Ding, dong the witch is dead...
I mean fired. Neener, neener, neener.
This just goes to show you that sometimes there is justice in this world.
12.13.2007
So surreal...
Do you ever have one of those moments where you think to yourself "Did that really just happen?" Michael and I had one of those moments on Friday and I'm still thinking about it.
So, last Friday Michael and I met our dear friend Burt for lunch at this little hole in the wall bar near our house. Some of you might remember Burt from our wedding. He was the short elderly gentleman who kept talking about his "sperm-in-law." Of course, that's a story for another time. Anyway, Burt is an interesting person. He's so nice and so outgoing and just loves talking to people.
Well, we're eating lunch, and Burt's friend David walks in and joins us. He's a doctor with a rehab medicine practice and had recently returned from a trip to Ethiopia (we're not at the surreal part yet). And then Burt asks David if the couple at the table next to us looked familiar. David says that he doesn't recognize them but by then Burt has gone over to them to invite them to join our table.
The couple, Wes and Monica, agree to join us and they pull up some stools from the bar. We're chatting with them for a bit and then Burt asks them how they met. Wes looks at Monica and Monica looks at Wes and they're saying to each other "You tell them." "No, you." "Okay, I'll tell them." Monica tells us that they met in a bar. But Burt decides that their story lacks a little pizazz and that's when Monica says "Actually, I'm a stripper and I always swore I wouldn't do this but I did. I ended up dating a customer." And we all laugh and think "Ha ha--she's so funny!" Except...she wasn't kidding. Um, she really is a stripper. Oh, dear god, she really is a stripper. Hee!
Of course, then we had to talk all about strippers and it was a fascinating conversation. She told us that girls of all shapes and sizes work at the club with her and that she really likes the work. I had to ask about the whole pole dancing thing and she told us that 2 of the poles are stationary but the others are mounted on ball bearings so when you see the girls fling themselves around the poles, they aren't spinning on the pole, the pole is spinning them. Monica, however, eschews the pole because she's afraid she'll hurt herself on it. We had a short discussion on the stripping business (unfortunately no time for feminist discourse) but then it was time for Michael to go back to work and I had to run errands.
But before we go, Burt invites our new...acquaintances?...to our party that we had on Saturday. What the hell? It turns out that Monica and Wes live in our neighborhood so that's cool b/c we love meeting people from our neighborhood but Burt didn't even ask, he just invited these people. So, we left wondering if they would show and, of course, I told half the people at our party about this couple and they never came. But David and his wife Sarah joined us and they were lovely. Everyone at our party was wondering if Sarah was the stripper but, alas, she was not. Anyway, Monica and Wes didn't come to our party but we have an open invitation to come see her here. Apparently they have male strippers on Saturday night.
Do you ever have one of those moments where you think to yourself "Did that really just happen?" Michael and I had one of those moments on Friday and I'm still thinking about it.
So, last Friday Michael and I met our dear friend Burt for lunch at this little hole in the wall bar near our house. Some of you might remember Burt from our wedding. He was the short elderly gentleman who kept talking about his "sperm-in-law." Of course, that's a story for another time. Anyway, Burt is an interesting person. He's so nice and so outgoing and just loves talking to people.
Well, we're eating lunch, and Burt's friend David walks in and joins us. He's a doctor with a rehab medicine practice and had recently returned from a trip to Ethiopia (we're not at the surreal part yet). And then Burt asks David if the couple at the table next to us looked familiar. David says that he doesn't recognize them but by then Burt has gone over to them to invite them to join our table.
The couple, Wes and Monica, agree to join us and they pull up some stools from the bar. We're chatting with them for a bit and then Burt asks them how they met. Wes looks at Monica and Monica looks at Wes and they're saying to each other "You tell them." "No, you." "Okay, I'll tell them." Monica tells us that they met in a bar. But Burt decides that their story lacks a little pizazz and that's when Monica says "Actually, I'm a stripper and I always swore I wouldn't do this but I did. I ended up dating a customer." And we all laugh and think "Ha ha--she's so funny!" Except...she wasn't kidding. Um, she really is a stripper. Oh, dear god, she really is a stripper. Hee!
Of course, then we had to talk all about strippers and it was a fascinating conversation. She told us that girls of all shapes and sizes work at the club with her and that she really likes the work. I had to ask about the whole pole dancing thing and she told us that 2 of the poles are stationary but the others are mounted on ball bearings so when you see the girls fling themselves around the poles, they aren't spinning on the pole, the pole is spinning them. Monica, however, eschews the pole because she's afraid she'll hurt herself on it. We had a short discussion on the stripping business (unfortunately no time for feminist discourse) but then it was time for Michael to go back to work and I had to run errands.
But before we go, Burt invites our new...acquaintances?...to our party that we had on Saturday. What the hell? It turns out that Monica and Wes live in our neighborhood so that's cool b/c we love meeting people from our neighborhood but Burt didn't even ask, he just invited these people. So, we left wondering if they would show and, of course, I told half the people at our party about this couple and they never came. But David and his wife Sarah joined us and they were lovely. Everyone at our party was wondering if Sarah was the stripper but, alas, she was not. Anyway, Monica and Wes didn't come to our party but we have an open invitation to come see her here. Apparently they have male strippers on Saturday night.
12.12.2007
Our little family...
For those of you who haven't seen our newest 4-legged addition, here she is...
Esme is approximately 3 years old and just a sweet, sweet girl. She can be the devil in disguise so don't let the cuteness fool you. Esme was found abandoned in an empty apartment with 7 one week old puppies and she was brought in to SICSA with pups in tow. The staff helped Esme (then named Nina) with raising her pups and after they were old enough they were all adopted. Only Esme hadn't yet found a family to adopt her but if you ask me, I think it was a little bit of fate on our side that brought us together.
She doesn't like having her picture taken so we don't very many good ones to post yet but I promise we'll put up more soon.
11.19.2007
Low Impact Fummer
Long I have admired No Impact Man, Colin Beavan, and have been following his year-long "no impact experiment" since March. And thrown in there is my growing interest in eating local and /or organic food inspired by Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma and Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Actually, my interest in being a more conscious consumer and eater dates back to my first attempt at giving up meat but in the last year I've really stepped it up. Admittedly, it's hard sometimes. And while Michael is incredibly supportive of the changes we've made (he better be since I'm the one who goes to the grocery and cooks for us), I know it's harder on him than me but he's a good sport about it anyway.
There are many reasons for not wanting to eat meat, but not one of them has to do with not eating animals. I think it's okay to eat meat, because, hey, it tastes good. But I try not to because I don't agree with factory farming because it's bad for the animals and bad for the environment. Sometimes I fall of the wagon (like today) and eat a little meat. But when I do, I try to make sure it came from a local farmer who treats her/his animals humanely. Besides that, as a society, we eat more meat than we should and a diet rich in veg, grains and legumes is a much healthier option.
And when I buy groceries, I try to buy locally grown items, environmentally-friendly cleaning products, tissues and t.p. and I try to limit the amount of convenience foods I buy. And I severely restrict the amount of produce that I buy out of season that must be transported from California or even another country. That means no more bananas, no asparagus, no fresh tomatoes (although, who wants to eat them in winter anyway? They are so tasteless and grainy), and absolutely no strawberries in January. Or grapes.
What this means is that I have to think about about what I cook, what I buy, do I have the time to walk to the drugstore or do I need to drive, etc. all the time. But I think it's important. And there are things we could all be doing to be more conscious of reducing our energy needs, being kinder to the environment and feeding our bodies the best food we can. And in case you don't hear enough about this in the news already, here are some of the things that Michael and I do:
Long I have admired No Impact Man, Colin Beavan, and have been following his year-long "no impact experiment" since March. And thrown in there is my growing interest in eating local and /or organic food inspired by Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma and Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Actually, my interest in being a more conscious consumer and eater dates back to my first attempt at giving up meat but in the last year I've really stepped it up. Admittedly, it's hard sometimes. And while Michael is incredibly supportive of the changes we've made (he better be since I'm the one who goes to the grocery and cooks for us), I know it's harder on him than me but he's a good sport about it anyway.
There are many reasons for not wanting to eat meat, but not one of them has to do with not eating animals. I think it's okay to eat meat, because, hey, it tastes good. But I try not to because I don't agree with factory farming because it's bad for the animals and bad for the environment. Sometimes I fall of the wagon (like today) and eat a little meat. But when I do, I try to make sure it came from a local farmer who treats her/his animals humanely. Besides that, as a society, we eat more meat than we should and a diet rich in veg, grains and legumes is a much healthier option.
And when I buy groceries, I try to buy locally grown items, environmentally-friendly cleaning products, tissues and t.p. and I try to limit the amount of convenience foods I buy. And I severely restrict the amount of produce that I buy out of season that must be transported from California or even another country. That means no more bananas, no asparagus, no fresh tomatoes (although, who wants to eat them in winter anyway? They are so tasteless and grainy), and absolutely no strawberries in January. Or grapes.
What this means is that I have to think about about what I cook, what I buy, do I have the time to walk to the drugstore or do I need to drive, etc. all the time. But I think it's important. And there are things we could all be doing to be more conscious of reducing our energy needs, being kinder to the environment and feeding our bodies the best food we can. And in case you don't hear enough about this in the news already, here are some of the things that Michael and I do:
- join a CSA farm or shop at a farmer's market
- buy organic meat, dairy and produce when you can
- use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins at meal times
- don't buy bottled water
- recycle (yes, it's true that recycling uses fossil fuels but it beats putting all the trash in a landfill)
- walk, bike or take public transportation when you can (public transportation is sub-optimal in Dayton so we walk when we can and drive when we can't)
- turn off lights when you leave a room and don't take long showers (I can tell you that's a hard one to give up)
- wash your laundry on cold and try to do a number of loads at a time to maximize the energy your dryer uses or hang your clothes on a line
- keep your thermostat at 68 degrees (at our house it's never above 64) when you're home and drop in the low 60's or upper 50's at night or when you are away from home
- exchange incandescent light bulbs for energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs
11.15.2007
The right to be smoke free...
I don't usually make a habit of airing dirty family laundry on here but this is something that's been bothering me for a long time. A. Very. Long. Time.
It has become painfully clear to me that my mother, despite her many health issues, is not going to quit smoking. I am not the only person to struggle with this issue, but it is especially painful for me since I've tried very hard to be supportive during said health problems. My brother, on the other hand, is supportive in a different way (read: not my way which obviously means he's doing it wrong). After a recent conversation with him, however, it became all too clear that our mom is not going to quit smoking. Ever.
And the smoking is probably the biggest reason that she and I argue. Hell, we discussed it in therapy A LOT, it was that big. So, since I can't make my mom quit smoking and my efforts to get her to quit aren't working, then something has to change. I can't change her but I can change the way I choose to deal with this situation. So, I told her that we would love for her to visit and we would love for her to stay with us at X-mas but she can't smoke while she's here. And I don't just mean not smoking in the house which has never been allowed anyway, but no smoking at all. No smoking on the porch, in the car, at the gas station up the street. No smoking at all while she's here. Second hand smoke is nasty. It smells bad and it lingers on the smoker and anything she touches for days. And it is gross and disgusting. And when a smoker has to go outside and smoke then that person is leaving what you're doing at that time or if you have to wait for that person to finish a cigarette before getting back in the car to go somewhere then it holds you up and it makes your car smell bad. Besides that, second hand smoke smell is every bit as bad for my allergies as being right next to a burning cigarette.
So, that's my decision and I'm sticking to it. If my mom can't honor that request then I guess she won't be coming to visit. And that would make me really sad. I know that cigarettes are terribly addictive and my mom has been smoking longer than she hasn't but it is a disease and cancer-causing addiction. And I'm not going to compromise on this issue any longer.
I don't usually make a habit of airing dirty family laundry on here but this is something that's been bothering me for a long time. A. Very. Long. Time.
It has become painfully clear to me that my mother, despite her many health issues, is not going to quit smoking. I am not the only person to struggle with this issue, but it is especially painful for me since I've tried very hard to be supportive during said health problems. My brother, on the other hand, is supportive in a different way (read: not my way which obviously means he's doing it wrong). After a recent conversation with him, however, it became all too clear that our mom is not going to quit smoking. Ever.
And the smoking is probably the biggest reason that she and I argue. Hell, we discussed it in therapy A LOT, it was that big. So, since I can't make my mom quit smoking and my efforts to get her to quit aren't working, then something has to change. I can't change her but I can change the way I choose to deal with this situation. So, I told her that we would love for her to visit and we would love for her to stay with us at X-mas but she can't smoke while she's here. And I don't just mean not smoking in the house which has never been allowed anyway, but no smoking at all. No smoking on the porch, in the car, at the gas station up the street. No smoking at all while she's here. Second hand smoke is nasty. It smells bad and it lingers on the smoker and anything she touches for days. And it is gross and disgusting. And when a smoker has to go outside and smoke then that person is leaving what you're doing at that time or if you have to wait for that person to finish a cigarette before getting back in the car to go somewhere then it holds you up and it makes your car smell bad. Besides that, second hand smoke smell is every bit as bad for my allergies as being right next to a burning cigarette.
So, that's my decision and I'm sticking to it. If my mom can't honor that request then I guess she won't be coming to visit. And that would make me really sad. I know that cigarettes are terribly addictive and my mom has been smoking longer than she hasn't but it is a disease and cancer-causing addiction. And I'm not going to compromise on this issue any longer.
10.29.2007
Bringing home the bacos...
Michael is the one who brings home the bacon and I bring home the bacos. I don't work enough shifts to bring home bacon. Anyway, my new job is working out well so far. The people are nice and the tips are decent. But, as it is a restaurant job, time spent at work means thrusting myself into a vortex of drama because restaurant people hang out together and sleep together and create more drama. And of course they are totally incapable of checking said drama at the door and instead bring it to work for the rest of us. Maybe they think they're being kind by sharing. Or maybe they think that the rest of us must lead some pretty boring lives and they're doing us a favor by allowing us to live vicariously thru them. I don't know. All I do know is that I show up, do my work, make my money, eat a salad and go home. Oh, and take my bacos to the bank.
And with all new jobs, you have to spend some time learning who the various characters are...there's the know-it-all, the guy who sells vitamin supplements on the side and wants you to join his business venture, the guy who plays the restaurant version of House, MD, the crack head, the little skinny chicks who are chock full o' drama, the gay Republican (I know, right?) and a couple of college students like myself. So far they seem pretty normal and maybe that's just because they don't work there enough to take on some of the drama. There are probably some people I missed but you get the point. Drama aside, it's still better than staying on at my last job no matter how good the pay and flexibility were. Neener, neener.
Michael is the one who brings home the bacon and I bring home the bacos. I don't work enough shifts to bring home bacon. Anyway, my new job is working out well so far. The people are nice and the tips are decent. But, as it is a restaurant job, time spent at work means thrusting myself into a vortex of drama because restaurant people hang out together and sleep together and create more drama. And of course they are totally incapable of checking said drama at the door and instead bring it to work for the rest of us. Maybe they think they're being kind by sharing. Or maybe they think that the rest of us must lead some pretty boring lives and they're doing us a favor by allowing us to live vicariously thru them. I don't know. All I do know is that I show up, do my work, make my money, eat a salad and go home. Oh, and take my bacos to the bank.
And with all new jobs, you have to spend some time learning who the various characters are...there's the know-it-all, the guy who sells vitamin supplements on the side and wants you to join his business venture, the guy who plays the restaurant version of House, MD, the crack head, the little skinny chicks who are chock full o' drama, the gay Republican (I know, right?) and a couple of college students like myself. So far they seem pretty normal and maybe that's just because they don't work there enough to take on some of the drama. There are probably some people I missed but you get the point. Drama aside, it's still better than staying on at my last job no matter how good the pay and flexibility were. Neener, neener.
10.22.2007
Blarg...
That's pretty much I feel at the moment but I've made my decision and I'm sticking to it. I'm sort of in nursing school application hell at the moment--trying to figure out what I can do to ensure that my GPA is the highest it can be so I can ensure a slot in the program this spring. So....I dropped Physiology. Blarg. But I was getting a C and no matter what I couldn't bring it up above a C so as it stands now, I'll end up with a GPA of 3.4. If I can boost my Micro grade to an A from a B then I'll have a 3.6 and hopefully (fingers crossed) my app. will be near the top of the pile when it comes time to make admission decisions.
It only puts me back one class slot in one semester so it isn't a huge deal as long as I get into the program for the spring. And since they are only looking at GPA (and in my case, only my GPA post-bachelor's) and reserve the right to accept WSU students with 30 credits hours or more from WSU (even if they have a lower GPA) ahead of transer students like me, I have got to have a high GPA. I was rather disappointed to find out that they won't be taking age, maturity, previous job and/or life experience into consideration when making these decisions but that's how they do it. Anyway, I'll be submitting my application before Thanksgiving so keep your fingers crossed for me. I should know if I'm accepted or not by January 30.
So, this is one of the many things that have been keeping me so busy I don't know if I'm coming or going these days. Last week was terrible for many reasons but now that I dropped Phys. things won't be nearly as bad. Maybe. Well, let's hope not. Because my house has been a mess and there's a mountain of laundry in the basement that needs to be washed and I hardly get to talk to my friends on the phone and I never have time to check email and I hardly see my husband and I am pooped. POOPED, I say. And I was so worn out by school, work and life that the birthday fun-ness I had been anticipating last month was the last thing in the world that I wanted to deal with. Which is a shame b/c I've always thought of 30 as the magic age and the month before my birthday sucked and the day of was pretty good but frankly I did not even have time to celebrate. But 30 is here to stay for a while so let's hope the next 300+ days of it are the magical days I've always hoped for.
That's pretty much I feel at the moment but I've made my decision and I'm sticking to it. I'm sort of in nursing school application hell at the moment--trying to figure out what I can do to ensure that my GPA is the highest it can be so I can ensure a slot in the program this spring. So....I dropped Physiology. Blarg. But I was getting a C and no matter what I couldn't bring it up above a C so as it stands now, I'll end up with a GPA of 3.4. If I can boost my Micro grade to an A from a B then I'll have a 3.6 and hopefully (fingers crossed) my app. will be near the top of the pile when it comes time to make admission decisions.
It only puts me back one class slot in one semester so it isn't a huge deal as long as I get into the program for the spring. And since they are only looking at GPA (and in my case, only my GPA post-bachelor's) and reserve the right to accept WSU students with 30 credits hours or more from WSU (even if they have a lower GPA) ahead of transer students like me, I have got to have a high GPA. I was rather disappointed to find out that they won't be taking age, maturity, previous job and/or life experience into consideration when making these decisions but that's how they do it. Anyway, I'll be submitting my application before Thanksgiving so keep your fingers crossed for me. I should know if I'm accepted or not by January 30.
So, this is one of the many things that have been keeping me so busy I don't know if I'm coming or going these days. Last week was terrible for many reasons but now that I dropped Phys. things won't be nearly as bad. Maybe. Well, let's hope not. Because my house has been a mess and there's a mountain of laundry in the basement that needs to be washed and I hardly get to talk to my friends on the phone and I never have time to check email and I hardly see my husband and I am pooped. POOPED, I say. And I was so worn out by school, work and life that the birthday fun-ness I had been anticipating last month was the last thing in the world that I wanted to deal with. Which is a shame b/c I've always thought of 30 as the magic age and the month before my birthday sucked and the day of was pretty good but frankly I did not even have time to celebrate. But 30 is here to stay for a while so let's hope the next 300+ days of it are the magical days I've always hoped for.
9.26.2007
Feelin' like I need something to love on...
Alas, the need to love on something 4-legged and furry has set in. But. This time Michael and I really, really are not going to get a dog for a while (you'll remember that we said this the last time--we made it 6 weeks). We just can't do it right now for a variety of reason, not the least of which is that we aren't emotionally ready, but I feel like I need to love on something. Besides my husband.
So, we talked about bunnies or even a guinea pig or something but Michael doesn't get the warm fuzzies for those kinds of critters. I think that I could be pretty excited about a bunny. You can litter-train them and they are very warm and fuzzy. And they have 4 legs so that pretty much meets my list of requirements. Even if we decide to go this route it won't be for a while. So, people of the internets, I ask you: can you love a bunny as much as a dog?
Alas, the need to love on something 4-legged and furry has set in. But. This time Michael and I really, really are not going to get a dog for a while (you'll remember that we said this the last time--we made it 6 weeks). We just can't do it right now for a variety of reason, not the least of which is that we aren't emotionally ready, but I feel like I need to love on something. Besides my husband.
So, we talked about bunnies or even a guinea pig or something but Michael doesn't get the warm fuzzies for those kinds of critters. I think that I could be pretty excited about a bunny. You can litter-train them and they are very warm and fuzzy. And they have 4 legs so that pretty much meets my list of requirements. Even if we decide to go this route it won't be for a while. So, people of the internets, I ask you: can you love a bunny as much as a dog?
9.23.2007
When it rains, it pours....
I swear I would have posted sooner if it weren't for the fact that the last month has been total ass. Seriously. First my dear, sweet baby had to be put to sleep. And then, the next day? I had to have my car towed to the mechanic b/c the spring on the strut broke and Michael and I had to shell out over $600 to have new struts put on. Have I mentioned lately that we are just hemorrhaging money? No? Well, we are.
Flash forward one week (we'll skip the part about how I was too sad to concentrate on studying) and I get a phone call from my aunt to let me know that my mom had been admitted to the hospital for a bowel obstruction. Blarg. So, Michael and I hop in the car and drive the 2.5 hours to Indy to go see her. The good news is that she's better and is back home. The bad news is that I have an exam tomorrow and I don't feel even close to prepared for it because, you see, it's hard to study when you have to drive 2.5 hours to Indy and then try to study at a hospital. Also, there's no sleeping at the hospital either.
But it isn't all bad. I have wonderfully supportive friends who surprise me with a gift card to my favorite upscale grocery store and an amazing husband who played the part of June Cleaver so that I could study. Oh, and I finally got a job. I figured it would just be easier to go back to waiting tables than to convince people at doctors' offfices that I really, really do want to be a receptionist for a piddly $10/hr. Now I'll make more money and no one asks me about why I left my last job or any of that other crap. And (this is the best part) I got my braces off. I'll post a picture soon...after I get thru these exams this week. I promise.
So, things are looking up. I'm still really sad a lot of the time but there are a lot of good people and good things going on in my life. Yep, things are looking up.
I swear I would have posted sooner if it weren't for the fact that the last month has been total ass. Seriously. First my dear, sweet baby had to be put to sleep. And then, the next day? I had to have my car towed to the mechanic b/c the spring on the strut broke and Michael and I had to shell out over $600 to have new struts put on. Have I mentioned lately that we are just hemorrhaging money? No? Well, we are.
Flash forward one week (we'll skip the part about how I was too sad to concentrate on studying) and I get a phone call from my aunt to let me know that my mom had been admitted to the hospital for a bowel obstruction. Blarg. So, Michael and I hop in the car and drive the 2.5 hours to Indy to go see her. The good news is that she's better and is back home. The bad news is that I have an exam tomorrow and I don't feel even close to prepared for it because, you see, it's hard to study when you have to drive 2.5 hours to Indy and then try to study at a hospital. Also, there's no sleeping at the hospital either.
But it isn't all bad. I have wonderfully supportive friends who surprise me with a gift card to my favorite upscale grocery store and an amazing husband who played the part of June Cleaver so that I could study. Oh, and I finally got a job. I figured it would just be easier to go back to waiting tables than to convince people at doctors' offfices that I really, really do want to be a receptionist for a piddly $10/hr. Now I'll make more money and no one asks me about why I left my last job or any of that other crap. And (this is the best part) I got my braces off. I'll post a picture soon...after I get thru these exams this week. I promise.
So, things are looking up. I'm still really sad a lot of the time but there are a lot of good people and good things going on in my life. Yep, things are looking up.
9.08.2007
So hard to say goodbye...
Asia didn't make it. Around midnight this morning she had developed another case of bloat and her condition was so poor that we had to put her to sleep. She was such a great dog and we loved her so much. She was funny and sweet and a really, really good girl. And I just can't believe that Michael and I are here again so soon after Shana. We really thought Asia was out of the woods but I guess she wasn't. It's the nature of bloat and there isn't anything to be done for it. But that doesn't make it any easier.
It's 4:30 in the morning and I can't sleep. How can I sleep now that our baby is gone?
Asia didn't make it. Around midnight this morning she had developed another case of bloat and her condition was so poor that we had to put her to sleep. She was such a great dog and we loved her so much. She was funny and sweet and a really, really good girl. And I just can't believe that Michael and I are here again so soon after Shana. We really thought Asia was out of the woods but I guess she wasn't. It's the nature of bloat and there isn't anything to be done for it. But that doesn't make it any easier.
It's 4:30 in the morning and I can't sleep. How can I sleep now that our baby is gone?
9.06.2007
Since you asked...Here are a couple of photos of Asia. Sorry, Manda, I wasn't able to get one of her wearing the e-collar (that was a disaster).
This is day 2 post op.
This is from Tuesday. She's wearing a UW t-shirt (and getting pus on it - bwah ha ha ha).
This is from yesterday. Just look at that sweet, sweet face.
And this is the get well card that our nephews made for Asia. The little stick man is a self portrait of Lucas. Max's contributions are on the inside of the card. The two of them came up with the idea all by themselves. It was very sweet.
And this is Michael showing the get well card to Asia. I think she was thinking "Go make my food, bitch. I'm starving." That's how I know she's on the mend. That dog has such a potty mouth.
9.04.2007
Day 8
Well, folks, here we are at day 8 post-op. Asia is doing really well except for the open hole in the side of her belly where the catheter used to be. Oh, and the weird pouch of fluid that has collected back near her pee pee (that's my technical term for it) that makes it look like some weirdly stretched out testicle.
In all seriousness, she is doing great. We've had many a sleepless night and we've had to fuss at her because she won't leave the bandage alone and every night at midnight I wake up and she's done something to that damned bandage. Like Saturday night. She chewed, nee, destroyed the bandage and it was hanging around her middle by a piece of medical tape. And then there was the whimpering. So we went to the emergency vet to make sure she didn't cause any permanent damage (there wasn't) and an hour and $83 later walked out with a newly bandaged dog and some pain pills for the inflammation. Did I mention that the inflammation was caused by her chewing off the bandage? Stinker.
Actually, on Saturday we went to the vet twice. As soon as she got home from her first appointment Michael took her outside for a walk and she had a BM causing her bandages to bunch up entirely around her little doggy hips. So....we went right back to have her re-bandaged. And Sunday went well, too except that the lovely folks at the emergency vet used some sort of super duper sticky tape that NASA probably uses to hold bits of the space shuttle together to keep her bandages on and forced me to cut it out of her fur. Now she is sporting a really bad haircut.
Then on Monday she developed a pocket of fluid around the catheter so we called our vet at home and, bless his heart, he had us bring her to his office on Labor Day for a check up. He took out the catheter and cleaned her up and sent us home with a happier dog. Wouldn't you be happy if someone removed a nasty looking catheter from your body? Unfortunately the hole left by the catheter was abscessed so we have to leave it open to drain. We've been managing the seepage (and the licking....you know, dogs really are grody little creatures) by making her wear Michael's t-shirts with a little D@isy Duke tie in the back. I'll post pictures as soon as I can find the cable.
And we went back on Tuesday for another scheduled check up. She's been doing really well....she's eating and she's able to go for a longer walk during the day. And, this is the best part, last night she slept all night without messing with her hole or her weird pocket of fluid. There was much rejoicing. Except for the fact that we were up at 3:30 because Michael had a plane to catch. That lucky bastard gets to go to Vegas for 3 days for a conference and I have to stay at home and hold down the fort. (Love you, honey!) We had a minor setback of retching this morning but luckily she's holding down her food and antibiotics and seems okay. Thankfully my MIL was kind enough to stay with her today while I went to class. What I need now is a vacation. Except that this particular medical emergency cost a few thousand dollars so the only vacations we'll be taking are trips to Lankytown where we can stay with my dad and eat PB&J on the trip out and back.
But she's worth every penny of it. And no doubt the vet can continue to make payments on his snazzy Lexus SUV for many months to come.
Well, folks, here we are at day 8 post-op. Asia is doing really well except for the open hole in the side of her belly where the catheter used to be. Oh, and the weird pouch of fluid that has collected back near her pee pee (that's my technical term for it) that makes it look like some weirdly stretched out testicle.
In all seriousness, she is doing great. We've had many a sleepless night and we've had to fuss at her because she won't leave the bandage alone and every night at midnight I wake up and she's done something to that damned bandage. Like Saturday night. She chewed, nee, destroyed the bandage and it was hanging around her middle by a piece of medical tape. And then there was the whimpering. So we went to the emergency vet to make sure she didn't cause any permanent damage (there wasn't) and an hour and $83 later walked out with a newly bandaged dog and some pain pills for the inflammation. Did I mention that the inflammation was caused by her chewing off the bandage? Stinker.
Actually, on Saturday we went to the vet twice. As soon as she got home from her first appointment Michael took her outside for a walk and she had a BM causing her bandages to bunch up entirely around her little doggy hips. So....we went right back to have her re-bandaged. And Sunday went well, too except that the lovely folks at the emergency vet used some sort of super duper sticky tape that NASA probably uses to hold bits of the space shuttle together to keep her bandages on and forced me to cut it out of her fur. Now she is sporting a really bad haircut.
Then on Monday she developed a pocket of fluid around the catheter so we called our vet at home and, bless his heart, he had us bring her to his office on Labor Day for a check up. He took out the catheter and cleaned her up and sent us home with a happier dog. Wouldn't you be happy if someone removed a nasty looking catheter from your body? Unfortunately the hole left by the catheter was abscessed so we have to leave it open to drain. We've been managing the seepage (and the licking....you know, dogs really are grody little creatures) by making her wear Michael's t-shirts with a little D@isy Duke tie in the back. I'll post pictures as soon as I can find the cable.
And we went back on Tuesday for another scheduled check up. She's been doing really well....she's eating and she's able to go for a longer walk during the day. And, this is the best part, last night she slept all night without messing with her hole or her weird pocket of fluid. There was much rejoicing. Except for the fact that we were up at 3:30 because Michael had a plane to catch. That lucky bastard gets to go to Vegas for 3 days for a conference and I have to stay at home and hold down the fort. (Love you, honey!) We had a minor setback of retching this morning but luckily she's holding down her food and antibiotics and seems okay. Thankfully my MIL was kind enough to stay with her today while I went to class. What I need now is a vacation. Except that this particular medical emergency cost a few thousand dollars so the only vacations we'll be taking are trips to Lankytown where we can stay with my dad and eat PB&J on the trip out and back.
But she's worth every penny of it. And no doubt the vet can continue to make payments on his snazzy Lexus SUV for many months to come.
8.30.2007
Feelin' stressed...
My poor sweet girl is trying to sleep and I'm at home sans Michael and just feelin' stressed. Blarg. I have an interview tomorrow at 9 (receptionist at an eye surgical center) and I don't feel particularly stressed about the interview but more so about starting a new job and school starts next week and Asia has to have that catheter in until Tuesday and Michael leaves for a conference next Wednesday and god I wish he didn't have to go. And I no longer have any closed toe pumps with a slight heel so now I have to go buy some. All my nice pants that I used to wear to work are a little too big now and don't fit quite right so I bought a new pair but they're too long unless I wear heels but you aren't supposed to wear open toe shoes on an interview. And because I've been home all day watching Asia like a hawk with no one to keep me company I think I'm going a little nutty. But did I mention that I'm getting my braces off next week? Catheter out and braces off--there are my silver linings.
My poor sweet girl is trying to sleep and I'm at home sans Michael and just feelin' stressed. Blarg. I have an interview tomorrow at 9 (receptionist at an eye surgical center) and I don't feel particularly stressed about the interview but more so about starting a new job and school starts next week and Asia has to have that catheter in until Tuesday and Michael leaves for a conference next Wednesday and god I wish he didn't have to go. And I no longer have any closed toe pumps with a slight heel so now I have to go buy some. All my nice pants that I used to wear to work are a little too big now and don't fit quite right so I bought a new pair but they're too long unless I wear heels but you aren't supposed to wear open toe shoes on an interview. And because I've been home all day watching Asia like a hawk with no one to keep me company I think I'm going a little nutty. But did I mention that I'm getting my braces off next week? Catheter out and braces off--there are my silver linings.
Not out of the woods yet...
Well, we've had a pretty eventful couple of days around here. At the moment Asia is resting (passed out is more like it) in the living room and I'm trying to quietly keep myself busy while keeping an eye on her at all times.
Last night we took her to the emergency vet clinic to spend the night just because Michael and I are so ill-equipped to care for her at home so early in the recovery process. Yesterday she had to be rushed to the vet for some IV fluids and to have her catheter drained. What makes this so tough is that gas builds up inside the stomach as the stomach slowly gets back to normal and we periodically have to open the cath to get the gas out. Well, we weren't getting any gas and she was growing steadily more uncomfortable and becoming distressed. And then we went home but once we got there a thunderstorm was brewing and it was too difficult to know if she was pacing and panting because of the storm (her usual behavior besides trying to tear our house apart) or because she couldn't breath because of gas build up. So our vet called the emergency vet to fill her in on what was going on and Asia got professional treatment all night long.
And here I am sitting at home with her watching her to make sure she's doing okay and dreading having to wake her up in 30 minutes to expel some gas. It took her so long to go back to sleep the last time I did it that I hate to wake her. See, this is why we can't have kids. I would be a totally and insanely neurotic parent. All I have thought about for the last 48 hours is this dog and her well-being. She's as close to a kid as we're planning to get and it kills me that she's in pain and uncomfortable and there's little but time that can help her. Blarg. The vets said that the first 3 days are the hardest and tomorrow is day 3 so hopefully we can get through that and by then Michael will be home with me for 3 days to help play nurse. Thanks to all of you for keeping us in your thoughts:>
Well, we've had a pretty eventful couple of days around here. At the moment Asia is resting (passed out is more like it) in the living room and I'm trying to quietly keep myself busy while keeping an eye on her at all times.
Last night we took her to the emergency vet clinic to spend the night just because Michael and I are so ill-equipped to care for her at home so early in the recovery process. Yesterday she had to be rushed to the vet for some IV fluids and to have her catheter drained. What makes this so tough is that gas builds up inside the stomach as the stomach slowly gets back to normal and we periodically have to open the cath to get the gas out. Well, we weren't getting any gas and she was growing steadily more uncomfortable and becoming distressed. And then we went home but once we got there a thunderstorm was brewing and it was too difficult to know if she was pacing and panting because of the storm (her usual behavior besides trying to tear our house apart) or because she couldn't breath because of gas build up. So our vet called the emergency vet to fill her in on what was going on and Asia got professional treatment all night long.
And here I am sitting at home with her watching her to make sure she's doing okay and dreading having to wake her up in 30 minutes to expel some gas. It took her so long to go back to sleep the last time I did it that I hate to wake her. See, this is why we can't have kids. I would be a totally and insanely neurotic parent. All I have thought about for the last 48 hours is this dog and her well-being. She's as close to a kid as we're planning to get and it kills me that she's in pain and uncomfortable and there's little but time that can help her. Blarg. The vets said that the first 3 days are the hardest and tomorrow is day 3 so hopefully we can get through that and by then Michael will be home with me for 3 days to help play nurse. Thanks to all of you for keeping us in your thoughts:>
8.29.2007
Always trust your instincts...
If I hadn't Asia might have died. Fck. Yesterday Asia very suddenly developed bloat. For those of you who have read "Marley & Me" this is what Marley has near the end of the book. But thankfully I was at home when it happened and the vets were able to see us right away and they saved our baby girl. The scary thing about bloat is that it happens suddenly and needs to be treated immediately or the animal dies. And sometimes the animal dies anyway.
But thanks to Dr. Fournier and Dr. Shaffer Asia is now at home and trying to rest. She's not out of the woods yet but she's doing a lot better and thankfully I can be home during her recovery.
I just feel so bad for her--she can't seem to catch a break. Between the allergy problems, heart worms, tooth extractions, general weirdness and now this...she just can't get ahead. But like Shana, we love this dog like a kid and we would go to the ends of the earth for her. She has been so brave through all of this and I just hope she will have an uneventful recovery.
If I hadn't Asia might have died. Fck. Yesterday Asia very suddenly developed bloat. For those of you who have read "Marley & Me" this is what Marley has near the end of the book. But thankfully I was at home when it happened and the vets were able to see us right away and they saved our baby girl. The scary thing about bloat is that it happens suddenly and needs to be treated immediately or the animal dies. And sometimes the animal dies anyway.
But thanks to Dr. Fournier and Dr. Shaffer Asia is now at home and trying to rest. She's not out of the woods yet but she's doing a lot better and thankfully I can be home during her recovery.
I just feel so bad for her--she can't seem to catch a break. Between the allergy problems, heart worms, tooth extractions, general weirdness and now this...she just can't get ahead. But like Shana, we love this dog like a kid and we would go to the ends of the earth for her. She has been so brave through all of this and I just hope she will have an uneventful recovery.
8.27.2007
A trip down memory lane...
As most of you know, Michael is still looking for a new job and that has been the dark cloud of gloom that has been hanging over us since last September. No, he doesn't have any job leads at this time but we're doing the best we can to keep moving in a forward direction. Part of that means we've decided to consult with one of our neighbors who is a realtor and who specializes in historic districts (especially ours) and she is going to come out and help us figure out what we could be doing NOW to get our house ready to go on the market should Michael get a job offer out of the area. I'm sure that the big list of things to do will make us feel a little nutty and overwhelmed but ultimately it gives us something to do that's productive and will make the whole moving thing a little easier.
And even tho we might not actually have to move, the job market here for people like Michael isn't ideal so we will, in all likelihood, have to move. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. So, yesterday we spent a couple of hours cleaning out our junk room, I mean guest room, and made our pile of books to sell and the pile of stuff for G00dwill and the pile of trash, etc. And we cleaned out a lot of stuff and it felt good to go through it. Not only will it make the future possibility of packing easier but I also feel like we did a good job of dejunkifying the room. And while we were in there I found all of our wedding stuff: extra invitations (can you say homemade x-mas cards--by god I am NOT going to throw them away), cards, receipts, my slip. And then I found the video of my high school graduation. And the day planner from my senior year of college. And the dog resumes Ang made for Shana. And tons and tons of cards and notes from all of my fabulous friends. It was fun to see all those funny little notes and all the different addresses where I've lived over the last 6 years. There were pictures and ticket stubs and the program from V@gina Weekend. And then I found the folder of stuff the Hum@ne League of Lankytown gave me on the day I adopted Shana. That part was really sad but overall it was a happy little trip down memory lane and it reminded me of how lucky I am to have such funny, amazing, super-smart and fabulous women (and dogs) in my life. That reminder is exactly what I needed.
As most of you know, Michael is still looking for a new job and that has been the dark cloud of gloom that has been hanging over us since last September. No, he doesn't have any job leads at this time but we're doing the best we can to keep moving in a forward direction. Part of that means we've decided to consult with one of our neighbors who is a realtor and who specializes in historic districts (especially ours) and she is going to come out and help us figure out what we could be doing NOW to get our house ready to go on the market should Michael get a job offer out of the area. I'm sure that the big list of things to do will make us feel a little nutty and overwhelmed but ultimately it gives us something to do that's productive and will make the whole moving thing a little easier.
And even tho we might not actually have to move, the job market here for people like Michael isn't ideal so we will, in all likelihood, have to move. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. So, yesterday we spent a couple of hours cleaning out our junk room, I mean guest room, and made our pile of books to sell and the pile of stuff for G00dwill and the pile of trash, etc. And we cleaned out a lot of stuff and it felt good to go through it. Not only will it make the future possibility of packing easier but I also feel like we did a good job of dejunkifying the room. And while we were in there I found all of our wedding stuff: extra invitations (can you say homemade x-mas cards--by god I am NOT going to throw them away), cards, receipts, my slip. And then I found the video of my high school graduation. And the day planner from my senior year of college. And the dog resumes Ang made for Shana. And tons and tons of cards and notes from all of my fabulous friends. It was fun to see all those funny little notes and all the different addresses where I've lived over the last 6 years. There were pictures and ticket stubs and the program from V@gina Weekend. And then I found the folder of stuff the Hum@ne League of Lankytown gave me on the day I adopted Shana. That part was really sad but overall it was a happy little trip down memory lane and it reminded me of how lucky I am to have such funny, amazing, super-smart and fabulous women (and dogs) in my life. That reminder is exactly what I needed.
8.17.2007
Living the single life...
As most of you know, Michael has been on a sailing trip for the last 7 days and will be returning home tomorrow night. So, all week long I have been living like a single person and doing things that I don't normally do. Like, say, watching a lot of t.v. By my standards, it's a lot of t.v. And eating junk instead of cooking real meals for dinner. You know, eating D0ritos for lunch. D0ritos aren't lunch. You might eat them with a sandwich at lunch but no. I ate just that for lunch. What is wrong with me?
I did study. I did. And I did some laundry and bought groceries. I was somewhat productive. And after my final on Wed. night I just did nothing. I laid around, read books, and ate D0ritos. And today I took Asia to the vet to have her teeth cleaned (and have 6 teeth pulled--I swear that dog has got to be the one to get a PT job) and then ran errands. And I wasn't a total bum--I have gotten up by 7:30 every day which is sleeping in at my house.
And now the lazy party is over. Michael returns tomorrow and starting Monday the search for a PT job begins. And finishing the kitchen. Stupid kitchen. I can't believe I let myself be this lazy. I never do this. Maybe that's the problem. I don't let myself be lazy often enough and I just went hog wild. Oh, hell.
As most of you know, Michael has been on a sailing trip for the last 7 days and will be returning home tomorrow night. So, all week long I have been living like a single person and doing things that I don't normally do. Like, say, watching a lot of t.v. By my standards, it's a lot of t.v. And eating junk instead of cooking real meals for dinner. You know, eating D0ritos for lunch. D0ritos aren't lunch. You might eat them with a sandwich at lunch but no. I ate just that for lunch. What is wrong with me?
I did study. I did. And I did some laundry and bought groceries. I was somewhat productive. And after my final on Wed. night I just did nothing. I laid around, read books, and ate D0ritos. And today I took Asia to the vet to have her teeth cleaned (and have 6 teeth pulled--I swear that dog has got to be the one to get a PT job) and then ran errands. And I wasn't a total bum--I have gotten up by 7:30 every day which is sleeping in at my house.
And now the lazy party is over. Michael returns tomorrow and starting Monday the search for a PT job begins. And finishing the kitchen. Stupid kitchen. I can't believe I let myself be this lazy. I never do this. Maybe that's the problem. I don't let myself be lazy often enough and I just went hog wild. Oh, hell.
8.13.2007
All kinds of wrong...
This is me not studying for my final because 1.) I'm a procrastinator and 2.) this is still really bothering me.
On Monday, I'm sitting in chem lab and there are 2 groups of 4 students at each table. A girl, we'll call her Insensitive Asshole or IA for short, sitting in a group at the far end of the lab bench is talking about her work study job on campus. She was talking about how she has to index some papers that apparently list all of the HIV positive students on campus and she was lamenting the fact that the students' names were blacked out with marker. She said "Believe me, if I could see through that marker, I would go look up all of them on F@cebook so I can see what they look like. I want to know who they are." And then she went on to talk about how the stack of papers was about 2" thick of names of students with HIV.
And I was so...surprised...and disgusted by her comments but I didn't what to say. So often I'm sitting in class and hear the other students talk about things that, um, highlight their immaturity. And I just ignore them because they are young and immature and, hey, they aren't having a conversation with me. But this crossed the line and I just sat there totally stunned by her insensitivity and asshole-ness. So, dear people of the internets, what would you have done?
This is me not studying for my final because 1.) I'm a procrastinator and 2.) this is still really bothering me.
On Monday, I'm sitting in chem lab and there are 2 groups of 4 students at each table. A girl, we'll call her Insensitive Asshole or IA for short, sitting in a group at the far end of the lab bench is talking about her work study job on campus. She was talking about how she has to index some papers that apparently list all of the HIV positive students on campus and she was lamenting the fact that the students' names were blacked out with marker. She said "Believe me, if I could see through that marker, I would go look up all of them on F@cebook so I can see what they look like. I want to know who they are." And then she went on to talk about how the stack of papers was about 2" thick of names of students with HIV.
And I was so...surprised...and disgusted by her comments but I didn't what to say. So often I'm sitting in class and hear the other students talk about things that, um, highlight their immaturity. And I just ignore them because they are young and immature and, hey, they aren't having a conversation with me. But this crossed the line and I just sat there totally stunned by her insensitivity and asshole-ness. So, dear people of the internets, what would you have done?
7.31.2007
Veg!
As many of you know, Michael and I joined a CSA farm this year and are finally reaping the benefits of our fee and bi-weekly toil on the farm itself. Behold! Chard (apparently we're going to get a ton of this), green beans, tomatoes, banana peppers, corn, lettuce, jalapeno peppers and the very beginning of the carrot crop. This week's distribution is far more....plentiful...from our first distribution which consisted of 5 pea pods, a fistful of lettuce and 1 tiny radish. But then we didn't have rain for ages in the early spring so our veg was a bit stunted.
Anyway, I've already made fresh salsa and tonight I'm making a potato and chard gratin. We had some corn last night but until these braces come off I still have to cut the corn off the cob before I can eat it. Did you ever see the C@lvin & H0bbes strip where Calvin says "It's not summer unless you have corn smooshed in your teeth and butter dripping down your chin?" I'd say he's right on the money.
7.23.2007
One time at band camp...
So, WSU has a bunch of kiddies here for sleep away band camp and while that's not how we did band camp, it brings back the memories nonetheless. It's kind of fun to walk from building to building and hear the drum line or see the color guard and it reminds me of those few short summers where we (you know who you are) spent tons of time together laughing and carrying on all the live long day.
And this isn't the first time I've been thinking back to those days. When Michael and I were in Lankytown 2 weekends ago we went to HHS to play some tennis and the new courts are located on top of the old stadium parking lot where we learned our coordinates. It was kind of weird to be there, but not in a bad way, and "Yesterday" has been running through my head ever since. I think I've pretty much blocked most of the crummy memories from that time so all that remains are the funny, amazing, loud and crazy times we had. Sometimes, when I'm feeling homesick, that's what I'm homesick for. Band camp. Go figure.
So, WSU has a bunch of kiddies here for sleep away band camp and while that's not how we did band camp, it brings back the memories nonetheless. It's kind of fun to walk from building to building and hear the drum line or see the color guard and it reminds me of those few short summers where we (you know who you are) spent tons of time together laughing and carrying on all the live long day.
And this isn't the first time I've been thinking back to those days. When Michael and I were in Lankytown 2 weekends ago we went to HHS to play some tennis and the new courts are located on top of the old stadium parking lot where we learned our coordinates. It was kind of weird to be there, but not in a bad way, and "Yesterday" has been running through my head ever since. I think I've pretty much blocked most of the crummy memories from that time so all that remains are the funny, amazing, loud and crazy times we had. Sometimes, when I'm feeling homesick, that's what I'm homesick for. Band camp. Go figure.
7.16.2007
Been a while....
Well, the last 3 weeks of freedom between summer sessions are now behind me and I'm back at school (a new school this time) for more punishment, I mean, chemistry. It was a very busy 3 weeks where I spackled, sanded, spackled and sanded our kitchen and it still isn't ready to be painted. Not ready. Durr. There's some hand sanding left and then the cleaning bit before I can put up a coat of primer. Not to mention the spackle dust that got inside all of my cabinets and drawers and all over my dishes and utensils.
I did some fun stuff in there, too, but talking about it makes me homesick for my friends so I'll just leave it at that.
And now I'm back in Ohio and back to the grind. Can't complain tho (that's not entirely true: my computer screen died so I had to send the whole thing to HP to be repaired and I officially hate all airports and TSA with such a passion that I'm going to put myself on some FBI watch list because I'm going to send them all hate email) b/c Michael and I are going to have a date night on Thursday and are going to see HP5. And? HP 7 is out on Friday night at midnight so you can find me at the local B&N waiting in line for my copy. Can't wait!
Well, the last 3 weeks of freedom between summer sessions are now behind me and I'm back at school (a new school this time) for more punishment, I mean, chemistry. It was a very busy 3 weeks where I spackled, sanded, spackled and sanded our kitchen and it still isn't ready to be painted. Not ready. Durr. There's some hand sanding left and then the cleaning bit before I can put up a coat of primer. Not to mention the spackle dust that got inside all of my cabinets and drawers and all over my dishes and utensils.
I did some fun stuff in there, too, but talking about it makes me homesick for my friends so I'll just leave it at that.
And now I'm back in Ohio and back to the grind. Can't complain tho (that's not entirely true: my computer screen died so I had to send the whole thing to HP to be repaired and I officially hate all airports and TSA with such a passion that I'm going to put myself on some FBI watch list because I'm going to send them all hate email) b/c Michael and I are going to have a date night on Thursday and are going to see HP5. And? HP 7 is out on Friday night at midnight so you can find me at the local B&N waiting in line for my copy. Can't wait!
6.21.2007
Hoping to Ogg...
That I do well on my chem final (and isn't that Terry Pratchett just so witty?) 16 hours from now. Rarely have I felt as incompetent and stupid as I have while taking this class and the fact that a summer session of organic chem awaits in July makes me cringe. I've just got to keep telling myself that it'll be okay. It will. Right?
That I do well on my chem final (and isn't that Terry Pratchett just so witty?) 16 hours from now. Rarely have I felt as incompetent and stupid as I have while taking this class and the fact that a summer session of organic chem awaits in July makes me cringe. I've just got to keep telling myself that it'll be okay. It will. Right?
6.08.2007
It's a crazy day in the neighborhood...
A crazy day in the neighborhood...
Won't you be my,
Please, won't you be my,
Won't you be my (probably) crack-addled homeless neighbor who's shilling for drug and/or booze money....?
First, I'd like to point out that Michael and I really like our neighborhood despite the occasional petty theft and weird homeless people scamming for money. But Tuesday night really takes the cake re: neighborhood issues.
Around 9 pm the doorbell rings and I assume it's my next door neighbor. Instead I find this skanky-looking lady standing on my porch with one of those weird grape vine angels. This picture doesn't quite do it justice but this lady was holding one that was 5 feet tall and strung with little white lights (puke). Anyway, she launches into some really long story about how she got this from her sister to sell so she can make ends meet while she tries to get on disability, blah blah blah. She tells me it's only $20 and it's real pretty.
My response? I tell her that I just quit my job and we don't have the money to buy it from her as lovely as it may be. I can't believe I offer these people explanations when I tell them no. How stupid is that?
Anyway, she wanders down the steps and back to the sidewalk and asks if there's anyone else she could ask aaaaannnd I told her I didn't know anyone for her to ask. Then I go outside to go water my crispy-looking bushes (we need some rain here big time. It looks like it does in the middle of August) and I see her drag this stupid angel over to my neighbor's house on the right. Poor Nick, I felt so bad that she went over to his house.
So, before she can come back and ask me again to buy the stupid angel, I go back in the house and figure I'll just water the bushes another time. Unbeknownst to me, Michael goes outside to water the bushes and also encounters the lady with the angel and she tells him a different story as to why she's selling it (can you say crack addict?) which, btw, is different than the story she gave my next door neighbor about needing to buy diapers. Anyway, Michael tells her no and she wanders off down the street. Then he sees her in the yard of the house 4 houses down and she's holding birdfeeders in her hand. She didn't have birdfeeders in the beginning of this ridiculous scenario because she STOLE THEM from the lady whose yard she was in. So, Michael confronts her and asks if those are her birdfeeders and she tells him that they belong to her. So, he tells her that he knows they belong to our neighbor and to put them back and then comes back to our house and calls the cops.
Michael: I think someone is stealing something from my neighbor's yard.
Police dispatcher: What is the woman taking?
Michael: Birdfeeders.
Police dispatcher: Can you describe the woman?
Michael: She's about 5' tall, brown hair and carrying a 5' grape vine angel
You know, my friend Carrie used to be a dispatcher and she said they got calls like this all the time. Anyway, the cops show up, 2 cruisers in fact, and they put the woman in the back of one cruiser and the big stupid angel thing in the trunk of the other cruiser only it's so tall and wide that they can't shut the trunk and half the angel is hanging out the back of the cruiser.
Shortly after the crazy lady is taken away by the cops we take the dog out for her last peepee for the night and we see the police cruiser driving thru the neighborhood with that angel hanging out the back. He sees us and pulls over to ask us if we know anything about it. Michael tells him that he's the one who called to report her and the cop tells us that she stole it from someone and he was trying to find the owner. We told him that neither one of us have ever seen that thing before but someone else in the neighborhood told him it belongs to someone on our block....seriously, if I had seen that on anyone's porch I would have been making fun of it every time I passed by.
Anyway, the next morning we take the dog out for her walk and we see one of our neighbor's birdfeeders didn't make it back and was lying in the grass next to someone else's house. I've been hoping to run into the lady that owns them to tell her that she might want to put them in her backyard but I haven't seen her yet.
But, wait! There's more. The thing about this neighborhood is that if your stuff isn't nailed down someone WILL steal it. We've had flower pots stolen a few times, theft of power tools from our garage (during broad daylight when Michael was home) and our rain barrel has been emptied not once but twice. And about 6 weeks ago someone stole the bungee cord we use on our trashcan to keep the raccoons out of it. So, Tuesday night is trash night and it was also a recycling week so we put out our recycling bin. Around lunch time on Wednesday afternoon I came home from school and my trashcan and recycling bin were out front but I decided to I'd get them later. Well, I go outside to walk the dog later in the afternoon and my fucking recycling bin is gone. WHO THE HELL STEALS A RECYCLING BIN?
I'm pissed so I call the cops and report that it's been stolen (seems petty but it's my only recourse). And later I find out that one of our neighbors saw some homeless guy who not only stole our recycling bin but had stolen other things like aluminum siding. Yes, folks, I said aluminum siding and it presumably was stolen off of someone's house. (Not the first time that's happened in this neighborhood). So, she called the cops and they arrested the guy and took all of the stolen goods....somewhere.
My bin is gone for good but the county department in charge of the recycling program here in Dayton is having a new one delivered on Thursday. We don't know if anyone claimed their stolen angel yet but I'll be sure to keep the internets posted.
A crazy day in the neighborhood...
Won't you be my,
Please, won't you be my,
Won't you be my (probably) crack-addled homeless neighbor who's shilling for drug and/or booze money....?
First, I'd like to point out that Michael and I really like our neighborhood despite the occasional petty theft and weird homeless people scamming for money. But Tuesday night really takes the cake re: neighborhood issues.
Around 9 pm the doorbell rings and I assume it's my next door neighbor. Instead I find this skanky-looking lady standing on my porch with one of those weird grape vine angels. This picture doesn't quite do it justice but this lady was holding one that was 5 feet tall and strung with little white lights (puke). Anyway, she launches into some really long story about how she got this from her sister to sell so she can make ends meet while she tries to get on disability, blah blah blah. She tells me it's only $20 and it's real pretty.
My response? I tell her that I just quit my job and we don't have the money to buy it from her as lovely as it may be. I can't believe I offer these people explanations when I tell them no. How stupid is that?
Anyway, she wanders down the steps and back to the sidewalk and asks if there's anyone else she could ask aaaaannnd I told her I didn't know anyone for her to ask. Then I go outside to go water my crispy-looking bushes (we need some rain here big time. It looks like it does in the middle of August) and I see her drag this stupid angel over to my neighbor's house on the right. Poor Nick, I felt so bad that she went over to his house.
So, before she can come back and ask me again to buy the stupid angel, I go back in the house and figure I'll just water the bushes another time. Unbeknownst to me, Michael goes outside to water the bushes and also encounters the lady with the angel and she tells him a different story as to why she's selling it (can you say crack addict?) which, btw, is different than the story she gave my next door neighbor about needing to buy diapers. Anyway, Michael tells her no and she wanders off down the street. Then he sees her in the yard of the house 4 houses down and she's holding birdfeeders in her hand. She didn't have birdfeeders in the beginning of this ridiculous scenario because she STOLE THEM from the lady whose yard she was in. So, Michael confronts her and asks if those are her birdfeeders and she tells him that they belong to her. So, he tells her that he knows they belong to our neighbor and to put them back and then comes back to our house and calls the cops.
Michael: I think someone is stealing something from my neighbor's yard.
Police dispatcher: What is the woman taking?
Michael: Birdfeeders.
Police dispatcher: Can you describe the woman?
Michael: She's about 5' tall, brown hair and carrying a 5' grape vine angel
You know, my friend Carrie used to be a dispatcher and she said they got calls like this all the time. Anyway, the cops show up, 2 cruisers in fact, and they put the woman in the back of one cruiser and the big stupid angel thing in the trunk of the other cruiser only it's so tall and wide that they can't shut the trunk and half the angel is hanging out the back of the cruiser.
Shortly after the crazy lady is taken away by the cops we take the dog out for her last peepee for the night and we see the police cruiser driving thru the neighborhood with that angel hanging out the back. He sees us and pulls over to ask us if we know anything about it. Michael tells him that he's the one who called to report her and the cop tells us that she stole it from someone and he was trying to find the owner. We told him that neither one of us have ever seen that thing before but someone else in the neighborhood told him it belongs to someone on our block....seriously, if I had seen that on anyone's porch I would have been making fun of it every time I passed by.
Anyway, the next morning we take the dog out for her walk and we see one of our neighbor's birdfeeders didn't make it back and was lying in the grass next to someone else's house. I've been hoping to run into the lady that owns them to tell her that she might want to put them in her backyard but I haven't seen her yet.
But, wait! There's more. The thing about this neighborhood is that if your stuff isn't nailed down someone WILL steal it. We've had flower pots stolen a few times, theft of power tools from our garage (during broad daylight when Michael was home) and our rain barrel has been emptied not once but twice. And about 6 weeks ago someone stole the bungee cord we use on our trashcan to keep the raccoons out of it. So, Tuesday night is trash night and it was also a recycling week so we put out our recycling bin. Around lunch time on Wednesday afternoon I came home from school and my trashcan and recycling bin were out front but I decided to I'd get them later. Well, I go outside to walk the dog later in the afternoon and my fucking recycling bin is gone. WHO THE HELL STEALS A RECYCLING BIN?
I'm pissed so I call the cops and report that it's been stolen (seems petty but it's my only recourse). And later I find out that one of our neighbors saw some homeless guy who not only stole our recycling bin but had stolen other things like aluminum siding. Yes, folks, I said aluminum siding and it presumably was stolen off of someone's house. (Not the first time that's happened in this neighborhood). So, she called the cops and they arrested the guy and took all of the stolen goods....somewhere.
My bin is gone for good but the county department in charge of the recycling program here in Dayton is having a new one delivered on Thursday. We don't know if anyone claimed their stolen angel yet but I'll be sure to keep the internets posted.
5.27.2007
Oh, the bureacracy!
I smell a rant coming on...
I want to preface this by saying that I'm very grateful for the tuition remission benefit Michael gets at the university. But. The process of registering for and the taking of classes at said university has been nothing short of a pain in the arse. WTF?!?
First of all, signing up in the first place for classes was a big mess b/c Michael had to do the work of having me enrolled. He went to HR, who sent him to the bursar, who sent him back to HR, etc. until finally, he got me enrolled. This is only the first of many hoops thru which my beloved had to jump, although for the sake of brevity, I will only list the highlights below.
Then there was the fun and exciting part of acting as my academic advisor and getting me registered for classes. The first one, stats, had to be a class that was offered at night since I was still working full time. There was a class offered at 5:50 pm and it was full. So, because Michael knows the dept. chair, he contacts him to get me into the class and is successful (yay!). And, as you all know, I got a B in that class and all was right with the world.
So, then there's the registration bit for the winter semester. Because I am low woman on the student totem pole (I have the status of an undeclared freshman, apparently) I got wait-listed for a few classes and then there was this big pain in the butt over the classes that were offered that I needed to take all being taught at the same times on the same days of the week so what is a student to do!?!? Ultimately, I got into Abnormal Psych and Anatomy and Micro and Physiology, but then I had to drop Micro and Phys for reasons I won't bore you with here. But here's where the story takes an interesting turn:
Somehow, when I was dropping Micro and Phys, I got dropped from Anatomy (this occurred after the first week of class during the add/drop window of opportunity) and I DID NOT KNOW THIS HAD HAPPENED!
So, on May 10th, when grades are posted online, all I see is my Psych grade (got an A, btw) but no Anatomy grade. So, I call the registrar's office and am told that that means my prof never turned in the grades so I would have to contact her directly. Okay....so I email her and never get a response. So, finally, after 2 weeks of waiting, I call the department secretary who tells me that the roster shows that I dropped the class back in January!!!!! What the hell!!!!! I tell her that I dropped Phys 307 not Anatomy 305 so, she refers me back to the registrar. The registrar explains that somehow Michael dropped me from Anatomy via the online advisor webpage thingy (which he did NOT do, incidentally--the university uses this lame ass web crap for it's registration stuff. What ever happened to doing your schedule on paper, having your advisor sign it and walking it over to the registrar's office?) but notes that this problem can be corrected. (big sigh of relief here)
Alas, the dept. secretary comes to my aid and fills out the forms to have me retroactively added back to the class and submits my grade. I want to give a shout out to Laura who saved the day and is my new favorite person. As for my grade...I got an A.
I smell a rant coming on...
I want to preface this by saying that I'm very grateful for the tuition remission benefit Michael gets at the university. But. The process of registering for and the taking of classes at said university has been nothing short of a pain in the arse. WTF?!?
First of all, signing up in the first place for classes was a big mess b/c Michael had to do the work of having me enrolled. He went to HR, who sent him to the bursar, who sent him back to HR, etc. until finally, he got me enrolled. This is only the first of many hoops thru which my beloved had to jump, although for the sake of brevity, I will only list the highlights below.
Then there was the fun and exciting part of acting as my academic advisor and getting me registered for classes. The first one, stats, had to be a class that was offered at night since I was still working full time. There was a class offered at 5:50 pm and it was full. So, because Michael knows the dept. chair, he contacts him to get me into the class and is successful (yay!). And, as you all know, I got a B in that class and all was right with the world.
So, then there's the registration bit for the winter semester. Because I am low woman on the student totem pole (I have the status of an undeclared freshman, apparently) I got wait-listed for a few classes and then there was this big pain in the butt over the classes that were offered that I needed to take all being taught at the same times on the same days of the week so what is a student to do!?!? Ultimately, I got into Abnormal Psych and Anatomy and Micro and Physiology, but then I had to drop Micro and Phys for reasons I won't bore you with here. But here's where the story takes an interesting turn:
Somehow, when I was dropping Micro and Phys, I got dropped from Anatomy (this occurred after the first week of class during the add/drop window of opportunity) and I DID NOT KNOW THIS HAD HAPPENED!
So, on May 10th, when grades are posted online, all I see is my Psych grade (got an A, btw) but no Anatomy grade. So, I call the registrar's office and am told that that means my prof never turned in the grades so I would have to contact her directly. Okay....so I email her and never get a response. So, finally, after 2 weeks of waiting, I call the department secretary who tells me that the roster shows that I dropped the class back in January!!!!! What the hell!!!!! I tell her that I dropped Phys 307 not Anatomy 305 so, she refers me back to the registrar. The registrar explains that somehow Michael dropped me from Anatomy via the online advisor webpage thingy (which he did NOT do, incidentally--the university uses this lame ass web crap for it's registration stuff. What ever happened to doing your schedule on paper, having your advisor sign it and walking it over to the registrar's office?) but notes that this problem can be corrected. (big sigh of relief here)
Alas, the dept. secretary comes to my aid and fills out the forms to have me retroactively added back to the class and submits my grade. I want to give a shout out to Laura who saved the day and is my new favorite person. As for my grade...I got an A.
5.24.2007
In case I forgot to mention this...
Asia's final heartworm test came back negative. Our baby is all better now!
And now it's only a matter of time before we have to drop another couple hundred bucks at the vet's office. It always seems to work out that way...but you know what? She's totally worth it.
Just look at that face!
Asia's final heartworm test came back negative. Our baby is all better now!
And now it's only a matter of time before we have to drop another couple hundred bucks at the vet's office. It always seems to work out that way...but you know what? She's totally worth it.
Just look at that face!
5.21.2007
Day 1 of Freedom (Unemployment)...
- Got up at 6 am to walk the dog and get ready for class
- called my dad before going into class
- 8 am chemistry class...woo...can hardly contain the excitement
- 9:15 go to library to do homework
- go to Michael's office to scrounge up change for a snack (this is the last time I leave the house without any money or snack in hand)
- have lunch in the dining hall
- go to the post office
- go to the grocery store
- put on a load of laundry
- walk the dog
- take a cat nap on the couch
- do more homework
- cook dinner
- do more homework
- rotate laundry
- do more homework
- blog
5.17.2007
5.15.2007
The Universe Speaketh...
Universe: Seriously? You need to quit. NOW.
Me: But what about my replacement? I haven't told her enough about the job...
Universe: She'll be fine. You need to quit.
Me: But what about the volunteers?
Universe: ...sigh... They'll be fine. They'll help train the new person just like they trained you.
Me: But what about...?
Universe: GET ON WITH IT! (to be spoken a la Monty Python and the Holy Grail)
Me: ...sigh...
Universe: Seriously? You need to quit. NOW.
Me: But what about my replacement? I haven't told her enough about the job...
Universe: She'll be fine. You need to quit.
Me: But what about the volunteers?
Universe: ...sigh... They'll be fine. They'll help train the new person just like they trained you.
Me: But what about...?
Universe: GET ON WITH IT! (to be spoken a la Monty Python and the Holy Grail)
Me: ...sigh...
4.27.2007
So inappropriate...
That's me. I'm at the philharmonic with my husband and in-laws and the composer du jour was Holst. So the arrangement was, you guessed it, The Planets. And I was looking at the program and saw "Uranus, the Magician" and, because I'm immature and crass, began to giggle silently during the performance. I giggled at least halfway through the movement and they were the kind of silent giggles where your body shakes because you're trying so hard not to laugh out loud. And because I'm trying hard not to giggle because it would be inappropriate to giggle like that while at the philharmonic, I only giggle harder and nearly choke on a Halls. I can't tell you why that was funny...it's such a Beavis & Butthead thing to laugh at but there's something about being somewhere where you have to behave yourself that makes you want to be bad. Yep, that's me, all class.
That's me. I'm at the philharmonic with my husband and in-laws and the composer du jour was Holst. So the arrangement was, you guessed it, The Planets. And I was looking at the program and saw "Uranus, the Magician" and, because I'm immature and crass, began to giggle silently during the performance. I giggled at least halfway through the movement and they were the kind of silent giggles where your body shakes because you're trying so hard not to laugh out loud. And because I'm trying hard not to giggle because it would be inappropriate to giggle like that while at the philharmonic, I only giggle harder and nearly choke on a Halls. I can't tell you why that was funny...it's such a Beavis & Butthead thing to laugh at but there's something about being somewhere where you have to behave yourself that makes you want to be bad. Yep, that's me, all class.
4.22.2007
My New Hero...On a more positive note, Michael and I had the opportunity to attend a lecture on Wednesday featuring Dr. Bernard Kouchner, founder of Doctors Without Borders. His stories helped me put a little perspective on my own personal issues (I'm still feeling very anti-nonprofit but that soon will pass) and my general feelings about this ugly world in which we live. It's nice to know that there are still people out there who are committed to helping others and doing right by humanity. And maybe, after I'm done with nursing school, I might have the privilege to be a part of this very important work.
4.16.2007
Crossroads, continued...
Well, I really am leaving my job (finally--I'm such a sucker) and this time I'm really ready to go and I am not even going to miss that place. The people (some of them), yes but not the company and not the work. I have worked in the non-profit field for the past 5 years and here I am already burned out on it. And the tough part is that the job I have now was supposed to be my dream job. And it wasn't. At all.
So, it's time to move on and I'll be spending my summer up to my eyeballs in chemistry and microbiology and any other courses I can get into. I'm applying for a part time receptionist job at doctor's office so that I can still bring in a little bit of money while working in a place that will look better on my application to nursing school. And will be the kind of job that is done at the end of the day. No more taking work home to do at night or on weekends and no more going in on my day off.
I think I've decided that it's much better to work at a job that pays more money and therefore you have more money to give to charity than it is to work for a non-profit. Not that it's always about the money--if it was I would have never gone into non-profit in the first place. But, there's something about this sector that really turns you off. I don't know if it's the fact that office politics are the same as in the corporate world...or there are too many people who get promoted to positions for which they're not qualified b/c it would cost more money to bring in an outside person who will demand a higher salary...or if it's that you work your ass off and there's never a bonus, you don't get more days off and you get a minuscule raise (if you get a raise at all). Non-profit sucks the life out of you and for what?
I'm tired of this "for the good of the community" bullshit. I'm at a point in my life where I want to do something I love instead of taking a job b/c I'm desperate for work. I want to make what I'm worth. I want a job that when the day is done, I don't take it home with me. I might think about it after I leave but I don't take actual, physical work home. I want a job that makes a difference in the lives of others but I want to be the direct service provider instead of the one who helps raise money so the provider can serve the agency's clients. I want a job where the upper-level management doesn't talk out of both sides of their mouths (like that one is going to happen) telling you how wonderful you are one minute and trashing you the second you've left the room.
I'm going to look for that job when I'm out of nursing school and I hope I find it. And on June 1st? I'm going to leave all this shit behind me.
Well, I really am leaving my job (finally--I'm such a sucker) and this time I'm really ready to go and I am not even going to miss that place. The people (some of them), yes but not the company and not the work. I have worked in the non-profit field for the past 5 years and here I am already burned out on it. And the tough part is that the job I have now was supposed to be my dream job. And it wasn't. At all.
So, it's time to move on and I'll be spending my summer up to my eyeballs in chemistry and microbiology and any other courses I can get into. I'm applying for a part time receptionist job at doctor's office so that I can still bring in a little bit of money while working in a place that will look better on my application to nursing school. And will be the kind of job that is done at the end of the day. No more taking work home to do at night or on weekends and no more going in on my day off.
I think I've decided that it's much better to work at a job that pays more money and therefore you have more money to give to charity than it is to work for a non-profit. Not that it's always about the money--if it was I would have never gone into non-profit in the first place. But, there's something about this sector that really turns you off. I don't know if it's the fact that office politics are the same as in the corporate world...or there are too many people who get promoted to positions for which they're not qualified b/c it would cost more money to bring in an outside person who will demand a higher salary...or if it's that you work your ass off and there's never a bonus, you don't get more days off and you get a minuscule raise (if you get a raise at all). Non-profit sucks the life out of you and for what?
I'm tired of this "for the good of the community" bullshit. I'm at a point in my life where I want to do something I love instead of taking a job b/c I'm desperate for work. I want to make what I'm worth. I want a job that when the day is done, I don't take it home with me. I might think about it after I leave but I don't take actual, physical work home. I want a job that makes a difference in the lives of others but I want to be the direct service provider instead of the one who helps raise money so the provider can serve the agency's clients. I want a job where the upper-level management doesn't talk out of both sides of their mouths (like that one is going to happen) telling you how wonderful you are one minute and trashing you the second you've left the room.
I'm going to look for that job when I'm out of nursing school and I hope I find it. And on June 1st? I'm going to leave all this shit behind me.
4.11.2007
At a crossroads....again.
Hmm...I think I may be too tired to write this post so instead I leave you with this. Happy Taxes!
Hmm...I think I may be too tired to write this post so instead I leave you with this. Happy Taxes!
4.09.2007
Meme-ariffic!
If Michael had a blog I would have tapped him for a meme but he doesn't so, like the meme he did on me, I'm going to do one on him. So, here are 6 weird things about my husband, the Tall Man:
If Michael had a blog I would have tapped him for a meme but he doesn't so, like the meme he did on me, I'm going to do one on him. So, here are 6 weird things about my husband, the Tall Man:
- His total willingness to talk to strangers in public/make faces at children who are in line ahead of us at the grocery store. I really don't understand this one.
- Male Pattern Blindess. Need I say more?
- He almost never puts salt on his food or uses it when cooking. In fact, when we first met, he didn't have a salt and pepper shaker. If he needed salt or pepper, he'd go get the big Morton's salt canister or the McCormick's pepper tin out of the pantry. Nothing like salting your food with the pour spout in a canister of salt.
- Total lack of understanding about why you can't wear a brown belt with black shoes. Or wearing a tan shirt with tan pants (desert fatigues anyone?). Or pleated pants. I hate pleated pants. In fact, our very first fight was about pleated pants.
- Even when he's cold, he won't put on a long sleeve shirt. He'll just be cold.
- Total aversion to body products that aren't toothpaste, deoderant, Pert Plus and Irish Spring. God forbid he have to use a bar of Olay soap in the shower. Or (gasp) use conditioner. Conditioner! Perish the thought!
4.08.2007
Six weird things about, my wife, the Fummer.
(Guest blogged by The Tall Man)
1) Her freakish sense of smell. (Accompanied by many conversations like "Do you smell that?" "Smell what?" "I can't believe you can't smell that!"
2) The oft repeated dance of "Something's touching me!" followed by an intense search for the culpable wisp of dog fur, her hair or a loose thread. The compulsion is so strong that it could not even be contained on our first date.
3) Any joke containing the magic words "poo", "ass" or "fart" in the punch line is implicitly hilarious. Bonus points if it includes all three.
4) A breathtaking ability to swing from a great mood to full wrath and back in five seconds.
5) Her desire to rush over to any dog and befriend it, compared to her complete ambivalence to children.
6) Despite needing to hold my hand and repeat "Orcs eating doughnuts... orcs eating doughnuts" when we actively watch the movies, she will turn on the Lord of Rings movies for background noise while studying.
(Guest blogged by The Tall Man)
1) Her freakish sense of smell. (Accompanied by many conversations like "Do you smell that?" "Smell what?" "I can't believe you can't smell that!"
2) The oft repeated dance of "Something's touching me!" followed by an intense search for the culpable wisp of dog fur, her hair or a loose thread. The compulsion is so strong that it could not even be contained on our first date.
3) Any joke containing the magic words "poo", "ass" or "fart" in the punch line is implicitly hilarious. Bonus points if it includes all three.
4) A breathtaking ability to swing from a great mood to full wrath and back in five seconds.
5) Her desire to rush over to any dog and befriend it, compared to her complete ambivalence to children.
6) Despite needing to hold my hand and repeat "Orcs eating doughnuts... orcs eating doughnuts" when we actively watch the movies, she will turn on the Lord of Rings movies for background noise while studying.
4.02.2007
Detox Diet - Day 1, or why the hell am I doing this to myself?
So, my anatomy professor has mentioned detoxifying diets a few times in class and so...well, I decided I'd like to do a little experiment and try one out. Except there's way too many diets from which to choose so I put together something that's a little bit of a couple of different diets. And because I'm the one who cooks (and grocery shops) in our house, my wonderful husband gets to try this fun experiment with me (love you, honey).
So, basically we're doing 7 days of all veg, no dairy, no processed foods (except canned tomatoes and beans), no sugar and no caffeine. Really, I just want to see if I feel any different after this is over. I'm not sure I'm really detoxifying anything since I'm not doing any of the weird shit the books tell you to do like drinking room-temperature water with half a lemon squeezed into it. Not that lemon water is all that weird but I HATE lemon water with a passion. Nasty stuff. And room temperature? What's with that? But, one of the books recommends having a clinician inject you with pregnancy hormones. WTF? Anyway, I'm not drinking any weird concoctions or juicing my own veg...I'm just taking a break from processed foods, dairy and caffeine. The caffeine headache has been the worst part but there's only 6 more days to go!
So, my anatomy professor has mentioned detoxifying diets a few times in class and so...well, I decided I'd like to do a little experiment and try one out. Except there's way too many diets from which to choose so I put together something that's a little bit of a couple of different diets. And because I'm the one who cooks (and grocery shops) in our house, my wonderful husband gets to try this fun experiment with me (love you, honey).
So, basically we're doing 7 days of all veg, no dairy, no processed foods (except canned tomatoes and beans), no sugar and no caffeine. Really, I just want to see if I feel any different after this is over. I'm not sure I'm really detoxifying anything since I'm not doing any of the weird shit the books tell you to do like drinking room-temperature water with half a lemon squeezed into it. Not that lemon water is all that weird but I HATE lemon water with a passion. Nasty stuff. And room temperature? What's with that? But, one of the books recommends having a clinician inject you with pregnancy hormones. WTF? Anyway, I'm not drinking any weird concoctions or juicing my own veg...I'm just taking a break from processed foods, dairy and caffeine. The caffeine headache has been the worst part but there's only 6 more days to go!
3.22.2007
Procrastination...
Back when I was in undergrad my procrastination activities included the following: watching syndicated reruns of Fr@sier and the Simps0n's, playing Sn00d, reading H@rry P0tter books, calling BANG! long-distance in London and/or taking a nap. Now, it looks more like this: reading blogs, maybe updating my own blog, cooking dinner, cleaning house, walking the dog, taking a nap (this really only happens when I'm sick, like today), doing laundry and/or running errands. Seriously, procrastination was much more fun when I was in undergrad.
Not that I should complain. My fabulous husband makes it possible for me to work part time while taking classes (alas paid for by the very tricksy tuition remission benefit) but procrastination when I need to be studying or writing a paper just isn't as enjoyable as it used to be. Especially when I'm an adult now with a house to look after. And, seriously? How do women with kids do this? How do they raise a family, look after a household and work? And what about the ones who do all that AND go to school? I am so in awe of the women who do that. Because you know what? I don't think I have that in me.
That being said, I guess I better get back to my schoolwork.
Back when I was in undergrad my procrastination activities included the following: watching syndicated reruns of Fr@sier and the Simps0n's, playing Sn00d, reading H@rry P0tter books, calling BANG! long-distance in London and/or taking a nap. Now, it looks more like this: reading blogs, maybe updating my own blog, cooking dinner, cleaning house, walking the dog, taking a nap (this really only happens when I'm sick, like today), doing laundry and/or running errands. Seriously, procrastination was much more fun when I was in undergrad.
Not that I should complain. My fabulous husband makes it possible for me to work part time while taking classes (alas paid for by the very tricksy tuition remission benefit) but procrastination when I need to be studying or writing a paper just isn't as enjoyable as it used to be. Especially when I'm an adult now with a house to look after. And, seriously? How do women with kids do this? How do they raise a family, look after a household and work? And what about the ones who do all that AND go to school? I am so in awe of the women who do that. Because you know what? I don't think I have that in me.
That being said, I guess I better get back to my schoolwork.
3.12.2007
Happy Anniversary!
March 7, 2006 was the day we brought Asia home from the Humane Society and into our lives. And now one year (plus a few days...I swear I meant to post this on the 7th) later here we are. It's been a long year of contractors tramping thru the house and making lots of racket while she tried to sleep, monthly visits to the vet for cortisone injections, a very expensive visit to the doggy dermatologist for allergy testing and thrice-weekly allergy injections, her first X-mas with us, trips to Lankytown and a very scary bout with heartworms (still not in the clear yet but she's almost there!) but it has been a wonderful year of her sweet doggy self in our lives. And I just wanted to share our joy with the internets because nothing is as wonderful as coming home to find her waiting at the door.
2.20.2007
Feeling homesick...
Homesickness for something - a place, a time, I don't know - is rapidly becoming a theme here. I'll be brief this time and just note that 2nd Annual Fun Girl Weekend was a blast and just like last year I came home and promptly dissolved into tears (read bawling) over missing my friends, wanting my mom and dad (seriously, who does that? I'm too old to want my mom and dad anymore. What the hell is wrong with me?), apologizing to my husband for being short with him on the phone (I'm telling you he's a saint for putting up with me) and wanting the dog (the one who lives in a little wooden box on our shelf). Pathetic. Oh, and creating a rather magnificent pile of soggy snot wads on our sofa. Nice.
But today I feel better. I got a total of 12 hours of sleep (not all at once, mind you), played some tennis, walked the dog, made dinner (breakfast - yummy) and surfed the net. And now I'm going to go forage for a snack and then collapse into bed.
Homesickness for something - a place, a time, I don't know - is rapidly becoming a theme here. I'll be brief this time and just note that 2nd Annual Fun Girl Weekend was a blast and just like last year I came home and promptly dissolved into tears (read bawling) over missing my friends, wanting my mom and dad (seriously, who does that? I'm too old to want my mom and dad anymore. What the hell is wrong with me?), apologizing to my husband for being short with him on the phone (I'm telling you he's a saint for putting up with me) and wanting the dog (the one who lives in a little wooden box on our shelf). Pathetic. Oh, and creating a rather magnificent pile of soggy snot wads on our sofa. Nice.
But today I feel better. I got a total of 12 hours of sleep (not all at once, mind you), played some tennis, walked the dog, made dinner (breakfast - yummy) and surfed the net. And now I'm going to go forage for a snack and then collapse into bed.
2.13.2007
Snow Day!
I finally got the snow day I've been whining about since December. We have about 6 inches of snow with some sleet mixed in. My mom has about a foot so far...not sure how much more we'll get. They're predicting another inch or two before morning. Unfortunately our snow day has been ruined by the fact that I have to write a 5 page essay for psych. and Michael is working on a conference paper. But, we get to do so in the cozy comfort of our tv room whilst (see, there it is again) sitting on the couch with our feet propped up and sipping hot tea.
All I have to say is thank god for our snow blower. Even tho we don't have that much snow, if you've ever seen our driveway you know what I'm talking about. We're heading back out in a few minutes to do some shoveling and walk the dog. Hope the rest of you get a snow day tomorrow!
I finally got the snow day I've been whining about since December. We have about 6 inches of snow with some sleet mixed in. My mom has about a foot so far...not sure how much more we'll get. They're predicting another inch or two before morning. Unfortunately our snow day has been ruined by the fact that I have to write a 5 page essay for psych. and Michael is working on a conference paper. But, we get to do so in the cozy comfort of our tv room whilst (see, there it is again) sitting on the couch with our feet propped up and sipping hot tea.
All I have to say is thank god for our snow blower. Even tho we don't have that much snow, if you've ever seen our driveway you know what I'm talking about. We're heading back out in a few minutes to do some shoveling and walk the dog. Hope the rest of you get a snow day tomorrow!
2.11.2007
Nothing Exciting...
Yep, that's us. Nothing exciting to report. Not that this is a bad thing, mind you, but it doesn't make for entertaining blogging. So, Asia is doing well. She's two weeks into the 4 week must-stay-calm-at-all-times post-treatment phase and continues to do well. Little brat found some cat poo today while out on a walk, tho. And when I say found, that means found and promptly gobbled it up before Michael could get her away from it. Brat. Did I mention that this dog really, really like prunes? Prunes. She won't eat peanut butter (tell me what dog doesn't eat peanut butter) but she LOVES prunes. She can't get enough of them. The good thing is that I found a cheaper alternative to the smelly wet fish food crap she normally gets to eat whilst I sneak up on her to give her an allergy shot.
You know, I think 'whilst' is a good word. Whilst. Whilst. Whilst. Whilllllsssssttttttt. It just trips right of the tongue.
Anyway, other than dog stuff, Michael had an interview last week and has another one at the end of the month. Hopefully he'll get a job offer from either place (preferably the one in NY) and then we'll know where we're moving and when and all that stuff. But, no more about that...I don't want to jinx him (yes, I sort of believe that I could. I know it's stupid).
Blarg. Being an adult really sucks sometimes. There's bills to pay, taxes to do, a home to do lots of expensive aesthetic things to, jobs to find, jobs to struggle through until your husband finds a job in another city...blarg, blarg, blarg. And being grown up enough to have the kind of conversations with your parents that make you realize that they're people too and not just your parents. And finding out that your parents probably never really loved each other in the first place is hard. Very, very hard. Everyone wants to think that her/his parents love(d) each other, at least a little. And knowing that you can never go home again to the home of your childhood when you didn't have the awareness that your parents' marriage wasn't so different from that of your friends' parents' marriages...is just hard. There is no "home" to go home to anymore. Just goes to show that you never really outgrow the desire to go home to parents who love you and still love each other. Even when you know it'll never happen you can't help yourself from thinking about it. And, yes, there's my home with my wonderful husband and our dog but sometimes...I just want to go "home."
Yep, that's us. Nothing exciting to report. Not that this is a bad thing, mind you, but it doesn't make for entertaining blogging. So, Asia is doing well. She's two weeks into the 4 week must-stay-calm-at-all-times post-treatment phase and continues to do well. Little brat found some cat poo today while out on a walk, tho. And when I say found, that means found and promptly gobbled it up before Michael could get her away from it. Brat. Did I mention that this dog really, really like prunes? Prunes. She won't eat peanut butter (tell me what dog doesn't eat peanut butter) but she LOVES prunes. She can't get enough of them. The good thing is that I found a cheaper alternative to the smelly wet fish food crap she normally gets to eat whilst I sneak up on her to give her an allergy shot.
You know, I think 'whilst' is a good word. Whilst. Whilst. Whilst. Whilllllsssssttttttt. It just trips right of the tongue.
Anyway, other than dog stuff, Michael had an interview last week and has another one at the end of the month. Hopefully he'll get a job offer from either place (preferably the one in NY) and then we'll know where we're moving and when and all that stuff. But, no more about that...I don't want to jinx him (yes, I sort of believe that I could. I know it's stupid).
Blarg. Being an adult really sucks sometimes. There's bills to pay, taxes to do, a home to do lots of expensive aesthetic things to, jobs to find, jobs to struggle through until your husband finds a job in another city...blarg, blarg, blarg. And being grown up enough to have the kind of conversations with your parents that make you realize that they're people too and not just your parents. And finding out that your parents probably never really loved each other in the first place is hard. Very, very hard. Everyone wants to think that her/his parents love(d) each other, at least a little. And knowing that you can never go home again to the home of your childhood when you didn't have the awareness that your parents' marriage wasn't so different from that of your friends' parents' marriages...is just hard. There is no "home" to go home to anymore. Just goes to show that you never really outgrow the desire to go home to parents who love you and still love each other. Even when you know it'll never happen you can't help yourself from thinking about it. And, yes, there's my home with my wonderful husband and our dog but sometimes...I just want to go "home."
1.29.2007
Confession...
I have an embarrassing confession to make. Michael and I were cleaning out a closet and were attempting to file away old utility statements and receipts. And then...I found a bag that had a stack of H@llmark cards inside....cards I had purchased for friends and family that were unsent. Oops. I found birthday cards, sympathy cards, congratulations cards--you name it, I found it. So, for all of those life events that warranted a specially chosen card from the local H@llmark store, I bought a card and then put it in a bag in a closet.
Now, you may be wondering how this happens. It all started when I found myself in a situation where I needed to clean up the clutter in the house very quickly. And the next thing you know, I'm running around the house with a bag and throwing all the paper bits I can find into it and then shoving it into a closet. And...it's happened more than once.
So....oops. And many apologies. I will be sending said cards (albeit belatedly) this week. So, now you know. Anyway, if any of you randomly receive a card in the mail, you'll know why it's late.
Asia Update: Our baby is home and doing well. Thanks for thinking of us and we'll let you know when she gets a clean bill of health in four weeks when she goes in for her check up and blood test.
I have an embarrassing confession to make. Michael and I were cleaning out a closet and were attempting to file away old utility statements and receipts. And then...I found a bag that had a stack of H@llmark cards inside....cards I had purchased for friends and family that were unsent. Oops. I found birthday cards, sympathy cards, congratulations cards--you name it, I found it. So, for all of those life events that warranted a specially chosen card from the local H@llmark store, I bought a card and then put it in a bag in a closet.
Now, you may be wondering how this happens. It all started when I found myself in a situation where I needed to clean up the clutter in the house very quickly. And the next thing you know, I'm running around the house with a bag and throwing all the paper bits I can find into it and then shoving it into a closet. And...it's happened more than once.
So....oops. And many apologies. I will be sending said cards (albeit belatedly) this week. So, now you know. Anyway, if any of you randomly receive a card in the mail, you'll know why it's late.
Asia Update: Our baby is home and doing well. Thanks for thinking of us and we'll let you know when she gets a clean bill of health in four weeks when she goes in for her check up and blood test.
1.14.2007
It's the 14th day of the new year...
And we've already gotten bad news. Seriously, WTF?!?!
So the news? Asia has heartworms. HEARTWORMS. As in, the worms that live in the heart of your dog and then she dies. Fuck.
Here's what happened: Asia had her yearly exam and shots last week and then we got a call on Friday from the vet asking us to call him back (you know that means bad news). So, her heartworm test came back positive and then they ran it again to be sure and the second test came back positive, too. There is a latentcy period for HW of about 6 months so she was infected when she went to the humane league even tho she tested negative at this time last year when her last owners put her up for adoption. And since she tested negative at the humane league the vet didn't test her again until last Tuesday.
The really bad news is that if she goes untreated the HW will kill her by giving her congestive heart failure. This, of course, is absolutely not an option.
The good news is that there is a treatment but the bad news is that the result of the treatment could still kill her. There is a new HW treatment that is very successful (the old treatment includes arsenic and often killed the pets that were being treated) but what happens is that when the worms die, they have to go somewhere: the lungs. Eventually, the body absorbs the dead worm bodies but the problem is that when a whole bunch of them die, the dog could have a reaction. In Asia's case, the scary part is that she's very allergy sensitive and the vet is worried that when the dead worm bodies go into the lungs that she'll go into anaphylactic shock.
So......needless to say, Michael and I are still in shock and are concerned about losing our baby. But we are trying to stay positive. The good thing is that she's been on heartworm pills since we brought her home so hopefully that's killed any of the larvae and hopefully her heart isn't chock full of worms that will put her into anaphylactic shock. The other good thing is that the vet said she's very healthy otherwise and he's never detected a heart murmur on her.
So, right now, the medication is on order and Asia goes into the vet on the 23rd for a 4-day hospital stay while the medication is administered and she's closely monitored for any reactions. Hopefully all will go well and we can bring her home on Friday. Once we get her home, she'll be confined to the house for a month other than to go out and go to the bathroom. This is to prevent an embolism caused by a big clump of dead worms. I can't even begin to think about how we're going to keep her calm if she sees a cat while we're out for a quick pee.
Anyway, that's the news from here. Keep your fingers crossed for us and I'll keep you posted.
And we've already gotten bad news. Seriously, WTF?!?!
So the news? Asia has heartworms. HEARTWORMS. As in, the worms that live in the heart of your dog and then she dies. Fuck.
Here's what happened: Asia had her yearly exam and shots last week and then we got a call on Friday from the vet asking us to call him back (you know that means bad news). So, her heartworm test came back positive and then they ran it again to be sure and the second test came back positive, too. There is a latentcy period for HW of about 6 months so she was infected when she went to the humane league even tho she tested negative at this time last year when her last owners put her up for adoption. And since she tested negative at the humane league the vet didn't test her again until last Tuesday.
The really bad news is that if she goes untreated the HW will kill her by giving her congestive heart failure. This, of course, is absolutely not an option.
The good news is that there is a treatment but the bad news is that the result of the treatment could still kill her. There is a new HW treatment that is very successful (the old treatment includes arsenic and often killed the pets that were being treated) but what happens is that when the worms die, they have to go somewhere: the lungs. Eventually, the body absorbs the dead worm bodies but the problem is that when a whole bunch of them die, the dog could have a reaction. In Asia's case, the scary part is that she's very allergy sensitive and the vet is worried that when the dead worm bodies go into the lungs that she'll go into anaphylactic shock.
So......needless to say, Michael and I are still in shock and are concerned about losing our baby. But we are trying to stay positive. The good thing is that she's been on heartworm pills since we brought her home so hopefully that's killed any of the larvae and hopefully her heart isn't chock full of worms that will put her into anaphylactic shock. The other good thing is that the vet said she's very healthy otherwise and he's never detected a heart murmur on her.
So, right now, the medication is on order and Asia goes into the vet on the 23rd for a 4-day hospital stay while the medication is administered and she's closely monitored for any reactions. Hopefully all will go well and we can bring her home on Friday. Once we get her home, she'll be confined to the house for a month other than to go out and go to the bathroom. This is to prevent an embolism caused by a big clump of dead worms. I can't even begin to think about how we're going to keep her calm if she sees a cat while we're out for a quick pee.
Anyway, that's the news from here. Keep your fingers crossed for us and I'll keep you posted.
1.04.2007
Everyone else is doing it...
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before? Went to Cali-forn-eeyahhhh. Put a beloved pet to sleep.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Blarg. I always seem to make them but rarely make it past February (except for the one about flossing but I've since stopped doing that - I know, gross, but now that I have braces, I can't bring myself to floss very often).
I have made two for this year: not talk on my cell phone while driving (unless in an emergency situation) and have more sex with my wonderful husband (hi, Honey!). Sadly, I've already broken the first one twice.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Nope, but they will this year! Whee!
4. Did anyone close to you die? Shana. And as the anniversary of her passing approaches it becomes harder and harder to keep from tearing up at the mere thought of her. What a great dog she was...it's just not the same without her.
5. What countries did you visit? At the rate I'm going, I'll never see a country other than the U.S. of A. Boo.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? I have to concur with Gwen that I, too, would like more time for everything. More reading of good books. More quality time with my husband. Oh, and more naps. Naps are a very good thing.
7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Again, the day our dog was put to sleep (wow, I sound like a broken record).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I'd like to say that I did something really important that benefitted the whole of humankind but alas all can say is that Michael and I had a wonderful first year of marriage and I haven't managed to scare him off. Yet.
9. What was your biggest failure? Letting my stupid job and stupid boss take over my life and not doing a better job of managing stress.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Thankfully, no:> Unless you count all the ambush atomic wedgie attacks, etc. on Michael that ALWAYS result in my getting hurt. Always.
BTW, I did find out that I don't have athlete's foot.
11. What was the best thing you bought? A fabulous new tennis racquet.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My husband. The man is a saint.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Where to begin?
14. Where did most of your money go? The money pit at 267 P@rk Drive. Monthly steroid injections for Asia and 2 visits to the doggie dermatologist. And my mouth full of metal.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My honeymoon. Tennis. A new dog. Quitting my job (but then staying on part time when my boss resigned). Making my plan to go to nursing school.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? both, sometimes
b) thinner or fatter? both and then I went all veg and lost a few pounds
c) richer or poorer? definitely poorer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Spending time with the most important people (and dogs) in my life.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Being stressed out and worried about my job.
20. How will you be spending Christmas? Spent it with my family and Michael's. Had a great time on a post-X-mas trip to Lanky-town.
23. What was your favorite TV program? Family Guy and the Simpson's. Good Eats during that brief interlude where we had cable tv.
25. What was the best book you read? The Lovely Bones. I could NOT put it down. And The Handmaid's Tale even though it still creeps me out just thinking about it.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Hmmm...I didn't really have one.
27. What did you want and get? A new dog. A wonderful new half bathroom and a fabulously improved existing bathroom. A creamer and sugar serving set that matches my fiestaware.
28. What did you want and not get? Tenure for my husband. A hundred more years with my best girl. Less dysfunctional family crap.
29. What was your favorite film of this year? Little Miss Sunshine. But I have to say that This is Spinal Tap is a very close runner up.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 29, and I don't remember what I did. How sad.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Besides all the other stuff that's already mentioned--winning the lottery.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? Clean clothes that aren't wrinkled?
33. What kept you sane? My favorite people in the whole wide world (you know who you are).
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Harrison Ford will always have the numero uno celebrity spot.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. No comment.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Beans, beans the magical fruit...
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before? Went to Cali-forn-eeyahhhh. Put a beloved pet to sleep.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Blarg. I always seem to make them but rarely make it past February (except for the one about flossing but I've since stopped doing that - I know, gross, but now that I have braces, I can't bring myself to floss very often).
I have made two for this year: not talk on my cell phone while driving (unless in an emergency situation) and have more sex with my wonderful husband (hi, Honey!). Sadly, I've already broken the first one twice.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Nope, but they will this year! Whee!
4. Did anyone close to you die? Shana. And as the anniversary of her passing approaches it becomes harder and harder to keep from tearing up at the mere thought of her. What a great dog she was...it's just not the same without her.
5. What countries did you visit? At the rate I'm going, I'll never see a country other than the U.S. of A. Boo.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? I have to concur with Gwen that I, too, would like more time for everything. More reading of good books. More quality time with my husband. Oh, and more naps. Naps are a very good thing.
7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Again, the day our dog was put to sleep (wow, I sound like a broken record).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I'd like to say that I did something really important that benefitted the whole of humankind but alas all can say is that Michael and I had a wonderful first year of marriage and I haven't managed to scare him off. Yet.
9. What was your biggest failure? Letting my stupid job and stupid boss take over my life and not doing a better job of managing stress.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Thankfully, no:> Unless you count all the ambush atomic wedgie attacks, etc. on Michael that ALWAYS result in my getting hurt. Always.
BTW, I did find out that I don't have athlete's foot.
11. What was the best thing you bought? A fabulous new tennis racquet.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My husband. The man is a saint.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Where to begin?
14. Where did most of your money go? The money pit at 267 P@rk Drive. Monthly steroid injections for Asia and 2 visits to the doggie dermatologist. And my mouth full of metal.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My honeymoon. Tennis. A new dog. Quitting my job (but then staying on part time when my boss resigned). Making my plan to go to nursing school.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? both, sometimes
b) thinner or fatter? both and then I went all veg and lost a few pounds
c) richer or poorer? definitely poorer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Spending time with the most important people (and dogs) in my life.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Being stressed out and worried about my job.
20. How will you be spending Christmas? Spent it with my family and Michael's. Had a great time on a post-X-mas trip to Lanky-town.
23. What was your favorite TV program? Family Guy and the Simpson's. Good Eats during that brief interlude where we had cable tv.
25. What was the best book you read? The Lovely Bones. I could NOT put it down. And The Handmaid's Tale even though it still creeps me out just thinking about it.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Hmmm...I didn't really have one.
27. What did you want and get? A new dog. A wonderful new half bathroom and a fabulously improved existing bathroom. A creamer and sugar serving set that matches my fiestaware.
28. What did you want and not get? Tenure for my husband. A hundred more years with my best girl. Less dysfunctional family crap.
29. What was your favorite film of this year? Little Miss Sunshine. But I have to say that This is Spinal Tap is a very close runner up.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 29, and I don't remember what I did. How sad.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Besides all the other stuff that's already mentioned--winning the lottery.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? Clean clothes that aren't wrinkled?
33. What kept you sane? My favorite people in the whole wide world (you know who you are).
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Harrison Ford will always have the numero uno celebrity spot.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. No comment.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Beans, beans the magical fruit...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)