I think I have wiitennis elbow. I'm not sure if this is something I should be proud of, or something I should be ashamed to admit. At least I'm getting some exercise, right?
Got some good use out of the wii this wiikend. So much, in fact, that my wiimuscles are wiisore. Seriously.
I'm bound and determined to achieve PRO status in wiitennis. Don't laugh.
I even created a mii that I use with my left arm when my right arm needs a rest. I named her "Lefty." But Lefty really has no game. She's not much fun to play with.
During wiibreaks, I decided to create a few new miis for fun. Here's Michael Jackson bowling with Dwight Schrute in the background.
My wii is hooked up to my wireless network, but I have no wiifriends. Mii so sad! Will you play wii with mii?
I've attempted to write this entry a few times...and then I go searching the internet for pictures to include in the post. And, well, ahem, let's just say I get a little distracted.
I've developed a slight obsession with Taylor Kitsch over the past few months. If you are saying to yourself, "Taylor WHO?", well then you might as well go read something else today. Because my rambling on might get a little old. That is, unless you want to see more of this:
Helloooo....Can your pants get any lower? And, yeah, why aren't they?
Taylor is, of course, the hottest hunk on TV right now. He plays Tim Riggins, one of the star high school football players on the series Friday Night Lights. I watched this show off and on last season, but I really owe it to my cousin (Hi Natasha!) for urging me to pick it back up again. And HOT DAMN! Thank you!
I have a total schoolgirl crush. And I'm not ashamed to admit it. He is the perfect combination of sexy, rugged, bad-boy, irresistible, soft-gooey center...yummy!
Dare I say he's even edging out Matt Hasselbeck (starting QB for the Seattle Seahawks) as #1 on my Top 5? You know, the list of 5 men that I could hang out* with no guilt, no questions asked, if the opportunity presented itself.
My Top 5 list looks something like this right now:
1. Taylor Kitsch
2. Matt Hasselbeck
3. Taylor Kitsch
4. Matt Hasselbeck
5. Taylor Kitsch
Who said they all had to be different?
So, now that I've come clean, tell me who's your #1? I can't be the only one.
*And by hang out, I totally mean he could come over, we could share a soda pop and play Rummikub...and stuff...
How I spent my Christmas Vacation. Otherwise titled, How I ended up with a broken foot.
Or, How I want to be just like my cousin.
If you are like me, you are always looking for easy dinners. Also, if you are like me, you like pizza. Finally, if you are anything like me, you love the muffin that comes from England.
I can't seem to get enough of the English Muffin. I already eat one for breakfast every day. And recently, I've rediscovered another use for the English Muffin.
I remember eating English Muffin Pizzas pretty regularly as a kid. Now I now why. They are super easy to make. And they are cheap (hello six for a dollar)! Plus they are so yummy. And yet, for some reason, the EMP became non-existent once I left home and ventured out into the real world.
I appear to be making up for lost time now. Let's just say, in the past few weeks, I've made these for dinner more times than should be legal.
I love these almost as much as my son loves quesadillas, which, for those of you that know the extent of his love for the cheesy grilled tortilla, is saying a lot.
Without further ado, I give you the directions for the goodness that is the English Muffin Pizza:
Step 2: Gather a grand total of 4 ingredients (although it could be more if you like to complicate things). You will need, at minimum:
Step 3: (This is optional) Lightly toast english muffin to dry it out. This will make your pizza crispier. I like crispy pizza. If you prefer a softer crust, or if you are just lazy, you may omit this step.
Step 4. If you haven't yet chopped up your pizza toppings, now's the time to do it (but don't forget about that english muffin in the toaster)!
Step 5. Assemble. Pile it on. Be messy if you like.
Step 6. Place the english muffin directly on the oven rack. Again, 
this is to ensure ultimate crispiness. If you don't like the crispiness, then fine. Use a baking sheet (But that messiness from Step 5 will burn on your baking sheet. I'm just sayin).
Step 7. Pizza is done when cheese is melted (which only took a mere 5 minutes at 400°)
Step 8. Cut up into cute little pieces and enjoy! There will be no leftovers.
From start to finish, these can be made in oh, 15-20 minutes tops. Including oven preheat time (my oven is really old and is slow to heat up). If that isn't fast and easy, I don't know what is.
If you are serving this to your family, you could add a lovely salad on the side. Or if you are eating alone, you can just eat the pizza straight from the cutting board. Not that I would ever do that...
I can't be the only one who has such love for the EMP, right? If you make them and love them, let me know. If you make them and don't love them, please lie to me and tell me that you did, OK? It would really make my day.
All the cliches in the world can't describe how I'm feeling today.
I'm so lucky to have you in my life. And there's one thing I want you to know.
Even though our little family unit looks different today than it did 5 years ago on the day you were born, what it means to you is that there are more people in this world who love you.
Don't you ever forget that.
Happy Birthday Booboo. Mama loves you more than you know.
Earlier today, I had to climb into the Corner Of Death, also known as the COD. The COD is the corner of my living room in which my media cabinet resides. Inside the media cabinet, one might find my TV, TiVo, DVD player, and well, all other things media related.
Because it sits in the corner, there is a triangle of space in the COD (can you picture it?). Every so often I have to get back there to wire something media related, or adjust things, or what have you. But, the media cabinet is 5 ft tall, and well, I am 5 ft tall. And there is not enough space to simply walk around from the side.
So I grab a chair from the dining room, and hoist myself up until I'm sitting on top of the damn thing (do you sense bitterness?) and then I have to shimmy myself behind it, so basically I am completely trapped behind it.
When it's time to emerge from the COD, I step on the window sill behind the cabinet to give myself a boost back onto the top of it. Then I swing my legs around the front, feel for the chair, and lower myself down.
Sounds like a foolproof plan, right?
Well last weekend when my mom was visiting, I had to get back in the COD to do a few things. In the middle of my routine, she said to me:
"Don't kill yourself."
I gave her my best flat tire: "pssshhht." (Like, please, mom) (I've done this a million times) (Roll eyes)
Well please don't tell her that today, as I was descending, I did not have good footing, fell on my ass, injured my foot, and now can not walk. (And I'm pretty sure the guy that was walking his dog outside at the time saw the whole thing go down).
Ok, so I can walk, but it HURTS! How does one know that they have a broken toe? Really.
However, there is good news: I can now wirelessly stream my iTunes from my laptop through my stereo system AND be connected to the internet at the same time. This is big stuff. AirPort Express, I really do heart you. But you really made me work for this one. Lucky for you, I forgive easily.
Cabin fever was beginning to settle in this afternoon, and between a break in the "STRING OF STORMS! 2007! (SNOW! in SEATTLE!), and even with a possible broken toe, I ventured out to cross some items off the ol' Christmas list.
And even though I only have approximately two readers, I am going to follow in the tradition of a few other bloggers this Christmas Season, and post some gift ideas that I came across tonight. While I prefer to shop locally when possible, I will post internet links for your convenience.
I'm just here to help.
For the person that you can not, for the life, think of something to buy for (or who already has everything, but not necessarily):
For your child who wants a pencil sharpener for Christmas:
Stocking stuffer for the child (or adult) that wants to be just like you when you're using chopsticks but starts to freak out and cause a scene in public (and possibly starts to cry) because they can't quite master the skill (not like I would know or anything):
For yourself that special someone in your life with limp, lifeless hair:
For the family with kids that, when you ask at the dinner table, "what did you learn at school today, " you get the response, "I don't know":
Also, I am buying several gifts off of Etsy this year. I have too many favorites to list in this post (are you still with me, even?). But I just have to say that my first order arrived in the mail last week and I am SO happy. I can not post links because well, then you might not be surprised when you open your gift from me, and that's no fun, right?
So! If you are reading this and are thinking of buying any of the above items for someone that may be on both of our lists, please do not.
Also, do not buy anything for yourself until Dec. 26. Thank you.
Have you found any great gift ideas this year? Do share!
In the two years that I've lived in my house, I have only hung one thing on the wall. And it's a cubby thingie/french ribbon board/crap collector in the entry way, so I'm not sure that even counts. But not one photo or piece of art has been nailed to the wall. How sad is that?
It's sad. I know.
Reasons include, but are not limited to:
Truthfully, it's probably #3 that is my major hindrance.
Summer before last, I was walking through Pottery Barn when I came across a display of frames in various sizes hung on the wall. I was mesmerized by it. I stood there for a minute drawing it in my head, hoping I could remember it by the time I got home to sketch it out. Until I realized I could take a picture of it with my phone. Duh.
I've wanted to recreate something like this ever since I saw the display.
Yeah so I'm finally going to do it.
I sketched it up this morning (to scale, even!) with a few minor changes from the PB display and this is what I came up with:
(you like my Visio skillz? also, I really wish that color was on my wall)
I am in love (and now I also want to repaint). The display will probably go in my hallway. You know, until I find the perfect thing for the living room wall that everyone can see when they walk or drive by (oh the pressure!).
Now, all I need to do is go through my 5,101,477 photos and select 18 that will live in the frames. Normally reason #3 up there would inhibit my ability to choose the perfect pictures. But the beauty of this project is that the pictures can be changed out whenever I feel like it.
I know for sure that this one will be in there:
I can't wait.
Tonight, for the first time ever, I will be serving turkey and all the trimmings on this here table. I've never been in charge of Thanksgiving dinner. This morning I sent my mom out to pick up a few last minute necessary* grocery items and after being out for an hour, I started to wonder if she got lost? Or maybe the market was so packed she was still waiting in line? Nope. Neither. I still don't really know what happened out there this morning. At least she got the ice cream. Whew.
Wishing all of you a day full of gratitude and full bellies. Happy Thanksgiving!
*Ice cream is necessary for apple pie right?
Something I do just about every night after I tuck the little guy into bed is find a comfy spot on the couch and browse iTunes while also catching up on whatever blog reading I missed during the day or checking out the web sites I can no longer view at work ever since the IT guys updated our web blocker software.
Last night was no exception. And on top of the regular ritual, I had a mission. My mission, should I choose to accept it, was to subscribe to the podcast of "This American Life". If Isabel tells me I'm gonna like it (actually I think she said I would LOVE it), well then I'm willing to give it a whirl. I'm easy like that.
But before downloading my newest podcast, I thought I'd take a lookie at my (sad list of) current subscriptions and new automatic downloads, and something about it was not right.
Do you remember watching Sesame Street as a kid? There was always that segment where they showed you, oh I don't know, maybe 3 or 4 things on the screen, and you had to pick out what was different in the group? Well, the song that they always played with that bit popped into my head when I saw my current list of podcasts.
One of these things is not like the others
One of these things just doesn't belong
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?
(click picture to view larger, or click here to see it on flickr if your eyes are as bad as mine)
We are all in agreement that the Savage Love podcast is a little out of place, right? At least up there next to Sesame Street and Storynory. Don't worry, the Savage Lovecast is for my ears only. It is excellent and crazy and entertaining (and was also recommended to me by the lovely and talented Isabel). Also, that EXPLICIT label should be highlighted in yellow and flashing with blinky lights and all. Let's just say you've been warned.
Also, what is up with the Sesame Street video podcast being labeled as Clean (as it darn well better should be)? I wonder if there's an explicit version out there somewhere? Huh.
(For what its worth, both of these children's podcasts have been a major hit in our house. They are also free. You can thank me later.)
Are there any other podcasts I should be downloading? Some hidden gem out there that I don't know about?
1. obligatory raindrops and lights (291), 2. 25 / 52: Be Grateful!, 3. Lots of Journals, 4. Handful of Fall, 5. rosehips wreath, 6. red button tree pouch, 7. Another Blue Cup Photo, 8. Beautiful Blooms, 9. christmas project #3 : advent boxes, 10. Deer Tag Cards, 11. Love this color lately, 12. Out my window - Cephallonia, Greece vacation, 13. pink cupcake, 14. Latte art never fails to impress me, 15. blurry christmas lights, 16. Untitled
Inspired by Ali Edwards to create a mosaic of favorites from flickr. You can also make your own here if you are so inclined.
Been playing around on flickr the last few days, adding some of my own photos, and tagging others as favorites. Also added that (not so) fancy badge up there on the right. BORING. I know.
Starting to change holiday gears just like everyone else. And I've even bought a few gifts already. Shocker, really. This is a first for me, as I'm usually the one running around last minute fretting over what to buy for everyone on my list.
Who am I kidding? I'll probably still be doing that.
So, I have totally forgotten what it was that I was going to sit down and write about (maybe it will come back to me). It was with me about 5 minutes ago, and then I thought…I need a picture to go with this entry! A picture that shows how comfortable the hotel bed is that I’m blogging on (not as dirty as it sounds, I promise…hee-hee).
(But anyway, here is the bed. Does it not look so comfy and cozy?)
Anyway, I am on the road again. Only this time it’s on someone else’s dime. I kind of like business trips. Especially in my line of work, a business trip usually means dressing down. Getting to wear jeans to work. Although, no jeans + heels for me on this trip. It's all about the steel toed boots and hard hat.
So, I’m sitting here in my hotel room, watching Dancing with the Stars. Last year this was one of my favorite shows. I think it had something to do with Seattle native and Olympic gold medalist Apolo Ohno. He (and was it Julieanne?) were such an awesome dancing pair. I rooted for him from day one. But this year there is no one on the show that is pulling me in…yet. But I’m watching it tonight because I don’t know the local channels here, and this is good enough (am I missing something else on Monday night?).
Anyway, I digress. Back to business trips. I used to fear them. Especially traveling alone. But now, I’ve realized it’s not so bad. The part that used to scare me was eating alone. But, as I've learned it's actually kind of nice to eat by yourself. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy conversation and social interaction. But sometimes, it’s nice to just get to sit there, and not feel like you have to make conversation. Tonight I went to a great little (kind of fancy, although I didn’t know that until I looked at the menu and it was too late to walk out…is $49 (including tip) too much for one person? I hope my expense report gets approved) restaurant.
Being in a town I’m not familiar with, I really didn’t know where I was going to eat dinner tonight. Sure, there are plenty of sit down chain restaurants and fast food everywhere, but I thought I’d venture out a little bit, and try to find something unique. I drove to the “downtown” area of the college town I’m in and looked for something good. I drove by a little place called “Scotty’s Table”. I drove around the block first, checking the place out. Then I parked my rental car and walked up to the front door of “Scotty’s Place” and casually glanced inside. I saw two guys sitting at the bar, and several couples scattered about. I immediately felt unsure. Unable to walk in alone. So I walked around the block. And by the time I came back around, I was actually ready to hop in the car and drive someplace else, but a little voice inside my head said something like “You are never going to see these people again. Who cares? Go in already."
So, I walked in, after first stopping by the car to grab my copy of "The Kite Runner" that I’m almost done with (I like to eat alone, but I don’t like to twiddle my thumbs), and I admitted to the hostess that I was dining alone tonight. She set me up at a table in the bar area.
Turns out I had a very nice evening of wine and Chicken Souvlakia and I made some good progress on my book. I don’t want to get used to eating alone. But it makes me feel good that I can do it without feeling sorry for myself.
Also, you know what else? In the mountain time zone, TV shows are on the central time schedule, which means that shows are on an hour earlier than I’m used to. And for that, I heart mountain time. This means I will probably not fall asleep during Jay Leno’s Headlines segment…which is so freaking hilarious. I will be laughing out loud. I can’t wait.
One more thing…traveling to a different time zone on the day that daylight savings time returns to standard time is so confusing! Time changes confuse me when I don’t travel, but today, the clock on my computer says 8pm, but the alarm clock in my room says 9pm, and why does my cell phone say 10pm? I am so confused.
Ooh, The Bachelor is on now. Gotta go. You see, it's kind of like a train wreck (not unlike this post). And I can't look away.
We've had a busy last few days around here celebrating fall and getting ready for Halloween. To recap:
There was some jumping in the hay:
There was a ride on the "cow train":
Did I mention that I got to ride on the "cow train" too?
(um, scroll back up and look at the size of the cow train car. Do you think that looks comfortable for an adult AND a child? That smile plastered on my face does not convey how I really feel.)
There was some pumpkin picking:
There was also some pumpkin carving (design by T, knife wielding by me):
And finally, there was some mummifying:
Mummy costumes are a pain in the rear. Just so you know. In case you are ever thinking about doing one. Mighty cute, though!
The year was 1983. I was six years old. And this was my Halloween costume:
A search of google images this morning led me to the real Wonder Woman.
Props to my mom who outfitted me with a true to character costume (except that the real WW had those awesome boots, and apparently I was stuck with my patent leather mary janes...which ironically are back in style). But check out the awesome headband and wrist cuffs, and even the golden lasso! My mom sure had an eye for detail. And she even had me pose (reluctantly, it appears) just like Lynda Carter. I have to wonder, though, if the Wonder Woman costume was really my choice?
Now, I did a little research and discovered that Wonder Woman only ran for three seasons from 1975-1979. I was just a wee little two-year old when the series ended. Which begs the question...did I even know who Wonder Woman was? Did the show air as re-runs and did I become a big fan? Did I want to be just like her when I grew up? I have no idea, but I think it was a pretty awesome costume anyway. Maybe one of these days when I have a Halloween party to go to, I can re-create it.
Hope you all have a spooky Halloween! BOO!
Rather than bore you with the details, I now present to you:
15 things I did on my Colorado Vacation
#1. Was greeted at the airport by my very tall friend (hi, Tara!) with a sign that was nearly as tall I am:
#2. Had a lot of fun with a rocking pig:
#3. Had my picture taken in the bathroom of a very nice restaurant (but the flowers are so purdy!):
#4. Mixed altitude with alcohol. You do not get any pictures of this.
#5. Went shopping for bras and underwear. Also, sadly, no pictures.
#6. Drove to Vail on what could not have been a more beautiful day:
#7. Experienced a pedicure that has left my left big toe in severe pain. Never before have I paid good money for someone to inflict harm on me one minute and leave me in hysterics the next (my feet are oh-so-ticklish!):
#8. Had an awesome server at Sweet Basil (Ben!) who kinda sorta reminds me of Chris Daughtry:
#9. Woke up in Vail to a dumping of snow!:
#10. Took a ton of pictures (many from the heated passenger seat!):
#11. Did NOT wreck the car on the drive back home (it did not look like there were any injuries, otherwise I would not have pretended to be the accident investigator):
#12. Escaped a near-attack by the local bull elk:
#13. Had to say goodbye to my lovely friend. Until next time, Tara!
#14. Caught this glimpse of four volcanoes before descending into Seattle (Mt. Rainier in foreground, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens from left to right in background):
#15. Experienced one last bit of sunshine before dropping into the Seattle grey:
And that is all.
The end.
I bet you thought this post would include a list of some sort...perhaps a list of 30 things? That would be the logical thing. But since I'm running short on time and my alarm will be waking me up in less than 4 hours, this list will include just one thing. Does one thing make a list? Here it does. I make the rules here.
I was at a good friends house last weekend celebrating my birthday when the topic of conversation led to the idea of creating a list of X number of things (where X = your current age) before you turn X+1 (algebra, anyone?). I like this idea! A manageable list of things to accomplish in the next year. Plus I like lists. Even more, I like to cross things off my list.
So, since I was celebrating my 30th birthday, I started thinking about 30 things I want to do in the next year. And first on the list, without question, I wanted to start a blog. It was time to do it! Stop the procrastinating!
So, there you have it.#1 - Start a blog
Now, I need to figure out what the other 29 things are...
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