Day 31 - Why I blog

I started not that long ago because I needed "something".  I haven't been in the best of spirits for a few months and needed something other than childcare and house cleaning to occupy my time and my mind.  I can only bake so many cakes and I'm running out of room for pans.  I gave up the hobby I used to look forward to a few months before L was born.  It was starting to wear on me anyway, as I hadn't been enjoying the teams I was playing for, I didn't really feel like going back.

I have some other projects I'd really like to work on, but lack suitable space to really leave things set up to be able to work on them when I have a few minutes.  This led me to thinking about the attic and all of the stuff that lives in it.  If I clean it up, we can finish it.  Then I can have a space.  My own space to work on my projects.  A space where I can leave said projects out and not have to worry about toddler or pets getting into things, eating things or knocking them out of place.

I thought maybe if I chronicled the project it would help keep me on task.  I do have lots of unfinished projects and we don't exactly have the best track record for finishing them.  It has helped with that project some, but it has also been a distraction.  After all, it's a cool evening and instead of working up there, I'm in the basement writing this post with a Subaru follow up hot on it's heels.

I attempted blogging once before and it didn't really work out.  This time seems to be going better.  I have actually kept up with this challenge and am a little sad to see it end.  I will have to find another to distract me.

Oh well.  I'll get to the attic eventually.

A conversation with Subaru

About a week ago I sent an email to Subaru about all of the issues I've had with the car.  It has become apparent that the issue will likely not be resolved and I simply need to move on.

Names other than mine have been removed because I just wasn't comfortable leaving them in.


Their response:
Thank you for contacting Subaru of America.

I am sorry to hear of the problems you are having with the check engine light .  The check engine light can be an indicator for various components in the vehicle.  Does the same issue keep occurring?  What are the names of the Subaru dealers who inspected the vehicle when the check engine light comes on?

After reading through your story I will definitely submit a complaint for you.  I can understand how this can be upsetting to you, and I read that you are not happy with our product and are waiting to trade it in for a non-Subaru product.  Aside from filing a complaint, what are you looking for from Subaru of America today?


My response:

Thank you for responding.

The paperwork shows that the last three times the same code was being thrown.  That code being the P0442 evap code.  The prior paperwork does not list the specific code, though I'm still trying to track all of it down.   The first dealership was ABC.  The second was XYZ.  

So far the following parts have been replaced: Coil, injector, plugs, right cylinder head, valve guide, exhaust valve, springs, clips, intake gaskets, manifold gasket, and evaporator canister.  I'm told the filler neck now needs to be replaced.  This will have to be done soon as my annual inspection is coming due.

Unless you'd like to buy the vehicle back or fix it so the light doesn't come on again, I'm not sure what you could do.  Either of those would be nice, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Them:

I have requested all invoices from both Subaru dealers.  Once the dealerships have responded and I review the invoices, I will get back to you within a week.  If you have questions before then, please feel free to contact me.

Them again:

I received all of the invoices from XYZ and ABC. The combined invoices indicates that you have been to the dealers 8 times for check engine light concerns.  Please give us some time to carefully review the documents and speak with a technical advisor, and I should get back to you by Friday.  Thank you for your patience.

Me:

Thank you A.  I look forward to hearing from you.

And the final response:

I had the chance to review the documents from both Subaru dealers and saw that your vehicle was inspected several times for a check engine light.  Although, code P0442 is indicated on multiple invoices it is only an indicator for the technician.  Please notice that whenever repairs were made the parts needed were not the same each time, which is an indication of a different issue.  At this time I can only recommend visiting a dealer if the check engine light comes on again.  Again, I apologize that you have experience multiple issues with your vehicle and thank you for giving me the opportunity to review your case.

To which I replied:

Hi A,

Thank you for taking the time to review the invoices.  

However, I disagree with your assessment.  It is my assessment that the dealers have no idea what is wrong with the car and are just simply replacing a new part each time.  Shortly after each visit the light comes back on.  In fact, the light is currently on.  The light came back on less than a week after the last repair(which was $600).  When I took it back to XYZ, they cleared it and said it should be fine.  The next morning the light came back on.  So I took it back again and they said it needed another new part for $500, charged me for the diagnostic and said that if they'd had it longer the last time, they might have found this issue!  First, if they needed more time, they should have said that.  Second, they had it twice in under 24 hours because they didn't have the part in stock to fix it.  I feel that should have been plenty of time.  How much money do you expect me to spend before your certified technicians fix the problem?

Unfortunately, I can no longer justify replacing parts on a vehicle that is never actually fixed.  I simply can't afford it.  I am disappointed that this has been my experience with your company and product.  I will not be doing business with your company again.

Thank you for your time, 

Robyn

Day 30 - My makeup bag

My first thought was "What makeup bag?".  I tend not to wear any makeup.  Not saying that I don't need it, I just don't tend to wear it.  The last brand I was wearing was  Bare Minerals and I did like it.  I just tend to not have a lot of time in the morning to put it on.  Also,  I've never been good with eye makeup.  I look silly when it's applied.  I also tend to touch my eyes a lot and let's just say that eye makeup and contacts don't mix well.  At least not for me.

Day 29 - Where I've traveled

I really haven't traveled much, though I'd like to.  Even though I live less than a day's drive from a border, I've never left the country.  Of course now I'd need a passport to do so, I really should get on that.  Especially since one of our vacation options is about an hour from the border.  We'll see what we decide.  Enough rambling.

As a child we visited Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, New York City, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  As an adult I've gone to Connecticut, Rhode Island, Upstate New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and most recently South Carolina and Michigan.  Not sure South Carolina and Michigan really count as I was there for work, but we did go to SC 4 times and drove around a lot.  I'm not counting Georgia at all since I really just drove through it twice to get to SC.  Once at night in the snow(yes, snow in Georgia, we thought we left it up here, but it tagged along) and once during the day, but we were really just getting to/from the airport.

Our upcoming vacation will either be in Vermont or a combo of New Hampshire and Cape Cod.

Monday Listicles

Words that describe our home:

1.  Hectic
2.  Cranky
3.  Cluttered
4.  Loud
5.  Warm
6.  Unfinished
7.   Furry
8.   Loving
9.  Dusty
10.  Inviting

Day 28 - What I'm looking forward to

We're taking a vacation in August and actually going somewhere!  We haven't decided where yet.  I don't remember the last time we went somewhere, so I'm really excited.

I'm working on becoming a certified Business Analyst.  There's a lot of paperwork.  The largest part being documenting how many hours I've spent completing certain tasks over the last four years.  It's been time consuming and tedious, but I hope the outcome will lead to good things (like a new job)!

Day 27 - Favorite Recipe

One of our household favorites is baked French Toast.  It takes some night before prep, but it's really good!  L loves blueberries but C doesn't, so we usually only add those on half.

Outside Photo Challenge

The Paper Mama's "Outside" Photo Challenge

Have a picture of your little one outside?  Link up!

Day 26 - An old photo of you

I started scanning in old photos last year, but of course didn't finish.  I don't think I even made it through a whole album.  So my choices were limited without a whole lot of set up.  Let's face it, at 7am on a Saturday, I don't have that kind of ambition.  What's funny is that I've totally seen L make this face.

Thanks Kraft!

So about a week ago I made a nasty discovery while cooking dinner.  There was a glob of something disgusting in my box of macaroni and cheese.  Which of course, prompted a complaint from me.  They returned my email a couple days later apologizing and promising to make it right.

Fast forward to this afternoon, when I received a letter from them apologizing again, a coupon for a free box of macaroni and cheese, and a check for $10.  I kind of expected the coupon, but the check was a surprise.

Thank you, Kraft.  Thank you for standing by your product and fixing the situation.  I respect you as a company and will continue to purchase your products.

No pressure Subaru.

Day 25 - Your 5 favorite blogs

So hard to choose just 5....

1.  Confessions of a Semi-Domesticated Mama
2.  Heir to Blair
3.  Hollow Tree Ventures
4.  Let me start by saying
5.  Tip Junkie

Day 24 - Favorite Childhood book

I'd have to say that this was my favorite book as a kid.  I still have my copy.  Complete with the puppy chewed corner!


http://www.amazon.com/Surprise-Party-Step-Into-Reading-Step-3/dp/0394895967/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&qid=1337819402&sr=8-31

Day 23 - Your dream job

I've been thinking about this a lot lately.  I used to really love my job.  It was work I enjoyed and felt invested in, with people and projects that I cared about.  It was busy.  Crazy busy.  But I loved it.  About six months ago, my work universe came crashing down.  I was re-orged.  I should be happy I have a job, but really I just feel lost.

I've stated before that I'd like to work with animals.  It's actually something I've wanted to do since I was about 6.  Unfortunately, that wouldn't allow us to continue our current lifestyle.  So if money was no object, that is what I would do.  Realistically, I'm still trying to figure that out.

My comments to Subaru

Below is the comment I recently submitted to Subaru.  Sadly I had more to say, but it didn't all fit in the space provided.  Hmmm, that sounds familiar.

I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle since I purchased it in August 2010.  No matter what is replaced, and it's had major repairs, the check engine light will not stay off.  The total repair cost to date is more than I've paid on the loan.  This number is only for major repairs, not including routine maintenance. In fact, if that money had been applied to the loan it would almost be paid off!  And then I could trade this vehicle in for a new vehicle that is NOT a Subaru.  I tell everyone I know about the issues with this vehicle and that I would never purchase another one again.
In fact, after my last service appointment, that still did not fix this issue(the light came back on in under a week), you sent me a survey where I explained the issues I've had with the car.  Still I have heard nothing from you.  Do you not stand by your vehicles?  Is this how you treat your customers?  I am extremely disappointed.  This car had almost everything I wanted.  I felt comfortable purchasing based on your reputation.  I now wonder how you got that reputation, because this vehicle has not lived up to it. If you would like to read in detail the issues I've had with this vehicle, please go here: http://redefiningclutter.blogspot.com/search/label/suck%20it%20subaru
If you wish to discuss and resolve these issues, please feel free to contact me using the information provided.

Day 22 - Best thing to happen this year

This is a tough one, because we haven't had a great year so far.  I think I'd have to say starting some new hobbies, that can be done at home.  Before L, I played pool once a week.  I had done this for almost 10 years.  Now that he's a little older and on a good schedule, I still haven't wanted to go back to it, but have needed "something" to look forward to, keep me busy and occupy my mind.  So I'm blogging, making cakes, cleaning up the attic and finding little projects online.

Day 21 - 10 Favorite foods

1.  Cookies
2.  Steak
3.  Cheeseburgers
4.  Quesadillas
5.   Mashed potatoes
6.  Chipotle
7.  Chocolate
8.  Ice cream
9.  Chicken Ceasar Salad
10. Chips

And yes, this is the root of my weight problem.

Day 20 - A difficult time in your life

One of the most difficult times in my life was when my MIL had a major stroke.  She lived alone, two hours and two states away from us.  On a snowy Friday in February 2008, J received a call from the building manager where his mother lived.  The manager told him that his mother had been taken to the hospital and they didn't know what was wrong.  A resident of the building had noticed that her door was propped open.  Something she did frequently, but it had been propped for too long so they called the manager.  They found her on the floor unable to talk and called for an ambulance.

J called me at work from his work.  He was upset, but couldn't leave because his boss already had.  We decided that we would drive down after work to see his mom.  It was long drive in heavy snow, with the cell phone ringing often from family members trying to get updates.  When we finally arrived and saw his mom, we found out how bad things really were.  She was unable to talk or use her right side, but she was otherwise ok.  They were treating her to prevent further strokes.

J spent the following week with his mother and for the next month we traveled every weekend.  There were appointments and care to arrange.  When it became apparent that she wouldn't be able to go home, we had to make plans to clean out her apartment.

J felt as though he had lost his mom even though she was still "here" and it tore him apart.  It took six months before I was able to convince him to get help.

It's been over four years now and it's still rough sometimes.  But she's still with us and has a grandson that makes her smile.

Day 19 - What do you collect

I guess you could say I collect shaped cake pans.  I started experimenting with them last year for L's first birthday.  He had a Cookie Monster party and since it was his first birthday we had a large Cookie Monster cake

and a smaller Cookie Monster smash cake.

I also have a guitar, Big Bird, Cars race car, dump truck, monkey, and backyard bugs.  I've  used all the pans at least once with the exception of Big Bird.  Big Bird and the small Cookie Monster use half a cake mix each, which makes them a little more difficult to coordinate.

Day 18 - Meaning of your blog name

I grew up in what some would consider a cluttered environment.  My mother and her mother, both have/had habits of keeping things.  I remember going to my grandmother's house when I was little.  There was a table in her living room that was always covered in paper, mostly mail if I remember correctly.  The upstairs of her house contained the childhood belongings of her four children, which made going to her house to play lots of fun.

My mother has similar paper issues.  Before she moved a few years ago, if you opened the compartments above her desk there was an avalanche of paper.  She also had most of the toys, clothes and school papers projects that my sister and I had left there.  An accumulation of over 30 years and two children's worth of stuff.

My father's stuff had been removed from the house many years prior when they divorced.  He was a garbage man prior to retirement.  You know all that stuff that people leave out that just needs a "tweak" to start working again?  Yeah, he brought that stuff home.  He'd either keep it for when he needed it, fix it and use it or take it apart for the spare parts.

Growing up like this, you can understand why I tend to not throw things away.  My paper problem isn't as bad as my mother's but I tend to hold on to things that I don't need anymore.

In 2005 we moved into our current home.  That is a story I will get to some day, but in short our move in date kept changing.  We had been paying to have the bulk of our stuff stored while the house was being built.  We knew the day was close and the end of the month was near, so instead of paying for another month we moved all the stuff from storage into our attic so it would be out of the way.  It's been almost 7 years and some of those boxes haven't moved.  In 2008 my mother in law had a massive stroke and moved into a nursing home.  We had to quickly empty her apartment.  The contents of which ended up in our attic.  A year later my mother put her house on the market, adding even more stuff to the attic.  Basically, it looked like this before I started working on it again...

So here we are in 2012, with an attic bursting at the seams and a need for additional living space.  So I am attempting to redefine the clutter in my attic and in my brain to make that happen.  Hopefully before we've been here 10 years!  We have made some progress, but there's still so much to do.

Unfortunately, I'm easily distracted....

Dear Kraft Macaroni and Cheese,

Imagine my surprise when I went to make dinner the other night and opened your box only to find this:

I'm not even sure what that is!  I do know that it does not belong in my box of macaroni.  I can't tell you how glad I was to notice it before I dumped it in the water!  As it was, I had to quickly redesign our dinner option for the evening.

I filed a complaint on your website later that night, but have not received a response.  I guess I'll be calling to complain tomorrow.  The box is sitting here on the desk as a reminder complete with disgusting blob still inside.

Day 17 - Proudest Moment

I've had a few.  Having the boys, watching the teenager graduate from high school last year, and graduating from college while working and being a single mom.  I thought I had a picture of that moment, but can't seem to find it.  Maybe some other time.

Day 16 - Bucket List

I don't really have a bucket list.  Things have been so hectic the last few years, I just really haven't thought about it.  I would like to take some trips, see the country and the rest of the world.  We recently bought a timeshare, so hopefully we'll be able to take some trips.  I really need to work on booking one though!

Pet Introductions - Ashe

So one of the 31 Day Blog Challenge posts I've been participating in made me think I should introduce the fur balls.  Day 14 was what would you do if you won the lottery.  After all of the typical payoff debt and take a trip stuff, I added that I would like to rescue animals.  Which I feel like I've already started doing because we have four animals and only once did we say "We should get a pet!".  The rest just showed up.

In July of 2002 close friends of ours decided they were going to pack up and move to California.  So other friends of ours decided to throw them a going away party/BBQ.  Aside from losing our friends to the other coast, we were also losing our fur fixes, as at the time, we were petless and they had two cats.  So shortly after we arrive, I get pulled into the house and told "you have to see this".  "This" was two of the tiniest, furriest grey kittens I had ever seen.  Adorable.  After some snuggles, I took one of them outside for J and C to see.  We were all in love.  And then we got the story.  The hostess of the party had been driving on a busy street and had seen something small in the middle of the road.  She stopped to check it out, and found it was kitten.  This was the kitten we ended  up bringing home.  She looked around too see if she could find the mother, and found another kitten on the side of the road.  After not being able to find the mother or anyone who claimed them, she brought them home.  Both kittens found forever homes that day.  After short deliberation, the kitten was named Ashe.  I wanted to call him Neil after a David Sedaris story, but was out voted.

After a trip to the vet, it was determined that our kitten was only 7 weeks old. It's been almost 10 years, but we're still happy with our kitten.  Though he has many names at this point, all of which reflect his size over the years and his behaviors.  Those names are Baby(because he was so tiny), Goober(because he does silly things), Bulimia boy(because he eats too fast and throws up) and chubby(because even with his eating habits he still managed to get to 15 pounds).

Then....

Now... 

Day 15 - Timeline of your day

I'm realizing there's a lot of "ish" in my day.

5:30ish - Get up, turn on coffee, feed & water animals
If L is awake, get him up and feed him and take turns with J for quiet coffee time.
If L isn't awake, we both get quiet coffee time.
6 - Get L up if he isn't already.  Feed and dress him while J gets ready.
7ish - J and L leave.  I get ready for work.
7:30ish - Leave for work.
8ish - Arrive at work.
8:15 - Get annoyed with loud talkers, put on headphones.
9 - Daily project call.
11:30/12ish - Leave for lunch
12:30/1ish - Return from lunch, continue working, usually with headphones on.  Depending on the day, there are more calls/meetings.
5 - Run for the car like I'm being chased.
5:01 - Peel out of parking lot (ok, not really)
5:30 - Pick up L, chat about his day while he repeats "Ready go?"
6ish - Get home (yes, we tend to talk that long.  Daycare is half a mile away.)
Have L help feed the dog, refresh water.
Feed L.
6:30ish - Eat leftovers or cook.  If cooking, mix with playtime.
7ish - Eat, then bathtime.
7:30ish - Brush teeth and stories
8ish - L is in bed.  Time to relax, clean up dinner, watch tv, prep coffee.
10ish - Go to bed so we can repeat again the next day.

31 Day Blog Challenge #14

Who hasn't dreamed of winning the lottery?  I know I have and I know just what I'd do....

1. Quit job.
2. Hire employees for husband's business.
3. Payoff house.
4. Buy new cars.
5. Hire someone to do all of the things we want done to the house.
6.  Take everyone on a trip while the house was being worked on.
7. Set aside money for the boys.
8.  Help out family and friends where needed.

Once the dust settled (quite literally as it pertains to the house), I would start rescuing and fostering animals.  Because well, I just can't sit still for very long.

31 Day Blog Challenge Day 13

What is your earliest memory?

Breaking my leg when I was 4.  I was riding in circles on my bike in the neighbor's paved driveway with some other kids, when I fell over.  One of the other kids ran to get my mom and my sister when I wouldn't stop crying.  The clearest part of this memory was dropping my sister off at my grandmother's house so my mom could take me to the doctor's.  My grandmother's road was dirt and very bumpy.  Every bump on that road was excruciating.  Of course once we saw the doctor, he sent us to the hospital where my leg was set in a cast for 6 weeks.

31 Day Blog Challenge Day 12

What's in your fridge?

So my first thought was 'Which one?'  because we have two.  We have the typical one in our kitchen and a second older one in the basement for more bulk storage.  This is what I get for shopping at a warehouse store. So fridge #1....

This one has pretty standard stuff.  Milk, eggs, creamer, leftovers from last night's dinner, condiments, etc.

The downstairs fridge is a bit of a different story.  That middle shelf is almost all L's yogurt, with a box of hot dogs and some butter mixed in.  The bottom shelf is water bottles and cans of Diet Coke.  The light distorts it some, but that's a cake on the top shelf.  We're going to a Graduation/Anniversary party later.  Our friends are throwing their daughter a grad party and she is throwing them a (surprise) anniversary party at the same time.  So she came over last night and we  she spent 6 1/2 hours making and decorating this cake.

She did a really great job and I think her parents will love it!

31 Day Blog Challenge Day 11

Today's post for the 31 Day Blog Challenge is your 15 favorite things.  My first thought was the hubs, kids and animals, but they're not things.  They're people or animals and sometimes both, but not things.  This could take awhile.....

15 favorite things:
1.  itouch - I didn't know I wanted this until I had it.  It was an anniversary gift from work.  Even if it was a year late, I'm glad I have it.  It provides hours of entertainment.  It keeps me sane at work by allowing me to drown out loud talkers and will keep L occupied in a pinch.
2.  Birchbox - For $10 a month a pretty little box appears with trial size beauty samples.  I'm not even that into beauty stuff, but it's fun and something to look forward to.  It's also something that no one else in the house will try to use!
3.  Lipton lemon ice tea packets - The water bottle size ones.  I haven't been able to find them for months and it makes me sad.  I can find all the crazy flavored ones, but not the standard lemon.
4.  DVR - I don't know how I lived without this.  I don't watch live TV anymore.
5.  Chocolate
6.  The camera - I've always loved to take pictures.  When the teenager was a senior in high school, we had to do his senior picture because he refused to go have it done.  So obviously, I had to buy a super new camera!
7.  Gilmore Girls - I can't tell you how many times I have watched this series.  Two networks have this show in syndication and I always tend to watch when it's on.
8.  My laptop
9.  The Internet
10.  The Sims - You can create and destroy families, make them happy or miserable.  I play it like a soap opera.
11.  Solitaire - I play daily.
12.  Crime fiction - I don't get to read often now, but there are a few authors I will drop chores to read.
13.  CDs - If an artist puts an effort into the artwork for their album, I feel I should at least be able to look at it.
14.  Sleep
15.  Pictures

May Birchbox!

So a friend of mine recently introduced me to Birchbox.  For those of you who haven't heard of it, it's a service that for $10 a month will send you beauty supply samples in a cute little box.  I'm not one to use lots of beauty products, but so far it's been fun.  I got my second box today.

This month's box is coinciding with the Gossip Girl season finale.  Unfortunately, I had left the memory card for the camera in the laptop and used the itouch to take pictures.  I'll have to take some better ones later, but to give you an idea, this is box right after opening it.

And a view of some of the samples I got.  That's nail polish, perfume and a skin care product.

 There was also an anti-aging cream, shampoo and conditioner samples and a note card that simply says "xoxo" on it.

I can't wait to play with these more tomorrow!

31 Day Blog Challenge Day 10

What is your best physical feature?

I guess I would have to say my eyes.  I probably should have taken a picture, but at this early hour, it's just not happening.

31 Day Blog Challenge Day 9

My worst habits:
1.  Complaining/negativity - I complain.  A lot.  I know I shouldn't and sometimes wonder if I can ever really be happy.
2.  Not cleaning - I hate cleaning.  My house isn't dirty.  I vacuum and wash things.  Though dusting isn't high on the list.  With all of our clutter, it just makes things more difficult.  See I'm complaining again!
3.  Unfinished projects -  I have lots of them.  I usually start, then L wakes up and I have to stop and just don't get back to them.
4.  Procrastination -  It bugs me when other people do it, but when it's me, it's somehow ok.
5.  Junk food - I have really bad eating habits.  I don't want to pass them on to L, but am afraid I am.
6.  Control freak - I put things in places where I can find them again.  I know where I put it down.  I will go back to that spot to look for it.  If you move it, I will be upset.  There is a reason behind almost* everything I do.



*  I have to say almost because I am occasionally irrational.  It comes with the gender.  Deal with it.

Distraction #3

So I've been participating in the 31 Day Blog Challenge and haven't written about anything else in a week.  It's been fun and a good distraction, but it's taking away from posts on other subjects.  Like the goodbye cake I made for a coworker.....

Get it, it's a truck because he was moving on.

OR

It was a truck, because it was a new pan and I hadn't used it yet.

It's also been raining a lot here, which means J's business is slow.  Which stresses him out, which stresses me out.  So he decided to fill a day, by working in the attic.  Now, there is stuff in the attic that is his and his mom's that needs to be sorted.  I'm glad he made an effort to start going through things.  He also did some rearranging in the process......

I'll have to get a picture.  There's more floor than there was before!

He also reorganized some stuff, and moved things that I had set up....

I had a system. <deep cleansing breath>  He moved some of my system.  <deep cleansing breath>  It's ok.  <deep cleansing breath>  I can handle it.  <deep cleansing breath>

Really, I swear, I'm happy he made some progress.  Just because he moved some of the stuff he wanted to keep into the area I was trying to clean out to become my quiet sanctuary, doesn't mean it can't be moved again once we've cleaned some more.  Right?  RIGHT?  I think I need another drink.

Not what I needed after a rough work day and more Compasses mocking me at lunch.  Seriously, I saw two within two minutes.  I really liked the color of the second one.  It was kind of a greyish/green.  I was jealous.

31 Day Blog Challenge Day 8

What's in your handbag?

Far too much.  I try to clean it out frequently, but it's messy again within a day.
Wallet, receipts, personal cell, receipts, work blackberry, random papers, itouch, chapstick, pens, receipts, matchbox car, headphones, earpiece for phone, charging cord for ear piece, nail polish I bought last week ( I ought to take that out), free sample chapsticks from Sephora, seven dollars tucked in a pocket, keys, and a nail file.  I don't know why I keep the receipts.  It would be so much cleaner if I didn't.

31 Day Blog Challenge Day 7

Pet hates
The cat crying in the sink or bathtub because he wants water from the tap.  Oh wait, these aren't supposed to be pet specific...

1. People who fail to yield the right of way while driving.  I know it says yield, but sometimes you do actually have to stop.
2.  Dirty dishes don't belong on the counter above the dishwasher.  They belong IN the dishwasher.
3.  My car.
4.  Being lied to.
5.  Mumbling
6.  Procrastinators
7.  People who can't do their own work or extend the tiniest bit of effort to figure something out. (Can you tell it's Monday morning?)
8.  People who are fake.

I'm sure I could go on, but L just woke up.

31 Day Blog Challenge Day 6

See:  I see a messy basement as that's where the computers are.  We trade off first thing in the morning for quiet coffee time. It's functional unfinished space.  Not as bad as the attic.

Hear:  I hear J and L upstairs getting breakfast.

Taste:  French vanilla coffee.

Smell:  French vanilla coffee.

Feel:  A little groggy and stiff after a nights sleep.

31 Day Blog Challenge Day 5

10 songs I love right now:

1.  Gone by Ben Folds
2.  Monkey Man by Reel Big Fish (They do some really fun cover songs)
3.  No by They Might Be Giants (A favorite of both boys)
4.  Pollywog in a Bog by Barenaked Ladies
5.  Cheeseburger in Paradise by Jimmy Buffett
6.  Everything Sucks by Reel Big Fish (They're good when you're frustrated too)
7.  Always Look on the Bright Side of Life from Monty Python's Life of Brian
8.  Uprising by Muse
9.  Rockin the Suburbs by Ben Folds  (There's another version from the movie Over The Hedge.  He did the whole sound track for that movie)
10.  Onion Skin by Boom Crash Opera (an oldie, but a goodie)

31 Day Blog Challenge Day 4

Today's post in the 31 Day Blog Challenge is what are you afraid of?

My biggest fear is being lost.  I can't really explain it, but it absolutely freaks me out.  When I was little we went on a vacation.  My parents were driving around and it became obvious that they didn't know where we were or how to get back to where we were supposed to be and I lost it.  My mother tried to help by saying we were misplaced, but she wasn't fooling anyone.  There have been several other instances, but that one is the most vivid.

31 Day Blog Challenge Day 3

Favorite Quote:  "Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall, but there's always someone cooler than you."  Ben Folds    There's Always Someone Cooler Than You

And my favorite silly quote....

Dearest Subaru,

You make me laugh.  I really needed a good laugh today and you came through with flying colors!

Thank you so much for requesting that I complete a survey regarding my recent vehicle service visit and my vehicle satisfaction!  You have no idea how excited I was to fill out that survey!  Your timing is impeccable!   I realize that these comments may be coming off sarcastic, but they're not.  I really feel that you should know how miserable I am owning one of your vehicles.  And I do apologize for having to send you here to read about all of the issues with my crappy car, but they would not all fit in the comment space you provided.

So, grab a snack, get comfy and happy reading!

31 Day Blog Challenge Day 2

20 facts about me:

1.  I have never left the country, but I'd like to.  Sometimes I want to leave permanently.
2.  I played on a pool league for 7 years before L was born.
3.  Of our 4 furry friends, only once did we say "Let's go get a pet".  The rest just sort of showed up.  I'm a sucker like that.
4.  I want a new job, but don't want to lose my vacation time.
5.  I have been driving for 22 years.  Mostly because I live in an area where it's necessary.
6.  My favorite authors are Janet Evanovich and James Patterson.
7.  I am the quiet one.
8.  I don't like to clean.
9.  I am stubborn.
10.  I prefer my tv time to be relaxing and gravitate towards light hearted, funny shows.
11.  I like decorating fun cakes.
12.  Two of my favorite bands are Reel Big Fish and Ben Folds.
13.  I'm frustrated with my car and want a new one.
14.  I broke my leg when I was 4.
15.  I played with Matchbox cars when I was a kid.
16.  I had my first son at 17.
17.  I am a college graduate.
18.  I can't wait for my mani/pedi tomorrow.
19.  I play solitaire daily.
20.  I enjoy playing The Sims.


If you want to join the fun, link up here.

31 Day Blog Challenge Day 1

Hi!  I'm Robyn a thirty-something working mom of two boys ages 19 and 2.  Yeah, I get a lot of comments and raised eyebrows at that.  I've been married to my wonderful husband J for almost 6 years, and we've been together for  12 years.  We also have 3 cats, 1 dog and a very busy house that stuffed to the gills with "stuff".

Most of my days are spent working at a job I'm not happy with, playing with the toddler, counseling the teenager and trying to grab a few minutes alone with my husband before we pass out each night.  I don't write a lot about the teenager because I respect his privacy, but I couldn't be more proud of the strides he's taken to adulthood in the last year.  It's been amazing to watch.

I enjoy all things sarcastic and goofy, mysteries in any form (J has always said that when I have my mid-life crisis I'll become a P.I.).  I really want to start doing yoga, but so far our schedules haven't allowed it.  I also have lots of fun making and decorating cakes.  Instead of eating them, I take them to work and leave them in the kitchen with a note that says "eat me".

I haven't been able to find a recent picture as I'm usually taking the pictures.  This one is only a couple years old.