Crazy week ahead... and it's already Tuesday.

It's like someone hit my upside the head with a calendar today. Things kept popping up that made me go "Oh yeah... I have this thing to attend on Saturday!" or whatever.

Yesterday it was hormotional breakdown of the century.
Today well, Lost was on. Expect more on that later - cheering and hooting included.
Wednesday I'm facilitating a conversation group at the MFRC. It's the first one since last November so it totally slipped my mind until about 10am this morning.
Thursday, a friend of mine is visiting from Shilo for some catching-up and perhaps a dip at the mineral spa. *Note to self : Find bathing suit.
Friday, I think that's the only day I get to breathe.
Saturday, I'm volunteering at the MFRC all day. There's a training for Board members and I have to attend. An email reminded me of that one around 1 o'clock this afternoon. Lovely! I'd already booked a massage at the Spa that I had to cancel. It broke my heart.

PLUS, we're nearing our 1 year anniversary on CMS so I have to get my butt in gear for that too.

So yeah, fun!

Oh, good news! I got an email today from Jf saying he may be able to visit this summer!
*squee that only dogs can hear*

My posts may be brief for the next few days but fear not, I'll be back to my regular ramblings in no time.

Nick made a funny, yo!

Why does Snoop Dogg carry an umbrella?

Fo' drizzle.

***

Totally stolen from Nick.

I told him to blog it earlier today but he's glued to his PS3 - FFXIII came out today. I'm not sure how I feel about how alike him and Js are... but that's for an entirely different post.

Edit : Js was upset that I used *Nick's* picture in the link above instead of *his*... so there!

Hi! I'm dehydrated, nice to meet you!

I'm a dry prune. The Prairies have done wonders to my skin but I can't sit here and blame the geographical area. I've had pretty much every skin conidition you can think of except acne (Thank the teeny baby Jesus!) and I'm pretty sure I'll have the next one they discover. My skin is dry and messed up, it's hereditary. My grand-ma has had horribly reactive skin her entire life and I remember being 8 years old and her telling me that I was going to be cursed too. Welcome hormones, too much sun and voila! I flake, I itch, I blemish, I have spots I can't explain. Lovely isn't it?!

Working in cosmetics has bee a savior! I'm very well aware of what my skin needs and it allowed me to load it with the right products at a discounted price. Since I've left retail *quivering chin* I have tried to find cheaper alternatives to no avail. I've gone back to my fail-proof favorites but the damage seems to be irrepairable. I blame cheap pharmacy brands. Death to them all!!

Enough excuses... I know the main problem(s) with my skin is(are) caused by my intense dehydration. (PS: Funny story. I spent 2 YEARS of my life saying "Dehydratation" much to the amusement of my staff and coworkers due to a typo on some signage. Great.)

The best way to address this is to obviously drink more water. Easier said than done!! I've been trying to drink more water but have not been very sucessful, *itch-itch* so now, I committ to you, dearest reader (yes, singular!) that :

1. I will make arrangements to have the water-cooler at work fixed and replenished.
2. I will bring a large water bottle at work and will do my best to refil it at least twice a day.
3. I will drink more water at home by carrying a refillable water bottle with me.
4. I will eat more fresh fruit and veggies daily.

Everytime I scratch at my skin, I will remind myself that :

1. Drinking more water leads to more peeing. More peeing leads to less work.
2. If I drank more water, I wouldn't be as hungry all the time. More water, less calories.
3. I get on Js' case when he bites his nails - he's allowed to get on my case about the itching.
4. The more I itch, the more I'll scar.
5. The more lotion I put on my skin, the more I can buy!! :)
6. I would rather be a blushing bride than a blotchy bride.

So, there. I'll do my best!

Tattoo Take Two

I've been giving more and more thought to getting a second tattoo lately. I don't know exactly what I want and where I want it but it's kinda itching at my creative self slowly.

My only criteria for tattoos is I have to draw/design/develop the idea of it. I don't want something copied from a book or something that anyone could have for any reason. I want each to be unique, to tell a story and I want the placement of it to mean something too, if at all possible.

I got my first tattoo almost 2 years ago. It's a black rose that I'd designed many years prior when Jf said he wanted to get a black rose tattoo. I came up with this design and although it was too feminine for him (*shock*) he really liked it. I was so hooked on it that I couldn't draw anything else for him so we kinda but that initiative on the back burner. When I decided I wanted a tattoo I just couldn't shake that rose out of my head. It took me about 4 months to find a parlor and an artist that I was comfortable with and right away, booked an appointment and made a deposit. The decision was made, no backing down now - just what I needed.

I went by myself. I'd asked Maggie if she could come with but she couldn't get out of work but I was cool with that. Turned out I was glad I went on my own. When the tattoo artist said he'd rarely seen people come in for their first tattoo on their own, I explained Js was away on course and the only other 2 people I'd bring with me couldn't make it... I realized, I may have to give birth on my own one day. (I am not, by any means, comparing a getting a tattoo to giving birth to a child.)

The rose came at a good time in my life, a time of change. It represents many many things to me, most of those things I'm not really able to talk about even to this day. It represents the good in my life, the progress and the special kind of understanding and trust I have with those I've kept close all my life.

The design is somewhat abstract and most people say "Do you mind if I ask you what your tattoo is?!" and I really don't. It's meant to confuse. It's on my back, shoulder blade height but closer to my right arm so it's not very visible. Sorta between my arm pit and my bra strap, to make it sound classy.

So what is my second tattoo going to be? Why do I want one now?
As I approach another time of change in my life, I feel the need to immortalize and honor my maiden name. I am going to be taking Js' last name and although I'm very happy about my decision, I can't help but feel a teeny twinge of nostalgia and ... sadness?

My definition of "family" is going to change, a lot. Over the last year I've learned to live away from my family, far far away. I've learned to be a part of the family unit in different ways and I've learned exactly how important family is to be.

As Js and I get married, my definition of family will never ever be the same again.

Until then, it's back to the drawing board for me...

Pup-Pride - Nova teaches a lesson to young girls everywhere

This photo is to demonstrate Nova's skills and how obedience classes pay off on so many levels.

The cutie you see there in Amanda's backyard is Diesel, Nova's crush. She used to be all up on him like a ShackRat at Mess on a Friday evening but now, she is (mostly) cool and collected as she sit-stays on the other side of the street. Good girl. :)

The picture doesn't quite illustrate the degree of dog-owner-pride (and creepy-middle-of-the-street-picture-taker) I experienced during our short but fun walk today. As the weather becomes more and more ... survivable on the Prairies, I'm looking forward to walking her more regularly. Does both of us good and allows me to show off my well-behaved puppers.

Lost Comment - The Substitute Episode

One of my Facebook friends, Alex G posted the following comment as his status and I thought it was quite hilarious. Here's hoping you, faithful reader and Lost addict, will enjoy as much as I did.

I pieced together long ago that they're all there for some specific reason or another, the Cave added nothing. Showing me [the Losties'] names does not answer any questions except "What kind of stationery is available to Jacob?"

It made me smile. Contrary to Alex, I was very much entertained by the names on the walls and spent countless hours online piecing together who's name was on there and who's was crossed out. Sure, I still want to know more and I had figured out they were all there for a reason... I was just very intrigued by how they were listed and where. I also enjoyed the scale and I was very pleased when it brought back questions about the black and white rocks found on Adam and Eve in "White Rabbit".



As Season 6 evolves, the deeper and deeper I sink... *sigh*

**Note : The Substitute aired on February 16th as the 4th episode to the final and 6th season. I know this post comes a bit late... I'm catching up tonight. :)

Lost myself...

I feel dizzy just thinking about it... I won't be able to watch Lost tonight. Our friends got married this evening (quick J.O.P. thing) and we're joining them and their families for dinner.

How sad is it that it really makes me think twice about going?

Meesh, I feel your pain and share your confusion!

That being said... NO SPOILERS until I can finally watch it online. Which I intend to do tomorrow as soon as I get back from work.