*-*BuTterfLlieS*-*

OMG,

it's been so long since i posted and there has been so much to post about.

Let's start with the biggest news of the week...

well, crap!

There have been a few big headlines in my life this week & I can't chose the best,

PLUS- it's only thurday morning!

Ok, enough blabbing, seriously, enough.

First of all the deed is done- this week the

wonderful,

amazing,

 best friend ever,

 Ashley A. Kelly

booked the psychic for my bachelorette party!!!

You probably thought i was kidding when i posted a while back that i wanted a psychic

and if you were planning the party i probably wouldn't be getting one.

well... lucky for me,
Ashley saw my vision,

encouraged my dreams,

& she's making it happen.

It seriously gets me so excited for her future childern..

"mommy i want a pony"

The next weekend- BAM- Pony.

She's what i like to call an enabler, a dreamer,...

such a great quality most of us (myself included) are lacking in our adult lives.

So the night will be complete with palm readings, Tarot cards, & something about a magic wand or crystal ball... anyway I could not be more excited! Everyone will get a chance to chat with her, and then you can take home your own little eat pray love palm reader experience.

You'd think that would be the highlight of my week, right?

Well-

casey and i went by the house last night

&

we were totally unaware that they installed the granite countertops that day,

walked in,

turned the corner,

OMG, there they were.

It gave me butterflies.

To date,
 it's the most excited I've been about the house,
and I really think it was the element of surprise.
Not knowing what was waiting for us around the corner...
and i guess it's also the fact that the kitchen is really starting to look like a kitchen!

The Five K

Last week I signed up to run the corporate challenge 5K & um... it's this weekend,

(let it be known i did not volunteer for this task-

i was asked

& with being the "new girl" i didn't find it would benefit me to say no...)

then i find out the BIG BOSS LADY is also running in the event 

and....

she won it all last year!

Are you kidding me?

Sure, not only can she run this office, she's going to obliterate me in the 5k..

we are going to be wearing the same shirt,

 representing the same firm

and she's going to be out leading the pack while i'm somewhere in the back just hoping and praying to make it to the end before she has time to catch her breath,

 get a drink of water,

 accept her trophy,

 and then watch me finish the race...

What if she loops around like in the biggest loser when there is a weak link & the whole team runs back to the slacker so they can bring it in together.

What if she sees me there on sunday morning and is all like "let's run together?" then we don't place and everyone at the office is mad at me for holding her back from getting us more corporate challenge points.

Great... just great... i'm very worried about this!

In other news we got doors installed at the house!! I was VERY excited about it.

We went with the three panel doors like Tori and Dean McDermontt have in their house!

As we drove away from the house Casey says to me

"All i COULD think of  when i saw those doors ... oh no, I can see lora slamming these... "

Way to ruin the excitement!

&

I won't slam them!

In final news,

I want a psychic at my bachelorette party,

and maybe a tarot card reader...

SERIOUSLY!

At what age?

I was in the office last weekend and my boss was there with her 10 year old daughter.

They were moving her office into a new {bigger} one!

&

Her daughter would walk by with her hands full of stuff,

and then she would sprint back by on her way to grab another load.

Every time.

She ran back EVERY TIME.

I couldn't help but laugh to myself about my boss running back too... she didn't... but what if....

Makes sense

why walk?

when you can run!

It also makes me wonder at what point do we decide, i'll just walk.

No need to run.

I can remember running everywhere when i was younger, but i can't remember why i stopped?

So today, Friday, I'm going to pick up my pace....

i'm going to run from one place to another.

just hope i dont trip and fall on my face...

maybe that's why i stopped?

Hawaiian Shirt Day

It's Hawaiian shirt day at work- and i'm the only one wearing a hawaiian shirt!

I've been told our office is "too cool for school"

So, i am having my own personal hawaain party- in my cubical.

I think after lunch i will break out a blender and make margaritas 

Then i'll announce "anyone wearing a hawaiian shirt can have one!!!"

BUT nobody will come forward because i'm the only one wearing a hawaiian shirt!

Then i'll proceed to get drunk in my cube & stumble home at 5.

Sweet Day!

I heard last time they had a "golf" day

The one person who wore plaid shorts and a visor got his picture taken and put in the company newsletter!

Basically- I'm working on my poses...

11 inches!

Woke up to 11 inches of snow in denver! What's going on?

Last Monday through Thurday it was in the 60's beautiful beautiful weather, spring had sprung!

Then Friday,

we got 15 inches of snow!

Couldn't beleive it, and couldn't beleive that it was ALL GONE by Sunday afternoon and in the 70's!

Once again, Spring had sprung!

But today, another snow storm:( 

I don't get it, and I don't like it. 

Perfume

Perfume.

It's weird.

If you think about it. Why do we feel the need to spray ourselves with THIS smell good? how do we even pick out what we like, 

and- what i REALLY don't get is that the same perfume can smell different on different people.  

Anyway, in the past couple weeks, actually, twice now-

I've crossed paths with somebody wearing the same perfume i once owned... 

And i dont know about you all,

but when you smell a perfume, let's say, that you wore freshman year of college-  it totally brings back all those memories!

don't quote me here but i think it has something to do with our sense of smell being our stongest sense? or probably in the running for like top 5: I'm sure of it.  

Well yesterday, encounter #2 happened, 

Minding my own business, walkind down the hall, catch a sniff of this perfume i had maybe a year or two ago. 

Slight smile comes to my face, 

It was a rough time, but it was a great smell. 
i start thinking:

why did i switch? I dont know know.. maybe beacuse i came across a scent i liked better? No i think it was because i got a new bottle for christmas.. but i'm sure i asked for it, so why did i make the decision to switch? What was the name of this perfume? I can't remember, wait! MID THOUGHT

that scent i smelled... 

it was coming out of this older lady, with weird old lady sweater, and odd 1980's throwback hairstyle's office. 

OH GOD.

do i really have the same taste as her? why is she wearing this great scent. 

I spent the rest of the afternoon thinking about it, seriously concerned.

Finally, I came to rest on the conclusion that her hip young cousin/ daughter/ coworker gave her the perfume as a gift:
I'm sure of it.  

Nutties, are you there? It's me, lora.

Hi All You Nutties out there…

I’ve decided if you’re (A NuTsHeLL) reader,
you’re a nuttie- or a shelLy?

 Or just a super cool person.

hey- it is what it is.

Loooooong time no talk! I’ve missed you- and I’m sure you missed me!
I’ve just been super busy with work.
Being a "first year", during "busy season",
=
Shitty January-May.
 long hours,
working weekends,
 and if you need personal time,
good f*ing luck.

Let me tell you a tale…
(it’s been awhile since you’ve received one of these)

and really, It’s only funny because it’s true,

It was a average, wait, below average Wednesday night.

It’d already been a long week, and dinner time was fast approaching. Lora (the first year) and Deana (the intern) had been taking turns going out and getting dinner for the audit team.

 AKA lora kept pushing it off on Deanna, and was hoping/ praying to do the same this fatefull night.

Ok, this tale could take awhile to tell..

Here is the jest of my “Worst Night Ever!"

1. GOT STUCK getting dinner

2. Engagement team chooses the most expensive place to order dinner for 6 ppl- and yours truly has to front the money- ill get reimbursed, eventually, but it adds up fast.

3. Get lost

4. Really lost, garmin takes me to some mattress store- not the restautant, cell phone is dead, no idea where I am… wtf Rhonda?
(my garmins name is Rhonda, i bestowed the name on that little black box after a trip to la, and I found myself singing the jingle “help me rhonda”- sold-! i will call you rhonda, and you shall help me.

5. Stop and ask for direstions at gas station, cursing Rhonda, and garmin for that matter- put this shit on your commercials, GARMIN.
Gas station Attendant does not speak English.

6. Stop at starbucks, in tears, nice lady draws me a map!

7. Get to the restaurant, $110, sweet co-workers- sweet

8. Get back to the client, 1 hour later, realize im locked out of the office building
:(

9. Track down some dude in the parking garage. Hands full of take out, approach his window
“SIR, SIR!”
“excuse me, sir, can you get out of your car, walk me back up to the building and let me in!?, thanks”

10. In the building, check.
Now who can let me up this elevator?? OOH CLEANING PeoPLe!
 Guess what, they don’t speak English either… lady #1, runs off to get lady #2, as I stand with gentleman #1… akward… akward…
oh, here come ladies 1 &2 together,
“I’ve locked myself out, I need to get to floor 8!” Lady 2 translated to gentleman 1… who then escorts me up to my floor.

11. Get back into the audit room, ready and willing to tell my horror story- nobody cares, or asks why it took so long- pass out their entrees and its back to work.I love my life:)



Anyway.....
Casey was in town last weekend, he asked for my ring- I give it to him, not paying attention, im working from home- surprise.

About 15 minutes later he’s asking if I have any black velvet? 
maybe a  shirt/pants/anything…
NO, why would I have that?
10 minutes later I look up and he’s showing me the glamor shots he’s just taken of my ring...

“for your blog” he says.

Oh of course ! (weirdo)

And ever since, he tells me I should update my blog… with his pics.

drumroll please....

HERE

 IT

 IS! 

Babysitting

Today I am babysitting.

Not really, but kind of.

We lost a client to another firm - whatever.

So, it's standard for the new audit team to review our prior year workpapers in order for them to get a better understanding of the engagement.

The only catch is, while the new team is reviewing our work, somebody has to sit in the room &  watch them.

This exciting job has fallen to me (the first year)

When i first got assigned the job last week, I assumed it was because of my babysitting certification (circa 1994)

 You know, the one day class,

 put on by the local parks and rec,

at the end of the day you're issued a plastic,
very official looking,

babysitting certification card.

Hey, back then, I thought it'd be good for business.

And it was- made me more marketable. 

But as i got to thinking i realized I probably didn't put that on my resume. 

should've, but i didn't

Pretty much this is the mindless task that falls to the lowest person on the totem pole, 

enter: me. 

So all day i get to sit in the room, watch this dude, and make sure he doesn't take something/ upload any of our files to his zipdrive. 

On the way into the office i was thinking, how i should approach this... I need to take the assignment seriously. 

My main concern:

Where should I sit?  

I came up with some options,

Set up my computer & give the casual, friendly stare down from across the table:

Screw the computer set up, just walk in with nothing and do the ol' "watcha doing?" pose

OR even better, screw the whole table, just zoom around the room in my chair, keep 'em guessing-

 "where is she gonna cruise to next?"

Well, I'm here....

&

I went with the first option, seemed most natural.

Although option 3 would've been the most fun.

But I assure you, nothing's getting by me.

I'd like to see this guy try something funny-

because he's messing with the wrong lady accountant!

College?

Hi ALL.



Work has been FREAKING busy = no time to blog.
 I attempted to last week, obviously, & For some reason it didn't post?

Anyway...



The area I live in is about 5 blocks off the beaten path from Denver University, as I’ve mentioned before with the whole shirt debacle....

So, the surrounding restaurants/coffee shops/ chipotle's are full of college kids and I love it- really reminds me of Manhattan, just a great college atmosphere.
 Wednesday, or maybe it was Tuesday of last week, can’t remember-


I stopped by Chipotle on my way home from work and these two kids in front of me were talking about an organic chem class,
 he’d taken ,
she was thinking about taking it over the summer,
she was asking him if it was hard?
He was telling her about the lectures and how he didn’t think it was too bad, yada yada

This really got me thinking, that used to be how it was. You know- talking about classes, talking about tests, and when you’re out of college- you don’t do that anymore! But do I miss it?



I don’t know?



College? Are you there?
The actual class part- I mean, Did I forget you?

Obviously I miss the social, the sports, and the town, but academics?



I feel like academics was always such a game… an unspoken game….


A few examples:

“Oh yeah, I’ve taken that class, it’s not too bad”


Translation:
Yeah, I’ve taken it. It was difficult, but I'm not gonna tell you that....
Because, what if you think it’s easy?
So to play it safe I will tell you it’s “not too bad” mysterious, vague.

Example 2:“That test was easy”

Translation:No. It wasn’t easy, are tests ever easy? No they aren't.
It was rough- I definitely had some moments of confusion/ I know I studied this but I can’t recall…
but, what if you thought it was easy? I'll just say it was easy first.

"Oh, I didn't really study for this test"
Translation:
Yes I did!
But I still don't understand it- so i'm going to cover now with the standard unprepared speech-
just incase I get a bad grade, then you'll think it was just because i didn't study.

Anyway- you all know what i mean. You've done it, and you probably don't miss it.
Ohhhh College.




  

 

Quick Comments

I cried during the lady GaGa and Sir Elton John performance last night.

It was an "inspired cry", like, I appreciate your creative talent so much GaGa...

What a perfect moment for you...

cry cry cry.

Secondly, there was a man,

a grown man,

heating up 2 corndogs for breakfast this morning in the break room! I gave him a "really dude?" look.

A. It smelled up the whole hall,

B. who does that?

I guarantee your wife thinks that banana you grabbed on your way out the door this morning was your healthy breakfast- poor girl has no idea you come to work and heat up two freaking corn dogs!!

Sick. Sick. Sick

fullbar

So, one of our clients is fullbar.

Everytime I heard the client name around the office I ASSUMED it was a company the sold those bars you lock your steering wheel with...

 & I really have no idea why?

 Nor, did I ever think to ask "so, what does fullbar do?"I just assumed oooooohh yeah, fullbar- i should get one of those.

Anyway come to find out, they sell nutrition bars that are supposed to make you full.

This revelation led me to say...

"If I worked at full bar,

I would pile a stack of them on my desk,

and everytime somebody asked me to go eat,

 I would say- Sorry man, I'm soooooooo full.

(alluding to the fact that i just had a fullbar and it's working!)

And that led me to think....

What if, I took a fullbar challenge?

Ate one everyday for lunch. Lost some inches around the waist, and become their SpokesGirl!

Hey, I dream big! Sorry if you don't.

Would that be a conflict of interest?

Who should I pitch this idea too?

Or should I just do it- see if i get results...

THEN, pitch the idea?

It's a thought in progress people...

I'll keep you updated.

Thoughts

YAY for a fast work week-

this is the first week, since I've started in November, that's just FLOWN by!

And, this is the first time I don't really have anything to blog about...

So I thought i would just start typing and see what happens..

maybe a list of random thoughts?

ok.

1.

I want to have a blog convention. Everyone who writes a blog i follow, and who follows mine.

 I would name it Tricks and Tips, for B.I.P.S

(that's Bloggers Into Posting & Sharing)

Totally just made that up right here on the spot, but i like it- and you do too, i just know it!

2.

K-state/CU Game tomorrow!!!!

Got tickets with the alumni group- can't wait!

The whole Denver crew is heading to Boulder:)

Go State!

3.

I've seen 2 pregnant women smoking in 2 days.

I know it's karma, because I saw the first one yesterday, just chilling outside the office, looked like she was about to pop- smoking. I thought "I should say something!" and then i thought "she's standing with her bf or baby daddy, or just some guy, and he could come after me if i upset her... ok, i won't say anything, but next time a see a pregnant lady smoking... "

Get off the light rail this morning, seriously within a few seconds, run right into another pregnant lady smoking... come on!

Dear God,

I can't take on this cause all by myself, I know i said I would, but it's kind of scary.

We both know, by default, a pregnant lady is probably going to be bigger than me every time. I just don't know if i can do it. Please Advise.

Sincerely, Lora

P.S. thanks again for Kia!

4.

a BLOGGER convention would be sweet.

I'd try to feature a guest speaker... somebody who really knows the ends and outs of HTML code.

Maybe our office IT guy... curtis.

5.

If you don't watch Modern Family, I can't be your Friend.

I just can't.

6.

I met some new DeverLite's this week (a term I coined from the term "Socialite")

I facebook friended one of them the next day... she accepted. But I feel weird about this, who does that? I did.

Seriously... how long should you wait? Or should facebook kinship WAIT  until after a few meetings have taken place?

Confused in Denver, 

signing out.

Small Wins.

Sometimes it's the small successes that can really brighten you're day!

I've had a few this week...

sunday.

 I live in the Washington Park neighborhood, one of the many Denver "neighborhoods" (Emily & Adam live here too!). 

It's got its name because it was built around this big beautiful park, Washington Park.

There's a path that runs along the outer perimeter of the park and on a nice day, the whole neighborhood comes out to walk/ run around.

side note: the "mile high" city takes awhile to get used to- cardio speaking- I really noticed the change in altitude, and running to/from/around anything for longer than a couple minutes is a big accomplishment in this town.

That being said, it's extemely frusterating when you get passed, and sometimes even  lapped! by these freaking professional runners who prob only come to our little park so they can make themseleves feel better when they lap all of us unsuspecting pedestrians.

SO. Ever since I've moved out here, I'ts been my goal to pass another runner.

& Sunday- I did it!!!!

Full disclosure here,

it was a "runner mom" with a 3 wheel stroller...

but she looked legit-

and when i saw her in front of me, i picked up the pace-

one "excuse me" later-
she (and her baby) were eating my dust!

 Win #1!!!

monday.

I'm on a new client this week in Downtown Denver- and along with the amazing elevators- i get the window cube!

The "first year" gets the window cube!
 Win #2!!!

(please note the mountain view- top right)

I'm here with a team of 4Auditors, all day we're working individually, barely talking, so randomly I will exclaim~

"man, what a breathtaking view!"
or
"Ah, those mountains are looking good"
or
"look, tom cruise!"
ok... not really, but it would be funny if i did.

i'm fully expecting to show up one morning and one of them will have taken my desk- because i rave so much about all the perks of sitting by a window- ha,
WELL, it's tuesday and the desk was all mine this morning!

 Win #3!!!

Sucks for them,
because today just happens to be the western livestock parade!!! 

& during lunch- they are parading livestock down 17th street, and yours truely- has a picture perfect window view:) Aweome Denver! Livestock pararade on a random Tues in January?

tuesday.

I get off the lightrail as usual.

It's mildly cold out, so i start speed walking to the office-

out of nowhere- through the corner of my eye, i see this man speed walking to try and pass me...

it's on, man! I wore flats today, and i'll beat you to that crosswalk!  I speed up.

So does he! 

now it's obvious this dude wants to race. 

we both hit the cross walk at the same time, 

red light.

so now we're waiting...standing right next to eachother... 

it's like a drag race on foot.

 I check him out- shades, black leather jacket, dude doesn't want to lose.

Green light!

He takes off- i'm still judging him... get a late start.

Now my building is coming up on the left- and i'm about 4 steps behind.....

Screw it!

I take a quick starter hop, and run past him into my building!!!

Win #4!!!

So exhilerating!
 I just beat "speed racer ron" (affectionately named by me)

Hang a right to the elevator lobby.

press the button.

waiting for my sweet elevator....

You'll never guess who comes around the corner, stands next to me, waitin' for the same set of elevators....

Study Day

I have the day off work today to study for the audit section of the CPA test. Problem is- of course, I don't want to study. 

It's sooooo hard to focus when I have work stuff piled up, an impressive pile of dirty laundry, or rather, I don't know if it's dirty or clean so i made one big pile. AND.... a dog who has been in the house all week due to in-climate snowy weather, and is dying to go on a walk!

Makes me think of a quote- shared with me by Ckells- a quote she heard at the Jim Gaffigan show...

Sometimes, when you have a lot to do-

 don't you  just want to take a nap?

Yes,  JIM , I do. But i can't, because that would be stupid and un-productive.

I'm thinking about quitting my job and becoming a photographer. 

I don't know anything about photography, but there is this place called the Denver Darkroom where I'm going to take some classes- 

I've been told i should take the classes before i leave my profession... whatever. 

Back to Studying!

hahaha! Who are we kidding here? 

Time to start studying! 

Somebody needs to disconnect my internet (emily- if you're reading this, you're probably the closest) - then i might get things accomplished.  

Or just take a nap until it comes back on:)

My 2010 Resolutions

It's January 6th, and i need to make some 2010 resolutions!

SO...i'll Post them, you can see them, & I'll keep you updated ON my progress:)

1. Get A picture with the elusive neighbor dean.

2. Work out 4 days a week (I've been slacking), look for neighbor dean at the gym- he works out there too... get in good with him, then the picture possibilities are endless!

3. Blog twice a week- we're getting into busy season here people-you'll be lucky if you get 2!

4. Wash more dishes, we don't have a dishwasher. Some days i think it's Luke. Then he reminds me it's not. Crap.

5.Use bigger words, especially while blogging. (elusive, check)

6. Get another dog- name her Chloe.


7. Finish the CPA tests... ah, whatever. So close, just need to finish strong and be done with it! 

Looks good, productive, and manageable.

Alright, now down to business. I've been thinking- at what age do we stop being 
young,
 trendy,
 attractive, 
and become mom-ish?


 DON'T WORRY. I think it's at least like 30 or 35. 


I saw this lady the other day, cute haircut, cute pink top, THEN I noticed her mom jeans, and pink crocs? 
And I said to myself... "she's on the edge, she is about to go overboard, she's let herself go- from the waist down" She was holding on to the last bit of herself with the cute pink blouse- but mom-ness was upon her.


 i know this because she was accompanied by what looked like a 10 year old-
i'm not good with kid ages, never had one, never really been around one for too long- So I'm guessing 10. The point is, she was a mom. 


Anyway, just a thought. 


When you find yourself thinking mom jeans- don't do it. 

Anyway... technically I consider myself a mom- I've got a 3 year old, and one on the way (please see new years resolution #6)


Here is a picture I took of my angel girl today... isn't she adorable! 

Ok, I'm a proud momma, one more!