Tag Archives: Chloe

Feeling Blue?

01 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

I just received this email message:

image

Why yes Trek bike e-mail marketing folks I do feel blue.  How did you know?  I took this as a sign that I should cancel my evening Bar Method class and instead get out my non-Trek (I’m not fancy enough for that brand) bike and take a cruise.  Then I thought about having to put on those tight bike pants with the giant pad in the crotch and figured I’d stick with Bar Method for my stress release today.

I think the more important thing is why am I blue:

  • Is it because I just drove Shug home?  That means driving in to and out of Santa Monica, and that commute would make a grown man cry.
  • Is it because it’s Chloe’s last day and I will miss my two little dogs?  Nah.  I mean I will miss them but I’ll be happy to give some well deserved TLC to Riggins.
  • Is it because you can’t get those delicious fat chocolate chip cookies at Carl’s Jr. anymore?  Let’s face it that is just devastating and frankly has eliminated one of my life coping mechanisms.
  • Is it because I gotta pack for my Fourth of July camping trip and I hate packing?
  • Is it because it’s so hot outside I sweat just thinking about going out there?
  • Is it because I really need money and received no less than 3 calls from a gentleman wanting to talk about a VP of Sales job in the same industry I just left?  DING DING DING.  I think we have a winner.

I believe it is these voice mails sitting on my phone, staring at me, mocking me, and that I have been avoiding, that have me silently sobbing while driving down the 101.  As you know I left my job because I was unhappy and very stressed.  Stressed to the point that it was hurting my quality of life.  So I left …. now I have no job.  No prospects … except for jobs exactly (or really similar) to the one I left.  The thought of having to take one so that I can pay my bills sends me into a downward spiral requiring Xanax and mixed cocktails.  Let’s face it could I do it?  Yes.  Am I good at it?  Yes.  Would I be miserable?  Probably.  Sigh …. why oh why can’t someone give me a shot at doing something else?  Something I’d like to do and wouldn’t dread?  Is this really what we have come to?  Having to choose between a roof over our heads and happiness.  No possibility of both?  THAT’S DEPRESSING.  No wonder I’m blue.  Why can’t someone call me and say “I saw your resume on (insert one of many job related sites) and would love for you to be the executive director of Los Angeles’ new no kill shelter.”?????  Is that really too much to ask?????

In order to put a stop to my giant pity party of one (plus two dogs in the backseat) I swung into McDonald’s for a tasty $1 large diet coke, came home, put on my big girl panties and called back the job dude.  He was very nice and understanding.  I am just beyond sacred that it will get to a point where I will have to buckle and take a job like my old one and by the time it comes to that I would have already told everyone I’m done with sales and they won’t want me.  Aaaaaaahhhhh.

To stop the stress and unhappiness let me share pictures of Chloe and Mashugana with you.  They can make anyone happy!

image (13)   photo (10)   image (16)

 

Feeling Blue?

01 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

I just received this email message:

image

Why yes Trek bike e-mail marketing folks I do feel blue. How did you know? I took this as a sign that I should cancel my evening Bar Method class and instead get out my non-Trek (I’m not fancy enough for that brand) bike and take a cruise. Then I thought about having to put on those tight bike pants with the giant pad in the crotch and figured I’d stick with Bar Method for my stress release today.

I think the more important thing is why am I blue:

  • Is it because I just drove Shug home? That means driving in to and out of Santa Monica, and that commute would make a grown man cry.
  • Is it because it’s Chloe’s last day and I will miss my two little dogs? Nah. I mean I will miss them but I’ll be happy to give some well deserved TLC to Riggins.
  • Is it because you can’t get those delicious fat chocolate chip cookies at Carl’s Jr. anymore? Let’s face it that is just devastating and frankly has eliminated one of my life coping mechanisms.
  • Is it because I gotta pack for my Fourth of July camping trip and I hate packing?
  • Is it because it’s so hot outside I sweat just thinking about going out there?
  • Is it because I really need money and received no less than 3 calls from a gentleman wanting to talk about a VP of Sales job in the same industry I just left? DING DING DING. I think we have a winner.

I believe it is these voice mails sitting on my phone, staring at me, mocking me, and that I have been avoiding, that have me silently sobbing while driving down the 101. As you know I left my job because I was unhappy and very stressed. Stressed to the point that it was hurting my quality of life. So I left …. now I have no job. No prospects … except for jobs exactly (or really similar) to the one I left. The thought of having to take one so that I can pay my bills sends me into a downward spiral requiring Xanax and mixed cocktails. Let’s face it could I do it? Yes. Am I good at it? Yes. Would I be miserable? Probably. Sigh …. why oh why can’t someone give me a shot at doing something else? Something I’d like to do and wouldn’t dread? Is this really what we have come to? Having to choose between a roof over our heads and happiness. No possibility of both? THAT’S DEPRESSING. No wonder I’m blue. Why can’t someone call me and say “I saw your resume on (insert one of many job related sites) and would love for you to be the executive director of Los Angeles’ new no kill shelter.”????? Is that really too much to ask?????

In order to put a stop to my giant pity party of one (plus two dogs in the backseat) I swung into McDonald’s for a tasty $1 large diet coke, came home, put on my big girl panties and called back the job dude. He was very nice and understanding. I am just beyond sacred that it will get to a point where I will have to buckle and take a job like my old one and by the time it comes to that I would have already told everyone I’m done with sales and they won’t want me. Aaaaaaahhhhh.

To stop the stress and unhappiness let me share pictures of Chloe and Mashugana with you. They can make anyone happy!

image (13) photo (10) image (16)

 

Peter Pan and Wendy

28 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , ,

If you try finding a definition for “Peter Pan Complex,” as I just did, on the internet you aren’t going to be completely satisfied.  Some definitions are just silly, like the Urban Dictionary, and some are overly complicated and confusing.  So let’s use this one from the Medical Dictionary in the Free Dictionary online.  After all it says “medical” in the title so it must be correct:

“Any clinical complex named for the ‘boy who wouldn’t grow up’Endocrinology A state of physical immaturity due to a hypothalamic defect with underdeveloped sexual characteristics Psychology A fanciful term for a state of unconscious postponement of maturity, characterised by magical thinking, narcissism and chauvinism”

Shockingly there is also an oodle of angry female bloggers who find this topic worth a blog posting or two.  You can add mine to the list!

At 39 I’m younger than most of my male friends and 10 years older than most of their girlfriends.  In fact, when one of them “choose” to date someone in their 40s they are applauded for dating “within their age range.”  Sigh … it must be so easy to be a guy.  You get a pat on the back for even attempting to be an adult.  No offense to my male friends (although I’m doubtful any of them read this blog — so screw them — I’ll say what I want) or their female dating partners.  Some, many, a few, have been really nice with no “daddy issues” at all.  I just happened to think of my guy friends the other night when I was on Match.com looking through the profiles of guys Match felt would be good a fit for me.  All were older than I am and ALL had dating age rages much younger than me.  Today is a new day so let’s go to Match and see what they are suggesting right now:

FitAndFunInLB – he is 38.  He is seeking women 21-35.  (Refuses to even go to his own age.  Sadly this is not at all uncommon.)

ChicanoStyle1976 – he is 36.  He is seeking women 18-36. (Barely legal?  Sure.  1 day older than him?  NO WAY.)

wkndCBR – he is 41.  He is seeking women 30-35 (I suppose we should applaud him for not going under 20)

Lucky20_12 – he is 42.  He is seeking women 27-37 (I suppose there is some poetry in the 7-7)

USCsmiley – he is 44.  He is seeking women 29-38 (oooohhh … I was so close)

FrankTheTank562 – he is 41.  He is seeking women 25-38 (missed it again!)

beargallbladder – he is 41.  He is seeking women 26-31 (that 5 year age range seems to be a go to for a good number of “men.”  I suppose I’ll have to just skip trying to email ol’ Bear Gall Bladder.)

I could keep going but I won’t.  You get the idea.  Note that Match suggested all these guys to me although technically, per their profile, I’m too old for all of them.   Guys.  Come on.  It’s so painfully unattractive.  I wish I had the guts to post the pictures that go with these profiles.  You wouldn’t be looking at George Clooney or Brad Pitt.  These are real world 40ish year olds.  They look …. real world 40ish.  Come on 25ish year old women … you can do better than that gray-haired old man.  What are you doing wasting your premium dating years on these old geezers?

To be fair I did cherry pick this list of guys to prove a point.  There were a few that would dare to date little ol’ 39 year old me.  So I’m sorry for lumping the good with the bad.  The good should really go hold those other guys accountable for their actions and let them know they are giving “men” a bad name.  After all as soon as I spot one of the good ones I see a profile that starts like this …

“hellow laidys whats up looken for looken for some one that is simpul with a hight sex drive that likes to have a open mind and do all kinds of stuff camp ride dirt bikes water skie river all that type of stuff and a nice body not scar… “ – Match.com fake name withheld because he doesn’t deserve to have it mentioned.

During my research (aka looking through the internet) I found a number of articles that suggest us women are the reason behind the “Peter Pan Syndrome” because we allow it.  Okay … let’s make a pact.  Enough.   We expect our men to be just that, MEN.  Man up boyz … the gig is up (now someone go tell those 25-year-old women …).

To end this post and go out into the weekend on a positive note, here are some pics of my current doggie guests, Chloe and Mashugana … adorable (and owned by well educated, financially secure, fun and funny, single women who live in LA and wouldn’t be considered “date-able” by the morons listed above … their loss).

photo (11) image (12) image (13)

 

 

39 Acts of Kindness – 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22

04 Monday Mar 2013

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Whew I’m beat! Doing nice things really takes it out of you. This weekend was full of niceness so let’s get right to it.

good#17 – Sudoku for Dad. My dad likes Sudoku puzzles. He sits in the living room or in the backyard on the porch swing and works on them for hours. They would make me crazy! Most Sudoku books are set up so they include easy, medium, and hard puzzles. A new book means new easy puzzles which, if you are my dad, can be done in pen. Apparently using a pen is quite the test of your Sudoku skills. I picked up a Sudoku book at the dollar store last week and stuck it in the mail along with a little note.

#18 and #19 – Flowers in the mail. Do you know who likes flowers and frilly stationary? Two of my aunts! I sent them each flowers. Well, I sent them infant flowers in the form of seeds. According to the chart on the back of the packages my aunt in Santa Cruz can start planting right away while my aunt who lives outside of Portland will have to wait a few months. Hopefully it will add more color to what can already be considered two very colorful gardens.

#20 – Shopper help. While at the grocery store, Ralphs, on Friday I helped a gentleman find the popcorn. Since the popcorn is in the same aisle as the soda, chips, sparking water, and Propel it is an aisle that I’m intimately familiar with. I like to call it the best aisle in the grocery store!

#21 – Man down. Yesterday was a doozy of a day! I got up early to start prepping for my tea party (see good deed number 22) and had most of the day planned down to the minute before quests arrived. Unfortunately, the main sewer line decided this would be a good time to back up. That meant an emergency call into the plumber and me having to drive to McDonalds to use their restroom! Driving home from my bathroom break I went by Ralphs (same grocery store as good deed number 20). As I was turning the corner I noticed a man who was extremely off-balance and couldn’t catch himself. He went down HARD partially in the planter, partially on the sidewalk, and partially against the tree. As I made a U-Turn to pull into the Ralphs parking lot 2 different people walked right by the guy and did nothing. How is that possible? After parking I ran over to him to see if he was okay. He wasn’t. Apparently he had hurt his ribs earlier and was on pain medication which, according to him, causes problems with his balance. Now his ribs hurt again. Falling in to a tree then onto the ground can do that to you. He insisted he was fine but couldn’t get up past his elbows and while moaning threw up. At that point a couple of women were behind me and asked if they should call 911. I turned around to say yes but they saw him throw up and walked away saying he was a drunk. Now it is possible he was drinking but he didn’t smell of alcohol and could carry on full conversations with me without slurring. He was shaky but not slurry. To me he was showing signs of Parkinsons or something like that. Luckily a man walking his dog stopped a few steps away from us and asked if he should call the paramedics. The poor man on the ground said no while I frantically shook my head yes. The good Samaritan listened to me and immediately got on his cell phone. The poor man on the floor was able to finally sit up but he was pale and still shaking so I sat down with him and we talked until help arrived. I knew he wanted to get up and leave but I really didn’t think he could stand again without falling down. I kept suggesting he should stay sitting for a while longer. I was just trying to buy time until the paramedics came as I didn’t want to have to be the one to try to catch him if he tried to stand up. We talked about how he lived across the street and should have brought his cane along with him. We talked about how responsible it was for him to bring his own grocery bag and how soon it would be the law in the area. He explained that he didn’t like plastic bags and I told him how I used them to pick up my dog’s poop. He didn’t have that same use for the bags as he had a cat. FINALLY every cop and fire truck in the neighborhood (which was 2 fire trucks and 3 cop cars) circled us. As the cop stood there questioning the man I stood up, brushed myself off and explained to the cop that I needed to go. He said that was fine so I shook the man’s hand, who was still on the ground, and the dog walkers hand and took off for my car. Now waaaaaayyyyy behind schedule!

The plumber showed up about 1/2 hour before a nice couple dropped off their boxer, Bud. To help make money while I’m looking for a job I signed up as a dog host (dog sitter) on the site DogVacay (http://dogvacay.com/pro/wendyandriggins). Bud’s mom contacted me that morning saying their original sitter was being non-responsive and asked if I could take Bud for a couple of days. I couldn’t say no, so Bud showed up during this chaos. Not the best way to introduce two dogs but after Riggins (7 years old) put baby Bud (2 years old) in his place a couple of times everything was good.

#22 – Friendly Tea (with dogs). To show my girlfriends how much I appreciate them I treahosted a tea for all. My friends are big planners and I threw this at them with only 6 days notice. Luckily many were still able to clear their calendars and join the fun. In between everything else I did that morning I frantically made cucumber sandwiches (It’s just weird to me how good cucumber sandwiches are.), chicken salad sandwiches (Recipe found here – http://arismenu.com/cranberry-apple-chicken-salad/), turkey and cheddar sandwiches (Recipe found here – http://www.stonegableblog.com/2010/05/tea-sandwich-recipes.html. I actually served them open-faced on big wheat crackers. Well … because I was sick of making sandwiches. The crackers are delicious. I topped them with scrambled egg whites this morning for breakfast. Also I skipped the poppyseed dressing.), and mini apple pie bites (Recipe found here – http://pinterest.com/pin/248823948133965180/. These were delicious but looked NOTHING like that picture.).

After pulling out and washing my grandma’s good china and setting everything up I was finally ready for guests.

My friends, Anna, Laurie, Cathy, Darci, Tiffany, Stevie, and Lucie along with Bud, Riggins, and Chloe (Darci’s tiny little white dog) sat in my backyard to enjoy tea, small sandwiches, and fun. Based on the day I had I announced that I was going to have one cup of tea so it could officially be called a “tea party” then I was moving to wine. So that is what we all did! Everyone seemed to have fun. Bud spent most of his time under the table or, if Riggins wasn’t watching, in my lap (there was a minor incident of Bud and Chloe making an escape but we won’t talk about that). Riggins sat on the lap of the person with the most food and/or who he felt should be petting him. This included laying his chin on my friend Cathy’s lap until she gave up, and allergies and all gave him a pat on the head. Chloe made her way around to all along with being the most active scavenger. The big dogs had dropped their sweet potato treats and Chloe decided it was her job to find them all for her to enjoy. Seems fair. We all had a great time and there is a push to make this a quarterly event with rotating hosts.

I hope your weekend was as fun filled as mine (minus the plumber, the dog escapes, etc.).

Act of Kindness Roll-Call:

To be continued …