brzerkpenguin

Usually months, weeks and days go by very slowly but that last month it seems everything is just flying by. Thanksgiving was chaos. Chance and I drove out to Marshalltown after work the Wednesday before thanksgiving. We shared a hotel room in Tama with his brother Willy and niece Sam(antha.) I was pretty dead so we played pool in the casino downstairs and then I went upstairs and watched Good-fellas...random movie to watch I know. The next day we met up with his family for dinner, his mother had rented out a large dinner room for us (There were about 30-40 people that showed up) I bugged and harassed his mom in the kitchen until she chased me out throwing cheese at me. The kids were running around and I didn't have time to take any pictures so I handed my camera to Destiny, one of Chance's nieces and told her to take some pictures for me. I got a camera FULL of pictures of people's chins, feet, hands and a couple crotch shots. I now know better than to hand off a camera to a 6 year old. But it was funny none the less and she was really excited to go around and ask everyone to pose for her. Dinner was wonderful - Ive never had some of the foods his family made but it was all so good. I hung out with his sister Bobbi most of the time. She is like a sister to me, (and probably will be at some point) we talked about stupid people and how school is going for her. After that we went back to Des Moines since I had to work the next day. Work was insanely slow. I took a whole 12 calls and knit a scarf lol

I drove back to Marshalltown alone the next day - I sang Christmas songs the entire way lol. That night we stayed in the hotel/casino again with Willy - Chance wanted to gamble and I didnt. I guess Im too much of a penny pincher bc I just don't see the point in throwing away your money. So after spending some time with his aunt, uncle and mom in the casino - I went back upstairs and hung out with Chance's other two nieces. Samantha adores me but I think I made her kinda mad when I wouldn't let her going running around the halls like she wanted to. She was supposedly babysitting Chance's other niece but being really mean to her in the process so I finally told her to knock it off and I think I hurt her feelings - I felt bad but Chance's other niece (dammit I forgot her name) was only like 5 years old and was begging for attention, Samantha (who is almost 13) just blew her off and acted out - I think she was trying to impress me. I don't know. So I took the other niece in the other room (we had two connected rooms) and I watched some cartoons with her til she fell asleep.

The next morning Chance took me out to breakfast - I love that Marshalltown has all this little family style restaurants. You know, you can get pancakes, eggs and bacon for like 3.99, sort of places. The food was delicious and made me think of when I stayed in Davenport with my grandparents. We drove home after that and Chance took me to see New Moon - as usual it was awful compared to the book but Im not going to go on and on about it.

Chance and I have been doing great. He has stopped drinking again. He has attempted sobriety a few times this year but this time is different. I cant really say why - as its a personal issue - but there have been some great and wonderful things going on behind the scenes lately. Both our families are very Proud of him. He also was promoted at Wells Fargo the day before Thanksgiving.

I had a few gifts for him under the Xmas tree but I gave in and let him open a couple of them...okay I didnt really give in as much as I told him to open them lol. I have a really hard time waiting til Christmas for these things. Plus I already know about two of the things he is getting me so it was fair. He got me a green Nintendo DS and I'm also getting a new HP Laptop for school. He had to tell me about the laptop though bc I had to show him which one I wanted when we were at Best Buy. He opened his Xbox 360, a set of tools and a chord less drill that I got him. I also got him a few games for the Xbox that he has been playing all weekend.

Ive been going out with Patty and Becky on the weekends. They both play on my pool team. We have had a lot of fun - We went out to Paddy's and then Down under the other night. Chance thinks they are both great and was playing pool with Becky's husband Zach most of the night at Down Under. I met Patty though Karly, my old roommate. We are planning a night at Kitty's once the holidays are over and we have more time. I have to watch how much I drink when I go out. Im staying sober to support Chance right now - its annoying but not really hard. But it helps me understand how hard things are for him while he tries to stay sober. One day at a time.

I told him I thought it was important that we start to get to know each others friends. Since we have dated we both have had a...I don't know...we just don't really get along with each others friends, aside from a few exceptions. So we planned a date night w JT and Stacia on Saturday. They made dinner, I brought over snacks and an appetizer. Then we played Pictionary for a few hours. I learned that Chance cant draw lol. Then the boys played one of the games I bought Chance for an hour and then we went home around 1am. It was a lot of fun. We are planning another date night with Kourtney and Steve (my friend since 5th grade) and on and on. I really enjoyed it though - before JT and Stacia really got on my nerves but I'm letting all that go - they are pretty cool.

I start School in a few weeks. Im a little nervous but excited none the less. Chance is putting together an office for me so I can get away if I need to and study. My mom told me to make sure there is room in there for the dogs lol. We just have a to move/sell some of the furniture in the spare room first.

Not much else going on - planning how we are going to spend Christmas, I found some ornaments that I want to make tonight..I love Martha Stewart lol. Lilly is getting HUGE. I think she is finally full grown -she will be getting fixed next month and Chance is going to build her a new cage (this will be her 3rd one since she keeps outgrowing them) and then we are going to get her a male rabbit and see if we can get them to bond. I want one from the ARL but Chance would rather get a baby bunny. Im sure we will figure it out.

Long post since I haven't posted in awhile!

Hope you all had a great holiday.

I have been up to a lot this month. Planning out Thanksgiving and Christmas trips to see parents and coming up with a list of things to get Chance.

Chance has decided to start the process of helping himself. I cant really go into it - but its a good thing. I'm very proud of him.

I registered to start taking classes in January. Im super nervous about it. Ive decided to do as much of it as I can online - that way I dont have to worry about being in class by a certain time and driving around everywhere. Im only taking 10 credits this semester but if it goes ok Im going to try it Full time. Im going to get a degree in Business Administration and minor in Entrepreneurship. Chance wants to open a pool hall and I have always wanted to own my own business. I can imagine that things may not work out for a pool hall but then again I have other ideas too. Its a long ways away though. Chance has to clear up a few things with his student loan and then he will be joining me in the fall or summer to start classes also. Im a little annoyed that the books I need arent available...actually they havent even been assigned yet. So I dont even know how much they are going to cost me. Hopefully not too much - Im leaning toward about $400.

Chance took me to Best Buy and we picked out an HP laptop that he is going to get me for Christmas. The laptop I have isnt dependable. Its actually out getting fixed right now. Chance also got me a Green Nintendo DS for Christmas but I found out about it a little early. He wants to suprise me so he is a little annoyed but I guess there is one more present I dont know about yet. I got him a bunch of things. I cant wait for him to open them up.

Next week we are spending a few days in Mtown with his family. His brother will be in town and his mom is renting out a meeting room bc so many people are coming.

About to head home from work - I have pool with the girls tonight. Chance told me he wants me to play on his team next year bc my team isnt very good - some arent good at all. But he said Im ready to play on his. He is on a REALLY good team.

More later.

I have been getting so much done lately. I have most of my bills paid off, and Chance and I have a plan of action for how to take care of the rest of it. Our goal is to have everything paid off by February or March.

Chance got his license this weekend. He was so excited and I was so proud of him. He was literally bouncing around the house all day. Its weird not having to take him everywhere anymore - whenever he says he is going somewhere I assume he expects me to take him, but its just habit.

Christmas is coming up - I have a list of things for Chance, Actually now that I think about it I need to go get them this weekend before I forget again. Everyone else is getting homemade things. I need to finish all that up too - Im so behind.

I put all the final touches on our trip to Omaha on halloween. We should get to the hotel late friday - order take out or Pizza to our room. The next morning head to the zoo - have lunch at Cracker Barrel, tour the old market and finish up playing pool and having some drinks at Pool and Panini's for the rest of the night. The next day wake up and head to Upstream Brewery for brunch and then head home. Im pretty excited :D

I guess Im going to Big Dogs tonight w/ Chance for another tournament - I dont mind spending time with him but I dont want to be there til like 1am which happens sometimes during the tournaments. I might just bring my car so I can leave if I want - I hate that its on the other side of town. There is a new place in Jordan Creek we need to check out so we dont have to drive as far.

Im actually very wore out - physically and emotionally. I just want to go home and do nothing.

Chance told me that next "season" I can play on his pool team w him. I dont know if he means we will start a new one, or that I can join his current team. His current team is EXTREMELY good, so Im not sure if they would welcome me or not. Either way I have been practicing quite a bit and Chance is going to finish up the basement walls so I can start playing on our table too. I went to Stix alone last night and played a few games - I did pretty well and almost ran myself out. Tonight I have a game with the CJ Girls. I dont know why but Im not really looking forward to it - they play slop and Chance has taught me to play rules the way you are supposed to. So I get annoyed alot when people cant play well but they win bc of the slop rules.

Ive considered abandoning my LJ and starting a new journal on blogspot. But this will be an actual Blog not just my random ramblings. Ill link it to my LJ and still read everyones pages, I just wont post to LJ. Lately I have been doing a lot of things I never did before or could imagine actually wanting to do. So I want to post about all the "Domestic" if you will - things I have been up to. I cant think of a name for it yet, but something along the lines of being an offbeat, domesticated 20 something. I think it will be fun. Ill post about new recipes Chance and I try out - showing step by step what we did and other fun pictures. Last week the dogs had fleas and I had to do a list of things to prevent and kill all of them - it was actually funny in the end bc at 3 am I was giving the dogs flea baths and Nunu was freaking out. So Blog about that or Chance reconstructing the basement or our vacation and random findings. I already follow a few blogs similar to this and I'm sure I could join a circle or something so I would have more readers. I dont know - just something else to do that I can always look back on.

I got my mutt tattoo touched up - Adam did a great job while Chance was passed out on the couch. Once Chance's truck is under control we are going to have Adam draw up a memorial tattoo for him.

I'm thinking about going back to school but I worry about whether or not I will have enough time. Chance is going up in the industry very quickly and is positive that he will be making the big bucks here soon. He is shadowing for a job that pays an average of 47k a year. He told me if he gets it he wants me to stay home and go back to school - I said I would go stir crazy so I would probably work a few hours a week somewhere too. I love him so much - he is so motivated - he is a completely different man than he was when I met him. He has all these goals , dreams and hopes. When he wants something he does whatever he needs. He needed $800 down on that truck he got so he worked OT for a week and made it very easily - I couldnt do that. I hate working let alone working OT. SInce then he hasnt stopped though - he hasnt had a day off in about 5-6 weeks. But he says he is doing it so he can pay off everything that he owes and take care of us. I hope he slows down soon though - I dont want him to get burnt out. But he is getting a LOT of attention at work from upper management so we are hoping by next year he will be in a new position.

Thats all for now - I have things I "should really be doing"
Mary

At work - I really hate slow days...usually a slow day comes from getting very little business - but days when we get a high volume of buisness I get a headache and wanna just walk away. I guess I can never be pleased.

***

The notebook I keep in my purse is overflowing with notes, emails, letters, coupons and other rifraf. Ive been making lists. Not that I didnt before - but my lists involve plans based around the holidays, as well as a Football party and a trip at the end of october that Chance is planning.

Ive decided its a DIY christmas. I dont want to overwelm myself so for now I have bare minimum gifts. Once I complete them I can continue to add to them. Im knitting scarves and hats for all the kids - I emailed my brother and sisters to get their favorite colors. My mom and Chance's mom are getting a bunch of Ice Candles in different sized...havent decided on a scent or color yet. Gary and Chance's Dad are getting quilts...well if my mom makes it over in time to teach me how to make one on the sewing machine she gave me. Otherwise Ill make them some type of blanket. Ill figure it out. Everyone is getting a basket of treats. Ive narrowed it down to Almond, Mint and chocolate Truffles as well as Chocolate Turtles and preztel sticks that have been dipped and rolled in tasty things. I'd also like to make the rice krispy wreaths but I think they go stale after a day or so - so they may not ship well. Each treat will be stored in a box that I found directions for online. Ill post pictures once I complete them. Chance wants the Christmas cards with our picture on them...so hopefully those will go out soon also. So much to do but I am planning it all in advance so I dont have to worry or forget anything.

Chance gave in and admitted that he is taking me out of town. Originally we were going to go to Chicago but we decided we would waste a lot of time on driving so he mentioned Omaha or Minneapolis. Ive been to MN many times but never Omaha - so we are going there Halloween weekend. We have a whole trip planned out - we found a suite that fits our budget without being tacky - we will have brunch on The Star while getting a tour of the city by water, and then walk around The Old Market for awhile. Dinner at Upstream Brewery and then pool afterwards at the same bar or Crook's - which is more like BIG DOG in Des Moines. The next day we are going to the zoo and will go back to the hotel and relax and maybe order in - depends on how we feel - we have some people telling us a couple resturants we have to go to - and Chance was thinking a stop at a Kareoke Bar he used to go to when he lived there would be fun too. Im really excited - Chance is too - he has been wanting us to get out but not go on a big trip just yet.

***

Pool league has been going well. The girls on my team are great and we are all really supportive of each other. We lost our first two games but only by one game - the ending score was always 4-5. Im not a HUGE fan of the rules. Since it is City league it is much more laid back then APA which is what Chance plays in. There are slop rules, its partners and nobody seems to want to play safetys. Im the only one on my team who I have seen play a safety. Patty told me the first week that the other team was getting really mad at me for playing safetys - but as far as Im concerned its fine. I mean its not against the rules and if I dont have a shot why the hell am I going to set them up for one? This last week I played safety after Safety - Becky got all the good shots and we both agreed that we should play defense when it was my turn. Well this big woman who looked like she had an "angry expression" perminantly stuck to her face, kept taking her turn after me - And I would NOT set her up for a shot so she would have to figure out a way to get her ball in. Honestly as far as I am concerned that is part of the game. But she didnt like it - not at all. They finally won - we were fighting over the 8 ball and they got it in first. When she came over to shake our hand she dug her nails into my hand and threw it against my chest. Then she did the same to Becky. We didnt know what to do - we both just stared at each other. We lost - but we were both in great moods - this woman WON and was STILL pissed off. Suzy told me she is always like that and was like that last year too. Chance is on a really competitive team and he wont let me get sloppy and play bad just bc Im allowed to now. Im hoping next year I can play on an APA team, but this is fun for now and the girls are great.

Speaking of Chance and pool...he won another tournament last week - came home with $50 bc it was a smaller one...but still!

***

Lilly has been ferociously affectionate lately. She hates her cage - she only wants to be in there if there is food or if she has to poop. Otherwise she wants to be out and running around. Last night I took her out so she could cuddle with us before bed while we were watching an movie and she wouldnt stop giving kisses. She would run off and then come over and lick us til she wanted back down and then do it all over again. She is a little pig too - i told Chance we need to rename her Sue or Piggy. lol

bah, my hands hurt. More later.

Lilly is doing great so far - she is 8 weeks old this week and while still a lot of energy, easily the best bunny I could ask for. I fixed the potty training issue by buying her a large litter box to take up both corners of her cage that she had been going at - its a little small for the cage so she likes to push it and make a little crevice to nap it with her back feet sticking out the side lol.

She loves food - LOVES IT. Her favorite food is Cilantro and she has tries Bok choy, mustard greens, carrots and celery so far - but Cilantro is her favorite. No Fruits yet - Im going to wait a few more months before we introduce her to those.

She is INSANELY cuddly. When I open her cage she is beating on the door with her front paws to help me open it and then jumps into my arms, crawls up my chest and burrys her little head under my neck. She doesnt mind getting held at all - She makes little click/grind noises with her teeth - its really quite but I think somebody said that is like purring. She also loves kisses and will push her cheek against your mouth if you give her lots of quick little pecks.

My boyfriend has tried to teach her to play tag - she is still learning but will randomly chase after him now and then so I think she is learning.

We had company over when she had her free time out - she was really friendly and went up to everyone and let them pet her and then binkied off - I think she was showing off a little.

We thought she was an albino rex - but she is actually a himalayan - random because her dad was a brown and white (like the classic dutch rabbit look) and her mom was a dark brown - almost like a calico. We noticed her ears were starting to turn black and her nose has some little spots coming up - right now its a light gray but we expect it to turn black in a few months.

We have been really good about not chasing her so when its time to go in the cage she comes right to us.

Lately she has been rattling her water bottle a lot - even when its full. I think she does it bc we always come in to check and make sure its not empty - maybe we have taught her that when she shakes it we come in and see her? I dunno.

Here is a quick video of her having a bunny 500 moment. (bad resolution it was on my cell phone) This was before work -you can hear me making a click noise with my tounge and then she just races back and forth. She likes to hide behind the TV - we went and got some plastic wire cover things to cover everything in the back so its safe fir her - but we would prefer she find another place to crash when she gets tired.




She is getting big so fast! She used to fit in the palm of my hand!

Long time no post..sometimes I wonder if Livejournal is just going out of style - I used to have a ton of friends locally who used it and now it seems nobody does - I get that Facebook and Myspace kinda took over but they dont have the same communities and such that LJ does. I dunno - I dont see myself leaving any time soon. Plus if I ever forget the date of something I can usually figure it out using posts as reference. LOL

A lot has been going on and a LOT has changed. All for the better though.

Chance and have been going to counseling for about 2 months now - our counselor is awesome - he is kinda a hippie and uses a lot of different methods in his meetings. So far everything he has told us makes sense and everything he has had us change has helped. I have started antidepressants - Ive been on them about 1.5 months now - I was really worried I would hate them but I love them! Im actually nervous about getting off of them - that things will go back to the way they were. I sleep much less - its impossible for me to sleep in past 7am and wake up feeling anything other than refreshed. Chance told me my personality has changed and that I can control my emotions better. I also stand up for myself and people I care about more than I normally would. I still have a lapse now and then but its rare and the progress I have made makes it unnoticable.

Chance has stopped drinking - He has been sober for 2 weeks tomorrow. He tried off and on again since counseling but after going to the doctor and understanding how it is affecting his health, he decided to to everything he can to stay sober. His attitude has changed too - he cares much more about "us" than he cares about himself now - not that he doesnt think of himself but his decisions arent selfish the way they used to be. We used to fight everyday - sometimes more than once a day. Now we rarely fight - its down to once or twice a month and they are usually small things aside from a random lapse.

I cant get over how much more I have fallen in love with Chance. He is such a wonderful man. I can see how much he loves me in everything he does, from agreeing to the counseling to the way he admits that he is wrong to the way he tells me everyday how much he appreciates me and is starting to understand my needs.

He just bought a truck, Im so proud of him. He hasnt had a license or a car for about 2-3 years now. Something about a car accident that happened before we met and his drinking problems affected him getting his license back. I think he was also a little scared to get back behind the wheel after the accident. But he went and got a 1997 Dodge 1500 Ram - its black and really nice aside from a spot of rust here and there. I think its perfect for him though - the exact truck he wanted. He has to get his license and all the registration money before he can bring it home though - so its sitting in the dealer lot until he has that taken care of. We think he will be able to bring it home by the begining of October.

He told me last night he has something planned for me the last weekend in October but he wont tell me what - just to get the weekend off work and plan on being out of town. Im really excited but I just wish I had an idea of what we are doing. At first I was thinking he might be taking us to MN for a Vikings game - but I dunno if there is a game that weeekend.

In other news we got a bunny a couple weeks ago - a little tiny thing...well she is much bigger now but when we got her she fit in our hand. Now she is about a pound maybe more. We named her lilly and she is a little mutt rabbit. Her father was a mini rex that was brown and white and BIG and her mom was a standard rex that was dark brown and black (like calico) and somewhat smaller but still big. We named her Lilly and she is an albino although she is getting a simese look to her - her ears turned black about 2 weeks after we got her and she is gettting dark shadows around her nose...so I dont think she is a real albino but she has pink eyes. we hope we can introduce her to Nunu soon. They have been having very short "sniff" meetings. Nunu was great with my ferrets so I think she will be good with the bunny too - especially once Lilly is full grown. Neeko wont be allowed near her at all though - he goes into "kill mode" when he sees anything smaller than a cat. I actually saw him swallow a mole WHOLE once...pretty sure it was still alive before it went down.

Nunu's bad breath has returned so she is going to have to get the other molar pulled before the end of the year. Not looking forward to that...speaking of which I need to get a molar pulled too lol.

Chance and I are planning a vacation in January - we talked to Ash and Brett and are considering a trip to Mexico since January is around the time we all have our bdays. i still have to get my passport.

hmm...what else.
I joined an all girls pool league with a friend of Karly's - my first game is the 27th, I also started a new season of sand volleyball - next game is tomorrow. Thursday, Chance and I have been going to Church of Hope with his friend Travis and Travis's wife Jena - they are both really nice. Chance and I dont know where we stand in regards to religion but we thought it would be something where we can get more involved in our community and meet new people. Travis and Jena are extremely nice and lots of fun. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings after Immersion last week and had a great time. Once we both have our pool leagues going we cant go on Thursdays anymore - so we are going to go Saturday afternoons. Kory wanted us to try to understand our faith and while we are both undecided, I think Hope is a great church either way - nobody is preachy and everyone is very nice. We want to volunteer over Xmas, feeding meals and also work on other volunteering things they have going on right now - that along with working out at the gym...our week is pretty full. While I do miss going out on the weekends and drinking every night like we used to I think we have some things to work on first - we still go out - usually to Paddy's, Smokey's or Big dogs and sometimes Stix...just not as often as before.

Im really pleased with our progress. I know we are not perfect and still have a lot to work on - but the progress so far is just fantastic :D

I was rubbing the inside of Neekos ears like I always do and my fingers came out COVERD in black and brown wax that REEKED. Did some research and it looks like he has an ear infection in his right ear. I grabbed my cotton rounds and some peroxide and cleaned them out for about 5 minutes and found the inflamed spot - its up at the top which Im hoping is a good thing - that means the infection isnt in his canal. He cried when I touched it so I left it alone after I got the buildup off it and cleaned the rest of his ear.

EW...just EW! The smell the gunk. Ugh

Looked on petco.com and found some stuff for dog ear infections - On my way there now to pick it up - if it doesnt get better in about 48 hours then he is going to the vet.

Dang - poor guy.

So the final morning we wake up pretty early - Around 8am. After pulling ourselves out of the tents we realize that its a bit warmer than the day before. We decide to pack up and reserve tubes for the rest of the afternoon. Brett made us breakfast - egg/bacon and turkey omlettes. Chance said it was the best omlette he has ever had. We packed up camp - that took about an hour or so. The two couples next to us wanted to tube with us, so they ran up and reserved 9 tubes - enough for us and one for our cooler. We parked the car next to the landing where the tubes come in at the end and waited for the bus. The bus was driven by this crazy looking woman who drove it insanely fast - especially for being on gravel. I felt like a giant - I havent been on a school bus since I was like 15.

We get to a bridge and she leaves. We all pretty much just jump in all at once and the water is COLD! Not freezing but still pretty freaking cold. The guys are all screaming like girls and Ash and I decide to abandon our flips flops since they were really hard to keep on. Chance ripped my tank top into a tie and tied the cooler tube to his. We saw all kinds of beautiful scenery and hundreds of swallow nests. I completly forgot  that swallows build bud nests - so there were HUNDREDS of them up on the palisades. The palisades are these massive stone cliffs alone the river - it made it look like we were tubing through a canyon. We saw fish, storks, hawks and crayfish dancing on the water.

The part that sucked the most would have been how the river went from being shallow...like 2-5 inches deep to about 5 feet deep. It was about every 200 feet it would get shallow - we learned that we could listen for the rapids and those would give us a warning - otherwise we would have our butts and backs scraped up by the rocks. Chance had flip flops so he would grab me and help me through the shallow parts. If it wasnt for that it would have been a lot of fun. We ran into a few quick rapids - they were swirl us and slam us into trees that had fallen over - at one point I couldnt move away so I kicked the tree away from me with my foot but when it swung back it hit Chance and literally knocked him out of his tube. He got hurt but it was one of those moments where it was still kinda funny. He laughed when I had a rapid yank me under a tree - but it was high enough it didnt stop me - just the branches scratched me up. We had some nice relaxing moments though and the 8 of us just chilled in the sun. After about 2 hours we were ready for it to end. We asked the people who came by now and then in canoes how mcuh longer it was - but they all said different things. Then we would get to areas where the water wasnt even moving. Chance would grab my tube with his feet and paddle as hard as he could with his arms for 100-200 feet at a time to get us moving again. What a stud. At one point the rapid yanked the cooler out of the tube and we lost all the beer we had left. We decided we are never bringing a cooler again - well on a river that moves the way that one does. It was too much of a hassle.

We finally arrive at the end - it took 5 HOURS! we were all starving by then and dreaming of pasta and cheeseburgers. But it was late and we had to work the next day. So we changed by our cars. the guys just got completely naked in front of all the camps lol - at one point Chance was strutting around naked. lol. Then he held up a towel so I could change. It was at that point we realized how burnt we were. and in the weirdest spots. I remember we had only put sunblock on our arms and shoulders bc we had shirts and pants on before we got in. So I have a bikini burn on my stomach and boobs and on the shins of my legs. We all literally looked like lobsters - it hurt sooo bad. We said our farewells and hugged our new friends and took off.

Chance and I went to a little small town diner and pigged out. We had appetizers - two meals and a plate of pasta for only $18. I wish we had a place like that in Des Moines! The ride home was slow - we listened to Stephen King books on tape the whole way - and arrived a little before 10 pm.  We were so burnt we couldnt even lay comfortably. We just laid on our backs with no covers and tilted our heads toward each other to cuddle .LOL

The next day I called in sick - I was too burnt to even stand - so we covered ourselves in aloe and rested on the couch for the rest of the day.

What a great trip!

So we get to the campsite and yank everything out of the car - I was able to put up my tent in 15 minutes and fill up the mattress and make the bed. The boys were having trouble with the 3 bedroom tent and it took them about an hour. We organized everything and had a couple beers. As we are sitting there we realize that it is FREEZING and we are planning on tubing down a river all afternoon. We chat a bit and decide to canoe instead. So we change our reservations and in the process meet our party neighbors - a group of about 10 people who are also waiting to go canoeing. We can tell they are a party group and wait by  the road with them for the bus. The bus was supposed to be there at 1:30 - by 3pm we are sick of waiting and decide not to go. We later find out there was an accident that was holding them up. So we jump in our tents and have a nice long nap - which was needed after the short stay at the hotel from hell. We get up at 6pm and start dinner up. Brett made us New York strip steaks and potatoes. After that
-We explored camp,got some firewood and went down to the river to feel the cold water.
-Pee in the woods. Go figure Ash was too girly to pee in the bushes lol but I found a nice little area behind the tents
-watched Chance scare the shit out of Brett when he was chilling in his tent
-had our money stolen by the rinky dink arcade machines in the rec room
-ate an entire bag of cheetos
-had thoughts of our TVs at home
-and danced to Brett's Regge Music. I really like Ja Roots!
We  meet the other neighbors - two couples. I dont remember their names bc Im horrible w names but we spent a lot of time with them until we left, They were from Wisconsin and all about our age - the party neighbors were a little older than us - Id say about 27-31 years old. By the end of the night we have EVERYONE from both sites around our camp. We drank and passed around Chance's guitar singing different songs, learning about each other and making smores.It was a blast - around midnight everyone heads back to their camps - Chance was wasted - I think most everyone was. I wasnt but I had been nursing my 6 pack all day too. So we get in our tents, Chance lights one last fire to keep us warm throughout the night and we fall asleep.

I had such a blast this weekend I dont even know where to begin.

We left on Friday night around midnight - we caravanned it and followed Brett and Ash. The drive itself was okay, aside from the trucker who was messing with me - like speeding to pass then slowing down so I had to pass him but then sped up when I tried.
We got to Decorah around 3am and pulled into Bluff Hotel. From the outside it looked like a crappy hotel - like not horrible but decent. All we needed was a place to sleep for 6 hours. So we go in and get a hotel for the 4 of us. The guy told us the only room that was available was seperate from the hotel out back. When we get there we find a hotel straight out of Psycho. As we walk up to our room we notice the lights in all the rooms are like neon green florecents and the TV in our room is on and the door is almost open. Brett walks up and gives it a small nudge and it creeks open and we realize that somebody is already using our room. Chance is pretty annoyed at this point bc we are all really tired so he drives back to the office and comes back about 10 minutes later. Ash and I managed to scared ourselves silly at least 2 times while he was gone, and Brett walked into a hotel room to pee - we are pretty sure the hotel room was being use but just unoccupied at the time. Chance tells us he bitched and was able to get us a suite for our trouble. We all hooted and jumped in the cars and went to the building with the suites. You would think a suite would be like, really nice or at least huge and in a nice part of the building. None of those things could have been used to describe the room we got. First it took us 5 minutes to figure out the entry lock and then we wandered the hallways for another 15 minutes trying to find the rooms - when you walked in it looked like a prison - white brick walls with creepy paitnings and fake flowers everywhere.  We found our room - it was above a rec room of sorts that was filled with tons of creepy old teddy bears that looked like carnival prizes from the fair. We each took a turn trying to unlock our room door and finally Brett was able to unlock it. We step in and there is red fluffy carpet that I think was slightly damp and a wonderful musty smell. We all just stared for a minute and then walked in. The beds were old and extremely uncomfortable and the bathroom smelled like mildew. I was firmly convinced that convicts had hid out in our room before. So Ash gets up on the beds and starts lifting the ceiling squares hoping to find a stash of money, drugs or as I mentioned, a dead body. The guys were too creeped out to sleep so they went to the rec room and played pool for awhile. Ash and I debated on whether or not we should sleep under the blankets and I decided to toss off the floral comforter and just use the cream colored blankets underneath. When we lifted the comforter we found out there was only a blanket on my bed and not hers. So we looked in the corner of the room and there is a random day bed sitting there with 70's era sheets and a bright red velvet blanket. I got "smelling duty" which meant I smelled everything to make sure it was clean. The red blankey passed the test. Ash had me smell all the pillows and the sheets too. LOL it was actually really funny. We watched a creepy german soap opera and then the end of 10 things I hate about you. By that time the boys had got bored and come back up. It was about 5 am now and we finally were able to get to sleep.

We woke up the next morning and found out that the place we were tubing was able to make room for us to camp too, we had been planning on camping in Cresco which is 20 minutes away. So we packed up and Brett went and literally robbed the breakfast buffet. He brought in all kinds of sandwhiches and cakes and drinks and yogurt. Then we jumped in the cars and headed to Chimney Campgrounds.

Thats all for this post - Ill update more later.

So the weekend is getting closer and Im soo excited for the camping trip. Brett is getting all the food at cost from the resturant that he works at. So that is covered. Tonight Marcus is dropping off his tent for us to borrow and then Im gonna clean out the car.

I planned on tubing and camping at the same place, but when I made reservations - I made them for Friday thinking that would be okay. But, Brett cant get the day off and Chance was able to get Sunday off - so I called to change them to Saturday. Of course they were already booked by then. She said I could still tube but they had no place for us to camp. So I reserved tubes for us and we are camping at another campground about 8 miles away. Not too bad. Plus the place we are camping is cheaper and we will be sitting right by a HUGE lake.

My  head is pounding right now - we had a potluck at work for a employee who just got back from Iraq but everyone brought cookies, pies and brownies. (cakes and pies, cakes and pies!) so I nommed on potato chips all day - lovely thing to do when I have to wear a swimming suit this weekend.

Last night was Volleyball and the other team was short a player and asked Chance to play. They were all really drunk and werent very good - but they beat us. I think a lot has to do with Chance playing though lol - He is so cute. Im pretty sure he had a good time - normally he just sits there for an hour until the games are over. We also had dinner at the Drake diner beforehand - Extremely overpriced garbage. I dont plan on ever going there again. The waitress was an idiot. I asked her what was good and she goes, "OH EVERYTHING! I love everything on the menu - I cant even choose!" so I said I was thinking about a rueben but thought turkey might be better than Roast beef and when I looked at her, she shook her head and said, "Im a vegetarian." Like hell she was - she weighed like 350 lbs - unless she sat at home eating carbs all day I highly doubt she was a vegetarian. But then again just bc you cant eat meat doesnt mean you dont eat sugar. Anyhoo I said well what is the roast beef like - is it deli fresh or packaged? and she goes, "I dont know Im a vegetarian." Seriously now - just bc you dont eat meat doesnt mean you dont know what it looks like. Chance got a side salad and asked for EVERYTHING but no croutons...of course is shows up covered in croutons. Horrible.

Anyhoo - work is calling...or actually its not. But I have nothing else to do.

Noodles and post-its.
Mary

What a weekend. What a week coming up!

This weekend I went to Ames with Chance, where he played Pool in the Iowa Games. He played Singles and Scotch Doubles. We were there ALL FREAKING DAY. Normally I like to play pool but I really didnt have a chance to. I sat around and watched. We drove up and got there around 10 - hung out with some guys he knew and the competition started around 11. Chance had a couple games he lost - he makes me so nervous when he plays. I mean obviously I want him to win and I expect him to. So when he loses it makes me wanna scream. He played about 6-8 rounds and won them all (Race to 3) Then he had to play the winner of the loser bracket - who actually beat him the first round, but since Chance won the winners bracket, thsi guy has to beat him in two matches - he didnt - so Chance got first place! We went out to lunch and then walked back to the location the games were being held - he started the Scotch Doubles game and after about 4-5 more hours got 2nd place! I am so proud of my man! He is so fantastic. He went to State in the spring and got 100th place and a $75 prize. That sounds like a bad score but keep in mind there were over 1200 people playing. So thats pretty good! He is in the top 10% in the state.

Yesterday he worked half a shift at Wells Fargo and I stayed home and did some cleaning, then ran to Target and the store for some random items and to find a present for Asher's bday. Kohls was having an awesome sale so I got Chance a bunch of new dress shirts and a pair of swimming shorts for this weekend.
When he got home we napped for an hour and I watched like 2 hours of Run's House while I waited for him to wake up. We drove to JT's for Asher's Bday and then played pool in the attic with his family for a couple hours.
Around 8 we left and met Ash and Brett at Champs for dinner and then went to see Bruno. Which is definetly worth watching at home. But anyhoo - we went home and passed out around 11.

Today we are chilling at home - watching some movies and Ill make dinner. Tomorrow is date night - but I dont have a ton of money to spend so we have to find something cheap to do outside. Wednesday I have Volleyball and Thursday is Pool League. Im sure Ill be out shopping w Ash for the trip. Then Friday we are packing up everything and heading to Cresco when Brett gets off work - probably around 11 and getting a hotel right outside of Cresco to crash at. In the morning we will set up our tent out at the campground - go tubing all afternoon then come back and maybe play volleyball or pool in the rec room and then have some drinks and make dinner around the campfire! Sunday we pack up and head home. Im so excited! Leslie is probably coming too and maybe Bill!

Well more later I should probably be working.

I havent really updated in awhile. Not really sure why - I look at Livejournal and think about what I can post but usually nothing comes to mind.

Wednesday, Chance and I started counseling. It went well. Dr. Kory is awesome and I couldnt ask for anyone better than him to help Chance and me out. He is kinda  a hippy - laid back - long hair, really funny. He told  us to clear our night and we didnt know that he really meant it. Our session lasted for 3 hours. We got a lot out - we figured out what we need help with, what needs to change, how to change it and also a little about ourselves. I found out I'm clinically depressed and have been for about a year now. Dr. Kory wants me on meds, but Chance and I are against it. Ive seen people blow up when they are on depression meds - I dont think gaining weight is going to make me feel any better - if anything it will make me feel worse. But it explains so many things; my weight gain, my lack of attention, random moments of hyperactivity, the constant crying, having no energy or drive to do anything...among many other things.
He said I dont have to go on meds but he wants me at the gym often. Not just cardio but he wants me lifting weights - Chance said he would be my trainer and teach me how to lift weights properly - It will also help us spend more time together, even though its at the gym. We had a couple breakthroughs - when we got there we were already fighting about something and Dr. Kory heard us yelling in the parking lot. But by the end of the session Chance was hugging me and kissing me and when we got back to our car we didnt want to be more than an inch apart.
Im so happy that Chance is doing this with me and we are working on us. I know we belong together and I love him so much it hurts. We have a couple different "assignments" we are worknig on before our next appt. One is we have to avoid saying the word "you" at the begining of a sentace and replace it with I - in the process Ive realized that rather than placing blame we are explained how the others actions or a situation makes us feel. So far its successfull and we really havent fought over anything - even small things. Chance hung up on me yesterday bc Leslie was over and I wanted to get off the phone and talk to her before she left. By the time Chance got home he was over it but I was still a little bothered - he hugged me and said he was sorry and asked if we could drop it and we did. Before it may not have ended that way. I probably would have sent him a snarky text about how I wasnt trying to be rude and he would have stayed out later and come home really late - which would start another fight.

Other than that things have been okay - Chance is getting his license back in a week or two and he already found a couple trucks that he wants - so we are planning to have his truck by the end of August. After that we are paying my credit card off in one payment and my debt and hospital bills after that. So we will be debt free here soon. Our plan is to get a nice savings started and plan a cruise to the carribean this winter - probably like a Xmas present to each other. After that we are going to just keep saving and hopefully get a house of our own at some point.

Im so glad I have him in my life - there is nobody else I would rather have by my side.

Things are going really well lately. Actually things have been going really well all year. Once we moved in with Brian things have continued to move up. Brian is now dating Lynn who is awesome. We all love her.

Chance and I are well. Im working at Metlife and he is out at WellsFargo and also PT at Tandoor which is an Indian Resturant down the street from the house. In a matter of 2-3 months he has become a manager there and customers come in just to see him.

A lot is going on in the next couple weeks. Brandon is coming up from OK for Aaron's wedding which is next weekend - so Chance and I have been getting ready for the visit and the wedding. He helped me pick out a cute black dress to wear and we got him some new slacks and a dress shirt. He looks so handsome.

On the 4th we are going to Eldora to go tubing with Lesile and Bill. We are hoping to get a few more people together so we can go as a group.

Jessica is in town til the 23rd - we went out with her on Friday to Styx in Ankeny and had a good time. She is the same as she was when we were in 2nd grade. Hopefully she will be moving back to IA in the fall.

Not much else going on - hopefully things will pick up soon.

So after hearing all the hype about the book I went and saw it at the theature. I thought it was pretty good.

My mom went and bought me the whole series. I read the first book in one day when I was at work. (I read fast and it was a slow day)

The book was GREAT, I went to blockbuster and rented the movie last night so I could see it again.

....after reading the book - The movie was AWFUL.

Sitting at my new desk at work and trying to stay busy. Its a slow morning so far and I havent had too many hard questions so I would say its going very well.
I finished training up last week so Im on the phones full time now - they arent monitoring my stats for awhile until I get comfortable. I think Im going to like it here - there are quite a few people here from ING too.

Tomorrow volleyball starts at Trophys so I can see some of my old peeps from ING. Leslie is also playing and Sydney might too. I think Sydney and I are going to try and start a Metlife volleyball team after the first session.

Whoops back to work - it suddenly got busy

Last night was Chance and I's 1 year anniversary. It was a rough first year and while I think we have been through a lot and sorted a lot of things out - I dont expect that things with us are PERFECT. I dont think any relationship is perfect and anyone who claims to have one needs to have their head evaluated. But he is the man of my dreams. I know I have friends that do not care for him but luckly for them (and me) he is mine, and I dont force any of them to be around him. But most of my friends do like him - Its nice to be able to say that. Im sure he doesnt always believe that but its true.

Last night we had a fantastic dinner at Biaggies. Our server, Jo was awesome. We nommed on appetizers and bread until our dinner came out but by then we were stuffed so we took a few bites and then packed it up to eat later.

We hurried to The Funny Bone to see some stand up and watched Bert Kreisher who was freaking hilarious. Easily the best stand up I have seen while I was there. A majority of his jokes were based on Men and Race. But it was all in good fun and everyone in the audience enjoyed him.

This weekend is going to be busy. I would love to go home and just pass out but I cant. Tonight I need to clean the shit out of the house. Then Ill probably nap til Chance gets home. Saturday is Chaz's bday party, then I have shopping errands and have to clean my car out and get the oil changed. Then once Chance gets off work we are going to see Wolverine at the theature. Sunday my mom wanted me to come out - Im sure Chance will want to play pool though...maybe we will seperate instead and have some alone time by ourselves.

Brian started dating a chick named Lynn. She is beautiful, sweet and really cool. Im so happy for him. I always drunk texted him about how he needs to stop worrying about all the bar rats and wait around for the one who deserves him. Once I told him that he deserved Birthday Cake and that he should stop wasting his time on fig newtons lol. Lynn is definetly not a fig newton.

Chance started his new job this week. I guess he isnt enjoying training very much but he thinks the job should be pretty easy. I just want him to be happy. I know he really loves the company though.

Well thats enough - I need to head back to training.

Havent been online lately - maybe Ill have more time once training ends. So quick rundown bc nothing else will really make sense right now.

• Started working at my new job last week. I make BUCO BUCKS and should get a massive paycheck next week. Ive never made this much before and am really happy.
• Chance started his new Job today and likes it so far. He is also making a lot more than he has in the past...actually he is making more than I did at ING so we are both VERY happy.
• We took a huge step and got a joint bank account - something I said I would never do again. Ive only done that once - with Stephen and it just wasnt good.
• We mapped out our financial plan for the rest of the year and should have my debt, his tickets and legal stuff taken care of by the end of the summer. After that we are going to get him a truck (nothing new - just throw a couple thousand at a truck so we dont have another car payment and so we dont get raped by the insurance company. After that we are hoping to take a REAL vacation. We were thinking Mexico but this swine virus makes that scary to think about. Either there or maybe California or Texas. Our main requirement is there must be a beach and an ocean to play in.
• Nunu is doing much better - although her breath is getting a little rank again. No plaque but the breath is bad. The vet said there was a tooth that was iffy - it didnt get pulled but we need to keep an eye on it. I hope it isnt rotting now too. That was a rough week for Nunu.
• I got Leslie and Marcus' GF a job at Metlife - so it will be nice to see more familiar faces soon.
• We are working on cleaning up the outside of the house this weekend. Chance's parents are gonna come and cut down a bunch of trees for us. After that we are going to start working on the basement. Apparently the people who lived here before left PILES and PILES of lint from the dryer and they let it get wet and now it stinks like mold in one of the rooms. So we have to sand, scrub/steam the walls and then waterproof them. Do the same to the floor and also carpet the main room. After that we just need to refelt the pool table. I hope we have it done soon - I love our basement - its HUGE - but its such a waste right now until we get everything done.
• Chance has been sober for a month on wednesday. Im super proud of him. Its not east and I know he doesnt like it and is having a hard time with it but I love him so much and know he can keep it up.
• Ive been attempting to go to the gym as much as I can - which isnt much. Today was the first day of me going straight after work. It wasnt bad - Ash was right. I had my bag packed and went right when I got off. I went for about an hour - not great but it will be a bit before i can get into my old groove. Hopefully by the end of the summer Ill be ready for a couple races - like the living history farms 10k.

I cant really think of anything else right now although I know there is much more than this going on. Hope you are all doing well and Ill try and catch up on your posts :D

Nunu was stayed overnight at the vet last night. She is home now and doing much better. She had two rotted teeth and a bone splinter stuck in her gums. Poor thing also had an abcess below the decaying tooth so she had the teeth pulled and the splinter removed. She's passed out on the floor now and Im assuming very happy to be home.

Things have been decent lately. I start my new job on Monday - Chance starts his new job in 2 weeks but until then has been working at the resturant and making bank on tips. We still adore our roommate Brian. He is pretty fantastic. Chance is saving up to get some of his debt taken care of and has been helping me cover a couple things too. Things have been hard the last few months - Under any other circumstance it wouldnt be so bad but having to support myself as well as Chance has taken its toll on me. Financially and Healthwise. Ive been in the hospital a lot this year - my mom thinks it has something to do with stress and such. But I have been feeling much better lately.

Watching the Bride of Chucky right now. I forgot how fucking weird this movie is.