Long time, no update

I haven't had too much sitting around time to myself for the last week or so. But, I figure that I'm feeling sick and wide awake tonight, so why not.

The last week or so has been a lot of work. Last week was a little bit of a snag from a mix of exhaustion and illness... and grouchy customers. The week before was great, and I'm really liking working night shift. I get a whole lot done during the day -- cleaning house, cooking meals, catching up on the ridiculous number of shows I love. And, at night work goes fast, and the environment is much more relaxed. People aren't as competitive about sales, and everyone has a great sense of humor.

Two weeks ago I had a podiatrist appointment for the first time in my memory. They x-rayed my feet and took castings for orthopedics in my first half hour visit. I picked up the inserts Thursday, and they are awesome. My ankle is pain free and all that's aching is my Achilles. Plus, they make me taller. I am really happy that my doc is letting me pay for them monthly instead of all at once.

Last night was the Founder's Day party. It was actually a lot of fun! This is what happens when you hire based on awesomeness. We played games and did some dancing. I had a few drinks and socialized like crazy. Oh yea, and I was hypnotized. I would tell you about that, but it's pretty hazy. I did win a cake and a Swiss Colony pink polo. Stacey won me a "ugly" green sweater. I think it's awesome. I definitely owe that lady. I told her that if she ever needs to crash in Platteville to call me. We have lots of space in this house.

Tomorrow, I start day one of training for Customer Service and Internet. I'm really excited because it means a pay raise and it extends my "peak season." That also means I'll be in Platteville even longer! But, it's worth it. I want to stay until the end of peak, whenever that might be.

I'm really excited for this weekend! Jared and I are driving to Fox Lake, IL and taking the train into Chicago. We're staying at the same hostel we stayed at last Spring. The only real plans I have involve sushi, lasagna and Community Day at the Shedd Aquarium. It's going to be a great trip. Those inserts for my shoes are really going to help me be able to survive the 12 hours a day on my feet. Oh! And I get to ride the train. I love public transportation.

DOTM for September!

I found this in one of our catalogs at work! I'm not much for Christmas decorating or regular decorating... but whoa mama! I love this toliet set! It's a penguin! That is enough for me!

I will elaborate more once I receive the set.

Last little bit: The Glee Premiere was pretty awesome! But, Lea Michele is getting way too skinny.

MN Planning

Two weeks ago I purchased an Idiot's Guide to Smart Moving book from http://www.thriftbooks.com. Jared has to sleep way before I'm ready to, so while he's resting I read my guide book and take notes to prepare for the future. I am reminded of the Lennon quote, “Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans,” but it's not going to stop me. I need to plan to keep my sanity.

On Sunday I read chapters one and two which suggested requesting information from our future home town. I spent Monday calling both the Minneapolis and St. Paul Chamber of Commerce as well as the Roseville Chamber of Commerce. I also called the Minnesota Tourism Office. I should be receiving several packages this month on relocation.

I'm trying to read the chapters and do what they say in order, but one woman told me it' d be a "couple of weeks" before I'd receive a relocation packet. If I don't hear word by Friday, I'm going to read a few more chapters and get going on that.

Jared hasn't told his parents yet that we're moving... and I can't remember if I told my family here in Wisconsin. I've told my cousin Rachel in Mississippi that we're planning on moving though. I think that counts in my favor in some way.

This week has been day in day out working where Jared and I are on opposite shifts. I've spent very little and am prepared to welcome debt free October into my In the Red year.

Also, I have to start paying my student loan back in November at $61.50 a month.

And, I am getting orthotics sometime in October that I will be paying on monthly as well.

But, I can say that I am very happy with all that I own and what I have been loaned. I do not want for much.

This quote is a little more insightful than Lennon's. (Although, he is my favorite Beatle.)

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”

- Anatole France

Tiny Rant

With every fiber of my being I hate those cereal commercials claiming that "studies show" that people who eat whole grain live longer or weigh less than people who don't eat whole grain. It's statistic BS. Of course people health conscious enough to toss delicious fluffy carbs for scratchy brown carbs will live healthier, longer lives. This doesn't make cereal some miracle cure for death or obesity. It just shows a marketing tactic of showing causation by correlation.

It'd be similar to say that people who don't eat whole sticks of butter rolled in sugar everyday live longer than people who do. What kind of condition/mental state would one need to be in to eat a whole stick of butter rolled in sugar everyday? He/she is more likely on the edge of death more often than going for a morning jog.

Playing Catch Up

We are 111 days from Christmas. 110 days until finalizing our move. I am very excited. Actually I think I'm nesting. I bought a coffee table this last week, received it on Friday and had it in the door and put together in under an hour. Today, I bought a small side table... but I probably won't get it. It'd be nice to replace the big hunker that's next to the couch, but the last time I checked there were only two left.

Other than shopping -- which is always a wonderful thing when you have some money to do so. Especially, when the company is buying. -- I've been working, cooking, cleaning and watching Covert Affairs.

So the working has been okay. I'm looking forward to not working weekends anymore. Saturdays and Sundays are so slow that they let us off early. I am let off last of the morning shift, because my hours go through first shift and into second. The calls sometimes have 4-7 minutes between them. Today I sang "Dancing By My Self" at least 20 times while waiting. I ate some cookies... and attempted doing the crossword.

Cooking wise I made a Greek dish from allrecipes.com for the work week's lunch.

Greek Penne and Chicken

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta

2 1/2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup chopped red onion

4 cloves garlic, minced

1.7 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into bite-size pieces

1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts in water

1 can diced tomato

1 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions

Marinade chicken bites in parsley, oregano, lemon juice, 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter while noodles boil. (About half an hour)

In a large pot with boiling salted water cook penne pasta until al dente. Drain.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat melt butter, add onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add chopped chicken and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium- low. Drain and chop artichoke hearts and add them, diced tomato, feta cheese, and drained penne pasta to the large skillet. Cook until heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Serve warm.

Here is the original recipe. My version makes over 12 servings.

Cleaning is never-ending and not worth talking about.

Covert Affairs is worth talking about. It's an excellent addition to television. It's sharp, action packed and the blind tech guy is hilarious. I like it a lot more than the Bourne Identity movies.

On a side note: Jared and I are constantly battling with our city planning office, and Water and Sewer. First they dug up our yard. Then, they put gigantic concrete tubey things on our yard for three weeks. Then they filled the holes with sand and gravel instead of dirt. Plus, the people across the street believe it's better to park in our driveway instead of the numerous parking spots on the street. Now, the workers went into our backyard and took a hose from the house. They hooked that hose to a fire hydrant. Jared was really angry when he saw it. He made the rounds of calls the figure out what was going on. Apparently, the construction workers are running water to our house with that hose. Jared is still kind of riled about them not asking permission.

Also, our microwave has gone rogue. We have the breaker off to stop it from beeping loudly unendingly.

We start our new work schedule tomorrow. Jared works 6am to 4pm, and I work 4:30pm to midnight. We have weekends off. We should do something this weekend.

The Weekend Update

Thursday I worked an extra shift to make up for taking off Saturday for Joe and Brittany's wedding.
Friday Jared and I went in to Madison, visited a book store on State St. and ate some gelato. We had dinner with Jared's parents. Jared's mom makes wonderful bruschetta.
Saturday was Brittany and Joe's wedding. It was small and nice. Jared refused to dance at the reception at all. We came home that night after swinging by Woodman's.
Sunday I was back at work having a quiet, slow day.
Monday work. Went to Dubuque afterwards to grab a skirt I passed up a week before and a burger to split at Red Robin.
Tuesday work. Jared starts his job at the Cheese Factory. I call in to Foodshare to do my interview.
Wednesday work.
Thursday is my day off. I make all the business calls: city planner, water and sewer. I pay the internet and electricity bill. I pay off my credit card for this week. I also got a perm.
Friday is today. All I've done is dishes and messing with the layout on this thing.
I put in to ask for Saturday and Sunday off. I don't know if I'll survive a 7 day work week. Answering phones all day is mentally exhausting. I'm investing in caffeine.

Here is a treat from deviantart. http://einen.deviantart.com/