LIKE A BOSS
You know, one of the reasons my husband said that he didn't want to be married anymore was because "I didn't work like a normal person." It didn't matter that I had a little invitation business or that I worked for my father-in-law or that I had tons of other ideas floating around in my head that were soon to come. He somehow thought that if I worked - I guess like Jen or Sheri - I would have been normal. Isn't that sad? I really think it was because if I had a job he could feel less guilty about leaving and wouldn't have to be obligated to give me anything. I don't even know.   I do know that not once in our time together did he ever say anything about me working or NOT working until right before he left.  I never thought this at the time but I question now if he ever really cared what I wanted or that I was happy doing what I was doing.  That's sad too. Isn't it? All those years and I have to wonder that. ;-( Along with the "I can't take care of you anymore" nonsense, this comment is up there with the ones that hurt me the most.

Today was my last day filling in for my boss. She's been out for three months and coming back from maternity leave tomorrow. When she made me in charge of an entire department with a staff of seven we didn't think things would go down as they did.  During my reign, it turned out that a new hire ended up quitting a few weeks in.  Another one had to be fired and we also hired two additional employees. The administrator ended up officially making me acting director and, to be honest, I rocked it.

I can't say I always knew what I was doing or didn't have some freak out moments but my co-workers and I all worked together and got the job done. Literally. There was no denying that would happen. Everyone keeps patting me on the back and telling me what a great job I did but, really, I don't feel like it's necessary.

I did what I had to do.

End of story.

I have totally come full circle and I am kind of proud of that. I know, just as I've always said, I don't need a job or co-worker friends to be fulfilled and I'm, obviously, more than capable of functioning in a work environment. Isn't that funny? It turns out that, all those years later, I'm even doing something related to my little old PSU degree. With that said, I would still go back to my housewife life any day of the week. Lesson learned and advice to all, as they say, always wear your invisible crown - on the job or off.

THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE (1/2 OFF ON SUNDAY) WORM

I met Cindy at an estate sale this morning… this lady had a house full of stuff and also had ANOTHER house across the street that she used as her "craft house." They had police directing traffic. Craziness. I got a lot of stuff for work crafts and even got a rolling case for my sewing machine Cara got me a couple years ago that I still haven't taken out of the box!

PIECES OF THE PUZZLE
When we were out with Cindy yesterday we passed by a place called Puzzlers. I was thinking it was a puzzle parlor like David wanted to open but it turns out it's just a restaurant. I don't know anything about it but maybe some time when we are in the area we will stop. I read they named it Puzzlers in honor of those living with Autism. Anyway, I had an old post in my drafts folder that was titled: THAT AWKWARD MOMENT WHEN YOU SEE YOUR OLD DINING ROOM HUTCH IN A BLOG POST. I get the puzzle lady's emails and happened to come across this in her blog…


… I never posted it but I guess I will now.

LIVING ON THE EDGE

I still am not feeling that well but we had this day planned so I ventured out with Chrissy and Cindy.  Cindy found out that Cindy (from the red barn in plum) is now selling at The Lincoln Highway HUB in North Versailles.

First stop was Chrissy's pick -  Patti's in White Oak. 

Then we went to The Hub. I think this may be our new favorite. There's a really good mix here and they are opening up the downstairs soon.

After that, we ended up here…

…and here…

This was Cindy's neck of the woods so we stopped here to eat…

She drove around and showed us where she grew up and her grandmother's old house and we got a night time tour including stopping at a gas station (because she was on empty) with some questionable patrons. Next time, Cindy, check and make sure you have gas! ;-)

LITTLE BABY BISCUIT
I haven't had a biscuit in forever. Cindy and I work this weekend so I stopped to get us a morning snack.

WE'RE SO FUN
Katherine has been having such a good time with us that she invited Robbie to come on a junking adventure to Tarentum.

We went to The Tarentum Station for lunch. It was between that and a little place next to the antique shop but the shopkeepers said they had old grandpa food. I told her I actually like old grandpa food but we'd go across the street anyway! Katherine and I got the same thing and I have to say it was one of the best chicken salads I've had.

Quick, blurry pelo shot  - not even sure where that was.

Everything closes so early so we went to Millers in Irwin. They have Penguin Pucks - I mean Puke Penguins.

We ended with some pie (for the girls) and cinnamon ice cream for me.

THIS GOES OUT TO CAREY…
… and the Caprice Classic car roof.

This song is following me. I ran out to Monroeville and brought five guys back and while I was waiting there this song came on and all the workers started singing it  - just as I went to record it my phone died.   Every time I hear it I think of us in that car making the sounds with the car roof. Anyway,  I just saw this video of Kristen Bell and Dax Shephard. Very cute.

CUPUG
It takes at least 30 shots, or so, to get a good one with the pupperoni. She's always goofing around. We start out just thinking what we are going to do…

Then there's always the I don't want to do this phase…

No, seriously…

…I'm tired.

…maybe if I eat this we can quit.

Finally, we have a winner.

I know I'm a little biased but, really people, she's just the cutest. XO

LAZY DAY
The Bud has only moved from the bed, to the couch to the chair this morning… This dog sure does like to nap!

Katherine asked me and Cara to come to her birthday dinner at Taipei Tokyo last night. After, Cara and I went grocery shopping.

I picked up my annual heart dinner with The Dad.

I didn't know that dogs could have shellfish allergies. I'm glad I checked. She didn't eat any - I just let her sniff.

We had baby root beer floats. So cute. So, so cute.

Happy Heart Day.

WISHES WON'T WANT DISHES
(another installment of things I miss being married.)

We had Uncle Jimmy's birthday party here last night. I worked so we had a nice and simple, fun friday.

The birthday boy even shoveled the walkway.

I passed out after the party… on the bed with the bud, clothes on, lights on, dirty dishes everywhere. I woke up this morning and went right in the kitchen - I even left the half and half out.

I used to love, after a party, doing dishes.. reminiscing about the few hours prior. Getting things organized and put away.

That's something I miss about being married. I know some people laugh and say things like "my husband never helped me with the dishes" or whatever but we were always a team. At least I thought we were.

SOMEHOW I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
So, Chrissy's bday is in June and Christmas, December, obvs… In true Jeannine fashion, I just gave Chrissy her bday/xmas gifts.
 
I was waiting for some things and I couldn't get to some things in the game room and I didn't have some things wrapped so it just got later and later and later… I still have Cara's Christmas gifts. It's starting to become a joke but it's pretty bad. This year I am going to be on time… give or take a week or so. ;-)

Anyway,  take a look at this…

Couldn't pass it up for her.

We moved some furniture at the house - not sure how it's going to work out - then we went to storage and Juniper Grill.

When all else fails… regroup and eat...

…and, maybe, have some cake.

WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?
I'm getting a lot of use out of this $4 lazy susan! I kept it up for Valentine's Day.

Still need to add to it but I can't find or get to my other stuff so I think this will have to do for the time being.

PUNISHMENT
I have been super busy at work counting down Cassie's return and getting things in order… I'm up to my ears in stuff at the house (and elsewhere) and, generally, having meltdowns left and right over what is to come. I'm sick of thinking about dinner and washing dishes all night. Is this what working women do?  Or is it just me and my disorganization and chaos that looms over me??? We had vegetarian vegetable soup from a can and ham sandwiches on paper plates.

NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST
Katherine wanted to come out with us today… we didn't have a grand plan but have been wanting to try My Sister's Bistro so we started there. Cute menus.

It wasn't bad… we made a new friend, this kid who goes there every other day and we talked to the owners. Nice people and good food, just like they say!

We ended up wandering around most of the day… stopped at the craftique where I vowed "no more christmas" and Roadman's and ended the night with pie and hysterical laughter at The Lamplighter.

Oh, and this guy just happened to jump in my car.

IT ALL COMES OUT IN THE WASH
The Dad decided to wash (his) clothes while I was gone… so he did and then put his stuff in the dryer. This is what he did with the stuff that was already in the dryer - still wet.

YOU'VE GOT (WAY TOO MUCH) MAIL

90,000+ email.  Now that I look at this - the 805 drafts are also alarming.

THAT GIRL

I was looking for a picture of Aunt Gloria from OBX and came across this. Even though I'm a lot younger and lighter and didn't have the baggage I carry now, if you want to talk about true self - that's definitely me… with no shoes on and the disshelveled hair and the bra strap hanging down and pony tail holder up my arm.

I'm the girl that collects rocks from the beach and puts them in a jar...

I'm the girl that saves all the bird feathers that cross her path...

I'm the girl that takes photos of the hearts she sees…

I'm the girl that brings everyone together…

I'm the girl that will always wish on a star…

I'm the girl that hopes for the best…

I'm the girl that will forever wonder what could have been…

I'm the girl with the dog...

Yep. I'm that girl.

On a side note - if you saw Glo now you wouldn't recognize her. Even though I'm there almost every day, I feel like I let her down. I don't have as much time to spend as I did and she's failing fast. If I didn't have to work I could have taken care of her better. That makes me sad. She's starting to not recognize me more and more. She yells at me a lot like she does to the nurses and aides. Some times she smiles. Some times she waves if she sees me across the room. Mostly, though, she looks at me like she doesn't know who I am.

She doesn't even know who/what Lily is when she visits. I don't even think she knows she's a dog. RB was always her favorite. ;-)  Sorry, Lil.

Here's a pic SHE took of us at the beach.