Ten guilty pleasures

Sometimes I just need a little time out to indulge myself if I'm feeling tired or run down.  I tried to think of ten things that really float my boat.  (not in any particular order)

1. Chocolate cake from Del Taco. 
2. Honey smoked salmon from Costco
3. Cheesecake
4. Chocolate Cheesecake
5. White chocolate macadamia nut cookies (Otis Spunkmeyer cookies are to die for)
6. A hot soak in a tub with lavender bath salts
7. Angry birds on my iPod
8. Sitting on the porch swing on a nice day with a breeze
9. A twenty minute nap
10. Walking around holding hands with my sweetie.

It appears that I like to eat.  I like chocolate.  Gooey chocolate.  If I had to choose between a brownie and a french fry, I would take the brownie in a heartbeat.  Salty is good, but chocolate is, well, divine.

:D

Bunny fishing

When my three youngest girls were about four and five (the youngest two are twins) we lived in a house that had a balcony that overlooked an undeveloped desert landscape. We had horny toads and jack rabbits all over the place.

One of my favorite memories of that house was watching them entertain themselves by tying a carrot to a string and holding it over the balcony in hopes that they could feed a bunny. They never did get one to take a nibble but that didn't discourage them. They'd be out there day after day waiting for a bunny to eat their carrot.

I just love the thought process of a child.  In their mind anything is possible, and why not?  If we could all have that kind of imagination and excitement as we get older, think of the things we could accomplish. I'm always trying to quiet the voices in my head that tell me something isn't worth my time, that I'm not good enough or that there's no point in trying something new.

I'm really trying (the key word here is trying...) to step outside the box and be willing to try new things without fear of failure. Not trying because you're afraid is worse than trying and failing. Messing up just gives you an opportunity to try again. Here's to bunny fishing.

*bling*

My wedding ring needs repairs, again.  I love my ring.  Its the one Gary bought for me before we were married.  But its needed repairs so many times, and now the prongs on the smaller stones are snagging things and I'm afraid I'm going to lose one of the diamonds.

Years ago when it needed repairs but we couldn't afford it, I went down to Walmart and got myself a gold band to wear so my finger didn't feel naked.

These days I'm in the mood for a little more pizzazz.  So Gary told me I could go out and find one I liked that we could afford.  I went to the jewelry store in the mall and found the perfect ring.

I've always wanted white gold or platinum, and this has just the right amount of bling for me.  I wish the photo looked better.  Please ignore my fingernails.  These are working hands - they're not for show.

I took it home to show Gary my new toy and he asked how much it cost.  "Seven dollars."  He exclaimed, "SEVEN DOLLARS???"  I said, "I'm sorry, did I spend too much?"  He gave me a big hug and said he loved it.  

I love him.  And I love Claire's.

Being in charge

This job at The Alterations Shop has been the coolest thing since peanut butter.  And along the way I'm learning all sorts of things about dealing with customers and being the one in charge.

Today I had a bride come in with her somewhat overbearing mother.  This girl needed straps for a sleeveless wedding gown so I proceeded to fit her with a muslin strap so we could determine where the finished satin strap should sit and how wide it ought to be.  I asked her how she liked this, and how she liked that, and then the mother stepped in and completely took over.  okaaaaaaaaaaay.  She positioned the straps here and there, and not being in a mood to pick a fight and take over again, I let her do her thing.

Then the girl wanted the front of her neckline to be a little "pinched" or pleated so it would scoop down an inch or so.  I tried a few things but she wasn't happy.  The mother was trying to stay polite but I could tell she wasn't very pleased with how things were going.

We finally got it somewhat resolved, but on the way home I thought about the experience.  I was not happy.  I felt so out of sorts and embarrassed with how the fitting went.  Then it dawned on me.  I wasn't the one in charge.  I am very confident in my skills but sometimes I think I'm too "nice" and I don't come across very professionally when I get like that.  I realized that that mother probably would have been happier if I had just taken the time to exude a little more authority and strength.

Or maybe it's just her.  You can't please everyone.  I like my job and I'm good at it.
Thanks for letting me rant.

:D

Now I know

We recently returned from a cruise to the Caribbean and by the way, had a wonderful time.  There's nothing quite so relaxing and peaceful as being waited on hand and foot with no responsibilities or cares for ten days.

We ate at one of the restaurants quite often and got a kick out of some of the waiters there.  One was from the Philippines and was so cute.  I asked him how to pronounce a certain dish as I pointed to it on the menu - Grilled Beef Bruschetta.  I was pretty sure I knew how to pronounce Bruschetta, but asked just to be certain.  His reply, "Grilled Beef".  Oh okay.  Thanks.  =D