Tuesday, February 28, 2006

So true......

Blog stalking is fruitful. Having not checked in on Vixen's blog in awhile, I found a few free moments and wanted to catch up and I am glad I did. In Vixen's blog was a link to this. I truly felt moved by the entry and thought I would share in hopes that it helps you too.

The Things You See

This past weekend was the weekend of weird sights. On Friday I headed toward the bank for fun money and what do I see as I am driving towards the bank? A woman taking her, wait for it, wait for it, TURTLE for a walk. I kid you not!!!! No leash or anything but a good sized Turtle out for a stroll on a sunny Friday afternoon. I almost crashed my car, I was laughing so hard. Now a turtle doesn't walk very fast, so in the time it took me to get to the bank and back again he had walked like 1/2 a block, and I almost crashed my car again over the hilarity of seeing someone take their turtle for a walk.

Saturday was no exception.... I saw a cute guy taking his cat for a walk. Now lets talk about irony for a moment. I am going to generalize for a moment and say that most men are dog people. Its a manly thing. So when I saw this guy (a cute guy) with an orange tabby on a leash, and he wasn't dragging the cat, nor did the cat lose all skeletal structure, I was amazed, truly. If I even attempted this with my cat I would a) look like I tried to hug a chain saw and b) be dragging an orange lump on a string ( after I got the harness on of course). I tried once and barely survived.

Just thought I would share the giggles I had over this.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Friends

I am sitting on my couch this blustery Sunday evening. Just me and my Tivo, catching up on Sex and The City. What I didn't expect was two of the episodes that dealt the core of friends. The friends that I have are my sisters, the best bunch ever. I couldn't imagine a better support systems. My life would have been very different if they weren't being the pillars. With that being said there is change in the wind. Over the past few years we have all grown up and together, but the growing continues still and we have reached a point that our lives are changing. We will never stop being friends but other factor have shaped lives. I have two friends that are engaged and couldn't be happier for them. The both deserve the love and happiness that their new shared lives will bring them. Their new lives come with changes and soon we will have those precious friends living in other states. I won't lie that I find this very scary. With the upset of losing the family structure that I had, I lean heavily on the family I adopted. The idea that even one of them wouldn't be in that 10 minute radius that we have lived in for the past couple of years is almost unbelievable. I realize its naive to think that everything will remain the same, that your friends will always be that 10 minute drive away or that you will always be hanging out. Fine then call me naive because that's what I want. I don't want to not be able to randomly get together for breakfast or a drink. We are a close knit group, we thrive off of each other. It never fails that if one of us is depressed or in a bad mood, the others band together like a safety net. Not to brag but I have the coolest friends. I swear I was talking about Sex and City. The girls in that show learn something devastating that could possibly alter life as they knew it and I felt like I could relate ( ok with the altering of life, as nothing devastating has happened.). And when I say relate, I mean sitting on the couch crying and mourning the changes to come. I am not good with change, I prefer to learn about what could possibly be changing so that I may ease in to in, wrap my head around it. I want the very best for my friends, they deserve it. But I admit I also want the best for me, my friends around me. So life will continue as it always does.

Is This Going To Be Me??

I just finished reading You Have To Kiss A lot of Frogs, a book that I thought would be a light hearted adventure in another woman dating world. Someone to commiserate with, a lighthearted reflection of dating. Because we always need a friend/book to remind us that its not just us. But I didn't find that laughable camaraderie instead I found my worst fear lurking in between the words. After 15 years of dating the author found love in a four legged sense. A la a puppy. Now I have my share of dating horror stories, I collect them like some people stamps. And I am sure that there will be more to come, but am I going to find love in the unconditional, furry, four legged kind? The buying stock in Durcell cuz its the only sex I am going to get? My worst fear is that my dating life will end in the pages of a book. Something for to read, laugh and cringe at. Cringe at the bad stories and that the only love I found was furry ( and not in the, he has a hairy chest sort). Just because I choose not to date doesn't make the insecurity and fear go away.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Valentine's Greeting Card Trivia

An estimated 190 million people all around the world will send greeting cards today to celebrate Valentine’s Day. A tradition dating back to the third century, Americans didn’t start celebrating Valentine’s Day until much later.

Esther Howland, a resident of Massachusetts, is credited with creating the first American Valentine’s cards in 1847. By the end of the century, mass production and improved commercial printing helped store bought cards replace hand-made notes. The holiday is now celebrated by showing love, affection and appreciation for others.

As researched by the Greeting Card Association, here are some facts about the cards you send on Valentine’s Day.

-Approximately one-third of all valentine cards are sent to significant others. Nearly half are sent to family members – primarily children.
-Cards are the most popular gift in the United States ranking ahead of candy, flowers, gifts or a romantic dinner.
-One fourth of valentine cards are humorous. Adults in the 35 and under age bracket send the most humorous cards.
-In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is widely celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Italy and Australia.
-Men buy more cards for Valentine’s Day than for any other holiday. However, women account for 85 percent of all Valentine’s Day purchases.
-Traditional paper valentines are significantly more popular than E-valentines.
-Cards with a handmade look, often embellished with ribbons and bows, are the most popular in the United States.

Completely useless information on Valentine's greeting cards. Though I did like that thenearly half of all valentines cards are sent to children. :D

Complete Randomness

50 Things youd like to Know about Me but Never Thought to Ask!

1. Have you ever been searched by the cops?
Not even mildly searched, unless you count that cop stripper :D ( ok that is probably TMI)
2. Do you close your eyes on roller coasters?
Nope, I want to see the whole ride. Ok, maybe if my contacts dry out.

3. When was the last time you went sleigh riding?
Nope but how cute would that be. I have gone on a carriage ride though.

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?
Sadly, I can't sleep with someone else in the bed. My cat walking around on the bed wakes me up.

5. Do you believe in Ghosts?
Umm while I haven't had any encounters myself of eerie happenings, my mom loves to tell me about the ones she has had. Not sure that I am a believer.

6. Do you consider yourself creative?
I think so, in my own quirky way. Like making Photo Boxes, earrings or knitting.

7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife?
Yes I do

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?
Is there a neither button for this question. I think the whole thing is screwed up.

9. Can you honestly say you know anything about politics?
Very little and since its such a touchy subject for most people I try to avoid it. I have my opinions and I keep them (mostly) to myself.

10. Do you know how to play poker?
My family is a poker family, my grandmother could beat the pants of anyone. So yes in the long winded way I know how to play, do I know how to play well? Not really. Should have been paying more attention.

11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?
Oh nooooo, you don't want to even be around me if I've had less that 5 hours of sleep.

12. Do you kill bugs that are in the house?
This is actually a funny story: I hate bugs, flying or crawling I hate them in my house and for the most part I kill them myself. But this one night about 10:30pm, I notice something black on my dining room wall. I turn the light on and find a wolf spider the size of a hockey puck, I kid you not. Armed with a windows blind wand and a book I called my father ( yes I needed the weapons incase it decided to move) to come and rid me of this monster. To this day he harasses me about this incident.

13. Have you ever cheated on a test?
I am not stealthy, in the least. Therefore cheating on a test. Totally pointless.

14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around. Do you go through red lights?
Ok back to the not stealthy quality of me. Knowing my luck I would get caught by some freak incident.

15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you?
I am a very open person and consider my life an open book. So if they don't know a secret about me, its means i forgot about it.

16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees?
Umm neither!

17. Have you ever Ice Skated?
Yes- again with a story (sort of) Weird stuff happens to me when I ice skate. Twice I have my index finger skated over. No amputation, but deep cuts, a tooth fell out while eating rolos (again at a young age) at the ice skating rink.

18. How often do you remember your dreams?
75% of the time- Recently I dreamt I left for Hawaii and didn't bring any luggage, nada. And I was worried about what I was going to do.

19. When was the last time you laughed so hard you were crying?
Just recently and it dawns on me, I can't remember what I was laughing about. It was probably alcohol induced.

20. Can you name 5 songs by The Beatles?
Oh yeah! Yesterday, Get Back, Hard Day's Night, Yellow Brick Road, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, I want to hold your Hand, Hello, Goodbye, Hey Jude, Help!
21. Do you believe in love at first sight?
no

23. Do you know who Ba-Ba-Booey is?
HUH ?!?!?!

24. Do you always wear your seat belt?
Definately and I feel naked without it ( no not literally)

25. What talent do you wish you had?
Learn other languages easily. I would love to be an interpreter.

26. Do you like Sushi?
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

27. Have you ever narrowly avoided a fatal accident?
No, been in a fatal accident though.

28. What do you wear to bed?
Hate to ruin the fantasy for guys about lingerie, but I wear sweats and a tank top. Nothing sexy at all.
29. Have you ever been caught stealing?
By my mother, who drove me back to wear I stole from and made me return it.

30. Does size matter
Its about the motion of the ocean baby - OK can't believe I said that!

31. Do you truly hate anyone?
truly and passionately? No

32. Rock and Roll or Rap?
Rock and Roll!!

34. Do you have a relative in prison?
I am sure I have had a relative in prison at one point or another. Currently I believe all are accounted for ( as in not in prison).

35. Have you ever sung in front of the mirror like your favorite singer?
yes- whats more entertaining I sing at full volume in the car and dont realize hoe carried away I get until the person in the next car is laughing so hard they missed the light.

36. Do you know how to play chess?
there is horesy one and a bishop I think. Do I pass?

37. What food do you find disgusting?
HA! OLIVES!!!!!!!!! Gross disgusting eewwwww.

38. Did you ever play, "I'll show you mine, if you show me yours?
LMAO- No I don't think so, or am so scarred from the experience I have blocked it out.

39. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back?
No, we tease each other all the time its for fun and never malicious.

40. Have you ever stood up for someone you hardly knew?
LMAO- totally! In high school a class mate that I didn't really know was being teased about her learning disability. Well seeing as I have one too, I took it as a general attack and chewed out the girl that was giving her a hard time. Funny thing, I ended up dating the mean girls brother a few years later.

41. Have you ever been punched in the face?
No I haven't.

42. When is the last time you threw up from drinking too much?
Dec. 17th! Two bottles of wine is offically more than I can handle.

43. Have you ever walked out on a movie at the theater?
No, I love movies, even horrible ones and can't walk out. I suffer.

44. Do you ever sit through a bad movie, just to see how bad it got?
Yes I have

45. Would you consider yourself obsessed with anything/anyone?
Anything yes, anyone no

46. Have you ever met someone famous that you really wanted to meet?
Does seeing George Lucas from afar count?

47. Have you ever been stood up?
yes, it was so lame.

48. When's the last time you screamed at the top of your lungs?
at a concert ( but that is concert screaming) so I guess not in a long time.

49. Did you ever do something that you didn't want to, but did anyways just to fit in?
Don't we all at one point or another.

50.Tag? Anyone with time on their hands.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

TaaaaaDaaaaa

See I am alive and only mildly bruised and battered. Thanks for sticking with my silence for awhile. And here is where I let you in on why I was M.I.A. My boss was on vacation for a week and a half. And in the past few years our job has become a two person job. So when one of us is gone, the other resembles a chicken with its head cut off. So just picture me without a head. Not very attractive, huh? But I am as happy as a pig in s**t, my boss is back tomorrow. YAY!!! So here is my weekend recap:

½ a medium pizza devoured after long day of work Friday night
2 shots of vodka
3 vodka clubs sodas
3 Movies ( of the stupid nature i.e Super Troopers)
1 nap Friday night after to much drinking
1 Trip to the beach Saturday for the gorgeous weather
1 Pedicure
1 evening of babysitting with Friend Korianne ( and she is my neighbor too)
1 Sunday walk with Michele and John to the Dish
3.5 walked
1 Lunch at Fresh Choice
1 House cleaned
1 Dinner with Christine
1 Great Fantabulous Announcement from Michele ( you have to go to her blog to find out)

All together a great weekend spent with good friends. And on top of it all I had a great realization, I had mentioned here that I was going on a dating hiatus and was going to concentrate on being happy with myself, enjoy my friends and family......well it dawn on me that I really am enjoying my life. Work was very tense this past week and a half, but I learned that I was capable at work, very capable. Which is also a nice reminder. And I felt comfortable in my own skin, its been a long time.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

I'm Alive I Swear

Ok barely, but I am alive. My boss has been out of town for the past week and she is still scheduled to be gone until Monday. So I am holding down the fort. I promise when things return to normal I will be back to blogging.

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Anything Helps

I don't know if any of you have read He's Just Not That In To You, well I have and love it. It was hysterical and makes sense in a no nonsense way. Well since I enjoyed it so much and while I was getting worked up about "him" not being in to me Tiff bought me, Be Honest--You're Not That Into Him Either, because face it, I wasn't but I was still hung up on why he wasn't in to me.

I started reading the book about three weeks ago (I can't knit and read, damn it) and I am easily side tracked. But last night I finally finished the book and while I didn't feel like the majority of the book applied to me, the last three chapters were like they were telling my story. I have gotten to the point with dating that I don't want to date anymore. I am burnt out. So I have taken a hiatus and decided to enjoy my friends, family and free time more. Apparently ( per the book) I am to be commended for my hiatus because it means I didn't settle for less, just to have a boyfriend. And my path of enjoyment for the people and things on my life will make me happier and in turn attract a man that sees the real me. I was just exciting to be doing something right for once !

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

For Entertainment

I was checking out the list of blogs that Kate reads and found anelize and in turn found this fun little thing on her blog. Enjoy!

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Liz!

  1. The average human spends about 30 days during their life in Liz!
  2. It's bad luck to put Liz on a bed.
  3. During the reign of Peter the Great, any Russian nobleman who chose to wear Liz had to pay a special Liz tax!
  4. Liz is the only bird that can swim but not fly.
  5. 99 percent of the pumpkins sold in the US end up as Liz!
  6. Contrary to popular belief, Liz is not successful at sobering up a drunk person, and in many cases she may actually increase the adverse effects of alcohol.
  7. The pharoahs of ancient Egypt wore garments made with thin threads of beaten Liz!
  8. Liz can squeeze her entire body through a hole the size of her beak!
  9. The canonical hours of the Christian church are matins, lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, Liz and compline.
  10. If you put a drop of liquor on Liz, she will go mad and sting herself to death!
I am interested in - do tell me about

Tattoos

If you have read my MeMe's, I am sure I have mentioned my tattoos. If not, I have two tattoos already, one very small ( that my mom teases me about) dragonfly. It was my first tattoo. A tester if you will to see if I wanted more. HA! Oh boy did I, so I got my second one a tribal design right next to the itty bitty dragonfly. Neither hold any really significance. Other than I loved the design of each.The problem with tattoos is that they are addictive- and I am planning tattoo #3 and #4. For tattoo #3 I will have a compass rose- the significance is that in the past few years, I have felt very lost with my parents divorce and having to support them, while I receive none in return. Therefore the compass rose would give me direction (not literally). I am thinking that this will be the design.
I would use different colors probably blue and greens. But this tribal/knotwork design flows more with what I already have.
My #4 tattoo will be one to remind me of my trip to HI, a first trip with my best friend and a first trip that I will be doing alone (alone for the latter half of the trip), I see traveling alone as an accomplishment of a personal goal in which to feel more comfortable with myself and to learn more about me. I am happy with the idea that two of my tattoos will hold meaning. Let's just hope I can stop at the 4.

Products

Oh lord, I am one of those girls that the make up counters love. I am very passionate about make up and do consider it, in a way, art. So again inspired by Kate, here is my long list of things I use. I have to go in order of my routine, lol.

1) Artec Mahogany Shampoo- Its a color depositing shampoo that keeps me from seeing my hair dresser every 6 weeks. Keeps my hair the color of its current dye job. LOVE IT!

2)Trader Joe's Citrus Body Wash- I love the invigorating sent of citrus, really opens my eyes. And its cost effective.

3)I swear by Aveda Sensitive Skin line of products- My skin can be very fussy.

3)Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Lotion- It seriously smells like heaven. I constantly get compliments when I wear it. And the boys, oh do they love it. Tiff has tried to snack on me a few time claiming I smell like a sugar cookie.

Here is the make up part, it sounds like alot, I know....

4) MAC- Studio Fix for the dark circle I get around my eyes.

5)Stila Tinted Moisturizer in Meduim- Its a nice light coverage for your face to even out skin tone and it has built in SPF.

6)Bare Minerals Face powder and Mineral Veil- I bought this stuff in DC to try it out and can I tell you I love it!!! Its weightless, feels clean and looks great.

7)Stila blush and eyebrow shadow ( remember I am the eyebrow Nazi): this completes the prepping. They are the staples then I go in to what eyeshadow I want for that day (always coordinated with what clothes I am wearing)

8) Last but not least, Stila Lip Gloss- I own more colors that I can remember and the bulk of them are apread between the two purses I use.


I have to tell you, I got more intensive in the prepping department (seeing #5,6,7) in the past few weeks and I have gotten tons of compliments about how great it looks. Can't beat that!