Cheering myself up with some vampire love....

My last few blog posts haven't been too cheery. Sorry about that.

Let's talk about something else.

Such as... vampires. Yes, vampires! Nothing like succumbing to pop culture.

The vampires on True Blood and in the Sookie Stackhouse books (same thing, I know) have got me totally hooked and wanting more.

The other day I finally finished all the Sookie Stackhouse books and I am completely caught up on the show. I definitely think the books are better than the show, but they are very close. Almost a tie. It was a hard decision, but rarely does a show/movie top a book for me.

The show is deviating quite a bit from the books, which at first really irritated me. I liked knowing what was going to happen or what was happening in the first place. I liked it when people asked me what was going on and I always knew. Now, not so much. Things that happen in the show had very small roles in the book or vice versa.

I have no idea what is going on with Maryann (the maenad) or what will happen. It doesn't seem possible that there is only ONE episode left of season two. That makes me wonder if there will be a huge cliffhanger and we will all be left hanging until season three. Darnit!

I don't want to give away any spoilers for those of you who may not have watched the show yet or read the books. If you haven't done either you really should! If you liked Twilight, I promise you will like this series too. It's sexier and much more action packed! Plus, there are more books! Gotta love that...

On another positive note my boss is back from maternity leave! I couldn't be happier that she's back annnnnnnnnd she returned with some fantastic news!! Actually, three pieces of fantastic news. 1. We will be getting raises next Spring, 2. Our company just merged with another company so our 401K matching is back (sweet!) and 3. We are getting a bonus on our next check! Basically, it sounds like it's a "retention" bonus. She says it's because they aren't doing raises in 2009, which I didn't expect anyway because I just came on board with the company back in March. Yippeee!! Looks like I'm going shopping!

I hope everyone else's week started off great as well!

The evils of FB.

Am I the only one that considers deleting their Facebook account on a daily basis?

No?

Whew! I'm so glad...

Seriously though, I have been thinking about deleting it for quite some time now. The only reason I haven't is because there are so many people on there that I wouldn't have contact with otherwise. To go through all those people and get this information is just too much work that I am not willing to do.

But if I didn't have a Facebook I wouldn't know that....

A.) Three of my friends (and former colleagues) are planning a lunch/dinner soon, which isn't so strange. What is strange is that I haven't been invited. As far as I know, I've always been included. I guess not this time.

B.) My ex is getting serious with a new girl, which I share the same first name with.

Now, if I didn't have Facebook I wouldn't know these things. I don't need to know these things. My feelings wouldn't be hurt if I didn't have a Facebook and have this information at my fingertips 24/7.

Although, if I didn't have an account I wouldn't know about some of my long lost friends from college, high school, middle school and even elementary school. I wouldn't be able to see pictures of friends that live halfway across the country and around the world. I wouldn't be able to update several people at once about important milestones, like what I had for lunch when I got a new job.

So, you see my dilemma.

For those of you that are friends with me on Facebook, I may not be on there as much anymore because of things like this. There are things I am just better off not knowing. I think I will be utilizing Twitter instead! You can find my page here.

What is your opinion of Facebook? Does anyone just love it? Hate it? In between? What have you stumbled across on Facebook that you would have preferred not knowing?

Vote for Libby!

Follow this link and vote for Libby! If she wins cutest pet she will be on the cover of a newspaper here in my hometown!

You can vote up to five times a day, everyday until September 3. Please vote! :)

The mopey post..

I haven't wanted to blog lately, I don't know why I am in this funk but I am. I wouldn't necessarily classify myself as "down" just kinda "blah". More so, I'm bored and cannot seem to find the energy to get out and do something. Or find that thing I want...

And what I want is a boyfriend, but a boyfriend that is my best friend. I want that guy to come home to and couch it with all night before bed. A guy to make dinner with and watch evening tv with. A guy to walk the dog with or run to the grocery store with.

Every time I think I have someone that might possibly be it, something happens. He does something that I just know I can't stand to live with forever (or even for the next couple weeks) and it's over for me.

See, I don't settle. That is why I am alone most of the time. If I don't really like a guy I cannot pretend and spend all this time with them. I would rather be alone.

I know I have to keep having faith. I truly believe that God will lead you to the person you're supposed to spend the rest of your life with. I'm just hoping he's planning on doing this soon, because I am really bored!

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not one of those girls in a hurry to get married and start a family. It is not a race for me. Not one bit. There are four of us in my close group of friends and two of us are married. I will probably be the last to get married because A. I'm the youngest and B. I'm extremely picky. I'm okay with this, and honestly don't care. Because, girls that just want the ring and the wedding are setting themselves up for disappointment.

I hate being disappointed. So, I avoid it at all costs.

The Boy is still trying, which I commend him for. Although it's getting a little annoying (even though deep down I sorta enjoy the attention) but what's most annoying is the fact that he thinks he's trying so hard. All he has done is a few texts and a few IM's on Facebook. Hardly going out of the way. Maybe I'm living in a movie, but I want more than that. He needs to knock my socks off if he thinks he's going to get me even remotely interested again.

Even then, I'm just being a bitch because no. I don't think I would then be interested either. I know he's most likely not the right one, because going back to what I just said. I don't like to settle.

Meh... I will snap out of this. Hope you guys have a great weekend! Thanks for reading!

My answer...

Thank you so much for all your advice to my last post! I was honestly considering answering her question and giving her a range, but I'm so glad you all talked me out of it. Sometimes, I think I am just too nice.

Here is how I replied:

Hi XXXX!

I completely understand where you're coming from, but I don't think I can help you. Perhaps try salary calculators found on salary.com or careerbuilder.com?

Good luck!

At first I wasn't going to reply at all, but I didn't want to be rude (even though she was pretty rude by even asking). The more I thought about her email the more I think it was just tacky. And lazy. When asking for a raise or negotiating salary ya gotta do some legwork! Silly girl!

Anyway, thanks for the advice guys!

What to do, what to do...

I recently received an interesting message on Facebook. It was from my replacement at my old job. Here is what she said:

Hi A Little Pink!

I stepped in as the new [old position's name] at [employer's name] after you left. I am thinking about asking for a raise and I know they lowered the salary of this position when you left and I started... which really sucks! Anyway, I was just wondering a range or about how much you made when you worked here so I know what's reasonable to ask for. If you don't feel comfortable answering the question, no big deal at all!!!! I just thought I would check with you!

Thanks so much A Little Pink,

XXX XXX

Now the dilemma. Do I tell her? I do not know what she is making now, but I of course, have an idea. The original salary they offered me was too low and I negotiated more. I'm assuming it's probably a little under that... She is very entry level, just out of college and to be honest, she is probably at the appropriate salary level. She has only been out of college a year!

I can completely understand wanting more money, we all do! But, I believe you have to work your way up the ladder. I have been out of college 5 years now and I have had to bust my butt to make the money I make now. I have gone as far as moving 1200 miles away from home to be happy with my salary. I admit, I was in the right place at the right time when I got promoted the first time but that doesn't mean I didn't work very, very hard.

Anyway, I'm getting off track here. [Stepping down from soapbox].

What would you all do? Do I give her a range? My problem is what if she brings up that I was the one that advised her during her negotiation and I ultimately burn a bridge with my former employer whom I still have a good reference from? Am I being too paranoid? Should I just direct her to websites like salary.com or careerbuilder.com to figure out what the appropriate salary is for a position such as hers?

What would you guys do?

Gotta love the Fair!

Just got back from my state's fair!

I rode this:


and this:


We rode the second one while Journey was playing (which by the way is totally weird with that Asian guy singing lead!) and I thought I was going to barf up the corndog, half a fried Snickers and three beers one beer I had!!

Each year I say I'm over the Fair and not going to go, but I always go and I always end up having a good time. It's predictable, but it's comforting and fun! ;) This year I met up with Lesli and had a GREAT time! I think we may have started a new tradition! ;)

Did you go to your town/state's fair this year? If so, what did you eat and/or ride??

It's that time of year again...

...the end of summer and school is starting again. Every year I'm a little envious of those high school seniors now college freshman embarking on this new adventure called college.

This year several of my employees are going off to college for the first time. One member of my management staff is going to be a sophomore at my alma mater and is also in a sorority just like I was. It's hard for me not to feel jealous.

I loved college.

Absolutely, positively the best time of my life so far. I would give anything to go back to college and a lot of my friends and family think I'm crazy. Clearly, I think they're the crazy ones. I loved being on my own, but sheltered by the bubble of campus living. I loved the randomness of a busy college student's schedule. I loved being surrounded by people my age, all the time.

I didn't even mind the parking tickets after trying to get away with parking on campus or the all nighters we pulled because we had a test in almost every class in the same week.

I loved wearing flip flops in the shower and the small living quarters. I liked spending $600 a semester on text books. Ok, maybe I'm lying, I didn't like buying the textbooks. What I really liked was the cute hoodies or the little trinkets I ended up buying with my textbooks at the campus book store.

At this time 8 years ago I was starting college for the first time. I was a bundle of nerves, but I was extremely excited. That year ended up changing my life and has had a major part of who I am today. The people I met that year ended up being some of my closest friends throughout college and are still my closest friends today.

I've loved watching my employees (who I now count as friends) get ready to move away from home for the first time. I've loved answering their questions and giving them advice. It's been amazing to recall many of my favorite memories for these girls.

I truly hope they have a life changing year like I did. While they're at it, I will be living vicariously through them. :)

Hottie alert!

Does anyone else think Nate Berkus on Oprah is hooooooooottttttt??? Holy moly, he's yummy. On todays episode he has the scruffy look going on with the tousled hair.

Mmmmmm, too bad he's gay... (He is, isn't he?)

Little Pink's family is growing....

Remember this little guy?



I was dogsitting this cute little puggle named Zeke back in March and wrote about it here. I almost got to keep him, but at the last minute his owner changed her mind. I can understand, isn't he adorable?!

Well.... a couple of days ago she asked me if I was still interested in keeping him for good and of course I said YES! She dropped him off today and I am so excited! I feel like a little kid that just got her first puppy!

Libby's not too excited about this new addition to her family, but I think she will get it over it quick. I'm hoping that they become friends! Think of all the great photo opportunities! Ha! Sorry, Libby. I still love you.

I felt so awful when his old owner dropped him off because she was tearing up. We still live in the same city, so I'm hoping she stops by to visit him sometime. She has a small baby at home, so I completely understand her deciding to give him away.

Hopefully I will enjoy being a dog owner. I loved it during the two weeks I had him, but at that time I was living in a house with a fenced in backyard. It was super easy to take him outside. Now I live in an apartment and have to take him out on a leash (and pick up his poop). I have taken him out today and guess what he did the first time he peed? Peed right on his leg. I hope he doesn't do that all the time... lol.

I'm thinking having Zeke might force me to get out and exercise. I need to walk him, right?! :) Hopefully, he doesn't make peeing on his leg a habit...

Madeleine Wickham vs. Sophie Kinsella

I have been a fan of Sophie Kinsella since Confessions of a Shopaholic was released in 2001. I remember it so clearly, I was a sophomore in college. I was living in my sorority house for the first time and absolutely loving college. Somehow I stumbled upon this little jem of a book and have been hooked on chic lit ever since!

That book got passed around to all of my sisters that I lived with after that. One of them probably still has it! I definitely have no idea where it is now (unfortunately).

Since then I have read every Sophie Kinsella novel as soon as it came out.

A few years ago I found out that Madeleine Wickham is Sophie Kinsella (or Sophie Kinsella is Madeleine Wickham) and picked up Cocktails for Three. Since that time I have tried to read it twice and could not get into it.

Recently I checked out The Wedding Girl (as discussed here) which is Madeleine Wickham's newest title and I'm hoping this book gets me hooked on her novels.

Has anyone read any books by her? Is the writing style different from Confessions, Remember Me?, Can You Keep a Secret?, or Twenties Girl? If so, that really fascinates me. I'm sure lots of authors have different writing styles, but to me, that takes true talent!

I'm hoping I like these books, because I really really like Sophie Kinsella!

Yep, that's me. The girl reading in the corner...

Remember when I talked about my obsession with the library? Well, this is why I need to get it under control...

Currently checked out:

-->Sookie Stackhouse books 5-8: due back 8/18 (with the 9th one on hold and I'm next in line)

-->Julie and Julia by Julie Powell: due back 8/27

-->The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham: due back 8/25

-->A Wild Affair by Gemma Townley: due back 8/30 (I loved her book, The Importance of Being Married. Great chick lit!)

-->Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah: due back 8/30

--> Easy on the Eyes by Jane Porter: due back 8/27

-->Misery loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder: due back 8/27

That's 10 books by the end of the month! Yikes!

Most of them I can renew, but some of them like the Sookie Stackhouse books and the Madeleine Wickham book cannot be renewed because other people have placed holds on them.

I'm obsessed!

On the flipside, I'm getting really good at resisting buying books. I'm only purchasing books if I have a coupon. Which if you're a Borders fan, they almost always have a 40% coupon out and it's just too good to pass up! This past weekend I used my 40% coupon on Outlander by Diana Gabaldon which was recommended by Amber awhile back! I got a paperback copy for only $4.79 plus tax! What a steal! Maybe I will get around to reading it in, uh... December?! :)

Last night I finished up Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella and I ADORED it! So much better than I thought it would be! If you haven't read it, I think it might be worth it to buy. I'm going to wait for it come out in paperback next year to buy it, because by then I will probably want to read it again!

Good night all! I'm off to get started on book five of the Sookie Stackhouse series, Dead as a Doornail!

Got the chills!

I am really freaked out right now. Do you ever think about what you put out on the internet? I've been thinking about it a lot lately, and tonight just reinforced everything I was thinking about...

I was just sitting here checking Google Reader and Facebook one last time before heading to bed and my phone rings with a text message. Immediately I roll my eyes figuring it's the Boy back again since he is the only one rude enough to text me this late.

I open it and the text is from a number I do not know and it says, "Hey A Little Pink!**"

In the past couple years I have lost the numbers in my phone a couple times so I figured it was an old friend who's number I had lost. So, I texted back, "Hi... who is this?"

The mystery texter texts back, "Baby, we both know XXX XXX. I grew up down the street from her. I knew her immediate family."

Whaaat? Who the F is calling me "BABY"???!!!

He had just named a friend of mine from high school whom I had not spoken with in years but was friends with on Facebook. Then I remember I had just approved a guy that had friend requested me and this girl happened to be our only mutual friend.

I looked him up and his profile picture is him with his wife on his wedding day.

I am seriously disturbed and a little upset with myself about how much I have on my Facebook page. My cell phone number was listed on my contact information because I only confirmed real friends of mine, never strangers.

Until recently, apparently! Why I approved him is beyond me, I guess I thought I might have known him from high school or something?

I have since deleted him, but I'm still really freaked out. I've taken down all my personal information such as my phone number and where I work or worked previously. I have even removed what my Bachelors degree is in.

All of a sudden I'm just really spooked!

**not my real name. Many of you do know my name, which is fine but I've been aiming to make this blog more private without going completely private. If you could avoid using my real name I would really appreciate it!

Rooster...

It just made that sound again... I have no idea why it's doing that. Weird.

Slow Mac

Does anyone know how to clean out a Mac? Mine is running considerably slower than it should, and it's fairly new. I just got it in February. It's my second Macbook and my first Mac was never this slow. I've cleaned out what I know how to do, but other than that I am lost.

It's taking forever to load certain pages (that shouldn't take forever) and clicking out of Google Reader is a nightmare sometimes. It doesn't crash too often, maybe once in awhile will Safari just suddenly quit on me. Lately it's been freezing and I get that little rainbow colored pinwheel for a few seconds (or sometimes about a minute) before I can continue with what I was doing.

It's driving me nuts! I'm naturally a pretty impatient person, but I know this is not me. It really is acting up. I'm about to take it to the Apple store to see what they say but want to see if anyone knows any home remedies before I do that...

If you know anything I would so appreciate the advice!

A day with my favorite authors...

What. a. long. day.

Thank goodness I do not have to go back in until Thursday at 1pm. I plan on spending the majority of my day and a half off poolside with Jennifer Weiner and Sophie Kinsella.

Ha! I wish, I will actually be spending a significant amount of time with Jennifer's book Best Friends Forever (unless I finish it tonight...) and Sophie's book Twenties Girl.

Did I have you fooled? Did you think I was important enough to spend a day with Sophie and Jennifer? No? Yeah, I didn't think so. ;)

If I was actually spending a day with either women I would pick their brain with so many questions they would be begging me to shut up! Haha!

If you could spend a day with these two well known authors what would you do? What questions would you ask them?

Since you asked....

Awhile back I had a possible theft issue in my store. On three separate occasions money was missing and it was very suspicious looking. They were all even amounts and the deposit slips for the bank were just a little fishy...

After a little more investigating and more digging with the bank (like the 5th call) we found out.... it was the BANK'S fault! Whaaaaaaat? I was so mad. It made me feel like I didn't do my homework, but when I called the bank the first time the money WAS missing. After we have a conversation with the associate (and basically try to get her to admit it) we find out from the bank it was their fault.

I. felt. awful.

I mean, it wasn't my fault and I did what I had to do. Ultimately, if the associate wouldn't have written in the wrong cash amount on the deposit slip all of this would have been avoided, but I still felt like poo...

Maybe I just wanted her leave? I honestly don't know anymore. She's a headache and sometimes hard to take, but I think her heart is in the right place. Most of the time.

This associate and I are working on her math skills because they're awful. She knows she's not good at math, but sometimes I don't think she cares! In this industry, you have to be able to crunch numbers! It's absolutely necessary.

I really want to suggest she take math courses at our local community college, but I'm worried about how she's going to take that. I'm also worried that if her employer (me) suggests that she take a math course (that costs money) she could come back later and sue us for the costs of the class. I know I'm being a little paranoid here, but we all know how "sue-happy" this country is. We have to watch our backs!

Bottom line, I don't have time to teach her basic math but I don't have time to keep fixing her mistakes either. My gut is telling me that I need to invest this time in her and try to teach her math. I just know that if I'm going to do this... it's going to be on my own time. Oy.

This is a girl that is pretty young, that I hired three years ago as an associate and promoted to lower level management last October and into assistant management in February. Basically, she's someone that I took under my wing a long time ago but things have changed in the past 6 months... She's young, and we change A TON around this age... but I'm feeling torn on what the right thing to do is.

My biggest pet peeve is investing time and money into people just so they can go work for someone else... maybe I should have a little more faith...

What would you guys do?

I know, I know, you don't have many details, b/c this is very confidential... but I'm just curious. I get the feeling I already know what most of you will say.... ;)

PS : My computer just made a rooster sound at me... Ummmm, ok? "Kakadoodledoooooooo!!" I have no idea why and I have never heard it before. Weird. Silly Mac.