Going Through The Motions

Do you ever feel that you're pulling a Buffy? Because for the last few months of my life. I was totally feelin' it.

No I'm not talking about Amazing-Quip Buffy.

No, I'm not talking about Making-the-Worst-(or best)-Mistake-of-Her-Life Buffy.

I'm not even talking about Questionable-Fashion-Choice Buffy.

I'm talking Season 6, Episdoe 7 Buffy. Where she's just going through the motions.


For the past few months I have been feeling this way. I have a good and steady job. I get some weekends off. My blog has been growing.

But there was something off. I was feeling bored. I was feeling that my personal growth had stunted. I felt like I was just going through the motions. Wake up, Netflix, work, sleep, wake up, repeat.

So I decided to look for another job.

In a completely different field. 

I like TV, don't get me wrong. I would get to watch episodes weeks before the general public. But, unfortunately the work I was doing just wasn't cutting it for me. I need to be doing more. I need to learn new things to keep my brain from atrophying. The kind of work I was doing in TV, was fun but it was also easy because so many things are automated now. It's actually kind of scary. What used to take a crew of 10 now takes about half. And I'm sure in a few more years that number will go down even further.

So  I updated my resume to include my various work experience and started applying to jobs that were more media related or administrative related. I wasn't even sure what I wanted to do completely. I just knew that I wanted to start looking into some other options.

It was scary at first. My TV job is full time with paid vacation and health insurance. Any new job, even if they offered me those same things, would require me to learn a new set of rules, procedures, and have a trial period. I'd be starting from the bottom basically. Which you never really want to do.

And I'm sure that everyone knows that it's not just all about the job but the people too. What if the people were horrible? What if they didn't try to help me? What if they were smelly? What if they made fun of me?

Because of that I would waiver between my decision to search for a new job and stay where I was comfortable. Especially after I'd sent out a million resumes and heard nothing back. Which is totally rude, might I add. At least a rejection email is better than nothing.

But after a few months of searching...I finally got a call back! I was super nervous that I wasn't qualified for this job but I had been searching for so long and gotten so dejected that I figured I would throw my resume out to ANYONE and hope that someone would take pity on me. I mean, I have a pretty damn good resume but I've been turned down for a Barnes & Noble job even though I've worked at 3 libraries and have retail experience. The point is, you never know.


So anyway I applied and I interviewed and I got the job!

I am now the Executive Assistant to the President & CEO at a local nonprofit organization. I've already been there a week and though the beginning was a bit rough (what new job isn't?) I'm really starting to get my bearings and enjoy it.

I'm looking forward to helping out on events, getting grants, writing minutes, and uhhh...all the other things that being an executive assistant entails.

So, basically this is just a long-winded story of why I've been a little MIA on the blog lately. I'm hoping that soon I'll get on a regular schedule and you'll start seeing my posts in your feeds again.

Easy Pet-Parenting with IAMS & Target

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #1StopPetShop #CollectiveBias

Before we got Boyboy last year, I had never had a pet dog in my life. Goldfish and birds? Yes. A dog? No.

But John had been wanting a dog and I always loved their little doggie faces. So when we went to our local pound and found him, we instantly fell in love.

He was house-trained, knew how to walk on a leash, and loved just lounging around the house. But we thought that he was bored without a companion so we went and got Belle a few months later.

She's five years younger than Boyboy and it shows! She loves running around the yard, chasing after squirrels, and her loyalty to us is obvious.


John and I love them both to bits. I can't believe it took me over 20 years to finally get a dog. But John can tell you that I was hesitant at first to make such a commitment.

I was scared that caring for dogs would be a lot of work.

And at first it kind of was. We'd get their food at one store, their leash at another. Do they like these snacks or those?

But then I discovered the pet aisle at Target.

*cue angels singing*

And it instantly became easier. I was able to find Belle the perfect pink collar and Boyboy an orange one to match his fur. I realized that I could pick up some IAMS treats while running to get toothpaste. We ran out of milk at the same time the babies ran out of dog food? No problem I can pick up some milk and dog food too.

At first, we got whatever dog food was cheap. But then I heard that IAMS offers Healthy Naturals & Grain Free Naturals.

Just like humans, dogs need a healthy balanced diet that goes along with their age, needs, and lifestyle. The fact that IAMS offers so many different kinds of dry dog food was a big help. Both of our doggies are adults but I like knowing that in a few years, when Boyboy becomes an old man, we can buy two different types and both of our babies will still be getting everything they need which makes IAMS a lifelong brand.

IAMS also makes healthy dog treats which we use to train our dogs and to supplement their meals. They love them! We use the small treats.

Once we figured out that Target not only had IAMS Naturals and pet toys, and pet accessories, and even pet costumes - having two dogs became a breeze.

Well maybe not a breeze but breezier.

If you're looking to try out IAMS and its many treats, wet food, and dry food -- for dogs & cats -- snag these coupons on Target's Cartwheel app!

10% off IAMS dog (wet or dry). - Expires 7/25/15

10% off IAMS dry cat food.  - Expires 7/11/15

5% off IAMS wet cat food.  - Expires 7/11/15

So, what tools do you use to make having a pet easier? What are some of your favorite pet-parenting stories? 

Guest Posting on Here I Scribble!

Hey guys! I've actually written a post about change on DT's lovely blog, Here I Scribble. The post is actually one in a series called Transient Tuesdays. The other guest posters have really good thoughts on change from how to deal with it, to what it actually means. So, head on over there and take a look!

Easy S'Mores Weeknight Dessert

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LetsMakeSmores #CollectiveBias #sponsored

This past fortnight has been pretty crazy. I put my two weeks in at my TV job, got hired at a non-profit, and we went on vacation to New Orleans. Needless to say now that we're back home our lives have been pretty hectic. There's lots to catch up on but just because we're busy doesn't mean we can't bring a little summer into our home...particularly our weeknight desserts. S'mores are the perfect summertime treat because they're so versatile.

After coming back from vacation we needed to stock up on some essentials at Walmart. When you need toilet paper and foodstuffs Walmart is just easy. While we were grocery shopping, we came across this S'mores display. They have everything you need in one spot: Hershey's bars (I got them in a pack of 6 full-sized bars --ummm yes please!), Kraft's Jet Puffed Marshmallows, and of course Honey Maid Graham Crackers. Obviously I grabbed all the ingredients, planning on making them that night.

Well, by the time we got home it was late and both John and I were tired. It didn't look like we'd be eating s'mores until I thought...why not just make them inside? It was like a light bulb went off. Of course you can make s'mores inside! No fire necessary. All you need is an oven with a broiler and a microwave. Seriously. Oh, and about 10 minutes. If you've got all that you're on your way to eating some chocolaty, gooey, crunchy s'mores.

So first thing first: gather up all your ingredients.

The graham crackers are already in squares which is perfect! 

Next turn on your broiler. While that's heating up you'll want to grab your marshmallows and your graham crackers. Line up the crackers on a baking sheet with a marshmallow on top.

Put them under the broiler for a minute or two. While the marshmallows are toasting you're going to open a Hershey's bar and break it into a microwaveable container.

Microwave it for about 30 seconds to a minute. When it comes out, stir it until all of the bar is fully melted.

By this time your marshmallows and your graham crackers should be browned. Take them out. But be careful because they'll be hot!

Perfection. 

Allow the marshmallows to cool for a second. While they're sitting, take another graham square and cover it with your melted chocolate. You can dip in a corner or spread a thin layer with a spatula across one side.

If you want a traditional s'more then plop that chocolate covered graham on top of your marshmallow and enjoy but if you want a little something extra try adding some nuts or coconut!

What I really like about melting the Hershey bar is the fact that you get that gooey deliciousness in each bite. We each had one and then split the last one. They were sooo good! Plus, they were super easy. So if you don't have any camp fires burning don't sweat it - just make some s'mores in your kitchen!

print recipe

Easy S'mores Weeknight Dessert

by Valerie Darling June-12-2015

These easy s'mores are done in under ten minutes and don't even require a campfire.

Ingredients

• 1 Hershey's Chocolate Bar
• 3 Kraft Jet Puffed Marshmallows
• 6 Honey Maid Graham Crackers
• Optional Pecans, Almonds, Coconut Flakes

Instructions

Turn on your broiler.On a baking sheet put down three graham crackers. Put the three marshmallows on top of each graham cracker.Put the baking sheet under the broiler for one to two minutes or until the marshmallows are toasted. When they're done, take them out and let them rest until cool enough to handle. Break apart your Hershey's bar into a microwavable safe bowl. Microwave your Hershey's bar for 30 seconds to one minute. Stir until all of the chocolate has melted. Take your three graham crackers that weren't under the broiler and either dip them or spread the melted Hershey's on one side. Top the chocolate covered graham square to your toasted marshmallow and smoosh. If you want, add some nuts or coconuts flakes to the melted Hershey's.

Details

Total time: 10 mins Yield: 3

What are some of you favorite s'mores recipes? Do they make you think of summertime too? If so, what are some of your favorite memories where you were eating some s'mores?

Everything, Everything - Nicola Yoon

Everything, Everything
Author: Nicola Yoon
Published by: Delacorte Press


SCID. The four letters that describe Madeline's life. The four letters that have followed her everywhere. The four letters that dictate what she can and can't do, and who she can and can't see. Four little letters that stand for: Severe Combined Immunodeficiency.

Which is basically a fancy way of saying that Madeline can never leave her house.

Madeline has been sick since she was a baby. When a horrible car accident killed her brother and her father, Madeline was left with only her mother. And Carla - her nurse. Without being able to venture outside, Carla and her mom are the only friends Madeline knows. Madeline goes to school online, buys her clothes online, does everything online. When people want to visit, usually only her architect teacher, they have to get a physical and decontaminated before they can enter her hermetically sealed house. It may all seem like a lot to go through but Madeline has known nothing else. How can you miss what you've never experienced?

Of course everything changes when a family moves in to the house that's been unoccupied next door. From her window Madeline can see a husband, wife, and their two kids: a boy and a girl. She doesn't think much of it. She doesn't need to get involved with their lives. But when the boy and his sister ring the doorbell offering a neighborly bundt cake, Madeline starts to track their movements.

Soon, Madeline gets to know the boy, Olly, through written messages on his window. Eventually, they begin to talk online. The more Madeline gets to know Olly the more she wants to meet him, despite the serious illness she may contract.

Scared to ask her mom, Madeline asks Carla who relents. Seeing Olly in person is different than talking to him online. She starts to realize how much her heart skips and her stomach flops. She realizes just how much she's missed out by not being able to touch anyone.

Madeline wants to get to know Olly outside of her clean, white walls. She wants to live life out there. Books, online friends, and board games with her mother will no longer be enough to keep her happy. She wants to really live but with a disease, rare and terrifying, will Madeline chose her health or love?

Yoon's use of diary entries, Madeline's own meaning of words, nurse schedules, and IM messages make this story instantly more personal. We feel like we are privy to Madeline's life instead of just on the outskirts of it. We are able to see her moods change, her optimism wax and wane. We're able to fall in love with Olly the same way Madeline does. Through these various methods of writing we see her humor and goodnaturedness. It makes what would normally be a boring same-thing-every-day story line interesting and leaves you wanting more. But most importantly, it leaves you questioning your life in a good way. Are you really alive if you're not really living?

I give this book 4 out of 5 cateyes.

Firsts Friday - First Memory

Every Friday, Da and Mum and I would go out to eat at a restaurant. Then, Mum would go shopping and Da and I would walk around the mall or shopping center. Sometimes, if we were lucky, we'd be by a Barnes and Noble that we'd treat like a library. It was our routine and had been since I could remember.

Some days though I was just tired. I was a cranky kid and it seemed to me that Mum was taking for.ev.er shopping and buying things she probably didn't need. Da would keep me busy by walking with me and pretending to "find" my mom in the crowd.

Well, one day we're walking and Da's been telling me for what seems like hours that the stores are almost closing and we'll be leaving soon. I'm getting antsy to go home. I want to find Mum, get in the car, and fall asleep before we reach the house.

So we're walking and all of a sudden I see her! She's a bit a ways but it's definitely her. She has jeans and a T-shirt, short black hair, and of course shopping bags in her hand. As soon as I see her I run all the way to her, throwing my arms around her legs.

"Mooooooommmmm."

Then, I pull back.

And realize that the woman I have just run to, hugged, and called Mom is NOT my mother. She is someone who upon closer inspection looks pretty much nothing like my mother. My dad is behind me laughing.

I give this poor lady an ugly look, as if it's all her fault I got her and my mother confused, and I storm off in the other direction.

When I reach my dad he's still laughing but I'm too angry to see the humor in it. Eventually we find my mother. I don't want my dad to tell her what happened but I know that by the way she's trying not to laugh he already has.

The sad thing is that I kind of have a feeling this wasn't the only time I mistook a random lady for my mother. As to why it's the first thing about my childhood I remember, I honestly couldn't say. It's probably because my young life was full of embarrassing moments that shaped me and traumatized me into the neurotic thing you see today.


So what's your First Memory?

An InLinkz Link-up

My Summer Bucket List

I know that summer doesn't technically start until the 21st but here in Texas things get hot pretty quickly. Though, I admit we've been having a really wet spring and they say that summer will be wetter than normal as well. But for those days and weekends when the sun is shining, the birds are tweeting, and the pools are way too crowded - here are some things I want to do to enjoy those UV rays (with sunscreen of course).


1.) Go to Canyon or Medina Lake.  
I definitely want to take the babies to the lake. Boyboy loves getting in the water when he's hot and I know that Belle would looove it if we gave her the chance. With all of her fuzzyfur it'd be a great way for her to cool down as well. Plus, I haven't been to a lake in years. I cannot even remember the last time I have. So hopefully we can grab some friends, plan a picnic, and have a fun day.

2.) Visit the Botanical Gardens.
It's been a few years since I last went to the Botanical Gardens but I've been wanting to go back. The flowers and plants look so much brighter in the summer and even though there are usually more people milling about, the grounds are spacious enough that you're not getting crowded or being hurried along.

3.) Go to an art museum.
John and I have never been to any art museums together. I haven't been to one in town since a field trip in middle school I think. We have a few art museums and on certain days they even have free admission.

4.) Go on a picnic.
This one may coincide with #1 but I don't think I've ever been on a proper picnic. I'm not sure how I'd like it with the bugs and stuff but what better way to find out? We can make some sandwiches, buy bags of chips, bring some drinks and just sit and watch the world go round.

5.) Raspa Fest. 
Raspas are the Mexican version of snow cones. The only difference is the ice. In snow cones or shaved ice, the ice is shaved thinly to where it's delicate and snow-like. In raspas, the ice is usually crushed to chips. They are still smothered in delicious syrup but if you really want to get crazy you can add candy, ice cream, or even pickles. Yes pickles. Don't ask.

6.) Go to a show.
It's been a while since John or I have been to a show. I don't know what groups are coming down but I like shows more than super crowded concerts. Maybe one of my weird banjo players will hit up one of our venues.

7.) Go toobing. 
I don't know why but here when you float in an inner tube, drinking beer we call it toobing. I have never, in my life, been toobing which is like the weirdest thing to say because as soon as you turn legal drinking age you spend at least one summer doing it. I dunno...I've just never gotten around to it?


So what are you summer plans? Do you have a bucket list of things you want to do to take advantage of the longer days and warmer nights?

Introducing Firsts Friday

Do you remember your first kiss? Your first best friend? Your first boyfriend? Your first grade teacher? Well, if you join up with my Firsts Friday link up we'll write about all these Firsts and more.

I've been meaning to write some of my firsts for a while but then I figured, I would love to hear some of yours as well. Firsts are so much fun because they can tell so much about a person and sometimes they are just so hilarious. Yes, we will be doing first date stories and I can only imagine the answers.

If you want to join in just link up! Every First Friday of the month I'll be here with another prompt and my personal anecdote.


So, grab a button, link up this Friday, June 5 and tell me your First Memory.

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