Monday, December 5, 2011

I found out I don't have ciliacs. I'm eating stuffing tonight.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Apple pie and PB&J

Every time I sit down to write I always have an idea in my head of what I'd like to talk about.  But by the time the words begin to physically appear the idea seems pointless and uninteresting.  This morning for example, I started to write about my uncharacteristically elaborate breakfasts I've been making.  They end up resembling so sort of breakfast burrito.  I’ll make a quesadilla and plop a fried egg, black beans, fried onion, homemade hash browns, peas, and salsa on top.  As many know, I’m no cook.  But every day I’ve been making this unbelievably tasty and unusually complex meal. 

Now, I’m still not sure if any of this is worth writing about, but since it’s already written down it should be noted that breakfast appears to become the exception to my talentless cooking.  Last night for dinner I had a slice of apple pie and PB&J (in that order).  The dinner a third grader would make if left home-alone. 

I’m trying hard to not allow myself to start choking on the obvious symbolism my meals have become to my daily life. 

See, I wasn’t being honest earlier. When I first sat down and started typing I was writing about waiting.  Every day here in Michigan I have been waiting for Potato to finish his program so we can go home.  Every day I try and find things to do to making the waiting easier.  I apply to job after job waiting to hear back.  I make jewelry in waiting for the next show.  I check my email every day waiting to find out if I was accepted into art school.  Every day I wake hopeful but the waiting begins to wear on me (hence the apple pie and PB&J). 

It’s okay though.  I knew what I was getting into.  Anyway, the day I start having toast for breakfast is the day you have to start worrying.  

Monday, October 31, 2011

Lip smack heart attack revisited

I need to switch to gmail.  I forgot to check my spam folder for job inquiries and have a few missed opportunities.  Oy.  That does not feel good.   

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

This is what my drive to work sometimes (one time to be exact) looks like.  As pretty as this is, (and the photo doesn't do it justice) the neighborhood is just as quaint and beautiful.  There's a really nice park about 1/2 a mile away that I trot to with baby.  The park is just opposite a golf course with loads of ducks and a couple of great blue herrings that stalk the grounds.  Other than the excessive amount of bees that reside there it is comparable to Pleasantville.  
Pushing that aside as I am gearing up for the freezing and gloomy winter we're supposed to have this year - I want to quit my job.  That means that no, I haven't done it yet.  I know I'm a baby.  But things keep happening.  Like the last time I wanted to quite my job I went shopping after work and bought a new pair of shoes (they're horribly uncomfortable but quite adorable).  There's no way in hell I'd be able to buy shoes if I didn't have a job.  Even this shitty job.  And today I was supposed to quit but then I started thinking about the holidays and how much it would suck to not be able to buy somebody/anybody something that I wanted to buy them because I couldn't afford it.  It's always nice to have extra cash around the holidays.  But man, it does leave me up shit creek.  
But I do have to remember that there are plenty of good things that come with this job.  
1. (Obviously) Some sort of income.  
2. Babies are nice.  And there is only one.  So it's nice and easy.  
3.  This is a big one - I have the same schedule as Potato.  Because one of my bosses is in school at the same place where Potato is getting his PhD they have the same schedule.  Which means that I have the same schedule.  No weekends or late evenings.  Potato and I don't travel together besides trips to visit family but if we ever wanted to we'd have that option.  

These are the things that are going through my head as I try to put baby down for her nap and she screams at me like I'm trying to actually kill her.  It's worth it, right?  Jobs here don't come easy.  And, no boss that's hiring appears to be impressed when you say that you're a nanny.  B.S. as it may be, it's the truth.  I'm stuck until that straw breaks my back.  

ps- Potato says that the song "Bad Day" by some bad band should be playing in the background while this post is being read.
Here are some picture from the last time we drove to Chicago.  It started out nice and then we drove next to two freaky looking storms.  We never got hit with bad rain though.  Hope we luck out again tomorrow (or Friday depending on when we decide to come back).







The second to last picture either was rotated and for whatever reason decided to stay the way it was originally taken (it decided this twice) or I didn't rotate it because I didn't want Patty or Mom to cry from the horrifying sight.  It was a real nasty storm.  A "doozy" if you will. 


Tuesday, September 20, 2011

6th times a charm

I should write a "how-to book" on quitting your job.  Wish me luck.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Terrifying

An owl swooped low as if to grab Bug on our walk last night.  I used to make jokes about eating him all the time. Those jokes are not that funny anymore.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Destination Failure

Yesterday I got my first 20,000 steps.  (For those of you that don't know what this means - most of my family is walking around with pedometers these days.  If we get a certain amount of steps we get points.  After so many points we get cash from our insurance company.  It's neat. Getting 20,000 steps equals about 8 miles.)  I thought this epic moment would at least put a dent in the family challenge but I'm still in the bottom.  Which causes me to wonder... how many steps a day do the rest of you average?   I'm at about 9,000... which I thought was decent... but I've also gained a substantial amount of weight since my salmonella days.
On that note - Anybody want to challenge me to a weight loss competition?  See who can loose the highest percentage of their weight by Thanksgiving?  eh?  Lemme know if you're interested.

Last weekend Potato and I went to Chicago to relive the days spent with J. Temperature.  It was a grand ol' time.  I have trouble planning my weekends in Chicago because I difficulty sharing my time with friends and family.  For the first time in a while I felt like I did a good job dividing up my days and evenings.  I'm still dying to back to The Rail for their bloody mary special.  I suppose there's always next time.
There have been a few people mentioning upcoming visits.  I think the fall is a great time to come.  The drive is exceptionally pretty and there's a lot to do here.  If you are looking to party and meet some of our friends I recommend the weekend of the 23rd.  Otherwise just about any other weekend would do besides the 1st of October.

My work schedule is currently pretty horrible.  I've been applying to jobs on occasion but I think I'm going to start doing it a lot more often.  Baby has been pretty cute lately.  She's very close to walking and is constantly blabbering.  Her first birthday is coming up next week.  One of her professional athlete uncles bought her a baby grand piano (for babies).  She loves banging the hell out of that thing.  It's pretty funny watching her try and beat up what I'm sure was a pretty expensive gift.

All right.  I'm off to do some laundry.  It's funny - the weekends I have no plans going into always end up being the busiest.

Oh, and here's a picture of Buggy.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Phone blogging

It has been a while since I had a real post. This is for a few reasons. First - I moved. I now live with Potato, Bug, and two girls in Potato's program. I haven't lived with girls before but, so far, I think I like it better.
The second reason I haven't posted anything interesting is because I was recently robbed. Somebody (we assume with a key) came in and took my computer, cash, Potato's phone, and a bottle of raspberry vodka. If you remember from conversation or earlier posts - my computer was pretty broken. I had stepped on it a long time ago and the screen got all messed up. The vodka is the thing that really stands out as being weird to me. This is because I have a couple of nice bottles of wine and raspberry vodka is gross. I've had that bottle for about a year now so it's not much of a loss.
The computer situation is no longer a situation because my family is awesome and bought me a new one. I'll be picking it up later today and I can't wait.
I'm hoping this week goes fast. Kstillz is coming to visit (for the second time) on Thursday. It's going to be amazing.
Overall I'd say things are picking up.
I'll be posting more when I don't have to type things out on my phone. Stay tuned and ignore the typos for now.

Monday, August 1, 2011

I can't wait till I'm done moving

Anybody want to come visit/bring me my dresser, push mower and fire pit?  eh? eh?

Thursday, July 28, 2011

I am a loser

Potato was excited to see that Mad Men is on available on instant view. I was far more excited to see that the X-Men cartoons are on instant view. I think there might be something wrong with me.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Beware the BBQ

It's 2AM and I'm up scratching the hell outta chigger bites.  I would post a picture but I hate it when I'm searching for something (generally medically related) and the most nasty pictures come up.  So I wont do that to my readers. However, I will mention that a common remedy is applying nail polish on the bite.  I don't have clear polish so I used hot pink.  Now my bites look far more amusing and harmless than they actually are.  I'm actually amazed to see how many can fit on my child-sized feet (around 34).
For the record - I didn't even know what a chigger was before I moved to EL.
Hope the Benadryl kicks in soon.

*edit-
Because I'm still in pain, I refuse to write two posts about chiggers, and Potato is getting tired of my complaints I felt I needed to add on to this entry.
Chigger bites are the worse. It's like when you have a mosquito bite that has reached its peak of itchy but that maximum strength itch never goes away. Or at least, it doesn't go away until you go into a Benadryl induced coma... Which is where I'm headed. Night night.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Members only

I'm finally getting a pedometer. Watch out Kevin.
Ps- thanks for ignoring my happy bday phone call butthead. Many f'ing happy returns. See you on the 15th to celebrate.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Life isn't fair

50SPF sunscreen: check
30min pre-pool sunscreen soak in period: check
15mins in actual pool: check
Reapply: check
2hrs out of pool and hiding in shade: check
Lobster-like sunburn: wtf
Wearing a t-shirt over swimsuit while at the pool: very tempting

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Went outside to take Bug on a walk and could hear Bono sing "it's a beautiful day..." I disagree entirely but appreciate the notion.  Thanks Bono.

D-day

Bug's ball cutting ceremony is scheduled for 7AM tomorrow. Lets hope all goes well.  

Monday, June 20, 2011

Summertime

Note to English majors- I'm typing this out on my phone... There will be loads of typos.
Potato, Bug and I arrived home from our visit to Chicago late Sunday night. When we got home we were greeted by The Catman's cats. I was relieved to see one of them because it had recently run away when I opened the door. However my relief that the Catman's pride and joy was alive and well quickly diminished when the cat tried to invite itself into my apartment... even though I have half a dog (I don't think they even noticed each other). I don't understand this man. I've never had a cat but they seemed like easy enough pets to please. Letting them play in the hallway where they can easily get out just seems, well, dumb. This guy was distraught searching for the cat over the next couple of days. I saw him searching and screaming for it in the park a couple of times (boy did he look crazy). I guess he is one of the reasons we are looking to move.
The five days spent in Chicago were fun. I spent my time almost exclusively with family. Father's day was pretty awesome cause my pops seemed in a really giddy mood. Even in softball, where his children were making The Coach look pretty bad, he still seemed amused and not embarrassed. I thought he might be ashamed of our missed pop-ups and grounders (and Kevin's general behavior) but he really seemed to be enjoying himself.
This week I've got a couple of goals. First I'd like to get my puppy's man-parts taken care of/taken off. Also, I need to start looking for a new job for reasons best talked about in person. I'm bummed though. I did really like working with baby and her big head. It'll be tough to have to leave.
I have also been debating going to school to either finish some degree or get into a dental hygienist program.'but we'll see if any of those ideas actually pan out.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

June Goal

I've set a goal for myself that I'd like to have an Etsy shop up and running by the end of June.  I have no time for blogging.  I must learn how to use a camera.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Bug has far more sense than me.  When I wake him up this early for a walk he just goes right back to bed.  Lucky dog.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Softball Season

I've pretty much given up on the White Sox for the year.  It would be nice if they turned things around but I'm not going to keep my hopes up.
Cute face Peef
Anyway, Potato and I have our first softball game tonight.  My hopes aren't that high for this team either.  Here's why:
- We haven't practice or even met yet
-We aren't scheduled to come early to warm up/work out a lineup
-The shirts are 15 bucks a pop
And the real kicker - I'm worried about the team "manager."  They emailed us asking if their team dues could be cover by the rest of the team for "organizing fees."  I guess that would be fair if they actually organized a practice or sorted out getting a sponsor.  All they've really done thus far is sign us up, asked us for money, and find a place that will make us expensive team shirts (there's a 4 for $10 deal at Walgreen's right now on softball shirts).  This makes me miss Blue Jeans, Moose, and Pops as team captains.   
I know this is a bogus post but so is making the rest of the team pay for a captain that isn't organizing anything.  Maybe by next week we'll have our act together.  

Thursday, April 28, 2011

April showers brings a lot of April worms

About a week ago we took Bug to the park to meet one of his own, a 4lb chihuahua named Sammy. It was the worst.  Bug barked for a solid 45mins at Sammy.  Sammy  barked at first and then seemed to get bored and realized that Bug is just a big bully.  The end result: Potato played with Sammy - Bug peed on Potato. 

Bug at the park/backyard 

 These pictures are all taken on one of the walks Bug and I went on.  We try to walk to the end of the park and back.  On hot days, Bug requires carrying.  da nxt 2 pix r da front n bak o da hill.
You can't quite tell in this picture, but this hill that I'm standing on is a great sledding hill.  Last time Moose was visiting we went sledding down this hill on a piece of cardboard.  I felt a little old, hungover, and out of shape to be sledding... but it was a very enjoyable afternoon.  Afterwards we met up with Reed at Crunchy's.  We didn't talk much... just screamed "REEEEEDDD!"


Another fond memory of this hill is when Moose (notice a theme?) and Peef came and visited.  This time, we shot of "quiet fireworks" on top of the hill.  At least, I requested they be quiet.  Instead, they were roman candles that sounded like gun shots/a gang war.  Needless to say, we ran like 14-year-olds back into the apartment hoping the cops didn't get called.  
Note:  at the top of this picture is a patch of cement.  That's a parking lot to a baseball field.  (The reader should appreciate this as being awesome.)

Though I quite like this park, there's a good chance we'll be leaving it soon.  Potato and I are looking to move to a house with some friends of ours.  I figure this is the last time in our lives that we'll be able and willing to live with people.  I think it'll be an interesting experience.    

Anyway, Potato and I will be back for mom's day and a few regular days after that.  Perhaps we'll meet up with Kstillz and some other family members.  

Friday, April 15, 2011

Long time no blog

It's hard to blog when you have a dog that likes to sit on your hands and computer as you type.
I don't want this to turn into a dog blog but I can't help mention a few things about Bug as he has become a a big part of my life.  I'd say that overall he's a pretty good dog.  He initially barked a lot at other dogs and people but is getting much better at that with training.  Also he has been pretty good about not peeing in the house (however, yesterday, he ironically peed on a roll of paper towels).  He is learning how to play fetch.  At first he would just run to his toy and look at it and then you. I should mention that I thought this was really amusing and was debating teaching him that this is how fetch is played but Potato didn't like this idea.
Bug had a pretty good meet-and-greet with the family last weekend.  He was very cuddly with everybody and he even broke a few hearts.  I was a proud mama.

It has taken me more than I expected to really love Bug.  I think this is because he's not fat.  I prefer my dogs to be fat and stupid looking.  Slowly but surely, I'm starting to fall for him and his dumb dances and odd ears.

So a couple of weekends ago was April Fools day.  I don't often pull pranks for this holiday but this year I faked an engagement to Potato on Facebook.  For the record, I texted both mine and Potato's parents before  changing my status.  I was shocked to see how many people commented/called/texted me about it.  The best by far was Uncle Lar, in typical Uncle Lar fashion, calling Pops at work to find out the details.  In second place was DStillz saying that he hoped it wasn't to Potato.  By the end of the day I felt pretty bad about tricking so many people and so many people that I hadn't talked to in years.  I tried to tip people off by posting a ridiculous engagement ring but it didn't seem to help.

 My response to most of them was "I'm 24-years-old.  I'm not getting married."  But to be honest, that excuse sounded a lot better when I was 23...

Potato and I went home last weekend for his birthday/to do my taxes.  Friday we went to the Sox game with a huge crew.  Saturday Potato went to a friend's football game and followed it up with drinks at The Rail with friends.  

FYI - I've been listening to La Roux - I'm Not Your Toy on repeat this whole time.  I'm a horrible roommate.  

Monday, March 28, 2011

Bed Bug

Potato and I have been proud parents for a week now.  Bug is a really sweet dog but all he wants to do is snuggle (under the blankets... which is weird).  I wouldn't really mind this but he's promoting a very sedated lifestyle that I wasn't looking for nor did I expect.  I wanted the puppy to be the key to me not having to join a gym.  I guess in a way he is this key, as I am incapable of turning down a snuggle.  I just hope that it gets better when the weather is warmer.  I really want to romp in the park behind our apartment.  

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy Potato Day

Kdog, Joeby, and Potato are loosing to Maura and Eric in their brackets.  HA!

More good news - I was talking to the mom that I work for about how big Baby's head is and she told me that it's in the 87 percentile. Awesome.

And lastly, Potato and I went shopping for Bug today.  We got it (I still don't know if it's a girl or boy) a cage and as many squeaky toys as Potato would allow.  I also got some of those "begging for bacon" treats.  The ad totally worked on me.  Kdog would understand.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

zombie walk

Going back and forth from Chicago to EL always messes with my sleep.  Even though I've been exhausted the past couple of nights I've been falling asleep around 2am. 
Don't want to complain though, I always enjoy meeting up with people in Chicago.  But I think next time I'd like to have a game night rather than a 4am bar night.  

This February was somehow not as bad as it usually.  For me, February is as welcome and as charming as the blackened snow that accompanies it.  I guess this time around I kept busy.  I visited with Peef and went back to Chicago the weekend after for KStillz surprise and my own birthday party.  My party was fun.  I think I’ll continue to host whirly parties.  I like that much better than your average bar night or house party.  It’s something different, almost sporty, and always a good time.    

Moose also came in for a visit last month.  To be honest, I thought it was a little ridiculous that he would come into town to visit and immediately go have “boy’s night” with my guy friends and Potato… but whatever.  That night Mum and most of the family decided to Skype me at 11:30pm. I think only Big Bird and Peef knew that I had been drinking then.  However, rather than be bashful about the situation I thought it was funny.   So naturally, I continued to do so throughout the conversation. The next day was Beer Fest. It was a successful event if you ignore both that I was trying to keep up with the boys drink-for-drink and then continue to ignore the end results that that caused. 

I just got the photo of the dog Potato and I are going to get.  It’s a chorkie- Chihuahua/Yorkie mix. I gotta say… I think I’m right in wanting to name it Bug.  I'll post the picture as soon as I can. 

Monday, February 21, 2011

The plow system in EL sucks

Thank you good Samaritan that helped Potato push my car through the snow this morning.  I'm sorry you lost your footing and did a face-plant into the street.
You did the right thing even if your face doesn't feel like you did.  I greatly appreciated your help.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

best job ever

I went to work at 7AM today.  I got off at 10:30.  I slept from 11AM to 3PM.  
Now, the question is: is that called going back to bed or taking a nap?  Potato said it's a nap because I had already gone to work and came home for the day.  But I disagree because it is before noon... and taking a 4-hour-nap is ridiculous and some people sleep that much at night.  I'm puzzled.  

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

It's Groundhog day!

"This is one time where television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather" - Bill Murray in Groundhog Day (which is playing all day on Encore for those of you that also have a snow day)

Sunday, January 30, 2011

February blows

For the first time in a long time I'm not looking forward to my birthday.  It's going to be weird without my family and friends to celebrate with me.  I keep reminding myself that just because it's going to be different doesn't mean that it's going to be bad.  It'll be a chance to hang out with some of the new friends that we've made here.  But I can't help wanting to see familiar faces especially when winter has a way of making me feel so isolated.  At least Moose will be able to make it to the beer festival.  It'll be nice to have a little bit of home with me as winter overstays its welcome.

On a more positive note, I love my job.

Hey Peef.  We're coming to visit next weekend. This is your only warning so I hope you still read my blog.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Bug

About three times a day I remind Potato how excited I am about getting a dog. One month to go and I'll be a puppy mama.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Catman update

Not only does Catman entertain his cat his cat in the hallway (between 9pm and 2am most nights) but it seems that is where he likes to hang out when friends come to visit.  
I think they're having birthday cake on the stairs.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

LipSmack heartAttack girlie girl in a pink sleep sack

Is there any chance you would open an email from somebody you didn't know with the above statement being the subject? No? Didn't think so.
Recently I've been trying to sell Bird's hair online.  I posted an ad  on a website dedicated to selling hair, I assume, to wig makers.  Though, for the most part, I've been getting inquires from scam artists and creeps.  The scam artists generally just ask personal information (like credit card number and "don't forget the security code on the back of the card!") so they can send me cash fast...
The creeps are less insulting but do tend to say strange things like, "I don't want the hair for anything weird."  Now, I have no idea what "weird" things you can do with human hair. But at this point, I'm positive that whatever this buyer wants the hair for would not pass as "weird" but instead be called "grotesque" or "perverted".  It's their fault they planted the idea in my head.  
Naturally, I was excited to see that I got an email from somebody that makes dolls.  She even sent me a link to her legitimate website to check out.  When I got back to her I professionally told her that I've only been getting emails from weirdos and that she should make an offer even if the highest bid is out of her range. 
This is where yahoo fucking email ruined my day.  
What I didn't realize before I sent the email is that I accidentally clicked "Subject."  Not the line next to it, but the word itself.  I didn't know that this was even a button that you could accidentally hit and ruin a sale with.  Oh but it is.  See when you click this button it gives you a random subject.  The type of subject that weirdos, creeps, scam artists, and spammers use.  
So today I was checking to see if she had written back when I went to reread my glorious flawless email that I had written her.  I was sickened to see that the subject was, "LipSmack heartAttack girlie girl in a pink sleep sack."  

Thanks yahoo.  You're the greatest.  

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

I smell like a diaper

I just got back from my second day of nannying for the new family.  So far, I think this family is a better fit for me. The baby is 4 months - meaning that the poops aren't that bad.  Also, the father is a former pitcher for the Indians - so I have somebody to talk baseball with.
As I don't like posting names on my blog, Tom Fornelli, see if you can guess who it is without using the interweb.   (Hint: you've probably never heard of him)
He is the least famous of a trio of brothers that also made it to the MLB.  He and one of brothers were both first round draft picks in 1997.
The better known of the brothers was the All-Star game MVP in 2008.  This outfielder was also on the 2007 World Series winning Boston team where he is still playing.  This same year he became the only player to participate twice in a string of four straight home runs. He has a career total of 238 home runs.
And if you can't get it from that..
The less famous brother is the Diamondbacks starting shortstop. 
... I would be shocked if you figured out who my boss is but you can probably guess at least one of the brothers. 


That was fun.  


In other news -  I'M GETTING A DOG!!!  It's free and trained and has its shots and it's perfect and I'm so happy and I'll have it in March.