In Love --- AGAIN!

We met a few weeks ago but actually became more acquainted last Wednesday and spent the entire four day weekend together just playing around - getting to know each other. We've since spent every waking moment together.
This one, I think, is a keeper - at least for a couple years but I'm hoping for more.

A picture of my new lover:


You didn't think I was talking about a man, did you? C'mon now, I am a married woman! =)

My Everything

Lily:

My greatest joy and accomplishment thus far. She's my everything; my reason for being a better person, for not losing hope, for living each day to the fullest and for getting up every morning - seriously, she wakes me up around 6:30am every day. =)

Awww

BREAKING NEWS
Global delivery company DHL to discontinue U.S operations.

Awww....

It couldn't have happened to a better, more dependable company.

just maybe

Maybe I'll start a series...





This one, however, is not out a window but in my backyard. Still with same shitty cell phone though. :o)

quickie

Taken at Ly's (new term of endearment/nick-name) school. All were through my windshield (assignment: on the dashboard) and all were taken with my p.o.s. cell phone. Even though the quality really does suck (no, it's not just an illusion) I kind of like the outcome, they look almost...painted.

oh yeah

i recanted my resignation. i don't want to talk about it.

Thinking

About purchasing some sort of infectious, skin eating, disease off the internet and sending it down to...nevermind.

Wondering

Why does the pen I use determine the hand writing I produce? Seriously.

Bye Bitches!

Today I put in my two weeks! I feel a weight has been lifted and now I don't want to do shit for the next two weeks...fuck this place.

BYE BITCHES!!

Present Day

Cell Phones Suck

Or at least mine does. Almost two years ago I signed up for a two year plan with AT&T and got a pink razr phone - I loved it. About 8 months ago I lost my phone somewhere in the middle of nowhere and there was no way I thought I'd ever see that phone again, it made me sick to think of all the information and pictures I lost and to also think that someone could find it and see all my pictures - I prayed someone ran over it. So I called Asurion (why does everyone use them, are they the only insurance company for cell phones?) and went through the process of getting a new phone (little did I know they use DHL (DHL = good luck getting your phone) and was told I would get another pink razr in two days well two weeks later (thank you DHL) I finally received my phone and it's a plastic piece of crap - constantly dropping calls, telling me I've got an insufficient battery and to insert my sim card. AND I PAID THEM $50 FOR THIS PIECE OF CRAP! Why can't I get what I had? Why the hell do I have insurance for this thing? WHY WHY WHY!!!???

Ignorance

Many of my co-workers have made it painfully obvious what a bunch of ignorant idiots they are. This morning I heard a statement from one that has pushed me over the edge and I'm not exactly sure how to handle it and there's no way in hell I can repeat it, but the jist would be how racist they are and who they plan on voting for. If they feel that way fine - keep it to yourself you dumb ass!
If you want to vote for a republican go for it - you're just as stupid as the republican party thinks you are!

YOU'RE NOT INVISIBLE

To the guy behind me this morning - we can all see you picking your nose and flicking it out the window!!!

I'm going to throw up everywhere if I find a booger on my car.

Update

It's cold, rainy and downright icky outside today. No work today. NO, let me rephrase that - our office is not allowing contractors to dig today, I'm working - sorta'. I just want this week to end already! My sister will be down tonight and staying for a week...woohoo. I'm excited, she only lives an hour away but it's a trip neither of us really like to make and to be frankly honest I miss her.


Since getting my computer back I've been catching up on about 3 months worth of pictures and I'm having a blast!! Now I've just got to get my ass moving again and work on all my photog biz shiz-nit! :o)


Here's an example:

Buddy's:
Summer Fun!

3!

Saturday is the kids birthday - she's 3!! Yay! Unfortunately she'll have one less gift to open that day...

Me: Are you excited for your birthday party?

Her: No.

Me: Why not? It's going to be so much fun. We'll eat cake and open all your presents!
(wait for it....wait for it) I've been hiding a present from you to open on Saturday! (OUCH!)

Much longer story short...she got her Barbie car last night.

I Don't Wanna Frow Up...

My poor little woman is sick again. Yesterday morning we were up at 4:50 am with a fever and plain old icky-ness. I didn't realize it right away but she had also thrown up a bit too. Poor thing had to miss school yesterday but I don't really think she realized it, she was in bed miserable, the whole time watching Caillou in between mini-naps.
So yesterday when I got over to Grammy's house we made an appointment to immediately get her into the doctor after finding out her temp was up to 102.6 (EEEKK!) All the way there she kept saying her eyes don't hurt anymore (she must have had a headache) but she was still interested in seeing the doctor. Unfortunately that will be the last time we have a smooth trip to the doctor. "I know, I know child...how dare she try and look in your ears and mouth - that's absurd!" Needless to say we don't know exactly what she's got but we do know that strep throat and a few other virus are circulating so she's been put on Penicillin and Tylenol for the fever.
This morning we got 10 more minutes of sleep than yesterday morning. Today the vomiting started at 5:00 am but was over fast and she settled into the couch for a half hour of the Good Morning Show - the whole time saying "I don't wanna frow up."
Thankfully today she is feeling quite a bit better and the fever has subsided. She will make it to school for picture day and hopefully no new virus try to encroach on her already fragile immune system.

I Must Have Missed Something - Did Hell Freeze Over?

I got my computer back yesterday! They tell me they replaced the motherboard again and to just keep using the video card I installed. What a wonderful piece of machinery. Whatever, at least I still have a hard drive full of my crap. Now, save money for new computer!

I've Met the Hairdresser of My Dreams!

Until Sunday, I hadn't gone to a hairdresser to get my hair done in approximately 8 years!! Okay, excluding the one time I went to the hair cuttery in Golden, CO...but that's it. My hair was really short for a long time and my Mom did a pretty good job of keeping it that way and once I was preggers I decided since it was the growing so fast anyways let's grow it out and had been doing so for the last 3 years until Sunday.

I was referred the the hairdresser by my mother and aunt who both have the cutest short hair cuts and I wanted to be free too. Saturday I called for an appointment and got in on Sunday, flew to the store for a mag full of short cuts and found quite a few I liked but was able to narrow it down to two. With the help of Aime (hairdresser) we picked the one that best suits my face shape and went to town. OMFG - I LOVE IT! It's amazing what losing about 10 pounds of hair can do or the freedom it brings. Just another small change that's made a world of difference.

Aime @ The MADISON was awesome! She's was very energetic and excited to be cutting my hair. She had mentioned how lucky she is to have so many clients coming in to completely change their do's. She was a bit shocked at how much hair we were cutting off but welcomed the challenge. Never have I been able to work with someone so well and get exactly what I had been picturing. She will definitely be seeing me and probably the rest of my family again. Thanks Aime!!

Changes

It's been almost a week since the hubby has left and we're doing surprisingly well! So far I've only had one night of "oh shit...what was that!?" The kid has been taking it surprisingly well also. There's been a few nights where she wanted to call Daddy and that's no problem, whatever comforts her is fine with me.

I can't decide if my letting the kid sleep in bed with me is helping me more or her more. (??) But I like it. Having the him gone made me realize how comforting it is to have the warmth of someone beside you. But I do have to say, I think she likes it too! :o)

It's amazing how much a little change in pace or change in yourself or maybe your surroundings can affect a person. Since alone (lack of a better word moment) my house is cleaner which makes me happier, the kids a bit more of a hand full but I'm enjoying all my time with her*, and I'm on a good road towards bettering myself for myself. I guess as hard as this situation, that I feel like I can't stop complaining about, is on all of us there's a good chance a few good things will come out of it and I'm looking forward to the results.

* We'll see how I feel after four months! ;-)

Post Departure

The hub left yesterday for his new job. It was hard on me. I went to work, made an ass out of myself and went home to spend the last four hours of his time in VA together. We were scrambling to get stuff done so not much of that time was spent just relaxing together. I had to leave a few minutes before he did to pick up the kid from school but when I returned home to grab some things I found his water bottle sitting on the front porch and I lost it - "Oh no...he forgot his water! What if he gets thirsty!" - and it just continued from there as I made my way through the house looking for anything of his that could give me comfort - I settled for a pillow but did manage to wear a pair of pajama pants of his to bed last night. Give me a break...I've never lived alone before...not for this long anyways.
Poor kid didn't really understand either but did seem to take it better than I did at first. It'll take some getting used to but we're strong girls and will talk to daddy every night to keep us sane.

I Have No Response To That

Authorities say they've arrested a man who broke into the home of two California farm workers, stole money, rubbed one with spices and whacked the other with a sausage before fleeing.
Fresno County sheriff's Lt. Ian Burrimond says 22-year-old Antonio Vasquez was found hiding in a field wearing only a T-shirt, boxers and socks after the Saturday morning attack.
He says deputies arrested Vasquez after finding a wallet containing his ID in the ransacked house.
The farm workers told deputies the suspect woke them Saturday morning by rubbing spices on one of them and smacking the other with an 8-inch sausage.
Burrimond says money allegedly stolen was recovered.

I'm depressed

The weekend has brought me a nasty cold, no computer and a looming date of departure for my husband. I'm going to miss him. I'm going to miss him doing yard work and taking care of us when we're sick and vacuuming.

This morning I came into work feeling some-what positive (as positive as I can be on a Monday) and that's already down the drain. I hate my job. My boss doesn't know his head from his ass but is constantly asking me the status of jobs he should know about but for some dumb ass reason doesn't - he doesn't do his job. Yet I'm the idiot, the worthless idiot - or so he makes me feel. I know he's just a lonely old asshole with nothing better to do than pick on those who actually have a life but I'm tired of it. I'm sick, sad and tired and this butt head who won't leave me alone. I prey everyday I will be able to quit this place but so far my prayers go unanswered. As lucky as I am to be able to tell my boss what a fuck tard he is it doesn't make up for the actual fuck tard that he is. Cross your fingers I won't lose my job today.

Now I've Seen Everything!

Have you ever heard of no return dvd rentals? I have!

Flexplay...the no return rental. WTF?!

I'm not exactly sure where you can find them but the hub did run across them at 7-11 and we had to try it out...you know we love all this new fangled shit.

How it works:
Like regular DVDs, Flexplay DVDs are made from two pieces of plastic – one or both of which have a reflective coating – that are glued together. Information on the DVD – a digitally-encoded movie, for example – is transferred onto the reflective surface, where it can be read by a laser beam focused on that reflective surface. The reflected laser beam is read by the DVD’s optical sensor. Precise focus and clear transmission of the laser beam is required for playback of the DVD.
Well Flexplay uses an adhesive to glue the plastic disc halves together. Removing the DVD from its sealed package exposes the disc to oxygen, triggering a gentle, controlled chemical reaction with the special adhesive. After 48 hours – but not sooner – the adhesive begins to interfere with the DVD laser beam’s ability to read the disc. This all happens inside the disc, with no exposed chemicals or coatings.

Crazy shit, huh!

I need a life!

While sitting in the backyard relaxing, watching the little woman run around babbling when the hub and I realized what was going on...

Little Woman: Work, Home, Work, Home, Work, Home...

The Hub: Oh my god Brandi, she's only 3 and she already knows all about life.

Me: What are you talking about?

The Hub: Listen to her...

Little Woman: Work, Home, Work, Home...

Me: Oh my god...we need a life!

Side Note: Cable guy is coming today to hook up our tv! I'm proud of us though...we went 3 months with no tv. Our Netflix account has been utilized like crazy - right now we're averaging 8 movies a month and for $14.99 that's damn good! But we will probably be cutting down on those for the next six months which is fine...I'm feeling a bit wore out on non-stop movie mania.

The leave date for the hubby is quickly approaching and I gotta say I'm a little more than just sad. Scared, paranoid and pissed off are the feelings that have been bogging me down all week. We've only been in our new house for about 3 months and I'm just not as comfortable in it as I'd like to be. I'm a paranoid mess most of the time and with him gone I'm afraid...no, I know it's going to be worse.
I have been psyching myself out for the past few weeks though...convincing myself that my fucked up paranoia problem is just me and there really aren't dozens of dead people standing in the backyard just waiting to feast on me and that "guy" the kid always speaks of is just her extremely overactive imagination working over time.

Have I ever told you about guy??? 'Nother time.

Customer Service...HA!

I fucken hate Best Buy. Never again will I purchase a computer, camera, lenses, etc from there again.
I'm currently awaiting the arrival of my piece of shit computer they've had at their HP headquarters for about a month. I can't wait to get it back and see if I've got anything left on it. Oh of course they assured me as I was signing the contract, that clearly stated they are not responsible for lost data, that they would not have to wipe my hard drive, he's saying this along with "it'll be back here in 10-15 business days and we'll give you a call." ...so you can imagine the faith I have in them at this point.
My hubby received a call on the 17 business day letting him know that they do have the computer but they have to overnight it (they did say overnight and they continue to say overnight every time I talk to them) back to HP because the video still isn't working! Okay, hold on...you had it at HP where these people are going to fix what you couldn't when I brought it in and now you're telling me they sent it back while the video is still not working??!! Excuse me but WTF!?? So I called the mighty geek squad on the 26th (this would be the day after it should have come back from being overnighted back & forth) and he tells me THEY JUST RECEIVED IT! OMFG! I'm fucken irate...but I don't let this loser know because the last thing I need is for some punk to put my shit on the back burner because I threw a hissy fit over the phone. He precedes to tell me he thinks (THINKS!!!!!) they should be getting it back on the 2nd. Excuse me....AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Now, as if that wasn't bad enough...Yesterday, the 2nd, I called the all mighty geek squad (btw...very friendly, customer minded people (scarcasm at it's finest...i know)) and am told that they have no notes in their system since the 26th and he doesn't know what's going on but he'll be sure to send a fucken escalation email and if he hears anything he'll give me a call and you just know I haven't received a call yet. And about the overnight thing...it's only overnighted after they actually look at it. When they tell you they're overnighting it...keep that in mind.

What is it about the customer service industry that gives me that 'oh god I'd rather rip my own heart out than have to deal with you' feeling?? My p.o.s. computer has had problems in the past and using the HP help line SUCKS so there was no way in hell I was going to just send my computer off. Instead I recruited an ex co-worker, kind-of-friend guy that all I have to do is bake some brownies and pay for any new hardware and SHAZAM! I'm ready to go. Unfortunately this computer has some sort of complex and has more problems than we had originally thought and I had no other choice. I'm forced to use these arrogant assholes who I guess think of themselves as a gift from god because they know more about computers than your average person. This new found glory gives them the right to treat you with little to no respect what-so-ever and give you the run around until they feel you've endured enough bullshit and next time you might come in with a tazer. When we took our computer in the little fucker never once looked at me in the eye...not once and when you call to get the status you're treated like a nuisance..."Like hello, I'm in the middle of a very intense game of dungeons & dragons!" Okay, sorry about the dungeons and dragons gag but my god...what is it that you were doing at work that's so damn important that you can't take a few minutes and let me know the status of the computer I very reluctantly entrusted with you is???

Now I know I've been completely picking on Best Buy this whole time but all you other companies out there are the exact same way! You don't even want to get me started on DHL. Granted there are some great companies out there and next time I run into a wonderfully helpful person I will be sure to say so, but until then...

Rainy Day Blues

The last few days have warned of some storms to come but today good 'ol mother nature has let loose on us, which is fine we need it. Unfortunately for the industry I work in it's not the best thing...we work outside, it rains, we can't work which means no money today and poor little me has to sit in the office all day with nothing to do...I'M BORED!

I hate storms. I used to love a good, loud storm but ever since a tornado came through back in May and completely ripped my old office down I've been a wreck every time a severe storm warning blairs through the weather radio....and in the closet we go! I guess the sight of pulling up to work one dreary Friday morning and seeing my crappy, run-down office on it's knees has really traumatized me.
My poor little child has gotten to the point where she wants to be with mom and dad every time it storms and often wants to go sit in the closet. :(
I'm getting better at not showing my fear and she seems to be picking up on that and in the recent months has just simply laughed at the thunder....whew, not too much damage done!

So anyways...
Yesterday on the way to drop off the kid at my moms house for the day (before school and after) I'm practically run off the road by one of her neighbors backing out of their driveway. I'm guessing he often wonders what those weird little reflecty thingys are that are protruding out from the sides of his driver and passenger side doors. Then on the way home from work I'm slamming on my breaks because some woman decides NOW is the time to move over whether I'm right there or not...no blinker, not even a glance in the mirror.

You're killing me! Why do car manufacturers put blinkers or mirrors on cars? Nobody uses them. "Awww...look at this cute little lever that makes my lights flash and what an odd spot for a mirror. Fuck it, I'll use it to hold my 34 different pony-tail holders and what a great place for an air freshener!"

For those of us who don't remember the rules of the road - here's a short refresher.

BLINKERS:

Blinkers are there to warn those around you what you're planning to do next with your 3-ton vehicle that could easily take out a family of four. You use it when you want to change lanes - not the second you're moving over or after you've gotten into the lane does it come on, you turn it on before you change lanes...give it a few seconds then move over. Also great idea to use them when you are planning on turning - not after you've gotten into the turning lane or once the light turns green does it come on, but at least 100' ft before your turn comes. And please, when you're done...TURN IT OFF.

MIRRORS:

Not just for applying make-up anymore! They're also great for backing up, changing lanes (watch for blind spots - turn head!) and parallel parking.
-Thank you class, next time we meet we'll discuss speed limits. :o)

Changes

I've said this before and dammit I'm going to say it again but this time I mean it...



I'm tired of having this poor neglected blog that I never write on anymore. The little icon taunts me daily while I sit at my computer doing mindless bullshit to pass the time.



I'm really tired of my lack of creativity lately and also lack of ambition to work on any of my so-called favorite hobbies. It's true - don't use it = lose it. I've got to find a way to get the juices flowing again. I've turned into what I never wanted to be...a drone, a worthless fucken drone...work, home, sleep and repeat. That ends today.



As a part of the new (but old) found me I'm re-doing this blog completely. You (being the blog) may have already noticed some changes from the last time we spoke. . .



1) If you don't like my cussing don't read it. I cuss. I cuss every day in life so why hold back here...this is about me isn't it.



2) From time to time I will log on here just to bitch. My venting these days is very limited and about to get worse so you will from now on be my verbal punching bag.



3) I will talk about what I want, whoever I want, when I want.



With that being said...



My name is Brandi, I'm married to a wonderfully annoying man who will from this point on be refered to as the husband, hubby or just hub and we've got an awesome little woman who will from this point on be refered to as the child, the kid, trouble and several other terms of endearment (I will notify you of any new terms). I work full-time for the worst company in the world and deal with the biggest ass of a boss I've ever had in my life. I'm working on a photography career that has also suffered some since my recent downfall in, well everything. I'm smart, good looking and over weight. As much as I love the kid why the hell did I have to get so damn fat just to have her and now 3 years later still look like I just had a kid?? Did I mention I'm lazy??



In two weeks the hub will be leaving to work out of state for awhile and I've promised myself when he comes back he'll have a sexy new wife....YES I MEAN ME! I'm hoping that I'll miraculously gain all this extra energy and time to work more on myself - but now writing it out and reading the words I can't help but think "but you're like a single parent now...what time and energy are you talking about?" But alas I will prevail...after all we did op for no cable tv the last few months so I won't be plopped on the couch on a cable binge while he's away.



Note to self: order cable tv ASAP!

Pictures, pictures, pictures!

I've recently gotten my photoshop back and I've been one busy little bee.

I had forgotten how much fun it can be but also how much work it can be. I'll also be uploading Photoshop 10 soon and I'm ECSTATIC to say the least.

Here's one of my recent manipulations.

[her blue eyes]

This was done with a little desaturation & the history brush. No special effects to get those beautiful blue eyes, those are au natural!

Monday

Today was spent working, well, kind of. A big part of my day was spent working but I also spent a lot of time admiring my handy-work in our restroom at work...yes, I'm proud! And some time was spent searching out odd objects to shoot. Here are a couple interesting shots I managed to get between phone calls.

[a protrusion/possibly dangerous!]

[an abundance of tacks!]

So the day wasn't a complete loss! HA...just kidding. I did get paid to do a minimal amount of work! :o)

After work I rushed over to my Mom's house like usual to pick up the little woman and this time instead of chatting for a bit we headed home right away. Unfortunately the sun was in our eyes.

Okay, a few bumps in the road but all in all today was a great day. Ahem...despite the freezing weather.

Movie Maker & Lightscribe!

Tonight I was playing with my Windows Movie Maker and made a DVD filled with pictures of my little woman and was even able to add a song to it. Afterwards I flipped the DVD over and burned the label onto it! This is amazing! I'm definitely looking forward to making a ton more DVDs. What a great way to save memories!

Friday Fun

At my day job my title is Office Administrator/Manager. You'd never guess what this title entails. Today I painted the bathroom in our office! It's been a slow day with no forward production because of the weather, which is actually not too bad but we make a big enough mess out in the field (your yard) when the weather is dry, so if we can avoid working while it's slushy/wet we're going to to keep the complaint department quiet. And considering we didn't work yesterday for the same reasons I had nothing to do today, hence me painting the bathroom. :o) It was fun and it looks pretty damn good for a first time painter.

On another subject, my little woman is getting so big! She's really taking to the potty training thing really well. Last night after her bath she came up to my saying "potty" so we ran to the bathroom, she sat up on her 'big-girl' potty chair and let it go! I'm so proud of her and she is too. The more you brag about her to Grandma, Grandpa and various other about her good doing, while she's around, the more she wants to do it and be a big girl so I continue to praise her for every 'big-girl' thing she does, after all she is a big girl. :o)

Winter Wonderland!

Despite my hopes and prayers we finally got some snow today.

As much as I despise the cold and snow I must admit it does make for some gorgeous pictures.

And I suppose the fact that I was able to leave work at 10:30 this morning due to weather/hazardous conditions (don't laugh...this is Virginia) does help a little bit! :o)

Check, check, check it out....

Undecided

I've been neglecting my blog for far too long and since I've got nothing better to do right now...

**sigh**

I've been doing some thinking lately about this blog...I started personal and I'm thinking of moving over to professional, but oh how I love to share my personal experiences as a mom, wife and a some-what hostile employee. However I'm also slowly building up my portfolio as a photographer and would like to share my experiences, ideas and faux pas with the rest of the blogging world.
I've never really been the blending type of person as far as appearance but perhaps I can try my hand at blending my professional life with my personal life.
Yes, I will try to draw that thin line and see what happens.

To start, since I've got limited access to personal info, ex. pictures, I'm going to introduce you to my JPG Magazine page.
http://www.jpgmag.com/people/1TObeat

Feel free to comment on what I've got up so far.

Thank you to all my dear, dear admirers! ;-)