My recent YELP addiction

I have recently decided, thanks to the encouragement of my spouse, to start Yelping more frequently. It is actually quite therapeutic, similar to blogging in that you definitely get to speak what is on your mind but different in that you can directly insult the person/company your writing about. I have found that most people on yelp think its a way to creatively demoralize a business which, if done right, can make one appear intelligent for doing so. However, I wish to use it for an alternative purpose (though, no, I am not above ripping a place a new pie hole if it needs it) which is to actually write thoughtful reviews. Wish me luck!

Recent reviews by LisaMarie W.

What's this?

Taking one extra day

I knew it this morning, when I awoke, that I should allow myself one extra day of vacation to get back to action properly, but I didn't. I plopped out of bed onto the floor and made my way in excruciating fashion to the shower, out the door, down the highway, into the office, up the stairs and in front of my screen--where I remain, still. I feel awful. Not just due to the 200+ emails starring at me from my inbox, but I am ache and have an incessant headache. I am pretty sure I contracted whatever was making the infant scream two rows behind me on the plane yesterday.

Jet lag isn't a myth and doesn't require you to travel around the globe to feel it either. My whole body thinks it's the late afternoon right now and that I should be winding down after a leisurely walk with the family dog to a mint julep and BBQ pork. Lucky for me though, California has decided to warm up just in time to make me feel like I never left the horrid heat I just freaking came from. If there was anything I actually was looking forward to it was sub 90* temperatures --no such luck there.

I don't know what possessed me to actually get out of bed in the first place. My hubby was there, my two cats, and pup all snuggling so peacefully next to each other and yet I removed myself from our happy situation. A couple of years ago I would have NEVER been so responsible. Ha, responsible, is that why I'm blogging about it now?

I swear if I didn't know better I would say I was "sleep working" my way through the day. I think there should be one extra day gratis added in per vacation to increase productivity amongst employees. Think about the results of implementing a standard like that! I sure would come to work with a whole hell of a lot more vigor than I do today if I had been given a free day to rest up before coming back to work. Wouldn't you?

Yeah..I should share this.

So I wrote this as an email this morning and well I would say it does deserve to be a blog :)

My mom has stopped referring to herself as "mom" she is now officially "Nancy".

No lie. No exaggeration.

We all knew it would happen, one day, and now that day has now come. Perhaps it was the arrival of my 30's, or the fact that her 49th birthday is fast approaching, or that my father is getting married for the 3rd time...however it came to be, the page has turned.

I am not particularly upset that I no longer have the ability to call a person "mom." After all it was merely a name and not an attitude or role she ever endeavored to partake in, however hearing her say: "Hey Lease...it's Nance, gimme a call!" is strange. In fact hearing her refer to herself in the role of a friend is not only odd but in a way insulting and I wish to tell her: "um excuse me, but if I had the choice...you wouldn't have been a friend so let's stick to the family member role."

Is that TOO rude? Or is it more rude on her behalf to even think that I would accept her as an equal...I mean, she's got more loose screws than a swing set made by chimpanzees.

Oh and while we're on the topic of chimpanzees, her boyfriend finally found a job--as a custodian. How appropriate! At least he's accustomed to dealing with his fair share of shit.

:) Nothing like a healthy dose of sarcasm in the morning.

Oh how moving sucks!

So it's been a month and I still haven't unpacked 1/2 of my house. Granted, as I am discovering more day by day, I have no storage at the cottage which is requiring some pretty tricky thinking thus making it considerably harder to put anything away...however as my hubby would say "we just can't catch a break!"





I have realized that starting school, buying a puppy, and being hospitalized are all not things to do when first moving into a new home. This makes it very difficult to find the time to do the unpacking process. For example, the moment I start to unpack a box of dishes and wash them (all by hand because I moved into the cutest 1920's cottage with NO, repeat, NO dishwasher) Bella decides it's time to poo. Now Bella is unbelievably cute. (see below)
However she doesn't leave time for much else, then throw in kidney stones & a swollen brain & somehow school EXAMS and nothing, and I mean nothing was done for the past week.

Of course I have my hubby, and man he does try but for some reason my illness seemed to take more out of him than me. He needed two days of recovery from MY emergency room visit, has anyone else had this problem? I mean, I felt down-right guilty for being sick! Poor guy couldn't make heads or tails of the day with me laid up...on one hand it was nice to know how much I was needed; on the other hand...wtf is going to happen when I head out to the Midwest to visit my dad for a week?

Here's my vision:

Dishes in the front yard being washed by the sprinklers. (yes we have modern irrigation)

Kitty litter in the toilet, after all it is a time saver.

A huge MASS of take-out boxes and fast food remnants in the fridge.

The heat cranked on 24-7

The backdoor open

He's out of sock & boxers, yet we have a washer & dryer

The phone's NOT charged & voicemail hasn't been checked since, well I left of course.

.....remind me to never get ill again.

How to move past the cobwebs?

I think my brain functions differently than most people's. I think of my brain like a vault of film reels. I have this unfortunate ability to run through my mind, pick a reel, watch that reel in my mind's eye and then regurgitate every single emotion I had historically from the event. What I cannot do is always control when and why I pick out these "reels" and how I handle the emotions that come with them.

For example, 5 years ago I was driving and saw a white car, I thought nothing of the car...however there I go running in my mind. I grabbed a reel, the biggest in there and watched it. Next thing I know, I'm 30 miles from where I was before and frantically calling my mother screaming I'm lost...completely unable to determine how I got where I got. Of course, this is one of the most extreme instances of brain power vs. mental preparedness I have. However, yesterday I grabbed a reel and spontaneous vomited out my car window during my lunch break. Why do I keep grabbing these old memories from the dark corners of my mind. I would love to forget anything bad ever happened and I swear I have enough therapy bills to know that I have confronted my demons for hours and hours before now.

I really feel like this is just my problem too. I don't think others are as masochistic as I with my brutal regurgitation of the worst moments of my life. Granted, I recently had my world rocked, so maybe that's what I'm doing: running around trying to straighten out the shelves in my head after a earthquake. It's an odd analogy but it's the best one. I know that I haven't had these mental "freak-outs" for quite some time, and hopefully I will not continue to do so. Maybe once I place everything back in its place I can start putting new reels up again. Ones with puppies and new homes and birthday parties. Maybe.

Oh dear, derailed again.

If I sat down and wrote about every time I was singled out and maliciously hurt by others, you would all pack me up and send me off to the loony bin, for anyone being through my horrendous story would need to be there. However, I am not going to go there...at least now since I still have strings of my sanity left and don't feel like a personal pity party, at least right now.

HOWEVER, it happened again. I'm not going to go into all the embarrassing details involving my friend's husband literally carrying me into his truck for safe keeping, the number of bruises I attained prior to said friend's husband appearing, or why I was so intoxicated on a Friday at 5pm. Let's just say something happened that BLEW my world up like at atomic bomb and the mushroom cloud is just clearing away. The point I am going for is not how hurt I am...that's obvious. Instead I'd like to focus on: WHY the HELL do people go around doing such STUPID things?

I am no angel by any one's estimation. However, I grew up. I learned from my past mistakes and I don't do them again. I understand that my actions reflect not only upon me but many others and I, in part, am responsible for the happiness of others. My good friends practice these same morals and all in all (despite I think all us girls want to shed, eh a few pounds) we are happy well adjusted people. Then there ore those "other" people. The kind that commit adultery, the kind that says "oh I used to love him," "oh whoops, did I steal your presentation idea," "Oh no! I would never share your deepest secrets with the National Enquirer." No the last one's never happened to me...but hey I bet it has to someone!

So to all these "other" people. GET A FUCKING LIFE!!! Whether you're male or female, married/single, gay/lesbian/straight, rich/poor...you are a freaking human being so treat the rest of us as human beings too. It's fine if you hate your life and your world have no family and no responsibilities and want to jump off a bridge. In fact, please do since it will save the rest of us from your indiscretions. Don't waste or time & hurt our lives by your messed up self-absorbed lives. Try just try once to forget you're a miserable piece of shit and think outwardly for all of us who don't want to smell your stink. PRETEND to be kind & thoughtful.

I have had a hard time with church and religion over the past 10 years or so, but I do believe in heaven. AND darn straight I plan on being there and forcefully sticking out my tongue at those "others" who don't make it through the gates. I know its not my place to judge...but it's not the "others" place to take either.

WooHoo! It's Cottage-Time

So I did it, kind of. I found a cute, affordable cottage in a nearby city for my hubby and me. It does allow dogs and cats, but is quite small and a little odd. However, I do have a YARD and ample room for a vegetable garden, so I can make it work. Unfortunately I had to have a huge breakdown prior to writing the deposit check. When I breakdown, by the way, I really breakdown. The world turns black, I shiver uncontrollably, I can barely breath and I cry. Of course this only usually happens because of one person...my mom.

I should skip back a few chapters of my life to make this all a little more clear for those out there who have not had the pleasure of meeting my mom. The word STRESS takes on a whole new meaning when one's life involves the overly involved mama in my world. (For all intents and purposes of this blog for now and evermore, let's call her Mama.) Well Mama and I have a sorted past. I in fact disowned my mother for about 2 years of my life following a traumatic incident and have spent the past 5 or 6 attempting to be friends on some level with her. We are, fore the most part, friendly, as long as I do as she says. Have you seen the commercial for the TV show "Whatever Martha!"? Martha Stewart's daughter says something to the effect of "My mom wants whatever is best for me as long as it fits with what she wants." Mama is also afflicted with this problem. Mama loves me...after all I'm her pride and joy, her bragging rights, her one and only daughter. The problem is, if I don't agree with her...all the lovely stuff about me being her little girl changes into me being a demonic unloving hell spawn. No really, I am not kidding.

So, the breakdown...I took my mom to see the cottage and "get her perspective," bad idea. Within 10 minutes of being inside the cottage and in front of my would be landlord she had commented on everything she saw as "wrong" with the home and had taken my husband outside to convince him of her ways. (Hubby isn't a puppet thank goodness!) Within the process of her offending everyone in the room at least twice, I realized I actually really liked the home. So here's the crash: Mama & Hubby have me in the bedroom and say "Well what the hell are ya going to do?" Insert me crumbling here. There I went on the floor. Embarrassed and over-whelmed and HIGHLY confused. Hubby, this is why I married him, comes over and picks me up and tells me its okay...shields me from Mama, and says go ahead write the check, you like this place and I'll be happy here too.

So I write the check, after wiping my eyes so my new landlord doesn't think I'm a freak of nature and can't make a damn decision and then we head off to KFC. Mama goes for sushi with her significant other and the dog and for the first time ever says..."hey Lis, sorry I made you cry!" (AND you thought this was a negative story.) So although I fell like a complete moron still for crying at least I received an apology. Mama finally accepted the fact that she's a little too harsh and makes me breakdown, she called two times that night & yesterday again to make sure I was okay. If all works out well...maybe that'll be the last breakdown I have.

OH...n wish me luck on the move.

TATTOO! And no it's not the short guy from Fantasy Island

I heart tattoos almost as much, but not quite as much, as I heart sushi & kitties. (And before you ask, yes I already have a kitty tattoo.) I have been waiting rather impatiently for years now to get a new tattoo. I have been under the needle 4 times at this point and I can definitely say I have no desire to start slowing down now, in fact I think I may start accelerating the process. Well, I am ready. The artwork (an homage to my dear old dad) arrived via snail mail earlier this week so Friday night...ooo la la, it'll be time. Finally.

Getting a new tattoo is probably one of the things I look forward to most. I am the sort of person that has my tattoo nailed down to the utmost detail and of course a deep significance behind each tattoo. I am more than just confident as I plop myself on the table yet again. I am determined to share a story, a piece of my story with the world...via my body. Artsy Farsty. Punk. Alternative Lifestyle. All of these things usually are signified by those adorned with ink. However, for this little birdie it is about my life. Where I have been? What I have overcome? Who was there to help me through? Who was there to beat me down? Who am I? And although it may seem like keeping a journal tucked away in a drawer would suffice, I prefer to remember & honor MY past this way.

Of course, I have massive distaste for those I consider TATTOO trash. The butterflies on boobs, suns and starts on navels (which by the way when your 16 is slutty, 50 down right disgusting.), "I LOVE XXXXX" on the occasional ass. These are the markings of an ignorant and usually drug induce decision to make a poor and permanent choice with your body. THESE types of people give the rest of us a BAD name. Most tattoo aficionados plan their markings for years, making certain they have the right location, colors and artist to turn an idea into a masterpiece.
Going to a county faire and getting a random Popeye tattoo for example, would be a bad idea. No matter how much you enjoy spinach or smoking out of your "pipe". Alas, I should back off of the poor tattoo novice who thinks it's a good idea to put the unicorn on her shoulder...after all, an "artist" did agree to put it there for her.

Back to my mission with my canvas, well....how about I just post some pictures this weekend.

Being a renter is just horrid!

So recently I have found myself spending 2 to 3 hours a day searching for the perfect rental for my hunnie, kitties, & me. It is not easy by any means. Both he and I have unusually long lists of what it must have & allow, the market is saturated with people looking for places, and the rent is ridiculously high in most areas...or at least where my other half is willing to live. Not to mention, if it's worth living in people generally will not give it up. I have started looking at real estate, after all that market is generally reasonable...however being one who's rented for ever and been paying off huge medical bills, my piggy bank is less than flattering and not ready for the commitment of a BIG down payment. Unfortunately, neither is the husband who also decided to have a minor brain surgery two years ago and is also paying Stanford well for their wonders.

Thus here we are...blogging about how awful it is to search for a home, day after day. Craigslist is this "monster" I can barely stand but must utilize even though 2 out of every 4 ads is actually a scam and the photos depicted quite often never show the space accurately. Topix...sucks. As does Fogster. Oh and real estate agents...well they could care less about you unless you're willing to rent a mansion. (That's not me, by the way.)

So maybe YOU can help me...here's our list:

MUST ALLOW: pets (pups n kitties), smoking (outside)

2+ bedrooms
1+ bathroom
Kitchen (gas stove & full size fridge)
Laundry on site
Hard Wood Floors
Lots of windows
Either a duplex, cottage, or house (NO APTS!!!!!)
Large fenced yard
Internet ready
Cable/Satellite ok
6 mo to 1 yr lease


Well, I guess we aren't asking too, too much!!!! Wish us luck & cross those fingers, cuz I'm off to study Craigslist again. :)

Yes two in one day!

So I had two fantastic ideas last night and I'm having a rather large inability to focus today, therefore...ahem! Blog # 2.

My darling husband lost a bet this past Monday and is now adorned with ALL of the household chores for a whole week. Now, most of you women out there are probably saying..."yo go girl" and "at a girl, chica!" but heed my warning, as this may not have been a well thought out plan of mine at all. I agree in theory my bet was flawless. It was a bet I knew he'd lose and a consequence I'm rather fond of, I even tacked on that he couldn't just "not do any chores" for a week and have me do them all at the end! Sounds so AWESOME, but no.

Not like a definitive no where I'm actually upset and wish I'd hadn't made the bet in the first place, but more of a "damn!" wish I would have realized how sucky my husband is at housecleaning and what a "chore" is to him. Let me just describe my home at this moment. The dishes are piled up to the top of the sink and the ones in the dishwasher are still dirty. The kitty litter, well lets just say we know the cats bodily functions are A-OK! The trash cans in the bedroom & kitchen can't hold any more and the rugs are waiting to be "pounded" clean off the balcony. I am wearing underwear with a hole in it and lucky that today is Friday and I can wear jeans to work. The bathroom, hmm...he must not recognize what a toilet brush is and feel that because the water runs and we use soap everyday in the shower it must stay clean that way. Ha ha ha...none of this is an exaggeration. May I continue, the number of empty bottles of beers grows by 2, 4 or 6 every evening and I think he plays a game with the kitties...something to the effect of the more times you knock an empty bottle off of a table, counter, desk, shelf the more times mommy will wake up, ready go!

NOW, here's my question. Is it possible that my darling, loving, sweet & handsome hubby really doesn't see this crap OR is he insuring that I never make this same bet again? I mean, he's smart...but is he being smart or just plain lazy?

So, it's now the end of my work week and although I cannot wait to run home and chill the F out...I won't be able to. Everywhere I look there's large amounts of gunk n junk n EW!

Maybe, next time I'll just tell him he's gotta pay for a maid for a month :)





PS.....To be fair: he has taken out the recycling & "swiffered" the floors.

Progresso vs. Campbell

Campbell wins. Hands down it is the much better canned soup. Okay, for those of you who actually know me I am sure you're thinking what the hell is hippie organic girl even doing eating canned soup much less writing about it. Well, if one had been as tired as I lately then they too may have popped a can or two open in an effort to do less and eat quickly. However it came to be I have tried both varieties over time and undoubtedly decided that Campbell's Chunky soup destroys the competition. It actually has flavor & texture, two things important to me when eating. Progresso has potatoes...lots n lots of potatoes but not much else. I found myself in fact highly disappointed in my bowl of soup last night and only ate about half of it, the rest finding its way into the garbage disposal, which I didn't have to run since the soup was so thin. (Rich n Hearty my ASS!) Then I sat down and decided I would blog about the experience, so here I am.

The end

ICK!! ICK!! ICK!!

Ever seen the movie Ricki tikki tavi? It's a cartoon circa the early 80's. Poor animation but super cute storyline about a little mongoose who kills a cobra, oh jeez! There. I went and ruined the movie for ya'll. (LOL) Anywho, the mongoose make such a noise "ick ick" and hops around jumping on all fours at one time when encounter the snakes. Imagine me doing the same thing at the office (internally of course) all day long today.

I just can't, don't, won't focus today. Every request is just making me shutter in horror. I do not want to look up any part numbers, pricing costs, sales figures or inventory turns. I have no desire to order cupcakes or office supplies. FedEx, UPS, DHL are best off my radar.

What I would enjoy doing is sleeping, reading, sunbathing (which with the weather we're having today may be possible in JANUARY!) or hiking. I would rather be washing my car than sitting here at my desk at the moment.

ICK! This blog's only taken 10 minutes of the day up, ICK! ICK!

Photos of the Big Day

So I guess it is about time that I add some photos and wedding blah blah to my blog. First of all, let me just say...THANK goodness it's all over. If I could do it all over again, as my hubby and I keep saying, I would elope. WOW! It was crazy. Thank you to all who came and especially to all who helped put it together and keep it running. Here are some lovely photos of the day. Hope that you enjoy.