vinylicious

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♥, Steph

2 beers and I have a buzz. Go figure.

I was going to go out tonight after work. Maybe enjoy some dinner and a beer or two, but I got home and decided changing would be too much work, so I stayed in, had a couple beers, played on the web and somehow managed to score a date with someone I met on a dating site.

I'm probably jinxing it by mentioning it, but oh well. I'm still weirded out about the whole dating idea, but I'm in need of some good conversation away from a keyboard and my job.

Seriously.

Nerd up!

Okay, so let's pretend I typed something witty and worthy of your banter in this paragraph.

Now, let's move on to a little something about my day right here.

Insert a picture of my boobs (covered by a sweatshirt because nothing says sexy like a thick layer of cotton) right here in the middle.

Last, how about a short paragraph cursing Mother Nature and her evil monthly ways. Oh, and let's scream at God for giving me ovaries while we're at it.

And there you have it! The perfect formula for an LJ post (since I'm lazy and tired and don't feel like sharing).

It's amazing- the kind of random questions people ask in the grocery store. I was doing my Sunday shopping and was strolling by the meats. I picked up some shrimp then pushed my cart (or buggy as some call it) near the chicken and was stopped by a man. He was rather nice on the eyes- about my height, dark eyes, shaved head and looked as if he'd just gotten off work at a car shop of sorts. I decided this after giving his blue-collar mechanic shirt a once-over. "How many thighs do you think are in here?" he casually asked me, lightly shoving a pack of chicken thighs in front of me. I looked at it for a moment and shrugged. "It looks like four, doesn't it?" he continued. I agreed, looking under the artful markings on the plastic wrap. He gave me a nod and chimed me a quick "Thanks," smiled, and slowly walked away.

Afterward, I snagged some low fat hamburger meat and decided on making hamburgers tonight. I figured, since it was such a nice day, "The Chicken Man" would probably be BBQing his thighs. I then began to miss having a grill. I had a small one at my old place, but left it behind because it was old and wouldn't fit in my packed out Uhaul. I guess I'm stuck with broiling until my finances are back on track.

It does feel good to be cooking at home again. I can even feel a difference in my health. I spent way too much of my managerial days eating frozen dinners or eating the fatty, processed stuff from Ruby's. And by processed, I mean 95% of their food came in bags- the soup, pre-marinated steaks, frozen burgers, the sauces, etc. Don't get me wrong, the food was delicious, but so, so unhealthy.

Corporate places like that, and of course fast food restaurants, spend thousands of dollars on getting us hooked on such foods. Crazy? Hell yes. They test foods, spices, recipes, etc. to find out what they can market that people will come back for. You don't just go back for your favorite burger because it tastes good, but because they have perfected something in it that our taste buds can't deny. It can be anything from a seasoning to an oil that triggers something in our brains that makes us want more. At Ruby's, it was their seasoning- pre-made and packaged and put on everything from the burgers to the broccoli. Even the fries.

That's part of why I like being out of the franchise biz. Where I work now, everything is as fresh and as natural as what I cook at home, but much better since I'm no chef and they use meat from vegetarian cows who've never had a hormone shot in their short lives.

It's kind of deceiving, isn't it? Next time you stop at your favorite franchise or fast food joint and devour your favorite menu item, take a moment to really taste it, then figure out what they've formulated to make you crave it so badly. As if their commercial marketing isn't bad enough.

Thanks for the "Get well" wishes. I'm back up to speed and just in time! I'm sure most of you heard about the snow storm whipping through the South, and even in Winston-Salem we woke up to a few inches this morning.




Despite the weather, I zipped my little Honda to work and snapped a photo of the patio. Hidden underneath the chilly fluff are of course tables and chairs, and a variety of plants. Near the center is a huge pot of rosemary, which they sometimes use in the kitchen.

My highlight of the day? Shoveling snow off my car with a dust pan. Hey. It beats the CD case I used last year.

Fuck.

I thought to myself yesterday when Aiedyn first bent over the toilet, "I'm next," but I hoped the V8 and cran-grape juice I'd been chugging would ward off the nasties. Or it would at least take a few days to incubate before it made its presence known in my body.

Oh, hell-to-the-no.

Whatever this baby is, it's fierce, and is wiping out my son's school left and right, and now-- me.

At first I thought the queasy feeling in my belly was from the mixture of wine I'd had on an empty stomach, but soon after I put some food in it, up it came, then out it went, and I will hold back on the rest of the details. My stomach is gurgling and spitting and making sounds reminiscent to those heard from the pudgy gut of "Lard Ass" in the film Stand By Me, sans blueberry pies and raw eggs.

Now if you'll excuse me, Nature's calling. Actually, it's screaming at me with a string of obscenities tied in.

It figures.

It only took 3 weeks for Aiedyn to settle into his new school then WHAP! Stomach flu. The poor little guy has been letting it out both ends all day. And me? I've been here to comfort him. Today was my last day to follow, and tomorrow I would have earned my apron and sent out alone to serve, but I will just have to be a day behind. My little one is more important.

And now, 5 random things that have made me smile lately, because to be quite honest, I've nothing to blog about other than how I've been studying the new job menu the past few days, and how cran-grape juice loses its glimmer when mixed with stomach acid.

1. Hearing my Dad's voice

2. How good my ass looks in the mirror after having lost ten pounds

3. The smell of Bath and Body Works' Cucumber Melon Body Butter

4. The super kind people I now work with

5. President Obama's incredible speech last night (aside from all the annoying standing and clapping. Then more standing and clapping. Oh, yeah... and the next 50 standing and clapping segments.)

So far, after a few hours of training, I LOVE my new job. The staff is so friendly, intelligent, and they take their work seriously, which is something that was pretty hard to come by regarding the servers at my last job. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed in terms of menu knowledge, but I'm learning and will continue to learn every time I go in. I will be going back later this evening to train some more.

And they say that with the good comes the bad, and vice-versa. I had a taste of that last night. The phone rang at an odd hour, and I didn't recognize the number. Normally I'd let it go to voicemail, but since it was 10:30 pm, I decided to answer. The voice on the other end asked, "Stephanie?" in an oddly shaky tone. I knew right away who it was as I'd heard my name said by that voice since the day I was born. It was my father. Some of you know I haven't spoken to my dad in a couple years. We'd had a falling out and I decided, at that time, it was best to cut ties. But as he said last night, "All water under the bridge."

He didn't exactly call to play catch up or chit chat, though we found ourselves briefly going over our lives and the lives of my siblings. After we got that squared away, he told me my uncle's cancer had gotten worse and that he maybe had 3-6 months. I would have been shocked, but had heard the news two nights prior via Facebook. I had gotten back in touch with my cousin's wife and she relayed the news through a message. I was truly saddened, and it didn't really hit me until last night when my dad called.

I plan on calling my Uncle Tom, who I haven't spoken to in years, sometime tomorrow, but for now am keeping high spirits. I have to, if not for myself, for him. And if anything, it did put me and my dad on speaking terms again, so I think about that and it makes me smile.

I love my dad. I love my uncle, and hopefully, by some miracle, the cancer will slow down or reverse some how. Probably won't be the case, but I have to be optimistic.

Last Thursday we celebrated Aiedyn 9th birthday. That would be "we" as in, Aiedyn, myself, and our neighbor, Juan. Juan is such a blessing. Since Aiedyn's second day at school the two have been attached at the hip. They go to the bus stop together, ride the bus together, return from the bus together, and spend the afternoon's playing and doing homework at our place. He is so thrilled to have a child his age (and only a grade above him) right next door. Juan's mother, however, doesn't speak a lot of English, so we really can't communicate, but still-- A smile in passing is all we really need.

And now-- fondue and ice cream cake ahoy!



( Continue )

Today I took the time to snap photos of my new place. =D Just click the thumbnails to be directed to the gallery.

So, it's Friday night. Aiedyn is with his father and I'm out on the town, currently sitting at the bar in Cities, enjoying a nice meal, some coffee, and washing it down with a couple Sammy A White Ales. There's a crowd around me, laughing, talking, drinking, and I'm in my own little world, catching up on LJ friend's posts and making an entry of my own.

In all honesty, I'm having a blast. Yes, even the Internet nerd can web hermit out in the open. Did I say "Internet nerd"? I meant "Queen of Awesome". Later I will head home, plant my ass on my new couch and watch Sex and the City the movie on demand, because I have yet to see it.

Oh, and I got my television stand today, so no more T.V. on the floor. That's right! The A-P-T is fin.

I also have to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jon, aka: Underdogautopsy.

Now- back to the beer and LJ lurking.

We've made it to our new home, and I am exhausted. I'm posting from my iPhone now and should have Internet tomorrow. Until then. I'm off to bed.

Everything is packed, minus my toiletries for the a.m., my Mac, and Aiedyn's early birthday gift he's been playing like a fiend, the Wii. It's been such a tiring and emotional day. I've discovered things from my past I'd long forgotten about, including a candle that reminded me of the smell of Chad's apartment, and a card from my ex-husband. I watched Aiedyn hug his friends goodbye, I gave away Chester's old bed, and put my two cockatiels in Charlie's old birdcage to easily transfer them. So many memories have been made in this old, crappy apartment, and all of them monumental for me in some way, since it was my freedom haven after a miserable marriage.

It's time to stop looking back and look forward. And I'm doing so with a grin. U-Haul called and my truck is ready. Matt called to verify that he and Eric would be here at 11 a.m. to help me. Aiedyn's report card was sent a day early, and like last quarter, he got straight A's. I have my cashier's check ready to give to my new rental place, my petticoat has been dry-cleaned, Aiedyn's new computer has been shipped, my couch, ottoman and turntable have been ordered. Everything is going as planned.

By this time tomorrow night, I will be living in Winston-Salem. I won't have Internet until Saturday, but I'm sure I will have plenty of unpacking to do to keep me entertained.

Bon Voyage!

It saddens me to say I had to get rid of Chester, my crazy Chihuahua, before the move. The little goober had a rug pissing fetish and my new townhouse is nothing but carpet, aside from the kitchen and bathrooms. I cried; Aiedyn cried, but he will be so much happier with his new family- a lovely woman, her husband, and 13-year-old son. He will be their only family dog and will have more room to run and more people to adore him. Plus, the woman pulled up in a....

PT Cruiser.

My first thought was of Shawna and her little chihuahuas, Jorge and Julio. =D

But that in itself was a sure sign he would be very well taken care of. Now I'm left with two old cats, two cockatiels, and a turtle to transport. (Oh! Spooky the Hamster FINALLY died and was replaced by a turtle we properly call 'Carl'. He doesn't wear flip flops or a gold chain, though.) Talk about an interesting trip, huh? Thank god I'm not moving to Florida.

Today was my last day at the home of "Simple, Fresh, American Dining". I handed out hugs with tears in my eyes, and walked out the door with a huge smile on my face. I already feel less stress and a lighter weight on my shoulders. Helping manage that place was one of the most stressful jobs I've ever had, but only because of the constant changes being made to keep up with a failing economy. Had it been a couple years back, I probably would have enjoyed it more.

And onward with the future..... my move was postponed until Friday thanks to Wachovia holding my tax check, since I got it quickly and it came from an out of state bank. My funds should be released by Thursday so I can get the last minute things together and be ready for one of my ex-co-workers and a friend of his to come help me move. Aiedyn is now back home with me full time and ready to see his new home. I'm not sure who's more excited: me or him!

Now I must deal with my nerves. I am nervous. I have a job hunt to conduct, furniture to order, stuff to cancel and change, but my power is ready to be transferred, cable/Internet is ordered, and my apt. is a museum of boxes. And I have so many to fill, and more crap to get rid of. I absolutely hate moving, but it will all be well worth it in the end.

Yeah. I'm at work LJ posting from my iPhone. We're THAT dead tonight. Hooray for holiday shopping and reccession!

And, ladies, (and some gentlemen), this is David, my favorite host who has returned from school in Greensboro for the holidays. As you can see, he's super busy too.

Remember my ceiling? The one that fell in a couple years back? Well, they fixed it, right? Or kind of fixed it. They fixed the ceiling, but not the leaky roof, so rain still leaked onto my new ceiling. Last summer a handful of roofers came out to fix THAT problem, and as usual, my landlord wasn't wise in his contractor choice. It rained like bloody hell when the shingles were removed and my apartment dribbled like a teething baby, and another hole was formed. If the assheads would have covered the roof like I'd asked them to....... but what can you do?

It's my day off, and the roof is fixed, at least it seems to be, and there's a group here repairing my ceiling. Great timing--- almost two years later from the original collapse date with me preparing to 'get out of dodge' in the next couple months.

However, even with a house full of unfamiliar people as I sit in my bathrobe, the following brings a huge smile to my face. Yeah-- you know what I want for Christmas this year, and the boys from The Wu-Tang Clan always know how to deliver.

So, it's the weekend. I have a movie for me and Aiedyn to watch, worked on a brochure for a client and have been taking it easy. There's not really much to report, so how about some pics from my time away....


Auston and Aiedyn



I haven't frequented my favorite watering hole much, maybe because it's not much of a favorite anymore, but me and my manager, Chris, his wife, Beth, and his wife's son, Auston, all met up at Dooley's for wings. Aiedyn tagged along as well, playing everything from ACDC to Dragon Force on the juke box. Kid has a Guitar Hero obsession, ya think? Also, he now has his own ipod, a nano I got him for his birthday, and an itunes playlist. His fave bands: Jurassic Five, Ramones, Beasties, Rage Against the Machine, Sex Pistols, Grand Master Flash.... the list goes on.

Twister?



Rumor has it that a twister touched down in my town a few weeks back. Crazy winds knocked down trees all over my neighborhood, one not too far from my car o.O Me and Aiedyn were without power for 24 hours. I almost went INSANE!

Feel free to click the photos for a larger view. And yeah-- Aiedyn has more hair than I do now!

It's hard typing with cold hands. And no, I'm not dead, as people have been asking. :-D I'm actually quite alive, still keeping to myself and watching the world fly by me. If only I could go into detail about the last couple months-- but that would be too long of a post, so in brief:

- Aiedyn is now crazy eight. He had his very first sleep-over with friends from school and one of the children of a person I work with. It was--- INSANE! There was cake, pizza and much running and being hit with various plastic weapons. It was adorable.

- I've been promoted at work. I am now an assistant manager who fills in for the main managers a couple times a week. The pay isn't that great, but I plan to use my experience elsewhere when I'm able to climb the ladder further, which may be a while since I can't work nights due to single motherhood. I still wait tables, though-- which is cool, because I enjoy it. -Shrugs- This is a start though to better things.

- Speaking of single, I'm now on my fifth month of complete celibacy, as in I haven't even thought about dating or seeing anyone since "you know who". And it's been good for me, as I've been able to concentrate on other things and not having to worry about trying to please someone else. I will admit, I miss being in a relationship. I miss "him", but it's better to be emotionally healthy than rushing into something just because I feel a little lonely at times.

So--- who's pregnant? Who's moved? Who's grown and who has started something new and fabulous in their lives? It would be impossible for me to read back on my list without it taking a week of straight reading. ;-) I need updates, because I'm reading posts and am feeling a bit lost-- though it's my fault really--

And I'm truly sorry for being such a shitty friend right now, as many of you have been in my life for years.

-Hugs-

Nothing sucks more than putting bare feet on cold hardwood, only to stand around freezing, waiting for the shower to warm up-- then having to put on several layers of clothing-- your skin dry from the cold air and your jeans tights since you've packed on a few extra holiday pounds. NOTHING!

I hate winter. It's depressing and makes me feel gross and trapped. I prefer to stay in where it's warm and I don't dare go out because my hair has taken on a beastly life of its own and my hips have grown an inch around. And January is always the worst. The holidays are over, everyone's broke, there's nothing to celebrate and if there were we'd all be too exhausted to do so.

So, it's the New Year. Aiedyn had a great Christmas, racking up with Guitar Hero 3, some games and movies, etc. Me? I just sat around and let him enjoy it. New Year's was pretty much the same-- I had a couple beers here at home after Aiedyn went to bed, and celebrated the stroke of midnight with a Dragon and a Liger (don't even ask). Now begins the long stretch to spring, my least favorite time of year. I do hope it's a quick couple months. I'm beginning to miss myself. ;)

I hope everyone else has a wonderful holiday. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

PS: RIP Charlie the Parakeet. He passed a week before Christmas- reasons unknown. :(