Oh I Wish I Were An . . .

Today on my way home from work, I saw the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. I have never seen one before and was actually quite shocked. I guess I figured the iconic traveling hot dog was a thing of the past--an emblem from my childhood--kind of like Mickey Mouse--kids still know about him, but he just doesn't have the same magic as he did 15 years ago. Anyway, I couldn't help laugh out loud when I saw it driving around. What a crazy concept--a hot dog car! Maybe I'll see the Dumb n Dumber Dog Van tomorrow. I hear the movie was filmed in Utah, afterall.

Career and Resume Tips Blog

I have decided to create another blog. Yes, I know I am not consistent, nor interesting on this blog, but I have a feeling I should pass along career tips via the internet. I think I will have more material to draw from and I don't have to worry about being so clever, so perhaps it will be easier. I am not sure what this will accomplish, but I keep hearing that professional blogs can make a big impact on career options in the future. I guess we'll see.

http://careerandresumetips.blogspot.com

Ahh, the glory of a portable home!

We've been interested in finding a house--our first one, but we are not having much luck. This week we found several possible leads. One was a gorgeous 3000 square foot home for $118k--we were confused about the price, but figured it was because of the location. Of course, further research showed the home was $118k for only a 1/6th share. We could afford to live in that home for only 2 months of the year. The next house of interest was of course under contract 2 days after it listed. We drove past two for sale by owners we liked online, but neither were for sale and the owners didn't seem to know what we were talking about. And another home we liked was apparently sold 1 year ago! It seems like there were tons of houses just a few weeks ago, but the options are cleared out. I'm beginning to think I should move back into a trailer home. Yes, I said move BACK. I lived in glorious 2 bed/2 bath trailer home in the middle of nowhere NC. We even had a hot-tub and a resident rat population. I even found one swimming in my toilet (or formerly swimming, anyway--he was dead). Such fond memories make me think a trailer would be the perfect solution to our house-searching woes. I mean, who wouldn't want a portable home? And for a fraction of the cost? At that price, we could choose to live on nearly any lot in the valley. We'd definitely become the favorite neighbors in any neighborhood.

I hate the whole "tagged thing"

So, I have been "tagged" several times, but for some reason, I have such a hard time giving in. I think it is my anti-trend streak, or maybe I just overthink things. But, I enjoy reading random details about my friends, so I'll give in and write down some random details about myself--and not submit anyone else to the obligation to continue.

1. I am excellent at resumes. I work with anywhere between 1-30 college students per week, most of the time on resumes. I think this is a good combination of my odd fascination with editing papers and working with students one on one. I just taught a resume class today and it went very well, if I don't say so myself. I am also being taped during a resume lecture next month as part of an online career preparation curriculum. Anyway, I really can help turn a mediocre resume into a good one and I am often excited to help out my friends, but no one takes advantage. I'm not saying I want to spend all of my free time helping the people I know write resumes, but honestly, if you are looking for a job, I can help! Especially if your current resume isn't getting any hits.

2. I am not obsessed with sewing, nor am I very practiced. I feel like I am portraying or am expected by everyone else to be obsessed with sewing, as well as a master. I have proclaimed sewing as my new hobby and I have a beautiful Viking sewing machine, but I have much work to do. All I have made so far have been aprons, a sock monkey that looks more like a cow than a monkey, a disproportioned baby robe (trial), and half a baby sleeper (more misadventures in sewing to come later). But, I love it. Sometime this month I am supposed to take a series of classes so I really know how to use my machine. Never thought I'd be so excited about sewing. I'm sure my friends in NC would think I was Amish or something. But, if you check out my friend Jill's blog, you'll maybe see that sewing is cool, too. She's almost convinced me to be crafty--something I really feel too modern and feminist to submit to enjoying TOO much.

3. I have a new fascination with dogs. I have my own little puppy--who isn't so little or puppy anymore. His name is Trapper and he is a beautiful specimen of a German Shorthair. He's a hunting dog! Or at least I hope so! I have found the perfect way to raise a puppy and I wish I could use the same strategy with children-- have him live at grandma and grandpa's house. ;) We cannot have dogs at our apartment, so my inlaws are taking care of the dog. And yes, we have a huge list of items to replace. But he is the happiest dog ever--he never stops wigglying his tail. And he is huge--I am pretty sure he is what the animal activists who recommend spaying/neutering all dogs mean when they say, "except if you have an ideal specimen." Anyway, I think dogs are amazing--there is a dog for everything. Sitting on laps and keeping people warm, sheep herding, pulling sleds, pointing at animals, rescuing people in water or snow. And bulldogs--they actually grab onto the ring bulls wear in their noses and pull them down to the ground--hence the name--who knew?! Anyway, it blows me away the application of genetics in dogs--that personality and mannerisms can be a part of the breed! Makes me wonder what personality traits I get from genetics. One more reason to blame parents instead of being accountable. Anyway, dogs are cool.

4. I am always freezing. My roommates from college would never believe how cold I always am now because of our former power struggles over the thermostat. I was always hot. Now I freeze even in the summer time. Can't figure out the difference--especially since I used to spend 20 or more hours a day outside.

Even when I try, I can't buy. . . for guys

I ordered an Xbox game from ebay for my husband for Valentine's Day. I thought I was so clever--researched the top games, secretly placed bids and counter-bids on ebay, and even arranged for my win to be sent to my sister in law so he wouldn't find out. Well, my husband doesn't like surprises and the pushover that I am, I told him what he got early--BioShock. But nope, not excited. Well, he's so nice, he decided to still give it a shot, and played the demo yesterday online. What a mess! I ordered the game from Hell! No, it really feels creepy and satanic and my heart was racing for literally 5 minutes after he turned it off!--and I'm not the type to internalize or get wrapped up into games. Enough said, I've already posted it to ebay to try to resell it. Just hope I don't get burned. If you're interested in that kind of a game, it is going for a whopping $.99, place your bid today. I accept paypal. ;)

I have two weeks to get his birthday right. I have some good ideas, but just like every gift I get for him, my best intentions seem to end up with a flawed delivery.

Yep, another apron

I am finally finished with my latest sewing project--a gardening apron for my mother-in-law's birthday. Funny how I didn't think about it being my 3rd apron, I was simply going for the gardening utility because she spends much of the year caring for her new plants. It looks like I have a subconscious fetish for aprons. It will be no surprise to the rest of my family when they receive aprons for all of the upcoming holidays and birthdays. Aprons are super cool, afterall.

One thing I am discovering about my juvenile sewing abilities is that it takes me 3 times as long to complete projects as it should. Let's take the two straps on this apron, for instance--took me probably 3 hours, not including my shopping trip to the fabric store. Sometimes I can say it is because I am so thorough, but I admit, knowing this apron was designed to play in the mud, I didn't worry too much about sloppy details.

Anyone have any requests for my next apron project? ;)

It's confirmed--I'm still a pushover

After two years of being a hardened anti-teenage-manipulation machine, I thought my days of being unassertive and a pushover were done. Funny how quickly we revert back to our ways once a certain behavior is no longer a necessity to daily functioning. Personality really is consistent throughout the life span!--Thank you counseling theory classes. Anyway, I used to be able to say anything to a kid about how inappropriate their behaviors were, but I sometimes find myself being worried about even hurting little kids' feelings and having them dislike me when I need to confront them for the greater good. How lame.

Well, last night was truly a confirmation of my unassertiveness and munipulability (yes, I am pretty sure I made up that word). My husband and I decided to splurge and order pizza, but didn't think about the tip (we paid online). I never have cash, but luckily I have a little piggy-bank that comes in handy every now and then. The cheapy that I am, I ran up to my little bank only to find large bills, one $1 bill and several quarters and decided the $1 bill and 4 quarters would have to do. I have no idea what ettiquette says about tips for pizza delivery.

Well, when I answered the door, I grabbed the pizza and sheepishly handed the delivery guy my cleverly concealed quarters, which were hiding within the folds of the dollar bill. Phew. Glad that's over with. But no, the doorbell rang a second time with the pizza guy exclaiming, "Umm. This is only two dollars. . .blah blah blah. . . the order was $24." Oh the horror and shock of being openly confronted for shafting a pizza guy. Completely caught off guard, I played dumb to hide my guilt of being so cheap, "Oh, was that not enough. . .I don't know what is standard. . I'll be right back." I rushed off to my little bank, trying desperately to find extra quarters and wondering how much I really had to pay him.

Luckily, cops are assertive and aware of scumbags. And I just happen to be married to a cop. So while I was frantically searching for change, my husband stepped in and asked the pizza guy if there was a problem; if I didn't pay him for the pizza. Now scared of confrontation, it was the pizza guy's turn to play dumb, "oh, did you pay online? They must not have told me." Issue settled.

Except now I have to wonder how rude and conniving this pizza guy was. Was he sincerely confused about how the bill had been paid; a little too pushy and assertive about getting a good tip; or a con-man trying to dupe a naive, seemingly alone young woman into paying HIM an extra $24? We'll never know, but I sure feel stupid eitherway!

Ironically, my husband originally commented that the pizza guy seemed like a nice guy. Jinx!