LOVE it!

Alpacas With Post-Punk Hair

It is what it is and I love it.

How do you not love some Dexter?

Can't help it.  I love him.  I would probably marry Michael C. Hall... and maybe even Dexter Morgan, if he were a real person.  I think I could look past all of the murders and whatnot. 

So, what's Dexter's favorite Christmas song?

P90X Update

I'm back on the P90X wagon.  It wasn't like I really meant to quit, but when the only room in your house that you have ample space to workout in, literally has the floor torn out, it is kind of hard to keep up the routine.  So, I did the first 3 1/2 weeks of P90X Lean (the more cardio, aerobic focused program), quit for 3 weeks, and am currently back to it.  I wasn't sure if it were better to pick up where I left off or restart the program.  I opted for restarting.  I am now currently starting week 4 of the P90X Lean program.

Here's the thing:  I think I am becoming slightly obsessed.  If it gets to be midnight and I haven't found time in my busy schedule to complete my workout, I do it then.  At midnight.  The day we got our carpet put in the basement, I skipped doing my Legs & Back routine because the carpet guys were in there all day and we moved furniture back in (which I figured really could COUNT as my legs and back workout), but I felt guilty as all get out the entire time I tried to fall asleep that night, even in to the next morning.  The thought of skipping a day makes me feel guilty.  I can't let my main man, Tony Horton, down!

Here's some good news:  I have lost 13.8 lbs in the first 3 weeks!  Really it's probably closer to 15 lbs., since I've eaten and apple and steamed rice and am fully clothed today (Yes, I LITERALLY just weighed myself), and the first time I weighed myself before starting it was first thing in the morning, wearing next to nil (sorry for any visual that may have occurred... yikes).  WOOT!  I know it will slow down tremendously as my body adjusts but 13.8 lbs. averages at 4.6 lbs. per week and that is definitely motivation enough to keep going!  Not that the thought of Tony Horton being disappointed in me isn't motivation enough. 

Do you all know the P90X program?  If not, I'm sorry because you have no idea what I'm talking about and are probably asking yourselves, who the H (F for my more vulgar friends) is Tony Horton?  He's the p90X guru, folks.  You can link to the P90X site at the top of my blog or here, if you want to know more about what I'm talking about.  I just always assume people know because there is a P90X infomercial on every six seconds.

Anyway, I'm off because I need to get in my YogaX before I go plan my afternoon counseling sessions and that shiz is 90 minutes long so I need to get to it! 

Can't Handle It...

Okay, so I know I haven't posted a REAL blog post in a LONG time but you HAVE to watch this video.  I get really annoyed by cutesy animal videos, but seriously... SERIOUSLY.  Just watch it.

Guess what I wear as a hat?

A lentil. 

I love this.

The Great Outdoors that is the Greater South Side

*Disclaimer:  This post contains graphic gory disgusting details toward the end.

 I thought I would take a little time today to enlighten you all as to the fantastic woodland creatures that you can all meet if you come visit.  You know you all need an outdoor adventure, so COME ON!


Orbil



As any of you who are facebook or twitter followers know, I recently made friends with a darling Orb Weaver!  He spun new webs outside my front door every night.  He has now moved to the back door.  How do I know that he is the same one, you may ask... I just do!  He's special!  Here is a really crappy photo of him.

Jack and friend... I'm very aware that
he could probably live inside of Jack's beard.

Jack and I now have a new friend that moved in close to our house!  Want to meet him?  He doesn't have a name, and frankly, I haven't seen him except for the ONE time... but as far as I'm concerned, he's a buddy.

Releasing our new buddy in to the wild...
 that is, a bush in front of our house!

I believe I may have previously mentioned the squirrel family that we have living in our trees as well.  If not, we have several squirrels that live here.  Kaiah hates them because they tease her.  She'll chase them up the tree and they'll get to a branch, just barely above Kaiah's reach and will chatter at her.  I honestly think they are mocking her.

(I will also add that there are a variety of birds and bunnies and this guy that live here, but they aren't super news-worthy.)

Now, on to the real story.  Shortly after I discovered the Orb Weaver, I also discovered that there are two owls living in our pine tree.  I went outside with Kaiah one night and I heard this noise that I could only assume was the collaborative noise of 3 dying dogs.  Well, all of a sudden, I look up because I hear a rustling and an owl swooped out of the tree, right at my head!  As soon as it got across the street, I could hear it "who whoing" back and forth with the remaining owl in the tree.  I assumed since I heard the noise no longer that it was some weird mating noise or conversation the two were having before the dear friends parted ways.  This all happened about 2-3 weeks ago.

This is where the story really starts.  About a week ago, I started scolding Kaiah when we went outside because she wouldn't leave the eave extension alone.  Then, a few days ago I started smelling what can only be referred to as "the smell".  I told Jack that there was something that was clearly dead in the eave extension.  He told me he checked and that there was nothing there.  BOY was he WRONG.  Finally after two days of the stench increasing, I forced Jack to take the extension out and check even though he ASSURED me it was just "stagnant water".  As soon as he pulled it off he goes, "oh... there's something in there all right". 

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS?!?!?

A DEAD RACCOON!!!  A completely mushified decomposing pile of maggots, teeth and a tiny striped piece of tail!  DISGUSTING!  Jack tried to convince me it wasn't a raccoon but I know raccoon tail when I see it.   Sick.  It was seriously mush! 

What does this have to do with the owls you ask?  I have decided that the noise that I heard the night of the owls was actually that raccoon trying to free itself from my eave spout and the sound alarmed the owl and made it fly across the street!  How horrible is that?  Maybe I could have saved the probably rabid little dude, had I known!  Sad!

Okay, that is all for my nasty nature stories.  Here's a cute picture of Kaiah in her new tie-dyed bandana I got her at FarMar this weekend to replace all of the grossness!

Such a pretty girl!

A month later...

Wow.
It's been almost a month since I've blogged.
I'm aware of how ridiculous this is.
I've had a lot going on.
Tore up the basement.
I'm actually developing a caseload at work.
This means that I've had to work.
Several new diagnoses.  (Yay... NOT.)
Brought back the phrase "NOT".
You know, the uje.

I've also decided that I can break down to the first syllable of "usual" by saying "uje" in order to make it sound right.  Care to disagree with me?  You come up with a better solution.  (Saying the whole word is NOT an option.

Here's a picture to make up for the load of crap I've just made you read.



Just a lil' something to show you how upset I was by my "Texas Toast" which 
was actually a tiny slice o' bun.  I'm aware of how unflattering this picture is.
It still makes me laugh.  A lot.



What I'm Sportin'...




Microsherpa!  I just bought this blanket and LOVE it!



Must I explain?




I can't breathe without it!



Green Tea!  Coats my throat so nicely!



 




<> PJ pants and slippers!    

<> 

Sore ALL OVER!

  

GUYS... I think I'm sick.  : (

Mmmmm SNACKS!

So, this whole P90X with new diet thing has turned me on to a couple of new snacks in accordance with the new meals I've fallen in love with (which I shared with you in my last P90X blog. 

Let me also take some time to say that I am officially through my first 3 weeks of P90X.  Legs & Back absolutely wore me out for some reason (and then I still had to do that dreaded Ab Ripper X) yesterday.  I am SORE!    But guess what, people?!?!  I feel AWESOME!

Next week is my "chilled out" week, which... let's face it... isn't really chilled out at all.  However, I am excited for a new routine for the upcoming week.  THEN, after next week, I will start part deux of the program!  Exciting!  This will also give me a new routine for 3 weeks.  (Can't wait!  After this week I will be officially 1/3 of the way through my P90X Lean... then it will be on to P90X Classic, which means the addition of Plyometrics... yikes.)

Take a look see below for two of my new favorite snacks...

These are way yum... but guess what?
It turns out they are NOT so great for you
even if I did buy them in the health food market.
(Yes, they are sweet potato and beet chips!)

This however is FANTASTIC!  And good for you!  (Soy nuts + dried cranberries + pumpkin kernels + almonds = yumtastic!)

Everybody's NOT Fine!

Do not be deceived by the happiness on everyone's faces!

I just watched the most horribly terrible movie ever.  It was not a BAD movie.  It wasn't written poorly or bad in the sense of a review, but it was terrible in a sense of, I-never-want-to-see-it-again-because-of-how-it-made-me-feel terrible.  If that makes sense...

The movie was/is "Everybody's Fine".  If you haven't heard of it, it stars Robert DeNiro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale & Sam Rockwell.  It's about an older gentleman (DeNiro) who travels across the country to see his children.

The movie literally upset me from the very beginning.  SPOILER ALERT:  I have no intention of ruining the movie for anyone; you just will go in with more of a knowledge about the movie than I had going in (which was nil).

It starts out with a scene where DeNiro is shopping and is trying to spiffy up his home because all four of his kids will finally be coming to visit at the same time.  He buys wine, a grill, cleans the place up and is clearly looking forward to it.  Of course, everyone cancels.  Immediately I am upset because I have to see him all disappointed.

Moving forward, he decides to go visit them on his own.  Upon visiting, everyone shoves him back out the door because they don't want to discuss a certain event that is happening with one of his sons.  SO, I am constantly devastated by this because I can not handle seeing him get shoved out the door.  (It also makes you think about all of the times that you didn't make time for your family... but more about that in a little bit.)

Meanwhile, at one of the bus stations, the kid from "Empire Records", (you know him... "Stop calling me 'Warren'.  My name's not f*ckin' 'Warren'!"), jumps him and smashes his medication which he needs, because OF COURSE he has a health concern.  (That's not a MAJOR part of the movie but it's still upsetting.)

Then there is the climax.  I shall go no further as to not give too much away in case anyone wants to see it.

I found myself overly upset throughout the entire movie.  Like I said, the opening scene had me upset and I was sad (and bawling like a baby) throughout the entire movie; partially because of the movie's content, but more so because of how it made me reflect on my own life.

It really made me think about all of the times in my life when I haven't made time for someone, or have avoided a person just to avoid having to talk about a certain topic or event.  It made me think about all of the times I've cancelled plans because I was feeling lazy or didn't feel like talking to people.  You think, yeah, they'll be upset, but it's not a big deal if I'm not there.  The truth is, sometimes it IS a big deal.  Just because someone tells you that it's okay that you didn't make it; it doesn't mean that they weren't disappointed or upset by it.

We've all been disappointed and we've all had our feelings hurt.  Yes, you can't be there for everything.  You can't always make everyone happy (no matter how hard you try).  Yes, sometimes you do have to think about you and making time for yourself... but at what cost?  Is it better for you to sit around and watch a movie instead of going and playing cards with your grandparents for an afternoon?  Is it better for you to browse the Internet instead of picking up the phone and calling to chat with your mom or dad?   Yes, everyone needs "alone time", but think about all of the people that you know that have nothing but "alone time" and would love nothing more than to hear a loved one's voice on the other end of the phone.

As you can see, this movie really made me reflect on my life and decisions I've made in the past.  Sorry for being a sap today.

Get in touch with someone who loves you today.  You never know how much it will truly be appreciated.  It could make someone's day.  It doesn't cost any money; just a little bit of your time. 

Wine and and a good book?

I feel like kind of a loser sitting at home drinking a glass of red and reading a little of "The Catcher in the Rye", but you know what? I'm perfectly at peace with that. :)

Week One: Done!

Just a foreward:  If you don't care about my P90X adventure; skip this blog entry!  :)

I'm officially done with week one of P90X.  Well, that is unless you count tomorrow, which is either a rest day or a stretch day.  I believe it will be a stretch day for me even though at the beginning of the week I was SURE it was going to be a rest day.  (Yes, I'd planned it that far in advance.)  My muscles are feeling it today.  After doing Legs & Back & Ab Ripper X yesterday and then doing KenpoX today, my legs are like jello.  I think that stretch will do them wonders tomorrow.

All of that being said, I'm feeling good about this.  I am sore in the best ways possible, but all ready I can feel myself having more energy.  Jack claims that he can already SEE a difference, but it's only been one week, so I'm not sure I believe that noise.  I won't do my weigh in until Monday morning though, so we'll see how I have done weight-wise.

One area that I AM failing at is the diet plan.  P90X has a wonderful diet plan, but this girl can not afford to eat their meal plan.  That aside, I thought I would attempt to eat some of their meals, follow some of their guidelines, and follow some of those other random tips and recipes that I've found for dieting throughout the years.  Do you want to know which food tastes the best?  The P90X recipes.  Oh.  Mon.  Dieu.  They are heavenly.

Honestly, I wish I would have taken pictures for you all to enjoy because not only are they delicious, but they are absolutely beautiful as well.  I will keep that in mind in the future, as I am 100% certain I will be re-creating these meals in the near future.  The Salmon w/ Lemon Dill Sauce was absolutely to die for.  Of course, everything is from scratch with no short-cuts, but that is why it tastes so wonderful!  Unfortunately that makes for a not-so-cheap meal for my broke ass.  Other favorites of the week:  Island Pork Tenderloin Salad & Greek Feta Chicken.  YUM!

Anyway, the reason I say that I am failing is because I am such a snacker!  I always want to munch on something.  This is fine and I have plenty of healthy snacks around; it's Jack that is killing me.  "Can we order pizza?"  "If I make hot wings will you help me eat them?"  "I stopped at the store and picked up Oreos."  These are all Jack quotes of the week.  Yes, I understand that I should have the will power to say "no", but guess what?  I don't.  I went from eating complete crap all last week to trying to eat healthy and even though I normally don't even want hot wings or pizza; this week they just sounded, oh, so tempting.

I need some motivation people!  Any advice?  Any meal ideas/recipes for me?  This program requires me to eat a LOT more protein than I am used to!

Run through of my week (for any who care):

•  Monday (week 1, day 1):  Core Synergistics  (This is kind of a total-body workout, but does focus on the core.)
• Tuesday (w1, d2):  Cardio X (Self-explanatory.)
• Wednesday (w1, d3):  Shoulders & Arms, Ab Ripper X (First part is self-explanatory. Ab Ripper X is the most excruciating 16 minutes of my life.)
• Thursday (w1, d4):  YogaX (I've always liked yoga. Yoga X is definitely eXtreme... yowza.)
• Friday (w1, d5):  Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X (Again, self-explanatory. There's that damn Ab Ripper again. As though the hour long workout wasn't enough beFORE you throw in the extra 16 minutes from HELL.)
• Saturday (w1, d6): KenpoX  (Okay, this one is definitely fun.  However, I think I sweat more than I've ever sweat in my life doing this.  It's one hell of a workout.  For those of you who don't know, Kenpo means "law of the fist".  This means a lot of punches, kicks, etc.)
• TOMORROW:  As I said earlier, this could be a rest day, but I think I'm going to do StretchX. 

Oh yeah, did I mention that I am doing P90X Lean as opposed to classic?  The lean version is more commonly used by women because you are able to maintain a more "girlish" figure.  PLUS, I need to lose a LOT of weight before I focus on toning my body up more. 

The next 2 weeks will repeat the same routine I had this past week.  I will then back off for a week and have a slightly less "eXtreme" workout.  Then I'll jump back in to a new routine for 3 weeks, and so on and so forth.

Are you guys bored with my ramblings?  I apologize, I know this has been a long and boring blog for many of you.  This is a huge accomplishment for me to be doing a workout routine as extreme as this and to actually be following through with it.  Your encouragement is welcome!  :)

P.S.  I totally found out how much I dislike protein shakes and protein bars.  Unfortunate for me.  :(

P90X

And so it begins.

I am officially beginning P90X tomorrow morning and I am scared to death.  I know this is going to be a huge challenge for me.  Considering this program was designed for seasoned athletes who want to push themselves further and I am not an athlete whatsoever; this is going to kill me.  Hopefully not literally.  :)

Have any of you out there in my blogosphere done P90X?  If so, give me your thoughts and comments, please!

Also, I am really going to need some motivational pull through this one... rather push, I suppose.  I know that I am going to complain and I'm sure a lot of that will be done to you, my lovely followers.  :)  So PLEASE, keep me motivated!

Does everyone know what P90X is?  It is an exercise program that lasts 90 days (or however long you want to repeat the program for) and is focused around "muscle confusion", thus allowing your body to never get used to it.  Which is both good and bad...  It is good because you will constantly see the effects of the program, BUT you will also constantly be sore from it.  :(

Okay, that is all for now because I have a feeling you will be hearing a lot about this from me in the very near future.

Free Produce!!!

So, In the past I've told you a few of the reasons why I like going back to my home town.  Mostly all because of the people.

Let me tell you about another MAJOR (seasonal) reason I love it.

FREE PRODUCE!!!

I mean seriously folks.  The generosity of my family is amazing.  Check out the cornucopia below!  YUM!

This is really only a tiny portion of what I brought back with me and it is only a minuscule amount of what I COULD have brought back with me.

Check out some more YUMS thanks to my 'rents!

I've always loved finding the "ugly" carrots because they are the beautiful ones.  Sometimes you can prop them up on their "legs"; sometimes they don't even look like carrots in shape.  Amazing.  The only thing that is more beautifully hideous than Schwartz carrots are Schwartz potatoes... and I have plenty of those as well!

I hand plucked those babies (pun not intended) from the chicken coop myself!

Then of course, there are the joys of my little brother moving back to Iowa and running a farm:

Peppers!  Lots of them!

Black Raspberry Jam made with honey!  It is SO delectable!  He is my parents' son!

Last, but not least, TOMATOES!  I only add them last because some of them are from my parents, some are ours (from our Topsy Turvy!) and some are from Jack's Grandma!

I love summer produce.  I can't wait for the fall produce! 

(I'll be home again in September, Mom!)

Coming to a Blog Near You...

This is just a blog promising that I will blog.  Seriously.  That's all it is.  I realize it has been 2 weeks since I've blogged.  It's not that I was in a deep depression over Bronko... although I WAS sad about that.

Coming up in a future blog(s):
~ hanging out with the maternal side of the fam.  (We're an interesting bunch.)
~P90X (Oh yes... it's happening.)
~Produce (That's right.  Produce.)
~The birthday celebrations coming up this weekend.

Did I mention that Vanilla Ice & Tone Loc are totally playing on a free stage at the state fair?  That will be this Sunday.  It doesn't get much more exciting than that.

Blog you later.

Officially Bummed

So, it turns out that Bronko is going to be a no go.  :(  Kaiah did not like any part of him.  She attempted to sniff him but as soon as he muzzle bumped her, she was ready to destroy him.
I'm bummed though, so that's all I have to say on the subject at this point.

Huge Dilemma! I NEED your help!!!

Alright folks.  I need your help right now.  I am in the midst of a major internal debate.  I know this is a long post, but please stick with me; I am begging for your  input. 

While I was home over my lunch hour today, I randomly decided to peruse craigslist.  I have not looked at craigslist since job searching 3 months ago and I haven't looked at it for anything other than jobs for probably a year.  Well, on a whim I  just decided to search EVERYTHING on it today.

I purposefully do not allow myself to look at the pets on craigslist ANYTIME I'm on there because I can not turn myself away from a friend who needs a home.  Guess what I did TODAY though.  I LOOKED AT THE PETS!  Here-in begins the story of Bronko.

This is Bronko.   Bronko is an English Mastiff.  Bronko is absolutely AMAZING.  Bronko had a really nice write-up about him on craigslist.  The family rescued him from a home where he was terrorized by young children.  The adoptive family has a 10 year-old and a 14 year-old at home.  Bronko does fine with these two but he gets spooked easily, so, long story short, they are looking for a more suitable home for Bronko.  Here-in lies ME!

On a whim, before even speaking to my fiance about the matter, I decided to do some follow-up on my dearest Bronko.  I asked if he does okay with other dogs (the family had said that he has a high prey drive and doesn't do well with small dogs, so I asked about larger dogs, like Kaiah.)  I also asked about the re-homing fee, because let's face it:  I'm gonna need that money to feed this sucker!  He is 170 lbs.!  That is 75 lbs. bigger than Kaiah!

Speaking of Kaiah, here she is.  Does she look like she needs a friend?  I told her about Bronko and then we went on a walk and it is literally the best behaved she has ever been on a walk before.  Do you think this means that she is saying, "Hey Ma!  Look at how good I am!  I deserve a friend!" OR do you think she is saying, "Mom!  I'm being so good!  You don't have to get another dog to show me how to behave!"  (The family also mentioned how well-behaved Bronko is and I had told Kaiah that.  She understands human-speak perfectly fine, thank you.)

Back to Bronko though.  I received a response and the first line stated that I had almost brought the woman to tears with the mere mention of my having a dog named "Kaiah" as they had a St. Bernard named "Kyah" who passed away due to cancer in February.  What are the odds of THAT?  Kyah and Bronko had been BFF's so the family thought that Bronko and Kaiah could learn to love each other like Bronko and other Kyah had loved each other.  The kicker?  The family is willing to have no re-homing fee.  They just want the perfect home for Bronko.

Speaking of kicking, I then kicked myself in the ass for even having emailed the woman about Bronko.  I hadn't even spoken to Jack about him and now I was getting the family's hopes up that we might be a fantastic fated match for Bronko.

So, I talked to Jack and, no surprise here, he was all about it.  Loves the idea of it.  So I emailed back and forth with the family a couple of times and they would like the dogs to meet each other and they would like to meet us, so we are setting this up for Sunday.  This is the picture that I got in the most recent email, with the caption "Bronko looking at Kaiah".  She then explained in the email that she showed him the picture I had sent of Kaiah and he started sniffing the screen and staring at her.  See!  He loves her already!

Okay, so here are the facts.  I need help in my decision-making.  I will make a bulleted list for you, because let's face it; I've written way too many paragraphs and I've maybe held on to half (if that) of my readers.

To Start: Things that People Might Normally Think Are an Issue, but Truly are NOT for Us

• He is 170 lbs. of dog  (Jack and I are not even phased by this.  Other than the fact that we already have one 97 lb. dog sleeping with us.  Can you imagine another 170 lb. dog?  Good thing we have a king...)
• He slobbers (So what?  So does Kaiah.  You get used to it.)

Reasons NOT to get Bronko

• Kaiah gets spooked by other dogs  (Sometimes she loves them though.  She's big on first impressions.)
• Bronko gets spooked by kids (We have nieces and nephews.  We DON'T have kids though and we don't plan to anytime soon.  The extended family isn't around Kaiah that often the way it is.)
• 2 big dogs in the bed?
• We don't have a fenced-in yard (We plan to get one eventually, but right now Kaiah is on a long tether in the yard.  The family doesn't tether Bronko as they feel he would bolt if he got spooked so he only goes out on a leash.  They also do not have a fenced-in yard.)
• Big dogs are expensive.  (We know.  We have one.  We WILL afford it, but is it the smartest?)

Reasons TO get Bronko

• Look at him!  ----------------->
• He needs a good home and I know we can provide that!
• He is reportedly well-trained!  Extra bonus!
• He is used to having free reign of the house, which is fabulous because we NEVER lock Kaiah up!
• He doesn't chew on things he isn't supposed to
• He is a lover
• He is free to the right home and you better believe we have a GREAT home!
• He is one of the most handsome men I've ever seen!
• It's fate!  Let's face it people.  This IS fate.  I never get on craigslist anymore and on a whim I did and he was posted TODAY.  They used to have another dog named "Kyah" and WE have a "Kaiah".  Anytime that Jack and I talk about getting another dog, we always say that we want an English Mastiff and here one is.  AND Bronko needs us!

I'm sure there a bunch of other reasons I should and should not get Bronko, but my mind and stomach are both going crazy about this issue.

Seriously folks.  I am BEGGING for your help on this one.  This is a huge decision.  I know what my heart says and I know what my head says and I need help right now in deciding which one is smarter.  Help?  Leave me comments on this one.  I don't care if you never comment any of my other blogs and I don't care if you don't follow me.  Comment anonymously if you have to.  Just help me out here!

Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da!

Just thought I'd share my mood today.  I am aware that I am not an artist, and I am even more aware that there are no rainbows without rain.  This is just how I feel today.  Enjoy.

How Have I Not Seen This Movie Yet?

I just watched "(500) Days of Summer" last night for the first time.  How is it even possible that I had not yet seen this movie?  I loved it.  LOVED it! 

It was one of those movies that are on my list to watch, but that I hadn't gotten around to yet.  Mostly because Jack is very uncooperative about watching movies that he thinks are too "girly".

I added this movie to my favorites list.  While my favorites list may look random and stupid, it is actually quite hard to get on this list.  If you check it out (on my profile page), you will see that it has been a very long time since I've added a new movie to this list.  It seems outdated.  It's NOT folks.  There just hasn't been anything I've wanted to add in a LONG time.

This all means it's a good flick.  So if you haven't already, check it.

"Because my love, my love, my love is my Dog"

Am I the only one who does this?  I sing to my dog.  Constantly.  I change the words so that they apply to her.  Her personal favorite is "If Kai were queen of the forrrrrrrrrr-est!  (Roll the r's people.)  Not princess, nor duchess, just queen."  (You know it... Wizard of Oz!)


I totally dance with her too.  More like dance AT her.    I think sometimes she gets scared of me.  Don't act like none of you do the same thing.


Lately this has been the song of choice... only because it's on the radio at least once per hour.

P.S.  If you even for one second think that the very idea of all of this is stupid, you need to get your life in order people!  You have to live life and love it.  Thus, I sing loud and I sing proud, even if it makes my pup suffer.  : )

(Please, double-click the picture so you can see my artwork at it's finest!)

Sometimes it's Like I Never Left (and I Love It)

I headed back to the Maq. this weekend to celebrate my friend Kate's birthday.  This was honestly one of the best weekends I've had in a long time.  For those of you who don't already know it, Kate's birthday is a national holiday.  It's a big deal every year and if you aren't there to celebrate with the right people, you WILL be in trouble.  That being said, I am so happy I went back last weekend!  It was the most fun I've had in so long.

The main event involved getting some sun time in but as we all know very well, the sun and I do not get along.  (My back is FRIED!)  Here's a picture of all of my lady friends that helped celebrate Kate's birthday.  (Kate's in the front middle, for those of you who might notknow her.)

It's funny how I can spend so much time away from my friends but we always fall back in to "best friendship" when we are together.  I love these ladies with all of my heart.


Friday night we got to spend some time with a few of our guy friends, which was nice since it has been so long since I've seen any of them.  The same thing applies with them though... once we get together it's like we've never been apart.  It's interesting really how that works.  You know, I've always felt like our group of friends from high school were different than a lot of people's "groups".  Maybe because I'm on the inside of that group, it's easy for me to say... maybe everyone feels that about their friend groups.  Our HS friends are like the friends that most people make in college though.  Those solid life-long friendships.  I may not get to see these ladies and gents as often as I'd like to (living several hours away from most of them), but it doesn't matter because when I see them again, it's like I never left.

Here's a bit more of how we spent our Friday night.  We grew moustaches!  On our FINGERS!  Kate's sporting "The Hitler"... she didn't center it on her finger very well though so it was "The Crooked Hitler" most of the night.  Megan's sporting "The Handlebar" or, as she calls it, "The Maq-stache".  Lanham is sporting "The Charlie Chaplin" and I've got "The Fireman" going on.  I know you all are jealous.

Saturday then was pool day.  We got some good sun time in and drank a lot of bucket drinks.  It was fantastic (aside from that whole sunburn thing).   Then Saturday night we got to see some of the boys again.  The boys were hosting the 3rd Annual "Feets of Strength" challenge, so several of them were in the area.  (Yes, I'm aware of how Feets is not spelled "feats".  They were barefoot for the events.)  Anyway, we had our own tournament, a little flippy cup action, as usual.  Well, we made it a high stakes tournament and if us ladies won we got the extra "Feets of Strength" t-shirts.  Needless to say, this is how we roll:

Team One & Done.  Notice all of our cups are flipped?  That would also be my free t-shirt!  Sorry boys, but you should really know better by now than to challenge us.

I'm so glad I made it back for the weekend.  I couldn't ask for better friends.

Oh yeah!  Something else exciting happened this weekend.  But, more on that later!

Reasons to Go Back to Maq-Town

See the family...

 

But the main reason I'm going back THIS weekend:

Rum Sump Pump Punch

Hello readers,

  Let me tell you a little bit about why I am sore.  I put a sump pump in yesterday.  Yep, me.  I did.  Well, I helped.  My "plumber" (okay, fiance) made me do all of the heavy lifting though!  I had to dig out all of the concrete chunks after he pounded the crap out of it with the sledgehammer.  Really that's the only reason I'm sore; from squatting for an intense amount of time.  (I clearly need to work out.)  I was very nervous for my basement floor once he started pounding on it, but it looks pretty good now.  AND hopefully there will be no more opportunities for pictures like the one I posted in my previous blog (us vacuuming all of the stupid trespassing water out of the carpet).

Anyway, moving on.  For those of you who don't know, the 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays.  I just love spending time in the sun with friends and/or family.  The last few years we've celebrated with Jack's family but this year we are celebrating with one of Jack's friends from high school and his girlfriend.  I just made a ton of food/drinks (Rum Punch that is AMAZING & some jello shots!  Hello alcohol!).  Yummers!  I've decided that I like being a hostess.  I like prepping for shindigs and whatnot... I think that just comes from my liking to organize in general.  Maybe I should be a party planner!  Anyway, the cool thing about tonight is that we are not getting together at our place.  This means I get to do the cooking and planning and then I get to take it all elsewhere and I don't have to deal with the part of hostess that means that I have to show everybody where everything is!  YAY!  (Plus I don't have to clean up for the event!)

Nothing exciting today, I know.  Here's a picture to make it all better.  Okay, so I know the picture turned out kind of dark but Kaiah moves anytime she catches me trying to take a picture of her when she sits here.  We have that little bench in our front yard and she seriously will go out there and just perch on the bench like it's her own personal throne.  She's too funny.

I'm an Embarrassment

Friends and family tell me often that they follow my blog, but have not clicked to become a "follower".  Does this mean they're embarrassed to follow me?

Birthdays, Floods, & Mating Maxwells

So, it has been a while since I've blogged.  10 days.  That's kind of a lot for me!  I've been working more lately, so I think that accounts for some of it.  Some. 

I had an interesting weekend.  Friday night Jack & I went to see Grown-Ups.  It was pretty funny... mostly in a clean way, which I usually like better than dirty humor.  I think anyone can tell a dirty joke and be funny, but it actually takes TALENT to be funny in a "clean" way.  Anyway, back to the subject at hand.  It was a good movie; not something that I would say is a favorite, but I'm glad I watched it.

In other news, I went back to Maquoketa for the annual birthday bash of one Ms. Martha Schwartz.  She turned 90 on Friday!  CRAZY!  This picture is from Memorial Day weekend 'cause for whatever reason I didn't take a new one of us at her birthday party!  I love her!  She is the one who gave me my wonderful cooking abilities.  I must also add that I have found in recent years that I think I may have developed some of my sharp wit from her.  She must have withheld that from me when I was a child, but she sure doesn't hold back her sauciness anymore!

While I was home I also gave Destiny and Easton their birthday presents since I don't think that I will get to see them again before their birthdays.  Here is Little Man speeding away from the mess he made while opening up his presents.  LOVES himself some wrapping paper!

Easton & Destiny also liked jamming out to Destiny's new Justin Bieber cd.  Yes, I actually bought that for her, as much as I might be against the J. Bieb's.

We went to Bluff Lake for Grandma's birthday dinner, just like we do every other year.  I had to post the picture below because I can not figure out what Preston, Destiny Matt & Kim are all staring at!  They look like they are concentrating really hard on something.  Too funny.

If you can't tell, I love my family!  Now, let me tell you what I don't love.  My basement flooding.  Jack called me at 6:30 AM on Sunday morning (while I was in Maquoketa) to let me know that our (finished) basement was flooded.  NOT cool.  My house now smells musty and gross and we are still (2 days later) trying to shop vac. all of the water out of the carpet.  I'm pretty sure that we are going to have to replace it.  We didn't have any issues last year or this year yet, but this last rain must have been the straw that broke the camel's back.  We are supposed to have a whole week of sunshine!  Why couldn't it last through one more rain spell?  LAME.

In other news, we got a free load of firewood tonight!  That is a good thing!  I was not looking forward to paying for firewood this fall, but I HAVE to have fires.  LOVE them.  (Anybody know a good chimney sweep in the area?  I need one before this fall!  I want someone similar to Dick Van Dyke if at all possible...)

Lastly, the book challenge starts in 2 days!  Check it out.  I hope you all will be cheering me on!  I lack motivation people!  If you know me at all, you know this much to be true, so I need you!

Oh wait!  One more thing!  I saw a partnerless Mating Maxwell today in lieu of one Ms. Kate Bowman's birthday!  It may not have had a partner, but it still made me think it was just there to celebrate for Kate!  (If you don't understand the paragraph, then you don't need to.  I  mean that in the most polite way possible.)     :)  It was an amazing bluish tealy color.  LOVED it.  So did Kaiah.

Goose Goose GooseGooseGoose

I don't have to work today so that means that you all get to read a new blog!  Yay for you!  I guess technically I did do some work emailing this morning but other than that I get the day off.  We had tornado sirens and storms this morning so I was looking forward to a nice relaxing day of reading and being lazy.  NOW the sun has decided to come out so I suppose I will have to go out and take Kaiah for an adventure.  I suppose that's good... for both of us.  Either way, I was REALLY looking forward to being a lazy P.O.S. today.


Note to readers:  I'm going to start back up the YESS book club.  I know that I no longer work at YESS, but I like you gals and it's going to happen whether you like it or not.  Expect an email soon.  Also, let me know if there is anyone in the DSM area that is not a former member that would like to join.  [Perhaps one Ms. Kaci Sloss... :)  I would say that you fit both qualifications, but let's face it... being an employee at YESS is no longer a qualification. (The other qualification is that you read, of course... and that you're not annoying, so I guess there are three.)]  P.S.  I WILL be posting these aforementioned qualifications in the email, so be prepared to meet the needs of the group.  Also, any group members with requested qualifications, please notify me ASAP.

I've decided that starting up the book club again only makes sense (for me, personally) since I should be reading at least 4 books per month.  Why not make one of them a book club selection and get some of my favorite socialites back together?!  Let's face it people, you are the main reason I worked there as long as I did (no offense to YESS or it's uninvolved employees!)  :)

I feel my blog has been lacking in the picture department lately so let me leave you with this wonderful picture that Kaiah posed for so that we could try out mobile blogging (which failed miserably several times).  That means you get to see her show off her goose now.  :)

Recommendations!

If you aren't following my other blog yet, then you wouldn't know that I am asking for any and all recommendations for an entrancing premier book for my challenge. Help me out folks.  Go to my other blog and post what you think I should start my reading extravaganza out with!

Much love!

Things You Might Know & Things That You Don't

*Everyone knows that I love pickles!  You might not know that I love cotton candy!
*Everyone knows that I love to cook.  You might not know that I have a recipe arsenal.
*Everyone knows that I like the idea of living by vegetarian principles.  You might not know that I have a strong desire to eat raw beef! (It's true!)
*Everyone knows that I love all things rock music (from indie to hard rock).  You might not know that while driving I sometimes only listen to classical music
*Everyone knows that I am an animal lover.   You might not know that I HATE opossums!
*Everyone knows that I love kitchen utensils.  You might not know that I want to collect mortar & pestle sets (but I own only one!)
*Everyone knows that I have celebrity crushes on Mark Ruffalo, John Corbett & Jeffrey Dean Morgan.  You might not know that I have a closet crush on Jonathan Safran Foer
*I like to read Jodi Picoult, Jonathan Safran Foer & Nicholas Sparks.  You might not know that my favorite reads are Tolstoy & Dostoyevsky.
*Everyone knows that I love giving gifts.  You might not kow that I'd rather give a gift than receive one any day!
*Everyone knows that I love spending time with my friends & family.  You might not know that I'm a major homebody.
*Everyone knows that I say what's on my mind.  You DON'T have any idea what I'm filtering!
*Everyone knows that I usually appear to be quite chipper.  You might not know that on average I get a migraine about once a week.
*Everyone knows that I LOVE sleeping.  You might not know that I get very little of it!


A few more things you may not know:
*I'm addicted to storage.  Yep.  Tupperware, baskets, you name it.
*I used to collect pogs.  Remember them?
*Justin Timberlake is my guilty pleasure.  I like his music but it embarrasses me to admit it.

I'm sure I will add to these lists in the future, but for now this is what you get.  Enjoy!

A New Goal. A New Blog.

I've started a new blog friends!  I am going to attempt to read 50 books in the next year.  Read about it in my very first post on My New Blog.  Check it out!  I am taking any and all suggestions to help me complete my goal!

Reading this blog entry will waste your time.

I think I'm officially addicted to blogging.  Maybe that means it's time to take a break from it.  Is blogging almost every day too much blogging?  I do know that I've only written 3 sentences prior to this one and I've used the word "blogging" 3 times.  Now four in four.  I'm on a roll.

If I'm using my computer & doing absolutely nothing productive and I can hear that my fish tank is really loud (because it's right next to me and in need of some more water), does it make me lazy for just sitting and being annoyed instead of getting up and filling it?

I don't even know why I'm blogging.  I clearly have nothing to say.  I'm sorry readers; you should have read my blog title.

Sadness Took Over My Musical Soul

I cried for a little bit of my old self tonight.  Not in sadness.  Not in happiness.  I don't know in what... reminiscence maybe?  You all may judge me and choose to have dramatic public readings of my blog after you read this (you know who you are), but I'm okay with that.

Tonight I was watching Journey:  Live in Milan.  Not old epic Journey; new Journey with the new front man that is younger than the age of the band itself.  Anyway, that is beside the point.  I was watching Journey and completely singing and dancing to "Separate Ways" (probably my favorite Journey song), and it made me cry.  I wasn't crying because I was happy.  I wasn't crying because I was sad.  I mean, the crying it what made me sad, but it wasn't a sad cry.  If that makes any sense.  It was like sob-singing.  I couldn't stop singing along but was definitely crying while trying to do so.  I would be willing to put money on the idea that this happens to everyone at some point in their life.  You just aren't willing to admit it.  Anyway, I know it sounds cliche.  I know it sounds super cheesy when people say they just "feel" the music.  But I was feeling it. 

It made me cry just like it does any other time I hear that song.  I love it.  There are just those songs that will get you every time, no matter how often you hear it and it will get you even worse if you're trying to sing along.  It will get you even more if you watch a tv performance of it, but it will get you the worst at a live concert.  I would be willing to bet that I have cried or nearly cried at almost every concert that I've been to, and for those who don't know me as well as others, there have probably been a LOT of live performances that I've seen.  Music is just powerful like that.

An artist is always going to find a way to connect with the audience.  It's not art if it can't connect with someone, even if it is just the artist himself.

I've always loved music and I love the rush that I get from it.  I've never drank before a concert I really cared about seeing, as a lot of people would, because I get such a physical high from the live performance.  I love songs that I feel I connect with and I love songs that represent the ideal me.  I'm sad to say, however, that I miss music.

A lot of my life used to be dedicated to finding bands to call my own (the lesser known bands that are just coming around); I used to be the person that my friends would come to first if they heard a new song and needed it identified.  There was not a band that a person could stump me with.  It's weird now for me to reminisce about it because I feel so out of the loop anymore.  My search for the ultimate song ended when I started spending all of my time with a certain man.  Let's blame Jack!  That's what I get for getting involved with boys.

I also put an end to concert-going last year in order to do adult things, like pay for a house and all of those fun little expenses that come along with it.  That's what I miss the most.  That is ultimately what made me sad tonight.  Watching that performance from Journey made me remember how much I love going to concerts.  I know that I am old now and could no longer handle some of the crazy crowds I've been a part of (how many of you have been to a concert with me where I didn't get you on the front gate directly in front of the stage?), but still...

Please faithful readers, tell me which songs give that feeling to you: that ultimate "hell yes" moment.  I need to know I'm not the only one.  (Tell me your favorite live performance you've seen too.  I need to live vicariously through you.)


P.S.  If any one of you want to attempt to knock on my love for Journey; go for it.  Try and tell me that you don't like Journey.  If you say that you don't, you're a poser.  There is no shame in loving Journey.

Cater to ME

If anyone cares, I've declared it my birthday weekend.  Yes, my birthday was May 2nd.  BUT, Jack's was June 2nd and he claimed the entire week/weekend as HIS birthday week(end) and he had to be catered to.  So, with that being said, this weekend has officially become MY birthday weekend and I request to be taken care of.  ALL weekend.

THANKS.

What shall we wear today dear?

I went to go visit the new Nixt twinseys today at the hospital.  They are quite possibly two of the most adorable babies EVER.  I didn't steal them, even though I took my big purse just for that very purpose.  I guess I developed a conscience in that amount of time.  Bummer.  (Watch out Zoe & Colton... I will be back for you.)

While at the hospital I was talking to Jenni, Eric (the proud parents) and Christon & Lesli about how I felt it was inappropriate to dress the twins in matching outfits.  I have always had an issue with matching outfits on family members.  Particularly on twins, but also on married couples.  NOT OKAY.

Well, then while I was on my drive home, I spotted this cute little elderly couple walking down the sidewalk.  He had on gray slacks & a yellow dress shirt with a black vest over it.  She was wearing a gray slacks with a yellow blouse, a yellow visor & a yellow beaded necklace.  I know you are just waiting for me to tell you how annoyed I was by this.  Quite the opposite.  It made me smile.  A really BIG smile.  I couldn't help but think how cute they were.  PLUS, they were holding hands, which only made them more adorable.  I can only hope that Jack will still want to hold my hand when we are that old.

The point of this story is that now my heart is torn.  Is it appropriate to wear a matching outfit?  Is it only cute on the elderly?  And maybe on babies?  What about Jack & I?  Should we start matching?  Okay, I am not really wondering about Jack & I (we will NOT be doing that), but still I am at a crossroads over this issue.