Itsy Bitsy Spider

I should have saved this post until next month for Halloween, but oh well.

About two weeks ago, I came home and let the dog out into the backyard. It was dark at this point, and so when I let her back in, I turned on the outside light.

Which is when I saw this:

At first I was really scared, because it looks like a mini tarantula to me. Plus, it's web was literally in the top right corner, right near our back door. 

Once I let the dog in, I shut the door and just started to stare at it. And then of course grabbed my camera to take pictures of it. I took these from behind the door, which explains why it looks like this spider is floating in mid-air.

 

Since the initial spotting of this guy or girl, I have to admit--I have become fascinated with it. I mean, it's like the type of spiders they show on the Discovery Channel or Animal Planet. Now it's like a routine to come home and before bed, turn on the outside light to see the spider.

Last week when my mom threatened to kill it, I begged her not to, and then proceeded to search the internet. I even looked at pictures of creepy spiders before bed and didn't have any nightmares.

Turns out, this type of spider is what they call an orb web weaver. It totally builds its web in corners of doorways and can hang out in gardens. The cool part is that it spins a new web everyday and apparently it can put a special white part of the web to detract birds from running into it during the day. I haven't seen "our" spider do this though. Mainly it just hangs out in its web throughout the night hoping to catch something and during the day it crouches between two wooden slats near the door frame.

With the help of this article by a professor of Entomology at Cornell University, I learned that this type of spider is called a Cat-Face Spider and it's totally harmless. I might have my brother try to relocate it though. I am not sure how much longer my mom will allow it to be near the back door.

I guess I can kinda make out a cat face...

Secretly, this spider reminds me of Charlotte's Web, only I hope in this case it doesn't have a bunch of spiderlings. That would not be okay nor welcomed.

My favorite part of the spider is its huge butt.

 Do you have a fascination with spiders? Or are you afraid of them? I think in this case my fascination outweighs my fear of them, but you won't see me touching it or anything else crazy like that.

Something dumb...

Because I am procrastinating at work right now, I decided to write (and rant) about something I think is so dumb.

It's the new breast cancer awareness craze on Facebook. Don't know what I'm talking about? Well, if you are a male, you're not supposed to know this, but because I think this is really ridiculous, I'm spilling the beans.

"The idea is to choose the month you were born and the day you were born. Pass this on to the GIRLS ONLY and lets see how far it reaches around. The last one about the bra went round all over the world.
So you'll write... I'm (your birth month) weeks and I'm craving (your birth date)!!! as your status. Example: Feb 14th: I'm 2 weeks and craving Chocolate mints!!

January-1week, Febuary-2 weeks, March-3 weeks, April-4 weeks, May-8 weeks, June-9 weeks, July-10 weeks, August-12 weeks, September-13 weeks, October-14 weeks, November-16 weeks, December-18 weeks.

Days of the month: 1-Skittles, 2-Starburst, 3-Kit-Kat, 4-M&M's, 5-Galaxy, 6-Crunchie, 7-Dairy Milk, 8-Lollipop, 9-Peanut Butter Cups, 10-Meat Balls, 11-Twizzlers, 12-Bubble Gum, 13-Hershey's Kisses, 14-Chocolate Mints, 15-Twix, 16-Resse's Fastbreak, 17-Fudge, 18-Cherry Jello, 19-Milkyway, 20-Pickels, 21-Creme Eggs, 22-Skittles, 23-Gummy Bears, 24-Gummy Worms, 25-Strawberry Pop Tarts, 26-Starburst, 27-Mini Eggs, 28-Kit-Kat Chunky, 29-Double Chocolate Chip Crunchy Cookies, 30-Smarties, 31-Chocolate Cake"

Now, before I received this message from my Facebook friend, I saw her change her status to: I'm 8 weeks and craving Milkway, which automatically made me think she was expecting. And then the next thought I had was, "homewrecker!" because she already has 3 kids and is dating an old dude who has two kids.

But then a friend that just had a baby in July had a similar status, and I knew it must be one of those chain letter-esque things flying around the Internet. But, it's still dumb! I am certainly not participating. I don't want anyone to think I'm pregnant. I'd rather support breast cancer awareness by participating in the Susan G. Koman Walk for the Cure, or donate money to research.


What do you think? Are you going to participate?

Rant of the Day

Sometimes I really don't like my coworkers.

Yesterday we were sitting around the table in the conference room, when the coworker who has stolen my food before sits down next to me and announces with a smirk, "I might have taken someone's raspberries."

I immediately ask her if she took some of the organic ones. "Yeah, are they yours?"

Yes. Yes. Yes. Why does this always happen to me?

She said she got confused and thought they were on her shelf of the fridge.

The sad part is that I hadn't even washed nor eaten any of them and had seriously just brought them in yesterday because I didn't want them to go bad at home.

She of course apologized and offered for me to take some of her "non-organic" ones. Which honestly were way mushier than mine--heck no do I want any of those!

And then today, my other coworker had the same exact flavor and brand of hummus...and all during lunch I kept thinking, WHY ME? DON'T STEAL MY FOOD! I didn't say anything, but after we were done eating I secretly checked the fridge. Turns out hers was on the inside door. (below)

WHEW. What a relief.


Have you had any lunch mishaps at work?

On the radio

Last night on my way home, I was listening to the radio.

This guy had apparently given the radio station all these hints about a lucky lady who he wanted to propose to...some of the hints where what city she lived in and what restaurant they shared their first date at.

Well, the lucky lady called in because she had been getting tons of phone calls and texts from her friends who had been listening--they all thought it was her.

She called in and the djs asked her to confirm all the answers to the hints that they had given out throughout the day. She got them all right...and then her boyfriend got on the phone.

I had just pulled into my driveway when I got to this part, which always seems to happen. But I waited and listened to see what she was gonna say.

Well, she completely flipped out. And not in a good way. She said she never likes making a public spectacle of herself, so why would he call and propose to her ON NATIONAL RADIO? But the real kicker was when she said, "I can't marry someone who doesn't know me." And then she hung up.

What a disaster! That poor guy.

Today was telling my friend this story, and we both agreed that a radio proposal wouldn't be our choices. I mean, you can't even see his facial expression. I could see this working out if it was a long distance thing, but if you're in the same state/city, it makes no sense to me.

How do you want to be proposed to? In public? In private? 
For those who are already engaged or married--how did he/she propose?

I love a deal.

Hi my name is Wonderful and I have a confession to make. I've gotten really addicted to those daily deal websites. You know what I'm talking about--the Groupon and LivingSocial of our lives, if you will. These darn things are getting me to spend wayyyyy too much money lately.

I open my email and I'll see, "$10 for $20 worth of frozen yogurt," or "$20 for $60 worth the spa credit at this really cool spa that you couldn't otherwise afford," and I WANT WANT WANT IT. Over the past month, I've bought like four different deals.

I have an hour long hot stone massage, a shopping spree at the GAP, and food at a bbq restaurant to use. Heck, I'm even using a Groupon to buy my Halloween costume this year. I'm not sure if this is pathetic or really awesome.

Don't even get me started on those sites that have different deals each day of the week BUT allow you all week to purchase them. Those are way too tempting too. Although, in my humble opinion, they aren't as popular as the daily deal sites. Either that or I'm subscribing to the wrong ones.


What about you? Have you fallen into the daily deal craze?

Rant of the Day

My coworker and i were at lunch in the conference room. I sit down, and notice she has a granola bar, yogurt and some sort of coleslaw.

We start talking and i stared at her food. and she looks down just as she's about to open her yogurt and says ya this was in the fridge or something similar and i look at her and i say "oh that's mine." CUZ IT WAS MY KEY LIME YOGURT. and she's like oh, and she tried to close it even tho she just opened it and i'm like oh no, go ahead and eat it.

it's like i don't want it now. and i go, "just do you know, all the original kinds in there are mine, including the strawberry one." and she goes, "oh i hate strawberry." and she's like i'll bring you one from home. except all of hers that she buys are light yoplait or custard kinds, both of which i hate. so i'm like oh no worries. and she's like i have this one i don't want, it's red velvet cake do you want that one too? and i'm like NO i hate red velvet cake.

so i'm annoyed. i realize it's trivial and i feel better after my walk but seriously WHO DOES THIS?

Happy happy joy joy

Things that make me happy today:

• Getting an extra egg roll at lunch without asking for it (I hate those cream cheese wontons)
• Having Bethanny from the Real Housewives RT and answer my question on Twitter
• Staring at my beautiful manicure and pedicure from last night
• Having my sunburn start to turn into a tan

What are you happy about today?

A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down...

Wanna know the weirdest thing that's happened to me today?

I've gotten hiccups twice! *And I haven't even been drinking.

What's strange is that the hiccups are intense. Like my entire upper body is struggling to contain them.

But even stranger is that the hiccups I just had--they seriously only lasted 60 seconds.

I wonder if they'll come back again.

Things do come in three's right? Or does only apply to death?


*Funny story. In college whenever I'd have too much to drink, I'd get the hiccups. And one time I was in a house full of frat brothers with my friends when the hiccups attacked. And I couldn't get rid of them to save my life. Except my bff at the time, Joe, he saved my life by going through the frat brother's kitchen cabinets and giving me a spoonful of sugar. Literally. Mary Poppins knows her shit, because it worked. And I've used that cure ever since. Too bad I'm at work and no sugar is to be found. I should text Joe.

Come on and fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away...

Yessssss, it's finally Friday, it's finally the weekend!!!

Since it's such a fun day, I have a fun question to ask you.

If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go and why?

Personally, I'd want to go to Philly, just because I want a really philly cheesesteak with whiz. (TWSS.)

Have a good weekend!

Random Thoughts Tuesday

Over the weekend, I figured out a few things about life and things. Allow me to share....

#1. I don't want to be a pirate as a living. I mean, I would get seasick, and it's gotta be lonely out on the water all the time. Not to mention that you really have to LOVE water to consider that as a career. And ever since I almost drowned in Mexico, well, I have a hate relationship with the ocean. So that's definitely out. At least I've figured out what I don't want to be. That's gotta count for something, right?

#2. I wish I could be a dog. Like my dog, who is a golden retriever mixed with border collie. Sure it would suck to have to go outside to do your business, but how cool would it be to be able to listen to humans talk all the time and know everyone's secrets? And you would be able to tell all of your doggie friends via the twilight bark, but the humans would never know, because only you would be able to understand them.

#3. Lately I've been freaking out about the whole 20-something crisis, but when I was at church this weekend, the priest explained how there's hope that whatever you're going through you can survive it. That makes me think that everytime I'm freaking out about if I'll ever get married, or find a job I love, he's laughing at me. He's laughing at me and shaking his head saying to himself, that I'll be okay. That it will all work out. I have hope right now that it will be okay and that one of these days I will think back to how I was in my 20s and have a huge laugh and shake my head too.

What's on your mind today?

Cheap thrills

Since it's Friday and I'm ready for this week to be over, I've complied a list of things that assume me. Consider it my gift to you--laughs for free.

1. Chick-fil-A Cow Appreciation Day. Apparently if you dress up like a cow today, you get a free combo meal. What cracks me up is that on their website, in case you don't own a cow costume, you can print off a "costume kit" and make your own. I would love to see someone do this! Actually, I'm tempted to do this, but I need a wingman....
   
2. 7-11 Day. If you are cool enough to have a 7-11 near you, you should go there tomorrow. Why? Because I said so. Nah, because you can get a free slurpee, and let's face it, slurpees are like the must have drink of the summer.
   
3. Free Chocolate. Thanks to the “Real Chocolate Relief Act,” every Friday starting at 9 a.m. Eastern Time, you can register for the opportunity to receive a coupon for your choice of any Mars product — like a Milky Way, Twix, Snickers or bag of M&Ms. This lasts till September so if you missed out this week remember to do it next Friday, k?
4. Dogs will be dogs. This totally entertained me the other day, because that's exactly how my dog would be. She'd be the one in black, tryin to play with the other dog, and not even getting the hint that the other dog isn't interested in playing. Enjoy.

That's all I've got, enjoy your weekend!

How to...

How to make stick deodorant...seriously, people do this?

What a week

Man this week flew by. Here's a quick recap:

-Tuesday: Was a lazy girl, talked with M for over an hour at Wendy's about our life & future, our hopes and dreams...yadda yadda yadda. Didn't really get much packing done.

-Wednesday: Went out with Bobby. Originally we were set to go to Il Vicino, but then we decided that you can't beat pizza from Wazee's. What's funny, in a deja vu matter of sorts, is that a) the last time I was there was with S, and b) we seriously sat in the same exact spot as I did with S. seriously. Dinner was good, both the conversation and the food. I talked alot more and we ran the gammet with topics of conversation varying from work, to drinking, to religion. Afterwards, we walked around downtown, and went to the Tattered Cover where I got to show him the current issue of my magazine and which sections I wrote. I even saw a 'cuse alum in the store and randomly struck with a conversation. After the bookstore, we went to the the highlands bridge and saw a public piece of art and talked some more under the stars. Shortly after, I went home, but it was a great time. And good to see him during the week. I look forward to his birthday on Monday, but more about that later.

-Thursday: Took my brother to school, worked hard all day aka took a two hour lunch, came home and went with M to pick up moving boxes. I had posted on craigslist earlier this week asking for bigger moving boxes, and I got a great response. And I tend to like options, and so I overestimated the boxes I might need. But M put up with me. We grabbed boxes from a lady in Superior, and then headed to Lafayette to grab newer ones and padding, where we met this nice lady named Janis. She was so so sweet, had a southern twang, and recently moved back from Sweden, where her husband is still working. Both M and I were curious about her life story, so I suggested we get tea next weekend. She was such a sweet lady, I could totally see her being a good mentor. Then M and I packed until past midnight, and we're still not done. We have the kitchen and I have the closet and bathroom to go. It's amazing how much crap you have, and how much you really need to live on.

More packing awaits me. Oh joy. *twirls finger in the air

Fun link of the day

I couldn't resist sharing this when I saw it appear on my igoogle home page today--how to make a cake in a mug. Do people seriously do this? I just couldn't help but laugh because I know my cake wouldn't look like that if I tried this. I'd probably set it on fire in the microwave. hahaha.

Randomness

Preggers coworker and I just made white chocolate macadamia nut cookies in our mini toaster oven. yummmmmmmmm.

Matilda is doing well--so far so good.

My lips have been really chapped lately--wondering if it's just an old wives tale that chapped lips=dehydration or if it's just the change in the weather is to blame.

Apparently the movie tonight is 2 hours long. sheesh!

Talked to other coworker whom I haven't spoken to in over a year. interestinggggg....but I'll elaborate later.

Random Thoughts

• Tomorrow is payday
• Today is already Thursday!
• I think Matilda is ready to be transplanted...her leaves are OOC!
• The sky is so pretty today
• I wish I had a job where I didn't have to be inside 24/7 (at least not during the summer)
• Tea is good for the soul