Skillz

After work today, I went to class.  After class to my other job.  There wasn't much to do there, then went to Spanish to pick up Gwennie and was home by 8:15, not bad! 

We've had a backed-up kitchen sink for a couple of days.  Our first idea was to use a plunger on it (I made Geoff buy a brand new one - no way were we going to use the bathroom one in the kitchen!!) but that didn't work.  So Geoff took the pipes apart and pulled out two popsicle sticks that were stopping everything up, and put the pipes back together. 

I didn't know he could do that.  My husband has the handy-man skills.  :)

The month of change

Today is my birthday, 26th.  That's old! It was really great, well, Geoff and I celebrated over the weekend, I wrote about that.  At work, my friend made me a whole pan of lemon bars - my favorite - and got me what are now the cutest earrings I own.

Two of the others made me a welcome sign that is so cute.  And my work got me a cake from The Chocolate, mmm.  Went out to lunch with them at the Smoking Apple too which was good.  I've also gotten texts, phone calls, and facebook messages!  And Geoff's mom sent me a gift card to my favorite clothing store and I am so excited to run up there and spend it!  I sure have such great family and friends to think of me!!

This last weekend also marks my four-year anniversary at my work, and four years since we bought our condo... August has been a month of change, for sure.

Geoff is starting a volunteer committment with a group that works with kids going through the court system whose parents are having problems (I'm thinking probably a lot of drugs, abuse, etc.) I think it is sort of a mentor-type thing.  He is very very excited.  He's also been practicing some "magic" tricks and card tricks that he can show the kids at work now that school is back in session, which I think is the cutest thing ever.  He has such a caring heart.

This may be premature - okay I know it's premature - but ever since that idea to work/live in a foreign country, it's pretty much been on my mind nonstop.  It seems so far out there that it feels like it could never happen, but logically I don't see why not.  There's soooo much that would have to be thought about and prepared for, like health/property insurance, cost of living, work visas, work, transportation, getting into the school (the main one), and a gazillion other things.  Things that I would be familiar with in the States but completely clueless about somewhere else.  But then I just think, oh gosh, it would all be worth it.  We've only got one life to live, and if I'm going to spend mine being an accountant, then I want to use that to see amazing places... okay, Scotland.  Or Ireland.  Geoff suggested going to South America since he already speaks spanish and thinks I could speak it within the year if I immerse myself in it.  I say why not both?  One first, then the other.  Gosh why didn't we think of this before?  It seems like the possibilities are endless.

But it's hard not to get ahead of myself.  First, finish this auditing class.  Study for GMAT.  Take GMAT.  Apply for grad school.  Maybe plan a trip or two to these places so we can actually see them before we decide on what to do.  lol.  In time.

Tucahno's

Well our big event for the day was that we got to go to Tucahno's for dinner!  Mom gave us two free meal coupons, that Danielle had given them that she'd won for good grades or something.  So I guess I should thank Danielle too!  Don't know why she wouldn't want to use them herself - maybe they don't have a Tucahno's in Logan.  She just barely moved there to go to Utah State last week.  And Alison moved out too.  So the only one left is Erik and even he's working and going to school!  My parents have a near-empty nest!  Anyway, we both love Tucahno's and appreciated being able to go.

What else - it was Geoff's first day of class for the semester.  I took Gwennie to Spanish Fork to play for a few hours, then we went to Tucahno's, then I got a call that the computers were up at my other job, so I went and did that for an hour.  Geoff came with me this time and read a book while I finished some stuff.  :)  Tonight we played Scrabble and watched this interesting thing about brain scans of psychopaths.

"So did you see that sky today? Talk about blue."

On Thursday, I went back to the school that I swore never to set foot in again.  It was the first day of class, and it wasn't bad at all.  The instructor seems like a very nice, reasonable guy.  We are only being graded on quizzes and tests - no homework, though it will be suggested and I plan to do it - and no group projects or dumb term papers, which I appreciate.  I was surprised that they've redone the entire inside of the business building, and it actually looks kind of nice now - not straight out of the seventies.  I think before, I was just so burned out that I hated everything about school - and that little fiasco with the academic advisor.  But I think one class will be just fine.  Even with my other job which is also 1-2 nights a week, there will still be plenty of time to spend at home with my family - which is the most important!  As I have learned.

Geoff had the day off yesterday, and when I got home, he had cleaned the house and bought The Emporer's New Groove and Brother Bear for me, and A Bug's Life for him.  I was so excited!  He'd told me he was going to get me those for my birthday and I was so dang excited to watch Emporer's New Groove.  It's chock full of one-liners, and my favorite from days past.  So we watched it together, then spent the rest of the night reading/crossword puzzling.  T'was nice.  Oh and we also took Gwennie to obedience training.  It's a useful class, especially if you've never truly trained a dog before.  Not sure yet if it was worth what we paid for it, but we'll make the most of it.

So I was thinking to myself yesterday afternoon, how cool it would be to live in Ireland.  Then, if I wanted to live in Ireland, I'd have to be able to make a living somehow, right?  Then it struck me, Chartered Accountancy.  I could be a Chartered Accountant and live anywhere in the world I wanted.  Everything I know about becoming a Chartered Accountant, I learned from Wikipedia which obviously isn't saying much.  But I know they have Institutes in Ireland and Scotland, as well as all over the world.  It's pretty big dreams and big talk, and very intimidating to think about, but there really isn't anything to stop me, is there?  I mean if I really wanted to do that and was willing to work for it, I could do it.  As far as I know.  I need to do a lot more research.

Of course the big consideration here was weather or not Geoff was willing to even consider the idea of living in another country.  Maybe not for the rest of our lives, but for a time.  Guess what, he was!!  He was totally open to that idea, even saying that U of U has a degree for international social work.  (Not that he'd have to do that, I'm sure any social work degree would work just as well).  He did live in Ecuador for a few years so I think the idea probably sounds doable to him.  As for me, I would think that it would be a good idea to become certified in the U.S. first and get some work experience.  Which if it's done that way then it would probably be the better part of a decade before we were ready to go overseas.  But wow, it would be worth it.  It gives me new motivation to get going on the here and now.

This half stormy, half blue-sky weather is perfect!  I love it!

Changes

Made a few changes to the blog - the heading is supposedly a picture of the scottish highlands, at least what I picture them to be.  The series I'm currently reading has made me feel rather obsessed with going there, for a few weeks at the least.  I've had to think for a minute about whether I'm really obsessed with going there or just with the thought of a young, intense, handsome scot who walks around in a kilt, and it may be a tiny bit of the latter, but no, I really would love to go there.  I read a book a few years ago that made me want to go and then I forgot about it.  But I would so love to go and learn all about the history of the scottish clans, the old religion, and yes even the politics.  And above all it looks so amazingly beautiful.

I also moved Johnny B - Late for the Sky into the Friends and Fam list and got rid of the other Daily Grooves, since I almost never look at the other two anymore.  Also got rid of probably 6 or 7 blogs that haven't been updated in years, and the music thingy.  I should put an updated picture on there if I ever manage to take one.

Well, it's off to my other job.  I'm told there's lots for me to do tonight so I just came home to change, grab a bite and let Gwennie out.  Later Skater.

Happy birthday to all the Shamoos

Walked in the door today to find that Gwennie had gotten into the kitchen garbage and scattered its contents all over the kitchen floor.  It was bad!  I was so so mad at her.  We're doing our best to train her to be good, but ooooooh.  It didn't help that I was tired and cranky running on only 3 hours of sleep.  I scolded her a lot, but I can't really stay mad at her for too long.  We've just learned our lesson about keeping the garbage out of reach.

In the meantime, we've given in to the crazy dog-owner in us and started buying her clothes.  They were just too cute to pass up. 

Football Jersey

Raincoat

The raincoat was only $3 and we also got her a puffy vest that is brown with pink hearts and pink ruffles on it, but no pictures of that until it gets cold outside.  Pugs are temperature sensitive so we can justify it, right?

We've also been playing a lot of Rummikub, and a Trivial Pursuit card game, as an alternative to the TV which gets old.  Who knew we would enjoy board games?  Put on pandora in the background and it's kind of nice.

So my auditing class starts on Thursday, and will be Tues & Thurs until 7:00.  Geoff's will be on Saturday mornings.  I waited too long to buy the book, and the bookstore is out of it.  So are most of the textbook websites and textbook rental websites.  Half.com is listing the book at $262, even though the UVU bookstore sells it for $196 brand new (if they had any in stock.)  There is one - one - listing on ebay.  It started at $100 and is now at $157 with me in the lead.  Obviously I hope I get it or I'm SOL.  How is it that I can be made to look forward to buying a textbook for $157 - $196?   It's profiteering from the generally poor and starving, that's what.  (Not that we're starving, by any means - all you have to do it look at us, ha)  But still.

BTW the blog title comes from a Cupcake Wars episode we just watched.  It was a Seaworld theme and this little blonde girl kept calling the whales "Shamoos" but she won! Funny.

Love her

Last night I lay on the couch reading a book, with Gwennie sleeping peacefully next to me.  Then I felt a movement, and looked up just in time to see all four little doggie legs sticking straight up in the air and thunk! as she fell on the floor.  I burst out laughing but tried not to wake up Geoff.  My spazzy dog rolled herself right off the couch.  She was pretty stiff toward me afterward, thinking it was my fault, ha ha.

This weekend we're taking her camping for the first time, should be fun.

Thoughts

Okay, so I understand that people call the IRS all the time and try to get information out of them that they shouldn't be getting; however, I don't believe this means that IRS employees should all be assholes.  Some of us are legitimate taxpayers, not to mention human beings, with real questions and requests.  And I always try to be polite too because that's what decent people generally do, isn't it?  I've had it.  The less that I have to do with the IRS for the rest of my life, the better.

I am happy that I have the rest of the week off.  This problem will still be here when I get back, but at least I don't have to think about it for the next five days. 

We tried to clip Gwennie's nails again Sunday night.  It didn't go quite as well as the last time; she whined and struggled much more, but we persisted until it was done.  I've got scratches and bruises all down the inside of my right arm, ha ha.  Silly dog.  She lets out the most pitiful sounding noises, it's kind of cute.

Happy Birthday to Blog

This last weekend was fun. We went to this Lake City craft fair in SLC on Saturday; it was all local artists selling their crafts – there was some interesting stuff. We didn’t buy anything, but Geoff picked up a few business cards. One of the things we liked was this girl who takes the boring scenic pictures like the kind you see in hotel rooms, and paints over them, usually with mythic or morbid characters, like zombies or men with chainsaws and blood. She actually makes it look like it’s part of the original painting. Probably not something you’d put in your living room, but fun to look at. We saw Natalee and Elyse there – they were looking for a stitching booth.

We came home and took a nap, read books, watched some shows, walked Gwennie. Sunday was much the same, except I tried to make scones and candied sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes turned out good but the scones were gross... maybe cuz they were baked, not fried. Anyway.

Oh on Friday we checked out a few baby names books, just for fun, to look up the meanings of names. There were a lot we liked, but the one that jumped out at me was Ronan. It’s Celtic – I liked a lot of the Celtic names – but that name is so cute!

Also - I noticed that yesterday was the 3-year birthday of this blog.  It seems like longer!  800 posts, goodness, that is soooo much blogging!

Blog Title... yeah it's that late

Well we made a little bit of progress today, although the day itself was much better.  Basically I was told that I take this stuff too personally and that I have to let it roll off me and not stress about it so much.  We just do what we can do.  Pretty much, he's right.  So, I'm not stressing about it anymore... much. 

After work, I took Gwennie to meet mom and mom took her to Spanish for the night.  That little doggie is my little sweetheart.  After that, I went to work at my other job for a few hours.  We're getting me on a regular schedule there, starting next week, which I actually think will be nice.

Talked to Grandma on the phone a little today.  I miss her so much, I don't go down and visit enough.  She's been sick; I hope she feels better soon.  Got home around nine, and now Geoff and I are just watching some shows and hanging out.  I kind of want to try and stay up late with him, since tomorrow's the last workday of the week anyway.

:(

This morning, I just want to stay home and hide out in my bed than deal with this IRS issue today.  We've been working on it back and forth with them for the past 8 months, and I think it may finally come to a head today, and not in our favor.  I mean, in the grand scheme of things, it's not that big of a deal, but in the smaller window of my world and the immediate effects on those involved, it's a pretty big deal.  I'm going to get gray hair over this.  I can't say how much I hate working with the IRS.  I've got some help now, there's a slim chance we might be able to do something, but I don't know for sure yet.

UPDATE:  So that situation hasn't been resolved or even progressed on yet. I feel like an annoying broken record trying to get a hold of someone for some help.  It can only drag out for so long... anyway, after lunch another fun surprised leapt out of the cosmos and crash landed in our laps - completely unrelated to the IRS but no less of a pain in the arse.  By the end of the day I was ready to break down... got out in time but I suppose the lesson is to keep my mouth shut because it can always get worse.

So after work, I walked Gwennie then went to the first Relief Society activity I've been to in almost six years.  We learned how to make freezer meals and got grocery lists and recipes w/instructions.  It will be nice if we do it.  After that, I made some cookies and took them to my visiting teachee because get this, we went to the wrong apartment for the last two months in a row.  We kept leaving notes and stuff and finally I texted her and she never got our notes because we went to the wrong place.  She had waited up all night for us to come and we never showed.  So I felt really bad about that.  She wasn't there again, only this time I know I had the right apartment, so we just left them on the doorstep (Geoff came with me, we walked Gwennie over and back.)  I also had some duplicate apartment keys made for Alison & mom, and Geoff's dad who is coming down next month. 

Anyway.  Dreading the crap out of tomorrow.  I hope that this can be dealt with before next Wednesday, because I have three days off and I'm taking them.

My hubby is on TV!

The same

Worked, came home.  Geoff made tacos for dinner.  We watched Scream Queens.  I went to Wal-Mart to get some new chews for Gwennie since she was destroying the non-edible bones.  Walked Gwennie.  Tomorrow we do more of the same.  We forgot to record ABC today to catch Geoff's commercial.  We've got the DVR set for tomorrow though so hopefully we'll catch it.

Consider it squashed

Yesterday morning was the yard sale - we made about $100, a success! But the best part is just having a cleaned out home... feels sooo nice.  We went home and took a nap together, then I went to the mall with Alison and she came over for dinner and a movie. (The Forbidden Kingdom, it was good.)

Gwennie has learned how to sit on command! We learned how to teach her tricks in obedience training, and she caught on in just a day!  She's so dang cute.

Today we went to church (the final block-relief society/priesthood), then came home and took a nap, went visiting teaching, made cookies, and now Geoff is making dinner, mom's enchilada recipe yum!  I love being home with my husband and puppy.  I wish the weekend would last forever. :)

Watched an episode of The Real World, lol! It was so funny, but the funniest thing was probably everyone's use of the word "squash."  As in, to settle and argument, get something taken care of right now.  "Just stay here and talk and we can squash it right now and it will be over."  Lol.  I feel so old.  But I am perfectly happy.

Space in our home, how novel. :)

We just got back from Obedience Training at PetSmart.  I'm really excited because last night we attempted to clip her nails, and considering the awful dramatic episodes she's had with nail-trimming, it went very very well.  Almost no struggling or whining, even if it was clear she didn't like it.  WOO! Very exciting.

Tonight's the last night that we have to clean stuff out for the yard sale tomorrow morning.  We're almost there, just the bedroom closets are left! If you don't count the big furniture - couches, beds, dressers, I bet we're getting rid of at least half of the stuff in our house.  It's awesome!

Kickin' it easy style

K so work was pretty good today.  I complain a lot about a lot of stuff, so I'm gonna try to be more positive. :) 

After work today I drove all the way up to The Peppermint Place in Alpine, for no other reason than it makes me happy.  I only bought $2 worth of stuff, but the store is so cute.

Gwennie's been doing good with being out of her kennel all day long now while we're at work.  I still come home for lunch to take her outside to potty, but it's been about a week now and there haven't been any accidents yet.  So now that we don't force her into her kennel, we've found that she likes to hang out there.  We'll find her asleep in it when we come home.  Speaking of, she's become such a sound sleeper!  Not a whole lot wakes her up!

Except the storm last night.  That was a cool thunderstorm.  I woke up to a loud boom around 5 a.m., and laid awake listening to it and watched the blinds light up constantly for about 20 minutes.  Kept thinking I should get up and watch it, but then, I love my bed, too.  Especially at 5 a.m.

Last night we finished cleaning out the hallway closet and most of the back room, including that closet.  We're getting rid of so much stuff it might take us a couple of trips to Spanish Fork, with both cars.  All we have left are to finish the back room, then our bedroom closets, then the outside storage.  Also we moved the yard sale up to this Saturday.  I've no idea how much to charge for stuff though.  If we can make 50 bucks it will be worth it.

Geoff will be home late tonight, and I plan to do a little relaxing on the couch, and finish up the backroom and go through the bedroom closets.

Twilight night

When Al got home from her mission, she missed brown sugar so bad that we decided to have a night that we all got together and brought our favorite treat.  Also she missed the Twilight movies, so we made it a Twilight movie night.  Yum!!

Gwennie head tilt