HELLO, MY NAME IS...brandi

In Love --- AGAIN!

2008-12-03T10:06:00.004-05:00

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

2008-12-02T13:03:00.002-05:00

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

2008-11-10T08:10:00.002-05:00

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

2008-10-29T19:17:00.002-04:00

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

2008-10-28T16:34:00.007-04:00

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

2008-10-24T16:45:00.000-04:00

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

Thinking

2008-10-22T08:19:00.005-04:00

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

Wondering

2008-10-21T21:33:00.002-04:00

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

Bye Bitches!

2008-10-09T08:39:00.003-04:00

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

2008-10-06T21:31:00.004-04:00

Cell Phones Suck

2008-10-03T13:25:00.004-04:00

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

2008-09-30T07:28:00.005-04:00

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

2008-09-29T13:31:00.004-04:00

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

2008-09-26T13:10:00.001-04:00

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!

2008-09-25T12:45:00.004-04:00

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...

2008-09-18T08:02:00.003-04:00

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?

2008-09-17T10:15:00.007-04:00

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!

2008-09-16T08:49:00.005-04:00

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

2008-09-15T09:13:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-11T10:23:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-08T09:18:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-08T09:12:00.002-04:00

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!

2008-09-04T09:26:00.004-04:00

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!

2008-09-04T07:53:00.007-04:00

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!

2008-09-03T08:34:00.002-04:00

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

2008-08-28T09:51:00.010-04:00

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

2008-08-27T13:36:00.008-04:00

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!

2008-02-07T10:17:00.000-05:00

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

2008-01-21T17:59:00.000-05:00

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!

2008-01-18T19:47:00.000-05:00

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

2008-01-18T13:13:00.000-05:00

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!

2008-01-17T18:36:00.000-05:00

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

2008-01-15T13:52:00.000-05:00

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! ;-)

Let Me Start By Saying I SUCK....

2007-12-14T13:32:00.000-05:00

So it's been how long since I've blogged? Too long!

Not much has changed since last time I blogged. We went to Oklahoma and pigged out on not one but two Thanksgiving Dinners, saw a bunch of friends we get to see once a year and hung out with family. It was a nice break from the norm. The drive down was great, only took 21 hours. I know, I know...21 hours!! HAHA! But the drive back was about 24-26 hours because of post Holiday traffic.

Since being home Lily and I have had really bad colds that had us both in extremely grouchy moods. Thankfully we're both feeling 110% better. I've also been working on my pictures a lot more lately. I've got a ton of great shots of my little muse and outdoor scenery. I've been experimenting more with different photoshop actions, presets, bursts, etc. I feel like I'm am yet again expanding my photog knowledge and it feels good. Unfortunately I'm still stuck with my crappy little camera and dreaming, literally dreaming, about getting a new one. Christmas will be here soon...*crossing fingers*.

Work is the same, busy, stressful and annoying at times. I would love to work on more home based projects so I can eventually quit my regular job and go back to doing the stay-at-home-mom thing. I really miss those days. There's another goal to add to my list.

Almost there

2007-11-16T08:55:00.000-05:00

I'm anxiously waiting for my boss to tell me to go home...
Yesterday it rained so there is really nothing for me to do. Why not go home early?
I need to get a little more prepared for our 1/2-cross country road trip. Andy and I are ecstatic! Lily on the other hands seems to know something is up but the poor little thing has no idea the trip she is in for. I'm expecting a not-so-cooperative child this time around. She's way more active than last time we drove to OK and I just know she's going to want to get out every time we stop.

On one hand I'm coming out of my skin with excitement to get on the road again, both as passenger and driver, then arrive in OK and not worry about work for an entire week. On the other hand, I don't want to drive for 24 hours, especially with an antsy two year old. Thankfully we will be leaving around her bedtime and if all goes as planned she will sleep for most of the trip. Just in case things aren't as smooth as I'm hoping we are prepared. I've got a few of her favorite things packed and ready to go along with a DVD player and about 12 DVDs. I may be over doing it, but I'd rather be prepared.

Okay, I'm feeling a little unprepared now with all this talk of being prepared. I'm going to make another list....make sure I have it all!!

My appologies

2007-11-09T14:03:00.000-05:00

So I've really been slacking on my blogging. I feel terrible about it. In my defense, I've been busy!

I know it's only fall but it feels like winter. It's been cold & rainy on and off for the last week and a half. I'm so happy Lily's winter jacket from last year still fits. It actually fits perfectly this time around since last year it was a tad too big.

**sigh**

I can't think of much right now.

Ooh! The other day Lily handed me a booger!

I have to laugh at her sometimes when it comes to her cleanliness. She is the only 2 year old I've seen that absolutely cannot stand getting dirty. She won't even sit in her sandbox! Any fuzz on the floor is handed to me to be disposed of and watch out cause any loose piece of paper will be thrown away! She's quite handy when it comes to cleaning up after dinner. She loves taking a wash rag and wiping down the table and her chair and of course continues onto other things like the side table in the living room a few toys here and there and sometimes even a wall.
Taking all that into consideration it's not so odd that she would want nothing to do with a booger.

Now if I could only get her to pick up her toys and put them away!

Saturday @ the Park!

2007-11-03T21:06:00.000-04:00

It's been a busy week. Well, not really. I've been especially lazy the last few days and haven't spent any time on my poor blog. I guess I tend to go through stages. My current stage is focusing on my photography...it's been awhile since I've spent too much time on it.
-
Our Saturday was spent at the park downtown. It was beautiful outside. Not hot. Not cold. Just a beautifully, perfect fall day.

The projected goal: Lily has a blast and runs off all that energy and I get to actually play and take lots and lots of pictures.

Goal achieved!

(post) Halloween

2007-11-01T10:25:00.000-04:00

It's Friday...I meant to write this yesterday but after dinner I laid down around 5:30, 6-ish and didn't wake up until 6:00am this morning! (Thank you to my hubby for letting me sleep.)
Needless to say I feel great! I haven't gotten that much sleep in months.

Anyways....Halloween.

All the pumpkin carving and costume perfecting building up to a total of 3 whopping hours of trick or treating. But what a fun 3 hours it was! Lily looked absolutely fabulous in her little pirate costume and enjoyed receiving treats from people she didn't even know. I can just imagine what she must be thinking..."WOW, everyone loves me so much they want to give me treats!"

This year I can't really gripe about not getting many trick or treaters...we weren't there for most of the night. We did however get two stragglers once we got back, but that was it. So we have plenty of candy left over to pick on for the next 6 months!

Before I Was A Mom

2007-10-30T10:12:00.001-04:00

Before becoming the mother of a rambunctious 2 year old I had no idea what I was missing out on.

First off...diaper genie, burp rag, diaper rash and teething were not in my vocabulary nor were they things I ever thought would be a part of my every day life.

Side Note: The diaper genie is an all around good idea when it comes to containing odor but changing the thing is a whole 'nother story. The smell alone has brought me to my knees on several occasions which is why hubby is in charge of disposing these hazardous materials.

Anyways...

Not only have I experienced some really funky diapers since joining The Moms Club but I've also gotten the privilege of feeling the sticky warmth of spit-up running down my back, chest and even a little on my face and of course all over my clothes. I was warned to buy several outfits for her so that I would have plenty on hand without having to wash every few hours for these spit up disasters but I was not warned that I would most likely need more shirts for myself on hand as well...oh and the occasional extra pair of pants for those extra special moments.

I used to take advantage of sleeping through the night not giving it a second thought that this luxury might be brutally ripped away from me in the near future, and regardless of how many times or how long we would be up during our 12am, 2am, & 4am wake up calls, this does not mean that you get to sleep in....oh no, we WILL be getting up anywhere between 6am and 7am.

There are hundreds if not thousands of things I've experienced since Lily was born and a thousand more to come, but I will say that even through the struggles and heart aches thus far I wouldn't change any of it. Of course those sleepless nights and burp rags have passed long ago but there will always be new hurtles that I'm ready, probably not totally prepared for, but ready to jump over when need be. In the mean time I'm enjoying watching her dress up, act silly and run around like a little maniac.

Before I was a Mom -

I never learned the words to a lullaby.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -

I had never been puked on.Pooped on.Drooled on.Chewed on.Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

I slept all night.I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple little grin.

I never sat up for hours watching a baby sleep.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

I had never known the warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

-author

unknown

Weekend Wrap-Up

2007-10-28T20:21:00.000-04:00

The recent weather change sucks! I am not a fan of the cold, never have been. Maybe it was growing up in North Dakota that made me so bitter towards winter or maybe I just plain old don't like it. Either way I just cannot understand the people that actually look forward to the snow and cold. The occasional 50 degree's here and there is fine, but this 3-6 months of constant cold is almost intolerable. One of these days I will live in a state where the temperature just doesn't drop below 60 and then I'm sure I will have moved onto another gripe to blog about!

Sundays cold did not get us down. We had such a good time snuggled up inside carving pumpkins. Yes, more pumpkins! This time Lily helped. She was a little (and when I say little I mean REALLY) perturbed when I wouldn't let her play with the sharp, pumpkin carving tools but was thrilled when I handed her a big, red sharpie to color up her very own, Lily sized pumpkin!

Despite the streaks and blotches of red sharpie everywhere, it turned out beautifully! She worked diligently on her perfect little pumpkin until she felt it was show worthy and piled it on the other smaller pumpkins we have in our miniature pumpkin patch.

The pirate ship I cockily attempted did not turn out so well but will still do for the approximately 9 kids that will no doubtingly show up. Some of them small and dressed all cutesy or scary in their well thought out homemade or store bought costumes, holding out their decorated bags to collect all the sugar filled candies they will receive, screaming "TRICK OR TREAT", and the rest (pretty much high school kids now) will show up in their regular clothes dawning a grocery sack or pillow case. No "hello" nor "trick or treat", just a mumbled thanks (if you're lucky) as they walk onto their next stop.

Oh yeah! The pumpkin seeds came out fabulously this time! Not one was burnt and they taste pretty good If I do say so myself. :o)

Other than a lazy, pumpkin filled Sunday, our weekend went pretty good.
Saturday night was fun. We had my sister and her man over for drinks and games. 'Asshole' is always fun but we also busted out 'Loaded Questions'. You just never know what kind of weird answers you'll get when playing that game. I must say it's one of the funnest I've played. It's especially fun when you're around new friends...you get to find out exactly what an odd-ball they are!!

Also on Saturday night/Sunday morning...

IHOP is always fun at 2:00am and full of the finest people you'll meet. Where else can you go at all hours of the night and find sobers, drunks, cracked out and dressed up people. The one's dressed up I'd say was just all in good fun to celebrate the Holiday but this time of year is not the only time you'll find these fun, fashionable characters. As far as I'm concerned though....more power to you! I love different, I thirst for different and thrive on different. I love to surround myself with people who are bold, outgoing, loud, opinionated and maybe their cheese has slipped off their cracker just a little bit. I appreciate all the interesting people out there and maybe, just maybe, someone out there finds me interesting too.

TGIF!

2007-10-26T08:18:00.000-04:00

Thank god it's Friday! I don't know how much longer I was going to be able to handle working a full day while most of my co-workers, including my husband, got to leave almost immediately after arriving in the office.

It's cold and rainy outside and dammit, I want to be home cuddeled up under a blanket with Lily watching cartoons and occasionally playing with random toys and household items...don't worry, nothing poisonous or sharp, just some tupperware, an old sunglasses case and sometimes a random sock that has lost it's other half. Instead I'm sitting here eating Wild Bill's Black Peppered Beef Jerky and drinking a coke while blogging about basically nothing just to keep myself from physically and/or mentally drifting off.

My Online Meals!

2007-10-25T12:24:00.000-04:00

While trying to be sensitive to price and convenience each week, you will receive your answer to “What’s for dinner?” -- including easy-to-follow recipes, a weekly shopping list organized by department, and cooking and time-saving tips.

What makes us different from the rest? You get the recipe and shopping list for 2, 4, & 6 servings so you don’t have to do the math. So no matter what size your family, you’re covered! Let me ask you:

·Are you spending a lot of money on groceries because you think you *might* prepare that for dinner this week?

·Are you tired of wasting time?

·Would you like to have all the ingredients for a weeks worth of meals in your kitchen?

·Would you rather spend time enjoying dinner with your family than worrying about what the meal is actually going to be?

·Are you ready to change the way you do dinner?

Just another manic.....Thursday....?

2007-10-25T09:31:00.000-04:00

5:52am

Brandi: "Oh Shit! Andy get up, we're late for work!"

Andy: "It's only six, we have an hour"

Brandi: "Oh...yeah. Okay. I'm going back to sleep for a few minutes"

6:52am

Brandi: "Oh Shit! Andy, NOW WE ARE LATE!!"

So, today I was late for work, again.

Anywho...last night Andy and I carved pumpkins. Unfortunately Lily was not a part of last nights carving party but she's still a little young. I'm afraid the small, contained mess would have been a large, sticky, orangey mess throughout the entire house. But I do think I will go ahead and grab another pumpkin so that she can be a part of it and this time when I cook the pumpkin seeds I will remember to check them a lot sooner to avoid nasty, burnt up seeds.

On another note. I'm currently building up my affiliate/associate profile and will hopefully get those ads onto this page...as soon as I have the time to figure out how I go about doing that.

AHHH! I'm at work and I have nothing to do. It's been raining for the last couple days so any work I had is done now. And to make it even better Andy and ALL the other Inspectors are home already. :-( Hopefully I can leave in the next couple of hours.

It's Monday...

2007-10-22T09:55:00.000-04:00

My favorite day of the week. (Sarcasm at it's finest!)

I'm still reeling from my 4 day weekend. Being home Thursday & Friday really threw me off. I so desperately wanted to call in sick today also but I knew that would just lead to a downward spiral of guilty depression and feelings of uselessness. So here I sit at work with a large pile of paper work for me to check over and instead I'm sitting here blogging. :o) I have however gotten very good at dividing my play time and work time and do manage to wrap it all up by quitting time.

Our weekend was a slow one consisting of lazyness, a few drinks and mexican food-my favorite. Nothing too exciting which might explain the lack of....oh hell, I can't remember where I was going with this.

Time to get back to work.

Sweet Surrendor

2007-10-18T12:42:00.000-04:00

Today I am home from work. I woke up this morning and felt like a pile of...well, you know what I mean. I called the office and told my favorite annoying co-worker that today I will not be coming in. While she proceeded to tell me that it will be hectic at the office while I'm not there I had already started thinking about how I will spend my day. When I hung up the phone I think she was telling me to get better soon, I'm not sure, I barely listen to her most of the time.

The plan:
Pray Lily sleeps in so I can sleep for just another hour or two.
Wake up, call Mom and see if she can watch Lily for the day while I get some much needed rest and work on some house chores.
Run to the grocery store and pick up some pork chops for dinner tonight. I've been hungry for pork chops lately and I know exactly how I'm going to make them.

The outcome:
YES! I got to sleep in until 8:00am! Damn that felt good.
Lily and I got up and each grabbed a breakfast bar and some juice. I called my Mom and YES she will watch Lily for a few hours. So we get dressed and grab a few random things Lily feels must accompany her to Grandma's today. (Everyday it's something different. Today it was a huge bear, I would have rather left at home and an old cell phone of mine that I let her play with.)
And we're off. Conveniently Burger King is on the way so we swing through drive-thru and grab a bacon, egg and cheese croissant and some french toast sticks.

I spent a couple hours over there relaxing and talking with my Mom when I remembered the pork chops, so off to the grocery store I went.
While at the grocery store I couldn't help but notice all the weird looks I kept getting. I'm wondering "what the hell are these people looking at" when it dawned on me...I probably look some what crazy in my pink baseball hat, over sized sunglasses, ratty jeans, Adidas sandals and an over sized tshirt that says 'STOP CHECKING ME OUT'. But, what do I care...at least I know why they're looking at me now. Proceed with shopping.

So I'm home now. I've got my pork chops marinating in a salt & pepper blend. I did clean the kitchen a little bit but I really don't feel up to doing anything else but check up on my various internet ventures and lay down. And on that note, I'm going to lay down. :o)

Camping

2007-10-17T17:45:00.002-04:00

I just came in from outside. I didn't want to but had to because 1. I had to pee && 2. I have write.

The fragrance in the air reminded me of how much I love being outdoors, enjoying nature and all it has to offer. Not only was I soaking in the sweet fragrance of the beautiful summer air but also the smell of a fresh burned charcoal grill. During the winter I dream of the days I can sit outside and relax with just shorts and a tank top without worrying about cold ass weather and winds that are constantly trying to blow my hood off.

I long for the North Dakota summers, days. Camping...sitting around a bonfire with the best company imaginable. Cooking brats, burgers, steaks, roasting marshmellows, drinking && talking; remembering the past and dreaming of the future...until, "oh shit, is the sun coming up ALREADY? Maybe we should go to bed" Knowing all along, but in complete denial at the moment, that tomorrow...ahem...today, I will go back to VA, to MY real world where paper work overflows my desk, phone calls bog me down as well as tedious tasks that keep me from clearing all the IMPORTANT paper work from my desk. I will soon end up forgetting my sweet surrender as fast as it came and went && dream of the day my next escape/adventure comes along

Today I'd love nothing more than to plot my shit down on a small, quaint piece of land, setting up camp, casting my line...setting it in my handy, dandy pole holder (thanks Grandpa) and watching for the line to tug while we collect wood for a fire and argue about who should run into town to get more ice while the rest of us proceed to grill up our days catch...by this I mean 'sweet, cheap deal at the local grocery store' and drink whatever is cold at the time.

I just miss those times and can't wait to introduce Lily to the wonderful world of nature. No alcohol included!

a sneak peak

2007-10-17T08:25:00.000-04:00

I'm a t-shirt & jeans, beer & wings kind of girl. This doesn't mean I don't enjoy some of the some_what finer things in life. Yes, I like my over rated pink razr that every other girly-girl in this world seems have. Yes I drive a 2008 'soccer mom_mobile' (shhh...to my hubby it's a mid-size sport utility - must say with low-tone 'manly' voice), and yes you will occasionally find me in a so called 'dress up' outfit.

I'm pretty easy going && loud & outspoke at the same time. I'm straight forward and not afraid of letting someone know exactly what I think...I enjoy speaking my mind, especially in public!, and don't care who hears it. But on the other hand...I have my beliefs on religion, politics, etc and you have yours. I won't push mine on you, you don't push yours on me. Deal? Deal.

My life is fast paced most of the time but slow when I need it to be. I work for a Communications company where my husband also works as an FTTP Inspector. I'm the "billing lady", which transfers to anything & everything to do with money, from the smallest office supply or material order to the million dollar jobs we sub out, go through me first. It's a "mans" business that I have been in for years, know a lot about and enjoy what I do and the people I work with. When I leave my full time job I head over to my moms house to pick up my other full time job, my 2 year old daughter Lily, who was and still is the best suprise I've ever gotten. My little woman is my world and always comes first as far as her daddy and I are concerned, oh and her too! She's a very smart 2 year old who amazes me everyday with her precise memory and maturity for her age.

I'm not afraid to admit that yes, I know I am an over protective mom. I'm not going to hide it and I'm not going to make excuses for it. From the moment god ripped my heart out of my chest and laid her in my arms, til the moment I die, I will love, love, love, worry & protect my daughter. And when she's a teenager I will piss her off to no end just like my mother did me, but this time I will understand and she won't, and I'm fine with that as long as my baby is safe.