*blink*

I had an excellent Christmas/Yule, despite waking up on Christmas Eve sick. I muddled through the holidays and went to the doctor yesterday and found out I have yet another sinus infection coupled with a respiratory infection. Bollocks. So, I'm on another round of antibiotics and Mucinex is my new bestest friend.
Besides the illness, I got loads of fantastic stuff from all my favorite people. The boy got me Left4Dead, which we've been playing together and a Japanese language program for my DS. I'm excited about learning Japanese! My brother got me a gorgeous Barbie. (I'm a Barbie collector >.> What of it?) Mum and Dad paid for my chest tattoo and got me loads of new scarves (YAY!), a collector's set of Star Trek Barbies (!!!), some new leggings, a gorgeous green Nine West Shirt and a rich purple blazer. Oh, and a cute bag with my initials embroidered on it. I'm probably forgetting something...it was a big box full of goodies! My Mum-in-law got me a gorgeous Tiffany-style lamp with Lilies and dragonflies (<3) and the extended family gave us gift cards galore and I got a gift certificate to get a pedicure, which is badly needed! My grandparents-in-law (Is that the proper terminology?) gifted me a gorgeous fuzzy warm house coat, which I have been putting to good use while I've been sick. I also got a big fuzzy warm throw from my cousin and his wife. Mmmmm...warm fuzzy things to keep me toasty. Now I just need some house shoes. Freyja chewed my last pair to pieces >.<
All in all this has been a good holiday so far. We'll probably stay in for New Year's Eve since I'm all sickly, which is fine by me.
Oh, and no wardrobe pictures because I didn't think the world needed to see my robe-sleepy pants-tshirt combos for days on end. I did dress up for Christmas at my Grandmother's house but I was too busy to get a picture. I go back to work next week on first shift {hooray!} so the wardrobe documentation will begin anew then!

12.19.08

121908, originally uploaded by bataleigh.

What I wore to the department Holiday Luncheon/Potluck. I was the only one dressed up. :( But, I got a lot of compliments. :)

Dress: Dress Barn (a while ago)
Belt: Cato (Clearance)
Leggings: Cuddle Duds
Boots: My Vintage Sole
Hat: Target
Ascot to cover my chest tattoo: Ebay

I bought 2 lots of vintage scarves off of Ebay to use for work to help cover my tattoo. I'm having fun trying to incorporate them into my wardrobe. There's a plethora of colors and patterns I wouldn't otherwise choose but I take that as a challenge.

121608

121608, originally uploaded by bataleigh.

The weather has taken a turn for the worst, hence my messy kitchen as a backdrop and the pups joining me.

Black button-up: LB (hand-me-down from Mum)
Teal long sleeve tee: LB (I own several of these in various colors and will be breaking them out for work a lot now to cover my new chest tattoo.)
RightFit Blue pants: LB
Red MJ's: Santos
Funny thing you can't see: My khaki men's dress socks. It's really time to do laundry when you get down to the dregs of the sock drawer. I should have dug around for any of my stripey socks instead.

Today has been an interesting day. I made a discovery about my new car that I shall not soon forget. If the key is in the ignition, the keyless entry remote will not work. I discovered this after I started the car and ran back in the house to grab something. The doors locked and I was stuck with a locked, running car and no extra key. (The previous owners only had one key when we bought it and dealer replacements are expensive.) Bollocks. So, I called the locksmith and a nice guy came and opened it up for me and I followed him to the shop and got an extra door key made. I got my car manual out when I got to work and sure enough, it says that the remote will not work if the ignition is on. Gah! I was 45 minutes late to work but the boss had a good chuckle over it so I don't feel too horrid for it.

My tattoo is now at the itchy/peeling stage. I'm mastering the art of inconspicuously scratching my chest. And I'm not truly scratching, so much as rubbing to relieve the itch since scratching can be detrimental to the tattoo. It probably looks like I have terrible, constant heartburn! Ha!

Clockwork heart

Clockwork heart, originally uploaded by bataleigh.

Session One: Done!

Renee is BLOODY AWESOME. She's got a light touch with the machine and she works lightning fast. Entire outline done in under an hour. Holy crap.

I am so very pleased. I go back in a week for colour and shading. ^_^

120908

120908, originally uploaded by bataleigh.

I gotta remember to keep my chin up. what a face i was making... >.<

Cardigan- Mossimo
Dress- Kohl's (2 years ago)
Leggings- Cuddle Duds (oh so warm)
Belt- Cato (Clearance)
Boots- My Vintage Sole (custom made for my wedding)
Scarf- Gift
Death Cameo- Strychnine Sisters

I wear this scarf a lot....I mean A LOT. It's soft, it's purple and it has skulls on it: 3 of my favorite attributes!

I had been spinning around letting the rain hit my face.

skelly vignette

skelly vignette, originally uploaded by bataleigh.

Little skeletons representing Travis and me. (I'm the one with the glow-in-the-dark bat ring)

I pulled out the decorations and set up our new, much much smaller, Yule tree today. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. We have enough decorations for a 2nd tree now that we're not putting up the gargantuan tree!

clockworkheartlinework

clockworkheartlinework, originally uploaded by bataleigh.

The preliminary linework for my chest piece. Kinda rough. My artist has the fully shaded version, prepping it for my first session on 12/12/08

I need a new alarm...

I overslept today and just threw on what was first to be seen in my groggy state.

Dress/tunic-No boundaries
Cardigan-George
Denim Trousers- LB
Scarf- Gift
Red Mary janes- Sanita

I found these great shoes at a local shoe store on a clearance aisle. They had been $80+ but were greatly reduced (75% off!!!) so I bought both pairs they had in my size. I'm glad I did because I love them; comfort for my finicky feet and I love mary janes. After searching up the company name I found out they're known for their comfort and durability.

My boss is gone until next Wednesday! Hooray! I don't have to hide my septum ring and I can wear jeans a few extra days!

I was just thinking too that after next week I won't be able to wear this dress to work like this anymore. I'm starting my chestpiece next Friday and move into the world of sneaky tattoo covering. I think camisoles and scarves should do the trick and it's probably best since this dress might be a little too low-cut for my workplace. I have to become much more conscious of this with all my tops!

I have to share

MoveOn.org is offering free stickers to commemorate President-elect Obama's election win. They're available by going here:
http://pol.moveon.org/shepstickers/?id=15204-6979643-bYBpKFx&t=1

You get one free or they're $3 for 5.
I can't wait for mine to come in the mail! I ordered it when they first announced they were offering them right after the election.

More about MoveOn.org

12.03.08

What I wore out with Mum before work.We were going to the local antique mall to pick up some things she'd found yesterday. They were definitely 2-person purchases! She bought me a great cabinet to put in the kitchen and a nice filing cabinet for herself.

Skull thermal top: Gift
Red camisole: LB
Dark rinse, wide leg, high waist denim trousers: LB (clearance racks)
Platform Maryjane Sneakers: Volatile <3

And to work:

My boss has a no-jeans policy so I can only sneak and wear my denim trousers once a week. She's leaving on vacation tomorrow though...

Skull thermal top: Gift
Red camisole: LB
Black pants: LB
Cardigan: George
Maryjanes: Cato

So, outfit blogging...I've been watching a reading numerous fashion blogs for a few months now and decided to give it a try myself. After struggling with body dysmorphia most of my life (or as long as I can remember), I'm forcing myself to look at pictures of said body almost every day (that I have time to snap pictures). So far that nagging little voice in my head (you know, the one who screams about guts and butts and saddlebags and thunder thighs) has been easy enough to quell. I'm looking for the positive. I'm becoming more conscious of my appearance and finding out what looks good on me and what needs...adjustment. And posting it on my blog and fashion Flickr groups? That's my way of forcing myself to realize "This is me, take it or leave it." The feedback has been great too and flipping through Fatshionista and Wardrobe remix has opened me up to lots of new ideas that I'd never have tried before.

Daily Outfit 12/01/08

Daily Outfit 12/01/08, originally uploaded by bataleigh.

I feel very proto-military when I wear my big boots with capris. I love it.

Boots: Demonia
Everything Else: Lane Bryant
Necklace: Me
Fluffy Butt: Mr. Bowen

I tried styling my bangs differently too. I think I like them this way. Nice to have options.

This amazes me. Just watching Eugene Hutz play the guitar is mesmerizing.

Geek Out

The weather has murdered me, I swear it! It's raining and somewhat dreary and I awoke to a face full of doom a.k.a. a stuffy nose. Bleah. I'm drinking tea for the caffeine to stay awake at work and to hopefully clear my nose up some. I need some mint tea but that's at home so I settle for P.G.Tips and some Bigelow Pumpkin Spice, which is amazing! Too bad it's seasonal.
I finished the preliminary design for my chest tattoo to cover my lumpectomy scar. I need to go out and scan it. That would require moving...I'll think about it. Anyway, it's a clockwork heart and I'm pretty proud of it. I'm not normally a 2-D person but I'm happy with how this came out. We'll have to see what Renee the tattoo queen says about it's do-ability. I haven't been tattooed in almost 3 years now. I feel so lost! My Magtar and A-train are supposed to take me to Berea where Renee's new shop is so we can meet and talk about my designs. Exciting!
My parents are supposed to bring the desk for my new computer today. I'll finally be able to get my gorgeous machine out of the living room and make it more usable. It's been set up on top of the boxes it came in since I got it since I had no place to put it properly. I'm excited about getting to use my new baby and play WoW and Half-Life2 in a comfortable position (meaning not sitting on an ottoman with the keyboard on the tower and mousing on my knee)! It's a pretty blue box with blue LEDs and a temperature gauge on the front and a plexiglass side panel. <3 <3 <3

Growing up?

Yesterday was great. Mum had a post-wedding shower for me and it was a lot of fun. Most of my aunts were there as well as a few of my friends and my awesome mother-in-law. Nice gifts, door prizes and some amazing homemade barbecue. An atomic clock mistaken for a doomsday clock ^_^ A great time was had by all.
After the shower my brothers Ryan and Bryson and Bryson's girlfriend Kelli and I went to see The Dropkick Murphys in Lousiville. The opening bands were pretty good. I hadn't been out to a show of any sort in years...about 4 years actually. I'd forgotten how amusing the punk scene can be. How people can be categorized. I guess it's like that in any subculture but "punk" is the one I'm probably most familiar with. There were the underage kids, the straight-edgers, the hipsters, the hardcore kids, the skinheads (not too many of those out last night), the metal-heads, the Irish music fans (who looked slightly put-off by mohawks and spikes), a couple of rednecks and some hippies. And me, nowhere in between any more. I used to fall somewhere in the hardcore/goth category. One day long ago. Now I'm somewhere else, not sure where anymore. It was rather strange to watch the crowd from the outside now. I have more ink than a lot of the people trying hard to show off what they had, I can identify bands on patches on black leather jackets from 20 paces and I know the best ways to get your hair pink, blue or orange. I guess I'm getting old? I still desire to dress up outrageously and go jump in the mosh pit but my budget calls for suits and dresses and my broken back calls for a bar stool. When did I become so boring?? Did I ever think this day would come? No. Call it Peter Pan syndrome but I never thought I'd be so lame. Not that I'm unhappy with how my life is now but it's just so strange. Recently my mechanic's jacket with leopard-print fur collar and my pin and patch collection suffered irreparable damage. Maybe that was a sign? An end of an epoch for me perhaps.
At any rate, the DM were BLOODY AWESOME and I'm so excited still that I got to see them live finally. I've been a fan since 2000 or so and I'd never caught them live due to living in BFE. The energy from the band was amazing. Simply awesome.

BlogSpew

Since Thursday I have:
~Sliced my finger open with a band saw
~Broken a blade on said band saw
~Bent steel at 7:30 in the AM
~Gotten a tetanus shot for said incident with band saw (thanks Mum!)
~Finished a totem pendant
~Breathed though one nostril more than 90% of 3 days
~Played Trivial Pursuit with 2 of the smartest people I know and we won!
~Contemplated quitting my job more than once but I decided I like my house too much to lose it over someone's power trip
~Snuggled with puppies x 1000
~Hung out with my Mum and Aunt Gloria and had fun despite being hungry and sick
~Snuggled with my husband (yes, that's still weird to say)
~Made sketches for my next major metals project. And MAJOR it is. I may be setting myself up for failure.
~Officially changed my name.
~Rearranged the office all by myself! Woo! I hope the boys don't mind...
~Got a copy of the new D&D player's guide and read a good portion of it.
~Realized I'm still losing weight despite eating like a college student.
~Redyed my hair after the secretary said it looked funny. I like it better now but hate the motivation.
~Realized I love my in-laws (real and adopted) again.
~Missed my brother. I haven't seen him since the wedding more than 2 minutes in passing. However, we are going to see the Dropkick Murphys this weekend!!! w00t! He surprised me with a ticket last week. ^_^
~Finally posted some stuff on ETSY that I've had made for a long time and hadn't gotten around to posting. I'm a procrastinator.
~Ordered a ton of wedding prints. They'll be in any day now...
~Shipped out some lip gloss to the lovely Erin. I've been blog-stalking her for a while now and she bought some of my lip gloss on ETSY. ^_^ Danke!

New hair!

Questions, introspection?

Stolen from the amazing Lady Smaggle
1. Were you named after anyone? Yes. My Mum's eldest sister, Anna Lee. They changed the spelling, of course.

2. Do you still have your tonsils? Yup.

3. Would you bungee jump? No, I'm not rather fond of puking.

4. What is your favorite cereal? Quaker Oat Squares.

5. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Not if I can get them off without doing so.

6. What is your favourite ice cream? Spumoni or Rainbow Sherbet.

7. What is the first thing you notice about people? Facial structure. It's the physical anthropologist in me...

8. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? Mental illnesses. But, who would I be without them?

9. What was the last thing you ate? Real food- Corn Pops and Soy Milk. Junk- Runts Candy. >.<

10. What are you listening to right now? Just this second it's Everlong by the Foo Fighters <3 <3 <3

11. Last movie you watched? Run Fatboy Run. OMG <3

12. What did you dream about last night? I never remember my dreams. :(

13. What book are you reading? The Hogfather by Terry Pratchett

14. Summer or winter? Fall! Screw the heat and bugger the cold.

15. Do you have any special talents? Not particularly. I can move my glutei independently...I guess that's "talent"?

Well, that was fun.

Things I've discovered today:
-I can listen to Layla by Eric Clapton on repeat and be very happy about it for up to an hour. Eric Clapton's music does something to me and it tickles.
-Swiffer dusters are a godsend in this office.
-Someone left a cultural anthropology book in the lab and I hope they don't come back to claim it. I wants it.
-I like my short hair. And if I had any doubts about the color they were abated by my fellow art students on Tuesday. Finally somebody else got the 'gradient' thing!
-Start wearing purple!
-I'm broke beyond belief. UGH. >.<

Well that settles that.

OMG.
Abilify will definitely be a night drug for me. I've been like the living dead since noon or so. I fell asleep standing up at work. Jeebus.

Playing catch up

I’m officially married now. I don’t think it’s sunk in completely yet. I’m still reeling from the weekend I think. Everything was just kind of a blur. Thank the gods for pictures! It was beautiful and everything I’d hoped for.

I chopped off all my hair. It’s nice, I like the cut but I feel a little naked without all the length. I have to remember not to use a handful of shampoo and conditioner anymore and I don’t have to pull the bulk out from under shirts and jackets. I’m also blonde now too. Big change there, trying to get back to my “natural color”. It’s is SO tempting to dye it lavender…must resist temptation…

I started Abilify today to help with the stress and depression I’ve been trying to overcome. Only minor side effects thus far. A little trouble swallowing and I feel high. Having a cold doesn’t help that much I’m sure. So I’m a mouth-breather for the time being and I have an overwhelming urge to go home and watch cartoons in my pajamas. But I cannot. Responsibility calls, no…it walks up and slaps me in the face. This being a grown-up business is bullshit. I really wish I could go home. Being high at work is not cool. It’s the polar opposite of cool. Argh!

Our former foster puppy, Lily, was put to sleep Tuesday. She was attacked by coyotes and they did irreparable damage to her. She was such a sweet thing but at least I know she’s at peace now and not suffering. Emily, our friend and the rescue organizer, was very upset about the whole ordeal (of course) and I tried to comfort her via text message as much as I could. It is such a tragedy. It is just horrible to lose such a sweet little puppy (only 6 months old) in such a terrible monstrous way. Requiescat in Pace LilyBug.

In better news(?), I’m finally starting on my wood carving project today! I have some pieces of purpleheart, padauk, pink ivory, Indian ebony, and redheart to play around with. I’m hoping to create a bracelet and a couple of pendants for a cohesive series.

Dear America-

Thank you.

Love,

L-A

Reluctant resignation

I finally got to talk to the cop about the accident and she refuses to change her report. Says I was supposed to yield to the old lady because she was in the driving area. I asked her how I could yield any more than sitting still. She had no answer to that. I reminded her I was still in my parking space. She said "Exactly, so she had the right of way." I said "But what if I had been parked instead of just sitting there with my foot on the brake?" Again, no answer aside from the fact that she was not going to alter the report and I could only dispute it with my insurance company. The insurance company says that they have to go by what is on the report as that's the legal thing. SO...I'm stuck having insurance pay for the old mole's car and my own. Go Go $500 deductible...

In other news our foster pup Lily is going to her new home in Cincy! She left our home last night and will be headed north soon. I hope to get some pictures from her new home. I know she'll be happy wherever she goes.

Also...my hair is no longer red. >.>

Not in MY America, damnitall.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/28/203016/697/536/613742

http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/09/26/ddn092608evacweb.html?cxntlid=inform_artr

http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/09/27/ddn092708islamicweb.html?cxntlid=inform_artr

http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/09/27/ddn092608evacweb.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=16

If this incident is related to the release of that DVD, then it's true that John McCain kills babies to live! My theory will be proven!

Joking aside, this scares the hell out of me. How can people be so callous as to try and harm a room full of babies and children? I thought we were past the times of religious persecution in this country; past the time of witch hunts and torture for not believing the way of the majority. Am I mistaken in thinking that America was founded on the basis of religious freedom?

I spoke too soon. The RPD officer messed up the report and has it listed that I somehow hit the old lady. Yes...I made my car drive sideways and tore my entire bumper off with only minor damage to her fender. WTF?!?!?!?!?!!!!!
So...I have to try and contact the officer and see if we can clarify the report. As it is now I have to pay for everything. Fuck that and a bag of biscuits.

Wedding planning is moving along. Just 4 weeks left. So much to do but we can get it done. We finalized things down at Cumberland on Friday; the menu, table arrangements, etc. are all good to go. The menu:
Salad
Fresh Fruit
Rolls
Herb Baked Chicken
DeepFried Catfish
Mashed Potatoes
Honey-Glazed Carrots (hahaha)
Green Beans
Banana Pudding
Iced Tea, Water, and Coffee
Cake and Punch

Everything is being catered by the lodge restaurant and having eaten there several times since we've been planning the wedding, it will be DELICIOUS. There will be pudding for those who don't like cake and they've agreed to us my grandmother's punch recipe to serve with the cake (which Mum and I are making). As I said, still lots to do but I thnk we're on track.

I am never leaving the house again. period. (and extra periods........)

So, after being sick the past couple of days with fluid in my ear I decide to make the best of things and get out of the house. I went to the local Hell-Mart to get seat covers for my new car. I checked out and put my purchases in the trunk. I got in, checked my mirrors, turned on the air, looked both ways behind me twice and proceeded to back out very slowly. Fat lot of good that did me as an old lady with a bouffant backed into me and tore my damn bumper off. THE WHOLE DAMN BUMPER. It was one of those slow-motion horror moments. I screamed "No, stop, no no no Oh fuck" to no avail. She hit me and kept right on going. I got out of the car and it was hanging off of one side by a piece of liner felt, sitting at a 45 degree angle from the back of my car. Foam and bits were everywhere. I made sure the old lady was fine. Her car? Yeah,some smudges of yellow paint on the rear fender. She didn't stop once she hit me,hence tearing my entire bumper off. I picked my bumper up so no one would run over it and started making the necessary calls. RPD, insurance, Mum, Trav and Ryan (who got texted since he's in Mississippi for work). I was doing alright until I heard her say to a friend who showed up that it was my fault. I couldn't sucker punch an old lady so I bit my tongue and sat in the divers seat. Waited around for the cop to show up, luckily she was one of the nicest RPD officers I've met thus far. I heard her tell the lady she was at fault while I was using my multi-tool to cut the felt loose so I could pick my bumper up and put it in my trunk. Mum showed up right after the cop left and the old lay pulled away. She helped me maneuver the bumper through the trunk and back seats.

I give up. I've not even had the car a week and this happens. WTF? *sigh* I know things could be A LOT worse ut seriously? An old lady tore my bumer off, said it was my fault and wouldn't look me in the eye?

Some photos after I got home:

w00t

New car=awesome.
It's been a few years since I drove a standard but it's coming back to me pretty well.

Scarefest and a new car

I went to Scarefest (horror and paranormal convention) today with my bff Magtar and her adorable hubby Aaron. I was so much fun. we went in our Toy Soldier uniforms (representing the Good Doctor) and had our pictures taken a billion times. We met and got signatures and memorabilia from Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Tony Todd, Tom Savini, Michael Berryman and Victor Miller. All of them were awesome! Victor Miller, you are now my hero. This was my first convention experience and I loved it! Mags, Aaron and I are hopefully going to go to some more things of this type and spread the good word of Dr. Steel! Being in uniform made me feel More comfortable somehow.
Evidence of the Awesome:

With Bill Moseley (Choptop, Otis Firefly, Luigi Lago)

With Shannon Sylvia of Ghost Hunters International

With Victor Miller (writer of Friday the 13th)

I go get my new car tomorrow. It's a 2003 Ford Focus ZX hatchback. So excited!!! Some stock photos (same colour):


I can't wait!

We survived!

Mum and I survived our surgeries just fine. She has 6 incisions and 22+ staples. I came away with a 2 inch half-circle scar just off center from my sternum. (tattoo designs in the works...) No staples or stitches, just Steri-strips. I'm at work today and it's been a struggle not to walk around cradling my breast like I have been at home. I've a rather nasty bruise that aches down to the bone and in my arm pit and my whole arm is acting funny (tingly, weak), as expected. I slept 17 hours yesterday thanks to vicodin.

Mum is adjusting to her new diet or lack thereof. Protein drinks and lots of water. She's on pureed food now, a couple of weeks before solids. She's so happy though and it's contagious. I'm happy for her and hope she can move forward with her life now, slowly but steadily.

We're learning to make roman chain and granulation/fusing. I'm going to make a sweater chain I think. We've to make 2 pieces for the granulation project and a length of chain so I'm going to combine the two and make something I've wanted for years now.
I'm making a half-mask for my first sculpture project (casting in bronze). Rather excited about that.

Lookit the earsss!

Lookit the earsss!, originally uploaded by bataleigh.

Lily, with her radar on as Dad says. She likes snuggling and burrowing in the blankets for a nap.

*Waves a white flag*

I'm having surgery this Friday to remove a mass/lump/cyst from my left breast. They don't think it is cancerous or anything, thankfully, it's just sore as hell. It will be a minor outpatient procedure and I'll just be sore for a while. I've decided if the scar is too big or unsightly I'll just design a tattoo to go over it. New plan: scar I don't like=new tattoo to cover it.
Mum is having Bariatric surgery Thursday. The Gastric Bypass procedure to be precise. We're all nervous for her as it will be an enormous change in lifestyle for the rest of her life. But, I think she'll do just fine. She'll be at the hospital right next to the surgery center I'm going to Friday so I'll spend the rest of the day after my surgery with her.
I've grown to despise my job. Not necessarily the job itself but several...elements...I have to contend with. To cut to the chase, I'm pretty sure my bosses hate me. Well, maybe hate is a rather strong term. I'm sure I come in rather low on their lists. The red-headed step child of the department, so-to-speak. I've been really down the past week because of my schedule. I should be excited about classes starting but instead I am full of dread. My work schedule is thus:
Sunday 1pm-9pm
Monday- (workout 10am-12pm) 3:30pm-12am
Tuesday-10am-3pm,(Class) 9pm-12am
Wednesday- (workout 10am-12pm) 3:30pm-12am
Thursday-10am-3pm, (Class) 9pm-12am
The kink is that getting off at 12am and being back to work at 10am is tough, especially for someone with sleep issues and bipolar disorder. It's hard to get straight to sleep, I'm lucky if I fall asleep by 2 am (usually more like 3 or so) and I have to get back up at 8:30 am in order to take care of the dogs and get dressed for work, find a parking space, etc. A week or so of this and I may well be off my rocker, not to mention when the hell am I supposed to get studio time in? I can't exactly sculpt at my office desk now can I? I may very well just haul in my alcohol lamp and do wax work. If I had been moved to first shift (Like I've requested for the second year in a row only to be shot down for various not-HR approved reasons), I'd work 7:30 am-4:00 pm, missing only 30min. of work twice a week to go to class. Instead I have to pull 2 14 hour days a week to make up the difference. Not to be a fatalist, but this may well eat away at the last little bit of sanity I have. I give it a month before I'm visiting my shrink or drinking myself to sleep. (Ah...NyQuil...)
Also...planning a wedding on top of all this? *sigh* I'm even more masochistic than I realized.

This applies.

random

I did precisely nothing this weekend. Unless you count catching up on sleep, which I did plenty of. I always make grand plans to get things accomplished on my days off but when the time comes I'm too tired to do much of anything except sleep and play WoW, which sometimes is about as engaging as sleeping, wherein I have fallen asleep while playing.
I did make it out to buy some storage tubs to put away my dance garb since I won't be needing it for a while. Now to actually go through the 7 or so years of accumulated garb, clean it and lovingly pack it away until I feel ready to dance again. Dunno if/when that will be. I'm still smarting from that fallout. I just want to cry at the mention of the troupe and what they're doing or not doing and that's ridiculous. I try no to dwell on it. I've lost 2 very close friends in the same manner; I tolerate personality quirks until I can't take it any more because they're hurting other people. I take a stand and end up losing a friend over it. Maybe I'm better for it but at this point it still stings. I feel very alone outside of that close-knit group. But from the outside I see more flaws than I ever did from the inside. That's the way it usually goes. Disillusioned but now lonely.
I've got to get cracking on these wedding invitations. Like this week. >.< DIY is sometimes a PITA.

Barooo!

barooo!, originally uploaded by bataleigh.

Mr. Bowen, you are one of the best dogs ever.

I want to hate myself for this but I can't.

http://www.ksnt.com/home/ticker/26210264.html
http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/731280.html

My only regret is that Mr. Phelps wasn't in the building. I want to feel bad for hating the bastard so much but I can't. He's a pariah, a waste of human flesh, a carbuncle on the ass of society. Unfortunately even if he were put out of our misery some other fucknut would just take his place. These people frustrate me to no end.

Lily Bug

Lily Bug, originally uploaded by bataleigh.

Lily, our foster puppy for the time being. She's been through a lot in her 10 weeks of life. Being dropped off at the Estill Co. shelter, living there for a week, a week in rescue and now almost 2 weeks with us. She's survived worms, a probable spider bite, a sever leg infection, a massive flea infestation and scabies. She's on her way to being healthy but all this hasn't kept her from being a rambunctious puppy. She loves Freyja and mum's dogs love her too. If we can't keep her I hope we can find a super loving home for her with another dog or two for company.

I'm glaring with contempt at a new Windows Vista machine as I chew on some beef jerky. I'm supposed to install some Windows98-era software (on floppy disks, mind you), make it functional and pull an image for a lab of 40 machines. Balls.
It is so tempting to log into WoW and glare at the Vista machine out of the corner of my eye for the remainder of the day. But...I know better...I think.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

On wedding planning...

So, when we finally decided to get married, set a date and started planning, it was my intention to keep this as low-stress and low-key as possible. I've done pretty well thus far but I'm behind schedule according to "official wedding planners" or whathaveyou.

What I have done so far:

• Booked the wedding and reception areas. Deposits will go down next week.
• Decided on catering options. (OMG deliciouness)
  
• Changed my mind about making my own dress and started shopping around for a pre-made one
• Purchased materials for decorations (flowers, etc.)
• Designed the cake (Now to find someone to make it...)
• A tiny start on hand-making the invitations.
• A rough draft guest list
• Got the boy to agree to marry me in a ceremony...not at the court house
  

Still to do:

• Decide on a dress, get measured, buy it, loathe myself for being fat, etc.
• Finalize guest list to get a ballpark figure for number of invitations to make
• Favors??
• Finish Invitations
• Make the boy decide what he will wear
• Make room reservations at the lodge/cabins (within the next week)
• Find someone to make the cake
• Talk parents into rum punch a the reception (LOL...I crack myself up)
• Plan/buy remainder of decorations for ceremony and reception
• Call and confirm maid of honor...doh!
• I'm sure I'll think of more...

My close friend Mags is getting married 3 months before we do and is letting the nice folks at Disney handle most of the details. Sometimes I think that might be a good thing but on the other hand, our budget is a couple thousand smaller than hers. It looks like with lodging and everything we'll slide in under $4000 for everything (food, rooms, dress, etc.) Being semi-DIY helps, along with taking advantage of our state park system and using nature as our backdrop.