mjm_cww

Finally, my twin sister, Megan, is home from Iraq FOR GOOD after an 18 month deployment. She is super excited to be home, yet kept saying how "weird/strange" everything looked, felt, etc. I am sure it will take some time to get adjusted to being home. I'm just thankful she's back where she belongs! There is an article at www.chillicothegazette.com if you want to check her homecoming out. I was even quoted in the article and there is a pic of Megan hugging her husband! I will update more later - I'm just wound for sound right now due to all the excitement!

MISS BAILEY LYING ON A BLANKET ON MY BED


I WOKE TIGGER UP FROM HIS NAP ON MY BED AND HE DOESN'T LOOK AMUSED!


PARTNERS IN CRIME, STARING OUT MY BEDROOM WINDOW, PLOTTING THEIR NEXT MOVE...

It was soooo awesome "escaping" from work at 4:30 p.m. yesterday. I had a couple of hours comp time to use up, so I decided to take off early, go out to dinner with my mom, and then she could visit with my cats. We went to Olive Garden and it was DELICIOUS! We got there around 5:30 - 5:45 p.m. which was PERFECT because after that, there was a big wait in the lobby. Both my mother and I had our fave traditional dishes (she got cheese ravoli and I got Chicken Parmesan), but we splurged on the smoked mozzarella fonduta. YUM! We also got a limoncella - they went down way too smooth. If we both didn't have to drive, we would have had a few more. After our glorious dinner, we went to Petsmart to shop for the kids (a.k.a. the kittens). We spent an hour there just oohing and aahing over what the kittens "needed". We found some cute collars and toys and could have spent well over $100 spoiling them. We left with $30 each of goodies, including a ring with a scratching pad in the middle and a mouse in the outside track that goes around and around. Simple enough, but the cats played with it NON-STOP for 2 hours. I also purchased a second litterbox in hopes that they won't get as dirty when I'm not home for a couple of days.

Now, here I am at the hill, dreading the heat of the day, and hating the fact that I had to pull my hair back out of my face. I don't like pulling it back in a ponytail - very damaging, however, with highs in the upper 90s and humidity levels that make it feel like 110 degrees, I really have no choice. All I can hope is that the day goes quickly. At least the flight simulator projector bulb is still out! YEAH!

So, I decided to leave the kittens home at my apartment while I came home to Cameron's. WOW, WAS THAT A STUPID DECISION! Not only am I thinking of them non-stop while I'm an hour and a half away, but all day yesterday, Dayton was hit by a lot of rain and powerful thunderstorms. So, now I'm sitting here, freaking out about them, and the fact that I won't see them until after 8:30 p.m. tonight due to previous engagements. I'm never doing this again. They will just have to learn how to be traveling kittens for the time being.

Other than that, nothing too exciting going on. Picked around 200 pumpkins Sunday afternoon. It was hot but it needed to get done. Spent yesterday in Columbus getting my 1 year LASIK checkup and am proud to report that I now see 20/20. I then came home from Columbus, helped out at the farmers market, and then came home to clean out Cameron's truck and my car. They were really dirty from all the time on the farm and dirt track racing this summer. ICKY! Today, I'm doing laundry and getting stuff ready for another fun and exciting week at Dayton. UGH. I'm sooo dreading work. Never thought I'd be at this point but I am. Then I get my hair trimmed tonight at 6:30 p.m. I'm sooo tempted to cut it short and style it differently, but I do like having the option of pulling it back out of my face too. Decisions, decisions.

I have a hair appointment on Tuesday evening and I'm not sure what to do yet. Part of me wants to just get a trim and keep slowly growing my hair out. The other part of me wants to cut about an inch off into a shorter bob with some layers for added movement/texture. Not sure yet. I think I will just talk to my stylist and see what happens.

On Monday, I have an eye appt. for my LASIK. It's been over a year and I have to get a checkup just to make sure everything is okay. I'm kind of nervous about it, but things should go well - I HOPE!

I feel like such a slug today. I didn't sleep very well at all last night. First, I was bummed that the kittens weren't sleeping with me. I want them to cuddle with me :( Second, around 3 a.m., this powerful storm came rushing through Dayton. It's been awhile since I've seen such powerful winds. I didn't have electricity for at least an hour, which was horrible since the A/C shut off. It was sooo stuffy in my place, so that didn't help my sleeping arrangements any :( But by 6:30 a.m., the power was back on, the alarm went off, and the sun was out.

Yesterday was the first day/night that the kittens have been in my apartment in about a month. I had them for 2 days before they went down to Cameron's house so that they could go to vet appointments and so his mother could watch them while we were on vacation in Illinois. However, I really wanted them home with me. I laid down last night around 10 p.m., however, the kittens were not ready for bed until around 11 p.m. They also discovered how to jump on my desk in my bedroom and started walking across my laptop, making my computer do functions/commands that I didn't even know existed. Brats. However, finally they curled up with me and we slept most of the night. I did toss and turn a little, however, I was happy they were truly home.

My trip to IL was great this past weekend. Cameron and I went to visit some friends on their farm and to see their grandparents too. I've never been up there in the summertime and it was GREAT. It got a little hot, okay, A LOT hot (just like it was here), but it was GREAT company so it didn't matter to me. We went to a hog roast on Friday evening, shopping and visiting on Saturday, shopped some more on Sunday and had a cookout, and left Monday morning. The only downer was that I got poison ivy on my left foot that made walking difficult, thus I didn't participate in the River Days Raft race like I planned. Also, our friends' grandfather had a really bad nosebleed, so he was in the hospital Sunday night. But he was released early Monday morning and in good spirits before we left.

I'm home for the weekend at Cameron's and my kittens are growing so fast! I've only had them for 3 weeks, but I swear they've gained a pound and several inches in length already! It's sad not having them at my place yet and missing all their early stuff, but I'm sure they will be fine. Starting August 14th, they are at my place for good - I'm just traveling too much right now and Cameron and I are going on a 4 day long trip to IL and I don't want to leave the little angels alone.

Today has been a GREAT day so far. Cameron and I ate breakfast around 10 a.m. and then went right back to bed and cuddled, watched movies, and took naps. It was delicious. We both woke up at 3 p.m. and decided that it was time to get up and face the day. I finally feel caught up on my sleep. FINALLY.

Well, I have over $200 invested in the kittens so far. I knew that it was coming, but not so fast. I came home Monday afternoon to find blood all over their litter box. I quickly called the vet and was able to get them in the next day. The vet was awesome and the kitties totally loved her. Come to find out that the babies have a bacterial infection in their intestines. They didn't find any worms or other parasites, but they are treating it anyway just in case they didn't find it. Ugh. At least they are eating, drinking, and playing more than they were before, so that is all that matters to me. I just can't wait to get them home to my apartment for good. That will happen on August 13th. WOOHOO! Then they will only be home alone for 2 nights instead of 4. Oh, how I hate leaving them. Right now, they are at Cameron's due to all of their upcoming vet visits, immunizations, and the fact that Cameron and I are going out of town for a week to visit some friends. Luckily, his mother is going to watch them while we're gone.

The kitties are still around. There were some moments over the weekend where I wasn't sure if I made the right decision or not about adopting 2 kittens, especially with the hectic summer and work schedule I have going right now, but then I stopped and thought, when is there ever a good time?!? But they are staying at their dad's place (a.k.a. Cameron's) until this weekend. I was going to bring them back to my place last night, but we had like a MILLION things going on around the farm and trying to pack them up and get them calmed down, etc. was eating away at the last nerve I had remaining. Therefore, Cameron told me to just leave them there and I could get them next time I'm home. It may have been just a ploy to get me to stay the night with him, but whatever his motives, I was very grateful that he bailed me out. He's amazing like that :)

Well, I have the "kids" now. Two, adorable yet rambunctious balls of fur in the form of 10 week old kittens. Tigger and Bailey are entertainment to say the least - I was proud that they kept me away from the TV for hours yesterday as I watched them play, chase their own tails, and find out that climbing the window screen was not fun (or allowed)! Because I am a TOTAL softie and did not want them to be alone for more than 2 nights alone, I am taking them home with me to Cameron's for the weekend. I really hope it doesn't mess them up and then they forget how to use their litter box. I only feel sorry for them that they have over an hour car ride home. Their trip to my house on their first night was only about 45 minutes. Ugh. I'm soooo torn. I want them with me, but I don't want to mess up their schedules at all. But it will take some getting used to having them around. They want to play ALL night long when I'm trying to sleep. Last night, I tolerated it for a couple of hours and then I caved and took them to their cat carrier in the bathroom. They didn't seem too devastated because when I woke up this morning, they were curled up in a ball together, still sleeping.

So, I hate thinking about retirement at age 26. It's depressing. Therefore, imagine my disgust when I found out that I cannot retire until February 19, 2038. Kill me now. My first 5 years with the NPS do NOT count towards my retirement and at this point, there is no way to buy back my time. So, I just donated 5 years of my life to the federal government. Ugh.

Also, I had to work at my boyfriend's farmer market on Monday and Tuesday and I made some decisions on how money could be spent on certain supplies for our booth and boy, did Cameron NOT like the fact that I made those decisions without him. It was somewhat insulting because although we're not married, I would like to think that I am his partner is this venture and that I am not just throwing his money away, but oh well. I guess I haven't earned his trust on certain issues yet when it comes to his farmers market.

On to bigger and better news, I GET MY KITTENS TOMORROW! WOOHOO! I'm a little nervous about the process because I basically have to lie to my landlord for the first 2 months that I have them. They are only 4 months old, so they cannot get spayed/neutered yet but I want to get them while they are still young and impressionable before they don't like me and get their own personalities that don't include human interaction. My lease agreement states that they have to be fixed before they can come into the apartment. I feel like talking to my landlord in person about the situation, however, everyone (including my own mother) is telling me to lie about it. Ugh...I don't know what to do. I definitely do not want to get evicted, but I want the kittens too and I want to be honest about it. I'm just nervous that I can't keep the kittens hidden for 2 months before their surgery.

I'm going to be a mommy! And no, sickos, I don't mean I'm pregnant. Bite your tongues and a curse upon you if you thought that. I am adopting two kittens. Things went so well with the manager at the apartment this morning. Here is a summary of things that were going on in my apartment.

- I broke a pane of glass in the window in my bedroom, clumsily installing a window air conditioning unit. Yes - I am THAT talented. But the manager basically said, "Accidents happen" and they are going to pay for the window repair, take out the air conditioning unit, and put it back in for me without a charge. WOOHOO!

- I talked to the manager about wanting to get a cat and she informed me of some requirements. The pet deposit is supposed to be $250 and non-refundable, however, since I am such a good tenant, they are only making me pay $150 and she will refund the money as long as there is no damage in the apartment when I move out. WOOHOO! Also, there is supposed to be an extra $20/month fee on my rent, but she is waiving that for me.

I was so happy with EVERYTHING that I just wanted to dance. Everything is coming together and it was so refreshing. I didn't think I would be able to get the cats at first but now all seems well. Yeah!

Yes, I HATE humidity. My mother told me that I could only use the word "hate" if I could watch that person get hit by a bus and not feel a bit of remorse about it. Well, I DO feel that way about some people, but I'm not sure humidity can literally be hit by a bus. Well, whatever. I wish it would go away. I haven't been doing anything to my hair because of the weather and although I thought it would be humid today, I decided to try and style my hair. I should not have wasted my time. It's almost 9:30 a.m. and the frizz has come out in full force. Dammit.

Anyway, I actually had fun on my days off. On Sunday, Cameron, his dad, one of their former exchange students from Brazil, and I went to the Air Force Museum in Dayton. We only walked around and looked at the planes and it took 4 hours. Craziness. I think Leandro had a good time - I hope so anyway. I wanted to show him where I work, but Cam and his dad were tired so we went home to a pool party. It was fun. I didn't swim or anything, but it was great seeing Cameron have a good time.

Monday - hmm...nothing exciting that day. Just hung around with Cameron while he worked on a race car in the afternoon and then went out to dinner with his friends. Had some great Italian food.

Tuesday - I went bowling. Yep, that's right - bowling. I haven't been for YEARS, but Cameron's aunt and cousin wanted to take Leandro so I tagged along. I was glad I went. He and I ate lunch at Taco Bell first and then played 5 games. I sucked like I knew I would but it was still refreshing to do something I haven't done in awhile.

Now, here I am at work, and hoping that the day goes by quickly. There are 5 rangers here today, so maybe we'll have a lunch party. WOOHOO! When the boss is away, the rangers will play :)

I want an iPhone!!!! There. I said it. Now, they need to lower in price drastically and get on a better cellphone network than AT&T and I'll wait for the next generation so they work out all the kinks. I've begged Cameron for one only because I want the phone, not necessarily the network it is on, and he is the rational one that reminds me that the network sucks and that I have a perfectly fine, operable cellphone now. Ahh...men. Do they EVER splurge on anything that they want instead of need?!? They'll never understand women. EVER.

If I get asked one more time as I answer the telephone if we are open today for the 4th of July, I am going to PUKE! No, I'm answering the phone because we're closed!!! If we weren't open, do you think they could pay me enough money to sit here and answer the telephone to simply tell people that are closed?!? I DON'T THINK SO!

Anyway, here I am on the 4th, we're not really busy (only 33 people and it's almost 1:30 p.m.), and for the most part, my coworkers are in an okay mood. It started off a little rocky, but we're okay now.

My 3 days off of work were really nice this week. Cameron was just super adorable and really loving and good to me. It seemed out of character and then I remembered that his behavior was the real him. Even though we had to do a lot of work on the farm, which led to a major sunburn on my part, we still had fun with it. It was actually fun sweating and doing all this work. Wow...that sunburn must have gone totally to my brain because now I'm not thinking straight. I never would have imagined that I would call working on the farm fun. :) Last night, we even went out to dinner with some friends and I had two AWESOME frozen margaritas - they were delicious. The bad(?) thing was that they were going down way too smoothly last night. Too bad I had to work this morning at 8 a.m. after an hour and a half drive or I would have had MORE!

Today is my Friday, today is my friday! I get to see my man tonight! Okay...enough excitement. I have 9 hours left in my work day. Ugh. Now I'm depressed. Hopefully the day will go quickly and I will cruising down to Waverly in no time and away from Dayton for 3 days.

No big plans this weekend really. I am going racing with Cameron tomorrow evening - don't particularly want to go, however, I don't get to hang out with him much at the racetrack anymore due to my schedule, therefore, I figure I might as well go. Then, nothing else planned for Monday or Tuesday besides work on the farm. WOOHOO. Cameron said we'll start picking and selling corn on Wednesday - nice and convenient for the 4th of July crowd! So, there goes my social life with Cameron until late fall. :(

So, here is my 3 inch shorter, dyed back to dark brown, new haircut. Sorry about the face that goes with it, but hey, you have to work with what you got :)

Well, my first day back at work after 3 LUSCIOUS days off and all I return to is BAD attitudes. At least by 10:30 a.m. most people had kinda cooled off and relaxed and were actually okay. It also irks me that I dyed my hair and chopped off 3 inches and NO ONE noticed, well, except for Katie - my beloved coworker. It shouldn't matter, but it does. I'm vain like that... Also, I'm TOTALLY not sure why I even tried styling my hair today. I saw that the temp was almost 80 degrees at 6 a.m. with 100% humidity and a 60% chance of rain off and on all day, yet I wanted to feel pretty. BIG MISTAKE. The frizz has come on BIG time. Oh well. That just motivates me to get up at 7 a.m., take a shower, pull my hair back while it is still wet, and not do a damned thing with it the rest of this summer. WOO HOO!

Let's see...any other things this past weekend... Well Cameron's 27th b-day was yesterday and that booger took the day off of work without me knowing it! SLICK! He usually gets up at 6 a.m. and is out the door at 6:30 a.m. (I LOVE how men can get showered, dressed, and out the door in such LITTLE time) Well, he promised he set the alarm and I noticed how he was staying up and watching TV with me when he is normally asleep by 10 p.m. So imagine my freak-out moment when I wake up at 6:52 a.m. and see him still snoozing. I am yelling for him to get up and he just rolls over and ignores me! I'm freaking out because he lives 20 minutes from work so I knew he would be SOOOO late. So, I tell him again to get up and he replies that he will get to the office when he gets there. By this time, I'm pissed and then he mumbles, "I took the day off so I could hang out with you all day long." AWWWWWWW!! Isn't he the cutest? Then he cooks me my fave breakfast of oatmeal, toast, and a glass of OJ and is just the sweetest! And I kept reminding him that it was HIS b-day and he should be relaxing but he would have none of it. It made it really hard to leave him this morning. I really wanted to feel the slightest bit sick so that I could call in, but I felt fine this morning, so I couldn't even come up with a creative lie. Damn. I've lost my touch...

So, I decided to defy my cultural roots and lay out. I'm sooooo Irish and German that I only burn and then fade back into a darker shade of pale. I laid out for only an hour yesterday - blame it on the fact that it was 97 degrees out and it's BORING laying out - and I have NOTHING to show for it. My legs are still ghostly, but at least being in a bathing suit called for a cause to shave them - and I got a little color on my upper chest and shoulders, but not enough to have wasted an hour of my life frying in the sun. I give up. I'm just meant to be pale.

Other than that, I'm bummed because I thought I would get to spend one last night at Cameron's before work tomorrow and then I realized that I forgot to bring a uniform for work home with me. So, he's supposed to be home in a few minutes and I am going to chill with him for about an hour or so and then I will have to head back to Dayton. I'm sooo forgetful...

Nothing really exciting happened this weekend. Helped Cameron on the farm for the most part - my parents are in Maine on vacation, so I couldn't even bug them. But I did get some stuff done that Cameron needed help with and I still have the stained hands to PROVE that I actually worked. Who knew that touching tomato plants stained your hands a dark shade of green? I guess I was doomed due to the fact that I had to work with over 350 plants! UGH...I don't even like tomatoes!

So, last night, I was supposed to go out with some coworkers to this little pub in town to celebrate all the hard work and teamwork that occurred at the park on Thursday. We all came together to really have a great naturalization ceremony at the park. Well, plans kept changing; the starting time for the pub visit kept changing, and when I heard who was attending, I was just not into it. Therefore, some of my other coworkers and I made a change of plans. We met at Friday's for some drinks and dinner. It was a GREAT time! I was even brave enough to try a fried green bean. It was really delicious! (Thanks for the suggestion, Jackie!). My only complaint was that the mixed drinks were soooo outrageous! $5.99 for a mixed drink?!? Give me a break! But oh well...they went down rather smoothly :)