from a tiny spark

Originally published at constant-casualty.net. You can comment here or there.

So drinking an entire cup of coffee after dinner this evening at Chili’s was probably not the best idea on my part.  I wasn’t even thinking at the time, I was so caught up in catching up that I ordered it without checking the clock.  It usually doesn’t bother me so, but apparently their coffee is on the strong side… because it’s almost 10:30pm and I’m not asleep yet.  I was in bed attempting to “think sleepy thoughts” as Simon had instructed, but apparently I was failing at it, because he kicked me out of bed until “I could calm myself down.”  I guess I’m slightly annoying when I’m not tired.  Or maybe he’s just grumpy when he is.

Tonight was filled with laughter and smiles while I saw my long-lost sister and former co-worker from the old store.  I speak to her on a weekly basis over the phone, but we haven’t seen each other since the summer.  I still can’t believe it’s been that long.  I don’t think I’ll ever get used to not seeing her every day like I used to when we worked at G.T.  It doesn’t seem fair.  This April it will be a year since G.T. closed its doors.  It feels like another lifetime.  Funny, if I could add up all the feelings I’ve had like that, I would have lived many lifetimes.  I feel so spoiled for complaining all those months upon months about how fed up I was with working there.  If I could only go back, I would be thankful to have the group I worked with and the boss I had.  It’s just not the same…  I suppose it never will be again, will it?

Wow, talk about going emo.  That came out of nowhere.  I haven’t had a “Happiness Is” post in a while, so although I don’t have a photo to go with it, I’ll express my gratitude towards friends.  I may not get to see a lot of them very often (if at all), but I couldn’t make it without them.  There are a handful of people that I’ve recently become close to, and those that have stepped back into my life after an absence… but I’m so thankful to have all of them in my life now, virtually or otherwise.  You are the foundation of my sanity (or what there is of it), and I can’t thank you ever enough for what you’ve all given me.  Thank you.

There.  I have managed to end my post on a happy note.  And with that I shall retire to bed…

…after I finish scolding the bunny for grunting around and acting like an ape.

Goodnight.

Originally published at constant-casualty.net. You can comment here or there.

“<3″ taken on January 4th, 2009

So, I slept last night, which is an accomplishment.  Although I’m still feeling exhausted today and can’t breathe.  I’m hoping after today the Prednisone that the doctor gave me will start kicking in and I’ll be able to actually function.  That would be a plus.

Happiness Is… Today my “happy” is Clea, featured above.  I can’t believe I’ve had her for six years already.  It doesn’t seem possible, but at the same time I can’t imagine my life without her.  She’s seen me through some tough times, that girl.  She was my only best friend for a while.  It makes me laugh, because she’s the most anti-social, skitzo, cross-eyed clutz cat I’ve ever met… but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  You know, when Simon first came here two summers ago, she wouldn’t even be in the same room with us.  I feared that she hated him and would never warm up to us again.  If you could only see the way she cuddles him now, you’d be jealous.  I know I am.  I am so unbelievably proud of her in dealing with Hopkins’ arrival.  I would have bet money that she would have to be separated from him for a while, because she’s always been so hostile towards other animals.  As you can see from the picture above, she has no problem chilling in the sun just a few feet away from Hopkins in his pen.  We can even sleep through the entire night without mishaps of her trying to sabotage his pen.  I feel like a proud parent!  She’s come a long way since her abusive relationship with my ex.  So, she is my Happy for today, because she never ceased to make my heart melt, even after six years.

Simon, despite catching my cold and feeling shitty, has been outside cleaning the car inside and out.  He came in a little while ago and asked me if I was going to get started on cleaning up a bit in here.  I made some comment about not being able to breathe, but now I feel guilty.  The place is a mess.  I suppose a little cleaning wouldn’t hurt.  I’ll reward myself with a nice, hot cup of tea afterwards, and maybe some reading.  Anything to keep my mind off of going back to work tomorrow.  I haven’t been there since Tuesday of last week.  Wince.

I attempted to fix my Twlight Cullen hoodie that I got from my aunt for Christmas today.  It’s better than it was, but it’s not completely the same.  Damn Hot Topic clothes.  I blame it on the fact that the material is that of a t-shirt and not of regular hoodie stuff… so the zipper is heavier in comparison.  When we washed it the first time, we didn’t dry it in fear that it would shrink… but that meant that it deformed the bottom hem and make it all stretched out.  I washed it again and dried it, in hopes that it would shrink in the right places.  It did, for the most part, but the zipper is all puckered and makes me look like I have an outtie belly button two inches long.  I ironed the hell out of the zipper, and it fixed it a bit… but it’s still stretched.  ARGH.  It makes me so angry.  I’d bring it back to the store, but my aunt - who purchased it online through HT’s website and paid with PayPal - already attempted to return the original size (which was the wrong one) to the store and they wouldn’t accept it, because of the PayPal payment.  So I’m pretty much stuck with it.  Freaking figures.

Moral of the story?  Don’t buy from Hot Topic!  They may have some cute stuff, but it never lasts.  Anything I’ve bought from them has either shrunk, stretched, or gotten tons of holes in it within weeks of owning it.  You think I would have learned my lesson.

Originally published at constant-casualty.net. You can comment here or there.

“Happiness Is…” taken on December 21st, 2008

A new idea to motivate me to blog more.  According to my husband, I complain.  A lot.  And so, to even things out I’ve decided to start a reoccuring post entitled “Happiness Is…” where I shall share with the world what makes me happy.  Not only do I hope to encourage those around me to take a moment to reflect what gets you all warm and fuzzy inside, but it will also serve as a reminder to myself when I’m feeling slightly negative (or downright bitchy) that there is a lot to be thankful for.

This week I am sharing the excitement I have for my new duvet cover from IKEA.  I already posted a picture showing it off a little while ago, but I was saving the picture featured above for this post to express my giddiness about my bed’s new look.  I fell in love with the design when surfing IKEA’s website a few weeks ago, and was excited to see they had it in stock at their store.  It is unbelievably soft and silky and it makes me want to stay in bed all day… not that I don’t want to do that normally anyway.

Actually, right now I’m very much looking forward to coming back from picking Simon up from work, making a cup of tea and curling up in that comfy bed.  I seem to have caught a very nasty head/sinus cold… and my throat feels like it’s on fire.  And there’s the Great Wall of China shoved in my nasal cavity.  It’s so stuffy that every time I swallow, I get suction in my throat.  Not a great feeling, I must say.  At least tomorrow I don’t have to work, so I am hoping to be feeling at least a little better by Monday.

My Christmas was wonderful and I plan on taking pictures to make a collage of the awesome presents I received (which include the coveted “Stupid Lamb” Twilight shirt that I had wanted so terribly).  Unfortunately I don’t have the energy to do so at the moment.  And so you’ll just have to wait.  I know how absolutely antsy you are to see what I received.

And for the record, “WALL-E” is possibly the cutest movie ever.  I just finished watching it and I want to own it now.  I want a Wall-e of my own.  He’s so freaking cute!!

Ugh.  Blowing my nose does nothing. What a waste of energy this is.