Creepy Profile Pictures

I don't like going on Facebook anymore because one my "friends" is pregnant and her profile pictures is a picture of her baby's ultrasound.  It looks super creepy.  I can't stand to look at it.  And because she is pregnant, she floods by wall with all these status updates.  I can't escape it.  Well, I could just hide her, but I'm too lazy.

So out of shape

So aside from the less than stellar performance on Saturday at the OSU scrimmage, I got on the treadmill (even though I hate it) to test out my knee for constant running vs the stop-start of officiating or playing.  The good news:  my knee only slightly hurt at the tail end of my "run".  The bad news:  I ran a 12 minute mile and that was a struggle.  =(

I just tell myself that my physical therapist said to go slow and only run for 5-10 minutes.  Of course, I didn't listen.  The hubster gave me death stares when I told him I went over the recommended time.  I had to complete the mile.  I even increased the speed of the treadmill to make sure I finished in 12 minutes.  I think the original pace had would have taken me much longer and I don't think I could have lived with myself if it did.

This is not good for my re-rate.  It just means that in addition to my physical therapy and snowboarding and whatever else I have planned, I'll also need to find time to get some short runs in.  I think 15-20 minutes max.  Don't want to re-injure myself.

It's official!

I am running for president of the Central Ohio Women's Lacrosse Officials Association.  I got my nomination email today and I accepted.  Everyone tells me I'll win, but I don't know.  I'm not popular, I'm definitely not like-able if you don't know me.

I'll find out February 19th.  I do hope I win though.

Vote for Elaine!

Psyching myself out

I mentioned to the hubster that I'm a little worried about going snowboarding.  I don't know what made me think of it, but I told him I didn't want to die in Utah.  I cited Natasha Richardson's skiing accident a few years ago and he said I was going to be fine because I wear a helmet.  It's true, I do, but I've only had one nasty fall where my head hit the ground with some force.  I only went down the beginner trails the last time I was in Utah.  I wasn't really afraid, but I'm a little shaken now.  Probably just nerves, but...

I just read this article about a fatal avalanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon which is pretty close to where I'll be at.  Obviously I am not a back country snowboarder, but that's still scary.  There is nothing to worry about, but sometimes I let my brain get the better of myself.

That's what I like about these high school girls; I get older, they stay the same age.

I had a similar sentiment yesterday during the OSU inters-quad scrimmage.  I keep getting older and these college girls stay the same age and seem to get faster every year.  Yes, I haven't run for nearly 2.5 months due to my injury, but I was way out of shape.  I think the 15 minute rotation were more than enough for me.  It didn't help that I was cramping up the whole time.  The good news was that my knee felt fine.  No pain whatsoever.  I did stretch before and after and I even iced too!  I'm sure my team of physical therapists will be pleased with that.  Now knowing that my knee can sorta hold up, I need to get into some semblance of better shape by Feb 12 or else I'll be screwed for my district re-rate.

The end of a birthday month

I went out last night to celebrate my birthday one last time this year.  I've had so many birthday celebrations this year and I'm so grateful for every single one:

• lunch with co-workers
• lunch with David
• drinks with co-workers
• drinks at convention
• dinner with cousins
• dinner with the hubster
• dinner with my Columbus friends

Everything was fabulous.  Last night, I had 9 close friends from different parts of my life come out to Spagio for dinner.  Everyone talked and laughed and got along great.  It was ideal.  Between a colonic hydrotherapy treatment gift and a table wide discussion on what Steph should write on her business card to leave for our waiter, I don't know how the dinner could have been improved.  After dinner, we went out for drinks and dancing.  I promptly dropped my drink on my coat, but that didn't ruin my mood.

Dancing was fun, but I am really too old for this shit.  It's so much work and I don't think the hubster enjoyed himself as much as he could have since he played my bodyguard most of the night.  I'm aiming big for next year.... the big 3-0.  I'm thinking warm and tropical and all inclusive.... Caribbean or Mexico!

Kitchen Aid Mixer

I love my Kitchen Aid mixer.  I bought one a few years back (probably over three years ago since I don't think the hubster and I were married and I don't remember registering for one).  I got one at Target on clearance from scoping out slickdeals.net (my only successful Target YMMV B&M deal I ever capitalized on - if you read slickdeals, you know!).  I didn't use it a lot when I first got it.  I wasn't as domesticated as I am now, but I sure do love it more and more after every time I make cookies with it.

I seriously think they make my cookies so much better.  I usually only make Rolo cookies, but I volunteered to help make some cookies for a fundraiser at work for a co-worker.  I decided to try a new recipe.  So last night, I made peanut butter blossoms, but more commonly referred to as "those peanut butter cookies with the Hershey Kiss in the middle".  I usually cheat and buy the pre-made cookie dough and plop a Kiss in them and call it a day.

I saw this recipe on My Baking Addiction and decided to try it.  The cookies turned out great even after I halved the recipe and messed up on measuring the shortening and peanut butter.  I used a 1/3 cup vs a 1/2 cup.  I was too lazy to remeasure and eyeballed the rest of the amount.  Only problem I ran into was that I cooked them a little too long and when I put the Kiss in the cookies, some of them didn't adhere as well as others.  The one I taste tested was delicious.  I let them cool on the rack, but when I returned to package them, they felt a little hard.  I was a little concerned.  I didn't want to eat another one because I didn't make too many (only had 25 Kisses in the house and didn't want to go out and buy another bag).  I had the hubster try one out when he came home from class.  He said it was fine.

Of course, I needed a third opinion and I asked a co-worker to try one this morning.  He enjoyed it and said it was the right amount of chewy.  So I'm pleased.  I also told all my co-workers that they needed to buy my cookies first because I must sell out first.  I don't think it will happen because the office baker bandit is also making something for the bake sale.  Her desserts are always so good.  I hope she makes cake pops because that's all I'm willing to buy.

Doggie day camp

Today was Red's second time at day camp. I think she really loves it. She's so well behaved getting in the car in the morning and she settles right into the car too which she never does. It takes a good 15 minutes most times.

She also settles right in when I pick her up. I think that's because she's so tired from playing all day. She came home, ate her food, and promptly konked out on the bed. She's currently residing under the bed catching up on her zzzzzzz's.

I think we're going to get robbed

The other day I wrote about the weird note I found yesterday morning.  Well, the hubster called number and it went to voice mail or answering machine.  The hubster told me that a suspicious person knocked on our door claiming to be from Direct TV and was taking a survey on what cable provider everyone in the neighborhood had.  WEIRD!  He also said that he didn't have any flyers and that he would be back after the survey.

This combined with the note makes me think we're going to be robbed and that this is all part of their reconnaissance phase and they are casing our house.  I joked with the hubster to make sure our condo insurance was up to date (which it is).  I don't even think there is anything in our house worth stealing aside from the TVs and computers.  I don't know.  I joke about it, but there is still an underlying current of worry.

I suggested calling the cops to the hubster to report the suspicious behavior and to call Direct TV to see if they had someone in the area.  Well, if we do get robbed or something more serious happens, you let the police know about my blog!

Thanks!

Physical Therapy

hurts!!!

Went today for my second appointment.  I thought my leg was going to fall off from the knee down.  All I got was the "gentle" soft tissue massage.  It hurt!  I can't wait until Friday...

I will suffer through it just to get better and be able to RUN my half marathon.

Salty

A co-worker brought in some food for lunch today: brisket pizza, hot wings, and spinach dip.  I tried some pizza and spinach dip.  The tortilla chips that came with the spinach dip were the saltiest I have ever tasted.  My lips are puckering from the salt.

Indoor Scrimmage

Cap City Lacrosse had their first indoor scrimmage last night and it was amazing.  We had 24 girls come out which was way more than we had anticipated.  Everyone had great things to say, and we heard a lot of "Can we do this once a month?".  YAY!!

The hubster was kind enough to take a study break and watch the scrimmage.  I was definitely outclassed with the new girls, but that's ok.  I just want an opportunity to play whether for 10 minutes or 40 minutes.  It does feel good to bring people together to play a sport they love.  We had such good feedback, we're aiming to schedule two more games.

I was definitely out of shape, but my knee held up!  So that's good.  It's not the same as running constantly, but it's a start and I'll take it.

In other lacrosse news, I'll be heading to the University of Toledo for my district re-rate.  I am scared.  Just a little, but scared nonetheless.

Creepy

I got out of bed late this morning because I got to bed way past my bed time last night because of the awesome indoor scrimmage we had.  When I went to walk the dogs, there was a note taped to my door.  It said "Call Me. Dan (or maybe it was Chris)", a phone number, and it looked like the piece of paper it was written on had the City Public Health heading on it.

I just left it there for the hubster to find.  Obviously, I'm not calling because if the city really needed to contact me, they can find my phone number.  It wasn't even a business card.  My mind is yelling "SCAM!!!!".

When I opened my garage to go to work, it made a funny noise and I jumped a little, thinking this man was trying to get me.

Ewwww.

What a night!

Saturday was the work recognition banquet.  Since I was planning the whole shin-dig, I was determined to make it an enjoyable night for everyone.  I had arranged to have a DJ, karaoke, casino night, and even made a photo booth for it.  Things did not go exactly as planned, but I think most everyone had a good time.

Being the great hostess that I am, I had arranged to borrow a co-workers mini van to transport myself, the hubster, and a few co-workers to the event.  There ended up being 8 of us jammed into a mini van.  The wonderful hubster offered to be the designated driver for the night and that's why I love him so much.

The dinner and the awards section of the night went off without a hitch.  The casino and dancing that followed afterwards was a lot of fun.  Everyone was up doing one of the provided activities.  Once the last prize had been raffled off, we all piled into the van and headed to Average Joe's for the after party.  Then things started going downhill.  Wine + Miller Lite + Jager = FAIL!

Highlights:

• Co-worker asked why I was not dressed up as a hooker...
• Finally winning at a casino game
• Learning how to play craps
• Being able to watch all my co-workers having a good time and knowing I helped provide that
• Having one of the most successful work functions ever
• Having almost everyone stay the entire evening - I think it's a first for the company
• Leaf blower + toilet paper = magic
• The hubster winning the ugly christmas sweater contest
• Having a great time!
• Telling the hubster he was the best thing that has ever happened to me
• Having the hubster take care of me and all my co-workers even after putting me to bed

Lowlights/regrets

• Not advertising the photo booth - only had three pictures that I took at the end of the night
• Being told a co-worker was a complete bitch to the catering manager
• Drinking Miller Lite
• Taking a shot of Jager
• Throwing up at the end of the night at Average Joe's
• Ruining the vanpool plans to get everyone home
• Throwing up in my driveway

I think that sums up the evening quite well.  Now I'm ready for this Saturday when I celebrate my birthday with all my new Columbus friends!

Love!

Just saw my phone autocorrects a word to pookster.

Is it weird...

that I'm a little sad to find out that Seal and Heidi Klum are separating?

Never trust a man

Always trust your own instinct especially when it comes to shopping.  The hubster and I ran over to Easton to run some errands and I popped into Forever 21 to buy some cheap costume jewelry for my outfit for tomorrow's work banquet.  He helped me pick out earrings, a necklace, and some bracelets.  On way to the register I noticed that the bar connecting the three bangles had two empty holes.  I stopped and said that this was broken and that it's missing two strands of beads.  He was convinced that it was meant to look like that.  I wasn't convinced because if 3 of the 5 holes were filled, you'd think there would be a hole in between each strand.  There was not.  It's also cheaper to manufacture the bar for three holes instead of one.  Anyway, he convinced me it looked fine with three and to buy them.

I did, but I couldn't think that it was meant to have three strands.  I hopped over to the Forever 21 website and found my bracelet:

Ha! 5 strands!  I knew I was right.  I feel cheated of two strands and I hate paying for something I didn't get.  It does look fine with three strands instead of five, but I still want my last two strands!  I should have listened to my gut and rummaged around the jewelry section until I found another.

I also noticed that two of the necklaces I picked up (the same necklace) were broken.  One had a broken chain and other had a missing rhinestone.  I guess that's what happens when you buy jewelry at Forever 21 for dirt cheap.

I did end up trying on the whole ensemble and I think I'm a little blinged out: jeweled necklace, jeweled earrings, sparkly bracelets, AND a jeweled sash for my dress.  Maybe a bit much, but I don't have many opportunities to dress up, so I might as well take advantage of it.

Undressing

The hubster is so critical of me.  He makes fun of the way I take off clothes.  Today, I was wearing one of my favorite winter outfits that I copied off of a J.Crew mannequin.  It's a blue denimy looking button up and a red sweater over that.  I was changing into gym clothes to go to physical therapy today.  Instead of taking off the sweater and then unbuttoning the shirts, I just pulled everything off over my head.  I think it takes less time since I don't deal with the buttons.  He just rolled his eyes at me and said "That's one way to do it."

Why so judgmental, hubster?!?!  I don't get it.  Why does it matter?

Revelation

This entire week I've been waking up to my alarm clock 20 minutes later than usual.  At first, I thought I was just sleeping through 20 minutes of radio.  It didn't quite make sense because I usually bolt awake at the first sound.  Sometimes, microseconds before the alarm goes off.  Well, I finally figured it out this morning.  It's actually set for later than usual.  I think I vaguely remember setting it late for some reason or another.  I'm sure if I looked at my calendar I will see the cause, but it didn't really bother me waking up "late".  It was actually kind of nice to get some extra sleep in.  It's amazing the affect of what 20 extra minutes of uninterrupted sleep can do.  I'll have to remember to change it back this weekend.  It'll be bad for when I start carpooling again.

Warm Fuzzy

That's the feeling I got when I woke up this morning after I walked the dogs and realized that the hubster had loaded up the car with some party supplies that we forgot to load up the night before.  The best part is that he remembered and was sweet enough to do it himself.

Thanks pookie!  Made my morning.

Thank goodness someone reads my blog

because I'm going snowboarding in Utah with KRISTINA!!!!!

Flight booked, Google Offer bought, and hotel booked all done under an hour!  We get shit done.  All that is left is the rental car.  I'm so excited.  I've been dying to snowboard all season.

Shout out to the hubster for being so understanding and letting me go!  Love ya!

A Little Sad

I just got an email from Google Offers for a 2 3 day lift tickets and 2 night stay at Solitude in Utah for $468.  That's not a bad deal since lift tickets are usually $50 a day per person and hotel is easily at least $100 a night.  I so want to buy this even without knowing what flight prices are, BUT I looked at my calendar and I have no free weekends during the winter months.  We either have the stepson for the weekend or I have lacrosse.  How did my calendar fill up so fast?  I wonder if I could convince the hubster to give up one of his weekends with the stepson.  Even if I could, he would never miss a class since he's so close to graduating.  Le sigh.  Can't wait until we have more freedom to vacation!

Growing - baby steps

The hubster and I cannot do anything competitive.  It turns ugly.  Very ugly.

Well, things are moving in a positive direction.  We started playing Monopoly Deal together.  It's a ridiculous game and hard to get at first, but it's ruthless because you steal people's properties and make them pay enormous rents.  That was not a recipe for success for either of us, but I insisted that we play and the hubster made me promise not to get mad at him which I did.

I admit that there were times that I did get mad and tried not to show it, but after playing a handful of games I was in control of my emotions.  We have yet to fight over a game so that's awesome.  Maybe we can start competing in other things...

Ouch

My calves have been hurting since yesterday morning.  When I woke up, it felt like they had cramped up really badly during the night even though I didn't experience any cramping during the night.  I wonder if it could have been from all the walking I did on Sunday.  It was even that much, but I was wearing these gray suede boots that I have never worn for long distances.  They are flat boots, but maybe they don't have enough arch support?

Anyway, my calves hurt and I want them to stop.

Abandoned again!

By the hubster! Wtf. This is becoming a habit.

People with Kids

So I have been planning my company's recognition banquet for about a month.  As I was trying to get people to attend the event, a co-worker came back with this response.

"It's not that I don't want to go, but for me, it's more than the $10 per person charge.  I have to find a babysitter and that costs more money.  Perhaps this is why My Company should look into providing childcare"

At first I understood, but now that I think about it, it seems like such an entitlement attitude.  That's the decision you made when you decided to have a kid.  You might get a little credit since you're a "poor single mother" (note the sarcasm in that statement).  No one told you, you had to have the baby.  There are many options available to prevent pregnancy.  You gave your right to an easy night out without worries when you gave birth just like I gave up staying overnight anywhere when I decided to get a dog.  Sorry it's so difficult, but suck it up.

If you want to be able to go out, then budget some fucking babysitter money in our budget and don't try to guilt trip me into finding you a babysitter.

PSA

Just an FYI for everyone, Martin Luther King Jr Day is a bank recognized holiday.  Learned that the hard way.

US Lacrosse and the City of Brotherly Love

I spent the weekend in Philadelphia attending the US Lacrosse Convention.  It was a great experience and I had an even better time than last year.  I knew more people and met some new ones too.

The trip didn't start out that great with a shitty flight out to Philadelphia, but once at the hotel, things were coming along.  I ended up having a few drinks after my nauseating flight to celebrate my birthday with my favorite refs.  Since the schedule was different that last year's I was able to bum around on Friday morning.  I ate a not so great cheesesteak in the Reading Terminal Market.  After the first day's sessions, we hurriedly ate dinner and rushed to the official's social and awards ceremony.  Great "war stories" from the recipients.

The next day was filled with more informative sessions and was capped off with dinner at Penang's with my cousin and her husband.  Dinner was so good.  I took the opportunity to grab some bubble tea and some Chinese baked goods for breakfast the next day.  After they dropped me off, I caught up with the rest of the group in the hotel restaurant where they were having dinner where.... PAT DILLON was eating with us.  For those who don't know, Pat Dillon is like the biggest women's lacrosse official in the US.  She does the NCAA D1 championship game.  A big deal!  And she was eating dinner with our group.  I guess it doesn't hurt that the the majority of the presenters at the convention and holders of major positions within the organization are from Ohio.  But yeah, that was a bit surreal.

On Sunday, I went site seeing with a friend and we hit up all the big attractions despite being asshole cold.  We got picked up by Uncle Frank and we had a late dim sum lunch in Chinatown.  It was nice to see half my family again and so soon too.  We got dropped off at the airport where we had an uneventful flight back.  Finished the weekend with a Chipotle dinner, NCIS, and falling asleep reading the NCAA 2012 rule book.

So glad to be home, sleeping in my own bed.  The season's almost here!

Why Philly > baltimore

Free Internet everywhere.

Worst flight ever

I think I fly a bit. I mean I think in 2011 I flew maybe 6 or 7 times. Well the flight last night was the absolute worst. It even beats out the infamous Baltimore flight from last year. (3 hours sitting on the plane waiting for take off, de-icing, and not being able to get enough traction to push back)

Anyway, this flight was delayed maybe 45 minutes from Philly. Once we got onto the plane, we waited some more. First for some de-icing and then for god knows what. We sat there for a while and I was getting tired. We finally took of and it was the longest hour and five minutes of my life. We ran into so much turbulence. There were at least two times where I thought if we hit another bump, I'm gonna hurl.

So after landing nearly an hour late, my poor uncle picked us up and we made our ways to the hotel. We almost died on the way over there, but I'm grateful for the ride. Trying to take public transportation that late at night would have been a nightmare. And I dont think my queasy stomach could take it.

El Oh El

At work, four of us have been playing Monopoly Deal on our lunch break for the past week.  One of those people happens to be my boss.  Today, the game is being pushed back to accommodate a lunch surprise I have planned for my own birthday.  I just overheard him turn down a meeting for a design review because it conflicts with the new game time.  LOVE IT!

Punch Bowl

I love www.punchbowl.com.  It kicks any e-vite/e-card's ass.  The first time I got one was for a co-worker's annual pig roast.  I clicked on this link and something amazing happened.  I'll elaborate below.

Well today I got one a e-card from Caroline for my birthday.  (I wonder how many posts I can make mentioning my birthday today).  So you get this email and you click on the link and this opens up:

Yes, how cute is that?  Your card or whatever comes in a virtual envelope.  Ok, click on the envelope:

And out pops your card.  And then you can open it, but it opens like a real card.  They have super cute templates which you can customize.  Pretty much everything is customizable:  The envelope color, the stamp, what's on the envelope, the envelope liner, almost everything!  I think it's adorable.

P.S.  Thanks Caroline!  Can't wait for the 28th!

Happy Birthday

to me!

Yes, a bit self serving, but it's my birthday and I can do whatever I want.  Like fly to Philadelphia at 8:00 pm tonight.

I'm bummed I cant spend my birthday with the hubster, but that just means my birthday will be celebrated again with the hubster when I get back and again on the 28th with some friends.  That's the most birthday celebrations I've had in a while.

So another year for me and one more year before the big 3-0!!!

Stinky

It smells in the office today.  Someone decided to microwave a sandwich from a vending machine for longer than suggested. (I didn't even know you were even able to microwave those things)  It smells like burnt....dead carcass?  It smells really bad.  It's concentrated in the break room, but it's still permeating our lovely open office cube farm.  Ick *hurl*

Love it!

I've been in a nesting/decorating mood lately.  You can tell by how many of my resolutions were based around my house and its improvement.  Backsplash, painting, flooring.  I don't even know if these were on my resolution list, but they've been floating around my head for a while.  I did also buy those two posters from Ikea which are now residing in my hallway.

Anyway, I've been wanting new bedding for a while.  My old sheets are getting stretched out and aren't staying on the bed.  Browsing around the interwebs, I found this:

So pretty.  Originally, I had wanted the version that came in gray or teal, but I think I need to bring some color into the bedroom.  Everything is neutral.  I think this would brighten the room.  I have a duvet cover that I use for summer only because it's white and has green/teal/blue embroidery of leaves and stuff (very tropical) and it makes the room brighter, except I accidentally used bleach on it and now the embroidery has been bleaches and it's not quite as pretty anymore =(  It's also odd that I like the orange since I usually hate it.  It must be the chevron stripes that are making me color blind.

What's for dinner?

The hubster is going out to a silly car club meeting tonight and abandoning me.  What should I eat for dinner?  Should I finally go to the gym?  Going to the gym would make the fast food I'll most likely end of eating not seem so bad.  Decisions, decisions.

Weird Promotions

I got a card from Victoria's Secret after buying something at their semi-annual sale.  It was a secret reward for either $10, $50, $100, or $500 to VSX, their athletic apparel branch.  That's fine and dandy, but the restrictions for the promotion were stupid.

• only applicable on full priced merchandise (no thanks, I don't need an $80 athletic jacket or $25 tshirt to work out in)
• can only find out how much the card is worth at the register

One, I would never buy anything full priced there even if I had a $10 off coupon.  Still overpriced!  Two, this can only piss off employees.  You'll have cheap bastards like me walking up, finding my card is only worth $10 and changing their minds about buying their items.  Sorry.

What's the harm in finding out before you make a selection?  I mean it still gets customers into the store and that's the hard part right?  Maybe they'll find something they weren't looking for and buy it.  I know this customer is not going to be purchasing anything there anytime soon.

Do you have pictures?

Apparently, I've got a reputation for documenting my little craft projects.  Which admittedly, I do, especially for the blog.  I think the fact that my co-workers know this is funny.  I told two people that I finally bought my Christmas sweater for the banquet and they both asked for pictures and both were shocked that I had none.  My defense was that it was incomplete which one responded, but there is precedent for me showing unfinished work a la my Mr Potato head mustache trophy.

I said I don't want let the competition know what I'm up to since I potentially could win when I could not with the potato head.  That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

I am kinda disappointed that I have merely prettied up the sweaters and not made them uglier.  I don't like ugly things so it's hard for me.  I also don't want to use my good Christmas decorations.  I did find a use for my Christmas exchange gift.  It no longer is going to be able to make it to the Salvation Army.  Too bad.  I'm still waiting for genius to hit me for this sweater.  We shall see.

What a productive weekend

Not a super busy weekend, started out kinda slow, but turned super productive today.

Friday:

• Went to a girl's night at a friends and played games and watched Mean Girls
• Also finally had success at the thrift store; was able to find my ugly Christmas sweater for the work banquet and a few props for the faux-to booth I made.

Saturday

• Went to Easton to do a little shopping.  Bought my dress for the work dinner at Banana Republic on super sale.  Clearance + 50% off + $15 off birthday coupon = super cheap dress.  Also picked up a sweater for the hubster
• went to B-dubs to watch the Bengals game with some friends.  In true Elaine form, the team I was "rooting" for lost.

Sunday

• Organized the garage
• Organized the garage.  Definitely worth at least two bullet points.
• Bought two work benches on clearance at Home Depot ($40, originally $100) and put them together in the garage while the hubster gave my car an oil change
• OMG the garage looks so much better now.  Even though we didn't throw much out, everything now has a home.  It doesn't look like we are housing a box city in our garage.  It makes me very happy
• Changed the cardboard under the cars
• Bought my years supply of contacts before my prescription expired since I opted out of insurance this year.

A successful weekend imo.

Dinner

I was doing really good with dinner.  Large portion of broccoli, two small pieces of chicken, and very minimal rice.  Finished up, put my plate in the sink, opened the fridge, and saw the leftover potato wedges from b-dubs in the fridge. Yep, I  ate those too and washed them down with a beer.  *sigh*  EPIC FAIL

Merry belated Christmas to the doggies

Yum! Faux turkey dinner. Love it.

Early Morning Wake Ups

I don't know how the hubster puts up with me sometimes.  He has problems sleeping, but that doesn't stop me from waking him up at 6:30 am to ask about where the spicy nacho Doritos are and accuse him of eating the entire bag.  I think most people would punch me in the face if I did that.

I did also tell him he forgot to take the trash out which legitimizes the wake up.  And no, I didn't make him get up and take it out.  I did it for him.  That has to count for something.

I don't know French

but I can get the gist of this.  LOL.

Heidi vs Mazda 6

I took my car into the dealership on Tuesday to get a slew of issues checked out before the warranty expired.  The biggest issue was a faulty recirculation valve and the smallest issue was a squeaky rear seat latch.  I got a loaner car which was a Mazda 6.

That car stinks.  It's huge and doesn't handle very well.  The braking is atrocious.  No heated seats and it got really cold this week!  Once I got my car back, I realized how much I loved my car.  The handling and braking are so much better.  The heated seats, the dashboard lights, just everything made me just sigh in relief once I got in.

I think the hubster was very pleased when he hears this kind of stuff from me because he picked out Heidi for me and he wants me to like cars because he :LOVES cars.  So glad to have you back Heidi!

I watch too much Law and Order

I read this article this morning.  It was about an young recently widowed mother with an infant child who calls 911 asking if she can shoot an intruder if he comes into her home.  Use of deadly force is legal if someone comes into your home unauthorized (good to know!).  She does end up shooting and killing one of her assailants and all I could think after reading the article was that it was all a set up!

It was fishy because there were two assailants and one was killed and the other turned himself in.  This is what I think really happened.  Assailant #1 and the mom concocted this plan to kill Assailant #2 and to make it an accident.  Stage a home invasion to have a justifiable homicide.  The authorities would never think this single mom of a 3 month old with a husband who died of cancer on Christmas could have ulterior motives.  Anyway, stage home invasion leads to death of Assailant #2 and a get out of jail free card for the mom.  Assailant #1 and mom live happily ever after.

Yes, too much Law and Order, The Closer, NCIS, Rizzoli and Isles, and whatever other crime dramas I watch.  It would totally make for good TV though.

I felt old last night

One of my carpool buddies invited me and the hubster to dinner last night at his home.  It was us, him and his girlfriend, and other carpool buddy and his current girl.  We had a great time eating and talking and laughing.  The food was delicious (ribs and chicken, right up the hubster's alley).

Anyway, as we we were talking, I guess the new girl lived near where carpool buddy #1 used to live and knew his girlfriend's friend.  She mentioned that she graduated in 2004 and I thought to myself "Hey, I graduated 2004.  *pause*  I graduated college in 2004.  *pause*  I bet she's talking about high school."  It hit me like a ton of bricks.  I'm old, but not really.  I mean carpool buddy #2 is my brother's age, but it just threw me off.  I'm only 3-4 years older than the new girl.  Carpool buddy #1 is around my age, so I don't know why I felt out of place at that moment.

It also didn't help that they didn't get the hubster's movie quote of "Always bet on black!" of Wesley Snipes and Passenger 57 fame.  I feel like everyone in my family would recognize that quote, but I guess not.  Neither carpool buddies got it and the whole story was killed by it.

I felt old, but I'm not!  Maybe it's because I'll be 29 in 8 days.

29!?@#?@!?@!

Unprofessional Professional

I am by far the most unprofessional professional that I know, but then again, I don't follow others around to see their bad habits.  What do I do that is so unprofessional:

• I don't wear shoes at my desk
• I slouch at my desk, majorly slouch.  At times, you might think I didn't have a spine and I just slid down my chair.
• Some times I don't wear socks at my desk when I'm not wearing shoes.
• I'm currently sitting at my desk with a stolen airplane blanket over my lap.

I'm sure there's more, but this was spurred on by a coworker dropping in on me to pay me for our recognition banquet and I was super slouching in my chair.  It could have not looked good.

Some Girls

are just born with a lot of confidence.  I was at Victoria's Secret this morning (yes, I woke up at 7:30 am on my last day off of work to go there).

Anyway, I'm standing in line to try on some things and this girl who is not exactly thin and had a gut comes out of her dressing room to ask her friends if her ensemble looked cute.  It was a lacy bra and yoga pants.  WTF?!?  Inappropriate much.  I could possibly understand if she was like supermodel thin and asking opinions and she liked to show off her body, but I don't want to see that that early in the morning.  Sure, if this were summer and we were at the pool/beach, then sure, go on ahead.  Every girl has the right to sport a bikini, but in the middle of winter in a dressing room, there is no reason to go flaunting your goodies to everyone.  She definitely was not shy or embarrassed. I will give her props for being so bold and confident.  Sometimes, I wish I were like that.

I mean I have a pretty decent body and I would never do that.  Even when I ask the dressing room person for another size, I either take the bra off and put my clothes on and ask then or open the door a crack and  ask for another size while describing the bra without actually showing them (which I am sure make it difficult for them to ascertain what the hell I'm talking about).

Anyway, just morning adventures at Victoria's Secret.

It's snowing... Finally

And the hubster already decided we're NOT snowboarding today. It would have been perfect.

Dog picture of the day

My little fox

Winding Down

My Christmas vacation is winding down and it finally hit me today.  The hubster is taking the stepson back home after his extended stay with us.  Where did the time go?  Has it already been a 10 days since I've been to work?  It's flown by.  I've got one more day off until I head back to work.  Maybe the time has flown because I've been relatively busy during this break.  Usually we'll be in PA/NJ or not be doing anything.  Time spent at my relatives is exhausting so by the time it's time to come home.  We're ready, but on the years that we don't do anything.  The time just slinks by.

Christmas break recap:

• Christmas in Cincinnati
• Ikea/Nordstrom Rack trip to Cincinnati
• Blue Jackets game
• 4 days with the stepson - huge time sink with little activities
• No snowboarding because the weather sucked
• No movies because we forgot that he had an eye appointment
• New Year's Eve with some of the hubster's friends.

Doesn't seem like a lot, but it sure felt like a lot.  I think the lack of snowboarding made the last half of the break a little less exciting than the first half.

But the fun's not over yet.  Victoria's Secret Semi Annual sale tomorrow and maybe a movie with the hubster to cap off the Christmas break!

2012 New Year's Resolutions

Here we go!

1. Save money since it was the only one that wasn't completed satisfactorily
2. Run a half marathon in its entirety
3. Compete in another race (5k, 10k, triathalon, mud run, etc)
4. Start going back to the gym so that I can a) do a pull up and b) get a six pack (or even a four pack)
5. Be more active with the dogs (more walks, take dogs to doggie day camp)
6. Eat better
7. Start decorating the house to have a more cohesive look (add artwork, add photos, replace furniture)
8. Be more crafty
9. Travel to a new country
10. Travel to a new state
11. Begin kitchen updating (Note that it says begin and not finish or complete - let's not get too ahead of ourselves)  Maybe tile the kitchen floor or add a back splash

This list is twice as long as last year's resolutions and they span broader categories.  I'm eager to see how many will be checked off this year.  I'm sure I'll be adding to the list when I think of things.

This happens every year

I put away all the Christmas stuff (which only took 2 hours start to finish and done just in time to eat the rain) and then I go out and buy more. Which means that this new stuff sits out for the rest of this year waiting for next Christmas.

I figure it's ok because I'm sure I'll travel this year and pick up more ornaments which means those will sit out too and the advent calendar I bought won't be alone. I'm sad to see the holiday season end, but excited about the new year and all the adventures it's bound I ring.

Happy New Year