Just Your Average Every Day Ice Storm

Did I Mention My New Addiction To Nancy Drew?

i started and finished "the hidden staircase" yesterday, which is yet another reason i like these mysteries--they are short, sweet, and always have a happy ending. it's like the perfect brain crack after a boring day at work. plus, nancy is a girl after my own heart--she likes everything nice, neat, and orderly. now, if only i was tall, slim, and had a blue roadster, i would be set.

No Hall Monitor In Sight

remember when when we were in middle or high school and if you needed to go to the bathroom, the nurse, whatever, you needed a hall pass? i used to love walking around, knowing i was protected by any meddlesome monitor.

today reminded me of that--that sort of carefree, skipping class feeling. i had to take some documents over to our printer, which thankfully is located right behind our building--it takes less than a minute to drive between the buildings and maybe a couple minutes to walk it. since it was wonderfully windy and balmy this morning, i decided to take advantage of the weather and mosey over.

and because i was away from my desk for a good 30 minutes, and because i was outside for part of the journey, it totally felt like i had traveled back in time to when everybody was stuck in the classroom while i freely navigated the hallways. oh, the good old days!

What I Want & Am Not Getting For Channukah

which is a bummer as i'm a watch collector and for some reason i'm a fan of ole tommy hilfiger. however, the parental units, well, the queen mum, informed me that they are not buying my choice item and have instead purchased something (most likely the computer vacuum, i kid you not) that they think i want or like.

this is a real problem because i got very sucky gifts for my birthday--things i neither wanted or needed. i hate to sound like an ungrateful shrew, but the thing is, we are usually advised as to what to get them. for example, the queen mum mentioned today that they want a gift certificate to a local dinner theater. which would be fine if they were willing to get me what i wanted.

man, i get that i sound petty, i really do. but year after year, when we have splurged (a spa gift certificate, flowers, dvds, etc.), it would be nice if i didn't get a tupperware dish, an oven glove, or a diary, which i'll never ever use.

so call me spoiled, bratty, and horrible. you may be right. or maybe, jut maybe you think, "damn, she's got good taste!"

Back On The Rollercoaster We Go

i've probably mentioned this topic a thousand times, so just bear with me and read along. every year, in the fall, there are a couple of days where it's super warm and balmy--almost like spring, i swear. it's humid, the temperatures are in the mid to upper 60s and we even get an occasional thunderstorm.

then the bottom falls out. literally. we go from near 70 to 20 degrees in a 24-hour period. no joke. and every year it's a real soul sucker because you know it's coming. hell, you can practically set your watch by it. but it doesn't make it easier to swallow, especially when it comes with sleet, ice, and snow. and accumulating snow at that.

needless to say, wednesday into thursday is going to be a real shitfest. luckily, and i do mean luckily, the adorable one is always willing to truck me to work in his suv. it almost makes the weather bearable. almost.

The Hardest Part Of Every Day

is undoubtedly the last 30 minutes--i'm either watching the clock, intently trying to will time forward or racing around like the tasmanian devil to get out of the office at my normal time. it's one or the other, but never in between.

and it's always been like this, at least for me. i think it's hard to be a clock-watcher because no matter what you do, every five minutes that goes by feels like an eternity. some times i just wish employers would realize that it would be more beneficial to just let folks go at the end of the day when they get to a good stopping point, and not necessarily at 5:00 p.m. on the dot.

but that would make way too much sense, wouldn't it?

I Think We're Lucky

that we don't have to buy gifts for a ton of people for christmas or chanukah. we already purchased gift certificates (michael's craft store for his mom, home depot for his dad) for the adorable one's parents, and we'll probably get a couple gift certificates (one from their favorite italian restaurant, the other from custard's last stand) for my folks, and other than a few things for people at work, well, that's it. thankfully.

i never really understood how people could max out their credit cards every year on presents for all the people in their family, fight the crowds in the mall, or do all that running around. it's still a mystery as i can't imagine doing all that stuff. even when i was single and bought for more people, it was never this overwhelming amount, which again, i'm grateful for.

the adorable one and i buy for each other during the year--if there's something (reasonable) that one of us wants, we usually make it happen. mind you, we don't go berserko every week or even every month--just once in a while if there's something that we've been jonesing for, we try to make it happen. for example, the adorable one wanted a gps unit, so using his holiday bonus, that's what we bought. i wanted a ipod and got one for valentine's day, so it equals out.

in past years, i've gone a little nutty and bought the adorable one a ton of chanukah gifts, but there's not lotsa stuff that he wants. at least none that i know of. i could buy a bunch of things out of catalogs, but i'm not feeling it this year. hope this doesn't make me scroogeworthy. the weird part? i love buying gifts for others, which is a real switcheroo from my old self that only liked to receive. yup, weird. i bet this means i'm mellowing or something scary like that.

no wonder i don't get why people are stressed during the holidays.

The Hard Part About Living In The Midwest

Hell On Earth As Far As We're Concerned

just kill me before i have to ever step foot in this breeder and spawn of hell mecca.

This Movie Gets Me Every Time

there really are not a whole lotta movies i can watch over and over and again and again, but "love actually" has a sweetness to it that isn't sappy and a smartness that makes me smile and laugh every time i see it. what's really interesting is that i'm not one for holiday movies, especially ones full of christmas music, but i'm positively in love with this flick (sans the laura linney and emma thompson story lines). everyone including emma is fabulous, and it's one of the few hugh grant movies where he truly shines.

and for a non-mushball like me, i can say this--love is, actually, all around us.

I Can't Explain It

but i didn't feel like writing earlier this week as indicated by my lack of posts. usually i'm a veritable fountain of musings, ramblings, ravings, and whatnot. but not this week. i can't say if it's because my brain has been in holiday/vacation mode, but i haven't had an original thought of late. which is weird for me, as i'm usually a hamster wheel of tidings.

i don't usually have writer's block or even a lack of things to say. it's not that i'm depressed or sick or mopey, as things have turned out better than i could have expected--life with the adorable one is the best life has ever been. truly. i've finally hit my stride at work, get along with everyone, and seem to be moving in the right direction regarding my career.

due to the type 2 diabetes, we're actually eating healthier and losing weight. again, a blessing in disguise. we're also reconnecting with friends that we haven't seen in a long time, mostly due to me being in the rut. but sunny skies seem to be ahead and i'm glad for it.

i think i've been a tad lackluster because i'm still trying to find a suitable hobby (yes, i do lots and lots of reading, which i thoroughly enjoy) to occupy my down time. it seems like we spend an inordinate amount of time running errands, doing chores, etc.--i think i'm suffering from a lack of fun. now, how to remedy that, i'm not quite sure. i can say with certainty that working out at the gym, scribbling in a coloring book, or playing a video game doesn't cut it. so, it's introspective time at princess superstar central.

too bad becoming a celebrity chef or brilliant movie director or gifted equestrian isn't really a hobby. because i would be so down for any of the above.

Here's A Cop We Want To Meet

we just started watching chris cognac's show on the foodnetwork--there are definitely a couple places in sin city we'll check out when we go, thanks to the episode we watched yesterday. this guy is a los angeles police officer by day and food critic by night. so chris, if you're reading this, feel free to come to cowtown--we'll show you some good eats and promise to be your new bff. yup, we're cool like that.

A Quite Awesome & Lovely Thanksgiving

i can't remember when thanksgiving became such a big deal to me, but i would have to say that in the last five years, maybe a few more than that, thanksgiving became this holiday that i totally looked forward to. it could be that the holiday embraced eating yourself silly, it could be that the foods are usually delicious, or it could be that i have dug just being with my family for a special dinner. not sure, but thanksgiving is a major big deal to me every year, even when i haven't been with my family per se.

this year i have so much to be grateful for--first and foremost for the adorable one, our girls, my immediate family, including the adorable one's folks who have always treated me like a daughter, great friends, a very good stable job, and finally progress on losing weight and getting healthy. as the adorable one said last night on the way home from dinner, "you're so much happier now. you smile more. your hair is shiny. you can really tell a difference." unbeknown to me, i guess i used to walk around with a frown all the time. and i think it's because i was really unhappy for a l-o-n-g time. after getting fired by the toxic waste dump in 2004, i went into this rut that i have finally and for sure made my way out of.

yay, it helps that the adorable one and i are eating healthier (except this weekend, which has been a free for all, and oh boy has it been fun!) and losing weight. really, the next step is to finally face the gym, which i hope we do tomorrow. we meant to go today, but i took another nap (heaven!). what i enjoy most is that i actually feel better and things are easier for me to do. even peeling and chopping potatoes for my fav dish isn't something that wears me out. i really think all that extra weight i've been carrying around made me unhappy--now that i'm starting to shed that, i don't get tired so easily. it's nice.

and dinner at my folks house was delish--my mom roasted a honeysuckle turkey, baked sweet potatoes, made my grandma's dressing recipe, stove top stuffing (luv, luv, luv it!), cranberries (her favorite), a big salad (my dad should be a professional salad maker, i swear), and the buttery crescent rolls we brought, along with a really good wine, which turned out to be a perfect compliment to the meal. and then we had my mom's homemade apple pie for dessert, which was heavenly good. just a perfect meal and a great time.

i'm feeling relaxed and happy and life is good. really good. so happy (belated) turkey day folks.

One, Cool Chickeroo

on the way home from tampa, i read a crappy book, but something good came out of it. the book was about this gal who takes a job as a nanny in iceland, kinda jane eyre-ish, and decides to solve some mysteries by asking, "what would nancy drew do?" which got me thinking about how long it had been, ages, and i do mean ages, since i had read a nancy drew mystery, which i loved, loved, loved as a tween. so, now i'm checking out each mystery from our library. and you know what? i'm having a lot of fun getting re-acquainted with the super sleuth. and each book is a quick read.

who knew a heroine from the 1930s would be cooler than any chick lit character today?

What I Am Most Grateful For

please note: the cute flannel jammies that makes the adorable one even more adorable. i know, i didn't think it was possible either.

I Wish

that when someone nearly runs you off the road, even though you have the right of way that you had some kind of recourse other than steaming and/or screaming in car. for example, i wish you could record their license plate, look it up, and either write the loser a hate letter or report them to some kind of bad drivers bureau. the adorable one has the great idea that our cars should be outfitted with bumper fins and if someone really irks us, well, hit the button, and smoosh, they are out of the way.

now, that's exactly what i needed when a red pickup truck with the "thanxgdma" practically pushed me into the ditch. that and a missile launcher.

It's Trendy & Tragically Hip, But We Like It

plus, we found out last night that one of the chefs we previously took cooking classes from has become the big kahuna, so we kinda feel special knowing him. anyhoosa, it's been decided that we're having our new year's eve supper there. guess this means i'll have to find something remotely chic to wear. pretty sick, huh?

So, So Droolworthy

Last Of The Light

i didn't take this picture, but it illustrates what i want to talk about. when i leave in the morning, it's dark. i think i've done a sufficient job of complaining about how i hate that it's pitch black when i get up. i consider myself lucky the days when i'm walking into the building and sun is just coming up. this time of year, well, i'll take what i can get.

tonight was the first time i left the office and it was almost dark. i caught the last rays of light and it reminded me of when i started my job where it seemed like every day i left in the dark and went home in the dark. i know seasonal affective disorder exists because i get bummed by the gray, drab days. i hate the filtered sunshine as it seems like everything is washed out.

it's not the eventual loss of daylight that kills me, as it's practically dark anyway by the time i get home. and once the winter solstice passes, it's only a matter of time before we start gaining daylight. no, it's the cold and the gray that i could easily do without.

i often find myself wondering what it will be like when we move to florida--which if i start my mba program next year (summer or fall to take as much advantage of tuition reimbursement as possible, as my degree--well, that's gonna run, truth be told, $20k--ouch!), will take longer than we planned. and like i said in my post about hitting the books, it's about short-term pain for long-term gain.so, i'll continue to keep my eyes to the horizon, looking for the light. i'll know i've made it when the water meets the sky.

I Am Loving This

Hitting The Books?

so i have a master's degree--granted it's in journalism and focused on integrated marketing communications (otherwise known as imc), but it's a master's degree nonetheless. it took me three years, actually i think longer because i was booted out of shitty krappy and worthless during my last class, which let me tell you, was a royal suckfest. the only thing they did right was not making me pay back the tuition. which in reviewing the current graduate tuition rates, damn, i lucked out. hugely.

okay, so i didn't ever want to go back to school. i didn't. oh, i believe in continuing education. you should always want to learn. and learn more. it should be a life goal. stop learning and you stop living, at least, that's what i think. the thing is, school is sooooo much work. on top of the every day work you do at work. plus the work you do at home. you give up reading books you enjoy. you give up naps. in some sense, you give up your life. but it's all in pursuit of this piece of paper that opens doors. so in the end, it's worth it.

i figured with the adorable one in his undergraduate program for the next three years, i would kinda coast until he finished. not the case, as for some reason, i've gotten motivated to throw my hat into the ring for an mba program. why? well, it's the key to the castle, to some degree (no pun intended), regarding my career track. my supervisor and previous supervisor (now department head) are very supportive, and almost more gung-ho on the subject than myself. even the adorable one is excited for me.

and i am excited. just not about the work involved, the student loans (never had financial aid before, and yes, i get that i'm lucky and spoiled, let's move on), but also the loss of time to do the things i like to do. so, i gotta keep my eyes on the prize--short-term pain for long-term gain. in the end, i'll be ahead. and that's what hitting the books is all about.

Thank You Food Network

here's what i'm grateful for--the foodnetwork has already started airing thanksgiving shows. because i'm a freak, i have to ask--does it get any better than this? nay i say, and bring on the bird!

Can Someone Please Tell Me What Was The Point?

Holy Shit This Looks Kick Ass (Is That Enough Curse Words In A Title For Ya?)

Did I Mention This? And I'm Good With Being Evil

about three weeks ago as i was getting ready to get on the elevator, our hr liaison exited and this gal, who was also waiting for the elevator got on and pretty much almost allowed the doors to shut, versus holding the doors for me, which is standard etiquette at our company. then the gal ran around, i'm not making this up, like a trapped rat, whining that she didn't like the hr person's perfume. well, too freaking bad! an elevator is a confined space--there's no where for the fumes to go. get over it, seriously.

so the other other day, this same gal almost ran into me as i was walking to the copy room and she made some kind of weird, i think derogatory, comment. i kinda shucked it off as i had other things going on. but then i got to thinking about it today and decided to do something juvenile and evil.

so i printed out a note that said, "dear freak: you so stink!" and sent it via interoffice, disguising my handwriting on the envelope. now, while you're shaking your head at my childish behavior, shake it some more because i decided to send one next week, and the week after that, and the week after that. i've decided for some reason that her bad behavior cannot go unchecked.

the hard part will be coming up with creative, yet mean notes. and not giving her my cheshire cat smile every time i see her. i see lotsa lip biting in my future, but man oh man, it's gonna feel good. i haven't been this evil since . . . oh, who am i kidding? i'm always evil.

yay me!

Imagine My Shock

the other day when i headed to the loo and was prepared to camp out in my usual stall . . . only there was someone already in there. the nerve! the impudence! the horror! so now when i pee, it's just like dave barry said in one of his highlarious columns about women who hover over the toilet seat like an alien ship. jeez, what has life come to?!

I Admit It

i've been a bit of a dullard late, i get that. i haven't had a whole lot to write about. thankfully there is no work drama to report. life with the adorable one is fab. we're eating better and are finally, and i do mean finally, gearing up to go back to the gym as my cutie patootie has joined a flag football team.

while having type 2 diabetes hasn't made me the happiest camper, it has given us the much-needed kick in the pants to lose weight. i don't really know how much, but my clothes are definitely looser. and the weird part is, there are a lot of days where i pass the vending machine and i don't actually miss the little chocolate donuts i used to snarf at my desk.

i will say that i have been obsessed with two things:

1. thanksgiving

2. our trip to key west next may

i've always loved thanksgiving, to be sure. i am not even sure of why. all i know is that i love getting together with family (even my nutso family) and having a big ole meal of turkey, stuffing, and all the fixings. lordy do i love it. and i haven't been able to stop thinking about it--maybe because i'm gonna have five days off in a row and i'm more than ready. maybe it's because i just love the beginning of the holiday season when everything seems festive and everyone kinda lets loose.

and i'm not sure how i got infected by key west, but not a day goes by that i don't think of it. it sounds loopy, but i often wonder about the people we met there--what they are doing now, if they are still in key west, what their daily grind is like, if you can even call living in key west a daily grind. am i nuts to think that living in florida is more of a fantasy than what it's like living in a place like cowtown. sometimes i think i'm batty for the way i think, but there's a big part of me that hopes i'm right. that is, living in florida will be everything we dream it will be.

i wish i knew what draws me there, but i jones for the place. now, perfection would be celebrating thanksgiving there. dial me to nirvana!

Just Call Me Gastrically Challenged

being the idiot, i combined my banana in my yogurt, leading to several walks of shame to the restroom. why i can't seem to remember that these two ingredients are a sure-fire recipe for mud butt, i do not know.

there now. if i haven't grossed you out, it's safe to continue future visits to hollow stomach central.

About Freaking Time

Thanks Honey!

photo credit: williams-sonoma

the adorable one made some yummy chili for dinnah tonight. proving once again, the man is a cooking whiz as he didn't even use a recipe. what was even cooler? we bypassed the usual fritos scoops. go us!

I've Always Wondered

if it's true what they say about grapefruit helping to burn fat. all i know is that i actually feel thinner the morning after i've had a grapefruit for dessert. yay, it's official--i'm turning into my mother. of course, then i would have to weigh 80 pounds and eat next to nothing. other than grapefruit.

For The Record

1. "the prestige" was shitty boring and too long. major disappointment. especially from the director of "batman begins" (my fav film of 2005) and starring the very smart and dreamy christian bale.

2. losing weight is great, it really is. luv, luv, luv that the clothes are starting to hang off me a bit. the adorable one, due to being totally supportive plus an evil stomach bug, has shed a good 20 pounds at least (maybe more). and while we do feel healthier and lighter (somewhat, but still have a very l-o-n-g way to go), i miss feeling full. i do. no matter what i eat, i never feel all that full. i tend to feel hollow most of the time.

and yes, i get that eating all this fruit is quite good for me. but i'm always gonna crave sweets. i don't know if it's because we just made it through halloween, but lordy my sweet tooth has gone beserk. i jones for cupcakes, cheesecake, apple pie, brownies--really anything wonderfully sinful.

and yes, it was probably good that i ate most of my bowl of berries for dessert at our team-building lunch on tuesday, but it sure as heck wasn't as satisfying as say a huge ole hunk of chocolate cake with chocolate icing.

does this officially make me a whiner? yay, that's what i thought.

These Are Not Your Friends

yes, trees are wonderful. they offer shade, are a great source of oxygen, bear fruit, and are generally nice to look at. the flip side, of course, is fall and when all the leaves decide they've had enough of hanging around on the trees and create piles for us working stiffs to rake.

luckily, all we have to do is rake the leaves to the curb and the city comes by with this vacuum sweeper thing; otherwise, our entire afternoon would have been a gigantic suckfest, compared to the hour of light manual labor we endured.

though secretly, i think the adorable one enjoyed it. traitor.

We Need More Sharp, Funny Flicks Like This

Is It Too Much To Ask?

this morning i was experiencing gastric distress due to the combination of an overripe banana and yogurt. while i thought, as it was fairly early, i would have the bathroom to myself, naturally that was not the case. hence, i sorely wished i could have posted the above sign on the door. the worst offender was the excessive hand-washer--you know who i'm talking about. the person has to rinse their hands for ten minutes before applying the soap, then vigorously scrub their hands for another ten minutes, rinse their hands for another ten minutes, and finally and very thoroughly dry their hands. i'm ocd, but hey, i'm not that bad.

He Ain't Here Yet, But It Sure Feels Like It

old man winter is not officially here and it's not like it's been that horridly cold . . . yet. but damn, it sucks getting up when it's still pitch black and waiting for the hot water for stepping into the shower. i hate, hate, hate being cold. which probably begs the question, "why then, oh princess superstar, do you still live in the nation's breadbasket?" that's another story for another time dear readers.

i swear i have no idea of how the early settlers made it. no plumbing, electricity, refrigerators, diet coke--damn, how did they do it? guess it would be best not to start on how life without central air-conditioning seems impossible. oh well, plenty of time before i have to pull that out of the closet. in the meantime, i'll just snuggle under the blankies and try to keep my tootsies warm. jeez, did i just type tootsies?

In Reality

so the other day the adorable one and i were watching tv as usual and a commercial for church's chicken came on. i didn't give it a second thought, but the adorable one, in his ever-so-observant way goes, "you know it's fake because all the workers in the commercial are white and the guy going through the drive-through is hispanic."

which by sheer deduction means that no white folks work at that chicken chain and apparently hispanics don't like fried chicken. who knew? yup, nothing gets past my man.

It's Really A Shame

that my period is over because i can't complain about my itchy vagina. darn.