The Best Bad Day

Today was a bad day for me... The kind of day that could make me curl up in bed and cry for a while but I didn't and I PROBABLY won't.

I awoke tired, not really a great way to get out of bed but it's not as if I've never dealt with that before. I managed to get out of the house and on the road on time. So far so good. I ate my delicious yogurt on the road- yes, while driving- and didn't drip any of it on me. Hooray! Then things got a little yucky: the second part of my breakfast was leftover cold pancakes which turned out to be moldy. I'd left them in my hot car yesterday and I guess that was enough to create mold in this humid environment. Ok, so half of my breakfast was ruined but I had still eaten yogurt so I was going to be ok.

I made it to work on time. :) There was only one order for today but there were four or so due first thing tomorrow morning so my day was to start with those. I started getting my cases filled and somehow managed to pull and label a couple extra things... Guess I just wasn't paying a lot of attention. It wasn't really a problem, though, it just meant that the case was a little extra full for a Thursday but tomorrow is Friday so it won't be full for long. I went to get started on the order for today, only to find out that there was no cake size written on the form and the phone number, when we finally got it to ring, went to a message saying that it was disconnected! Ok, ok, Molly took the order and she'd be in at 1 PM and the order was for 4 so I'd just talk to her and see if she knew the answer. In the mean time, I'd just work on tomorrow's orders.

Only one cake had a filling so I decided to start with that one. I got everything done with a few minor mishaps- ice down the shirt in the freezer, tripped over a box but managed to stay upright, bumped into people, etc. As I was going to get a box for the cake, the phone rang... It was the customer- the one whose cake I had just finished- wanting to change the flavor. What could I say? It was supposed to be for tomorrow so... I had to redo it. *Insert Major Groan in my day* The first cake was PERFECT! Ok, fine. Time to start trying to think happy thoughts.

The minor problems were starting to get me down so I decided that it was time to hum a happy song while I got out the new cake flavor and re-created the cake that I was calling my practice cake. No problem, I was going to choose to be happy and the day was bound to get better. So I pulled out the next layer, I iced, I hummed, I even sang a little... And I realized that I forgot to fill the cake. These cakes are baked in thick sheets and to fill it we have to cut them in half- not something that I agree with, but I don't get much of a choice on how things are done. Ok, so I forgot. No big deal, I'd just started icing so I figured I'd just pull most of the icing off, leaving a crumb coat, cut and fill. But the cake didn't agree and I ended up cutting it all wrong. "Fine," I think, "I'll cut this 1/2 sheet into two 1/4 sheets and fill each separately. No. Big. Deal."

I started re-cutting the first 1/4 sheet and piecing together the bottom... And sliced right into my left thumb. At this point I'm about to give up on the happy thoughts, but I decided to laugh instead of cry, hunted down a couple of Band-aids and went back to humming. My thumb was HURTING but, hey, what do you expect? Back to the cake. The roses turned out worse because the bandages on my thumb made turning the rose nail awkward so the second cake DID NOT turn out as well as the first but, oh well, the customer will never know that. On to the next cake: A 1/4 sheet with flowers and NINE names on it. For those of you who don't know, many decorators find it hard to fit more than one name on a cake and I was expected to fit nine. Thankfully, WAY back when I sat at a table in the front foyer of Macey's and wrote paragraphs on six inch heart-shaped cookies. I FIT those nine names on that cake and you could still read each and every one.

The rest of the day was up and down. My shoe lace came untied and before I realized it, I tripped again. I missed the trash can, went to pick up my garbage and slammed my head into the paper towel dispenser on the way back up. Molly arrived and I whipped out that 1/4 sheet cake in no time. Someone called 1/2 an hour before I was to be off work and wanted to order a cake for 6 AM tomorrow, forcing me to stay late. I made that cake- start to finish- in 20 minutes but, because I had to clean, I still left late and I had to have a manager clock me out. I got stuck in the beginnings of rush hour traffic but enjoyed talking to Branden on the phone and received a text from one of my best friends which made me realize that my bad day could have been worse. I forgot to pick up my first paycheck. I found out that my bank, which I believed was out here as well, isn't here so I need to start a new bank account but won't be able to close my current accounts until... The next time I return to UT for a visit.

Up and down, down and up... But I laughed and I smiled and I hummed and I declared over and over that today was GOING to get better. It didn't, but I'm still doing ok and the only reason for that is my choosing to laugh instead of cry this morning. I consciously chose to be positive today. It didn't make my bad day into a good day but it did make my bad day into the best bad day I've ever had.

My First- And Hopefully Last- Eviction Notice

I came home from work today and there was an eviction notice on our door...

WHAT?! We moved in less than a month ago- four weeks ago tomorrow to be exact. There hasn't been a rent payment for us to miss and we certainly haven't done anything that would get us kicked out! So we went right down to the office to get things straightened out. The last thing we need is to have the sheriff showing up at our door Thursday morning.

The first lady we talked to seemed to think that we actually were the people who were meant to have the notice. Thankfully the second lady, who happened to be the office manager, took one look at the notice and one look at us and said, "You're not (whatever name was on the eviction notice)! I know who (name) is and I don't know you. Trust me, it's good that I don't know you."

She immediately called the sheriff and got things worked out. Turns out that the notice was for Apt 6 at 3715 and we are Apt 6 at 3711. So we're not being evicted before we can pay August rent. For a minute there, though, I was a little worried.

*Quick Update* My hammer-sliced foot is slowly healing. Right now I'm letting the cut dry out a little since I've had Band-aids on it for the last two days. It still hurts but thankfully it's not infected or anything. I was worried about that since hammers are not exactly things that are kept sterile.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding In Late July?

We went back to Soulard Farmer's Market again yesterday. We bought almost 4 pounds of the thick-sliced hickory smoked bacon and ate some for breakfast today. Branden has found a "recipe" for popcorn made with bacon drippings so he made me save some from this morning. When we make it, I'll post and let everyone know how it went.

We also went to another cook-out with Branden's friends. They're so great to invite us over. I, of course, always bring along some dessert. Today's dessert was pumpkin bread pudding. Branden talked me into making it a couple days ago. I made some for him last winter and he decided that, even though pumpkin is generally a fall/winter food, he wanted that particular kind of bread pudding. So I told him if he'd help me I'd make it for him... And we made WAY too much. Thankfully, everyone loved it and we were able to convince people to take most of it so we don't have a lot left over.

As we were getting ready to go, I stepped on the claw end of a hammer that had Branden left in front of my dresser. It sliced the side of my right foot and it really hurts. I put Neosporin on a Band-aid and put that on my foot, but the Band-aid pulled off when I tried to walk. We found some bigger Band-aids that stick on all sides around the pad and that's staying on pretty well. It won't be lots of fun to stand on that cut all day tomorrow, but I will survive.

Because Every Moment Is Worth It

Work is wearing me out! I'm ok most of the day but by the time 8 or 9 rolls around I am rubbing my eyes and struggling to keep them open. If I let myself rest my head against the couch and allow my eyes to slip shut I'd be asleep before my fingers could finish typing these words.

So why am I not already in bed? Well, it's simple: Branden. If I went to bed, he'd be just fine with it. He wouldn't pout or be frustrated... He'd understand. But I would be sad. If I went to bed knowing it'd be a few hours before he came to join me I would probably end up crying myself to sleep. I know it's kinda pathetic but after weeks of being together almost 24/7 I even get a twinge of sadness when I leave for work in the morning. It's just that I want to be around him almost all the time and even being apart for work makes me miss him just a little. Yeah, I know, pathetic.

I don't need to be sitting right next to him all the time, I don't need him to hold my hand every time we leave the house- though I love it when he does- and I don't need his undivided attention. I just want to be where he is. And so I force myself to stay awake so I can spend all the time I can with him.

My First Day Back At Work

Today was my first day of work. Things went pretty well. Actually, I think they underestimated me a little bit because they brought in a cake tech to help me learn their particular style and between the two of us we used up all the cake that was in the freezer. She's not sure what we're going to do tomorrow because the freezer is now full of completed cakes. There's a chance that I'm overqualified for this job... A very good chance.

The store in which I did my skills test was larger and had many more items in the cases... Things like tarts and petite fours. There's a chance that I won't be staying at this store, but for the moment that's where I am and I hope to make the best of things. I'm worn out now but not from the actual work. It's just going to take some time to get back into the swing of working and standing on a concrete floor all day again.

Happy With My Sweetheart

Branden and I have a sort of different relationship. This may sound not nice but Branden didn't originally want to date me. It wasn't that he didn't think I was pretty or great to be around and we were already pretty good friends when he finally told me that he had a crush on me... But he had a really messed up relationship before I moved back to UT- actually the relationship ended months before he told me he liked me. She kept messing with his head, though, and when I moved back he wasn't at all sure what he wanted.

Thankfully, that didn't last too long. I will admit that I was fairly persistent but- I want to believe- in a non-pushy way. I invited him to come to the zoo with me, together we touched sting rays at the aquarium, we talked on the phone when we were apart and I saw him every single day for a month... Then we moved in together as roommates. I admit that I had... motives when we moved in together. I knew we were going to be together. Period. One month later, he knew it, too. Yes, it is my fault that he is in my life and I am so glad that I could show him how someone who really cares about him should act. It may seem strange to place blame for being in what is most of the time a happy relationship. But the fact of the matter is if it had gone badly, it would have been my fault just as much as it's my fault now.

Thankfully, we are doing well and I truly feel that this move was a good one for us. By the time we left Kamas, we were stressed about money and the move and snapping at each other quite a bit. Once we got here... Money is still a stress but we're handling it better. We are getting along quite well and have found that we are quite happy spending almost every moment of the day together. What a great thing to learn since we'll be spending quite a lot of time together in the future. :) I love him and it's so great to know he loves me, too. I'm having a hard time coming up with the words to express how happy I am that I am with him.

Today I went to orientation for my new job- I start working today- then he and I went shopping for the pants I need for my uniform. He held my hand almost the entire time we were wandering around the mall and Target. We joked around and he had me giggling most of the afternoon. He cuddles with me almost every night. He kisses me every time one of us leaves the house and even kisses me in public. :-0 He winks and smiles at me from across the room and hugs me every time I reach for him. These aren't big things, but aren't the small things the most important? He makes me feel special and I hope that I do the same for him. :)

Farmer's Market

Today was another busy day. We went to Soulard Farmer's Market today. :) I've been to a few different farmer's market and, while this one wasn't the biggest I've ever seen, it was certainly well-organized and lots of fun. We bought some fresh produce, fresh hickory-smoked, thick-sliced bacon, fresh cheese and cinnamon almonds.

The market is open until 5PM Wednesday through Saturday but I wish we'd arrived earlier than 1:30PM. The stalls open at 6AM on Saturday and by early afternoon some of the stands were fairly picked over and a few were nearly sold-out. On the other hand, there was still a good selection of most of the things we wanted and the produce sellers were willing to make deals since the market will be closed for a few days.

I'm looking forward to going back again. Lucky for me, it's open year-round so I'll have a chance to check it out over and over. I think I'm really going to like this city. :)

A Day of Firsts With LOTS of Pictures

I am so worn out, but it was a GREAT day! We visited the Gateway Arch today and I was the furthest East that I have ever been in my entire life. Other firsts of the day:
1. I rode to the top of the Gateway Arch.
2. I ASKED Branden to take my picture.
3. I ate a bratwurst purchased from a street vendor.
4. I rode a riverboat on the Mississippi.
5. I TOUCHED the Mississippi River with my bare finger!

It was a BIG day for me. :) And, since there are no real words to describe a day like this- ok, there are probably words, but I'm having problems coming up with them at this moment- I will now post lots of pictures so you can experience my day as well!

I was SO excited! Branden took this picture even before we left the parking building... I was nearly jumping up and down.

The arch... If you couldn't tell.

Branden with his buffalo friend at the Westward Expansion Museum

Me and my new Civil War buddy. :)

This is a real wheel from a steamboat... And I wasn't allowed to touch it! :(

These are the pictures I asked Branden to take.

This is the TINY door we had to squeeze through to sit in the itty-bitty pod that took us- and three other people- to the top of the arch.

A couple of pictures from 630 ft up in the air.

Here we are at the top!

A view of our riverboat from the top of the arch.

The Tom Sawyer!

Once again, excited!

PADDLE BOAT! Umm, I guess it's really only funny if you were there but still, it's a great picture.

Guess what our boat was?

Very patriotic picture from the boat.

Branden lookin' good on the boat.

Today was a BEAUTIFUL day!

Being silly

What an amazing day!

A Bug-ful Post

I knew there was a good chance moving out here that we'd have to deal with bugs in our apt. Unfortunately, and much to my embarrassment, we have roaches in our kitchen. I probably have no reason to be embarrassed as they were here before we moved in and I had nothing to do with their arrival. Still... It's gross. We told the apartment managers and they got an exterminator in here today... YAY!

He told me that we really don't have a bad infestation and we should be able to get rid of them... For the most part. They will never be fully gone. Apparently, they are German roaches which are some of the hardest to be rid of but they aren't likely to hang around if I don't give them food. As I'm pretty good about cleaning my kitchen- and it's even easier now that we have a dishwasher- this isn't totally bad news. I'm hoping that they'll be gone soon.

The hallway outside our apartment is home to about a dozen ladybugs. I don't know what they are doing there but they seem to like it. Every time we walk out of our apt we see them on the lights, the walls, the doors... It's kind of an odd sight. A nice sight, though. Ladybugs remind me of being a little kid playing outside and catching butterflies and other nice bugs. Too bad they aren't going to be here when the weather gets cooler.

I haven't seen many wasps or hornets since moving here. I suppose there are more out in the rural areas but here in the city they aren't as common. I'm happy about that. Really, other than the roaches, the bugs in St. Louis haven't bothered me much. Sure, I've had a couple of mosquito bites but that's just a normal occurrence during the summer. Honestly, it's surprising I haven't had more considering the amount of water around here. I'm sure there are plenty of flies... But I haven't been bothered by all that many. There are beetles and ants and spiders but those have been mostly leaving us alone as well. Right now I'm feeling like, with a little bit of pest control, I will be just fine living with the bugs of St. Louis. :)

Not the Most Exciting Post

Branden's tooth is now fixed. :) He wasn't very happy with the dentist. I've never had a filling so I've never experienced any of what he went through today, but Branden has had many fillings- can't believe the amount of silver in that boy's mouth!- and he feels that this particular dentist was less-than-skilled. His other complaint is that the filling has rough edges. I'm sure that can't be comfortable!

After I waited for Branden at the dentist, he waited for me while I filled out my tax paperwork for my new job, then waited for me again while I went for my drug test. I have now done everything I can do and have to wait for the test results- once again, not worried there- and for them to contact me about orientation.

In some ways, I'm so excited to have a job and get back to living a regular life with, I hope, fewer money worries. To earn a living, to feel like I have a little control again... These are great thoughts. In other ways, I'm worried that it'll be hard on me. I haven't had a job in three months. It'll be hard to get back into that routine and hard to go back to standing for eight hours a day. I know I'll be fine in the long run but right now... I would rather get started and get into the swing of things soon.

I seem to have this problem: When I'm not near my computer, I think of all these things I want to write and share. Then I get on my computer and all I can think to write are the things that happened today. I think the other things I was wanting to write are more interesting than what I actually write. :S Sorry to anyone who's getting bored with my ramblings. I will do my best to find more interesting things to write in the future. :)