July 31, 2009

Proud

I'm proud I submitted the last piece of the applying-to-grad-school pie - the dreaded personal statement. I don't know why I gave it such significance, but these questions felt like like the weight of the world on my shoulders. What do you see as the major issues with which business professionals should be concerned, now and in the next decade? What are your specific professional goals? How would the program help you to achieve your professional and personal goals? What particular personal strengths do you bring to the program? What limitations do you perceive you have? How have both been demonstrated? I finally took MPB's advice and completed while enjoying an iced beverage (ahem, Bloody Mary). Hubby thinks it's cheesy. I think it's fantastic. I hope I don't think differently in the light of day tomorrow.

I'm proud I have such good friends who write really nice things about me as a recommendation for grad school. Mad - I don't know who you were writing about, but she sounds awesome!

I'm proud I took a stand at work today. Not sure what that stand will get me (probably a swift fall on my ass), but it feels good that I went for it.

I'm proud I'm handling the news I didn't get the position I applied for in another dept with grace. It must mean I'm destined for better things. Or it could mean I'm a total loser. I don't think that's it. And I don't want to know if you think that's it. Let me continue to live in my fantasy world. Please.

I'm proud I'm contining to post one more entry this month than I did in the previous. Such an accomplishment. Seriously, blogging has been a great creative outlet for me and I once heard all women should have a creative outlet outside of their spouse and children. Not sure why, but I heard it and it sounded good so it's gospel.

Gotta go to bed - the Bloody is kicking in - but first I have to do a "hand check" with Sassy and the new boyfriend, Steve-o, and I have to find Chunky whom I sent outside because he was begging me to play Monopoly and I was trying to write an essay on the meaning of life.

July 28, 2009

Take It Off Tuesday #4

I'm baaaack! I lost the 1.5 gained over vacation and am back to starting weight. Hey, could be worse. Seriously. I'll take what I can get.

And now a word from the zoo -
Remember this post about my "old" cat Sadie? And this one about my new cat Sookie? Well the good news is Sadie doesn't screech anymore (it truly was the most horrendous noise). The bad news part 1: Sookie meows when she knows it's time for food - morning and night feedings. It's sort of a cute kitty meow and she only does it after I've gotten out of bed or it looks like I may be walking to the laundry room (food in locked bin in closet). Bad news part 2: Sadie rarely comes out from under the bed. We assume she makes a break for the litter box at some point since there's no malodour. There are reported sightings in the shower (water fountain?), Sassy's bedroom (she doesn't even like Sassy, or at least didn't previously) and on the DVR box (used to love sitting on my laptop, presumably for the warmth). I believe the appropriate word to describe her these days is "traumatized". Beyond belief.

July 22, 2009

I Heart Food


And I'm not a snob - I like inexpensive and gourmet alike (see Take It Off Tuesday and Food Porn posts). I was feeling low as my coveted Tory Burch flats arrived and did not fit (ordered size 10 because they were out of 9 and 9.5 plus thought they might run small). I decided to drown my sorrows in food and discovered a very simple two egg omelet recipe in a low-carb cookbook. I made this for lunch (working from home) and was pretty impressed with myself. The stuffing is a little cheese and a whole lotta "Cowboy Caviar" (black beans, black-eyed peas, diced tomatoes, corn kernels, onion, bell pepper, pickled jalapeno peppers, garlic salt, Italian salad dressing, cilantro). The parsley flourish was a little over the top but I had to thin out my herb garden and didn't want to waste all that green leafy goodness.

July 21, 2009

Take It Off Tuesday #3

More like put it on poutday. I gained 1.5 :( That calls for a frown and I don't do that often (bitch a lot yes, but rarely frown).

I went looking for inspiration and saw this quote on one of the blogs I follow. This is what I aspire to do. Most days I don't even come close, but I can be inspired and aspire - it's the bl8tn way.

Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house.
Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor...
Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.
Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.
~ Mother Teresa

Loving my new signature. Not loving my expanding middle :(

July 18, 2009

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

So goes the David Bowie song. I was in need of a bit of change and updated the blog this morning after hubby and the kids left to play for the day. Getting up at 7am on a Saturday to go to the drag strip is not my idea of "playing", but going our separate ways every now and then allows everyone to get to do what they want so it's all good. I'll be taking the dogs for a long walk, doing laundry, cleaning the bathroom, grocery shopping and trying out a new recipe. Jealous?! I must confess I fit in a bit of web shopping via Nordstroms anniversary sale to update my wardrobe for fall (which appears to have arrived early in the arctic since it's 63 degrees and not expected to get above 71 today). I ordered a cute patterned sweater, blazer in blackberry and coveted Tory Burch flats in gold. I also picked up the cutest sandals on sale at Macy's before vacation (under $30 each!) - rocker mama in black (these made it to the No Doubt concert) and go with everything in luggage (these went to work the first day back from vacation with a simple white linen dress and french blue sweater).

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom ~ Confucius

July 17, 2009

Food Porn

Mimi shared this blog with me recently. Oh my. Is it hot in here? I think I'm in love!

July 16, 2009

Excitement + Anxiety = Empowerment

I did it - I sent in my application for grad school! Now I need to dust off the resume, send transcript requests to five schools (so embarrassing), beg two friends to write letters of recommendation and write an essay. That's a lot to do for a procrastinator. Wonder if I can find a way to weave Twilight into any of my curriculum.

Shout out to MPB on her new baby, Nora. MPB says "she's perfect". Congratulations - can't wait to meet her! MPB, did you notice the use of my favorite word in the title?!

July 14, 2009

Take It Off Tuesday #2

I was down two pounds before vacation; up two pounds from starting weight after vacation for a total of four pounds gained :( I took the dogs for a long walk Sunday and have been doing my mommy* workouts in the morning. I've also upped my fruit and veggie intake. Voila down two pounds as of this morning (back to starting weight). I wonder if my scale is broken. Maybe. I wonder if it's off by 20 pounds. When pigs fly.

*My mommy workout is Cindy Crawford's Workout A from "A New Dimension". Sad since it's a get-in-shape-after-baby video I bought after Chunky was born almost 10 years ago.

July 13, 2009

A year without summer is like a life without love

I love summer. It's not even my favorite season (fall has that distinction, especially Indian Summer), but living in the arctic tundra where it's frigid for at least 5 months out of the year gives one a tremendous appreciation for warmth, sunshine, greenery and the sounds of nature's many creatures.

See the turtles sunning themselves on the log?

July 11, 2009

Summer Journal Entry #2

I'm so blessed and lucky. I've spent 10 glorious days on vacation. Not a care in the world - doing whatever, whenever. Our annual Up North trip was fantastic, save for the two aforementioned incidents. These were taken Monday night at the campfire before 'The Injury' -


Tuesday night was the infamous turtle races at the resort -

Wednesday was probably my favorite day as that's when we went to Star Island and Lake Windigo. Windigo is located in Star Island in Cass Lake. It's one of a few lakes within a lake in the Northern Hemisphere. Our resort is actually on the Mississippi River which connects the Cass Lake Chain of Lakes - Cass is the largest of the eight lakes in the chain and the eighth largest lake in Minnesota. We rented the resort pontoon and went a short distance on the Mississippi to Lake Andrusia and then wound through the Mississippi again to arrive at Cass Lake.

The Injury

I had a wonderful few days up north bookended by two unfortunate incidents: I lost my sunglasses on the last day (the clippy ones that go on my prescription eyeglasses) and Chunky had 6 stitches put in his left big toe on the first day I arrived. Hubby threw Sassy in the water and Chunky went in to save her flip flop (we seriously prize those around here) - he was running to give us a report on his search (no luck) when he stepped on the sharp edge of a large rock and cut a deep gash in the underside of his toe. A freak accident. Most of the resort guests were there when it happened because it was the night of the hosted campfire with hot dogs and s'mores. A gentleman ran to get his first aid kit and was most helpful in bandaging up Chunky's left foot so the back seat of the truck wouldn't look like a blood bath scene. We headed about 20 minutes north for the "big city" hospital where we waited for 2+ hours before being seen by a doctor. We saw a receptionist, admission specialist, triage nurse and an attending nurse, but no treatment, cleaning or anything else was performed until the doctor set his eyes on the injury. This is the first time I'd experienced this long of a wait - mind you I've only been in an ER four times in my adult life and always with someone else needing medical attention - but I thought that was kind of long. Anyhoo, as previously mentioned Chunky can be a bit dramatic and he didn't disappoint in this situation. I don't mean to sound indifferent to his pain and suffering - I'm his mother and he's my baby so of course I wanted nothing more than to take it all away but I could not and I knew that this was not a life altering injury. He has a tendency to speak very loudly anyway, but his yelling "it feels like it's going to fall off" over and over wasn't likely soothing to the other patients. He had worked himself up so much on several occassions that I had to remind him to breathe and deeply - like Lamaze for labor. The triage nurse was really concerned he was going to start hyperventilating at one point. I went to get him some fruit juice from a vending machine and parked* him in front of a TV with cartoons and the next thing you know he's his jolly old self. *He was given a wheelchair upon arrival which made him feel pretty special as well as provided a brief distraction (no one else could "drive"). When we finally saw the Dr he said it was a deep cut and he nicked the tendon but since Chunky could wiggle his toe there shouldn't be any issues. When all was said and done the Lidocaine injections before the stitches hurt more than the actual injury. I know this because I sat just a few inches from his face as he was getting the injections and my ears are still ringing. I'll post more about our trip later - enjoy 'The Injury' photos.



July 6, 2009

Wicked Awesome!

That's the only way to describe the No Doubt concert. Gwen's abs make me want to weep considering I too have birthed two children and she's only 2 1/2 years younger than me. During ND's encore the opening band Paramore came on stage and they all performed a cover of the Adam & the Ants song "Stand and Deliver". Oh how I loved Adam and 1981. I partied like a rock star tonight and I don't care if Sassy and her friend were embarrassed or not. Guess who has "Stand and Deliver" on their iPod so knows all the words and rocked it on the way home? Uh huh, I still got it (in some circles anyway).

Other favorite songs from 1981:
Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes
Endless Love by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie (for the movie of the same name with Brooke Shields and Tom Cruise)
Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield (swoon)
Celebration by Kool and the Gang
I Love A Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbitt (don't judge me)
9 To 5 by Dolly Parton
Morning Train by Sheena Easton
Rapture by Blondie (one of the only "rap" songs I like)
The Tide Is High by Blondie (my signature karaoke tune)
Just The Two Of Us by Grover Washington Jr. (fave for hubby and I when dancing)
Slow Hand by Pointer Sisters
Another One Bites The Dust by Queen (Freddie Mercury left this world too early)
Angel Of The Morning by Juice Newton
Take It On The Run by REO
America by Neil Diamond (shout out to my dad's favorite singer)
Boy From New York City by Manhattan Transfer
Urgent by Foreigner
Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar
Stop Draggin' My Heart Around by Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty (played in "Taps" starring Tom Cruise)
Don't Stand So Close To Me by The Police
Smoky Mountain Rain by Ronnie Milsap (makes me think of trekking with my dad to The World Fair in Knoxville, TN summer 1982)
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' by Hall and Oates (Tom Cruise again for "Top Gun" connection)
For Your Eyes Only by Sheena Easton (questionable Bond film but I was in awe of Carole Bouquet's beauty and accent)
Whip It by Devo (anyone own an Energy Dome?)
Seven Year Ache by Rosanne Cash (absolutely loved this song for some reason)
and...Elvira by The Oak Ridge Boys (omm poppa mow mow)

July 4, 2009

'Tis the Season

Who doesn't love flip flops?! The sound they make is the chorus of summer. I even have a wool-lined pair for cooler weather. Celeste at Etsy It Up! has a great flip flop giveaway - http://etsyitup.blogspot.com/2009/06/switchflops-review-giveaway.html. Very clever interchangeable straps - I would choose the ones that match my first name (exciting find as my name is uncommon).

Hubby and Chunky left this morning for our annual Up North vacation near Bemidji. Sassy, her friend, T, and I will follow on Monday. We're staying behind to see No Doubt and Paramore tomorrow night. Feeling Hella Good!

Please pause to remember our founding fathers fought to preserve the very freedoms we enjoy today: hope, promise and individualism. Happy Independence day!