To The Bee-bee-bee-beach!

Another day with no obligations and another day to take pictures for a little project I'm doing. After waking up and watching some more Sex and the City, Andrew and I swung by some stores for a new harness for Murphy:


This obviously isn't the size that we got, but it's the same design and color. We then got some Advantage, picked up the dogs, and went to my folks' house to visit and have my mom show me how to use the treatment.

Both Goose and Cracker [folks' dogs] were outside and although Murphy is getting to be more familiar with them, Moses is still a new and somewhat scary face. Cracker [chihuahua] gets very upset when he comes over because he is very big and very intimidating. Goose [border collie / lab mix], who used to be a nice lady, growled and grumbled at everyone. I think she is just sick of it all and wants to relax with someone out in the woods or a secluded place and just lay and go on occasional walks. But after a while [and a very large Moe pile later], the dogs all calmed down and after the easy-to-use treatment, we packed up our things and headed out to Larrabee State Park.

It was fairly busy, being a somewhat sunny day and a Sunday [pun?], and with the tide in, there wasn't much beach to walk along. We took to the trails and took some pictures. The view was amazing!


Spectacular view!


Moses and Murphy were tied to the fence. They behaved very well!




I climbed all the way out there, and on the way there I got stung by a bee!!


This was at 4:30...


...6:00...


...7:30...


...and at 10:00. I'm not allergic or anything, but it feels like a bruise under sun burnt skin when I touch it or move it in a certain way. No fun!

We then came home, relaxed, took some more pictures, bought some cookies from our neighbor, ate some pizza rolls, and watched Hannibal. It was pretty good, but it put Murphy to sleep:


I guess he's just not into eating brains or something. Can't blame him.

Tomorrow morning my mom is dropping Sam off for a couple hours. I'll take some pictures of her and work some more on my project! I printed off both Brit's and my pictures for it. They are in my room "drying" so that the color doesn't smear. Will put together tomorrow, with pictures of Sam! ...possibly get some pictures of Kels as well, depending on her schedule.

But I can say with confidence that my schedule will be wiiiiide open.

Naturally Odd

Does anyone else in the entire world have this happen when it rains?:














Seriously. I've seen slugs come out by my folks' house after the rain... but snails?!

Job Free, Care Free

My first full day away from a work environment was absolutely pleasant and relaxing. This morning I took an almost-two-hour long bath [completely relaxing] and afterward, I napped until about 1:30 in the afternoon. I got two out of the three loads of laundry done [the whites are ready to be folded so I'm almost done], cleaned up the living room, vacuumed, and watched some episodes of Sex and the City. After this I straightened my hair, got dressed, ate a salad, and watched some more Sex and the City. I figured since Andrew doesn't have too big of an interest in the show [understandable and not a problem at all], I can watch it by myself and not have any feeling of guilt for watching ahead.

Carrie Bradshaw [the main character of the show] is the one that truly inspired me to want to write all the time. On MySpace I have about 150 blogs [give or take a few] and with an effort to blog every day, I thought that one day I could have the structure and writing voice that she has in the show. Practice makes perfect, you know. And without a job that stresses me out, I am completely and utterly calm and don't have anything to vent about. Just to inform everyone of my day-long relaxing session, which I'm sure is going to be completely boring and uninteresting.

I thoroughly enjoy my room now that it's completed and have been relaxing in it for the majority of the day [with the exception of the tub and the living room couch for the television show]. I napped on my bed earlier after browsing the web a bit, and now I am on my futon typing away. It's neat to be able to have choices as to where to sit when doing things. When I was in the other room, I just had my bed. Sam moved her stuff in today and she has a desk with a chair and her bed. So she has options too, but I didn't and it's cool to be able to choose where to be in your room.

The dogs have been with me basically all day. They were outside for a bit but it was sprinkling and I didn't want to have wet mops running around the recently vacuumed living room floor. They are currently sleeping on the rug in front of me.

Is this honestly all I have to write about? I am enjoying my time off, but as relaxing as it is, I need some topics to spark up the writing flow. Andrew may have the next couple days off of work, so we will see what these days have to offer.

And I hope one of these days coming up I get a call offering me the position at Washington Federal Savings. Seriously, think positive thoughts because as my gramma says [and it's totally true], "Thoughts have energy." Think hard and think good.

Done & Done

Today I woke up and didn't truly believe that today was my last day at PacSun. I got ready and headed out. Upon arrival, I realized that I whole heartedly despised working there. We got an e-mail message telling us to hang up the girls' tank tops from the front table and put some extra denim there instead. I began working on that and Sara got there at 11:00. I called our manager to see if I could leave at 2:00 and just do a half day and she would do a straight eight and she said, "No. I'm going out to lunch with our district manager and then I want to take a break later. So, no."

I understand that it sucks having to work eight straight hours, but knowing how much I was hating my job and how much I just wanted to leave as soon as possible, she selfishly choose to not let me leave early.

At this point I am furious. I am thinking of all the things I can say to her about how she drives me [and everyone else] crazy. Of course, I wouldn't do that because I'm too nice. So I decided that no matter what, I was leaving when she got there.

While still managing to muster up some kind of way to be productive, I saw our district manager walk in the door and approach me.

D.M.: Hey Miranda. What's going on? Why are you leaving?
Me: You know, there are lots of reasons. I am just sick of the stress and don't want to deal with it anymore.
D.M.: What do you mean?
Me: Well, it kind of sucks when we get a floorset, 20+ boxes of freight, and seven pages of markdowns in one day and I'm by myself in the morning for an hour after we open and after that it's two-part coverage all day long. It sucks having all this pressure to get everything done, have everything immaculate, and not have anyone to help out. It wasn't like this two years ago. I'm just sick of it.
D.M.: Is there anything else? Anyone in particular causing you to want leave?
Me: Mostly it's just because of the increase in workloads because of the stress. I just don't want to deal with it anymore. It also doesn't help when our manager adds to the stress with everything.
D.M.: What do you mean?
Me: She is just so emotional and makes it incredibly frustrating to work.
D.M.: Can you give me an example?
Me: Well, for instance, the last floorset we did where it was two nights' worth of work, she was there the second night and sat us down and took an hour to tell us about her trip to Mexico, which is fine I suppose, but nothing got done, and after that she did nothing but paperwork for the next few days. It's just frustrating when there is so much to get done and she doesn't help out. And just a bit ago, she wrote me up for having a negative attitude about having to work 40 hours instead of 32 and then not even a week later she comes crying to work a few days in a row. It just makes me incredibly frustrated working with her because she adds to the stress.
D.M.: Do you want to move to another store?
Me: No. I am just done.
D.M.: Okay. It is what it is.
Me: Yup.

She then goes out to lunch with our manager. They both come back at 1:20 and my manager tells me to "take my break." I tell her, "I'm just going to go home." She says, "We're going recruiting, so you have to take a break and stay."

They're going to go talk to managers at the outlet mall because I'm quitting, making me stay at the store while they basically go walking around and chit-chatting? Not cool with me. I grab my things and storm out.

On the phone, Andrew tells me to go back and give my manager the store key and tell her that I'm not coming back. I wanted to do this but it's not like me to do something like that. He said I would feel good if I did.

...he was right. I went in there and she asked me if I was leaving because of her. I said that it was more than that, but that she was indeed frustrating to work with. She told me that at lunch the district manager sat down and told her straight up that I am quitting solely because of her. After a brief talk, I left the store, key-free, and jobless.

And nothing has ever felt better.

Andrew and I went to Costco, bought lots and lots of goodies [including some "throw pillows" for my futon, which ended up being chair cushions but no one will ever know the difference], and went to Fred Meyer and bought even more goodies [including a sweet patterned rug]. We came home, I did the dishes and cleaned my room, and my folks arrived with my futon. After unloading it, we all went to Pizza Factory to have dinner where my sister works. We had salad and pizza and after some visiting came home. I put my rug and pillows where they belong, and here's the end result:












And then some fun in the newly finished room:






Moe got a little chilled...








I love it! The room is so cozy. It turned out really good. I am very excited.

Very excited.

Last Late Night Shift

So this morning I woke up and was super nervous and worried about not doing well at my interview. I got dressed and started driving. I ended up at work instead of at the interview. I called the manager at Washington Federal Savings and explained that I might be a little bit late. He rescheduled the interview to be at 4:00 in the afternoon and I agreed. I got out of my car to walk in and talk to someone at work and all of a sudden I heard a loud noise. Turns out, someone shot me and my head exploded. I was still alive but my head was missing. My neck had a clean slice and looking into a mirror, I could visually see that my head was gone. I clapped my hands where my head was supposed to be and they connected.

And this morning I woke up and was super nervous and worried about not doing well at my interview. I got up, straightened my hair, put on some make-up, and very lastly got dressed. I got there early to fill out an application and then the manager showed up. We talked a bit and it sounded really good.

I really want this job.

I then went to work with enough time to change into my work attire, and gave my manager a hug. She then told me that it wasn't cool of me to tell her that I was quitting through a text [understandable, but when she's not available and at a concert and I need to tell her something, I figured that'd be the best and quickest way she'd get the message] and that I ruined her night and meant to.

Honestly, why would I mean to do that? I am not the biggest *expletive* in the entire universe. I don't plot ways to make people's nights go wrong. She ended up meeting the singer of the concert she was at, so how could I ruin her night so badly? She then made me call our district manager to tell her that I was quitting, which is no big deal. This woman didn't sound super upset over it but simply asked in a guilt-inducing way that I did not let get to me, "You're quitting right before back to school?" To which I replied, "Yup, I know." Then she just said, "Okay..." and my manager got on the phone to finish up the conversation. The store is getting help from another manager in another store to cover all my shifts so it's not a problem that I left with such short notice. She best not try and make it some huge deal tomorrow, "she" being either my manager or the district manager, who both will be there around 1 or so.

I worked 2:00 to close and the whole time I realized how much I didn't care about PacSun. Cleaning up after rude shoppers, not pressuring people to buy more things [I didn't talk to a single customer about sales or pushed them to buy anything and we had the busiest two hour block from 2:00 to 4:00 when my manager was in the back sorting freight, or doing whatever took her so long in the backroom], not stressing out if the store isn't 100% clean, etc. I'm not getting paid enough to earn these wrinkles.

I thought I would have more to say [I.E. about when Matt told me there was a rat in the backroom but was lying] but I am just grumpy because I know I have to be back at that hell-hole in 10.5 hours. I know I am going to feel amazing after that shift though because whether or not I get the position at Washington Federal Savings, I won't find out until Tuesday or Wednesday and the earliest I would start would be Thursday. I will have Friday at 6:00 [or hopefully earlier if I can take a half day] on for a "vacation," seens how I have never really gotten one.

I am going to get so much done. I'm not going to want to ever have a job again.

Tryin Not To Be Cross While Keepin' 'em Crossed

Yesterday started out as an okay day. I had to work in the Bellingham PacSun in the morning so I got up, swung by Jack in the Box, got myself a chicken sandwich and a Kona Coffee Shake [no fries to add up to $6.66 though], and drove up to the store. I listened to Jason Mraz on the way because he is just so easy to listen to! I got to the store and the first thing I had to do was markdowns on some of the guys' merchandise. It's one thing to help out another store; it's another to have a workload to do when you don't feel right telling other employees [who aren't your own] what do to. I mean, I can do it just fine, I just don't feel as good getting things done at another store because I don't know what progress the store is doing in other areas, like I do my own. Anywho, we got those done and I just basically helped customers all morning.

My lunch was from 1:00 to 2:00. I called my gramma to see if I could visit her. She was at the lake reading and said she would enjoy the company. I knew exactly how to get there, which is kind of weird because I don't live in Bellingham and I don't drive it much. I knew the quickest route to get to and from the freeway to Alabama hill and to the lake. I got there pretty quickly and had a nice little visit with her on the bright and sunny day.

On my way back I got another call from the woman in Marysville working at the PetCo. I called her back [screen calls that aren't programmed into my phone] and told her that I was looking for somewhere a bit closer. She knew I applied at the Mount Vernon location and understood where I was coming from. Not even ten minutes later before I got back to the store, I got another phone call from a number I didn't recognize. Can you guess who it was?

...that's right. Washington Federal Savings to set up an interview! After a bit of phone tag [lasting from the time I got back until about 4:00], we scheduled an interview for Thursday morning because I close that day. How exciting! I am not getting my hopes up, but those would be dream hours, a close location, and a job with a lower level of stress. Although I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that I don't make a fool out of myself [with my dress pants "hemmed" with safety pins because I have little stump legs].

After I clocked out at 6:00, I drove up North to visit with my sister, her dad, and her gramma. Turns out my mom, little sister, and her two friends had the same idea! We were all there visiting and I took lots of pictures for a project I'm trying to do.















They turned out really good! B-Ray had to get in a shot or two. He's so stinkin cute!

After this, I went to the store, got some picture frames and a picture collage thing, some dressy shoes, and some hose socks and went home. For some reason, I was really emotional [it also didn't help that Andrew and I watched the last two episodes of Six Feet Under] and I let myself cry for a while. I honestly have nothing to be upset over, besides the fact that my job sucks and I always get shafted it seems. But Andrew was the amazing man he is and held me through my emotional baby time.

This morning I had to be to work by 8:00. I didn't get a whole lot of sleep because we were up late watching the episodes, so I got dressed quickly, swung by Jack-in-the-Box again [it's just so quick and inexpensive!] for a chicken sandwich and a Kona Coffee Shake [they should know my order by now] and I got to work early. We got about six or seven pages of merchandise to be marked down so I got right to work [and even forgot to clock in!]. Most of it was guys' t-shirts, guys' shorts, and girls' tank tops. I got started on the guys' t-shirts by scanning each style and seeing if it rang up as a sale price.

...Two hours later I am nearing the end of the tees. Josh comes in to work and I have him finish while I start the shorts. I am still feeling pretty icky from being upset and not wanting to be at work at this point. Why does corporate feel the need to overwhelm us with a tremendous workload and only give us two people at a time on the sales floor all day to help with customers and still get everything done? It's very stressful.

And by the way, check this out:


Notice anything that isn't signed? Me too.

I got off at 2:00 today [6 lame hours of work] and went looking for nicer dress pants to wear to the interview. Turns out that no one will ever carry these pants in my length because no one in the entire world has as short of legs as I do. It's unreal.

I then came home to the best surprise in the entire world. I can say with 100% certainty that this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me; Andrew went to the store and got a special kind of bath bubbles to make your skin super silky, a pillow that sticks to the side of the tub, three tropical scented candles, a hand held Yahtzee game [that I've been wanting for the bathroom; don't lie... you want one too now], two new towels for me to use, and a new bath rug. He also made me a frozen mocha in the blender and had it sitting on the edge of the tub for me. He told me to relax and stay in as long as I wanted and to let him know if I needed anything. I'm getting teary-eyed just typing this.

It was the best bath I have ever taken; extremely relaxing and just what I needed! I also had some fun visitors:






I got out of the tub, got dressed in some comfortable sweats and a loose shirt, and we relaxed and took a nap on the couch. I then went to get up and paint my closet [so that I could get my boxes of crap out of Andrew's room] and he told me to relax and he would do it. I went to blog about this amazing surprise and relaxing afternoon when I got the call.

The other manager closing tonight hurt her foot and had to go to the emergency room. No managers from any other store were willing to help, and our store manager is at a concert for the second time this week; the same concert she went to two days ago. So, of course, I have to come in and close the same day I opened.

I always am the one to bend over backwards to keep the store afloat when it comes to helping out other stores, switching shifts with other managers so that everyone can work, getting projects done because no one else does them, and always coming in when I'm called to. I care more about the store than the store manager, do more for the store, am available for any questions and help needed, and get paid way way way way less. It's not fair, it's not worth it, and I don't want to do it anymore. So I told everyone, including the store manager through a text because she's at the concert, that Friday, the day after tomorrow, will be my last day. This way, if I do get another job somewhere, I can start immediately. And if I don't get another job yet, I have money in my savings to tie me over, and I will try not to spend as much money knowing that I can't really afford it.

After work [which went by fast, thank goodness], I came home and Andrew had finished painting everything in my room. So tomorrow, I can move all my stuff back in. I am extremely excited!

And now, we're watching South Park. That's right, we're on episode two and enjoying the humor of Cartman and his friends. Off to watch!

I Went With Lapstone

Why does it feel like I never get a day off? Today, Monday, was my day off, and after waking up around noon, I cleaned, prepped for painting, and at around 3:30 started painting my room. I finished maybe four hours later and it's not the best job. Andrew, of course, is going to fix it for me tomorrow. I seriously have a major catch here.

When I was prepping for my room, I realized that Ashley painted her Macaroni Orange/Yellow paint on the inside of the closet as well. So I had to take everything out of my closet and put it in Andrew's room.


Good thing Murphy got up, or else he would have been smooshed!


After prepping, I washed the dishes while listening to Beck. I heard his song "Scarecrow" and it reminded me of the song "Diamond Dogs" on the Moulin Rouge Soundtrack.

Beck "Scarecrow" 1:00-1:15



Moulin Rouge Soundtrack "Diamond Dogs" 0:46-0:55


Sound familiar? It should, because it is Beck! I had no idea that he was the one that made the song for the soundtrack.

I then got a call from a number I didn't recognize. I didn't answer [who would??] and they left a voice message. It was a woman from the Marysville PetCo. She saw my application and wanted to interview me. I don't want to have to commute to Marysville, so I'm just not going to call back. Didn't I only apply at the Mount Vernon one? I just checked and that is correct. Well then, I'm not calling back. I'll call back if I don't hear anything from Washington Federal Savings in 2-3 days. Deal? Deal.

After this I painted. I'm not going to get into great detail on it, but it was my first time ever painting a room and my first time getting some kind of upper body workout in who knows how long. I was so sore by the time I finished! All I got done were the walls from floor to ceiling [horrible edges by the way]. I didn't do the inside of the closet [same color] nor the ceiling/trim [white]. But for the walls I went with Lapstone.


It is a brownish-greyish-slight blueish tinted color that looks really basic yet good. Don't mind my messy bed and dresser. I just scooted them together and put the blinds on the bed to get everything out of the way. Here's an illusion-like picture of one of the corners:


Are you inside or outside of the colored cube?? Haha! But seriously, my edging job is horrible but Andrew said we could fix that tomorrow since we're [well, I guess "he's"] fixing it. But this is the new color and the old color in comparison, with the paint tape around the closet door.

After rinsing out the brush, roller, and paint tray [took forever and still aren't 100% clean], I got a frozen mocha:


Guess how much it cost? Nothing! ...because I made it in my blender. Seriously, that purchase at Costco was one of the best. I should get some good frozen coffee drink recipes online [Sam said she found one we are going to try].

Sam and her dad took half the time it took me to paint, and they did two coats. I'm such a weak sauce snail.

Basically I can't wait for my room to be done to bring my futon in and decorate it up in style! Going to look for sweet deals on 5'x7' rugs, curtains, and possibly shelving. Not right now, of course, because I am too lazy.

Two lay Z.

I think I want to watch a movie and end up falling asleep because I am alone until about 1:00 in the morning [Andrew's at work; sad day] and have to work in Bellingham tomorrow morning. Both the dogs are laying near me and Murphy is snoring. Maybe it'll be me soon.

Oh, and while painting, Sam got a text from a girl we work with asking to cover her shift [which she always bails out on]. Sam didn't respond, and she texted me saying that my boss said to ask. I am working 5 days, 40 hours, this week, and my manager suggests she calls me in on my day off... to close for the fourth night in a row? Hell no! Is she nuts? Would she ever come in on her day off to cover a sales associate's shift that is abandoned because she doesn't give a shit? No. She's too crazy.

Two cray Z.