My Life in the Big D!

Cracker Jack Tea

2009-01-30T22:04:00.005-06:00

I had the most interesting surprise today....

A while ago, several whiles ago, my friend L told me that blueberry tea makes GREAT iced tea. Now, I'm not much of a tea drinker. I prefer coffee over tea and soda over iced. I love the idea of tea and the taste of coffee.

Anyway, so I went to the grocery store to buy some tea. What the hey... I'll give it a try. Iced blueberry tea certainly sounded delicious at the time. But I never ever made it. A few weeks ago, as I was organizing cabinets, I found the tea of good intentions. I left it out on the microwave to take it to work and offer it up to my tea drinking friends. It had never been opened.

This morning, I grabbed the box on my way out and set it on the desk of one of my coworker friends with a little note... Enjoy!

Later that afternoon, she comes over with this weird grin. She asked if I knew what was in the box....

"No.... tea?"

"You'd better open it." she says thrusting this box of Celestial Seasonings in my hand.

Oh God. I thought. Bugs? Mice? Putrid festering unmentionable things? What was in the box?

I gingerly open it expecting, oh I don't know, locusts to come flying out. Or maybe something slimey or gooey. I mean, it has been a while (but within the expiration date!)

Well, thankfully, nothing came flying out. Inside, nestled in a lovely pink bag is this very nice beaded watch. It's quite lovely! I didn't know that tea came with surprises inside!

What's most mysterious is that I DO seem to remember buying the tea. I definately remember the conversation about blueberry tea. The box looked like it was unopened. It was still wrapped in cellophane, although upon careful examination, it did appear that the cello was carefully opened and reclosed. I don't remember receiving tea as a gift and I am very interested in solving this little mystery.

Very very interesting....

Independent Bassoonist Seeking Love Finds Dog

2009-01-23T13:02:00.006-06:00

How would you sum up your life in six words? What is your six word memoir?

A friend brought in a book called Not Quite What I Was Planning and it's very intriguing. Click here for their website - it's very interesting. Some are funny, some sad, and many poignant. But it really got me thinking... what would I say? What would you say?

Not courageous enough to share onymously.

Top 10 reasons for not updating my blog

2009-01-05T20:57:00.002-06:00

10. It was concert season! I couldn't update my blog because I had a concert last week. Or was that the week before? Last month? What day is today?

9. I was dog-sitting. Mac came over to play with Henri and I had to supervise doggie activities. Oh wait. That was weeks ago, too.

8. The frenchman called. (Told ya!) Unfortunately, my conversational French is still pretty limited. Merci. We didn't talk much.

7. I went out with H. He's super fun and super cute. I've been too distracted to blog.

6. It was Thanksgiving. No, Christmas! No, New Years. Geez - it's 2009 already? Where has the time gone?

5. My dog ate my blog.

4. I had to read the entire Twilight series plus another 7 or 8 books (Brisinger, the first two Southern Vampire Series books, The Gunslinger, The Stupidest Angel 2.0, 5 People you meet in Heaven, and not so good Mosse book. I'm sure I read another book in there somewhere...)

3. My computer broke and I had to get a new one. When it finally arrived, I had to set it up, install software and make sure the desktop wallpaper was pretty. You cannot blog if your wallpaper isn't pretty.

2. My life is boring. In fact, I haven't even been home long enough to blog about all the boring stuff going on.

1. I asked for a blog bailout and I finally got word.

Whew!!!

2008-10-08T18:41:00.003-05:00

Is it ok to breathe?

The past two weeks have been super stressful. While I'm not going to blog on and on about work stuff (i like my job), it's important for you to know that we had some surprises two weeks ago (read about it here) resulting in a really tough day and 2 very busy weeks as my boss was a victim as was our production support guy.

So a week later (has it only been a week???), I finally feel like I can relax for a moment and catch up on all the stuff I've set aside. I'm making a list.

First on the list is reconnecting with JC. We've lost touch and she would not be happy with my recent snack choices. Did I mention stress? And, I totally missed my check-in last week. So today I went in after 2 weeks of this and was surprised to find I had actually lost 1/10 of a pound... and that's with thick jeans on! Happy happy happy dance! I'm all inspired to get back on track now.

And while I'm super busy at work, I'm also feeling like I'm getting things done. The worst is feeling overwhelmed and feeling like you're not accomplishing anything. Looking up!

That's all on the list for now. Well, there's groceries and other necessary sundries so I'd better get moving before it's too late.

Next blog: "I told you he'd call..."

Priceless

2008-09-19T14:35:00.004-05:00

This past week I caught some nasty summer cold and decided to stay home on Wednesday and nurse the fever with chicken soup cocktails spiked with advil and decongestants. I worked from home on Thursday and was itching to talk to someone other than Henri by Friday. He's a good conversationalist, but he tends to go on and on about squirrels and birds and treats. I was ready for more "human" conversation.

So when I walked into the office this morning and said good morning to my boss, he announced that there were donuts.

"So there's donuts."

"Thanks - I'll pass. JC would not approve."

"JC?" he says with a puzzled look.

I pause and shift my weight to the other foot. "Have you been saved?"

What followed was a look of utter speechlessness. He looked surprised and amused as he searched the ceiling for the right words. At the office, you're not supposed to talk religion (or politics).

"By Donuts?" he says.

(I imagine being saved by donuts.)

Finally I let him in on the joke, " J e n n y C r a i g would not approve."

He lets out a big laugh and sighs with relief. The look on his face was absolutely priceless!

******************

Here's the latest - I missed Wed's check in but went in today. Despite an entire week of not following the plan (quesedilla's rule!) and lying around sick for 2 days, I was down 3.5 pounds! I was totally expecting the scale to call me out on failing to follow the JC plan. I expected to have gained. I expected to be totally unmotivated and sad despite knowingly going in with cheater cheater cheater written all over my face. But instead, I gaze at the slightly smaller number with total disbelief. I'm psyched! Whoo hooo! The yard work this weekend will help me keep going in the right direction.

That makes 21 now. I'm beginning to notice but no one else has. Sigh.

JC approves of yardwork

2008-09-03T18:21:00.003-05:00

This past weekend, I finally had the time and the energy to 'clean up' the backyard. Actually, it wasn't that bad... the grassy area was overgrown and the beds needed tidying up. But with the heat and spending most summer saturday mornings in dog training, I never had the time. I made sure the front lawn was tidy and left the back au natural... kinda like a lawn mullet.

On Sunday, I weed-wacked and edged and trimmed and raked and bagged. I re-arranged the patio furniture and put the loungers back in the shade under the porch. I blew (swept) the patio clean and then hosed away remaining dirt. I skimmed the pool clean of leaf bits and grass and floated the rest of the day away with drink in hand. 5 hours of work paid off! The backyard looks so nice that I even added new solar lights. Makes me want to be outside.

Did you know yardwork burns about 550 calories for every 90 minutes? Just mowing the lawn (90 minutes) burns about 325. I still want to hire yard guys, but it IS rewarding doing it yourself... especially if JC is watching.

Today I checked in with JC, I had lost another 4.6 pounds! Whooo hoooo! That's just short of 17 pounds since I started. Happy Happy!

*************************
Side Note: Storms blew in over night and it's been really windy. My nice clean happy backyard will need sprucing up again this weekend.

Her middle name begins with H

2008-08-28T22:40:00.005-05:00

Not really. Friends from Monday night will get the reference. The rest of you can scratch your heads.

Just a quick post on J(H)C. Things are still moving in the right direction. I am tired of salad.

Here's the stats: Two weeks ago, I was down another 1.7 pounds. I decided to take my calorie level up a bit because I wasn't eating the 1700 calories I was "supposed" to. But this past Wednesday, I was only down another 2/10ths. So I've cut back my calorie intake a little, down from what JC told me. I expect to be back on track next week. Good news over all, but ever so freakin' slow.

So that's why they call it an Escape

2008-08-28T21:52:00.012-05:00

In February I was forced to buy a new car because my Subaru broke down and repairing it cost too much. After very short deliberation (a day) I ended up getting a F0rd Escape. It's a cute little SUV loaded with features: sunroof, heated seats, satellite radio, power everything... and these really cool LED lights that light up the floor and cup holders. It's my favorite extra. I call it my Escape from reality, especially in the middle of the day. Good place for a quiet moment and lunchtime nap. Nice.

So on Friday evening, I was driving on Hillcrest to the movies in Plano. As I approached the Mapleshade intersection, the light turned yellow and I had to make a choice: slam on the brakes or gun it thru the light. Traffic was light... so I gunned it. As I crossed the intersection, the bright red glare caught my eye. Hmmm.

Now, that area of Mapleshade (East-West) and Hillcrest (North-South) just east of Hillcrest has literally nothing.

View Larger Map

It's a fairly new divided 2 lane road through undeveloped fields, and has a slight curve... the perfect place for a speed trap. I've seen plenty of cops with their radar guns waiting for someone to go over the 35 speed limit because 50 seems more appropriate; it's not like there's people or cross traffic or driveways or cross streets.

So as I pass through the intersection basking in red afterglow I think, "I sure hope there's not a cop there." I check my rear-view mirror. I check again. Safe. I check again. Safe. I'm basically looking more behind me than in front. I look forward and back again. Uh-oh. Flashers.

As Hillcrest gently curves around to the right, I can barely see flashing lights behind me. Is that for me? Nah... couldn't be. My adrenaline pumps and it's quick decision time. If it IS for me, do I dare try to hide and outrun cop? Is that wrong?

I look forward and see a turn just ahead and make a quick right. Crap, a dead end. But then, right there, there's a turn into the tree-lined partially hidden driveway of the N. Texas Tollway Authority. Heart beating and hands shaking I stop the car. Did I actually just do that? Did I really outrun a cop?

Common sense says no, he wasn't after me. Probably some speeder on Mapleshade. Totally coincidental. But there will always be a part of me that believes I Escaped.

Checkin' In with JC

2008-08-12T13:05:00.007-05:00

Yesterday I checked in again with JC. 3 more pounds. I was hoping for 4, but I really can't complain. I wore different shoes this time, so I'm SURE that's why it wasn't four.

My pants have gone from "a little snug" to "fit" and that's always good :) So, another week of salad and JC food. I upgraded for the entire year at JC so I'm committed to the plan until next year's birthday.

I've discovered frozen veggies. Pre-cut & pre-seasoned rules! I also discovered that I really don't like yogurt a whole lot. Bleck.

I'm also writing down everything I eat and how many calories. That's not part of the JC plan, but it IS part of my (surprisingly) anal retentive side. JC just has you check off menu items... 1 friut, 1 non-fat milk, 1 yogurt, etc.. But I have to know EXACTLY what that amounts to caloriewise: apple slices- 50 calories; lettuce & dressing- 100 calories; turkey burger- 280 calories. You get the picture.

Here's the deal: regardless of what you eat it's a simple calculation: less calories IN and more calories OUT. Regardless of what's on the JC menu, I figure if I stay under my calorie allotment, I'll be OK. That means real cream in my coffee instead of non-fat milk and cottage cheese. Gotta love it!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2008-08-10T09:38:00.011-05:00

Last week I turned forty-something. Not just 40. 40+. Yikes. When did that happen? Seems like just a few years ago I was in college learning new things and having the best time. But that was 20 years ago. Where did the time go? When did I get so OLD?

Not that I feel all that different.

This year I decided to (for once) celebrate my birthday. I have party angst. Probably from years growing up and having 'small' parties because all my friends were "at the fair." No slumber parties in the backyard because "I have to go feed my rabbits at the fair." No long drawn out events lasting the afternoon because "I have to be at the fair to check on my .... ....." Party suggestions ranged from, "I know, let's go to the FAIR!" to "Are you going to have your party at the fair this year?"

Yes, I've had backyard parties where we ran thru sprinklers or paid 25 cents to swim at Cantric Jr. High pool. But as I got older, most often it was me and a friend or two at the fair. I hate that damn fair.

I really wanted to have a party this year but avoided planning because of party angst. People won't come; my friends are out of town; the house is a mess; The backyard grass needs maintenance; I have no time and it's just too hot to care.

At the last minute, though, I decided to invite friends to dinner out. (JC, don't look!) Sent out evites (how did we live without evite and email?) and crossed my fingers. Dinner for 10! I have 10 friends! Whooo hooo!

It was a very entertaining evening. My friends seemed to mix well with each other and it was great to relax with a cosmo (ok, 2 cosmos) and just enjoy the evening. I think the most "interesting" topic had to do with puppet sex. Puppet sex?! I am very disturbed and frightened.

Anyway, there were lots of laughs despite the aging process taking place that evening and overall, it was one of the best birthdays I've had in a long time. It was good to celebrate.

Oh! My horoscope this year says it will be a VERY good year!

**********************************
From NY Post:
Affairs of the heart, creative activities, and anything that makes you glad to be alive are under excellent stars over the coming 12 months, so stop looking back at what didn't work out and look forward to all the fantastic times still to come. Life is good.

From the Charlotte Observer:
Be prepared for a superior to look with favor upon your current work performance. Be receptive to a modern business opportunity someone will soon propose to you. You come to some important conclusions today regarding the best use of your money. A relative's generosity with money, time, or effort can take some of the pressure off you today.
Lucky Number : 159 Financial Outlook: very good Compatible Sign: Virgo

From the Chicago Sun Times:
You're in a chatty mood today. That's why you'll be on the phone, using e-mail, or meeting others for lunch and coffee or drinks throughout the day. You want to be seen and you want to see others because you feel social, and you have a strong need to be heard today.

IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: Musician/activist Adam Yauch (1964) shares your birthday today. There is a steady calmness about you that inspires respect and confidence from others. You're unflappable. You seriously weigh any decision-making process, and others know this. You don't do anything lightly. Because people respect you, you easily assume authority. You need independence. You have high ideals. A major change could arise this year, perhaps as significant as something around 1999.
*******************************
Interesting. In 1999, I moved to Ventura and joined the Data Warehouse.

It's going to be a good year! Can't wait to see what happens next!

Whooo hoooo!

2008-08-04T23:10:00.003-05:00

Today was first check in at JC. Even though my pants don't feel looser, I lost 7 pounds. Wow.

:) Very happy :)

Shortest Date Ever!

2008-08-03T13:26:00.014-05:00

It's Sunday afternoon and the temperature reads about 108 degrees (120 heat index). I doubt that's the official temperature, but it sure is HOT.

Unlike this morning's date. Don't you think people should make a little effort in their appearance for a first date/meeting?

"C" is another online match. I tried dating someone outside my normal preferences just to see. He reminded me a little bit of Ice-T. Works in purchasing and on paper seems like a nice guy. We traded a few emails and IMed a bit. Rides a motercycle. Self-described Fred Sanford. His responses are short. He used the wrong form of "there." Hmmmm. Asks me if he can ask me a non-sexual question... "Do you you have a flat butt?"

"No... but I don't think it's a bubble butt, either."

He says, "Are you laughing?" I was :-)

For the past week, he's sent emails almost daily - 'How are you?' It IS nice to get that attention and interest. I think he is who he says he is. I was a bit skeptical but agreed to me him for coffee.
Except he doesn't drink coffee. or beer. This will never work out.

This morning, I showered and carefully lined my eyes in a shade of blue green selected to accent their color. Don't want to overdo it. It's too hot and too early for sparkles. Cute white top, jeans and sandles complete the look. Casual, cute, clean. :) Good hair day!

I arrived at SB a few minutes early. Enough to spec out the place, order a tall skinny latte (JC would approve) and pick out a good seat. Just as I'm sitting down, he walks in. Introductions, smiles. I perch on the edge of my chair. Must sit up straight! He orders nothing and sprawls backward. I note the faded navy shirt. Are those paint stains? His tattered cap reads "Boss." His smile is cute. He's going grey... how old is he again? Is he a pisces?

After 2 minutes of conversation, though, I know it's over. He says, "Bofe" as in "Bofe of us." He says, "I HAS no vices." (yeah, right!) He says, "If'n I don't like sometin' someone is doing, I don't let them know it. I don't let 'em get to me. I'm always in control. If I don't like what my date does/says, I just won't date them anymore."

I say, "OK, I think we're done then." and I stand up to walk out. As we walk out he tries to defend his position. I say I think people are worth more than that; that communication is important. "It was nice meeting you." I am free!

By the time I got in my car and started the engine, it was 12:08. I think the "date" lasted all of 5 minutes.

I think I caught him off guard. But I really wasn't impressed with his approach to life and people. Let's say we date and I notice he's giving me the cold shoulder. Is he going to talk to me and tell me what's on his mind? According to him, no. He'll just not call or not tell me and it will be miserable. In the end, I won't know what went wrong. Nah... I'll pass on this one.

I won't date down. I want to date someone who knows how to speak and spell, someone who dresses for the occassion, someone who is on the same level as I am. Intelligent, educated, responsible, funny, artistic. Tall, Dark and Handsome never hurts :)

Next!

What would JC eat?

2008-07-30T22:25:00.009-05:00

It's Wednesday night. Day 2 since I found JC. I think I may be saved.

Not the BIG JC. I know this IS Texas and there are people ready and waiting to save my soul. But I'm talking about the planned diet complete with tasty frozen cuisine popularlized on tv by the likes of Kirstie and Valerie and Queen.

I am still hungry.

So the number on the scale was frightening. I mean, it's not like I didn't know. I guess I was just avoiding facing up to it. After Atkins a few years ago (worked... gained it back) and other attempts (worked... gained it back. didn't work... gained it back...) I am ready to get serious again. Plus, I don't want to buy bigger pants. Smaller pants. Must. Buy. Smaller. Pants.

And so far, it's not bad. The convenience factor is high and I can actually refer to the frozen meals as "cuisine" without laughing. I don't have to cook. I don't have to plan a week's worth meals and shop for groceries in advance. I hate planning, so that's a big bonus. By the time I get home from work I'm so ready for dinner - it's nice to be able to nukerwave instant gratification. Plus, it's supplimented with salad and veggies, fruit, cheese and other good for you stuff. So I guess I still have to plan a little. And I still have to go to the grocery store. I'm adding personal chef to my list of 'wants' when I win the lottery :)

But I am still hungry.

Last year, I tried a similar program. You know the one - starts with Nutri; ends with System. I was so excited! I thought that would be the coolest! Q V C had a special 4 week deal. Wow. No planning. Yeah! Easy! Yeah! I couldn't wait to start.

I made it 4 days. I stopped cold turkey when I opened the "chicken stew" for lunch expecting, well, something resembling chicken, stew and noodles. Like the picture. What I got was some milky-grey colored gelatin that was slightly lumpy. Everything had disintegrated into this odd sort of gooo. I was determined to give it a go. Heated it up. Better. Not quite as gelatious. Not really soupy though. Very thick... "stewlike" you might say. There were no noodles. Where did they go? I think the lumps were chicken. Yum! I stirred it. It clung to the spoon like a satin dress on a fat lady without proper undergarments. I smelled it. Um. (Notice no 'Y'). I tasted it. I'll never make that mistake again.

JC is not like that. So far so good. First check in is Monday. I'll keep y'all posted!

Ooh la la

2008-07-14T20:34:00.017-05:00

Ah! The French... is there anything sexier than that accent attached to a cutie cute cute boy?

But alas, the French are also a bit... eccentric. Now, I'm trying to keep this blog rated PG-13 so kids (and mom) look away from the blog :) For whatever reason, I am feeling the need to share so that I'll be called out if I even think about dating the Frenchman again.

It all started last fall/winter. K and I met online and had a quick chat via yahoo and another phone call or two before meeting. Essentially, screening and conversation to make sure he's a suitable guy and not a psychotic nutto. K passed the test. He was smart, responsible, employed, funny, and way cute. And that accent!

He invited me out, and eventually that lead to a dinner date. And dinner was VERY good. And we went out again (drinks, appetizers, dinner & dessert) and had a great time. He's a great cook. It was really fun :)

So I'm thinking. Wow. This might be going somewhere. He's smart, cute, has a job, and he even cooks. And that accent! I'm a happy girl. All is well :)

That is, until he tells me he wants to have a dinner party. Oh no. Not that I don't like parties, but I'm pretty much dinner for 2 kind of girl. I wasn't sure if we were ready for a dinner party. After all, we had just started dating. I wasn't really sure I wanted a dinner party. And. I don't hear from him again. C'est la vie.

But earlier this spring, he called me. Tells me he's been traveling, apologizes for not calling... and he invites me to dinner. Tells me he really wants to see me. Tells me sweet things all accented with ooh la la. But I'm having dinner with A now and tell him so. I like A. Life goes on.

Another couple of months go by and he calls me again. Last Sunday. He invites me over. I think he's thinking we'll have dinner, but I'm thinking that coffee might be better. Decaf. Now, A is out of the picture, and I haven't had really good coffee (or dinner) in a while. Have I mentioned what a good cook he is? But I know if I go over there and have coffee that may lead to dinner and we're back to the dinner party. So my head says no caffine. I hem and haw and basically stall, and reply with "I have plans on tonight." So he asks me out for Friday. Friday is good! I have movie tickets on Friday. Movies are good! I ask if he'd like to join us. Yes! He would! Yea!

On Monday I call him to confirm plans... He doesn't answer and I leave a message, "Call me! :)"

I need girl talk.

My head is reeling with thoughts of coffee, dinner... dinner parties. Excitement of such a handsome guy and dinner. He's such a great guy other than his propensity to have dinner parties. Could I do that? Do I want to? Should I? I mean, I never have, never really been interested. I'm a little curious, I must admit. But am I that curious? What happens if we end up really liking dinner together? Would he always want a dinner party as well? What if it's awful?

L to the rescue!

First of all, she reminds me that it's generally not a good idea to redate. There was a reason you tossed him back. Unless the reason has changed, he needs to keep swimming. DO NOT REDATE. (But I'll definately redate H. We're perfect for each other. Very soon now, he'll realize that...)

And she reminded me of something really key that I need to remember. She said, If you waste your time with a guy that you know isn't right, when the right guy does appear, you won't even notice because you're too occupied with other things. How true is that?!

She also says to be happy with yourself; be happy with your life. When you're happy, that feeling of well being is put into the world and comes back to you. (That explains why whenever I start dating someone new, I all of a sudden hear from a ton of interested guys. When it rains, it pours!)

Sage advice from L. I needed to hear that - I KNOW it's true. I shouldn't waste time with someone who will always want a dinner party. I need to find someone like me.

So, no coffee. No dinner.

OK. Meanwhile, I'm waiting for K to call me back so I can now uninvite him to movies on Friday. Tuesday, no call. Wednesday no call. Thursday. No. Freaking. Call.

Bastard. How rude is that?

He hasn't called. But he will. They ALWAYS come back. Maybe I'm a good cook too!

And for the record, I had a GREAT time at the movies with my friend M, husband, and another music pal too. M and I always end up laughing and giggling a lot. She's so much fun :)

Movies with friends are always a good idea :)

Have fun, relax, be happy. Enjoy your life. See a movie.

Tunnel vision

2008-07-12T11:56:00.013-05:00

Henri is such a good boy! I am so proud!

On Saturdays, Henri and I, along with his best buddy Mac (a Westie) and Mac's mom, "M" (a human) go to dog agility training. That's the agility race course where dogs jump over hurdles, weave thru bars, go thru tunnels and over teeter totters. The dogs look like they are having the best time. We're in the "pre" agility stages. We're learning the basics first.

Today was a small class, just Henri and Mac (until the Corgi puppies arrived) so we got a little extra attention. Henri is a sensitive dog and a bit timid at times. In a big class he's distracted and wary. But today he was perfect!

We learned about "the tunnel". A dark cave of the unknown. He was first dog up. The instructor held Henri at one end of the tunnel and I stood at the other and called. He raced thru that tunnel sooooo fast! Did I mention that Henri is a momma's dog? Yeah. That's a bit of an understatement. He's a bit unsure about strangers. Any wariness of the tunnel was overriden by the need to be next to mom and away from the mean old instructor (she's actually very nice). Zoom! Thru the tunnel. Let's do it again! Zoom! Zoom Zoom!

After the lesson, we had a bit of extra time. I took him back to the tunnel to see if I could get him to go thru. He DID! He's So SMART! Good Boy! By the end of the class, Henri was going thru the tunnel all by himself with the command, "tunnel" - I'm so proud :)

Meme. It's all about me!

2008-07-08T22:24:00.002-05:00

Jen tagged me with this meme and I guess I'm obliged to complete.

A. Attached or Single? Single...Very.

B. Best Friend? I have so many friends all over the world and it's hard to pick a BEST one. I love them all dearly. I've been friends with Denise since grade school and we still talk regularly. Greta and Anne and Sarah were the best room-mates ever. My college friends are still close in my heart (Sean, Art, Doug, Bob, Bill). And my Dallas friends are fantastic: Margaret, Lizzy, Lauren, Meredith, Jen (even though she left), Alissa, and of course all my band and orchestra and work friends. I'm so lucky!

C. Cake or pie? Can tiramisu be considered cake? Otherwise, I choose pie. Apple. With ice cream.

D. Day of choice? Summer Fridays. Short day at work. Happy Hour. Possibility of sleeping in on Saturday.

E. Essential item? My car. Or my silver hoop earrings. Or my cell phone!

F. Favorite color? Green - Chartreusey-yellowy-greeny green. You sometimes see this shade on granny smith apples.

G. Gummy bears or worms? Swedish Fish :)

H. Home town? Grew up in Monroe, Michigan. It's flat there too, but not quite so hot.

I. Indulgence, favorite? Hot coffee in the morning with cookies. (Madelines are the best!)

J. January or July? January. Duh. Have you been to Texas in July?

K. Kids? None that I'm aware of. My nephew and nieces are pretty cool though.

L. Life isn't complete without? A happy fluffy dog. Good Boy!

M. Marriage date? Well, there was that one time in Vegas...

N. Number of brothers and sisters? Two older brothers.

O. Oranges or Apples? Apples. (Especially in a pie)

P. Phobias? Worms. They have the ability to stop me in my tracks. They terrify me.

Q. Quotes? I'm really not a quote person, but I do like this one, "Rules are just guidelines, really."

R. Reasons to smile? Happy dog antics.

S. Season of choice? Spring almost anywhere. Fresh air. Sunshine. Newness all about. Yum.

T. Tag 5 people: Doug because he blogs and should do stuff like this. Lizzy, too. The rest can all email me their answers instead. I don't know anyone else who blogs.

U. Unknown fact about me? Did I mention that pesky worm thing? Shiver.

V. Vegetables? Grilled asparagus. yum.

W. Worst habit? I tend to put things off until tomorrow. It'll get done. Tomorrow. Promise.

X. X-ray or Ultrasound? Neither!

Y. Your favorite food? Is diet Pepsi considered food? Let's say a good Fillet Mignon cooked perfectly on the grill by your favorite cook (Dad).

Z. Zodiac sign? Leo. Love me. Adore Me. Let me beam my aura of golden sunshine upon you.

I can see clearly now...

2008-07-08T21:40:00.004-05:00

No, the rain has not (yet) fallen. But it IS threatening. I see lightning. I hear thunder. It's cooled to the mid 70's. No rain has fallen.

Today I (finally) made it to the eye doctor and got contacts! What a difference. I love my glasses. Wait. I like my glasses, but it's so nice to not have a sheet of plastic between me and the rest of the world. Everything seems so much sharper and clearer too, but maybe that has to do with the updated prescription. Hmmm. Ya think?

I can't believe it had been 4 years since my last visit. Seems like just a few months ago I ran out of contacts and started wearing my glasses full time. So the good news... I've staved off bifocals for another year and everything looks good inside my eyeballs. And, bonus! They actually had my contacts in stock! That's amazing, because I am very nearsighted with a splash of astigmatism. For originality. I always get the privilege of "special" ordering "premium" lenses. But I guess being able to see is worth it.

Good Fortuna

2008-07-06T22:00:00.000-05:00

It's Sunday evening and time to start thinking about getting up for work in the morning. blah. I love my job, don't get me wrong. But I also love sleeping in and drinking coffee on the couch while my cute little dog chews on stuff. He likes to chew and thankfully keeps to his toys most of the time.

Henri is my dog. He makes me laugh which is good because sometimes he's not such a good boy.

About a week ago, a friend and I went out for Chinese. It is said that you must leave the meal only after getting a "good" fortune. These days, the fortunes inside cookies are more like proverbs. Work hard climbing the ladder of success and soon you will reach the summit. Duh! The only "good" part about that fortune was the "suc" part. Where are all the fun ones that say "you will soon receive a welcome and unexpected fortune" or "you will meet a handsome and mysterious stranger"?

Anyway, after the 5th or 6th cookie, I finally got a decent one - "Good luck will soon find you." Yea! Whoo hoo! I could use some good luck. Actually, I'm very lucky by nature, but hey, I can always use more. The fortune has been propped up on my computer keyboard since that night. It's a small reminder that something good is coming my way.

That is, it was sitting there until a few minutes ago. As I was typing about what a cute dog I have, my good luck fortune that I've been saving floated gently to the floor. Henri, always vigilant, swooped down and grabbed it before I could say, "bad dog!" As he lay by my feet belly up with fortune clenched between his jaw and big brown eyes staring into mine, I started to laugh. As I stood up giggling, Henri relaxed and swallowed. Yes, he ate my fortune. I hope it brings him luck. If I pat his belly, maybe it'll rub off on me :)

He'll get lots of belly rubs, I'm sure.