Finally! A productive use of my time!

Do you ever do something that has been sitting around screaming, "Do this now!" for months? Back in August, I went on a shoe buying spree. (See previous posts about shoes and my love for them.) I placed two significant orders and when they came in, I was disappointed that some of the shoes did not fit.

Endless.com has free shipping and free returns.

Do you think I ever sent the three pairs of shoes back that did not fit?

I'll wait while you guess.

That's right...Procrastination won again. These shoes have been sitting in my bedroom since the end of August waiting to be taken to the post office. All I had to do was print a return label (from their website), write return reason codes on the packing slips, and then seal the box. I finally did it today. It took all of three minutes.

Why do I procrastinate so much? My mom would tell you that it is because I am a perfectionist and if I can't plan the steps out just so then I can't start something. I'll go with that. And because I get distracted. Easily.

Like I felt the need to blog about overcoming my procrastination today. Do you think the label has actually been applied to the box yet? Nope. It hasn't. Do you know why? Because I just printed it, so I am already sitting at my computer. I need scissors. The scissors are in the kitchen. So why walk to the kitchen, cut out the label, walk to the bedroom to apply it, and then come back and post? See how my brain works? I am thinking of getting a drink of water while I am in the kitchen. I know that I need to bring more water upstairs from the basement. I know that when I go down there I will flip my laundry around. Then probably forget the water and have to go back in five minutes. So why not just cut the label, put it on the box, and then go after the water? So I am not further distracted by sweeping the basement or something crazy like that?

This whole post reminds me of when I was in high school and Dr. Lepp gave us an assignment to take out some paper and a pen/pencil and just write was what in our heads. I think it was called a stream of consciousness? Or a train of consciousness? Am I even remembering the assignment at all?

Off to cut the label. I might even make it to the post office today to send it back. I could use the credit on my credit card. Whoop whoop!

Decision Time

After reading about this concept for a week now, I have decided that I am going to choose a word for my theme for 2009. A whole year. One word. One theme.

Whew. This is a big decision for the girl who often can't decide between peanut butter or grilled cheese. Hair up or down (when it was longer, anyway). This ring or this ring. These shoes or those shoes or perhaps even those other ones. French cut green beans or just cut green beans.

Do you get the idea? Do you see how hard decisions are for me? And I'm going to choose ONE word for the ENTIRE year? Yikes!

Naturally, I am having a hard time choosing. I think I have narrowed it down to two, but there might be other words out there that I haven't even considered. So what if my two choices are not the greatest words? What if I find a word on January 2 that I like so much better? Will I then have to change my mind and then feel like a failure because I couldn't even stick to one word for more than two days?

As I have been typing this, I have thought of one more word to add to my list of choices. Yikes. I better stop thinking about this so much and just post my three words and see if anyone bothers to vote for his/her favorite.

Build
Grow
Journey

All three words seem to fit where I am in my life at this time. The only thing I do not like about Grow is that I don't necessarily want to physically grow. I mean unless I really start lifting some weights and get massive muscles in my arms, then that is okay. But only in my arms. I would like to shrink the rest of the body. Well except for my head. That would be kinda crazy.

Since I don't have to have a final answer until next week, I have some time to take a little poll. I am going to ask others who may not read this for their opinions, but I would like to gather as much data as possible for this completely unscientific study. So what would you choose? Do you have a reason why?

Survival

We survived the holiday. A smattering of photos from today's festivities, here and at my parents' house.

I'm thankful that Ella "got it" this year and was excited for her presents when she woke up. I wish I could have caught her initial reaction on camera. Next year, I will be standing by her presents ready when she comes out of her room. (Helpful tip to include in the next "How to be a mommy" book in case anyone happens to be writing one. Also don't forget to include the checklist so that cookies and milk are never forgotten, birthday cakes are always ordered in time, and the medicine cabinet always has the essentials...while I'm at it, it might not be a bad idea to have a checklist of every member in the family so you make sure you take pictures of them all...hi Cory, Seth, Ashton, and Anthony! *waves wildly at her beautiful nephews*)

Unloading the car is going to have to wait until tomorrow. I'm beat. It is time for a new Christmas tradition to start at my house - a cold, refreshing beverage to end Christmas Day. Since I have already had milk and water, I guess I'm left with no choice than to partake in a Bud Light.

The real update (with photos)

Groceries are now safely tucked away in the cabinets and refrigerator. No spoiling food here. Okay...so all of my irrational fears from yesterday were for nothing. I should have been more afraid of the traffic and the parking situation than of the actual grocery experience. Short version:

• Arrived at Kroger at 10 til 12 after four meltdowns prior to leaving (Ella's, not mine. Okay - one for me and three for her. No? Fine. Two each. We were even Steven.)


• Spent 5 minutes looking for single onions instead of a bag


• Found single onions


• Picked up the rest from the list with very little driving in circles


• Could not find the candy/gum aisle


• Drove in a circle


• Located the gum


• Got my very own Plus card in my name


• Checked out and was in the car by 12:30

While I was in Chicago in October, four people stopped me to ask for directions. Taumi and I decided that I look like such a native in that awesome city that people assumed I was. Amazingly, I was asked for directions to the produce section by some person who apparently thought the fresh foods were with the beer and wine. Even I know better than that.

Ella was pretty good for our trip. I am going to try to figure out a way to plan far enough ahead to avoid taking her with me in the future. For no other reason than to avoid bitch slapping the people who call her a boy. Come on...she has a braided purple hat with a purple coat with pink shoes. How could she possibly pass for a boy?

Here is a picture of us at the end of our shopping trip. My hair in the picture does not look much different than it normally does except for the color. I am loving the color. Totally loving it. It's very warm. I like warm. Especially when it is very cold outside. I don't like warm as much when it is warm outside. See how hard it is to please me?

I wonder if a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser would take those damn wrinkles off of my eyes?

I came to update

but then realized that I had to actually unload the groceries from my car. I will return to post the picture and describe the grocery experience shortly. Go ahead and find something else to do in case it takes me a million years to remember that I need to come back here and finish this. I wouldn't want to be the reason for your not getting everything on your list finished.

Stop the Internet Rumors...I'm Not Dead

Hee hee. Yet. I will attempt to not do myself in tomorrow night after cooking dinner. It's been kinda hard to kill myself on fast food and cinnamon toast. But tomorrow...the big night...I'm going to cook from scratch.

Go ahead and stop reading. I'll wait for you to quit feeling dizzy.

Like the organized domestic goddess I aspire to become (but come on...will most likely never actually win the title), I sat down tonight, cookbook on the counter, pantry doors open, and shopping list in front of me (with a pen in my hand) and PLANNED meals for the next two days.

Go ahead and wait for the faintness to pass. I can keep waiting. After all, I'm not actually sitting in front of *my* computer watching you read this. Don't you think *that* would be a little, teeny, tiny bit scary? As if I had nothing better to do. Like take out the trash, clean the cat box (anyone want a nice, well anyone want a cat?), feed the dog, stoke the fire, feed/bathe/clothe/play with my child, clean the toilet, clean the floor, drink water, etc.?

Did I mention before that I did not have a Bud Light in hand while planning meals? That I made it through the entire ordeal without cracking one open? And that my mom was here? Eye yi yi.

So after my mom explained to me that the pan I call my mac and cheese pan is technically called a saucepan and that, yes, in fact I did have the correct tools to make this one certain dish, I got the meals planned and my grocery list made. I am going to attempt Kroger on Tuesday. Yes, that's right. Kroger. Tuesday. During the day because my BFF told me that it would be easier to be there in the daytime before the workers got there for quick pickups after work. I am wondering if it wouldn't be easier to be there when the store is crowded so that someone will eventually call for help when I pass out in the aisle after contemplating between one kind of chicken broth or the other.

Why are there so many choices in the grocery store anyway? And what happens if I can't find the exact size of the product I need to make a certain dish on my list? Will I be required to do math in the middle of Kroger? Can I take an oxygen tank with me?

Did I mention that Ella will be going with me for this grocery shopping excursion? I am thinking of getting her a Dora backpack so we can spin in circles and sing, "We did it, we did it," when we are finished. If we finish.

On a completely random note - I got my hair done today. It is fabulous. Perhaps I will take the trusty camera with me tomorrow and have the nice checkout person take a picture of Ella and me when we finish our grocery task. This will accomplish two goals. The first is that I can document actually going to Kroger without assistance from a friend and purchase everything on my list. The second is that I can then come home, take a nap from the exhausting day, and then post a photo to prove that I did it with fabulous hair.

Some random illogical fears about the shopping trip:

• It will be pouring down rain and we will be soaked prior to entering Kroger. Then I will have bad hair and Ella will be wet and miserable.
• I will not be able to find things on my list and will have to ask for assistance or risk appearing to be racing in the Kroger 500 (NASCAR style...round and round and round and round...).
• All of the crap on my list will not fit in my cart.
• All of the crap on my list will not fit my budget.
• I will forget the single most important ingredient for tomorrow night's dinner and will have to adjust my meal plan and then go back to Kroger for the missing ingredient on Wednesday.

Okay...I'll stop there before I talk myself out of going to Kroger altogether and eating a diet of cottage cheese and pickles for the next few days. I did find a peanut butter dessert thingie in my pantry that looks scrumptious. Perhaps we would be okay on that for a few days? Please excuse me now. I must go take a hammer to Ella's play house thing that will NOT STOP PLAYING BLASTED MUSIC for no reason. See how I get? I never yell. I never type in all caps. I never am this stressed out. But thinking of the trip to Kroger and then actually doing something with the food when I get back is sending me over the edge. I think I need to make a xanax candy necklace to take with me.

Happy Birthday, Princess

My baby turned 2 yesterday. It is so hard to believe that two years have gone by and how much she has changed.

Here's what I remember from that day: scared shitless at 11:30 when doc tells me we need to deliver the baby today because she won't make it another three days; canceling my lunch date w/ Tiffany; almost dying twice from low blood sugars; awesome nurses; my entire family invading my hospital room prior to being wheeled back for surgery; my friends all waiting in the waiting room; being wheeled through a big line of people on the way to surgery (felt like I was in a parade - thankfully I had good hair that day...the clothes left a lot to be desired); laughing so hard I couldn't function after the doctor put my spinal in; hearing my daughter cry and seeing her face for the first time at 5:05 p.m.; telling everyone that my stomach was burning b/c I could smell it (found out later that it was being burned but they wouldn't tell me that...); then yelling at everyone to not touch me when I came out of the recovery room. Oh, and how could I forget the immense pain I was in afterward? (No matter what bs any mother trys to tell you after birth - YES, you DO remember it!)

All in all, a worthwhile experience to get the end result. Oh, and the next morning, I had a giant bottle of Pepsi (that made me sick from all the sugar) and a giant Snickers bar, courtesy of an awesome nurse.

So here she is...then and now.

Another Prompt

I read a prompt this morning to blog about your favorite elementary school teacher and why he/she was your favorite. My kindergarten teacher was Miss Lawson, and she taught me that while I was permitted to color outside the lines, I should try to make it neat and not messy. I clearly remember the gray Crayola I used to "color in" those pretty flowers and the sad face with the word "messy" beside it when I got the paper back from her. Twenty-two years have gone by, and I am still coloring outside the lines. However, I am a LOT less messy now. And I would never dream of using a gray Crayola on a flower!

Words of Wisdom...

from the great philosopher Samantha on Sex and the City:

"I love you, but I love me more."

Perfect.

Christmas and More about Me

Received a few of these chain things today and wanted to answer them so I don't have a string of bad luck or whatever the email gods will do if I don't. The first is great for me since I love Christmas and I did the second one just because.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial – who wants the mess?

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually Thanksgiving weekend

4. When do you take the tree down? January… last year I waited until the end of January to extend the season (not because I was lazy…)

5. Do you like eggnog? Nope

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Ask my parents, I hated everything

7. Hardest person to buy for? My parents

8. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope

9. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Mail normally

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? See answer for #6

11. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December 26

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Sure – who hasn’t?

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My grama’s wafer cookies

15. White or Colored Lights on the tree? White only

16. Favorite Christmas song? Oh Holy Night

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Over the river and through the woods – rat race like any other day

18. Can you name all 9 of Santa's reindeer? Yes - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph.

19. Angel on the tree top or a star? An Americana Santa that does not light up

20. Open the presents Christmas day? If I can wait that long :)

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Budgets

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love all kinds of ornaments, but I typically only purchase ones that tell some sort of story or serve as a reminder for something memorable.

23. Favorite dessert for Christmas? Grama’s wafer cookies

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? For my daughter to have a stellar holiday

This is a "have you ever" kind of survey...
( ) Gone on a blind date
(X) Skipped school
(X) Watched someone die...
(X) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
(X) Been to Florida
(X) Been on a plane
(X) Been lost (but always enjoyed it)
(X) Been on the opposite side of the country
(X) Been to Washington, DC
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons
(X) Sang Karaoke. (only in the presence of family)
(X) Paid for a meal with coins only?
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?
(X) Made prank phone calls (is your refrigerator running?)
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose.
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Gone ice-skating (winter sports are not my thing… kind of like my experience with skiing)(X) Been skinny dipping outdoors
(X) Gone to the movies
( ) Got a speeding ticket. (I’m the luckiest girl on earth)

1. Any nickname? Hoopty and Marc (not my dad’s name, but with an s sound at the end)
2. Favorite drink? Water and Bud Light
3. Mother's name? Marlene
4. Tattoo? Stargazer lily on my shoulder and I want two more
5. Body Piercing? ears, three holes total
6. How much do you love your job? A lot
7. Birthplace? Zanesville, Ohio
8. Favorite vacation spot? Somewhere I have never been before
9. Ever been to Africa? Does The Wilds count?
10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Yes, with milk for nutrition
11. Ever been on TV? Yes
12. Ever steal any traffic sign? Yes, of course (Henderson Street twice) I also stole some genuine county-owned orange cones. They actually did come in handy for something a few years later. I think my poor parents used to just wait for the cops to show up and ask how they got those cones and street signs. They owe all of their sleepless nights to me.
13. Ever been in a car accident? Yes
14. Drive a 2 door or 4 door car? 4 door
15. Favorite salad dressing? Creamy poppy seed
16. Favorite pie? Peanut butter
18. Favorite movie? Sex and the City
19. Favorite holiday? Christmas
20. Favorite dessert? Peanut butter and chocolate mixed together in some fashion, but I don’t really eat dessert
21. Favorite food? Mom’s sausage casserole
22. Favorite day of the week? They are all good
23. Favorite brand of body wash? Currently, I’m loving Sabon
24. Favorite toothpaste? Crest Sensitivity
25. Favorite smell? A warm dryer
26. What do you do to relax? Relax? What’s that?
27. How do you see yourself in 10 years? Smarter than I am now

(Yes, I know there is no 17 on this list but I did not feel like redoing the numbers.)

The day after

Ella's Christmas dress. Waited in line at Kohl's this morning for 30 minutes to purchase this for only $17, a savings of 60%. This was after I woke up at 2 minutes til 4 to drive to Wal Mart and stand beside the Barbie Jeeps so my daughter could have one for Christmas. Thanks to my brother, I scored one for only $88. This was after last night's KMart debacle where I read the wrong ad and drove all over the green earth looking for a VW Barbie car that I thought was on sale yesterday and it turned out to not be on sale until today. Argh. I earned my mommy merit badge today in what was, I'm sure, the first of many early mornings to get a good gift for Ella.

What would shopping be without purchases for myself? I got a new red leather jacket, a black casual jacket, and an awesome jewelry armoire. Once I get the armoire set up and loaded up, I will share pics.

I'm looking forward to a fun night out with friends tomorrow and Thanksgiving with my family on Sunday.

Off to spread more Christmas cheer in the house...the tree is naked, except for the lights, and waiting for me to add my magic touch. Then I get to get crafty and redo my front door wreath so it will withstand another windy winter. It is so pretty I just can't seem to convince myself to make another one.

It's Thanksgiving

So many things to be thankful for this year . . .

• I finished a year of serving as president of my professional association's division (and lived to tell about it!).


• I took two classes over the summer and am finishing up my third toward my masters degree, which will leave me with four to go and then I will be DONE!


• My daughter is turning out to be incredibly smart and has a huge desire to learn new things.


• I have been relatively healthy with the exception of a bad back and a few minor colds.


• I have prepared dinner no less than 30 times in the past year and nothing I made was too awful to eat. (Big accomplishment for me!)


• I got to take two trips to Chi-town (for free).


• Had a blast in New Orleans (mostly for free).


• I have met some incredibly cool people and made lots of memories.


• My students are performing far above where other groups have been in a certain class I am teaching. I am not sure what to attribute it to - my teaching skills getting better or their intelligence level when I get them. I'm hoping it is a combination of both.


• That I have been supported by my loved ones in all I have done.


• My BFF turned 30, lived to tell about it, and has made it less scary for me.


• Who could forget all of the shoes and jewelry? :)
• I learned a new trick about Picasa just this morning that will solve all of my burning questions about editing photos.

Happy Thanksgiving to all . . .

Miscellaneous Musings

Some crazy guy called me fat yesterday. Yes, he is totally a lunatic for saying that to me. I should have popped him, and I probably would have if I had not been on a high after the OSU game. So crazy guy should thank Ohio State for saving his ass. After I gave him the look of death, he started to backpeddle and explained that he meant p-h-a-t, not f-a-t. Whatev. Phat is not in my dictionary and to be quite honest, I must not be as cool as I think because I don't really even know what phat means. I heard later that lunatic guy did provide a thorough explanation to others about it after I stalked, er I mean walked briskly, away. But that doesn't matter. Did I mention to him when I saw him yesterday that I think he is bat shit crazy? No. Because it is not nice to say that someone is bat shit crazy even if it is true. I talked to him as if he were a normal member of society and refrained from my opinions clouding our smoke break time together.

Next time I see him, I won't be so nice. I may just walk up and tell him I think he is bat shit crazy and then maybe go on about how cool bat shit is and the different kinds of research being performed on it. You know, turn it into a total compliment. That might really confuse him and give him something to think about for a long time.

Speaking of crazy, is it really so crazy that I like ketchup but not tomatoes? Or that I like cherry flavored things but not cherries?

Sunday's Grammar Lesson

Okay class. Today we will cover anxious/eager. Another misuse that drives me crazy.

Anxious = Incorrect: I'm anxious for Christmas to get here. Anxious actually means that you are so worked up over something you could quite literally vomit. (Which, in my case could be true about Christmas because I normally do get too excited that I end up vomiting, but that's not the point of this post.)

Eager = Excited. I am eager to interview with you, or I am eager to discuss my vacation with you.

~Grammar Goddess

I'm so ... mean?

I went to Wendy's the other day for lunch (exciting, eh?) and this sign has bothered me for years. I took out my trusty camera and took a picture of it so I could "teach" everyone about the proper use of insure and ensure and assure so you are sure to never make this mistake again.

Insure - Has everything to do with insurance. Example: I need to insure my house against damage from a tree falling on it.
Ensure - Means "to make sure" and has nothing to do with insurance. Example: To ensure faster service, please have your money ready.
Assure - This is a verb meaning to declare earnestly to. Example: She assured me that everything would be okay.

No excuses now. The Queen has spoken.

It's just a good day - Wal-Mart and Bud Light

I'm thankful for my BFF, who is always ready and willing to dash to Wal-Mart to purchase essentials. It will be kind of difficult to do that when she moves away and will require much more advanced planning. A four hour round trip just to go to Wal-Mart? Crazy, but I'd do it. There...that's it...the perfect reason for her to stay. I don't give any kind of ass that her husband lives two hours away. I need her. I. Need. Her. (Is that desperate sounding enough? Huh?)

Also, I'm thankful that Wal-Mart sells essentials such as Bud Light. Today was a Bud Light kind of day. Oh...who am I kidding? I guess any day is a good Bud Light day.

Am I behind again? Oh...who cares. I'm tired of rules that I can't remember. (Please excuse my lazy use of contractions today...it's the Bud Light talking, I think.)

I can't resist...

Here are the shoes I wore on my last night in New Orleans. I love these shoes, but they hurt my feet. The only pair of shoes I own that hurt, by the way. All the rest are comfy, even if people don't believe me when I say that. Really. I swear. No need to second guess. Yes, my second toe is longer than my first. That's a sign of genius. Didn't you know that? But check out my awesome nail polish. I love painted nails. I do. They keep me focused on what is right with the world instead of the fact that my feet were killing me. And what's up with the appearance of no ankle? I swear my ankles were not swollen by this time. I swear. No amount of alcohol and walking around a city with 100% humidity and 100 degree temps and no water would make my ankles swell. I swear. Nothing to see here. Go on. Keep looking somewhere else and find what is wrong with my body. Move along...

There is no theme here, really

Since I can't remember if I was ahead or behind the last time I posted, I will give four things today...I tend to get confused about "rules," especially if they are self imposed and not written down.

1. I'm thankful for another OSU win yesterday and having the opportunity to watch most of the game with my parents at their abode. Gram and Ella drew pictures on the magnadoodle while Pap and I watched the game (in between our naps). All in all a great afternoon.
2. Eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. Bliss.
3. I purchased more jewelry on Friday. As soon as it comes, I will share my collection.
4. I'm thankful that the holidays are upon us, which means that our quarter is almost over. I enjoy working on a quarter system because ten (or 11 in this case) weeks is just a perfect amount of time to spend on one topic and then start a new class after a much needed break.

Yesterday, for the first time since Ella was a baby and did not know how to roll over, she took a short nap on our couch. It was so sweet seeing her there all spread out and comfortable. Again, like mother, like daughter. She really is growing up quickly, and I know that soon my mental images of her as a tiny baby will fade. Hell, she's almost quadrupled in weight in not quite two years, and grown over ten inches. Somehow she has learned to say McDonalds, only it sounds like "m-onalds" and of course, while waiting in line at the drive through, she was in the backseat screaming "happy meal" over and over. That's my kid...no patience when it comes to fast food.

I just looked out the window to see snow flying around out there. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

I swear...it's not that bad...

I posted before about my shoe addiction. I thought I would take a picture of my shoe closet. I had to post two pics so you can get the "full" effect, and I still was not successful in capturing the entire closet. The top photo cut off the top shelf in there, which is full mostly of handbags. The second picture shows the stack on the floor and hidden ones in the back. I'm contemplating moving some clothes out of there and installing some more shelves to hold more shoes...

So for today, I'm thankful for my shoes. Maybe in a few days, I will share my jewelry collection. :)

A pic or two from the Big Easy

I'm spending my holiday today organizing my digital photos and am finally getting around to posting pictures that I should have posted months ago...

My trip to New Orleans in late July was awesome, and it is just fitting and proper that because of how much fun I had, I will forever be scarred from the trip.

The first photo is from our third night, at an open house event sponsored by IAAP. Chrissy, Jennifer, and I were the best roommates ever!

Second photo: Nicholas Cage, who was filming a movie at the Hilton. He was staring at me trying to figure out why the hell I had a huge bandage on my head. :)

Third photo: Karen, Jennifer, me, and Angie at the Famous Door bar on Bourbon Street where we spent entirely too many hours dancing, singing, and acting like idiots. (This was night of the head injury...)

Fourth photo: Chrissy, Mary, Jennifer, and me on our last night in NO. I wish our shoes would have been in this photo because they were HOT. (If you look closely, you can see the bandage on my forehead...)

Fifth photo: Sam, me, and Brian - two of my favorite people in the whole world. We had a BLAST hanging.

More Pics

Taumi having a beverage before boarding the plane in Chi-town (and getting a to-go cup!).

Marcie and Pink Toes at the Regal Beagle in Chi-town (10/1/08)...yup a beautiful self-portrait!

Wordless

Tuesday's Thanks

The first one is quite easy: Thanks to our veterans.

And the second, even though it is early in the morning, I'm thankful that it is looking like it will be a fairly nice day. I'm not sure that I'm ready for winter yet (even though I long for South Dakota), so today's sunshine and fair temperature will assist in the transition from lightweight jacket to winter coat weather.

As Zee would say, "What a glorious day!"

Tuesday's Tunes

I read a prompt yesterday about music and how it takes us to our past, especially to past relationships. The more I have thought of it, the more I agree—there are definitely songs/artists in my mind's "playlist" that bring back memories of relationships and friendships and experiences...

...Hank Jr., Synyrd, Journey, Garth Brooks, Guns and Roses, Boyz II Men, Aerosmith, Live, Montell Jordan, Finger Eleven...

All take me places and make me smile. I have to get my iPod updated!

Oh, and I think Ella's bedtime song is actually Santa Claus is Coming to Town, which disturbs me greatly. I wonder if she will be a Christmas junkie like me?

Two More

Apparently I can only manage to do this every other day, so my goal of posting each day has been revised to two things every two days. That's how I roll...If I can't meet a goal, I revise it so I don't feel so terrible about it.

1. I am thankful that I have a washer and dryer in my house so I can do laundry whenever I want and do not have to haul it around.
2. I am thankful that I got to hang with friends last night and meet some new people. Good times by the fire...
3. And a bonus third - my daughter gives me much to be thankful for. Her charming personality and her developing brain have me in awe at all times. I especially am loving this new song and dance she will only perform while standing on the middle of my bed as if I am her audience. I only wish I knew what it was she was singing about. It must be something she loves because she sings the exact same song each time she does it and has the exact same moves. Strangely enough, I can't make out even one word she says to try to put the pieces together. I say strangely enough because she says so many other words with precision and can carry on conversations already. She's got a brain to go with her looks and personality. Wonder where she gets that from?

Off to start the bedtime routine, for which I am also thankful. I am much more "put together" in the mornings by doing a few things in the evenings. It's amazing.

Friday's Thanks

Two more to catch up...

1. I'm thankful my neighbor is home from his "extended vacation."
2. I'm thankful for the dust I cleaned out of my house today—thankful that I had dust, had the tools to clean it up, and thankful that it is DONE.

Can I be wistful? Years ago, I wanted to live in South Dakota. I am longing to be there now so I could be enjoying this massive snow. Instead, we are stuck somewhere between the awesome weather of yesterday and the crappy weather we are supposed to get tomorrow. Cloudy skies, no sun to speak of, and only slightly warm.

Two More to Catch Up

1. I'm thankful that my cars have all been invisible over the years as I have managed to avoid numerous speeding tickets.
2. I'm thankful for my *elf* shoes because I can't stop smiling when I wear them.

November 3

Today I am thankful that the election will soon be over.
I am also thankful for the people I have in my life. 'Nuff said.

Season to be Thankful

I thought for the month of November, I'd post something each day I'm thankful for...since this is day 2 of the month, I need to play catch up.

1. Pictures that say so much more than words could.
2. My nephews, despite their tantrums over the years, provide me with more laughter and love than should be legal.

Scrappers Gallery

Yesterday I went to the grand opening of Scrappers Gallery, a local scrapbook store that opened in Zanesville. It has been years since we had an LSS here in town, and I wanted to be one of the first to welcome them and thank them for coming. I stopped in almost two hours after their doors officially opened, and was pleasantly surprised to see how many people had come to wish them well. I am excited about the opportunity to purchase items that can't be found at the box scrapbook stores, and also to participate in classes and crops.

I (of course) spent money, and because I spent over $40 (not too much over!), I got to spin the prize wheel. I won a friend-themed scrapbook kit. I am excited to use it...I just have to dig out some photos of friends and get busy.

I have been working on two layouts (4 pages total) for over a month. I am totally stuck on them. While Ella was napping yesterday, I pulled them out and looked at them with fresh eyes. I have been fiddling with them since (on and off during the Buckeyes game and now this morning). I think I am almost ready to adhere everything to the pages. I will try to remember to post pictures when I am finished. I am not 100% happy with them, but I think they will do. I have so many pictures that I want to start on, but I wanted to get my "unfinished" pile done.

Dreams...

I had a dream last night that absolutely shook me. As with most dreams, many of the details are fuzzy, but the main gist was that I was to meet a woman and give her directions somewhere. I had Ella with me and also a friend (who was blurry to me). When I arrived to meet this woman, I looked at her and saw my Grama H (who has been gone for six years next month). I said to my blurry friend that this woman looked exactly like my Grama and instantly I was too upset to really talk. My blurry friend stepped in and gave her the directions for me. Then my Grama look-alike said to me, "I feel as though I know you." "Yes," I replied, "I feel the same way." Then she says, "I was told you had a little girl and that you would be bringing her with you today. She looks just like you—beautiful."

The dream then ended as I woke up crying. I shared this with my mom on the phone this morning, and she thought perhaps I dreamed of her because I spent such a long time at her old house yesterday. Whatever the reason, I am thankful that I had this dream because I felt as though she was there meeting my daughter.

Another Card

Made this a few weeks ago. Don't be stealin!

The Windy City

I just returned from the NACADA conference in Chicago, and I had a great time there. I think I have found where I am supposed to be in life...if only I could convince my husband that moving there is a good idea.

I learned so much at the conference, and I am still going full speed to try to process everything. Of course, I met some really awesome people and had a blast with my coworker, Taumi. We got nicknames on our first night there, and I am now officially known as "Hoopty" to people in Oklahoma, Baltimore, and Nebraska. (Taumi's new name is "Tiger" which came from her original nickname that night of "Tie Girl" but I was not able to say two words clearly so I shortened it up to "Tiger." I think it suits her.)

I was a good girl with my shopping on this trip and only spent one quarter of what I did last time I was in Chicago. Go me! Some recommendations for restaurants: Bistro 110 (across the side street from the Hershey store), Grand Lux Cafe (of course!), and Jo's Be-Bop Cafe (on Navy Pier). We also went to the Reagle Beagle and they had awesome food, too.

I'd like to give a shout out to Pink Toes, Guy in Black Shirt, Jean Jacket Girl, and Baltimore and say thanks for making Wednesday night in Chicago so memorable.

Be Who You Be

So if someone tells you to be someone you are not, what exactly is that person saying? For example, if you are wearing a pair of blue shoes and the person says that you should get them in black, does that mean that the person does not like the blue shoes and thinks you would be better served to wear only black ones? Or if someone tells you to stop laughing so much, is that person really saying that he/she does not like the fact that you laugh at all?

Over the summer, I had a prof tell my class, "Be who you be." (I totally know it is not correct grammar, and so did she. But when you think about it, it sounds better than saying, "Be who you are.") Anyway, Be who you be has kind of become my mantra since July. Happiness comes from being yourself and being comfortable in your own skin. If I feel comfortable when I am laughing (note: not giggling like a school girl due to nervousness), then why should I stop? If I am comfortable wearing blue shoes, why should I stop? Isn't this (life) about what *I* want and not what someone else *thinks* I should want or do?

How many other places can we apply this thought process? To the foods we eat (I so heart french fries) to the beverages we drink (I also so heart Bud Light) to the way we drive (I heart speeding) to every other choice we make. Granted, I know when it is appropriate to do what I heart doing - I am not going to be caught eating french fries, drinking beer, and speeding away in my car, for example.

In my old life, I listened to a lot of country music (before I wised up and knew better). I remember a song that said something about having too much fun. I can't remember the whole gist of it (or even any of the words), but is it a crime to have fun and bring the fun with you wherever you go? Of course, fun doesn't mix well in certain situations, and I understand the difference. But places where I spend a lot of time NEED to be fun for me or else I will dread going there. And a happy Marcie is MUCH better than no-fun Marcie.

Coincidence?

I just noticed that the last post I made was one month ago. Apparently 17 is a lucky number of sorts for me - my birthday, my sister's birthday, and now the only day I seem to update my blog. Hmmm...

Makes me think back to what I was doing when I was 17. I was a senior in high school, driving my "silver bullet" car, working as a mall rat, taking my first Harley rides, and dating my high school sweetheart. Since all good things eventually do come to an end, by the time I would be half way through my 18th year of life, the car had caught fire (no fault of mine!), I was no longer a mall rat, had graduated high school, and the high school sweetheart was long gone. They were definitely good things, and the majority of my fondest memories come from that time period.

Proofread, People!

Helpful hint #133:

If applying for a job, please ensure your own name is spelled correctly on all materials! 'Nuff said.

My Shoe Secret

I can't keep my shoe secret a secret much longer. I love shoes...that "new shoe" smell...the way the heel sounds clicking on the floor...the look of the boxes stacked high in my closet.

My best kept shoe secret is endless.com. This website is an awesome place to lose yourself for hours just looking at the shoes available. They have super fast shipping (most shoes FREE overnight), and 100% free returns in case the shoe does not fit as perfectly as you would like. It's a partner to amazon.com, so if you have an amazon account already, you won't even need to redo your information.

My new favorite brand is Naughty Monkey. The shoes, even with the over 3 inch heel height, are some of the most comfortable I have ever worn.

There...the secret is out. Hi, I'm Marcie, and I am a shoe addict.

Recent Cards

Here are some recent cards I have made.

Happiness

I've been thinking of what happiness truly means for quite some time. Many people, myself included sometimes, believe that happiness can be found in that pursuit of the next "thing." For example, I had an obsession with purchasing a Wii for several months and stalked stores, websites, etc., for consoles. Would I die if I did not find one? Would my friends and family think less of me if I did not own one? Nope to both questions. But I *had* to have one because I believed it would make me happy to get one. Care to guess how many times in the past four months I have turned it on? ONCE. Care to guess how many games I have purchased (and accessories) in the past four months? Two games and their accessories. Pathetic. Have these purchases caused happiness in my life? Absolutely not.

So where does happiness come from? Inside? So how do you "get happy" if you are not naturally happy? What does happy really mean? Is it always smiling? Is it always being positive? (I'm getting a Pollyanna vibe here, right?) Perhaps this is why the self-help industry is booming? Or therapists are so difficult to get appointments with?

I have lots to chew on, and this question of happiness may become my latest obsession. Any self-help books out there worth reading to find the answer?

Oh, and I may have a Wii for sale...