This pic removed for the safety of a minor.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
You remember the days when we would kick back, lay back
So, yeah, Facebook is totally my new obsession. How cool to reconnect with old friends from so many years ago. The other day I had some memories triggered about an old friend in high school, and when I went on facebook last night, I found that he had sent me a note. How weird and cool is that? I've already talked with a couple of college friends and a couple of high school friends, and have another high school friend in NC that I just found out about. It's cool that everyone is so all over the place and yet, we can stay in touch. Far cooler than the randomness of MySpace (plus, you get to keep out the riff raff, lol).
My most favorite material possession ever told me that it was 61 degrees on the way into work. Hell... yeah. I love it here.
My most favorite material possession ever told me that it was 61 degrees on the way into work. Hell... yeah. I love it here.
Monday, November 26, 2007
My interests are longing to break from these chains
Well, after a couple of months of waiting, the separation papers have finally been signed and returned. That means that in less than a year (four months if I'm lucky, but depending on how the state law is interpreted, might be ten before it can be finalized), the whole soul-sucking debacle will be over. Thank Jose Conseco*.
*Insert name of whatever preferred deity here.
*Insert name of whatever preferred deity here.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
You gotta lose your mind in Detroit rock city
Back from a fantabulously fun and interesting Thanksgiving vacation in Michigan, even if the weather was far too cold for us east coasters' systems now (in the 20s and 30s and we saw snow flurries, blech). We had amazingly good luck with our travel, with both to and from travel on time with no problems. The more I do it, the more I love flying again (up until I had to for job hunting purposes last winter I was terrified of it, like nightmares, medication, and crying scared), and it was so fun to do with the kidlet (even if they have the smallest seats I've seen and make you buy snacks on this airline, not even a complimentary bag of pretzels!).
The food was, of course, amazing, as it always is at the folk's abode. The usual turkey and fixings dinner was as good as it's ever been and each year it gets easier and easier. The most interesting part of that day is always the appetizers, which feature some usual staples that we love (pigs in a blanket, stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped pineapple and water chestnuts) and some new ones each year (baby artichokes with sausage, lemon and sage, thank you Tyler Florence, and incredible smoked salmon tartare in a stacked presentation). Other evenings' meals included gourmet pizzas (white spinach garlic pizza and fajita pizza varieties) and a seafood stew stocked with shrimp, scallops and king crab legs. Good wine completed each meal, and sometimes even by itself while we completed a rediculous jigsaw puzzle as a family.
We hit the most dangerous city in the country and got to do some really cool things. It was the grand reopening of the DIA where we saw art by some famous and not so famous folks, we had a fabulous lunch in greek town at a place that could have been right out of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (opa!). The sis and I hit one of the greek casinos while down there, where I turned my five dollars (high rollers, you see) into twenty bucks. These guys beat out the Sixers in a thrilling last seconds win and we got to drink our eight dollar Bud Lights and eating our contraband leftover turkey sandwiches while watching it.
So now we're home again, and we found the dogs extremely well tended to by the new petsitters (a HUGE relief knowing we can travel again without that worry over our heads). A quick grocery shop on the way in and some general cleaning to do today to get the house back in order, and we'll start getting ready for Christmas! The tree is already up, the lights on the outside of the house are hung and the candles are in the windows. This week we'll work on the inside decorations and get the wreath hung. It's time to start baking cookies and planning menus (which always include beef wellington on Christmas Day). The beach house is also finished inside (minus things like painting that my folks will be doing once they get there) so we'll be going to the best place in the world again over the holiday break to check things out. Hard to believe this summer we'll be there most weekends (for free!) and our future holidays will be there from now on (hasta la vista and good riddance midwest).
Things are as good as they've ever been for the most part. I'm happy, we're healthy and this new year promises good things and good times. Overall, a successful Thanksgiving with anticipation for the bright future. Good times, good times.
The food was, of course, amazing, as it always is at the folk's abode. The usual turkey and fixings dinner was as good as it's ever been and each year it gets easier and easier. The most interesting part of that day is always the appetizers, which feature some usual staples that we love (pigs in a blanket, stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped pineapple and water chestnuts) and some new ones each year (baby artichokes with sausage, lemon and sage, thank you Tyler Florence, and incredible smoked salmon tartare in a stacked presentation). Other evenings' meals included gourmet pizzas (white spinach garlic pizza and fajita pizza varieties) and a seafood stew stocked with shrimp, scallops and king crab legs. Good wine completed each meal, and sometimes even by itself while we completed a rediculous jigsaw puzzle as a family.
We hit the most dangerous city in the country and got to do some really cool things. It was the grand reopening of the DIA where we saw art by some famous and not so famous folks, we had a fabulous lunch in greek town at a place that could have been right out of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (opa!). The sis and I hit one of the greek casinos while down there, where I turned my five dollars (high rollers, you see) into twenty bucks. These guys beat out the Sixers in a thrilling last seconds win and we got to drink our eight dollar Bud Lights and eating our contraband leftover turkey sandwiches while watching it.
So now we're home again, and we found the dogs extremely well tended to by the new petsitters (a HUGE relief knowing we can travel again without that worry over our heads). A quick grocery shop on the way in and some general cleaning to do today to get the house back in order, and we'll start getting ready for Christmas! The tree is already up, the lights on the outside of the house are hung and the candles are in the windows. This week we'll work on the inside decorations and get the wreath hung. It's time to start baking cookies and planning menus (which always include beef wellington on Christmas Day). The beach house is also finished inside (minus things like painting that my folks will be doing once they get there) so we'll be going to the best place in the world again over the holiday break to check things out. Hard to believe this summer we'll be there most weekends (for free!) and our future holidays will be there from now on (hasta la vista and good riddance midwest).
Things are as good as they've ever been for the most part. I'm happy, we're healthy and this new year promises good things and good times. Overall, a successful Thanksgiving with anticipation for the bright future. Good times, good times.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
I'm leaving on a jet plane
In a few hours the kidlet and me will be heading off to the cold frozen tundra (ok, that's a little bit of an overstatement, though it is supposed to snow a little on Thanksgiving day there) of southeast Michigan. I can not emphasize how good it feels to be heading off to a few days of vacation, to have a break from work and home life, to let someone else take care of the dogs, to go imbibe in good wine and greater food, and most of all, to spend five wonderful days with the family I now value more than I ever have before. Family is the most important thing in my life and I am blessed to have a supportive, loving, intelligent, creative and kind one.
Thirty-two and half years or so ago I was born, a lonely little baby (named Sara, how weird is that?) living in a foster home because my parents, for whatever reason, opted to give me the chance at a better life than they could provide me. Six weeks later, enter my mom and dad, two young adults, high school sweethearts, at the very beginning of their careers, their lives, who decided that they wanted to take the responsiblity of providing a child who didn't get it through birthright a safe and happy home. There was no biological reason for it, though people don't always understand that, particularly when they learn my sister was born to them six and a half years later. They just wanted to make some child's life worthwhile.
I was lucky enough to be the benefactor of this generosity, this supreme act of giving of oneself for the sheer benefit of another. I was raised in an incredible warm and loving home, provided more creature comforts than a lot of kids had, allowed to grow into an individual with my own thoughts and choices, supported in all my endeavors, worthwhile or not. I had nice clothes (at least when I wanted them, though most of middle and high school were spent in a couple pairs of torn up jeans and boyfriend's sweatshirts), got to go to places like Europe, Yellowstone Park, New York City, Alberta Canada, California, and New England. I had the joy of being brought up on the beach, with a house that we could stay in every warm weekend of the summer as well as a couple weeks at a time each year. I had a supportive and large extended family with tons of cousins I loved hanging out with, uncles and aunts aplenty to visit, grandparents who were nicer to me than anyone and spoiled me rotten, two grandmothers who lived until I was around thirty.
All in all, I got the long end of the stick in this deal. I was, at times, a wretched child, particularly during my teenage years. I did not so great and certainly not so smart things that tore out my parent's hearts. I made life altering decisions that were not always to my benefit. To this day, I still apologize to my mother for all of this. But they remained by my side, supportive and loving no matter what bad decisions I made. They tell me they are proud of me, proud of who I have become, proud of my accomplishments and my drive, proud of my parenting the kidlet, proud of my strength.
This Thanksgiving, as I find myself thankful for the end of my marriage, as odd as that seems, I am most thankful for all I've been given in life. I didn't ask for a wonderful family and the best kidlet in the world, but I got it and I am more and more appreciative every day for it. As the future stands before me, I feel the need more and more each day to recognize what I've been given, what I have received and therefore, what I have to give to others as a result.
I was one very lucky baby who got the chance to live.
Thirty-two and half years or so ago I was born, a lonely little baby (named Sara, how weird is that?) living in a foster home because my parents, for whatever reason, opted to give me the chance at a better life than they could provide me. Six weeks later, enter my mom and dad, two young adults, high school sweethearts, at the very beginning of their careers, their lives, who decided that they wanted to take the responsiblity of providing a child who didn't get it through birthright a safe and happy home. There was no biological reason for it, though people don't always understand that, particularly when they learn my sister was born to them six and a half years later. They just wanted to make some child's life worthwhile.
I was lucky enough to be the benefactor of this generosity, this supreme act of giving of oneself for the sheer benefit of another. I was raised in an incredible warm and loving home, provided more creature comforts than a lot of kids had, allowed to grow into an individual with my own thoughts and choices, supported in all my endeavors, worthwhile or not. I had nice clothes (at least when I wanted them, though most of middle and high school were spent in a couple pairs of torn up jeans and boyfriend's sweatshirts), got to go to places like Europe, Yellowstone Park, New York City, Alberta Canada, California, and New England. I had the joy of being brought up on the beach, with a house that we could stay in every warm weekend of the summer as well as a couple weeks at a time each year. I had a supportive and large extended family with tons of cousins I loved hanging out with, uncles and aunts aplenty to visit, grandparents who were nicer to me than anyone and spoiled me rotten, two grandmothers who lived until I was around thirty.
All in all, I got the long end of the stick in this deal. I was, at times, a wretched child, particularly during my teenage years. I did not so great and certainly not so smart things that tore out my parent's hearts. I made life altering decisions that were not always to my benefit. To this day, I still apologize to my mother for all of this. But they remained by my side, supportive and loving no matter what bad decisions I made. They tell me they are proud of me, proud of who I have become, proud of my accomplishments and my drive, proud of my parenting the kidlet, proud of my strength.
This Thanksgiving, as I find myself thankful for the end of my marriage, as odd as that seems, I am most thankful for all I've been given in life. I didn't ask for a wonderful family and the best kidlet in the world, but I got it and I am more and more appreciative every day for it. As the future stands before me, I feel the need more and more each day to recognize what I've been given, what I have received and therefore, what I have to give to others as a result.
I was one very lucky baby who got the chance to live.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
In just a couple of hours, I get to go tour this place, which is actually closed to the public right now. Very cool. We get to taste, take home a special glass, etc. I love this kind of stuff and it's just another great benefit to living here and going to this school (it's being sponsored by the graduate student association). Nice way to start the holiday week (which I consider starting today since we're preparing for our trip, even though I still have to work Monday).
So far today I've cleaned most of the bathroom, did two loads of laundry, and cut the front yard. I still need to drop by and grab a couple scripts at CVS. Tomorrow I need to cut the back yard and do sheets and towels, clean the dog crates and get a quick Target trip in before the game at 4pm. Then just doing whatever laundry is left Monday and packing, and our plane leaves around 12:30pm on Tuesday. Yeah!
So far today I've cleaned most of the bathroom, did two loads of laundry, and cut the front yard. I still need to drop by and grab a couple scripts at CVS. Tomorrow I need to cut the back yard and do sheets and towels, clean the dog crates and get a quick Target trip in before the game at 4pm. Then just doing whatever laundry is left Monday and packing, and our plane leaves around 12:30pm on Tuesday. Yeah!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Whiskey and wine, killing me shot at a time
One of the few downsides of living in an urban area...
$13 a bottle at the wine store. $11 a glass in the restaurant.
$13 a bottle at the wine store. $11 a glass in the restaurant.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Just some housekeeping notes for myself
Checked off to-do list:
1. Dog number one vetted.
2. Lawnmower fixed and two weeks worth of grass cut.
3. Dryer parts ordered, arrived and dryer fixed (with somewhat minimal bloodshed).
4. Bills due before next paycheck paid.
5. Oil change and tire rotation done.
6. Kitchen cleaned (already needs done again though, of course).
7. As of last week's weigh-in, six and a half pounds gone in just under four weeks. What will tomorrow's bring?
8. Plane tickets for Thanksgiving travel taken care of. Petsitter lined up.
9. Small order of Christmas decorations for new house (wee tree since can't fit a real one anywhere and some window candles because it's what you do here).
10. Paper number two written, turned in and graded.
11. Meeting with lawyer done.
12. Day trip to Outer Banks to take progress pictures of beach house for the 'rents.
13. Sister's birthday gift purchased.
Still to do:
1. Dog number two vetting.
2. Pay car property tax.
3. Pay up rest of monthly bills and December rent.
4. Clean house.
5. Start holiday preparations (cookies!).
6. Paper number three (last one for this semester).
7. Register for Spring semester course.
8. Christmas shopping (eek!).
1. Dog number one vetted.
2. Lawnmower fixed and two weeks worth of grass cut.
3. Dryer parts ordered, arrived and dryer fixed (with somewhat minimal bloodshed).
4. Bills due before next paycheck paid.
5. Oil change and tire rotation done.
6. Kitchen cleaned (already needs done again though, of course).
7. As of last week's weigh-in, six and a half pounds gone in just under four weeks. What will tomorrow's bring?
8. Plane tickets for Thanksgiving travel taken care of. Petsitter lined up.
9. Small order of Christmas decorations for new house (wee tree since can't fit a real one anywhere and some window candles because it's what you do here).
10. Paper number two written, turned in and graded.
11. Meeting with lawyer done.
12. Day trip to Outer Banks to take progress pictures of beach house for the 'rents.
13. Sister's birthday gift purchased.
Still to do:
1. Dog number two vetting.
2. Pay car property tax.
3. Pay up rest of monthly bills and December rent.
4. Clean house.
5. Start holiday preparations (cookies!).
6. Paper number three (last one for this semester).
7. Register for Spring semester course.
8. Christmas shopping (eek!).
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Monday, November 05, 2007
There'll be parties for hoasting, marshmellows for roasting and caroling out in the snow
So a late daylight savings time change, but it sure was nice to get up "an hour later" for work this morning. The sucko side, dark at 5:30pm. Oh well, it just means yard work has to wait for the weekends, that's about the only difference. Maybe it will mean I'll actually start sleeping normally if it's dark earlier. Been getting about 4-5 hours most nights because I can't fall asleep until after midnight and wake up around 5am even if the alarm isn't set until 6am. I do tend to sleep more in winter, hibernation I guess.
I am totally assed up for the holidays now. They are going to be so different this year but that's a good thing I think. I can't wait for Thanksgiving. Flying out there with the kidlet (ok, so I am hoping the cold weather holds off for the trip north, but it probably won't), having a few days away from everything here. It will be so nice. Then, Christmas right around the corner. It's just about time to start baking cookies and making menus. It will be a pleasantly low key year I think. Not much money, so no real shopping aside from a few little things. Everyone coming here, so get to avoid the travel issues. A whole two weeks off from work (without taking vacation days, hear that stupid U of I?). Holidays in historical Williamsburg complete with Christmas Eve bonfire. I just can't wait. It seems a very fitting plan for a new set of traditions.
I am totally assed up for the holidays now. They are going to be so different this year but that's a good thing I think. I can't wait for Thanksgiving. Flying out there with the kidlet (ok, so I am hoping the cold weather holds off for the trip north, but it probably won't), having a few days away from everything here. It will be so nice. Then, Christmas right around the corner. It's just about time to start baking cookies and making menus. It will be a pleasantly low key year I think. Not much money, so no real shopping aside from a few little things. Everyone coming here, so get to avoid the travel issues. A whole two weeks off from work (without taking vacation days, hear that stupid U of I?). Holidays in historical Williamsburg complete with Christmas Eve bonfire. I just can't wait. It seems a very fitting plan for a new set of traditions.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
We spotted the ocean at the head of the trail, where are we going, so far away.
My future inheritance:
Fall on the beach:
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Dryer sheets are now on sale, all my whites still look so pale. These are all my laundry bores, I can't take it anymore.
I fixed the dryer myself! What a great thing to feel so self-sufficient. I only had to take it back apart twice after I put it together the first time and I only cut myself twice on the razor sharp insides. Have you ever read Stephen King's The Mangler? A giant laundry press that a guy cuts his hand on and drips blood into, that then becomes possessed and wants more blood so it starts sucking in people and killing them. Wonder if my dryer will try to eat me?
And I cut the whole yard with the newly fixed lawnmower yesterday before the hurricane winds blew in. Yeah!
Now I just have to spend some time cleaning the house later today, and get the grocery shopping done for this week and we're golden to head to the beach tomorrow for the day. I swear I'm burning off whatever I want to eat this weekend at this rate!
And I cut the whole yard with the newly fixed lawnmower yesterday before the hurricane winds blew in. Yeah!
Now I just have to spend some time cleaning the house later today, and get the grocery shopping done for this week and we're golden to head to the beach tomorrow for the day. I swear I'm burning off whatever I want to eat this weekend at this rate!
Friday, November 02, 2007
Taking care of business
Making progress with things. The lawnmower is fixed (for free), the parts for the dyer arrived and I'll try to fix that this weekend (not so free, but pretty inexpensive versus a new dryer or having the guys come out to fix it) and one of the two dogs has had their annual vetting (not remotely free). So now for the rest of the month it's coming up with petsitting money for Thanksgiving travels, then next month the other dog's vetting and annual car property tax (you know, not including Christmas). Slowly working towards a better tomorrow.
Well East coast girls are hip, I really dig those clothes they wear
I think on Sunday we are going to blast down the coast to the Outer Banks to check out the heavy surf and big waves created by the hurricane passing just offshore. Saturday would be the better day, but I don't think that will work out. The kidlet hasn't seen the ocean in that form, having only experienced the sunny summer days with blue waters and calmer waves. It's a very cool view that I remember being fascinated with as I walked along the coast in the falls of my childhood.
We'll also be checking out the family beachhouse that my parents are building down there. The sheetrock is going up next week and by next summer, we'll have a home base in my favorite place on the planet that we can go to as much as we want. Two hours away makes it very convenient for weekend trips, and the occasional longer vacation. I just can't wait to have that back again. We had a beachhouse down there while I was growing up and they are still some of the best memories of my life. I hope the kidlet feels the same when she's older.
We'll also be checking out the family beachhouse that my parents are building down there. The sheetrock is going up next week and by next summer, we'll have a home base in my favorite place on the planet that we can go to as much as we want. Two hours away makes it very convenient for weekend trips, and the occasional longer vacation. I just can't wait to have that back again. We had a beachhouse down there while I was growing up and they are still some of the best memories of my life. I hope the kidlet feels the same when she's older.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds
So after the funk from last week, which was brought on mostly by being dragged back, somewhat unwillingly, into the mess with my ex, I'm feeling much, much better. In fact, I'm feeling great now that I've said goodbye to that mess (yet again, and hopefully for the last time). I'm so ready to move on with life and feeling so good about dumping all that negativity out of it. If all goes to plan, the divorce will be finalized in March and then I can completely and totally put all of it out of my mind for good. It is a relief to have the end in sight.
The last three and a half weeks I've been back to serious weight watching and it's paid off in spades. I've lost every week, for a total of 6.5 pounds over that timeframe. Kicking ass (my own) and taking names.
At work, I'm doing some great stuff. I am totally making sql programming my bitch. I'm wrapping up headache projects that I've been avoiding. Feels good to be productive, appreciated and intelligent. Class is going pretty well too. I got an A on my first paper and just started on the second one. Hope to have that mostly written by next week.
At home, it's all so good. I am really enjoying the time with the kidlet since I don't have my life consumed by all the old crap. We have been having SO much fun together and are really making new memories that I know will be good ones. It's good to feel like a good mom again.
All in all, life is good. Better than it's been in a very long time.
The last three and a half weeks I've been back to serious weight watching and it's paid off in spades. I've lost every week, for a total of 6.5 pounds over that timeframe. Kicking ass (my own) and taking names.
At work, I'm doing some great stuff. I am totally making sql programming my bitch. I'm wrapping up headache projects that I've been avoiding. Feels good to be productive, appreciated and intelligent. Class is going pretty well too. I got an A on my first paper and just started on the second one. Hope to have that mostly written by next week.
At home, it's all so good. I am really enjoying the time with the kidlet since I don't have my life consumed by all the old crap. We have been having SO much fun together and are really making new memories that I know will be good ones. It's good to feel like a good mom again.
All in all, life is good. Better than it's been in a very long time.
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