Wow, my pants are tight

It's a good thing today is my last day in the south, because I'm bloated and four pounds heavier. (BTW-I'm typing this as I'm eating Caramel Corn) It seems like around here you're either eating or waiting to eat. Even my doggies are doing it. Here's a picture of Buckeye around 8:30 last night. He's just laying there by his food dish, hoping the next 12 hours go by quickly so he can get fed again.

I'm heading to Indy tomorrow before leaving for Chicago, so I'll be off-line for a couple of days. Wish me luck on the move! (31 floors up, ugh!)

You might be a redneck if....

Today Mom and I went wedding gown shopping and I found my dress! Finding it was an interesting experience though. I made an appointment, but two women, one young and one older, came into the store and asked if they could try on dresses too. They didn't have an appointment. I wasn't thrilled that the gal helping me needed to help them too, but I wasn't going to let it ruin my day.
They had an interesting relationship. The older woman is marrying the younger one's father. She had salt and pepper greasy hair, and decided she wanted to try on tight fitting dresses. But the best part of the day is when she asked the younger one, "Are you using the same diamond from your first wedding?". Ouch!

Jeannie Crofts is....

People in nearly every country use it everyday. I'm talking about Facebook...the place where friends have reconnected, couples have met, and even some people have lost their jobs or scholarships. (Did having a posted pic of you topless ever seem like a good idea?)

The other day, my friend Jenn brought up a good point about Facebook users. She said it drives her nuts when people use their posting abilities to brag. Such as "I am soooo tired after running my first marathon today!" (If I posted this, my friends would know I was lying. For me, running two miles is a feat.) It got me thinking there are really 4 kinds of Facebook users out there.
1. The Captain Obvious users
2. The Braggarts
3. The I'm too cool for Facebook, but I still use it.
4. The Third Person users

The Captain Obvious users post things like this, "I hates Mondays." Or "I just love Fridays." Really? You're saying Fridays are cool? Why? I'm confused. Seriously, why even waste your time on the computer?

Courtesy: Millionaires Secrets

The Braggarts are Jenn's pet peeve, like "I am looking for a partner to help run a multi-million dollar business. Message me if you are qualified" Here's the thing I've come to realize in my time on this planet. The people who show off their money or qualifications are really poor and unemployed. People who don't brag about their money and drive around in beat up Chevy's are actually billionaires. (Think Sam Walton.)

The I'm too cool for Facebook user has a FB account, but never posts anything or comments on any one's pictures or status updates. My opinion-they're fearful that no one will comment on their post or give them an approving "Like" with the thumbs up, so they keep a low profile. (In reality-they're probably just too busy with life and utilize their time much better than I do.)

Finally, the 3rd person post-er is really odd to me. Have you noticed some people will say, "Jeannie is really tired tonight and looking forward to winding down." It just seems strange. How about using I or me? It reminds me of the time my girlfriend went on a date with a guy who referred to himself as the "Gibster." Let's just say the "Gibster" didn't getting a second date (Or anything else.)

What kind of Facebook user are you? 

"Walking in Memphis"

I've never thought of myself as much of an Elvis fan, but since I'm only about 60 miles away from Memphis and Graceland, I decided to do the tour. It is very cool, and I would recommend it to anyone who's thinking about coming to Tennessee.

Elvis bought Graceland for his parents, paternal grandmother and himself in March of 1957. He was only 22 and bought it for $102,500. It's amazing how much fame and success he gained at such an early age.

The picture in the middle is at the base of the staircase. The tour does not take you upstairs because the family wanted to keep some things private.

The picture on the left is the famous "Jungle Room." The round chair with the stuffed animal on it was a favorite of Lisa Marie's. Just like every other room in the house, the jungle room has a true 70's feel, complete with green shag carpet on the ceiling. In February of 1976, RCA brought in a mobile recording studio so Elvis could record songs in his own home. That October, he recorded his last single "Way Down" in this room.

Elvis, his grandmother, father and mother are all buried at Graceland. There is also a headstone for his brother Jessie, Elvis's twin who died at birth. People stand in line forever just to get a picture of this.

Elvis died on August 16, 1977. He was found by his girlfriend, Ginger Alden, in the upstairs bathroom. He died of a heart attack, and they say several kinds of prescription drugs were found in his body.

To this day, people still cry at his grave site. It is a truly powerful tour that gives you great insight into his life and career.

Ewww!

Sure, I'm having a relaxing time in Tennessee, but I'm also constantly on guard against insects. The south is an interesting place for them. This picture is what we believe is a gigantic Texas grasshopper. We found him in the pool--gross! These things are almost as big as my Chihuahuas! Tennessee is also dealing with an invasion of red biting fire ants (they blame Texas for that too.) After my dogs go potty, we sometimes have to run and dunk them in the pool to get the ants off. So, if you're coming to the south anytime soon, my advice is to bring bug spray, a flyswatter and benadryl cream. Or you could try WD-40. Southerns praise it for taking the sting out. Haven't tried that yet...

Gotta Love the South!

I'm spending two weeks at my parents' place in Jackson, Tennessee before heading to the city. This is a great place to relax because there is little to no cell phone service, we get one channel on TV, and they only have one neighbor who's about 1/4 mile away.
It's relaxing, but my gosh, I'm probably going to gain 10 pounds! We went on a lunch cruise for my mom's 60th birthday, and here was the menu...Catfish, hush puppies, baked beans, fried potatoes, "slaw", and lemon pie for dessert. For lunch!
Here's another Southern tradition-- we prayed before we ate. We asked for god's blessing, but I secretly prayed for no cellulite.

That John Denver is full of shi*

In the past two days, I've driven through Wyoming, Nebraska (all of it), Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. In the very long journey, here are some of the things that went through my mind. 1. This truly is a beautiful country 2. I can't believe that after you eat White Castles you can still taste them 13 hours later 3. And my god Nebraska is an unnecessarily huge state with way too much construction. (sorry Holly Wagner :)

Saying goodbye

I'm about 14 hours away from leaving Cheyenne and it's getting so hard to say goodbye! I know at 31 I should be strong and ready to leave, but part of me still feels like I'm 16. The best part of coming home has been spending time with the family. My mom and I have been going on bike rides 2-3 times a week. Last week, we got to talking and having fun, and before we knew it, we had ridden 20 miles!

When I arrived, my 3-year old niece, Kylee, didn't really know who I was. Now whenever I see her, she comes running up, and yells "Aunt Jeannie!" I cried after I said goodbye to her last night.
Being in between jobs is stressful, but I have to say, spending time with family is the best paycheck.

Following the Rules

Do you ever feel punished because you are following the rules? At my nephew's soccer game yesterday it was "Silent Saturday." That means the coaches, parents and fans are supposed to be quiet and not yell. Apparently, this rule doesn't pertain to everyone though. My family and I accidentally sat on the opponent's side of the field. All around us parents were yelling at their kids to "be aggressive" or have a "big foot" (whatever that means). As the game went on, they got mad at the refs yelling "come on, make a good call!" Or "don't be an idiot!" I realized this is the role model they are setting for their kids, so pretty soon their children are yelling at the refs too. I heard one say, "I'm going to kick him in the balls!" Oy vay.
All the while my family and I are sitting there quietly. Playing by the rules, but really wanting to yell obscenities too.

"I'm sorry"

Someone one said that women apologize too much. Lately, I been monitoring my use of "I'm sorry" and the women around me, and I realize that person is right. A couple of weeks ago when I was flying back from Chicago, the women right behind me started to choke. It scared me to death! I felt so helpless, and the only thing I could think to do is hit the flight attendant button.
Everyone came rushing in, and luckily the woman was able to swallow the pill that had stuck in her throat. But for the remaining hour and a half of the flight, the woman apologized to anyone who would listen. She apologized to every flight attendant and told her husband she was "sorry for embarrassing him." What?? She couldn't breath for what probably seemed like an eternity, and SHE was sorry?

I was just telling my mom about this post, and she told me about her experience today at the grocery store. A woman inadvertently cut in front of her in line, and then apologized. My mom, in her true female way, said that "she was sorry too." We had a good laugh about that.

What is your ethnicity?

I applied for my 23rd job today and ran into a common question. When I submitted my resume and cover letter, it asked for my ethnicity. I could either choose "white", or "do not wish to identify." Same thing for gender. I identified myself, but it makes me question whether I should or not. Does this hurt me from being considered?
I could also mark if I felt I was a "Diversity Candidate" and I wanted the employer to know. I have Uggs in about every color, so does that make me diverse?

How did you make it work?

This picture of Mike and me was taken in August of 2005-the last time we lived in the same state. We've been in a long-distance relationship for 4 years. Now, with me moving to Chicago, we'll finally be together and it feels great!

Today someone asked me how we got through it. I thought about it for a minute, and said, "well, I trust him." That sounds so simple, but that's truly it. There have been plenty of nights he's gone out in Chicago when I've been in Fort Myers, Indianapolis or Cheyenne, and I had to trust that he was being faithful. Sure, there were times when he was at a bar and I knew women were there too, and perhaps hitting on him, but I had to trust he was doing the right thing. Sure, long-distance hasn't been easy (or cheap), but it can be done!

Cannot access your account

I hate technology. I know hate is a strong word, but I truly hate technology. I've spent at least two hours tonight trying to understand E-bay and my online bank account. Two hours of my life I'll never have back! All I have to show for it is a computer screen that says, "sorry, we cannot access your account."
Now that I'm unemployed, I've decided it's time to sell some of my ridiculously expensive Coach purses. So after taking several pictures of every angle of two purses and a wallet, I decide to post them. I start with the older purse first. Success! But when it comes to posting my newer ivory purse and matching wallet, I'm apparently locked out of E-bay for 3 days. Seriously. I guess they have to make sure I'm good for the .35 cents I spent on posting pictures.
I am unemployed after all.