When it rains it pours

This has been a very quiet year for me. Nothing huge going on, been taking Millie to the beach and just biding my time with the condo situation... until now.

NOW, the Universe has decided, it's time to get busy.

We started construction on the office a couple weeks ago. My office has to be packed up by tomorrow morning. They are putting down the glue in the hallway and I am about to be trapped in my office for 2 hours.
I finally got the condo sold and have to move in 2 weeks, so I found an apartment and just need to schedule some movers.
I went to Seattle for work, now I have to go to Portland the week after I move, then again sometime before the end of the year. I have to go to San Diego for my brother in law's Change of Command ceremony where he is being awarded the Bronze Star.
Thursday is our big office inspection, which should go well when you refer back to my first point on construction.
Then it's Christmas and time to make my annual cross country trek to the homeland. The only question on this trek will be one dog or two. I guess we'll see.

Gotta love a good time!! Wish me luck!!!

Brags, stats, and YIPPEES!!!

First, the brag. My brother in law Phillip will be receiving a Bronze Star medal for meritirious acheivement in combat. He kicks ass and I couldn't be any prouder of him if he were my own brother. We love you, we thank you for your service, and we are SO very proud of you!!!

Second, the stats. In Laurie's blog this morning, she talked about checking her stats. I had no idea you could do this!! So apparently, Laurie and I are quite the international phenoms!!

United States 73
India 9
Australia 8
Ukraine 3
Canada 1
France 1
Netherlands 1
Slovakia 1

Viva Slovakia!!! I had a lovely lunch on the Slovakian border, it was delightful.

So now, on to my yippees!! At the risk of jinxing myself, I am posting this for 3 Ukrainians to see, I sold the condo. *HUGE sigh of relief*. Closing is set for October 15, I have rented an apartment, and I am due to move on the 12th. Finally. Once I get past the stress of getting moved, I foresee much better sleep in my future.

Oh, and I have food poisoning. Yay me!!

The one with "stuff"

Laurie and I watch Hoarders together. If you haven't seen Hoarders, it's a sad, scary, eye opening look at how disgusting people can be. And what's sad, is that this hoarding can be seen in the young children in these families. They cry when asked to throw away school projects, that throwing away the project is tantamount to throwing away the effort.

When I was a kid, I was a big ol' slob. My sister and I shared rooms at some of the houses we lived in and my mom would hang Department of Health notices on the doors and threaten us with bodily harm if we didn't clean up. We grew out of this, her more than me. My place is still clean, but it can get cluttered. I live with the clutter for a little while, then I snap and go on a throwing away and cleaning frenzy. She keeps her house (4 kids, 2 dogs, 1 husband) spotless. It's awe inspiring.

Which leads us to today. We're doing construction at the office, building a new evidence room and property room. Since I have one of the only 2 doors that currently lock, my office is filled with evidence. 1 elephant skin, 1 giraffe skull and skin, 1 hippo skin, 5 capiz shell lanterns, 33 cartons of snake wine and other Asian meds, flattened fish boxes, ehrus and pool cues, PLUS all of MY office stuff - shelves, locker, desk, chair, aquarium, etc. For SIX MORE WEEKS.


I am not going to make it. I already had a mini meltdown this morning and shredded a bunch of paperwork. I don't know what else I can throw out, but I am going to have to find something. Maybe I can just take the next six weeks off. Please????

Seattle

I had the joy, once again, of spending a week in the glorious Pacific Northwest. Wow. I had never been to Washington before and it was everything I thought it would be. I spent a couple days in Blaine on the Canadian border (they didn't even talk funny) and 5 days in Seattle. It never once rained, I think the Pacific Northwest people say it rains all the time to keep people like me from wanting to move there!!

Some day, Pacific Northwest, you will be mine....

Making a change

I have always had curly hair. When I was little I would cry and cry as my mom tried to brush it out for pony tails. Even though she was as gentle as could be, my sensitive scalp just couldn't take it. After that, she did what most mothers of curly haired daughters do, she had it all cut off. I remember going to school and my best friend saying, "you look just like a boy" and I just cried. I don't blame my mom at all, as an adult I know curly hair isn't always easy. In 2000, I discovered naturallycurly.com and it was like the skies opened up and the angels sang. Suddenly, my hair was easy, I stopped fighting it, embraced it, and ended up with what I think is pretty amazing hair.

So why am I getting it straightened?

That's right, I am taking the plunge and getting a Brazilian Blowout this weekend. I would not consider a relaxer as I am not interested in having my hair grow out and be all weird. The blowout wears off, much like a demi-permanent color. I am a little apprehensive. It's one thing to get my hair blown out and wear it straight for a couple days, it's another to know that every day, when I wake up, I will have straight hair. Supposedly, you can wear it curly or straight, but I am not the curliest of girls, so I don't know if that will hold true for me or not.

Stay tuned, there will either be cheers or tears. :)

Pay attention!!!

Someone told me about Notes from the Universe and since there is nothing I love more than uplifting emails, I subscribed. Funny thing though, when the Universe started emailing me, I started thinking, I should do these things, because as we all know, when the Universe tells you to do something, it behooves you to sit up and listen. FYI, the Universe also isn't really a big fan of run on sentences like that one. Just sayin'.

Today, amongst other things, the Universe told me

All things are indeed looking possible and you alone decide how your tomorrows
will unfold.

Indeed.

All things are possible and it is up to me to affect the change I desire to see. But what does this mean for me in the trenches? I guess the Universe can't tell me everything and I will have to figure it out for myself. Thanks Universe, who loves ya, baby!!

For Laurie

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...