I have a few quacks to give

At this point, every one and there brother has heard of the whole Duck Dynasty debacle.  Normally, I try to keep my mouth shut when it comes to controversial topics like this, simply because I don't like the drama.  However, every once in a while I get so annoyed that I just can't keep my mouth shut any longer, this would be one of those times.

First of all, it is a well known fact that the whole Robinson clan is full of conservative Christians.  So, is it really any surprise to anyone what his answer was when a secular magazine asks him what his stance is on homosexuality?  (Kinda like the time people boycotted a fast food restaurant that isn't even open on Sundays... but that's old news by now)  We all knew that he would be anti-gay.  So, stop acting so shocked.
With that being said, I am not here to argue semantics as to weather or not a lifestyle is right or wrong.  I have my convictions, but that is not what this post is about.  Phil has every right to express his beliefs.  However, he could have done so in a more loving manner.  So, that's where my support for him ends.  When it comes to a topic as personal and sensitive as homosexuality, it should be approached with more care than just saying "so where would I put my junk?".

The thing that upsets me the most about a lot of Christians these days, is that they are always crying about being persecuted.  Maybe we are reading different Bibles, but I am pretty sure that no where does it say that being a Christian will be loads of fun and every one will love you for you beliefs.  In fact, my Bible say the exact opposite.  So, maybe instead of making all the "AMEN Phil!" memes, and boycotting A&E, we should be doing things that will actually express the love of Christ.  Like working in a soup kitchen on Christmas (how glamours!), or participating in Angel Tree (yes, inmates would like their kids to get a gift from them on Christmas morning, too), or even just inviting an "outcast" over to join your family for dinner (don't worry if they stain the table cloth, that's what washers are for). To me that's really what being a Christian and sharing the gospel is all about.

 You know what else my Bible says?  To speak the truth in love.  So many miss those last two words. I've been guilty of it myself.  I think Phil missed it, too.  Like I said, I am all for Phil expressing his beliefs.  But, an evangelistic agenda spoken with offensive statements is not love.  It is not glorifying God, and it certainly will not bring any non-believers to your side.  Think about it, who in their right mind would want to become a Christian if that is how they treat people?  If Phil (and any other Christian out there) really wants to bring people to Christ, than love needs to be brought back into his message.

And with that, I believe I am done with blogging in 2013.

I am glad there are still good people in the world

I have lived in Rochester for going on 10 years now (yes, that does make me feel old).  The thing about living downtown is that often times you do not get off street parking.  Combine that with a snowy city, and you get a very messy parking situation.  

Finding parking can be a pain at times, but I knew that would be the problem when we agreed to rent this apartment, so I can't complain.  For the most part, I have been pretty lucky with the whole parking on the street thing... until this past Wednesday.

Tuesday had been a particularly snowy evening (like this whole week has been), so I gave myself a little extra time to clean off my car before I left for work on Wednesday morning.   I go to unlock my door and I notice that there was a note stuck in the handle.  I skim the note and began to panic.  Someone hit my parked car last night!  Not just a little ding or scratch that I could live with, but it was flat out crushed.  The guy left his name and phone number and asked me to call him.

 I was expecting it to be a fake number, but it wasn't!  The guy had already called his insurance company and filed a claim.  All I had to do was bring my car into the body shop and the rest was on them.  I was pleasantly surprised.

The whole situation got me thinking about society and how we view other people.  I will admit that I am the first to assume the worst in people.  But not everyone is a rotten person, not everyone is "out to get you".  The guy that hit my car was so upset.  He said he knocked on a few doors and tried to find me because he felt bad leaving without talking to me.  It gave me a new outlook, and I have been challenged to first look for the good in people, instead of assume the worst.  So maybe, this little situation was actually a blessing in disguise.

A few things

I feel like there is way too much to update you on and nothing to update you on all at the same time.  BUT, I do have photos for you for once. When does that happen anymore?

Drinking a Long Island Iced tea in a swanky lounge, overlooking the city of Chicago makes me feel both old and classy.  I can't say I hate it.  (But I can say I have turned into a lush... I only got half way through that LIT)

I have concluded that when I am rich (also known as never), I will have a jelly fish tank in my house.  I could watch this guy swim for hours!

The only thing I like about flying, is that I can see an aerial view of my city when I am coming home.  Everything else about flying I hate!  I am a nervous wreck, and about 50% of the time, I have to steal my neighbor's barf bag.

For the first time that I can remember, I am actually excited about eating healthy foods.  I have never been a huge health nut, and I am not athletic by any stretch, but things are slowly starting to change for me.  Dean says I watch too many food documentaries on Netflix, but I don't see anything wrong with that.  For once I am craving veggies instead of fried meat.  Since this small turn of events, I have lost 20 lbs in 6 months. I have a lot more to go, but considering I wasn't really trying and just making a few more healthy choices I think I can do it.  

That is... as long as I am not left alone in Wegman's (AKA the best grocery store in the world) when I am hungry.  Last night I stopped in after work to get butter to make cookies (yes I know that sounds oxymoronic after talking about healthy choices, but they were for work).  Butter was the only thing I needed.  Somehow I manged to leave the store with yogurt, protein bars, tea, a lunchable (I never eat those!), Shells and Cheese, Oreos, pudding, candy canes, gum, and... not butter.  Don't worry, I was still able to make my cookies because dean went to the corner store for me.  Mostly because he was afraid that I would spend an extra $50 if I went back for butter.

It's Finally Friday!

I feel like this Friday has taken extra long to get here. I even took a sick day this week and I still feel like I have been in my office forever.  I really felt the need to blog today, but my head is still too stuffy for me to think straight, so I am joining a link up.  Here are 5 things that I have wanted to write about, but haven't had the time or energy to make a real post.


ONE. I hate Black Friday.  As many of you know, I am a all about getting killer deals and paying almost nothing for retail things. (maybe some day I will write a quick tutorial about it).  But I hate black Friday.  It saddens/angers me that important holidays are being lost in a commercialized haze.

TWO. Have you ever just known without a doubt that you should do something?  That's how I feel about being a mother.  I know that I was made to be a mother.  Needless to say, the baby bug has bitten me.  logically and monetarily. is it wise for me to have a child right now?  Maybe not, but we wait until every little thing is in place, then we would be waiting forever.

THREE. This one totally ties into #2 (I told you I have baby fever).  How do all the working moms out there do it?  How can you afford to pay for childcare and put food on the table?  The cost of childcare makes it almost not worth working!.... yet another reason we should maybe wait for a kid...

FOUR. Balancing Holiday as a married person pretty much sucks.  Thankfully, my mother is super understanding and could care less if we celebrated Christmas on the 25th or the 10th.  She is just happy to spend time with us.  Dean's family is all about HUGE gatherings and traditions.   It's a little overwhelming for this Scrooge-like only child.

FIVE.  I wish I wasn't afraid of change.  Dean desperately wants to move to Europe or at least the northern west coast.  To me, the thought of having to start all over in a new place without knowing anyone scares the crap out of me!  Even if on paper it looks better.

Dogs and Waffles Don't Mix.

It's no secret to me that the majority of my better posts are stories about my animals.  What can I say?  It just happens that way.  This time is no exception.

Saturday morning I had the brilliant idea of making waffles for breakfast. Cause really, who doesn't like waffles?  Dean was already in bed, so there was no way that I was going to make a whole batch.  I halved the recipe and expected  to get about 3 waffles out of it.

I mixed all three of the ingredients together (yes, I used a mixed, I know - how undomesticated of me), and started pouring the mix into my waffle iron.  As I am pouring, it appears that all of the batter will fit.  Foolishly I thought "awesome, now I won't have left overs", instead of "this should have made 4 waffles".  I put the mixing bowl in the sink and tuned around to see the batter oozing out of the waffle iron, like a volcano at a fourth grade science fair.

It was a hot mess.  It started dripping down the cabinet to the floor faster than I could find the paper towels.  That's when Faust thought it would be fun to lick up what was on the floor.  The only problem with that, is that more batter was on it's way down.  In a time frame of maybe 30 sec, my dog was covered in waffle batter.  his whole ear, is collar, and a few drops on his face.  He was a mess, but at least he was a cute mess.

Yes, I was bribing him with a Milk Bone.  How else do you get a non-blurry photo of a 8 month old puppy?

Wimpy still thinks he is a dog.

Yes, I know I am not a mother yet, but...

It has always annoyed me when people find a way to dismiss my opinion about something.  My opinions are exactly that, mine.  Just because you disagree with me, does not make my opinions any less valuable.  Lately I have found that a lot of younger mother's completely disregard my opinions when it comes to parenting. It all started with a Facebook post that I mentioned last week.  Frankly, it pisses me off.

I don't know how to say this with out sounding completely full of myself, so I am just going to say it.  For  a young woman who doesn't have any children of her own yet, I know a whole heck of a lot about kids. For as long as I can remember I have been drawn to children and have purposely  made an effort to be around them.  I was a summer nanny when I was 15 for 4 kids, a camp counselor, a children's ministry director, a regular baby sitter, ect.  So, when some one tells me that I "don't understand" something because I haven't given birth, it hurts me.  

Now, I am not claiming that I will be the world's greatest mother.  I understand that there will be challenges and new learning experiences along the way.  And I am fully expecting to feel emotions I have never experienced before.  But please don't tell me "I don't get it".  Just because I haven't experienced childbirth or motherhood yet, does not mean that I do not understand the importance of the emotional impact it will have on my life.

A good friend of mine put it this way, "people tend to get cocky with the things they have had to learn though experience that they didn't know before.  Especially if it is in a field such as children that they knew nothing about before they had to."  I completely agree.  If mommy wars are this bad before I am even expecting, I can only imagine how much worse they will get!

I will get off my soap box now, but please keep that in mind  people's opinions are valuable, and adding a smiley face to your blunt and insulting comment, doesn't make it any less insulting.  

What I would rather be doing.

Halloween is not really my favorite holiday.  When I was a kid it was cool, but as an adult there is really no point to it.  I am not huge in to parting anymore, and it annoys me when people come to my door.  I am sure that when I have children I will get into it again.  In the mean time, there are plenty of things I would rather be doing than celebrating Halloween.

ONE.  Watch Boy Meets World.

I was so annoyed with Netflix for not having this on instant stream.  But my awesome husband downloaded it for me two weeks ago and I am over half way through the series.

TWO. Plan my trip to Chicago to visit Meg

Less than 6 days until I am united with this crazy lady.  Watch out Windy City - we will be running a muck soon!

THREE. Not answering my door
We live on the second story.  Every time some one knocks on the door its a big production to go down stairs, open the doors, and make sure the dog stops barking.  Not to mention, Candy is freakin expensive!  I just spend $14 on two bags of candy and a stupid plastic pumpkin head. I'd rather put my money in my closet where I can see it.

Basically, I don't like holidays. Yes I know, I am the biggest anti-blogger there is.  Just wait until I start ranting about Christmas!

I don't understand....

I am going to go against the blogger trend here and say that I really don't understand birth photography.  I just feel like this is a traditionally behind-closed-doors event for a reason.  I posted something like this on Facebook last night and I accidentally started a bit of a debate.  Don't get me wrong, I will most definitely want photos of that event...taken by my husband. And don't expect me to share them all over social media.

I was told that I should wait to judge such an event until after I have children and then see if I don't get it.  It really bothers me when people assume that I don't know what I am talking about when it comes to children/being a mother simply because I am not one yet.  Yes, I understand that there will be a lot of new experiences for me. But, when it comes to opinions, my are still valid.

I digress.

The point is that birth photography is a trend I just don't understand.  But then again, there are a lot of trends I don't understand.

like peep toe boots...

If is it chilly enough to wear boots, why would you want your toes exposed?

Or exaggerated winged eye liner

We are not in Egypt in 500 BC.  There is no need to draw lines on your face.

or why Bit Strips are suddenly all over Facebook

Can someone explain this to me?  Why is it fun?

And please don't get me started on hashtags or fantasy football.  

But what I really really really don't understand, is why people think that Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes are good.  Dunkin's PSL's are a million times better!  No overly sweet chemical taste in those (much cheaper) cups!

I'll take purple over pink

It's October.  That time of year when you buy a pink colored product that has breast cancer causing chemicals from a company that donates a minuscule amount to charity.  It's also that time of year where Facebook annoys the crap out of me with silly little pranks disguised as awareness.  Because, you know, there are so many people unaware that breast cancer exists.  Oh - don't let the guys in on that game! Is this helpful in any way? Am I a “spoil sport” for refusing to play along? Are we hiding this “TRUTH” from the men because we don’t want them to know that men can get breast cancer too?   There is always something better you could be doing.  I know I sound a bit cynical. I am not saying that breast cancer is no big deal.  To the people effected by it, it could be life changing.   I am just tired of people patting themselves on the back for buying a bag of potato chips with pink packaging and thinking they saved the world.  

What I am passionate about is October being Domestic Violence Awareness month.  But, that gets no where near the time, money, or attention that it should. Did you know that 1 in every 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime? That's a lot! That's double the amount of women who will get breast cancer.  Yet, domestic violence gets looked over all the time.  

Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another. It is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. Violence against women is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior, and thus is part of a systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence results in physical injury,
psychological trauma, and sometimes death. The consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and truly last a lifetime.

That's why I will be wearing a purple ribbon in October, not a pink one.  

The quickest year of my life.

This time last year I was on my way to my hairdressers to get my wedding hair done.  That and the cake were the only professional things that were done for our whole wedding.  It was beautiful.  Having a small, intimate ceremony, was one of the best choices of my life.

I was able to actually enjoy things.  I wasn't rushed or stressed all day.  I didn't feel like I was forgetting anything because there was nothing to forget.  I didn't spend a small fortune on a single day, and the end result was still the same.  I became Mrs. Gootee.  There have a been a small handful of times that I was sad about not having a big fancy wedding, but in the end, I am still glad we did things the way we did.

People often say that the first year of marriage is the hardest.  I haven't been married for more than a year, so I can't say if that is true for us or not. But i am looking forward to finding out.  We did get off to a pretty rocky start.  A hospital room is not exactly an ideal honeymoon location.  I am pretty sure if we can take that blow just two days after our wedding, we can pull through most anything.

Happy Anniversary, Babe!  One down and a lifetime to go!

Changes that bring peace

If you read my last post , you may think that I have been feeling pretty down lately.   You may be right to an extent.  I have set goals for myself, and I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew. Some times I can be a bit of a dreamer.  I have yet to decided if that is a fault, or an asset.  Sometimes, it can open up the door for disappointment.

Sometimes, learning to be content means learning to admit when you are not able to do something and accept it.  Because of that, I have decided to change #2 on my "30 by 30" list.  instead of "complete a 10k", my new goal is to have a regular work out routine.  I am not going to beat myself up about it.  I am not going to put myself down and say that it is because I am lazy that I cannot run.  The fact is, that this time last year I very well could have died.  To think that I could get out there and start running miles like it was no big deal was rather ambitious of me, to say the least (my doctor said that too, but I didn't tell you guys).

Just because I cannot run miles, dose not mean that I cannot exercise at all.  In fact, small, low key work outs are good for me (duh).  So, that is what I am going to start doing.  I can start walking or doing yoga without an issue.  And then eventually work my way up (key word being eventually).  I have decided to look at this positively.  Instead of having an attitude of "I suck so bad I can't make my goals" I am going to look at this as learning to make changes so that my goals are attainable, enabling me to do more.

There are already some things on my 30 by 30 list that are complete.  Maybe some day I will get around to blogging about them.

Choosing to be content

I know that I have been a little more quite that I normally am.  When Dean asked me if I had been keeping up with blogging I said "no, no one really cares to read about my boring life."  He looked a little puzzled when he asked "so, all the people that you read about don't have regular lives?".  He had a point.  I wanted to give him a snarky reply.  Tell him that unlike the people I follow, I'm not pregnant, or buying a house, or have a cute kid, I'm not even doing fun things in a new relationship.  I'm certainly not about to amaze you with my fashion sense, or DIY skills.  Instead I just said "guess not", and buried my head further into my book. The thing is, I lied.  Some of my favorite blogs to read are written by girls in the same boat as me, who are happy with their lives - or at least embracing the stage of life they are in.  

A few weeks ago a good friend of mine sent me a link to this bog. She said it sounded like something she has heard me say a few times, and thought I would enjoy the read.    She was right.  It did sound like something I would have said.  Lately, I have really needed the reminder.  

Life isn't a race to see who has kids first or who can make their home look the most "blog worthy".We shouldn't be competing with each other.  Along those lines, I shouldn't be beating myself up because "I have nothing to blog about" (for the record, I would have plenty to blog about if I would stop feeling sorry for myself.).  I need to choose to find the beauty and joy in my own life.  Because if I don't, I will just continue to feel sorry for myself even after I have a baby or buy a house. You see, the root of the issue isn't that I have an incredibly boring  life. The root of the issue is discontentment.  

When I take a step back and look at my life objectively, I have so much to be thankful for.  I can just look at the circumstances of my childhood and see where I am now, and I know that I have a blessed life. Who am I to turn my nose up at God's blessings?  I have a roof over my head, a well paying job with full benefits and a flexible schedule, a loving husband who would do anything for me, amazing friends who encourage me and build me up.  I could go on and on. If I am content in this wonderful life I have been given, then I will have no need to envy anyone else's life.  I am learning to take full advantage of the joys that I have in my life, because if I don't, I will end up missing out on so much happiness.   

My favorite day of the week.

Sundays have been my favorite day of the week for at least 15 years.  At first it was because my mother started going to church and I had a reason to wear a pretty dress.  As a teenager, it was because I got to see my best friends that didn't attend my school.  In college, it was because I had shorter work shift and the best cafeteria meals.  Now, in my adult years (that seems so weird to type), it is because of the amazing fellowship with awesome people and their children.

Sadly, I am not in this photo because I am taking it

Every Sunday, Dean comes home from work at about 8:20 in the morning.  I will get up and have some quite time to myself and maybe do some light house work.  Then around 1:30 (or later), we make our way over to 11 Nelson street with the pupper.


It can be chaotic to say the least.  The children out number the adults by two, and we add a dog to the mix.  Usually there is a child or two screaming, a Disney movie playing,  and the back door slamming while the adults enjoy a good beer, play cards, and discuss everything from our relationship with the Lord to our latest Dumpster Dive haul.  It is loud, but we keep coming back week after week, because this is family.

I may be an introvert, but at the end of a Sunday afternoon turned evening (we always stay for dinner when we only plan on lunch), I feel refreshed, and loved.

Something about bananas... and no I am not pregnant.

Have you ever woken up and been really confused?  I'm not talking about waking up when you don't want to and being confused as to why you thought a 5 am work out is a good idea.  I mean really truly confused.  Can't figure out if you just had an intense dream or if that really happen to you and you are remembering it now.  Well, that was me yesterday and it threw off my entire day.

I remember getting into the shower thinking I had a really great Facebook status update.  All I can remember was that it was going to be something about my new appreciation of bananas with a disclaimer at the end to nip any rumors of little Gootees in the bud.  For the record, I hate bananas.  I despise them actually.

I didn't even know that my cat was there until I went to fill my water glass and he scared me half to death.

My head was still foggy while I was showering and I some how ended up washing my hair with conditioner and "conditioning" Dean's body wash.  Needless to say I had a really bad hair day.  Also, my contacts decided to hate me, so what little eye makeup I could get on my face, was quickly smeared.  The result of greasy and frizzy hair (didn't know that combo was possible until yesterday) paired with my raccoon eyes, made me look like I was in the middle of a serious emotional breakdown all day.  I received sympathetic stares from the maintenance man at my office building as I was walking in, and the coffee cart guy gave me an extra shot of espresso, I won't complain.

To top of my strange day, I accidentally called my boss dad, and I wore pants that I forgot needed mending, causing it to look like my fly was down all day.  So that would be why my post yesterday was really a myspace survey last min link up.  Because thinking and typing are hard. sometimes.

This or That? with Whit and Erin

I had a blog post started for today, but it is not really polished.  Then I stumbled across this spur of the moment link up and deiced to hop on that train instead.  You can play to if you'd like.  Just go over to Erin and Whitney's pages and link up
Vacationing in Florida or vacationing in NYC: Vacationing in Florida.  I already live in the state of NY, and have been to NYC eleventy-billion times.  A week of Sunshine will do nicely please. iPhone or Droid: iPhone please.  Admittedly, I am a tad annoyed with apple for making my iOS 7 take forever to download.  But, I will be over it as soon as I see all the pretty new icons.  NSYNC or Backstreet Boys: NSYNC. They were the sound track of my childhood. Being forced to delete Facebook or being forced to delete Twitter: Facebook, I would miss it, but I have already come dangerouly close to deactivationg my account anyway.  Fireball or Miller Lite: I am a beer snob.  it kinda sucks for my wallet.  So that means Fireball all the way. Full House or Family Matters: Full House.  Duh.  How is this even a question? Dumbledore or Gandalf: This isn't even a serious comparison. Dumbledore.  Although I didn't get into Harry Potter until my early 20's. Dying Easter eggs or Carving pumpkins: I would have to say carving pumpkins, even though Easter Eggs are more fun to me.  Just because I love fall more than spring. NFL or NCAAF: NCAAF.  Any sport is better if school pride is involved.  A hangover forever or sobriety forever: Sobriety.  The rare times I do get a hangover, it is hell.  I must be getting old. January or July: July!  Summer BBQ's and beach days completely trump upstate NY's winters.  Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus: If I am going to be forced to pick one, I would have to go with Hannah Montana because it is easier to ignore.  Shark Week or Fashion Week: Well I don't pay for cable, so I guess fashion week. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or Saved by the Bell: Fresh Prince hands down.  If you asked me this question 10 years ago, my answer would have been different.   Britney or Christina: Christina has her crap together and dealt with fame gracefully. Burrito or Burrito Bowl: Burrito bowls are so much easier to eat. Reading blogs on your phone or reading blogs on your computer: Computer.  Reading them on my phone makes my eyes tired. Angelina or Jennifer: Jennifer. She is my girl crush Doug Funny or The Rugrats: This is the hardest question yet.  I will have to say Doug, because it's harder to find to watch again.  An open mouth chewer or a heavy breather: Heavy breather. I already hear that all day from CC, so I have learned to block it out.   Wow that was long and kinda reminded me of Myspace.  I just posted something like that not to long ago, I promise I will be a real blogger again soon.

Lack of Motivation Friday

You guys, I just booked my ticket to see my long lost BFF in Chicago!  Only 54 more days to go!  Ahh!! I cannot wait to see her!! Because of this excitement I really can't seem to focus on a post today.  So I decided to do something that would be brainless.  I logged in to Facebook and  found an old survey from 2010.  There were even older ones, but this one was shorter, and I seem to have the attention span of a puppy today.  So, let's see how much I have changed in three years, shall we?

A picture from 2010...drunken nights on a playground.

Are you dying to take off your clothes?

Then: ha no! it's Feb....brrr

Now:  As soon as I get home it's yoga pants time

Where is the person who has your heart at the moment?

Then: I still have a hold of it believe it or not

 Now: I was such a liar!! I would have to say that my heart is scattered about the world right now, but I am wise enough to put it in safe places.

Is your room ever clean?

Then: when I have done the laundry it is

 Now: Also a lie!  And I would say more often than not the bedroom is the messy room in the house.

Have you kissed the last person you texted?

Then: Sorry, Holly and I just don't do that

 Now:  I just text Dean, so yes.

Are you planning to get knocked up or knock someone up by age 17?

Then: I made it past 17

 Now: Still true

What are your plans for tomorrow?

Then: Finding a padded room and a helmet since the Steeler's are playing in the Superbowl and I always end up in the Er when they do (true story read it here)

Now: Maybe a trip to the market and some serious house cleaning.. what a lavish life I live.

Told your parents you were going somewhere but went somewhere else?

Then:...maybe...

Now: I feel like this question does not apply at the age of 27 or 24 really

Do you really like someone right now?

Then: I do

 Now: Sure do, maybe not as many as before. 

What were you doing at midnight last night?

Then: snugglin into a nice warm bed

 Now: some things never change

What happened at 10:00 AM?

Then: Chai tea and gettin around

Now: just booked my flight to see my Meg-a-licious!!

Do you drink coffee?

Then: obsessively

Now: duh

Last time you saw your dad?

Then: High School Graduation...7 years ago :(

Now: haven't seen him since.  Only now it is 9 years ago :(

Did your parents spoil you as a child?

Then: Dad yes, only cause he didn't know what else to do with me

Now: same answer applies

If you walk by a mirror, will you check yourself out in it?

Then: I think we all do subconsciously 

Now: There is one in my living room I walk by daily and I always forget it is there.

Do you, or are you supposed to wear retainers?

Then: never needed to

Now: Thankfully I have a really good bite and never had to have braces

Last person you went swimming with?

Then: oh wow.... Becky and Christian I think

Now: Dean, like two years ago

If you were given the chance to go to Paris, would you go?

Then: Heck yes!

Now: Duh

Regular Cheetos or hot?

Then: Regular

Now: no thanks

How's the weather outside?

Then: I can't tell if it's snow or rain.

Now: cold and rainy

Spell your name without an E:

Kati or Kathln

What was the last thing you ate?

Then: a slice of heavenly cheesecake from a cute place on the corner

 Now: oatmeal for breakfast

Did you sleep alone last night?

Then: nope.

Now: yes, Dean worked last night... and I am trying to remember who it was that was in my bed ?!?

What were you doing at 8 this morning?

Then: sleeping in :)

Now: driving to work

Is there a person in your life that can always make you smile?

Then: I am blessed to have a few actually

Now: Still happy to know a few

What are you listening to right now?

Then: Sweeny Todd Soundtrack actually

Now: no music, sometimes silence is golden.

Did you kiss or hug anyone today?

Then: yup

Now: Yes

When is your birthday?

May 18th

Name something you are doing today?

Then: well today's over so nothing
Now: leaving work and taking the dog to the park.

What is the last thing you did before you went to bed last night?

Then: smiled. :)
Now: kissed Dean before he went to work

What was for dinner last night?

Then: I don't remember but I remember it was yummy
Now: Lentil soup... kinda.  Dean's attempted resulted in lentil mush

What will you be doing in the next 2 hours?

Then: sleeping
Now: starting my last hour of work for the week.

You think you've got me pinned

I have stopped jumping on the blogging challenge bandwagons because I always fall of off them pretty quickly.  However, today's topic really sparked my interest, so I went for it.

Monday, September 9: Take this short personality test and respond to your results. (at the end, find the detailed profile of your personality account - click "click to view" under "You" and "self awareness and personal growth." You can even google your type and find more info on it!)

I have taken this little test in the past (or one like it), but I always forget what my results are.  Oh, and for the record, I don't consider 72 questions to be short.  The way these things are designed they make you favor one thing over another.  I always over think my answers, so I end up feeling like it is not accurate. I ended up as a ISFJ, and even the test said basically said it was a guess. 

Notice how it says "slight. Marginal or no" preference?  Yeah, even a personality test can't seem to figure me out.  

When I read the portrait of an ISFJ,  I agreed with a lot of what it was saying.  But I believe that it could fit a lot of people who don't actually fall into the ISFJ category.  I feel the same way about horoscopes too.  They are written to fit a broad range of individuals personality tests ask questions to get you in a smaller box, and I am not sure how I feel about having a label slapped on me.  But I guess it is cool to be in the same category as Robin Roberts.     

Ultimately, of you want to get to know me, I guess you will just have to spend time with me.  

Do these things if you want me to delete you on Facebook.

I have gone back and forth on deactivating my Facebook account numerous times.  I always end up keeping it and just going on a huge friends binge instead.  The internet is already loud enough.  I don't need to subject myself to even more chaos by remaining friends with people that annoy me.  So what will make me banish you from my book of faces?  A few things (that are actually really easy to not do).

ONE. All of your status updates are about politics and/or religion.  

Okay, we get it!  You hate Obama and abortion.  Even if I agree with you on these topics, that's not why I am on Facebook.  You will get the boot even faster if you express these very original thoughts with internet memes.  

TWO. You are constantly complaining about the drama that surrounds your life.  

I don't really care what your baby daddy did or didn't do.  Or that your exBFF had the nerve to be at the same place at the same time as you.  If your life is always surrounded by drama, maybe you should look for the common denominator (that's you, FYI).

THREE.  You believe your opinions/way of doing things are the only correct ones. 

This is the thing that pushed me over the edge today.  Don't comment on one of my status updates and say that "you could never do that.." implying that you are such a better person than me.  Especially if we haven't spoken face to face in over 10 years and we weren't even that close then.  You don't know the background of the story.  Not to mention that you have made plenty of questionable choices in your life.  End rant.  

FOUR. The only thing you talk about are your life struggles, even in your comments on other's posts.  

I am a huge fan of people being real on social media.  But there is a fine line of being real and being an attention hungry Debbie downer.  For example, if I say something about my love of peanut-butter cups, there is no need to leave a comment like "too bad I can't eat them or they will kill me".  I am sorry you have allergies, but lets not be dramatic.  

FIVE. You post daily status updates with your agenda.  

Are you going to do something fun this afternoon and you want to tell your friends?  Cool, post away.  But if you are posting your daily menu and list of errands you have to do after work, I really don't care.

If you repeatedly have done two or more of these things, I have (or will soon) unfriend you. I may not be able to control your actions, but I get to decide if I want to be subjected to them.   

Sometimes I feel sorry for myself. And sometimes I ramble.

Let's just put this out there: I suffer from social anxiety.  Meeting new people is actually really hard for me.  When I was younger it was so much easier for me.  Unlike most teenagers, I found it really easy to be outgoing and make friends.  Now that I am an adult... not so much. I am not sure what it was that changed that.  But the fear of rejection is so much stronger now that I am an adult (if you want to call it that).  Thank God I am not single, because the thought of going on a true first date make me break out in a cold sweat.

Because of this anxiety, I have a hard time making new friends.  As soon as I typed that I laughed a little because I do have new friends, they are just not the kind of friends I would expect to have.  Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for those friendships, it's just not what I pictured.  All of the new friends I make now are through Dean, or friends I already have.  This means that I end up playing nerdy games, or talking about child rearing.  I feel like I lack friends who are in the same stage of life as me.  And that makes me feel lonely.

It's funny how this post turned out.  I was scrolling through some of my old Facebook posts from when I was sick after my wedding.  So many people commented on my wedding photos leaving their congratulations and well wishes.  Then there were hundreds of people telling me they were praying for me when I was ill, and following my recovery process.  The fact that so many people cared was what started the though process of this post.   I didn't expect it to be such a rambling and mishmash of thoughts.

I don't really have a good way to wrap this up.  I am pretty sure this is the most incoherent post I have ever written.  Maybe I should have waited until my thoughts were a little more clear to post this, but I really needed to get it out.  I am sure I am not the only person who has ever felt this way, and I am sure I will not be the last.  Anyway, this is me ending an awkward post now...

Tell me again. Why do I have a pets?

Remember this cute little guy?  Remember how he is actually the most destructive cat I have ever encountered?  Well people, he did it again.  This adorable little fur ball turned my morning into quite the affair. Granted, it wasn't all his fault.  This morning was rough all around, but he surly kicked my "bad morning" into "hellish morning".

Also, every time I see that bathroom window I cringe.  I am SO glad we moved!

For starters, Dean is out of town for a few days, so my routine is all ready thrown off.  When I woke up I realized that the bed smelled like pee, even though it was dry (a mystery I still haven't solved).  And Faust of course did not stay at the foot of the bed like he should have.  So, I didn't even get to enjoy one round with the snooze button before I had to start stripping the bed.

Then I take Faust for his morning walk.  The whole time he refuses to "do his business".  He had successfully completed number 1, and seemed like he was ready to go in.  So, I figured he was done.  Nope.  As soon as I get his leash off  he hides in the bedroom and squats faster than I could stop him and get him back outside.  Really, dude?

And we thought puppy class would help us

Finally, I am able to get in the shower and into my normal get ready routine.  Everything seems fine until I walk into the kitchen to make my coffee. Then I see it. The biggest mess any of my animals have ever made.

This past weekend I was able to get a few bags of cat litter for free (yes, I am awesome at working sales and using coupons).  It was not the brand we normally get, but I can't say no to free.  The litter just came in plastic bags instead of the hard plastic tubs we are used to.  But, we didn't think anything of it.  We just put in on the floor of the pantry like all the other litter.

Well, wimpy decided to claw open the bags and get litter everywhere!  Not only was the litter all over the place, but he used it too! (Hence the lack of photo).  So Basically, the floor of my pantry was used as a giant litter box.  I knew I had to clean it up immediately or it would be ten times worse when I got home.

Somehow I managed to make it to work on time.  Granted, I have no makeup on and my hair isn't even blow dried, but I'm here.  I really do love my animals, but I like them more when they are not destroying my home.  If my morning is any indication of how the rest of my day will go, please just send me home now.  Thanks.