You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December, 2007.
I haven’t made any 2008 resolutions yet. I’m pretty sure I didn’t make any for 2007. My work goals are due in two weeks, so I have some creative thinking to do.There are things I need to improve in my life. Shocking news: I’m not perfect. And, no, I never claim to be. I also have some big changes coming up this year. Ok, not so many changes, but getting married is a BIG change. Even though we’re living together already, I think the relationship still changes once a couple is pronounced man and wife. I’ll also have a new job this year. I don’t know what it will be yet, but I know it’s coming.
I’d love to have more patience. I am the most impatient person I know. Hurry hurry hurry, and they’re not going fast enough, and why is that person so slow, and (my favorite) just let ME do it. It’s bad. I wish I had just been born patient. Since I wasn’t, I’m going to have to work at it. And I am hoping that practice, if not makes perfect, at least improves.
I’d love to lose 10 pounds. Yeah yeah, that’s what all women say. But I think 10 would be just right. More importantly, I need to get back to eating more fruits and vegetables and less processed food. Before I met E, I was at my lowest weight ever. I was exercising 90 minutes a day, eating only vegetables for dinner and oatmeal for breakfast. My cholesterol was off-the-charts amazing. I was so healthy. Enter man who can eat whatever he wants and not gain weight, and this girl likes to think she can do the same, but knows she really can’t. Sucks. But I liked being the healthier me, and if that means slimmer me, then so be it.
I’d love to read more books. And I think that includes watching less TV, and being online less. Which, really, will probably be good for me. Maybe I’ll pull together a list of twelve books to read and aim for one per month. One I want to read is WILD SWANS by Jung Chang.
I’d love to take a class. I’ve been out of college long enough that the thought of taking a class again doesn’t scare me. Only this time I want to take a fun class. Something interesting that never seemed to fit in with a management degree. I also want to take a foreign language class. Or, I’d like to take a cooking class. I’m a good cook, and baker, but I’d like to expand. I’d like to try some new things and branch out from the basic chicken and pasta or homemade pizza.
Another goal is to maybe draw out the lurkers visiting my blog. I know you’re there…I see the stat info. This is my invitation for you to introduce yourself. Let me know what your goals are for 2008. Or a class you’d like to take. Or a book you’d like to read, or think I should read. Don’t be shy.
I had a very nice Christmas. Always so nice to see family and to be myself without anyone judging. I just love that my family accepts me for who I am - faults and all. But that’s for another post. Today I want to talk about the one thing that bothered the hell out of me.
E and I arrived at his dad’s house before his dad and dad’s wife got there. We were just hanging out. Dad’s wife had the Christmas cards all on display in some sort of tree-shaped holder, so I was looking at the picture cards from E’s cousins. Then, at the very top of the holder, I noticed another picture card of a little girl. It had the names of Dad, Mom and Little Girl on the card. I thought it was another of E’s cousins I didn’t know, so I asked him. He said it’s from his ex-girlfriend. Yep.
E and this girl have not been together for probably seven years or so. I just could not (still cannot) imagine why she is sending Christmas cards to his dad and wife. And, even if they remained friends, why not send a picture of the whole family?? Obviously this little girl came along after E and she broke up and she got married. Yes, I asked E if it was his daughter. Couldn’t help it after that little thought started nagging in my head. He said no. Oh, and E’s mom did not receive a card from ex-girlfriend.
I’ve actually met this ex-girlfriend before, back when they first broke up. I know they were together quite a while. Any time I ask E about her, he pretends I didn’t even ask a question - as in, doesn’t answer. I respect that he maybe just doesn’t want to talk about her. But I’d like to at least know WHY they broke up. Was it him? Was it her? And I don’t want to go running to his mom to ask. I trust E, and know there’s nothing going on between him and this ex. I know I should probably just let it go, and usually I don’t even give her a thought. But it’s things like this that set my little imaginative mind a-whirl.
Update: I apoligized to E for insulting him by asking if the girl was his. It was rude of me and I realized I was being stupid. And, no, I don’t have a problem with E talking to or being friends with women. I just made it out in my head to be something more than it really was. Oh well.
Sunday was a snow day. E and I shoveled the drive around 9am - unfortunately it wasn’t done snowing yet. We had some breakfast, and the baking began. I made dough for sugar cookies and put it in the refrigerator to chill. Then came the chocolate chip cookies. Then blondies. Then the sugar cookies. By then, the sun had come out, so I went back out to shovel the last couple inches of snow. Then I put a pizza in the oven (”it’s not delivery…”) for dinner. It was a busy day with all the mixing, baking, cleaning, mixing, baking, cleaning and so on.
Monday was a fairly uneventful day. I went to work.
Tuesday was my birthday. I decided to do some Christmas shopping, and in the process lost my expensive, and very favorite, sunglasses that E bought me that day we got engaged. I retraced all of my steps and tried to find them. Of course no one had turned them in at any store. I was devastated. Seriously, can I not have anything nice? At all? Without screwing it up? I called E in tears and cancelled lunch b/c I couldn’t eat. We both arrived home about the same time and he had bought me flowers. Which made me cry more. THEN, we went to the mall where he bought me a new pair of the exact sunglasses. Which made me feel guilty. But, also, he’s my hero!
Tuesday evening, we went to my nephew’s kindergarten class Christmas program. They sang Christmas songs for about 15 minutes, which was about 6.17 minutes too long for a 6-year-old’s attention span. It was very cute and funny, though. We got to see his classroom and some of his artwork. He’s so smart! I’m very proud of him.
Then E and I had a nice birthday dinner, courtesy of a gift card from my brother and sister-in-law.
Wednesday, eh, I worked. After work, my dad took me out for a birthday dinner. Always nice to just sit and talk with him uninterrupted. Then I went to the mall to get E a present to kind of make up for the sunglasses.
Thursday, I came to work only to go out to a going-away breakfast for some people I work with. That was fun - and free! Then met a friend at the mall for some shopping and lunch. Then more shopping. I had a horrible sinus headache, but managed to get to the gym for 1/2 hour. Then home. I napped while E made dinner. Then I fell asleep on the sofa until 10pm when I got up and went to bed.
Today, I woke with a sore throat and stuffed sinuses. I did make it to spinning class and felt pretty good after, but the throat is getting worse. So I’m nursing my gingerbread latte, and thinking about cleaning my MESS of a desk so it’s not so bad when I come back next week after Christmas. Oh, and I came in to find a B&N gift card from a co-worker - very nice! Oh, and it’s pay day. Yay!
How long will it take before the Spears family is given their own camera crew and we have a new reality TV show?
Anyone?
How about names?
* The Spears Bunch (that’s how we all became…)
* The Facts of Life (someone needs to teach them)
Man, I’m tired today or I could probably think of more.
Today is my birthday. Or the anniversary of my birth. However you want to look at it. I’m not so young anymore, but still have many years ahead of me (I hope!).
In honor of my birthday, I’ll share some reasons I’m happy to be alive:
My family and friends. I hate to think where I would be without them. Certainly a lot less happier, whole, and sane. They’re funny and crazy and I love them all beyond words.
E. He has his own category. We have such an amazing relationship. We don’t fight, we take pleasure in the small things as much as the big, we have enough in common and enough differences to keep things interesting, and we have great love and respect for each other.
Sunshine, snow, green trees and colorful flowers in spring, bright colors and crisp air in fall, the freshness after a nice rain.
A smile or kind word from a stranger, helpful people, movie endings so happy they make me cry, honesty, sincerity, new blog friends, and text messaging.
Freedom (limited tho it may seem), choices, travel, new people, languages and experiences.
An upcoming wedding and trip to Italy, a great pair of jeans, a good haircut, lots of shoes, massages and pedicures.
Now I’m off to do some shopping, pamper myself, and meet E for lunch.
There, I said it. And I’m not ashamed of it. I like things to be useful. I like things that serve more than one purpose even more. I like things that are useful and/or cute and/or fun all rolled into one. I like articles of clothing that can be worn with many other articles of clothing.
My mom told me once that I am her “practical child”. She’s ok with it, she just doesn’t want me to miss out on fun things because I might consider them impractical. I have my impracticalities - just ask Carol at Starbucks. Or look at my shoe closet. Wait! Shoes ARE practical.
So, if I were to receive something like a stuffed animal for my birthday…my I’m-not-younger-than-8-years-old-anymore birthday…yeah, I might not appreciate it as much as the giver would like. Yes, I like the thought. Yes, I love that I got a gift. Yes, it’s cute. It’s just not me.
If anyone wants to send me a fun, practical gift for my birthday (tomorrow!), please do.
Like this lovely watch from Fossil. Functional jewelry!
Or this lasagna pan from Le Creuset. How else could you serve lasagna so prettily?
I’m excited to be participating in the 2nd Annual Blog Crush Day - co-founded by these two ladies: Sizzle and Sandra.
So, pull up a chair and sit for a minute while I tell you about my crush. I think this woman is pretty great. She is amazing and entertaining, and the kind of person with whom I would want to have a beer. She writes with honesty and wit. She’s made me laugh out loud, and sometimes brought me to tears with her posts. I look forward to reading her blog every day. Also, she’s hot! And is a shining example that girls with short hair can be sexy. (Amen!) And, if (online) personality and looks aren’t enough - you should hear her sing!
Here’s hoping it doesn’t look like I’m sucking up, and without further ado, my blog crush - Sizzle!
“You can do what you have to do, and sometimes you can do it even better than you think you can.” Jimmy Carter
Everyone has a quote (or eleven) that is meaningful to them. Each person’s quote guides their work and daily activities. For me, it is the quote above. I have this quote written on a piece of paper and hung near my computer where I can see it daily. It means something to me in nearly all I do. It is a quote that can speak to a lot of people.
We’ve all had days where we get the seemingly impossible work project that’s due two days ago. Or the days where we are expected to purchase Sharing Tree gifts when we’re pretty spent between family gifts and monthly bills. Or the days we choose to write a letter to lawmakers about an issue we feel they are, or are not, handling well. It can be as simple as waiting our turn in line when the cashier is painfully slow. My first thought in tough situations tends to be, “Are you kidding me? Yeah, like I can do this.” But I take a deep breath and think about all of the other things I’ve done, and I think, Yes, I CAN do this.
Often I feel small…too small to make a difference…and overwhelmed. But, to use another quote - this one from Mother Teresa, “In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.” I believe that. I don’t think I’ve ever done one great thing in my life. Even graduating from college was accomplished by completing a bunch of small tasks that added up. I think the small and overwhelming feelings come from thinking I have to do it all. I don’t have to do it all. I can’t. But I can do something. However insignificant it may seem, I can do something.
We are smart, literate and caring people who live in a shared world. We all can do a lot more than we think we can. I’m not perfect. My priorities are sometimes screwed up. Some nights I would rather just sit on the sofa and watch TV. Other times I remind myself that I need to do my part to help make this a better world. Even if that is just giving a compliment, or letting someone go ahead of me in line, or sending an email to lawmakers. I do these things because I can, because I care, and because I hope it will make a difference.
Yesterday, E and I went to a professional football game with a two other couples. We had a good time, even though our team lost, but the one thing that kept bothering me was the wife in the one couple-set.
She is one of those people who has a strong opinion on everything and isn’t afraid to voice it…even if there’s no tactful way to do so. She commented on everything from her husband’s family, to my expensive Starbucks coffee, to the traffic, to people around us, and on and on.
She made quite a few comments about the children in her husband’s family. I thought, If I were to have kids, I wouldn’t even want her to meet them. I’d be concerned she’d go to her next friend and talk about how bad my kids were and how I was doing such a horrible job as mom.
I know, I know, I shouldn’t care so much what others think, but sometimes I do. And I at least have to wallow in it for a bit before I get over myself.
People like that just make it hard to fully enjoy an event or experience. I tired of her comments and judgment and wanted to tell her to shut the hell up, but there’s no way to do that without getting into some sort of argument. I intended to avoid that at all costs.
I wanted to ask her, Is it hard to be so right all the time? To know everything and critique everyone else? Can’t we all just do our thing, not hurting anyone, and accept that others might do the same?
On a happier note, I have the day off! Except for a performance review conference call I had this morning.
Happy Friday!
Without further ado, and for your viewing pleasure, here are samples of wedding bands I WANT. Not that I will necessarily get them. There is this funny thing called money of which I never seem to have enough… But this girl is staying optimistic. Even in a funky job situation.
So, here is my engagement ring.
This band is similar to the one I found at the jeweler’s. It’s princess cut and baguettes together. I like it because the alternating stones give it some texture.
This is the other kind I’d like. Just straight princess cut channel set.
I think either one would go well with the ring I have. Otherwise, it will be a simple band, and I’ll hint at one of these for a future anniversary.
There was big work drama this week. I think I will end up ok. I’m hoping to move to another department here. I will probably know more after the first of the year. So, I will just get my Christmas shopping done, enjoy the holidays, and see what the new year brings.
On a happier note…I went to our jeweler to look at wedding bands last night. I think I found a contender. Beautiful! I also happened to notice some gorgeous diamond hoop earrings while I was there. Just saying. You know, in case someone felt like buying me a gift.
I get home and was telling E all about the beautiful jewelry, and how she still had the band that he liked and blah blah blah. And then he writes out a check to pay the water bill. A bill that I am supposed to pay, and would have paid. Tomorrow, when I get paid. It wouldn’t have been late. The water would not have been shut off. But, I felt like such a tool. I said that I would have taken care of it. Then I apologized for talking about diamonds when I can’t even pay the water bill.
Anyway, after the jeweler, and before going home, I stopped by my brother and sister-in-law’s house. Mostly to see my niece and nephew. Both of them were in a really good mood - not always the case as one of them tends to be cranky, tired, hungry, or sick. So I danced Claire (5 months old) around a bit and sang to her. And played “tum det me” (come get me) with Isaiah (almost 3 years old). He says “tum det me” and points at his belly. A game of chase around the house follows. Oh, then I got Spiderman webs to the face, and heat vision (which means he closes his eyes really tightly at me and I melt). It’s hilarious!
Tomorrow I have to go get a new picture taken for a new driver’s license. Hope I have a good hair day!
So…my job is moving to Minneapolis, and…I’m not.
For your entertainment…pictures of a contender of the ugliest-dress-in-the-world award. It was huge, and makes me look huge. It’s very much a case of the dress wearing me. I tried it on for the entertainment of my audience. We marched around the corner with Pam (the assistant) singing, “Here comes the bride…all dressed in white…” Everyone in the store got a look. It was pretty funny.
Do you love the little “chandelier” decoration hanging down the back? And the roses on my bum?
I showed all of the pictures from Saturday to my mom (who wasn’t there). Guess which dress she LOVED….wait for it…yes, the big ugly one. I thought she was joking. No. Gah! Could a mom and daughter’s styles be ANY different? I told her if she keeps it up, we WILL elope.
I hate the thought of living out someone else’s princess ideal, even my mom’s. And the ladies at the bridal shops…they have princess ideals. I think you have to if you’re going to work there. Maybe I should work there, so I can help young brides stand up to their moms when the moms are going for the big ugly dress.
I have a girl crush. Ok, I have more than one. Women I admire for their talent, style, personality and (or), well, looks.
But, after a day of being snowed-in, and watching TV all. day. long. I’ll focus on the woman who is probably my number one girl crush:
Samantha Brown - host of various shows on the Travel Channel. Love her! She’s cute, fun and witty. I would love to be her friend and travel the whole world with her. Plus, I think she’s just a tiny bit dorky and that makes her seem more human.
I love that she’s willing to try pretty much anything from local cuisine to crazy adventures. Yes, I know she probably has to do it for the show, but she seems like the type that would try it anyway.
She really appreciates and respects the various cultures. And she has a basic (if not fluent) knowledge of a few foreign languages, so she can at least attempt to converse in the local language.
So, there, Samantha Brown. E thinks its funny, but I think he has a crush on her too.
Went wedding dress shopping again today. I may have found IT. It is a contender. There is one other dress I need to track down and try on.
It was a lot more fun this time. A few of my friends and E’s mom came with me. We had lots of laughs at the expense of a few bad dresses. Yes, I tried some on for the hell of it. There may or may not be pictures.
The biggest problem: The fact that I am, apparently, not a normal bride. A quote from one of the girls at the shop when trying to explain what I wanted: “We cater to brides.” Uh, yes, last time I checked, I am a bride to be. Ok, I’m not the stereotypical young bride with stars in her eyes and an ideal she’s had since age 10. I’m very much new to this whole thing, and have no idea what I want. But I know that I like simple and tasteful, and those two things look very nice on me.
Anyway, my girl, Pam (dress assistant) was great. And let me try on all kinds of things for the sake of my friends’ entertainment even though I wasn’t going to buy them.
I also tried on the prettiest green dress. Like spring green. Pretty green. Can I wear green?
