'm doing and how my day was...


**sigh**

later guys, I'm off to drive to DL to bring Tabby home. She is getting her hair cut tomorrow and donating it to locks of love. For those of you who don't know my friend Tab (Tabitha, Tabby...) Her hair is REALLY long. Down to... well almost her thighs. It is a BEAUTIFUL brown color, and very healthy and smooth. Swear to you all, it looks like a Pantien Pro-V Commercial! Our local news station is even going to be there and the newspaper too. She and her Husband's sister Ali (I think Ali is like....9 years old) are both doing it, it'll be cute. But weird to see her with shorter hair. I'll post before and after pics too...

Good night all!

A FORMAL APPOLOGY and BEGGING FOR FORGIVENESS

My attitude lately has been very much rude. I apologize to WRDPLYR for being so obnoxious and pompus. My statements about Canadians was uncalled for and wrdplyr has set me straight. I had just gotten off work, and I was strung out. I can't say I didn't mean to offend you, because I should have thought my post throough before writing it. If i read it before I posted, I would have seen how stupid it sounded.

I'm very much aware of the feelings that other countries have against Americans, (especially Europe) That is that Americans are uneducated, and lack a sense of sensitivity to other Nationalities and Ethnicities other than our own. We like to say we are "cultured" and "diverse" because we have so many other nationalities are represented all over the states. That isn't true. To others, Americans come off as rude, and very close minded.

Wrdplyr, I'm honest when I say thank you for your post, I read it and truely took it to heart. You're right I generalized way too much and didn't take in to account these people's situation that is being away from their home and traveling a lot.

I appreciate the fact that your statements were well educated, leaving me no room for arguemnet. Thats more than I can say for myself. I have always looked forward to your posts on your blog as well as mine, because you are a very observant person and seem to be well rounded when it comes to politics and pop culture. Don't hate me, I'm blunt and talk before I think (ask anyone... Karissa, Josie, Mom)

That's all I really have to say, Sorry I offended you, I didn't mean to, I was upset from work, and directed the frustration at the wrong people. But you can't tell me you have never made a harsh comment toward Americans (besides the whole "I love the USA" post a month or so ago)
SO you know that everyone is a little guilty of having weak moments where you are frustrated with how other people different from yourself view issues. Even when you know what you are thnking is wrong, you just can't help it for that brief moment of anger.

All by myself (you have to sing it... like in the Celine Dion song...)

So, Kevin left today for his clinical study in Bemidji. It will be the first time in a very long time that I have been alone in this apartment all night. I just got off the phone with him and I guess his tiny one room efficiantcy (sp?) apartment sucks. The walls are supposed to be white but are yellow due to dirt and smoke. The carpet is old and dirty. One of the walls has a mural of a field and deer but it was painted over with one coat of pale blue paint. The stove is a two burner stove with NO oven. The fridge is 5 feet tall and very tiny. The bathroom is painted dark blue and it at one time obviously had a tub, but the tub was replaced with a one stall shower which is not right against the wall like it should be. The blinds are old and not all the same color. My poor poor husband, living in a hole in the wall. All he has with him is the futon, a small table for his computer and a TV. The only thing is that the TV doesn't have cable, and his computer doesn't have internet... the cell phone cut out on us twice so I don't know how he is going to keep himself entertained.... (no naked girls allowed in your "bachelor pad" kevin!)

So hang in there blog readers... because I am about to get pretty darn sappy....I can be such a girly girl sometimes...

Just a few reasons I love my hubby Kevin....

1. He is the most patient guy I've ever met. I can get pretty hard to live with somedays (ask my mom) but he always can calm me down and deal with me when I'm being pissy.

2. He will do anything for me. Most of the time I don't even have to ask, if he knows something will make me happy, he tries really hard to get it, or do it, or whatever. He does it because he loves me, not because I expect him to.

3. When he makes decisions, big or small, he always thinks of me and how his decisions will effect me. (and I do the same for him.... most of the time)

4. He cooks really really good food (cause I can't)

5. He ALWAYS puts the toilet seat down. I have never fallen in!

There are many many more reason why I love Kevin, but I'll spare you tonight because you've probably skipped the last two reason out of bordom and are probably skimming over this paragraph right now.... caught ya!

More sappy "I miss Kevin" posts to come... 9 weeks minus one day and counting....