You are currently browsing the monthly archive for October, 2007.
Apple pie. My favorite. My mom makes the best. She said mine was pretty darn good though. Score!
Baking. I love to bake. I rock the cakes, cookies, bread and muffins, but pies? Not so much. Why? Because I NEED to make homemade pie crusts and I could never get them right. Practice makes perfect, and I’m getting there. I am also a good cook.
Claire. My niece - cutest baby ever. She was born in June of this year. I love that she can just hang out and observe without crying or fussing.
Dress shopping, Wedding. Sucks. I hate to say it, but I just want PLAIN. I was trying to avoid the word plain in favor of unadorned, pure, even simple would work. But I think the ladies at the bridal dress shops are going to have to hear the word Plain. And then they’re probably going to tell me to go elsewhere because really, who wants to be PLAIN at their wedding? Whatever, because that may be where I’ve found the one. Elsewhere.
E. My fiance. I love him very much. He is everything I could want in a partner. And then some.
Friday - coming soon to a weekend near you.
Green. I have been loving green lately. Pretty green. Not ugly green. You know what I’m talking about.
Honeymoon. E and I are planning to go to Italy. Yes, I know the dollar sucks agains the Euro. Oh well. I’m not going to be one of those people who says some day, some day, some day.
Isaiah. My youngest nephew. Funniest kid ever. The faces he makes are priceless. And when he gets mad and stomps his foot and says, I’m SERIOUS! It’s NOT funny! Yeah, it’s funny.
Jackson. My middle nephew. Probably my favorite. I know, I’m not supposed to have favorites, but he’s my God son, the smallest of the boys, and I feel like I need to look out for him.
Kart racing. It’s what E does for fun. It’s why we’re going to Vegas next month. See here for samples. http://www.kartsportmagazine.com/videos/
Las Vegas. See “K”
Money. Yes, I like it. Yes, I’d like some more. Please.
Nuts! What I usually say instead of the F-word.
Oh how I love crossing things off my to-do list. It’s long, but I am working on it. Also, I love lists.
Patience. I have VERY little of it. Gah, so little. I am working on it. It’s a daily struggle.
Quit giving my tax dollars to people who don’t deserve it.
Reading magazines. I do this regularly. I have many subscriptions. I like to flip through them first and then go back and read everything.
Shopping and Shoes. I love them both.
Toyota. The type of car I just bought.
Ugh. I’m tired of my hair and want to cut it off. I’m trying to grow it out (options for the wedding), but (see “P”) I’m just not sure I’m meant to have long hair.
Very tired and in need of a vacation.
William. My oldest nephew. He started kindergarten this year, and is very smart.
XXX. I’ve been known to watch it. Maybe enjoy it. Just sayin’.
Yes! My friend had her baby last night and I’m going to see them today. Can’t wait!
Zzzz. What I’d like to be doing right now.
Snippet of conversation heard in a bar this weekend:
Female Bartender: Are you talking about those lines you get around your mouth from smoking?
Me: Yes.
FB: I’ve been smoking since I was 15. I’m going to be 40 this year.
Me: Congratulations! That’s really healthy of you. You must be proud.
Funny…that was the end of her wanting to chat.
I got a massage today. I’ve been having a lot of problems with my neck and shoulders. I tend to hunch a lot. Hunch = shoulders reaching towards ears/ears gravitating towards shoulders. It happens when I get tense or stressed. Only now, because I’ve been doing it for so long, I find I am more often in that position than not. Not good.
So Sal, (yes, Sal. A guy. From New Jersey.) went to work on the knots in my shoulders. For an hour and 25 minutes. It was only supposed to be an hour. I’m so not complaining. Unfortunately, I can tell I’m going to be a little sore tomorrow. I’m trying to drink a lot of water, and I’ll lay on the heating pad tonight.
Oh, tonight - pizza and beer night. It’s my favorite. And I’m working from home today. TV is on for company, refrigerator is humming, and I get so much work done. It amazes me how much time is lost from the little daily interruptions at the office. I wouldn’t want to work from home all the time. I kind of enjoy the interruptions…the camaraderie, the gossip, but the once-in-a-while-workdays-at-home are really nice.
PS. I’ve really been wanting to go shopping lately. New clothes, new make up, new hairstyle…new me. Maybe it’s the seasons changing, maybe it’s just time. Not sure. We’ll see what happens.
I’ve read multiple posts lately about break-ups - as in the relationship is going just fine and all of a sudden one person isn’t happy, wasn’t happy all along, and is calling things off. Like, I’m strapping on my life jacket and jumping off this…perfectly sailing ship? Is there something in the blog-water?
This bothers me in an intermittent-when-I-remember-to-think-about-it-way. Like that mole on your hip that you kind of forgot about, then all of a sudden remember and when you look at it, gosh doesn’t it seem bigger than last time and oh my gosh maybe I have cancer. Maybe I should schedule an appointment with the dermatologist.
Let me explain…E and I will be hanging out together - driving somewhere or watching TV or eating dinner and I’ll think how everything is so nice and isn’t it amazing how we just work? Sometimes a thought pops into my head: what if it’s all a big act? What if he secretly hates the whole situation - engaged, living together, ME?? - but hasn’t got the guts to tell me yet. How would I know? I could ask him, but it seems likely he would deny it either way. Is there a test? How would I know he’s not like those people who interview really well, but when they finally get to work, they all-out-suck?
Then I tell myself to get over it. Because, either way, I love him and there’s not much I could do about it if he did want to leave. So I enjoy the fact that we get along so well. Although sometimes it stinks that I’m a morning person and he’s a night owl. And I trust that he’s with me because he loves me and truly wants to spend the rest of his life with me.
That’s what I have in mind.
The weather was so beautiful this weekend, and I got so much done, that I didn’t want it to end. Why can’t work weeks be 3-4 days long and weekends be 3-4 days long? Doesn’t that seem more fair?
Saturday, E and I went to tour a house being built by people we know for a family of four. It’s 7400+ square feet! For a family of 4! I have no idea why they need that much space. There’s 9 bathrooms. Ok, 9 toilets - some are full baths and some are half. And there’s a kitchen on the main floor and one in the basement. Yes, two full kitchens. Excessive. And that’s a LOT of cleaning.
I’m giving blood today. No, I don’t like it. Nor do I like needles. Yes, I feel good about doing it. I like to think I’ve helped save lives. I’m just over 3 gallons donated. How’s that for some icky Halloween-related gore?
I have to make an appointment with the woman we bought my ring from. I want to get E’s mom’s original engagment diamond reset into a pendant, and I have a pair of diamond stud earrings in yellow gold that I want to get reset into white. Yes, this makes me sound like I am dripping in diamonds. Trust me, they’re not big. The three of them together probably do not equal 1 carat. And my other reason for going is to look at wedding bands. !! I want for her to tell me that the kind I want is fabulously affordable and I will just whip out my wallet and pay for it in cash and still have change. Hey, if you’re gonna dream, dream big.
Here’s to a great week!
It was a lazy evening at home for Boy and Girl. She was watching TV, he was playing on the computer. Hey, Boy says, let’s go to *special place* this year. We talked about it all last summer and never went. Sure, that sounds good! Girl replies. Let’s go for the first weekend it opens which happens to be Cinco de Mayo, and it’s always a big party weekend there, Boy continues. Ok, whatever works, Girl says.
The day of departure to *special place* dawns sunny and crisp. They pack warm clothes, and their bikes and set off on a small road trip to the destination. Upon arrival, Boy and Girl check into their hotel, drop off their luggage, and set off on their bikes. It’s a little colder there, and windier, but the physical activity of biking keeps them warmer than the weak sunshine.
They bike around to the tourist sites - some natural, some manmade. At one point, Boy and Girl have to climb a set of stairs to reach *special place’s* highest point. They make the climb and enjoy the view, appreciating the moment of rest after the biking and climb. Girl turns to go, but Boy takes her by the arms. Girl, thinking he wants to kiss or something, turns and looks at Boy questioningly. Boy looks down at his hand. Girl also looks down, spots the small gold and diamond ring perched at the tip of Boy’s finger, and her eyes fly back up to meet Boy’s. Boy says, Would you like to spend the rest of your life with me? Girl says, enthusiastically, YES! Then they kiss. Boy explains about the ring: It’s my mom’s original engagement ring. It’s only meant as a place holder until we buy one for you. I didn’t want to pick out something you wouldn’t like.
Later, in the hotel room, after Boy surprises Girl with a bottle of wine and cheese and crackers, he mentions how surprised he is she didn’t cry. Girl confesses she was too shocked to cry. Then she does.
Later, Girl questions Boy about his proposal. Boy explains, Some people don’t consider marriage to be permanent, so I didn’t want to ask you to just marry me. I wanted you to know that I intend to spend the rest of my life with you, and want to be sure you want the same.
Later, Boy and Girl find perfect diamond and perfect setting to make a perfect engagement ring.
And they’ll live happily ever after.
It wasn’t awful, but I didn’t find THE ONE.I tried on about 25 dresses. I liked certain things about most of them. I did not like the long trains or tons of beading - I am looking for something simpler. The store I went to carries the designer of the one dress I have found online that I LOVE, but (of course) they didn’t have that dress to try one. Nuts!
So I would try on a dress and say, I don’t like this much train, maybe I could try something smaller, but I do like the top blah blah. So the next dress out would be something with a similar top, but with a train as big as the first one. So I would say again, I don’t like this much train… Gah! Apparently I am not fitting the traditional bride stereotype - like I didn’t know that already.
Funny thing though…I took my mom with me. She wanted to come alone in case she cried. She didn’t, btw. I remember shopping with her when I was younger and had to rely on parental funds to purchase my clothes. We NEVER had the same taste. Ever. Ever. Guess what? We still don’t. I think she was hoping that I, as her only daughter, would give her the wedding of her dreams. Unfortunately for her, not going to happen. My parents raised me to be independent, and think for myself, and I think that’s kind of backfiring on my mom in this situation. Oops.
Needless to say, she LOVED the ones with the big trains and big skirts and lots of beading. That’s. just. too. much.
Anyway, that store is going to see if they can get the style that I like so I can try it on. And I am going to call around to other shops that carry that designer to see if they have that style.
So, the search continues…
I’m going to try on wedding dresses tonight. Yessiree, no more procrastinating. Wanna know why? We moved the wedding date up, oh, six months. I love me a good deadline!
I also know what kind of wedding band I want. Wanna know what kind? The really expensive kind. With lots of diamonds. That might end up being an anniversary present somewhere down the line, but a girl can dream.
My dad texted me last night just to say he loves me.
Homemade seafood enchiladas taste just as good at lunch the next day. Yum!
I made my very first apple pie yesterday (along with aforementioned enchiladas. Oh and blueberry muffins). Crust and all. It turned out great! I rock.
I went shopping Saturday hoping to buy all kinds of great new fall clothes. Wanna know what I bought? $60 worth of make-up. And that was only 3 items.
Ok, going to take a brisk walk. Wanna know why? I am going to try on wedding dresses tonight, and I need to supplement my lunchtime workout class.
It’s Friday and I am SO happy about it because this week dragged on and on and on. So I’m doing my little happy dance and I’m going to tell you some of the things that make me very happy. Oh yeah, you know want to know.
E - My fiancé. I love him very much. He’s smart and funny and handsome. He makes me laugh even when I don’t want to. Puts up with my mood swings. And on and on with all sorts of other wonderful things about him.
My family. We are so close and such good friends. My parents and brothers and I. I only have brothers. Three. And they have added some pretty great women and children to the family. We laugh a lot, and we’re loud. Gosh are we loud. And funny!
My friends. I don’t have a lot of friends. I guess I’ve always preferred a few close friends to a lot of good acquaintances. But my best friends are great! All that best friends should be.
Sunshine on a crisp fall day. Oh, how I love fall. It is my absolute favorite season. Here, it can last four months or so, or maybe a couple weeks before it snows and winter is here. I always hope for the former. The red and gold on the trees, the bright blue sky, and the thin, but bright, sunshine.
Working out in the morning, and knowing that once the work day is over I can go home to my honey and enjoy the whole evening. Or in this case - the WHOLE weekend.
Finishing a project at work. The one that’s been painful and hard and frustrating. The moment it’s done is such a relief. You file papers, clean out your email, and prepare to begin something new.
Flannel sheets fresh from the dryer. Yes, since we turned on the furnace last night, I’m pretty sure flannel sheets are in order. I love their cozy warmth and softness. And if I’m really good, I’ll wash and put them on the bed tonight so Saturday morning will be a grand snuggle-fest! Yum.
And on that note, I’m signing off to get some work today. Because today? The sooner I am done, the sooner I can leave. And I’m all for leaving early on a Friday. Let’s get this weekend started already! Hope you have a great one!
Why people leave the work kitchen messy. We’re not at YOUR house. Clean up your coffee drips and sandwich crumbs. Yes, you know it was YOU. And we do too.Why people are rude (mean, stupid, etc) to each other - to the point of beating/hurting/killing someone. We’re all in this together. Do something nice for each other once in a while. Or often. Smile at someone. Give a wave. Let someone with only two items go ahead of you and your full shopping cart. I promise to be fast.
People not using their turn signal. Come on. Not only is it courteous, but it’s a law in most, if not all, states. Yes, I looked it up.
Why the most comfortable shoes are often the most ugly. I’m pretty sure cute and comfortable can co-exist in a shoe, but what about sexy and comfortable? *Sigh* I think it’s a sacrifice we must make.
Bad customer service. You don’t have to be nice, per se, but PLEASE help me when I ask, and get off the damn phone call with your best friend/husband/whoever to ring up my purchases! And do NOT answer the phone while you’re handling my transaction and then help that person instead of me. Not cool.
Why my hair has to look horrible on the day I’m going to my stylist. Really, I DO take care of it. It normally looks pretty darn good. Don’t judge.
Why people don’t know how to order their drink at Starbucks. Yes, I’ve seen you here before. You know how THEY say it. Now you say it the same way. Like this, I’d like an grande vanilla soy no whip mocha, please. Don’t forget the please at the end.
Which leads to: Why people don’t say Please and Thank You more often. Seriously, aren’t these the basics you were taught when you were learning to put full sentences together? More juice! turned into More juice, Please. Then a nice, Thank you when you had your sippy cup full of juice. If my nephews can do this, everyone else can too.
Ok, that’s all for now. Yes, I’m sure the list could go one. Feel free to add your own.
Paul Mitchell Super Strong and Redken Extreme Shampoos and Conditioners. I do NOT have supermodel hair. What can I say? It needs help.Redken Styling Products: 06, 09, and 12. And Paul Mitchell Thicken Up (see comment about not having supermodel hair).
Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer. My face has red undertones, among other flaws. Oh, for perfect skin what wouldn’t I do?
Maybelline Superstay Lipcolor. Normal lipstick does not stay on my lips. I need something more like paint - it dries and stays. Otherwise, I just go with nude lips and use…
Blistex Herbal Answer lip balm. I. Love. It. I have to buy it from drugstore.com because the stores in my area don’t carry it anymore. I order 12 tubes at a time. I have one in every coat pocket, in my bag, in my car, at my desk, you name it.
Clinique Touch Base for Eyes. It makes my shadow last ALL day. All day. Comes in a lot of colors to mix and match with eye shadows for different looks.
Maybelline Full n’ Soft Mascara. In Waterproof. Yes, I cry. Happy, sad, frustrated. And if you’re crying, chances are I’ll cry too. I’ve tried all kinds of mascara from expensive to not-so-expensive, and I like this one.
Monday - Turbo Tone class and running. When I got home from work, we went shopping for mums. We ended up with four mums and two arbs. The mums are beautiful - dark orange and dark red - and currently decorating the front of the house.
Tuesday - Running. As part of our church wedding-prep, E and I took the Myers-Briggs personality test. So, Tuesday, we met with a woman to receive our results and have her explain things a bit. The whole point of this is to help us understand the other person better. This will help with communication, and handling the little and not-so-little things that come with being married. And the results are (drum roll, please….) I am ISTP and E is ENTJ. Maybe I’ll use a post to explain this one day, otherwise you’ll have to do some Google research if you want to know what’s up.
Wednesday - Turbo Tone. Wednesday was my night out with my girls. We had a great time, as usual. Isn’t it funny some of the things you end up discussing in a night out with girls? The good, the bad and the ugly.
Thursday - Yoga class. And (my favorite) pizza and beer night. Always a nice, stress-free evening. PLUS!! And you know you’re getting older when you get excited about this… (another drum roll, please….) We got our new washer and dryer yesterday!! They’re cavernous! I think I could fit into either one. You know, if I were more flexible. Oh, and if I wanted to. And, oh so quiet. I had to keep checking to see when the washer was done. It needs a buzzer like the dryer.
Friday - Spinning class. Took the coins to the credit union this morning - another addition to the vacation fund. Mailed my Halloween cards. Yes, a little early, but that’s how I (in an odd way) roll. Grabbed a frappucino and came to work. Wearing jeans today, but I forgot a belt. I HATE that.
Tonight, E and I are going to dinner with his mom and her husband at one of my favorite places. YUM! Good thing for early morning exercise. Tomorrow, we have to power rake the lawn. Yeah, I know you’re jealous. I would be too. And plant some trees and mums. Sunday is a free day, so I’m hoping to go shopping.
Before I moved in with E earlier this year, I lived alone for a little over 5 years. Sounds kind of sad, but really it was great! I have great friends, and always had something to do if I wanted to. IF I wanted to. If I didn’t, well then I did not have to do a damn thing.
Sometimes I miss that. I think I just miss how quiet it could be. I’m surrounded by phone calls, co-workers, people talking all day long. Yes, I contribute to it, too. But going home after a good workout at the gym or being out with friends was something to look forward to.
I would read my mail, maybe read some magazines or a book, call a friend, have some dinner (if I hadn’t already). Maybe I would turn the TV on, maybe not. Sometimes I would stand in the shower until the hot water ran out. Whatever I did, it was all up to me. All. Me. And quiet.
Now, it’s I don’t know, what do YOU want for dinner? I don’t know, what do YOU want to do tonight? Yes, we both play that game. The TV seems to be on a lot. Not much reading gets done. There’s always housekeeping things to attend to.
So would I give it up to have my quiet life back?
No, because I also get a big hug and kiss when I get home (which may turn into more right then!), being able to vent about my day (and someone to make me laugh even if it’s been bad), a glass of wine with a handsome man, dinner for two cooked by two (or take out), a steady dinner date if we go out, companionship, and love. Good times. And I’m not giving it up for all the quiet time in the world.
I’m feeling good today. Worked out first thing this morning because I have an appointment this afternoon, and won’t be able to make it to the gym.
I like working out. Whether at the gym or, weather permitting, outdoors it’s just such a great way to relieve stress. Not to mention keep my love of M&M’s and chocolate chip cookies in check. Oh, and pizza. Lasagna. Cake. I love food.
My favorite exercise is walking. I love walking. There are days I feel like I could just start walking and not quit until I’m a state or two away. I can do it in the gym or outside. On a sidewalk or on a dirt trail. With the sun shining or a few inches of snow on the ground. I can do it alone to give my thoughts a workout or with someone else to give my voice a workout. Walking is good.
My second favorite is probably my toning class. I love having strength, and being able to do “real” push ups. I like that even though my thighs might be bigger than I like, they are also strong (helps with walking). Yes, I get sweaty and sore, but it’s all good.
I like the spinning class I take - even tho I can never “stand” as long as the instructor does. I love biking outdoors. Especially this time of year when the leaves are fiery colors and crunch under the tires as I roll along.
I also run, take a yoga class sometimes, use the elliptical machine (usually if I feel like watching TV), and golf. I would like to try rock climbing. And, since I just found out E used to play, maybe take a tennis lesson or two.
If you feel like sharing, tell me your favorite exercise, least favorite exercise, or something you’d like to try. Maybe I’ll get some ideas on what to do to keep it interesting.
P.S. I love photo posts, so expect to see some more in the future. I’m thinking of one to show my obsession with watches. Stay tuned.
