Oh cleaning.  Last night, I cleaned the filthiest apartment.  With the light of one lightbulb.  Five hours later, and 7 dirty rags later, I think I did a good job.  Too bad I worried all night about the things that could only be seen in good light.  At what point do you replace the stove, floor, cabinets, and countertops?  I am going back today because I am totally freaked out that my mark wasn't excellent.  We shall see.....

Apparently Indiana is on some "snow alert."  Woke up this morning to find NO Snow.  We call that trickery in the Land of Carrie.  Not only was I upset, but Gertie was not happy too.  So unhappy, she wore regular play clothes to the babysitter. 

Further, I am a bit disappointed about the current display of Christmas lights NOT displayed in our neighborhood.  Very disappointed.  We should be seeing at least 4 alien landing pads per block.  Instead, we get two strands of blah lights, mismatched, and in no particular order or fashion.  C'mon people!  That is the best you've got?!?!

To hopefully change our luck, we will be heading to Franke Park on Sunday for a Christmas carriage ride through the parade of lights display.  Lots of baby Jesus' and lots of Ho-Hos.  It better be good.

 

Her Halloween get-up:  Lame princess dress, puppy backpack, and a Lions hat. 

 

Waiting for trick-or-treaters.  Her favorite part of the festivities.
 

OH MY, have I been busy.  With the holiday (hallerdays) season kicking off this weekend (we set up Greta's tree), cleaning, Dave working, and watching Beau for the last week, this has been a crazy few days.  Actually, few months.  The business, Clean by Carrie, has slowed down quite a bit.  I went from having 10 residential clients to just four. With folks changing jobs, marital status changes, and with Christmas shopping approaching, having your house cleaned is a total luxury.  Sadly,  I am the one taking a hit.  It actually has worked out pretty good because.........................I'm prego.  Yep, the baby apartment is occupied.  While we weren't "trying," (and I always HATE when people have said that/say that), I was a fool to think otherwise.  We literally didn't have to "try."  So, baby #dos is due June 8th, Gertie's bday.  It technically has a due date, but it will come before then, thanks to a little something called "scheduled C-section."  No labor for me, which is FINE.  I've been pretty tired and blah feeling.  I basically have no energy and our own house/homemaking duties that I usually take on have completely fallen to the wayside.  Seriously, I have a 10 hour window of energy and once that is gone, I'm in bed.  No later than 8.  Seriously.  Dave has been pulling up the slack by helping out a bit more, even though he is still working a ton.  I don't know how women with more than 1 kid do this.  So, I'm pregnant.  Good times. 

In the past few months, we've also finally settled the house/home inspector lawsuit-situation.  We went to mediation two weeks ago and settled.  We didn't get exactly what we wanted to repair all of the water damage/fix everything, but with 50% of what we asked for, it is better than what Dave thought we'd get.  I went into it knowing I was right and THEY were wrong, and I had to get my point across.  I was not about to let the home owners/home inspector/mobility company pull the wool over my eyes.  It was clearly evident that all three parties had zero integrity, in regard to the ability to maintain a decent house, and disclose any problems it might have.  This has been a huge learning experience for me.  In the future, I will definitely be a part of every tiny aspect of selling our house, finding a new house, then buying a house.  It is the largest investment of your life, so why wouldn't you take your time?  I find it interesting that real estate agents expect a buyer to go out in one day, find a house, make an offer, and be done with it in a week. Now I know that is definitely NOT how things should go down.  I've been inspired to do something in an effort to make sure this does not happen to someone else in the future.  I wish there were more resources to home buyers/home owners about the dangers of bad contractors and crappy real estate.  I'm also very much interested in a home owner's idea of maintaining a house.  With the lawsuit going on, I began to pay a lot more attention to our own neighborhood and just how outdated it really looks.  I have been to 2 open houses in the neighborhood in the last few months and I couldn't believe how dated the décor was, and the realtor's play it off as "updated."  Very.  Disturbing.  Not just interiors, but exteriors as well---landscaping, siding, windows, etc.  Yikes.  Thankfully, I think our neighborhood is at the beginning of a transition--older folks moving out, younger folks moving in.  Now if there was a way to ensure these newbies had some taste.  Hmmm.....

And I'm sitting here, with strep throat, feeling incredibly unproductive, however I feel like garbage. It has given me a chance to spend an hour on Pinterest, only to remind me of all of the projects I'd like to finish/start.  I have two chairs in the garage I'd like to reupholster, a ladder I'd like to paint to make into a hook/storage thing for the laundry room, a HUGE mess in the basement I'd like to do something with---the list goes on.  This day also pushes me back a day with cleanings, something I don't like doing before a weekend.  Thankfully, I have great clients who are very understanding.  I suppose this was one reason why I love being self employed:  making my own hours and picking my own clients.  A charmed career.

And to commence today's lack of activities, Biscuit decided to kick things off right, bringing up a prescriptive offering right to my door:  A dead rabbit's head.  Yep, a freshly decapitated adult rabbit.  Soft ears and all.  Thankfully, she licked all the blood off, so there were no carpet stains.  Now, I just wait for her to have horrible digestive issues.  GREAT.  It was like the Corleone house all up in here.

My Friday Night Lights obsession continues....I am ready to begin season 4.  I'd invite you to start watching, but with a SERIOUS warning:  You'll become addicted.

I blame my most recent lapse of blogging from newest obsession:  Friday Night Lights AND Southern culture, i.e., fashions, child rearing, and home-making.  Jennie first mentioned FNL a few months ago, and I quickly wrote off her compliments.  This past month, I DVR'd a few episodes, watched one, and instantly became hooked.  We are talking INTERVENTION style.  I finished Season 2 last night, thanks to my local library carrying the first 3 seasons.  I'm saving the 3rd season until this weekend.  I have 2 houses to clean tomorrow, and 1 on Friday.  Saturday is a bit nuts, so I'm saving myself for Sunday.  You know, the day of rest, or my day to obsess a bit more over FNL. 

Now, I'm ready to discuss Southern women.  My obsession started years ago when I first saw Steel Magnolias, a term given to an older Southern woman who has lived through stress and drama and maintained her grace, reputation and dignity.  I only dream to be called a SM when I am old.  I've been googling like crazy, trying to find some literature on the sociology of the South, but I've come to a bit of a road block.  I believe my best research will be done via Facebook, connecting with some of my friends from Arkansas.  I'm not sure what it is about the South, but I suppose it is the obvious differences about women that I have met that were born and raised there----their appearance, understanding of the home and family, their fashions.  Again, it is so interesting.  It is right up there with wealthy Persian families in the US and hoarding.

My Clean by Carrie business is going great!  I'm lucky to have several amazing clients that have passed my name on to friends, family and neighbors.  I have a new client cleaning on Friday and a jam packed week next week.  It has been a great way for me to make new friends as well.  I am truly blessed.

Next topic:  I am undertaking a drastic diet change in an effort to help get my skin cleared up.  I was diagnosed with Perioral Dermatitis a few months ago, and it has worsened.  I am not open to taking Accutane or oral antibiotics, which is truly the best treatment.  These aren't options for me currently, as I am seriously considering having another  baby.  I don't need any more 4 legged/tailed creatures in my house.  So, my diet is the obvious area of change.  I'm going gluten/dairy free for 8 weeks, hoping this might calm things down.  I've also heard of the Failsafe Diet as a possible option.  Who knows----I'm open to anything at this point.  I look like a 13 year old band dork.  Tim Riggins would not look twice at me. 

Topic of the Day:
Getting the last word. 

This phrase seems to play a major role in my personality----an inability to allow others, especially those who I find to be ignorant, unjust, rude, or just plain wrong, to have the "final" say in a conversation and/or argument.  I find this phrase to be especially annoying when I KNOW I am valid in my comments, opinions, thoughts, or feelings.  As if, I am unable to completely and wholly process their side of the story or argument.  It resonates in my head for days, often weeks because I was unable to verbalize those residual feelings.  Unfortunately, those feelings often create a mock-dialogue in my head that is almost impossible to erase.  (Much like an inner dialogue, but this conversation plays out in your everyday thought process.)  SO ANNOYING.  I feel like my "getting the last word" is the nail in the coffin that allows me to justify, uphold, and support my character, feelings, or plainly, my side of the story-----as if nothing was left unsaid.  "What if....."  "I should have......"  Ugh.  These words are like mosquito bites that never go away.  Ugh.

And here I am again, a month later with LOTS to say.  Here we go:

Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman:  Trayvon attacked this guy, was hanging out where he didn't belong, and the media made a race circus about this case.  I feel bad for both families, but mostly G. Z. because his life is destroyed.  Clearly, he is taking responsibility for his actions, and is obviously not a racist killer.

Paula Deen:  She is a lady from the South.  People down there have a different culture.  I doubt she is a racist.  Her comments caught up with her.  Her food still is good.

Max Scherzer going 13-0.  He plays for Detroit.  I need not say more.

NSA/traitor/espionage:  Give this guy a break.  He isn't a rat.  He shared info that is valuable to every American.  He should be welcomed back with open arms and given a sick retirement package.  I doubt this is a dude that people want to punish.  Send him to Fiji for the rest of his life, with no computer. 

Mirena (IUD):  Bad.  News.  This is the culprit for the nerve pain in my hands, thinning hair, horrible cystic face acne, weight gain, and worsening ADD symptoms.  No one told me.  Never again. 

Prop 8 reversal:  Finally, people are getting their heads on straight.  The bottom line:  Marry whomever you'd like.  Just pay your taxes, take care of your kids, and mow your lawn.  No big deal.  If you are in a committed relationship with a person, and take care of each other, and go before your family and friends to commit to each other, then you should be privy to the same benefits as everyone else, regardless if this other person is the same gender as you.  It is no one's business.  "Marriage" wasn't created until some person invented the phrase.  I know, because I looked it up.  Yes, a human invented this term.  Jesus didn't come into play until thousands of years after humans began a social evolution, enough to partner up with another human and have a relationship.  There were no courts, no established churches, and no one throwing around the phrases "gay marriage," or "fundamentally wrong."  Therefore, let's move on and focus on more important issues like welfare reform, or education reform.  NOW, those are issues worth talking about because they are costing this country MILLIONS of dollars.  MILLIONS.  To me, it is actually embarrassing how "big" of an issue this has become.  I'm pretty sure those men and women who are ardently against gay marriage may have something they'd like to share----like their own homosexual tendencies and their own insecurities about sharing who they REALLY are.  But once again, it is no one's business.  I hope to God (or Krishna, or Yahweh, or whoever) that Greta feels safe enough to share with me and the rest of her family who she loves and wants to commit herself to (when the time is right).  God forbid she does not feel safe, welcome, supported enough to keep a large part of her life secret because it is considered unacceptable.  To quote several tweets this past week, "#loveislove" 

I am in the midst of expanding my cleaning empire.  I have invested $100 in business cards, a car magnet, return label stickers, and an advertisement in a local play program to market Clean by Carrie.  I have two more potential clients I am bidding this weekend.  I feel confident that I can eventually grow Clean by Carrie into a money-making venture for myself.  I am still juggling the cleaning and working at the restaurant.  Some weeks are more relaxing than others, but I am mostly running around like a chicken with its head cut off.  I am so thankful for Jim and Joan.  They definitely are pulling up the rear with their help with Greta.  I would eventually like to grow Clean by Carrie, so it is sustaining itself with myself and possibly one more employee.  If Jennie was down here, we'd turn the shit out---Bam.  Seriously.  (Or my friend, Jamie.  She is a great cleaner.) 

And finally, a sad note.  My friend, Kady, is moving.  Back to Michigan.  For the second time.  Kady and I met in graduate school (at Marian).  We would eventually merge paths again in Bloomington, because her husband (Tyson) was a year ahead of Dave in MBA school (at IU).  Dave and Tyson played baseball against each other in high school.)  They headed up to Michigan after Tyson finished his MBA.  THEN, after two years and two babies, they headed back to Fort Wayne.  We followed them to Fort Wayne a year later.  So, here we are, and there they go.  Back up to the D.  Not okay.  However, Tyson has a great opportunity with GM and Kady doesn't have to work.  Win win.  OH, and they can go to Tigers games and eat Coney Island whenever they please.  I am a bit jealous.  It has been pretty nice having a fellow mom two miles away that knows the adventures of mothering a toddler.  Kady was the first person to really inform me about what it is like to be pregnant and give birth.  (We are talking REAL information here.  I.e., lady parts, breastfeeding, and the birth process.)  There aren't many folks out there that will be "fo-real" with a fellow sister.  Ya herd?  So, on that note, I'm dedicating this blog to Kady.  You are the real deal.  AND, you are a great crafter.  Plus, you have cute kids.  All in all, you are a great friend and I will miss your presence in Fort Awesome.  (Tear.)   

Kady and I in Berkley.  Josie is in Kady's belly.  Greta was no longer in my belly, but I still had a belly.  

It is pointless for me to remark about how busy I've been.  This week marks the beginning of my lunch shifts at the restaurant, as I take over for another waitress who is directing a local summer camp.  I'm also still cleaning, hoping to acquire a few more clients.  I've actually probably bitten off more than I can chew---I launched a "website" on Facebook.  This provides me with the opportunity for free advertising---word of mouth seems to be the most successful marketing I've done.  Clean by Carrie is now on the web:  https://www.facebook.com/CleanByCarrie

Once again, I'm sure I've bit off more than I can chew.  However, I've very excited about the potential for business, and more opportunities.  We'll see what happens.

Happiness on Memorial Day Weekend:

1.  Finding Fat Tire on clearance at Target.
2.  Temperatures BELOW 80 degrees.
3.  Finally catching up with all the laundry.
4.  Enjoying some family time after nice trip to the zoo.
5.  Completed a lighting project that I started MONTHS ago.  Pinterest.
6.  Found some great deals at Kroger and Target, and I had coupons.  Cha-ching.
7.  Today is Dougie Fresh's birthday, aka, Doug Monforton.  He is younger than 70 but older than 22.
8.  Dave's brother Ben, the baseball brother, made it to the NCAA tournament in Oregon. 

And most importantly, I am forever grateful for all of the men and women who currently serve, have served, and lost their lives in the military.  I never take my freedom for granted.

With the help of my first house cleaning client in Fort Wayne, I now have three clients.  While I was very apprehensive about become a "cleaning lady," it has actually turned out to be a pretty good gig.  I am my own boss, I make my own hours, I don't have to "deal" with anyone, and I know I am good at cleaning.  (Thanks to Mrs. Goble and Shannon Lalain---the queens of cleaning 101). 

I acquired my most recent client today, thanks to my first clients' referral.  While I'm sure my plate is pretty full, I think one more would seal the deal.

Here's a cleaning tip:  Real Windex (with ammonia) is the best grease cutter.  The Works toilet cleaner is the best toilet cleaner.  They have both at the dollar store.  None of that $8 dollar stuff. 

Also, it is best to go from top to bottom---dust on furniture and fans settle to the floor when disturbed (that doesn't stick to a dust rag).  Vacuuming should be the final (or best part) of cleaning a room.  Also, I use the crevice tool constantly---tons of dirt and dust settle right between the carpet and the base trim.

Getting a gross tub or shower takes several attempts of cleaning to make it look sparkling---layers of soap scum and build up is very hard to remove when you only have 4 hours to clean a whole house.  Hot vinegar and dawn dish soap (equal parts) help, but nothing works better with that than a plastic scouring sponge and elbow grease.  And a lot of it.

Happy cleaning!

I am about two weeks into my new "working mom" lifestyle, and I must say, it sucks.  I do enjoy working, and getting a paycheck,  but there are many a' things that are suffering......laundry....home cleanliness.....meals planned for the week......Thankfully, Dave's parents have been super helpful, along with some great girlfriends, ensuring Greta is well taken care of while I'm busy cleaning OTHER people's houses and serving OTHER people food.  Good Times. 

Spring has sprung on Woodchime Court, only revealing a major lack of landscaping at our friendly abode.  NO perennial flowers, and some some landscaping shrub choices.  I've made many attempts to befriend locals gardeners (craigslist, upcycle.com, etc.) and I've come up empty handed.  I seriously may have to resort to my "go-to" flower lady:  Mrs. Goble.  Her yard is filled with a lush assortment of shrubs, trees, perennials, and annuals.  It makes for great visits to Michigan, as there is always something new happening in her yard.  Right now, I'm trying to get a handle on the lack of trees in the yard, hoping to capitalize on the "garbage pile" of greenery at Walmart and Meijer--I've found some pretty fabulous plants in this area.  I highly recommend a visit. 

We had a garage sale on Saturday and we made out like bandits-$214 big ones.  Now, if we could only sell an old heavy kitchen table, a bathroom vanity, and an armoire, we'd be in business.  I'd like to buy a tv for the basement as well as some plants for the yard.  In the meantime, craigslist postings will have to do.

Here's to a week of more hustling, slinging club sandwiches, and mopping floors.  (But in all honesty, I do enjoy my schedule.)

Quite a bit has been going on since my last blog.  Here is the bathroom version:

1.  I got a job.  I actually am, once again, a waitress.  On St. Patrick's Day, Dave, Gertie, and I were already downtown participating in all things Irish, when we stumbled upon Calhoun Street.  While eating a delicious lunch, I decided to ask the very bubbly and kind waitress if they were hiring.  Welp, I filled out an application, and a week later the owner called me.  I have been training for two weeks.  The restaurant has a simple, tasteful, and clean menu.  Great sandwiches, great soups, and great beer.  I am clearly not cool enough to work there, as I have noticed it being a Hipster hang out.  Google the term "Hipster" if you aren't familiar. 


2.  My second job entails cleaning houses.  I have walking through my second client's house tomorrow.  It is nice to have this cash in my pocket because it is easy, mindless money.  I am proud of my cleaning, although my house doesn't reflect it.  HOWEVER, my bathrooms are always clean.  They may be messy, but they are always clean.  Also, the sheets on every bed are CLEAN.  Bleachy, and delicious.

3.  It has been raining.  A lot.  I'm over it. 

4.  Biscuit is still naughty and has escaped the confines of our fence twice.  Naughty.

5.  The Boston Marathon:  Sad.  So sad.  Terrorists are cowards.  They need to find a new hobby and a new "religion" to practice.  My religion involves loving small soft animals and smelling clean laundry.

6.  I found a weekly babysitter for Gertie.  Daycare searching blows the big one and I don't recommend it.  I have come to realize day care centers are filthy and the employees are rude, and getting rich off the working woman's dime.  Not okay.  Thankfully, Ms. Alicia, Gertie's new sitter, is nice and delightful.  Her son Cristian, is so stinking cute.  AND, her husband, Brad, played sports with Kyle.  A win-win.

7.  In honor of spring's arrival, while Greta and I were in the D last weekend, we took the time to visit the school farm.  All I'm going to say is Baby. Goats.  Yep, LOTS of baby goats and baby lambs and a few peacocks.  Who needs Xanax?!  Oh my.  Lots of softies.  I'm sure I contracted some crazy strain of gona-syphill-herpe-aids, but I'm a better woman for it.

8.  I will begin preparing for our May 1-2 garage sale.  I'm hoping to make $300, selling some furniture that is no longer needed, and other home treasures.  I'm hoping to make enough money to buy a SMALLER television for the family room and a large console table for it to sit upon.  Again, a win-win.

9.  Tiger baseball is in full swing.  To mark the occassion, I hit up the Salvation Army in the D. and found a bounty of Detroit sport teeshirts for Gertie.  For me?  A hot pink J Crew teeshirt for work. 

10.  I started to tackle our landcaping, er, lack there of.  I have moved one bush.  Four more to go.  I'd like to win a $10,000 landscape makeover to solve our "no tree" problem. 

Happy Friday!

Finding childcare sucks.  I have NO idea how moms (especially working moms or prego moms) do this.  AND, the worrying about whether Greta will nap at the hand of someone else is causing MAJOR stress.  I feel like I should be paid a salary of $50,000 or more for one child.  With each additional offspring, my pay should increase at least $15K. 

Garage sale season is upon us.  I found my first sign today.  In celebration of this event, I went antiquing and found a vintage lard tin and watering can.  Score. 

Now if I can find some large wall art for cheap.....

Today, Dave and I dusted off the ol' Huffy and took Greta on her first bikeflag (bike ride) of the season.  With an extra 30 pounds in tow (Greta in her seat), we took to the mean streets of Aboite and enjoyed the glorious spring weather.  While on our journey, we saw a crayfish, one large dog, several fancy-schmancy nuevo riche homes, and several trees needing pruning.  It was pretty windy, which made the hills EXTRA fun for me (and my large fanny).  An hour and a half later, my legs are sore and Greta is napping.  We made two pit stops so Greta could enjoy a slide or two.  Thankfully, we are within bike riding distance to some great play areas at the local elementary schools.  Greta's elementary school, Deer Ridge, is less than a mile away.  It has a GREAT play area AND a recycling bin!  (You know what that means:  Coupons.)

On a side note, I started my waitressing job at Calhoun Street. I love the people that work there, I love the food, and the building is historic.  The owner, Ms. Donna, is fabulous and is NOT an alcoholic pscyho, like the last restaurant owner I worked for (at Longhorn in Bloomington).  Clearly, I'm not cool enough to work here, due to the major amount of tattoos, cool hair dos, piercings, and affinity for Hipster music.  I'm working on it.  I have decided to ONLY wear my Detroit shirts while working there.  If I can display my ties to the D., I will always represent.  And most importantly, I was trained by the owner's niece, Amy.  She happened to graduate from Dwenger with Dave's brother, Kyle, and remembers him as a nice person.  Not only is Amy super nice, but she knows the restaurant very well.  Sadly, some folks there take advantage of her outstanding work ethic and don't pull their weight.  This pisses me off, and I'm always one to say something.  Because, you are a representation of your employer.  I know how much work and sacrifice goes into running a restaurant.  If people knew the sacrifice, they'd work 100 times harder.  I like Ms. Donna, and I like what she is doing for downtown.  Therefore, I'm loyal and will work my ass off for her.  I would never want anyone to ever say I'm lazy, or have a questionable work ethic.  Doug and Pepe would be very disappointed.

I feel like the underlying theme of my move to Fort Wayne is INTEGRITY.  Since we've taken up shop here, I've notice a MAJOR lack in integrity in the people who are involved in the housing/trade industry.  NOT ALL, but many are lazy, unreliable, overpriced, arrogant about their ability/skill set, and untrustworthy.  I would categorize these things are "Characteristics that Deem One Lacking Integrity."  Something to think about.

I would say the phrase integrity runs though my head at least 10 times a day, usually after meeting some jack ass employer/person who is full of shit and sucks at their job.  I always walk away shaking my head.

Happy Sunday.

Oh yes, I'm a waitress.  Again.  I'd like to thank the handy and hard work of our insurance company for dishing out muchos bills our way, making it almost impossible to enjoy random trips to Goodwill and Friday Thai food takeout.  I'd also like to thank our student loans for giving us a "second mortgage" to take on.  Without all these concerned entities, I'm sure our lives would be filled with Ethan Allen furniture, spring trips to Florida, and random surprises for our parents.  Piss.  Off.

However, I am thankful for beautiful weather, tulips popping out of the ground, loving grandparents, baby spikes, and soft stools in Gertie's diaper. 

I was suppose to head down to Btown to "watch" my girlfriend Irene while her husband is out of town---Irene's baby girl is due in a few weeks and Irene is super prego.  I hope Irene goes into labor on Sunday night (when Eric comes home), and and her labor lasts 2 hours (long enough for an epidural), and baby Schmidbauer is a small 7 pounder.  That is my Christmas wish for Irene.  ALSO--added bonus***, Irene and Eric make adorbs babies. 

Sam, Irene's son, in the plaid.  PERFECT nose and talks like a 12 year old.  And he likes apricots.

Sorry Adrienne Keeble Petersen, I did pick up a pair of U of M gardening boots at Walmart, on clearance, for the low, low, LOW price of $13.  Also, apologize to the DON because I didn't buy them at KFarts. 

And another thing....don't think I haven't started ripping out dead/overgrown shrubs at the house.  I have also identified two of the bushes in the front...Viburnum.  The ugly kind.  Yuck. 

And to celebrate the onset of spring like weather, I enjoyed (on DVR) the newest installment of RHOOC.  Yes, trash television.  They are all trashy with their fake hair and I LERVS it. 

And finally, I am wearing my Lahser #24 Knights sweatpants, compliments of Molly Danner, to celebrate a Tiger victory on Opening Day.  Verlander, bitches.

And lastly, if you drive me erratically, attempting to run me off the road, with my child on board, I will call 911 and report you as a drunk driver.  Don't mess with me.  I've done this probably 20 times and I'm not trying to quit anytime soon.  Boom.

Please, no more replays of that awful leg injury from the Louisville basketball player.  Gross.  Poor kid.

AND baseball has arrived.  I can now focus on something positive....Verlander committing his life to the D.  Oh yes.  Greta will hopefully experience her first ball game this summer.  I am riding on high hopes that Los Tigres delivery the D. a World Series run.  Mostly because the Wings sucked real bad yesterday (not a Happy Easter), and it is worse that they lost to the Blackhawks.

The weather is warming up and I have grand plans for the yard.  While the yard is mighty spacious, I have to jump on my friend wagon and hit up some people for free plants.  While I don't have any specific plans, I do know that I will be planting four trees in the front yard/side yard, and several in the back.  We have almost a full acre, and there are only 3 trees on the property.  (The "willow" trees are worth a mention.)  Again, if any of my readers have access to free perennials, trees, and shrubs, please let me know. 

Biscuit killed and began to eat her 7th rabbit since we've moved in.  Fabulous.

I am still actively looking for a full time job.  Now that the hoopla of Greta's last test has died down, I'm back to the grind of looking at a bazillion job sites and Linkedin on a regular basis.  Yuck.  But then again, medical bills and monthly bills don't pay themselves.

I am very much looking forward to a garage sale this spring...Dave and I are parting with several items that are no longer needed--
media armoire
wicker furniture
Greta's old room rug
circular side tables
large table (stolen from our old meth head neighbors)
shoes
clothes
plastic plant pots

Hopefully with the sale of these items, we can purchase a smaller television for the TV room (and move the big one in the basement),and find a reasonable used couch/loveseat for additional seating.

Score of the week:  Kohl's sale plus an additional 30% off---I got me a second pair of my fav Nikes for 39 bucks!  Oh snap.

AND FINALLY,
I am thankful for the $5 carpet cleaner machine that my wondrous mother in law purchased for me at a garage sale last year.  I use it weekly to clean up Biscuit's puke after she attempts to eat dead vermin parts.  That is all.  Go Tigers.

Breaking Bad is my new favorite show.  My friend Eric recommended watching it, warning me I'd become addicted.  Well, I am.  It is very dark, but wonderfully written with superb acting. 

And with March Madness in full effect, I have no idea what is going on with the brackets.  I hate basketball. I do know that IU, Michigan State, and Michigan are still in it.  Which is basically the only thing I need to know at this point. 

Opening Day is around the corner and my Tiger gear is starched and ready to go.

I'm trying to get back into couponing.  Unfortunately, we don't have paper recycling bins to dig through (like I did in Bloomington) in Fort Wayne.  Jennie has one down the street from her house (I'm so jealous).  SO, if you are a reader, you have some change to send me the coupons via mail, I'll love you forever.  ANY coupons are greatly appreciated.

AND thanks to "upping" my medication, this past week is in the back of my mind.  Thank you, modern day psychotropic scientists.

AND finally, high fives and hugs are warranted to some amazing people this week....

Carrie Gorga, for providing me with valuable insights about epilepsy.  Her son, Finn, has been affected since birth.  He is a rockstar and she is a rockstar mom.

Matt and Brooke Dudley.  Matt was just diagnosed with AML, a form of leukemia.  While he is in for the fight of his life, I ask all of my readers to pray/send happy thoughts/good vibes for Matt and Brooke. 

Jim and Joan Norton, for being great grandparents to G.  Not only are they wonderful in-laws, but better g-parents.  They provide G with love and care, and are always available to talk and offer their support whenever it seems necessary.  XOXO.

Jamie Rahmany.  She is a perfect friend.  That is all.

A bad day is when you mistake your dog's anxiety medication for yours.

A bad day is when you are well aware you need to shower, and you attempt to cover it up with perfume, deodorant, and a clean shirt (and clean underpants, of course).

A better day is being able to gentle stroke the delishly soft ears of a 15 week old puppy who is the size of a women's size 7 running shoe.

And to continue the tradition of my friend Katie, here are five things about me:


1.  I am obsessed, OBSESSED with puppies.  No matter what size, shape, color, level of softies, I LERV them.  In my mind, they make everything better.  Obsessed.  Oh, I also think I can read their minds.

2.  I hate wearing jeans.  Jeans make me feel fat.  I was never skinny enough growing up to fit into Guess, Girard, or 7 jeans.  Thanks to Concerta, things have changed a bit.  But still, I hate wearing jeans.

3.  I think about skiing everyday.  I haven't skiied in over ten years.  Doesn't matter.  I miss it every day and still dream of being an amazing skiier (enough that when other people see me on the mountain, they stare).

4.  I think I'm crazy.   Not like Jodi Arias, but my mind goes 1000 miles a minute and I can't make it stop.  I seriously think about 100 things all at one time.  And I am usually thinking about things that have nothing to do with anything.  For example:  I'm hungry.  I want a minivan.  We need a different color front door.  I wish I was wearing sweatpants.  I love listening to 80's music.  Why didn't we get snow this winter?  (crazy, right?)

5.  I am addicted to junk food.  Coke, pizza, doritos, cookies, chick fil a sandwiches, etc.  LOVE it. 

6.  (For good measure) I think being from Michigan is the coolest.  I'm arrogant about my native Michigan status.  I want to start some "I'm from Michigan" club in Fort Wayne.  Cool, right?

I scored a brand new Boden trench coat at Goodwill for $6.  AND, Greta made friends with a crazy employee.  It was a win-win.  

Oooooh St. Paddy's Day.  How I remember the drunken debauchery, vomit laden toilets, skanky green tee shirts, lime jello shots, and the hangover that lasted two days.  In a nutshell, I miss St. Joe.  That is where I learned the importance of St. Patrick's Day and how such a holiday is best celebrated in the company of good friends, bad beer, and several opportunities to make really bad decisions.  Clearly, times have changed. 

Dave, Gertie and I traveled downtown to see the river (green in appearance), and possibly hear the remnants of a herd of bagpipers.  We were a bit late for the festivities, but we still saw two big firetrucks, several dressed up dogs, and lots of good people sporting their best green attire.  I also learned that Greta DOES HAVE some Irish blood in her, thanks to Grandma Norton and Grandma Koch.  Sadly, there is not one bit of Irish/Scotch/Welsh in me.

The rest of our weekend was spent lounging around the house, clipping coupons, picking up the basement, and doing a million loads of laundry.  By the looks of it today, it is as if nothing was accomplished.  So the plight of this domestic goddess continues.....

I'm a bad person because I honestly don't care about the new Pope.  While I am sure Catholics are happy, the word on the street is that the new Pope Francis is ultra conservative---no likey the gays, no likey gays adopting babies, noso likey planned parenthood or contraceptive....welp, no likeys across the board.

I have not considered myself Catholic in sometime, but strangely still feel elements of guilt when I swear, eat meat on Fridays during Lent, and not remember the high holy days.  I suppose my overall opposition of the Catholic Church is somewhat at an all time high, considering the reading and research I've done on the sex abuse cases and lack of responsibility by the Vatican for the last 40 years.  I saw the new HBO documentary, Maxima Mea Culpa, last week and it was horrifying.  HORRIFYING.  It is disgusting, the lack of compassion and consideration of these boys, now men, who are faced with horrible images of their past, at the hand of a person or persons they once trusted.  Quite honestly, I hope the new Pope has an excellent PR team, because at this rate, the Vatican needs it (in my opinion).

I am sure I have some of my blog readers who are devout Catholics and dedicate their daily lives to living their faith.  I commend them on their devotion to a higher power.  HOWEVER, I have some concerns with a church that seems to very much be JUDGMENTAL on some of God's creations---men and woman who are gay, men and women who choose to use birth control, etc.  I'll be more than happy to be a part of a church who promotes messages of LOVE, unity, compassion, and understanding, and most importantly, teachings that help people look within themselves, not others, to make the world better.   I've said it once, and I'll say it again:  If  Jesus Christ was cruising around the planet now, I'm sure he'd be NOT TOO HAPPY with the state of things.  And I'm most certainly sure he could care less about folks who were born loving people of the same sex, and those folks who live STD free lives using birth control and adopting babies by themselves.  Seriously.

Sorry about the rant....it has been on my mind.  Organized religion in general is a hot button for me.  As my friend Amanda says, "It is your path.  You'll figure it out."  In the meantime, I'll stick with not stealing, killing, or hooking up with my neighbors.

Secondly, let me revisit my frustrations with folks who have no debt.  While I applaud them (standing up, waving my arms, shouting from the rooftops), I don't know what that is like.  We are experiencing MAJOR crunchtime with our medical debt from Greta's birth and all things related.  That, compounded with basic living expenses, a car payment, a mortgage, and school debt, the Norton household is not such a happy place.  HOWEVER, I am forever thankful I have my health, Dave is healthy, Greta is pretty healthy, and we have food on the table.  I know living from paycheck to paycheck is a norm that I need to accept, as many people do.  And for the those people who don't have to do that, Mazel.  Have fun.  Enjoy it.  I just don't want to hear about it.  Again, I'm happy for you.  I think it is great that folks take grand vacations and buy new Dansko clogs.  Wonderful.  I don't need to hear about new car purchases or jewelry purchases, as they are an absolute waste of money, along with new fancy clothes, handbags, and electronics.  We have one television and it is too big.  I do, however, need a new laptop because the battery cord is broken.  Let's brag that our dishwasher works and my clothes dryer works.  I love my 8 year old vacuum and my 7 year old Subaru.  While I wish my Suby was bigger, I'm happy it runs.  My point?  There are people that have it WAY WORSE.  I think of them often and pray their hardship ends.  If I won the lottery, I'd buy people houses that can accommodate their family size, and pay off some of their bills.  It could be worse for us---it is just annoying when I am well aware that it didn't have to be this way and a hasty OB/GYN decided to seal our fate so she could enjoy her vacation. 

And finally, Greta and I are home from her 3 day EEG at Riley.  It sucked super bad, but because Greta is a strong black woman, she faced it with courage and did outstanding.  I am so proud of her.  If I could buy her a pony, I would.  Moreover, I am so thankful, indebted, forever grateful for my amazing mother in law and my girlfriends who came to visit.  They made it so much better, and to be honest, I wouldn't have gotten through the 3 days without them.  The text messages and phone calls were great---I know we had lots of people thinking of us. 

House update:  We still haven't heard from the attorney.  The weather is warming and we need to get that room/outside wall/chimney fixed.  Let's hope we get some resolution soon.

Happy Thursday.

P.S.  I'm also thankful I'm not a drug addict.  I've been hearing stories from friends of people they know going through withdrawl and matters related to addiction.  My heart goes out to them and their families.  Addiction is a horrible disease and I surely recognize how horrible it is---

Monday Updates:

Welp, I didn't get the job.  No worries over here, though.  Too much traveling and my potential boss doesn't have her own penis to swing around.  Yes, she is that kind of woman.

Biscuit now has staples in her leg, because of re opening the wound started by Beans.  She went after a rabbit, partially killed it, and came back in the house with a nasty gash.  6 staples later and a $250 bill to prove it, she is on "house arrest."

Greta still has a nasty cold with a gross runny nose.  I'm totally buying stock in a company that can make a toddler friendly Dayquil.

Dave has officially put me on a budget.  I have already accepted his "no more house expenses" challenge, repurposing as much as I can with what we already have.  I've made it my mission to his up the ReStore and Goodwill before I venture out for new products.  And couponing is more important than ever.  Too bad there aren't coupons for milk, eggs, fruit, vegetables, and half and half.

Oh, don't send a package via FedEx.  It is way too expensive.  We found a post office 10 minutes away, (and it happens to be down the way from my favorite used furniture store).

I'm hoping to get more of my friends on the coupon kick so we can trade/swap/clip together.  (like on Mr. Mom.  "I'll trade you one Tender Viddles....")

We are heading back up to the D in the very near future.  I can't wait to go to the Salvation Army near Mom and Dad's house and hopefully meet up with some old friends (Katie Ketner).

I will be eating Leo's while I'm home.

I will hopefully be heading downtown to take some much needed photos for a home project I am interesting in starting.

There is a great outlet mall near Mom and Dad's--they accept coupons, so I'm hoping to get some clothes for Dave and myself.  My pre baby clothes don't fit well (thank you, Concerta), so I'm all about some new duds.

We are looking forward to our NEW dishwasher being delivered tomorrow.  DON'T BUY A SAMSUNG.  Thankfully, Best Buy was able to exchange our crap one for a new Bosch.  Super pumped.

Spot Shot is the best carpet stain remover ever.  Of all time.  Ever.

And we have no snow......no mi guesta winter in Fort Awesome.

Oh winter.  At this point, I'm not a fan.  Long gone are the days of blankets of white (hu-white, in the South) fluffy stuff that Beanie and Biscuit go nuts over----instead, we have been "blanketed" with sleet, rain, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and a teeny tiny amount of snow.  NOW, it just looks gray, wet, and gross.  Yep, wet shoes, wet paws, and lots of mud.  No mi guesta.  In an effort to get myself out of this wet winter funk, I've thrown myself into finding a new job.  Yep, Carrie's my name and job hunting is my game.  Much different the days of having a simple resume send-off and a nice phone call greets you days later.  Instead, I have been spending hours on the computer, surfing the world wide interweb and sifting through postings on linkedin.  I really do feel for those folks who have a household to support.  At this point, employment for me means paying off our credit cards, medical bills, and car payment faster.  By faster, I mean by 2020.  I didn't even mention our school loans---that is a separate blog on a separate day (that will result in tears and a possible broken toenail from throwing my foot through the drywall). 

While these are not complaints, it is an opportunity to just dig my heels in and find something.  Thankfully, Dave has a good job and Biscuit's vet visits have not exceeded $1000, just $500 in the last 2 months.  Yes, rabbits and Beanie's teeth do make for nice matches for Biscuits.  Poor pup pup.

So I had an interview in South Bend yesterday---bought the suit, strapped on some fake nails, brushed my nails and pulled out the fancy paper for some resume printing, and headed NW in the hopes to get some serious looks at my professional potential.  Of course, it was a glorified cattle call and I walked out of my one hour "session" feeling just okay.  I usually  nail the interview portion, as in pageant talk, but this time....I just felt okay.  We shall see.....if it doesn't pan out to anything, I am still searching for something else.  I really want a sales rep job in northern Indiana.  I am not afraid of travel, per se, but I would like to be home in the late evenings to see Gertie and Dave.  I know traveling parenting is NOT FUN.  Again, I am optimistic in the hopes I will find something in the next 2 months.  Greta is almost 2 and I have been home with her the whole time.  It is time for her to pack up her puppy back pack get on the bus to puppy school.

And now, a break for some random thoughts:

I just made some dog treats for the pups, and they taste delicious.

I bought a new suit this week.  The pants?  Yep, a size 6.  I love Concerta.

My basement is a disaster.

I'm sick of cleaning up dog poop and dog barf on the carpet. 

Don't ever buy a Samsung dishwasher from Best Buy.  Horrible customer service.  A piece of garbage machine. 

Tom Steele Tire in Fort Wayne is cheap, fast, and efficient.  They have my business forever.

My current obsession? Finding good deals and Gymboree, specifically, buying socks.

I want a job recruiter just magically call me out of the blue.

Gypsy Sisters, the tv show on TLC, sucks.  Such a let down.

Went to go see Bozer in Chicago with Gertie last weekend.  He is amazing and smells delish.

Just a quick complaint:

Having a toddler with a cold sucks.

Inspirational messages on Facebook are super lame, unless your child is battling a major illness or you have come back from the dead.  I find it interesting that most folks who post such messages have SEVERAL hours of time to think/paste/pin said messages.  Why aren't they working?  Oh right, because they feel bad about themselves and they need that PERFECT message to lift them from their doldrums.  Um, nope.  It isn't a life coach---it is a great Rx for Zoloft, a fabulous therapist, and no candy. 

And to end things on a good note, Greta is full on speaking Hobbit lately.  I mean, I'm pretty good at deciphering what she is saying, but lately, I don't even think Smegel could help her. 

Oh how I very much dislike Wednesdays.  Let's start with my house being an absolute disaster....paint/DIY stuff everywhere.  Secondly, and my favorite, my car was broken into last night.  Luckily, they only took the car safety travel bag and my health savings credit card.  I am very lucky----I just feel dooped because I swore I locked the car.  On a brighter note, they ignored my $400 car seat and $375 jogging stroller.  Again, morons. 

In light of several friends blogging/posting/discussing fertility issues and having babies, I suppose I should bring my readers to light on G's case and my current state of non-pregnancy.

It has been 19 months since Greta's delivery and I am content with the status of my body (i.e. not peeing on myself).  While I have not attempted REAL exercise---going to the gym, running, doing a step tape, mountain biking, I am much more active that I was a year ago.  I still have more moments than none, where I am worried about the strength of my lower half and what is going on down there.  More often, I have serious anxiety about what will happen when the time comes to really try to get pregnant again.  I worry about the latter stages of pregnancy when the baby is sitting atop your bladder and you have to pee every 20 minutes.  I worry about my hips moving to facilitate a baby and how that will affect my nerves.  Thankfully, I have it on record from two of my doctors and one physical therapist that my next pregnancy will end in a c-section.  Thank the Lord.  While I am all about going about the ol' V way, it is clearly no  longer for me.  Dave and I have been discussing much more how many kids our future holds----To be honest, I have much more fear about actually carrying a baby than raising one---I am also very worried about Greta's future.  Now that she is 19 months old, we have pretty much nailed down the issues related to her birth.  While the future is always up in the air for any human, all the things that could have happened, have happened----balance issues, strength issues, seizures, coordination issues, muscular issues in her hands and feet.  She is still developing her cognitive and speech skills, which don't seem to be too much of an issue now.  I like to think better that birthdays are better milestones.  When she hits two, it is time to go back to the drawing board and compare her to her peers.  She is finally gross motor appropriate for her age, though she still struggles with her fine motor, balance, and coordination.  She also drags her right foot ever so slightly, which may be a result of her toe positioning.  Regardless, she is doing well.  I was instructed to wait TWO YEARS before another pregnancy.  At first I thought this was not enough, but at 24 months, hopefully G will be potty trained and easier to communicate with.  She'll be acting more like a real person instead of one that needs CONSTANT supervision and assistance.  I can't imagine having kids less than 2 years a part.  NUTS. 

I am also very interested to find out if G's delivery will affect my fertility---it is hard to actually get a scope of damage that accompanies any V delivery, let alone a complicated one.  While we were blessed with no problems getting pregnant with G, again, I am interested to see if my parts are still in working order.  Again, a conversation that isn't normal for most women under 40. 

I am thankful for my amazing Mommy friends, who have always been supportive of my anxiety and frustration with my birth experience.  I am more thankful for my friends who have been open about their struggles with pregnancy, parenting, and body issues and decided to write/blog/talk/post about them. It  is nice to know you can be honest about real issues and not try and hide them or feel embarrassed about them. 

We are actually starting to make SOME progress on the house:

Dave installed 4 (of 8) can lights in the kitchen.  It makes such a huge difference!  No more fluorescent lighting!

The television room, upstairs hallway, downstairs bathroom, all the bedrooms, and the kitchen are painted.  We still have to finish the trim and cabinets in the kitchen.  It looks a ton better than before!

I am slowly beginning to organize/sort through "basement" type items---Christmas decorations, Greta's baby clothes, picture frames, etc.  This will be an ongoing process through the winter.

I am still hung up on colors for the dining room and the front room (play room).  Any ideas?  We are sticking to COOL colors. Again, suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Again, we are going for a coastal-pottery-barn-traditional vibe.  Please refer to my Pinterest boards for my inspiration.

And the looming piece of anxiety for me has been the idea of going back to work.......I'm sure every woman goes through this after she has a baby.  I've been incredibly blessed with unemployment for over a year (which ended last month), making it somewhat possible for me to "stay home."  While this idea is absolutely ravishing to me, I might be dreaming soon.  I still have a valid teaching license, though I have NO plans to return to a classroom.  Honestly, I want to be a formula rep for Abbott.  OR, a rep for a wholesome dog food company.  Yep, babies and puppies.  Two of my favorite things.  While this is somewhat of a wish at this point, it seems like tutoring (yuck!) might be my best option.  I have also thought about going back to cleaning houses.  It is great money in not a lot of time, HOWEVER, commodes are absolutely disgusting and I HATE cleaning showers.  Nast-eeee.

And my parting note....my psychiatric nurse practitioner finally had her 'come to Jesus' moment with me, diagnosing me with yet another ailment:  OCD.  I no longer have to attempt to explain my ridiculous obsessive thoughts about people dying, people staring at me, running into my ex-OB, and the roof falling down.  Yep, tack on another 30 mg's of Effexor, because that is what the Candyman ordered.  Boom.

Oooohhh.....I LERV me some white appliances and wallpaper.  HAWT.

After pics tomorrow....my computer isn't cooperating.

Some minor complaints for the day:

Getting 4 new tires for a car with less than 100K miles sucks.

Home repairs certainly add up.

The clearance rack at Kohl's with an additional 25% off is up my alley.

Snow is and will always be awesome.

Greta's fanny will never not be squeezable.

H&M has the cutest kids clothes.

I feel like our new house will NEVER, EVER look normal.

Yuck.  Stuck in a 1985 time warp.