Currently

I've had a full plate lately, with not even time to get online and read blogs! Horrors! I'll finish up posting about my vacation soon but I thought I would do one of these check in posts to share what I've been up to.

Reading: I'm up in the 90's of my 100 books in 2014 goal, I'm pretty sure I'm going to make it. Last week I left my current book at work (horrors!) and needed something to read in the tub. Like you do. I picked up this old favorite and realized Harriet is kind of my style icon. Have you read Harriet the Spy? It's so good!
But back to my new book goal, I'm currently in the middle of the Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones. She wrote Howl's Moving Castle, which I read earlier in the year and loved. Her books are for young adults I guess but I love her style and how magical her writing is. The world she creates feels so real, I highly recommend her if you like that kind of thing.

Watching: Like every other woman around my age I'm re-watching Gilmore Girls since they put it on Netflix. I have all the season's on dvd but it so much more fun to watch 3 (or 4, or 10) in a row! When it first aired I was the same age as Rory, but now I'm only two years away from Lorelei's age when the series started! It's so weird! And the show is SO GOOD! I'm loving it all over again, and seriously how long did it take ::spoiler alert:: Luke and Lorelei to get together? I'm almost done with season four and I can't take it anymore! Also, Rory is the worst. Anyone else watching it?  
Working On: I'm still getting through our vacation photos and trying to make a blurb book of them. I keep starting those books, but I never finish. I'm trying to get more of my photos off the computer!
Listening To: The Book of Mormon soundtrack on repeat. STILL. It is just so good! We finally got to see it last night at TPAC. We bought the tickets in August and it felt like it would never come! We went with some friends and the boys dressed up for the occasion. Here they are cheesin' at dinner. We went to Two Boots for pizza. Yum!

Travis even got interviewed by the local paper! Ha! The show was incredible. I have never laughed so hard. I shouldn't have worn mascara because it was running into my eyes! I loved it so much I was tempted to go by tonight and try to get the lottery tickets. I want to see it again already!

Anticipating: I had so much planned for October and the beginning of November now it feels like I have nothing left to look forward too! There are lots of movies I'm excited about coming out soon (The Hobbit, Mockingjay, Big Eyes, Into the Woods, to name a few) so that is exciting. And I'm going to start decorating for Christmas this weekend. 
Loving: I got my kitsune tattoo colored after six months of it being just line work. It is so bright and beautiful! I didn't take a photo before it entered the gross peely phase so here is her little head peeking out of the bandage. I'm in love with it. I just need one more session and that half sleeve is done. I just wish it wasn't all the underside of my arm left. Ouch.

And what is an instagram photo post without a cute photo of the pugs. And this one really takes the cake! Look at them in their raincoats! The most precious creatures in the world!

Currently

currently:

watching: At this exact moment, Ghostbusters 2. I'm so happy that RuPaul's Drag Race started two weeks ago! So far I'm into Adore Delano, BenDeLaCreme, Milk, and Courtney Act.
A few days ago I went to our local drag club, Play, to see season 6 contestant Gia Gunn! She is so gorgeous in person! I didn't get to meet her (the show didn't start until 1 am and I had to drag myself home at 3 before it was over) but I'm glad I went. Any other Drag Race fans out there? Who are you into this season?

thinking about: Our vacation in July. Which is too far away to be thinking about! But I just can't wait to spend a week at the beach with our best friends. July can't come soon enough! Also, I get four weeks of vacation time this year, and Travis just gets two. I'm wondering if I should take a little solo trip somewhere. 

anticipating: Two nights of Weezer in April! Oh my GOSH I was freaking out when these shows got announced and could't sleep the night before they went on sale. I even had a dream about it last night! A friend is hosting a "Preezer" (pre-weezer) party before the first night and we're going to make all Weezer themed food. So far I've thought of making Pink Triangle cookies and "I'll Bring Home the Turkey if You'll Bring Home the Bacon" sandwiches. It's going to be so amazing! I will probably cry, more than once. I'm sure you'll get a nostalgic how much I love weezer post before the shows. Did I ever tell that the first time I ever talked to Travis was the first time I saw Weezer live, back in 2002? An auspicious beginning. 

working on: Purging stuff. I said this in January and thankfully I'm still doing it! Last week I deep cleaned my craft room and threw away 4 bags of trash and took 3 big boxes to Goodwill! Travis has been taking my piles of books and cds to McKay's, a local place that actually gives you decent money for your used stuff. We used the credit to get an iPad and a Kindle! Both are old models but that works for me! Next I am going to tackle our front room. It is FULL of boxes and bags and has been that way for more than two years. I keep saying I'll share before pictures on here to make me work on it, but it's too embarrassing! But it feels so good to go in my newly clean and organized craft room. Maybe I'll even sew again!

listening too: The Snap Judgement podcast. I used to occasionally catch it on our local NPR station but recently started downloading it. I LOVE it! If you like This American Life you should give it a chance. It has a similar format of stories on a theme each week. Don't tell Ira, but I think I might like Snap Judgement a little better! 

loving: Beyond Meat Feisty Crumbles. Fellow vegans/vegetarians you have to get on this! I already liked their fake chicken strips but the crumbles are even better! I've never been a fan of any mock ground beef and would have rather just gone without. But saute a bag of this up,add some Frank's Red Hot and I'm salivating! Taco night at my house will never be the same. We have been making the Pinto Beans with Ancho Chili Sauce from this cookbook (which I highly recommend!). I am setting a limit of once every two weeks, or I might be having it every night. 

Also, Travis and I have been making it a point to spend time together at home not just with the tv on, and both of us looking at computers. (That is part of the reason for my internet absence lately.) A few nights ago we played this game, Go For Broke, that I bought at an estate sale. The goal is to be the first to spend $1,000, 000! It was really fun! We also recently did a puzzle which was fun until the end. All we have left is a bunch of trees and I'm over trying to make those vague leaf patterns!

reading: Today I finished book 24 of my 100 books in 2014 goal! I had to call out of work because of ice last week (the first time ever!) and I laid in bed and read an entire book, start to finish! It felt so indulgent! I used to do that all the time during summer breaks. 

And bonus, here is my favorite instagram post lately. My friend brought her baby over and Travis and he matched! Travis always seems to match our nephew (it's all the plaid) but who knew he would match a baby wearing a fluffy pink bear suit! Look at those cuties.

A little meme

Kaelah over at Little Chief Honeybee put up a meme post yesterday and I couldn't resist. Like her I used to be ALL over Live Journal (I was actually really surprised when I abandoned that 10 year old chronicle of my life for this space). I have always loved doing these kinds of things, and reading other peoples. Travis actually found I like had a big crush on him through one of these things (By looking up the mentioned live journal and seeing all the stuff about him, with a code name of course. Haha. I was 16! Give me a break! So without further ado....

1. What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
If it is a work day the first thing I do is take the dogs out and make a smoothie. If I'm off, I usually lay in bed for an hour or two and read. I LOVE to do that.

2. What is the 3rd picture on your phone? Share it!

Aw, it is a sweet photo of me and Phyllis. I'm pretty sure I took this when I got home from work one day and I had taken the dogs out. Phyllis does not like to walk in, so she just waits in the yard until you come pick her up. I've even tried bribing her with treats!


3. What TV show are you most excited about returning this Fall?
I don't watch anything when it is actually on,  I'm usually a season or two behind. I am excited for RuPaul's Drag Race to return in January though!

4. What is something really popular that you secretly (or not so secretly) loathe?
(EDIT: Travis brought it to my attention that I forgot to answer this question! Oops!) I do not like Dr. Who. At all. I watched probably 40 episodes with Travis and just couldn't get into it. And I WANT too. Because almost everyone I know loves it. I just don't care about the Dr.

5. Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! Bonus points for pictures.

Phyllis - 7ish year old three legged pug

Priscilla - 10ish year old mostly blind mostly deaf pug

 Scampi - 10ish year old Siamese Torti cat, the sassiest of them all

Scout - 3 year old tabby spot cat. she was pretty feral when we got her. she will let me pet her sometimes. she is sweet though, never hisses or bites. Unless Travis is chasing her to put flea stuff on her.

Murray - 5.5 year old tuxedo boy. we got him as a kitten right when we got married.

6. If you could put together one outfit that represents you perfectly, what would it be?
It would be a dress with horizontal stripes, one color would be black, and it would have a retro cut, with a flared out skirt. i would be wearing terrible beat up converse low tops, my red glasses, and some kind of weird brooch.

7. What is your favorite adult beverage?
I hardly ever drink. If I do, I usually get a Cape Cod.

8. What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
I'm not really embarrassed by anything I love. Maybe it would be that I LOVE to get my karaoke machine out when I'm home alone and sing pop hits for HOURS. Or maybe I am a little embarrassed that sometimes I read fan fiction.

9. What are 3 positive words to describe you?
Sassy, quick to laugh, kind.

10. What is your favorite Friday afternoon/evening activity?
I work retail so Friday isn't that significant to me. But if I am going to off on Saturday, I like to go out late on Friday night, to PLAY, which is the best drag bar in town. If I am out past midnight you can guarantee that is where I am.

11. A day in the life: What does you typical day look like?
Up at 6 am, let out the dogs, make breakfast, go to work for 8 hours. Come home and eat a snack and let myself watch one episode of whatever I am currently watching on Netflix (I just finished Sister Wives season 3). Sometimes it turns into three episodes. Try to get something done around the house, usually cleaning the kitchen or folding laundry. Make dinner or get Travis to go get take out. Pack my lunch, get in to bed and read until I fall asleep. Or stay on the computer way too late.

12. If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?
New Zealand!

13. You've got a whole day to yourself...what will you do?
I would sleep in, then read in bed for a few hours. I would hit a bunch of estate sales, then come home and photograph my finds for the blog. Then I would go to the movies alone, and pick up Baja Burrito to eat in the theater. Then I would come home and look at blogs for a long time and wouldn't have to share the computer. I would eat junk for dinner then take a long bath and read.

14. Dream job?
Vintage buyer, scouring the country for cool stuff for people.

15. Least favorite chore?
Scrubbing the bathroom. Of scooping the litter boxes. Terrible.

16. When do you most feel like a rock star?
When I get a whole room of our house organized and clean. someday I'll have the whole house perfect at once and I will probably faint.

17. What is something you are currently trying to improve within yourself?
Getting off the computer and getting motivated. I have a bad habit of sitting here for hours and hours a day and let things pile up at home. I would love to figure out what I'm really passionate about and put plans into motion, but it is easier to just read fun blogs all day. I also need to get motivated to clean out our front room and make it the western themed guest room of my dreams!

Currently...

Oh man, I've been sick for a week! Mostly just terrible window rattling coughs and a completely stuffed up nose. It is getting really old. Thankfully I think I'm finally on the tail end of it. I've been taking vitamin C and fenugreek/thyme like crazy!  Do you like my KALE sweatshirt? I got it free from work and it is one of the dorkiest things I own.  I have some great finds to show you, but I haven't gone through the pictures yet. I went to a really amazing sale this past week and I can't wait to show you! Until then I thought I would fill out this little survey. I've never done it before, but I've always enjoyed seeing other bloggers do it!
currently:
loving: Rupaul's Drag Race All Stars!! Is anyone else watching it? I love that they brought back the fan favorites, thought I wish it was going to be a whole season! I'm team Latrice/Manilla, but wouldn't be made if Jujubee/Raven won. They post the episodes on logotv.com every Tuesday if you are interested! In my opinion it is the best show on television!
reading: I just finished How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran. I had high hopes as it was supposed to be a modern, funny, take on feminism, but it was just ok. Next I'm going to read Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach. I've heard a lot of good stuff about it! I have also been rereading all my Clutch zines, since I finally got issue 19. I used to order tons of zines and indie comics a few years ago, and I'm trying to get back in the habit. It is a great way to support small business.
watching: I just rewatched Freaks and Geeks on netflix and am sad all over again that there is only one season. Such a bummer. We watched a National Geographic documentary on North Korea last night that kind of blew my mind. And full disclosure, Travis and I are currently watching Magic Mike! Haha, he rented it! Have you watched anything interesting on Netflix instant lately? I can always use suggestions!
thinking about: The upcoming holiday retail season and how much I'm dreading it! Maybe someday I won't be in retail and I'll be able to enjoy it more.
anticipating: Putting up my Christmas decorations! And a trip I get to take to Naples, Florida because of work after Thanksgiving. And I'm looking forward to election season being over. So much unpleasantness everywhere. I'll be glad when the winner is announced and I can stop worrying about it.
listening too: Mostly podcasts. My favorites are The Nerdist, Ronna and Beverly, and This American Life. Today while deep cleaning our room I listened to the Backstreet Boys station on Pandora and really loved it! Lots of Boyz II Men and power ballads to sing along too. I finally bought the most recent Tilly and the Wall record as well. It is ok.
working on: Pricing Christmas stuff for my booth. I need to go in and see my numbers for October but honestly I'm scared to.

If you really knew me...

I have been really enjoying reading these on other people's blogs, so I thought I would do it myself. I was having a hard time coming up with things about myself that you wouldn't know from reading my blog, so I asked Travis for some ideas. He said "Something about the Spice Girls? Your love of Santa?" Ha! Here is what I came up with:
I get asked if my glasses are real all the time, and they are. I'm extremely near-sighted, and have worn glasses since I was 7 years old. I can't decide if I should be insulted by people thinking I wear fashion glasses. 
I am a fast talker. Customers at work ask me where I'm from a lot, and when I tell them I was born and raised in Tennessee they are surprised.  The worst thing you can say to me is that sometimes you don't understand what I'm saying, and you just laugh so I think you heard it. It really hurts my feelings. 
When I was a kid my mom didn't let us help clean the house (which I loved then) so I am helpless when it comes to cleaning the house now. I really feel clueless when it is time to scrub the bathroom/mop the hardwood floors and usually get Travis to do it. We both have a high tolerance for mess, so our house is more often than not a wreck. 
All the excitement on the internet about shark week makes me nervous. I am terrified of sharks. Seeing one on tv, especially one JUMPING out of the water makes my stomach hurt. The movie Jaws is really scary to me. Just writing this has given me chills. And yes, I know it is a ridiculous fear.
You probably CAN tell this by reading my blog, but I am really obsessive. I can't ever just like something, I get obsessed with it. This goes for musicians, tv shows, movies, collections, pretty much everything. If I find a new show that I like, I will watch it non stop until I finish the whole series. 
I love singing more than almost anything else. Especially pop songs, ballads are my favorite. I have a good memory for song lyrics and love singing cheesy 90's hits when they come on at work. I feel better going in to work if I can belt out something on the way. Currently I've been listening to Beyonce's newest album on the way in, but Michael Jackson, Queen, and Weezer are in heavy rotation. I have a karaoke machine and sometimes I get it out and sing by myself. We had karaoke at our rehearsal dinner too. 
Sometimes I feel like I am the most self conscious person on Earth. I wish I could be one of those people who didn't care what other people thought about them, but I haven't been able to get there yet. 
Uhhh, that is all I can think of. Did you do one of these? Leave me a link!