like goldfish in a goldfish pond

Long time, no see!

2010-01-18T20:11:00.002-05:00

Wow.

Well thanks to Rachel Ratliff for emailing me a link to her blog, it reminded me that I hadn't looked at mine in AGES - almost a year now, crazy!

Let's catch everyone up to speed.

Last spring I got 2 jobs, one working for the Fredericksburg Area Musem as a Front Line staffer. Basically I worked admissions and in the store. Secondly, I got a job providing daily care for a low-functioning autistic boy here in Fredericksburg. Two very different things, I know!!

I have enjoyed both of the jobs to a point. At first I got a lot out of both of them, but as time went on I was less impressed. I think this happens with most jobs so I'm not going to explain too much. However, the work as a clinician became tiring fast. Low-functioning autism is very difficult to deal with on a regular basis. Not being able to verbally communicate with a very frustrated 14 year old boy makes for a stressful work life. But still, it can be very rewarding. I taught him how to read out loud and we've gotten along really well.

As for Casey, we were together for about 3 months. I'm sad to say that I misjudged my abilities and I had to find her another home. She was growing exponentially and my apartment was far too small for such a rambunctious dog. (Also my roommate Rachel was not a fan of her.)

My roommate's boyfriend moved in for a large portion of the year, and they ended up getting engaged - they're getting married in Sedona in July 2010!

Thomas and I broke up in May. It was a tough decision to break up in the first place but spending the summer apart let both of us grow as individuals and definitely gave us time to mature a bit before getting back together in October.

I got a new car in June, thanks to my parents for a generous loan. Its a 2004 Mazda3 - manual! Yes this is my first stick and before buying the car I had had about 45 minutes worth of practice in my friend Dana's VW. But I love Chuck (my car) and we've traveled almost 13,000 miles in 6 months! Wow. We've driven all over Virginia (several times), North Carolina, DC, Maryland and Pennsylvania! <- my first trip to the "North".

This fall, I went into high gear looking for a new job. Lots of interviews later, still nothing.

Here it is January and I'm in the process of moving out of my apartment. My lease is up at the end of the month and I've currently quit both of my jobs. So I'm about to be jobless and homeless!

Well not quite - - I'm moving to Charlottesville to live temporarily with my Grandmother. I have 2 leads on jobs - one in Richmond (near Thomas!) and one in Northern Virginia. I'm excited about both of them, but they wont be hiring/starting until February. So thus I am moving.

So thats about it, or at least a general overview. I doubt anyone actually reads this, but in case they stumble across it - now you know.

Hopefully 2010 will be an amazing year and I will have lots to post about when I get around to it next spring ;-)

-Emma

THIS IS NOT CASEY....

2009-03-03T22:05:00.004-05:00

....But it sure looks like it!

while this photo isn't of casey this is what i assume casey would have looked like when she was a puppy puppy!

HOW CUTE!

I'm feeling better about Casey now and we had a good evening. I went and got a baby gate to keep her out of the kitchen and for now thats working well. She can't jump over it because its a super tall.

We spent the evening trying not to get into trouble. We played with the kong and with her squeaky skunk. She was enjoying playing but she kept trying to mess with the gate - she didnt like it. Later on, I decided that it would be a good idea for her to have a bath, even though she just got a bath last week. Its bad for her to be bathed so much but she was just sooo dirty from the weekend when I boarded her. I just washed her bed today so I didnt want her getting it dirty. So now everyone is clean and happy.

I'm about to take her out and put her to bed for good. I know I'm beat so I hope she is too!

(PS -soon I should have some pics of Casey playing in the snow. I took them with caroline's camera. and she said that she would post them when she got the chance. - hopefully thats soon.)

-E

pokey little puppy

2009-03-03T16:46:00.002-05:00

So I havent posted in awhile but a lot has been going on. Caroline came to visit and thus Casey was stuff in her crate for a lot of it. (caroline doesnt like dogs).

So that kinda blows, we also had a HUGE snowstorm.

ARGH - sometiems i get so frustrated with her. She gets into everything. and whines all the freaking time. I wish thomas was here to help.

Currently she whining/barking from her crate and im ignoring her. She got into the paper towels and is generally causing havoc.

However, because I still love her even if we're both bipolar sometimes, I'm going to post this adorable pic of Casey. This is how she prefers to ride in the the car!

manic monday

2009-02-23T20:37:00.002-05:00

Today was anything but manic. Casey and I got up this morning and went out to the house where she'll be staying this weekend. The woman boards dogs for only $18 a day which is super cheap for this area. So thats a pro. Con side its not an actual kennel. Its just a woman with a house and a huge yard and a dog for Casey to play with. But we're gonna use her anyway because its cheap and I think Casey will have a good time.

Spent the rest of the day enjoying myself. Watching tv and just hanging out. Did all my laundry and ran a few errands. Nothing too serious. I have to do a bunch of stuff tomorrow and on Wednesday for my new job working for Creative Family Solutions. TB tests, fingerprinting, DMV records. Basically going places and waiting... and some more waiting... So pretty much BORING. But time consuming.

Casey had a break through today and she actually just chilled with me for awhile. That was kinda nice and maybe its a sign shes calming down. Speaking of her spaying - her incision looked a little infected today so I gave her a pain pill as well as her amoxicillin. Hopefully the swelling will go away soon. I hadnt really been worrying about it and still trying not to - but shes my baby so I have to.

-E

Weekend in review

2009-02-22T22:09:00.001-05:00

Got a couple days I need to catch up on. Thomas came on Friday and he and Casey played for a little while. He brought his camera because I wanted to take a billion more pictures of Casey and we did just that. It was really fun to play with her and try to keep her from smudging the camera lens while trying to get a cute shot. We had planned to go to a party that night as well but instead fell asleep at 8 PM. Boring Friday night. oh well.

Saturday was full of sleep, me having to work and Thomas having some one on one time with Casey. I think he finally realized how overwhelming Casey can be sometimes because after about 2 hours he texted me asking what to do when she was super hyper. I told him to put her in her crate and he texted back sayings --- already done. LOL

We had our Valentines day on Saturday and we ended up going to this very fancy little restaurant in downtown Fburg. We both got to dress up - I wore a pretty dress and Thomas wore a button down and the bow-tie that the fam gave him for christmas.

We both decided to eat outside of our comfort zone. He got the charcuterie board for his entree and I got the roasted duck. Delicious!

I figured I'd waste some space talking about that so that I can come down here and post some more pictures of Casey. I have a bunch of SUPER adorable ones.

Today (Sunday) when we woke up it was sleeting so that was kinda a downer. But by the time we had gotten Casey up it had stopped so Thomas and I decided that it would be fun to take Casey to the dog park. We headed out there in the cold and Thomas of course took along the camera. We werent out there for long because it was so cold - but still got some cute pics.

(PS - isnt she adorable in her red rain cape?? I think she looks SOO cute. I'm not a fan of clothes on dogs but I think this is useful but also fashionable. Red is her color. haha!)

more on flickr

-E

Currently Reading: Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris

Gorgeous!

2009-02-19T13:19:00.001-05:00

Found this today while "stumbling" - thought it was so cute and sweet!

It can be found here (its bigger there in case you cant see the cuteness of where the arrow is pointing)

Currently reading(finished reading): The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

today today today

2009-02-18T16:53:00.000-05:00

Well its Wednesday. One of the tougher days of my week. I had work this morning from 9:30 till 1:00. Then I had to run home and take Casey out so that I could be back in town by 2:00 to go to work at the bookstore, till 6:00. Then I have to go to the Pearsons and babysit for them from 6:30 till who knows when. After that I'm due for a drink with Amanda at Capital Ale.

So as you can see its a busy day. That means not much time for Casey. Yeah I ran home and took her out but I feel bad that I didn't have time for a big walk today. Hopefully tomorrow I can spend more time with her. I'm working the bookstore tomorrow morning so maybe when I get home tomorrow afternoon she and I can go to the park and play around for a little bit. We'll see.

In other news, I found out that my friend Caroline will be coming to visit me in 2 weeks which I'm super psyched about. I havent seen her since the fall so it's great that shes taking the train down from Boston. She's never met Amanda or Thomas so we're going to spend some time here in fburg and then head down to Newport News to see Thomas. Should be an interesting trip to say the least.

Thats about all for now. Just trying to remember to post - make this a regular habit. Practice my writing skills. All that jazz.

Yeah.

-E

Currently reading - The Snow Garden by Christopher Rice

2009-02-16T20:45:00.000-05:00

Not such a happy puppy anymore.

Casey was very sad when I picked her up from the clinic. She was angry at me and didn't want to be touched. But who would want to be touched after all your insides get messed around with. She came home and didnt want to eat anything. She didnt want to move. She was very quiet and layed on the sofa and on her mat.

She tried to drink some water at one point and threw everything up. All over my carpet. But shes sick so I'm not too upset.

Now she's sitting on my bed and just groans and whines at the pain. Hopefully she'll go get in her crate soon and we'll all get some sleep. Apparently she'll be like this tomorrow too.

Oh and by the way - when I got to the clinic tonight the nurse told me that the meds were going to be $10 but they didnt take check or credit. Cash only. Of course I didnt have 10 on me so I have to go back tomorrow and pay for Casey's pain meds and antibiotics. Fun stuff.

-E

Big Day!

2009-02-16T16:10:00.000-05:00

So Casey and I got up at 8 this morning and headed to the vet - she had no idea she was about to be left at the animal clinic all day and have her lady parts fixed. She was all excited till I put her in a metal cage and left. I think she felt betrayed.

I came home and instead of going back to sleep like I was planning on, I got stuff done and went to the doctor. I've been having chest congestion and sinus pressure since the middle of January. I waited like an hour to have the doctor see me for about 5 minutes and tell me I have bronchitis and that she'll prescribe me a Z-pack and some Codeine based decongestants. All of this took less than 10 mins. I was there for an hour and a half. But hey now I know what it is.

I have to pick Casey up around 6, so till then I'm dog free. Its strange actually. I'm watching tv and suddenly my brain will go "Casey? Is she being quiet in her crate? Is she okay?.... oh wait shes not here." So its good to know that I'm a good mom who really does care and genuinely worry about her "kid".

More later when she gets home from her adventure.

-E

Attempting to keep a chronicle

2009-02-15T21:30:00.000-05:00

So I'm terrible at keeping up with a journal or diary or anything like that. But with my new puppy I feel like telling her story (with a little bit of me thrown in). Its not really for anyone in particular but I figured if I posted on occasion. I could have something to look back on one day.

Casey had a simple day today. I've been feeling pretty sick and I had work from 12 till 4 so I was not in the mood for a big play. I know that's selfish of me but it happens. So we went on a quick walk this morning around the apartment complex. We went back to the play area and I got Casey to go down the slide with me. She was not amused :D

This afternoon we went down the path by the creek. But Casey wasnt at all interested in the creek - she smelled or heard something and mohawked up and pulled me out of there. Whatever. Came home and she had a nice dinner - she really seems to like the California Natural. She had been eating Purina Pro Plan for puppies but she really gobbled down the California Natural adult food. The internet tells me I can get it here but I'll have to go look. If not I'll have to go to Charlottesville to get it.

Tomorrow Casey is getting spayed. She has no idea this is happening of course but I think shes going to freak because the Spay/Neuter clinic is connected with the Spotsylvania Animal Shelter where I got her. I hope she doesnt hate me too much after its over. (Although I'm SOOO glad to be having a day off and a day off from Casey at the same time - even if I'm sick.) We've got to get there around 8, so its gonna be an early morning for me. Booooooo. But hopefully I'll be able to get back to sleep when I get home.

Alright well we'll see how tomorrow goes - best of luck to Casey and hopefully post-op will be easy and she wont lick at her stitches/she'll be good and quiet.

-E

long time...

2008-08-14T10:43:00.000-04:00

no see.

well i've been busy traveling and trying to keep on top of things - but this hasnt been one of them. However, I've finally gotten around to reading blogs again so here we go with the writing of one.

I have a couple things I wanted to share today:

1. If I ever (in the far off future) get married, then I want a reasonable wedding, something on a small budget that is intimate and generally just a fun time - something that is low stress.

This site $2000 wedding is a great resource for someone who wanted to do a budget wedding but still have some traditional feeling things.

Also just for fun lets throw in a pretty picture - (not from their site)

I would tell you where I got it but I can't remember. But VERY pretty.

2. In other news I just got a splashy new phone - the new LG enV2 from Verizon Wireless. Its pretty fun, has a full keyboard and I got unlimited texting so I have a feeling that everyone will be getting texts from me from now on! :D

< -from here

from here ->

Very shiny. And I love shiny things! Hurrah for my new toy!

3. I'm headed back to school next week and I'm both excited and worried. Its my last semester and I'm nervous about the job hunt. But I'm sure it will all work out right?

Anybody know of a good paying job that is relatively easy - good for a creative person - and that has benefits?

- - silence - -

right, thought not!

the girl i mean to be

2008-07-24T21:22:00.000-04:00

i need a place,

where I can go

where i can whisper what I know

where i can whisper who i like

and where i go to see them

i need a place

where i can hide

where no one sees my light inside

where i can make my plans and write them down

so i can read them

a place where i can bid my heart be still

and it will bide me

a place where i can go when i'm lost

and there i'll find me

i need a place

to spend the day

where no one says to go or stay

where i can take my pen and draw the girl i mean to be

"the girl i mean to be" - from The Secret Garden (musical)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love The Secret Garden. My obsession began when I was little when I watched the 1987 Hallmark version of The Secret Garden so many times that the VHS tape gets fuzzy in the places where i fast forwarded (Mistlethwaite Manor is scary at nighttime!)

I loved the book and subsequently loved all the other movies.

At the bridge between my middle and high school lives I found out they had made musical. I quickly devoured the soundtrack- I know it by heart. I used the piece above to audition and get into a 6 girl a cappella group at my high school.

So you can see my obsession is quite all-encompassing. Okay - the reason for the Secret Garden post is because I was trolling around on etsy today and I got sucked into pretty lockets and necklaces and one thing led to another and I started seeing keys and lockets together and it made me think about "the key! it's the key to the garden!" and now I'm determined to find a necklace that is awesome with both a key and a locket as well as some other trinket involved. Here are some of the better ones I saw.

It can be found here.

Close to what I want - but no locket. Very much a "secret garden-y" key though :D

It can be found here.

Locket but no key - this one feel very Victorian and very Secret Garden/ a locket Lily (Colin's mother) would wear. So pretty :D

It can be found here.

This one has the two elements I want (plus some Athena/Owl references) but it doesn't feel just perfect.

Perhaps I will just make one myself....

Pretty keys can be found in abundance here.

Well now you know. So beware - if you hear a girl singing Secret Garden lyrics or has a penchant for crappy old Hallmark movies about girls finding gardens in England (or who has a pretty new key and locket and garden something necklace). It might be me!

^_^

-e-

Living with a type A overachiever

2008-07-24T19:56:00.001-04:00

So my best friend/roomie Amanda is a type A overachiever. She is SUPER involved and does SOO much around campus. Up side- shes involved and she loves being involved. Down side- she is extra stressed all the time.

Now me being not a type A - but still pretty anal and organized - I have become her sort of personal assistant. I keep her on track, I make sure she knows where shes going, what shes doing, with who and when. She loves the "to do" lists I make her and often talks thing out to me before sharing it with others.

This year she is the president of all of the dorms on campus - quite the feat for a tiny girl like her. But that means she also has me behind the scenes holding her together. So I was shopping online the other day and I found a couple things that I think would be perfect for her (one she picked out herself!!)

These stickies were just too cool. She really liked the "Or Else" one - as do I ^_^

Besides that we had joked at one point about a specific person who had business cards made (yes in college) for his position on campus. I thought it would be a fun treat to make Amanda some cards - just for a laugh mind you (no matter what anyone else thinks!) These would have been free plus shipping at vistaprint.com -

And at one point I found the most perfect organizer - with tear out to do lists to hand out to people. But I cant remember where I found it. Sadness!

Things I just have to share!

2008-07-24T19:43:00.001-04:00

Okay so here are some things that have caught my eye recently - and even if its just for my own self I want to post them here!

So my friend Dana showed me 2 FABULOUS sites - both with super cheap clothes that I totally want.

www.15dollarstore.com

(and)

www.getheavenly.com

and I found the cutest top at heavenly couture!

If only!

-x-

like goldfish in a pond

2008-07-24T19:37:00.000-04:00

When trying to decide what to name this site I thought about how circuitous life can seem and how whenever we try to get somewhere, we often end up back where we started. Much like goldfish swimming in a goldfish pond. But are we goldfish or are we going to jump out of that bowl and look for something bigger and more exciting than that tiny toy castle and blue rocks on the floor?