Monticello Ghost Tour 2010

So, last night I went on ghost tour with some friends around the city of Monticello. The tour was hosted by the Big Bend Ghost Trackers. Monticello is said to be the south's most haunted town. I always thought that title went to St. Augustine, but for the purposes of this blog-it's Monticello. After each story I'll post the photos from that location.

One of the first stops on our tour was to the Jefferson County High School. The school was built in 1852, and was the first brick schoolhouse in Florida. The school is currently being renovated. The workers have reported hearing children laughing, and tools disappearing. The cloudy looking pictures were photos I took by placing my lens against the glass and shooting. The tour guide said that because of the type of glass it wouldn't be a problem. The last photo was the cleanest photo I was able to get. I don't understand though, because the people around me who were doing the same thing were getting clean pictures.

Next, we went to the John Denham house. It now serves as a bed and breakfast. There are reports of a woman in white walking throughout the yard. There have also been reports of seeing people walking around inside the tower in the center of the roof. There was a man there last night. I believe an actor. When he stood sideways he resembled Alfred Hitchcock. His movements were calculated, he would duck down, and then slowly pop up. Walk to a window and then duck down again.

Next on the tour we stopped at the Palmer House. The Palmer House is supposed to be the most haunted house in the south. It served as a funeral home from what I understand. The road next to the house was a cemetery. The graves were dug up before the road was put down. Our guide said that when they looked in the coffins there were scratch makes on the inside- meaning some people weren't actually dead when they were buried. As a way to make sure that the dead were actually dead they would tie a string around the buried persons finger that would connect to a bell above ground. Someone would sit in a chair next to the grave over night - where the term "graveyard shift" supposedly comes from. If the bell was heard ringing you were considered a "dead ringer" or "saved by the bell". Among the reports in this home are flying teddy bears, chairs rocking by themselves and a blood stain above the fireplace that refuses to go away even though the original wall that the stain was on has been replaced. The house is currently serving as an antiques shop. While we were listening to the stories outside the house, a woman came from around the side. She owns it now, and opened it up for us to walk through. Outside of the house is a statue. Apparently there have been reports of the statue moving. Not like "Night at the Museum" moving, more like, it shifts.

* That's not the moon.

Following the Palmer House we walked to the city's hanging tree. On our way we passed a group of people hanging out at the gas station (because that's where people go in Monticello for a good time) started making "ooooooOOOoooo" sounds as we walked by. It was pretty funny. The hanging tree sits outside the Courthouse. When it was used, hangings would take place at noon on Thursday. The shops would all close up at noon to go to the hanging tree to watch the days' hanging. To this day, the shops in the city still close at noon in keeping with the tradition. One of the stories about this tree has to with people driving by and seeing a soldier standing in front of the tree.

The Court House. At the bottom of the steps the concrete is slightly discolored. The tour guide told us that she believes it is from a gun fight that took place there, the stains left over from the blood. The following pictures of the Court House I included because of the orbs I caught. They seem to move, and don't appear in all my photos. I just thought it was neat that the one seemed to want to follow our tour guide. In the first photo, on the door is the brightest orb I've ever got on camera.

Next, we went The Wirick-Simmons House. This house was built in 1831 and survived the fires brought on by the Civil War. It currently acts as the Jefferson County Historical Society. A lady in pink and a lady in yellow are common sightings. Most people see the lady in pink looking out the windows, and the lady in yellow is reported to be seen in photographs. One of the ladies of the house used to make coffins in a building on the lot.

The Jefferson County Jail was the last stop on our hour and a half walking tour. No one knows for sure when the jail was built. The first mention of the jail was during a dedication of the Court House in 1908. This prison is actually 3 stories tall. The prisoners were held on the top floor and the bottom floors housed the officers and supplies. The back of the prison was where the women were held. Among the stories of this prison are hearing moaning, footsteps, and the sounds of cell doors being opened and closed.

Brief Update

So, October is starting out pretty well. I had a job interview this past week, with a follow up interview scheduled for later this week. Also have a ghost tour scheduled for Friday evening too. So excited. I'll be sure to take pictures. :) Not much else in the way of news. I haven't been baking so I've not had anything to post on my other blog lately.

Come on October!

I LOVE this month! The colors, the cooler air, the sense of mystery that Halloween brings. I am so excited about going on a ghost tour this month in Monticello with my friends. The food during this time of year is also incredible. Pumpkin bread and stews. Hopefully this month will be good luck in the way of jobs. I spent an hour working on my resume. We'll see what comes of it if anything. :)

What's In A Name?

Apparently A LOT! A friend of mine suggested that I make a food blog with recipes for the various things I make. I thought it was a good idea. Sort of like an online cookbook. I was trying to come up with names that hadn't been used before for food blogs. Almost everything I came up with was used. Yum-Yums, Delis Dish, This Could Get Messy, Jonesing For... But! I did come up with one that I could use. As far as I could tell, "What Are You Jonesing For?" hasn't been used. So, I'm working on a food blog now. Exciting stuff! :)

I Must be Crazy

So, it's about 1:20 in the morning. My shoulder is in so much pain, and I've got one hell of a headache starting. But given all that, I've spent a lot of time reflecting.

Perhaps my experiences in Virginia were a lesson. Perhaps I wasn't supposed to be there in the long run and that's why my luck never turned. Perhaps I was supposed to learn forgiveness, which to be honest I still haven't come to terms with Rich (the principal) lying to me. Perhaps the experience was a lesson in patience.

When I had my own classroom, I actually did enjoy it. Yes I was upset with the "system", and yes I had some administrators that I did not like. Yes there were some children that were challenges, and yes there were parents that were even more challenging. But, all in all - I have to remind myself, that I did enjoy it. I liked getting to know the kids. It was hard to become attached and really get to know them because as a substitute I was only there briefly. But, all in all I tended to have a good time. Even on the trying days.

I took it as a sign that I shouldn't teach because of the trouble I had with Virginia. So, I started applying everywhere. I'm attracted to jobs that help people, that help children. I've applied for state positions and federal positions and have heard nothing. A part of me for some reason keeps getting pulled towards teaching. I don't know why. I can't explain it.

So, I took a leap of faith so to speak. And I spent 75 dollars that I do not have (thank you Andy) to send off my application for a temporary teaching certificate. The school year has already started, but if I do get a temp certificate I can at least work on my certification. There are still jobs in elementary schools, and it's not uncommon for there to be positions mid-year. We'll see what happens. But, how funny would it be for me to send off an application for a temp, and get it on the first try? Where as in VA I tried for 3 years. Wouldn't that just be, insane? And if it doesn't work out, and I've wasted 75 dollars - well so be it. Virginia prepared me to deal with being screwed. It prepared me to not get my hopes up. It prepared me to just keep going.

So, as is typical in these type of situations: I am a leaf in the breeze, let's see where I land.

Kerli

I hardly ever pass along a song; but, it's a song that's inspiring to me and makes me feel better. Music to me is a mood enhancer. If I need to dance, as ashamed as I am to admit it, I'll put on Lady Gaga. If I need a boost and rage, Marilyn Manson comes to mind. If I want to sing at the top of my lungs, Lenka is always a great fall back. Kerli is a band I enjoy, I love the vocals and the lyrics. The music videos are twisted beyond belief, which I kind of enjoy. "The Creationist" is one of those songs that I like to listen to when I feel down, as well as Jem's "Just a Ride". But for now, I'll just leave the video for "The Creationist". It's not a music video, but it's her song. Lyrics at the bottom, just in case. Enjoy.

This is an old and funny poem
I accidentally overheard
It keeps the little children playing
And bigger children spread the word
My memory is bad
So I always tend to forget how it goes but

Life is my creation, is my best friend
Imagination is my defense
And I'll keep walking when skies are gray
Whatever happens was meant that way

You're no better or no worse than the others
We are all the same
And life is just a moment
You might as well enjoy this day
It's time to start believing
Everything you want is on it's way and

Life is my creation, is my best friend

Imagination is my defense
And I'll keep walking when skies are gray
Whatever happens was meant that way

We'll be growing, into knowing
While we're flowing
Keep on going

Life is my creation, is my best friend
Imagination is my defense
And I'll keep walking when skies are gray
Whatever happens was meant that way
I'm a creationist, oh, I'm a creationist

This is an old and funny poem
I accidentally overheard

A Fresh Start? It Still Feels the Same.

So in most ways, moving back to Florida was definitely better. I feel like a nicer person living here. One of the first things I noticed on moving back was that I don't cuss nearly as much while I'm on the road. Of course I've had the occasional "you moron" and the "you really don't know how to drive do you?" But no F-bombs thus far. I'm happier here despite the job search not going as planned.

I've applied to several places, I have at least 5 applications in with the department of education. It's only been 3 weeks since I started searching and applying, so I have to keep the faith. I broke down and went for an interview at a restaurant. I sat in the parking lot and stared in my side mirror at the restaurant behind me. I was reflecting upon the fact that I'm 26 and am sitting in the parking lot of a restaurant, again. This is not where I thought I would be professionally. I had to mentally psych myself up. "Think about networking, you'll be getting out of the house, you'll be building up your savings." It put me in a better mood, so I went in. It was just after three when I sat down. I waited 20 minutes, sat down and was asked 3 questions, "What position are you applying for, name a strength, name a weakness" - I answered those and was told that I was great. Amazing- such hard questions... Next I interviewed with the General Manager who asked me "Why don't you want to be a manager? I'll get with R and see where we can fit you in." Later I get a call from R asking me how the interview went, I tell him, he says the GM wants me as a manager. I know R doesn't, or at least he's making it sound like he doesn't. To be honest I don't want to either. I know I hang a lot of blind optimism on the word "if" but if I get called in for an interview somewhere, I'll have a lot more flexibility as a server than a manager.

Writing this just gets me depressed. I saw an article where they project unemployment to be high for at least another decade. How can they even forecast that? And what a load of confidence. I always thought I'd be something. I just don't know what it is. It's so much easier to sit back and think about the things I know I wouldn't enjoy, or wouldn't like doing-why is it so difficult to pin point what it is I would actually like?

I did start volunteering with the Girl Scouts. A friend of mine is a troop leader and wanted me to come help her. So, now I'm co-leader. Which is pretty neat, and a lot of fun. It's giving me something to do. :)

Otherwise, I can't sleep. It's almost 2 am. I was laying in bed from 11:30 to about 1:30am but couldn't get my brain to just stop thinking. Random thoughts. If only my thoughts were compartmentalized, kept in individual tupperware containers. I could just close all the containers and stop the thoughts-at least for a little while.

I'm Home! :)

So, we are officially relocated. Our trip down seemed to take forever. I am so happy we stopped and stayed with our friends in GA. It was so nice to relax and not have to drive. Cali did very well on the drive. She only complained when she was placed in the crate, but not in the car. Griz slept the whole drive down.

A couple days after we moved here my mom and sister came up to help. It was very nice to see them and we had a lot of fun. We did a lot of shopping! :D

This past week Andy's mom and sister came to visit. His little sister is looking into colleges, so we gave her a tour of the campus. The campus has changed a lot! New buildings, it's very pretty.

 Kris and I in front of the stadium. 

Soaking our feet in the fountain on Landis Green. 

I've started applying for jobs. Most of the positions I've applied to are located in the Capitol building working with the DOE. I hope I get at least acknowledged. I'd like to get my hopes up, but the last three years have just been so horrible job wise. Trying to remain realistic without seeming pessimistic is hard. 

I was up at 6:30 this morning. His family left and the bathroom is located through our bedroom. Hard to sleep when people are going in out of the bathroom and turning lights off an on. I wanted to go back to sleep, but I know me-I'd of woken up feeling like crap later today. So, instead I've been relaxing in my chair my mom bought me. I brought out my down comforter and a pillow. It's like I'm in a very nice plushy cocoon. I had planned on cleaning today-we'll see if that happens. ;)

Mookies (A Post About Moving and Cookies)

Big week ahead. Andy and I are going to steam clean the carpet this weekend and take our couch down to the bulk trash unit. FINALLY! I have wanted to get rid of this couch for about a year. The couch never bothered me in the other apartment, of course the couch's purpose was different. In the studio we had the bed, and the couch was used as a dumping ground for purses, coats, etc. In this place, we actually use the couch, but it is so uncomfortable. A part of my body always falls asleep whenever I sit on it.

Woo!! Bye Bye couch!!

I want to pack up the kitchen this weekend. That way I have Monday and Tuesday to deep clean. For a few days we'll be living like we're camping. I go to get the trailer on Wednesday. We'll be packing that evening and then leaving Thursday morning to drive to Atlanta. So far I've mocked the move out in the living room on our area rug. The rug is the same size as the trailer.

I've added more since then, but you get the gist.

In other news....

I've set a goal to design 20 cookie recipes, take pictures and make a book. So far I have completed two recipes that I think are pretty yummy. I need to make more local friends to taste cookies so I don't get fat. I just ate a batch of 30 cookies this past week, and just made another batch of 24. Same cookie, but modified the recipe-second time around was damn good-and a keeper. I keep a pad by my bed to write down ideas. I guess I had the Wizard of Oz on my mind last night because I came up with a "wicked" cookie and "Glinda's cookie"- still need a catchier name for that one. Still trying to decide on what type of cookie to make for Dorothy. The cookie I made this past time was inspired by Sar. Never in my life had I ever had a s'more until I went to the mountains with her family. So my "Want S'more?" cookie was inspired by that. I wrote down 8 cookie ideas last night. My next one on my to do list was inspired by my sister and a bit of Ireland.

"Want S'more?" - is that a cookie or a question? :P

I went to the District this past week to have lunch with my friend. It was nice to catch up with her but I completely killed my calf muscles. The escalator to the metro was down. Didn't seem like a big deal since I had to go down, but I forgot you use more muscles going down than up. 2 days and my calf muscles feel like jell-o. They hurt when they're touched. If I even try to stand on my tippy toes I want to cry, and I've never hated living on the second floor more than I do now. Dear lord going down the stairs is a bitch! However, always a silver lining- I got a pretty decent picture of Dorothy's shoes while I was there. I had really wanted to see Einstein though. I have a picture with the statue from many years ago-and not many people know about him. He's one of the few statues in the District that you can climb on. I just couldn't make it there in the heat and pain- too damn far to walk.

Enough rambling-I should think of some more recipes before bed. :)

WTF?

I'm sick AGAIN!! This is 3 times in less than a month! All the same symptoms. I have to be allergic to something in my house. All this moving and stirring up of dust and shit must be making me sick. That's all I can come up with. Though, today Andy is sick too. So perhaps he gave me something that's just kinda hanging out in my throat/lungs. Whatever I've had it started in my nose, then dropped to my throat, now it's dropped to my lungs. What the hell is next? I feel fine other than the agitation of whatever is camped out in my throat/lungs. I can't afford to be sick with this crap, I have A LOT to do in the next 3 weeks. This is similar to whatever the hell I got in 2007 that stayed with me for 6 weeks. All the same symptoms.

So far I've got us a place to live, and I've got us out of this place (so I hope-placing a lot of faith in Leah to settle all our stuff so that we don't get screwed). I still have to transfer everything over to the new address, once I get it. I'm overwhelmed and excited.

The job market sucks, as it does everywhere. I've applied to one job so far, it took me about 3 hours of frustration to do so. I'm hoping that I at least get acknowledged. The Tallahassee Democrat is horrible to find jobs, it's all sketchy advertising. The government job website for Florida will be under construction until the 21st-so that's a no go. The book I had that has sites for job listings I thought I had kept out, but either accidentally donated it, or packed it. So, fuck. I'll keep looking tomorrow in between coughing fits.

I took alka setlzer tablets today. I took them a couple years ago and they really helped. You're supposed to mix two tablets with half a cup of water. I didn't bother measuring-so I eyed it. As I was waiting for it to dissolve I had to mentally psych myself up- "it's sprite, just sprite, drink it you wuss, it's sprite!" Three rapid swallows followed by thoughts of "keep it down Jen, don't puke, keep it down!" Then looking at the glass to see that I hadn't even drank half of what I poured. Two more swallows followed by gag reflexes. Still looking at what's left in the glass thinking to myself "fuck that's a lot" - so I poured the rest into a measuring cup. I had exactly half a cup in my cup- really should have measured it before hand. I was already so close to puking, and I couldn't stand the taste of it on my tongue. So, I grabbed a straw, stuck it way back in my throat and "Manned up". Horrible experience, absolutely horrible. In my head all I could hear was "Fuckkkkk, that's awful!! Ohhhh shit!! Keep it down Jen, we do NOT want to do that again! Oh this shit better be worth it!! Who the hell thought this was good???"

Not so sure I want to do that to myself again. It's been 4 hours though, and the stuff does work.

Off to make some dinner. Tuscan chicken with penne pasta tonight. :)

Day 525 of Mah Captivity

I haz worked on mah camouflaging abilities. I practice by following the long haired humon to the humon litter box. Wen the long haired humon gets in, I crouch on the floor and wait. The keyz to stay low to ground so humon cannot detect you. When long haired humon approaches I wil jumpz and startlz it. The long haired humon wil be at mah mercy.

Mission failed. Long haired humon must haz kitty detection capabilities. Long haired humon laugh, and take picters.

Laterz I switch it up. I came up with a plan to catch humons off guard. Tharz a big box in the room with hole on the side. Iz will climb in and destroyz them. Soz I did.

Mission failed. Long haired humon takes pictures. Short haired humon videos this and uploadz video onto the interwebs. Short haired humon taunts me.

Iz wil keep plotting mah ezcapes. One dayz the humons wil pay for my humiliationz.

A Dash of This and a Dollop of That

This is a blog about nothing really. I believe this is the start of my summer vacation. I have no idea where I'll end up or what I'll be doing. That last sentence seems to be my mantra for the past 3 or so years since we moved here.

I've been reading a few books by Robert Fulghum. I am really enjoying them. I was a bit surprised to find out that they are located in the self help section of the book store. His words do make you take a step back and think. He has an unusual way of looking at things, which I find refreshing.

I have found myself to be rather judgmental lately. Catching myself thinking nasty thoughts about people I don't even know and then mentally scolding myself for even having such thoughts. This city just irritates me. Driving in this city is such a pain in the ass, going anywhere is always exhausting. By the time we reach our destination I'm mentally exhausted from having cursed the whole ride there. The people in this city lack all common courtesy and really don't know how to drive. Rarely does anyone allow others to merge, and rarely do I see someone stop at a stop sign. Most of the places we go are within 3 miles of apartment. Driving there usually takes about 20-30 minutes. Metro use is available, and we do facilitate it from time to time. It's really useful for going into DC, otherwise not much use until they make a stop at the grocery store. I would so love that. Our grocery store is 2 miles away and yet I can't seem to ever get there in under 20 minutes.

I've been doing a lot of baking lately. My mother gave me a cookbook dedicated to all things chocolate. The little choir of angels in my head immediately begin to sing once the book is open. I tried my hand at Viennese Chocolate Fingers. A very light cookie. Only has 5 ingredients, all of which are almost always stocked in my baking cabinet.

*Yes, I have a whole cabinet dedicated to all things baking. I am really not OCD, but I am very psychotic about my kitchen. Even my spices are labeled with my label maker and are placed in my spice rack in alphabetical order. I wish I could say that's as crazy as it gets, but it gets much much worse.*

Anyways, the cookies are not hard to make. They do take a long time, you have to pipe out the cookies, and wait for them to cool entirely before you dip them in chocolate. They are a lot of fun to make. It is nice to know that no matter how chaotic my day may be at work, cooking always soothes me. When I take my baked goods into work I'm always asked "Why don't you do this for a living?" and I always respond the same "Because I love it". I know that sounds odd, why wouldn't you want to be paid to do what you love? Quite simply, because I don't want what I love to become a source a stress. Culinary arts are just that, art. Creative freedom. The presentation, the display. I love that. I have a display case on my counter where I proudly display the weeks baked goods. It's like playing store. Lift up the glass dome and enjoy!

Eventually I'll get the proper shape. Until then, they'll all be different sizes. *Which annoys me.

Anyhow, still waiting to hear if we're moving or not. I really, really hope we are. I love moving. It gives me an excuse to go through my past belongings and say good bye to the crap I don't use and forgot I had. Most people allow themselves a junk drawer. You know, a place to put the odds and ends that don't really have a place. Monica from FRIENDS used the closet. I allow myself a box. A Jimmy John's sub box to be exact. I have it placed in my coat closet. It's my only thing that is slightly chaotic. As I reflect, I'm beginning to realize that perhaps I am a bit OCD. My linen closet is broken down into sections. For example, the floor under the shelves is where I keep the toilet cleaner and brushes, the shelf above that is all cleaning supplies-organized and facing out so you can read all the labels, next shelf up is toiletries and our first aide kit...again all organized and labels facing out (always stocked with shampoo/conditioner, soaps so that we're never in an "Oh crap we ran out of _______" moment), the shelf above that are our towels organized by color, then above that our sheets-organized by what type and again yes color/season, above that our air mattress and extra pillows.

Good lord even my closet is organized. I do not have a dresser. All of my clothes are organized into sections. The ones that hang are placed into these sections: Button up, if they have to be worn over something, dress, and casual. Each section is then organized by sleeve length, and if it's a dress-they're organized by where they fall. My pants are organized by occasion and by length. I seriously have issues.

You will not find one cabinet that isn't organized in my apartment. I sort of, in a sick way take comfort in that fact. I know where things are even if my life is a mess.

I'll end on that note.

Crazy

This past week has just been insane. We planned on seeing the Granger's over Memorial Day weekend, it was supposed to be a down and up trip. One weekend. Then, Wednesday (26th) Andy schedules an interview down in Tallahassee the following week. Mom calls me in the morning to tell me that Grandma is not doing so well and that she likely wouldn't last too much longer. Our 3 day get away, turned into a long week adventure. I got the news Grandma passed on Friday morning, the morning we left for the Granger's.

The weekend was fun for the most part. The ride down was hard, I always hate driving long distances. It gives my mind too much opportunity to wander. I kept thinking about my Grandma and getting on the verge of tears, then I would remind myself that she is in a much better place and that she is no longer suffering. Episodes like that happened frequently over the weekend, any time I wasn't otherwise amused with something my mind would wander. I stayed up late watching shows on my computer just so that I could deny my mind a chance to dwell. Overall, it was a bittersweet weekend. I had a lot of fun times and it was nice to see my friends. I took tons of pictures.

Then we headed off to Tallahassee. A 10 hour drive from Greensboro. We arrived at Rico's house and went out for a drink. We ate lunch at his restaurant the following day. Very strange. There is no menu. You get seated and are handed a silver bowl with an idea list on what to make. You take your bowl to the buffet style line and load up on meat (all raw), seasonings, vegetables, sauce, and select your starch. You give your bowl to the chef in the back who makes your food on a giant grill. They give you ideas, or recipe cards you can choose from, or you can make whatever comes to mind. It was very good, and inexpensive. The margarita was fantastic.

Andy's interview took about 3 hours. He feels good about it, but we won't know anything for about a couple of weeks.

Then we left to drive home. We got into PBG that night. The next morning was the funeral. As soon as I walked into the room with the casket I had to cry. My grandma was a beautiful woman. Always had a joke, poem, or song for ANY occasion. She was, your fairy tale grandmother. All about the kids. I miss her very much. The memorial service was wonderful. Her music therapist, minister, and sons took turns. They had my grandmother playing on the speakers above, reciting one of her poems. Mom did not prepare me for what happened next. You see, at our wedding my grandmother sang the song "Always".

These are the lyrics-

I'll be loving you always,

With a love that's true always.

When the things you plan

Need a helping hand,

I will understand, always, always....

Days may not be fair always,

That's when I'll be there always,

Not for just an hour,

Not for just a day,

Not for just a year, but always.

Her musical therapist got up there and sang that song. I think you could hear my snot tears all the way in the back, along with the heaving that you do when you're trying to suppress the cry. You know what I mean, you do that huh huh huh huh huh, try and take a deep breathe and then huh huh huh huh huh.

After that I was OK. They played a song my grandma used to sing a lot over the speakers, and she ended it with the words "I got a standing ovation for that one" and we all clapped. We drove to the cemetery, and Erika (Grammy's musical therapist) sang some more songs. I was good until she sang a song that they both sang together a lot, "You are my Sunshine". The second and third verses it went "Ginny is our sunshine, our only sunshine, she makes you happy when skies are grey" and so on and so forth. If you knew my Grandma, you'd know that's how she'd want to go out. Music and poems. It was beautiful and tragic all at the same time.

The next day I spent with my family. Kristi was working, so Mom and Jeff and I all went out and did some errands. I had a yummy mid-day meal with the Jones'. The following day, mom got new tires put on my car. A gift from Grandma she says, since that was my inheritance she used to get them. Fine by me.

This week I don't have much worked lined up. One day so far. I'll be working on my Grandma's cookbook in the meantime.

Good Intentions

So, I called my friend Carolyn last night. I was supposed to sub for her today. I canceled my assignment today because I just have felt like crap. I couldn't move around yesterday without feeling like I was going to collapse. Add to that, that my heart felt like it was beating a bit irregular. So, I thought it best to cancel.

I woke up this morning refreshed. I feel much better today than I did yesterday or the day before. I am still stuffed up, but at least I don't feel like I'm going to fall over. I got dressed, and headed out to the store. I really wanted some soup. I don't have Buddy today, so I was going to walk to the market. I made it out to the gate before I gave up. I got winded and light headed and felt like falling over. I took advantage of the situation though and took some pictures while I was out.

So, after I slowly walked around the parking lot I made my way upstairs. Took a look around the kitchen to see what I could make with what I had. I always have chicken bouillon, it's a hell of a lot cheaper than buying cans of chicken broth. I also had a bag of frozen veges in the freezer. So I boiled the water, added the bouillon and veges and have it sitting next to me now...honestly by the looks of it-it doesn't look all that great. It doesn't taste bad, but I doubt I'll ever do this again. As a back up plan I have cheesy breadsticks baking in the oven. Mmmmm cheese.

Hopefully by tomorrow I'll have my energy back. In the meantime, I'm going to go back to doing nothing but getting better. I've had tea, which I need to buy more of-soup, which I just need to buy, and breadsticks.....oh breadsticks....OOOOO the beep! They're done!!!! Hahahahahahaha.

Off to nom noms...

I'm Find...

Well, I am definitely sick. All of the pressure is built up in my left sinus. I feel so run down. Yesterday I got home from work, was in bed by 6 and just slept. I got up briefly to make soup for dinner at just after 9 and then watched the season finale of Castle.

Today, I pulled out the couch and made a bed. I rented Happily Never After, still cute after all this time.

Being the Wizard of Oz freak that I am, I also rented Return to Oz. I have never seen the movie and had I not read the Wizard of Oz books, I would have thought that writers of the movie were completely on crack. Most of the characters the movie introduced were correct, there were wheelers, Jack pumpkinhead, and Tik Toc as well as several others. The beginning of the movie is NOTHING like the book. The beginning of the movie really disturbed me. It starts 6 months after the tornado hit the farm. Dorothy hasn't been able to sleep through the night since the big storm. Aunt Em is worried and takes Dorothy away and sends her to a psychiatric ward where the "new" treatment is electroshock therapy. They place Dorothy into a light blue room. The paint is chipping off the walls, there's one light that is very dim. One bed, a small desk, and little dresser in the corner, the whole room is just eery. Add to this that there's a horrible lightening storm outside and you have the makings of a horror movie. The nurses arrive at Dorothy's door with one of those old stretchers and ask Dorothy if she would like to go for a ride. She agrees, not seeming phased by any of this. She's totally calm, which to me is just fucking unrealistic. Anyways, a male nurse picks Dorothy up and places her on the stretcher. They then proceed to strap Dorothy down to the stretcher with locking belts. Again, Dorothy-completely calm. I would've been crying at this point. They wheel her into the room and place what look like metal headphones on her ears that will administer the shock, but alas, the storm knocks out the power in the nick of time. The rest of the movie is so much more fucked up than that.

After that movie, I watched In Her Shoes. Which, no matter how many times I watch that movie, it always makes me cry.

Basically, I had a very lazy day. I barely left the couch, watched TV, and read articles online. I want to get better fast. I work Thursday and Friday this week, and need my energy.  Especially for Friday.

The Verdict Is In

So, I decided to create my first cookie recipe inspired by an idea I got earlier this week. I took them to work with me today, I had about 50 cookies. They were gone within 3 hours. I was approached by many people who left me comments like "These are smack your mama good...though I would never do that." I was also told I should enter these cookies into a cookie contest, as well as an abundance of wonderful comments. Not one bad review...these cookies could be my legacy. :) I feel like Monica from FRIENDS who wanted to make the very best chocolate chip cookies.

Aside from that, I had a pretty typical day. I had a day where I had a headache linger around my right temple for the majority of the day. Andy had to remind me that I was approaching my pill intake limit for the 24 hours. Only supposed to consume no more than 6 in a 24 hour period, I had 5 pills 10 hours into the day. But, damn that 5th pill and shower worked like a charm. :)

"C" is for Cookie

So, this past week I tried to make Mexican Wedding cookies. Now, over Christmas I made them because 1) they are one of my mom's favorite cookies and 2) they looked like they're covered in snow from all the confectioner sugar. The Christmas cookie turned out well on the first day, but over time they just lost their flavor and took on a completely different flavor...one that was not good. So, I found a new recipe to use in a Food Network cookbook. They're not called Mexican Wedding cookies, but they may as well be. It's essentially the same cookie. These cookies came out GREAT!! Unlike the recipe I tried at Christmas, these cookies keep their taste. The only down side to this recipe is that the cookies do tend to get pretty hard by about the 3rd day. Otherwise, it's a great cookie recipe.

Then, around this past Tuesday I got an idea for a new cookie. It's the first time I've ever created a recipe. I mean I usually tweak, but I think everyone does that from to time. But this time, I actually created a recipe. The dough was very good and the cookies look promising. I will let you know how the rest turns out.

Everything else is going well. Currently I am covered in flour, it's not baking if it isn't messy. :) I have one more day until my weekend, and a part of me is really dreading the class I'll be in. I've never been in this class before, but I feel spoiled from these last two days. I've had a pretty decent class. In the meantime, I'm just a leaf in the breeze.

Glad yesterday is over

Had a horrible, horrible day yesterday. 3 years I have subbed and not once have I ever canceled an assignment. There's a first time for everything. I wrote the teacher, who bless her heart completely understood. Never been in a class with so much disrespect. It was as if all day I was speaking to a wall. I would've had that class on Monday. Tuesday I have another class from hell. The teacher asked if I could help her out, I kindly told her that her class makes me want to cry-but told her I'd do it. I'm going to need these three days just to mentally prepare for the shit fest that will be Tuesday. I really hate my job. I really want to move. 

The day was salvaged though. I came home and had a margarita. Then, went out to the store to get dinner-I didn't drive. Word of the wise, don't make toads-in-a-hole aka eggs-in-a-basket by baking them. 1-The eggs look fake, when you bake them they look plastic and they're tough. 2-never, NEVER put the slices of bread and eggs on foil-no matter how well you butter or grease the sheet you will not be able to get them off. So, I successfully wasted 6 toads-in-a-hole. Made the rest by the tried and true method of frying. A little bit of butter, little bit of bacon grease and yum-my. We watched 2 movies last night. We saw The Onion Movie-which is just as weird as I had anticipated it to be. We also watched 300-pretty good movie with some decent effects. 

Only thing on my agenda for today is going to Target. I'm going to check out the PJ department. I have tons of pants, and one set of shorts. So, a shopping I will go. :)