Update

Today's game went much better. We still didn't win, but I felt like most of the girls got more in to it, I saw more jump balls than I ever have before with them...and I feel like that shows me that they are fighting for the ball. I was very proud of my team today, despite the final score, despite some really bad moves here and there, some traveling and such, they played the best defense they could, we broke double digits on the scoreboard...I am just really proud of them. Hours later I am still geeking out about it.*

On another note: The conversation hearts and I are still doing okay, we're taking things slow this time around.

I gotta stop hanging out with her. She sounds like a chicken finger.*

Last night was a terrible defeat in the world of basketball. This season hasn't been our best and that is alright - it's more about having fun right?

Last night was just rough on me. I haven't been feeling up to par this week anyway and last night was like the clincher. I gave up a little last night and that frustrates me, cause I don't want to be one of those people who gives up...even though I've always been one. I sat out...I rarely sit out unless I'm tired or think it's time to let someone else play. Last night I sat out because I was mad.

It's depressing for me, left me in a funk. I was directionless. Amber and I went to Wal-Mart between our game and the guys game. I walked around a little down hearted, I was looking for something to sooth the sting of defeat. There was an ache in my stomach that I was certain could only be filled with junk food. I looked over the Ben and Jerry's options, the Archer's Iced Oatmeal cookies...the Wal-Mart brand iced oatmeal cookies, double stuff golden oreos... Then - while Amber was down one aisle I aimlessly looked around and then I saw it, the snack cake aisle. I hid behind a display and looked at the Little Debbie snack cakes. As I stood there, probably creeping out several people who walked past, I realized that I was stalking the Little Debbies, I was checking out the different types but keeping my distance, not letting them know I was even interested because if Debbie knew, she'd pull me in with her Oatmeal Pies, her Fancy Cakes shaped like hearts.

I turned away and grabbed a box of Ritz crackers...that will make Debbie jealous. Amber and I walked to the other side of the store and that's when I saw them. A Little Debbie snack stand with individually wrapped snacks and on the top shelf who should I see? Giant Fancy Cakes in the shape of hearts. Pulling out all the stops I see. Suddenly I thought, "Was I stalking them or were they stalking me?"

We kept walking and we came across the Valentine's aisle, curse you Valentine's! Despite the box of Ritz crackers in my hand I ended up settling for a bag of conversation hearts, even though I told myself after the last conversation heart induced stomach ache that I wouldn't buy them anymore. But they called to me with their sweet, "Be Mine", "All Mine", "Marry Me", "E-mail me" ...how can a girl turn her back on such words of adoration? How can a girl resist a candy that is all about her, can't seem to get enough of her? I couldn't.

I know how it will go. Things will be sweet for two or three days with the hearts whispering, "I heart you", "Awe-some" and then the bag will be almost empty, the stomach ache back, and I'll tell myself not to ever, ever, buy them again...but they know I'll be back, I always come back.

That was totally wicked!*

I think I broke my neighborhood. I went to take the trash out tonight and I usually just throw it in over the side porch banister and come right back inside, but this time the garbage can was too far away. So I walked down the porch and happened to look out over the neighborhood. It was really dark but I could see light reflecting off water...running water.

I've never seen this before so...I called my dad. I thought it might be a burst water main, I've heard stories in my troubles (mostly because the reason getting my house connected to the main water line took so long because there were so many burst water mains). Now I was seeing one...lucky me.

I didn't even know who to call for something like this! My dad suggested the County of Henrico Emergency number, which is not as easily Googleable as it may seem. As a back up and last resort he suggested the police. Something felt off about possibly calling the police so I looked and looked but found nothing. I googled the police (who wants to call 9-1-1 for a broken water main?)

Whoa, even as I type there is a police man in my street checking out the damage. Thrilling...this is the most action packed night I've had all week!

Okay, so back to the story at hand. So I called the police department, they asked me my street, and then my "Hundred Block" that was awesome! I was like, "twelve hundred" and felt like the lady on those Crime Stoppers commercials when she says a hundred and a street name. Then they got my other information, name, number, etc. Still scared to death they'll come knocking on my door...I can only blame my collection of traffic tickets for this irrational fear.

I feel so grown up - I called the police all by myself!

Now there are two cops!

Anyway, the major con is that the neighbors will know it's my fault the water main broke...I mean, it's right across the street from me and I have a huge hole in my yard (have I not posted a picture of that? I'll correct that). Anyway, I'm going to go watch the police do their thing from the safety of my darkened living room (so they won't see the nosey neighbor spying).

Trade you a cookie for a smile!*

One of my rare responsibilities at work is to clean out old workstations (someone has to to do it otherwise how will the be clean for a new hire?)


Over the years I have found some pretty interesting stuff (and some lame stuff too like a box of tissues...woohoo).


In my own little way to keep the resigned employee close to heart (or this could be because I collect junk) I hold on to some of the treasures. Such as this:


The Krispy Kreme snow globe. Since I like Krispy Kreme I figured it fit me well, plus it's so dang cute. Had this been at home it would have probably got tossed in one of my random cleaning moods where I chuck anything that doesn't seem to be important or of any use to me. But since it is at work it's still here!


I have found a random assortment of pens, highlighters, and rulers (some really cool). I have found candy, crackers (who knows how old they are), an 8 x 11 black and white picture of some soccer mom with her feet off the ground as she gave her kids high fives (I'm assuming they are her kids). I found one of those things you squeeze to make your hands stronger and a protein shake cup. I even found a sweater once.

Note to reader - I have not kept all of this stuff!

Yesterday I found this.

I also found within myself some kind of desperation I had not known before. Apparently my goal of reading 50 books in a year has me a little nervous and I for a split second, a split second, no longer, I considered reading the book. Luckily the desperation past quickly, though the book is still in my workstation, why? I can't bare to throw away books. I will take it downstairs to the book exchange in the hopes that some person will give it a home.

Another note to readers: I don't support Nicholas Sparks (movies and/or books) mostly because, to me, "A Walk to Remember" was a sore disappointment. There was a moment in the film when he could have had me, I would have gone to the store and bought ten of his books the moment the film ended and then...he did it...he left an opportunity to make me bawl my eyes out unseized and I lost all desire to have anything to do with his story telling. ...just like the movie "My Sister's Keeper" never change the ending of a book to make yourself feel better about your movie! ...sorry, stepping off the soap box now.

So...I doubt people have the same job responsibilities I have, but maybe with roommates or something you've found strange or cool items left behind? If so, what's the strangest and/or coolest thing you've "inherited"?

'He's got your father's eyes.' 'take those out of his mouth.'*

Um...yeah - this one is really behind (original date: March 4, 2010)

She is here! Ava is here!

My fabulous parking job.

Cleaning out my closet

I have nothing to say lately, but just so you don't think I've stopped blogging...I am going through old "drafts" and finally posting them. So...here's one of just pictures - since I can't remember the stories anyway.

After we watch "The Bucket List," remember to cross "watch 'The Bucket List'" off our bucket list. *

I feel like my friend, Erica, whose last blog post stated that she has a bad habit of writing blogs but never posting them. I decided to go through my drafts and delete stuff I will never post. While doing that I found this one from November and thought I would share. So put on your tinted glasses that give you the feeling you're in a flashback:

(Original date set to post on 11/17/10)

Today we set up the Christmas tree at work, we have good reason for doing this so early - Angel Tree. Pam and I got to work setting it up and she decided that we need Christmas music. A song sung by Charlotte Church came on and the following discussion ensued.


Pam: She's dead (well, she said more but I can't remember)

Me: Dead? What happened?

Pam: Overdose I think.

Me: I had no idea she did drugs.

Pam: I think that's what it was. (turning to Amy and Valerie) Google Charlotte Church.

Me: Yeah, if you're working, stop what you're doing and check up on that for us.


Valerie looks it up for us while we continue to work on the tree. In the meantime Janine and Jon come in.


Valerie informs us that Charlotte is not dead. I repeat, she is not dead, she does have two children though. This gets Janine and Jon into our conversation where Janine, Jon and I start to talk about an unknown film that Charlotte was in (I believe it's called, "I'll be There").


Jon: She did go through a sketchy phase, she dated football guys or something.

Me: ...sketchy

Pam: That's not what I expected.

Me: (shaking head) Football guys


Jon and Janine leave and then we pull out the ornaments. Enter The Christmas Pickle.


Me: I can't remember the point of this.

Pam: (To Amy and Valerie) Hey! Google it!

Valerie finds an alternative source of where the Christmas Pickle originates, a civil war soldier who was starving and asked for a pickle as the last thing to eat, but he finds strength and lives out the war.


Me: Impressive since they're really just humiliated cucumbers.