Bradgelina...

I was driving home from getting my manicure this evening.  I am always fascinated when I see personal plates on a car.  I think it stems from my love of word games. I always like to figure out what the person is trying to say. In fact, recently we have been thinking of personal plates on my car.  I was thinking of bttrfly, but that could be better fly or butterfly. So, I have not settled on whether to get that or not. Anyway, this evening I saw a license plate that read, "vrgnjen".  I sort of giggled.  Some girl named Jen must be really proud of being a virgin. Good for her, I'm not sure I'd get that on my plate.  As I got closer to the car I realized it was an older couple.  That's when it hit me, that older couple was Virge, probably short for Virgil, and Jen, probably short for Jenny or Jennifer.  They were the cutest old couple and I bet they were really happy to proclaim their love on their license plate.  I'm just glad that neither of my grandparents names when put together shorten to virgin. I also wonder if they are cool like Bradgelina? Either way, it's pretty cute.

Checked Out

Today I went to our local Kinko's to shop for some paper.  I found my paper and stood at the checkout for a few minutes.  Finally, a manager (tall, grey haired man with a 1990's hair cut, probably in his early 40's, just destined to be a manger at a Kinko's here in town) hollered over, "Do you need help?".  (No, I don't need help, I like to stand with my credit card out in front of me at a cash register with no one to help me as a hobby. This crossed my mind, but instead I said something more polite.) I reply, "Yes, I just need to check out."  The man hollers back, despite the fact he is less than 5 feet from me at this point, "I'd like to check you out."  He said it in his cool, I'm a Manager, ha ha, sort of way as he accented the word like. I didn't say a word. I just handed him my card as his face turned three million shades of red and he babbled back, "I guess that didn't come out right, I meant I'd like to check you out, that's still not right, I mean, I can check you out, or how about I ....." At this point there was really no saving him.  I just giggled and said, "It's ok, I knew what you meant."  He then says, "Wow, this is probably the most embarrassing thing I've done in a while."  I laughed quietly and said something like you will think it's funny in a few days.  He thanked me for my purchase and I walked out the doors and busted out laughing.  I'm not sure if this is one of those things where you had to be there, but it was hilarious to watch him stumble over his words, I'm sure he was glad I didn't slap him.  Anyway, I hope you find some amount of humor in my story of being "checked out".

Recognition

Hello dear friends...
I am sure I am going crazy at work, so I pose a question to you.  In all of the places you have volunteered, how have they recognized you. Please, do not lump them all together, list like Hospital- Fleece vest in wrong size and thank you note, Church- Jello with nicely sliced carrots, lutefisk, and lefse, etc.  I am genuinely interested in this...so I feel like if you answer I should buy you a drink the next time I see you...yes, a nice drink.
Also, did you feel adequately thanked?

Of course I have a mad volunteer who feels she has not been properly thanked. I will share with you the ways we have thanked her, but will do that in a separate post. I think we have been generous, but I could just need more education on the subject, so am opening up the above questions.

Thank you in advance for your time and participation in my study.  I will THANK you by purchasing you a nice cocktail, mojito, margarita, etc. and THANK YOU PROFUSELY IN THIS MOMENT!

P.S. How does spell check not know three IMPORTANT words: mojito, lutefisk, and lefse...seems to me like spell check doesn't know what delicious is.

Remember the good ol' days of TLC?

Does anyone else remember the shows that used to be on TLC? I'm thinking of shows about updating homes, cooking, and babies.  Tonight on TLC there were five shows. The first three were strange sex shows.  Then there was a show on addiction that featured four people.  One was addicted to eating chalk, one was addicted to running, another to tanning, and finally shopping.  The next show was another strange sex one.  This is all interesting and almost done in a discovery-esque sort of documentary way.  However, I am still left with wondering...What happened to the good old shows?  I love watching shows where I can REALLY relate.  I am so blessed to not to have an addiction or apparently strange sex disorder. 

Speaking of sex, there was a show on about having an orgasm just by thinking about it.  Guess what, they did research on the brain and it was really possible...if you believe everything you see on TV, ha ha. Anyway, I realize I am "voting" for these weird shows by viewing them, but they are so curious.  Simply bizarre shows, especially to be airing on a Sunday.  Has anyone else seen these shows?  Or any of the other shows like Hoarders, Obsessed, etc.? This world is crazy. That's my conclusion.

It's like Christmas in July

One of the most wonderful things in the whole wide world is walking out to the garden and discovering fresh produce! I get so excited when I know I planted seeds and all of a sudden I go out one day and find the fruits of my labor.  Today, I found three ripe cherry tomatoes and lots of basil.  I also have some zucchini, summer squash, and green beans that are almost ready or ready to be picked! Since the produce is right in the backyard, I like to pick it right before using it. 

J has been outside working this morning and I've been cleaning up some inside. We had a person coming to pick up an old washing machine, so couldn't really leave the house. None the less, I was getting hungry. I walked out to the garden and grabbed my tomatoes and basil. I decided a small salad would be a perfect snack to tide me over until the hubby is done mowing the jungle, I mean yard. Now, I have two recipes that I use faithfully and both call for tomato and basil. Unfortunately, I didn't have all the ingredients for either recipe, so I combined them. The first recipe is bruschetta. I get rave reviews and have never served it without someone asking for the recipe! It has tomatoes, feta, olive oil, black olives, green onions, etc. The other recipe is a simple salad of tomatoes, basil, oil, vinegar, mozzarella, and Mrs. Dash. Today, I used my 2 leaves of basil, my three cherry tomatoes, a dash of olive oil, dash of salt, dash of pepper sauce, dash of dried garlic, black olives, and mozzarella. I chopped up the necessary goods and mixed it all together. I wanted a baguette to put my salad on, but settled for some whole wheat sandwich bread instead. I toasted it and spread some light Laughing Cow Garlic and Herb cheese on before topping with my salad. It was divine. Naturally, I prefer the original bruschetta recipe, because I think feta is amazing, but this was pretty good. Just like Christmas in July!

Focus-ed

Okay, I am happy to report I got my mojo back today and was super productive at work. In fact, I feel pretty good about my to-do list. Now, I am off to change clothes before going to the hubby's softball tournament tonight! Should be tons-o-fun! 

Gone Fishin'

The dear hubby and I have gone fishin' for the past 4 out of 5 days! In that time we have caught like 9 rainbow trout.  It's been fun and so relaxing.  We spent some time up in the mountains and some time at a local park.  I've really enjoyed just being outside enjoying the warmth of the sun!

On Monday we went to see the urologist to discuss male fertility.  The appointment went really well.  We were both super impressed with how knowledgeable the doctor was.  He gave us a clear plan for the future.  Right before leaving town for that appointment I had my progesterone draw done.  I was suppose to try to do it in May, but we were on vacation.  Then in June I had surgery, so the third try was a charm!  Now I am just waiting to hear my results.  The best part of the appointment on Monday was the doctor giving us a glimmer of hope.  We walked in so nervous and left totally relieved. I think it was a huge weight off both of us.  We celebrated by going to Bass Pro Shops and Archiver's! We got fishing supplies and scrapbooking supplies, that's what I call a great day!

I was also waiting to hear from the hospital I applied at to schedule an interview. I had decided I would call tomorrow if I hadn't heard anything.  This evening around 6:30 pm I got a phone call from the recruiter.  She explained that I was one of three finalists for the position and offered me an interview slot for July 27 at 8 am.  The other two candidates are flying in to town for the interview. Somehow this intimidates me.  I guess the world is a big, big place and it makes me feel so small.  Sort of like when you stand beside the ocean and realize that compared to it your are a rain drop. 

Anyway, overall it's been a good week so far.  Now if I could just focus and buckle down that'd be great.  I think having the appointment done and the interview set will really help me focus.  I have just wanted to do research all week and have layed awake thinking at night.  I've tried so hard to distract myself with making cards and working, but that doesn't always work.  I think the reality of knowing I am seriously interviewing for a job will force me to power through some work.  I want to set myself up for a smooth transition, either to a new job or the end of our fiscal year in August.   At work this week we were talking about how we relax.  For example one staff said she exhales and thinks out with the red hot air and inhales to the cool blue air.  She said it helps a lot.  I know I just need to relax. I try to stop thinking, pray, listen to rain, or use guided imagery.  What do you do?