farewell 2008

I figured I should write a little something as I sit here and nom on my celery at the computer. Again, I've been seriously lax in posting of late. I guess it's the joy of being a adult with a life and too much to do during the holiday season. =)

Life has been mostly very good for the past couple of months. The ex that I met up with about a month ago is no longer an ex. He and I are officially a couple. It's nice to date someone who lives within 1000, nay 100!, miles of me. I've been good about going to the gym to meet with my trainer. I haven't lost any weight since that started, but I've been toning up a little bit. I feel pretty good too! Work is still work. We occasionally have scheduling difficulties with all the people who think they should be able to dictate their own days off without telling the supervisor in advance, but I'm thrilled to have a job in this economy. I've been watching all my friends succumb to the weather craziness that is Texas-everyone is getting sick all over the place. It's hard to not have allergy issues/colds/flus/etc when the weather is 77 one day and 44 the next! I got to see some out-of-town family for Christmas (Mama and I went down to San Antonio) that I hadn't seen since last year. That was awesome. Then on the way back we stopped off and saw the beauty that is my god daughter. I got some pretty amazing stuff for Christmas. My mother went WAAAAAAAAAY above the call of mom duty. Most of what I got was gift card and money related for clothes and the personal trainer. I was hoping to go shopping today, but my stomach had other plans. =( I found out today that I may be having another post-WLS-surgery problem, but for the meantime it is livable. I had planned to have a NYE party here at my place tomorrow night, but that got kiboshed since the 2 people I was really doing it for couldn't make it. No worries--now I don't have to spend the money for the snackage and drinks for everyone! I think the sax man and I will just have a quiet night alone (watching the Stars game).

Well, that's a good update for now. Hopefully I'll have something interesting happen sometime soon so I can post about something funny. I'd much rather entertain than inform! I hope you all have a safe and happy New Year!

you people

Okay. You people that I call friends who call me a friend. You gotta back me up and tell me what you are thinking. In the past week, I've had at least 4 of you tell me that you thought the "man in my life" was playing me, jerking me around, and/or giving me the run around. Two of you told me you think I may even be the "other woman." Why didn't you tell me this sooner? Haven't you all figured out by now that I (fortunately or not) always see the best in people. Do you remember the jerk from Boston from a couple of years ago? You all officially have my permission to tell me when you think I'm making a mistake. Thank you in advance for helping me not make these ridiculous mistakes in the future. It does make life happier only seeing the best. This is why I keep y'all around. =) Thanks guys!

Gosh! All it takes is the ex that everyone liked showing back up in my life....
*swoon*

yay and ouch

I finally have my baby Maximilian back. He had to get a new thermostat. Yes, in the grand scheme of things, I probably could've replaced that part myself. However, it was nice to have someone else do it correctly the first time. I always worry about working on systems that are full of fluids. I got him back yesterday morning and just about did a little dance when he got me to work safely without overheating. I figure after 148K miles, he deserved a new thermostat. =)

As to the ouch, I had a session with the personal trainer today. We started with 30 minutes of racquetball for cardio then followed with 45 minutes of arms and shoulders with weights. I wanna die now. I can hardly lift my arms to take off my sweatshirt! I just gotta keep telling myself it's good for me, it's good for me.

I got to see the Canuck last night. He was back for business again for a night or two. He's supposed to leave tonight, but he's gonna try and change it and fly out tomorrow so I can see him again tonight. Sweetie! Funny that neither of us has really done a whole lot in the month since we saw each other last. He did get to see Coldplay in Denver (good for him, I'm not a huge fan). When they dropped some crazy confetti shaped like butterflies, he caught and kept one for me. What a dork (rolls eyes). At least he was thinking of me!

Ya, that's about all I can come up with right about now. I think I might need a nap now so I can relax my poor arms.

things that make me happy

1. Having people at the garage where I take my car (a) know me by name when I call, and (b) let me take a car {albeit a minivan} for the day when they can't repair my car fast enough to make them happy.

2. My first full stat run at the lab reading differentials (counting white cells, red cells, platelets and such under the microscope). Finally a new skill!

3. The boys on the back of the sofa looking out the window waiting for me to come home.

4. A perfectly brewed pot of Teavana Silver Needle tea.

5. Pillar Gypsy salami from Central Market to nosh on while trying to get tired.

6. Knowing that I have friends and family that are there for me if and when I need them.

My car is still in the shop, I'm getting PMSy crampy, didn't have time to go to the gym, and (because of the car) I can't finish my Christmas shopping for my family due to lack of fundage. Things should have really sucked all day today, but for some reason I just can't get out of a good frame of mind. In the grand scheme of things, I still have it pretty good. Hope I can keep it going in the morning!

(and yes, this is the 3rd post today--3rd time's the charm!)

zee update

My poor Maximilian is still in the garage. He needs a new thermostat. In the meantime, the behemoth is carting me to and fro. I do like the tallness of the minivan, but the rest of the mom-mobile concept evades me. I'd much rather drive a station wagon. They're kinda hot. Not the wood panelled ones from the 70s mind you. The cool Subarus and Volvos with 4 wheel drive and car like driving abilities. Ya. I could dig that. Or another S2000. Hmmmm, station wagon or sports car??? My tastes do run the gamut.

Anyway, I'll have the behemoth until sometime tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll get my Max back without having to spend too much more money. If only I'd been able to make that tree actually leaf out in green bills....

ray-DEE-ay-tor

My poor car. I finally get the title in my possession, and all hell breaks loose. Or brakes loose. Whoa, bad pun. Especially since the brakes are fine. I shouldn't tempt fate I suppose.

Anyway, as I was trying to drive to a handbell rehearsal yesterday after Sunday morning choir duties, I noticed my temperature gauge start to creep up. By the time I got home, Max belched out all his coolant all over the driveway. First thing I did (after calling my handbell director and telling her I wouldn't be there) was rinse all the antifreeze into the grass or down the drain. Yes, I know. Pollution and all, but I'd rather pollute a little than kill a neighborhood kitteh or puppeh. Then Mother came and saved me. She took me to lunch (wouldn't even let me pay), took me to Pep Boys for more coolant, then came back to take me back to church later for an evensong. Props to Kathy for driving me home after the service. In the hour break I was at home, I refilled the radiator with coolant, let it sit a bit, then drove about a 2 mile round trip. By the time I got half way through my circle, the temperature started to skyrocket again. NOOOO!!!!! Yes folks, Max belched the rest of the coolant out starting at the end of my driveway up until I stopped the car. That's when I called AAA and set up my towing to the garage this morning. Poor baby Max is still there. They thought it was just a kaput radiator cap, and they bled and refilled the system. Then before I could get to work, the dang thing almost overheated again. Now I am driving a minivan. Yes kids, a minivan. Don't think this makes me just a little bit unhappy. I'm driving a "mom-mobile." Ugh.

I'll let you all know how it turns out. Hopefully I won't have to give people Christmas gifts of cards saying "Thanks for understanding, but I fixed my car instead of buying you a gift."

tooting my own horn

If you don't want to read about my recent successes, stop reading now. I'm gonna brag about myself a little bit.

So I had jury duty today. For the first time ever, I was out relatively early--11am today! I ended up going down to Neiman Marcus to wander and look at the Christmas decorations (hey, I'm not downtown often), and my father met me there for lunch. Would you believe their cafe has good turkey meatloaf? Well, they do. Then it was errand time. I came home, grabbed a bunch of clothes and went back out to consign those suckers. Would you believe no one wanted my stuff? The consignment stores either (1) would only take things less than one year old, (2) would only take "designer" brands (I thought Liz Claiborne was a designer...), or (3) already had too much stuff. Fine. A woman did hit me up in a parking lot asking about my red leather jacket. She said she gets paid tomorrow and may call me then to inquire about it. We'll see. Then I went to Vickie's to exchange a bra for a size that actually fit. Dammit.

Anyway, to the bragging. I went across the mall to The Gap. I had no real idea what size I would wear. My current Levis are 12s so I figured 12 or 14 would be the right size for me. Oh, ya. I have no dress clothes or skirts that fit right now. I figured I needed something to get me through the holidays. Now I do! I bought a black pencil skirt in a size 10. Yes people, a ten. This is the size I wore in high school. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!! (does a little dance around the store) I would've bought a lot more than I did if I'd had the money. As it was, I got one skirt and one skirt/jacket combo (on sale). So I now have at least 2 different things to wear until next year. Woo-hoo!!! Yay me!

Okay, that's it for today. I'm sure there will be something more exciting later in the week.

2 weeks, time to post

Again, I find myself apologizing for my crap ass ability to blog on a regular basis. Right now I'm sitting at work waiting for the last driver to bring in samples to be analyzed by my amazing abilities of urine-problem deducing power. Actually, I'd really love to be home in bed with a cup of tea. I feel like ass crack. Well, I don't really know what that would feel like, but since it sounds bad, that's what I'm going with for now. Here: let me explain my weekend and you'll understand....

Saturday was glorious. It was super sunny and beautiful. The perfect day for a church chili cook off. Oh ya, except it was only about 55 degrees and the wind was blowing ninety to nothing. The wind even blew over the chili samples onto the judges (of which I was one). I thought these people were smart and would move the fiesta inside since it was so windy and cold. Nope. Ergo, your favorite naughty mouse was sitting outside in the shade with a thin long sleeved shirt, a vest, and jeans on. That was not warm enough!!! Would have been better if the chili had been spicy. =) By the time I left I felt like a popsicle. Then it was time for me to go to work. I got there at 5pm and left at 2:30am. Yes kids, 2:30am. I got home about 3:30 after having the wits scared out of me by all the drunk drivers out on the road. I sped like a bat out of hell getting home daring a cop to pull me over. If he had, then I could've pointed out all the drunk drivers!!! As it was, I was WIDE awake by the time I got home.

I got about 4 hours of sleep before I had to get up and go to church to sing yesterday. It started off badly when I got told to sing soprano instead of alto (a numbers issue). After so little sleep and all the coldness of the day before, my voice was not in its best shape. After church there was a choir party, and since I'm never one to snub a party, I went. I spent most of it outside in a beautiful backyard with tons of beautifully colored trees. About mid afternoon, I thought I should go home and take a nap before going and being counselor to a bunch of EYC kiddos. That nap didn't happen. By this time, I was getting very allergy-ridden. As soon as I laid down on the futon, I couldn't breathe. If I sat up I felt better, but I couldn't sleep sitting up. Screw that. I went to the store and go some exciting purchases of cat litter, milk, yogurt, and frozen dinners. Then it was time to go to church again. Poor kids. I sat there the whole night with my box of tissues at the ready. When I got back home, I put the flannel sheets and fleece blanket on the bed, got in, and holed up for the evening.

Then comes to this morning. I soooooooooooooo didn't want to get out of bed. I still woke myself up most of the night with congestion and drippy nose issues. Also, since Thomas looooooooooves the new sheets, I was extra warm all night because he wanted to be warm with me. I called and told work people I'd be in later when I felt like getting up. Yes, I brought in my special box of tissues to work with me. And my Mentholatum. And my Zyrtec and Sudaphed.

Yup, I live the glorious life of snotty allerginess. I hope you all are faring better!

bad naughty mouse

Sorry. My blogging ability seems to be full o' snark lately. It's not that I haven't had things to blog about either. I just haven't made the time. Sorry. Let's see if I can catch y'all up to date. And don't worry, it'll be so train of thought that it'll prolly be very out of order. =)

Lessee...where to start. This weekend was Halloween, and I didn't do a damn thing to celebrate. I've been fighting a sore throat and cough, so I stayed home per Doc's orders. I was so worried about actually being home for kiddos coming by that I stopped on the way home from work and got 2 bags of candy. Ya, I'm taking all that chocolate crap to work. I didn't have a single trick or treater. And the Stars lost. Boo on Friday night.

I went with a coupld of kids from work to see Weezer Tuesday night a week ago. I hate to say, but I was actually disappointed. Number one, I was basically a chaperone, a third wheel, an outsider. That made for a fun night. Secondly, they really didn't put on that good of a show. I was surprised. The best part of the whole night was when they got this group of local amateur muscians on the stage to play Island in the Sun with them. The trumpet and accordian were the highlight of my evening. Oh, and I didn't received the tickets in the mail until 2 days ago. Thank goodness for Will Call and picture IDs.

Then the following Friday, I got a text message from the ex as soon as I walked in the door to my house. He wasnted to know what I was up to. Random. Then he calls me and asks if I want to go see REM with him. Hmmmm, cute man wanting to take me to a good concert I don't have to pay for??? Hells ya! Now that was an amazing show! Those men may be getting old, but they can rock hard! And we had kick ass seats. The only somewhat funny part of the night was when he asked if I wanted a drink before we went in to our seats. We're waiting in a bloody long line and he realizes that he's left his wallet at home. Really? Are you kidding me? After the way you just drove us here trying to get us here in time for the show? It's a miracle we didn't get pulled over. Anyway, he held our place in line while I went to the ATM to take out money for adult beverages. (shakes head and chuckles at the boy acting soooo blond) That's okay, the seats were incredible. It was worth buying a couple of drinks. At least he offered! =)

Lessee, what else.... Oh! The pre-Halloween party at Winny's was FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC! I only wish I hadn't had to work the next morning so I could've stayed longer. Granted my costume was uber lame (mad scientist--just wore scrubs and a lab coat--sooooo original), but everyone else looked great. JCC was the best as a carrot. A caniballistic carrot. (I have a pic of her eating a carrot--trust me, it was hilarious). Then the H-bomb was a naughty Magic Eight Ball. And WC was Chef from South Park. Too funny!!! They went all out on decorations and food. All the typical Halloween foods you can imagine: green slime dip, smashed bug pizza, jello brain in the blood punch, etc. Oh how I love my friends!

Anyway, that's enough of a catch up for you kiddos. I'll leave you with a pic from the party. Tell me Winny can't do it up right!

Tramontana

Whoa. I had the best dinner last night. It was with my mother at a place called Tramontana (http://www.mybistro.net/). This place is sooooooooooo underrated; I can't believe it wasn't packed. My starter (skip over this one, H-bomb) was the local goat cheese with roasted garlic and grilled portabello mushrooms. It was served with a chunky marinara and bruschetta bread crouton things. I didn't even so much as lick the bread--just ate the good stuff! (breaks into song: "Heaven, I'm in heaven....") Mother had a salad of roasted beets, local chevre, granny smith apples, and buttered walnuts. OMG! That was fantastic, too, and I can't stand beets. Her main course was Texas quail that was prepared with honey and lavender. Wow. I had the Chateaubriand with a Cabernet demi glace. Mmmmmm, beef. Then I had some for lunch today and the rest for dinner tonight! =) Anyway, this place is in Preston Center (Preston Road and NWHWY) for anyone who wants to have an amazing dinner. Yes, it is not cheap, but considering what you are getting, it is well worth the price. Just plan ahead for a couple weeks (like skip your morning Starbucks or whatever). It is soooooooooo worth it. And wouldn't you rather support your local eateries than national chains in this tough economy?

OMG!!!

Just a short note to update everyone on my WLS. I just tried on the dress that my mother made for me to wear for my college graduation in 1994. It is now a smidge big on me. Whoot! Yay me! I think that deserves a Reece's cup.

{shuddering}

My mother can tell you that I've always watched commercials. I'd wait until they were over before I'd leave the room to go to the bathroom as a kid. Why I never went into advertising, I'll never know. Anyway, there is a new commercial on the television that creeps me out. It is for Jack in the Box; it's the one with the 2 men in the stroller. OMG!!! What is the idea behind two grown men whining about being hungry? It honestly creeps me out and makes me shudder. Physically shudder! It is soooooooooo wrong. Wrong, I tell you!

On the other hand, I made a pass at my local barista this morning. Gotta get back in the game somehow. I think I need more practice. =)

it's 1am--do you know where your naughty mouse is?

Whoa. I despise working the night shift. No, I'm not at work now. I worked last night which means I slept very little last night before having to get up and sing this morning. Which also means I ended up falling asleep on the couch for a longish nap today. Which in turn means I'm still awake now. Arrgh! What better time to blog and catch you guys up on the lack of happenings in my life.

So, it's official. The guy and I are kaput. I actually broke up with him via email. He's been out of town for the past 2 months (save 3 days). How the heck are you supposed to have a relationship with someone like that? He wished me the best and said I deserved better. A woman in choir this morning said that if he admitted it, there must be some truth in it. Whatever. Still no fun.

Work is still work. I think the renovations are over for the time being. The bigwigs come to town tomorrow morning to see all the changes. Whoop dee freaking doo. I'm just glad it's over. Do you know how hard it is to work in a scientific setting with the smell of tile adhesive and the sound of drills? Well, my friends (sorry, too much McCain), it's not so fun. Hopefully the CEO will like it and we can work in peace for a while at least.

School is schooly. I had a big presentation/lecture leading thing last Friday. I was soooooooooooo nervous, but it seemed to go very well. When the professor quoted me toward the end of the class (something to the effect of "the point that she made about blah blah blah..."), he made me sound like I knew what I was talking about. I smiled about that one. Now I just have to get back together with the thesis prof and work out the timeline for my project. Hmmm, and if anyone has any suggestions on how to build a microsatellite library quickly, lemme know! =)

One last thing: I'm so glad for my friends and family I can't begin to tell you. It seems like a lot of bad things are happening to those around me. One of our coworkers passed away this past week from complications of lung cancer. A woman in my choir lost all her hair after her first bout of radiation for lung cancer. A dear friend's mother had to be admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and found out she needed triple bypass surgery (she is doing well, thank God). Another coworker is going through dialysis three times a week while waiting for a kidney transplant. Oh, and he has a brand new baby he can hardly enjoy in his weakened state. My ills are so banal in comparison. If I start to gripe about things, just remind me how good I really do have it. Because I do. I love you all and keep you all in my prayers!

toooo funny!

While on my way home from work (ridiculously late I might add), I heard the funniest song on KNON's blues hour. It's called Oreo Cookie Blues by Lonnie Mack (and SRV). Hahahaha! Here are the lyrics for you for a giggle. Enjoy!

Chocolate on my fingers, icing on my lips
Sugar diabetes and blubber on my hips
I keep the night light burning in the kitchen baby
So I can go downstairs and cruise
I got them oreo creme sandwich
Chocolate covered creme filled cookie blues

I hide'em in a cabinet, I keep'em in a jar
For emergency's you know I keep'em in the
Glove compartment of my car
And I can't live without'em
They git' me higher than I can get on booze
I got them oreo creme sandwich
Chocolate covered creme filled cookie blues

Doctor says I'm crazy
You better give'em up and quick
Or you'll be pushing up daisies because
Boy you definitely sick
I couldn't quit if I wanted to
Yeah I don't wanna lose
It's them oreo creme sandwich
Chocolate cover creme filled cookie
Built by nabisco, ain't no rookie
Next best thang to nookie blues

can you believe the gaul?!?

He's back!

the squirrel

The other day I walked out of my house to go to work. Out of the corner of my eye, I spied a curious sight. The bird feeder I have out under my American Elm by the street was on the ground, broken apart, with birdseed spread all over. In the midst of the seed was a squirrel busily chomping away on the Smörgåsbord. I calmly walked over saying "excuse me?" while doing so--he just continued to chomp away faster and faster with his little squirrelly eyes looking for the quickest way out. He finally dashed up the aforementioned elm, and I started to scrape as much of the seed into a pile to put it back into the feeder. When I picked up the feeder, I noticed something quite amusing: he hadn't just knocked the feeder off the hanger. That little shit actually chewed through the hanger and it was irreparable. Are you kidding me? I couldn't help but laugh. If he's that ingenious, let him eat as much of the birdseed as he wants. Silly squirrel.

Oh, I did go out and get a new and improved bird feeder. The hanger is not made of plastic, and it is un-chewable!

can we all say awww

I don't know why I find this so unbelievably sweet and adorable. Enjoy!

random weekend

Game night came off without a hitch once people arrived. It's funny, but just about everyone showed up at the same time. I'm just glad that the kitteh-allergic people didn't have problems. I vacuumed like a fiend! What was really funny was that at like 9:30pm, a couple of us started yawning and complaining about being tired. How lame are we??? I was kinda excited so I could get some sleep before the drive to McGregor Saturday morning. Not to happen! At 10pm, people started talking about leaving--ya, then we started talking, and that kept going on until almost midnight. Then I had to clean as much as I could with the injury. Oh ya!!! FYI--if you drop your favorite 8 inch chef's knife, don't try to catch it. =) I got lucky with that one. Only a small slice on my right middle finger. After being bandaged for 2 days, it's looking good. I hope a good time was had by all. Personally, I really enjoyed the Adult Mammoth Mad-Libs. I can always count on the H-bomb to keep it scandalous.

Saturday morning came very early. The alarm got me up at 8am so I could make it to my swim class by 9am. Dang, I might as well have stayed home because the brain/muscle connections were totally non-functional. I was so tired I kept forgetting to breathe. How does that happen?!? I'd turn my head, exhale, and put my face back in the water without getting a new breath. D'oh! After about 45 minutes of braindeadness, the coach finally decided we should do something different--back to dolphin kick. Thank goodness! That requires no thought.

After the class, I came home and finished cleaning up from the night before, threw some stuff in an overnight bag, and left for the burgeoning metropolis of McGregor, Texas. Surprisingly, I made it through crummy traffic in only 2.5 hours. The god daughter was soooooooo excited to see me; her mother hadn't told her I was coming. She's so freaking cute. Love that kid. After her birthday party, everyone involved took a short nap while she went to dinner with her father (the first time he's made an effort to be a dad since the split). Then KF and I went to the Founder's Day street dance thing downtown (if you can call that a downtown!). It was interesting to say the least, but we both pooped out by 10pm. As we headed back to the house, we noticed that the clouds had abated and the stars were out in full force since the moon was still below the horizon. When we got back home, we changed into comfy clothes and went outside to stargaze. It was amazing! It has been so long since I could actually see the Milky Way, but there it was. There were so many stars, I couldn't even decipher any constellations. Now for the funny part: while we were out gazing, someone came behind us and locked the deadbolt to the house. No matter how much knocking we did, no one heard us. Luckily, KF's brother lives across the street. We walked over and waited for him and his buddy to come back from coyote hunting (we could see the headlights coming through the field). Ya, did I mention this was all out in the middle of freaking nowhere? Across the street is still quite a hike. Well, KF was wearing all black, so I think he was quite surprised when she apparated out of nowhere in his headlights! He told us to get in the back of the pickup truck (which was outfitted with this homemade coyote hunting stand with chairs and all up over the truck) so he could drive us back to the house. It was so countrified, I couldn't quit laughing.

So that is my weekend in a nutshell. I got up at 6:15 this morning so I could be back in town to sing at 10am. The rest of the day has been a complete wash. I'm wiped out!

while I await party goers...

typical

I'm hosting Game Night tonight. I planned it since my house is (relatively) clean. Why not have my best friends over for a night of fun, right? Well, as of last Wednesday I've been feeling kinda crummy. I blamed it on allergies and the constant construction up at work. Well, I left work yesterday and haven't been back since. I still feel crummy. Yep, my head is ouchy, my body is achy, and I just generally feel like poo. I must prevail! I'm not gonna worry too much about tonight. I've got plenty of snack foods and soft drinks. The main room is clean enough for everyone, and all my friends understand that doing something on a Friday night is iffy anyway. Anywho, wish me luck kiddos. Oh, and btw, two of my friends who were planning on coming tonight also feel like ass crack. One backed out, and one hasn't decided yet. I sooooooooo understand guys!!!

you now it's bad when...

I'm IMing with a friend tonight, and I get this from him: "you are tipping off the crazy scale recently with your paranoia." Really? Is it that bad? I know I have my moments/weeks/whatever. If y'all notice me getting a little more, um, "crazy" than normal, please let me know. I think it's just too much free time and not enough time reading my genomics papers. Maybe he's just a little sensitive because I asked him about something personal (to him, not me). Meh, whatever. Time to go color the roots now! Give me a reason to act like a crazy redhead....
;-)

100 omnivorous foods

I got this from http://www.verygoodtaste.co.uk/uncategorised/the-omnivores-hundred/. Feel free to take part in the goodness! If you don't know what a particular entry is, the original post has embedded links to some of the food items on Wikipedia.

Here’s a chance for a little interactivity for all the bloggers out there. Below is a list of 100 things that I think every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all. Don’t worry if you haven’t, mind you; neither have I, though I’ll be sure to work on it. Don’t worry if you don’t recognise everything in the hundred, either; Wikipedia has the answers.

Here’s what I want you to do:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.
5) extra from the naughty mouse--italicize the items you haven't tried yet but would like to try!

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile (in the States, we have alligator)
6. xxxBlack puddingxxx (I know what makes it black!)
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes (yes, I DID try them)
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. xxxBrawn, or head cheesexxx
26. xxxRaw Scotch Bonnet pepperxxx
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a xxxfat cigarxxx
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects (as long as chocolate covered ants count!)
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut (nom nom nom)
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear (I tried picking my own once...wasn't successful)
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. xxxDirty gin martinixxx
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine (never again!)
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. xxxKaolinxxx
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. xxxHaggisxxx
69. Fried plantain
70. xxxChitterlings, or andouillettexxx
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. xxxRoadkillxxx
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse (I didn't know what it was until after I ate it)
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

Lessee, I've tried 79 of the 100. Good for me! How'd you do? =)

Monday Monday

Well, after all the gloominess of Saturday and Ike, I must admit I'm digging our current weather. It was the perfect morning for a pumpkin spice latte from *bucks. Ah, the gloriousness of the PSL! When I left my house this morning, the thermometer read 62 degrees F. I almost needed a jacket! This can continue for quite a while as far as I'm concerned. I hope everyone else is enjoying the beautiful coolness.

Have a great Monday y'all!

another day, some more bad news

I know I've complained a lot lately about how the new "boyfriend" has been out of town a lot on business. I know you are all sick of hearing it. Well, at least this time he's not on business while he's out of town. Poor guy! He finally got home (Irving) about noonish on Monday. Yay! He came over, we had dinner, and we watched Monday night football. (Dude, the Packers were playing!) Then we futzed around on my computer before he left. Tuesday night we met the mmvgang to see Death Race. OMG, one of the worst movies I've ever seen, but it was still soooooooooo much fun! Great car chases, bad dialogue, Joan Allen saying things a lady would never be caught dead saying, beautiful Jason Statham's chiseled body.... But I digress. Unfortunately I had to go straight home after the movie to take care of some school work, so I left him fairly early. We didn't get a chance to talk Wednesday night, but I called and left a message anyway. So let me tell you why we didn't get to talk: his house was broken into and ransacked. Keep in mind, he is a recent addition to North Texas; he still has a house out of state that he's been trying to get ready to sell. Well, I guess some people figured it out and took advantage. His neighbors had been keeping tabs on everything really well. When one of them went to take his mail inside, he noticed the door had been kicked in and the place ravaged. When he told me this on the phone today (as he was waiting for his flight), the sound of dejection in his voice just about broke my heart. So, everyone say a little prayer for my guy. I hope it's not as bad as his neighbor made it sound. I hope there are some things that are salvageable. I really hope the cops find whoever did this soon and ream the snot out of them. I just want everything to be back to normal for him. He's had a bad 5 weeks. =(

the most random Friday ever

It's only halfway through the day, and so many bizarre/strange things have already happened. Maybe if I blog about them now, the rest of the day will be "normal."

First off, I was so stoked because I had a hair appointment this morning at 10am. I haven't had my hair cut in, um, I have no idea how long. It is so in need of shaping I could spit. So I head outta my place about 9:30--that gives me 30 mintes to get there right? Well, depending on how well you know me, you know it actually takes me a while to get out of the house. I forgot my phone: go back inside. I forgot to check which classroom my seminar was meeting in today at noon: go back inside and look it up online. Dang it! I forgot to take my vitamins: go back inside. So at this point it's 9:45--15 minutes to get there. Dagnabit! Needless to day, I wasn't necessarily the slowest person on the road. However, I wasn't passing anyone either. When I passed the cop hiding behind some bushes with his radar gun out, I knew I was toast. Yup, he pulled out as soon as he had the opportunity. Know what? He pulled over the guy behind me! Sweeeeeeet!!! While I'm sorry for the Caddy driving behind me, he was speeding, too. Thank the good Lord, my deferred adjudication wasn't screwed up by all that. I then obeyed the speed limit (to every other driver's chagrin) the rest of the way to the salon. Oh ya, I was on time, too.

Funny that I was on time. My stylist was not. Turns out no one ever told him last night that he had an early appointment (he normally doesn't go in until about noon). He felt awful when the front person called him and said he could be there by 11am; however, I had to be on the road for class in Arlington by then. Whoops. I just made a new appointment for tomorrow. In the mean time, my hair was a mess. I asked if there was anyone available to just wash my hair for me since I (at this point) really didn't have time to go home and do it myself. Not only did someone wash my hair, she then dried it for me, AND they didn't charge me a cent. How sweet is that?

You think that'd be enough randomness for one day right? No. Finally out at UTA (pronounced "ooh-tawh" in my world), I realized my seminar class is gonna kill me. That in itself was not too bad. I then had to go deal with parking issues. I forgot to get a parking permit when I registered, and since my parking fee in the garage was $5.75 for 2.5 hours, I needed the permit. I'm not paying that much or more every time I go out there! Then my thesis professor "forgot" we had a meeting after my class. I'm gonna kill this man. Yarrgh!

By the time I finally left the campus a little after 2pm, I was starvigating. What could I get that was high protein, low-ish fat and carbs, and portable? I did the drive through at McD's (not my fave, but hey, it's cheap) and got a McNugget Happy Meal. No, I didn't finish it. In fact, I picked off half of the "breading" and only ate half the fries. But onto the weirdness of the experience.... While I was waiting for my box of delight, a bee flew in my car. Dammit! I've only ever been stung once, and I want to keep it that way. Well, I opened the passender window and the sunroof. When it landed on my water bottle, I picked it up and bumped it on the roof through the sunroof. Aha! The bee was gone! Well, before I could close the windows and sunroof, the little bugger was back in my car. I almost had a really girly moment and freaked out. Deep breath. The windows got closed and the sunroof reopened. When it finally landed on a piece of paper, I tried to fling him out the sunroof. Little bastard must have had sticky goo on its feet because it wouldn't let go! Guess what I did? I closed the sunroof with the paper still sticking out. Yes, it prolly looked all white trash, but the bee was out of my car for good. By the time I got to the highway, he was gone. Then I had to get the paper back inside--couldn't be caught littering!

Wish me luck. I still have many hours left in this day.

poll

Okay, so I'm watching reruns of Sex in the City, and an interesting question was posed. I'm going to pose it here. Please add a comment (anonymously or not) and let me know your answer/thoughts.

Do all women really just want to be rescued?

ah, a weekend

Labor Day weekend. It's been nice not laboring much. I do, however, have a couple amusing anecdotes with which to entertain you.

Yesterday morning, I was running late for church because I slept late. Big shocker there. Anywho, we were supposed to be taking some pictures for the Rally Day choir table next week. I stuck my camera in my purse and started to head out the door. Then it occurred to me, I should put my contacts in my eyes. I was so tired that I was feeling extra vain for the "photo shoot." I get the right contact outta its case, stick it in my right palm, add some solution out of the bottle, and proceed to clean my contact. Well, as I'm rinsing the thing off, I notice the edges are all crenated (wrinkly). I thought it was because my hand was still too wet with water when I started the cleaning process. So, I added more solution. Are you seeing where this is going? Ya, it was not contact solution. I had used an old bottle to make a somewhat dilute solution of tea tree oil (to keep around as a natural antiseptic). Yes friends, I cleaned my contact with tea tree oil and put it in my eye. That smarted just a little bit. Luckily I guess my eye sensed the wrongness of it all and closed before I got it totally in my eye. Wow, I knew I was tired, but really? I then proceeded to rinse the contact with the real contact solution and insert it into the aforementioned right eye. Whoa nelly! That was the most painful (and stupid) thing I've done in a really long time! Either I didn't get it rinsed off well, or the original tea tree oil was still in my eye. It was difficult to get the contact out, and when I finally did do it, (after much tearing and wiping of tears without messing up the vanity inspired make up) I wore my glasses for the rest of the day.

Then last night, I was on borders.com because I had a discount code and was trying to get some Christmas shopping done. OMG!!! Their new website sucks ass! It kept kicking me out, not loading pages, or saying "we're sorry, this page is unavailable right now." Ugh! So I got back on today and had a little better luck until it came to entering the code. The code worked yesterday, the site just wouldn't let me check out. Today, it wouldn't accept my code. Yarrgh!!! WTF??? Both days, I've tried to contact the customer service line, but "the customer service center is closed." Really? I'm soooooooooo irritated. I'll try calling again tomorrow, and if they don't accept my discount code, I'm gonna kick some ass. I deserve this code, and if I can't use it, some people may not be getting what they deserve for Christmas. I love my family and friends, and I'd like to get them something nicer than I can actually afford. This was going to allow me to do that. Stupid Borders!

As an addendum: the border.com site now has a "gateway timeout." What in the world is that??? I'm gonna keep trying!

surprise me not

Your Personality is Somewhat Rare (ISFP)

Your personality type is caring, peaceful, artistic, and calm. Only about 7% of all people have your personality, including 8% of all women and 6% of all men You are Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

Thanks to Army of Mom for posting this first!

odds and ends

Just a couple things that have happened in the past few days are even worth mentioning. I'll go with that and if anything else comes to me in the meantime, I'll throw that in, too!

I called my mother on Sunday to see if she would accompany me to the local bougie mall; I wanted to go and walk around somewhere so I wouldn't just come home after church and sleep all afternoon. Going to said mall, I was also able to buy some new undergarments. Yep, when you lose weight, everything shrinks. Especially the boobies. =( Oh well. All things in proportion I guess. While we were there, my mother bought nothing. Besides the boring bras, I got a new pair of shoes and a sweater (that was NOT on sale but makes me look really thin). All in all, an expensive but necessary day.

I fell asleep on the couch last night while watching something on TLC. I woke up a little bit about 11 or so, turned off the TV, and went back to sleep. I slept the whole night on the couch with the light still blazing. Dang, I guess I was tired! I even had trouble getting up this morning. That couch is comfy! However, when I woke up, I had a fright. I was on my side with my hand on my hip, and I noticed I had this really hard lump on my hip. OMG, what have I done now??? Lo and behold, it was my hip bone. Wow, I forgot those were there! Another benefit of losing weight!

So when I was at work today, I got off of a meeting/conference call right at 4pm. As soon as I got back into the lab and to the microscope, I realized I had a killer headache. Ya know, the kind where it hurts to turn your head or move your eyeballs. Ugh. I took some Tylenol (ya, that worked--not) and waited a good long while to leave work. Trying to give the stuff time to kick in. When it didn't really, I decided that I needed to stop off somewhere and pick up dinner. There was no way I was gonna be able to cook. Anywho, did I go someplace simple or normal? Of course not. I called and stopped off at Outback for some good, bloody steak. Keep in mind, that even though it is not cheap, it is at least 2 meals. AND they have the baked sweet potatoes back on the menu. Hallelujah! Praise Jesus! What is better than meat, sweet potato, and caesar salad. Yes kids, I had salad. And it didn't hurt my tummy!!! Repeat after me: Hallelujah! My head is still achy, but I don't care quite so much. I have finally prevailed over lettuce. Sah-wheeeeet!

Oh, and in regard to the new guy--he was in town for one night this week, but he got stuck at the office until 9pm. I decided that was too late to try and meet for only about an hour or such. Boo. He will be back next week and won't have to leave again for quite some time. Yay! At least we got to chat a bit. I'm ready for him to be back.

tmi

If you want WAY more information on the retrocolic bypass surgery I had and the resulting hernia affliction and repair, check out this link:
http://www.ajronline.org/cgi/content/full/189/1/52

btw--My doctor regretted not taking pictures during my recent surgical repair because he said I had a classic example of this transmesocolic internal hernia thingy. I wish he had taken pictures. I love pictures of my insides!

tgif

I am sooooooooo glad it is Friday, and I can actually leave work at a decent time today. Unfortunately, my 2 hour lunch will leave me a little short on hours for the week. Oh well, what are you gonna do when you have to see the surgeon for a post op visit?

Got some interesting news at that appointment, too. It seems as though I am quite anemic, and my vitamin A and D levels are low (D is very low). I guess this is why he wanted to draw the blood profile and check. The iron thing mostly explains why I have absolutely no energy lately. Too bad I can't get a transfusion of my mother's blood--she's got too much iron! Drat and damnation, we're not a type match. =) Now I have to take 3 iron supplements a day (yes kids, three), and an ADE&K supplement 3-4 times a week. This is on top of my 2 daily multivitamins and calciums. Ugh. Vitamins are expensive, too! On top of that, he explained to me exactly why I got the hernia. For my surgery, he saw something anatomically that caused him to do a retro-colic version of the bypass. WTF? Anywho, when putting everything back together, he had to try to connect fat to fat instead of fat to mesentery. My fats didn't like each other, refused to place nicely, and left a gaping hole for my jejunum to peek through for fun. Glad that is fixed. However, there is a 2% chance that it can happen again. Yippee.

In other news, it seems that there is a disparity between blocks of the population. For some, absence make the heart grow fonder. For others, it is out of sight, out of mind. I'll let you ponder that over the weekend.

here's one for the wtf column

So I get home from work today with my take away from Bubba's (yes, mom--fried chicken!) and I want to veg out in front of the tv while I eat. I had a crappy day at work, and I deserve it! I am so stoked because FLN channel finally has Iron Chef (the original campy Japanese version) reruns going again. Woo-hoo! I tune in, get my fork, and get ready for campy cuisine. Ya, well, it's battle Giant Eel! Dun dun dunnnnn! Um, they are all still alive. Until the chefs get a hold of them. Eww. No. Can't watch that. So what do I do? I turn it to Trauma: Life in the ER on Disc Health. I go from one bloody mess to another. The eel thing has me all queasy and blech, but the stab wound in the ER--meh. WTF? Ya, thanks kids. I know I'm "special." I think that was the last post as a matter of fact...!

today's 'scope

Something has changed and you aren't sure whether you like it or not. On one hand, you are able to be more logical now as you analyze your feelings about a relationship. On the other hand, you feel like a fish out of water, unable to find the soothing support you want. Don't worry too much about your current discomfort as it is only temporary. In the meantime, do whatever makes the most sense to feel better about yourself.

Funny how sometimes they are so on.

I'm special

In the slow bus kinda way. =)

How long have I had an ipod? Granted I was one of the last people on earth to get one, but it's been about a year and a half now. Leave it to me to just now discover that I can get all sorts of streaming radio stations through my itunes on the computer. I found this adorable French station under the heading of Ambient (doesn't really fit the heading, but I like it anyway). It's mostly laid back stuff that's good to have on while futzing on the computer or reading. It would make good party background music. Maybe I can work on my French while I listen to it!

Thank goodness I'm cute. My brains aren't gonna get me far like this.

odd

So I keep talking about losing this weight and how I need to buy new clothes and all that garbage. Well check this one out. I've had to go down a size in my lab gloves. Doesn't matter if it's nitrile or latex, I now have to wear a small. Strange....

my turn

All my blogger friends have been posting, and I have been the super slacker. Let's see if I can catch you all up quickly without too much rambling.

Things are still going well with the new guy. He's been out of town for the last week, but he called and sent a text the day of my surgery to check on me. He's nice that way.

The surgery came and went, and all seems to be well so far. The only real problem I really have is that my throat is still sore from the anesthesia tubing. And I told that (really hot) doctor that I was a singer and he should be extra careful. Great. I even went to my choir rehearsal the next day. How dedicated (or stupid) am I??? As of today, I'm only taking Tylenol.

Last night was Restaurant Week with the friends. We went to Ruth's Chris. Mmmmmmmm! I had called ahead of time to see if I could finagle soup instead of the obligatory started salad (raw vegetables still kill my tummy). They said I could, and I started with the lobster bisque. Can you believe it was actually too rich?!? The steak itself was wonderful for the 3 bites I could muster--thank goodness for to-go boxes! Then there was the Chocolate Sin cake. Chocolate and espresso: what is not to love. That I ended up bringing to work today mostly for the MayBoy. He can handle all the sugar!

Okay, believe it or not, that's about it. I gotta get back to the grind of the lab. The place can barely keep going without me for three days. Gosh! Love to you all!

addendum to twitterpated

#1--No, H-Bomb, there was no 2nd base on the 2nd date. ;-)
#2--I have his last name now.

tee hee!!!

twitterpated

Yep, the H-Bomb came up with a good word for it. I'm feeling twitterpated. Second date last night was rather awesome. All we did was meet for a drink after I saw a movie with the aforementioned H-Bomb. BTW--Wanted is a fun mindless way to spend 2 hours. Well, Dateman and I sat at a table for over 2 hours and then stood out in the parking lot talking for almost another hour. When 12:30am rolled around, I had to put my foot down and tell him we both had to get home and get some sleep. I can't stay up that late on a school night! We learned a lot about each other (including where our respective families fall in regards to the mixed race issue). However, I still don't know his last name! I keep forgetting to ask. Whoops. We've been texting already today, and he's already asked if I wanted to get together tonight. I said that I'd love to, but I really have some stuff I need to take care of for Angeouie's wedding this weekend. So it's looking like date #3 will take place tomorrow night. And to think we were planning date #3 for Saturday night or Sunday. Guess I'm so spectacular that he can't wait that long. *swoon!*

date #2?

I think I may be having a second date tonight. Granted it's only meeting for a short while after I see a movie, but it's seeing him again! His words: "it'll be a treat to see you!" Yes, he used the exclamation point. Tee hee! New things are fun.

and then he kissed me

Ya. Date went well. Very European, this one. He walks up to me, gives me the half hug and kisses my cheek to say hello. Polite, kind, funny as hell, and much better looking than I remember (bonus!). Of course, he paid for everything. Even walked me to my car. Funny to date an Indian who was born in Trinidad but is a Canadian citizen. Now, if only I could lose this silly perma-grin.... Ah, the happiness will surely fade soon enough! First dates are fun. =)

ennhh!

Why oh why do I do it? I made this killer veggie curry the other day. It is soooo good. I had a little bit for breakfast. Ya, if you knew me well, you'd understand I rarely eat breakfast food for breakfast. Anywho, when I got home from church today, I sauteed a little chicken and garlic to add to some of the curry mixture. That was lunch. It was soooooo good, and I didn't eat nearly slow enough, so now I've got a killer stomach ache. Luckily, I know that this is just my "full tummy" feeling and not the "crap, I gotta go to the ER now" feeling. In fact, as I sit here and type, it is already abating. If I were at work, Wang and I would take a walk through the parking lot, and I'd be fine within minutes. Just gotta wait for digestion to kick in. C'mon digestion! Don't fail me now!!! Maybe I'll add a little GasX to the mix to help...!

Oh, and think happy thoughts. My "date" is tonight! =)

the wait

Yargh! I hate waiting. I supposedly have a date Sunday night. This is the guy from the speed dating thing. Yep, the one I really didn't want to like. Now I find myself checking my email more often than usual waiting for any news from him. He is due back in town tonight from Canada. Business. He's basically been gone for 2 weeks. Is this something I want to deal with? Hmmm, don't know yet. I guess I'll have to wait and see if he's worth it. OCD much?

so little time, so much to tell

Yes, yes, yes...I suck at blogging lately. I am terribly sorry. Such is the life of the mouse. I'll throw in the highlights (and lowlights) of the last week.

Hmmm, where to start. I blogged about all the stomach pains I'd been having, so this will be a catch up on that. I finally called the doc last Thursday, and they scheduled me for a CT scan Friday morning. Yes, as in the very next day. It was fine as far as contrast scans go I guess. I got the news yesterday that I have something called a Peterson's hernia--some sorta hernia at the anastomosis between my "stomach" and my intestines. It's gotta get fixed. Mind you I've got SAang's wedding in two weeks. I pretty much refused to have the surgery until after that. No, I'm not putting myself in danger, but it'll be taken care of pretty danged soon after the wedding (as in about 4 days after I think it will be). They even called me today and tried to talk me into Saturday morning surgery. Nope--that day I'll be spending the day with the girls doing bachelorette party things (nothing lewd or debaucherous though). Basically, the next two weeks are the busiest I'll be for the rest of the year. Sorry body--you have to wait to be healed. Don't fail me now!

On personal notes of a different nature, I did a speed dating thing with a girl from work last week. It was so much fun! I had no idea it would be! Granted, I can pretty much talk to a post in the ground. I basically had a date a month for the whole year in one night (12 different guys for 5 minutes each). There were a couple that I was really interested in, but I don't think it was mutual. Then there was this guy who when I looked at him from across the room I knew I wouldn't like him. Well, um, he was rather amazing. Learned, articulate, well travelled, funny, successful.... But no, I wasn't going to like him. Guess what folks? We've got our first real date Sunday night. (another reason to put off the surgery a smidge--I mean, how do you say "Ya, you're really awesome, but I have to have surgery because of a complication from my gastric bypass surgery, so can you wait a couple weeks more?") Anyway, he's been persistent, and he'd be a great catch. And we have so much in common! Even down to talking about jazz clubs in Montreal....

This is also a good thing because I found out on my lunch "date" today that the older guy is married. Um, 'scuse me? No, I don't do that. Ah, my naivety amazes even me.

Lastly (for tonight at least) a dear dear friend is in town for her sister's wedding. I saw her Sunday at a bridal shower (and sooooo many other people I haven't seen in ages!) and again for dinner tonight. I miss her so much, and I rue the fact that I can't see her more often. Unfortunately (for me, not her) she lives out in the Bay area. She said it was 55 degrees when she got on the plane and 100 when she got off. Ugh! I can't believe how terrible that must have been. Anyway, I'll see her again Thursday at the wedding. Yes, Thursday. No, I don't understand it either. =)

I am idiocity

Sometimes I am so stupid I can hardly believe it. Okay, so I have had trouble with the whole eating thing after this surgery. Saturday night I had issues and took it easy for a day or so. Today I decided it would be brilliant to try some raw celery. I loooooooove celery! Well, it no longer loves me. I had stomach cramps all afternoon long. I was supposed to meet a couple friends for happy hour, but I begged off. I stared thinking about it and realized that maybe a drink would be a good thing. It would relax the cramping tummy muscles. And it did! I took a little over an hour to drink one tequila beverage, and my stomach felt a ton better. So WTF did I do when I got home? I ate some left over egg foo young. Granted, on its own, I'm sure it wouldn't have caused me any problems--it didn't last night. However, after my issues of the afternoon, I'm a little painful again. As of today I am 10 weeks post surgery. Is an athlete ready to run a marathon 10 weeks after reconstructive knee surgery? Gosh! When will I learn? If any of you see me doing something stupid food wise, please tell me to stop. I will not be offended, I promise. And if I get snippy, call me on it. =) After the past week, I really don't want to think about bulimia as a way to deal with my tummy pains.

I've been remiss...

Thanks to those of you who noticed that I have not been blogging of late. I've been in my own little world of blah. Don't know if it's allergies or what, but I have been soooooo tired. Case in point, last night I got home from work at 6, fell in bed and slept until 9, then got up for about an hour and was back in bed until 7:30 this morning. To top it all, I'm still tired! Anywho, a short recap on the week you all missed:

I had last Monday off, but it ended up sucking royally. I had to take one of my boys to the vet because he couldn't pee. Either that or when he did it was all bloody. Not a good thing! Needless to say, this was after I'd already seen the dentist for the teeth whitening (yes, I'm vain that way) and I'd signed up for a swimming class. Now I am calling myself broke until Christmas! Good news is the boy is MUCH better now. He's been on meds since last Monday so he's only got 3 more weeks! Poor kitteh. I did have a bright spot to my Monday though: my gay husband was in town from DC, so I got have lunch with him. Yay for bright spots!

Tueday was back to work work work. Friday was pretty fun--to finally get a day off! I went to Winny's for a little festive-ness of food and Wii time. Oh, and I drank all afternoon! Granted it was one drink over the course of like 3 hours, but that's all afternoon, right? Much fun was had by all. Then there was Saturday. Ugh. The day back to work after a holiday. It was hellacious; we broke a record for the number of samples done in one day. I was in the lab for 11 hours. That, my dears, is waaaaaaaaaaay too long. (maybe I'm just still tired from that)

On to this week: I started my swimming class Monday night. OMG!!! My coach for the next two and a half weeks is a guy who won 3 gold medals for the US in the Olympics! He is so patient and wonderful; I'm so glad I'm doing this for myself (even if it is gonna break me). Then again, considering the price and his credentials, I'm getting a bargain! I go again tonight in about an hour and a half. I can't wait. I'm so stoked about learning how to do a good freestyle so I can exercise my entire body more completely. Gotta get my losing weight self toned back up!

Saturday night's alright for...what?

So, here it is Saturday night, and I'm home. Doing a whole lotta nuthin. While I realize that losing 50 pounds will not change my life, I must admit I was hoping for a little something different in my life. As in, maybe, a life. =)

This was supposed to be my 3 day weekend, but I got called into work today. Blech. I got up and went to yoga for the relaxation benefits, and when I got home it was automatically ruined by the IM I got from a guy at work warning me that the supervisor had called me. Yarrgh! Sooooo, I went in for something that never even ending up happening. Double yarrgh! When I got home, I wasn't in the mood to do anything I had planned for the day: cleaning, laundry, vacuuming.... I did a little cleaning but not nearly enough. I ended up wasting some time online and watching Law and Order. Now, I'm back online. Why? Who knows really. Guess I'm hoping that something miraculous will happen. Without hope, what is life really?

Actually, I'm hoping for a fantastic storm to hit so I can sleep through it! Dorky me.

one word meme

Only ONE word can be used in your answer and it can NOT be used twice.

1. Where is your cell phone? pocket
2. Your significant other? nonexistent
3. Your hair? static-ee
4. Your mother? beloved
5. Your father? nutty
6. Your favorite time of day? night
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? tea
9. Your dream goal? happiness
10. The room you’re in? lab
11. Your ex? Denton
12. Your fear? loneliness
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? elsewhere
14. What you are not? disloyal
15. Your Favorite meal? steak
16. One of your wish list items? snuggle-buddy
17. The last thing you did? fibrinogen
18. Where you grew up? Dallas
19. What are you wearing? scrubs
20. Your TV is? home
21. Your pets? kittehs
22. Your computer? laptop
23. Your life? murfle
24. Your mood? cranky
25. Missing someone? maybe
26. Your car? spotty
27. Something you’re not wearing? glasses
28. Favorite store? Marmi
29. Your summer? vacationless
30. Your favorite colour? black
31. When is the last time you laughed? today
32. When is the last time you cried? Tuesday
33. Your health? better
34. Your children? catlike
35. Your future? questioning
36. Your beliefs? strong
37. Young or old? inbetween
38. Your image? bitch
39. Your appearance? labcoaty
40. Would you live your life over again knowing what you know? sure

(totally stolen from Army of Mom)

ugh

Oh, the things I'll do for protein. I was not really hungry tonight, but I knew I needed to eat something. I also knew I needed to make up some protein because I've lagged behind my quota the past couple of days. Well, hmmmmm.... I looked in the fridge and nothing looked good. On to the freezer...no, no, ooh! Lean Cuisine mac and cheese. Even better, it had 15 grams of protein listed on the label. Wow, was that not a good choice. Granted, I wasn't hungry to begin with. I ate about a third of it and was sooooo done. However, that would only be 5 grams of protein. That was not enough. Surely all the protein was in the cheese sauce and not in the macaroni, right? So what did I do, you ask? Ya, I put the noodles in my mouth, sucked off the cheese sauce, and spit the noodles back on the plate. Gross, huh? Even doing that, I couldn't make it through the whole thing. Ugh. I'm hoping I got 10 grams of my protein, but I doubt it. Serious ugh. *shakes head and laughs at self for being a nutritional doofus*

emotional overload

Sometimes it is all just too much. Between one friend going through a terrible divorce, one friend with a sudden medical issue, one friend going through unemployment, another with a whack personal problem, one who got bad family news yesterday, and yet another with a screw loose (well, that could actually be a couple) on top of me being ridiculously overworked, I took the night off. I didn't even have the energy to go to yoga. Oh ya, and I had to cancel the one thing I was really looking forward to this summer because I realised I can't justify spending the money on it when I have other bills to pay. I was home by 6pm, in my pjs by 7pm, and I vegged all night. Then I made the mistake of watching a romantic comedy. Whoa, big mistake. By the way, I'm also waaaay hormonal right now. All I wanna do is crawl in bed for a couple days and let all this pass. I wish I didn't care so much about everyone in my life, and I know there is nothing I can do for them other than think happy thoughts and pray. However, sometimes it really does just all get to me. One of these days, I'll be able to make time for myself. Unfortunately, I'll have to get out from under the black cloud of debt first. My church check even hasn't come through yet (it was due to hit the bank on the 20th). Every time I think I'm getting close, something else happens. Ya, I got the hospital bill from my unexpected hospital visit. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I have insurance, but I'd be a helluva lot happier if I didn't eat those damn sausages. =) Not to worry about me, I just needed to have a little rant time. I'm just having a little pms induced pity party!

Now it's 9:30. I think I'll go read myself to sleep. Nothing better than a little scientific non-fiction before bed!

I have 10 minutes...

Okay, quick recap of my world:

1) DCfC Tuesday night was pretty darned good. I wouldn't say awesome because they had some sound mixing issues (well, at least I thought they did). Whenever the bass quit playing, it was very nice! Too bad Wang couldn't go after all, but the May Boy stood up and bought her ticket. And kept me from having to find a replacement concert date at the last minute. Love him!

2) Short note: a black woman told me I had a great butt. No offense to anyone out there, but I take that as a serious compliment!

3) The HSBF is officially canned. He said some things last night (via IM of course) that cannot be taken back. I don't care how "affected" you are, some things should not be said. Assface.

Ya, that's about it. I know I had something else, but if I can't think of it now, it must've not been that important. More later!

eeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Or should I title this "giddy as a freaking schoolgirl"?

I just made the most insane purchase. It's not something I needed, and I don't know why I even walked into the store. When I saw it, I didn't even hold out much hope. I went into a swimsuit store. Gack, I know! However, something pulled me in there. I tried a couple of different suits. The first one fit, but it didn't inspire me to do anything. Then there was the 2nd one I tried.... I stood there in the changing room staring at myself in the mirror for a good long time. I'm sure the clerks were starting to wonder what in the world was going on. Then I texted a couple of friends. I didn't want to take it off! It looked that good on me! I am so stoked! I know, I know, I'll only be able to wear it for one season because of the silly weight loss thing, but this was a total "Go me!" purchase. Finally I can really see results. My waist has returned as has most of my figure. I'm nowhere near svelte yet (in fact, the thighs are definitely gonna need some work now), but I'm ready to show some skin! I may even be willing to post a picture or two.

Can you tell I'm excited?

TGI (almost) F

I can't believe this week isn't over yet. It's been a long one. Work has been hellacious, and like usual, we pull it all off with no problems. It's one of those circular messes: we get thrown way too much work with way to few people to do it, and yet we manage to get it all done. Ergo, why hire anyone else when so few people can do the job??? Yarrgh!!! Whoa, this was not intended to be a rant. Sorry.

Anywho, things are going well still. Still eating well, trying to drink more (actually having trouble getting in my 64oz a day). At this point, I weigh less than I have in probably 10 years at least. I'm thrilled! And today marks 6 weeks since surgery. I celebrated by going to the gym for the first time and hoofing it on the treadmill. Yay me! Needless to say, I tried to stay away from people at choir rehearsal since I went there straight from el gymo. Trust me, I could've been much worse.

I'm just soooooooo glad tomorrow is Friday, and I have a long weekend off. Well, except for having to help host a bridal shower on Saturday. That's a day gone, but it's all worth it! Finally a match of which I approve! Saang even let me pick my own bridesmaid dress--she chose the color. I might actually look cute in it! I just hope I fit in the size I ordered.... =)

a week already?

Wow, I can't believe I haven't blogged since last week. Sorry, I suck. I'll try to make up for it. Hmmm, where did I leave off? Sadly nothing much has really happened. I ended up catching a stomach virus thingamajigger so felt like absolute hooey all weekend. To the point where I got home from work Saturday afternoon and slept on the couch (okay, futon) for four hours. I felt awful for ditching a friend who I haven't seen in ages, but I figure he really didn't want me to hurl on him in a movie theater. Same scenario Sunday: I got up and did the singing thing (had a duet so I couldn't skip out--although I kinda did because at one point I totally forgot to sing--bad naughty mouse!), but I thought I was gonna spew on the priest at the altar after the singing. Needless to say, I came back home and slept on the aforementioned futon for another 3+ hours. This was not good for ingesting protein. I got a little behind, and yet I didn't lose a single pound. Damnation!

This week has been better. I started feeling better Monday night, and I was back to my obnoxious and raring-to-go self by Tuesday (much to the chagrin of my coworkers--I think they liked the break). I even threw something at my boss yesterday. He tried talking to me while I was doing something where I really needed to pay attention, and I almost screwed everything up. Blast him. He got a pad of paper aimed at his chest. Bwa hah hah!!! Today was even better because I got a call this morning and ended up with a lunch "date." Of course I hadn't planned on him paying and all that jazz, but who am I to say no. He doesn't have to pay to put gas in his car. =) We just went to a close local barbeque place, and I tried the pulled pork. I'm happy to say that it is now on the list of things the mouse can eat. Whoot! I keep adding something new almost every day. Things are looking up. I even had some almonds this afternoon!

Yes, things are looking up. I know I left a lot out, but highlights are better than everything. I don't want to bore you all to death and have you never read me again. Happy hump day people!

you'll put your eye out!

Remember that scene in A Christmas Story when Ralphie almost shoots his eye out? Well, that whole scenario came to me this morning while I was driving to work. I wasn't even 3 blocks from my house before someone tried to blind me. I was driving with my driver's side window down (my preferred way to dry my hair on the way to the lab), and I passed a woman out weed-eating her sidewalk area. All of a sudden BAM! flying through my window, hitting my left cheek, and landing on my passenger seat after who knows how many bounces was a little rock. She could've put my eye out! Oh, but it gets better. So I look over for the rock thingy and see this minimally large spider crawl across the passenger seat and down between it and the shifting console. WTF? Is it freak out Naughty Mouse morning or something? Gosh. Anyway, I hope you all found this as entertaining as I did on my way to work this morning.

happy Tuesday

Let me start by wishing a super happy birthday to the H-bomb! Yay for making it another year without killing anyone. =)

Things in my world are awfully boring. I wish I had something fun to post. The most exciting things that happened in the past few days are 1) I bought a grill pan so I can grill fish inside (because me and outdoor grilling is a hilarious display that ends with fire extinguishers), 2) I had yesterday off and did absolutely nothing I should have around the house, and 3) I'm cooking some fresh black eyed peas right now. Funny, all of a sudden I have My Hump all in my head....

Oh, ya, I did get to go to the dentist for the first time in 2 years yesterday. Whoa. I'll be back at the end of the month and then a couple more times after that. Stupid teeth. See, I've got this one cap that I got back in 1991 that needs to be replaced. Funny story how it happened: I had just finished my first year at Sewanee and was waiting for my parents to come pick me up and bring me home. A group of us decided to go out exploring/roving/killing time the night before I was to be retrieved. One girl and I were the only 2 sober people in the crowd, and who's the one who slipped on wet grass and fell down thus biting the concrete sidewalk? Ya, that'd be me. Talk about embarrassing. I had a hard time getting my parents to believe that I wasn't one of the toasted wonders I was roaming with! Anywho, I've had the same cap/veneer since June of 1991. It has served me well. Now I gotta get a new tooth. I feel very ghetto when I say that. Unfortunately, since it is one of the front teeth, insurance sees it as being cosmetic instead of necessary; ergo, they won't pay as much.

Good for me! I found something to blog about after all. Whoot to me!

more about mice

This just cracks me up more than you know.

Neuroscientists at the St. Louis university found male mice burst out in song when they encounter sex pheromones from female mice, The Guardian reported. The songs aren't audible to humans because they are sung at an extremely high frequency. Researchers Tim Holy and Zhongsheng Guo said they made their discovery while testing how male mice responded to sex pheromones. The scientists said within seconds of encountering female mouse urine, the males began emitting ultrasonic songs. The scientists recorded the sounds and then made them audible to the human ear by slowing the audio track and lowering the pitch, while retaining the tempo. Such courtship melodies are common among birds, insects, and frogs, but such behavior in mammals has previously been thought limited to humans, whales and bats. The study appears in the open access journal, Public Library of Science, Biology.

Copyright 2005 by United Press International

why oh why?

Okay, this is another not so chipper post, but it will have a good ending. Promise!

Here's my question of the day: why do I let myself hope for things that are so unreasonable? Do I purposely doom myself? Kinda like when I fell for a married guy--twice. No, I never did anything about it because that would be oh-so-seriously wrong. Maybe I have this mental thing that I only want things I can't have. Like the dream job. That'll never happen again, that's for damned sure. Of course I like where I am now, there's moving-up potential, and it's not a governmental agency. AND we have labs all over the world so there is actual moving potential. Kinda like that Maine idea last summer.... I could even go to South Africa if I got desperate enough for a real move (and see RAH again!). Anyway, I'm just being all conflicted at the moment. Maybe it's hormonal. =) Maybe I just need another sports car. Maybe I need to quit listening to Muse's "Map of the Problematique." Maybe I need a real vacation (not just spending all my "off time" in the frakking hospital). Or maybe I should just make that phone call and quit waiting for it to come to me....

Good ending as promised: got to IM with the Mayboy yesterday. He said he'd bring me some tea. What a great guy. Today he is at the birthplace of Confucius. He said it is up in the mountains in the middle of nowhere. Isn't a lot of China like that? He got to take the bullet train to get there. How cool is that? Ooh! Maybe he'll bring me a panda!

SICK

Okay kids, it's that time again. Time for the naughty mouse to have a little time to rant. Thank you in advance for your patience.

I'm sick of not being able to eat.
I'm sick of not being able to drink without hurting my stomach.
I'm sick of not being able to go out with my friends for these reasons.
I'm sick of my incision sites not healing well.
I'm sick of working too much for too little appreciation.
I'm sick of my cat eating my flip flops and kleenex boxes.
I'm sick of all my close friends going through tough times.
I'm sick of weeding the front flower bed and having the weeds return immediately.
I'm sick of hospital bills.
I'm sick of lots of things.

I really don't know how I'm gonna handle work for the next two weeks. The Mayboy is gone to China. He's only been gone 3 days, and things here already suck. I miss him. I want him to come back soon--and bring me something fun! I am running low on my blooming tea....

Lost

No, I don't even watch it, but if one more person mentions the two hour finale!!! I think I'll spew. That could also be because I'm still having troubles eating and drinking--more so drinking. I guess I'm having one of the bad days, but I'm sick to death of taking a sip of tea and having it do somersaults in my stomach. When will it end???

Okay, thanks for the rant reading. I did have one fun thing happen today. I was sitting at the microscope when one of our couriers came over to me with this shit-eating grin on his face. My first thought is, Oh hell, what did he do this time? Surprisingly, he came over to compliment me on how good I look lately! It was so awesome! Definitely one of the best things that has happened to me in a long while. It really is the little things that make me happy. =) Funny thing was that he went up to a co-worker first and said something to the effect of "is it just me or has she lost A LOT of weight?" To know this guy makes it even funnier! What a sweetie! Forty pounds down, quite a few to go....

Okay, I think I've stayed up long enough after eating my piece and a half of sliced turkey breast. I'm going to read myself to sleep. Whoot! Everyone should really read Peter Sagal's Book of Vice. It's freaking hilarious!

solid again

Well, after my week-o-liquids after the hospital stint, I am back on the solid foods. Again, thanks be to the gods!!! I was getting really tired of my homemade soup from the freezer. Granted, it was really good, but...everyday...every meal? Ugh! Yesterday's lunch was some stir fried tofu and carrots in a brown sauce. Yum! For dinner I was all stoked to go to Outback and get a baked sweet potato ('cause I didn't want to wait the hour plus to bake it myself). Would you believe they don't do them anymore?!? Sonsabitches! Way to ruin a girl's perfectly happy mood. Oh well, I got a plain potato instead. Not the same, but still a helluva lot better than that same soup again.

update-o-rama

Ya ya ya. I've been off the radar for a while. Some of it was completely unintentional and part was due to an out of town "family" matter.

For those of you keeping track of the personal crap I'm dealing with, yes, I was in the hospital again this past week. I was on my way to movie night last Tuesday and needed a quick protein fix. Instead of hitting the Taco Bell drive thru (which I intended) I picked up something full of protein at the CVS when I got a prescription filled. Oh my gawd. Biggest mistake of my heretofore life. What I got was loaded with wheat gluten--a big no no. Gets all big and poofy in the tummy. About 3 hours after eating, I starting getting crampy pains in my abdomen. It kept getting worse and worse until I called the doc's office at 11:30pm (yes, I waited two and a half hours...sometimes I'm not brilliant). He said ER, I called mama, and off we went. I must admit, while it wasn't nearly as busy as the TV show ER, all the people behind the scenes were television worthy in their looks. My main nurse was cute as a freakin' button! Anywho, after about 2 gallons of blood was drawn and a CT scan was performed, I got admitted. Simply put, never again will I think that a semi private room is good enough. I obviously pissed off someone really important to get put in the room with the woman I was placed with. Don't get me wrong, I felt sorry for her and all, but DAMN! Complain much? Not like there was anything I could do about it. I was willing to share my pain meds just to knock her out. Oiy vey! Two nights of babble made me a stronger patient--I would've left that hospital even if I wasn't ready! So I was home Thursday night, back at work for a bit Friday, and back to "normal" on Saturday.

Next exciting thing was leaving town Sunday after singing to head two and a half hours south for a "family" matter. Whirlwind tour of central Texas. I'm home again, and I've had a very emotional 24+ hours. Those who know about it know. I will not elaborate here other than to say that CM is one of the most extraordinary people ever, and the kid is truly amazing. I love that kid. I did find an amazing shortcut though--such a beautiful drive home until I hit the burbs.

it's solid

Yes, kids, I am officially on solid foods. Hell ya! Granted I'm starting with simple things, but the whole idea is exciting. Just have to remember not to take in too much at one time or I feel like I'll burst. Kinda like now, for instance. Nah, just a little full now. I made a tuna spread (ya, not too thrilling), and I had to keep tasting it to get it right spice wise. Trust me, it needed a lot. And instead of using a whole lotta mayo, I used half mayo and half low fat ricotta. Extra protein, baby! That and a lot of Penzey's spices. Thanks be to God for no spice restrictions.

In other news, I sang for the H-bomb's sister's wedding yesterday. I think it went rather well considering I had to sing immediately after the vows were taken. Okay, not that I'm a big softie or anything, but I know these people. I got a smidge teary eyed, and then I had to sing. Wow, that was interesting for the first couple of bars! :'-) Everyone loved it, especially the bride and groom which is what really mattered. Although the H-bomb's huge eye-wink and "rock on!" look almost made me crack up.

Finally, can you believe I actually turned down a lunch date Friday? I got a phone call about 10:30am asking if I could do lunch. Well, since I can't really eat anything good yet (and I looked like ass on a cracker that day), I turned him down. He asked how soon I could go out for lunch, and I estimated a couple of weeks. Let's see what happens then.... Why is it always the waaaaay older men? Meh, who cares! Bring it! He's fun, nice, honest, and uber safe. Case in point, I used to work with him. And I know his boss. Heh heh heh.

Well, I'm off to watch the rest of the Flyers/Penguins game to see who the Stars will play for the Stanley Cup. WHOOT! GO STARS!

2 week update

Well, I made it two weeks. Whoo-hoo! My risk of complications drastically dropped today. Sweeeet (in the Napoleon Dynamite voice, of course). I also decided to make today my first real(ish) food day. Lunch was Bueno--the side of pintos and cheese--and dinner was Friday's--loaded mashed potatoes. Ate half of the lunch and was stuffed. Ate only ~1/3 of the dinner and thought I was gonna die. I think I learned a valuable lesson tonight: bacon is not my friend. At least not yet. Ugh! The good side though? Still no reflux issues, my BP is still in the "normal" range, and I'm officially down 30 pounds. Go me!

In other news, the bride to be will be getting hitched this Saturday (ergo the dinner out--had to skip the rest of the bachelorette party due to tiredness and soreness left over from last night's STOMPING of the Stars over the Red Wings--omg, so worth the pain to be there to see it--but I digress). I finally found out exactly where I have to be at what time on Saturday so I can sing for the bloody affair. Ya, it's a hike, but it'll be worth it for her. Although, the best part was watching her open the gifts at the party tonight. Nothing better than Condom Sense for a good bachelorette gift! Funny, the three "older" friends (including the sister) all had the same idea and shopped at the same place. Gotta love us women! Of course, being sat in a back corner by the men's room drinking our drinks out of penis shaped straws was also a fun part of the evening. The H-bomb kept saying things like "Don't forget your penis!" and "Is that a penis in your mouth?" Wow, we are fun but juvenile! =) Now, they are all out having fun at the dueling piano bar as I type. I'm a little jealous, but my bed is sooooooooooo much more comfy than a bar stool these days. Nightie night, kiddos!

2nd post op visit

I have graduated to full liquids! Hallelujah! I also got the rest of my staples out. Hallelujah! I've even been told I can resume my walking regimen. Will the good news ever end?!?!? Unfortunately, yes. Life goes on. That means I've got to fill out reviews for work, go to the grocery store, and watch the Stars lose to the Red Wings AGAIN. Oh well. At least life goes on!

beautiful Sunday

Wow, today was gorgeous. Too bad I spent most of it in the lab. Silly supervisor can't schedule his way out of a paper bag sometimes. Oh well, not his fault my doc is going to Brazil and can't change my appointment for tomorrow. Thank goodness the May Boy was willing to give up some of his free Sunday time to come in and help me. We got a little more than half of tomorrow's work done today. Yippee.

Now I just have to wait until tomorrow to see what the doc is gonna let me eat. I'm not hungry at all today, and I should be. I've had next to no calories and not nearly enough protein. Oh, and I haven't taken my vitamins yet. Gotta do that.................okay, done. And 10 more calories in me.

I spent my afternoon after work over at mother's watching the local news while they broadcast the news from the field across from her house. Ya, they found a body over there this morning. Really awful Mother's Day for some poor woman. I can't even imagine. Maybe that's why I'm not hungry. Some sort of sadness for the family I never met. Or guilt for having such a loving family. Then I came home and watched Juno for the first time. Even knowing what it was all about, I still got all weepy. It was sweet, beautiful, sad, funny.... Good movie. Really glad I didn't see it in the theater though! I think I'll go and finish my pity party with a little frozen protein treat. And really, it's not that big of a treat, but I've got to eat something.

weekend update

Wow, I feel like crap. I went back to work for the first time this morning. I didn't get there until about 8:25--only an hour later than my best helper ever! Luckily with 2 of us reading slides, we were finished by 2:30. SWEET! Afterward, I went by the grocery store to stock up on some of the stuff I'll be able to eat starting Monday: yogurt, low fat cream soups (an oxymoron?), applesauce, etc. To beat it all, I bought some baby food. Yes, Organic Gerber baby food. Dude, I need some variety and flavor, and I need it now! Anyway, I'll let you all know how the pureed organic sweet potatoes work for me. It's got to be better than the protein drink I've got here with me right now.

Oh, as to why I feel like crap: I think I laughed too much yesterday. Granted, this is not necessarily a bad thing. I did, also, reach a tad too far in reaching for something and carried something on the edge of my weight restriction. Oops. I've learned a valuable lesson in all that. And now, I believe my bed is hearkening to me.

ugh

Don't get me wrong: I love my friends. They are the best ever. However, I spent way too much time today laughing. OMG, my entire abdominal region is sooooooooooo sore! That and it's 10 til 9 and I'm getting ready to hit the hay. Guys, let's try to keep the humor to a minimum for just another week. I am healing from a major surgery, you know! ;-) Guess I'm gonna have to hit the sauce before bed after all. I am doing a great job of weaning myself off that stuff though. Not nearly as much as the days right after the hospital release!

One more week--no more laughing! I mean it.

the "dealio"

Okay okay okay! I give. I finally have time to blog (when my mind is not in a fog from the prescribed post-op pain meds). So for those chomping at the bit, here you go.

I had my surgery a week ago today. Things went very well, and now I am at home recovering for a few more days. I was in the hospital for a couple of days, then I was at my mother's for a few days. Now, I am able to walk, drive, and do all those sundry things people have to do on their own. I'm mostly off the pain meds, and I'm already totally off the blood pressure meds. Whoot! While the doc was in there, he also found a hiatal hernia and repaired that. Since then, I've now had a lick of reflux problem rear its ugly head. Yay! Hopefully the singing will be better sooner than anticipated.

That's about it. Nothing else exciting in my life. I'll update with more when it happens.

for the Heather and addendum

Main Entry: an·ti·pode
Function: noun
plural an·tip·o·des
Etymology: Middle English antipodes, plural, persons dwelling at opposite points on the globe, from Latin, from Greek, from plural of antipod-, antipous with feet opposite, from anti- + pod-, pous foot — more at foot
Date: 1549

1 : the parts of the earth diametrically opposite —usually used in plural —often used of Australia and New Zealand as contrasted to the western hemisphere
2 : the exact opposite or contrary

(from m-w.com)

And the addendum, pretty much right after I posted "antipodes" I got a phone call from my father. He is coming around, and I have his support. Better than that, I know I always have his love and respect. =)

brilliant!

Sometimes I'm not as smart as people think I am. Either that or I completely lack common sense. Case in point: it is almost always cold as an ice box in this lab. I turned on my little under-the-lab-bench space heater. Well, the night time guy keeps it turned toward the edge of the desk. Whatever. I wanted it aimed at my feet. So what did I do? I moved it with the tip of my big toe to change the aim. Ya, my big toe without my shoe. Did you know the surface of those things can get pretty hot? Well, ya. This is your fair warning. Do not touch the surface of a heater without proper insulation.

Duh.

antipodes

You think you have a grasp on things and then WHAM! Out of the blue something happens to make you wonder if you really ever knew anything. My life (for the most part) is really coming into focus for me lately.

I'm having a life altering surgery for the betterment of my health--well, okay, so I can outlive my parents and take care of them instead of the otherway around. Yes, I'm frightened. Yes, I realize my life is totally gonna change. Yes, I'm going to be out of the loop for a short while. But I am happy about this! It will help me continue my singing "career" without being in constant throat pain. It will result in me not having to take meds for my high blood pressure anymore. My rheum says it will help my stupid (at the moment non-extistant) "disorder."

What made me finally listen to the doctors who've been trying to get me to do this for a couple of years? The death of a dear friend. The idea of surgery is gross. I mean, really, who wants to be poked and prodded and sliced and diced? Ok, I know there are people out there who do. Ick, I'm not one of them. I want to be healthy. I want to be able to walk up a flight of stairs without being winded. I want to be able to go to my yoga classes and actually be able to do all the silly poses correctly. I want to go to sleep without hearing my heart pounding in my ears. I want to be able to sit on an airplane and not feel guilty that the person next to me is loathing sitting by me. I want to be healthy. Lisa always said our health was something we should take care of while we had the chance. I have the chance, and I'm taking it.

No matter what anyone else thinks. I'm doing this for me!

You all know that I tend to overreact at times. Hell, I'm a woman! That's what I do! :) Anyway, the HSBF actually was sick yesterday morning. We ended up doing movie, dinner, and the Stars game (watching on tv, not going). We also had a really great talk. Again! Go fig. Simply put, there is no way he and I will work as a couple again. Mainly because of the, oh, about, 2000 miles of distance between us. I feel good about it. That and with all the health stuff I've got going on in the next month or so, I really don't need to be starting something new. However, we both admitted how wonderful it was to spend the day together. Kinda like falling back into your bed from childhood--all snug and warm and comfortable. Oh well. Such is life. Full of temptations and conundrums. Funny that my horror-scope today was the following: "Your romantic life may not be too exciting now, but you have worked long and hard to create the current stability in your life. Instead of trying to turn things upside down again, chill out enough to enjoy the pleasures available to you. Letting your true feelings out of the bag can stir up more than intended, so it may be wise to be patient for a while longer. " Hahahahahaha! What an understatement!