I feel like a 12 year old

It started with a tickle in my throat on Monday. Yesterday my voice was really hoarse and I thought I might end up taking a sick day today. I didn't really feel that bad, but I knew no one wanted to work around a Typhoid Mary. I decided to go to the doctor today because my throat really hurt and I figured I had a bad cold. It turns out that the little rug monkeys from work gave me Strep. What? I don't get illnesses like this. I get colds. I am known for them. It's kind of my thing. Oh well, I am going to stay home tomorrow so that the anti-biotics can kick in. I don't really feel that bad, so it's kind of like a day off. I am a little troubled by the large itchy patch of skin I have from where they gave me a couple of shots in the backside. I told her that I was allergic to penicillin and she said that most people think they are, but really aren't. I'm hoping she didn't try to experiment on me...

Bear with me

So...I try not to talk about NASCAR too often on the blog because I know most of you aren't fans...but I can't let last night's events go without recognition...

It was the Budweiser Shoot Out (a precursor race to Daytona next Sunday) and Dale Jr. won the race!! This bodes very well for the 500. So excited!

My future hubby's makin' us some money :)

P.S. the image above is Dale's new look. I'll admit having a win makes Hendrick Motorsports easier to accept

A General Malaise of Boredom

That's what I have identified as a problem in my life. As a dear (and smart-ass) friend of mine told me today: "You're a 45 year old woman stuck in a 37 year old's body." Nice.

I'm not sure how to remedy this problem. I like being lazy so I don't want to over schedule myself and never get couch time. I joined a book club...isn't that enough? Although on the excitement factor it's close to a negative 8. I usually go out once during the weekend. Several of my friends meet a local bar on Wednesdays (we call it church) and that's fun...but what else am I searching for. I have an idea, but I'm not going to express it. I've talked about it before and I don't feel like rehashing anything.

Unexpected Friday off...

what to do?

I'm thinking something like this:

Wake up late

Read in bed. I have two new books I've been wanting to start

Maybe see an afternoon movie?

I'm a wild and crazy gal

Giving it up

For Lent, that is. I have decided on two things this year. Two, I tell you!!

First, I am going to cease adding salt to my food. For those of you that know me (even in passing) must realize that this is a big deal! I love salt. To me, it is a a food group. It makes good better and okay food passable. So, the basic guidelines are that I can add salt when cooking (or it will be completely bland), but nothing afterwards. And no adding salt to any food that I get at a restaurant. I guess I am going to have to become friends with that b*tch Mrs. Dash.

Second, I am giving up carbonated beverages - basically, sodas. Since giving up caffeine, I have been drinking a lot of Fanta (and it has been orangy-delicious!). Unfortunately, that has probably equaled close to - or more - 300 calories everyday. Empty calories everyday. I figure both of these things won't be easy, but they will be good for me.

So, what are you giving up?

27 dresses. eh

I've heard reviews from both sides of the aisle (so to speak), but this movie really didn't do much for me. Jenny and her BF fell asleep (I did wake her when she began to snore) and I was just mildy entertained. I realized about half way through that I don't really like romantic comedies. The endings just aren't that compelling and the premises are mostly ridiculous. I should have seen The Bucket List. I guess that's more my speed.

A little fondue, please

I like fondue, do you? Jenny, the bf, and I are (three cheers for the third wheel!) going to the Melting Pot for dinner and I'm a bit excited. I like cheese. I like meat. I like chocolate. I like cooking. It's all that I love in one place. Are you a fan?

Musings

There's not much I have in mind tonight, but I thought I should post a little something. I can't believe I didn't mention that it snowed down here a few weeks ago. That is only the SECOND time that it has snowed since I have lived in Birmingham - in ten years! It was pretty exciting. Yes, it melted really quickly, but we just don't get any sort of wintery precipitation. I know you Wisconsinites are rolling your eyes, but you know how it is. Someone new is starting at work tomorrow so it should keep the day pretty busy. I have a new neighbor upstairs and he seems fine. We'll see. The jury remains out until he lives here a little longer. I have a notoriously bad time with loud neighbors ~ apartment living is truly for the birds. Boring, boring, boring. That's all, folks.

Finally!

Science has caught up with what I have KNOWN for years

A Great Experience

Tonight, I had the privilege of meeting a childhood friend of my mom. She called about a week and a half ago and mentioned that she and a couple of friends were going to be in town and she would like to meet me (surprisingly, we had never met before tonight). It was SO much fun to be able to listen to her stories about my mom. I think it is rare to hear about your parents as "real" people. Do you know what I mean? She knew my mom as a friend and someone that she got into some mild to moderate (I hope not crazy) shenanigans with. It may sound corny, but it really warmed my heart because this is someone who really knew her. She was really funny and even had stories about my grandfather, grandmother, and aunt. How neat is that? Plus, she knew how to knock back a scotch on the rocks. I want to be her when I'm 65!

All Heath, All the time

I've been watching the news about his death and it's really just so sad. I keep thinking about his daughter and family and think how sad it is for them. It just seems so sad that he was alive at least an hour and a half before he was found dead. I know I always wonder about my mom and when it happened and if there was anything I could have done...(for those of you not in the know...I was the one that found her and it was probably the most terrifying experiences of my life). I do have to admit I am surprised by how much press this has generated. I guess it is a combination of his age, how it happened, and the fact that he is going to be in one of the biggest movies of the year. Oh well, it's just sad.

Sunday update

As I sit here, the roommie and her bf are playing Guitar Hero. I played earlier and at first I did not like the game much at all. It has since grown on me. I believe I am going to have Guitar Hero arm tomorrow because I am already a little sore. The roommie is currently alternating between "oooh Lord," "F*ckers," and "oh my hands." Too funny. I have to admit it probably isn't a good sign that I broke a sweat sitting down playing a video game.

A Whole New World...

My father and some family friends (Lee's parents) came down to visit me this weekend and they brought me a new mattress for my bed. Dear Lord. My previous mattress was terrible. I have told people it was like sleeping on a bed of sticks and crickets...because it sounded like crickets and felt like sticks. Very uncomfortable and terribly loud. I tried out the new bed for a nap today and I think it is going to be AWESOME. As you know, I have trouble sleeping and this is sure to help. It really brings home how bad the last mattress was.

On a side note, the roommie's bf came to visit and he is a chef and he made the most delicious brunch this morning...vegetable frittata; grits made with chicken stock, milk and cheese; homemade biscuits and sausage gravy. mmmm-mmmmm. He is also about to make an apple pie. He should just move here. He doesn't even have to pay rent. Thanks, Matt!

To date or not to date

Someone told me that I'm not even trying. To date, that is. It's true. I'm not. It's much easier to pretend that guys don't exist than to be rejected. I don't write this post to elicit sympathy or online denials...because the plain truth is that I am not fit to date. Seriously, I am just too...I'm going to say it...right now...okay, in a minute...fat. Why would anyone want to date me? You know what happens when you're overweight (but not grossly so)? You become invisible. People just don't see you. Of course my friends see me, but other people don't. It's amazing to be so easily dismissed. I'm pretty used to it. If you haven't ever experienced this, then it is hard to explain. It's like people look right through you because they are trying to find something else to see. Wow. No more of this kind of posting. I want to delete this, but I am just going to stick with being honest.

A snippet of saturday...

Okay, so I mentioned that I went roller skating over the weekend. Let me be very clear. I'm not good at roller skating. We paid $8 to get in and doing the math, I skated a dollar a lap. I remember skating as a child and either my memory is faulty or I'm old. I have a feeling it's because I'm old. Really old. There was this one guy (perhaps mid-40s?)gliding around the rink...backwards. Show-off. I really didn't want to suffer a traumatic injury or pull a muscle, so I sat on the sidelines and stayed safe. I do have a few observations from this experience though:

It is amazing what people will let their children do...or what they will do themselves. Over the course of two hours I saw...
- people whipping around the rink pushing strollers. Strollers - with actual babies in them. Does this seem safe to you?
- little children (2+) wandering onto the rink being narrowly avoided by unsteady older children wobbling on four little wheels.
- a basic failure in listening by parents and children. Example? They conducted the ever so charming skate and foot races and the children couldn't seem to follow any directions and it took forever to complete these competitions...although I must point out that a competition seems to imply that a person may be recognized as a winner and receive a prize. Nothing like this happened. As far as I am concerned if there is no prize then there is no contest.

All in all, I had a good time and encourage you to visit your local roller skating establishment and witness the demise of America and generally embarrass yourself.

Just a few days ago...

So, from my last post you may have put your thinking caps on and realized that I was slightly down. I didn't have the best week. Things at work are kind of in flux and I am dealing with a lot of extra responsibility. I was in such a bad mood that this bled into my personal life and I was feeling quite cranky and I let everyone know it. Ha. Lucky them. So, I had a bit of a breakdown on Friday and Jenny listened to me boo-hoo and crying made me feel better, but I was still down. I had said I was going to go out dancing that night, but I bailed and proceeded to spend my evening on my couch wallowing. Roach showed up and he wallowed with me. Then it happened. 20/20 came on and the topic of the show was...wait for it...Happiness. No sh*t. I watched about half of it and I started to feel a little perkier. And then I was off. I got off the couch, took a shower, put on some clothes and makeup, prodded Roach into going out and we ended up at a local club dancing until 3am. Surprisingly, I felt pretty good yesterday and several of my friends ended up roller skating (I know!). Had dinner last night with some people that I haven't formally met, but I knew of them. On our way home, got a call from Jenny and ended up playing pool with her and her new BF and Roach. Today we went to the Birmingham Museum of Art and had lunch and saw the Pompeii exhibit. Wow! Big weekend, but I feel good! I guess I just needed to get out and stop thinking about work. I going to try and keep this feeling going into next weekend.

The Hard Truth

What makes me miserable is paving the way for other's happiness. True Story.

It's not rocket science

I have been blessed (or cursed depending on how you look at it) with scanning technology at the last two jobs I have had spanning 2000-present. You know, a laser scanner that you might see someone using in the grocery store or Wal-mart. Why is it that people of all walks of life just can't master this apparently baffling piece of technology? I have spent the past seven years observing people not using the common sense that I hope God gave them. Both jobs allowed members/patrons to scan their own card (you know - the old key chain cards) and either check-in (at the gym) or check out books. Here are the ways people fail to use this easy device:

1. the laser line is horizontal and they hold their card vertically - imagine a + sign. It's just not going to work, people.
2. in their panic to get the scanner to beep they furiously wave the card back in forth at warp speed and usually throw their card down and proclaim the "damn thing" "broken"
3. a surprising number of people fail to even attempt to match the laser line to the barcode at all. It takes all the restraint I have in me not to wack them up side the head and say "seriously? You have NEVER seen how this works? On which planet do you reside?"
4. Or my personal favorite: the person who looks at the self check or the scanner and they throw their hands up and proclaim that it looks too hard and couldn't you just do it for them? That I believe is more telling of the state of our country than anything else.

Kind of exciting

I joined a book club! I'm such a nerd! I work in a library, yet I can't get enough of books. Most of the people in the group are fellow librarians ~ does that make this a professional book club? Anyhoo, our first selection is Atonement by Ian McEwan (you know the movie just came out...and it was 40% off at Barnes & Noble). After that we will be reading The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult and Capote in Kansas by Kim Powers. They all sound like good choices so you should read along if you get a chance.

Copycat

So I have seen several people recap 2007, so I have decided to do this...except when I tried to do this, there really wasn't that much to recap. I spent a large portion of early 2007 (January-May) freaking out about Summer Reading and whether or not I would have a job after it was all over. I spent June and July working Summer Reading and praying for it to end and for it to be successful. August was a recharging month and the beginning of some very stressful events. September continued the trend and what could go wrong with my friends' lives did. October and November were more of the same, but I went to the doctor and laid off the caffeine (almost 3 months and counting without the stuff) and things started looking up. Unfortunately, several people passed away towards the end of the year and that was, and continues, to be hard to understand and to get through. December was good as it is my favorite time of the year. And that's it. Kind of sad when you look at it. Maybe 2008 will be more eventful and in the good way.