Over the last few days I’ve read a lot of words about how people are irritated with other people. Most of it is based on politics as the VP candidates are picked and conventions are held. But some of it is based on family, friends, work and culture. Blogs, news outlets, radio broadcasts - I’m constantly hearing it: People are irritated. And they’re talking about it. A LOT.

Now, let me tell you: I have a lot I’d like to bitch about today. This entry actually has started down several different paths. Various themes this entry almost took:

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Why did Target switch to the crappy bags?

How can you believe that two women are interchangable just because of their common ground of…not having a penis?

Why are Junior High kids so damn mean?

Please put your DAMN SHOPPING CART IN THE BIN. I’m sick of putting them back for you.

Listen. I got pregnant at 18 and it was unplanned. Please quit making me feel like that is somehow my parent’s fault and indicates that they are lesser people because of it. And quit making it sound like that unplanned pregnancy is something equatable to murder or theivery.
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Most days I feel better after bitching. I seriously do. Something about getting the crap off my chest makes me able to finally let go of what is irritating me. But, something about this weekend - maybe I worked too hard, or got too little sleep - I’m suddenly not feeling better by bitching. Actually, I’m feeling worse.

So, today? I’m going to be positive. I’m going to try to focus on the things that don’t annoy me. Here is a list of a few things that make me NOT annoyed and therefore NOT in a bitchy mood.

• Cascadian Farms Organic Cinnamon Raisin Granola. OMG. I’ve been eating this stuff in vanilla yogurt every day for breakfast and I love it. I actually look forward to breakfast because it makes me so happy.
• The Fall TV Season and this most awesome printable premier calendar. I challenge you to highlight yours more often than I have.
• My oldest son who proves every day that he may possibly be the most awesome kid on the planet.
• The color magenta.
• It looks like our family that had homes destroyed by Katrina escaped Gustav relatively unscathed.
• My van. We drove it on our first road trip this weekend and not only did it provide entertainment to NikkiZ (built-in DVD players ROCK) but it provided adequate storage for moving stuff to my Mom’s new place. I think I would marry my minivan if I could. I kiss it often.
• My brother. We laughed so hard this weekend that I teared up when I said “goodbye” to him. I hate that he lives so far away. Of course, he and I both know that if we spent too much time together that constant laughter would turn into beatings. Like it does with all siblings. And I would sooo kick his ass. Like a big sister should.

I’m know there are more and I’m going to do my best to stay positive all this week on my blog. Bitching - even about mild things like dry skin on my feet - seems to not do much for my mood lately. I’m going to try to combat my constant irritation these last few weeks with OBNOXIOUS OPTIMISM. Anyone want to join me? What’s making you smile today?

This picture (taken by my brother) is included in case you had nothing to smile about. If this didn’t make you smile, you must be dead inside.

I went to my OB yesterday and he prescribed me some antibiotics for a possible sinus infection and ear infection. This would make me feel better if it weren’t for the fact that this will have NO effect on my allergies which are the actual things making me miserable right now.

However, while I was waiting to get my Rx filled, I was browsing the pharmacy section at Target. And do you know what I found? DO YOU? I found Puffs Plus with VICKS. Have you heard of such a thing? I had not but since I was, at that moment, struggling to breathe — I bought a box. And I have carried them around like a baby ever since. THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL.

I hold one in front of my face at all times and use it as a type of filter. The Vicks Vapor Rub goodness keeps my nasal passages clear while the Puffs Plus goodness keeps the skin on my nose from falling off every time I blow. It is the best combination since Peanut Butter met Honey and made a sandwich for me. I am in LOVE.

Now, I would not recommend using these tissues as your standard around-the-house tissues. They are very strong with the Vicks goodness and probably not what the casual sneeze or sniffle needs. However, if you use any other Vicks products when you’re sick/congested…THEN YOU MUST USE THESE. I would marry them if I could.

Okay. I’m done freaking out about facial tissues — I’ll get back to looking for a life now.

• The “Shared Items” via Google Reader. If you use Google Reader and share items that you like, then let me know so I can add you as a contact and see your shared items. I’ve gotten tons of great reads from that little function and I’d love more.
• James Rollins fictions. They have been my husband’s faves for awhile and I finally gave them a chance a few months ago and I am currently reading the 2nd to last one before I’ve read them all. If you like Indian Jones Adventures as well as Dan Brown type cryptogram or religious mysteries, I suggest you check them out.
• Diablo Cody’s articles on the last page of periodic issues of Entertainment Weekly.
• Not having a cell phone. Seriously! At first it stressed me out that it had perished amidst the cough syrup spill of 2008, but I’m kinda feeling a little free now without it!
• Ali from The Biggest Loser. I find her drive inspiring and her competitiveness remarkable. I also think she is totally sexy hot now and I want to be her when I grow up.
• Peanut Butter and Honey sandwiches. Damn my husband for introducing them to me, I would eat them at every meal if I could.

(Is it Give-Away? Or Giveaway? Firefox approves of both of them.)

I’ve mentioned in passing that I finally got back into reading this year. I’ve always been a big reader but life has kept me from books the first two years of NikkiZ’s existence. I think I just got too busy and the only books I read were the Harry Potter books when they were released.

But this year? It’s been completely different. I rediscovered my love of teen/young adult fiction for the first half of the year. It started with the Twilight books back in January when I bought a copy for myself and for my sister-in-law. After demolishing those three books in less than a week (The fourth comes out August 2nd if you’re wondering), I hit the James Patterson Maximum Ride Series since I love him so much as an adult fiction writer. Both series were fantastic and have books coming out this year to add to them. I love series book.

Since I’ve mentioned my love of Teen Fiction reading, a certain blogfriend mentioned that her brother writes for that general age group and had a big book release coming up. She sent me a link to the book’s website The 13th Reality as well as her brother’s blog. I was immediately interested in this new series. I asked begged for her to get me an autographed copy when he signed books in Atlanta and sent her the money before she was even able to say “Yes” - giving her no choice in the matter. But - she did better. She got me two autographed copies. One that has mine and LilZ’s name in it, and another just signed. They arrived on Friday and I’ve been hatching a plan for the second autographed copy ever since.

So - I’m hosting my first giveaway! LilZ and I were both in the middle of reading different books when the package arrived on Friday, and he has since finished his book and is over halfway through The 13th Reality. He is forcing me to stay up late every night (I was up until MIDNIGHT Saturday…that is SO LATE for me!) to finish the book I’m reading so I can start on The 13th Reality. He says it’s THAT GOOD. If I had the brain capacity to read two books at once, I would, but that never turns out well. I’ll surely have it done by Friday, but until then, LilZ would like you all to know that THE BOOK IS SO GOOD.

For the drawing, I’m going to ask you all for either (A) Your favorite author/book when you were a tween/teen or (B) Your favorite teen/tween writer as an adult if you are like me and love reading children’s fiction. Anyone who leaves an author name or book title will be entered in a drawing to win an autographed copy of The 13th Reality. And you’ll just have to trust me - this will be a very prized possession for whoever wins it. I’ll do the drawing on FRIDAY and I’ll put the book in the mail before the post office closes that day. You must leave a valid email when you comment so I can get your mailing address from you when you win. So - go for it! Tell me what Teen/Tween/Young Adult Fiction writers you love the most!

(Of course - if you just want to hurry and buy your own copy - here is the link on Amazon for you to do so.)

Update To The Contest - I’m halfway through the book already and it’s so good that I’m expanding the contest.

1st place is still the autographed copy of the book.
2nd place is an autographed poster with a non-autographed copy of the book that I bought tonight and haven’t touched since I came home from Barnes & Noble.
3rd place is a non-autographed copy of the book that I bought tonight and kinda read a little bit while I waited for my son to finish with MY copy. So it’s kinda used. Partially. Like…100 pages are used and the rest are BRAND SPANKIN’ NEW. Sorry. But still! Free! Great! Book!

Contest is now over! Winners will be posted today!

We went to the grocery store this morning and I did two things the average customer does not probably do. I put a buggy back I saw in front of the door, and I closed a Coke Refrigerator that was left open by the cash registers. Why, exactly, do I do this? Why do I feel more of a need to tend to things at my grocery store than I do my home? I’ll walk by the empty dog food bowl all day hoping someone else will feed them. But at Super Target, if something is out of place and I can easily fix it, I do. Because they have brainwashed me, that’s why. I have this uncontrollable compulsion to do anything I can to make Super Target the best place in the planet. If I hear someone talk about preferring another grocery store? I take it personally. Like, somehow, Super Target belongs to me and if you prefer Publix, then you can’t BE MY FRIEND ANYMORE.

What is WRONG with me? I’ve also cleaned up messes on the floor and picked up clothes that have fallen off the racks. I’ve helped other customers find things (Do YOU know where the diabetic socks are? I do.) and I’ve alerted staff if there’s broken glass in an aisle. I’ve even gone so far as to call and talk to a manager and praise employees if they’ve gone beyond the call of duty in my presence.

Man. Now that I’ve said all of that out loud? It sounds even worse than it did in my head. Do you think I’m maybe trying to be the Valedictorian of Super Target? Do you think Heather has already claimed that? Either way - they totally need to hire me for PR or Marketing or something. I think it’s my destiny. Either that - or it’s my destiny to be banned from their facility for life for freaking out the employees. One of the two.