A Short Update

It's been months since I've last posted, something like six, and I miss you terribly.  I have much more limited access to internet that I have in the past, and to be completely honest I've been suffering from writer's block.  I don't know what I want to write about, and I feel stuck.

There have been some changes since the last post.  We were unable to keep the dog we adopted around Thanksgiving time, she couldn't get along with Bugsy, our other dog, and the shelter said the best course of action would be to take her back.  She was an awesome girl, but needed to be an "only child" and Bugsy needs to live in an envrironment where he isn't in fear for his life on a regular basis.

We're still living out in the country, it is hard to believe we're only 2 months away from being in this place for a year.  There were beautiful wildflower growing on the mountains all around us, it made for a very scenic drive home, we often just hopped in the car and went looking at all the gorgeous places around us.

I an still happy at my job, it really feels like home. I've been there since September and I really feel like I've found my tribe.  It is such a great feeling to finally work at a place where I feel appreciated and that what I do matters.  Things are still great on the relationship front, I've never been in a place like this, and it's really the best.  It is so good to be part of a team.

Little Update

I haven't checked in with personal life stuff in awhile and I thought it was time to post a short update.

We'll start with a career change.... 

Today marks the end of my 3rd week at my brand new job, in an industry I never saw myself in... and let me tell you, I love it.

After nearly 15 years in customer service focused jobs, whether that be retail, managing the gym from hell, or car rental, I found myself exhausted and looking for a change.  A friend of mine mentioned a job opening at the company she works for and less than a week later I had a job offer.... one with higher pay, better benefits, a more relaxed atmosphere, and almost zero customer interaction.  Needless to say I jumped at the opportunity, and it might be the best job decision I've ever made.

Moving on to a location change....

In July the BF and I moved from our house in town... to a tiny little map dot about 12 miles east.  It's been a surprisingly easy adjustment... except for all the dirt, seriously, I've never swept so much in my entire life and I still can't keep up with it.  Our dog, however, loves the increase in dirt to play in and stinky things for him to roll in.  We're considering finding a friend for him so that he's not lonely while we're at work all day, but we haven't decided what we want yet... we prefer a small-medium adult shelter dog... but that tends to limit our options to yappy chihuahuas, which neither of us are fans of.

The house has required some work, but it's starting to feel like home, the only thing I really miss is the proximity of grocery stores and regular internet access... I  went from living less than a mile away from a store to living 12+ miles away, and while it's not an impossible journey it makes you think about how much you really want something... and makes you plan to pick up things before you go home at the end of the day.


Those are the biggest recent adventures, and I'll try to do better at writing more as I get opportunities, it's just hard without having internet access at home anymore.

25 more facts

Close to three years ago I posted 25 random facts on this blog... and 3 years prior to that I posted 25 facts to Facebook before I was blogging. I thought it might be fun to try my hand at it again.  My first fact will update one of the facts from the last time I posted this:

1. I own ALL of the Harry Potter movies on DVDs
2. New Orleans is one of the best places I've ever visited, and I've only been there once for 7 days.
3. My Bacon Number is 3, because I met David Arquette in NOLA, he was in the Scream Movies with Neve Cambpell and she was in Wild Things with Kevin Bacon.
4. I avoid Light Beer if I can (a girl has to grow up sometimes... if it's worth drinking, it's worth the calories, if it isn't worth the calories, water will do just fine).
5. I prefer wine tasting tours to bar hopping
6. I still drive a 2005 Chevy Aveo named Tiny Tim
7. Halloween might be my favorite holiday, followed by Christmas, then my birthday.
8. I've never been zip-lining
9. I discovered I am not a fan of heights if I don't have some sort of guardrail to hold on to.
10. Currently I'm OBSESSED with Taylor Swift's 1989 album.
11. My favorite restaurant is The Palace in Santa Barbara.  Well at least my favorite one that I can get to in an hour, Jaques-Imos in New Orleans would probably be my absolute #1.
12. My biggest pet peeve is intentional ignorance. Don't play stupid with me, it will make me want to punch you in the face. 
13. Asada nachos are my favorite snack/lunch/meal... bonus if they're from Dos Carlitos in Buelton or La Picosita in Santa Maria. (bet you thought it was going to be mac and cheese... trust me it was a tough decision to make)
14. I'd rather spend a weekend in a hotel than camping
15. I'd rather be at the beach if I'm working on my tan... but I'd rather swim in a pool (no sharks).
16. Confession, I prefer my Kindle to paper books... hangs head in shame, I'm part of the problem that is causing book stores (that I LOVE) to close.  I like to go to Barnes and Noble to check out books that I'd like to download.
17. I own multiple journals... that are still blank. I buy them with the intention of writing, then don't sit down and chronicle my life.
18. I am as excited as a tweenager about the upcoming release of the Hunger Games movie Mockingjay.  I've seriously considered pre-purchasing the tickets, but so far have refrained.  I'm slightly concerned that my boyfriend thinks I'm mentally 13.
19. I'm trying very hard to fight my genetic inclination to be a hoarder. I'm going to sell/donate a minimum of 3 large (yard waste sized) garbage bags of clothes/accessories that no longer fits/is no longer my style/has been hanging in the closet so long that it is dusty.
20. In the last two years I have learned how to make a grilled cheese sandwich that I will actually eat... the trick is to cook it slow on low heat... no matter how hungry you are. Trust me slow and low, it is the tempo. The Beastie Boys wouldn't steer you wrong and neither will I.
21. Out of all the concerts I've been to over the years, the best ones have all been country music. In order of greatness (although 2 and 3 are really close):
1. Garth Brooks (hands down, no questions)
2. Gary Allan
3. Dierks Bentley
22. I'd rather spend a casual night at home with people I love than a fancy night night out with someone that I feel mediocre about.
23. It's EXTREMELY hard for me to mask my emotions... unless I'm at work, then I'm a robot.
24. My favorite hot teas are: Hot Cinnamon Sunset by Harney & Sons (caffeinated) and Stash Licorice Spice (herbal){even though I hate black licorice, I love the tea... go figure}
25. By the time I post this, my blog will have reached 20,000 hits in 3 years and less than 200 posts. That excites and humbles me. Thank you for reading. I'll try to continue to keep things interesting so that you'll want to come back