Friday Fill-Ins #4

And...here we go!

1. Life is like a raging ocean; grab something and ride the waves.

2. The library is one of the best places to people watch EVER because the weirdest collection of people hang out there...

3. if I was going somewhere, the one thing I have to bring is books, lots and lots of books.

4. I cannot eat this pie soon enough. Yum!

5. Next year, I would love to be getting ready for law school.

6. I was looking for multiple first books in multiple series at the library and I found the second or fifth, but never the first.  Argh!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to pie and Monty Python, tomorrow my plans include a possible dinner with friends and Sunday, I want to go the art museum!

Top Ten Tuesday: Reasons I Hate Moving

Top Ten Tuesday's topic was "Books You Believe Should Be Required Reading for Teens."  I just couldn't think of any.  My brain is not working well this week.  Instead, I thought of my own Top Ten this week.  As I just moved from Indiana to Nebraska two weeks ago, I present: Top Ten Reasons I Hate Moving

1. Realizing how much crap I have -- I organized my things.  I had multiple trips to the Goodwill drop-off.  I filled many garbage bags.  And yet, I still have a mountain of crap.  How did I acquire all this stuff?  Now I have to go through it again.  Weed out the important (I found the boys' savings bonds and my birth certificate, could come in handy), trash the trash.  Finally, I have to figure out where to put all this crap.  J definitely doesn't have enough room or storage areas.

2. Dust bunnies -- While loading and unloading the truck and unpacking, I sneezed almost constantly.  Two days after moving, I got a cold.  I blame you dust bunnies.  Left to your own devices, you've taken over my stuff.  You've irritated my nose and eyes and royally pissed off my immune system.  Be warned, I bought a Swiffer.  Your end is coming.

3. Losing stuff --  How is it that I pack everything I own in boxes and  still misplace things while unpacking?  It never fails.  it used to be that my toys would go "missing" every time I moved as a child.  I believed my mom when she said things just got misplaced.  In my teen years, I swore that she threw my stuff away every move.  Now, I don't know.  I've lost things in this move.  Hopefully they will turn up, but I don't have much hope.

4. Cardboard box paper cuts -- They are so much worse than regular writing paper cuts.

5. DMV crap -- Why exactly does the DMV have to kill me?  They make it so hard to get a driver's license.  I can't even figure out all the forms I need to bring.  It's like a secret association.  I feel like I need the code word to actually talk to a human being and get a straight answer.  I'm dreading having to go this week.

6. Mail forwarding -- I changed my address online with the USPS.  I got a confirmation; J got a confirmation.  And yet, I don't think the USPS has actually forwarded my mail.  This is just the most ridiculous system ever.

7. New crap -- It never fails.  You move but somehow you have to buy more crap.  The first day here, I realized J had no cleaning supplies (typical bachelor guy), ~7 hangers, no furniture for the boys.  So we went shopping.  Great fun!  I like shopping, but not this kind of shopping.

8. Locations -- One of the first things I did... look up the locations of nearby grocery stores, Target, Old Navy, bookstores, and fast food restaurants.  Essential places to know.  Driving around this week, every time I've seen something interesting, I have to make a mental note of where this crap is.

9. New friends -- J has some friends, I've met them.  They're awesome, but now I have to actually make friends with people without J.  Very hard for a shy person like me.

10. Coffeehouses and bars -- Two essentials for me.  I still need to find a good comfy coffeehouse.  I'm really missing Firefly right now.  And I need to find a comfy quirky bar with good alcohol.  Another difficult task.

Honorable mention: Bruises -- I bruise at the drop of a hat.  So imagine me attempting to pack and unpack boxes and load and unload the truck.  I have bruises everywhere.  I'm still finding them.  And most I'm assuming I got while moving, but I can't actually remember how I got them.

Saturday 9: The Devil Went Down to Georgia

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

1. Do you believe in the concept of the devil? -- I believe in the concept of evil.  Not necessarily the Christian entity of the devil.

2. What's your favorite nickname that you're called? -- TFrances.  Hey that's my Wordpress name.

3. What would you do if someone cheated on you? -- Dump them immediately.  If they're cheating, obviously something was very wrong in the relationship.  Cheating is a violation of trust.  Unless you are part of a couple that practices an open relationship.  I would never do that, but I don't ban others for making that choice.

4. Do you ever cry at a movie? -- All the freaking time.  I just saw Harry Potter last night and started bawling when Snape died.  I loved Snape.  And I cried more when we saw his memories through the pensive.  And again when Harry used the resurrection stone.  And when I saw George dead.  Pretty much the last 30 minutes of the movie I was crying.

5. Have you got “a ball & chain” or are you single? Are you happy with your status? -- I do have "a ball & chain."  We are doing great, thanks for asking.

6. Who do you got to for advice? -- No one currently

7. When was the last time someone yelled at you? -- Probably the week before I moved, so three weeks ago.

8. When was the last time you spoke with someone that you met online? -- Hmmm... do blog comments count?  If so, then about two weeks ago.

9. Where did you go on your honeymoon? OR Where would you like to go on your honeymoon?  If I ever get married, I would love to go to Europe.  Any part really.  It's all amazing.

Friday Fill-Ins #3

And...here we go!

1. I hold an apple pie, just baked, smelling delicious.

2. Myself is someone I like to travel with because then I can take my time.

3. That day, I will have a huge two story library with a comfy leather chair, reading lamp, and fireplace.

4. My life has changed for the better this year.

5. Trust me, no one really wants to hear one side of you cell phone conversations.

6. Fireflies can only be seen in the dark.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include watching Torchwood! (it has to download from the server) and Sunday, I want to lounge about a park with a book!

Friday Fill-Ins #2

 

And...here we go!

1. Blue skies make me happy.

2. Trips down memory lane can be painful.

3. Kids are a blessing and a curse.

4. Food, Laziness, Thrills and Chills; these are some of the best things about vacation.

5. Love is very complicated.

6. Cats don't like submarine races.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting settled in my new city, tomorrow my plans include picking up the boys from the airport and Sunday, I want to do nothing, but I'll probably be unpacking!

Saturday 9: Make You Feel My Love

Make You Feel My Love

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

1. What has someone done unusual to make you feel their love? -- Wrote notes.  I know doesn't sound that unusual, but I've never really gotten love letters before.  Someone took the time to sit and write a series of letters about me, about them, and to me.  I cherish those letters.

2. Do you own a smart phone? If yes, is it everything you wanted? If no, how seriously have you considered a purchase of the new smart phone? -- Nope.  Soon, soon soon.  Right now, I just have a crappy non-Internet phone.

3. Have you ever camped out to purchase something? -- Absolutely not.  Nothing is worth camping out to get it.  I can just wait until I can walk in and buy it quickly.

4. What is your worst habit? -- Messiness.  I am not the cleanest person of all.  I don't leave food and stuff around, but papers, piles of mail...  that stays.  I need to do better at constantly picking things up.

5. What is your best habit? -- Writing...  At least I'm trying to keep it up.  I see writing as a great exercise.  It's a great habit.

6. In your opinion, what is life's greatest mystery? -- Love.  How does it work?  Is it all chemical?  Is it all from that thing called a soul?  Such a mystery.

7. Are you one of those people who is constantly busy with projects, social outings, etc. or do you just like to lay low and stay home? -- I would say half and half.  I like going out and doing things, but I need some down time.

8. Whether you're busy all the time or like to just chill, have you always been that way? -- Yeah.  I love social time, but I have to have alone time to regroup.

9. Is there something you'd like to change about how you spend your time? If so, what is it? If not, why not? -- I would love to actually have a job.  Weird, I know.  But I hate sitting around not having a somewhat semiregular schedule.

Friday Fill-Ins #1

And...here we go!

1. Getting away to another state soon.

2. Music to start your day off right.

3. Coffee, tea or a beer.

4. Insomnia in place of sleep.

5. The lights of that incoming train are really bright.

6. Seize happiness.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to movie night with the boys, tomorrow my plans include grad parties, Rock the Plaza, and Cougar Hunter and Sunday, I want to lay around all day, alas I need to keep packing and attend more grad parties!

Disney or Bust!

It's official.  In about one hour we are piling into the car and heading to Indy to catch a plane to Orlando. We're going to Disney World!!!!! I have decided to have a computer free vacation.  I will not be taking my laptop.  I will not be on Facebook.  I will not be updating my blog.  I will have my phone, but will mostly leave it in the hotel.  I want to spend some great time with the boys away from most technology. So I won't be around to respond to any comments on the blog or FB crap.  Never fear, I will be back on Sunday.  And then I will return to my regularly scheduled posting!

Where to go from here?

I find myself at a crossroads today.  It's been a week of reflection and planning.  The main question: Where to go from here?  Physically, mentally, education-wise, career-wise, relationship-wise... Let me back up a bit.  Last year at this time, I had lost my job as a teacher.  (The school closed due to financial difficulties.)  I was mourning the loss of my career.  I loved teaching, loved the school (even through the problems and difficulties), and I definitely loved my students.  Although very difficult, we hobbled along to give the seniors a proper send-off.  They graduated and have gone on to the next stage of their lives.  My sponsor class wasn't so lucky.  They were junior last year and had the difficult task of entering a new school for their senior year.  Personally, I was ready for a break from education.  I had a plan of moving to Omaha, NE and going to law school.  I was ready (or at least thought I was ready) to get out of teaching and try something new.  I was excited and sad about my new direction in life.

Fast forward a few months.   Come August, complications arose and I ended up staying here in Indiana.  There were no teaching jobs available.  I tried to find other work, but ended up mostly being unemployed through the school year.  My boys entered a new school and thrived.  I languished in limbo-land in regard to my hopeful move.  All through, I kept track of my former students.  Seeing them occasionally.  Watching them transition to different schools, and in some cases different activities and interests.

Now.  I find myself at a crossroads.  I am this close to getting an okay to move this month to Omaha.  A proposal is in the works.  Not exactly what I wanted, but a livable proposal.  The boys, my mother and I are preparing to go to Disney World next week.  These things are very exciting.  Things are moving forward!

But then I start to look back...  I am trying to write graduation cards for my students.  They've graduated, made it through their senior year.  And I am sad!  I am very proud of all of them for making it through and succeeding.  But I am sad that we lost our senior year.  We had such plans for their senior year.  Parties, fundraising, senior trip, graduation.  We had no idea that the year would be taken away.  And so I am writing these cards and I don't really know what to say.  How do I convey all these emotions in a little card?  How do I tell them how proud I am, but how sad I am that we couldn't experience it all together?  Part of the problems is that I don't know what to say about myself.  I realized this year that I really do want to go back into teaching.  I loved being a teacher, having a group of students that I could watch grow. I loved those feelings of accomplishment at the end of the year.  But I also want to go to law school.  I want to further my education.  Be a student again myself.

So Where to go from here?  Such a big question.  One that I can't answer today, but hopefully can make some progress soon.

Departure from Normal

I like routines.  I liked knowing the basic schedule of my day when I wake up.  I like having a general idea of the week to come.  I'm not one oto plan out every day all day, but I do like routines. Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything gets so jumbled up?  Yeah, that's my week... and I don't like it.  It's thrown off my whole week.  This is the last full week of school (they have to go back for Monday) for the boys.  We were already going to be pretty busy and then everything went crazy.

Monday:  The entire second grade went on their year end field trip to the zoo.  I went along as a chaperone.  Why do I do these things?  I enjoy being the parent volunteer.  I like spending time with the boys.  I don't like all the whining, complaining, and sticky heat.  I was in charge of three 8-year-old boys.  Not my ideal situation, but whatever I could do it.  So we began our zoo trip.  It started out nice and cool and then the temperature skyrocketed.  It ended up being int he 90s.  And you know what that means... whiny, hot, sticky 8-year-olds and a lost patience parent chaperone.  We got home and I immediately took a shower and changed clothes.  Blech!  While it was still not unbearably hot, we did have a lot of fun.

So that meant that Monday I didn't get any blogging, packing, writing, or other errands done.  I had high hopes for Tuesday.  No volunteering time, no specific appointments.  I was going to go to the coffee house and blog.

Tuesday: I woke up to a kid with a fever.  Great!  There goes my day.  So I took the other one to school and can back to cajole the sick one into taking some medicine.  He was really upset that he couldn't play Wii all day.  It's in the four season room where I think the temperature got above 100 degrees.  So he spent most of the day curled up in the chair playing the iPad.

I got a lot done, but kept getting distracted by the sick kid.  So my work seems very disjointed at best.  I was due to start working on my Quote Wednesday post or at least picking it.  And I didn't get around to it.  I did catch up on my Hulu queque and finished my Disney notes.  But i really should have been writing grad cards and blog posts.

Today: Another sick day for the boy.  We finally got a prescription called in for antibiotics, but the pick-up had it's own obstacles.  By the time I got back home, his fever had broke, but he was still coughing.  Another day at the house.  Another day trying to finished my weekly tasks, but not doing so great.  I still have a long list to do.

Tomorrow?: Hopefully the kid will be good enough to go to school.  The 2nd grade is having their hot dog cookout for lunch and I volunteered to help.  I can't if the boy is still too sick for school.  And the other one will be upset that I didn't come see him.  Argh!  Hopefully I can at least get half of the grad cards done and some Disney packing done.

Wish me luck!  And Hopefully I can get back to my normal routine, cause next week is Disney vacation.  Definitely won't be normal, but hopefully lots of fun.

Happy Towel Day!

Last Thursday I posted a Quote from one of my favorite books: "This must be Thursday," said Arthur to himself, sinking low over his beer. "I never could get the hang of Thursdays."  For those of you who knew and didn't comment: Shame on You!  Anyway, it's from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.  And today is Towel Day!  Happy Towel Day!  I really wish I would have remembered that this morning.  Then maybe I would have been able to cover myself while running to my car in the torrential shit storm that was this morning.  A huge storm system stretching through three states entering my area today!  And we have a Tornado watch until 7pm.  It's 11am right now.  That's an 8 hour watch!  Craziness.  Anyway, here's a bit of the Hitchhiker's Guide to brighten your and my day! Douglas Adams explaining the importance of a towel!

For your enjoyment, the trailer for the movie!

Top Ten Tuesday: Places to See Before I Die

I was having a hard time coming up with 10 Favorite Minor Characters, so I'm doing another me Top Ten. This week: My Top Ten Places to See Before I Die.  I hope to do a "Dream Vacation" post for each of these, but getting some great pictures and finding some great places of interest may take a while.  So here's a little list to spark my imagination. In no particular order: 1. Greece -- The History, the Culture, the Food, the Mystery, the Alcohol.  How could I not got to Greece and see the cradle of our Western Civilization?  I want to see Athens, but also the small villages and islands off the mainland.  This would be a great honeymoon!

2. Grand Canyon -- I feel like I must see this natural wonder.  I know it's a huge hole in the ground, but the scale is so massive, I just can't truly picture it in my mind.

3. Italy -- I want the wine and the sun and the food.

4. Alexandria, Egypt -- The shining city of ancient times.  I would love to see where the Nile empties into the Mediterranean, where Alexander the Great planned the jewel of his empire, where the lighthouse and library once stood.

5. Ireland -- Those green rolling hills call to me and I'm not even Irish!

6. Barcelona, Spain -- Ever since taking Spanish in high school, I've wanted to visit this coastal city known for its food.  Plus it would be fun to actually try out my Spanish.

7. Austrailia (probably Sydney) -- The Land Down Under just seems like a great place to visit.

8. Turkey -- The mix of Western and Eastern culture intrigues me.  Plus great food and music!

9. Morocco -- Another interesting mix of African and Muslim cultures creating a whole new city.

10. San Francisco, California -- Yeah, Yeah I've already been here, but I would love to go again.  I absolutely adored the city when I vacationed there a couple of years ago.  I would love to revisit all my favorite spots and hit some of those places that I missed.

Where do you want to go?

xkcd Love!

I absolutely love xkcd.  It publishes Monday, Wednesday, Friday.  Some days the science behind the posts really does go over my head.  Other days, it's just right.  Like Monday's post.  I found something so true and pointed in this post.  All of you feminist/scientist/historians/etc out there... Enjoy!  And check out the website for back comics, products, and general geeky fun! xkcd

Top Ten Tuesday: ?

Okay this week's Top Ten Tuesday topic was Mean Girls in Books. I really tried. I tried to go through the books in my library, my list favorites, my lists of classics, and I could not find enough mean girls to fill up a list. So today, I thought I would do my own Top Ten Tuesday. Today's topic: ME! Random facts about me.

1. I have a slight OCD when it comes to list-making. My mother thinks I'm crazy. My friends probably think I'm crazy. Others just deal with it. Making lists makes me feel better. It actually calms me down.

2. I currently have 8749 songs in my iTunes. That doesn't include the various cds that I haven't imported to my computer. I used to think that was a lot, but then I got a look at J's iTunes. Crazy!

3. I have another blog, New Athenian Academy, focusing on education issues. But I haven't posted there since February. I really want to get back to it, but am so not motivated.

4. As a child, I had a dog named Milkdud.  Yep, that's right, like the candy.  And I absolutely hate Milkduds!

5. I'm scared of getting Alzheimer's and/or Parkinson's.  They both run in the family.

6. The twins are named Nicholas and Alexander.  Yes the twins from Full House, but I swear I didn't do that on purpose.  I wanted good strong, easy to pronounce and spell names.  Alexander's name was changed at the last minjute from Daniel.  I like Alexander better.

7. I have a slight scrapbooking addiction, but I haven't scrapped since probably November.  I still love looking at the scrapbooking supplies.  I really need to unsubscribe from the Archiver's e-newsletter.  It's too much of a temptation.

8. In June, the boys, my mother, and I are going to DisneyWorld.  I think I'm more excited than the boys. I haven't been there since I was ~10.  I really, really, really want to go!

9. I am a groupie for a specific local cover band.  But don't worry, I would never take any of them home.  That would just be weird and wrong.

10. I am currently obsessed with watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians.  Yeah I know pathetic, but I can't stop.

Funky Times

It's official, I'm in a funk. A reading funk that is. After averaging 15 books a month, I've hit a dry patch. I've read 10 books so far in April. Seems like a lot, right? Taking a closer look, many of those books were under 200 pages. I read a few graphic novels (or are they trade paperbacks? see J, I did listen). I haven't delved into many longer novels this month. I feel a bit off kilter. I've been reading the same book for over 5 days. 5 days! My usual for a ~400 page book is 3-2 days. It's not that the current book isn't interesting. I love it. A book of short stories centered on zombies and romance. Perfect fit for me. Yet, I can't finish it. I don't want to give up, but something needs to change. I have declared this weekend A READING WEEKEND! I want to focus on my reading. Knock some books off my TBR piles (yes I said piles). I've organized the ~60 library books into piles according to due date. I want to start with those that I've had for weeks and will probably need to return soon. I've always weeded out the contemporary romance from the piles. I'm really sick of this genre right now. I want to focus on historical fiction, science fiction, and paranormal books.

And lucky me, I've found a group that doing a read-a-thon this weekend... Kristen over at Bookworming in the 21st Century is hosting The Catching Up Readathon

Do you go on Goodreads? Are you doing the Reading Challenge? Does it say you're behind? Astronomically behind? Well, it does for me. 28 books behind! I need a kick in the butt. With the long weekend coming up (thanks to a certain Christian holiday), I figured now is as good as any to try and get caught up.

And why not share the readathon love?

And to make it fun... you can win a prize from my book stack of giveaways (which I will post later). One random participant will win a prize. Woot! :)

So details, details.

When: Thursday, April 21st through the end of Monday, April 25th. Any time zone, start when you want, read when you want. Where: Here, on your blog, on your couch, on Goodreads.. wherever! What: Read books - duh! If you'd like to make a goal, go ahead.

My goal... is to cut that number in half, not have more than 14 books behind after the readathon. So that could mean 14 books or even more.

My goals this weekend:

• Finish Hungry for Your Love (that stubborn book!)
• Read at least 4 other books
• Include some science fiction in my reading
• Write reviews for all books read (I'm going to prepare the templates tonight to cut down on that time)
• Blog about my progress once a day

Tentative reading list:

• Hungry for Your Love
• No Rest for the Witches by MaryJanice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray, and Christine Warren
• Notes from a Spinning Planet: Ireland by Melody Carlson
• Death's Excellent Vacation edited by Charlaine Harris
• V for Vendetta by Alan Moore
• Love Finds You in Tresure Island, Florida by Debby Mayne
• Notes from a Spinning Planet: Papua New Guinea by Melody Carlson
• Notes from a Spinning Planet: Mexico by Melody Carlson
• Watchmen by Alan Moore
• Watchmen and Philosophy by Alan Moore
• The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
• Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon by Melody Carlson

The Resolution

After months upon months of waiting in limbo, a resolution seems to be on the horizon.  It looks like a decision might be made and I can move on.  Unfortunately, the resolution brings up its own set of questions.  Questions that I am having trouble answering.  Questions that will affect more than just me.  Questions that could change the future for the worse or be a good situation. I really can't tell right now. But I do know that a resolution is just want I need right now. In honor of the past week's events, I give you Jack's Mannequin: 

Side note: J and I bought a dining room table and a reading chair. I love shopping! And they are so cute. They'll be here for when I finally get move out Omaha.

Out of My Blogging Mind

The past few days have been crazy.  And when I say crazy, I mean crazy!  I've caught up with some friends, had a few good dinners, cleaned and reorganized the boys' room, had a big meeting today, and gotten ready to fly to Omaha tomorrow.  All in all, I am exhausted. And my blog has suffered for it.  I've actually read two books since my last review post, but haven't gotten around to reviewing the finished.  I promised myself I would stay on top of it, but time just got away from me.  The only reason Music Monday posted was because I finished it last Friday and scheduled it to post.  Working ahead, but not enough.

I want to get back on the blogging wagon tomorrow.  I am going to try and get the reviews done and posted and get my usual Quote Wednesday up.  Of course, I will be trying to do this while traveling to Omaha and then spending some quality time with J.  We'll see how it goes.

So, Hello my blog!  I have neglected you for a few days.  I promise to be a better blogger this week.

Highlight of the Week - Boys' Birthday Extravaganza!

The boys' 8th birthday was last week, but we had their birthday festivities this week.  And boy was it a crazy time.  They each got to invite a few friends to Crazy Pinz for the ball pit, arcade games, pizza, and cupcakes.  I think it went really well.  We had 7 friends come to the party (3 no shows).  Miss B and Mr. D showed up for some extra fun and supervision (hee hee, bet they didn't think they'd be entertaining kids if they came).  I had a nice time talking to C in between activities.  (Glad to hear she's feeling sorta better.  Now to get completely better!) We didn't have any nose bleeds, cuts, fights, arguments, etc.  Everyone seemed to have a great time.  To end our party time, the boys got to ride the bumper cars for the first time.  You have to be 8 to ride, so this was their special treat.  They had fun slamming into each other and T.

Later that night, we had the family dinner.  Of course, the boys cleaned up again in the toy department.  And they got an amazing cake, made by Uncle Cory!

Today, we went shopping to use all our gift cards.  We had a bit from Target and a lot from Toys R Us.  Here's the boys with their loot.  I think they chose wisely!

Coffeehouse Blues

Earlier this week, I was sitting at the coffeehouse (where I live) and we started complaining about our coffeehouse pet peeves.  So I thought I would do a Top Ten Coffeehouse Pet Peeves.  (Had the inspiration from this week's Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Pet Peeves).

1. Blenders: My local has two blenders that are used for blended drinks and smoothies.  That in it self, isn't a huge issue.  I don't mind people ordering smoothies and blended drinks.  I do have an issue with the volumes.  These two blenders are blenders on steroids.  They are so loud; I've never heard a blender this loud.  And then they blend for what seems like forever...  It goes on and on and on. God forbid it's a sunny 50 degree or more day.  The smoothies and blenders come with every other customer.  Sometimes they sound like a dentist's drill.  Argh! Can't stand them.

2. Loud Ringtones: Why do people need to have their cell phones up to the highest level?  Can you not hear?  (If you are hard of hearing, I'm sorry, but I'm betting that 90% of people in the coffeehouse don't have hearing issues.)  And then there are those people that don't answer their phones on the first one or two rings.  They let it ring and ring and ring.  Answer your phone!  Very annoying.  And the weirder the ringtone, the more annoying it is.

3. Taking Up Multiple Spots: At the back of the coffehouse is two couches and a side chair in a half circle.  The other day two guys were sitting back there.  Instead of taking up one couch or the chair and one spot of a couch, they were each sprawling on a couch.  In reality, only the side chair is then open for someone to sit.  And people kept walking back to see if the comfies were open only to find that the two guys were taking up the whole area. (And they were loud talkers!)

4. Loud Cell Phone Talkers: People have a normal speaking volume.  We are loud enough to hear each other within a few feet, but not loud enough to hear across 20 feet.  And then there are those people who answer the cell phone and their voices increase three old.  I would hope that you have a decent cell phone that allows you to hear who you're talking to.  If not, please get a new one.  But I know that I don't have to yell into my cell phone for the person on the other end to hear me.

5. Wild Music Shifts: Most coffeehouses play some sort of music.  That's fine.  I like music.  However, I don't like huge shifts in music genres.  The other day we went from classic rock to classical to 90s r&b to singer songwriter.  I was having music whiplash.  Please pick a genre and stick with it for the day.  The genre can change from day-to-day, but please not within the day.

6. Volume Up on Computers: Please don't have your volume up on your computers.  I don't want to hear your music or the television show you're watching.  That's why we invented headphones.  Use them.

7. Wireless Access: Consistent wireless access would be nice.  Alas not many places I've been have stable wireless.  Very annoying to be in the middle of something and the internet crashes.

8. Slurping: Please use your manners and don't slurp the drinks. 'Nough said.

9. Not Enough Electrical Plugs: If you're offering wireless access, please have electrical plugs or at least power strips every few feet.  Access is the key.  Thankfully my coffeehouse has fixed the issue as of late.

10. Slamming Toilet Seats: The restrooms are the back of coffeehouse.  And for what ever reason, the people at this coffeehouse always slam the toilet seats.  You can hear it from the front of the shop.  Annoying!

What are your coffeehouse pet peeves?

25 Things About Me

Thought I would join the stupid fun and tell everyone a little bit about myself.  Take what you want from answer, but please do not psychoanalysis. That Freud was a crackpot!

1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed? Closed of course.  I still have an issue with the dark.

2. Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotels? They become my travel sizes.  I love them!

3. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out? Tucked in at the bottom.  They usually come out about a day after I tuck them in, so then I just get all tangled in the sheets.

4. Would you rather be attacked by a bear or a swarm of bees? I vote bees... I've had tattoos, so it would just be like that but a whole lot, right?

5. Do you have freckles? Nope 6. What is your biggest pet peeve? Being interrupted while talking.  Please wait for a me to finish the sentence, then you can interject.  Interrupting tells me that you weren't actually listening to me.

7. Have you ever peed in the woods? Unfortunately, yes.  Hopefully, never again.

8. Do you ever dance if there’s no music playing? Sometimes to amuse the boys.

9. Do you chew your pens and pencils? Only if I'm really stressed out.

10. Is it okay for guys to wear pink? Sure, why not?

11. What do you dip a chicken nugget in? Honey mustard or the old standard, ketchup.

12. What is your favorite food? Chocolate chip

13. What movies could you watch over and over and still love? Ever After!!!! And Love Actually, any Harry Potter, Indiana Jones (except the last one), Shaun of the Dead

14. Were you ever a boy/girl scout? Hell no. Me playing in the woods, never happen.

15. Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine? No... nobody needs to see that.

16. Can you change the oil on a car? Nope. But I've never tried or learned, so I could probably do it with a little help.

17. Ever gotten a speeding ticket? Never. In all my years of going 10 over, I've never been pulled over for speeding. (not having my lights on is another issue altogether)

18. Ever ran out of gas? Once, as I was pulling into the parking lot for work. Someone got an earful after that incident (it wasn't my car)

19. Are you lazy? Sometimes

20. When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween? Usually a witch, but I was also a princess one year and probably a few other silly things.

21. How many languages can you speak? English, duh. And a bit of Spanish. I'm passable but tend to remember only the present tense of verbs.

22. Who is better…Leno or Letterman? I'm going to go with Letterman only because he and I went to Ball State University.

23. Do you sing in the car? All the time. Even when the boys laugh at me. Extra loud when no one else is in the car.

24. Ever eat a pierogi? Yeppers. They're good if made right.

25. First concert? Amy Grant -- hey I was 12 and it was the mid 90s. Very appropriate for then!