Ack, I'm Sick, and Other Rantings

So I was minding my own business and out of nowhere, blammo, I'm SICK!!!! Not even a good sick, but a yucky stuffy, all I want to do is sleep sick. Bahhh! I tried my best to get by on just nyquil and sudafed, but that didn't work (though thank you for your suggestion sexy Dr. man). So at 3:30 am I got out of bed after tossing and turning, because each and every time I would get settled in one place, my entire head would stuff up and I was left laying there like a 4 year old mouth breather. So I got my sad sorry ass out of bed and went in search of a 24 hour pharmacy. Let me 'splain a little to you about living in South Jersey. This used to be the land of every and anything you might need open 24 hours is/was within spitting distance. Well now so much anymore. I got out of bed, threw on some clothes (yeah now I look like a hobo chicken lady) and hopped in the car. Hmmm gas tank's on E, better stop for gas. First I'm outraged at the fact that $20 just gets me a little over a quarter tank of gas, and secondly, I'm peeved that in this state I can't pump my own gas. I mean come on people, just because I'm from Jersey and a girl, doesn't mean I can't be trusted to fuel up the road pig. I actually can work one of those new fangled gas pump thing-a-majigs. I feel as though I should at least be given the option, rather than be forced to sit and wait... and wait some more for the gas person to come and service me. These are valuable moments of my life that I will never ever get back! I suppose I was really more irate because I was just unable to breathe through my nose. Hmmmpf, ok, so I've got gas in the car, off to the 24 hour Walgreens to raid their OTC cold and flu section. WTF??? They're closed!!! Hellooooooo when did this happen. I had to toodle along for another 5 miles to find an open CVS. Now I'm looking like a flustered, mouth breathing homeless person. I raid the cold and flu isle like a swashbuckling pirate, and leave the store with my bag of loot. Which includes the forbidden by my Dr. (Love you Dr. K, but I gotta do what I gotta do, and I promise I won't make it a habit) Vicks Ultra Fine Mist, nasal spray. I scurry to my car, bust out the nasal spray and ahhhhh 2 minutes later and I can breathe again.
Now moving on to the back to school ranting. English, no problem, not worried one single bit about that, my Algebra class however... That's another story. To me MATH is a 4 letter word, and I like to avoid it at all costs. I'm not stupid by any means, but me and numbers or formulas or equations, well we just don't get along. My synapses in that part of my brain just don't fire as rapidly as they should. I walk into class on my first day, and shortly thereafter walks in my professor, well, there was a switch up in the teaching department, the professor I was supposed to have is no longer teaching this class. Satan incarnate is. The very first thing he said was that if we have any questions about the material, not to ask, because all that means is we shouldn't be in his class.. JACKASS. This is NOT going to be enjoyable. And it's the only time I can actually take the class. Uhhhg. Who knew Satan was a short, fat, bald, Jewish guy from NY, with a voice like Joe Pesci on helium in any of the Lethal Weapon movies, and a problem with nose blowing, making some god awful clucking throat noise, and uhmm spittle. Please remind me to sit far, far away from the front of the class. Now I'm going to try and sleep for an hour before I get to go back to work!

I've Been Punctured

So.. a few weeks ago I got this idea in my head that I HAD to get my nose pierced. Usually when my inner voice tells me I should do something (and is persistent, no I'm not crazy, and don't actually hear voices..lol) I do what I'm told. I took some time and put it off for a while, since this is the first thing I've had done that is not by invitation only, my tattoo's and other piercing is hidden from the world for the most part, unless I want someone to see them. Since I work in a somewhat conservative field, I really wanted to give it some thought. I ran the idea by one of my boss's a few weeks ago, and he insisted if I was going to do it, I get a proper bone in my nose (jackass), I didn't even mention it to the other Dr, because I'm sure he'd have something to say about it, so honestly I'm hoping to slip it by him when he's having a moment of cerebral flatulence. So today was the big day!!! Craig and I went over to the studio after a late lunch, I am stunned he actually came with me, he only hemmed and hawed about the people at the studio little bit while we were waiting, though we both agreed the piercer was cool. Craig is rather conservative, and quite opinionated, so I made him promise before we got there not to utter the word freak until after we were out of the building and back in my car. Knowing this, I'm actually quite shocked that he was cool about my getting this done. I got the whole happy nervous adrenaline rush of butterflies while waiting (I so love that feeling before any piercing or tattoo's, ok so maybe I am a little off). We made our way back to the piercing room, went over the whole procedure, aftercare, etc. and not but 2 minutes later I was walking out the door the proud owner of a new nose piercing. Now here are my thoughts on why I NEEDED to get this done. Even though I'm working my way through school to get my opticians license, I've always had the desire to do something independent and creative for a living, but lets face it, I've got bills to pay, and I'm not in love with the idea of being a starving/hobo artist. So for me this piercing is my way of keeping what I truly want in perspective. Finding a way to combine my 2 loves, my career in the optical world, and my creativity. I have been newly inspired by some ideas for my future. And this is my everyday, visual reminder, to keep my eye on the prize and work towards making my dreams come true. Oh I also got to see Nicole today :o) I've missed her so, since she's moved to South Carolina. And got my fan-freakin'-tabulous new glasses today. They scream dork, but I love them so!!! It's been a good day all around. Now if only I could get used to blowing my nose with this little bugger (I said bugger not Booger), I'd be set.

Knitty Knitty Bang Bang

First off, thanks to all of you who commented on my not smoking stats. I'm pleased to say that with time the edge is slightly more off than it was a week ago. I'm feeling slightly better (I'm no longer climbing the walls) but I know that it's still a long haul. One day at a time is the only way to think of it.

I had a lovely day yesterday. I got to sleep in, took my time getting dressed and ready in the morning, there were no errands to be done, so it was quite leisurely. I took a trip to one of my favorite places on Earth, the library! I love library's, book stores, etc. I have a thing for any place where there's a lot of any one thing, craft stores, heck, even Home Depot. But I especially love library's. Books make me so very happy, and if I had my way, I would have them stacked to the rafters. However, in my attempt to green up, the library has replaced my book buying for a while. (Unless there is something that I MUST have that a 3 week loan will not take care of). I picked up 2 knitting books with some great ideas for patterns that I'm interested in trying. A few Janet Evanovich books, Middlesex, The Mermaid Chair and Rise and Shine. So between reading and knitting, my free time for the next few weeks is pretty well filled with happiness.

I'm in utter disbelief that school starts up again in a week. This past month has gone by so quickly, my head is still spinning. I'm using this week to get myself used to waking up super early (for me) to deal with Algebra at 8 am twice a week. I'm not at all looking forward to it, but it's only 15 weeks out of my life. Craig has agreed to come over on Wednesdays (my long school + work day) and let Kinsey out to take care of her doggy business. So that's a relief. I have serious Mommy guilt when I leave her alone for too long.

On the knitting side, I've got to get myself together this week. I want to get as much done as possible before school starts, so that means finishing up Craig's scarf, and getting at least half way through my first sock. The momentum from that should keep my procrastinating self going. So I'll be toting my knitting along to work, and any spare time I have over the next week, I'll be knitting my fingers to the bone. Pictures of FO's (Finished objects) to come. Happy Tuesday!

If It Were Thursday

Or any other work day really. I'd still be sleeping. I can't be the only one with this affliction. Waking up WAY too early on my days off, but having to be drug out of bed kicking and screaming on work days. I just can't figure why I have to wake up at 4:30 am.

Monday Afternoon Stats

Andrea - Smoke free for Five Days, 15 Hours and 48 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 11 Hours, by not smoking 141 cigarettes that would have cost me $44.92.
My skin is still crawling, I want to do nothing more than sleep, but I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the first week tunnel.

Rib-it, Rib-it

Nooo not like ribbed for her pleasure. More like frogged for his pleasure. I was really just about an hour away from finishing Craig's simple garter stitch scarf, and decided that even though it was nice, it didn't do justice to the YUMMY yarn I'm making it from. So I sat and just started ripping, quick like a band-aid, watching all my work unravel and get wound back into a ball to start from scratch.

On another note this not smoking/detox thing sucks ass. I feel worse right now than I ever felt smoking. And this has probably been physically the worst quit I've ever gone through. Usually I feel fine, just go a little mental. This time, I've not gone crazy in the head, but my entire body is out of whack.

I'm off to find a pattern that I'll be happy with, and get to knitting this scarf all over again!

2 Down

So far on my list of resolutions, I've gotten 2 down...lol . The first, I've not had a cigarette since 1:00 am 1/2/08. And second thing down, I actually finished something I started. My not smoking has me knitting with abandon. I'm finishing up Craig's scarf and I finished my very first knitted hat. YAY ME! My next project...dun dun dun... I'm going to take on sock knitting. Wish me luck with that. I've got to get the scarf done first before I'll allow myself to cast on for the socks. Since I'm practically drooling over the beautirific sock yarn I bought last week, I'm hoping to finish up this scarf today. I've taken tomorrow off, whooo hooo not too many Saturdays off in my life. In hopes to finish painting my apartment, but I'm stuck on the color for my kitchen, I'm between several options. So for now my paint chips are all taped to my wall and I keep glancing at them to see what strikes me. In the meantime, Here's my cute little hat (and me of course) notice the matching scarf, uh-huh, I've been busy.

Happy 2008

Ok, so here's where I'm supposed to write down all my new year, new me resolutions and whatnot. I suppose that mine are the same as so many other people out there, lose weight, get healthy, quit smoking, get organized, get out of debt, figure out what the hell to do with my relationship with Craig, etc. A part of me feels like that saying these things is just really scratching the surface. I mean anyone can say they're going to do something, and start with the very best of intentions, however actually digging in and getting these things accomplished are quite often more difficult. I think that this year in order to actually succeed with what I have on my resolution list, I actually need to sit down and work out a very detailed plan as to how I'm going to approach each of these issues, something that will make them more attainable, rather than jump in with both feet. So my only immediate resolution is to create a game plan for the other resolutions to follow :o) See, simple, easy step.

When I look back at how much I accomplished in 2007, I'm really quite amazed and inspired by myself. Even though I didn't manage to complete what I had originally set out to do, (hence the same resolutions this year) I did make some pretty big changes. I have become much more green, and aware of my personal impact on the environment. I've cut out almost all of the chemicals I was using in my home and on my person, opting for more natural and greener products. I've stopped using paper towels for cleaning, going for microfiber cleaning cloths. I've switched over most of my light bulbs to compact florescent bulbs. I've been diligent about recycling and picking up litter around the complex when I'm out on walks with Kinsey. I've made an effort to buy less and reuse/re purpose more. On a personal level, I've gotten to the point in my relationship with Craig that if he doesn't get his issues together and worked out, that I'm ready to move on. I've not been able to say this until now, but I do know that I'll be alright without him if that's what needs to happen. The biggest thing I accomplished in 2007 was getting my GED and going back to school. I never ever would have thought at the start of last year that I would be doing that. But I'm happy with my decision to do it, and my actually doing it. I'm also thrilled to bits that I got a B in Algebra :o)

The rest of my plans for my resolutions will follow as I work out how I'm actually going to tackle these issues. In the meantime, I'm going to make the most of the rest of my evening off before heading back to the grind tomorrow.