Life

One of my 3rd cousins, Shane, passed away yesterday morning.  He was involved in a head on car crash.  I don't know the complete story (who else was involved).  May he rest in peace!  And others as well if they were hurt.

I had just met Shane this last summer at our family reunion.  Awesome guy!  Going through medical issues and on the verge of dying back then but he always seemed to be in a happy mood.  He didn't let it get him down... And then for a car crash to take him?  It's sad...

On to something else...

I recently started working out again :)  Hopefully, I stick with it and procrastination doesn't kick my ass!  I will be keeping track of my workout on another page on my blog so as to not clutter my main page with my failure success!

Thinking... Thinking... Yep, I think that's all for now.  Short and sweet :)  Later all!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Why does Santa have 3 gardens?  So he can ho, ho, ho!  Silly, I know but still kinda cute :)

These are a couple of center piece tree things I made for a few gifts this year.  I made 4 total...

2 Silver
1 Green
1 Red

 

I forgot to take a picture of all the things I made (including the red tree center piece) but after people open their gifts, I will take pictures and edit this post to upload them.  I wish I could have done more for friends and family (gift wise) but this is my first year of making things.

Blood, sweat and tears went into everything I made!  Well, not the canned jellies I made and the pickles my boyfriend and I made (gifts also).

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Safe travels and happy gatherings!

Ten years from now...

Remember being asked where you thought you'd be 10 years from now?  Well, 10-11 years ago (roughly) I was asked that question.  I think it was back in high school.  I am now 27 years old.  Yeah, I have a hard time getting out of bed and I'm feeling pain in places I didn't when I was younger... Getting older is a real bitch joy!

Someone ~ "So Shannon, where do you see yourself in 10 years?"
Me ~ "I dunno... Maybe rich, un-married, kid-less and happy.  Oh yeah, and definitely NOT at my high school reunion!"

Well, I'm still un-married and kid-less and happy!  But, I'm still a part of the broke folk community!

Why am I un-married?  I'm pretty sure I will never get married.  I don't need a piece of paper and a ring to prove that I love someone.  And on the plus side, if we ever get tired of each other, we just go our separate ways!  No messy divorce and nobody going into debt paying for the divorce :)  What about common law marriage?  I don't know the rules here in the great state of Oregon for that but I'll just play dumb, lol.

Why don't I have kids or want them?  Well, don't get me wrong... I love kids so long as they aren't mine!  Growing up, I was a complete brat to my mother and that's something I DON'T want to deal with, lol.  Another me in the world?  I think not!  Although, I will admit that some kids can get under my skin... What about those kids in the store just screaming their little heads off if mom or dad won't buy them something?  Annoying?  Yeah!

Babies... Understandable.
Toddlers... I get it.
Anywhere from 5 and up... Get your kid in order!

I think a lot of 'screaming, fit-throwing, temper tantrum' kids is just a result of parenting.  Spoil them too much and they think they deserve everything they ask for.  When told "no" they get upset and throw fits.  Set boundaries and rules and kids respect parents more.  They need to earn what they get, lol.  Mow the yard for a summer (older kid, of course) and you'll get a PS3 or something like that.  Then again, maybe this is why I don't have kids, lol... I know nothing about them!

Why do I not want to go to my 10 year reunion?  Because most the kids I went to school with were... Well... They were very rude and judgmental.  I had a small count of true friends.  Preppies?  Nope.  Jocks?  Hell no!  Smart Geeks?  No.  I was in the 'Loner' group.  I hated cheerleading, sports, pep rallies, computers, video games... I liked writing, reading and hanging out with my friends.  Although, most of my friends were out of high school (I hung with the older crowd).  I always got home after my curfew, lol.

Why am I broke?  Ask Nobama!

So, right now, where to you see yourself 10 years from now?

Me?  Still un-married, kid-less, poor but still happy!  (yeah, I set my goals low so I'm not that disappointed when things don't go my way)

Smells and wounded pride...

I had a fun day today with my mother.  We got all the food shopping done for Christmas dinner and we baked goodies... We haven't done that together for a long time... It was nice :) The house smelled so good!

We made a pumpkin roll (first time to ever make one for me).  I hear they are some-what hard to make but we will see.  It looks and smells yummy!  Then, we made six loafs of Pumpkin Gingerbread.  I've never tried it before nor have I had it so when I came across it on the good ol' internet, I decided that it looks fantastic and I wanted to try to bake it, lol.  It came out looking scrumpdiddlyumptious! I can't wait to try it.  And, I hope it turns out good because I am giving some to friends (gifts).  We also made some no bake cookies... Peanut butter!  Just looking at them makes me drool, lol!  We tried her recipe because every time I've tried to make them with mine, they never turn out... Maybe it's just me :)

Anywho, all the goodies look so yummy and I can't wait to dig in!  But, I can already feel everything going to my ass!

So, after I got home, I decided I'd walk over and check our mail (it's only about 100 feet from our house).  Well, I was walking behind Kris's truck and I hit a patch of ice.  Yep, I slipped and fell right on my rump!  Too bad I didn't eat any goodies to pad my ass a little more before my fall!  Goodness, Kris was outside and he saw it... He was like "are you ok babe?"  I said "yes, I'm fine... Just wounded my pride is all" and I continue to walk over to our mailbox.  I get back home, empty handed (no mail) and my pride was crushed even more because of my fall and walking over there for nothing... Not even junk mail!  Damn ice!

Well all, I'm sure I've bored you enough!  Have a great night :)

Pet Peeves...

We all have Pet Peeves.  Some big, some small.  I'll admit that there are things that annoy the hell out of me.  But, the main reason for this post is that I think some people really bring them out of others...

Example:  Say I did or said something that really got under your skin and annoyed you.  But, maybe you didn't like me too much to begin with or you don't really know me like you do your best friend.  Yet, your best friend could do or say the same thing I did and it doesn't bother you when they do it.

What are your opinions on this?  Do you feel it's possible for a stranger or an enemy to annoy you when a close friend doesn't?  Even though they did or said the same thing?  Or is it more like... Friends and enemies both annoying you and you only target one person to get upset with?  Or do you talk to ALL the people about your pet peeve and ask them all to try to cool it?  Or... what?  How does it work with you?

Here are some of my Pet Peeves...

1 ~ Dog hair in my house (but I love my dogs and allow them into the house).
2 ~ People always asking me "What's wrong?" over and over when I say "Nothing" when it      really is nothing or because I just don't want to talk about it.
3 ~ Loud kids in a nice restaurant (I know, I'm so mean!).
4 ~ Long check-out lines at stores... Grrr!
5 ~ Company drinking my last cup of coffee and not saying anything so I can make another pot before I finish my cup, lol.
6 ~ Missing socks!  Almost every time I do laundry, I end up with a missing sock.
7 ~ People who can dish it but not take it... Seriously?  Don't joke around with me then!
8 ~ People who jump out from around a corner to scare me.  I might purposely accidently punch you in the face... Damn reflexes!
9 ~ Having a gazzilion pens in the house and not being able to find one that actually works when I need it, like, NOW.
10 ~ Going for a beer and realizing your company has drank your last one... (Next time, bring your own!)

Well, that was a nice little chat to umm... chat about, I guess, lol.  Guess I forgot what I was going to say to go along with that :)  It happens.

So tell me, what are some of your pet peeves?

Little bit of everything...

I must admit... My boyfriend is awesome!  Yesterday, he brought home a blended coffee from my favorite corner lot coffee hut... He ordered a 20 oz and the owner made too much (she always does that) so he got a 32 oz instead for the 20 oz price.  Then, he gave that big bad boy to me!  I was feeling like Hammy on Over the Hedge!!  My boyfriend hates coffee so for him to stop and get me one 'just because' is awfully sweet :)  I knew there was a reason why I love him so much!

On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, I went to my mother's house and helped her get the place ready for Christmas and company.  Lots of coffee and giggling later, we got most of it done (E-Bay stuff organized too).  I'll go help her out again next week and get it super done :)

Kris bought a Prime Rib for Christmas dinner for us and the family.  I'm so excited about cooking it up and pigging out.  The way he cooks it is amazing!  It's so tender and scrumpdiddlyumptios!  I'm drooling now as I type this!

I've decided that my broke ass is making gifts this year for Christmas so, I will try to post pictures of the things I make (the ones that turn out looking good).  I love making things but I'm no Martha Stewart!  I sure like to try though!

Anywho, I have a lot to get done today (laundry and cleaning) so I better get my butt in gear!  Have a great day all!  :)

Triple C's

Today is going to be pretty eventful.  Or so I hope it is.  I have my list of Triple C's to get done today... And then some.

You ever feel like you are stressed out EVERY SINGLE DAY?  Well, I do (most of the time) but today, I'm going to try to find my happy place and send the stress away.  That's my goal!  "Shoo Stress, shoo!  Be gone with your bad self!"  Holidays always stress me out but there is one thing I do for Christmas that eases the stress... Send out Christmas Cards :)










To Do List:

1.  Christmas Cards ~ I have most of them ready to send.  Now, it's just a matter of deciding who to send a picture to and then seal 'em up, stamp 'em and send 'em out.  I don't know why but it's fun and relaxing for me to send them.  I find it's more personal then sending out mass e-cards for the holidays :)  And with my friends and family and Kris's friends and family, I have a LOT going out this year!

2.  Cleaning ~ That's almost an every day thing for me to do but that's the price I pay for loving a clean house.  I hate dirt and clutter.  Clutter is a fear of mine, lol.  I want to be able to see my kitchen counter tops and not have them cluttered with toasters or crock pots or anything.  When it comes to dirt, nobody can hide from it.  Where I live, it's always dusty.  I can dust every morning and still collect dust by evening.  It's kinda sad and creates a lot of stress for me, lol.

3.  Cooking ~ I need to do my timing just right for dinner to be ready tonight.  I'm going to cook corned beef, cabbage and carrots (oh look, Triple C's again, lol) in a crock pot and try to have it ready when Kris gets off work.  I have always been off on my timing.  Even when my directions give me a time.  I can't figure that one out, lol.

Two stressful things out of three chores isn't bad I guess.  There is a great chance I'll beat the stress and accomplish my goal(s) today :)  I hope everyone else has a great day and stays stress-free!

Yesterday...

I had a great day yesterday for my birthday/turkey day.  Kris and I went to my mothers house for dinner and games with the family.

The turkey was yummy and the stuffing and yams were the best!  Mmm... I love me some yams... *drools*... Instead of having pie, we had cake.  A yummy vanilla cake with way too many candles, lol.  My mom always amazes me with big dinners like that... Spend alllll daaaay loooong cooking just for people to sit and scarf (literally) food for 15-20 minutes.  Me?  I don't have the patience to slave away on a great, big dinner just to enjoy for a short time.  I would much rather slave on T.V. Dinners in the oven, lol.  Gotta give props to my mom!  :)

Games were fun... We played Pinochle and I lost :)  (I always seem to anymore)  After the game, there was a bit of drama between two people about health care issues... But, other then the drama, I had an awesome birthday!  I do wish my father would have been able to make it.  Hopefully he will feel better soon and we can meet up sometime...

My mother gave me candles... Black-cherry!  My favorite!  My boyfriend bought me an amazing diner at Diego's about a month ago.  My uncle and his girlfriend got me some lottery scratch-its and I won $20.00 on those and my mothers landlord (and friend for years) gave me some cash.  I keep telling people to not get me anything but they never listen.  I'm too old to be receiving gifts for a b-day.  Although, I did buy myself a cute, warm winter coat this morning!  :)  I love it!

Well, time to get my butt in gear and finish cleaning house and doing laundry so I can relax this evening.  Desperate Housewives is on tonight so I'm pretty excited about that :)  Later all!

If it's not one thing... It's another...

The seal or gasket (or whatever it is) behind the water pump in Kris's (my boyfriend) truck is no good and now water is leaking everywhere!  Once again, I will do my best to be his Mechanic Nurse and help him out.  My job is to hand him tools or whatever he needs for the job.  For some reason, I don't think he trusts me to remove bolts or anything 'cause I'm a girl, lol.

The timing of this whole thing couldn't be worse.  We are supposed to be saving money to go to Colorado for his best friends wedding.  We leave to drive to Portland on Turkey Day to catch our plane.  May have to take a bus to Portland if anything else decides to go wrong with his truck.  We already have our plane tickets purchased (obviously) but now we are going to be short on cash while there.  Fun.  We fly back home on the 30th... That's a long time with no money, lol.  But, we will make the best of it and still have a blast while there :)

On to something else... My family, Kris and I are going to have Saturday as our Turkey Day since Kris and I will be gone on the real Turkey Day.  Saturday is also my birthday so we are getting two birds with one stone... Much easier that way!  We should just pick one day out of the year and celebrate EVERY holiday, lol.  That would be a huge money saver!  4th of July, Easter, St. Patty's Day, Christmas, Halloween, Birthdays and whatever other holiday I didn't say... All rolled into one!  Sweetness :)  Well, maybe on New Years Eve...

Anywho, I should get going.  He's in the shower now and he will be ready to start mechanicin' once he's done.  Have a great day all!  :)

Wood

I went out today and helped my mother and friends get some wood for the winter.  'Old Red' was loaded to the max!  Whew... what a workout...

I am beat now.  Some of them logs were pretty big.  The two guys cut the wood, I loaded it in the truck and my mother stacked it in the truck.  Great teamwork!  Now, I'm ready for a shower, dinner and maybe a beer!

It's been quite fun for the amount of hard work it is, lol.  I love it because I'm out in the woods enjoying every sound.  It's peaceful to me :)  We are all going to go back out tomorrow and do it all again!

What am I?

I am a woman, a housekeeper, an accountant, a dog groomer, a laundry service, an organizer, a landscaper, a cook, a dish washer, a coffee house, a phone book, a mechanic's assistant, a seasonal warehouse worker, a shoe finder, a back scratcher, a masseuse, a craigslist seller all rolled into one being.  I am Super-Shannon!  Just a typical day in the life of most women, lol.  Seriously though, women do it all!  Sorry guys... (Some of you do a lot too!)

20 Things

I was thinking I would do a ~20 things about me for my 20th post~ post :)

1.  I am terrified of spiders... Any kind, any size.  I'm a complete girly-girl when it comes to spiders... I run away screaming like a baby, lol.  The only good spider is a dead spider!


2.  I have broke 3 bones in my 26 years.  In order ~ My left collar bone as a toddler when my cousin fell on me (I still love you Lacie!).  My right collar bone while playing football (tripped over my own feet trying to impress a boy) at age 11 (I think).  Last, my left wrist by bouncing off another cousins trampoline at 13 or 14 years old (Yes, I still love you too, Amber!).


3.  I was home-schooled  (which may explain my grammar/english writing skills, lol).  However, I did graduate and I received my High School Diploma with the home-schooling :)

4.  I like to write (obviously!) about anything.  Poems, short stories, letters to friends and family...

5.  I have a stupid fear of driving that controls my freedom!  I get panic attacks behind the wheel.  Makes me feel like a royal dumbass!

6.  I'm a firm believer in "Eye for an Eye" when it comes to prison inmates but that is a whole different blog post.  I have a lot to say about that...

7.  I hate having nail polish on my fingers but feel naked when my toes are without nail polish.  Is that weird?

8.  I can pop my hips in and out of joint while standing.  It sure grosses people out to see that, lol.  My hips were dislocated when I was born (my mother had to double up the diapers to keep my hips in socket if that makes any sense)...

9.  I was in an abusive relationship for 3 years.  I hate the guy for how he was but I'm thankful to him for making me stronger and wiser.

10.  I'm addicted to coffee but I don't like Starbucks or Dutch Brothers.  I prefer my local Full Throttle Java Hut (located at both ends of town for your convenience)  :)  Plus, the girls there rock!

11.  I once got really drunk and did amateur night at a strip club.  I will NEVER drink that much EVER again, lol.  I was also offered a job by the club manager... I drunkenly, yet politely, declined, lol.

12.  I'm extremely shy in person but will tell my life story online (go figure).

13.  I went through a depressed stage in life and tried to end it.  I'm so over that now though and I love, love, love my life the way it is.  Yeah, things could be better but I'll take it for what it is :)  I have family, friends and a boyfriend who all love me and accept me for who I am and I love them all for that and their support :)

14.  I absolutely HATE cooking but I do it anyways for my boyfriend because he loves when I cook for him (probably because he's taught me how to cook... My mother tried but I never listened because SHE always cooked) and his appreciation makes me feel good.

15.  I've never met my real father but here recently, he contacted me through FaceBook.  I'm glad he did and I want to know everything about him and meet him someday.  I have so many questions for him... I feel... Well, I don't know how I feel yet.  Only time will tell...

16.  I don't plan on ever getting married.  I would wear an engagement ring but never get married, lol.  I would stay engaged forever.  I don't believe in having a piece of paper to prove how much I love someone.  Besides, it's much cheaper to get rid of a boyfriend then it is to get rid of a husband, lol.  No divorce :)  Just take your shit and go!

17.  I don't plan on ever having kids either.  Don't get me wrong, I love kids I just don't want any of my own.  Yeah, yeah... They're cute and squishy and do adorable things but... I'll pass.  But, if I ever did end up pregnant, I would love my baby more then anything else in life :)

18.  I sang karaoke once with a friend at a bar that was full of people.  That was another drunk moment of mine.  It was horrible, lol.  We sang, or butchered would be correct, 'Rockstar' by Nickelback :)

19.  I love nuts by themselves... Salted, honey roasted, whatever but I hate foods that have nuts cooked in it or topped with nuts.  Candy bars with nuts in them?  I don't like them... Yuck!

20.  I hate getting flowers as a gift (especially from a boyfriend).  It may be a nice gesture and all but get me something that is going to last... Not something that is going to die soon...

Now what?

As far as I can remember, I've never met my father.  Might have when I was a new born baby but I wouldn't remember, obviously.  My whole life (almost 27 years) I've always wondered about him.  His personality.  His quirks.  What he's like.  What he looks like...

Growing up, I was always jealous of my friends who had a father in their lives.  A father teaching his son how to build things or a father over-protecting his daughter from boys.  I always wondered what it was like.  Sure, I had a step-father for many years.  He was a real piece of work *eye roll*.  I've never called him Dad.  Simply put, he made my life hell.  But, I won't get in to how horrible he was with me or my mother.  I'm just glad he's gone.  I've never called anyone Dad.

I woke up this morning and logged in to FaceBook and had a friend request.  Well, it was my real father.  I didn't know what to think or what to do.  I thought about it for a while and accepted his request to be friends.  He then wrote to me.  When I saw his name in my inbox, I started shaking I was so nervous.  After I read what he wrote, I smiled.  It totally made my day :)

There's so much I want to know about him.  What his life was like growing up.  All things good and bad.  Family from his side.  If I have more siblings.  Favorites and dislikes.  I don't even know where to start when it comes to asking him questions.  Sure, I want to know everything about him but I don't want to ask him all these questions and have him get annoyed, lol.  I don't even know how to have a father/daughter relationship... But, that's something I want to work on and try to do.  I'm so glad he took that huge step and asked to be friends.  Things have been rocky for me when it came to him but I feel like I can get pass that.  I want to know him and have him in my life.  I just hope it doesn't go back to how it used to be.

Well, I think it's time for me to get off here.  I'm tired and ready for bed.  Goodnight stars, goodnight moon, goodnight world :)