therapy

Today I self medicated with both retail and baking therapy. Ahhhhhhhhh.

clarification

Thank you all for the kind words, and Jonesy, I especially enjoyed the "bid" for the Imploded Brains Club.

I'm just stressed. With all of the moving chaos, Christmas has totally snuck up on me. Sure I was able to get the cards out (or at least most of them), but I have so many gifts to buy, and wrap, and I just realized I am leaving for Muskegon on Thurs. (T-2 days) and won't be back until after New Years. aaaaarrrrggghhhh.

And I need to clean the house tomorrow because the inspector will be here and I don't want to be embarrassed (so maybe the house isn't dirty, but I want it to sparkle).

And the house is barely decorated, no tree, no lights, just a few knick knacks I pulled out - in fact I still have a harvest wreath on the front door.

Of course, Jocko is in the Fin, and I'm not blaming him for that, but I think my stress level would be so much lower if I could just see him everyday. In fact, this year I believe he has spent more nights out of town than in town. aaaaarrrrgggggggghhhhhhhh.

And to top it all off I don't even have a guinea pig to cuddle with; she's at my cousins until after we move. harumph.

This post is really going no where, I just needed to get it out. Oh, and where's the next meeting of the IBC?

aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrggghhhhhh

my brain is going to implode.

pick a winner, jose!

I've been in The Fin, and we put an offer on a house. Here it is. You can even see a "tour" complete with cheesy background music. We aren't done countering on the house yet, it needs a new roof and we are having estimates completed tomorrow, but I have a feeling this will be our new home :)

The kitchen is fab and I love the neighborhood, oh and the current owners have a guinea pig - not sure how that plays into the appeal of the house, but I thought it was funny.

ETA: the link should work now :)

deer me!

This happened last week, and I was really upset about it, but now it's just really funny.

Apparently I have "gardeners" - yep, the deer have eaten our arborvitae.

I am now the proud owner of three topiary.

accepted!

We have officially accepter an offer on our house!

No Crystal, it wasn't for $20,000 more than our asking price. In fact our house hasn't appreciated that much in the two years we've lived in it, but this is the first house we are selling for a small profit. After doing improvements on our old house we simply broke even, this time we've come out ahead, and I'm happy about that, even if it is only by a little bit.

So, we are set to close on Jan 19, and Jocko and I are going to OH this weekend to pick a house. I'm thinking I'll like the houses more knowing that my house is taken care of.

Would you like to know how I sell my houses quickly? I stage and I pray. It's worked twice, so I'm starting to believe there's something to it.

A few tips:
* fix all real problems
* take down all of the personal photos - they are distracting to buyers
* hang a wreath on the front door - it's like a hug from the house
* list with a reputable agent
* price your property correctly
* pray that the people who need your home will find it.. quickly :)

news flash

We have an offer on our home.

the stats

I'm back in Indy. Driving up to my house and seeing the For Sale sign was super-depressing. Here is the listing. Our realtor has lots of pictures on her site, our listing number is 2673586, it's on the second page.

I house hunted all week long, I found nothing. Remember all the cute, old houses I found? They all suck, not like the pictures at all. I did find two "maybe" houses, both feel like a slap in the face. Every house that I really liked was $350,000 to $1.4 mill, just a little out of budget.

I just want to stay in Indy, I hate Ohio.

busy, busy

So, I forgot how much work goes into selling your home - I swear it was not this stressful 2 years ago. All week long I have been decluttering and staging and packing and calling realtors and talking with the relo company, etc, etc. I am burnt out.

But on Monday I am headed to Troy for the week :) and our house will go on the market sometime next week.

To destress I have been stalking homes in the Findlay area; some favorites so far:

Supercute Historic Type
Another Supercute Historic Type
Historic with "ChaCha" South Main Address
Newer Home

I know Jocko was hoping for another new home, but I just love the old ones, I can't help it!

pop the cork

Today's WOOT! podcast was especially fun. Props to Erika for leading me to this happy little site. :)


Side note:
spell check has issues with "podcast"
suggested replacement: "pitchstone"

Can someone explain pitchstone?

i have password protected myself

Recently, our bank merged with another bank and I received a few suspicious emails from the "bank" - so I changed my login info. At the time I was sure I would remember the new password. Not so sure anymore.

Note to self - write down passwords.

I'm off to my branch to straighten this out.

sausage fingers

I just found Jocko's class ring lying on the steps and decided to slip it onto my finger for safe keeping.

Not a good idea; my sausage fingers have claimed this ring as their own. I can't get it off!

leetle update

I'm back from Ohio, I actually came back early because I was suddenly overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I need to do, and the limited amount of time available.

1. Sell the house: Our realtor came by last night to talk with us and see what we've done with the place. She told me I should stage houses as a career, I apologized profusely because I felt the house was messy. Jocko said I need to relax. Good news: our house should show well, and everything we've done (not too much)will add to it's marketability, also the big M will buy the house if it doesn't sell in 90 days. Bad news: it's just not a great market, and if the big M buys the house we lose a nice extra bonus.

2. Find a new house: I was actually a little excited to do this (ok, a lot)and did a few drive-by's while I was in Findlay. Good news: tons of house for sale in Findlay. Bad news: too many options. Do we downsize, upgrade, get a fixer-upper, move right away, wait awhile, live in town, move to BG? It's a headache.

3. Continue to work: My plan was to go into qualification for directorship and start earning my car Dec. 1, I don't know how I am going to fit this in. I have pushed back my personal goals so much that I am starting to feel like a failure. Good news: there's still time, I can do this. Bad news: I need to work my ass off, and I am beginning to doubt myself.

on the move, again

Yes, I am going to Findlay this weekend for a fundraiser for my Relay for Life team. But that's not the real news.

We are being transferred back to Findlay, OH. Early in October Jocko's supervisor told him there was a new position opening up for him in Findlay, but at the same time Jocko was applying for a different position in Findlay, and he really wanted the job he was applying for. Last week we found out he got it :) So, now he's Mr. District Engineer, and I get to move us again.

Know anyone looking for a nice home in Indy?

j.i.t.

I'm home!

Made it back just in time to hand out candy to the cute trick-or-treaters. There are a ton of kids in our sub and I was worried I would run out of candy and end up passing out 100 calorie packs and bottles of Archer Farms water; but the supply held out and Jocko was sent to work with all leftovers.

Pictures of fabulous trip to Maine will follow. Must work!

off again...

Jocko and I came home late last night (Muskegon, wedding #7). Tomorrow I'm driving to Ann Arbor to meet up with Adrienne and then drive out to Maine for our friend Chris's wedding.

Whew!

I have just enough time to call some customers, mail some orders, do the laundry and get packed.

Jocko is taking the PE on Sat. and he's already freaking out - happy thoughts for him, please :)

that new-car smell

Apparently all I needed to do to get a new car was demonstrate my inability to drive the Sebring. This evening we traded the truck in for a new Liberty.

Yippee! I *love* my new car.

i am not a morning person

There's a reason I'm a Mary Kay lady (other than an unnatural obsession with makeup), I cannot stand waking up early and having to function. But, there are rare occasions when I do need to wake up early and get going before 10 AM (the perfect out-the-door time for me). Last Tuesday was one of those rare occasions, I had a breakfast networking meeting at Cracker Barrel (pancakes). Of course Monday night Jocko was out of town, so I stayed up way too long; now I am paying the price.

You see, I was v. tired, it was v. dark and that median was not painted yellow! I honestly thought the left turn lane continued past the first turnoff and onto the main intersection. I was wrong.

Never drive on the median. Not only is it scary (I was convinced the car was going to explode), and you have to pay to have your car removed from said median, it WILL damage your car.

vehicle removal - $50
ATM fee because the tow-man will only accept cash - $2
new stabilizer bar for the car you hate - $820
the humiliation of being gawked at - priceless

i thought i went to a "blue ribbon" school

How does this happen?

wonder twins - activate!

Can I just say that I had a ton of fun at Yeimy's wedding?! It has been years since I hung out with Laura, and we had so much fun. I cannot figure out how we actually ate dinner, we were laughing so much.

Other highlights include:
* "Footloose" dance line while the title song was played - why isn't Kenny Loggins more popular? He's a genius
* Jen's husband Brian is the most fun Bet Sig, ever. I am sad he wasn't at Tech when I was, he would have been an entertaining drinking buddy
* The bed at the hotel felt like a waffle - Lesley will back me up on this
* I have somehow recovered my ability to do tequila shots, or at least one shot
* Alph Gams are the most fun girls - ever
* Yeimy was such a beautiful bride :)
* Penelope Cruz was at the wedding - just ask Laura
* Mariachi bands provide the best dinner music ever! I would highly recommend to anyone planning a wedding

a declaration

I, Alanna Rose, do solemnly swear to bring Tits McGee out on Friday night. Tits shall dance and make merry, and will not embarrass herself, or Yeimy.

Laura is a genius.

trivial pursuit

Somehow, within the course of a game of Trivial Pusuit, the name "Tits McGee" came up. Does anyone know the origin of the name? We know our favorite newscaster - Ron Burgundy - uses it, but where else did it come from?

a date for danielle

This is my baby brother, Mason, and our little cousin Emma (she's my mini-me). He's 23 and recently graduated from WMU with a degree in accounting - he needs a few more credits before he can become a CPA, so he's taking some exciting classes at OCC. He was originally going to take a few courses at Walsh, but he found out that it doesn't matter what the classes are on - he simply needs a certain amount of credits. So he is taking Golf and Wine Appreciation.

Mason has a mildly retarded dog named Coda, who is a "good boy!" that likes to chase his tail.

i love tv

It's true ... I am having a love affair with my television. You see, Matthew Perry has a new show.

What?!

You haven't seen Studio 60 yet? Are you sure you aren't living under a rock?

It's the best; witty, fast paced, well written, and the cast is fabulous - Matthew Perry and the guy who played "Eric" in Billy Madison. Eric may be a bad man, but he's great on this show.

It airs Mon. at 10 PM on NBC. Don't forget to set your TiVo.

let's play catch up

I have been meaning to post all week, today will work!

Last weekend I went to Yeimy's bachelorette party - tons of fun! Relaxing and generally chilling out with people you don't get to see everyday is so great. It was really neat to just pick up old friendships again. Thank you all so much for inviting me!



Then on Tuesday I went to Shipshewana, wanted to go antiquing, but we just cruised the flea market instead - no I did not buy any fleas.

Today my parents are coming down! We are going to Brown County tomorrow, it should be a ton of fun and I have a feeling we will finally get some antiquing in - Yeah!

ick

Picture me cruising around the Food Network site.
George Duran - sweet!
Alton Brown - WooHoo!
Rachel Ray - ok.

And then I see this.
Picture has been removed so that Karen will no longer be grossed out :)


Vomit time! I think I'm done looking for new recipes.

what are you staring at?

Do you ever take your earring out to talk on the phone, and then leave the house with only one earring in?

I do it about once a day.

free and fun

Hungry Girl has some great stuff today!

Free and yummy eatables, plus clown faced lunch meat :)

Brilliant!

should i?

For the past few years I've been contemplating writing Mommo's (Jocko's maternal Grandmother) stories out and giving them to the family as Christmas gifts. I get butterflies thinking about it; her life story was so interesting, and I don't think that most of the family appreciates it, but I would love to get it out of my head and set it free.

How would you feel receiving a book of family stories from someone who married into the family? I don't want to over step my boundaries - but I don't think anyone else is interested in taking on this project. What would you do?

recent discovery

When thawed, frozen bananas turn in to mush.

3 years

Yesterday Jocko and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary; at least we would have if he hadn't been out of town for work (thanks, Marathon). I was pretty bummed about him not being here and so I moped around for most of the day, a delivery of flowers temporarily lifted my spirits.

I love them, and Jocko wrote me the nicest little flower card. I was a bit worried about where to put them, because pink isn't exactly in our color palette. I knew they wouldn't work in the deep red dining room, and the table is the wrong scale for the arrangement anyway,so I plunked them on the kitchen table. And wouldn't you know, the pink looks very nice in my cream-with-red-accents kitchen.

clean closet!

One of my exciting tasks today was "clean hall closet." You see, I was sick of all the phone books falling every time I went in to get just one, plus it was very dusty. So I cleaned, and I went through all of the coats and mitten/glove/scarf/hat combinations. I do not think I have gotten rid of a single set of mittens or gloves since I left Houghton; I have a donation bag of 15 sets of mittens and gloves, a bunch of scarves and hats, and that count doesn't include all of the single mittens and gloves that were thrown away.

But the best "stuff" came out of the jacket pockets from the old ski jacket I wore at school- I figured I should go through them before I gave the jacket away, common courtesy, right?

Keep in mind, this was a Columbia with many pockets.

The Contents:
* program from Queen's 2001
* myriad of notes from the AGD message board to call "Jacko" - many written on green graphing paper, or obvious Chem Eng scoop exams
* voided check to KFC from 3/2002
* Daily Bull from 2/1/2002, 4/26/2002 and 11/14/2002
* receipts from Jim's - the best one includes 2 bottles of white wine, Jim Beam, vodka, Pepsi and a pasty
* receipts from Greek Personals in the Load
* class schedule and account statement Spring 2002
* interesting rocks
* a quarter

It was kind of fun looking through the pockets, every folded piece of paper brought back a memory.

post secret

Do you all love Post Secret as much as I do? I found it through Erkia's blog , and I'm addicted. I didn't send this secret in - but it might as well be mine :)

bike missionaries

This film is so cute.

weekend fun

Wedding #4 - Jay and J'nai
What could be better than partying with people you love and dancing all night long? Throw in some Jell-O shots for added excitement and you've got one fun wedding!

No pictures, though, because I was a bit tipsy and took photos in "video" mode all night long. Can someone else please be in charge of the camera for Yeimy's wedding?

Pit Stop at Jori's
My BIL, Kaj, is one of Jori's very close friends from way back and he decided to take me and Jocko to a small engagement party that Jori's mom planned. We stopped by in between Jay and J'nai's ceremony and reception, so we couldn't stay long, but it's always nice to see Jori Lynn. Here's the happy couple :)

Hanging out with Mel
It's tradition, on the way home from Muskegon we generally stop in Zeeland to hang out with Mel, Kobe and Scott for a little bit. This time I brought belated birthday gifts - a baby cell for Kobe and monkeys for Mel. The chihauhau's stayed in their apartment.

sunshine

OK, so it isn't sunny, but the mail came and I got a package! My purse came from Karen today! It was packed in an incredibly hilarious 1980's Casual Corner box, which made me laugh (and then Karen had commented on it's high cheese-factor in a note she enclosed).

Can I just say that I love this bag?! Karen - it is very well constructed, and I'm going to look v. cute carrying it when I'm running around town.

And there was an envelope in the mail, too (there were actually many envelopes, but this one was better than a bill). The mortgage company over estimated our insurance and taxes for the past year and issued us a healthy check. I know this isn't new money, and truth-be-told it will most likely just get added onto our next mortgage payment, but the thought that I could go buy a new couch or take a nice little vacation is very tempting.

Oh, and I decided to cyber-stalk my ultra crush from high school, Robin Sloan. He is a journalist now, and lives in San Francisco, and from the picture on his site, he is bald and not as attractive as he was in high school. I think I'll stick with my nerdy-engineer, also bald, Taco :)

it's drippy out

It's rainy and gross in the Circle City today, and that makes me feel rainy and gross, too. But I need to make some party food (need suggestions) and get some work done around the house, and make customer calls, and get some invitations into the mail, and go to the post office, etc... and pack for my little trip to Muskegon. Jocko's cousin is getting married this weekend, and we're obviously going -- free beer = family fun!

*ffl*

It is on! We officially have enough people for our own Fantasy Fashion League. So far it's me, Mel, Cat, Crystal and Stephie. I just sent an email to the list with some more info and my address - so check your email! And then email me back :)

And we are going to have a trophy - it will be AbFab, and a great distraction from doing actual work! I'm so excited to hear from everyone;)

we need to do this

So... I was reading Maria's blog and she had mentioned the Fantasy Fashion League. I'm with Crystal and Erika on this - I think it's very cool, so cool that I think we need to start a private league. It will cost $20 per person and the "season" starts Aug. 27 and ends in Feb. I'd be willing to collect the money and register our league, unless someone else had there heart set on it.

So check it out and let me know what you think - I think it'd be a lot of fun :)

quick update

I have been busy this week. But I thought you might enjoy a quick update - I know I do.

*Last weekend was the Brickyard (Nascar race) and we went to a party, which was thrown by one of the secretaries at Jocko's office, Karen. Does anyone remember a Bet Sig named Ghengis? Karen is his stepmother, and he was in town for the race. It was surreal seeing him again, it was as though time had stopped for him - he was doing the exact same things as when he was in college, but he wasn't 21 anymore. I felt sad for him.

*It was rainy yesterday and today, not so good for the walk I am trying to get in everyday, maybe I'll have to do a few laps around Target later :)

*I'm trying a few new recipes over the weekend - if they're good I promise to share.

*Zippy had a bath on Sat. Always fun and exciting.

Gee, I thought I was busy, but I just seem really boring. Oh well, you still love me, right?

this space for rent

Thank you so much for the blog-name ideas! I have to say that The Taco Times would be fabulous; but as Erika mentioned, this is MY blog, and although I love my husband v. much, this isn't a tribute page. I liked Erika's idea about bee themes, that'll be the vein I'm going for, just looking for the perfect title now.

I also need a new background, this one was just a template I thought was clean and sort of spunky; but it lacks the pre-requisite pink. Where have you found great templates?

today...

* it finally cooled down a little, and I was able to open the blinds! No more mole-age!
* it was super-stormy, I tried to update my blog 4 times, and every time the power would blink, so I just shut the computer down and went shopping instead :)
* I earned my 10 lb. ribbon at Weight Watchers! And I chose not to celebrate with food, imagine that, I went to the scrapbook store instead.
* I found out that the scrapbook store in my little 'burb, which only opened in May, is already closing :( But that meant I scored some major deals. I am addicted to paper, among other things.
* there were two boxes of cereal in my mailbox - I love swag!

name this blog

My blog needs a name. Something that screams Alanna and is very cool - possible oxymorons?

I am counting on you.

aaaaaaacckkkk!!

I just realized it is now August. WTF?! The calendar on my desk is set to March, can someone tell me where April, May, June and July went? Because I lost them somewhere.

in the dark

It is very hot today, I'm sure you all know that; in an effort to conserve a tiny bit of energy I turned the thermostat up a little (5 degrees) and I am keeping all of the blinds closed and the lights turned off. So far I think it's working.

But I feel like a mole.

Remember Initiation Week at the house? I always felt like a mole then, too.

i like gnomes

I had fun on Friday night, we had a few beers and Jocko and I went out for a late dinner, and I had a margarita. It's been a long time since I've been tipsy (oh wait, I think Andrea's wedding counts); so it's been a long time since I've been tipsy and not at a wedding. There was no crying, Mel, because I don't think I can drink that much anymore.

I thought everyone could use a gnome, this one resides in my backyard. Have a great day!

but i don't want to

I am old. I am supposed to meet Jocko at work and then go to the bar with his buddies from work to celebrate a few birthdays (JOcko's included); but I am super comfy at home in my sweatpants (Mel - the pink ones you gave me:)) and tank top, and my house is like, the perfect temperature.

But I should probably go. Time to pick out an outfit.

america's got talent

last night i burned dinner.

it was soup.

the pink bubble

I'm back from Dallas :) And for the past few days I've been floating in my pink bubble - it's like riding out a Mary Kay high. I came home with a new sparkly bracelet because I was #4 in sales for my area. I also set some new goals for this year, I figure that if I share them with all of you I'll have to work hard to achieve them so that you won't think I'm a big loser.
* become a director
* Queen's Court of Recruiting - I need 24 new consultants, any volunteers ;) - I actually want to be the queen
* Star Consultant every quarter
* earn a pink Cadillac

In other news my very best friend from way back, Merissa, is having back surgery today; could you please pray that she doesn't have any more pain and that she recovers quickly? Thanks so much!

going to the big "D"

I'm leaving today for Mary Kay Seminar in Dallas. WooHoo!
See you all next week :)

today I feel nostalgic

Maybe it's because AJ posted dizzy bat pictures, or because Stephie was reminiscing, or maybe it was seeing Laura's old car - at any rate I felt like digging up old pictures.

Enjoy!

running errands

As I was running errands this afternoon a few things really stuck with me, so I thought I would share them:

Crayons I had to grab a few things at Office Max and there was a back-to-school display of Crayola products; of course, I was drawn in like a moth to light. I think I picked up every product, from watercolors and markers to crayons, and a few new things I'd never seen before, I had to touch them all. I thought about buying a whole bunch, but then I overcame TSM and decided I would look through my current stash before buying any new art supplies - score 1 for me :)

Bumper Stickers The truck in front of me for most of the ride home had a bumper sticker that read "Women love me, Fish fear me." I think that one pretty much explains itself.

Gigantic Drink Cups
Dear Panera Bread,
Your large cups do not fit into the cup holders in my car, thus creating a problem whenever I try to take your yummy iced tea home. Could you maybe work on that a little?
Thanks,
Alanna

I am wasting time...

Sometimes I do not feel motivated to work, I would rather watch every TV show on my tivo and stay in my pajamas and do absolutely nothing. But the thing is, by the end of the day, if I have accomplished nothing I feel terrible, and generally have so much pent up energy that I cannot sleep - so it is best that I actually get some work done, plus it helps when I have to pay bills that I actually have made some money.

So I need to get to work.

But first I wanted to say "Happy Monday."

And post a picture of Zippy - yep, she's still alive, and very spoiled.




That is all :)

Friday Fun!

One of my best friends, Adrienne, had this posted to her blog. It's a short film (maybe 10 min.) that is so cute and charming, perfect for a Friday!

Shoes Off! by Mark Sawers.

Enjoy!

Patio Pictures

Here's the short version:









Can you figure out which caption and picture belong together? Why won't any of this line up correctly?
* Dad and John "breaking ground" - yes, that was my white-trash patio in the before stage. Jocko and I started our patio last summer but ran out of time and money, so we had a weedy square in our yard that collected water when it rained, we affectionately referred to it as "The Pool." The tent was there for the guys to get some shade in, it is definitely not a permanent fixture in our yard.
* The layer of crushed rock. Can you see the length of my neighbor's grass? It was seriosly 6" long, we wish they would just move.
* The Pavers
* Mission Accomplished! Jocko, John and Dad ham it up.

WOOHOO!

I have a patio! My parents and my youngest brother came down for the weekend and we installed our patio. I will post pictures later, but I am super-duper happy with the results :) We have a little bit more work to do - seal the pavers, cover the base and grow some grass, and, of course, pick out some patio furniture.

And in other fabulous news, the guy who lives across the street has suddenly decided to take an interest in his yard - it's about time. He was weeding his front flower beds (note- there are currently no flowers in said beds) this morning; now he is spreading grass seed, presumably to fill in the areas of the grass that have died due to neglect. The best part is that he has the seed in the spreader, but instead of pushing it along he is dragging the spreader willy-nilly through the yard and throwing large handfuls of seed around. Maybe someone should help him, and let him know that when it is this hot outside grass seed has a hard time getting started.... nah, I'm going to assume he's a trial and error kind of guy.

Happy Fourth! If you are going somewhere fun for the holiday and they have snowcones, please eat one for me - I will assume responsibility for all calories :)

*yuck*

The tags are expiring today for both of our vehicles - and guess who forgot to send in the renewal-by-mail paperwork? Yep, it was me, so I am trying to figure out what to wear (because I haven't done laundry all week), and then I need to pack up some busy work and head to the exciting land of the DMV (or BMV, as it is called here).

Jubilation.

On a much more exciting note - I hit my Mary Kay goal! Thank you so much for the orders, and for registering on my website - I love you all *smooch!*! In fact I had one of my highest sales weeks in a long time, which is really impressive because I didn't even have a party - just one little facial and a bunch of reorders. Thanks, again!

a little plug for me

So the end of the year for Mary Kay is June 30, and I am $700 away from the goal I set for myself last year, so if you are in need of anything (something for you, a gift, perhaps) just let me know. You can shop right from my website. I have a full store in my home and orders are shipped the very next day. If you already have a Mary Kay lady please call her with your order - I do not want to steal another consultant's customers (it's just not right). Also, if you see something you like but would like to try a sample let me know, I have samples for almost everything.

I'll blog more after I wrap up this goal - see you all soon!

Who wants a facial?

I am making a rare, cameo appearance in Metro Detroit!
Jocko and I will be in town for the weekend for Andrea's wedding, and then I'm going to stay an extra week, WooHoo! Mel is planning on coming into town so that we can hang at The Collection and I am planning on hanging out and visiting with as many people as possible.
I will send an email to the AGD group with my phone number, so call me and we can do fun things :)

PS- I love Somerset, but we have always made fun of how pretentious it is, I mean it's a mall, get over it.

Googlisms

I went to google and typed "Alanna needs" just like Heather told us to, and there really wasn't very much that I needed, however, I did find this fun time-waster site that simplifies the google search for your name.

Here are a few examples of who I am, according to Google:
*alanna is a unique female that just loves every thing about knights
*alanna is handling everything like a pro
*alanna is one of the least slutty people in the book
*alanna is indeed alive
*alanna is one wild girl
*alanna is no damsel in distress
*alanna is an excellent choice for any gentleman
*alanna is currently writing her dissertation on the bukharan jews
*alanna is a natural martha stewart and should pursue a career in interior design

So I'm an alive, wild, not-so-slutty, great catch that can keep my cool while playing the domestic goddess and moonlighting as a student, and I am a medieval recreationist in my spare time.

And I thought my life was so simple.

K2tog. *yo P2tog.*

I started a new knitting project the other night. I have frogged it 3 times now, but this time I think I have finally gotten it going. My mom and her friend, Lisa, were in town for the Knitter's Market, it's like the market clothing stores go to to order the new lines of clothing, but this one is all about knitting and needle arts. So anyway, they were in town the day before and the day after aforementioned market and of course they were knitting so I had to start a new project because I did not want to be left out of the fun. It's one of Lisa's patterns for a very fun shawl/scarf, the best part is I happened upon the yarn I am using and only paid $3 for it - what a steal!

In other bargain news, I made a pilgrimage to Stein Mart and bought a really great skirt, jacket, and tunic - I know Mel, I can't wear tunics, they make me look pregnant, but this one just worked, so I thought "I certainly must have this." and into my shopping bag it went. I also ventured into the shoe department, finally got some new tennies and a super cute pair of bright pink slides with fabulous bling on them. All-in-all a shopping success, and even though TSM was present, he was like a small dog, yipping and yapping throughout the store but I just tried to tune him out. :)

Just Because

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Ouch!

I find that at the begining of every summer, right when I pull out the flip-flops and open-toed sandals, I have a day or two when all I do is smash my toes.

Today is that day.

I stubbed my baby toe repeatedly while pushing a plant cart at the market, and I rolled a very heavy cart over my entire foot while at the grocery store. But my toe polish didn't even chip :)

Hope you all had a great day today, and that your toes are all accounted for.

disturbing

I had a great weekend - hung out with old friends, watched the Indy race (Jocko was there, I watched on TV), ate lots of bad food - just a very nice weekend.

But I called my mom and the weirdest thing happened to my little sister. So here's the story.

Preface - My little sister, Susie, will be a sophomore at WMU in the fall, she is at home for the summer. Home is a nice neighborhood in Troy, MI.

Story - On Thurs. at about 7:30 my parents took my brother and sister to DQ for ice cream, they were gone maybe 20 minutes and came home like usual. My Dad walks down the hall to the bathroom and glances towards the laundry room - he realizes someone has broken the window to the side door of the house. If you know my parents you understand that this is where panic ensues.
So they call the cops and then check out the upstairs - the cops advised against doing this in the future, and they emphasized the point when they checked all of the closets and shower stalls with their guns drawn. None of my mom's jewelry is missing, the laptops are all accounted for and nothing else seems out of order.
This is where it gets creepy.
My mom asks Susie if she left her bedroom light on and her door open when they left for ice cream, she says "no," and heads up to see if any of her stuff is missing. Nothing is missing, but... Whoever broke in dumped out her dirty clothes hamper and took all of her dirty underpants and spread them all over the bathroom. GROSS!
Now the Troy Police have about a half dozen pairs of my sister's dirty undies as evidence, ha, ha! And my mom and Susie ripped through her room to make sure nothing "odd" was left behind. So all is now well, and Susie gets to go to Victoria's Secret and buy all new undies.

etc.

Yes, AJ, the cocktail sauce was to die for. Not sweet, just tomato-ee and spicy and yummy, I even dipped my bread in it. If any of you ever come to visit me save your pennies, because we are going to St. Elmo's for dinner, I loved it.

In other news, Mel came with Kobe and stayed at my house! We just hung out and let Kobe bond a little with his "Uncle Taco" and we went shopping, and the security guard at Nordstrom followed us around. I couldn't believe it! Did we really look that threatening? Mel's theory is that she carries the worlds largest purse (a very cool one, I might add) and was rifling around in it, so they probably got a little paranoid, even so I can honestly say it was the first time I have ever been tracked by mall security.

I'm cleaning house today and then running downtown to pick up Allison, one of my best friends from way back in middle school, and then we'll come back to my house and wait for Merissa and Adrienne - the other two best friends from way back - to come into town for the weekend. Yea, more friends!

Jocko is currently in Maryland for the weekend to watch his brother graduate from the Naval Academy. We're pretty proud of the little booger, he's graduating valedictorian. It's so funny to see him do that, and all you can think of is what a bonehead he is sometimes - but we love him.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Happy Happy

So today was my birthday, and it was nice. Jocko got me a frog garden statue, it's actually just what I wanted, and I hid it in the bushes in front of the house. I like it when there are little things hiding for you to find if you only look hard enough :)

This afternoon we went to the track because it was pole day for the upcoming race. I put on my sunscreen but forgot the tips of my ears, so they are a little crisp. We had a lot of fun, I won;t be going to the race this year, so it was nice to still be able to go to the track and see the cars run. I love how fast they are and the noise, and the smell, too. Then on the way home we went to El Rodeo (small, hole-in-the-wall Mexican place) fro dinner, mmm...good food!

The real birthday present is dinner tomorrow night. We are going to St. Elmo's, it's a super-nice steak house downtown that is famous for its shrimp cocktail sauce. Jocko says that it has so much horseradish in it that if you take a wiff your nose hairs will singe - can't wait.

Waiting

I am cutting out fabric for my window treatments in the dining room, it's not hard, but you need to concentrate, and it makes my head hurt. So I took a break and flipped on the TV and Sylvia Browne was on Montel (note: I never watch Montel, was just flipping channels). Have you seen this woman? She is a "psychic" but I got this vibe (through the tv, I know) that she just throws out random answers at people, but people were sobbing at her revelations about their loved ones. Oh, the power of suggestion.
Jocko is on his way home! So now I am waiting for him to get here.
Happy Friday!

PS - I bought a package of "krab meat" this week, I forgot how absolutely wonderful cocktail sauce is........mmm, I want to drink it!

Melon

The mystery smell was the melon, or rather the rind, a renegade piece had catapulted out of the trash can and didn't make it to the garbage in the garage. But I must say I was a bit excited to read Head's theory that I'm pregnant. I called the Taco and told him, he laughed and then he asked if I really thought I was. I'm not.

So after fighting with odors and running errands yesterday I came home and proceeded to lock my car keys in the car. Not a big deal if I wasn't living alone this week, but there wasn't much Jocko could do to help me from OH. So I called the good old insurance guy, and of course his office was closed so I get connected to the "Good Neighbor Help Line" after they check to see that I have a policy with them the girl asks if I want to call my own locksmith, or should she look one up for me, hmmm.... please look that up for me because I am currently in my garage because I can't get into my house. So I call the locksmith and he heads right over.

And while I waited I read the MTU Alum magazine because it was in the mailbox.

I don't know about you, but when I hire someone to break into my home/car I would hope I am dealing with a professional - I kind of expect some sort of uniform. Instead I get a guy straight out of the hood; his girlfriend/wife is all cracked out in the passenger seat and there is a baby (at least the child was properly restrained, and very cute)and a big, crazy looking guy in the back seat. And he didn't pull into my driveway, he parked in the street - not pulled off to the side, but in the middle of my narrow subdivision street. It took him about 10 minutes to get into the car and of course every single one of my neighbors rolled right passed while he was working - I felt so dumb. But, I got into my house and car.

I am taking a spare key to the neighbors house tonight.

PU!

There is a hidden source of stinkiness in my house; I don't know where it is coming from and it is super disturbing. At first I thought it was the garbage in the kitchen, so I took it out and aired out the house and lit a candle; I thought the stench was gone so I closed the windows and BANG! there's the stink again. Was it the candle -maybe?- so I open the windows again and the smell is once again gone. Ok, I'm thinking, it was definitely the clearance candle, throw it away; meanwhile I go upstairs and do some work. I come down later and am hit with this odor again! Seriously. Now I'm thinking it's the cantaloupe I just bought, so I cut it up and put it into the fridge and take the rind to the trash can in the garage. I'm thinking this has got to be the root of the offensive smell. No such luck.

Please help me figure out where this horrible stink is coming from, it smells like rotting fruit and I'm running out of possible causes.

Student Driver, School Buses, and Stevie Wonder

I went shopping this afternoon becuase Zippy needed a few things and I still had to buy wedding gifts. So on my way to the first set of stores I am stuck on the loop behind a student driver, AAAHHH!!! then we hit a death-trap on-ramp and 2 school buses merge in front of us. I felt like I was the last float in the Shriners Parade. But I was rocking out to Sttevie Wonder, so it wasn't that bad, plus I was wearing my new bright pink Born mules :)

I got everything I needed and the shopping monster was mostly contained, mission accomplished.

T*O*G*A

Remember how fun it was to put on a toga and put fake leaves in your hair? I just found these old pictures and thought I'd share :)

If you look very closely you'll see that the toga I am wearing in the picture on the right is the same toga Head is wearing in the picture on the left; she willed it to me when she graduated and I loved it, ecxept that it came to me with a bobby pin clipped on and when I tried to fold it the bobby pin whacked me in the head. OOFFF!

Speaking of Senior Wills - who remembers The Kimomo?

MELANNA!

Over the weekend I threw a wedding shower for my soon-to-be sister-in-law (now that's a mouth full). So on the way to Muskegon I stopped in Zeeland to visit Mel and Scott and baby Kobe.

We took some pictures and, as usual, we were unable to take one decent "serious" picture.







Kobe and his favorite Auntie Alanna, I just love his cheeks!

What I Love Right Now

* Lost - I am addicted to this show, I must Tivo it each week, and then dissect each episode with Jocko.
* Juicy by Better Than Ezra - why is this song so great? It seems like it should be mildly annoying, and yet... I don't know.
* Fat Free, Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding- not the instant kind, though.

I Thought my Theme Song was "Alanna Broccolli"

Your Theme Song is Beautiful Day by U2

"Sky falls, you feel likeIt's a beautiful day Don't let it get away" You see the beauty in life, especially in ordinary everyday moments.And if you're feeling down, even that seems a little beautiful too.

What's" Your Theme Song?

I Wish Jocko was Home

So, for the past 12 weeks Jocko has been working in Findlay, OH and has only been home on the weekends - it sucks; but now that the weather is nice and things are growing I have to mow the lawn. I had not mown the lawn since I was 13, and then it was with a self-propelled mower, we have a push mower and a HUGE yard. I am tired, and I know I will be sore tomorrow, and even though I've showered, I smell like a gas can.

In other yard realted news, we put in a few new bushes and some more day lillies this past weekend, and it looks like I'm getting my patio this year :)

Why I Love Spring

I love Spring!

Maybe it's because the weather is nice, but not too hot, leaving endless outfit options, maybe it's because you can wear fun colored makeup again, maybe it's because of the tulips :)

I was going to take a picture of my tulips for all of you, but it decided to rain, and now it is dreary outside. So tomorrow I will take a picture and post it, and you can all see my pretty, pink tulips - there aren't a ton, but they make me happy.

A Quick Recap

I'm starting this blog in an attempt to reconnect with everyone; so here's a quick recap:

Jocko and I were married in Sept. of 2003 and we had a cute little old house in Findlay, OH that our parents affectionately called "the money pit." It sucked up all of our time and money, but it was so darn cute! Fast forward to the end of Sept 2004, Jocko is transferred to Indianapolis and Alanna needs to sell the house and find a new one in Indy, both happen quickly and we moved into our new house on Nov. 12, 2004.

Since then, everything has been really mundane.