My dear friend, Virginia (Vitka), is still stuck working in the seventh circle of Hell, a guest relations department in a famous museum with which I too used to be enslaved. Now, I guess technically, it may not be the SEVENTH circle...as I recall, in Dante's Inferno, the seventh circle is where the violent now reside either in a burning desert, river of boiling blood or as a tree - depending on your particular crime. But I like the way seventh circle of Hell sounds and I'm not sure in which circle you are put in a cube and abused by random tourists who feel like they are better than you. But I'm getting off track.
Vitka started off her new year with a particularly heinous encounter with a young lady. You can read about it in its entirety here. When I read about it, I was so infuriated that I thought I was going to have to take someone's blood pressure meds to calm down. I hate, hate, HATE when you tell a guest the information that they TELL you to give them and then they (the management) come in and are all, "Oh, give them whatever they want." Vitka is a much nicer person than I...she gave the bi-atch her tickets. I'd have told el queso grande (which cracked me up, btw, Vitka) to fire me because no way am I selling that nasty hag anything.
Her post came at a good time, though. I was feeling slightly nostalgic for the days of working at the museum. Now I remember why it is that I quit. I was miserable working there. I cried when I had to go back after my days off and people like that are why. I have a complete hatred for tourists in general after that experience. In fact if I even have to say the word tourist, I do so with a sneer on my face.
I have no real reason for making this post other than to tell Vitka that I will be happy to look up what hotel she's staying in and take her some "room service." Knuckle sandwich, room 304. Heh. Love you, Vitka.
1/02/2007
1/01/2007
12/31/2006
A New Year's Blessing
I have always enjoyed Irish blessings but this one may be my new favorite. At any rate, this is what I wish for all of you in 2007.
May the light always find you on a dreary day.
When you need to be home, may you find your way.
May you always have courage to take a chance
And never find frogs in your underpants.
May the light always find you on a dreary day.
When you need to be home, may you find your way.
May you always have courage to take a chance
And never find frogs in your underpants.
Cindi's New Year's Resolutions
In 2007, I resolve to:
*Go to the gym at least three times a week
*Drink more water and less pop
*Stop taking Mike for granted
*Go to church every week
*Answer emails in a more timely fashion
*Do one load of laundry every week day AND fold it AND put it away, as opposed to doing it and leaving it sit in a basket so that it gets wrinkled
*Dedicate at least two hours each day to studying
*Go out to eat no more than one time per week
*Eat fast food no more than once per month
*Go to the library more and the book store less
*Knit everyone in my family something for next Christmas (oh, stop whining, we'll give you other stuff too) ;)
*Learn to crochet
*Write in my journal three times a week
*Be more positive in my blog entries
*Blog at least three times a week
*Try not to nag as much (shut up, Dad)
I expect to see your resolutions, too! That's what comments are for. '
And, in the new year -
May your days be gold in the rays of the sun;
May your nights be silver in the light of the moon;
May Jesus welcome you when life is done;
But, God willing, may it not be soon;
May breezes brush soft against your face;
May shamrocks and roses line your way;
May you be bathed in God's bounteous grace;
And may you be given that for which you pray.
-a Blessing for Friends by Andrew M. Greeley
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
*Go to the gym at least three times a week
*Drink more water and less pop
*Stop taking Mike for granted
*Go to church every week
*Answer emails in a more timely fashion
*Do one load of laundry every week day AND fold it AND put it away, as opposed to doing it and leaving it sit in a basket so that it gets wrinkled
*Dedicate at least two hours each day to studying
*Go out to eat no more than one time per week
*Eat fast food no more than once per month
*Go to the library more and the book store less
*Knit everyone in my family something for next Christmas (oh, stop whining, we'll give you other stuff too) ;)
*Learn to crochet
*Write in my journal three times a week
*Be more positive in my blog entries
*Blog at least three times a week
*Try not to nag as much (shut up, Dad)
I expect to see your resolutions, too! That's what comments are for. '
And, in the new year -
May your days be gold in the rays of the sun;
May your nights be silver in the light of the moon;
May Jesus welcome you when life is done;
But, God willing, may it not be soon;
May breezes brush soft against your face;
May shamrocks and roses line your way;
May you be bathed in God's bounteous grace;
And may you be given that for which you pray.
-a Blessing for Friends by Andrew M. Greeley
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Random News
Apparently, I am not blogging enough to satisfy my dad, who has mentioned no less than three times that I need to write another entry. Apparently Tiffany Ford's not enough for my old man, I gotta write something new. I'm gonna get him a blog so that I can email him and be like, "Yo! You need to update your blog." As it so happens, I was ready to update anyways, so he had nothing to do with it. Ha!
But anyways, it's New Year's Eve and I'm preparing my list of New Year's Resolutions, which I will be posting later (you hope).
I've also registered for my classes at Loyola University. The prestigious Loyola University. That's what I told Mike he's supposed to say when he tells people where I'm going to school. When I was working at the bank in Michigan, eons ago, I had a cubicle across the aisle from a man named Paul Maran. He was a salesman for the warehouse lending department with which I was a funding coordinator. Every work day, I would find myself listening to him on the phone with clients while I completed paperwork and approved mortgages. I am not exaggerating when I say that he told every one about how his daughter was moving to New York so she could go to Columbia. "My daughter's been accepted to the prestigious Columbia University." I don't know how many times I heard that but it got to be a running joke with Mike and I - especially after Mike came to meet me for lunch one day and heard him saying it. It's been long enough that I'm not sure exactly how he sounded but in my head he sounds a lot like Woody Allen.
Last night, I took Mike out on a date night. He sort of giggled and acted like the whole thing was a little silly - until I told him he could pick any restaurant he wanted and that I was taking him to see the David Mamet play, "American Buffalo" at a small theater on the Northside. I also bought him a present to give in lieu of flowers, which I knew wouldn't do much for him. He'd be like, "Oh...flowers. Huh." The play was really good. We sat in the front row and were close enough to be nicked by flying debris. One of the characters has...uh...anger management issues and likes to kick, hit and throw things. A couple of the times he'd grab something and start smashing things with it and occasionally shrapnel was ejected into the audience. One of the reviews I read said something about the actor who plays "Teach" - that he was so convincing that the audience members were afraid of him. I'm telling you what - I was ready to get up and move back a couple of rows. I also go a bit of random spit on me when another character was being beaten on the stage right in front of me. It sounds gross but it was actually just really cool to me. Mike has joined the program and seems to think the occasional "Date Night" is a good idea. Although whenever he says it, he sings it. "Daaaaaaaate Niiiiiiiiiiiiiight."
Mike and I went to eat at Clara's today. Cheap breakfast and the best hash browns in the city of Chicago. Yummy.
Our plans for New Year's Eve are still in limbo a bit. We had talked about going down to Navy Pier where there'll be midnight fireworks but then Jason and Sarah called and invited us out to the 'burbs to hang out with them at Jason's mom's place. I would love to hang out with Sarah but the midnight fireworks sounded really fun to me. I've become a true Chicago snob. The 'burbs? Who wants to go to the 'burbs? C'mon!
I've also been a little bummed out about my upcoming birthday. Not because I'll be turning 30. Well, maybe a little because I'll be turning 30 - but mostly because my plans to take a celebratory trip have been squelched by the city of Chicago. Did you know that it takes a year before you get any vacation or personal time after you're hired. Geez. My mom's not here to throw me a party and I'm fairly certain my dad's not gonna do it. I always get included by the Kurczewski side of the family when they throw a party for Mike, which is super nice, but it's always after my actual birthday and this year (who knows why) I feel like I HAVE to do something either the day of or before. I can't turn 30 without some sort of fanfare. I think that the anticipation of celebrating it has kept me from being depressed about it and now that there's no trip or getaway, I'm on the verge of being sad about it. On the plus side, I have two and a half months to think of some way to greet my 30th year properly. I just can't think of anywhere that's close enough and cost effective enough to go for just a weekend. And I think it's probably tacky to throw yourself a party. Mike's always accusing me of trying to get people to give me presents - he'd probably have a seizure if I said I was going to throw myself a birthday party. You can all do me a big favor by starting to suggest things Mike can do/buy/take me to that will make my 30th memorable. He'll be grateful for the help.
Other than that, I can't think of too much that's new. Mike installed my Brita water faucet last night and it was oddly anti-climactic - after demanding that someone buy it for me for two years, the reality has been a bit of a disappointment. On the other hand, I always have water in the house, so it'll save a ton of money and be super convenient. I guess it was just so much fun complaining about not having it that the reality of actually having it can't compete. I'm so complicated. :D Mike calls it high-maintenance. Pfft. Whatever.
Oh - and my dad's birthday is tomorrow. Make sure you drop him an email to wish him a happy 70th birthday. Ha! (Take that, old man.) ;)
Happy New Year's!
But anyways, it's New Year's Eve and I'm preparing my list of New Year's Resolutions, which I will be posting later (you hope).
I've also registered for my classes at Loyola University. The prestigious Loyola University. That's what I told Mike he's supposed to say when he tells people where I'm going to school. When I was working at the bank in Michigan, eons ago, I had a cubicle across the aisle from a man named Paul Maran. He was a salesman for the warehouse lending department with which I was a funding coordinator. Every work day, I would find myself listening to him on the phone with clients while I completed paperwork and approved mortgages. I am not exaggerating when I say that he told every one about how his daughter was moving to New York so she could go to Columbia. "My daughter's been accepted to the prestigious Columbia University." I don't know how many times I heard that but it got to be a running joke with Mike and I - especially after Mike came to meet me for lunch one day and heard him saying it. It's been long enough that I'm not sure exactly how he sounded but in my head he sounds a lot like Woody Allen.
Last night, I took Mike out on a date night. He sort of giggled and acted like the whole thing was a little silly - until I told him he could pick any restaurant he wanted and that I was taking him to see the David Mamet play, "American Buffalo" at a small theater on the Northside. I also bought him a present to give in lieu of flowers, which I knew wouldn't do much for him. He'd be like, "Oh...flowers. Huh." The play was really good. We sat in the front row and were close enough to be nicked by flying debris. One of the characters has...uh...anger management issues and likes to kick, hit and throw things. A couple of the times he'd grab something and start smashing things with it and occasionally shrapnel was ejected into the audience. One of the reviews I read said something about the actor who plays "Teach" - that he was so convincing that the audience members were afraid of him. I'm telling you what - I was ready to get up and move back a couple of rows. I also go a bit of random spit on me when another character was being beaten on the stage right in front of me. It sounds gross but it was actually just really cool to me. Mike has joined the program and seems to think the occasional "Date Night" is a good idea. Although whenever he says it, he sings it. "Daaaaaaaate Niiiiiiiiiiiiiight."
Mike and I went to eat at Clara's today. Cheap breakfast and the best hash browns in the city of Chicago. Yummy.
Our plans for New Year's Eve are still in limbo a bit. We had talked about going down to Navy Pier where there'll be midnight fireworks but then Jason and Sarah called and invited us out to the 'burbs to hang out with them at Jason's mom's place. I would love to hang out with Sarah but the midnight fireworks sounded really fun to me. I've become a true Chicago snob. The 'burbs? Who wants to go to the 'burbs? C'mon!
I've also been a little bummed out about my upcoming birthday. Not because I'll be turning 30. Well, maybe a little because I'll be turning 30 - but mostly because my plans to take a celebratory trip have been squelched by the city of Chicago. Did you know that it takes a year before you get any vacation or personal time after you're hired. Geez. My mom's not here to throw me a party and I'm fairly certain my dad's not gonna do it. I always get included by the Kurczewski side of the family when they throw a party for Mike, which is super nice, but it's always after my actual birthday and this year (who knows why) I feel like I HAVE to do something either the day of or before. I can't turn 30 without some sort of fanfare. I think that the anticipation of celebrating it has kept me from being depressed about it and now that there's no trip or getaway, I'm on the verge of being sad about it. On the plus side, I have two and a half months to think of some way to greet my 30th year properly. I just can't think of anywhere that's close enough and cost effective enough to go for just a weekend. And I think it's probably tacky to throw yourself a party. Mike's always accusing me of trying to get people to give me presents - he'd probably have a seizure if I said I was going to throw myself a birthday party. You can all do me a big favor by starting to suggest things Mike can do/buy/take me to that will make my 30th memorable. He'll be grateful for the help.
Other than that, I can't think of too much that's new. Mike installed my Brita water faucet last night and it was oddly anti-climactic - after demanding that someone buy it for me for two years, the reality has been a bit of a disappointment. On the other hand, I always have water in the house, so it'll save a ton of money and be super convenient. I guess it was just so much fun complaining about not having it that the reality of actually having it can't compete. I'm so complicated. :D Mike calls it high-maintenance. Pfft. Whatever.
Oh - and my dad's birthday is tomorrow. Make sure you drop him an email to wish him a happy 70th birthday. Ha! (Take that, old man.) ;)
Happy New Year's!
Birthday Mania!
Happy birthday to my friend, Allyson from The Sweatshop of Love. She teaches me to knit and we entertain each other. She's a younger, as-cute-as-me-in-some-cultures-maybe-cuter version of me, I swear! I went to her house for a knitting class and it was like she'd stolen my bookshelves. She is the only other person on earth (that I know of) who owns a copy of Harold Bloom's Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human. She turns 23. When I thought about that, I nearly went online and ordered a bottle of Geratol. Anyway, Happy Birthday!
12/17/2006
Happy birthday to you
Today is Tiffany Ford's birthday. Who is Tiffany Ford, you ask? Well, back when I was in junior high, you were only as cool as the height of your bangs. The higher your bangs, the cooler you were. High bangs didn't necessarily guarantee popularity...but they were cool. A status symbol. Tiffany Ford had the highest bangs I have ever seen - to date, in fact. She had grown her bangs out to where, if they'd hung down, they would have rivaled a "Smells Like Teen Spirit"-video Kurt Cobain. But she didn't let them hang down. She somehow got them to defy the very laws of gravity and stand up as straight as a Buckingham Palace guard for several inches before the ends...the very tips...curled over into a gracefully arched curl. Gradually, her bangs feathered down into a brown cascade until it joined the rest of her hair on the side. In the years since, it still remains a feat I have never seen duplicated. Her hairspray costs must have been outrageous!
Why do I remember it's her birthday? Geez, I dunno. I just took a look at the date on my earlier post and that was the first thing that popped into my head. "Oh, today is Tiffany Ford's birthday." I haven't seen her in at least 11 years. It's funny the random facts our brains remember.
So, anyway, happy birthday, Tiffany Ford - wherever you may be.
Why do I remember it's her birthday? Geez, I dunno. I just took a look at the date on my earlier post and that was the first thing that popped into my head. "Oh, today is Tiffany Ford's birthday." I haven't seen her in at least 11 years. It's funny the random facts our brains remember.
So, anyway, happy birthday, Tiffany Ford - wherever you may be.
The Kurczewski's First Annual Holiday Extravaganza
My extravaganza is no more - we extravaganza'd it up last night and it was quite pleasant, I must say. Everyone chatted, ate, drank and was merry. My friend Sarah's 15 month old daughter, Lyric, entertained us all with her baby sign language, animal noises and general cuteness. My niece, Bailey (the pug), wound her way through the throng and into the hearts of everyone who attended with her puppy snorts and stub tail wiggles. AND, Mike's friend Jason managed to stay sober until the party had mostly broken up. When people began to make their way out, the guys made their way into the spare room for some poker at which point Jason managed (over a period of time) to down most of a bottle of whiskey. But that's a story for another post.
The dim point in the evening was when my dad rang my cell phone to tell me that my mom's big sister, my aunt Kathryn, died last night. Kathryn had recently found out she had cancer but we definitely had no idea this was coming. I'm still not even sure what happened. I was worried about my Uncle Mike because with her death, it made his second sister to die within three and a half months. I honestly don't know how I'm feeling right now. Aunt Kathryn always lived far away from us. I talked to her on the phone a lot, always got cards from her and exchanged letters but only ever saw her face to face a handful of times. I'm so sad because she was family and she was always very good to me. I'm sad because her family has lost her - and I can remember only too well what the first few days feel like after losing your parent. I'm sad because my uncles Mike and John have lost another sister. But I'm also happy. I'm so happy because now my mother has what she always wished for - a chance to spend time with her big sister. I'm happy because she's with Mom, Matt, her parents and her son Kurt. I'm happy because she's beyond pain now and how could I ever wish her back to this earth to deal with cancer treatments and cataract surgeries?
I guess I can only leave you with my mom's saying aka my (not-so-new-now) personal mantra from Dr. Seuss. Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.
Eva Kathryn Parker Doerr
2/27/1937 - 12/16/2006
The dim point in the evening was when my dad rang my cell phone to tell me that my mom's big sister, my aunt Kathryn, died last night. Kathryn had recently found out she had cancer but we definitely had no idea this was coming. I'm still not even sure what happened. I was worried about my Uncle Mike because with her death, it made his second sister to die within three and a half months. I honestly don't know how I'm feeling right now. Aunt Kathryn always lived far away from us. I talked to her on the phone a lot, always got cards from her and exchanged letters but only ever saw her face to face a handful of times. I'm so sad because she was family and she was always very good to me. I'm sad because her family has lost her - and I can remember only too well what the first few days feel like after losing your parent. I'm sad because my uncles Mike and John have lost another sister. But I'm also happy. I'm so happy because now my mother has what she always wished for - a chance to spend time with her big sister. I'm happy because she's with Mom, Matt, her parents and her son Kurt. I'm happy because she's beyond pain now and how could I ever wish her back to this earth to deal with cancer treatments and cataract surgeries?
I guess I can only leave you with my mom's saying aka my (not-so-new-now) personal mantra from Dr. Seuss. Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.
Eva Kathryn Parker Doerr
2/27/1937 - 12/16/2006
12/10/2006
I just can't have nice things
Today I fried my cell phone. When I realized I'd ruined it, I cried and I cried and I cried. Mike couldn't figure out what I was so upset about. Then I called my dad, hysterical, scaring the crap out of him. I'm sure he had pictured me with broken bones or being arrested. On top of the fact that it will cost in the neighborhood of $450 to replace, I have ruined the last present my mother gave me before she shuffled forth the mortal coil. It also had pictures on it of the last time I saw my mom. When my mom gave me this phone(the last days we spent together before she died), she told me, "When I die and there's not much for you to inherit, I want you to remember that I gave you things while I was living." And now I've ruined it.
When I was little and I'd break something, my mom would angrily tell me, "You just can't take care of things!" It was meant to sting and it always did. I still am most chastised when someone accuses me of being careless with things. But she was right. I was terrible about remembering where I put things and/or putting them back where they belong. To this day I generally don't buy myself really expensive things because I am too absent minded. When I realized what I'd done, I kept thinking, "You're so stupid! You can't take care of anything!"
I'm so upset about this and it's JUST a phone. Mike keeps telling me that. My dad told me that it could have happened to anyone and does on a regular basis. I keep trying to tell myself that but it feels like this just spotlights all of my faults. It's as if I've proven that my mother was right all those years ago and I can't stop letting her down even when she's dead. I just can't take care of things.
I'm hoping sleep and a new day will bring some clarity to my brain and I'll stop beating myself up over this but right now I feel as bad about this as I ever felt about anything I ever broke when I was young.
Why can't I just get a grip?
When I was little and I'd break something, my mom would angrily tell me, "You just can't take care of things!" It was meant to sting and it always did. I still am most chastised when someone accuses me of being careless with things. But she was right. I was terrible about remembering where I put things and/or putting them back where they belong. To this day I generally don't buy myself really expensive things because I am too absent minded. When I realized what I'd done, I kept thinking, "You're so stupid! You can't take care of anything!"
I'm so upset about this and it's JUST a phone. Mike keeps telling me that. My dad told me that it could have happened to anyone and does on a regular basis. I keep trying to tell myself that but it feels like this just spotlights all of my faults. It's as if I've proven that my mother was right all those years ago and I can't stop letting her down even when she's dead. I just can't take care of things.
I'm hoping sleep and a new day will bring some clarity to my brain and I'll stop beating myself up over this but right now I feel as bad about this as I ever felt about anything I ever broke when I was young.
Why can't I just get a grip?
12/08/2006
Cry Baby Cry
I spent most of the day today in tears because I missed my mom so much.
Then I went to the City of Hammond's Christmas party with Mike and had a really great time chatting with everybody again. We got invited to a wedding in Mexico in a few months - and it will be SO cool if we can go. Just jet down for a weekend since we won't have actual vacation. Hopefully the airfare won't be too expensive and we can think about going.
Upon getting home I found a package from my dad sitting on my porch. Included were three packages of chocolate from Maxwell's...which is a holiday tradition story for another day. Also in the package was the ornament with my mom's name on it from the candlelight ceremony at the funeral home that held her memorial service.
And now I'm sniffling again.
"I'm grieving...it's a process. " - Billy Crystal in Analyze That
Then I went to the City of Hammond's Christmas party with Mike and had a really great time chatting with everybody again. We got invited to a wedding in Mexico in a few months - and it will be SO cool if we can go. Just jet down for a weekend since we won't have actual vacation. Hopefully the airfare won't be too expensive and we can think about going.
Upon getting home I found a package from my dad sitting on my porch. Included were three packages of chocolate from Maxwell's...which is a holiday tradition story for another day. Also in the package was the ornament with my mom's name on it from the candlelight ceremony at the funeral home that held her memorial service.
And now I'm sniffling again.
"I'm grieving...it's a process. " - Billy Crystal in Analyze That
12/05/2006
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
I want this guy's cd for Christmas. His name is Jake Shimabukuro and I love his version of George Harrison's song. I adore it. Really.
If it won't come up for you here, you can also view it here.
If it won't come up for you here, you can also view it here.
11/30/2006
If I had a million dollars...
For all you Secret Santas and Sandy Claus out there, I wanted you to know that I updated my amazon.com wishlist.
My 15 Minutes
I'm famous! The knitting class I take was featured in a magazine article and I'm mentioned by name!
"I'm in print!"
Here's the link to the online version of the magazine. I am mentioned very briefly as is my mother-in-law. Hee hee. Luckily I didn't say anything bad.
I was fairly excited to find out that my name was in the article but when I saw it my first reaction was, "Oh hell, she put my age in there!"
"I'm in print!"
Here's the link to the online version of the magazine. I am mentioned very briefly as is my mother-in-law. Hee hee. Luckily I didn't say anything bad.
I was fairly excited to find out that my name was in the article but when I saw it my first reaction was, "Oh hell, she put my age in there!"
Confession -
Ok. I have to confess to something that I'm sort of embarrassed about. I love that "Celebrity Paranormal" show on VH1. I've always sensed that this was something that would invite ridicule if I mentioned it out loud. I mean, Mike makes fun of me about it but that's nothing new. He often makes fun of my viewing choices. I'm always dragging Mike on these ghost tours and whatnot when we go on vacation. I've never seen a ghost nor do I feel like I'm somehow 'sensitive' to paranormal activity or anything (I hate when we get a "medium" on the tour with us who swears she feels something everywhere we go)...I just like having the heebie jeebies scared out of me. I like ghost stories and that's basically what ghost tours are all about. They take you to different places and tell you the ghost stories that go along with the area.
But anyway, I'm rambing again. Celebrity Paranormal reminds me of that MTV show "Fear" back in the 90's where they'd send college kids to haunted places and have them do scary crap - if they could stay the whole night they won $5000. Remember that show? I was only in high school myself and I loved that show. I was crushed when they took it off the air. I continued to tivo and watch Celebrity Paranormal despite my inclination to believe that this is something I should be embarrassed about. Today though, in a moment of boredom, I happened upon the vh1 website dedicated to the show and saw the snippet of the message board it includes. This is where you can discuss the "scary moments" or the caliber of the C List celebrities on that week's episode. Everyone on that message board was clearly about 14 years old. I am most likely the only CP fan over the age of 15.
Now that's embarrassing.
But anyway, I'm rambing again. Celebrity Paranormal reminds me of that MTV show "Fear" back in the 90's where they'd send college kids to haunted places and have them do scary crap - if they could stay the whole night they won $5000. Remember that show? I was only in high school myself and I loved that show. I was crushed when they took it off the air. I continued to tivo and watch Celebrity Paranormal despite my inclination to believe that this is something I should be embarrassed about. Today though, in a moment of boredom, I happened upon the vh1 website dedicated to the show and saw the snippet of the message board it includes. This is where you can discuss the "scary moments" or the caliber of the C List celebrities on that week's episode. Everyone on that message board was clearly about 14 years old. I am most likely the only CP fan over the age of 15.
Now that's embarrassing.
11/27/2006
The Official Word...
The City of Chicago called me today with good news. I officially have the job and my start date is scheduled to be December 16th. The 16th is a Saturday so I'm not sure if that was a mistake or not. The official letter should be coming in the mail soon.
Places I didn't even know about...
That's how badly I hurt right now. I hurt in places I didn't even know I had. Mike and I have started "gung ho" mode on the old work-out regime. I was like, "Let's WALK to the Y." Yeah. Brilliant idea. It's about a 2 mile walk roundtrip which seemed like an adventure at the time. Now it just seems like a mistake. Plus we didn't eat before we went and on the way home, I nearly tackled the neighbor's yappy, fluffy dog and chewed on it.
On the plus side, I got a good laugh from Mike's antics today. He was trying on a new workout outfit he'd bought at Kohl's awhile back and asked me if his shirt was too tight because it felt really constrictive. The shirt was made of that form fitting, spandexy material and I told him that it was supposed to look like that and hug his body. He had to go upstairs to look for himself because, like always, we can't just take my word on anything. He came back down and said, "I really like this. I feel like Superman." It's still funny to me - I snorted just now when I typed it.
If you need me tomorrow, I'll be the one in bed with the covers over my head - covered in heating pads.
On the plus side, I got a good laugh from Mike's antics today. He was trying on a new workout outfit he'd bought at Kohl's awhile back and asked me if his shirt was too tight because it felt really constrictive. The shirt was made of that form fitting, spandexy material and I told him that it was supposed to look like that and hug his body. He had to go upstairs to look for himself because, like always, we can't just take my word on anything. He came back down and said, "I really like this. I feel like Superman." It's still funny to me - I snorted just now when I typed it.
If you need me tomorrow, I'll be the one in bed with the covers over my head - covered in heating pads.
11/23/2006
This year, I am thankful for:
Spending Thanksgiving with my dad.
My big brother almost remembering my birthday.
Having great nephews - Caleb and Dex aka "Frank".
In-laws, niece-pugs and nephew-cats.
Fat cats and kittens that jump.
New apartments.
Friends.
Having 29 years with my mom.
Mike falling asleep spooning me and snoring a little in my ear.
Knitting classes.
Drs. Carlson and Lazar.
Ex-landlords who help you paint your new place.
Blue Cheese.
Evites.
Rugrat rootbeer.
Sisters - biological and otherwise.
Vitka's jokes.
Mike's sweetness.
Chocolate chip shakes.
Memories.
Captain Underpants in the Thanksgiving parade.
God.
Every hug I ever got from my mom.
Being able to say, "I'm in my 20's."
Mike's laughter.
Mike.
Mike.
Mike.
Did I mention Mike?
Funnel cake.
Dachshunds.
Democrats controlling Congress.
Cat snuggles.
Puppy kisses.
Family.
Life.
Love in all its forms.
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!
My big brother almost remembering my birthday.
Having great nephews - Caleb and Dex aka "Frank".
In-laws, niece-pugs and nephew-cats.
Fat cats and kittens that jump.
New apartments.
Friends.
Having 29 years with my mom.
Mike falling asleep spooning me and snoring a little in my ear.
Knitting classes.
Drs. Carlson and Lazar.
Ex-landlords who help you paint your new place.
Blue Cheese.
Evites.
Rugrat rootbeer.
Sisters - biological and otherwise.
Vitka's jokes.
Mike's sweetness.
Chocolate chip shakes.
Memories.
Captain Underpants in the Thanksgiving parade.
God.
Every hug I ever got from my mom.
Being able to say, "I'm in my 20's."
Mike's laughter.
Mike.
Mike.
Mike.
Did I mention Mike?
Funnel cake.
Dachshunds.
Democrats controlling Congress.
Cat snuggles.
Puppy kisses.
Family.
Life.
Love in all its forms.
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!
Oops...
I just published a post I wrote a few days ago but hit "save as draft" instead of "publish." Check it out for a story about a trip I took with my dad a couple of weeks ago.
11/20/2006
Bobbi and her "freedom march"
I was looking through my emails today and found this one. It's from my mom describing an experience she had with her hamster and it makes me laugh. She could never go into a pet store without buying something and then she'd be mad because it was such a pain to take care of. She always took really good care of her animals...she just hated having to do it sometimes. Bobbi is a black dwarf hamster who still resides with my dad...miraculously still alive as we'd forgotten about her for at least a week after my mom died. Polly refers to "Neopolitan," a guinea pig who left this Earth some months before my mom. We had Boris and Polly and for awhile we would occasionally have baby guinea pigs to give away. After Boris died, my mom would refer to her as "The widow Polly." But I'm getting off track. Anyways, this is an email I got from my mom right before Mike and I got married. It's very typical "mom" humor and I thought I'd share.
Subject: Bobbi and her "freedom march"
From: Linda H. to me, Jeffrey, Robin, JOHN
Date: Apr 13 (2006)
Bobbi the hamster and I have had quite an afternoon.
I asked your Dad(Charles) to change Polly's cage
several days ago. but he hadn't had time time or
inclination to do it. Soo... I decided to do it.
Bobbi's cage in on top of Polly's. So I looked for
Bobbi and nowhere did I see her. I moved bedding,etc
and still didn't see her. Any way I foung her wedged
in the tube between the upper floor and the lower
level wedged with bedding. So I think she has
smothered herself. She was on the wheel last night so
this is not a event of long duration. I took the cage
and emptied it but the tube was still plugged. So I
banged the tube on the side of the trash several times
and finally all fell out. Bobbi perks right up and
starts running around the trash can. I pick her up
and put her back in her cage and put bedding etc. in
to get her fixed up....silently cursing my luck that
she is still breathing. I sat and watched her for a
minute because she is very happy to be "free at last,
thank God, I'm free at last." I had put the top back
on the cage and she is briskly. or confused like as it
turns out, climbing up and down the tube. I think it
is because she is remembering her horrible experience.
Then she goes up the tube and falls out into the
cage. I had put the top on backwards and the upper
level is on the wrong side. So we are now straighened
up and all is well. I have sat here and giggled at
our little problem and just wanted to share with
someone. P.S. Bobbi did not appear amused. But she is
happy to be "free".
Subject: Bobbi and her "freedom march"
From: Linda H. to me, Jeffrey, Robin, JOHN
Date: Apr 13 (2006)
Bobbi the hamster and I have had quite an afternoon.
I asked your Dad(Charles) to change Polly's cage
several days ago. but he hadn't had time time or
inclination to do it. Soo... I decided to do it.
Bobbi's cage in on top of Polly's. So I looked for
Bobbi and nowhere did I see her. I moved bedding,etc
and still didn't see her. Any way I foung her wedged
in the tube between the upper floor and the lower
level wedged with bedding. So I think she has
smothered herself. She was on the wheel last night so
this is not a event of long duration. I took the cage
and emptied it but the tube was still plugged. So I
banged the tube on the side of the trash several times
and finally all fell out. Bobbi perks right up and
starts running around the trash can. I pick her up
and put her back in her cage and put bedding etc. in
to get her fixed up....silently cursing my luck that
she is still breathing. I sat and watched her for a
minute because she is very happy to be "free at last,
thank God, I'm free at last." I had put the top back
on the cage and she is briskly. or confused like as it
turns out, climbing up and down the tube. I think it
is because she is remembering her horrible experience.
Then she goes up the tube and falls out into the
cage. I had put the top on backwards and the upper
level is on the wrong side. So we are now straighened
up and all is well. I have sat here and giggled at
our little problem and just wanted to share with
someone. P.S. Bobbi did not appear amused. But she is
happy to be "free".
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