California Dreamin

I'm looking for ideas on how to make some extra cash. Does anyone have ideas for something as a side job? I've been lucky enough to keep my job, however raises and bonuses have been cut out. My husband and I really want to move back to California, but have become accustomed to living in a nice home in a nice neighborhood. We don't want our standard of living to decrease once we move so we would need to buy a more expensive home in California which requires a larger down payment than the money we would get out of our current home. To save up the cash we either need to make more or spend less. We just finished remodeling our kitchen and are considering doing the same for our master bathroom. I know this sounds like a contradiction since I'm looking to save cash, but given the current real estate market, I think these things need to be done in our house in order for it to sell. Anyway....if anyone has any ideas on what I could do (legal, of course) to make extra cash, please let me know! I've tried looking on craigslist and online, but everything seems like a scam. I'm not looking to get rich quick by sitting at home doing nothing. I'm considering the pet bakery again, but that would require a bit of start up money and who knows if I would make any money, or even recoup my investment.

A Fresh Outlook

I need to have a better outlook on life. I'm seeing a new PT who has made some comments about my perception of things that happen to me. He said that I think everybody is out to get me, I responded by saying I think I just have bad luck. I'm going to work on being more positive, just like this kitty.

An Open Letter to my Cat

Beware, this may be TMI for some.

Dear Minky,

You have grown into quite a nice cat and are a part of our family. Long gone is the runt kitten who wouldn't turn his back to us at any time because you didn't trust us. You are funny, soft, quirky and a pleasure to be around. I especially liked how you came and sat with me in bed when I was at one of my worst points with pain. You were quite the little prince while we had company, sitting next to my dad and getting him to feed you cheese even though he claims to hate cats. Now...I beg you...PLEASE STOP EATING DENTAL FLOSS. Also, plastic, tape and ribbon aren't good ideas either. You usually end up throwing it up eventually, but this last time that did not happen and the way I had to remove it from you was quite disgusting. Please don't make me do that again. I also don't want you to get sick because we like having you around.

XOXO,
Mrs. Jeeves

PS: There is a lid on the bathroom trash can now so please do not find something else to eat instead.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day has become another typical American holiday. A day off from work, a time to drink, BBQ and take vacations...but let's not forget what it means. This is a day to remember those who lost their lives to protect our freedom.

Thursday Thirteen - Holiday Weekend Plans

Here are 13 things I plan on doing this long holiday weekend

1. Enjoy the nice weather that has finally arrived

2. Sit on the deck and enjoy the flowers my husband planted last weekend

3. Have dinner with my husband at a restaurant overlooking a scenic river on Sunday evening

4. Go shopping for a new dress to wear to dinner on Sunday

5. Grill some meat and eat outside

6. Leave work early on Friday

7. Paint the front porch

8. Drink some wine or cocktails

9. Go for a walk every day

10. Play with my cats since they haven't had much attention lately

11. Try to get caught up a little on my chores & errands that need to be done

12. Clean the house (boooo!)

13. Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes

Wordless Wednesday: Born to be Wild

Gossip Free

I am on day six of not reading any of the gossip web sites and I don't miss it. I even deleted them from the bookmarks on my computer so I don't go there out of habit. I don't feel any better or worse for it though. Just like when I gave up drinking diet soda and caffeine...I don't feel any better from it and certainly didn't lose any weight. I'm convinced that many of the things we are told are "bad" for us aren't really that bad. OK, certain things like smoking, yes, very bad, I know that all too well. But are caffeine, artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup really all that bad? I wonder how much of what we do affects our health vs. the environment and genetic factors. I know I'm far from perfect, but I try to lead a healthy life and things still happen to me. I don't want to publicly tell my health problems, but I'm going through something scary right now and I can't help but wonder if I am to blame or if certain things are just out of our control. I don't accept that things just happen with no reason because I want to funnel my anger towards something. With my headaches/neck problems...I was in an accident so I understand where the pain came from. My parents smoked cigarettes for years and both got lung cancer. Those things make sense, but others don't. I may be gossip free, but peace is still eluding me.

Trying Again

I went back to Jenny Craig today. I faced up to it and got on the scale...I gained a little over 3 pounds since the last time I was there about 2 months ago and about 7 pounds overall. I had lost about 17 pounds so I am still down, but I really don't want to give it all back. My biggest motivation right now is to win the weight loss competition at work...not the right reasons to try to lose weight, but I need something to motivate me.

Finding Peace

I've been quite the procrastinator lately. I just have a hard time getting started doing anything productive (work and home unfortunately) so today I am vowing to not look at TMZ or Perez Hilton for the entire day and night. Most of the posts are not anything I'm interested in anyway, but I feel like I'm going to miss out on something if I don't look. Ooohhh..wouldn't that be the end of the world. I remember back to a year ago this week when I was on a fabulous island vacation that had no TV or internet and it was very peaceful. I need to find that peace here at home.

Pink Wins Again

Who would have thought Helen would win the Biggest Loser? Not me! A woman has won the last three seasons now and all have been from the pink team. Helen was also the smallest person to start so you would think that she would be at a disadvantage, but she got down to 117! Amazing. However more amazing than that was Jerry winning the at home prize. I wrote about Jerry long ago at the beginning of the season when he was voted out in week 2. I thought he looked great then, but who knew he would end up losing 47%. Yay for Jerry! Also, Mike looked incredible. It's great that he got his weight under control at the age of 18 rather than waiting. I was sure Tara was going to win until she came out and it was clear she hadn't lost much more weight since the last weigh in. She did great, but it wasn't enough to win. Congrats to all...you are an inspiration!

Blah Blah Blah

I haven't been in the mood to write much lately. There are pictures of the kitchen on my Facebook page. We are waiting on a new counter depth fridge, but other than that it is done. Now we need bar stools and at a table and chairs. I keep meaning to post some pictures here but never get around to it. We are considering having the master bathroom done next. I need to find some inspiration though on the design. The place we used for the kitchen said if we sign a contract in May for the bathroom that they can start work in October...you'd never know we were in the middle of a recession based on their bookings. I think back in the boom time it was a 12 to 18 month wait. I have completely lost my motivation to lose weight and have gained back about 5 or 6 pounds. My head still hurts all the time. I finally got a referral to a neurologist and have an appointment next month. I call every day to see if they have any cancellations to get me in sooner. My cats keep peeing on the floor outside the litter box and my husband is getting really upset about it. I have no idea why they do this, even when the litter is brand new. My company is once again doing summer Fridays so I get to go home at 1pm on Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day...yay! That is assuming all the work is done. I'm excited for the Biggest Loser finale tonight. It's my favorite show. I love the finale where you get to see the before and afters. My husband got us great tickets to see the Dodgers while we are in CA next month. We will be right behind home plate. I'm bummed about the Manny suspension though since now I won't get to see him play and chant his name. It rained for something like 9 straight days here recently. Great for the plants, not great for my mood. I think it's sunny today. I find it amusing that Donald Trump makes the decision on if Miss California gets to keep her crown. I know he owns it and all, but that is just weird to me.

Keyboard Cat

Thanks for Laura for turning me on to this...I keep watching over and over! I love how he gets all into it with his eyes closed.

Please Don't Talk to Me

I went to see Feifei yesterday for an acupuncture visit. One of the needles gave me a shooting pain so I wasn't in the best mood, and I always feel nauseous after. On top of that I had to be face down in the oval thing like when you get a massage so I had a ring on my face. Luckily the drive to work is a little over 30 minutes so the ring is usually gone by the time I get to work. After the treatment I got in the elevator (on the 6th floor) and there is a man talking on his cell phone. As soon as I get in he says to the person on the other end that he "has to go". Crap...he's going to talk to me and the elevator in this old building is really slow. I just kept thinking, "please don't talk to me...please don't talk to me" in my head and I tried to cover my face with my hair so he couldn't see the ring. No luck...he talks to me and mentions the ring on my face. Great, thanks. I just ignored him and then as I got out of the elevator and walked toward the door he kind of yelled at me from behind that his wife gets that ring too when she gets a massage. Whatever....leave me alone, I need a ginger ale.

No Doubt

The boys in No Doubt really owe Gwen a lot. If Tony didn't break Gwen's heart, then this band would never have been successful, but it really is all her. The funky Gwen is back for the No Doubt tour! Here is the video from the Today Show. They will also be performing on American Idol on May 6 and Gossip Girl on May 11 (will they be the prom band???).

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