Thursday, November 30, 2006

Awkward

So it's very awkward now, here at work, because my boss and my closest co-worker both know full well about my non-job-offer (since they were called as references). Sort of like being a lame duck without the perks of having an exit date. So I feel pretty uncomfortable.

I suppose this, too, will pass. But I think I need to meet with HR and see what the deal is. I've been second place on several jobs now, and it's starting to really get to me. Maybe I need to go elsewhere. I dunno.

HOWEVER (big cleansing breath), I do have so many great things in my life. There's my family, of course. How awesome are they? Well, since you asked, last night when I cooked an amazingly delicious meal (really!), Susie exclaimed, "This spinach is awesome!" Really. And then The Boy, while I was fixing his plate, told me, "I want some of that spinach." So that's cool. Because I never said that as a kid. Or really as an adult either. And the curried veggies and red lentils? Heaven. Susie was practicing the piano (for her recital! Tonight! Bring tissues!) and burst into the kitchen while I was cooking to lodge this complaint:

"How am I supposed to sit there and play the piano when it smells so good in here?"

Yes indeed, I like that girl more than I like beer.

And my husband isn't bad either. He shot out a great string of obscenities about the whole situation and boy, if that hiring manager has between his ears what my husband thinks he does, then it's a pretty smelly cranium. That's all I'm sayin'.

Oh, and another good thing in my life? The super-fun people that I hang out with in my singing group, one of whom sent me the most touching and supportive email this morning. I practically could feel the hug through the screen. And my neighbors are so funny and distracting. And my minister also emailed all the right things yesterday afternoon and this morning. So my good deeds seem to not go unnoticed, for which I'm grateful.

And my close co-worker was awesome yesterday when I was concentrating so hard on my eye makeup, and she's been so great today too, and she gives really good advice when I need it. I appreciate having someone to trust, because work is tricky that way.

So I'm not going to wallow in this and get in a horrible funk. Didn't you hear? It's almost Chrismukkah! And I'm not letting any stupid job ruin that holiday of holidays. Plus, there's the Husband and Neighbor's birthday party to plan. Did I mention the menu? Cause I know everyone will be clamoring for an invitation if they hear that I'm serving miniature meatloaves, wild mushroom pizzas, chocolate fondue with fluffernutter sandwiches, fruit, Swedish fish, pretzels, and marshmallows, and cheese fondue with bagels and assorted breads. And the cakes? Well, we'll have to wait and see about the cupcake extravaganza that will be there. Suffice it to say, "Holy cupcakes in a tree!"

Peace out.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

My goal today

Setting the bar remarkably low, my driving force today has been this:
Keep Eye Makeup Intact.

That's pretty much it.

But I'm still wearing mascara, so that's something.

My eyes do sting, however.

Hey kids, it's a pajama night!

Second place again

Remember how I always come in second place? I did it again. Unfortunately, this one mattered. Because it was that job.

They hired someone else.

Is it too early to go home and have a martini?

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Still no news

You know that pit-of-the-stomach feeling? The one you get when you're watching a scary movie and something really really bad is about to happen? That feeling when there's an unexpected envelope in your mailbox from the IRS?

That's the feeling I've had for a week. Not hearing either way about this job is crazy-making. I've already been told, unofficially, that it's mine. They've called my boss and one of my co-workers. So what's with the going dark?

I really, really expect to hear something today. But this delay suggests to me that I'm not going to hear what I want to hear.

Fingers tightly crossed.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Other People's Parenting

Back in my AOL days, there was a message board in the parenting area called "Other People's Parenting". It was a hoppin' board, full of snarkiness. I was a bit too busy (parenting!) to keep up with it regularly, but I'd sometimes head over there when I needed a bit of snarkiness.

One of my most-used lines, sometimes even a mantra, is "I did my best parenting before I had children." Because it's all too easy to look at someone's parenting (at the mall, in the park, at the grocery store, at church) and judge. Kids often pick the absolute worst times and places to fall apart. And it's hard to parent with an audience.

HOWEVER (you knew I couldn't be all understanding and sympathetic for a whole post, right?), there are things that we can do as parents, when our kids go completely bat$hit in public (or semi-public, even). Like lose the audience. Get away from the crowd. Go to the restroom with your toddler. Or to the car. Or the hallway. Somewhere that you can be a grown up and remind junior that, yes, indeed, you are an authority figure and are to be respected as such. (And if you can do all that without raising your voice or hitting anyone, even better!) (Because I'm not going to be impressed with your disciplinarian approach if you hit your kid in the aisle at Kroger.) (Especially if you hit the kid with your shoe.)

It's hard to watch people trying to reason with toddlers. It's hard to watch people make empty threats. There's a rule I try to follow (I'm not perfect, though). Don't say it if you're not going to do it. That goes for positive things and negative things. Don't tell the kids you're going to make smoothies and then not do it. (See, I'm not perfect. That was yesterday.) Don't tell them they have to clean their room or they don't get to go to the movies when you know good and well that the only thing that would prevent them from going to the movies would be an act of God or projectile vomiting (which is the opposite of an act of God...possibly even an argument for atheism). They'll test you. They'll find out if you're for real. And if you're not, they know that it's open for negotiation. And that? Is the path of destruction. Beware all ye who enter.

Did I mention that my darling son, The Boy, who often has difficult moments, was a perfect angel all Thanksgiving weekend? He played with his cousin (well, step-cousin, but that's just too many syllables) and had the greatest time. No testing at all. Even took a shower without arguing with me. Aunt S., feel free to send T. to our house whenever you want. You probably don't even need to call. He and The Boy are like peas and carrots and seem to bring out the best in each other. So that whole post I was going to write about The Boy and how he deals (or mostly does not) with peers? Maybe not so much. He really did great this weekend.

Susie, of course, was perfect. She's good at that. She entertained and corralled her younger cousins (ranging in age from three to five). She was patient. She was kind. She was tireless. I don't really know how I got such a child. She's really amazingly mature in those situations.

And The Husband was so good sticking to his diet and exercise program. His brown corduroy pants were tight in the spring and they were falling down yesterday. Progress.

And our Christmas lights are up. Yay.

Friday, November 24, 2006

What should I write about?

Should I write about Thanksgiving? Because it was fine. Turkey, dressing, all that. Just dandy.

I opted to not shop today. The whole "I have panic attacks in crowds" part of me won out, and I decided to be on kid duty. The best part? Hanging out in the car for an hour, in the driveway, when my three-year-old, extremely exhausted nephew napped in his car seat. I didn't want to risk waking him up by moving him, so I studied my music for the concert (quietly) and let him sleep. Apparently that's insane-people behavior from the reaction I got when the shoppers returned. Oh well. I thought it was nice. And he really needed that nap. Yes. Indeed.

The best thing about spending time with the young neice and nephews is that it reminds me how awesomely awesome it is to have older children. I have so darn much fun with my kids, and they are considerably less labor-intensive. Very nice.

Back to the football game. Or the nap. Same difference to me, except the former is much noisier with this crowd.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Ten Things

Meme....from Tater & Tot....(http://www.taterandtot.blogspot.com).

Ten Things I Like About Me

1. I'm really funny. (Really!) Maybe more so in person.

2. I'm a cool mom. Did I mention that I re-dyed Susie's hair PURPLE yesterday? And that The Boy's mohawk now sports red streaks? Because we're punk rock.

3. I can get along with darn near anyone. Just ask anyone at work.

4. I'm scary smart. My undergrad years don't necessarily reflect this (especially not that freshman year....sorry Mom and Dad!), but I've re-read some of the papers I wrote in graduate school and DAMN! I really had an astonishing mind back then. Maybe I should stop drinking after all. Maybe I've already lost too many brain cells.

5. Duh. I'm a very good cook. I sometimes flirt with greatness.

6. I wake up in a good mood almost every day.

7. Pretty singing voice.

8. This is kind of like a 2a. I'm the kind of mom I always wanted to be...the mom that all the kids like to be around. The kids seem to congregate at our house. Especially the girls. They like being around me and they talk to me. I hope hope hope hope hope that stays the same for the next at least ten years. And the next fifty would be fine, too. Because I really do care about these kids and their lives and dreams and problems and I'd honest to god adopt any of Susie's friends in a heartbeat if they ever needed a new family. (The Boy has a different experience of friendship that probably one day deserves its own blog entry. But not today. This is about me!)

9. I throw fabulous parties. Unless the party is for a tween girl. But if it's for adults, watch out. The Husband, at my behest and artistic direction, makes fantastic mix cd's that are always *perfect* and my food is the bomb and I decorate if I need to and the clothes we all wear are perfect. My 35th birthday party - Asian themed - is legendary. People are still talking about it.

10. I look really good in my clothes. My body is far from perfect (you try carrying a 10 lb. baby on a 100 lb., 5'2" frame and see what it does to your belly) (and a four-month-long course of high dose prednisone didn't help) (plus quitting smoking) (and I like beer) (and I work in food service), but it's strong and in proportion and I think it looks pretty darn good for 35 and two kids. (And the Husband is not complaining either.)

Okay, any takers?

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Trying not to get freaked out....

Still no news about the job.

This can't be good.

Trying not to get disappointed.

That's what I get for saying anything. (Not that I'm superstitious or anything.) (I just firmly believe that the universe sometimes gets a huge laugh out of pinging people down when they get too confident.)

Glad there's wine at home.

Still waiting....

This job offer may never come! I'm really hoping today is the day. Because I'll probably need to blow off some steam afterward. And if I hear tomorrow, I'll be stuck blowing off steam for five hours in a car, traveling to the in-laws'. And that's not my idea of the perfect steam-blowing-off location. (The car part, not the in-laws' part.) (But maybe that too.) (I'd better stop before I dig myself a hole.)

Had a very good half of a rehearsal last night. We normally rehearse on Tuesdays, which means The Husband has arranged his schedule so that he's home on Tuesdays. But not on Mondays. So when rehearsal changes to Monday, the kids come with. Which is fine except (a) it's boring if you're not participating and (b) they go to bed at 8, and rehearsal ends after 9. So we attended half the rehearsal. And rehearsed exactly one song, measure by measure. And note by note in some spots. I honestly love workshopping a piece of music like that. I feel 7200% better about that piece than I did 24 hours ago. And since the piece is 36 pages (!!) long, that's 200% per page.

Until quite recently, I felt like I was the "weakest link" in my section (alto). But working with this group has really exercised my musical "muscles" to the point that I feel like I'm definitely holding my own. My sight reading skills were never all that great (ask one of my many piano teachers), but now they're decent. And I find myself singing the part correctly sometimes sooner than other, more experienced, vocalists. Which is pretty neat. Add to that the fact that there are people there who genuinely seem to like me and take an interest in my life and even THINK I'M COOL (ohmygod!), and yeah, I'm hooked. (Let's take a moment here to note that said people are actually even quite cool themselves...professional and amateur and in-between musicians with a lot of talent.)

So yeah, that was cool.

But with no rehearsal tonight, I'm free to watch House. Even without the TIVO. Which is also cool.

Monday, November 20, 2006

I think I'm in a better mood today

Wow, I was sure grumpy last week. Sorry. Will try harder to smile and be charming again. (Wipes vaseline on front teeth - a pageant trick I learned back in the day.) (Another pageant trick: duck tape keeps your strapless dress in place, but owwwie when you remove said tape.)

So It Was The Will Of The Lord that my family (the Husband, The Boy, and Susie, as well as yours truly) all hang out in bed and watch Caddyshack 2 instead of attending church yesterday. Not being one to interfere with God's will, I complied. Very relaxing. Followed by breakfast at the Cafe then shopping at Target and the nearby grocery (nearby to Target, not to us, because our wonderful neighborhood does not have amenities like that) (because we live in the rough urban city, folks, not the suburbs) (and yeah, I'm tough).

We'll be visiting the Husband's family for Thanksgiving and he volunteered me to do much cooking. Which is fine....that's what I like to do anyway. So here's what I'm making: Pumpkin Soup (this recipe originates in Jamaica, where my family lived when I was a wee tot....and it's the only way to convince my father to eat pumpkin....everyone loves it), Creole Succotash (did you know that the first Thanksgiving feast included succotash? no? now you do. It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without succotash.), Roasted Winter Vegetables with Rosemary and Kalamata Olives (just like the name....very tasty way to serve brussels sprouts and parsnips), and an Apple Tart with Caramel Sauce (okay, so The Boy requested apple pie...but I'm fancy).

My mother-in-law called yesterday and really, really wants me (me!) to go shopping with her and her daughters in the morning the day after Thanksgiving. I dunno why. Maybe because I'm such good company?

Still waiting for news. Would love to know today. That's a hint.

Friday, November 17, 2006

Things that are annoying

I don't know why I'm ranting so much this week. It's not hormonal. Maybe it's the diet. Anyway.........

Don't you hate people who don't follow up? Like not answering emails? Or returning phone calls that need an answer? Urgh. I've spent too much time today trying to track someone down. I had pretty much decided that she was not in the office at all, but I did call another person and found out she was there. Frankly, that made me even angrier. If she'd been home with the flu that would be a much better reason than just ignoring my messages. If this were an isolated incident I'd probably be less irate. But this office in general is really, really, really bad about following up.

Which won't matter a whit to me anymore if the news I'm about to get is the news I'm 99.9% sure I'm going to get. Because I'll discontinue my affiliation with the no-follow-through office. And I'll be more than happy to say more about that later, but not today. I'm just superstitious enough to not want to jinx things.

But hey, the Husband claims that I have lost weight on his diet. Not sure if he's right (we don't own a scale), but he might be. I got rid of a lot of clothes that don't fit anymore (quitting smoking plus being a foodie equals weight gain), so I'm no longer torturing myself with things I can't wear. Just torturing myself with an almost-vegan diet at home.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Second Interview

It went well. So well that I had to tell my boss about it because she's going to get a phone call tomorrow. I'm tied up in knots waiting to find out what's going to happen. I really really really don't want to reprise my first loser performance of Saturday. This job is way better than prom queen.

Not much else to say. My arm hurts 'cause I got a flu shot today. Bought cute PJs for the family (early early early Christmas presents for all of us). Sock monkeys. Oh yes. Because we love monkeys almost irrationally.

And boy did it rain hard this morning. Woke up the kids, which is saying something.

Tired.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Inverse relationship

I'm working on a theory.

I think (but I have no proof) that there's a relationship between car size and a man's, um, yeah, that.

Think about it: who is buying these Hummers and Jeep Commanders? Think of your neighbors, your co-workers. Which of them is in that behemouth of a vehicle, gulping down gallons of gas and, thank-you-very-much, NEVER carpooling? Is it the really cool guy that you'd love to have lunch with every day of your natural life? Is it the ironic and hip girl who always has the best jokes? No? I didn't think so. No. It's the dude with the Napoleon complex. Except maybe he's tall. But I'm thinking that Hedwig and the Angry Inch? Strikes a chord.

That's all I'm sayin'. It's freaking retarded to buy a gigantic SUV.

Monday, November 13, 2006

First Loser

I have a confession to make. I come in second place a lot.

Take this weekend as a recent example. Our church's annual auction is the scene. This year's theme is retro prom (think blue ruffly tuxedo shirts....). There's a prom queen election. I started campaigning early. My platform was: Vote for me or I'll kick your a$$. Pretty good, I thought. And it was looking good. I was going to win. All those miserable years as a teen would be avenged. I would be the prom queen. Oh yes. I bought pink tiara earrings in advance.

And a year prior....same place, different theme. Old West Chili Cook-Off. I work in food service. I've cooked for a Nobel prizewinner. I can make darn good chili. And I even bought freakin' OSTRICH meat.

And both times....second place.

My chili was defeated by a chili made of CANNED chicken and canned beans and nothing special whatsoever.

And who defeated me in my bid for prom queen? A guy. A big guy who is straight. And wore a dress and bad fake tits and an ugly wig. That ugly non-drag-queen beat me, looking ULTRA HOT in a sheath of a black dress, my second-highest heels, hair done.

Life lesson: don't try to win. Extra effort results in second-place finishes. And the man will ALWAYS try to keep you down, even if you're hotter and your boobs are real.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Sssshhhhh, I've got a secret!

Okay, I'm breaking the most important rule of blogging. I'm blogging about work. Everyone please pray that I don't get fired.

I interviewed for a new position at my company yesterday. And I had a conversation today with someone that indicated that I was the top contestant. The job is a few pay grades higher than where I am, and it's definitely got more prestige. Not necessarily a wardrobe change, but could lead to one.

I spent part of today tidying up my office just in case I need to start packing it up next week. I'm ready for a change and this really does seem to be a great opportunity.

And I'm getting a haircut tomorrow.

It's girls' night in for Susie this evening...she'll have two friends spend the night. One is the daughter of the foreign politician who has his own Wikipedia entry (my geeky entry last month); the other is just a normal kid from what I've witnessed. The Boy will spend the night with a friend. I, on the other hand, will be across town at a rehearsal. And I may do a little celebratory shopping beforehand. Because I'm gonna get that job.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Back on track

We've been busy enough for the past few days that I wasn't focusing on the new diet that we've picked for The Husband in order to reverse his Metabolic Syndrome. Yesterday I had some downtime, however, and worked out a new weekly plan. And last night, even though the pantry was close to bare, I managed to find the ingredients to make a really yummy minestrone soup. (With a few insignificant substitutions.) Baked some apples for dessert, which satisfies the sweet tooth AND is a serving or two of fruit.

If all the recipes from this upcoming week go over well, we'll have a good two week cycle of recipes from the www.mediterrasian.com site. I have sufficient cookbooks of different styles (and enough culinary knowledge, skill, and creativity) that I am confident that I can create a monthly cycle. And probably even seasonalize the menus, with different rotations for different times of the year (i.e., tomatoes for every meal in July!!).

Of course, there's a challenge. Because I'm too busy to make two dinners every night, these recipes must also pass the kid test. Now, Susie and The Boy are both pretty adventurous eaters, especially when compared with their peers. And I have a policy that if you don't like what I make, you can make yourself a PBJ sandwich. They rarely take me up on that one. Last night was no exception. They glared at the food, but they ate it. Even finished it! I've been augmenting their meals with a fattier side dish (kids' developing nervous systems need fat...and the kids thus far show no signs of a weight problem). So they had cheese mini-ravioli with butter and parmesan with their soup. I have confidence that the Greek dishes, Middle Eastern, and Indian dishes will go over well. Italian is a no-brainer, and most of my "regular" cooking is French-influenced (but richer than the Provencal dishes on the Mediterrasian diet). It's the Tunisian and Turkish items that I'm less certain of, since those are different flavor signatures and combinations than our usual fare. The kids also have not yet tried Thai, which I really like (and The Husband is somewhat lukewarm about). Susie has a mostly-hate relationship with Chinese food (and The Boy loves it, doesn't that figure....) but she is a huge sushi/edamame/miso soup fan, so we should be able to make Japanese dinners work for her.

The upcoming week will have more of a Mediterranean focus than the first week, which was mostly Asian foods. Fortunately we have a great Mediterranean grocery store (which is just as fun to visit as the Vietnamese grocery, with the added bonus of being able to see sheep heads in the butcher area!). No more Farmer's Market this season, so we'll be visiting Easy Way for most of the produce. I'm pretty sure it's no different than the produce at the regular grocery store, but it's a locally-owned store and I think they turn over their inventory a little faster, so it at least seems fresher. And the prices are usually better.

A whole post about food? Looks like it. Maybe I'll have more to post later.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

The Amendment

Shall Article XI of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section:

The historical institution and legal contract solemnizing the relationship of one man and one woman shall be the only legally recognized marital contract in this state. Any policy or law or judicial interpretation, purporting to define marriage as anything other than the historical institution and legal contract between one man and one woman, is contrary to the public policy of this state and shall be void and unenforceable in Tennessee. If another state or foreign jurisdiction issues a license for persons to marry and if such marriage is prohibited in this state by the provisions of this section, then the marriage shall be void and unenforceable in this state.


That's the amendment that resoundingly passed in my state yesterday. I haven't quite had the heart to throw away my "Vote No on One" sign that's been in my yard for months. I really don't have the heart to email everyone I know to decry what's happened. Because we just added discrimination to our constitution.

Voting No on One didn't mean you were in favor of gay marriage. It wasn't going to suddenly become legal due to the failure of Amendment One's passage. Voting No on One was more a vote to keep discrimination out of our constitution.

It wasn't that long ago that marriage was defined as the union of a white man and a white woman or a black man and a black woman. For a long, long time, that was how marriage was legal. Society managed to change enough that marriage stopped being defined by race. And our state's constitution never was amended to exclude interracial marriages. That was just legislation. Which is relatively easy to overturn.

Maybe one day society will change again. I have hope for that when I think of my daughter, proudly helping me vote yesterday. She didn't need to ask which button to push on Amendment One. She hit that "No" button decisively and happily. She gets my vote any day.

Shaq must be the next James Bond. (from Poppy Z. Brite)

If you think it's a good idea, pass it on; turn it into a meme (I don't mean a survey, but an actual, self-replicating meme); infect the world with it. And make it happen.The idea is this:

Shaq must be the next James Bond.

We're going public with this because of the recent talk about Puff Daddy, or P. Diddy, or Diddy, or whatever his name is this week, wanting to be the first black James Bond. This must not be allowed to happen. Diddy is handsome, all right, but there's no evidence that he can act and, due to the unfortunate societal mindset that there can only be one black element in a traditionally white idiom (e.g. newspaper funnypages featuring either "Curtis" or "Boondocks" but seldom both, even though the two strips are totally dissimilar), his likely-inept performance will spoil any chances of there being a second black Bond for ages and ages.

Here's why Shaq must be the first:

- He has natural acting ability, as anyone who's seen him flop can attest to. And he's not as conventionally handsome as P.D., but he has that killer smile.

- He's incredibly charismatic. People who didn't like the Lakers, people who don't like the Miami Heat, people who don't even like basketball like Shaq.

- He's already interested in law enforcement and high-tech gadgets.

- Literally and figuratively, he is a larger-than-life figure who transcends race. Most people of any race who hear of this brilliant casting move won't think "black James Bond" first; they'll think "SHAQ James Bond."

- He's probably going to retire next year and will need a new job.

- He's one of the coolest people in the world, just like James Bond.

- Even I, with my ignorance and general dislike of movies, know that the current Bond sucks and is hated by all hardcore James Bond fans.The only real drawback I can see is that it will be hard to find a stunt double for him, but surely that can be overcome.

Shaq as James Bond. Think about it. If you like Shaq or James Bond, I think you'll see the beauty of it. If so, spread the word. You never know ... like Tinkerbell or that giant oyster-thing in Robert Arthur's "Do You Believe In Ghosts?", if enough people have faith in it, maybe it will come true.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Getting well, not soon enough

This cold doesn't want to go away. Plus it's getting cold outside. We had a freeze warning last night, so after dinner Susie and I picked the still-green tomatoes off the tomato plants. We filled a large bowl. I was surprised that we had that many left so late. They're now in a paper bag - we'll see if they ripen and taste good. I let a few counter-ripen this summer and they were all right. Still better (fresher) than what we get at the store. And now the Farmer's Market is done until April, so we're stuck with store-bought produce for the next five months.

Busy weekend ahead: rehearsal tomorrow morning, then Susie's girl scout troop (and other troops, too) will be going on a hayride in the afternoon. Since the hayride is in the suburbs, we'll take advantage and visit the large wholesale store and the mall because I threw away all my candles when we moved and never replaced them. It's time. (I realized the gravity of the situation on Halloween, when we had to scramble to find sufficient candles to light the pumpkins....one of the pumpkins got a "Glade Candle-Scents" candle because we didn't have the proper supplies. Smelled strange....mulberry + natural pumpkin.) We also want to go to the health food store because they sell things like non-instant oatmeal in bulk. And we eat it in bulk.

Sunday, if it's not raining, we're going to go hiking in the nearby State Park. There's a nice 3 mile loop that's just challenging enough for the kids (I hiked it pregnant several times, so it's not hard!). Last time we hiked there, though, we somehow got off the trail and wound up hiking more like 5 miles, and it was getting dark. There was crying. There was wailing. There was gnashing of teeth. And that was just the Husband. Sadly, the crying washed off the bug spray - and that state park is mosquito heaven. Bug bites near the eyes are really unpleasant.

This time we'll all pay attention (the trail is well-marked) and it's late enough in the season (and cold enough) that we won't see any mosquitos (I hope). But I'm bringing extra hot chocolate, just in case.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Being sick and distracting myself from it

I hate being sick.
I hate being sick.
I hate being sick.

However, I really love planning parties, so to make myself feel better, I started planning a birthday party for the Husband and our neighbor. They both have birthdays within a week of Christmas, which means they normally get lame birthday parties. Or none at all. So I've decided to have no other seasonal parties...no Christmas party...no New Year's Party. And instead I'm going to focus the fun on these two lovely people.

And everyone better come and bring them good gifts. Because they deserve a good time.

In other news, my singing group begins rehearsals on Saturday for our holiday concert. I'm very excited, since I sat out from the last two holiday concerts, and, despite being a mostly agnostic, I really really really really love Christmas music. Almost as much as I love planning parties. Which is a lot. Because I'm an extrovert.

Also I've been looking at diets. And I found this really cool site: www.mediterrasian.com. I like what they have to say and I think we can implement a lot of their suggestions in our family. All the research I've done about the Husband's "Metabolic Syndrome" diagnosis suggests that the Mediterranean diet is the solution. So we're gonna try. And if I lose a few pounds in the process, even better. He even told me today that he's interested in tai chi. As long as there's red wine, I can follow any diet.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Missed a day

I didn't write anything yesterday, despite my insistence that the entire purpose of this blog is to discipline myself to write something every day. Sorry, self. I was sick and feeling punky and pretty much couch-surfed much of the day. I did watch my favorite movie, so that was a bright spot.

Oh, and it was also Halloween. The kids had a great time, they looked fantastic, and much candy now resides in our house. Hopefully very little will make it to my hips.

Still not feeling well, but better than yesterday. Mostly just achy, but not as bad as the flu. So I'm done writing.