I have a job for the season!

I am working this season privately as a personal assistant/shopper! I'm so excited to start officially tomorrow, though I do get compensation for the phone calls and planning I made today while I was technically not on the job. I'm on call every day, but I'm also expected to work about eight hours every day from now until Christmas.

The pay is great. The hours are great. I'm thankful and excited!

In the time it took me to make $500 working in retail, I'll have made over $2,000. This couldn't have come at a better time.

Eeep! Wish me luck!

Big ball of wibbly-wobbly... timey-wimey... stuff.

First Aid Kit is flawless. I'm super excited that they're coming out with a new album, and if this single is anything to go by, it's going to kick their other stuff out of the water.

Laura Marling's new album "A Creature I Don't Know" is flawless. She, Florence Welch, Ingrid Michaelson, Dallas Green, Tegan & Sara, and Max Beamis are the epitome of singer/songwriters in my opinion. But Marling is probably my ultimate inspiration when it comes down to it. But yes, lots of good new music going on lately and I'm stoked for the new year's music scene. 

Making big life decisions and I feel like because of them, I'm headed in the right direction. I'm excited to see these new developments through, no matter how hard they are. But they're good things; healing things.

My mom has a surgery this week and I'm nervous... For as many times as I've had surgery/medical problems, it's always worse when it's someone you love; watching them hurt, watching them struggle, waiting and worrying for their safety. The recovery for this surgery is about two/three months, so that should be interesting. I'm just trying to keep a positive attitude and working on keeping her morale up as well. We went through the power of attorney paperwork today while we waited for her blood testing, and I almost broke down crying. What she wants if this happens, what she wants if that happens, what music/poems/readings she'd like at her service if something were to go wrong and if I'll sing for it, what I should tell the family, etc. I don't like thinking about it at all.

Elf is starting to use her back leg. She thinks she can jump, but she can't. She tried climbing out of her outside cage tonight. my mom was outside watching her, but I was changing really quick so she wouldn't ruin my shirt, and she was freaking out since I wasn't outside with her. But I let her walk around the carpeted bedroom for a bit so she wouldn't slip (like she does on the wooden floors). She's getting so much better. And now that she's stronger, that'll be less stress on everyone.

Found a Macy's giftcard the other day and bought something I've wanted for a long time: Urban Decay's Naked Palette. Despite how it may seem, I don't actually wear makeup on a day to day basis. And if I do put some on (unless something special is going on or I feel inclined to do a full face) I just quickly spot treat, stain my lips, fill in my eyebrows, and use mascara; it's pretty effortless and still looks put together. But I digress. Anyway! I bought this shadow palette for a few different reasons: 

-When I do a full face, I usually go with neutral eyes, and a bold-ass lip. (I have a makeup favorites/daily blog I'm working on if anyone is interested in the lip colors) And the entire palette is a range of beautiful nudes, browns, tans, subtle peaches, blacks, and greys. 

-It's diverse. Which probably sounds weird, but no two looks are the same and I think that's really important in a collection like this. 

-I'm drawn to neutrals. Plain and simple, when it comes to eyes, they're my favorites to work with. Occasionally I'll break out a blue shadow, purple, or green (just because they compliment my eyes), but if I do use shadow, 98% of the time, it's in a neutral shade.

-It's an investment.

I'm just really excited to get it and mess around with the colors. I don't actually wear shadows that much, even when I do a full face, but I have a feeling this palette will change my mind and routine. Also, it comes with Urban Decay's Original Primer Potion! I don't really prime my eyes ever, but this will help mascara, eyeliner, and of course shadows stay in place. All people do is rave about both products and I really can't wait to get my hands on them. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Also! At Macy's it's the cheapest I've ever seen the palette, so that's a definite plus.

My face is almost completely clear! I'm so happy. I've been spot-treating with the tea-tree water, and alternating moisturizers, but the real gem is the sea scrub. I'm always excited when I get new face products, but I've never been this excited about anything that I stick on my face and then wash off a minute later. Sunday I'm going to make my peach + yogurt face mask and my yogurt + almond + oatmeal body scrub to pamper both me and my mother before things get ridiculous crazy/difficult. I think it'll be a nice treat to have a home-made spa day with my best friend!

Crappy webcam photo before bed! It's grainy, but you can see there's no spots/redness/irritation. I look ridiculously tired.

But anyway, I have a full day tomorrow.
Sleep well, everyone!

Cheers.

American Gods/Half-Asleep.

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

If you haven't had the chance to pick up American Gods, then I would hesitate to look at this link as there are some minor spoilers, but dear god... just do it anyway! (it has the same video at the end of the character article, but yeah). http://www.denofgeek.com/television/982327/casting_neil_gaimans_american_gods.html

By far, American Gods is one of the best (if not the best) book I've ever read. It's no secret that Neil Gaiman is my favorite author and I literally hunt for everything and anything the man has set his pen to. This book is beyond words-- my copy has annotation upon annotation, underlined sections, and entire high light pages. The spine is just about destroyed, has a sacred place on my night stand, and when I have nothing to read, it's the book I pick up (I never get tired of it).

Now all that being said, I'm a little nervous for the mini series. It is such an epic! You have past gods and mythology, vs what we consider our 'new' gods, technology. I mean, in the most simple terms, it's Odin vs the computer. It just... it's mind-blowing. I wish there was some adequate way to describe this feat of literature. Like I said, it's an epic of massive proportions. I've never seen a great film/tv adaptation of well-love lit, though I suppose, Fight Club does come pretty damn close to being perfect.

I've heard that Game of Thrones is a fairly well-done adaptation, but I've never read the books/seen the show, so I really can't say. But I have seen Harry Potter and know how poorly those translated into eight movies.

But, that man!

Neil Gaiman is incredible. If you've never read anything by him, I suggest you pick something up the next time you go the bookstore. If you've seen Coraline or Stardust, then you're somewhat familiar with his work; he wrote both books. But nothing does his vision justice like the books those movies are based on.

Here's the summary for American Gods:

A master of inventive fiction, Neil Gaiman delves into the murky depths where reality and imagination meet. Now in American Gods, he works his literary magic to extraordinary results.

Shadow dreamed of nothing but leaving prison and starting a new life. But the day before his release, his wife and best friend are killed in an accident. On the plane home to the funeral, he meets Mr. Wednesday—a beguiling stranger who seems to know everything about him. A trickster and rogue, Mr. Wednesday offers Shadow a job as his bodyguard. With nowhere left to go, Shadow accepts, and soon learns that his role in Mr. Wednesday's schemes will be far more dangerous and dark than he could have ever imagined. For beneath the placid surface of everyday life a war is being fought—and the prize is the very soul of America.

Trust me when I say that the summary doesn't come close to the amazing story that American Gods is.

Ugh. Neil Gaiman. You unhinge me in ways only Alan Rickman and Dallas Green are capable of!

Things and Stuff

I forgot to mention in my last entry that I'm actually having something published come December/January! It's exciting and I know/am hoping that'll open new doors for me as I quietly pursue my passion for writting. Winning awards for my words... has been such an amazing honor, but I know that this publication will afford me new opportunities. I can't believe I forgot to mention it before.

Elf's surgery went well. Her first night home was so rough, we werent 100% sure she would be able to make it through the night. Friday I took her in to have her first round of stitches removed-- it was literally a three hour wait, but everyone in the office loves her, so she got extra pets and attention while we were there; which she absolutely adored. She's getting her final around of stitches out right before Thanksgiving! So that'll be exciting for everyone.

Finn will be home soon! I'm stoked to see him, even though he's literally only been at school for two months.

I did end up adventuring to LUSH! So worth the 40-minute drive! Like I said in another entry, my skin has been giving me a lot of trouble lately. I've cleared up some, which is really awesome, but I definitely needed to change up my skincare routine. It's early to make a judgement on the products, but oh my god, I'm in love! I really can't begin to describe how great LUSH products are... I ended up buying two things: Ocean Salt Scrub and the Mint Julip Lip Scrub. The line is a bit on the pricey side, but you're getting a lot for your money. Both come in solid containers and are absolutely filled to the brim with all-natural-awesome-y-goodness. For the face/body scrub, you literally need an amount smaller than the tip of your pinky, and the lip scrub you just gently place the tip of your pointer finger on it and you're good to go.

The sells girl was so sweet! Which is a real bonus when you're shopping anywhere, but especially when you're trusting someone you don't know to steer you in the right direction to help maintain your health. She also gave me three free samples: Celestial Moisturizer, Vanishing Moisturizer, and the Tea Tree Toner. The products are so well made and potent, that just dipping your finger into them covers my entire face. So even though they're samples, I can see them lasting for the next two months. But yeah, very satisfied with my purchases and funnily enough, things I didn't need to buy.

But yeah, things and stuff.

Cheers.

Just Some Things.

-Elf's surgery is tomorrow. I'm a little nervous, but I know that the specialist is good at what he does, so I'm really trying not to freak myself out.

-I'm absolutely obsessed with Florence + The Machine's new album, Ceremonials. As with any sophomore album, I was a little wary, but it's one of the only things I've listened to recently. I wish I could pick absolute favorites from it... but it just isn't possible.

-Currently reading Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power & a World Without Rape. So. Damn. Good. I'd urge everyone and anyone to read this collection of essays. Going through them has been emotional; I've come across a few that have really hit me in the gut, but I also think it's an amazing tool to continue healing. My copy is literally covered in pink high-lighter.

-Visiting with my friend while he was on leave was great! Definitely the best part of that week, and just so much fun to see someone I haven't seen in years. We didn't do anything grand: we watched movies, talked a ton, and went for a drive the next night, but seeing him broke the monotony of every day.

-I've dropped a pants size without trying. It just sucks that I'm still stuck between two sizes, though! It's terrible. I had to buy new jeans (I usually only wear one pair, and then have two sets of leggings), and work-type pants and thought I grabbed the 'short' style. The next day I realize I have six inches of extra fabric at my ankles. I'm too lazy to take them back, so I've just hemmed them myself.

-The weather has been glorious. Oh my god. Cold, with wind, rain, and hail. I just need to try to glue my boots back together, haha. Otherwise my feet will freeze off.

-Still no hair cut; I'm just too picky with my hair and how it's cut! But I desperately need one. My only problem is the big deal stylists make about people with thick, coarse, curly, prone to frizz, but otherwise to die for hair. "Oh, this is going to be extra..."; "I'm going to straighten it and then give it a go! (which is a big no-no)"; "I've never worked with hair like yours before, it's not the type of hair I enjoy working with." Way to do your job and be good at it, people. Seriously. I'm paying you, I don't think you should complain about it. If you don't want to work on hair like mine, then don't; but find a salon that only works with menial, ridiculously thin hair. Otherwise, become proficient at your job description and shut up.

-I need to buy black opaque tights. Like, yesterday.

-My face is breaking out like no other right now. I know it's because I've been super stressed, but I was really hoping that the cold weather would do something to dry out my pores. But it doesn't look that way. I'm going to LUSH sometime this week to pick up a new-to-me (raved about, cult cosmetic favorite) face scrub. But only because I've run out of the one I have been using from Bath & Body Works. It would be an investment to buy the larger version, but it's almost forty-freaking-dollars! I'm going with the smaller tin of scrub, which cost less than the one from B&B (and apparently lasts a ridiculously long time). But what I love about LUSH is that the products are all-natural, no harmful ingredients or fillers. I just need something to save my skin right now; it's driving me crazy. It's a bit of a splurge, but with PCOS, I sort of have to be serious about my skin-care routine.

-My best friend gave me the sweetest shirt the other day! I wish I had a picture of it (I've worn it out a few times, but keep forgetting to get one). It's a Snow White crop top from Disney Couture. I absolutely love it.

-In other news, I'm boring as all hell, but have had a great two weeks. =)

I fucking love Rachel, so I'll leave you with this video I 100% agree on! Especially that eyeliner on the bottom lash line, and none on top... sorry, ladies; it's not cute.

Vets, Elf, & How My Dog Won't Be a Real Dog for Two Months.

There's a lot to write about! I feel like I haven't been this genuinely interesting a good few months, but I'm super tired right now and don't want to sit here writing for who knows how long.

I guess the most important thing (in my little world), is that my dog Elf (Elfie, Mimis, Elphaba, + all random nicknames), is having (another) surgery this coming Monday. I didn't actually write about the first since we took her to the Vets unexpectedly. Basically her face had swollen up on one side and her face was literally distorting itself. Very scary. Turns out she had a cracked/impacted/broken tooth in the back of her mouth that had pierced the skin and an infection had formed. We also pointed out a cyst growing on her neck. We had just taken her in a few months prior for a check-up/blood work and everything had turned out fine, but our vet said if we didn't remove it, overtime it could become dangerous.

So last Thursday Elf had a tooth pulled, and a cyst removed. The recovery time is supposed to be two weeks: no hard-food, no rough-housing, no scratching, pain meds once a day, anti-biotics twice a day, and we had to check her stitches around the clock.

While coming in from outside on the 3rd, our other dog chased Elf (bad dog), and to get away from him, she tried jumping onto the mattress I moved into the front room so I could sleep by her in case anything happened... and her pudgy little body didn't make the jump with our other dog right behind her. Instead, the ligaments in her left hind leg snapped completely.

In 2009, the same thing happened to her right hind leg. It's apparently very common in active dogs, especially the smaller breeds. And Elf being the most ridiculously hyper-active Jack Russell Terrier, has completely shot both of her legs.

The surgery is expensive and has a two month recovery period. And I'm worried about so many surgeries right after the others, but the Vet said it shouldn't hold any problems for her. She's getting old, and even though I hate thinking about it, I'm very realistic about her health and life expectancy.

JRTs live on average anywhere from 14-16 years old. Elf just turned nine. I don't think of her as a dog, but as the puppy I got way back when. And as silly as it sounds, she's my girl... and I suppose unless you're a pet owner, you may not understand that. JRTs are notorious for picking out one person in their 'pack,' and making them their person... She gets along with everyone, but hates it when she can't see me or can't immediately find me when she comes in from outside. She won't eat if I'm gone, waits for me by the door when I leave, and will wait patiently in the bathroom while I shower. She's slept with me almost every night for the last nine years. So while this is physically exhausting for her (and it really is, poor thing), I'm emotionally overloaded. I just want her happy and healthy and healed as quickly as possible.

Luckily they've given us an extra bottle of pain medicine for her and sedatives to keep her from trying to use her leg too much. She just sort of lays in her cage like a lump, unless we take her outside for a five minute break, or eating soft foot with a glucose pilled ground up inside it.

But ugh, she looks like she's being tortured and to a degree, I suppose it must seem that way to her. She's been in nothing but constant pain for who knows how long with her tooth, and now she's stitched up with a leg she can't use, and will be stitched up and confined for another two months on top of all that.

It's just frustrating.

Prayers and positive vibes for my girl would be appreciated. =)