Pink eye

It's not a disease! I'm silly. It's a virus (sometimes a bacteria).

Carry on!

We made an offer!

On a house!


But we got beat out. By someone who offered more than asking price. Disappointing. But I guess it wasn't meant to be.
So the search continues. Three more houses on Tuesday.

Treefort is in just days! Really excited for that guy. Will be working extra hard at the gym (starting tomorrow) so I can drink everything.
I rolled my ankle pretty good at our city league game last Thursday so it's still a bit sore/stiff. Not crazy uncomfortable, but don't want to push it. Also, speaking of drinking everything, I'll be back on the beer, so hopefully that goes through the intestinal tract okay. I haven't had wheat for the better part of February and all of March (minus the few times I just blatantly failed and ate things like cookie dough, chocolate covered oreo's and pretzels on accident). I don't even know how I didn't make a connection. Oh well, live and learn :)

I guess I don't have much to say tonight. Don't poop and touch your eye. Wash always. Everyone at my work (a restaurant, mind you) is getting pink eye. Ha! I like to think one person way back was disgusting, and then it just spread like the contagious disease that it is. Or it was one of our vegans. I can just feel it.






















I'm kidding!
[Am I?]

The search for Home

Is not as easy as one might imagine. And the atmosphere is surprisingly competitive. Houses come onto the market and are sold within HOURS. That, my friend, is intimidating.
Especially for the 'little guy' such as Brian and I. We aren't rolling in with hundreds-of-thousands of dollars in cash money ready to hand the seller and sometimes at more than asking price. Come on! Not fair.
Anyway, we looked at 4 houses today. The first was good (not perfect, but a contender). The second was a bit too far from downtown Boise. The third was bank-owned and while it had character, it needed more work than the price allowed (I think. Brian was really intrigued by it, which is actually kind of a phenomenon in this search). The fourth was absolutely not an option; the location was a complete deal-breaker.
I'm going to go take a bath with my wine and a Boise Weekly. This blog to be continued...
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Oh haiii, I'm back. But with little more to say. I imagine we will be in a position to make an offer (still waiting for our taxes to be processed for 2012) within March. That is completely terrifying. But there is no one else I would rather do it with than this boy of mine.

We went yurting in Idaho's back country a couple weeks ago. This is after the somewhat strenuous but surprisingly enjoyable hike in. 

Breathtaking views the entire way.

Goodnight! Xx

Politics and Religion

What utterly disastrous and unintelligible topics. Let's just agree to not talk about them. Most specifically when in the presence of alcohol, family, or, well, just about anyone. Unless you are going to a church gathering or a political meeting, it's just like lighting a big 'ol fire that everyone wants to contribute their metaphorical wood to, and that ends in an angry, blazing forest fire of opinions. This is because nobody comes out of these topics happy; they come out judgmental and close-minded. At least that is my 23 full* years of experience. This is the reason I do not talk about these things with people unless it's an intimate, judgement-free setting**.




*Full speaks to much more than me being on this earth nearly 24 years. Full refers to the many life "experiences" that have been thrust upon me in this time.
**Note: these settings are hard to come by.

I overheard some [of my] family talking about religion and politics (and the relationship between the two) today and I was ashamed. Just ashamed. But does this make me any better? Me feeling bad about their opinions and the rude, inappropriate, disrespectful, and close-minded things they were saying? Doesn't that just make me judgmental as well? Sure, since I said nothing I offended no one. I also defended no one. Double edged sword?

Ironically enough, I am talking to all the people in the world about religion and politics.

But without really saying anything.

Adult

I'm a textbook adult. Or so it seems.
But I'm also an 11 year old.
I'm sometimes worthless and I like to sleep in until 12, or 1, or maybe 2.
I also have days upon days where I do little to nothing.
I'm selfish and needy.
I also am having quite the hard time telling the 'ol fam about my living change. I love my boyfriend and I think this is a great move for us, but I'm afraid I'll be in trouble.

I'M SORRY!?!? TROUBLE?
Like I'm a child. Absurd.

Speaking of children- I always wanted them.. until I recently didn't. Is it because I am still a child myself? Or far too selfish to bring another life into this world? Maybe that internal clock will start tickin' as I age, but for now.... ew.

Mostly I just want a baby corgi.

Memories: edition 2012

Everyone likes photos. I like them a little too much. Here are some gems from 2012.

We got a puppy. We named her Teagan.

We gave that puppy kisses.

That puppy got separation anxiety (albeit ten feet away) and pooped on EVERYTHING.

I turned 23 and we danced. 

We also partied and kissed for Brian's birthday.

The Fourth of July was celebrated by getting cheeseburgers and milkshakes and hiking to the top of Boise's best park, Camels-back.

I was lucky enough to get to spend time with some of my best girlfriends in San Jose, California

Brian met us in San Francisco and it happened to be the Golden Gate Bridge's 75th anniversary.

We walked for 17 miles (roughly) and got this paparazzi shot

Our 6th month anniversary. Maybe the cutest Backstreet Boy there ever was.

We camp

And attempt senior photos

With tiki torches lit all the while.

We also had great fun renting IK's (inflatable kayaks) and taking them out on the lake.

An appropriate Halloween costume: Hugh Hefner and a Playboy Bunny.

Brian's mom and stepdad visited and we went wine tasting in Idaho's wine country (yes, it's a thing!)... Met the 'rents!

And tried my hand at iPhonetography with a mini wine-buzz.

More of this photo-shoot to come... an adorably hipster session with Caitlan MacMahon.

Well, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here is to blogging more, and [p]owning those resolutions! 

Blogging about blogging (inception, if you will)

I've thought about starting a new blog about serving.
Serving people food and drink. "It shouldn't be that hard", you say, "what's the big deal", you say. Well, have you ever waited tables? Do you have any idea how ABSOLUTELY GOD-AWFUL people can be? It's actually amusing just thinking about the stories I could tell. And I've only been doing this for three years! (Wow, three years? Already?) Some of it is appalling. Maybe I'll vent on this blog a few times here and there until I start the waitressing blog. For now, this is what you should know: tipping is very important. In fact, it is the servers' livelihood (most get paid about three dollars an hour with no benefits and horrendous shifts). Hey, I didn't make the social norm/rule that said tipping was how we are going to do it here, but that's how it is (like opening the door for others, or letting the pregnant lady take your chair), so suck it up, and accept that as part of the bill. I had a fellow server get no tip on a $50 tab (I work at a pretty upscale restaurant) that said something along the lines of "thank you, we are short on cash right now, times are tough, no hard feelings."
WHAT??
NO.



Just, no. DO NOT EAT OUT IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD A TIP.
That's it. And CERTAINLY don't go to a nice restaurant.

Last comment is about percentages.
15%- Service was subpar, but the diner is not a horrible person.
20%- Hey, thanks for the service, you were adequate.
25%- Well done!
30%- You were taken care of and want to make an impression on the server.
50%- You're leaving your number (attention: in order to get a phone number from a server you actually have to tip REALLY EFFING WELL) Nobody would give their number to a ten-percenter. You can quote me on that.

I'm out for now. Had no idea this post would turn into my other blog, but... I suppose it's fine as long as I release my feelings somehow :)

Next up: negative paychecks.

9 degrees

That is the temperature as I write this blog. NINE DEGREES. I hate everything. Not really, but the song "She's Only Happy in the Sun" (Ben Harper) is really resonating. I'm a grump and I'm not happy with the current weather conditions. I rode my bike in this today. I'M SORRY!?!?!

No.

That aside, I'm cold. KIDDING.
The moving is coming along nicely. I think about 80% of the boxes have been gone through and designated to a location (be it the storage shed, goodwill, closet, or still the living room) so that is progress, right? I think so. Brian may rip my head off soon... or just throw the rest of my stuff away. Which would probs be doing me a favor. Some of the things I have..
Hoard much?
I don't anymore.
Though, we did acquire some legit old wooden fruit crates from a hoarder out in Eagle, Idaho today. Gold mine! And we got them for about 6 bucks a pop (going market price is 18+) so quite the deal. We plan on making a mismatched but sturdy/badass/vintage/old-school/weathered shelf set for the kitchen. One that can go with us to our new place. I hope that's a thing... "our new place." Photos to follow.

How are your New Year's resolutions coming? I'm day three of dairy free. Not terribly hard, but not easy. Taco night last night- didn't miss the sour cream but missed the shredded cheddar terribly. And the cupcakes. Oh, the cupcakes! That was a sad moment of my life. Over it now. I had a vegan (of course) tell me that dairy is an opiate! Which, by their terminology implied it was also addictive. Is that true? The definition of that word and the statement? Guess I'll find out if I go through withdrawals? Isn't that how addiction works? Just realized I was rambling hard and should probably find my way to my sleepy peeps on the couch.

out.

This is Teagan our puppy. I could go on for ages. I love her.

Moving a hoarder

Do I even have to say it? Moving is terrible. Regular moving is not fun, but even worse than that, is moving into somewhere that is already occupied. HOW on God's green Earth am I meant to put all (a LOT of, ahem, stuff) in a home that has someone living in it comfortably? Doesn't really compute. Neither does a 23-year-old with as much crap as I have. I suppose that is what you get for being an orphan. A lot of stuff that you just don't know what to do with.

"Hey boyfriend, want to take on my hoarding tendencies AND the last 7 years of extreme emotional baggage!? Yeah!!"

No. Nobody wants this. The positive side of this is I will be donating a LOT of things to friends, the Salvation Army, and the storage shed (likely to be thrown away later). I have issues. I also am blogging at this point in time because I literally don't know where to start. I think a bottle of wine is where I start and I think the bedroom is where I should take that bottle. At least until I can find the bed.

I am thankful for the friends I have that support me and helped me move. I am thankful for wine. I love my boyfriend more than anything. I also love my dog.
These are a few of my favorite things.
I am blessed.

It is currently snowing and we moved a majority of my things in this weather. In Brian's words, "this is not ideal."

Back to it

H-hello? Is that you blog/bloggies? It sure has been awhile. The answer to why I'm back in the saddle is awful silly, really. I was reading my boyfriend's, ex-girlfriend's blog and among the [many] emotions it evoked, I felt a sadness that my 'writing' had been neglected. More than poetic words or elaborate stories, this is where I like to vent and update my public life journal. Blah, blah. Enough of this crap. Let's talk.

And let's also discuss my New Year's resolutions. I feel there is some level of power in writing these goals down that gives me a greater opportunity for success. I like these silly resolutions that have become a tradition and that no one follows through on. I don't know that I ever have. Either way, I'm a new woman and I'm very happy with where I'm at in this current season of my life and I believe this self-confidence will translate positively into my new year. I'm not reinventing myself, just bettering, and ultimately crossing some things off of the 'ol bucket list. So here goes:

I will go dairy free for one month in the new year (the goal is to start Jan 1st) (...maybe the 2nd if I drink a tad too much on the 31st)

I will train and compete in a half marathon. That is 13.1094 miles, people. Really, completing the race is the bigger goal here. 

I will do what I can to buy a house.

Try, even if just once, a new church.  

I guess that's all she wrote for now. If I had other resolutions, they have escaped me for the moment. I'm hitting the wall anyways, and have to close down the restaurant tomorrow, so I should head to bed. Remind me, in the next blog I have important life updates. Things like a puppy, an amazing (live-in as of midnight this morning!!) boyfriend, my Jesus sabbatical, family break[up] and slow rekindling, and much, much more.

This is a photo that my very best hipster friend took. Her name is Caitlan and she is talented. I'm a goof.

Cruising Research

Mediterranean is the name. Cruising is the game. So far, this is what I've come up with, in accordance with Wiki:

It's about the same latitude as Idaho and has a climate similar to southern, coastal California.

cruisecritic.com is telling me high season is May-Aug and low/shoulder (? will need to brush up on my cruising terminology) season is March-April and Septem-Novem.

BUT, there are year-round options, so looks like its not too limited.

Sooo exciting! So tiring, just thinking about it. That is all for now. Carry on.

Look! A new post.

A post which will be written in between trips to the kitchen for bites of just-baked brownies. I can't commit to a plate of them.

New things:
School- Can't fail accounting or I'll not be graduating. So that's a thing. Should start applying myself a bit more. It's just so silly because all the signs point to me and accounting not getting along. For example, I'm terrible at it, I will never use it, I don't want to learn it etc.
Work-Made some paper (Chris Breezy style) and not to mention a free bott of Blanco, last night. Avion tequila for the win. Also, I really love and respect the people I work with. They are smart, fun humans.
Boys- Just ran through about 78 different things to say, none of which are likely a good idea to publicize. This (Kat) is where the anon blog comes in handy. Will soon be making another. Not for anyone's benefit but my own. And that random person who stumbles upon it one day and laughs at how psychotic it is.
Hair- Okay, this isn't really a category, but I totes have a hair cut tomoz and I just remembered it. Oh, and a date, but that's neither here nor there.

It's funny how things change. I like where I'm at, but it's easy to look back and miss things, relationships, people.

Such is life, such is life. :]

Annoying

Good thing I don't blog more often than I do cause half of my posts are annoying. That aside, I'm headed to my other blog to say the things on there I can't say on here.

#censorship
#alsoannoying


Furthermore, I'm preppin' for Hawaii listening to the ridiculous amounts of CD's he gave me. I like them. And him.

Camouflage

Have you ever seen anyone wearing camo outside of the military and thought, "yeah, good move, brah?"

Me either.

I once bought a shirt with camo on the sleeves. I could never bring myself to wear it. I have my fashion forward subconsh to thank for that.

So here I am, one strong against the wearage of camo outside of the wilderness.

Hi bloggies

Yes, that's what you are, bloggies. I'll coin it.

I wonder who coined the term "coining a term"?

Thought of the day.

I taste:

beer. and disappointment.

only one of those things I want to be recurring more often than it does.

the thought that it's only love if it's loving you back

is an interesting one. True? I guess it's subjective, just like everything... including subjectivity.

I'm emo

consider this a happy post

:]

i miss my mom

everyday.

i still don't understand.

still.

i don't think i ever will.

i do wonder if i'll ever be able to talk/write/think about it without crying.

i'm still so alone; maybe more now than ever.

which means it will continue to feel this way, and will only increase?

could i have a conversation with my mom right now? i've changed so much, what would i say? what would she say? do i even remember her? what if i don't and what if i'm nothing like her or nothing like what she wanted me to be?

i would give up everything i have to have my mom back.

everything.

over and over again.


its hard for me to understand that this has driven me to have a faith. a faith in something better than what is here, i guess.

A talk with a beggar

We struck up a conversation as I walked my bike and bag home from the Co-op (I didn't want to create some scene by asking if they had gasp! plastic bags with handles). After talking a bit, he disclosed he had a home and "could be home watching colored television," but instead came to make some money and talk to "some nice people." He was very knowledgble and held a sign that said 'Veteran'. He gave me helpful hints about my bike and proceeded to offer me 75 cents to fill my tires with air. Yes, you heard me correctly; HE offered ME money. I appreciate that he didn't ask for money. I also appreciate him offering me money and more importantly insight. I wanted to give something back to him but didn't know what. I was not going to give him money and all I had in my brown paper sack was a block of cheese, one roma tomato, and grapes. He then informed me he didn't need food and once got three grocery baskets full in California and passed it off to "someone who needed it."

I settled on giving him a smile and a thank you. I hope that was enough.