Signs I Know I'm An Odd Duck: The OaKBaLL Edition

Today I'm going to make the best out of an odd situation and use it for entertainment purposes.  Do you ever stop and laugh at yourself and think, "Did that really just happen?" Sometimes we think, say, or do things that are off the wall or simply out of the norm (if one is so inclined to think that there really is a "normal" anymore, but I digress!) Let us begin and embrace the things that make us who we are.

We all have had to leave work some time or another for different reasons. "My kid is sick," "there has been a family emergency," or "I just had a coughing/sneezing fit that started a nose bleed that won't stop so my boss told me to go home." 

Oh, wait.  Apparently that's just me.

Warning: If you don't like hearing about blood, you may want to skip the first sign, but it's only about my nose, so it's more humorous and embarrassing, than gross. Just sayin'.

Yes, folks. Sign #1: For the second time in my life, I've been sent home from work because I can't get a nose bleed under control. 

After 30 minutes, a handful of paper towels, and multiple trips to the restroom, I had to do the light headed walk of shame to the car with tampons and tissue in my nose. The good news is, this time I was able to drive myself home once I lay back for a few minutes (last time I was almost 8 months pregnant and almost had to go to the ER) and I got it to stop without going to the hospital. The bad news is that I am out yet another days pay since I've been sick off and on for the last 3 weeks, and though it hasn't bled in a while now, I can feel movement of a clot behind my nasal cavity every time I swallow and still taste/smell blood every time I cough. It is such a weird and odd feeling back there and it needs to go away. This all began at exactly 11am this morning when I got off the phone to start my break and I felt a sneeze coming on. I coughed a few times, and then I sneezed and it was all over from there. Thank God I had the tissues in my hand and avoided getting it anywhere on my desk or clothes. 

At first I was determined to stay at work, but at 11:30am when the other side started, I couldn't argue anymore. I decided to go home and rest, thinking I'd be able to get back to work in an hour. It wasn't until almost 2pm I was able to remove the blockades from my nose with confidence, but I still don't feel comfortable enough to walk around without them in hand for fear that this congested feeling behind my face is not from the cold, but the clot that is keeping me from another round of tampons in my nose.

Have you ever had to put tampons in your nose to stop the bleeding? Hopefully not, but for those of us with severe nose bleeds, they are rather handy, but always incredibly awkward.

I can't quite figure out how I accomplish sign #2, but it is interesting to theorize when I look at the diagram.

To change the subject ever so slightly, I discovered Sign #2 at a young age while visiting relatives who smoked:  I can "plug my nose" without using my hands. There is something in my nasal cavity that I adjust somehow and it keeps unpleasant smells out and if I talk while doing it, it sounds like I've plugged my nose. That same muscle or whatever it is that I move to help me seems to be right next to the danger zone today where this clot is located and it is rather uncomfortable.

Since blood is red, it helps explain Sign #3 a little bit: The color red and the number 4 annoy me. I don't know when this started, but for as long as I can remember, I avoid these and things pertaining to them. If I think enough on the subject of red, I find reasons that lead me to justify that the dislike of red isn't completely unwarranted since there are many red things that have a negative connotation: blood, stop signs/lights, etc...but let's be honest here, the number thing is just weird. I'm not a math wiz and have no weird talents with numbers, but for some reason or another, I have always leaned towards odd numbers, and somewhere down the line, the #4 did something to my brain that makes me avoid it whenever I possibly can (the 49ers never had a chance.) This issue doesn't affect me to the point where I notice it every day, but it does make me laugh some times when I find myself using these things in some of my decision making processes. 

We all like making funny faces, but some of us have odd talents, and that is what makes us an awesome individual. Sign #4: I can play tennis with my eyes. For example, one eye looks at my nose, while the other looks off to the side, and back and forth they go in a fun little game of eyeball pong. Apparently it is not a common trait, and though I'm not sure if it is good for me, I find it entertaining on occasion when it makes someone squirm when they see it. I can also turn my tongue upside down or touch the tip of my nose with it, but I'm not cool enough to be able to fold it into a taco, clover, or tie a a cherry stem in a knot, so my hat's off to you awesomely quirky folks who can!

How you doin'?

Sign #5: I have friends and family whom I can have full conversations with using nothing but movie and television quotes. At any given point in time, if you ask me what I am thinking, there is probably an obscure quote from a movie or television series that I was reminded of by what you just said, and I have to fight the urge to say it because you will absolutely no idea what I am talking about. Some are easier to get than others, but I definitely have a thing for ridiculous comedies. Have you seen movies like The Ref, The Pest, Earth Girls Are Easy, Idiocracy, or Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls? Probably not, but I love them for a multitude of reasons that I never expect other people to understand, but love it when they do! If I throw out some Casablanca, Dirty Harry, or Office Space, I'm sure more folks would get a laugh even if they can't remember exactly where it came from. Between my Best of SNL collection and the multitude of television series I own (and have the ability to stream on Netflix and Hulu), the world makes it incredibly easy to indulge in my love of film and entertainment, and keeps my mind full of fun and outlandish quotes. I wish I could remember quotes from books, Shakespeare plays, Emerson poems, or even bible verses as easily as I can a funny line from a film, but I'll take it. I'm glad to remember the things I enjoy so they can keep me entertained, even if I can't be around them all the time

In short, what I love about oddities is that they make everybody an individual. We all want to belong somewhere, but that doesn't mean we have to conform and be exactly like everybody else.

I am what I am, and I don't want to be anything but me. (A version of me that could finish getting her degree and make more money for my family sounds good, but I'm getting there.) I am still growing, learning, and discovering new things every day to keep life moving forward.

The Journey Will Never Start If I Don't Take the First Step

I have no pictures or fancy posts for the evening, but since I need to stop making excuses about how I will sit down and write a post and then never do, I have to remember they don't always have to be fancy because they are an outlet for me to share thoughts and craziness that sit in my brain.

I have fears. Lots of them. Some little anxieties that make me feel silly, and some of which are much more crippling that I continue to work on everyday to keep moving forward. Today we focus on silly, irrational anxieties that just need to go away and let me cook.

I have a fear/anxiety regarding preparing new recipes and letting people eat the food. I like to try out a recipe first, so if i fails, only me and the household know the epic nature of the failure. The complication here is that food is made to eat. Some recipes are rather large and I can't eat them myself, or in some cases I am not even supposed to eat that food (be it allergy, intolerance, etc...) but I want to try to make it anyway.

My journey with The Pampered Chef began a few short months ago and I've been making stride in this area. Today I tried a new recipe for spinach and artichoke dip and a very new recipe I just received for Lemon Marshmallow Meringue Pie. I found a gluten free yellow cake mix and a box of lemon pie filling and made both items to take to family dinner.

Good news: I didn't die from a panic attack and I didn't make excuses to anybody but myself (and nobody noticed or cared that it wasn't perfect because I don't think "too much pie filling making the marshmallows go over the edge a little" is going to get a complaint.)

So...yay! One small step for me, one giant leap toward more deliciousness in my future!

The Plan Is That There Is No Plan

Yvonne: Where  were  you  last  night?  

Rick: That's  so  long  ago,  I  don't  remember. 

Yvonne: Will  I  see  you  tonight?  

Rick: I  never  make  plans  that  far  ahead.  

 -Casablanca (1942) 

Due to the craziness that surrounds life these days, I smile when I hear these words spoken.  Life goes by so fast, I constantly feel like Jack-Jack chasing his tail when he is unsure what to do. Maybe it is the items building up on my To Do Didn't List, or possibly the "pregnancy brain" I've been stricken with by the quickly growing mini-me getting ready to make her debut.  Though my situation is much different than Monsieur Rick, the man knows how to simplify and adapt.  

Whatever it is I have upcoming, planning just doesn't seem logical.  I'm a Research and Development kind of girl, so I'll stick with forming ideas and seeing where life takes me. It seems much more feasible than trying to be exact, since everything is bound to change!  

Though I'm sure I could fill much more than a blog making comparisons of how I feel like Casablanca quotes relate to my ideals and feelings about life (and I'm sure I will someday in the future), I will try to stick to updating since my writing has been fewer and far between.

Let's see, where does one begin?  I'll begin with a few items on my Didn't List.  Things I have yet to accomplish, but are definitely in the works:

• Finding our new home
• Deciding on a name for the little one
• Graduating college
• Find a more fulfilling job

The perfect one is out there!

The House Hunt Continues!  

We've had a few disappointments losing out on two houses so far, but we will persevere.  The hope we'd be in a house by December has just about disappeared, but we are kicking the search into high gear, determined that we will be in our new house before the baby arrives! We have about 20 weeks to go, but with school and work on both our plates, we seem to be easily distracted. 

Remember, I'm a baby not a pet!

What's In a Name?

Another area we've run in to hiccups.  Despite our similarities, Brenden and I have much different opinions on what constitutes a baby name, and what is just plain ridiculous.  It has been fun and entertaining throwing names around, but now comes the much more serious business of actually deciding on what our child will be stuck with for life.  Along with homework, and the crazy holiday season of retail, we want to pick out our name instead of simply saying "Baby" since I'm about to start making "nobody puts baby in a corner" references again.  Plus, having a name will appease me a little longer since I still have to wait 4 more months until I'll have her in my arms!

The day will come when I can say "I have arrived."

Stepping Stones to Success

Though I'm not opposed to continuing my education even further, the next step on my list so far is graduating from college.  I'm almost at my midway point to finishing my Hospitality/Tourism program, and have had to face the facts that I may have to take a baby break before getting my diploma.  I'm confident with what I've learned so far and hope to be able to use it for a better job even before I finish my classes, which will also help with the next item on my list...

Nothing is perfect, but something better is out there!

The Possibilities Are Endless!

I don't necessarily believe there is one perfect job for a person of my diverse interests, but I do believe there is a job out there best suited for my strengths and abilities that will give me fulfillment and help me provide for my family.  Though the idea of being a stay-at-home mom sounds fantastic and I wish I could pull it off, it isn't in the cards for us with our financial situation at present.  I want to contribute to our stability as a family to ease the financial stress.








What we have from this list here: the basis of a plan with the ability to adapt to unexpected changes.  I have no firm directions or timing on when/how it will be accomplished, just an optimistic demeanor and determination.  Goals and ideas--the keys to my accomplishments--are what keep me moving forward with the comfort in knowing I will arrive at the day when I can comfortably breathe a sigh of relief that another item is checked off the list.

Status Turned Rant: CURSES!

Good grief.  I realize I'm a bit of an old lady at heart, but the world is making me feel this way. 

Lets discuss a topic shall we? 

Swearing.


I'm not going to lie, I curse like a sailor from time to time (though I haven't met any sailors, I've heard things.)  I shouldn't do it, it's a personal choice that I would like to avoid using curses.  I despise the "F" word, yet here it slips out of my mouth at least once a day.  I try to find alternatives.  I say lots of "B" words for all occasions: blah, boom!, boogers, and when I'm really irked, "Balls!"  (usually to express my failure at life.)  I'm getting pretty good at just mumbling sounds or "grrrr's" under my breath.  

As a youngster, I hated swearing.  I would gasp at swears.  I never dreamed I'd let myself use the "F" word unnecessarily, but I am also a strong willed individual who gets angry and frustrated from time, so I lose my class here and there.  Thankfully I know there is a time and a place for everything and I have a decent filter.  I was raised to respect my elders, my peers, and to be a positive influence on those younger than myself.   Outside influence has been my biggest hurdle and is a huge culprit in my changing language that began its laps a few years back, but it is up to myself to choose my language and use my words better. 

I find it disrespectful and rude using horrible language for no reason, I don't care what your age is.  In a store, on the street, if I am not part of your conversation and I can hear your cursing, it is just a tad bit rude.  Our language has millions of words, personally I feel like I sound uneducated when I can't find a better one.  Making them up is also fun, there are bound to be a few in this blog, but I digress... 

My irritation that has led to this rant is the negative reinforcement for this bad habit is everywhere and has begun infiltrating my radio more than ever before.  I have been finding myself depressed at the amount of swearing that has moved into music we now hear on public radio, and that it takes more than a few "F" bombs to earn yourself an explicit rating on an album. In my job I am listening to music 100% of my work day whether I like it or not and I can't take a song seriously that is trying to relay a strong message, but chunks of the song have to get blanked out for "radio edits" (if you can even call them that anymore.)  I applaud artists who show actual creativity by singing alternate versions, or find creative ways of using their words to express their thoughts and emotions.  Cee Lo has shown some courtesy, Pink is good at it, even Britney Spears has impressed me a time or two.   Lots of customers get surprised to hear when certain artists have an EDITED or EXPLICIT option because that singer keeps their expletives under the radar.  I have a tendency to use the warning "situationally explicit" about a few albums to let parents be aware of content, especially when it lacks an advisory.

I am not saying there should be no swearing in music, or that innuendo needs to be toned down.  I hum along like many people do.  I am just trying to point out that with all the options of places to hear music online, satellite radio, or whatever newfangled techafied gadget or app you have, not to mention the hundreds and thousands of songs that come out throughout the year, why must my radio bleep swears at me? I get enough of it from customers and movies.  I don't like to be censored, hence this blog, so I will not be joining a "people against swearing in public media" group or marching the streets of the capitol to tell the entertainment industry to tone it down, but I will still attempt not to say the "F" word today, in hopes that I also don't say it again tomorrow.

That is all.  For now.  I'm sure I'll complain about this again in the future.

Puppy Love

2012 is here, and I think it's about time I start to get noisy again.  No more thinking or trying, just doing.  Instead of "thinking I"m going to blog again soon" or "trying to write more" I need to stop being a procrastinator and do the things I say.  I got all sorts of craziness on my mind (only a few words stuck in the dead zone from time to time) so a creative outlet is just what the doctor ordered.

It has been much too long since I have started and finished a blog.  I have started several over the last two years, then never stepped up to the plate.  Picking a strong topic to enhance with photos or humor is always a good idea and makes the experience more fun.  I seem to lack the discipline and attention span I used to.

Ooh, shiny...

What was I saying?  Oh, yes.  Discipline.  I have that.

Another thing I have.  Dogs.  Adorable, ridiculous dogs.  That is to be today's topic of conversation, especially since I have pictures to go with it.

Name: Jack    Age: 8   Personality: hyperactive dragon and duck obsessed, crotchety old man

A.K.A: Jackolaus McKracken M.D., Goober, Jack-o, the Jackle, or the Great American Jackalope (depending on with whom you are speaking.)

Name: Bella Posey  Age: 1  Personality: energetic chew-crazed bottomless pit & cuddle bug

A.K.A: Miss Bell, Bella Bean, Honey Bella, or Stinky Face

Bella is the newest addition to our household. She is fitting in well, though is not very talented in entertaining herself without some assistance.  She cannot wait until we can move from an apartment to a place with a yard.  Then she can chew all sorts of stuff outside too!

Did I mention she is a big, 65lbs. baby? 

She loves her name, but also responds to anything that sounds like you might be talking to Jack instead of Bella.  She doesn't like that so much, it just can't be right.  You would have much more fun if you played with her instead...in case you didn't know that.  Also, she is a lap dog, so if you need to cuddle, just say something and she will be happy to oblige.  No problems there.


Jackle on the other hand...

He just wants to get some sleep.  Life is exhausting when you're a Jackle. Having to teach a little sister what's what really takes a lot out of a dog. Especially when she weighs almost 60lbs more than you and always tries to eat your toys, occasionally succeeding.  Have you ever had to watch your mom throw away your rubber duckies or purple dragon?  Brutal. Thank goodness he still has Mr. Bump and crazy unicorn lobster pig to keep him company. 

 

5 Reasons Being Sick Can Help Productivity

Since I have a tendency to get sick quite often, I have learned a few things about how to attempt to look at the bright side of the situation. I do not always succeed of course, but generally I try to distract myself from the frustration of the ickyness in order to make it all pass more quickly. Here's a few tips to boost productivity while you may feel under the weather:

1) Keeping Up On Correspondence

The beauty of today's world is our ability to keep up with friends and family through all sorts of mediums. Technology allows us to keep in contact with all sorts of people we normally would have lost touch with had we not access to such a wealth of information at our fingertips. When you are ill, talking on the phone or logging on to the world wide web is always a great way to cheer yourself up. You feel social as well as productive as you can also communicate via text messages, instant messaging, email, etc... all are great forms of communication to help you find just the right person to help you through your tough time (especially if you don't happen to have anybody around and are all by your lonesome. )

2) Catching Up On Entertainment

When one is confined to a bed or a couch, one can only hope to have the resources to keep entertained: books, movies, magazines, TV and/or a DVD player, etc... Being stuck off your feet can be an opportunity to find new and interesting things to check out that you've been putting off or haven't had the time to enjoy. Some people read, others write, while yet another may catch up on everything they've been saving on their DVR. And if you are lucky enough to have a laptop or be relatively close to a computer, you can always surf the net or get addicted to another Facebook or MySpace game. So whether you are watching your old favorite movies or sending out gifts to your Farmville or Mafia friends, take the time to enjoy some pleasant distractions!

3) Getting Alternative Education

The doctors office or "drug aisle" of your grocery store will always have something to teach you. When one comes down with an ailment, there is generally something to be learned about yourself as well as whatever condition you have been stricken with. Some people are able to fight through their illness on their own, while others must go to the doctors office to learn what it is they must do to fix their problem. How much or how little you learn depends on your problem and whether or not there is a simple way to get yourself back to normal.

4) Sleeping As Much As Possible

Obviously we all know that our nation is in a record recession and nobody wants to put their job at risk, but sometimes it just isn't a good idea to go work. People are freaking out about swine flu as well as other strange and icky ailments going around at this time of the season, and who wants to be looked at like a leper every time they cough or sneeze? Not only do you take a risk of spreading germs to others, you also decrease the amount of time it could take to get you back on your feet. Whenever possible, sick time should become sleep time and you should never underestimate the power of a good night's rest!

5) Having An Excuse To Wear Pajamas All Day Long

How does this help productivity? Come on now, a good pair of pajamas are the ultimate in comfort wear! What better time to take advantage of comfortable clothing than when your mind and body are at their most UNcomfortable? If you are going to be eating soup, watching TV, and sleeping as much as possible, then take advantage of this time to simply enjoy the beauty of nice, soft, comfortable pajamas. Slippers are an added bonus if warm and cushiony foot protection happens to be your thing and nobody can say a dog-gone thing about it because you are SICK and that is the ultimate free pass to allow you to wear whatever attire you see fit without fear of ridicule or judgment . When you are comfortable, you are more likely to find yourself relaxed and ready to keep up those things that you still have to accomplish despite your illness.

If Only...

Dear Dirty Laundry,

You are cluttering my living space and I don't want to wash you. If you are not miraculously going to clean yourself, please go away or I will be forced to take drastic measures.

Sincerely,
(A Very Tired) Me