Phoning It In

Well, not literally - not this time anyway. Though I have been known to text in my posts during NaBloPoMo (it does help when it comes to not being near a computer a little before midnight).

Anywho, today I'm speaking metaphorically, talking about the phrase "Phoned It In". Sadly, I think that's what I've done with this month of blogging, not exactly giving it my best. I had high hopes for NaBloPoMo this month, hoped that it would help me to get my groove back, but it didn't. However, I'm not so sure it's because of or in spite of NaBloPoMo - I'm beginning to think it's me.

I think I've been "phoning in" a lot of things lately:
- My job, to be sure. I think it's a fair bet that I only really work for 4 to 5 hours of an 8 hour day. And sadly, I don't really care all that much - and that can't be good. I wouldn't necessarily say that I'm burnt-out, I do like my job, just not lately.

- My friends, sadly. I try to keep up, and email helps, but there are a couple of my friends that I've not seen for a couple of years - and I hate that. And really, email isn't the same - but I don't seem to make the time to call. I'm more in tune with my blogging peeps than anyone else, not that it's bad, but it does make me a bad friend to the others.

- My marriage to a degree. We all go through phases - times when we're less into each other, and we've been through this before, but lately it seems that this phase is taking a lot longer to come out of than before. Of course, the whole baby-making thing puts a crimp in our relationship, but there must be a way to make it good again.

I guess this is a moment that it's good I don't have kids, it would break my heart to put "my child" on that list.

Maybe I should take this moment as a wake up call. So realizing all this and the need for me to make some changes, the next question is how.

Happy last day of NaBloPoMo anyway.

Current Music: Fall Apart Again - Brandi Carlile

Just When You Thought It Was Safe

We've been blissfully plumbing problem free for two weeks now, well until last night that is.

Oh sure, the plumbing got taken care of a while back, we were able to return to normal. There were long showers, laundry, cooking - it was wonderful! But when Scott arrived home from work yesterday the alarm was going off and the pump wasn't working. We called the plumber, set up an appointment for this morning, then went out as planned (no sense letting a little plumbing problem get in the way of dinner with friends right?).

The plumbers spent most of the late morning and early afternoon trying to figure out the problem, which seems to be some metal blockage - which may mean another new pump. We'll know more tomorrow.

So we're back to short showers till tomorrow - or perhaps we'll be schlepping laundry down the street and running back and forth for showers for another week. The only good news is that they've assured us that this is all under warranty and there won't be any charge. March has been pretty crappy, and I'm not speaking metaphorically!

Current Music: Liar - 8mm

More About Me - the Picture Book

Here's what I tried to post yesterday:


I found this over at may-b's, seems like fun...

Here’s how it works:
1. Go to http://www.photobucket.com/
2. Type in your answer to the question in the “search” box
3. Insert the picture into your Blog



What is your relationship status?


What is your current mood?


What is your favorite movie?


What kind of pets do you have?


Where do you live?


Where do you work?


What do you look like?


What is your favourite TV show?


Describe yourself


What are you going to do tomorrow?


What is your name?


What is your favorite candy?

Working really late

Working really late - and Blogger ate my earlier post - this is just going to have to do it for NaBloPoMo!

Nobody Likes a Tease

I hate to say bad things about my girl, Mother Nature. I love her, but she is a serious tease.

This was Monday, all was right with the world:



And then Tuesday happened:



Wednesday was the bringer of all things spring, the sun was out, the birds were chirping, there were signs of green in the lawn and the piles of snow were melting. I was absolutely sure that spring was here for good.

And this is what I found when I left the office tonight...



Seriously - I am a California girl, when you promise good weather, you can't mean for the next ten minutes!!!!

Current Music: California Sun - Jem

Stars Upon Thars

Look what's in my new Target jeans:


I feel like a Sneetch!

And yes - it's a bit rough on the tushy. Also not sure how it's going to wash up yet.

Current Music: Superstar - Tegan and Sara

Wardrobe Malfunction

The other day as I got ready to go to my Girl's Night I suddenly decided I wanted a new hand bag. So I left work earlier than I had planned so that I could run into Macy's and buy a cute new bag. It had to be colorful and big, something up to date and fun. The only ones I could find were well over the budget I had set for myself (given our household budget, and the fact that there is no monthly allowance for handbags, the budget was slim). Sadly I left the store empty handed, pouted my way home and took my old handbag with me for the night.

So that started off a chain reaction of unhappiness about my budget wardrobe and lack of nice clothes. (Now I don't need really nice clothes because of what I do, but it doesn't mean that every once and a while I don't need to dress up a bit.)

The next step in the chain was on Sunday. I had a cute outfit all planned out in my head for Easter dinner. But between the PMS bloat and the fact that the pants that were so cute in my head turned out to be so uncute - I ended up having a complete melt-down fifteen minutes before we had to leave. I dug through dirty "nice" jeans and checked over all of my worn out sweaters to find something acceptable (thank goodness dinner was casual).

The final straw came on Monday when I found all but my scariest jeans dirty, all of my long-sleeved t-shirts either faded or stained and my shoes just weren't doing it for me.

So Monday afternoon I left work a bit early to check out Target and see if there was anything that could make me feel better. One pair of jeans and a cute pair of "denim" slacks later I was starting to feel a bit better. But I still wasn't there - two pairs of pants was not going to fix the major problem that is my wardrobe. So I continued on and found my new favorite store...

Steve & Barry's. It just opened in town, and between the prices and the clothes those boys have found room in my budget, closet and heart. Nine items and only $80 later I found a cute little dress, another pair of jeans, a cute vest and a few other things.

After a day in my new jeans, I am a bit happier - and Scott isn't too unhappy with the expenditures. Not a bad day's work.

Now I need to work on my shoe selection...

Current Music: New Shoes - Paolo Nutini

I Love My Friends

I'm lucky, our good friends have a great family. That great family has taken us in - we love hanging out with them for holiday dinners, on the beach, girl's nights, weekend getaways. Of course we knew we liked them before we moved, but we didn't realize that they would be so very great over time.

But last night I was loving them for a different reason, M's brother in law is a chef - a serious kick-ass Chef. My Easter dinner included:

Salmon Mousse
Foie Gras
Duck Confit
Champagne
Braised Lamb
Mushroom Soup
Truffled Mashed Potatoes
Spanish Coffee

It was a long and spectacular dinner - but I still have the urge to have a good old-fashioned Easter ham, maybe this weekend?

Current Music: Flavor of the Weak - American Hi-Fi

I Miss Easter

Easter was always one of my favorite holidays. I suppose it still is in some ways, but now it's lacking a bit.

I used to love getting dressed up, including those shinny white patent leather shoes. We used to go to church with my Grandmother - it was the only time that we ever went to church, she always liked to show us off. Sometimes we would go to place Easter Lilies at my Great-Grandparent's crypt. Then we would go home, or to our Grandparent's apartment, or out to our Aunt and Uncle's (it varied by year) and we'd have an Easter egg hunt. We'd hunt for the eggs we had dyed the night before or the really bright plastic ones that were filled with candy (courtesy of our Grandmother) - and of course, the Easter basket itself! Usually the Easter Bunny filled our baskets with a giant chocolate bunny or maybe a See's Easter Egg, coloring books, little toys and some years a beautiful Sugar Egg with a spring scene inside.

Of course Easter hasn't been that way for a number of years, but it was an easy holiday. No gifts, no days worth of cooking or decorating. Basically, just a day to get together with family and eat dinner - something that didn't happen regularly once my sister and I grew up. It was always a good afternoon, good food and wine and company.

The Easter after my Grandmother died, there was no family dinner - and the year after that. As it turned out that it had been my Grandmother that kept us all together at Easter. We did finally get back to it, but it wasn't the same.

Since we've moved to Michigan, I've made Easter dinner for friends, been invited to friends, and made Easter dinner for just us - but it's not the same. Today we're going over to some friend's for dinner, but I miss seeing my family.

Two of my favorite bloggers have recently lost their Grandmothers (Leah over at More Ways to Waste Time and Ali Edwards a scrapbooking superstar). Maybe their loss got me thinking about my Grandmother, or maybe it was Easter, either way I miss them both.

Current Music: Hey Beautiful Day - Bedouin Soundclash

More Than You Ever Wanted To Know

Thanks to Laura, for doing this the other day (and letting me steal it) - I was in need of a simple (yet fun) post for today!

1. What color is your bra? Not wearing one, but earlier it was black, not very racy, but cute.

2. Do you straighten your hair everyday? It's straight every day when I wake up, so no - but I do curl it with a curling iron frequently.

3. Do you worry about the size of your boobs? Nope.

4. What’s your favorite girly magazine? Um, does Real Simple count, cause I don't really read any girly magazine regularly.

5. Would you kill for chocolate? No, I love it, but there are other things I'd be more willing to kill for.

6. Jeans or Skirts? Jeans

7. Do you wear clothes/shoes/jewelry that’s uncomfortable? Yep, but if I do it's cute!

8. Did you ever spend all day/night getting pretty for a guy? Oh yes.

9. Did you ever cry during a romantic movie? Duh

10. Would you leave the house without makeup on? Nope, minimum is concealer, mascara, eyebrows and lipstick/gloss.

11. Do you consider making out “unladylike”? Nope

12. On a scale of 1-10, how fun is shopping? If I'm finding stuff I like 10, if I can't find what I'm wanting 2.

13. Are you spoiled? Sort of, not lately though.

14. Do you think lip gloss is the best? No, I usually prefer lipstick.

15. Do you freak out if you miss your favorite show? Yep

16. Do you yell a lot? Sadly yes, but it really does go in phases (say monthly:-)

17. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? It probably only takes me an hour to actually get ready, but I like to take at least an hour and a half to two hours so that I can really feel "ready".

18. Do you wear sweatpants/pajama pants to school/work? Absolutely not

19. Accessories make the outfit; true or false? True

20. Is pink truly the best color in the entire universe? Nope

21. Lip gloss a must? Nope

22. Status? Very tired, stiff neck, heading to bed.

23. Have you ever dressed unlike yourself to impress a guy? Sadly, yes.

24. Do you often wish there was something you could change about yourself? Of course

25. Gold or silver? Yes Please!

26. The guy that you like/love/whatever, what does his name begin with? S

27. Do you dress up too much for holidays? Not any more, I'd like to more often though.

28. Do you like wearing dresses? As long as it's causal, they are ok in summer, but dresses aren't my favorite.

29. Do you write a lot of mushy love poems? Nope

30. What makeup could you not live without? Benefit "Boi-ing" concealer.

Current Music: Call and Answer - Barenaked Ladies

Girl's night

I gotta go...

Current Music: Teenage Wasteland - The Who

Happy First Day

...of March Madness!

It's crazy - I don't like basketball, but when it comes to the NCAA finals, I just love it! Scott and I fill in our brackets and bet who will win. Of course it's not for anything serious, last year it was for a full body rub (which I still have not gotten from last year!).

Now I've already said that I don't like basketball so that makes picking the winners a bit difficult. But I have a fool-proof system:

1. I always pick any UC (University of California) team to go as far as possible
2. Then I pick any other California team to go as far as possible - until they run into a UC team
3. I always pick a northern California team to go farther than a southern California team (we northern Californians have a bit of a chip on our shoulder when it comes to southern California)
4. Then I pick any Michigan teams to go as far as possible - until they run into a California/UC team - in deference to my friends I route for State before UofM (but since UofM rarely makes it, it's never really been an issue).
5. After that I always pick one last seed to go kind of far
6. As far as the fillers go, I pick teams that I like the name of!

So not very scientific, but it works for me!

Here's your random factoid for the day:
1.2 billion - is the estimated dollar amount employers nationwide could lose in productivity during the NCAA men's basketball tournament, as employees direct their attention to filling out the perfect bracket. (thank you Real Simple)

(See I barely wasted anytime, not only do I have a perfect system, but it's sort of like pin the tail on the donkey, never really takes too long!)

Oh right, and happy first day of Spring!

Current Music: Going the Distance - Cake

Is That Your Final Answer?

Hey it's Q&A (No, the T&A is another website!) with Mandy Lou!

Here are the answers to all the movie quotes:

1. Oh, we're going to talk about me again, are we? Goody. - The Philadelphia Story
   


2. Unleash the fury! - Road Trip (guessed by Mer)


3. Oh, l'amour, l'amour, how it can let you down. Hmm. How it can pick you up again. - The Women
   


4. We're not low! - Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (guessed by Mer)


5. It's cozier, isn't it? Boy, girl, boy, girl. - White Christmas (guessed by May-B)


6. All I'm saying is, there's a reason why Sporty Spice is the only one without a fella! - Bend It Like Beckham
   


7. Mischief managed. - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (guessed by Jenni)


8. When a man is wrestling a leopard in the middle of a pond, he's in no position to run. - Bringing Up Baby (guessed by Mer)


9. Excuse me, I believe you have my stapler... - Office Space (guessed by Scoobers)


10. Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. - You've Got Mail (guessed by Scoobers)


11. A woman happily in love, she burns the souffle. A woman unhappily in love, she forgets to turn on the oven. - Sabrina, the original
    


12. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? - Animal House (guessed by Mer)


13. Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death! - Auntie Mame
    


14. Oh, he's so happy being Teddy Roosevelt. - Arsenic and Old Lace
    


15. Mr. Allen, this may come as a surprise to you, but there are some men who don't end every sentence with a proposition. - Pillow Talk (guessed by Mer)

And the title/bonus quote:
Listen to me, you great big bubble-headed baboon! - His Girl Friday

In answer to Lori's questions...
My sister found my blog. She was searching for my photoblog and the user name is the same, so... I knew it was just a matter of time after I gave her the name of my photoblog.

As for Scott not knowing that I blog, I'll let you all pick the answer:
A. he's a man - he's oblivious
B. he thinks of the laptop as a poor video game substitute
C. I blog at work frequently
D. yes I am very clever
E. all of the above

Any more questions?

Current Music: Question - Old 97s

Well I'm No Diana Prince

I've been pondering writing a post about how I came to blogging, and how interesting it is that I have never told anyone that I have a blog.

I was listening to NPR (oh yeah, I'm one of those people) and the interviewee was talking about the fact that both she and her husband had blogs and that in many ways they now communicated better because of their blogs. He traveled and she stayed home and so they got to keep up on each other's days and nights. It sounded nice.

Add to that the fact that I've always liked the idea of a diary and you arrive at me blogging.

So what does Wonder Woman have to do with me and my blog? Well as I've said, I've never told anyone about my blog. It's been for me, well and you guys - but mostly for me. And it's not that I didn't want anyone to know, but I did decide not to use my real name (I know, totally shocked that Mandy Lou isn't my real name!) -in fact it's a name that most of my family and friends would not dare to call me! So in some ways I had a secret identity, just like Diana Prince - though I'm not sure if I'm a blogging Wonder Woman...

Anyway - as I was saying I've been planning to write this post for a while, but my secret identity was blown yesterday.

Some of you might be wondering why a new reader/commenter named Mer knew most of my favorite movies and didn't get any linky-love for her very correct answers. Well, she didn't get any love cause she doesn't have a blog and she knew the movies cause she's my sister!

So everyone, say hi to Mer!

Current Music: We Are Family - Sister Sledge

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Nuf said...


Current Music: Night Pat Murphy Died - Great Big Sea

Listen to me, you great big bubble-headed baboon!

I stole this fab idea from Catheroo, and Jenni . And, while it might give you a frightening insight to my psyche and a number of clues to my secret identity, it was too much fun to pass up!

Here are the rules:
* Pick 15 of your favorite movies
* Go to IMDB and find a quote from each movie (or quote them from memory because you are that bad ass)
* Post them on your blog for everyone to guess
* Fill in the film title once it’s been guessed

These rules are for you, my peeps:
* No Googling or using IMDB search functions (don’t cheat!)
* Leave your answer(s) in the comments

1. Oh, we're going to talk about me again, are we? Goody.


2. Unleash the fury! (Road Trip - Mer)


3. Oh, l'amour, l'amour, how it can let you down. Hmm. How it can pick you up again.


4. We're not low! (Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle - Mer)


5. It's cozier, isn't it? Boy, girl, boy, girl. (White Christmas - May-B)


6. All I'm saying is, there's a reason why Sporty Spice is the only one without a fella!


7. Mischief managed. (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Jenni)


8. When a man is wrestling a leopard in the middle of a pond, he's in no position to run. (Bringing Up Baby - Mer)


9. Excuse me, I believe you have my stapler... (Office Space - Scoobers)


10. Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. (You've Got Mail - Scoobers)


11. A woman happily in love, she burns the souffle. A woman unhappily in love, she forgets to turn on the oven.


12. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? (Animal House - Mer)


13. Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!


14. Oh, he's so happy being Teddy Roosevelt.


15. Mr. Allen, this may come as a surprise to you, but there are some men who don't end every sentence with a proposition. (Pillow Talk - Mer)

UPDATE** Here's a hint, a fair number of the quotes are from "classic" (or at least black and white) movies...

And in the spirit of being a true copy cat, the title of the post is a bonus (which will get you absolutely nothing, but my undying adoration for knowing the quote)!

Current Music: I Can't Give You Anything But Love Baby - Louis Armstrong

Catching Up

Things I caught up on recently:

- finished two mini-albums that I need to send to friends
- watched a bunch of tivo's shows
- got started on the laundry
- slept in till 10 this morning
- had a spectacularly long shower (the plumbing is back!)
- played with the kitties
- and best of all I stayed up late with Scott to watch TV and played Wii, it was nice to catch up with him

Current Music: Still Alright - Adam Merrin

There's No Fiesta Here

When did it become necessary for soda companies (right, I know I live in Michigan and I should call it "pop" - you can take the girl out of California, but you can't take California out of the girl. I also overuse the word "Dude") to sell their beverages as a lifestyle enhancement?

I read about Pepsi's new "zero calorie sparkling beverage" - really they had me at sparkling (oh and zero calorie). But then they had to make up lame flavor names like Mediterranean Fiesta, Brazilian Samba and Tahitian Tamure, now I was a bit worried, but the reviews had been pretty good and it was on sale - who am I to say no.

As I look at the bottle I'm about open my bottle of Mediterranean Fiestaand see this:

Zig when you're expected to zag.
Don't look before you leap.
Sushi. Try it.
Get lost on your way home. Intentionally.
Take the train to the art museum.
Admire the graffiti on the way.
Realize that can't and won't are four letter words.
See. Wonder. Believe.
Or you can open the bottle.
Is your Tava open?

And while I may agree with some of it (especially the sushi bit, sushi is good!) it's like I'm about to drink a Mac commercial or a Mini Cooper ad! I also felt the need to check my zipper.

Undaunted - I opened the bottle. I can honestly say there's no fiesta here!

I realize that there are lots of beverage options out there now a days, and it's a tough economy and companies need to sell their product, but really - it's either good or it's not. This is not.

Current Music: Mi Swing es Tropical - Quantic & Nickodemus

And for those that are curious - The tāmūrē is a dance from Tahiti and the Cook Islands and although denied by the local purists, for the rest of the world it is the most popular dance and the mark of Tahiti. Usually danced as a group of boys and girls, all dressed in more (the Tahitian grass skirt, however not made of grass but of the fibers from the bark of the pūrau (hibiscus)). Courtesy of Wikipedia!

The End of the Tunnel

There it is, can you see it? That little glimmer? That's the light at the end of the tunnel, the tunnel of winter that is.

Our gold finches are getting back to their cute little golden selves - instead of the dreary grayed-yellow that they are during winter.

There was a warm breeze on the air this afternoon.

I actually saw a sunset this evening, that means that there were no clouds and there was quite clearly a sun.

One of the woodchucks that live in the yard was spotted in the back yard, looking for a snack.

And even though the address sign is still totally covered in snow, we can now see a good 25% of the deck.

It's due to be in the 40s the rest of the week and weekend.

This overly cheery post brought to you by the extra sunshine and vitamin D that I got doing errands this afternoon.

Current Music: I Can See Clearly Now - Jimmy Cliff

And Now For Something Completely Different...

After yesterday's serious post I feel the overwhelming need to post about something shallow, silly or in some way less heavy. But I'm at a bit of a loss, the best I can come up with is this:

Has anyone else noticed that there isn't any good music on the radio? All the stuff I'm loving seems to be coming from TV shows and commercials. Here's my current favorite list...

1. New Soul - Yael Naim - The Mac Air Book commercial
2. February Air - Lights - Old Navy commercial
3. Escape Myself - Nouvelle Vague - Lipstick Jungle
4. Smile - Dry Spell - Men In Trees
5. Get Lucky - The Dragonettes - JC Penny commercial
6. What I’m Looking For - Brendan Benson - Mac iTouch commercial
7. Let's Dance - Chris Montez - JC Penny commercial
8. Summer’s Gone - Aberfedly - Diet Coke commercial
9. Let it Out - Starrfadu - Kleenex commercial (this one's for you May-B)
10. We Will Not Grow Old - Lenka - Big Shots
11. MusicBox - Regina Spector - JC Penny commercial
12. Something's Got Me Started - SwingFly - Private Practice
13. All I Want - The Weepies - JC Penny commercial

And don't even get me started on the music from Grey's Anatomy!

So what we've learned here is that JC Penny may be one of the least hip places to shop, but has some kick ass music and ABC is leading the pack as far as the TV music goes. Well at least in my iPod anyway. (We've also learned what Mandy Lou spends her day doing when not working or reading blogs...)

I must offer my thanks to to the good folks at Tunes On TV and Heard On TV (and the playlists on ABC) for the help in seeking some of these songs! And most of these songs seemed to be readily available on Limewire or iTunes.

Current Music: Long Time Coming - Delays

You Asked

Alright Lori, you asked and (finally) I'm answering. Not that it's a difficult answer, though on some levels it is, but I wanted to do it justice.

Lori asked me why I'm 35 (well it was the day before my b-day, so now I'm 36) and no kids. The answer is I don't know. I'm not being flippant, actually quite truthful.

When I was really young I always saw myself married, 2 kids, dog, white picket fence - you know the suburban Disney fantasy. Into high school and college I wanted to get a degree, go to New York City, work on Wall Street, be a career woman and make some money (I even had a poster that had a picture of a mansion and all these amazing cars and said "Justification for Higher Education") - I was a yuppie in the making.

Not long after that phase I met Scott, 10 years older than I was and yet about the same maturity level. Neither of us wanted kids, he wanted to sail around the world and I figured I'd fly to meet him where ever he landed (not a big sailor). We dated for a number of years, working, playing enjoying our lives. Then we got married and spent some more years working, play and enjoying.

The new year's eve before I turned 27 my alarm clock (that would be the biological one) went off. I told Scott and he was less than thrilled. We had never planned on kids and now I was reneging on the deal. It took a while, but he finally wrapped his brain around it and decided maybe it wasn't the worst idea (this also coincided with his best friends adopting their first child).

But it wasn't a good time, we were trying hard to get out of debt and figured that it wouldn't be the best time to have a kid. So I stayed on the pill and looked longingly at any cute little bundle in a stroller.

We managed to get our spending and debt under control, but moved into a very small apartment to make it work. So I stayed on the pill, we adopted another cat and I would go look at maternity clothes for no good reason.

Then we got another apartment, but I was working full time and going to school full time. So I stayed on the pill, we fought a lot and I stopped going to friends baby showers.

Finally we bought our house here in Michigan, great neighborhood, good schools, huge yard, and a fence for a dog (it's chain link, but you can't have it all). So I went off the pill!

At that point we still had somewhat decent health coverage, so we had the preliminary tests done, just to make sure that the basic plumbing was working, and it was - so we got started trying. And now we've been trying for almost two years.

Of course, at this point, we should go back to the doctor and get more tests done, but not long after we moved our budget went in the tank and we had to switch to the most basic health coverage - if I get hit by a bus I'm in great shape, but if I want to go to the doctor or have tests done I have to fork over cash I don't have. So needless to say, testing is on the back burner.

Every month I take my temp, pee on sticks, check all my fertility signs, have uninspired sex (Scott likes to call it "Science Sex" or "Booty Duty" - that one actually cracks me up), then wait, pee on some more sticks, get my period, cry a bit then have some wine and start the whole thing again.

In the end, I'm not so sure how sad I really am. I love kids, but I love my life as it is. I love that I get to sleep in (or sleep at all), I love that I can come home late and not worry how much extra I have to pay the sitter. My friends and relations with kids tell me honestly that it is hard work and frequently a complete pain in the ass. I've had women say how jealous they are that I get to sleep in on Sunday or not have anyone interrupt them in the bathroom. I also know that I get tired of scrapbooking my cats and dog and nieces - or not being able to chime into a conversation with a bunch of moms as they discuss kid things. I know I'm missing out on certain things in life, but it doesn't make my life experience any less (that took me a while to be able to say).

Scott is adopted, and our dearest friend's kids are both adopted, so we've talked about adoption, but our options are limited by both age and financial issues. You can be any age or financial bracket to have your own kids, but to adopt you've got to be "pre-approved".

So we'll keep at it for a bit more, then hang up the basal thermometer and go back to being a normal couple and I'll enjoy other people's babies and kids and learn to be ok with it all. Maybe we'll get some more cats, that could be the answer...

Current Music: Tears Dry On Their Own - Amy Winehouse

The Morning After

After springing forward that is.

Don't get me wrong, I love Daylight Savings Time, mostly. I love the wonderful long evenings. I love that we can't set off fireworks till 10pm. There's lots of things to love about Daylight Savings Time but this day is always one of my least favorite days of the year.

I figure I lose at least at least 3 hours of sleep and am probably about as unproductive as I can get (well and be at work).

Now, falling back an hour - that's good stuff. Rested, relaxed and ready to go to work on Monday, it's all good! I'm going to figure out a way to only fall back, then run for office - I think I could go far on that platform!

Current Music: Lily Dreams On - Cotton Mather

Folding Our Tents

KimmyK and FADKOG have the right idea - we're getting out of dodge! Well, we're leaving the house for a bit anyway - just heading across town till the plumbing resolves itself. Our friends have a summer cottage and they've offered it to us till this shit storm blows over, so we're packing up the kitties and the pup and heading over there.

Last night we thought we could get through it, paper plates aren't so bad right? After one day of those paper plates (and everything else) we weren't feeling so positive about the possibility of making it through the week.

Then came the last straw... I expect that we are like most working couples, and we do laundry on the weekend, and of course it's hard to have laundry day without the washer and dryer. Happily, our friends were kind enough to offer the use of their washer and dryer (and shower) today, so we started driving the laundry down the street. Half way through the laundry (a load in the washer, a load in the dryer, a load in the basket in the car and a load left to go) we decided that there is just no way we could make it till mid- to late week.

To get back to the whole list theme thing, I thought I would close with a list of things I miss about not having indoor plumbing:
1. showers
2. flushing the toilet
3. the dishwasher
4. the washing machine
5. shaving - a short shower means I'm starting to look like a yeti!

I'm sure there are more, but those are the top ones!

Current Music: I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

The Saga Continues

So much for "fixed by the end of the day". So much for $1200 for everything. So we're still in deep shit - and I'm not really speaking metaphorically.

By the time I got home last night (around 9:30 pm) the plumbers were still at it. Apparently once they replaced the pump - and added a few expensive do-hickies to it - they found that the water wasn't making it up to the street (which is the point of the pump). We went to bed with the tank empty, but without the pump working - so limited flushes, short showers, etc. - till they could return in the morning to continue everything. We also went to bed thinking that at best everything would be resolved with a little roto-router action, at worst we'd be looking at ripping up 300 feet of pipe to replace it. Needless to say neither of us got much sleep.

There is a bright-ish side to this... this morning the plumber called and said that he realized that the new pump didn't have the right pressure to get everything up to the street. So no roto-router, no new pipes but another new pump.

The less than bright side of things is that the next new pump won't be here till at least Tuesday. So we're back to limited flushes, short showers, no laundry, no dishes till Wednesday or later!!! And worse yet the tank can only hold so much so we're pumping everything into a small (but ultimately well fertilized) part of the yard - gross (as my friend suggested, we're doing a "cousin Eddie" - free pair of spiffy socks to the person that can name that movie :-)!

In other, less crappy news, my other nieces birthday and birthday party was today - she turned the big 2 today. Why two birthday parties in two days? Because my sister is dumb, that's why. But I'd probably do it for these cuties too!



Current Music: Here It Goes Again - Ok Go.

Well Done

Well, it's been an interesting day so far.

1. Our sewage pump is broken. That means that we were just a flush away from a sewage flooded basement - yuck. On the positive side of things, we got a plumber out as quickly as possible and they will have everything fixed by the end of the day. On the negative side of things we will be out $1200 by the time everything is "fixed". I use quotes around fixed because last time we had these guys out to work on the pump they had to come back to fix what they broke when they were fixing the original broken thing.

2. I've been seriously distracted at work today - I have a ton of work that needs to be done, yet the best I can muster is checking out blogs and E online. I've been here since 9:30, but I've probably only done 2 to 3 hours of work. I'm sure I'll pay for it later in some way.

3. I'm missing my nieces 4th Birthday party today - it's going to be a Disney princess extravaganza! That's the royal invitation, the party includes tiaras and wands, and the actual party is after all the little girls go to see Disney Princesses on Ice. Maybe I'm not so sad to be missing it... But to add to the princess madness I sent my niece a birthday greeting from Princess Aurora (yep, you can do that) - so Princess Aurora called and said happy birthday, so Avery's pretty pumped.

4. I'm working at the restaurant tonight, which isn't really bad. What's bad is that I have a client that has to meet me tomorrow, so no rest for the wicked.

Ugg, what I really want to do is go home and crawl under my bed - I'm so done. But I'll rally, the night is young, right?

Current Music: I Walk the Line - Johnny Cash

I'd Forgotten

Yep, I'd forgotten how hard posting every day could be. Trying to think of something interesting ever day is hard work.

Once I got into the groove of NaBloPoMo, I would find myself thinking of lots of different stuff to blog about for the day (or even the week). By the end of Holidailies I had a hard time not blogging - my brain had trained itself to plan to blog. Apparently I haven't managed to get my brain re-trained just yet.

This is my not so subtle way of saying that I don't have much to post about.

The only other thing I have to report is that my dad is indeed in rejection, but not as bad as last time. He's started on a series of infusions of steroids and another super transplant cocktail. Since it's not as bad he won't have to be hospitalized, so that's good news. Last time he was hospitalized for two weeks, and my mom and the dogs went nuts - so it will be easier for all if he's home.

Not to worry, I'll get my groove back (actually if I had Taye Diggs around I wouldn't have to think about what to post!).

Current Music: Chica Bonita - Shaggy

Oops

I had a big post all planned. It was going to be great, you would have laughed and cried - it was going to be the perfect post.

Well, I might be overselling it a bit, or a lot. In any case, I didn't realize that it was so late and I didn't really have time to do it.

So I'll just leave you with this...

This website has been covered on a number of shows (Tyra, the Colbert Report - I told you I missed TV) - My Free Implants. I'll leave you to discuss this amongst you selves. Oh and by the way, the girl on the front was the first "user" of the site, and is the "founder's" good friend - huh.

Current Music: My Humps - The Black Eyed Peas

Let's Call it Even

Not the best day, but not the worst day today. On the down-side I didn't win the lotto allowing me to leave my life. On the up-side no one pissed me off enough for me to want to beat them with a stick (or make me cry). So we'll call it even.

Now, I didn't do a list yesterday (please don't tell the NaBlPoMo police), but today I think I will. So here's a little list of randomness!

1. Today is my mom's birthday - happy birthday Mom! I won't disclose her age, since I'm a good daughter, and I'm still just a little bit afraid of her (she may only be 5'-3", but she's a dynamo!).

2. My dad is having another biopsy today, he's been feeling poorly, so he decided to bit proactive on the whole rejection thing - we'll know more tomorrow.

3. I am seriously tired of winter, we're due for 3 to 8 more inches of snow tonight.

4. I am getting very good at Wii bowling, I'm only a couple of games away from becoming a "Pro". And my shoulders are killing me from boxing so much!

5. I am tired of my job, I need a vacation that is more than going home for the holidays or sitting home on a couch for an extra day or two.

6. The writer's strike nearly killed me - I've missed TV. When do I get to stop watching re-runs?
That should do it for now, I'll try to be more inspired tomorrow.

Current Music: When You Were Young - The Killers

I Have a Question

What does a fig smell like? I can vaguely remember what fresh figs taste like, but I don't remember what they smell like.

"Why do you ask?" you say - well I bought an air freshener thing-y the other day. I usually buy either a lavender/lemon grass one or a eucalyptus/mint thing (thank you Target). Last time I was there they had a double pack of fig scented ones on sale, and who am I to refuse a good sale?

But, after all that, I'm not sure if they smell like fig. Because I'm not sure what a fig smells like.

There's one thing I'm certain of though, figs don't smell like cedar and these things smell like cedar. Now my house smells like a clean hamster cage, not quite sure how I feel about that.

Current Music: The Riddle - Five for Fighting

Some One Has to Lose

There are so many things vying for my time:

working on real work
playing Wii
sleeping
playing Wii
working on cards for a friend
playing Wii
getting reruns cleared off the tivo
playing Wii
working on a gift mini-album
playing Wii
catching up on my blog reading

I'm fairly certain that the regular work is not going to get done...

Current Music: Sad, Sad Situation - Bowling for Soup

Hello March

And welcome to NaBloPoMo, the March addition...

I'm absolutely rushed off my feet - working, shopping, cleaning and dinner today, dog show and working tomorrow - and yet, being so busy and rushed I found I'm actually feeling pretty happy today. In honor of that (which can be a seriously rare occasion) I thought I'd start off the NaBloPoMo with a list of things that made me happy today (since the theme is "Lists"):

It's sunny today
It's warmish (high thirties)
There are cute puffy clouds in the sky
And most importantly, it feels like Spring is in the air!

That's about all the time I have, so I'll see you tomorrow!

Current Music: watching Top Gear, trying to get the Tivo clear so I can tape more stuff tonight while I'm out!