Real World Mom

And it feels so good!

Ok, minds out of the gutters! What I mean is, at this time yesterday (11 a.m.), I had already been at work for five hours. Today, I’m off, and I’m sitting here in sweat pants and one of Tim’s t-shirts. Ahh!

My first week at the new job has been good overall. It’s nice to be out in the world again and–best of all–making a little money!! Though being on my feet so much and the odd hours are a little more difficult getting used to than I thought they would be. Guess turning 40 does, in fact, have some impact on my body, if not my mind!

There is one woman at work who I have some issues with. For her sake, I’ll refer to her as “Gnatalie“. (As her new name implies, she is an annoyance, but a rather small one in the scheme of life.)

Gnatalie has recently been promoted to a level slightly above minion, and I’m afraid it’s totally gone to her head. Since I’ve seen this same thing happen to really nice people, I’m trying to give her some time to deflate on her own before I get my pin out and help her with it.

She’s having a grand old time giving orders and kissing the manager’s asses. (Hello? Stupid? You’ve already got the promotion. Knock it off already!) So, when she gets too close to me, I use my fly swatter and gently swat her away. For now.

Today, I’m catching up on the things I haven’t had the energy to do all week. My Google reader is empty, I’m actually writing a post, and I’m on load #2 of laundry! Think I’ll even clean something! Later, I’m planning to take Madison and my new book out on the patio and just chill in the sun!

Tim has been a total sweetheart and 100% supportive. He’s been dealing with the daily stuff around the house, pampering me with dinner and chocolate milk, and not letting me do anything I don’t absolutely have to in my free time. I’ve been reminded everyday just how lucky–and loved–I am! I love you, Ubu! ♥

This week, I’m re-posting “Isn’t it Romantic?” (from 12/11/07) because the event I wrote about happened almost exactly one year ago. (Yeah, I’m a sentimental freak, and that will be confirmed by the following post.)

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Isn’t it Romantic?On my birthday this year, my boyfriend gave me what is the sweetest, most romantic gift I’ve ever received: a letter. He’s a loving, caring man, with an awesome sense of humor! But, sometimes, he keeps his feelings out of sight. That’s a big part of why my birthday letter touched me so deeply.

An excerpt:

“Why You Mean So Much to Me”

I love you because, where I am dark, you are light. I love you because you shine that light into my darkness every day of our life together.

You make me laugh when I’d rather cry. You make me smile in spite of myself.

You give me all of you, freely, with kindness, sincerity and love, every waking moment.”

How could I not be completely and madly in love with a man who can tell me these things?!

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This letter continues to be something that I cherish and I re-read it often. In fact, it is hanging on my bulletin board, right here next to me.

It’s not the paper or the ink that make it mean so much. It’s not even the words really. It’s the feelings that are conveyed–straight from his heart. Along with the realization of how very fortunate I am to be loved in a way I never dreamed possible.

Ok! Enough of the sappy stuff!

Scrolling Saturday was created by Melissa at Such Simple Pleasures (my newest “stalker”!) and Coleen from Manners and Moxie. Go show these talented ladies some love, and let ‘em know I sent ya!

I’m feeling loved this week! I’ve been tagged again–and again! First by Colin at Life for the “Knowing Me, Knowing You” meme–go say hi to this great guy! And then by Ash at Paisley Goddess for the “Refrigerator” dare meme–take a minute to visit her and let her know I sent ya!

KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU

Copy this entire list of questions and change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then tag and pass it along to other blogging friends. Let’s see how well we can get to know one another!

1. What is your occupation? At the moment, I refer to myself as a “Domestic Goddess”.

2. What color are your socks right now? White (and I’m only wearing them because it’s Winter and I’m freezing!).

3. What are you listening to right now? My computer (it’s loud) and the washing machine (refer to #1).

4. What was the last thing that you ate? If I could remember, I’d tell ya.

5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes. (You didn’t ask if I can do it well though.)

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? That’s easy, purple.

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My friend/sister, Vicki.

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? He’s freaking AWESOME!

9. Favorite drink? #1: Coffee; #2: Diet Pepsi.

10. What is your favorite sport to watch? Naked male mud wrestling (this should produce some interesting Google searches, eh?). That is a sport, right?

11. Have you ever dyed your hair? A time or two…

12. Pets? Yes. Oh, did you want to know what? Well, I think you all know Madison!

13. Favorite food? Pasta, I could eat it every damn day.

14. Last movie you watched? “Maid in Manhattan”.

15. Favorite Day of the year? Any day that doesn’t involve a crapload of stress or bull$hit!

16. What do you do to vent anger? Write. Cry. Or both.

17. What was your favorite toy as a child? See #4.

18. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Spring. New life, Spring Cleaning… @@

19. Hugs or kisses? Depends who they’re from!

20. What kind of pie? Don’t really like pie. But I can make ‘em pretty good!

21. Do you want your friends to email you back? No. I so thoroughly enjoy writing emails so they can be ignored. Don’t you?

22. Who is most likely to respond? Me, myself or I.

23. Who is least likely to respond? Jimmy Hoffa.

24. Living arrangements? My guess is that my living was arranged by my parents? Am I close?

25. When was the last time you cried? Last night when T told me I had to finish my dinner in order to get dessert. I’ll have the same tantrum again tonight.

26. What is on the floor of your closet? How long have you got?

27. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? Haven’t decided who I’m going to torture tag just yet.

28. The friend you have known the shortest amount of time that you are sending this to? That’s easy–Paisley Goddess!

29. Favorite smell? My man, fresh from the shower! Mmm!

30. What inspires you? My insatiable desire to be Root, biotch! (Just for you, T!)

31. What are you afraid of? Bugs. But T found a cool way to help with that, a Bug Sucker! (It’s on my birthday wish list!)

32. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? I love to be cheesy!

33. Favorite car? My Oldsmobile Intrigue. It was black, cool looking and fast!

34. Favorite cat breed? The kind that says, “Meow.”

35. Number of keys on your key ring? 3? 4? 5?

36. How many years at your current job? I’ve been a “Domestic Goddess” since I was 18. Before that, I was in training.

37. Favorite day of the week? Friday. Goes back to the days of school and waiting for the weekend.

38. How many provinces have you lived in? Who me?

39. How many countries have you been to? Does the one I live in count?

I am going to tag:
Judy, Ash, Kelly and Jill.

As always, you do not have to participate, the choice is yours.

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And now Ash’s Fridge Meme. The deal is you must post a photo of the front of your refrigerator without cleaning it off first! (Oh, joy!)

Maria at Immoral Matriarch: Catechizer left this meme open for anyone, so I tagged myself!

Here are the instructions and my answers:

A) Each player answers the questions about themselves.

B) At the end of the post, the player then tags 2 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog. (But, like Maria, I’m not going to tag anyone, I’ll just leave it open to do if you want to.)

Ten years ago:
- it was February 1998
- I was selling PartyLite
- I was living on Walnut Street in Pennsylvania
- I was 10 years younger than I am now
- I had no idea what I was in for

Five things that were on my to-do list for today:
- laundry
- dishes
- try to keep up with my ever-expanding Google reader!
- change the sheets
- work on my new site

I enjoy:
- taking photos
- reading
- learning
- gardening
- blogging

What would I do if I suddenly became a millionaire:
- buy a car (don’t have a particular model in mind, just something that runs would work)
- put money away for the kids
- get T some really cool tech-type toys
- pay off the home of a family that’s like my own (I’d have to be real sneaky to get away with it)
- hire the meanest divorce lawyer I could find to kick the stbx’s ass!

Five jobs that I have had:
- jewelry sales
- auto parts delivery driver (high school)
- receptionist at a veterinary hospital
- Yankee Candle store manager
- front desk supervisor at a Gold’s Gym

Five things that people don’t know about me:
- I’m shy
- my favorite color is purple
- I love chocolate
- I am generally an optimistic person
- I believe that coffee is it’s own food group

Tim, the mucho-talented author of The Inflatable Soapbox™ (and my ‘other half’) honored me with the Excellent Blog Award! He said some cool things about me, you can read it all here, “First Blog Award!”

Thank you, Tim, for introducing me to the world of blogging, and for your continued encouragement in my efforts to grow and learn. I love you!The rules state that after receiving the Excellent Blog Award, you must pass it on to 10 more excellent bloggers.

Here are the 10 newest recipients of the Excellent Blog Award:

1. Melinda at Musings by Melinda
2. Maria at Immoral Matriarch: Catechizer
3. Misty at My Dogs Keep Me Sane
4. Misty at Misty’s Words (Because both of her blogs ROCK!)
5. Candi at Bittersweet
6. Caroline at The Bingham Diaries
7. Jill at Caffeine Court
8. Zoeyjane at Mommy is Moody
9. Becca at BeccA’s Buzz
10. Colin at Life

Keep up the great work!! I love you guys!!

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I also wanted to take this opportunity to offer the Real World Mom “You Light Up My Life” award to another blogger buddy who has made a difference to me.

As my humble way of thanking you for your friendship, your support and the way you always make time to keep in touch–as well as the enjoyment I get from reading your blog everyday–today’s “You Light Up My Life” award goes to Kim at Jogging in Circles. If she’s not already on your daily reading list, please go visit her blog and see why she should be!