Procrastination

laptop for under $500 ?

flawedpottery — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:45:07 GMT

I'm looking at maybe, maybe, maybe getting a new laptop for me sometime this year. Any recommendations? I don't want it to be too fancy, but I'd like something pretty good and less than $500, (the less the better). I do want at least a 15" screen, and a CD/DVD drive, as well as at least a dual core with 4GB RAM. I'm open to recommendations!

wedding filter

flawedpottery — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 03:01:22 GMT

If you're not on the wedding filter and want to be let me know

shopping help?

flawedpottery — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:30:43 GMT

Looking for a wagon figured posting here maybe somehow someone would know where I could pick one up, something like www.ridingtoys.com/tricycles-and-wagons/wood/radioflyertowncountrywagon.cfm but not quite so expensive? Basically that look with the slatted sides like an old cargo wagon doesn't matter what color it is exactly either.

flawedpottery — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 03:54:40 GMT

This is how I know I've had a long week and am kind of pms-y. Today I bought white chocolate lindor truffles, potato straws, and sweatpants.

health insurance?

flawedpottery — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:47:49 GMT

Do you have insurance through your job? If so, mind sharing with me what your plan is like? I'm just curious as I'm really not happy with what I'm getting and I am just curious how it compares to what's out there.

Wedding Planning

flawedpottery — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 20:33:01 GMT

There will be a wedding planning filter, if you want on it please let me know. If I add you and you want off let me know as well. Squeeeee!

I'm engaged!

flawedpottery — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:22:39 GMT

For those who don't know this weekend Aaron proposed in the most romantic awesome way and the ring is gorgeous I'd post more now but I need to change clothes and relax a bit as we just got back from Disney!

New business!

flawedpottery — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 01:43:49 GMT

For those who don't know, I sell Avon now. It's actually really easy and fun and I'm finally starting to make a profit. I'd love to have more orders and more customers. I even have a website you can order from (and codes for free shipping as well) and you can have it delivered by me if you're in the cocoa/orlando area or have it shipped to you (using the free shipping code I mentioned). If you want samples let me know :) I'll be happy to get them to you!

My website is
www.youravon.com/cjurban

updates with slight ranting

flawedpottery — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:17:30 GMT

I hate that I have a job that barely pays my bills. I hate that I am working my ass off for a company that pays me just enough to keep me on the edge of getting anywhere. I hate that I had to get a bonus on my current paycheck just to afford the rent and bills for this month. There was a time when my company was something more than just a company. I have worked at home office and I know that the attitude and values are still there hidden somewhere in the company. However. I don't see it in my day to day job. I have been asking for more hours and full time for awhile now. I have made sure my preferences stated such as well (we have this system where you go in and tell it what jobs in the company you'd be interested in). I have cross trained in several different departments. A regular day for me could see me in electronics, cell phones, fabrics, and photo. On a busy day throw in sporting goods and toys (on a slow day sometimes too like yesterday). However, apparently they are opening up a position in my department and putting someone in it rather than make me full time, and this is their attitude towards everything lately. On top of that we have a position open in photo and they interviewed two people for it yesterday. One girl came in in a tank top, shorts and flip flops. . . and they hired her apparently. I really am trying to find something new but it's not easy right now and I'd have to find something better before I could leave now that I have health insurance and such. I am still grateful to be employed, but it bothers me to be employed by a store that projects one image of itself and doesn't follow through.

In other news, I'm in Citrus County visiting my family today, going to see my mom who I haven't seen since Christmas. Also, hoping to see my brother and his family, and I'm picking up Tommy to spend the day with me. So this is good news. I also made a beautiful vase of gerber daisies that are orange, pink and purple (silk flowers) to take to my daughter's grave. Going to hit Wal-mart today (yeah sad I know) to pick up some stuff my mom needs, least I can do for her. My mom is currently staying in a local shelter/program for homeless women. It's a really awesome program though, they are getting her help for her alcoholism. My mom has never even admitted she had a problem until this year but she's been sober for several months now. They have a house that her and a few other women live in so it's not like a open living situation they actually have beds, dressers, rooms, a kitchen and a yard and such. They work at the thrift store and farm owned by the shelter organization and they help them get on their feet and with job skills and resumes and job hunting. The best part about the place is that she can stay as long as she's working her program and they determine she needs to and they will help her find permanent housing. I think this is really good for my mom. I can't wait to see her.

flawedpottery — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:34:42 GMT

NEW YEAR'S WISHES FOR BEREAVED PARENTS

To the newly bereaved: We wish you patience - patience with
yourselves in the painful weeks, months, even years ahead.

To the bereaved sibling: We wish you and your parents a new
understanding of each other's needs and the beginnings of good
communication.

To those who are single parents: We wish you the inner resources we know you will need to
cope, often alone with your loss.

To those experiencing marital difficulties after the death of your
child: We wish you a special willingness and ability to communicate
with each other.

To those who have suffered the death of more than one child: We wish you the endurance
you will need to fight your way back to a
meaningful life once again.

To those of you who have experienced the death of an only child or of all your children: We
offer you our eternal gratitude for serving as such an inspiration to the rest of us.

To those of you who are plagued with guilt: We wish you the
reassurances that you did the very best you could under the
circumstances, and that your child knew that.

To those of you who are deeply depressed: We wish you the first
steps out of the "Valley of the Shadow".

To all fathers and those of you unable to cry: We wish you healing
tears and the ability to express your grief.

To those of you who are exhausted from grieving: We wish you the
strength to face just one more hour, just one more day.

To all others with special needs that we have not mentioned: We wish you the
understanding you need and the assurance that you are loved.

From a speech by Former TCF President, Joe Rousseau. Taken from the January, 1999,
TCF Houston-West chapter newsletter

updates

flawedpottery — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:45:54 GMT

Things overwhelmed me for a bit, but I'm back online and stuff now and pulling things together. So where to start. I'm still with Aaron and he makes me amazingly happy. I am about to sign a new lease for my current place which will take me to June of next year. Tommy is up and down in school. He saw an endocrinologist and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and is now taking synthroid as well as concerta on a regular basis. He's doing better but the synthroid is a stimulant so we're probably going to have to change his meds accordingly and I think it's time for a dosage change since he's been having problems again with staying on task and concentrating in class like he was before the Concerta.

About a month ago my brother's house almost went up in flames. Unfortunately, it was my mother's fault. See my mom's an alcoholic. she got drunk, fell asleep and her cigarette set a trash can on fire, and it spread to under the house (it was a mobile home). She somehow stumbled into the house and knocked on my brother and his wife's door in time to wake them and they went outside and once they realized it had spread under the house grabbed their boys and got them out, the fire was right under my youngest nephew's room. They are fine, but the insurance didn't cover all that was left to pay on the house/land, and they were told they would never insure that house again. So, they ended up signing the land back over to the original owner and are living with her parents for now. All 4 of them in her extra bedroom. They put in for a loan from a gov't program to get a new place though and are waiting to hear. I'm hoping they get into a place soon. My mom was apparently so drunk she was falling down constantly, like flat on her face. My nephews unfortunately saw this and the oldest one knows it was her that caused it. He adores her and I can't imagine how much that hurt him. But, I am thankful they are alive.

Work is work I get between 20 and 28 hours a week right now, usually more like 20. I got my annual raise after a good review, and after a bit of arguing over a computer malfunction I did indeed get my health insurance as well. Which is good, now as soon as I get the card I can schedule my annual exam and an ultrasound for my thyroid. Yay! I like knowing I'm healthy.

Went to Disney for Valentine's weekend and other than the bitter cold it was amazing. I loved being there with Aaron and I got hooked on pin trading and met this sweet little girl named Grace while in the ticket line and she thought I was amazing because I knew all about Disney and had me sign her autograph book, I gave her her first pin (it was her first trip to Disney and she was admiring mine so I gave her one). She was sweet unfortunately I didn't see her again, but I really will never forget her, it was like a little bit of the Disney magic.

Since then it's been mostly work and Tommy and all that. I finally decided I was done playing nice and went to see an attorney. The divorce papers should be filed today and that starts all of that. I don't know yet if he'll be willing to come to an agreement or if he'll try to fight me. I hope we can come to an agreement. I don't want to fight and I don't want to pay money I don't have for a lawyer.

Tommy and I signed up for the give a day, get a day for Disney thing. He's excited to get to earn a ticket to Disney and help out.

In Cam news, I signed up to be DC again (I must be crazy) and offered to be VST mage (I must be absolutely insane, really). So now I'm doing a crash course in reorganizing my life while also job hunting. Wheeeee (plus learning all the stuff I need to know to even attempt to be a VST). Need to get my hands on mage books.

My room needs cleaning and so does my kids, should get to that shortly. I've been sleeping very badly and last night was the worst in awhile but I thought I was fine this morning and then I sat on my bed chatting and next thing I knew it was 12:30. Sigh. Hoping this gets better though I can't keep not sleeping at night. I toss and turn and I hate it I wake up feeling more tired.

I've also been wanting to make things like crazy lately but not having the outlet. My want to learn to quilt has come back and I want to sew and I want to make cards and scrapbook and such. Aaron says it's a form of nesting lol. I want to put shelves up in my room, but I won't because I don't even know if I could do it and not screw it up plus I'd need to ask the landlord first and all that. I have some posters I need to hang in Tommy's room, he has a giant transformers one and a All I ever needed to know i learned from star wars, both are wooden framed canvas type posters that came from blockbusters cheap. The transformers one was a Christmas present.

Have two packages to take to the post office, might wait and do that in the morning though since Tommy will be home from school soon. That's my update for now I'm sure I'll think of some more stuff to say eventually, for now I need to eat since I haven't all day.

It's a start.

flawedpottery — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:32:49 GMT

1 of 3 of my loans shows in repayment, current again finally :). One more should follow whenever the payment clears, now if only I can get in touch with the other one and work something out....

It was good news to wake up to.

music suggestions

flawedpottery — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:14:52 GMT

Need suggestions of love/romantic type songs please?

Advice needed, simple question, Female opinions definitely

flawedpottery — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:05:27 GMT

I have an appointment for my annual exam on the 5th at the Health Department. I chose to make it there because at the time I wasn't sure if I'd have health insurance or not. I will be getting health insurance from my company and it should be effective by the end of February it seems. The question is do I keep the original appointment and just get it over with, or do I cancel it and wait for the insurance to kick in and then find a gyno and make an appointment with them so that I at least have some sort of start with them and have my own private doctor instead of the health department?

I'm leaning towards the 2nd choice and waiting, but at the same time I could just get it over with. Opinions requested/wanted.

Progress Report part 2

flawedpottery — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:44:56 GMT

I got a desk, nothing fancy just a simple one from Wal-mart. Now I just need a chair for it. I cleaned out my small dresser to give to Tommy cuz he needed it. I need a small bedside table now. Tomorrow I plan on hanging my curtains which will help so much with Saturday mornings. I've been hating the sun for waking me by 8am though usually Aaron and I lay in bed together for another hour or so just being lazy and snuggling. I'm working on book 4 for the month which is good. I even started reading my Sewing for Dummies book again. My room is definitely coming together. I need a bigger bookcase though, or another one, one of the two. Then after curtains are hung I can work on hanging my big picture frame and getting a frame for my Fairyland map which is held on the wall by pushpins right now. I have one big thing to do left in my room and that's to go through the boxes I have that I've simply thrown a bunch of stuff in over the last couple weeks. That shouldn't take long though.

Tommy's teacher is starting twice a week writing help after school to help them get ready for FCAT which I am happy about. Tommy will be attending all four sessions which should help. She emailed today and said he has been doing much better in class and showing involvement and excitement finally. I'm glad he's finally engaging. I've been trying to give him my attention right after school before I go to work, and help him with his homework for the bit of time I have. So far he's doing better at the homework and the lying. Like last week I called him from work and asked if his homework was done and he told me yes, and then called me back like 15 minutes later to tell me that he was sorry he had lied but that he was doing his homework right then and he wouldn't lie anymore. He did his homework, too which I was very proud of.

Haven't scrapbooked lately but got crafty with some fabric and shoeboxes and made awesome cool storage boxes cheap, going to finish the last two tonight. This way they're not just shoved in the closet and they look nice. They are great for pictures and random stuff.

So far doing pretty good on the plan for the year just have to keep up the motivation. Tomorrow is the gym. I actually enjoy going to the gym now. Going to try for 3-5 days a week even if 2 of those days are just a bit of cardio. Starting tomorrow my goal is to get up with Tommy and get ready for the gym so that after dropping him off I can go to the gym instead of going back to sleep.

Off to work with me now. Take care all.

Progress Report

flawedpottery — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:57:43 GMT

Well on the goals for this year. I have worn makeup probably more this month than I did in half of last year. I've been eating better and have had breakfast about 90% of the days this month. I have not lost my phone or my keys in over a week even for just a few minutes so that's good as well. I have a planner and I've been using it. I bought a portable one to take with me places and another larger one to stay at home that is a big family/home organizer type thing. I've read three books already this month and am in the middle of four more. I've decided to try to read at least 2 non-fiction books every month, so I'm concentrating on finishing one of the nonfiction ones right now. I figure it's doable especially considering the nonfiction books I own (not to mention the ones I want to read). Thursday I'm going to go pay my fine at the library that I haven't gotten around too so that when I need to I can go there, but that will be awhile. I am exercising more, missed my appointment with my trainer on friday due to being at the mechanics, but I will be going to the gym tomorrow and rescheduling it as well. Plus now the power steering leak is all fixed! I am slowly getting my life in order. I found an endocrinologist for Tommy, granted I have to drive a bit over an hour to get to them, but I don't anticipate having to be there a lot. They're part of the Nemor's children's hospital network as well which I've heard good things about. I got a 40 cent raise at work after my year evaluation. I was rated a "solid performer" and a "role model" in my department. Basically on a 5 point scale I got mostly 4s and one 5. Not bad. I have to watch my absences for awhile though, but that shouldn't be hard I don't expect me or Tommy to be sick anytime soon.

Been spending more time with Tommy and he loves it. We watched Big Bang Theory together today, that's become kind of a weekly thing with us. We both love the show and it's 20 minutes of just us and the tv and hanging out. Tommy has decided he loves doing laundry and I am all for encouraging it.

I cleaned out the old car today so I can call the salvage place that's going to come pick it up to come get it. They're paying me a bit for it though not much, but enough to help with bills and stuff. Tomorrow I clean out the van though it doesn't need much and clean my room as well as some errands. Then tomorrow night is D&D, yay!

Tommy is grounded for 2 weeks because he didn't do his homework and lied to me about it for a second time. I'm hoping to get this through to him somehow, plus I'm keeping a close eye on him with homework. He was out of school today because he developed an eye infection over the weekend and was still contagious today. His eyes look much better today after having had the eye drops and he'll go to school tomorrow. He hates the drops and is very anxious for the week of drops to be over but he's good about letting me do it. Thank goodness for insurance.

So, I'm getting somewhere on my goals. I have two new pairs of dress shoes which count towards the nice office clothes goal and a new skirt that could be in that category as well. The new skirt came from a consignment shop and was an accidental find. It's a size 14 and I bought it thinking I'd fit into it eventually but tried it on for fun and it fit which means I love this skirt.

I am hopefully taking Tommy to Medieval Times for his birthday if he behaves well, and possibly taking him to Kennedy Space Center sometime soon which covers #9. So now I need to work on the others that I haven't started on, but I think considering it's still January having started working on at least half my goals is pretty good.

Goals for 2010

flawedpottery — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:10:59 GMT

So I have three new year's resolutions
1. Get my passport
2. Get in better shape than I am currently (any improvement by year's end is good)
3. Make life changes/improvements so I will be happier in the long run

Now as part of 2 and 3 I have set some goals, things I need to accomplish to make me happy and things I've been wanting to accomplish so I figure making a list is good that way I have my goals where I can see them and can check them off. Making a hard copy of this list to hang on my wall as well.

1. Start eating healthier: this means packing lunches when I can, buying more fruits and veggies, and actually eating breakfast every day
2. Lose 25 pounds, this is my weight loss goal, I'd love to get it all done this year but I'm not worrying about when just that I work towards it for now
3. Get organized, no more "I can't remember where I put that" or "Where's my phone?"
4. Buy some nice office type clothes for future hopeful job hunting
5. Take more pictures (hopefully buying a digital camera at some point this year to help with this)
6. Spend more time with my son, and just my son and paying attention to him (Must remember to enjoy the fact that when i went to wake him up this morning he let me climb into bed with him and cuddle him more often)
7. Make sure my son does well in school even if this means trying to find a tutor somehow
8. Get a real computer desk. They say having your computer in a room separate from your bedroom is a good idea. I like having my laptop in my room but I do need to move it away from my bed for comfort and for better sleep and such. Right now I sit at my bed and it sits on the side table this is not a good arrangement.
9. Take Tommy somewhere that he really wants to go, there's a list of places so we'll pick one and hopefully more
10. Scrapbook more
11. Remember birthdays and send cards (if I don't have your address emailing it to me would help with this :>)
12. Hang my curtains!
13. Get a mani/pedi sometimes and not feel guilty about it. I can't afford this regularly but at least twice this year I'd like to budget so I can
14. Wear makeup more often: I don't wear makeup very often at all, it just takes time I haven't budgeted into my day before but I'm going to change that, and actually buy some makeup I need that I'm missing and trying making an effort to wear it a couple days a week.
15. Read 4 books a month: I can easily do this if I put myself to it and read instead of doing stupid stuff like flash games and facebook
16. Get a dayplanner and actually use it. I put things in my G1 and use it as a pda right now but an actual paper and pen dayplanner is needed to help budget my time and force me to be more responsible. Also I'm considering selling the G1

New Year Wishes

flawedpottery — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:09:10 GMT

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

May 2010 be the best year yet. I'm hoping for goodness for all of us.

New Years Resolutions

flawedpottery — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:29:03 GMT

Everyone is making them, I haven't really made any serious ones in awhile, though for the last few years I've made the same one "I'm going to get my passport this year". This year it is my resolution again but this time it will be accomplished. I have pictures and the application all filled out and the paperwork I need, it's just a matter of time and money now. It has to be done soon though because Aaron got a trip to the Bahamas for Christmas and wants to take me with him. My other resolution for the year is to join a gym and to actually go and lose weight. I'm not quantifying this with how many pounds or how often I'll got but I will go and I will lose weight. I've already joined a gym. There's a Planet Fitness right up the road from here, nothing fancy but it works and was only $10/month on top of that which Aaron was big on me going and doing since it would make me happy. So, both resolutions almost accomplished hehe this makes me happy. Now if only I could straighten out my bank account and not be having to worry about money by the end of the year.

Updates and things

flawedpottery — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 04:16:01 GMT

Went home for Christmas and took Aaron with me. This made me exceedingly happy as did Aaron really liking my family. Sitting here on the floor in front of him now listening to him run Cyberpunk for his friends and enjoying just being near him. It's so easy to be with him and he helps make me feel safer. I was able because of him to buy presents for people who I cared about and that is amazing. We went to see Sherlock Holmes with my brother and out friend Dani yesterday as well. It was a good movie and I am still amazed at how much I can enjoy doing simple things like watching movies with him. He enjoyed meeting my family and I think they liked him. I was supposed to have breakfast with my aunt and uncle this morning and they had to cancel because my uncle is sick. I worry about him when he's sick, but hopefully he'll feel better soon.

Work still sucks but I'm still happy to have a job. Schedule still sucks too. Tommy has been with his dad since last weekend, and comes back next weekend. I saw him for a short time today. He's at my brother's house having fun with my nephews tonight. I unfortunately had to come home because I had to work 5-9 tonight. Looking for a new job and hoping.

Last weekend I woke up Saturday morning and my ears were stuffed up, kind of like there was water in them. It didn't get better all day, and swimmer's ear and hydrogen peroxide didn't help either. Then, my car broke down on the way to work :(. By Tuesday my ears were worse not better, and I was driving tessmc's minivan. My car is parked in my yard and is being junked I believe. I went to a walk-in clinic and they told me that I had had a mild upper respiratory infection that had caused my eustacean tubes to be clogged and ear wax had built up in one of my ears. I was given drops for my ear and then a scrip for flonase. It's gotten better since, but unfortunately I forgot to take it with us when we left town so I went without for two days; will take it tomorrow though. But at least I can actually hear most things now, and my right ear is pretty clear only my left sounds like it's under water now.

My roommate rel13612 bought me an awesome earrings and necklace set (thank you!) with amethysts so now I have two sets of pretty purple jewelry to go with my pretty ring. It is awesome. His parents bought me a purple christmas tree! It is an awesome Christmas. I hate that I had to come back.

I am looking at going back to school and if it's possible. I really would like to. Aaron and I are planning a trip to St. Augustine at the end of March and he's taking me to the Bahamas over the summer. He really is wonderful.

I have new 500 thread count damask sheets and they are so soft and comfy, and purple of course. Who knew thread could be so important to comfort. Now, to get a sewing machine so I can use the fabric I own. I am so bad about collecting cool fabric I find, especially after the 1.50/yard table. Now, if only I could remember to get around to putting up my curtain rod. I think maybe this week since I only work 5-9 all week and only 5 days. I can't wait to either go back to school or find a better job or both.

I was going to go home and nap before coming over here and maybe I should have cuz now I'm kind of sleepy but leaving now and coming back later would be silly as it's only 45 minutes til midnight which is when I wanted to be back by. So, I will chill and be happy he has his laptop and lets me use it. It's funny to listen to them anyways. I like my friends. I'm glad I have them.

fairy tales?

flawedpottery — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:17:36 GMT

I believe in happy endings again.

All I want for Christmas...

flawedpottery — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:24:32 GMT

is pictures of my friends, I don't have enough of these. If I can actually be in a pic with you even better. I'd also love Christmas Cards. Which reminds me make sure I have your address so I can send you one. Comments screened so you can post it here or send it via email.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY berrybuzz

flawedpottery — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:39:31 GMT

May you have a wonderful day and all the awesomeness you deserve!

not enough time for the post that is needed but...

flawedpottery — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:37:23 GMT

squee....life might be getting better.

lots to update

flawedpottery — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:28:16 GMT

So, we'll start with today and work backwards, not a lot of time this week cuz work is crazy but wanted to update a bit. Took Tommy to his new Doctor today and it was awesome. Thankfully the medicaid stuff is all sorted now. His dr is part of a medical center which is literally 5 minutes by car from our house. We waited for less time than it took me to fill out the registration forms before we were taken back to a room. Everyone was friendly and it was a great setup. I mentioned my worries about ADD to the doctor (who is btw the dr who saw Tommy at the health department for his ear infection recently). He ordered and EKG and a blood workup to get baselines and make sure there were no iron/anemia or thyroid or heart issues. All I had to do was go downstairs to get the tests done. It was wonderful. On top of that, when you go down to the lab, they give you this little buzzer thing that looks just like the ones they use at restaurants to summon you when your table is ready, so you can go to the bathroom or let your kid wander over to the kid area and stuff without worrying about missing them calling your name. There's no one yelling names out, it's quiet and peaceful and very organized. Tommy's appointment was at 9:20 with tests and blood draws and paperwork we were out before 11 which is wonderful. Everyone was so nice and helpful. Oh, and did I mention they have a guy in a golf cart who offers you rides to and from your car? I didn't accept cuz it's not that long a walk, but that'd be great when I have a sick kid or something. I am really happy I picked this doctor. I have a followup appointment on Tuesday with him and he'll give me the questionnaires then for me and Tommy's teacher to fill out for him.

Tommy leaves today to spend the vacation with his dad, I'll miss him. I work all week. I am spending friday after work with this guy I've been dating however, which I'm looking forward to. I was working 8 days in a row and next tuesday was my next day off, but then yesterday they took the schedules off the board and told us they were changing them. I was very not happy. How do you take down a schedule that's been up for two weeks 4 days before it starts and change it? I'm hoping it's up today because I have things I have to plan out like babysitting and stuff.

Life has slowly in baby steps been getting better for me. Or at least going in the right direction to get better which is good. I will post more either tonight or tomorrow morning.