They Grow Up So Fast

"Time only seems to matter when it's running out"
-Peter Strup

They really do. I spent last week babysitting my seven year old cousin, in the week between when school ends and camp begins. Yes, it was utterly exhausting, and at times (very) frustrating, but I would not trade it for the world.

I spent much time watching TV shows and playing games I would never play myself. She's into Hannah Montana, iCarly, Polly Pocket, and all that other lovely pop culture stuff for kids her age. But as I sat there playing It's In The Money or watching iCarly with her, I realized that I probably do not have very much time left in which to do this with her. She is seven, and getting older each day. In a few years, she probably will not want to hang out with her "older" cousin, or spend time with me. She will want to go off and be with her own friends and do her own thing. It won't be cool to be dragged around by seen with her older cousin, and I cannot blame her.

But it did make me realize that it is the same situation with all of my other cousins, all ten of them. They range in ages from four months to twelve years old, and while I may still have time with the younger ones, truth is, time flies. We all know that. And life gets in the way, theirs and mine. So, I decided that for now, I am just going to cherish the time I do have with them, and if when that day comes where they do not want to hang out with me, I will (hopefully) accept it, and remember that I was once their age and felt the same way they do.

Another Toot Your Horn!

I've only done this once before, and honestly, I did not think I did a very good job. So, I'm going to try it again. I know I have not done it in a few weeks, but I had nothing to toot about, unfortunately. I do now though! Check out Leah's blog for more!

In the past two days I've accomplished more than I have in the past month. I finished filling out and mailing (almost all) COBRA forms, organized my desk, am working on organizing my shoes (provided I can find a decent shoe rack), am applying to and following up on jobs, and helping out a family friend at his office (not getting paid, though). I still have not tackled my filing project yet, but one thing at a time.

On another note, I'm going away this weekend with my boyfriend and another couple who are friends of ours. We were originally going to go to Vegas, but that fell through. I was determined to go somewhere, especially considering my time with my boyfriend is now really coming to a close. All I wanted is to go away with him once before he leaves for three years. Just him and me, spending time together, without worrying about anything else. And I got it! I convinced him, and our friends, to go to the Dells. So, Friday we are all heading up there. Yay!

That's all I have this week. Maybe next week I'll have some better ones from the Dells. In the meantime, happy tooting!

What Are Men Good For?

As my mom and I were getting ready for dinner last night, I saw a huge fly whiz by. (No, I did not scream. Flies don't make me scream, but I still won't touch them.) I told my mom we had a fly, and and the following conversation ensued:

Mom: "Wow, that's really huge."
Me: "Yes, it is. See? This is why we need men."
Mom gives me a you've-got-to-kidding-me look.
Me: "Ok, this is why I need a man."

As I finished getting ready, I started to think of what a man is good for, aside from the obvious. And here's the list I came up with.

1. Killing bugs
2. Taking out the trash
3. Fixing things (maybe)
4. Massages/Foot rubs
5. Unclogging toilets
6. Lifting heavy objects/moving things
7. Carrying groceries
8. Warming women up
9. Entertaining children
10. Sex (You didn't think I would forget that one, did you?)

Truth is, there is not one thing on this list that a woman cannot do. In fact, these days, women can do many things men cannot, but we keep them around anyway. After all, who would kill the bugs?




(Feel free to add your own ideas/thoughts to the list. I know mine is not comprehensive.)

Did Not!

Here we are again. Another Monday, another list of things I did not do. Ok, I lie. I did do them, but if I admitted that, what fun would that be? Besides, if I admitted it, we would no longer have Not Me! Mondays. For more, check out MckMama's blog.

I did not consider getting a new phone, even though I no longer have a job. I am not being wasteful with my money.

I do not keep telling myself that now is the time to buy what I need because at least I have two months of severance pay to hold me over and that I should buy now before I have no income whatsoever.

I therefore did not buy two pair of shoes at Old Navy last week. (They were on sale for $12 each and are very cute!)

I was not being productive last Sunday at home, then broke that streak, went out with my mom, came home, and did nothing. I am much better than that.

I have not applied to about 15-20 jobs in the past two weeks, and have not heard back from any except for some staffing agencies.

I am not immensely enjoying my time off of work.

I did not help my boyfriend move back into his parents place yesterday, after helping him move out six months ago. I am am not very sore today because of that.

I did not go play miniature golf yesterday with my boyfriend and another couple a few hours after moving him.

Thursday night at a meal, I did not blatantly stare at a guy thinking I knew him somehow, then realize who he was, and in the middle of the meal scream out, "Oh! I know you! You're dating A!" Even though they are not dating.

Now it's your turn to 'fess up. What have you not done this week?