Checking In

It's been a really hard, transitional, busy, and emotional last few weeks.   We continue to completely pass middle ground this year -- everything is either really great and awesome or pretty darn craptastic as we have gone through 2014.  I know The Housewife informed you that we lost sweet Hogan about a week ago.  I'm not quite ready to write a lot about it but I will and I'm sure it will help the healing process.  He was 11 and I'd like to think we gave him a really great life and the best care he could have while he was on earth.  I'm trying not to be a 3 year old about the whole thing but my general view lately is "I want my dog back."  But I also know human nature is to always want more time than we have and I'm working really hard at being incredibly grateful for the time that we did have together. 

We have truly had all the emotions lately though.  The new job is going really, really well.  If I could have just picked the most ideal situation/result to come out of my unemployment it would have been to land in the exact place that I am now.  Truly.  Obviously life isn't perfect.  I've got a bit of a commute and different hours but we have banded together on the home front and we have a dog walking service that comes several times a week when we need them and hopefully soon I'll be making a few dinners, making time for more workouts and feeling more comfortable with my completely new job scene.  Change is hard.  I keep telling myself that if I spouted gospel in my interview trying to win my position about wanting to push my boundaries I better grab hold of the opportunity and dig in to get exactly what I want out of this incredible job opportunity.  I do feel like I will be really happy there.  But at the same time even though I am still in insurance I am completely out of my comfort zone so I need to take a deep breath and relax.  I need to keep telling myself "I will get there". 

This has been a better weekend than the last.  We stuck pretty close to home again and with the rain and cloudy weather I have been able to catch up on all the chores and house stuff that were completely ignored last weekend.  It's definitely the little things -- wandering the mall with Emily, looking at my little patio plants that are still alive, fresh flowers, fresh manicure, and home cooked meals.  Now I'm trying to regroup on some wedding items like flowers, what the groom should wear, hotel room blocks, and a hair/makeup girl. 

I've missed you guys! Working to get back on track with regular posts! 

~the single gal~

Weekend Recap

Just wanted to do a quick weekend re-cap! An important one since I met 3 Putt's "mum"! Eeep!

So Friday started out as a pretty decent day but took a real downhill slope after lunch. Long story about a case I did not want to evaluate that day but par for the course lately at work.  I really wanted to sneak out a few early so I could have some time to freak out if I needed to and simultaneously have time to wind down.  Except I got super wound up about work and it was a terrible afternoon so by the time my poor Dad called me on the way home I burst into tears and cried all the way home.   Not a huge deal but I definitely was not pleased that my face was going to be extremely puffy all night.  You know, because I'm not one of those pretty criers -- its all snot and a red face.   I can tell you Big John was not planning on talking to a hysterical female Friday afternoon, but he handled it super well so mad props to Dad. 

Dinner went well on Friday! Mrs. 3 Putt is super sweet.  She even brought me and Hogan some little presents and I thought that was so nice.  We met at 8 and I was home just after 10 to show Hogie his new collar and get ready for bed delivery the next day.  

Saturday was super hectic -- Mrs. 3 Putt wanted to come up to see Hogan {even though I have a feeling she probably wanted to further inspect me and my place}.  Wouldn't have been a big deal but y'all my bedroom was a straight disaster and I had no idea when the mattress people were coming and I was trying to frantically clean the whole time.  I have to say -- the timing barely worked out. I had just enough time to attempt my first effort and trying to make up that giant bed with all the new bed covers and shams.  I was still upstairs when they rang the doorbell.  

Saturday was probably the nicest time I had with Mrs. 3 Putt -- we took her to BBQ and came back to walk Hogan at the Greenway.  She was really enthusiastic about taking lots of pictures of me a 3 Putt.  And putting them on Facebook.  Let me tell you the one from dinner on Friday was not my best work by any means.  Definitely had puffy eye face. But it seemed to make her happy so there you go.  

I did regroup for a better pic on Saturday: 

And here is Hogie and your sneak peek of the new bed and sporting his new collar.

I know this bleeds into the week but Monday was a helluva day at work {they tend to be the worst lately} but I left the house with a sweet card in my car and found these when I came home.  Nice to have a little bit of Spring inside even if it's 30 degrees still. 

How was your weekend?

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

{NYE at Home}

Obviously before we all dive into our resolutions for 2013 there is something more important to think about -- what you are doing on NYE.  As someone who usually doesn't go to big parties, expensive dinners or make big plans in general for this particular evening, I thought I'd do a little post on some fun NYE stuff if you are staying in! 

Here are some things I was thinking of: 

Screw the Andre and Korbel.  Splurge on a nice bottle of champagne! 

{ it's not a bad splurge. mainly because if you're home alone at the end of the night like me, one bottle is sufficient.}

You can grab some Veuve Cliquot at Target or the local liquor store.  Probably around $49.99
per bottle but hey -- why not start 2013 with something quality.  

Just because you are alone doesn't mean you should use a solo cup like a college kid. You deserve to bust out the good china to celebrate a year survived and a new one starting.

In my dreams I got these glasses from Anthro for Christmas and I would serve my champagne in them.  What you can't really see in the photo is the beautiful design in white on these glasses.  Do yourself a favor and go the link where you can magnify the glass and see the print on it! Seriously! I saw them in the store and they were exquisite. 

Anthropologie Frosted Panes Coupe glass. Find here.
{$14.00} 

There's obviously no need for a sparkly dress if you are staying in, but this is probably on it's way to my house to wear with some cute fuzzy socks in front of the fire while I watch Rockin' New Year's Eve with Hogan.  No reason to look shabby. 

JCrew Nightshirt in Hydrangea.
{$68.00}

You can also take the time to give yourself a festive mani! I love this subtle sparkle from Essie.

Essie - Good as Gold

And then you can institute a "Do Not Wake" Rule for Saturday if you are like me and not used to staying up super late anymore. 

The Housewife and I are wishing you all a safe and happy New Year!

What are you doing for NYE?

Weekend Re-Cap

I was originally going to throw some of this stuff into my Sunday post, but it seemed too long and unorganized.  Again, aside from that awful, awful GA game {we can add that to the ever growing list of things that I'm not over yet} there was a lot going on.  

I finally caught up with a good friend from my old office who just came over to work at my new office with me {yay}.  We still sit by each other but work is so busy we just never get to sit down and talk.  We had a fabulous time and fabulous margs at my fave place PURE Taqueria. 

Because the weather was going to be fabulous on Saturday and Big John hasn't winterized the boat yet me, Dad, and Pammi opted for a Champagne Breakfast Cruise on Lanier prior to #1's Birthday party.  Because it was so cool that morning I brought Hogan along for his very first boat ride! I did have to pick him up and put him in the boat because he was scared, but I think that he had a wonderful morning as our co-captain {and designated driver}.  It went really well until we were docking and he jumped out of the boat and tried to run away. Luckily he turned right so he was headed for a dead end and I was able to grab him on his way back.  Needless to say he got a long lecture about his life with me where he rides in boats loaded with champagne, has healthcare, plenty of prescription food, toys, and a warm dry place to sleep at night in my care.  

So. Stinking. Cute. 

I literally raced to The Housewife's house for #1's Birthday party right after {but an hour late. Oops.}.  I was supposed to make my popular party dip but only had time to buy artichoke dip at Publix because I stayed at happy hour too long Friday night and never made it to the grocery store.  {Sorry Housewife.  I got single probs.}

I didn't snap any great photos because I was toting around The Housewife's fancy camera in hopes of getting at least 5 good shots from all the birthday festivities of her and her family so she didn't have to worry about taking them and could be in the pictures as well.  We had a wonderful afternoon with family and friends! 

A few other tidbits: 

I did finally work out some of my own chambray style.  I like what happened here. Even if the photo isn't great quality {read: I have a job and a real life so no one follows me around to photograph my outfits like other blogs you read}.  I'm a big fan of that skirt and would also like to find something else to wear with it. 

My Kendra Scott earrings that I ordered from a Gilt sale while on vacation arrived.  They are stunning.  Really gigantic, but stunning.  I have already had so many complete strangers stop me and ask where I got them.  I can't find them on the website currently, and I am not even sure what the style name is so I guess they were cleaning out some old inventory.  This is an Instagram because my other photo didn't really make the colors stand out.  They are purple and blue. And look much better in real life than this picture. 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

Monday Obsessions: Hogan Muffin

Y'all. I have to take Hogan to the doctor on Friday for a needle aspiration {sp?} on Friday.  He has a lump on the side of his back right toe that looks very suspicious to me.  Like I don't think it has always been there.  And if so, it was a lot smaller.  But maybe I am insane and it has been there all the time {I know I visited this subject a bit the other week}.  I'd like to think that I have some bit of a mother's instinct about my dog, though.  And you know what, the needle test doesn't even cost all that much and to me, it's worth it especially if it means peace of mind.  And all I know right now is that I don't like that lump. 

If you are an animal lover or a love me just a little, just think some happy thoughts this week for the #1 obsession in life -- my sweet, sweet Hogan.  He is a sweet angel and the best dog I have ever, ever, ever had.  Probably ever will have.  He has been the biggest blessing I could ever think of because even on my worst day, I never feel alone.  Not even close.  And that's important when you are a Single Gal.

I love you, Hogie.  Mean it. 

~the single gal~

All The Women Who Independent, Throw Yo Hands Up At Me

{Thanks for that intro Beyonce} 

The Housewife will be ashamed of my lack of posts while she has been on vacation. But, I don't really have a lot to say about life this week (more on this later, I'm sure).  The 4th was a very quiet holiday for me.  I figured I may as well work since I have no PTO so even though I wanted to go to the beach with the fam it wasn't possible.  But, here are some shots from my 4th of July party of 1 + a fur ball. 

OOTD -- Peachtree Road Race shirt from '83 {thanks dad}

Out of work early = festive FroYo, calories be damned.

Just because it's a party of one doesn't mean you don't get dressed up and get out your pink koozie.  It does however, allow one to party barefoot.

Sparklers are the best, are they not? 

Hogan is straight exhausted from being so independent. Note - he is NOT a fan of sparklers.
 

And that's how the Single Gal parties on Wednesday.  

Not gonna lie it's been a rough last couple of weeks for me.  I'm trying to be positive and upbeat, but I just don't have it in me right now.   Not even a little.  It's not lost on me that this past holiday was a celebration of independence from England.  {sigh}

What did y'all do on the 4th? Beach? Family traditions? Fireworks?

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

Guess I'll Go Eat Worms.

I don't even know where to start. It's been a helluva week and I am so seriously glad that it's Saturday and that means the week is almost over.  I feel like I have been pushed to my limits. I'll spare you all the dramatic/boring details and highlight some areas of interest: 

1. I've been counting calories again this week for the first time in a while.  It's not that I am really trying to lose weight, but I feel like it's been too long since I have been truly mindful of what I am putting in my body.  Nonetheless, I am pretty sure it's making me cranky.

2. This week, out of all weeks, is a terrible time to discover that your own family doesn't care about your time, nor do they think it's nearly as important as their time and what they need to get done.  

3. We spent this week with yet another trip to the vet. Poor Hogan Muffin cut his back footpad up outside while we were walking.  Like, serious gross road rash.  I was afraid of two things - a) that he was in some pain and b) that since it was open wound it would get infected. So, off to see Dr. Kraft we went.  On the bright side, we made it out for $100.  On the other side, I have to clean it twice a day, administer antibiotics twice a day, and put some sort of powder on it 2-3 times a day.  It's getting a lot better though.  And for the other stuff, well, there is always a snuggle with Baby Moose. 

4. I had 35 files transferred to me at work this week. Ugh. It is terrible to get these in bulk because you just can't get caught up in less than a week and your shit looks just plain disorganized.  The reason I got these files is so they could take someone else off rotation to assist people that are behind. Let me take a minute and vent on the "team" environment.  Working claims is hard. You have to be on top of your shit all day every day and manage your time well. The problem -- you are not rewarded for this in any office. You just keep taking punishment for those that can't keep up and in some instances, just don't care. I'm over it.  

On a positive note, I am trying to work really hard to resolve my "angry" feelings this week that won't seem to go away. But, at the same time, I don't have to feel guilty about these feelings. As my coworker said, "Feelings are not fatal."  So, if I want to walk around singing,  "Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, guess I'll go eat worms," all week I can. 

I grabbed these pretties at the store to cheer me up at home. And to make the house seem cleaner and more organized {which it is not}.  The color pink makes everything better. Most of the time.  Also, stay tuned for my review of The Optimist which is chef Ford Fry's newest venture in Atlanta.  Going tonight to shake this week off {even if 3 Putt totally forgot about these plans...}.  Le sigh. 

And I do love all you readers. Totally mean it. 

~the single gal~

Wordless Wednesday...Well, Almost...

A few recent images from life...

'Mater Sandwich. Best southern dinner in the summertime. Ever. 

Mother's Day Card from Hogan Muffin.

I ate my first Crawfish last weekend. He didn't taste too badly, but it was a messy affair. 

Finally started the last in the Stieg Larsson "Girl with the.." series. Haven't been able to get anything accomplished the last few days with my nose buried in my Kindle.


What is everyone else up to this week?

Love you. Mean it.
~the single gal~