Ups and downs

Today was such a weird day. I had a very strange emotional night last night, to the point of almost crying myself to sleep with Hank holding me! Gag. I hate feeling that way...and really for no reason! I just felt stressed out and full of anxiety and when I get that way there's usually not a reason for it, it's just a feeling in me and once I get through it I am fine. But while it's there, it's bad. So anyway I went to bed feeling not so well, and I woke up feeling not so well either. This carried throughout my day, and whether it was my mood, or my kids just being jerky, it wasn't a good day in my classroom. I got home and fell asleep on the couch, basically feeling hopeless and just very sad overall. I woke myself up because I had a gym date with my friend Robyn (I ended up waking up too late and miss the "Pump Iron" class, boo), but I made it to Spin class. The class was just what I needed, and 60 very hard minutes later I was covered in sweat and everything negative in my body had left. I came home feeling great and when Hank got home from practice he could tell I was back to normal.

I spent the rest of the night making a little video (below) to announce the winner of the giveaway- yay Chelsea- and then hanging out with Lance and Hank for awhile. I'm whitening my teeth right now and then I am hitting the hay. Tomorrow I am determined to have an amazing, positive day no matter what. After work Robyn and I have a long run planned through downtown and I am really looking forward to that. She's an awesome workout partner and I feel very fortunate to be able to have a friend to share my fitness adventures with!

So, that's it for now. I hope all of you also choose to have a wonderful, positive day. It's easier said than done, but it really is a choice, and no matter how you feel right now, you can choose to wake up tomorrow and make the best of it.

Here's to a great day! And a goodnight... :)Source URL: http://sweettattooforgirls.blogspot.com/2009/09/
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Congratulations Chelsea!

Oh, hi!, originally uploaded by Chelseabirdd.
You are the winner of the nail polish giveaway! :)

Here's a video about it that I just took- PLEASE excuse my gross hair/everything. I just got home from a really, really hard 60 minute spin class and I'm super sweaty w/no makeup but I really wanted to a take a little video of me picking the winner! So, you get to view me in all my glory, bang-pushing out of the way, sniffly nose self! haha.




So again, congrats to Chelsea! All of you should add her adorable blog too-

chelseabirdd.blogspot.com
Source URL: http://sweettattooforgirls.blogspot.com/2009/09/
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Other modes...

Do any of you wonderful people have a twitter? Or a facebook?

Let's be friends!

facebook
twitterSource URL: http://sweettattooforgirls.blogspot.com/2009/09/
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Bukowski

Being an English major in college, and an English teacher now, of course I love poetry. I used to be very, very into borderline obsessed with Sylvia Plath when I was about 15 and obsessed with Bukowski and Anne Sexton and all the rest of those amazing confessional poets throughout my adolescent and teen years. And hell, I'm still obsessed with my darling Plath and read the others as much as possible. I think reading that insane poetry made me a little odd growing up. I still can't figure out and remember how exactly I got into all of it, but I was terribly emo way before that silly term even existed, and I used to write insanely dark poetry quite often. It's funny because I think I always appeared happy but I had this weird little dark side to me that I reveled in. Now that I'm so happy most of the time, grown up and out of my coming-of-age emotions, it's hard for me to really sit down and write like I used to. I still do, but not as frequently. I read for at least two hours everyday though, and today I rediscovered this poem and it made me really happy, and sad, and feel weird. It reminds me of something from a long time ago.

Do you have a favorite poet? I'd love to hear who you love.

I'll leave with the poem I stumbled upon-

some dogs who sleep at night
must dream of bones
and I remember your bones
in flesh
and best
in that dark green dress
and those high-heeled bright
black shoes,
you always cursed when you drank,
your hair coming down you
wanted to explode out of
what was holding you:
rotten memories of a
rotten
past, and
you finally got
out
by dying,
leaving me with the
rotten
present;
you’ve been dead
28 years
yet I remember you
better than any of
the rest;
you were the only one
who understood
the futility of the
arrangement of
life;
all the others were only
displeased with
trivial segments,
carped
nonsensically about
nonsense;
Jane, you were
killed by
knowing too much.
here’s a drink
to your bones
that
this dog
still
dreams about.


-Charles BukowskiSource URL: http://sweettattooforgirls.blogspot.com/2009/09/
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Lovely Sunday

Today was Dogtober Fest, so once we were up and at 'em, we headed downtown with Madeline. My old friend Tim was in town with the Raw Spirit Vegan festival that took place this weekend, so Hank and I got to spend the afternoon with him, which was awesome. I've been friends with Tim for many, many years and it's always good to reconnect with him and catch up. I first met him when his band played in Phoenix about 5 years ago maybe and we've kept in touch, on and off, ever since. He's a great guy.

So anyway, downtown was super crowded, but the best kind of crowded- puppies and dogs everywhere! Big dogs, small dogs, fluffy dogs, dogs with hats, dogs with boots, seriously millions of dogs! Madeline loves people and pups, so she was in heaven.

Since Tim was working at the vegan fest he brought some awesome, delicious food with him to share with us, and I have to make note of the raw, vegan chocolate mousse pie he brought. It was one of the best pieces of pie I've ever had in my life and I was completely blown away by it. It came from a raw "bakery" in Sedona and I can't wait to take a weekend trip with Hank over there and enjoy some more.

While downtown we ran into various friends and their dogs, so it was a very fun day and the weather was to die for! Seriously perfection.

Here are some photos:

walking down our street


my feet in the green, green grass in our front yard


happy Madeline!


Robyn and Bodhi


downtown






beautiful, beautiful day


Tim and Hank


Tim and Ashley's dog, Nipper - "his name makes me nervous..."






Greyhounds that need rescuing, they were so beautiful!


THE pie!


Amazing pie, happy me!


Tim and me :) :)




a little closer, I can't decide which one I like better :)


family photo


Afterward we came back home and Robyn and I hit the gym, I did some grocery shopping, edited HOTW's new album's lyrics, and now I am here in bed, thinking about going to sleep! I'm very excited for this week, for no reason in particular but I feel it will be a good one!

Happy Sunday night everyone! And don't forget to enter my nail polish giveaway below. xoxoSource URL: http://sweettattooforgirls.blogspot.com/2009/09/
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Nail polish giveaway

Videos always make me feel a little awkward but still fun to switch it up a bit! Don't forget to leave your name and email so I can contact you if your number is chosen. Even if you don't usually comment I would love for you to maybe win! :) Happy Sunday! We are off to the square for Dogtober Fest. Pictures later, I'm sure.

Also, feel free to reblog this if you'd like! <3

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My night in: candy corn, Mad Men, and a comfy bed...perfect!

my night: candy corn, Mad Men, and a comfy bed...perfect!, originally uploaded by daniellehampton.
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Friday night

After we opened our amazing presents from Alex, Hank had two shows to play downtown. He is now playing bass in Hot Skin, so they played an all-ages show at Calavera (I love that venue so much) and then a 21+ show at Sundance's.

But let me rewind for a moment since I haven't really posted very much this week! The past few days have been a treat. The weather has been to die for, my students have been in the best moods (two weeks until Fall Break, so of course they are!), and I've spent quite a bit of time with both Hank and friends. I posted about Thursday two entries back, but after work I went and had a peel on my face and I am currently paying for it with the entire first layer of my facial skin peeling off. It's so gross but it really does wonders for my skin. I love my dermatologist, he's more of a cosmetic derm so everything he does is on the spa side, but is covered by insurance. I get peels because I have some scarring on my face from past breakouts. Nothing major at all, but since I'm so pale if I ever get a zit it will leave a faint red dot, which I hate. The peels are totally getting rid of them and I couldn't be happier. Plus, they make my skin feel really nice and glowy. So that was Thursday. On Friday after work Robyn and I took a horribly/wonderfully hard spin class called TGISpin. It's really, really cheesy and they put on party music and disco lights the whole time. Let me tell you, nothing can make that class fun. It's torture, but in a good way I guess. Following class I went over to Calavera to watch Hank play his first show with Hot Skin, then home for a bit, then over to Sundance's. The rest of the night was spent running around downtown, being silly with friends, singing along to Billy Joel songs at the piano bar, running into a million people we knew, and just having a grand ole time. I woke up this morning and headed down to Phoenix so Rhonda could do my hair and I was so happy to spend time with her catching up. It was the highlight of my day! I was going to stay down in Mesa for the evening and go out with my sister, Suki, and friends, but I started to feel a little blah when I got home and decided it would probably be best if I just came back up here and laid low. I'm already feeling better and I'm so, so glad I decided to take it easy. Right now Hank and Matt are having a little sleepover, which is hilarious. I'm talking PJ pants, candy in bowls, and SNL-watching. It's cracking me up. So that's today. And tomorrow, wonderful Sunday, will either be a jam-packed day, or a relaxing day, depending on how I feel. Ideally Hank and I will take Madeline down to Dogtober Fest, which is a big party for dogs down on the Square. Then my friend Tim from CA, who is working the Raw Spirit Vegan Festival that's touring through town this weekend will be coming over to hang out for an hour or two. I'm really looking forward to catching up with him. Then gym, classroom time, and sleep! If I feel shitty though, I'll just see rest all day. Here's to feeling well! I'll leave you with some photos -

my nails are STILL perfect, a week later! I love this polish...and stay posted for a giveaway that I'll post tomorrow that has soooomething to do with this! ;)


Madeline suckling her bed as she naps, it's very weird and very cute!


Hank tuning his bass at Calavera


playing at Sundance's later in the evening


Robyn (she teaches across the hall from me!) and her friend Jordan


Addy




Scott


downtown banjo player


Robyn and the piano man


end of the night...
Source URL: http://sweettattooforgirls.blogspot.com/2009/09/
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Presents!

Hank and I have this wonderful friend Alex, who lives in San Francisco. Here's a photo of Alex and Hank at Comic Con this year so you have a visual:



Anyway, the great Alex was kind enough to send us the most amazing housewarming gifts and I just had to share. He sent Hank an unpainted Mummy Boy toy and me TWO Vampire Rose figures, one unpainted and one painted. When I first saw the VR sculpt at SDCC this past summer I just about died from cuteness overload. I am not into toys whatsoever but I loved these little sweeties so, so much...they combine two of my favorite things- vampires and roses! How awesome. So anyway, Alex went ahead and sent these little gems to me and I couldn't be happier, and feel more grateful! THANK YOU ALEX! We can't wait for your visit next month. Here are some photos:







Source URL: http://sweettattooforgirls.blogspot.com/2009/09/
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Thursday night

Hank + Hugo's veggie burritos + catching up on The Biggest Loser makes for a perfect Thursday night!Source URL: http://sweettattooforgirls.blogspot.com/2009/09/
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Manicure Monday - "Shrimply Divine"

Manicure Monday - "Shrimply Divine", originally uploaded by daniellehampton.
I am loving my new nail polish, and I love that I don't have to pay $ for a manicure, it takes me 5 minutes to give myself an awesome one at home. I am really afraid of fungus and germs at those places anyway, and I like to spend my money on more permanent things...so home manicures and pedicures it is!

Today was a good day. I woke up around 4:45am and got my butt to the gym for 20 minutes of cardio and then about 40 minutes of weights. I am really intent on losing this last little bit of weight and I finally feel inspired enough to not just maintain like I've been doing for years, but to make a few changes to get me exactly where I want to be. Anyway, after the gym I came home, showered and snuggled with Hank a bit before I went to work. I had a great day, despite some annoyances there, but that's the way it goes. After work Hank and I joined Robyn on a hike up through the Dells and it was really, really nice to be outdoors. I am very much an indoor girl, and as much as I'd like to be more "outdoorsy," I was reminded yet again how hard that may be, when I almost went running down the trail when I heard some quail fly out of the bushes. I mistook that sound for the low growl of a mountain lion...weird I know, but I SWEAR it sounded just like it. Haha.

After the hike Hank and I did our usual little dinner thing and made mini burritos on Ezekial corn tortillas. I swear, I use about three different Ezekial products a day, I love all of their stuff. Now I'm just relaxing and about to head to sleep in a minute. Gym again bright and early. I must stay motivated to keep up the early workouts so good sleep is a must!

I hope all of you had a great Monday!
Source URL: http://sweettattooforgirls.blogspot.com/2009/09/
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Fabulous weekend

This weekend was really excellent and really busy! I enjoyed another three-day weekend, and on Friday I went down to Phoenix to spend time with Autumn and family, who were in Scottsdale house hunting. I am so, so excited that they are actually moving back...it was hard to go from seeing someone so often to having them move eight hours away, but we still made it work and managed to see each all the time. Having the Loops just down the mountain makes me so happy, and even happier because once baby boy is born in February I will have a little nephew to play with also! So I made it down to Phoenix to Alana's house and got to spend the afternoon hanging with my girlfriends, my second mom Libby (Autumn's mama), and Chloe!

puffy, ruffly dress for the fall :D


I love this dress' cute ruffle detail!


Chloe and her adorable smile


She is getting so big!


pretty baby...look at those eyes!




Grammy and Chloe


Auntie Erin




We decided to do Pita Jungle for dinner, which was delicious as usual! I got the Macro Platter like I always do. Everytime we go I think I want to branch out, but I never do because it's so good. Add some Siracha and you're set!



Erin and Shirl


Erin and me! For some reason I didn't snap any photos of Alana or Autumn, :(.


After dinner I drove back up to Prescott, because our friends Ben and Kati had already arrived from San Diego to stay with us for the weekend. Friday night was a pretty relaxing night- Ben, Kati, Lance, Hank and I played Apples to Apples and spent the evening just laughing and talking. It was such a good time.

Ben, Hank, Madeline


Whenever Madeline's lip gets caught on her teeth it's the cutest/funniest thing in the world.


Saturday morning we woke up and Kati and I did some food shopping, I went to the gym, then we all went to Hugo's for dinner. I have to say that the burrito I had was hands down the best Hugo's burrito (and quite possibly the best burrito) I've ever had, which is saying a lot! I was so excited I ate the whole thing. My stomach was not happy but I felt better a few hours later. I just ate waaay too much food though, oops. After dinner K. and I got ready for the evening and walked down to check out an acoustic show at Calavera and grabbed some green teas on our walk. It was a beautiful night and it was really nice to be able to share it with my friend, walking and talking and enjoying each other's company. When we got back to the house we all watched a super interesting show on the prison system and finally peeled ourselves away to head over to Sundance's so the dudes could play a show. Our old and used to be best friend Andrew came out and it was SO GOOD to see him. He is married with a couple of kids and we never, ever see him so it was really the best thing to be able to give him a huge hug and spend time catching up. I hope he starts to hang out a lot more like he used to. The show was okay, I am not the biggest fan of HOTW playing there but it was still a fun time with friends and good music. After the show a bunch of us came back to our house and watched the VMAs. Weird, I know, but I hadn't seen it all the way through yet so it was pretty interesting.

Here's me! Hi :)




I need to stop wearing this belt with everything. I officially retired it this morning for a week!


crazy Madeline!




old, old friends!






This morning we woke up super late (I love Sundays!) and decided to venture out to get some lunch. Ben and Kati are vegan, so we had a very short list of options on a Sunday, and ended up at the Brew Pub. Afterward we walked around, went to the candy shop, then visited Addy at work. The weather today was absolutely amazing and perfect for being outdoors. We walked back home around noon and our friends headed back to San Diego...Hank, Madeline and I were definitely sad to see them go. I spent the rest of the afternoon running errands, and as soon as I conclude this entry I am going to do a little bit of housecleaning and start winding down for this next work week! I am intent on visiting this gym at 5am every morning this week so I need to start going to be by 9pm every night, tonight being the first! Tomorrow afternoon Robyn and I are going on a hike in the Dells which I am super excited about too. I need some nature time.

Here are some photos from today- I brought the Nikon D60 out, and it reminded me that I need to take the nicer camera with me whenever I go out! I always forget.

Ben and Kati


Ben and Hank, walking down our street


the leaves are starting to turn!


on our walk we ran into our friend John and his awesome bulldog Fred! He is such a cutie.


lunch




Courthouse Square






September sky!


candy shop


tired us






very odd postcard I found in the candy store






Addy, hard at work






So, like I said earlier, it was an amazing weekend. I know this post was really long so thanks for reading if you made it this far! As I was writing this I was thinking about how much I enjoy documenting and looking back on so many things in our life, and how neat the whole blogging experience is. As of yesterday I have 101 followers (although those are just registered followers via blogspot), and it was neat to see that my list had grown to be so large. So thank you again for taking to the time to read what I write! You all are the best!

Have a wonderful night and a fabulous week!Source URL: http://sweettattooforgirls.blogspot.com/2009/09/
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