You Stink!

An open letter to the perfume wearers of the world.

Dear Perfume Wearers:

You stink.  Why do you cover yourselves in perfume to the point where I smell you before I see you?  Why?  I don't understand.  And of course, you people that cover yourselves head to toe in this cloud o-smell-good don't even have the kindness or taste to pick something that is pleasant!  You pick the stinkiest, smelliest, muskiest perfume in the world.  Does your nose not work?  Maybe you have damaged your "smeller" by wearing such noxious fumes all day every day all your life.  Please don't kill my "smeller" by subjecting me to your stink a/k/a perfume.

I'm pretty sure you were never told this but perfume is to be an intimate fragrance...smelled only by those that are in close contact with you.  I don't want to smell you on my furniture after you have left the room...or the house!  GAG!

I am seriously contemplating faking an allergy to perfumes!  I have a co-worker and any strong smells (lotions, perfume, candles, etc.) give her a headache.  I can totally fake that!  Don't make me start faking that!  Please!?  Just two squirts of your nastiness will do us all.  One on the throat and one on the wrist.  And it will save you money.  If you don't spray fifteen or more sprays a day think of how long a bottle will actually last you.  And if you buy that junk at Walgreens or CVS how good can it be anyway?  I'll give you a new "signature" fragrance for Christmas if that's what you want?  I know it's what I want!

I guess I'll need to add obnoxious perfume wearers to the ever growing list of pet peeves along with the slurpers and the fork biters.  Please...don't make your presence know by an act that I can hear or smell without actually seeing you.  Please!?

Weekends are Never Long Enough!

There have been plenty of songs about the weekend and I think they are probably all true.  There is nothing better than a weekend...except it could be longer.  It rang true again this weekend.  After a long, stressful, emotional, week Friday finally arrived and I was able to go where I wanted to go...be with my friends and family!  We went to Dyer and it was a special trip because it was Uncle Nathan's birthday.  Sometimes in life there is a place of peace...well, I find that peace every time I go to Dyer.  The people, the place, the memories.  It is somewhere I can go and everything else fades away and I know that all is right in my world. I never say it enough...mainly because I am my mother's daughter and if I tried to actually verbalize that thought I'd tear up, cry, and everyone would make fun of me and I'd never say it but it's true none the less!

We had to drive home on Friday night because I had signed up for a women's conference at church.  Of course I wasn't excited about that because I would have rather stayed in Dyer longer or even stayed in bed longer on Saturday but I drug myself out of bed and went.  I was SO happy that I did!  I got to experience the day with great friends and my favorite sister-in-law!  The speaker was fabulous.  She was inspiring and motivating and showed me that I am not alone in the world and by that she showed me that I'm not the only contradicting person on the planet that does and says so many things...but in the end I still want to do better and be better.  I don't always achieve that but hopefully I can get better if I keep trying.  I'll keep trying.  And to all my friends: "Eshet chayil!  You are a Woman of Valor!"  Please check out Rachel Held Evans if you get a chance!

After that I went home and went to bed.  I had dreams of cleaning but I was too tired.  Sometimes I'll lay on the couch for a quick nap.  Saturday I knew it was a deep sleep type of day so I put on pajamas (hear Gabby singing, "P-yamas!  P-yamas!") and got in the bed, put my blanket over my eyes and slept for two hours.  It was WONDERFUL!  Jeff and I seriously debated staying home, cooking dinner and being lazy on Saturday night.  I was so close to doing that but my friend Julee told me what she had made for the symphony and it was all the motivation I needed to get out of bed and over to Pine Tree!

Saturday night we went to the Starlight Symphony.  The weather was perfect!  It was cool, a breeze was blowing and a few sprinkles helped everyone stay cool.  We went to the symphony with Jeff's co-workers and our good friends and their kids.  We got to see lots of other friends at the symphony and even got to hold our very over-stimulated and very unhappy nephew.  And we got to see his parents, too.  It was a great Saturday night.  If you ever get the chance you should attend the Starlight Symphony in Jackson!  It was a treat...except for the cannons!  Saturday night I fell in the bed good and tired after another great day with friends and family!

Sunday morning we went to church (the late service for those that missed us and thought we just slept in).  After church Jeff went to the grocery store with me (GASP!  I know!) and after putting the groceries away I made some chicken salad for lunch and started our mound of laundry (we're only two people.  How do we have so many dirty clothes?).  We decided to head to our friend's house for a visit with them while they were in town from CA for a little while.  It was so great to see them, their kid, and the rest of their family.  After a good visit with them we headed back home.  After a little golf watching for Jeff and reading time for me we cooked dinner.  It was an interesting new recipe and it was AWESOME!  After dinner we watched a movie and then I played on the computer before finally heading to bed...and reading more.

I just love weekends like this.  I hope we have many more in the future!  Thanks to all our friends and family.  You make our lives fuller and happier and I know we are blessed to have you in our lives.

How I Know I Love My Job

I think I had to work in hell before I could appreciate what a great job and a great boss I have.  So, as you all know I work at a law firm as a paralegal or legal assistant or secretary.  I've been called all three and at my small law firm in a small city in TN I perform all three duties.  So, my past jobs that I equate to being hell have given me a fine appreciation for where I am now and what I do now.  And as of today, at this very moment, here are the three top reasons that I know I love my job.

A.) I feel like do-do.  I went to the doctor today and got a shot. I have a fever and my inner-ear infection is making me dizzy but I'm at work.

B.) My boss and I have the same sense of humor and to help me feel better he put his big "banana fingered hands" (as described by my hubby) on my forehead (to see if I had fever which I do) and then to be funny he  tried to cast the demons out of my body.  We had a good laugh.

C.) He told me to go home.

Days like today make me appreciate the great place I work and the great people I work with.  Yay...now home to bed.

A New Measurement of Time

I think a lot of things in our life will now be marked by B.H. and A.H.  Before Hank and After Hank.  He was one special puppy.  I really am still heart broken.  I still wonder what did I miss.  Why didn't the vet in Jackson catch this and all the other things that go along with this and logically I know that it just happened.  Logically I know that the vet in Jackson probably did her absolute best...her best just wasn't up to the standards of our beloved Dr. Gordon.

Saturday I spent three hours at the vet with Hank and a friend.  Dr. Gordon ran every possible test imaginable and truly did everything she possibly could do in her small town clinic.  So, when she couldn't figure it out she sent us to a specialist.  We went to the specialist on Monday and had our worst fears confirmed.  At Easter I told my mom that I thought Hank had cancer but that the vet in Jackson didn't seem to think so and since she's the certified professional then I need to trust her.  Anyway, we finally figured out the cause of all of Hank's problems.  He had lymphoma and sarcoma (lung cancer).  The specialist in Memphis was actually shocked that he had two types of cancer.  She said typically a dog only has one.  Well, that's our special boy!  Always exceeding expectations.  The specialist informed us that chemotherapy wouldn't work on the lymphoma because he had been treated with steroids.  The mass in his chest was so large and problematic that he might not survive the surgery.  Jeff and I had thought that it might be time but we were willing to try anything to save our boy.  We went back to Dr. Gordon on Tuesday night with the knowledge that we'd try or we'd go home alone.  When we got to the vet she examined him again and reviewed the report from the specialist and agreed that he was ready to go.  On Monday night when we got home from the Memphis specialist Hank was just restless.  He didn't want us to touch him and he didn't want to stay inside.  Jeff and I both thought he wanted to go outside and wander off to die.  My grandmother said that and so did my mom.  Dr. Gordon confirmed our suspicions and said that's an ingrained trait that dogs have...to want to go curl up in a dark place and go to sleep.  Monday night the light and life just seemed to go out of his eyes.  When Dr. Gordon said we were making the right decision it really helped us.  It sucked.  It hurt.  But it seemed to be what he needed.

We buried Hank at my parents house on the hill with the rest of the dogs.  You know you have a great vet when she asked if we were going to take Hank with us and I told her yes and that he would go out with the rest of our pets and she started naming off everyone that is up on the hill.  She remembers.  She cares.  Like Jeff said on Saturday, "She's like Henco.  She's worth the drive."

So, now that our boy is gone we're trying to adjust to life without a dog.  That SUCKS!  I've always had a furry friend.  Last night we sat down to watch a movie and I missed having that big lug lay on the couch with me.  Yesterday and today I've walked into the kitchen to fix my morning green tea and he hasn't been in the dining room laying in the sunshine.  That has broken my heart.  I still expect to see him stretched out in there just getting all warm and cozy.  I didn't sleep very well last night and in my sleepy/awake haze I could hear pops and creaks in the house and I thought, "What is he doing?"  Then this morning I remember that it was just the house that Hank isn't there.  Last night I was picking up sticks in the yard so that Jeff could mow.  As I was picking up sticks I was remembering how much Hank LOVED to chew on the little sticks in the yard or he'd even chew on the acorns...weird dog.  I know everything I see is going to bring back a memory of him for a while.  I'm really trying to remember and cherish all the good memories that we had.  I'm trying to block the feelings of guilt that try to creep in because our boy was sick and we missed it for so long and then when we suspected we just went along with what the doctor said instead of going to Dr. Gordon first...or asking for a specialist or anything else that my mind is beating me up about.

And I'll try to wrap up this rambling post.  Tuesday we buried Hank.  After we buried Hank we ate dinner with my parents out on their back porch and had a really great time trying to talk about anything but dogs.  After dinner Jeff and I decided to head back to Jackson.  We walked through the house, out the front door and just stopped on the porch.  It was honestly the most beautiful sunset.  We all just stood there not talking, just looking.  And finally Jeff said, "Dyer skies.  Nothing like 'em."  And in my own mind I think that gorgeous, perfect sunset was a sign...from Heaven, from Hank, from God.  He's in Heaven and he's healthy and happy and better for it.  It was like a sign saying that we did the right thing.  He needed to go Home.  Help me remember that!

A Wish on a Friday

So, I've been having some deep, introspective e-mails with a friend about life, love and family.  Maybe they aren't deep and introspective for her but they have been for me and they have really helped.  She's one of the few people that I feel we really talk, deep down, nitty gritty, and still walk away smiling and happy and maybe better for helping me understand other people's perspectives.  I don't share my feelings a lot.  I try to be funny, smile and go on my way.  And like everyone I wonder and worry what other people will think so I usually just don't say what's going on with me deep down.  So, for one time only, I will put this here.  Where I really don't think people will read it anyway and it won't be in every one's face like it would be in an e-mail or on Facebook...

I want a birthday party!  Yes, I know my birthday is in January and I know it is June but for the last few years I feel like I've been jipped in the birthday department.  Granted, this year I was sick but no one wanted to do anything for my birthday after I was better and I felt silly and childish being in my...30s and saying, "Can we get together for my birthday even though it's February?"  Well...it's June and the feeling hasn't passed.

I miss all those great kid birthday parties at McDonald's and Burger King and skating and bowling.  I even miss the college birthday parties with drinks at a restaurant, or an apartment, or the shop or wherever we could find!  I wish I could get a bunch of friends together for a really great time.  Sad part is really great, fun, memorable nights aren't usually planned...they just happen.  And with everyone spread out, working real jobs and having kids and sick dogs, and busy, full lives it just doesn't happen.

But maybe one day I can have a cool, fun birthday party with all my favorite people and it will be a night to remember!

Or maybe just a random night that Toby Keith once sang about, "I'm as good one as I ever was."  One day maybe all the stars will align and we'll have a great night like that.  Maybe.  One day.

P.S. No comments or suggestions please.  This is just a random post to the oblivion...

Lesson Learned At Work

As you all know I work at a law firm.  Specifically, I work in the real estate department at the law firm.  Yes, occasionally there are some juicy and entertaining cases in real estate...but not typically.  Most of the time we just buy, sell and refinance residential and commercial real estate.   There are eight people on my hallway.  Six of us work in real estate.  Two work in family law (mostly divorce).  And yesterday I learned the BIGGEST lesson probably of my whole time as working adult.  DO NOT EVER send a picture of yourself topless, naked or suggestive...because one day that picture could end up in a divorce case and four or more women will be huddled around the file of your "sweetie" laughing at you.

Sad truth, this girl thinks the guy is single and maybe she thought she was safe sending him a picture of herself and that only his eyes would get to see her goodies.  WELL, SHE WAS WRONG!  And now she's evidence in a divorce case...and we ALL got to see her goodies.

Note to self: DO NOT EVER take topless, naked or suggestive pictures of yourself.  You never know where they will end up!  Thanks for the laugh skank.

Obsessed & Drive

UGH!  We watched Drive last night.  If you happen to have that in your movie queue I would totally recommend deleting it.  I could tell the style/type of movie they were going for but they totally missed in my opinion...on everything.  Ryan Gosling is not a BadA$$.  Just not.  Go back to The Notebook (of which I have never watched. Stupid Nicholas Sparks crap).  There were only minor moments of violence but the violence was so gruesome I almost couldn't finish my Nutella Rice Krispie Treat.  And I literally sat in the chair with my eyes covered asking, "Is it over yet?"  It was not "COOL" Pulp Fiction violence it was gratuitous violence that was not worth the time and cinematography.  UGH!  (Spoiler Alert!) He literally stomped a guys head flat.  I've never watched American History X or whatever the movie is where the guy gets curbed...but I imagine this being worse than that.  If you're curbed you still have a face... Two thumbs way down!  


On the flip side...I am OBSESSED with The Lucky One!  OBSESSED.  If I could find someone to go watch it with I'd go every single night (if I didn't think Jeff would flip about me spending $9.00 every night to go watch that movie over and over again).  I think I have watched the movie trailer for The Lucky One at least three times a day.  That is now my new fantasy.  What girl doesn't want to hear some (smoking hot) guy say, "You should be kissed every day, every hour, every minute."  Yeah, I think this movie is going to run dating for single guys and gals for YEARS!  Every girl will be looking for her personal Logan.  Sorry guys.  Someone needs to get Nic Sparks to stop writing all these books!  


Side note - Personally I have hated Nic Sparks for YEARS because the first book I read was The Guardian.  I bought it because everyone was buzzing about the author and there was a Great Dane in the story.  The dog got killed.  I've been on a boycott of his ever since.  How can you kill a dog?  Even if it is in a book?  Anyway, I haven't read anything of his ever since.  I've never watched The Notebook mainly because it came out right at the same time my grandfather died of Alzheimer's so...no, I haven't seen it.  The most recent movie I watched was The Last Song and I could probably win the award for the loudest cry in the theater because the dad dies of cancer and my father-in-law died of cancer.  I just wasn't expecting that.  So, again I was wary of anything related to Sparks but he has TOTALLY redeemed himself with The Lucky One.  I'm in love. I'm obsessed.  


And can I just say...I now have a growing list of my top sex/kiss movies and The Lucky One is now # 2.  Forever there was never a list because there was only one movie that guaranteed an evening ending in the bedroom...that was The Departed.  (Don't judge).  When Leo goes to Vera's apartment and is so sexy and vulnerable...have mercy.  That scene does it for me every time.  What girl doesn't want a hot, brooding, moody guy (a la Mr. Darcy) to open up to them and for her to be the only one that was able to break through that hard outer shell to the softness inside.  Yeah, that was it for YEARS.  Until October.  Back in October we skipped Halloween (see previous post about that) and went to watch The Rum Diary with Johnny Depp.  In that movie he has a great scene with his leading lady.  That movie went to # 1 and bumped Leo & Vera to # 2.  Until Monday night.  Now Johnny is still at # 1 (best on screen kiss I've ever seen) and Zac Efron is now at #2 and Leo has fallen to # 3.  The whole scene with Zac & Taylor and the outdoor shower...have mercy!  If you ever come over to my house and there is now an outdoor shower on our patio for no reason why (no beach or pool at our house) then you'll know it's because of this movie!  I'm still thinking about it 3 days later.  Last night was my only free night at home and we watched our Netflix movie (Drive - BLAH!) and some DVR'd shows but I totally could have gone to see The Lucky One again.  


Friends...if you want to go see The Lucky One please let me know.  I will go with you!