99 Red ... Eclipses go by

I don't mind traffic. I really don't. It generally takes me over an hour (today was an hour and 20 minutes) to get home after work, and it has taken me as much as two hours to get home. This doesn't bother me. Now, I'd prefer it took less time, but whatever, you know? But this is what pisses me off: inconsiderate drivers. What the heck is wrong with people that they have to cut me off, glide into my lane, pull out and around me while there's less than a car length in front of me and the entire rest of the traffic is also only going 3 1/2 miles an hour. What the heck, man? I just want to reach over and yank that blonde ponytail in the red Eclipse until she drops the cell phone and screams for mercy .... mercy, I tell you. And I have no mercy.

Today was the sit-with, where I sat with someone who already knew the ropes and got to try out the things I'm going to be doing by myself, like sending letters and taking recorded statements ... it was pretty fun. I took a statement today from a guy who rear-ended someone in Brooklyn when it was snowing so bad he couldn't tell whether their lights were on or not. Some days I'm truly glad to be in Florida. I know it sucks, but not like that. I just kinda giggle and remind them that it's 84 degrees here. But I had a good time, and I learned a lot and think I'll really enjoy the job. We'll see -- my adjuster's license test is a week from Friday, so hopefully I'll pass and still have a job. Fingers crossed, right?

BUT also, when I was walking back to the desk a guy stops in front of me. "April?" he says. It's this guy that I've known since middle school. We took an elective class for summer school between eighth and ninth grade together (yes, I'm aware I'm a dork -- but that was an awesome class) and in high school he worked at the Wendy's down the street and I used to visit him after band practice while he closed up the restaurant (yes I had a crush; shhh, don't tell him) and in college he was the roommate of a guy I went to high school with and suitemate of a guy I was good friends with and swing dance partners with. And now he's a coworker -- how weird is that? Craziness, I tell you, pure craziness.

And my laptop broke. It still works, kinda, but the joint between the screen and the keyboard broke so it keeps flopping down while I'm typing. I really need a new one. Hopefully after I get my first paycheck I can afford a new one, or at least 1/2 (I can go halfie with Christen) because I really don't know how long I can deal with this. Anyone know any good deals?

Accent: I try for no accent what-so-ever, but I end up picking up whatever accent is around me. Especially southern accents.
Chore I hate: Hanging clothes, matching socks and emptying the dishwasher
Dad’s name: Donald Ray
Essential makeup: lipstick. The rest I can fudge on. Without lipstick I feel boring.
Favourite perfume: Heavenly by Victoria Secret
Gold or silver: Usually
Hometown: I have moved too many times to have home town. I feel very much at home in Glasgow, Scotland - but I don’t think I would want to live there again.
Interesting Fact: Duelling is legal in Paraguay, as long as both parties are registered blood donors.
Job Title: Mother - aka general dogsbody. Last job? I was general manager of my own comapny.
Kids: Hannah, Heidi, Daniel, and Rosie - In moments of madness I would like to have more. But since hubby’s been snipped it just ain’t gonna happen!
Living arrangements: A nice big house on the outskirts of Brussels, Belgium. Well, it will be nice when we finish renovations.
Mom’s birthplace: Small town Nebraska
Number of apples eaten last week: At least 3 or 4
Overnight hospital stays: 4 with the babies - 2 with miscarriages - 1 for Tonsillectomy - 1 for food poisioning.
Phobias: mice and rats - and other rodent like things *shudder*
Question you ask yourself a lot: ‘Now where was I going before I was interupted?’
Religious affiliation: With God… yes.
Siblings: 2 Sisters
Time I wake up: Around 6:30 on weekdays and as late as possible on weekends.
Unnatural hair color: Sometimes I get highlights in the winter.
Natural hair color: Dark blonde
Vegetable I refuse to eat: I think I can eat almost any vegetable.
Worst habit: Chocolate and icecream… and chocolate icecream
X-rays: teeth, back
Yummy food I make: Yummy is in the mouth of the taster… Why don’t you come for dinner and you can tell me if it’s yummy.
Zodiac sign: Someone told me once but I can’t remember.

the true test.

I nearly wrote this post this morning on paper solely for the purpose of keeping myself awake. The spring time change always messes with me internally. Sunday we were happy we got out of bed and moving at a decent hour until we realized it was actually near noon. House hunting went surprisingly well, and we found about six houses that looked promising, especially a couple in Town & Country (an area of Tampa). I'll let you know how it goes. For dinner I did fajitas with all the fixings and chocolate peanut butter fondue for dessert. Yum! It was awfully tasty. We bought this wine, I don't know if you've tried it -- Jest Red. It was okay, tasted a bit like sangria without the fruit. I think I might mix the rest with orange slices to finish it off. I haven't found a whole lot of wines I like enough to buy a whole bottle of it more than once. I like mid-sweet whites and sweeter reds ... like reisling and pinot grigio. I like crisp aftertastes (I like Chateau St. Michelle? reisling) with a less bitter bite.

And last night was the first time I got to use my new bowling ball, and I tore it up!

178!

That's right, I bested my best score at 178 last night (previous best score 164), other scores 132, 119, 121, 142. My average was way better than usual. Hurrah! It was worth it to buy the ball! Christen got a new ball too, and he did pretty good; his was urathane so he took longer getting used to it, but I think he won a game. I only won that top game, but overall I won for the night, and the Kyle/April team won too. Yay!

So being so tired this morning I took a nap in my car during lunch instead of eating. I needed it more. I may go to bed early -- Christen actually fell asleep next to me and is snoring over the television (though I'm only watching VH1's The 40 Hottest Rock Star Girlfriends and Wives so it doesn't matter too much. Tomorrow at work is the true test: We have a "sit-with" other adjusters while we learn how to really do the job. I'm nervous. We'll see how it goes then!

you already knew that.

Bourbon Congratulations! You're 127 proof, with specific scores in beer (100) , wine (116), and liquor (78).

Screw all that namby-pamby chick stuff, you're going straight for the bottle and a shot glass! It'll take more than a few shots of Wild Turkey or 99 Bananas before you start seeing pink elephants. You know how to handle your alcohol, and yourself at parties.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 50% on proof You scored higher than 94% on beer index You scored higher than 98% on wine index You scored higher than 90% on liquor index

Link: The Alcohol Knowledge Test written by hoppersplit on Ok Cupid

Not that I'm looking for anyone ...

Your dating personality profile: Liberal - Politics matters to you, and you aren't afraid to share your left-leaning views. You would never be caught voting for a conservative candidate. Intellectual - You consider your mind amongst your assets. Learning is not a chore but a constant search after wisdom and knowledge. You value education and rationality. Sensual - You are not particularly shy when it comes to your sexuality. You know what you like and do not feel inhibited.

Your date match profile: Funny - You consider a good sense of humor a major necessity in a date. If his jokes make you laugh, he has won your heart. Intellectual - You seek out intelligence. Idle chit-chat is not what you are after. You prefer your date who can stimulate your mind. Practical - You are drawn to people who are sensible and smart. Flashy, materialistic people turn you off. You appreciate the simpler side of living.

Your Top Ten Traits 1. Liberal 2. Intellectual 3. Sensual 4. Wealthy/Ambitious 5. Adventurous 6. Practical 7. Romantic 8. Funny 9. Big-Hearted 10. Shy

Your Top Ten Match Traits 1. Funny 2. Intellectual 3. Practical 4. Romantic 5. Liberal 6. Adventurous 7. Shy 8. Sensual 9. Wealthy/Ambitious 10. Big-Hearted

Get your Online Dating Profile - take the quiz!

happy me day!

It's April Fools. So happy Me Day! Because, we know I'm an April, and I'm also a bit of a fool ... but what else could be more fun?!

the taste of bliss

Did I tell you about these?

I don't do peanuts in my food, but I'll let you know, the plain ones are fantabulistic! If only they came out with them for the crispy M&Ms too. This is the best thing to happen to M&Ms ever. And it's not like it's the first time George Lucas sold out, so I'm not concerned with that; I'm just glad I get dark chocolate M&Ms.