Direct Sales Galore!

I have had quite the weekend of firsts and it is just the wee hours of Sunday morning. Friday night I hosted my first ever Pampered Chef party. Now, I have attended quite a few of these, but had never been a hostess for one. My mother, bless her, came over on Thursday night and helped me clean. She thinks I live in utter filth. She'll never say that to me directly, but I have known her for 27 years and can read her pretty well. Anyway, it was clean and spiffy for the Pampered Chef party. I bribed people to attend by offering margaritas. It was a good time, I think. I had about 15 people in and out, which I feel is a good showing. Now, I get free stuff. Gotta love that.
Then this morning (Sat. AM) I attended a Tupperware Party. I wasn't even sure that these still existed, but they do. So, I ended up spending money this morning on what the 'consultant' told me were "practical." Sure, lady. Practical, that's me. I also booked a party for May. More free stuff I guess.
So, that brings me to Saturday evening when I was invited to an 80's party at the house where I grew up. That's just weird. Anyway, so I showed up and it was not only an 80's party, but a sex-toy party. I was bombarded this weekend with direct sales consultants!
There are many other 'parties' out there to attend, Tastefully Simple, Homemaker's Idea, Stamp Parties, Purse Parties, Jewelry Parties, Mary Kay etc, etc.
I guess there is always next weekend.

I don't want to be a teacher...

Part of my job at the high school is drug and alcohol prevention. By this, I guess, it means going into the classrooms of 9th and 10th graders and following a specific curriculum. I think this curriculum was written 5-7 years ago. Now, I understand that most of the infomation is still relevant, however, a little out of date for current teenagers.
So, today I had to do a 9th grade classroom. For the record, this is not my favorite thing to do. First of all, these kids could not care any less about me. They don't know who I am and they just think I am the lady that gives them candy. Yes, this is true, but I am also trying to teach the students about preventive measures.
There was one student with constant commentary, another that kept rolling her eyes, yet another that pretended to be serious etc, etc. I don't like saying "be quiet" or "listen up" every 2 minutes. I suck at teaching I guess. It doesn't help that the curriculum is flat and somewhat stale, but the kids just don't buy into it. I get so frustrated. Anyway, I guess it's a good thing I only have about 10 more to do in the coming weeks.

Ahh...the dog park

My last post encouraged the weather to turn around and surprisingly this weekend it did. It wasn't 60 degrees, but both days were in the 40's. Yesterday, Cooper's friend Iris, her owner and I went to the beloved dog park. Oh, it was nice, it's been months since our feet have walked the mushy, slushy, soiled grasses of the shoddy snow-fenced sorry excuse for a dog park. We love it though, we do, it's all we have.
In our dreams (Cooper and mine) the dog park would be surrounded by a 5 foot chain-link fence with benches, some play equipment, a few trees would be nice and oh, a drinking fountain for the canines. You see, the dog park is well frequented, there are always at least 4 other dogs everytime I have been there and right now it is a snowy, muddy mess with the fence half torn down and between yesterday and today I saw about 35 other dogs. I understand that the weather throughout the winter doesn't help the fence, but still I want to bitch about it.
But, I won't bitch about the fact that I got to go both yesterday and today. Today's experience wasn't my favorite and it was for sure Iris' least favorite visit. The dog park has it's own sub-culture, one where we all know each other's dogs names, but none of the owners know each other. I suppose you would have to actually know Iris to enjoy this story, but some background on her is that she is a smaller lab size and a very gentle and nice dog. She isn't aggressive by any means and she usually runs and plays very well with all of the other dogs.
Today was different.
There was a large white American Bulldog by the name of Roxy prowling around the park. She cornered Iris and was "playing." Well, the "playing" started to look a little rough when Iris started to whine and yelp. Other dogs were drawing near the incident as were some of the owners. Iris' owner ran over and pulled Roxy off of Iris...as any concerned owner would. Well, Roxy's owner had an issue with this and yelled at Iris' to "never touch that dog again (referring to Roxy), they were "playing." I have been at the park long enough to know what play is however, and this was rough.
So, Iris was traumatized and kind of hung around us for a little while. She then ventured out again and was attacked by Roxy again. There was a slight confrontation between owners and Iris was leashed and ready to be taken home. The stupid Roxy owner then leashed her and moved her to another area. Other dogs were taken home because Roxy is too aggressive and scares the other animals.
This isn't right, just so you know. The park is for off-leash animals, but not those that are not in control.
That's my rant. Can't wait for spring weekends at the park.

Spring, where are you?

So today I experienced a little bit of spring fever. I went with a friend from work to get some ice cream...she's pregnant and I like ice cream, no other explanation needed, right? Well, we had our ice cream and the wind was blowing and it was cold. I just wanted it to be nice and breezy, like 55 degrees. That's all I am asking. I, by no means, am ready for 80 degrees, just 55.
Then I get home and my dog is oh, so happy to greet me. Then...he goes NUTS. Absolutely crazy, running all over the place. Then he goes outside, then inside, no wait, he wanted to be outside, then back inside...all evening. I am tired today and just want to veg. You see, he was up eating pizza at 3:30am. I am not sure how he got it out of the garbage, probably a little help from a cat. So, I was up until about 4:15am trying to clean up some of the pizza that he hadn't yet.
He's a puppy, blah, blah, blah. I know, but just settle down damnit. He's ready for the dog park again, or just to be able to run in the grass and not on snow. I was too lazy tonight for a walk, plus it wasn't 55 degrees.
So, Cooper and I are ready for spring. Bring it on.

An example of the fun that was being had!

Happy New Year

Another year, huh? Well, like I stated in my Christmas letter, I am happy to say that this last year has been rather fruitful. I am quite happy that I am fully employed (with benefits, mind you.) I also added to my family and got a dog that is slowly, but surely tugging on my heart. I would even proudly say that I love him. And in the same breath I can say that he'll be the death of me. The dog won't learn. He's smart, of course because he is a Bennett, but at the same time he won't listen to me. Everyone says, he's still a puppy, blah blah. But, I want him to be good. Quit jumping, quit barking, come when he's called and damnit, come to me when I want to put him in his kennel.
'06 is starting okay. I had a nice get-together to celebrate the coming of the new year. I called it a get-together until I was sure that people would have fun. Now I'll call it a party because I do believe it was a success. I think many had fun, I did. I had four of my best friends in attendance, what can be better than that really? Yes, tequila shots you say? Well, they were here too. JellO shots too. It was fun...the champagne was flowing, noise-makers blowing and even punching balls. Remember those? Yep, they're great.
I am looking forward to a new year. I hope that it holds surprises for me and that I make new friends and continue to cherish the old ones.
Well, with that I am wishing all those that may read this a happy year. I hope it is filled with joy and a sense of peace. Health and laughter to all.