Huzzah!

The last time I was at the Florida Renaissance Festival (FLaRF) was in 2009 with Holly and Heather. I didn't go last year because of work at the stadium and this year is going to turn out the same, sadly. I haven't had the time to work on my costume either. My costumes are more on the fantasy side and are not period accurate, but I don't mind. I would like to have a period appropriate piece but I don't want to give up my fox tail! (seen below) The comments are fun too!!

I would like to take it a step further and construct some ears for myself. I'd wear them on a headband so they would cover my people ears. I was going to start working on them last year but time kind of got away from me. So anyways, I'm shooting for 2012 and with hopefully a completed costume.

Its kind of weird now that I think about it. I don't even remember not going to the faire last year. So sad. I remember posting a status this year about not going and Heather (I knew she would be the first to comment) said it was the saddest thing she had heard all year. I miss the faire. It was such a nice weekend getaway, since I would usually leave on a Friday (when I was up at school) stay with my Aunt Inc, go to the faire on Saturday for the day and then relax a little on Sunday before heading back up to school or home. How can you not love the faire? Its the perfect escape from reality and everyday stress or worry.

All this reminiscing is nice but man does time fly by on a Sunday morning/afternoon. I have to get ready to go and watch a couple's pair of dogs at 2p.

If I may...

I want to confess that for reasons unknown I'm terrified of tornadoes. I can remember when I was younger being frightened of thunderstorms and especially lightning. Now that I'm older it doesn't bother me so much anymore. I'm actually fascinated with lightning. My only exception is when the particularly strong storms that occur during the night. I anxious and develop a frustrating sense of paranoia when it comes to the particular "t-word". I used to get terrible night tremors and they felt so real that when I would try and go back to sleep the visions would remain so clear in my head. I couldn't watch anything close to bed time because I feared it would create these hideous visions. I can't watch the Wizard of Oz anymore...not that I ever enjoyed the film to begin with.
Sometimes at night when the weather is bad, as it is tonight, I can't fall asleep because my mind is constantly at work thinking and worrying about it. I'll leave the light on, hugging my Twinkles, (and now wishing I had my Panda near - that's my pet name for Sam) and eventually if I'm able to, fall asleep.

Update: Fingers Crossed

This is an update to my January 16th post "Fingers Crossed" about the temporary wildlife research job. I never did hear anything back about it and the poster has since removed the ad from the site. I hate applying to jobs online because they never seem to pan out the way I would like. I got lucky with the stadium job, which I'm thankful I was called back even earlier than the February orientation date. My first day back was yesterday afternoon. And I'm actually going in a little later today to continue with unpacking and setup.

This was the setup of the checkout counter during last season. Horribly setup around the center column in the store. It was awkward to work with other people behind there especially when it got busy. Luckily LG, the store manager felt the same way and sought to change some things after September when baseball was over. And tada!

The new checkout counter is one, nice straight line near the back wall by our in-store storage and the entrance to the ticket office door. I think its so much nicer because it really opens up the store, and the cashiers don't have to be constantly moving around the column to keep an eye on the customers behind us, and what's really nice is no curious customers are poking around the storage and ticket office door. I just hope a lot of the older ladies who will be back will accept the change.

Well I'm off to get ready for another day of work. Later!

(images obtained from LG's facebook photo album)

2011 Memory Walk

(image courtesy of alz.org)

I'm very excited to be participating in this year's Memory Walk! I've never really done anything like this before so I hope I'll be ready. I'm going to start working out this week (finally!).

I've already recruited my mom and my friend Megs to walk with me. My mom and I will be walking for my Grandad who currently has Dementia. Megs expressed to me that she wishes to walk for her Grandfather who passed away 3 years ago after suffering from Alzheimers. Hmm, maybe I'll be able to drag Sam out too, since he's been complaining about getting back in shape. Anywho, we'll be walking at Tradition on March 26, Saturday.

(image through DeviantArt : Bike Ride by *allmixedupp)

A way I'm hoping to get in gear for the big walk is through daily exercise either at the gym or biking with my friend Ashley. First things first of course...I need to get a bike. Maybe I'll talk Sam into going with me if I have a free day when he is off and he isn't too tired. This will be great for my New Year's Resolution of getting back into shape as well.

Anywho, I've got to turn in a little early tonight. I'm going to be working down at the stadium tomorrow morning. Extremely happy about that because I'll feel like a productive member of society again. Hopefully, I'll have plenty of time for everything else I've got on my plate - exercise, family, boyfriend, and continuing looking for another job. Night everyone!

Puppy!

I almost forgot to mention that on Thursday, Sam and I welcomed the newest member to the pack. A 3-4 month old red/chocolate Boston Terrier female named Nutmeg. She is such a bundle of energy and we have to say, she's giving Hooligan a run for his money since they are both at the same active level....which I don't think he was expecting.

We weren't expecting her to be such a fast learner though. I think by Friday she was already responding pretty well to her name. Hooligan still doesn't on a regular basis. And the best thing is she is such a cuddler!! She loves being next to her people, falling asleep in their laps and of course giving kisses, which we're trying to teach her to give on command. We have to be careful though when she's sleeping because she is highly prone to farting and boy are they deadly.

Fingers Crossed

(image courtesy of Biodiversity Research Institute, Melissa Duron a Wildlife Research Biologist and Data QA/QC Manager)

Just applied to job ad looking for a part-time temporary wildlife research position on local wildlife in the West PSL area. It didn't say anything in relation to experience in the field so I'm hoping for a temporary position of 3-4 hours per week for 1-3 months at $7.50 an hour, it'll pan out. I'm really really looking to get away from the retail sector and into a relative animal care/wildlife position. Not sure exactly what type of research is going to be conducted, so hopefully I'll get some positive feedback.

Speaking of work and retail, orientation at the stadium starts on February 1st. I'm happy in a sense because I'll be working and I already know everyone there but not because well its retail and I'd rather be around animals but I shouldn't complain too much. My situation could be worse - no job at all.

I think this wildlife research position will be a good boost for job experience and to get me back on the researching track. That way I can get better at hitting my deadlines and maybe get to writing articles on both wolves and wildlife. I've been trying to do that for the past month but I've been hitting a few literary blocks so to speak.

Mood: Feeling a little icky sicky and cuddling with Nutmeg on the couch
Watching: Real Housewives of Atlanta - Don't ask me why lol

Valentine's Day

Lobo love, I'm getting an early jump on Valentine's Day shopping for my love. It's a month away and I wasn't planning on looking this morning but thanks to an email from Etsy, I contacted the seller just a few minutes ago about personalization on the item. My gift is going to be grand!! He's going to get the 2 small little "gag/funny" gifts and this personalized one. I still have to get working on those paintings too but they're not intended to be given as gifts for a special occasion.

I would love to delve into the incredible find but I never know who my be reading this post. But will definitely do so after the fact. Now I just have to wait to hear back from the seller before going any further with purchase.

watching: Maury
(image: I heart my new tattoo by ~lolly890)

Happy New Years!

Happy New Years everyone! Sam and I tried our best to stay up for the big event but around 10:30 we couldn't make it any longer. We had our early New Year's kiss and zonked out. Yesterday, according to Sam, was our "last night of debauchery" (when it comes to diet and lifestyle). It's true though, we both need to get back in shape, he just finished cutting out the seams to one of his uniform shirts because its too tight with him and his vest.
Weight loss seems to be one of the big resolutions out there this year. On my MSN homepage was an article on 13 Ways to Keep Off Pesky Pounds for Good. I'm looking forward to slimming back down hopefully to my 125 or somewhere around there but also to shape up my arms and tummy at the same time.