Glitter Monday #DoseOfHappy

Hey, guys! It's Monday! Hoorayboo! Mondays are bullshit. Mondays back at work after nine days off? Even more so. I'm electing to look for the glitter in the day.

1. It's not raining today!
2. I'm actually glad to be back at work and back to a normal routine!
3. We had a wonderful family dinner with Chebbar's side last night (even if I did get booted in the face when he was rough housing with his nephew... lol)!
4. APPLE CRISP!
5. 24 more working days!
6. A good night's sleep!
7. Happiness!
8. Good moods!

Got some glitter to fling? Link up with Band Back Together and share your #DoseOfHappy!

Sunday Sound-Off

Check it out:

1. My dear, dearest friend @daydreaminfool is hilarious. Don't believe me? Read her post on children, rules, and cocaine. No, seriously.
2. Excellent article on Psych Central about The Impact of "Fat Talk" on Kids.
3. The amazing @mmarzipan shares why she doesn't normally talk about Self-Love + Weight Loss.
4. If you haven't heard of @alliebrosh of Hyperbole and a Half, I may start to think you live under a rock. Go read her latest post about her Adventures in Depression.
5. Rick Mercer's rant on Teen Suicide is one of the best things I've seen in a long time:

#GayIsOK

Work it out:

1. Impromptu socializing
2. The Walking Dead (if you're not watching this, you should be!)
3. FOO FIGHTERS! :D
4. Good doctor's appointments
5. Our 5th weekend river walk in a row

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you

I saw this on Positively Present and figured why not?

1. Who was the last person you held hands with?

Chebbar

2. Are you outgoing or shy?

Shy around new people, but outgoing once I get to know them

3. Who are you looking forward to seeing?

Family dinner tomorrow night!

4. Are you easy to get along with?

I think so.

5. Have you ever given up on someone?

Yes. And it hurt. Best thing for both of us, though.

6. Do you enjoy school/work?

Mostly, yes: I enjoy learning.

7. What person do you think about most often?

Chebbar

8. What does your most recent text say?

 Incoming was a request for a phone number; outgoing was said phone number

9. Who did you last speak with for over 30 minutes?

Chebbar

10. Do you believe in good luck?

Mmm, sort of... I believe everything happens for a reason.

11. How do you feel in a big crowd of people?

Uncomfortable and anxious at times

12. What was the best thing that happened this summer?

Concerts!

13. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?

Yer damned skippy I will!

14. Do you think there is life on other planets?

I don't know - I don't like to think about it... lol

15. Do you still think about your first crush/love?

Rarely

16. What bad habits do you wish you could break?

Self-doubt; negative self-talk

17. What's the first thing you do when you wake up?

Turn the alarm off? HA!

18. Did you dream last night? About what?

Yes! SO weird. I dreamed about an ex being distraught over the death of a friend and me offering my condolences; this somehow led him to believe that we were magically back together, and I got home (ALL of my dreams lately involve me living with parents again/still) to find him sprawled out on my bed watching TV. SO WEIRD.

19. Who is the most comfortable person to be around? 

Chebbar

20. What made you happy today?

The surprise sunshine!

21. Which celebrity would you want to date and why?

I don't think I'd date a celebrity

22. Do you enjoy playing sports?

Nope: I wasn't born with the team sports gene. I do enjoy solitary stuff, though (mind you, I doubt walking is considered a "sport")

23. When was the last time you wrote a thank you note?

Pen and paper? I'm not sure. I do send thank you emails, though.

24. Would you rather live without TV or music?

TV hands down - no contest

25. Are you currently keeping a secret from someone?

Nope

26. Do you think age matters?

Regarding what?

27. What was the last store you went into?

Canadian Tire

28. What is your dream job?

Something fun and creative involving organization (party planner? personal shopper?)

29. Do you believe in second chances?

Depends on the person and/or the situation

30. Do you smile at strangers?

Yes, but I've noticed that I can't/won't/don't make eye contact: I'll start off that way, but as soon as I start to smile, my eyes drop... :-s

31. Is your voice quiet or loud?

It can be both depending on whether I'm excited or angry

32. Would you rather go to space or to the bottom of the ocean?

Bottom of the ocean

33. What are you most afraid of?

 Abandonment

34. What is the nicest thing someone ever said to you?

I don't know: I think because I have trouble accepting (believing?) compliments, they don't tend to stick in my brain very long (unlike criticism)

35. Have you done anything you hope no one ever knows about?

Not really - at the time I didn't want anyone to know, but after so many years, who cares?

36. If you could write a book, what would it be about?

 My "misspent" youth?

37. Do you enjoy bubble baths? 

YES! Love them! This is how I take care of myself

38. How would you describe your perfect day? 

A walk at the river in the sunshine; wandering around shopping with Chebbar; dinner out; maybe a movie

39. Would you rather lose your vision or your hearing? 

Oh, god! This is TOUGH. My vision, I guess?

40. What astrological sign are you? 

100% Taurus, baby!

41. Do you know the meaning of your name? 

Yes - it does seem to have two meanings, though

42. Do you prefer indoors or outdoors? 

Outdoors

43. What was the name of your first pet? 

Ruff

44. Do you have a crush on someone right now? 

Chebbar!

45. Where would you travel if you could go anywhere? 

Scotland

46. What do you do during an awkward silence? 

Try to fill it with (awkward) conversation

47. What part of your body do you love most? 

My eyes

48. Who did you last say "I love you" to? 

Chebbar

49. Did you make your bed this morning? 

Nope 

50. Are you who you want to be?

Mostly!

What Can I Do When I'm Unemployed?

If you haven't heard my incessant Chicken Little-stress-whining, I will no longer be employed as of December 2nd. Unrelatedly, I'm on holidays this week, so I'm getting a little taste of what my "new" life will be like. Being up at 6am after Chebbar leaves for school gives me a lot of quiet time to ponder alllll the things I'll be able to do...

• stay up late
• sleep in late
• go back to bed
• nap
• consume nothing but toast and tea all day long
• do yoga
• kick the elliptical's ass
• go for a walk in the middle of the day when it's still light outside
• get sweaty with Billy Blanks
• play Just Dance
• finally try that damned Zumba game for the Wii without fear of someone seeing me
• take a bath in the middle of the day just because I can
• meditate
• blog
• journal
• write
• colour
• draw
• make cards
• learn to knit
• learn to crochet
• learn to use that really expensive gadget I bought months ago that I'm scared to talk about openly lest the photogra-nazis flame me into oblivion
• read (oh, the READING I'll be able to do!)
• devote more time to Band Back Together
• try new recipes
• keep my house clean
• work on my getting my business up and running (now postponed to the New Year, but that's okay!)
• watch movies
• listen to music
• paint my nails
• bake
• play (video) games
• cross stitch
• sew that damned housecoat pattern/material that's been sitting in the closet since I moved in five years ago
• spend more time with family 
• finally put a bright purple/pink/red/blue/random coloured streak in my hair
• contemplate that half-sleeve I've been dreaming about to feed my tattoo addiction
• catch up on Google Reader
• bore you all on Twitter with chatter about what I'm eating for lunch
• pin ALLLLL the things!
• continue annoying people by posting pictures/cartoons/blocks of text on facebook simply because I can
• finally make it to the end of the internet

What am I missing, folks?

Sunday Sound-Off

Shared it:

1. My dear friend @thepsychobabbles explains why it's dangerous to make sweeping generalizations (read: that shit HURTS, yo) in her post I Am The 99% (And Now I Know How You Really Feel)
2. 15 Little Life Instructions that are sure to make you laugh
3. @mooshinindy gets me in the heart-parts yet again with her squashy parts (LOVE this post)
4. October 19th was Love Your Body Day: read Joy Tanksley's list of 25 Ways to Celebrate
5. I don't think there's any sound better than baby giggles - every time this commercial comes on, I can't help but smile

Noted it:

1. Solo grocery shopping because it makes me appreciate Chebbar's company all that more
2. Being goofy together
3. Helpful friends *cough*princessjenn*cough*
4. Trees with red leaves (they're my favourite)
5. Surprise gifts - BAZINGA!

Top 50 Twitter Not-a-Mom(s) Nominations

A few days ago, I started seeing a large number of tweets bemoaning the most recent Top 50 Twitter Moms list because, well, it's rather exclusive - I don't know if you can be nominated if you're a dad, and you don't have a snowball's chance in hell of being nominated if you're not a parent.

My snarky side got the better of me as usual:

 After quite a few positive replies, I decided to put on my shit-disturber pants (even though I did struggle with my feelings that these are just overblown popularity contests). *evil grin*

And then this happened:

So, non-parents: now's your chance to finally make the mediocre list of a small-time blogger that will offer you nothing by way of prize winnings other than making a Twitter list (although, you may get the satisfaction at being able to part of a list that pokes fun at lists)!

Nominations will be open until 12am PST on Saturday October 29, 2011.

Feel free to nominate yourself.

And if you're not already aware of it, the amazing @schmutzie already has an awesome kid-free Twitter list.


Disclaimer: In case you're new here and/or don't know me very well, this is N.O.T. meant to insult, offend, or hurt anyone's feelings. It's meant to a) fill a "need" and b) poke fun at exclusive lists that HAVE insulted/offended/hurt some of the non-parents I adore. Put your pitchforks away. Oh, also? My house = my rules. If you're an ass, you'll be shown the door.

Possibly Unpopular Opinion: #37

#37: If you refer to yourself as a "princess" (and not in that ha-ha-funny I'm-such-a-princess sarcastic way), I will mock you.

Source

When it rains, it seriously pours, dudes

Holy crapbag. Okay, so:

• Last Friday, I learned I will no longer be employed after December 2nd (see kicky ticker to the right! Also? That 45 days is actually only 27 *working* days. O_O).
• That same day, I learned my brother had gotten some really, really shitty news that will negatively affect him for the next year.
• The following day, we learned that the company Chebbar left in order to go back to school will be closing its doors in a couple of months. Whoaaaaa... Dodged a bullet, right?
• Well, sort of: his dad still works there. Yeah.
• Oh, and because he'll need to come up with money, he's looking to sell his house; because he's not sure what he'll be looking at rental-wise, we have to be prepared to get rid of Chebbar's dog. *cries*

• Last night? Taylor's boyfriend's truck was stolen, with pretty much all of his worldly possessions inside: tools, laptop, camera, etc. 
•  

Hey, Universe? If bad things happen in 3's, MY FAMILY IS DONE NOW, WITH A COUPLE TO SPARE, M'KAY? Geesh!

If you need me, I'll be curled in the fetal position under my desk.

Sunday Sound-Off

Shared it:

Source

1. Those lines indicate the plastic surgery Katie Halchishick would have to undergo in order to look like Barbie. Pretty eye-opening(ly, awfully WRONG), no?
2. Daily Kos writes a fantastic letter to that 53% guy.
3. Kit of Blogging Dangerously lets us all know that if her 6-year old can be a girl who CAN, so can the rest of us (this one sure made me stop and think!).
4. Gail Brenner's Stop... Be Still on A Flourishing Life - I see a little bit of all three in me, but I definitely tend to move toward. How about you?
5. This just makes me giggle: Feminist Ryan Gosling.

Loved it:

1. Flannel sheets
2. Pumpkin pie for breakfast
3. Enjoying exercise
4. Foggy mornings
5. New opportunities

On being a responsible adult and... stuff

I totally intended on coming here today to tell you all about how we were responsible adults yesterday and how it kind of sucked, but oh well. (We got a letter from Mazda inquiring if we still owned our 3Sport because they have clients who are interested in the older models (the non-"smiley face" ones). They were offering 0% financing for 84 months on all 2011 models. We hadn't even been THINKING of trading in the car, but figured it wouldn't hurt to hear what they had to say. Well, of COURSE the base models no longer have the fog lights (Chebbar loves them: I'm indifferent), BUT if we bump up to the next trim level, it included the fog lights AND an alarm, so we wouldn't have to install one after the fact!). Lonnnnng story short, they didn't have what we wanted, when we wanted, or for the price we wanted, so we walked. Basically, the Universe was keeping us from getting in over our heads again.)

And then this morning Boss #3 called me into his office. I jokingly asked if I was in trouble, only to have him look at me rather sheepishly and say that it was "worse" than that. O_O Well, his retirement date has been moved up and, well, I won't have a job after December 2nd. (Bosses 1 and 2 do NOT get along and will NOT work together once #3 is gone, so no more business. And that means no more job. It sounds like Boss #1 (who owns the building/property) will keep running, but is going to have a book keeper (his cousin, I'm guessing?) in a couple times a week to "answer the phone" (buh, wut?).)

They've given me six weeks notice and Boss #3 was tripping over himself to let me know that they'll be 100% accommodating as far as holiday pay, vacation days, time off for interviews, etc. - "anything [they] can do to help." He felt REALLY bad: he seems to think this is his fault because it's his retirement that is causing the business to be restructured. (Actually, I'm rather pissed that Boss #1 made him do it, since #1 "promised" to keep me in the loop - and it's only because I was talking about the new car thing yesterday that they even SAID anything to me today (which was pretty damned considerate) - I don't know how long they were going to wait otherwise.)

I ended up telling Boss #3 that I've been thinking about starting a virtual assistant business since this talk started a month ago; while he couldn't speak on behalf of the other two, he said he can certainly see where they would be able to use my services on an as-needed basis, so that might work out for me.

They will lay me off, so I'll be able to collect EI; since I've never been on it in my life, I should max out, both in dollar amount and in length of time I'll receive cheques. It looks like Chebbar's practicum will lead straight into a job. If it does, I'll be able to take the time to make a go of the VA business. HOPEFULLY we'll be fine. I'm pretty sure we will, but y'all KNOW I'm Chicken Little, so I am fighting a "the SKY is falling!!1!one!" moment. Stop. Breathe. Right? We'll be fine.We'll be fine.

Pro Tip: For Men in the Workplace

Pro-Tip #4: It's probably not a good idea to refer to a(nother) woman as being "on her psycho week" in  front of the only female in the office, new guy.

HYC: Week 1

I'm back, hat in hands, tail between my legs. I last updated my Healthy You Challenge at the end of MAY. Yeah, that's worked well for me! *snort*

This time I'll be taking a more holistic approach: making the best food choices I can, checking in to see if I'm really hungry, moving my body in an enjoyable fashion at least three times a week, listening to my body (specifically my back), meditating, and taking care of my mental health and well-being. The last thing I need right now is more stress; however, I know how much of a benefit exercise has, can, and will be for me.

I'm going to get back to tracking on LoseIt, but I'm going to try focusing on maintaining instead of obsessing over how many calories other people are below their goals (holy unhealthy, Batman!). I'm clearing out my progress page and starting over fresh with up-to-date (*gulp*) weight and measurements just for tracking purposes: I will get back to ONLY check once a month. 

I've been EATING! ALL! THE THINGS! lately - not sure if it's the med change, the change in weather/season, comfort eating, or a combination of all of the above, but it's got to stop: I know I'm not hungry, yet I'm stuffing my piehole anyhow. Not cool. Being back at work today has helped because I'm back to my routine (and can only eat what I brought with me). We did a 2km walk at the river yesterday, and I've enlisted my BFF @daydreaminfool to be my twexercise buddy (don't you hate it when people try to mash up word with Twitter/tweet? hehehe); because I need to get a current weight, I'll do the Wii Fit when I get home tonight. 

I'm going to continue meditating every day (I just started a 21-day guided meditation course for healing pain in the hopes I can kick the stress-related back pain). I'll make sure I get my butt in bed by 9:30pm. I'll do my best to make an honest-to-Ceiling-Cat effort at self-care. And I'll remember that I'm doing my best.

Dear me: listen up

Dear Me,

Listen carefully: I have something very important to tell you. YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH. The only person on the planet who seems to think you need to do more/better/faster is you - everyone else in your life is more than happy with your performance. You're the only one who doesn't think you're good enough. You're the only one who thinks that if you fail, they will stop loving you and they will leave you (even after this thought has been disproved time and again).

Stop. Breathe.

You are okay. You're going to BE okay. If you don't have a job after Christmas, you'll get EI. You CAN start - and run - the business you so desire. However, on the off-chance that it doesn't turn out the way you hope or if you find it just isn't a good fit for you, you can look for new work - you seem to have forgotten that this isn't going to leave you homeless and destitute.

Stop. Breathe. 

You and Chebbar are okay. You're going to BE okay. If Chebbar doesn't get on with the company he's doing his practicum with, he'll find work elsewhere. You guys will be flexible with relocating if necessary. Chebbar has told you he'd rather see you be a "happy homemaker" than someone who "pulls her own weight" (YOUR words, not his, FTR) via a job that makes her miserable. You guys will figure this out: you always do because you're a great team.

Stop. Breathe. 

You are inherently beautiful - your soul makes you so. You are kind, compassionate, and empathetic. You are strong, brave, and capable - you can do anything you set your mind to doing. You are perfect exactly as you are in this very moment.

Stop. Breathe.

Life is happening for you, not to you. Trust the universe's plan for you and know it won't bring you more than you can handle. It's okay to not know. You don't have to control everything. You don't have to do it all, nor do you have to do it alone. You have a phenomenal support network of amazing friends who are there for you just as you are there for them. You can do this. You are okay. You are enough. You are loved.

Love,
Me
xoxo

This was written as part of Just Be Enough's "Just Stop" prompt.

Sunday Sound-Off

Read this:

1. Tracie's mother-in-law shares her heartbreaking story of breast cancer, urging women to pay attention to their bodies and to have anything out of the ordinary checked out.
2. The crew at Aiming Low weigh in on social media for babies. What do you think: creepy or not?
3. Amber Dusick will make you cry with her post about her friend, Wendy.
4. These pictures of men posed like pin-up models made my day!
5. Confused about Occupy Wall Street? Check out We Are the 99 Percent to get a better understanding.

Consider this:

1. Getting outside
2. Writing sprees
3. Understanding doctors
4. Interesting propositions
5. Wicked Witch Weather