Saturday, December 31, 2011

Random Ramblings

that somewhat but not totally encapsulate this past year, from my journal and saved texts. Happy New Year!

1. Where are men finding denim shorts? Yikes. I hate men's denim shorts.

2. I am wearing polka dot socks today.

3. Can't believe I actually dreamed that I was teamed up with Harry and Ron, and was packing food into a backpack because we were on the run from Voldemort. Seriously? Strange.

4. Yep, for whatever reason, my subconscious has the hots for washed-out 90s actors.

5. Have you seen Vh1 lately? I was channelsurfing the other night and had no idea they are still making pop up videos!

6. Fedoras. People in fedoras cannot be trusted.

7. "Heart in a box, what should I put on my sandwich?"

8. I am officially becoming one of those people who drinks pomegranate juice. So trendy.

9. I think today I am the definition of hot mess.

10. I have a cramp in my pinky finger from my golf lesson.

Wierd year. Cheers to another wierd and happy year!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

...Lately.

Random list of things that have happened/crossed my mind lately.

1. I love Tina Fey's book, so I thought I would love Mindy Kaling's book, but... well, I don't remember anything from Mindy's book. and I read it two days ago.

2. Apparently it is the law in California that all women wear tights as pants. Even flesh-colored ones. so not cool.

3. I spilled a huge cup of coffee in the produce section of the grocery store. On the one day over Christmas break that I have actually woken up at a decent hour, showered, put on makeup, and real clothes. Of course. The universe was just balancing out.

4. For some reason, people discussing their recipes in the grocery store as "moist" creeped me out. Because the word "moist" is creepy.
5. I am slightly obsessed with any movie or show that Steve Carrell is in. I love him, a lot. Like, too much.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Two Christmas Parties in One Night....

1. meant that I came home with a purse full of homemade lumpia (Filipino food is SO good) and homemade, hand-decorated iced sugar cookies.

2. also means that I left my apartment at 5:15 to get through traffic, and didn't get home until after 2 am. UNHEARD of in my "old married lady" universe.

3. means that I haven't smiled that much in one night in a long time!

4. mean that between the eighteen-million-dozen mini quiches, candy canes, handful of baby carrots, and pita chips, I am the size of a blimp and have a crazy sugar headache this morning.

5. mean that I got to experience hot cocoa with whipped cream and sprinkles ON TOP of a layer of marshmallows. oh yeah. also, see "crazy sugar headache" above.

6. meant that I was actually so caught up in holiday fun that I forgot all about the magazines at home I haven't read yet. I have a social life again! Hurrah!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Now that finals are over...

I don't fall asleep repeating Spanish conjugations to myself.

I don't plan my days activities based on which papers I need to outline and pull quotes for.

I have no excuse for the trash that needs to go out, the pile of laundrey that needs to be folded, or the fridge that really needs to be cleaned out.

I have time to read the magazines I've been getting for the past two months.

there is time for a social life.

but instead, I am sitting on my couch in pajama pants, watching "Bones" reruns and drinking lukewarm coffee.

I have time to finally find the perfect pair of boots, and hit Trader Joe's for ginger snaps.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Christmas Things

that I don't like.

eggnog. it's in the name, I think. Egg (not something I want to drink), nog (what is a nog?) gross.

Carolers. awkward. It's so hard to not make eye contact, because then you have to pretend that you're enjoying the music. but you're not.

mall Santa Claus guys. sitting on a strange man's lap? no thanks.

fruitcake. does anyone actually eat it? I've never seen anyone eat it. It does, however, make an excellent doorstop. or paperweight.




Saturday, December 10, 2011

Finished, and not yet Started

I am finished with:

making my own brilliant study guide for Art History

writing my term paper

writing my Spanish composition

cleaning my formerly disgusting kitchen

beginning my laundrey (yeah, finished with beginning, makes no sense, forgive me)

Christmas shopping/wrapping/shipping

my golf lesson for the day

I have not yet begun:

my online Spanish homework

memorizing 100+ images for my art history exam

reviewing notes for my other exams

baking cinnamon rolls for Christmas

meal planning or grocery shopping for any reasonable "real" food

doing any exercise beyond a weekly golf lesson and dragging textbooks up and down the hills of campus


Friday, December 9, 2011

Today...

slept in a little bit. oops.

drank a LOT of coffee. as in, I am out of KCups.

finished art history study guide.

typed two page essay in Spanish.

outlined my term paper, and am halfway complete (met and went beyond my goal)

my apartment is a disgusting mess.

husband surprised me with pizza and breadsticks since he knew I wouldn't have energy to cook for either of us and didn't want me to have to live off of Ritz crackers and ginger ale.

really cute little hummingbird enjoyed our hummingbird feeder.

hit writer's block.

so NOW I get to go to target to pick up a snack for small group.

bags under my eyes getting bigger and purple-r.

can't wait until finals are OVER.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

this week.

last classes of the semester.

lots of coffee.

"The Office" on dvd.

making study guides for final exams.

bags under eyes.

15 page paper.

got a belated but amazing birthday package.

study schedule just to get things done.

headaches.

hoping just to survive.


Sunday, December 4, 2011

Little Letters

Dear back muscles,
nice to meet you. until we started taking golf lessons, I didn't even know you were back there. I promise to get you some icy hot today.

Dear person who set off the building's carbon monoxide alarm at one in the morning,
I hope whatever you were baking was worth it.

Dear Microsoft Word,
you are not allowing me to format my paper the way I need to. I don't appreciate the attitude.

Dear Walt Whitman,
Thanks for writing a poem that is eighty-four-zillion pages long, and making sure that it was assigned reading the same weekend that I have eighty-five-zillion papers to write.

Dear Season 1 of The Office on DVD and my cup of coffee,
don't let me down today. you're the only ones I can count on.

Dear husband,
your ability to sleep through eighteen minutes of a blaring alarm and my angry grumbling continues to amaze me. you are very cute, and along with The Office and coffee, are the only reason I will be able to get through today.

Monday, November 28, 2011

There is nothing like being recognized.

I came home after a moderately rough Monday to a letter from my little brother, and a surprise birthday package from my best friend. Both made me feel instantly recognized; they knew exactly what I needed, and that the things below make me feel most like myself in the best way.

New York Times sections wadded up to pack the box instead of styrofoam peanuts.

adorable little boy handwriting that says, in the opening line, "I miss you," and almost makes me cry like a baby.

a movie on DVD that looks incredible and worth staying up late for.

a coffee mug with a special saying and that's big enough to hold a LOT of coffee.

gifts wrapped in gorgeous elephant/Indian mehendi printed paper.

handmade garland to decorate my home office

so much love and care and fun and insight into me packed into a box and an envelope that I somehow feel like despite my insane schedule and that I still don't feel at home in this big wierd state and that the holidays are coming up which kind of freaks me out, that everything is still okay, and that I'm still me.



Sunday, November 27, 2011

What Happens When I Grocery Shop Without a List

Cheez-its.

two cans of mandarin oranges.

being absolutely stumped on how to feed my husband and I during the last three weeks of classes.

lots of coffee and creamer.

brussels sprouts.

two slices of pancetta.

lots of raspberry lemonade.

popsicles.

a huge caramel latte from Starbucks to get me through the rest of the insane shopping trip.

Monday, November 21, 2011

stuff that makes me cringe

earrings.

thinking about wearing earrings.

those big gauge earrings. why? your ears will never be the same again.

super public wedding proposals.

Zumba.

leggings as pants. As in, without a top of any kind that covers, well, what should be covered.

when people say the way that other languages are spoken are "wrong."

bedazzled jeans.

pictures of myself in high school.

when other people stub their toes. ouch!

little girls wearing "teen" clothes in public.

how I always seem to over mix my muffin dough and they always come out rubbery.

Today

I am thankful for...

a husband who insists on making me confetti cake for my birthday by himself.

delicious confetti cake.

finally being caught up on the reading for one of my Lit classes.

a patient golf pro.

a crystal vase with candy canes in it. makes me feel sort of Christmas classy. not really.

ok, just thankful for candy canes.

birthday cards in the mail that make me feel special.

leftover lasagna for dinner. it's always better the next day.

sweet family with cute blogs that I can stalk because they have the cutest family and the best recipes; you know who you are. ;) so glad we're family.

my amazing mom who taught me, well, pretty much every piece of common sense and wisdom I have.

seeing my husband's sweet face light up when he surprises me with "Happy Birthday" banners decorating the kitchen. Knowing that making me happy makes him happy makes me happy... :)

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Happy Almost New Year

Instead of waiting for New Year's Eve, I figure I should make my "New Years Resolutions" at my next birthday, since it will be the start of my next year of life. that's not for two days, but hey, no time like the present!

I will:

get out of bed the first time the alarm goes off.

actually get good pictures of Brian and me. instead of taking fuzzy ones with my crappy camera phone.

see all the beautiful museums in Balboa Park.

listen to bands/music I've never listened to before. instead of the same cds over and over and over.

get bangs. just bite the bullet and do it.

try one crafty thing. knitting. crocheting. something.

make homemade icecream.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Things I Wish I Liked

...But I Don't.

black coffee.

Sushi (I binged when we moved to the west coast and now I can't stand it.)

wearing headbands.

roses.

the constantly-pleasant California weather.

the way I look in skinny jeans.

red lipstick.

watching sports other than hockey.

ab workouts.

modern art.

fancy red wine.

maxi dresses on me. (other people look so great in them, I look like a mushroom.)

rice. quinoa. and anything with a rice-y texture.


Thursday, November 17, 2011

I have been an even lazier blogger

... but that just means I have been less lazy in all the other aspects of my life. Here's what's up.

I'm a lit major. so I read. and write. a lot.

so much that there are NO books on my Christmas list because I know they will sit on my shelf and stare at me sadly while I read about Gothic cathedral blueprints, Spanish irregular imperfect verbs, American transcendentalists, and all manner of British literature. *sigh*

I complain a lot, but this is the most intellectually stimulated I've been in an long time. I love it.

I had reach to come up with things I want for Christmas. Why? Because... I'm really content. I don't want or need anything, really. It's good to be me.

I am done shopping for all of my and my husband's families birthdays (both in-laws, brother-in-law, and both my brothers all within about a month of each other.)

Am also completely done with Christmas shopping. My goal is to be done Christmas shopping by December first. So I can actually enjoy Christmas.

I went on about a month hiatus from cooking. Yeah. For real. and yes, I'm busy with school and whatnot. but really? I am making a stronger effort to fill up my fridge with real food, not just leftover boxed macaroni and cheese and a freezer full of popsicles.

I am turning 23 in less than a week. So until May, my husband and I will only be four years apart instead of five. And we are having home-made lasagna and confetti cake from a box. and I couldn't be more excited about it.



Thursday, October 13, 2011

I am a lazy blogger

and a copycat. Pioneer Woman blogged a list of "Things I've Never Done." Thought I'd give it a try. So here are "Things I've Never Done."

set foot in a foreign country.

enjoyed cilantro or mushrooms.

watched "The Matrix."

gone wine tasting.

done the electric slide

*worn earrings since my high school prom.

watched the original British "The Office"

had chicken pox

understood algebra

gotten a spray tan

printed a single picture from my wedding day
not smiled all the way through "Grease"

made marinara sauce from scratch

not teared up at the sight of an abandoned (or, shall we say, less than alive) animal on the side of the road



Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Confessions

I love fall. I love fall "things." Pumpkin spice lattes. Orange and red decorations. spicy smelling candles. Halloween decorations and back-to-school sales.

bath and body works is like crack to me. once I start shopping their sales, I just can't stop. before you know it, there are 73 items in my cart and I am mumbling about cucumber melon lotion and cotton scented hand soap.

It has taken me about ten years, but I'm finally a good student. I do my homework, I read the notes I take in class, I start projects more than 24 hours before they are due... if only I knew what I want to be when I grow up.

I love fall, but I don't much care for Halloween. I don't dress up in tiny, demoralizing costumes ("sexy kitten," "sexy witch," "sexy stewardess"). Kids don't really trick or treat at apartment complexes. and candy corn tastes like candle wax.




Thursday, August 18, 2011

California is Wierd

petitioners outside of every grocery store. every entrance and exit at grocery stores. can't buy groceries without being asked to sign petitions for PETA, ASPCA, and a million other acronyms.

random young men approaching me at the gas station, asking me to give them money for their bootleg rap CD with an explicit title scrawled across the disc in sharpie.

it is constantly cloudy and gloomy every morning, until noon, and then suddenly gets sunny.

being called "miss" instead of "ma'am."

it never rains.

Korea town, China town, Little India, and Little Italy are each within ten minutes from my house.

People here are very cool. Raybans. Extensive knowledge of indie films. iPads. Skateboarding. Fedoras. I don't have any of those things.

there are very pretty spots to sit and read in the most unexpected places.

Monday, August 15, 2011

More House Rules

Be kind.

Don't forget to feed the fish.

Movie commentary during bad horror movies, terrible 80s flicks, and cheesy 90s action movies is a must.

Commentary during "Real Housewives of New Jersey," however, is strictly forbidden.

No mushrooms on the pizza. Or the pasta. Or anything else, for that matter.

Write to your Grandma every week. Whether or not they write you back.

Clean, dry laundry can hang out in the dryer for as long as it takes. Wet laundry, however, can not linger in the washing machine. Ever. It's stinky and moldy and wierd.

Call your parents on their birthdays. Every time. and send presents EARLY. They gave you life; remembering their birthdays isn't too much to ask.

Say "Please" and "Thank You" every time. No matter what.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Things I Could Do Without

1. upstairs neighbors who vacuum early on the weekends
2. people who litter
3. anything Kardashian-related
4. anything Snooki-related
5. upstairs neighbors who jump rope in their apartment in the morning on the weekends
6. early morning migraines
7. Del Taco restaurants on every corner
8. Chuck Norris jokes
9. mushrooms
10. The 163 shutting down at random intervals during the weeks

Thursday, August 11, 2011

House Rules

always say please and thank you.

never return library books after their due date. EVER.

don't beat yourself up if you didn't work out today. or yesterday. just do better tomorrow.

but maybe you shouldn't have a pound of cookie dough for dinner...

there is no talking during "Pretty Little Liars."

don't hold a grudge; just say you're sorry and get it over with.

no gossip or smacktalk, especially about family. Live and let live, and love your family. You only get one.

no whining. seriously. ever.

be thankful. when you're about to whine, or yell at someone who "stole" your parking spot, or say something terrible in an argument that you know you'll regret later--just shut up and count your blessings.




Monday, August 8, 2011

Favorites

my new pot of dahlias on my porch
Meryl Streep
Nutella
tote bags
homemade lemonade
Chopin
school supplies
"Don't you just love New York in the fall? Doesn't it make you want to buy school supplies? If I knew who you were, I would send you a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils."

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

I am thankful for

my husband's cast coming off in 2 weeks
Nurse Jackie on DVD
sunshine on my porch
my cute new tote
an almost-completed To Do list
a happy husband in cute pajama pants

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Today

woke up at a decent hour
spun for the length of an episode of "Bones"
groceries
huge sunflowers
smoothie
Game of Life with the hubby
butter toffee coffee
clean apartment
funny texts
white wine
cherries
"White Collar"
all in all, a wonderful day!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Counting My Blessings

a tidy living room
freshly laundered sheets
strawberry milkshakes
funny friends
gerber daisies
roasted new potatoes
a full tank of gas in a clean car
jamba juice
naps

Monday, July 4, 2011

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Iced Coffee

This Independence Day, I am thankful for:
being able to spend today with my husband
a dear friend's safe return from a long deployment
feeling oddly at home on any given Navy base
McDonald's milkshake dates

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Current Obsessions

"Cooking for Seven" blog

Pioneer Woman's iced coffee

JAG on DVD

no-bake cracker snacker (home church's Pastor's wife's recipe)

trying to make sure I get to take Italian in the fall

wanting to shop for Christmas early this year

wishing I lived in a house with a huge kitchen as opposed to an apartment with a small one

pints of strawberries for 99 cents

wanting larger coffee mugs

"My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding"

Sunday, June 26, 2011

My First Bike Ride in Ten Years

sunburned forearms
churning stomach (too much heat, not enough calories and water)
very patient husband
burning calves
alternating between grinning ear to ear and whining like a baby
cruising through pretty neighborhoods
almost getting whacked by car mirrors
literally dripping with sweat
very patient husband
not falling one single time
a very sore tail bone
very patient husband

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Happy

basset hound puppies

ooey gooey brownies

"Pretty Little Liars"

library books

lunch dates with my hubby

frappuccinos

funny texts

cute babies

pretty dishes

being done with the laundrey

nap time

Monday, June 20, 2011

More Icky Things

1. snapping at my friends when I'm grumpy. :(

2. burned, bitter coffee.

3. spilling chemicals on my hands at work because other people didn't close them up properly.

4. falling asleep during the last 20 minutes of the latest "Real Housewives of New Jersey" episode...

5. only to wake up 2 hours later for work.

6. Bristol Palins autobiography.

7. noisy upstairs neighbors.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Things that are Icky

1. texting and driving
2. zits that appear on my face for no apparent reason
3. people who sing racist, sexist "music" very loudly at work. at 4 in the morning.
4. seeing a pregnant woman chain smoke for ten minutes.
5. couples who constantly post public photos of themselves kissing... yucky.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Quiz

What do these things have in common?

cats
knitting circles
baked goods
cats
culinarians
vampires
Southern Belles
cats
scrapbookers
cats

...

they are all themes for cheesy paperback mystery novels.
they all make me laugh when I have to shelve them at the library.
sorry if I have offended you.
but a mystery novel about key lime pie? really?

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Little Letters III

Dear Girl at the Opera Two Weeks Ago,
Thanks for texting through the entire opera. I really appreciated that. I also appreciated the fact that you thought booty shorts, ripped white leggings, and a see-through top were appropriate attire. For the opera. Thanks a bunch.

Dear Lady Sitting Next to the Girl at the Opera Two Weeks Ago,
Thanks for saying to the texter-girl what we were all thinking; "You need to put your phone away during the opera!", with disapproving glare and all. You are my hero.

Dear Husband,
Thanks for being sweet and taking me on a movie date today, popcorn and all. Movies are no fun without popcorn, and definitely no fun without you.

Dear Orvis Catalog,
Thank you for arriving today, and showing me that there are, in fact, fly fishing products especially for dogs. and also for having lots of pictures of beagles. I love beagles. Almost as much as I love my husband.

Dear Jim Carrey,
Thank you for making a movie involving penguins. They're cute, cuddly, and always look so dapper. Flightless Arctic birds always dressed in tuxes: THEY would look appropriate at the opera.

Friday, May 6, 2011

My Husband

likes pickled beets.

has an aversion to seafood, Will Ferrell movies, and grilled cheese made on anything but white bread.

surprises me with things like a freshly cleaned apartment, tickets to a baseball game, or spontaneous date nights.

will sit through "Grey's Anatomy" with me if I beg.

always notices if I get my hair cut or my nails done.

is really looking forward to being a daddy someday, and always takes an opportunity to remind me of it.

loves that I wear glasses, read a lot, occasionally snort when I laugh, and otherwise engage in nerdiness.

has been my significant other for two years and four months, and my husband for seven months.

has a birthday coming up, and has asked only for a piece of cheesecake and a cam for rockclimbing.

calls his grandmother every Saturday.

makes me smile every day.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Texts I Sent Today

"Did I talk in my sleep last night? I had a strange dream involving peacocks, trail mix, and fly fishing."

"Things that creep me out today: Drew Carey's blonde hair plugs, a mysterious red spill at work, and how people at work actually say things like 'roger' and 'copy that' over their walkie talkies."

"Sorry (I didn't text you back.) I was watching the game, aka reading while Brian watched the game."


Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Little Letters II

Dear Refreshing Nap Today,
you were so deliciously necessary. i hope we meet again soon.

Dear Trainer from Work,
thanks so much for bring me meyer lemons from your neighbor's tree. they are so beautiful and tangy and sweet. they make my ice water taste better, and my kitchen smell wonderful, and are the perfect reminder that summer is around the corner.

Dear Detroit Redwings,
i love you guys. i do. but it's time for the playoffs. and you are really stinking lately. and when you stink, it frustrates me. however, it puts my husband in a terrible mood. we love you no matter how you play, but please stop stinking, for the sake of my happy household. thank you.

Dear "Extreme Couponers,"
please stop being such an addictive show. i love the couponers, i hate the couponers, i love to hate the couponers. women who don't have children creating stockpiles of diapers? check. men who get a thrill of stockpiling over two thousand tubes of toothpaste? check. cut it out.

Dear People who say "Addicting,"
it is not a word. the correct word is "addictive." please and thank you.

Dear Amie and Katie,
congratulations on your graduations! i am so proud of both of you, and miss you terribly, and wish i were home to take you both out for cappuccinos and ozone pizza.

Friday, April 29, 2011

My Latest Discoveries

people in California think it's cool to put your lettuce in sushi rolls. without telling you. so when you order a shrimp tempura roll, the freshly tempura-ed shrimp makes the lettuce warm. so uncool.

soliciting signatures for petitions outside of grocery stores is commonplace in San Diego. every cause known to man is represented, and they don't back off unless you tell them you are under eighteen or not a US citizen. In the past two weeks I have been harangued by people wanting signatures to save the Grand Canyon from something, to support gay marriage, to petition against gay marriage, to donate to the ASPCA... it is a little overwhelming.

laying out by the pool for exactly twenty minutes (WITH SUNSCREEN) is all it takes for me to get a little color (aka slightly pink and a little more freckly). seriously. twenty minutes.

I am becoming more obsessed with the Royals, and Kate Middleton marrying into the family is only making me more obsessed. I wish we were friends, so we could talk about our helicopter-flying husbands, decision to wear very simple wedding dresses when everyone else wanted us to be swallowed up in tulle and sparkles...and so I could find out how she keeps her hair so perfectly shiny all the time.

Einstein Brothers Bagels makes an extremely passable caramel macciatto. Maciato? Mak-ee-ah-tow? whatever. it's $1.40 cheaper than what I usually order... sold.

people in California think that 80 degrees with zero humidity is "hot." huh. cute.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

My Husband

did not have time to make me an Easter basket because he was working and studying nonstop.

surprised me with Godiva chocolates to thank me for making our first Easter as a married couple special.

is allergic to pet dander.

is thusly the reason I will never have a beagle puppy.

will, however, still be the perfect husband, despite being the reason that I will never realize my dream of having a beagle, because he continues to show me how much be appreciates the little things I do for him.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

My Accomplishments Today

Sleeping two hours later than normal


Folding a load of towels


Finishing one book and getting halfway through another


Being pleasantly surprised throughout the day that my shellac manicure is intact


Watching some hockey with my husband, and then some baseball


Watching Pride and Prejudice and reminding myself to pick up a copy of it to read


Eating too many pancakes for breakfast, crackers with peanut butter for lunch and dinner, and two oranges for dessert... lazy meals at their finest


All in all, not much of anything but relaxing, reading, and thinking.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Puntos en Breve

-my favorite textbook of all time was called "Puntos en Breve." It was for a Spanish class. I'm sure that was obvious. -shellac manicures are amazing. truly. and I usually don't even like manicures. -I ate at In 'n' Out Burger AND Cheesecake Factory in the same day. So delicious. but I feel so. so gross. -The Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake was worth it. ONE BITE of that Cheesecake makes my current headache, stomachache, and general discomfort worth it. Seriously. -I should really be putting the laundrey away but my stomachache is keeping me from moving. Ugh. -I should also really be sweeping the kitchen and wiping down the countertops, but my headache is keeping me from doing it. -There is a baby giraffe at the zoo. He was in the womb for over a year. And was born weighing over 140 pounds. He is very, very cute. -I have so much food in my stomach that I feel like I am pregnant with a 140 pound giraffe.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Guilty Pleasures

"Pretty Little Liars"- love love love. I know I shouldn't. But I do. Sorry.


pictures of beagle puppies on a bad day


Reese's Peanut Butter Cups


wishing I had a beagle puppy


Gilmore Girls reruns


getting a haircut when I don't need it just for the shampoo and hot aromatherapy towel thing that they do


checking out friends' facebook photos who own beagle puppies in order to enjoy the cuteness of the beagle puppies


sleeping past seven magazine subscriptions


google searching images of beagle puppies because they are just. so. cute.


shopping for baby clothes for other people's babies and being secretly grateful that I am not the one with the swollen ankles and stretch marks and other un-fun side effects of growing a tiny human inside of myself


wishing on every fallen star, eye lash, dandelion, and clover available that my husband will magically STOP being allergic to all furry pets so that I can realize my dream of having two beagle puppies, Charlie and Rupert.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Stuff that is Making me Happy Today

a good run with good music (Blitzen Trapper and Michael Jackson, who knew?)


free (aka did-it-myself) pedicure


sitting on my porch reading


hearing the cheering crowd at the baseball field across from my porch


my cute husband who is wearing pajama pants covered in smiley faces


saving $34 at the grocery store today


whole grain pasta with tomato sauce; simple, perfect dinner


my new haircut that my husband says is "really cute"


knowing that all the laundrey is washed, dried, folded, and put away


having more time to sit and read while my cute husband in his smiley face pajama pants is watching "Avatar"

Monday, March 21, 2011

Mini-Letters

Dear Barista at Starbucks this morning,

Thank you for making the most delicious latte I have ever had in my life. It may have been the most delicious because I hadn't eaten in fifteen hours. Or it was just that good. Either way, thanks...


Dear Fire Alarms,

While I am glad you are working correctly, as evidenced by the maintenance staff testing you for two straight hours today, you are so loud that I'm pretty sure my heart stopped a few times...


Dear Freshly-Laundered Bed Sheets,

Please help me have sweet relaxing dreams tonight. You are so wonderfully soft and cool...


Dear Dude in the Truck in the Parking Garage,

You were seriously mean. Driving 15 mph in a parking garage is perfectly acceptable, and much safer. I am offended that you honked and almost rammed into me because you would rather zoom through the parking lot at 65 mph. I am even more offended that you rolled down your window and yelled rude things at me. and my feelings are hurt...


Dear Dude in the Different Truck at a Different Location,

Thank you for coming to a stop and letting me and the others out of the parking lot we were in. You were very nice, and without your kind gesture, I would have been stuck in that parking lot for a looong time. Thanks for making up for the rude guy above...


Dear Husband,

Please come home soon. I know you've been working hard today, but I have gotten you a box of Whoppers which I know you love, and I would really like to sit on the couch with you and watch Monday Night Wrestling with you while you eat your Whoppers. Because that's one of the perks of being married; having someone to sit on the couch and laugh at The Miz and Seamus and eat movie candy with.


Sunday, March 20, 2011

Things I am Currently Obsessed With

1. Lemony Snicket books... currently on A Series of Unfortunate Events: Book the Third. Per the recommendation of my little brother. Very dark, very funny.

2. International Delight Caramel Macchiato coffee creamer. Oh my. Has cut my trips to Starbucks for the "real deal" in half. Oh my.

3. "Pretty Little Liars." Yes, it's a teen show. Yes, I should be watching opera or specials on obscure Russian poets on Public Broadcasting. I understand all of this. And yet... I love this show. Mystery, suspense, drama, fabulous clothes, high schoolers with insanely expensive handbags and a shocking lack of adult supervision... perfect.

4. Debating whether or not to cut my hair to just above shoulder length, in order to have a discernible (-able?) hair "style" as opposed to just having my fine, thin, flat hair hanging my back in the same "hairstyle" I had when I was in sixth grade and in love with two of the five Backstreet Boys (Brian and Nick). Yes, I should be watching opera or specials on obscure Russian poets on Public Broadcasting instead of thinking about something as vapid as to whether I should get a new hairstyle or not.

5. Volunteering at the library. I really love it. Love Love Love. The people are nice, both volunteers and staff, the patrons are generally great and excited about reading. I get to put my love of books and love of organizing to good use. I get to give back to a part of the community that makes a difference.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Saturday Stats II

1 night of restless tossing and turning

1 migraine headache in the morning

4 very loud upstairs neighbors

3 cinnamon/vanilla pancakes

2 cups of coffee

84 bazillion things I should really get done today;

83 bazillion of which I may put off until tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Things I Like About Heidi

She likes baking more than I do... and is "morally opposed" to secret recipes. Excellent combination.

she always offers encouragement when I most need it.

she makes chocolate chip cookies with coffee in them. seriously.

best sense of humor. EVER.

best marriage advice. EVER.

she really loves her husband. like, REALLY loves. so great to see a married couple who isn't afraid to spread the love!

her three girls are pretty much the most adorable, hilarious, spunky little girls I've ever met.

their mom is pretty much the most fabulous, hilarious, spunky girl I've ever met. :)

Monday, March 14, 2011

Stuff

"Elizabethtown" has a slight cheese factor, but the soundtrack is perfection.

My husband wears bike shorts when he goes biking. They are configured kind of like skin tight shorts with the world's tightest "suspenders" attached. They are called "bibs." Huh.

I keep having dreams about my old neighborhood; the peacock, the way it smelled after it rained, my old bus stop.

Daylight Savings Time has messed me up. I am still up, normally I'm asleep by 10:30pm, and I slept until 9, normally I get up around 7:30. ugh. Mandated clock changing? not cool.

I wish I could pull off a floppy red knit hat like Kirsten Dunst.

I was sent a surprise care package meant to inspire me:
-Godiva chocolates.
-a CD of a collaboration between Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane
-"Finding Forrestor" on DVD
-some cute, comfy shirts I can wear when I volunteer
-a note

It worked.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

"Relaxing" Saturday Stats

2 scrambled eggs

3 cups of coffee

1 load of laundrey

3 loads of dishes

45 minutes of exercise

1 really bad cramp in my rear, result of the 45 minutes of exercise

4 letters written

2 smoothies

1 husband who is still not home from rock-climbing

and now... 1 episode of "Bethenny Ever After" (I know, I know) and maybe 1 more cup of coffee.

okay, probably more like 2.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Things that Mean I am an Adult

Two years ago, one of my Vacation Bible School students nudged her compadre and said, "You gotta listen to Miss Lucy; she's a grown-up." That actually shocked me.

I feel very satisfied when my apartment is clean, the fridge and pantry are full, the laundrey is done, and I am able to sit with my feet up and read. Not that this happens often. But still.

I worry about things like high cholesterol, interest rates on my IRA, delivery charges for furniture, and other boring stuff.

All of my husband's best friends are married. Some of them are having children. Whoa.

I have a husband in the first place.

I actually go to bed before midnight...

I worry about things like conserving power and water, eating more vegetables, and consuming enough fiber.

Fiber? Really?

I actually go to grown-up salons where they offer mesparkling water, and ask me questions about my hair-care regimine-no more $7 Fantastic Sam's cuts.

I get disproportionately excited about double-coupon day.

I have someone that does my taxes for me.

Why am I an adult? When did this happen? Can I go back to the days of Brownie Girl Scout meetings, graham crackers and apple juice for an after-school snack, and having crushes on the Backstreet Boys? Please? sigh.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

27 Things About Me

1. I was going to make a list of 100 things about me, but that seemed a little over the top, and 27 is a much more unexpected and underappreciated number.

2. It makes me swoon when my husband does things around the house, like sharpen my abused kitchen knives, or vacuum.

3. He vacuums because I really hate vacuuming. I don't like any cleaning to do with floors... bathrooms, dusting, cleaning countertops, metric tons of laundrey don't bother me, but floors are gross.

4. Floors are gross and, by extension, feet are kind of gross. I don't like touching other people's feet, and I don't like people touching mine. I only give my husband a footrub if he is wearing socks. I realize how wierd that is.

5. I like avodacoes. I mean, I REALLY like avocadoes. I order any sushi roll/sandwich/salad on a restaurant menu that has avocado in it. I love them oh so much.

6. I used to be a really anxious driver who was constantly afraid of getting lost. In a town I had lived in for over ten years. Driving across the country and residing in California has cured me of this anxiety.

7. I love Colin Firth; I find his gawkiness adorable. I will watch any movie he is in, good or bad, repeatedly.

8. I love giraffes, probably because they are also gawky. They are clumsy and beautiful and just so odd-looking in the very best way.

9. I like white tulips above all other flowers... when my then-boyfriend (now-husband) lived far away from me, he would send white tulips to my office. Anyone who dropped by my office usually asked who died because apparently they kind of looked like funeral flowers. To me, they are beautiful and simple and graceful and way more creative than a dozen red roses. To other people, apparently they are solemn and boring and the flower of "mourning." sigh.

10. I am addicted to reading, buying books, reading book reviews, and wishing that I had a solid enough idea that I could turn into a book.

11. This means that I have boxes of books that I have bought or been given but have not yet read. I hope to finish them all by the end of the year. We shall see.

12. When I was a kid, I remember listening to "The Crash Test Dummies" more than any other band. I remember getting scolded in the library for humming "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm." My dad has apparentely passed his, ahem, eclectic taste in music down to me.

13. I remember bits and pieces of my dreams every night, and try to write them down. It helps me figure out what's going on in the back of my mind.

14. I wake up every night at 2 am. I am not jolted awake by anything in particular, I simply end one dream, wake up and notice that the alarm clock says 2:00, and go back to sleep.

15. I miss my mom. I miss being a Brownie Girl Scout and thinking it was so cool that my mom was my troop leader and that all the girls in my troop loved her. I miss being 14 and sitting at the kitchen bar and telling her about my day while she made dinner. I even miss when I was 17 and being a complete moron and the arguments we would get in because I was a complete moron; she argued with me and tried to guide me, which meant she loved me and she cared and wanted the best for me. I wish she lived closer to me or I lived closer to her.

16. I miss living on the East Coast, even though I haven't lived there since I was 8.

17. I have named one of our tropical fish after the Beagle I grew up with. Their temperaments are very similar; the fish enjoys actually sitting himself on a coral and watching the other fish swim around, and gets most active around feeding time.

18. I have only ever been to one funeral in my life, and it was one of the saddest days of my life. and it wasn't that long ago.

19. I have always thought that someday I would like to have two little boys named Jack and Will. I am now rethinking that "2 boy" configuration. However, I am not trying to have two boys or one boy or any other spawn any time soon.

20. I am a dedicated Grey's Anatomy viewer, and have been watching since the first episode. I know it is basically a well-scripted soap opera, but I'm totally okay with that.

21. I do follow blogs of friends/family regularly, and sometimes it kind of makes me feel like a stalker, but blogs are there to be read, I guess...

22. My birthday is on the 22nd of a month.

23. I think my husband has a really cool job. I wish I had a really cool job.

24. I think earrings are wierd. The whole idea of poking a hole in your body to stick shiny things through it kind of freaks me out. I realize I am pretty much alone in this... that's okay by me. Just don't buy me earrings for Christmas.

25. I think my little brother is really cool. There is an eleven year age difference between us, and he changed everything. For the better.

26. It bugs me when people ask me "How I Do It" when they find out I am married to a member of the military. "Aren't you worried about him being in danger? Aren't you scared all the time?" The answer is YES, I AM, but I don't need anyone to remind me.

27. I can't believed I rambled off 26 odd things about myself. OH, one more; I am not very good at chess. I used to be, and now I am not.

Wishes

after looking the The Pioneerwoman's latest photo project about sisters, it kinda makes me wish i had one. but not an annoying one who really likes pink and tweeting and believes that Justin Beiber is dreamy, but a cool one who brews really good coffee and knows all the lyrics to songs by The Bangles and wouldn't mind if I borrowed her sweaters constantly.

i wish that my husband's appetite was not that of a tyrannaurus rex, because just when i think i have outsmarted him and "stocked" the fridge/freezer/pantry with versatile ingredients that should last at least three days... he goes for a run, comes back, and eats ten pounds of pasta.

i wish i could eat ten pounds of pasta without gaining ten pounds.

i wish my friends would all find jobs/grad schools five minutes from my apartment building, so that we could go get lattes together and eat pounds of pasta together, and i wouldn't have to send letters and texts across the country to remind them of how fabulous they are and how glad i am that they're my friends.

i wish avocados were not over $1 apiece. sometimes this wish comes true, but that is only because they are overripe and brown and squished on the inside, so that doesn't count as wish fulfillment so much as ironic-wish-fulfillment-that-bums-me-out.

i wish i could have the perfect latte every morning without having to pay $4.15 for it, or alternately have to buy an outrageously expensive piece of machinery that i will use twice and never glance at again that would, in theory, enable me to make my own lattes.

i REALLY wish i could eat ten pounds of pasta without gaining ten pounds.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

What I Saw at the Zoo Today

1. a polar bear sunning himself, arm thrown across his eyes and snoring happily... bore striking resemblance to napping husband..

2. two leopard turtles pushing each other around... slowest battle ever.

3. Daddy gorilla charge (from behind the glass) at a zoo visitor in pink fleece. Did not realize gorillas had such strong opinions regarding women's sportswear.

4. dozens of women wearing leggings as pants; no, not with a long shirt or dress to cover their derrieres... just leggings. Leggings do not = pants, people.

5. an adorable little girl in the reptile house with a propellor hat. must look into where one can purchase propellor hat.

6. adorable capuchin monkey leaping from branch to branch without stopping... slipped occasionally but just kept moving at a dizzying speend. bore striking resemblance to husband's behavior after consuming frappuccino.

7. beautiful family of giraffes. so relaxing and mellow, they are my favorite animals. they also have the most beautiful eyes. must find out what under-eye regimen they are using; they look very well-rested and refreshed.

8. sleepy koalas who look cuddly and adorable. was told by zookeeper that they can actually be very irritable in the morning, and like to be left alone while they eat their leaves. bears striking resemblance to, well, me.

9. plastic cups with zoo animals printed on them; $11. insane.

10. dozens of people drinking from $11 plastic cups. wearing leggings.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Tomorrow

Salmon avocado roll

church

gigantic latte

newspaper, mostly for the comic section

make a dinner that does not involve; boxed mac 'n' cheese, leftovers, cereal, etc.

attempt crossword; do not get mad when I only fill in twenty of the seven-zillion clues

hope that the upstairs neighbors do not choose to yet again watch a very loud action movie late at night.

resist buying lay's potato chips, despite their tempting deliciousness.

perhaps use full sentences. but no promises.

sounds like a good day to me!

Too sleepy for full sentences

checked out short story and poetry collections from the library in order to expand my horizons...

instead have been reading Bridget Jones' Diary...

which I know is basically intellectually substance-free, but clever. and am enjoying British slang.

got my hair cut 2 days ago. husband has not noticed.

doesn't bother me. admitedly got it cut for the relaxing shampoo. barely looks different. but the shampoo was nice.

made oven fries. slightly healthier but just not the same. *sigh*

reminds me of the time i tried to make "oven baked salt and vinegar chips." waste of time. should have bought lays.

looking forward to Sunday routine: church, starbucks, newspaper. might have to pick up some lays.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Things I Love

that don't love me back. It's complicated.

1. Lays Salt and Vinegar Chips... so salty... so vinegary... so addictive...

2. The Real Housewives of New York. They're catty, mean, superficial, and all-around bad examples of how to behave... but so much fun to watch.

3. Everybody Loves Raymond on DVD... I can (and have) spent a day on the couch with some Salt and Vinegar chips and Raymond, watching episode after episode, accomplishing nothing.

4. ramen noodles. salty. noodly. 3 minutes of cooking time. they leave me thirsty and bloated, but I just can't stop myself.

5. Coffee at all hours of the day... not such a great idea when it's 7 pm and I have to be up early for church. Or to watch the Real Housewives marathon. Either way.

Why is it that the things we love usually aren't so good for us? Sigh.

Time for some more chips.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Things that made me smile today

Arriving at my Dr.'s appointment 30 minutes early, and being seen right away.

My husband making me spaghetti with sauce for lunch.

an awesome talk with my mom.

the cute little boy I saw in my apartment building... he was in his mom's arms, and he looked at me and waved, and said, "Hey, this is my mom!" What a cutie.

My surprise Valentine's bouquet on my kitchen counter.

Sorting through wedding photos I want to order...and coming across the shot of my now-husband's face when he first saw me walking down the aisle.

President's Day sales on furniture to make our apartment more homey...

Cool weather and sunny skies.




Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Not a List...

But sort of a conversation. He will kill me for this, but I just have to share... my husband talks in his sleep. Often. Usually he just makes nonsensical statements, but this time we had a conversation. and it. was. hilarious. at last, I think it was. and that's what really counts.

Husband (mumbling): "What day is it?"

Me: "Tuesday."

Husband (still mumbling, but irritated this time): "No , it isn't."

Me (amused that he is arguing with me about this): "Yeah, it is, sweetheart."

Husband (eyebrows furrowed now): "What day is tomorrow?"

Me (hoping that by answering this question, I won't be breaking his little sleeping heart.): "Wednesday. Wednesdays usually follow Tuesdays."

Husband (disappointed): "That sucks."

Me (confused as to why this is disappointing, but now feeling oddly sympathetic towards his plight): "I'm sorry, sweetheart. Why don't you like Wednesdays?"

Husband (clearly exhausted by this exchange): "Because they suck."

End Scene.

Today...

1. I went to the library and checked out Howl and Other Poems by Ginsberg. My best friend tells me it is a must-read. So it is sitting there... on the coffee table... waiting to be read... Okay, I'm avoiding it because I have never liked poetry... maybe once I'm done with the laundrey.

2. The library here is great, and everyone who works there is so nice. That is why I got a "volunteer application." So I can volunteer there. In the great library, with the nice people.

3. Last night, I had a dream that I was standing in my kitchen, and the locks on my front door kept being unlocked, and then re-locked, and I was really scared. I don't know who I was asking, but I asked someone what was going on, and they said that people were practicing breaking into my apartment to steal my things. I thought about it for a second, decided that it was still scary but that there wasn't much I could do about it, and then woke up.

4. I have no idea what that dream meant, why I just let people practice breaking into my home, why I didn't call my husband or the police or someone, or why I was so lazy about the whole thing. Hmph. What would Freud say about this?

5. I'm going to read some poetry now. *sigh*

Monday, February 14, 2011

My New Town

1. I live in California now.

2. I have heard more than one person use the word "stoked."

3. The weather is constantly pleasant-sunny, temperate, and slightly breezy.

4. I miss cold, rainy days. They are the perfect days for watching black and white movies, reading good books, and eating soup.

5. The used book store in my neighborhood is the reason I have broken one of my New Years Resolutions. So far it has only cost me $5. and my pride. But still; great books for only $5? Can you really blame me?

6. I know. You're supposed to own up to it when you break your resolutions and vow to do better...not blame a building a few blocks away that was there before you moved into the neighborhood and just sits there, innocently, holding all of its unbelievably low-priced like-new books.

7. I'm doing it again, I know. I'm sorry, book store. It's not your fault. I have no will power. I was also supposed to go running 5 days a week and cut back on the caffeine... yeah.

8. There is a four-hour time difference between where I live and where my best friend lives. I thought she texted me at what was 10 pm my time... and so I texted her back a few minutes later... woops. Sorry, best friend.

9. Tomorrow, I am going to the library. Hopefully they need volunteers. Or maybe someone to work there. That would be great. It would get me away from the used book store, at least.

10. I really need a latte.