Together Again

Closer ....

2008-11-14T13:33:00.001-08:00

.... and closer ....

5 DAYS!!!!!

'Tis the season

2008-11-04T13:48:00.000-08:00

....... 15 days until my birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!

yahoo ..... I lurve my birthday =)

Hockey

2008-10-15T08:36:00.001-07:00

I just needed to share this ... fantastic!!!

Happy anniversary

2008-10-08T04:56:00.000-07:00

Happy 1 year (and a day) Anniversary Sarah & George!!! I hope you are enjoying your holistic spa getaway in warm, dreamy Mexico!

Quote of the day

2008-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today's Inspirational Quote:

"Honor your talents and act like a woman--a smart woman--who
knows how to jump over business obstacles, even in heels."

--Nancy Clark

Disney World

2008-09-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

Please note- this is a big moment for me: Not only am I blogging, I'm doing it within 4 hours of arriving home from a wonderful weekend in Orlando. This is also momentous for me; I don’t really like Florida (hot, sticky, too many pastel colors) and I’m not crazy about Disney World (I don’t like crowds or cartoons).

After dropping the little dog off at the kennel (despite her trying to jump out of the car window moving at 40 mph), we drove down on Friday. Correction: Mike drove. I napped, played with the dog, talked a bout my week at work and broke Mike’s computer. At 8pm, we arrived exhausted; Mike from actually exerting effort and me in sympathy for Mike.

It rained on Saturday, but we were able to spend some quality time at MGM (correction: Hollywood Studios). Then Saturday night, we went to an amazing seafood dinner. Then to see Cirque du Soleil and loved it. Truly amazing. I honestly don’t know how they do that with their bodies. I had to go to the bathroom during the whole performance, so I wasn’t 100% mesmerized, but it was incredible none-the-less and worth walking through the rain for 15 minutes to see. I had a little ticket scare when I looked at my confirmation email while standing in the Will Call line 30 minutes before the show. Email stated that they could release my tickets if I didn’t pick them up more than 60 minutes before the show. Just in case, I spent the entire time in line working up exactly what I would say and how I would defend my position when they told me I couldn’t have my tickets, and I WAS READY—LET ME TELL YOU. I was not prepared when the ticket booth guy handed me my tickets and said, “Enjoy the show” with a huge smile on his face. I stood stunned and couldn’t even thank him I was so shocked that he HADN’T TRIED TO SCREW ME OUT OF MY TICKETS!!!

Sunday, we went to Magic Kingdom and back to MGM for a ride we missed (the new aerosmith roller coaster which is AMAZING). Then we saw Blue Man—hilarious and entertaining, and then in honor of Gina, we ate at the NASCAR café at Universal.

Today, we drove home. Correction: Mike drove. I did more of the above and talked on the phone.

Book Club

2008-08-22T13:00:00.001-07:00

I love to read ... always have ... I've always kind of leaned more towards the macabre (Stephen King, etc) for some reason. I have very fond memories of reading Edgar Allen Poe with the curtains drawn in the middle of the afternoon after school, scaring the bajesus out of my friend Melissa & her little sister Connie. Don't ask me why I remember these things but I do!

I also remember one time coming across "Helter Skelter" in the house somewhere ... and being genuinely interested in reading it. I was oh, I don't know, maybe 10 .... yeah, that didn't happen whenever one of my parents realized it was in my possession.

Anywho ... So last week when Esther was telling my mom & I about the book club she's in ... I immediately thought how fun it would be to be in one!! Even though a few years ago, bridget and i did join one when we lived in CT. That didn't work out so well. But I'm SURE that if we started one now ... it would totally work!!!

Who's in?!?!

Fun at the Playground

2008-08-18T12:52:00.000-07:00

My mom & I took Miles & Julia to the playground this past Sunday morning ... I looooove the playground even though it makes me nervous to watch the kids climb all over everything and go high up on the cool slides ... I'm a nervous ninny, what can I say?!?!?

Julia made a new friend less than 2 minites after we got there. Julia ran up to and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek ... and off they went! And for the next hour, they were BFF

And you can't forget the swings .... gooooood times!!!!

All in all it was a fun, fun, fun morning! So much so that Miles fell asleep on the 7 minute ride home ... doesn't he look tired???

2008-08-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

Why is it that when you have nothing to do, you have no motivation. This conditions is one of those tragedies like world hunger and global warming.

2008-08-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

This Jack Russell puppy may look harmless, but she has earned her nickname of devil. We picked her up at 8 weeks old in February, and the house has not been the same, in good ways and not-so-good ways. Regardless, I am totally attached, and at times, Mike has been completely distraught.

We were crate training her which we knew she would not like. Like good pet owners, we took her outside religiously—every 2-3 hours, including twice in the early morning hours (2am and 5 am). And we followed everyone’s instructions:

-Keep her in the crate most of the day
-Make the crate small, so that she feels like she is in a den
-Feed her in the crate
-Discipline her when she poops or pees in the crate
-Put the crate in the center of the house

But she pooped in the crate. At first we thought she would grow out of it, so we endured. But after 3 months, we were beside ourselves. We were tired from getting up in the middle of the night, and it was so frustrating to have to give her a bath and clean poop 4 times per day.

Our vet was stumped; he felt so bad for us that he took her for a week at a time just to give us a break. We spoke to numerous dog trainers and all of them went through the list (do you feed her in the crate, is the crate small), and then would say, “That is so strange. You never hear of a dog doing that. You are doing all the right things. I don’t know what to tell you.”

We were ready to give her away. Mike believed she was the devil incarnate and just was a fundamentally flawed and nasty dog. So as a last ditch effort, we sent her to camp. We sent her to a kennel that also does training for a week. The trainer told us that she was sensitive (which is rare for her breed) but very smart and stubborn with lots of energy. He gave us some training exercises and changed the crate we used and how we discipline her, and she’s like a new dog.

Don’t get me wrong: she chewed another one of my shoes yesterday, but I’m not cleaning out her crate 4 times a day, so I’ll take it.

2008

2008-08-13T18:31:00.000-07:00

As cliche as it is, where has the year gone?

Here in the South, the young ones have gone back to school, and I feel the need to recap why I have been MIA.

I started this post thinking that the year had been pretty uneventful and boring, but then I realized all the crap that has happened, and unfortunately, audience, the topics are not really appropriate to be posted, but feel free to call me for any updates.

The year has been horrible at work and unfortunately that colors my mood overall. The good news: my personal life has never been in better order:

• Christmas shopping: Done (thanks again Red Envelope)
• Wills: In process and to be completed soon
• Insurance: Now we have adequate coverage (what can I say, I have been digging deep?)
• Financial Planning: Done (wish I had finances to plan-see job slowdown above, but if and when I do, the plan is in place)
• Linked-In: Up-to-Date
• Facebook: Joined and waiting for friends
• House Projects: All that we wanted/needed are completed

The most notable item that is suitable for blogging is our new puppy, Mollie (aka the Devil). She has been a nightmare to train. She is a whole separate post for a later date, but let’s just say her “issue” stumped 3 dog trainers and 2 vets. Yeah!

Sports

2008-08-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

All of a sudden I got REALLY excited for football season! The Bills haven't been playing well the last few years but it doesn't change the fact that I LOOOOOOVE football!

I think it also makes me happy because it means that HOCKEY SEASON is almost upon us as well ..... YAHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Luck

2008-07-15T12:18:00.000-07:00

I applied for a new job with the bank today ... wish me luck!!!!

We just can't have nice things

2008-06-09T09:09:00.001-07:00

Stanley Cup OK after slight dent

DETROIT (AP) -- The Stanley Cup is OK after taking a tumble during the Red Wings' celebrations in Detroit.

NHL spokeswoman Bernadette Mansur says Saturday the Cup got a slight dent Friday after some players took the trophy to Cheli's Chili Bar, a downtown restaurant owned by Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios.

Mansur says the dent was smoothed out, and the trophy was expected to keep making the rounds.

Thousands of Red Wings fans cheered Friday during a parade and rally in downtown Detroit where the Cup was shown off. The Red Wings clinched the Cup on Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.

Growing up

2008-06-03T07:39:00.000-07:00

This was in an email that I was copied on, sent by someone who makes significantly more money than I do:

"She is currently on maturity leave"

Apparently she still has some growing up to do .... isn't quite mature enough just yet.

Hangin' Tough

2008-05-21T12:32:00.000-07:00

Don't think that I'm not considering going to Toronto on either September 19th or 21st see them now ... especially seeing as I didn't get to see them then

Airport

2008-05-18T07:40:00.000-07:00

At the airport last weekend, I heard this announced, "Will the person who left their dentures at the security lineplease return to pick them up?" Oops.

Busy Spring

2008-05-04T16:13:00.000-07:00

I know you are wondering what else we could fit into our schedule between a new puppy and Nascar (and work and allergies), but there have been lots of non-golf related things to keep us busy this spring.

Griffin graduated from a puppy training class. He even won the "Most Improved Puppy" award. The good news is that he won the award; the bad news is that he was the oldest "puppy" in the class by at least a year.

We had a customer event at the Bruce Springsteen concert 2 weeks ago. It was even better than I could have imagined. He sang for 3 solid hours and didn't even sing all the hits, and it was amazing.

Mike and I went to see Frank Caliendo while Mike's sister and brother-in-law visited. My stomach still hurts from laughing so hard, but I think the people in our row were laughing more at Mike's laugh (which was particularly high-pitched and loud that night). He is much funnier in stand-up than on his show.

We are still praying to the rain gods... According to the news, we won't be out of a drought in less than 3 years.

Gentlemen, Start Your ...

2008-05-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

Imagine tailgating for a football game for 3 days but with more Winnebegos and confederate flags (more a function of my location rather than the sport); that's how I describe my first Nascar race. The weather was great, and the energy was unbelievable. The noise is deafening. Fortunately someone I work with recommended renting the headphones which let you hear the announcers and the pit conversations and stop some of the noise. If it wasn't for the headphones, I would have been bored out of my mind--aside from the excellent people watching. Lots of things amazed me about the race, but here are the highlights:
-They serve hard liquor up until the last 25 laps (which is approximately 5 minutes)
-They let you bring in coolers filled with alcohol
-Free parking
-Every person in the stands has driver gear on (which is serious money)
-SMOKING IN THE STANDS (and everyone does it)

A week after the race, I was at dinner in Charlotte with a customer. The restaurant was a converted church which is an experience in and of itself. But the big news was that I met Jimmie Johnson, and he is H.O.T. He was having dinner with his very-cute wife and some friends, and my customer knows his wife, so he introduced me. Fortunately I was too busy gawking at his body to embarass myself by asking for an autograph or telling him about my first race experience, but I was happy that I at least knew who he was.

Anyone want to come down for the race in October????

Mollie

2008-05-02T16:43:00.000-07:00

So Mike finally caved and let me get another dog. She's cute, except that she pees in her crate all the time and bites anything that moves (that includes the first dog). Did I mention that she bites hard?

Yep, we bought her a week ago during a very "Green Acres" trip to the breeder's house/farm. We left our car at the gate (which we could barely figure out how to open) and walked up the driveway (term used loosely). When we approached, the breeder laughed, saying "Oh, you walked up here."

AMW All-Star

2008-04-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

Check this out and vote now!

Dennis Delano has helped to free two innocent people from prison ... how is that not an All-Star?!?!

Dopplegangers

2008-04-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

I love that word ... doppleganger ... it's fun to say. My friend Kevin from CT has one here in sunny Buffalo ... I saw him one night at City Grill from across the bar/restaurant and thought I was seeing things. It's so bizarre when you see someone's doppleganger .... freaks me out.

But These are just really funny

Happy St Patrick's Day!!!!

2008-03-17T08:15:00.000-07:00

"Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don't want to press your luck."
— Author Unknown

I (heart) Patti

2008-03-03T13:50:00.000-08:00

She tells it like it is and gives advice that makes sense ... I'm still sad her show didn't get picked up again by A&E ...

Crazy Buffalo Weather

2008-01-31T10:38:00.000-08:00

So we all know Buffalo is known for its wild and crazy weather ... but when wind does this to a brick building ... when the temperature drops from 53 to 18 in 6 hours ... when Lake Erie's depth goes up 10 1/2 feet in Buffalo and down 5 feet in Toledo in a matter of 3 hours .... there's got to be another word for it!!! See here to read more about it all

Update

2008-01-23T05:27:00.000-08:00

Thanks again to everyone who's been following my progress as I quit smoking! I appreciate all of your support and stories. Jessi reminded me though that I've got this other blog and other things going on in my life other than quitting smoking =)

I am still dating Mark ... things are good but tough b/c this month he's been working like a fiend and we've both got vacations and time away from Buffalo scheduled and just generally alot going on between the two of us. Things are good though and he's a great guy and I quite like him. So stay tuned ... I promise that I'll keep you updated! Here's to hoping that February isn't as hectic!!

Other than that ... Bridget and I met in Florida this weekend and had two days of doing a whole lot of not much of anything. We went to Miami for the day on saturday and tried not to stare too much at the beautiful people walking amongst us ... meanwhile laughing at the guy on the bicycle in his demin overalls and the rooster perched on his handle bars. Yes, a real rooster .. not a fake, plastic one ... 100% real. It was awesome! We had 2 scoops of probably the best ice cream I've ever had plopped into the best waffle dish (handmade in front of my eyes) I've ever eaten. All in all, it was a good, relaxing weekend.

And now it's back to reality .....

Day 1

2008-01-03T09:37:00.000-08:00

Instead of taking up tons of posts here ... I decided to make a whole brand new blog here

Join me in this new chapter of my life and wish me luck!!!!

thank you to everyone for all of your love and support thus far ... please keep it coming as there will be many a day when I'm going to need your helping hand!!!!!

Happy New Year's

2008-01-02T15:15:00.001-08:00

2007 Recap

1. Spent too much money at the dry cleaner. So much so that she gave us a gift certificate to one of the best restaurants in the area for Christmas.
2. Went to Hilton Head and San Diego for the first times and loved both of them.
3. Finished my MBA.
4. Made gold status on Delta.
5. Missed silver status at Marriott by 2 nights. I’m still hoping that they will give it to me anyway. Mike says to keep dreaming.
6. Saw the Police in concert.
7. Missed one customer meeting and started to keep 3 calendars to avoid that happening in the future.
8. Turned 29.
9. Drank too much diet coke and not enough water.
10. Failed at selling our house and then redecorated it.
11. Spent New Year’s Eve in Kansas City (both Kansas and Missouri).

National Lampoon’s

2008-01-02T15:14:00.000-08:00

The drive to upstate New York ended up being 15 hours one way. We had decent weather, and 2 books on tape to keep us entertained. We stayed in 2 ghettos motels on the trip; we slept with turtlenecks through socks to avoid the bed bugs. I scratched my leg so hard that it bled. I choose to believe that it was dry skin, not some disgusting bug bite which carried disease.

Christmas with the family was excellent, lots of laughs and gorging on good food and sweets. Griffin was the hit of Christmas, cuddling on everyone’s lap and generally charming them with his inquisitive personality.

Now the holiday let down has set in. I’m been looking for jobs in Buffalo. Any suggestions?

T Minus .... 10 hours and counting

2008-01-02T11:56:00.000-08:00

In less than 10 hours ... I will be proudly calling myself a Non-Smoker! I'm a little nervous but it's very much a good thing so I am looking forward to it!

I've got a very nice dinner at the end of 5 months of being smoke-free .... and another after a year of being smoke free.

It may sound strange but it's sad in a way ... like losing a good friend ... been there for you good times & bad, whenever you need it, etc. I know many of you don't understand it and that's alright. It's strange for sure but it's a friend that I need to say goodbye to. It's not a very good friend in that it's terrible for your health and is just plain gross.

So, in 10 hours I shall bid you adieu old friend ... Marlboro Lights in a box ... may I never fall prey to your wiley ways again.

Step One

2007-12-24T10:47:00.000-08:00

So we're doing this challenge in my office ... weight loss and general health and well-being. So we teamed up a few weeks ago and starting January 2nd, we're all going on diets and general health kicks to all lose some weight. We picked the teams at our christmas, er Holiday party and I started talking to a friend of mine who is a Marine and he offered his assistance with my routine. Workouts, diet, etc. He also, very blantantly, "suggested" that quitting smoking should be a part of my routine. I started thinking about it and he and another friend started getting on me about it. Aaand then my big boss got in on the action today and since he's on my team I know it's not the end of it.

So January 3rd ..... here I come.

The side bet is that if I can make it to June 3rd (5 months) w/o a cigarette the two of them will take me out to dinner at a restaurant of my choice. The flip side, is that if I do have even just one, I've got to take the two of them out .....

Wish me luck!!!! Stay tuned

Done ...

2007-12-20T04:23:00.001-08:00

With school. There are things to say. but still in shock and the holidays have taken over my life. More in 2008.

Conversation

2007-12-18T11:41:00.000-08:00

overheard in the fitting room last night:

Younger female: Mom, I think you need a bigger size, that's a little tight
Older Female: Oh no, I LIKE it tight ...
Younger female: Yeah but things are worn a little baggier now
Older female: I LIKE it tight b/c it keeps me in
Younger female: yeah but .... you need to learn to wear things a little more baggy
Older Female: But I LIKE them tighter I told you

Me (in my head): So what you're saying is that you like to give youself a muffin top? That's got to be attractive

Date update

2007-12-18T04:54:00.000-08:00

I've been reminded that people actually read my blog which I always forget so I hardly ever update because I'm a bad blogger ....

Update on the date ... it was alot of fun & I had a great time. We didn't end up going for Thai but ended up at this restaurant, Page's on Transit. Very unassuming little sports bar and restaurant with a cool menu and good food. We had a decent view of a TV to keep an eye on the Sabres game and they had a mini-video crack machine right at the booth which we both very date-like ignored until the temptation became too much and it could be ignored no longer. I started talking Tri-Towers smack and challenged him to a game. Needless to say, all those Monday nights at Faherty's paid off and I kicked butt not once, not twice but three times! He was a good sport about losing to a girl and finally conceded defeat ... done and done!

After dinner, we finished watching the Sabres game and then met some people that he works with for a few drinks & darts.

All in all it was a fun night and we had a great time. He's a really nice, funny guy ... I'm pretty sure that we're going to see each other again but when has yet to be decided. And then yesterday, Bridget begged the question ... which I had thought about ... do I buy him a gift for Christmas???

We both think, no ... but maybe I make him dinner one night and serve a really awesome dessert and have him bring some really nice wine (did I mention that he actually KNOWS about wine?!?!? SCORE!!!)

Stay tuned ......

Changing tides???

2007-12-14T05:55:00.000-08:00

It's too early to tell for sure ... but the tide may be a changin' with my dating life. I had met a guy a few weeks ago who was really nice and we had a great time hanging out and were planning on seeing each other again but due to an unforseen tragedy I haven't spoken to him in a while and that's alright. Right now he's got to concentrate on himself and his family and healing.

However, then, due to a work related situation, I started up a conversation with one of the staff members at one of my branches. Long story short, we went out for drinks on Monday and tonight ... he's taking me out to dinner!! Dinner I tell ya! Like a real date!

I'd rather not discuss the last time I was out on a real date ... let's just say, it's been a good long time. So I think we're going for Thai tonight .... should be interesting as I've never had it and I don't know a thing about it.

Wish me luck!!

Karma

2007-12-12T14:41:00.000-08:00

All hell broke loose at the office today; I can only assume it was related to me saying how I have been slow at work. It really cramped my online shopping and studying for MY LAST FINAL (did I mention that I'm almost done with school- please let me pass this final).

Did I also mention that it's 77 degrees here? Not very Christmas-y.

Lastly, did I mention that Mike and I driving to Central NY to spend Christmas with his family? Hear we come 20-hour drive (and maybe divorce court after said drive). Anyone know of any good books-on-CD?

2007-12-11T18:06:00.000-08:00

I can't post at work anymore. I don't know why, and that's really not much of an excuse for my lack of posts, but lately, my workload is, shall we say limited?

Limited would be a good word. This will be the first Christmas in 7 years that A DEAL MAY NOT FUND IF I DON'T TAKE THIS PHONE CALL IMMEDIATELY AND WORK MYSELF INTO A BIG PANIC, FAMILY!!!!! You'd swear that I save people's lives with the way I act, but nope, I really just play monopoly with OPM.

The update is that I am one week from my finishing school--yep, I'm serious. One final exam stands between me and free time. But with the way I have been acting lately you would not know that I am taking a really hard class this semester. You would also think that I am made of money because I have been shopping non-stop. Today, I saw an article pointing out that shopping online is good for the environment due to gas mileage, probably published by some retail organization. Like a good eco-friendly person, I promptly spent loads of money on Christmas gifts (for next year, Silly; my shopping is already done). Um, do you think that the UPS truck gets better gas mileage than my Passat? Yep, I didn’t think about that before I hit the “confirm” button. See how that graduate degree is already paying off?????

So with this limited amount of work, I have redecorated the house. First it start with the hardwoods which were meant to end my funk over not selling the house. That plan worked a little too well, I bought all new accessories—pillows, a desk, new pictures for the wall, a book case, and on and on. Mind you, all at great prices, but really. That spending spurred me to buy a new bedroom set which also then required new pictures, lamps, and bathroom accessories. We did not repaint though; I had to draw the line somewhere.

Ho Ho Ho

2007-11-28T15:44:00.000-08:00

Conversation from earlier today:

Mike: "The gifts arrived today from xyzelectronics.com."
Me: "Great. Were there 2 boxes?"
Mike: "Yes."
Me: "Don't open them." (one was for Mike)
Mike: "Yes, Your Highness."

Imagine my surprise when I saw this box when I came home. Thankfully, he didn't open it.

4 days and counting

2007-11-15T04:50:00.000-08:00

4 more days until my birthday WOOHOO ... which means only 3 more days until I get to have a dreamy 55 minute facial followed by a dreamy 55 minute pedicure ... followed by yummy food, wine, perhaps champagne and the best company a girl could have ... all here

i can feel myself relaxing already

But it keeps me employed

2007-11-09T09:41:00.000-08:00

I have a habit of emailing everyone that I know and love when I hear of a new phishing scam or internet scam or what have you. It's what I do ... I see these people who fall for these Nigerian 419 / lotto / inheritance / romance / job scams everyday and sometimes it really does break my heart. Sometimes.

Then I heard about this new scam .... this one is just heartless and cruel. What I wouldn't give to catch the bastards who prey on people with good, kind hearts.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2007-11-05T08:49:00.000-08:00

Happy 29th Birthday Bridget!!!!!

I wish I had a fun picture of the two of us on my computer, but alas, I don't ... so I'll just say Happy Birthday again!!!

Have a fun day!!!

Domestic Kick

2007-10-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

Lately, Mike can be heard saying, "Where's my wife? I like this new replacement who cooks and cleans and grocery shops, but I miss my actual wife."

For some reason I've been domestic (and so has Gina as I discovered yesterday and now we are going to swap recipes). I'm a regular at Whole Foods. I've used the slow cooker that sat unused and dusty since we received it as a wedding gift. I've learned that the washer can be tempermental with the fabric softener. I'm fighting the urge to buy a new couch. The dog isn't surprised anymore when I am the one who feeds him and walks him.

I'm pretty slow at the office, so I have extra time which is admittedly nice. I'm also nearing the end of school, and I am starting to wonder how I will spend my free time. (December 15 should be the last day; I need to pass the ridiculsouly hard class that I stupidly decided to take when I am totally checked out).

I like it. I just wish I had more people to cook for. If anyone is headed to Atlanta, stop by for a homecooked meal. I'm not sure how long this will last.

Sliding Doors

2007-10-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been have lots of thoughts about serendipity. What would have happened if I had gone to law school? What would have happened if I hadn't take the job assignment with Mike's business? Where would Mike be? Where would I be?

I'm disappointed that the house hasn't sold. Really disappointed. More disappointed than I thought I would be. Yet I can't help but feeling that it's for a reason. I'm not a huge believer in destiny, but I have an strong feeling that the house didn't sell because we are going to be moving from Atlanta. For that reason, I'm excited to see what happens. I have no clue for what reason, but it's eerie.

On one hand, I could be just wishing and hoping to move back to Buffalo sooner rather than later. On the other, I could be just a victim of the mortgage meltdown.

At least I have new hardwoods to distract me.

OTM

2007-10-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

House is off the market--Boo Hiss!
Men are coming to install hardwood floors--Crowd roars

We will try this again in the spring. Stay tuned.

Birthday season approaching

2007-10-17T05:27:00.000-07:00

I've always loved my birthday. I wholeheartedly believe that it's a season much the same as Esther does .... it should be celebrated for days and days and days.

This year is a big one for me ... 30! I'm not freaked out about turning 30, I don't feel old ... I feel weird! It's just strange to think that I will no longer be in my 20s. Then I think about how strange it must be for Leah, John, my mom and my dad ... I'm the baby so it's probably pretty weird for them too. But holy crap .... I'm going to be 30!

The countdown begins ... one month & one day from today I will no longer be a 20-something.

Almost with out thought, a day was planned here for the 18th of November ... how ironic that it's the day before my birthday?!?! So I will be spending the last day of my 20s with 10 of my favorite women .... yipee!!!!! Pampering and lounging and drinking yummy wine in my squishy robe and slippers. aaaaahhh .......

Happy Days

2007-10-08T14:00:00.000-07:00

I love weddings ... I always cry and always have a great time at the reception. They're just by nature beautiful events.

This past weekend, my best friend got married. Sarah and I first met in the elevator on our way up to our room as freshman, at Northeastern but living at another local college (don't ask). I've realized that that was 11 years ago! 11 years have gone by ... wow ... and we've been through ALOT in those 11 years as most friends do. We've seen each other through alot of ups and alot of downs ... boyfriends, friends & coming & going, among many, many, many other things. We've been there for each other through alot. So when she asked me to be a bridesmaid (never a bride) I was honored. She picked amazing dresses and shoes, date (10/6) and location.

So on Saturday afternoon we all gathered together looking as beautiful as I've ever seen us ... most especially the bride (Dress = AMAZING) ... and we got Sarah & George married! In 10 minutes I cried my little eyes out and then went and partied like a rockstar along with the rest of the weddings guests. We danced to this cool jazz band from New Jersey with the movenist, shakenist 70 year old band leader/trumpeteer I've ever seen. They were able to put a New Orleans twist on pretty much any song you could think of ... and we danced and danced and danced!

At one point though it did rain (boo) but it was while we were all safely tucked away under the tent having fun and drinking champagne (more than the bartender had ever seen consumed at a wedding there, hehe) so the rain was alright ... it cooled the night off perfectly and made the pesky humidity go away. And then the clouds moved away too and the sun came back out .... and there, at the end of the dock just 100 or so feet in front of our tent, was the most spectacular rainbow I've ever seen. It wasn't just high in the sky, it literally ended at the dock. If that's not a blessing and/or good luck, I don't know what is!

Out of my Mouth

2007-10-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

I am really trying to think before I speak-I try to have a filter and try to consider the adudience and how sensitive to they my be to my straightforward nature. I've learned the hard way that offense is an unintended consequence of not only what I say but how I say it.

All that being said, I was at lunch last week with my boss who is also a friend at a restaurant that we go to regularly. We had a server who was new to us though was very experienced. This I know because he told us the Reader Digest version of his life story (which is still too long) in the 5 times he came to the top between sitting us and bringing the food. When he finally came with the food (which had been very delayed for a non-server related issue), he added that real estate is a cool profession that he has always wanted to get into for the following 10 reasons which I did not hear. Apparently halfway through the list, I said to this very nice but over-eager server, "Ok. See ya." My tone was very matter-of-fact, not rude, as I was told later because I don't remember saying it.

Can't take me in public, I guess.

Actual email ...

2007-10-02T11:10:00.000-07:00

... received by a colleague from a fellow employee (emphasis added)

"I open this acct. and when I opened it I saw his card. (due to the size of the check. it was lottery processeds.) I called and lefted a message yesterday for you to
call me.can you please call me at 301-933-6311. I dont wont to have to call him back for that If I dont have to he also has met with the investment team as well.
please give me a call if you dont mine."

Jesus Christ .... SERIOUSLY PEOPLE!!!!!!! Grammar, spelling, punctuation .... or lack thereof

I can't make this shit up

Kings & Queens

2007-10-01T10:29:00.000-07:00

Words of wisdom from Lil' Kim:

"I'm a queen, and I can't say I've run across a full-blown king."

I'm totally using that one from now on ... my problem isn't that I don't go out and meet people, it's that I just haven't found my king!

As you may or may not know - "Regina" means Queen so it's perfect! That sounds so much better than the actual reason.

So true .....

2007-10-01T08:10:00.000-07:00

"To me, there is no greater act of courage than being the one who kisses first"

Janeane Garofalo

Short Lived

2007-09-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I was all relaxed and de-stressed, and I thought this feeling would be like a vacation hangover and at least get me through today. Not so much. I went back to the total chaos that my job has become due to this whole "liquidity crisis" crap. I gave very bad news to some customers on the day before they closed their loan (think of when you closed on your house, now imagine that your bank called you while you were signing documents and said, "Instead of your mortgage for $100,000, we are going to give you a mortgage for $90,000"--I didn't do that but that's the only way I can compare it). So that involved some harsh words from my customer and some not-so-nice tones.

In addition, the water in my office tastes like crap. I'm not sure what happened to the filtration system (which I always thought was for show and that the tube just went through that big box to make us think it was being purified). Either way, the water tastes gross now.

Did I mention that while I have one imaginary move, I also have a real move happening next month. We are moving offices which also entails changing phone numbers with no forwarding capabilities. Did I mention that I am in sales which involves contact information and a lot of communication via the phone? Now when people call and are greeted with "This number has been disconnected with no forwarding number," I wonder if they will think that we are out of business due to the crisis mentioned above. So I have that going for me ...

Also, I haven't done my homework for tomorrow. I keep telling myself it is only 3 more months until I am done, but I really hate group projects and one of my classes is only group projects, so I have that going for me.

Lastly, now that my house has been on the market since Jesus wore short pants, 4 realtors called telling us that they could do a better job than our realtor. Fortunately Mike handled them because my response would have been something to the effect, "The commission is split 50/50, so if you want to get paid and think you could do a better job, then bring people to my house--that way you are guaranteed 50% of it. Otherwise, stop calling." There would other colorful phrases inserted throughout my comments, but I am too tired to go there, and I have a pounding headache.

Vay-Kay

2007-09-16T18:22:00.000-07:00

We didn't take any pictures. We brought the camera and even brought it with us on our dinner cruise, but we didn't use it once. Regardless, Mike and I had a great time in Hilton Head, but it was humid. The town was cute; the weather was good. We ate some great food, and we both played golf pretty well-the courses were beautiful. It's definitely a place I would go again. I didn't see as much of the ocean as I thought it would (given that it is an island--who knew?). We met some interesting people... Just the perfect 5 days for relaxation.

2007-09-09T17:45:00.000-07:00

We didn't do much this weekend. After my thankfully uneventful trip home from New York (no delays, no cancellations, no traffic, no upgrade--but I did get home on time, so I can't complain). I cleaned for our fantasy house showings and packed for our pretend move which made me feel productive. I ran a bunch of errands and practiced putting my contacts in (never had them before and I can't put them in without a good 10 trys per eye). I did some homework (back to school on Tuesday) and watched the first half of the dumb Bills game.

Here is the best part, I only have to work for 2 days before I go on va-ca. Yep, I'm actually taking more than a Friday off from work. Mike and I are headed to Hilton Head on Wednesday, and we have been threatening to do it for years (ask my aunt). We are going to play a lot of golf which I am not ready for, but I'm excited to be going away. Unfortunately, my loan will not be closed in time, but I guess I can handle taking calls from our balcony overlooking the ocean!

Learnings

2007-09-09T17:10:00.001-07:00

In addition to the books, I learned the following while packing for my imaginary move:

1) I have way too many 3-ring binders. Back to school anyone?
2) I have enough gifts that I bought because they were on sale to last my trhrough the next 3 years of showers (baby and wedding), Christmases (sp?), and birthday. Can anyone call me Grandma Jean?
3) I kept my credit card bills and receipts and my car insurance policies (not just the cards but the actual policies) from the time I entered college in dated-order. Now I don't even know where my passport is. And did I mention that I must have had no life.
4) I get sucked into America's Top Model too easily.
5) Still can't find my passport.
6) Mike has 1,000 hats, including baseball teams that he doesn't even like.
7) I have enough cards to last the next 5 years of holidays, sympathy, thank yous and "Just thinking about you" moments.

Finishing What I Started

2007-09-09T16:29:00.001-07:00

I've been packing in the hopes that my energy will will someone to buy my house. Just in case with get the full-price offer that wants to close all-cash in 2 weeks, we need to be prepared. As luck would have it, I have started use goodreads.com to recommend books to my friends and seeing what they recommend. As I was packing the books today, I decided to put them on goodreads and then donate them. As I was posting, I realized, I have never finished half of the books in the book case. I've started them and vaguely remember the storylines, but somehow, they made it from the nightstand to the book case without being finished. I doubt that I became bored with them; the stories were interesting (I remember that much).

Hopefully the weight of the world will be off my shoulders by December when I finish my MBA and these books. And it would be great if I could celebrate by moving (or at least that the crazy mortgage Gods agree to let me refinance).

PS I also realized that for virtually every big business meeting I've attended, I've been given books. I went through all the trouble to lug these hokey books about how to be a better salesperson, a better employee, the next CEO, and to learn how to effectively listen and adapt to people's styles and you get the picture and now they sit next to the books I actually find interesting, having never been opened. Yet, I'm not going to donate them. I feel compelled to keep them and go through the trouble of moving them. Maybe someday I will need them as a reference point...

Breaking News

2007-09-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

Shocking news from the BBC

I am utterly appalled, I had no idea .....

The Paper

2007-09-04T09:31:00.001-07:00

One of my all-time favorite movies is So I Married an Exe Murderer, starring Mike Myers who is absolutely hysterical. The movie is certainly lacking in some areas but cracks me up to no end every time I watch it.

One of my favorite scenes has Mike Myers sitting with his Scottish mother discussing his most recent breakup and she cites a story in "the paper" .... to which Mike Myers' character says something to the effect of "Mom, I find it very funny that you refer to the Weekly World News as "The Paper" and talks about it's lack of factual content. She goes on to show him "the paper" and reads the absurd headline of the day.

I am sad to report that The Paper is no longer .... it has been shut down

Long Duck Dong

2007-08-29T12:39:00.000-07:00

This article was sent to me by my friend Sarah today .... I'm not even sure where to begin so I shall say nothing and just share

Faces

2007-08-28T06:11:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I'm great with faces ... I'll recognize someone that I haven't seen in 15 years. But god help, me if I need to remember their name or sometimes even where I know them from. And living in Buffalo, this happens pretty regularly. So when I was in Wegmans on Sunday afternoon picking up some water and cat litter deoderizer (i.e. nice smelling baking soda) I came upon this woman who I totally recognized but could not place the who/why/where. So I averted my eyes and pretended to look at the dog food on the opposide side of the aisle (I don't have a dog). I was on a mission and was not in the mood to get caught up in a chatty conversation.

But then it started to bother me ... ALOT ... that I couldn't figure out why I knew her. Does she work at the bank? Have I had a case with her? Is she a friend of a friend or family member?? ARG! So I keep walking picturing her face in my head when it hits me .... DUH!!!! She was on an episode of Confessions of A Matchmaker! I wish I could have seen my face when I realized it.

And I giggled to myself the rest of the way through Wegmans and all the way home. I'm still chuckling about it ....

Scary

2007-08-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

I love my job ... I know how incredibly lucky I am to be able to say that. But on a daily basis, I am also frightened. Mostly frightened of how damn creative these scammers/counterfeiters are, how they are always one step ahead and always changing their tactics just enough to throw off the general public and/or the general public's bank! We deal with all kinds of scams on a daily, no, hourly basis .... and I've been going out to the offices and REMINDING them about all the frauds. And I train the new staff about fraud and counterfeit checks and scams. I like to think that I do a decent job at it too.

But when "front line" staff don't recognize the time honored Lottery / Sweepstakes Scam and say to me "Here's the name on the letter. Is that one of the ones that's a scam?" And I in turn say, "Well, they are always changing names and they use so many that I can't keep up with them. But trust me, it's no good." And her response is "REALLY?!?!? Wow, that's just crazy. I can't even believe that." .... I want to hide under my desk and cry.

She needs to be reminded ... big time ... I'll be making a visit

Happy Birthday!

2007-08-08T04:54:00.000-07:00

Sista mah sista .... Happy, happy, happy birthday!!!!!!! Enjoy your day .... I can't wait to help you finish off the celebration with a little movie action outside on the patio of Bacchus!

Griffin Pictures

2007-08-05T16:39:00.001-07:00

Summer Update

2007-08-05T15:56:00.000-07:00

Further proving my non-existent blogging career, I haven't posted in a long time. Is anyone still reading?

The house is still on the market--5 months, and I am starting to give up hope. Mike remains positive, but I think we should just settle in. I have decorated the new house 100 different ways in my mind, and I now carry a terrible contempt for our current house; I just want to move on. Am I asking so much? I also tell Mike that maybe it’s a sign. Maybe we should not buy a new house in Atlanta but we should live here until we are ready to move back to Buffalo. Wishful thinking on my part…

The dog is getting big; he'll be a year old in a month. He has a great personality; really curious and friendly. He can be a little too energetic at times, but he's sweet around kids. He reminds me a lot of Skittles--very nosy and squats to pee. I am still lobbying for a second though.

Mike won his first Amateur Tour golf tournament, and no one was more surprised than he was. He assumed his score didn’t win, so he left right after and found out a week later when he checked on line. Unfortunately he could not bask in the glory of the moment, but I took him out for dinner.

Did I mention that it is hot here? August is the worst time in Atlanta. It’s 100 degrees at 9 am and approximately 90% humidity, so between staying cool and praising my husband’s golf abilities, I don’t have time for much else.

I have a final exam on Tuesday, and then I am 3 classes away from finishing my MBA. I should be done in December. I don’t know what I will do with my free time. I tell myself that I should blog more, cook more, take the dog to the dog park, read more books and go to the gym. Probably won’t happen, but I tell myself that. More wishful thinking …

Mike won his first Amateur Tour golf tournament

2007-07-17T09:01:00.000-07:00

Here's my daily quote from Real Simple:

"I’m just one stomach flu away from my goal weight."
— Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada

ha ha, good times ...

The beach

2007-06-27T04:53:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year ... summer that is. I love everything about it - the sun, the warm. but mostly I love taking a fun road trip (just me and my book on CD) so that I can go here and build sandcastles and play with the boys. mmmmmm .........

And that's where you can find me, in 2 DAYS!!!!

Mmmm .... roles

2007-06-05T04:56:00.000-07:00

How does one begin to define "rolls and responsibilities"?

"Ok - kaiser, you stay put and watch the door"

"Kimmelweck you're with me .... let's go!!"

Seriously people .... this was in a meeting notice I received

New Addition

2007-06-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

Welcome Miles Benjamin! We are so happy to finally meet you!

I've felt you kicking your Momma over the last few months. Those seriously strong legs and arms will come in handy when you are learning to skate and play hockey with your Daddy.

You are so handsome and I couldn't be any happier for you. You've got amazing parents and one seriously cool older sister!

So again, welcome to the world little guy ... you are already very well loved by a whole lot of people!!!!

Vindication

2007-05-21T06:33:00.000-07:00

I have this weird fear of walking over open grates in the sidewalk ... I will go waaaaaay out of my way to go around them wherever I am. And forget it when my mom, Leah and I are walking down a sidewalk together ... we part like the red sea.

Why am I afraid you ask? This is your answer

Thanks

2007-05-21T04:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Buffalo Sabres for the most amazing and exciting season! And although Lord Stanley's Cup is out of reach once again, you made us proud!! You brought an entire town together like nothing has in a long time.

Your amazing season brought 18,000+ people inside, 12,000+ outside the arena and countless people at home, together as one on Saturday afternoon. You played your hearts out and now it's time to rest.

And next year when it's time to drop that puck at center ice again, we'll be there for you, loud and proud!!!

Now, if you'd just have gotten Esther to go into labor ......

Sammy's turn

2007-05-11T05:38:00.000-07:00

Happy 5th birthday Sammy!!!!

I still can't believe that he's 5 ... again, how time flies!!!!

More Birthdays

2007-05-10T04:48:00.001-07:00

Wow ... how time flies! Today these cheesy-faced silly, adorable little boys turn 3 .... 3!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Aidan & Noah!!!

Bring it on

2007-05-08T04:52:00.000-07:00

Round three .... Sabres vs. Ottowa ... GAME .... ON!!!!!

My stomach is in knots already and the series doesn't start for two days - I LOVE PLAYOFF HOCKEY!

Family Birthday Season

2007-05-04T06:57:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again ... family birthday season! Today we begin with mah sista, Leah!

Happy Birthday to you - Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear eeee-ah

Happy Birthday to you!

Here's the quote from "Wild Women" for your birthday:

"I have a rare intolerance to herbs, which means I can only drink Fermented liquids, such as gin" Julie Walters ("British Drama queen")

GO SABRES!!!!!!!

Pet Peeve

2007-05-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

I have this thing ... this thing with spelling. Sometimes with grammar too but mostly ... spelling. It's a pet peeve and I don't have many to speak of and definitely not enough to blog about. But spelling .... I'm thinking it might be blog worthy from time to time. Call it my phoeby

Let me no if I can help
She got both of there ideas (their IDs)

And my personal favorite of the week (on a fraudulent item)
furnicher

2007-04-23T18:47:00.000-07:00

Hours of Class: 5
Hours Spent Studying: 2
Rounds of Golf: 1
House Showings: 0 (boo)
# of Pairs of Shoes Purchased: 6
# of Pairs of Black Shoes Purchased: 5 (sad, isn't it)
Hours of Tivo watched: 5
Hours of Sleep: 10
Hours of Work: 1
Number of Puppy Accidents on the Carpet: 0 (yeah!)

That pretty much sums up the weekend.

Game on

2007-04-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

"Our God
Who art in HSBC
Miller Be thy name.
Thy puck come
Thy save
be done
In the air as it is on ice.
Give us this day
our Stanley cup
and forgive us our slashing
as we send out Peters
for those that slash
against us.
And lead us not into golfing
but deliver us from injury.
For Miller is the Goalie
the power and glory
for ever and ever ... Amen..."

NYC

2007-04-12T11:24:00.000-07:00

For the first time in a long time, I am stuck in the Atlanta airport. I forgot what good people watching it is. Though I am wondering why the heck I am going to New York for less than 10 hours, but I am going to a very yummy restuarant. Sometimes I love expense accounts.

More Playoff Hockey excitement

2007-04-12T07:30:00.000-07:00

This is worth every minute it takes to read it ....

Playoff Hockey

2007-04-11T12:05:00.000-07:00

Just in case I wasn't already excited enough .... I read this and now I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!

Seems as though not only Buffalo fans have the faith

Dogs

2007-04-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

One week after we brought Griffin home, we said goodbye to Skittles. His health had been deteriorating for a few months, and we could no longer maintain any quality of life for him and took the humane action. The void in the house is huge even though months have passed. Only now can I write about it; it is amazing how much an animal becomes part of the family.

As Griffin grows, I see so many qualities similar to Skittles. He is incredibly inquisitive—always wants to know what is going on, and will follow you anywhere you go. When he is disciplined, he runs back for reassurance. He always greets everyone with a happy wagging tail (not ideal for security). Griffin sticks his head out the car window, the same way Skittles did.

One quality they did not share was intelligence. Skittles learned tricks right away and was sneaky; he would figure out how to get food from the table without us knowing. Griffin, on the other hand, walks into glass doors and falls up the stairs regularly, but he is loveable and recovers well.

Now Griffin needs another friend, so the second dog campaign begins again.

Fully Recovered

2007-04-07T13:04:00.000-07:00

I had a big week at work this week. I haven't written much about work, but I'm in sales. I work for a large commercial real estate lender.

I closed my first large loan since my promotion, and even though the responsibilities are similar to what I doing before the promotion (basically running arond like a crazy woman trying to track people down to make sure they delivered everything we needed to deliver on-time and handling all the "surprises" that come up during closing a loan), but the stress was different. For those of you who spoke to me over the last 3 weeks, I probably wasn't paying complete attention, so if I ask repeat questions, my apologies.

But after a day of sleeping, working out and doing mindless activities yesterday, I have fully recovered-just in time to gear up for final exams and presentations at school, but only 3 more weeks until the semester is over.

Spring

2007-04-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

Spring is here in Atlanta, and I can tell because it's Masters Week and because everything outside is tinted yellow from all of the pollen. Fortunately, no allergies for me yet, but the yellow is gross and everywhere--cars, building windows, concrete. No reason to wash the car because the pollen flocks to anything remotely clean.

Maintenance

2007-04-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

Warning: this post is very girly.

I never realized how much maintenance my appearance required, until I tried to fit it into one weekend. Normally I'm able to spread it out over various days:

-Hair cut every 6 weeks
-Hair coloring every 8 weeks
-Makeup purchases as needed
-Nails filled every 2 weeks
-Toenails painted every 2 weeks during the summer only (boots season is off)
-Eyebrows waxed every 4 weeks

Everything fell into this weekend. After 3 phone calls to schedule my hair appointments around my class, the total hair processing took 3 hours, that includes makeup and product purchases.

Nails and toenails took an hour and a half, but Mike had his done as well, so I was able to multitask with quality time with my husband, being pampered, reading trash magazines, watching the food network, and being out of the house for the prespective buyers (yep--3 tours this weekend).

I like the way my hair looks, but the nails are a chore. I have acrylic nails because I cannot break my gross biting habit, and it's not very professional to shake someone's hand and say, "I'd like to give you millions of dollars" with hang nails and split nails. Likewise with the open-toed shoes.

No wonder I can't make time for important things like catching up on TiVo and going to the gym. Can you blame me?

Two

2007-03-30T17:13:00.000-07:00

So someone else is coming to see the house tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

What's News?

2007-03-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

So the latest news is that the house is on the market ... It's been on the market for 2 weeks ... And we've had one brave soul tour the house. I guess what they said about the slow market is true. Our house is nice and at a good price point, so why don't people come??? Why?

Bundt Cake & the Buffalo Sabres

2007-03-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

Catching up on the day's news, I found this article regarding the Sabres' latest win (WOOHOO!!!) .... it conjurs up images of the scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding with the bundt cake for some reason ... Yo ... YohKEEN He ... He ... heeeeehSHT ...

Sabres Down Devils

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Jochen Hecht (YOH'-kehn hehsht) scored twice and Ryan Miller turned back 28 shots in Buffalo's 4-to-3 triumph over New Jersey. The game was tied 1-to-1 until Daniel Paille (PY'-ay) and Hecht scored four minutes apart midway through the third period. Ales Kotalik (AL'-ehsh KOH'-tah-leek) also scored as the Sabres expanded their Eastern Conference lead to seven points over the Devils, Ottawa and Pittsburgh. Zach Parise (puh-REE'-see), Scott Gomez and Paul Martin scored for the Devils, who remain tied with the Penguins for the Atlantic Division lead.

What will they think of next?

2007-03-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

BOONVILLE, N.Y. (AP) -- A central New York dairy is raising eyebrows with their latest creation- wine flavored ice cream. After about two years of product development, Boonville's Mercer's Ice Cream has created ice cream in three different wine flavors. There's Ala Port Wine, Peachy White Zinfandel and Red Raspberry Chardonnay.
Officials at the small, locally-owned Oneida County dairy say the new flavors are finally being scooped up by restaurants in New York City. A marketing consultant for the business thinks they've got a national product on their hands. The idea originated several years ago when Mercer's officials were working Pride of New York product fairs, displaying ice cream next to their counterparts from area wineries.
But if you want to taste the new confection, better bring along your ID. The ice creams each have an alcohol content of five percent and won't be served to minors.

Wild Women

2007-01-17T04:36:00.000-08:00

Every year I buy a new daily desk calender. I try to buy ones that will give me a little chuckle, or at least smile, first thing in the morning. Last year it was Dave Barry, this year it's "Wild Words from Wild Women". There've been a few good ones so far; for example, "It is normal to want to ram his car if he and his new girlfriend have been spotted in it" (Helen Lederer) or "I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once" (Jennifer Lane). I think though, my favorite so far is today's:

"I can't stand makeup commercials. 'Do you need a lipstick that keeps your lips kissable?' No, I need a lipstick that gets me equal pay for equal work. How about eye shadow that makes me stop thinking I'm too fat?", Maria Bamford.

Cheers!

My quiz

2006-12-16T16:03:00.000-08:00

This was harder than I thought ... here's my quiz

Good luck!!!

Puppies!

2006-11-24T07:48:00.000-08:00

A new friend for Skittles--Griffin. He's very playful and loving and a great addition to the family.

Things to Say

2006-11-15T05:25:00.000-08:00

There are things to say about the impending move and the plight of Buffalo's economy. I'm having trouble finding the words for 2 things that are related and close to my heart...

Note To Self

2006-11-14T15:59:00.000-08:00

Bring Lunch or Leave Office for Lunch.

Eating snacks from the office is detrimental to my health and well-being. The free snacks in our kitchen are pretzels, cheetos, rice krispie treats, popcorn, snickers bars, granola bars, reese peanut butter cups, peanut M&M, cashews, and on and on.

So if I am too lazy to leave for lunch (we go out almost everyday), as I was today, I had cashews and peanut butter cups. Not good, but what happened after was worse. The peanut butter cups tasted delicious (obviously), and my bad angel said, "You have already blown the day from a nutrition standpoint, so you might as well have more." And so I did. Not good.

Crushed

2006-11-14T04:36:00.000-08:00

So the cat is out of the bag ... Scott & Leah are moving with my three favorite little boys back to CT. I don't have anything inherently against CT ... I did live there for 2 years and I've got some good friends who are still there. But excuse me while I curse alot about the fact that IT SUCKS!!!!

It sucks that I can't get in my car and go see these three silly, adorable faces whenever I want; it sucks that it'll be weeks in between seeing them; it sucks that I can't surprise them with three fish to replace the ones they lost in the "october surprise storm" when they get up from naptime.

It also sucks that I can't just go and have a glass of wine with my sister, or meet her after a GNO and have a few drinks and just talk. Or that she can't come over one night to help me take down wallpaper, repair my plaster walls and prime. Who's going to take me to the MAC center the next time I fall on a tiny curb and break my ankle and let me crash on her couch for 2 days recovering?

And then there's my favorite brother-in-law ... who's been there for me in more ways than I can even begin to desribe.

All ... leaving. And I'm leaky and sad. I know that it's not "permanent" and forever, but who knows. This city needs alot of help and if they don't pull themselves up by their bootstraps and get their act together ... I can't even think, let alone talk about it.

I love you guys ....

Day 1

2006-11-13T17:55:00.000-08:00

So I didn't make it to the gym at 5 am as planned this morning. Why? Because I was up from the hours of 1:30 to 4:45. I have no idea why--just awake. I'm normally a great sleeper, but last night wasn't the best. Going back to sleep at 4:45 wasn't very smart either; I was groggy all day.
However, I did make progress. I went to the gym after work. It's a novel idea. I left the office at 5:45 (yep, you read right--before 7pm is a feat) and went to the gym. The gym almost came crashing down around me when I stepped on the treadmill.

And I blogged 2 days in a row.

Who knew?

Burned Out

2006-11-12T17:00:00.000-08:00

My academic career during my MBA has left alot to be desired. I haven't been particularly dedicated to it, and I have been contented with only passing grades (so that my company will pay for the classes). I'm disappointed by my performance because in general, I'm interested in the material, the professors are interesting with relevant experience and the other people in my classes are great.

To say I've been busy at work is true, but it's an excuse. If I really wanted it, I would work hard at it. Instead I'm just checking a box. I feel like I need to compensate for my liberal arts undergraduate degree in order to be taken seriously in the business world. I probably do not need to have the MBA, but I feel like it would give me more confidence.

And now because I have been half-hearted about it, I have been in school for almost 3 years, and I still have 6 classes left (1/3 of the program). But I'm too close to being done to stop now, but I'm really tired of it: I strongly dislike group projects--just give me a damn test; don't grade me on class participation because I'm too tired to string a meaningful thought together at 8:45 pm after arriving at work at 7am; and I don't like core classes (cost accounting is resulting in a slow painful death for me).

2006-11-12T16:32:00.000-08:00

So what’s the update you might ask … It’s been a while:

Some good things have happened to me and lots of good things have happened around me:

To me:
-I got promoted: To a full sales position. It will be fun, but lots of pressure.
-I aged another year: I’m relatively indifferent to birthdays, but my husband took me to a GREAT concert to celebrate (see below).
-Mike and I finalized our plans to go to Las Vegas for Unchristmas. Those of you who know me (all of you, given that I don’t have a huge blogger following—maybe in 2007) know that I am not really into the holidays, so Mike and I decided to go to Vegas for Christmas, play some golf, play some cards, and see some shows.
-I finished my Christmas shopping.
-I started watching the Food Network. Love “Everyday Italian.”
-Mike and I went to Florida and spent some time with Mike’s sister and her grandkids—very cute.

To others I love (Congratulations to all the new parents):
-Our first friends in Atlanta (yes, we’ve been here 3 years and just made friends—we are slow) had their first baby, Alex.
-Mandy and Ben had their first baby, Max, and I’m sad that they are so far away.
-Mayuri and James got engaged.
-After too many trips to the dealer for service on Mike's new car, the dealer is going to give him a new car (2007 car for the same price--a bargain in my opinion)--let's hope it works.

General news of interest for me:
-The elections are over and so are the terrible commercials. I'm always interested in elections, but there was nothing big in Georgia, so my interest was not totally peaked. However, the Georgia commercials were horrible--nothing of substance, just "I'm not a crook and the other guy is, so vote for me." I'll get off my soap box now.
-My gym is now opening 30 minutes earlier, so I no longer have the excuse of "I don't really have time for a good workout, so I'll just sleep instead." I'm not promising to go to the gym; it's just one less excuse.

Anyway, the Brooks and Dunn concert with Sugarland as one of opening acts was amazing. I’m no music afficiando (more like, “hey, I like this song on the radio, but I have no idea who sings it and am too lazy to download it on my i-pod, so I will forget about it when it stops being popular"), but I love me some country music.

In a true labor of love, Mike bought the tickets for my aforementioned birthday, even though he is no country music lover (more of an AM radio guy with some AC/DC mixed in there). The venue was an amphitheatre in Atlanta, but Mike bought seats inside (or so we thought), so I got a new shirt and new makeup and made it a big date night for us—“glammed up” as Mike says.

We leave the house at 5:15 for a 7:00 concert but couldn’t find the place in the GPS leading to a relatively heated discussion which ended in a“We are never going to get there” overreaction. Mike saved the day and went all the way back in the house and printed out the directions. Yeah, Mike!

While looking for the address on the tickets, we noticed the indoor seats actually said “covered seats.” Yikes, but I was still too lazy to go into the house (10 feet away) for a jacket and decided to brave it—plus my new shirt was too pretty to cover with an ugly fleece. Let’s live on the edge and chance being cold!!!

By 5:45 we are in dead stopped traffic on the only highway to the amphitheatre, so we were loving that the car with GPS is also a standard. Also my 6 diet pepsis of the day kicked in.

So we arrive at the outdoor stage area at 7:30, and we need to park far away in a dirt field, so my feet were loving the heels I was wearing with my tastefully sparkly shirt when I could’ve worn jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers and fit right in, but I wanted to be pretty, damn it! I left work early to get ready and even curled my hair.

We missed the first opening act, but I didn’t care because I found a bathroom and I was hungry, then I noticed all the people around me with blankets (I totally missed the memo about the amphitheatre being outside!). We walk up to the concession stand, and they are out of food and drinks. It’s the last concert of the year, so they didn’t bother to order anything. I fought an old lady for 2 hot dogs, so we had something but no condiments, but again, I lived with it because we were seeing the biggest act in country music.

We arrive at our seats, chatted with the nice couple next to us and thanked God for the unseasonably warm weather. Mike bought great seats—20 rows back, right in the middle of the stage. Sugarland starts, and they were a great show. They are from Atlanta, and they were so happy to be back and just full of energy and really talented. Their talent was lost slightly on me because there was a large woman next to me who knew the words to every song and screamed all of the words at the top of her lungs, and she happened to be screaming right into my ear. Did I mention that she dropped her coke on my beautiful heels and elbowed me when she danced?

Also, the young couple in front of us stood for every song, even when the people in front of them sat, and the guy had his hat on backward and sidewise, so the brim blocked my view of the stage. Doesn’t everyone have that couple sitting in front of them at a concert?

Mike rescued me and agreed to sit next to the heavy lady for the main act. Again, husband of the year! Before they started we had a little excitement 5 rows in front of us when a 50-year old woman got sick from a few too many Jack Daniels’ coolers and had to be carried out on the stretcher.

But all was forgotten when Brooks and Dunn took stage. The music was awesome; they sounded just like their CDs. The show was unbelievably produced. The music was loud but not too loud; they were playful with the audience. The last song was “Only in America” and they brought Marines out on stage and there was not a dry eye in the audience.

And Mike got sucked in a little; not only is he going to download some of the songs, but he agreed to go see George Strait. I will convert him yet!

Happy Days

2006-10-05T04:44:00.000-07:00

I know I've talked about how much girlfriends mean to me. I met my best friend 10 years ago when we were thrown into this crazy thing called a dorm room. We actually had it pretty good ... it was a triple so there was another girl there with us although it turned out to be a short term situation. Then we were the luckiest girls at Northeastern, er Emmanuel...no, Northeastern. Anywho ... while living at Emmanuel & attending Northeastern, Sarah and I became fast friends. We've had our ups and downs but we've always remained friends. And I *finally* got to meet her boyfriend of a few years, George, a couple of weeks ago. We all trekked up to Great Sacandaga Lake (Adirondacks) for the weekend. He's wonderful ... I really, really like him alot. And I could tell that Sarah did too. But most of all, I could see how much he lurves her.
The first night we were there, we all went for a little trip around the woods - Sarah & I on the 4 wheeler and George on his dirt bike (sans helmet). Very leisurely romp around the woods right? Um, no ... not when you hit a BIG rock and go flying over the handle bars like George did. So off we went to small Adirondack-town ER to get him checked out. He was fine ... broken bone in his hand, got his bell rung pretty good but otherwise ok. But before we knew that he was going to be alright and no head injuries were sustained - Sarah came out of the exam room and needed to find a bathroom. She puked ... she was so scared for George that she puked. Sarah, who has been in situations with George next to her, guns drawn (maybe), confronting dangerous people or situations (they're police officers) ... puked. At that point, I knew how much she lurved him back.

Well apparently that did it for him too ... he up and bought a ring and now THEY'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!!

Congratulations Sarah & George!!

Vent

2006-09-18T19:47:00.000-07:00

I have been caught in the merger zone. My bank was bought by a bigger bank 2 years ago. I still cannot make a deposit at an ATM; I must physically go into the bank and speak to a teller. I don't make deposits frequently, but I need to go either on my lunch hour or Saturday morning when there are 15,000 other people in the bank. I appreciate the lollipops, friendly greeters and complimentary copies of Reader's Digest, but why do I need to stand in line to deposit by $25 refund check? I guess this is a good excuse to try to the suck-thing at the drive through, but that line is just as long.

Bank- "Please take my money."

No Holds Barred

2006-09-12T16:14:00.000-07:00

What is it about the hairdresser's chair that makes it like a confession?

Because I have embarked on the seemingly neverending project to dye my hair darker (note to viewers: going light is so much easier and sustainable), I do spend an extraordinary time with my color specialist, "Melissa." She is bubbly and fun-loving and always has entertaining drama in her life. However, I find myself telling her stories that ordinarily I wouldn't tell someone whose last name I barely know--nothing truly intimate but random things. As they come out of my mouth, I think "Why am I telling her that I have X-ray vision … still have my childhood teddy bear … dance naked to Shakira around my house on a regular basis?" Not really, but you get the picture. No topic is off limits.

It's not just Melissa either; I do the same thing with the woman who cuts my hair (different specialties call for different people). On my last 3 hour visit, I asked Melissa and Susan about it, and their response was that everyone tells the hair dressers incredible details about their lives. The person before me told Melissa about her miscarriage before she told her husband. Another colorist told me that she had a husband and wife as clients, and she saw them separately but on the same day recently. He told the colorist that he was planning on leaving the wife, and the wife told the colorist about this big vacation she was going to surprise him with on the 10 year anniversary. The person sitting next to me who telling her hair specialist about how she just had her first sexual encounter (it was her first time to the salon).

Maybe it's the great shampoo massage that totally relaxes me into my verbal diarrhea ... Maybe they put something in the herbal tea … I always leave a good tip because, well, she might tell someone of my love for the Gene Simmons reality show?

Why Do I Love You So?

2006-09-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

Every Monday I say that I am going to give up drinking soda (I'm officially southern and calling it soda--keep an eye out for your invitation to my debutant ball). I have been able to successfully kick all of my other vices (most of the illegal ones at least, well ... whatever, they are managable). But I cannot give up soda--I'm truly addicted and afraid to count the number that I drink everyday.

PLEASE HELP ME!!