Reflections

My parents cook out thing was alot of fun, and if anyone went away its their own fault. Whenever my parents plan anything my Dad goes into what I call "Host Mode." He goes all out. I don't know how he does it. He went shopping on Sunday to get all the necessary provisions, which include but aren't limited to... 36 steaks (nice ones), 36 brats, 36 hamburger steaks (not just ground beef) and about 5 lbs of beef hot dogs. That's only the meat portion. He also got stuff to make potato salad, macaroni salad, and everything else you can imagine. And to top it off, he was only expecting some 25 people. we invited Ernie and Georgia, but I think now it would have been ok to invite the whole Nelson Clan. There was plenty of food there for sure.

YEA!!! I get to have an honest to God 3 day weekend! Erik's Mom is coming for a visit. I'm excited to see her, its been since her wedding in March of 2001.

Today I got a wild bug... I dyed my hair black at work (keeping a few of my blonde highlights) Then when I got home I put purple over the highlights. It looks completely "wicked Bitchen." (one of Erik's phrases) Yes, I think I may be going through some sort of punk/gothic thing...

Mama Linda called at about 2:45 and let me know that she was in town. She came by herself rather than with her husband as we thought. They had planned on spending the week in Colorado then joining us for the weekend. Ray has been sick for some time and is on oxygen. Before they were to set off for vaca they decided to talk it over with the doctor. The doctor advised him that it wouldn't be a good idea to come to the high altitude. Kansas City is about 800 ft. above sea level and the doctor told him not to go above 1500ft. Well that rules out any vacation in the rocky mountains. So Linda flew in today. This evening we took her to Red Robin for dinner and she brought some DVDs that we haven't seen yet. Tonight we watched "The Recruit". I never was interested in the movie from the previews but DAMN! It was a sweet movie, and we will have to be owning it very soon like.

Day 2 of Mama Linda's visit was very nice. We had planned on going up to Estes Park and doing some shopping. Low and behold it was the weekend of the Scottish Highland Festival. Erik and I wanted to go up for that but neither of us knew when it was. There was no advertising of it that we heard of this year. So we go up there and noticed alot of plaid and Kilts. We were pleased to unexpectedly come across the Festival. So we parked in town and walked about 4 miles to the Fair Grounds. Erik bought a Chanter. (its what you learn to play the bagpipes with) After spending a few hours at the festival we were ready to hike back into town and take over the shops there. By the end of the day we figured we walked a good 12 miles. We went home and watched a few movies. Linda also brought the movie "Basic" with her. That movie threw us for a loop, it was one Erik couldn't figure out halfway through.

Day 3... We decided to take it easy Sunday. We were all sore from Saturday's little walk. We went to the Great Colorado Marketplace to do alittle more shopping. Then we went to Denver to eat at my favorite italian place. Cinzzetti's. Then we just came back home and watched more movies.

Mama Linda left at around 10pm There were many hugs and many more tears. Her flight home leaves this morning at 10:40. We will be praying that she returns home safely.

GGGGRRRRRR!!! Last night I was this close to walking out... If I had worked the weekend I probably would have walked out. The manager was in such a pissy mood. I guess she probably got hers. Last week she pulled a "no call, no show" (and her manager and the owner called looking for her) and lost a few of her long time clients over it. This one lady got stood up twice by her, she'll never step foot back in our salon. I was so irratated with her last night I almost snapped a couple times and told her just exactly what I though of her. But I held onto my tongue... Dang it... She can't keep me from thinking though!

Work sucks... She who must not be named is up to her evil ways after a short break. We had a shop meeting just 2 weeks ago and she was so proud of us and how we made it through the back to school period. She has called another meeting for this week. And she has a little spy... Who is playing both sides and let us know that in this meeting we are all getting in trouble. I guess we are "all being slackers now and we can take a hike if we don't want to work." Don't tempt me... I might just take that hike...And not because I don't want to work.

I'm so sick of the games and politics... What I think happened is, she got her little ass chewed for her little "no call, no show" last Wednesday and then she called in on Friday because "her cat was missing".

I keep praying that God will help me out and lay a path before me... So far I don't see a path.

Well, the shop meeting wasn't all that bad, it wasn't all that good either. It lasted 2 and 1/2 freaking hours! Then I didn't get home til 12:10 AM! I'm so glad I don't have to be there at 9 in the morning. I am so much not a morning person...

There was the added bonus of "If you don't like it you can pack your shit and leave". We actually had the option of 2 forms that we had to sign, one stating that we read, understand, and will comply to all company rules and regulations. And the other was a "Job Seperation Form" that we signed if we didn't want to sign the first form. My friend Aimee and I both seriously considered the second form. But with no other jobs lined up we'll stay. Besides with the economy the way it is, who knows how much hiring there is out there right now anyway.

On the lighter side, my friend Jas (from Strange Condition) stopped by today and left me 6 tickets to his show in Denver tomorrow night. (well actually tonight) I wasn't there but he told Sarah that when we get there to search him out and we could hang out with the band! SUH--WEET!!

I'm such a groupie, I know...

Today is my day off and I went in to do my cousin's hair. (Jamie and Ginger) And to the naked eye everything seems ok at the salon. After I leave I get a text message, saying "Guess who got fired?". Ok, I'll play along... Sarah got fired and for the most jacked up reason ever. She didn't shake hands and introduce herself to a client. I called and talked to Sarah. (BTW, the text was from her) I am still in complete shock. Sarah is a super hard working nice person. I never thought that she would ever fire Sarah. She doesn't even have a mark against her in her file.

I told Erik after I talked to Sarah that I wouldn't be surprised if I turn up getting fired. If she is going to fire people over some little thing like that. I just keeps going downhill.

This was a pretty jam packed weekend. On Friday I did hair. (big surprise right?) We aren't going to talk about Friday night/Saturday morning. Just pretend it never happened.

Saturday night I had a slumber party. My friend Aimee stayed over because today was "Super Sunday" (see paragragh below) and Jamie was hanging out, and we pretty much made her stay the night too. We rented movies, "The Salton Sea." (Totally awesome movie with Val Kilmer and a mohawk, 2 of my favorite things!) and Identity (Totally trippy!) Both were very good movies. Aimee and I watched "Identity" tonight after "Super Sunday" Erik stayed in the other room and checked on us everytime we screamed.

OK, about "Super Sunday". Its a hair show that Cost Cutters puts on for all the employees. Its like a big HAIR FAIR... All the haircare venders are there and the give us tons of free stuff and great deals on stuff to buy. We get a catered lunch and get to see groovey new stuff in the hair industry and listen to a motorvational speaker. Its actually alot of fun. They do it once a year in September. So now its back to work tomorrow.

After the hairshow Aimee, Sammie, Erik and I went to Red Robin's to eat. And Aimee was able to tell alittle story about me... I got up VERY LATE that day. Aimee was in the bathroom getting ready and I kept passing her in the hall. My only phrase that morning was "bloody hell..." or "bloody f--ing hell". She thought it was rather amusing. See I got up 15 minutes AFTER we were going to leave. I got ready in record time and we were only 17 minutes late. Good thing that the shopping was first and not a speaker. I watch too much BBC, for sure.

So yesterday was a pretty regular day at work, no drama. The manager had the day off. But she'll be there 4 of the 8 hours I work today. I'm so looking forward to spending some quality time with her... NOT!

Today I had to work with "she who must not be named" for the entire time I was there. It wasn't all THAT bad. But all I keep telling myself is "Keep your friends close and you enemies closer," (From "2 Weeks Notice")

I think on Friday I am going to do some serious research on small business building...

Sorry nothing too exciting going on in my life right now. Although maybe that's a good thing. I still have a job anyway and there is no spur of the moment meeting in our future so far. But tomorrow is still another day.

I'm afraid I have been stuck in some strange time warp. My life has been eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep, work... and rinse and repeat...

My parents ordered a hot tub a few weeks ago and it was delivered on friday. YEE HAA!! (living next door does have its benefits!) It was all set up by 4pm and my mom and I were soaking by 8:30... It was nice. Then on Saturday we decided to BBQ and soak again...

Also on Saturday Erik and I attended a church service at Timberline Church. We are in a little church crisis. We both feel a strong pull to attend a church but we have different backgrounds in this area. He was raised in a more strict church environment and I was raised in a more charasmatic church. So we have been trying to come up with some sort of compromise. Since this church has Saturday services Erik was willing to give it a try. We both really want to attend church together but are having trouble finding somwhere that is comfortable to both of us.

Today I worked and we went to see the new movie "Underworld". We really enjoyed it, and I'm sure we'll see it again.

Anyway, that's it for now, I'm tired...

WOOHOO!! 11 more days til vacation! Did I mention that it has been 4 years since Erik and I have taken a real vacation? I am more than ready.

If I haven't mentioned it, we are taking a road trip to Detriot, Mich. Where all his siblings live. I'm excited. It was on our vacation to Detroit 4 years ago that Erik proposed to me... (happy memories...) This year we may try to take the 4 hour drive and see Niagra Falls. I have never seen the falls, I am so looking forward to this part of our trip. I am going to have to stock up on film for the camera...

I'll tell ya all about it later...

I just got my first bit of mail from postcardx. It came to me from Succex, England from a girl named Andrea. I was so excited to open it. I had to carefully peel the tape that was around the edges, not to harm any of the contents. When I got it opened and poured out the contents I found a nice homemade rubber stamped card. Inside the card were several chocolate wrappings from England, a few business cards, (one from Boston) a baggage claim ticket, a movie ticket stub (Bridget Jones) and a Theatre ticket stub.

I know that everything sent to me doesn't mean alot to you but to me it is quite special. I have someone's memories. They thought enough of me to share these memories. I look at each peice and wonder what was going on in her life at the time that she went to that movie or ate that chocolate... Maybe she ate the chocolate at the movie. Now I have the task of sending her something equally as special to her. I will be looking at everything that crosses my path today.

I forgot to mention that offically fall arrived at 4:47 this morning. So tell me why is the high for the day 80 degrees?

Yea, so last night I have my review at work. She (the manager) made me feel bad for all the things I have thought about her. She had such nice things to say about me.

On the review sheet that she turns in and becomes part of my file, there are catagories. You get graded in each of these catagories from a 5 (outstanding) to a 1 (needs improvment) and she gave me mostly all 5's with two or three 4's and even a few 5+'s.

I am just really beside myself here... We had a good talk about things that have taken place in the past few weeks and I told her how I felt about this completly incompitent receptionist that she hired. I guess things are turning for the better.... But I still would like to open my own salon.

I got an email today from someone at Strange Condition looking for fans to work with their promotional dept. I'm so there!

I emailed them back to let them know that I was more than interested. The job requirements include: hanging posters, distributing handbills and other SC material, updating local media and other assisting of the dept. Its about 1-4 hours per week... I'm excited to hear back from them. I listen to my SC CD ALL THE TIME. This is a band I can really get behind...

The weekend is over and history now...

Friday--Did my mom's haircolor (she wouldn't have made it til I got back from vacation) Did some other stuff... Went to Noodles and a $3 movie with Jamie. Saw "Uptown Girls" starring Britney Murphy (one of my favorites) and Dakota Fanning. Very sweet and touching movie, I loved it...

Saturday-- Got up at 8:30 to peel, cut, and crock pot carrots to take to Grandma Sarah's for the family dinner thing. Went to the family dinner thing, ate WAY too much and felt sick all afternoon. Picked apples at G-ma Sarah's. Went home watched Trading Spaces. Jamie came over. I tried to start packing for vacation. Watched "Zoolander" with Jamie.

Sunday-- worked, came home, mowed the lawn, cut my dad's hair, ate and sat in the hot tub. I have named my parents' house "Renz' Tub n' Grub."

Came back home and Erik and I sat and watched "Alias". Tonight was the season Premiere and we have been most impatiently waiting all summer for this night. And they did not let us down... Hopefully while on vacation in Detriot, we can talk Steve, Kat, Michelle and Russ into letting us watch it. This is the only show that we watch regularly on regular TV. Mostly we watch TLC, Discovery and the History channels.

4 more days til lift off...