So, I figured since I've been on hold with the Tennessee Unemployment office for the past 20 minutes, I might as well sign in and post on my blog! The unemployment call center really needs to hire some additional people to decrease this hold time....I mean, it's not like they don't have plenty of people to choose from.. I'm still working 1 day per week at my previous job but I am still qualified for benefits, as long as I am not making more than my weekly benefit from the unemployment insurance.

Just got off the phone, finally. My call log says I was on the phone 1 hour and 1 minutes. WOW! I haven't been on the phone that long since I was in college! I really hope the economy turns around soon. I know the job market will take a while to recover but there are so many people without work. Something needs to change soon. Speaking of change, where's all the good changes Obama promised? I haven't seen anything. But I wasn't really expecting it, that's why I didn't vote for him. Something's gotta give. Have you heard that song by Sugarland? I love it. One of my favorite bands. Jennifer Nettles voice is so distinctive, beautiful, and strong.

I'm just skipping along from topic to topic in this post, huh?

Man, Fall is ALL around me! This weather in East TN the past couple of days is marvelous! Highs barely getting into the 70s and lows dipping into the mid 40s. Heaven, I tell ya! I can see signs that Fall is just around the corner in the leaves too! Many are starting to change. The horses are starting to get a little fuzzy too. I'm going to go groom and saddle the horses so when Steven gets home from work, we can go on a ride together. We haven't ridden in so long. See ya!

Get the bug Mulligan!

Today should officially be dubbed Spider Day! I've had probably 5 encounters with spiders today. One gigantic one in the basement came crawling out when I picked up a towel that was on the floor. Luckily, my wonderful bug eating Dachshund came to my rescue! Then I encountered 3 more cleaning up around the house, and one daddy-long-leg outside the back door. I then saw his friends, about 6 more on the wall outside. Ugh! I HATE spiders....or any bug for that matter. Maybe I should call an exterminator?

Homemade Bread

I made homemade bread! Yes, REAL homemade bread. I can't believe it. I've been putting off trying for so long because it just seems sooo hard! But, I found this great recipe here. It's so simple, I've already made a 2nd loaf as well! Steven loves it which made me feel really good. I've never thought of myself as a good cook, or even decent for that matter. So, hearing how much he liked it really boosted my confidence. I found this recipe too. Doesn't it look yummy? I am looking forward to Fall so much. It is beautiful here in East Tennessee during Fall. It's my favorite season (besides the Christmas season :)

I've begun decorating the house for Fall too. I've put up my fall wreath, this little tin scarecrow, and wire pumpkin (both hold candles) and also this tin sign that I picked up a the thrift store. I'll have to remember to snap some pictures of them. I still have a box of fall decor down in the basement somewhere. I've been putting off going to get it because I absolutely HATE basements. I'm convinced this is why our laundry is always behind. It's just too buggy, damp, moldy and dark. And since we are renting, we really can't do anything about it. Oh well. I'll try to remember those pictures!

Labor Day Weekend

Wasn't full of too much action but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Most of the time was spent lounging around the house, either watching tv or chasing kittens......Anybody want one? We have got to find homes for them soon. In our green room, we do not have a door...only a child's gate which the kittens have no learned to climb and escape. We have tried to put cardboard, plastic tops, anything we can think of to keep them in but nothing has worked yet. They are cute though. I was thinking of advertising them with a $25 gift certificate to go towards having them spayed / neutered. *If we can afford to*

I'm still working but it won't be for too much longer. I can't remember if I mentioned it but the company I work for is going out of business. I'm only sticking around to finalize things with the accounting mess. Afterwards, I will start looking for a new job. In the meantime, I will try to get the house straight. I feel horrible that we are still practically living out of boxes. I just wish Steven and I could move somewhere that we actually own so I don't feel like we will have to move as soon as I get the house half way how I want it. I get so frustrated sometimes because we are still renting. I know we aren't married yet but we have been together for 3.5 yrs and have lived together for pretty much 2.5 yrs. We have a lot of debt from student loans and such from college so we cannot buy a house. It's really frustrating when I talk to my friends from high school and they all own their own home, are married, and most even have children. I feel like I'm really behind because I went to college. And It's Not Fair!

I know I'm whining....I'll stop. Ugh!


On another note, we haven't gotten to ride at all! Seems like when we plan to, it rains....or we get stuck driving T-posts instead.....