Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Catching Up

I don't have anything earth-shattering to say so I will just fill you in and catch you up on my life. 

My dear friend, Esther Gerardo, passed away on Saturday.  Esther was such a sweetheart.  Sweet, kind, generous, and a beautiful christian.  She will be missed by so many people.  I am very close to Jeanette (Esther was her mom) and the rest of the family.  I love them all.  I volunteered to coordinate the post-memorial reception.  We are going with a Mediterranean food theme.  I need to meet with the ladies at the church who normally provide the food for occasions like this.  I don't want to step on their toes but I do want to ensure that everything is perfect and just what the family would like.  I will need to meet with them in the next week or so.

Work has been a beast.  I like that word...I learned that term from someone.  It's fun.  I have had to work late a lot of days the whole month of January.  I am tired.  SO tired.  But when it comes to bedtime, I don't want to go to bed.  So I am finding myself up until 12 or 1 in the morning and let me tell you...5ish comes awful early!  I am going to take a Tylenol PM in just a few minutes and see if I can at least get to sleep by 11.  I can use the extra hour.

The food blog that I started is real fun.  However, visually, it's not what I want.  And I will be the first to say that I am NOT computer savvy.  I have watched how-to blogging videos on You Tube until I am ready to scream yet I still don't get it.  The other problem I have is my photography.  It's possible I don't have the right camera although I think that my camera can do a lot more than I think it can.  So I need to figure that out too.  I am getting some feedback on the site and have found that people are liking it.  I have even had a couple of people try the recipes and so far - they have been a hit.  It will take me a while but I will fine tune it and eventually hope that more of the public will read it once it looks a little better!  The website is http://www.foodwithjules.blogspot.com/ If you have any comments or suggestions to help me make it better, bring 'em on!  I can use both negative and positive feedback.
And you are now caught up on the exciting (or maybe not) adventures in my life.

Before I close, I just have to post a cute little picture of my 1 year old little buddy, Hudson.  His mom, Heather, posted this on my FB.  I love this baby - he is such a cutie!  If you recall a couple of weeks back I posted a couple of pics of Madison with the Chipmunks when we went to see ChipWrecked.  Hudson is Maddie's little brother.  We bought him these adorable jammies for his 1st birthday... by the way, Esther was Hudson's great-grandmother! ♥

Hudson - Age 1


Saturday, January 21, 2012

Monday, January 16, 2012

Soda Pop Deprived

Being a county employee is far from my lifelong dream but I sure do like their holiday schedule.  I have more thoughts on my employment journey but I will leave that for another blog session.  Anyway, it was real nice to have an extra day off this weekend.  Can't say I did much but time away from the office is somewhat priceless to me.
I think I have hit 14 days without a soda.  It's been tough.  I like the carbonation.  But I don't like drinks such as Perrier or Sparkling Soda Water.  So I am just working through it.  But I think it's making me just a little bit cranky.  Ok, let's be real...a little bit bitchy.  I just wish that I liked water.  Why do so many people like water and I just don't?  I don't find it refreshing or filling or remotely enjoyable.  I realize there are little packets to pour in the water to make it taste better i.e. crystal light etc. but that is why I am not drinking soda.  Chemicals.  And the regular soda...too much sugar.  Why do I love soda so much?  It hurts!
I have a class on Monday nights.  Anxiety.  I am not super anxious but the tools that one uses to control anxiety are the same tools that you use to help with depression and distorted thoughts.  I really enjoyed the class and am looking forward to next week.  I don't sit well during much of anything.  20 minutes and I am squirming in my chair.  But I actually sat for 1.5 hours tonight and thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.  My therapist teaches parts of the class so that was nice - made me feel comfortable.
Kindle v Nook?  I got the Nook!  I have had it a little over a week and so far love it.  I strictly wanted something for reading and that's what this is.  I didn't need internet or games or other apps.  I just like to read.  I have some great books on there already and have absolutely no complaints.  I'm sure I would have loved the kindle too but my Nook is awesome.
Food Blog will be updated tomorrow!  Buttermilk Blueberry Pancakes - not so healthy.  And Blueberry Muffins - quite healthy.
Have a good week! ♥

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

On Staying Young and Getting Old

I was just sitting here thinking about when I was younger and all of the things I told myself.  I was going to defy age.  I was not going to be my mother.  I was going to be different.  I was never going to be considered "older".
I am still young in many, many ways.  I am still silly.  I still make jokes out of things that some people would not find funny.  I still get the giggles at funerals (not all).  I still turn around in church to see who in the world is singing SO off-tune.  I still disobey the posted speed limit.  I still jump up and down and clap my hands together when I am excited.  I still like the MAC counter at Nordstrom.  I still like Kool-Aid.  And I love to play Mini Golf.
Now on the flip side of all that, I am oLd!  I always said I would know all the popular music artists and all of their music.  Wrong.  Half the time I see a band on TV or hear a song on the radio and I have no idea who it is!  Sure I know the really big names like Beyonce, Lady Gaga, or Beiber but do I care?  No.  I still love my England Dan, Eagles, and Manilow.  I color my hair...I have A LOT of grey.  And I never thought that every day I would have to take a pill for digestion and a pill for my bladder.  WTH?!  I think Starbucks is way over-priced and that Frappuccinos are too sweet.  I actually take my coffee black now.  And like it!  When Happy Hour ends at 7:00 - so do I.  And I never have the urge at 8:00 at night to say "I'm going to the mall!".  I prefer for there to be handrails next to stairs...just in case.  It hurts to get off the floor.  Come to think of it - it's not so great even getting onto the floor!

So there you have it.  I am stuck somewhere in the middle but I see the age thing creeping upon me. 
But at least I am aware and am ok with where I am at 47 years old.  And I do not yet qualify for a senior discount...is that good or bad?! ♥

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Wacky Tuesday

First day back to work after the holidays was super busy but not so bad.  Actually, the attorneys were a little uptight but that's commonplace.  My day went by real quick.

After work I rushed to my Opti-Fast group meeting.  When you think of a weight loss group probably one of the first things that comes to mind is "a bunch of fat people".  Kind of true but that's not the right description for this particular group.  This group is "a bunch of wacky people".  You pretty much feel that you are sitting in a group of highly dysfunctional human beings.  It's well....crazy!  It's a confidentially sensitive group meaning we can't really discuss anything outside of the class so I won't go into detail but believe me when I say that it is the most entertaining and bizarre experience every Tuesday night!  I was talking to a friend tonight after group and we were both implying that we don't always feel super safe with these creatures.  Phew...

By the way...I found out the problem with the Visa Gift Card.  The card has a $50.00 limit on it.  The bill was $42.00+. When you use one at a restaurant, there has to be enough credit remaining in order to cover a 20% tip.  So it was just short of the allowable charge.  Oh well...will have to save the card for my Nook!          

New post on the Food Blog!  I promised something more than 1 post with some cookies for Santa.  So check it out at http://www.foodwithjules.blogspot.com/

And here is my Blogging companion tonight... ♥

Chipwrecked

Happy New Year.  I suppose?  I am going to be honest and say that I am not feeling the "happy" part of this.  Yet.  Most people know that I struggle with depression.  Most days are fine.  Some days are fantastic.  And a few days are absolutely horrible.  This weekend has been the latter.  It's not permanent though and I just need to get through this.  I had to laugh today though. (I DO laugh mind you!)  My parents mean well as do most people.  My dad says to me "have you eaten today"?  Oh how I wish just eating something would fix everything!  But I realize that a lot of people think that I must not have eaten or I am not drinking enough water or I didn't get enough sleep.  Sleep is what depressed people do!  Anyway, I appreciate people trying to help but I am the only one who can save me!  And I will.  With all that aside...here is what's up in my life:

New Year's Eve we decided to go out to dinner.  I don't like being out late on New Year's so we decided to go about 5:30.  We went to Claim Jumper.  May I first say that CJ has not only raised their prices but they have taken away a couple of our favorite menu items.  I was bummed about that but I found a substitution.  I had received a gift card for Christmas and I wanted to use that.  The bill came and it was $43.00.  I had $50.00 on my gift card so... perfect!  Or so I thought.   You know when a different guy comes to your table with that sad look that something is up.  "We are so sorry but your card has been declined".  Seriously?!  Just my luck.  I really didn't want to spend $50.00 on a meal out of my checking account.  Not when Christmas has just ended!  I don't know what's up with the gift card.  I should go online and check it but I just haven't done that yet.
New Year's Day comes along and I get a text from a very close friend who tells me "I got married last night".  WTH?  Of course I am not allowed to tell anyone anything.  It just struck me as odd and I certainly didn't need an invite but I wish I would have known.  And it wasn't like a romantic elopement or anything like that.  I didn't know what to say except for "congratulations".  And I was careful not to put a question mark after that!  It just left me perplexed for the rest of the day.
Today I went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks - Chipwrecked.  What can I say?!  It was cute.  I was with a little girl and she loved it!  That's what matters.  And we all got the kid's combo.  Popcorn, Gummy Bears, and a cup with Alvin on the top.  Hey, that's my new cup for drinking water at my desk!  I got it goin' on!

Back to work tomorrow.  I will certainly miss being home with Roxie and Zoe.  Roxie is such my hero.  She is right here next to me in a chair just snoring her butt off!  What a life... And tomorrow is a new day!  May 2012 bring everyone peace and happiness. And may those of you who live in the cold part of the country (yes, it was 84 degrees here today), please be careful as I hear that "black ice" can not only be dangerous but quite expensive if you hit it and crash the car. ♥
 
Madison w/ Simon, Alvin, & Theodore

Maddie

And here is my puppy girl enjoying an after-supper nap...

1/2/12 "Roxie"