I have heard this song a million times, well, almost, and I love it, I just never knew who sang it. Well, I found out it was someone whom I never thought I would ever listen to...

Don't hate me, the song is pretty awesome.

PS. Dave, where is my Queen?!!

And Band, not Royalty.

An Open Letter To My Little Brother...

Yo, bong banger who forgot tons of crap at my house I am having to make my husband ship via snail mail...

WHERE ARE MY PICTURES????

Heeeeeellllllooooo??????


By the way, the cherries you left here are awesome, and I am going to drink your beer with them. And the cheese you left, and all the other food I'm trying to work into the menu...do you do this to challenge me????!!!

And...Ross LIKES the boudoir, unlike you, he says he feels like he's in India. So, TTHHHBBBBB!!!!

Which is also where I feel like I park at work.

And Donna, I tried to go to the belly dancing thing on Saturday, but they locked the doors at 8, and since I was late because it took me forever to find the place, I went to the local pizza joint to play Ms. Pac Man and ended up coming home with pizza sauce for Todd because they couldn't serve food because they ran out of cheese and they took the Ms. Pac Man game out a few months ago...Bastards.

No lie, this is my life.

Kisses,
Amy

I will add some pictures once Dave gives me some. He's become my main photographer.

New address, same old Amy. I am having issues with a certain member of my family and let's just say she's been blacklisted from my blog and life in general. It took me this long to figure out if I was going to keep the blog, delete out the old, change it to private, blah, blah, blah...so for starters, I changed the name. Said family member isn't bright enough to find it, I think, without a link.

Updates on me and mine...

I haven't been running more than once a week, I ran around Calhoun yesterday, so I think I can start adding a few more days here and there. Shins feel good. I've been doing the elliptical like a crazy woman and lifting weights about 5 times a week. So, my girlie "cycle" decided to leave me for several weeks...about 9. Thankfully, it returned, so me feeling like I swallowed about 4 gallons of fluid should go away...I think I'm retaining so much water you could poke me with a pin and it would start a gusher. Ok, TMI. But, that is all we are about here, isn't it?

New job is good, except at the moment I have nothing to do, hence you get your blog update. I'm learning a lot, usually. Like the people, hate the commute, like the pay. So, good out weighs bad, I guess.

Jack is fabulous, he's going to Pershing for the summer and very excited to be done with school. He's been reading all of the Harry Potter books again, and finished number 6 last week, so he started up on 4. He'll probably have 5 done by the time the movie comes out.

Saw Pirate's of the Carribbean III, loved Johnny Depp, hated the movie.

Jessica is moving back to Apple Valley. Shannon and Beckham are going with her. She can't sell her townhome without taking a big loss. I'll let you know what happens with the duplex as the time gets closer...it's a surprise.

Dave leaves today for Colorado, or maybe Texas, but whichever, I get my room back. I miss it and need to finish the drapes. He said he's only been here for 5 weeks. It seems like longer. I do miss him when he is away, he keeps me company in the kitchen. He's probably the only person I can actually cook with because he doesn't tell me what to do and knows how to work with others. Oooooo, is that a slam? I think so!

I wear business clothes, heels, nylons, and the whole 9 yards to work every day...except Friday. I wore jeans with my blazer today. Scary, huh?

I miss flip flops.

Ok, job update, since people keep asking...

I am building staffing and profit and loss models in Excel for a reorganization. I spend my days in meetings getting the requirements and then I play with formulas the rest of the time.

Exciting? Not really, but I'm learning a lot about the Finance and Accounting departments of a very large corporation.

Other than that, getting to the gym is more difficult with this whole "job" thing, but I managed to get there Monday (since I was still without job), Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I'm going to go today and tomorrow. Yes, I am a cardio addict. But, there is a "Y" about 2 blocks from my new employment, so I can go there right after work and avoid the rush hour traffic going home, which is nice for me, but not so nice for Todd who is getting rather annoyed at eating dinner at 7:30pm. I told him he could start cooking dinner instead, but apparently it doesn't bother him THAT much.

Ok, I am off to run the numerous Saturday errands I have, get ready for my mother to come on Wednesday, refill my Xaanex prescription, and do some yard work. Did I mention refilling my Xaanex prescription?

Dave and I thought it would be a good idea to go for a walk at about 8 at night, but I misunderstood and thought we were going for a short walk, not 4 miles. I had to stop and rest my feet since I was wearing flip flops. I ended up with 3 blisters.

I got a job! I leave in about 35 minutes for my first day.

Jessica asked if I was nervous, I said, "No, should I be?" She said, "Yes, terrified. What if no one wants to eat lunch with you?"

I replied, "I am bringing sushi and eating at my desk." Problem solved.

She then asked if I had my clothes ready for my first day. I said, "Yes, since last week."

She told me she was proud of me.

Awwwww, being a stepmonster has many rewards. Girl support is one of them.

By the way, I dug out all my "business clothes" that have been hiding under my bed in boxes since t-shirts, jeans, and flip flops were standard uniform at RFC and discovered, A. I own a lot of black. B. I can still fit into everything (actually, I think I'm smaller than I was then...) and C. I'm actually kind of excited to have a real job again.

Oh, and I have no idea what I'm doing. My title is "analyst", but I have yet to discover what I will be analyzing.

I think I'm being thrown to the wolves.

This was taken when Jack and I went to Underwater World at Hugedale, and it just struck me as SO WRONG, I had to take a photo. Hrmmmm, nice beaver.

So, the last Home and School meeting was tonight (Jack's school's version of the PTA). It was way too long. One brand-new-to-home-and-school mom kept going on and on about the deserts being served for Pizza and Subway days. Trans fat, food coloring, peanut allergies, sugar...

Ok, if you don't like it, pack your kid's lunch! I wonder if this is how Congress feels when a newly appointed, idealistic, greenhorn comes in to an old school Congressional Committee.

Sheesh...

I managed to find myself the chair of the yearbook staff, the chair for food for the parent/teacher get together in January, and I'm co-chairing the 1st school carnival for the fall of 08.

Someone needs to teach me to keep my mouth shut.

Overheard Conversations on Amy's IM...

Amy: Hey Bob, how goes it?

Bob: Just hangin' out.

Amy: Fun, I'm still unemployed and Todd and I are still fighting. Why can't we all just get along? I think the convent is looking better every day. Do you suppose it's a gene?

Bob: Is there a nun in your ancestors?

Amy: no, I meant the divorce gene. I think I got it plus some. Dave says I break them.

Bob: You break genes? You putting on weight? (There's a pun in there somewhere).

Amy: Hahaha, actually, no, I can bench press 95 pounds (which is a lot for me) and I can do real pushups on my toes for the first time ever. I'm scary. I do cardio for an average of 45 minutes a day. I stink a lot. Maybe that's why we fight, because I smell.

So...I registered with Capella University. I'm going back to school. Fo Shizzle. Accounting...could you gag? I want to learn how to screw over the government. I didn't put that on my application...

Bob: If you really want to screw the government, start a business. As a woman-owned business you'll get jobs you otherwise couldn't compete for. If you could turn black and disabled you wouldn't have to work again for life.

Amy: OMG, you kill me! Actually, I've been applying lately with contracting companies. I have another one to contact tomorrow that a friend of mine works with. She's a CPA, but, apparently, they also contract with some of us plain folk who just do everything really well...

I wish I could be black and disabled, but not working is kind of driving me crazy.

Bob: Get a tanning light, say more things like "fo shizzle," and limp a lot.



I love Bob...

He's coming over on Tuesday to show me the fine art of Macros in Excel and how to manipulate them into building up massive points for my Neopet. It's nice having friends who are as geeky as me.

Overheard Conversations at My House...

(Amy on the phone with some kid from the University of Minnesota)

Amy: I am trying to get a copy of my old transcript and this web site says I need to have a web ID to log in. Can you help? I haven't been to the "U" since the dark ages. I have my student ID, and, boy, did I have a lot of hair back then.

Todd: Look at those glasses! They take up half your face! Hahahahahha, geek! Hey, is that your natural hair color?

Guy on Phone: Do you remember your old web ID?

Amy: Um, the Internet didn't exist when I went to college. We used rocks and chisels. Did you ever see the Flintstones? Yeah, that was me. I think I have my abacus around here somewhere...

Guy on Phone: Your what?

Amy: Um, nevermind, so about that web ID?

Guy on Phone: Well, I don't have enough information here to verify your id, I think you are going to need to come down.

Amy: Does it have the classes I took? I can tell you when I started and that I dropped out of suicide French 1101 after my car was broken into the day before and that was when I met my best friend Dave who found me chain smoking Camel Lights and freaking out on the steps of the school building because I missed a day of classes and already put me too far behind to continue...

Guy on Phone: Um...well...that's not on your transcript, but here's your new web ID. I think this is where we part ways.

Amy: Thank you, you have been most helpful.

Sad, Sad Day at RFC

There was a massive lay off of employees in my old department. People I thought would NEVER be let go, and they are gone. The atmosphere there is not pretty, I hear.

I just wanted to tell you all that I am sorry, I truly enjoyed my time there with you and I hope you all find unemployment as enjoyable as I have been finding it.

But, I have been diligently looking for a job...honest.

UPDATED PHOTOS OF WHAT I DID DURING MY TIME OFF OF WORK...

I made lots of pillow covers. The lovely mirror Todd and I put together from leftover scraps around the house and a can of gold spray paint. And several swear words.

My very first drapery panel, yes fully lined, which caused the hemming of the below to take FOREVER when done by hand.

Yes, still needs to be pressed. Shut up, I know.

Did I mention Jack got Zuzu and her dog new hats?
Yeah, the wieners are sleeping with him at night for protection.

So, on Thursday, I was officially layed off. Friday, I ran 8 miles at the gym. Coincidence? Not so much. It was either that or hiding underneath the dining room table hugging my knees and rocking back and forth. Actually, I'm kidding. I am really enjoying not working. Not getting a paycheck kind of sucks, but I get my first unemployment check on Monday. My first one EVER. What a novel concept, being paid not to work.
On the upside, a couple of my co-workers have been called back, so all is not completely lost for everyone.
My shoulder finally quit hurting, the callouses I constantly have on my lower back from the chairs at work are almost completely gone, and I had to ask one of the old marathoners at the gym what to do about my armpits and groin chaffing because I'm running so much I actually have to deal with that. Turns out, it's Vaseline.

Is it wrong I am excited that I have crossed the line that I need to lube myself up to run?

Todd has 3 or 4 more jobs lined up after this one is finished, so he is very busy and he told me I should figure out what I want to be when I grow up.

I'm still thinking...

PRELIMINARY PICTURES OF MY PAINT JOB

Before...

I did a close up so you could see how horribly nasty the walls were before I painted.

After:


And to think Todd wasn't going to let me paint the room. Bah.

Now, I only have about 800 hours of sewing to do until it's done.

Overheard Conversations at My House

Todd: Where in the hell do you wear this?

Amy: (Stops painting and turns to Todd holding something white in hand) Oh, um, looks like a bathing suit, so I would say a pool?

Todd: Where's the rest of it?

Amy: I'm sure the bottoms are in the laundry there somewhere.

Todd: You actually go in public in this thing? That's so inappropriate.

Amy: Yes, I thought wearing a swim suit in a pool as totally inappropriate. I can't wear one pieces, they ride up and I'm not wearing any of my really nice suits to the pool, they get destroyed from the chlorine. And it's the only suit that matches my swim cap.

Todd: There's nothing here! It's more like nipple covers!

Amy: Don't worry, I wear those underneath the suit so I don't nip out. Todd, there are 15 whole seconds anyone would see me, from the time I remove my towel and get in the pool, then the reverse. And, no one in the pool at the "Y" is under Medicare age.

Todd: I'm sure they love you, it's got to be better than Viagra.

Amy: I'll take that as a compliment, I love you, too.


For some reason, Todd decided he wants to go to the gym with me today. Go figure.

I ran 25 miles last week.

My legs hurt.

I really wanted to run around Lake Calhoun and Isles today, but I think I need to not do that so I can continue to walk. Walking has been deemed necessary.

Also, it's been raining for 3 STRAIGHT DAYS! Ish.

We all know that I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat...usually 15 minutes into any movie, or 45 degrees of off vertical. So, it was very odd that last night, I COULD NOT FALL ASLEEP. I even watched 2 episodes of House

Yes, I was so desparate, I watched tv. I think I got all of 2 hours of sleep last night, in 10-15 minutes increments.

Stay tuned for pictures of the boudoir. The only painting I have left to do is the trim, window, and doors. It looks fabulous!

Then, a whole lot of sewing. Good thing this stay at home mom has plenty of time on her hands.

I miss having a job...no wait, I miss having the paycheck, and I miss the people. I made a lot of good friends over the past three and a half years.

I'm still not freaking out, Jack is on spring break this week, so I have plenty of time to play with him over the next few days, and then I get to face reality and start actively looking for another job. In the meantime, I plan on cleaning the carpets in the house, finishing painting the boudoir, a lot of sewing, and staining the deck...oh, and running another 25 miles.

I definitely don't sit still much.

Ok, this has been my 3rd, well, technically 2nd day off and I'm starting to get (gulp) tempted to...

...watch tv.

I see that as a bad sign.

No, I haven't really been looking for a new job. I spent today doing a bunch of stuff I have been putting off, like researching new health insurance and redoing Todd's business cards and invoices since the originals were lost the last time the computer crashed. And I did laundry. I even put it away!

I think I'm still in denial. I like denial, it's my favorite state.

Oh, and I have been painting a lot. I'm on my 2nd coat of Kilz on the OTHER 2 walls of the boudoir. I need to cut in with the brush and then I can start actually painting. I'm not feeling very motivated at the moment.

I did go swim for a half hour at the gym, and did yoga, so I haven't been a total waste.

Has anyone found me Ostrich Feathers locally, yet? Joy found them in Georgia. I found them online. I would really like to pick them out myself, hence the locally part.

Get going people!

Overheard Conversations at My House...

Jack: That music sounds really weird.

Amy: It's called techno, I listen to it while I run. It's what they played when I used to go out and dance. It's got that really good thump, thump beat that makes it fun to run or dance hard to...

Jack: How can you dance to that?

Amy: (does short techno dance demonstration) like that.

Jack: If you did that in public, people would laugh at you.

Amy: Thanks, sweetie, you really know how to boost mom's ego.

I was sent home for the week.

RFC Tribal Counsel meets Friday at 3. I'll find out if I've been invited back for next week at that point.

In the meantime, I'm working on the boudoir and looking for another job.

And running, a lot.

Keep me in your thoughts, I'm trying hard not to freak out.

It was 70+ degrees today, this is an picture from a few weeks ago. I would have updated pictures, but, alas, I left my camera at Andrew's birthday party and it will most likely be a while until I get it back. Oops.

I ran 7 miles today. I was actually at the gym, rather than outside, since it was really windy and I hate running in the wind. It's TORTURE. Like running isn't hard enough.

I have never called myself a runner...I say, "I run". I think that "runner" term is reserved for people who do marathons. Which I will never do. I don't have a desire to run 26 miles with a kazillion other people. It's that being around other people thing. I'm so not there. 5k is enough to be around that many other people. Speaking of 5k's and the Race for the cure...I got my pink feather boa today. Every girl needs a pink feather boa.

So, I'm redecorating Ross's room. He gave me permission. Probably because Ross sleeps in there, maybe, 2 nights a month. If he keeps the lights down, he won't even notice it's decorated as a boudoir. Todd has his batcave and my office is going to be decorated as my boudoir. I've always wanted a boudoir, complete with tons of pillows, WAY too much fabric, and a little maribou here and there. I'll post pictures when it's done. The painting of the knotty pine paneling is proving to be a bit challenging. TONS of Kilz is being used. Cover all those nasty knots. Ick. Todd is having issues with it, but, he's dealing. He just doesn't go in there. Yea for me! Jack keeps asking me why I need a room to pout in, since the literal term of "Boudoir" is where a woman goes to pout. I just tell him Todd has the batcave, which is where he goes to pout. I need my own pouting room.

Does anyone know where to get ostrich feathers? I need several...



Later...



Monday morning, actually.

My legs don't hurt. I ran 7 miles yesterday, then went to an hour long yoga class and my legs don't hurt!!! Woohoo!

I'm thinking I'm going to run 5 today after work.

Yes, I know, I'm a dork.

Last Sunday, I ran 7 miles.

Monday, I couldn't walk.

Tuesday, I ran 4 more miles.

I took Wednesday and Thursday off, partially to recover, and partially because I'm lazy.

Oh, and work got in the way...the gym is WAY GROSS at 6:30pm, TOO MANY SWEATY ICKY BODIES!!!
EEEEEWWWWEEEE!!

I ran 4 more miles today.

Sunday, I plan another 7. I haven't quite figured out why I do it, but the endorphin rush is AMAZING!

So, I am running a 5k for my friend Joy, who was recently diagnosed with cancer and is going through chemo...a GROUP run. RACE FOR THE CURE. Yes, anti-social Amy is being social. At 7:25 AM on MOTHER'S DAY. Ok, they said I had to wear a hot pink boa and glamour movie star glasses in order to join the team at work, so...I really joined so I could have an excuse to buy a pink feather boa.

I'm trying to get Jayme, my fellow cube farmer, to run with me, but he has issues wearing feathers.

What a party pooper.

I said he should go because, where else are you going to find so many highly motivated single women in one place??!!

Yeah, he didn't see it that way.

I'm going to run Harriet and Calhoun (hopefully) again on Sunday. We'll see if I can walk Monday...it's really nice not to have one's legs buckle when walking into the cube farm from the car.

It's the little things, really.

Ok, this picture has absolutely nothing to do with anything, except it's 7 something on Sunday morning and I'm printing out the handouts for Sunday School on Todd's computer downstairs and there are only so many pictures to chose from on this computer. That's from the 4th of July last year. Isn't Ginger cute? We raced her all over the parking ramp that night, she was awesome!

Anyway, yes, I totally suck since I haven't updated this in forever, but I couldn't really come up with and interesting way to say THIS YEARBOOK IS CONSUMING MY LIFE!!!!

So, other than that...I have been eating and sleeping, and dreaming about the deadline coming up at midnight tomorrow. Well, having nightmares is more like it.

I got up at 6:15 yesterday and went to my weight lifting class. Yes, 6AM on a SATURDAY. What the hell? I can't sleep anymore anyway.

Today, I'm going to try to run around Harriet and Calhoun. It's about 6.5-7 miles from here. I think I'll have Todd come look for me if I'm not home within 2 hours. Of course, that would mean he would have to get out of bed, which he has sworn he is not doing today, since he is recovering from food poisoning. He thinks he got a little ecol i poisoning, since no one else he ate with got sick, but he's convinced some little poopie hand touched some doorknob that he ended up touching. EEEEWWWWEEEEE!

He's in bed with a big bottle of Mylanta. I hear it takes 72 hours to work through your system, so by tomorrow, he should be fine. It started Thursday night, so he's almost there!

Alright, I have to go finish getting ready for Sunday School, there are small minds waiting to be warped!