Done!

Just a quick note -- I've finished "The Other Boleyn Girl"! I'm now working on "The Lost Symbol", but I can't wait to read my next Philippa Gregory book. I have a feeling I've read her best one, but she may surprise me...

T minus 7 days until Nick is home!!

My bro is hanging out this weekend and the beginning of next week, so that will be fun -- I think the time will go by fast.

Happy almost Friday everyone!

Anyone want a Mac Mini?

Mac Mini is up for sale!

Reading and cleaning today. I suppose I'll mow the lawn... it needs it, but I REALLY don't want to.

I am determined to finish "The Other Boleyn Girl" today -- wish me luck!

I love fall!

My favorite time of year

Well Autumn doesn't officially start until next week, but apparently Mother Nature didn't get the memo. That's fine by me! I prefer the cool, crisp days of fall to the hot, skanky days of summer. Bring it on fall! Apples, cinnamon sugar doughnuts, spiked cider and "Sleepy Hollow" (the one with Johnny Depp, of course) are the ingredients of a perfect fall day. That may or may not happen this weekend. There is so much to accomplish!

I've decided to finish "The Other Boleyn Girl" before I get back into "The Lost Symbol". "The Other Boleyn Girl" is so hard to put down that I may as well just finish it. Although I lost my self control and watched the movie on Netflix last night, I don't think the book is ruined. I'm a little peeved about the blatant lack of historical accuracy regarding Henry VIII and the Boleyn girls, but I'll let it slide for the entertainment value.

I also discovered my new favorite British comedy: "Coupling". The main guy is played by Jack Davenport (Norrington in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies). It's so funny and extremely easy to follow. Sometimes our American senses of humor are too slow to catch on to the British jokes, but that is not the case with this show. I don't think it will replace my classic favorites such as "Keeping Up Appearance" or "Are You Being Served?" or "Blackadder", but it is definitely up there.

So on the agenda: reading, cleaning, possibly disc golf, maybe apples, and hopefully some Halloween Costume shopping. Happy Saturday everyone!

Business time

So tonight, instead of reading, I opted to meet my friends Lynelle and Chris to celebrate the Royal Oak Brewery's 11th Anniversary. We had a wonderful time and it was lots of fun. For those of you who don't know, the ROB (as we call it) is our version of Cheers. Everyone knows our name.

I did read a few pages of "The Other Boleyn Girl" during my break and during lunch, but that's it.

I'm exhausted. Here's something entertaining for you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGOohBytKTU&feature=autofb

Gotta love Flight of the Conchords!

2 weeks and one day until Nick is home!

Progress

Well, I made it to page 82, Chapter 20, and I'm spent. I just don't have the reading endurance I once had. Oh well, it will last longer this way.

The Other Boleyn Girl progress: 263/663 -- only 400 pages to go!

The Lost Symbol progress: 82/509

Until tomorrow...

It's here!

Here it is!

I'm ready to get started on it. I wonder how much I can get through tonight... I may have to FORCE myself to go to bed!

I also picked up some free Penzey's spices today before running into the bookstore. I love Penzey's! Their spices are the best, and they send free coupons. I saved almost $7!

Off to read... and no, I haven't finished "The Other Boleyn Girl", she'll have to wait.

Weekend productiveness

This weekend, my main project has been moving my life from my Mini Mac desktop computer to my new MacBook Pro (Anniversary present). I am now waiting for the re-install on the Mini Mac to finish so I can put it up for sale. I'll post the ebay link here later on, if anyone is interested. While waiting for things to download and upload, I did make a lot of progress on cleaning the office -- not enough progress for pictures quite yet though. I also did some cooking:

Bread for my brother-in-law:

Homemade Chewy Granola Bars:

Roast beef with potatoes and carrots in the crockpot, which I ate one serving of and packaged the rest up for dinners for the week:

And this is how I am getting my exercise. I figured instead of laying around on the couch to watch my Netflix, I may as well do something productive:

Of course, I am still going strong on my book:

I was hoping to get more of it read this weekend so that I would have it finished before starting "The Lost Symbol" on Tuesday, but I may just have to pick it up after that one is finished. "The Lost Symbol" takes priority. Sorry Philippa!

Well, the Mini Mac is ready to go back into its box and it's time for me to go to bed!

My Personal Reading Olympics

I saw the movie "Julie and Julia" over Labor Day weekend and two things happened.

First, I had to run out and buy "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" by Julia Child, Simone Beck, and Louisette Bertholle. I can't wait to start cooking some of the recipes!

Second, it got me thinking about how to handle the overwhelming task of completing an enormous list. Julie's list was 500+ recipes. My list is 63 books (an counting because "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown comes out next week and I will probably "acquire" more books before I finish the 63 currently in my stack). I already know that some of these books are crap. But, I said I would read them and read them I will!

Hopefully keeping this blog updated through the process will help keep me motivated to press on! Hopefully I will actually keep this blog updated... :)

First up: "The Other Boleyn Girl" By Philippa Gregory, on loan from Kristina Kerrigan.

Backpacking season is almost here!

So, I'm not sure if anyone even reads this blog anymore since I update it so infrequently, but I wanted to share a few pictures from our weekend hikes at Maybury Park in Northville (holy run-on sentence Batman!).  We get all geared up and hike around for an hour or two to get in shape for the backpacking season.  These pictures are from Easter Sunday.

*There is a snake in the bottom picture.  It is kind of hard to see, but believe me:  it is there.  We saw three that day!

Cool reuseable bag!

Hi all!

Kroger is hosting the Design a Reusable Shopping Bag Contest. Please view my design and vote for it before May 15.  Show your support and vote for this design.

To vote, visit
http://www.designareusablebag.com/vote-for-designs/bag.aspx?BagId=9932&banner=kroger

I love free shipping and American Eagle!

Free shipping at American Eagle!   Today through Sunday.  Anyone want to buy me an Easter present? :)

Enter code: 78965034 at checkout.

Also, they are still having their buy one top get another top half off -- that includes clearance.

I love American Eagle :)  My little bro and I pretty much keep them in business...

Hmmm...

Look what I found in my bag of chocolate chips:

Spartans are perverts...

Un verre de vin rouge, sil vous plait.

Settle in, this is going to be a long one...

France Trip

On Saturday morning, our Air France flight arrived at Charles De Gaulle in Paris.  After a long taxi in from the landing strip, a long tram ride in from the plane and a long wait for our luggage, we finally made our way into Paris on the RER Line B.  We navigated the RER and the metro with relative ease and arrived at our hotel, Hotel du Cadran, just after 10:30am.  Although it was early, they had our room ready and we were able to check in and take a shower, which was fantastic.  

After freshening up, we went exploring.  Our hotel was very close to the Eiffel Tower, so that was the first place we went.  Seeing the tower for the first time is always an amazing experience.  I think it was just as amazing this time as it was the first time, six years ago.  

After walking the length of the "mall" area to the tower, we went in search of food.  We ended up finding a great little Brasserie just around the corner from the tower.  We shared escargot, which was a very different experience than at home as you are required to dig the snail out of its sauce-filled shell with a tiny fork.  Nick eventually got the hang of it and I got an entertaining video (which I unfortunately shot sideways, like a moron).  For our meal, Nick had steak and frites and I had chicken, which, although dark meat, was fantastic.  Thankfully, the waiter steered me clear of the beef tartare, which I later found out is raw hamburger meat with a raw egg on top.  I also had mayonaise with my frites, which seemed to be a lot tangier than I remembered.  The best part of the experience was our waiter, Jonathan.  He spoke to us in English, tried teaching us a little French, recommended great wines and had an excellent personality.  After lunch, we crossed the Seine to head for the Arc de Triomphe.  On the way, we passed the Palais du Tokyo, which is in an awful state.  The building and sculptures were covered in grafiti and the area is now a hangout for teenagers and skateboarders.  So sad.  We eventually reached the Arc, which was exactly how I remembered it.  We didn't end up going inside, due to the lines.  After that, we walked down Champs Elysees, looked in a few shops and people-watched.  We took a rest on a bench near Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt and chatted with a friendly, middle-age Frenchman on rollerblades.  At this point, we were exhausted.  We headed back up toward the Arc and stopped in a bar and had a few drinks.  At the bar, we were able to get directions to the Hard Rock Cafe and went there for dinner.  After dinner, we went back to the area of our hotel, Champs de Mars, and had one more drink outside at one of the cafes.  It was a very long day, but a great one.  Nick's favorite thing was the accordian player on the way in from the airport on the train.  Although he was asking for money, we didn't mind giving him a little for getting us in the mood for Paris.

On Sunday, we slept in until about 9:30am, showered and had breakfast in the basement of the hotel.  The breakfast room was really cool, with an old-looking stone ceiling and modern furniture.  I had ham, brie, baguette and coffee.  Nick had ham, cheese, a croissant and coffee.  After breakfast, we checked out and went to pick up our train tickets to Lyon and to stash our luggage for the day.  We had no problem getting our tickets, but stashing our luggage was a different story.  The luggage storage area (lockers) at Gare de Lyon was closed due to a techinal malfunction with the x-ray machine.  The only other place I could think to stash our lugggage was Gare du Nord.  Thankfully, that one was open and after dropping our luggage, we were finally on our way to the Louvre.  We had a quick lunch in the food court area of the Louvre shops before going into the museum.  

Being the first Sunday of the month, we were able to visit the Louvre for free, along with many, many other people.  We went straight to the Mona Lisa, which is not impressive, but a must-see when visiting.  During the rest of our visit we walked through the European paintings (to find the nipple-tweakers) and the italian sculptures.  

After just a few hours, we had seen all that our brains could manage and went to Notre Dame.  I think Nortre Dame was Nick's favorite part of our trip, and I pretty much have to agree.  Being Sunday, mass was going on while we were there and there were tons of people.  We walked through the whole cathedral, through the niches and even in a small museum full of relics, artifacts and clothing.  The most interesting thing in that area was what appeared to be a leg bone, but we couldn't tell whose leg bone it may have been.  After walking all the way around the outside of Nortre Dame, it was time to go back to pick up our luggage and take the train to Lyon.  We made it back to Gare du Lyon in plenty of time to catch our train, so we went to a small cafe in the station for a drink and baguette for dinner.  We were in Frist Class on the train, but ended up spending most of the trip in the train bar.  Kristina and Ben met us on the platform at Gare Part Dieu in Lyon and drove us to their apartment.  Their apartment is a very decent size for a city like Lyon with two bathrooms, two toilets, three bedrooms, a kitchen and a large living/dining room.  After some drinks and visiting, we went to bed.

Monday, we had lunch at a very good pizza place.  Kristina took us to see Old Lyon, which is a site with two amphitheaters and other ruins that date from BC and were built by the Roman Gauls.  We also visited a large church on the hill called Fourviere Basilica, and was built in the 1800s.  Although the church is relatively new compared to Notre Dame and the Amphitheaters, it was still amazing.  The inside was filled with intricate mosaics of various Bible stores.  Gold is a popular color inside the church and it seems to make the inside glow.  Kristina said it is even more amazing when the sun shines in on the gold, but the sun was not out that day.  We also went into the crypt, with was really more like a chapel.

  After visiting the church, we stopped at a small cafe on the hill next to the church for an

 espresso.  The cafe has a beautiful view of the city and it was so nice to sit there and take it all in.  That night, Kristina had volleyball practice, so Ben took us to dinner.  We went to a street that had many cafes to choose from.  The one we chose was somewhat small and had a bar.  After dinner, we went to the Rambler, which was a decent, but empty, Irish Pub.

Tuesday, Nick drove Ben's car and he and Kristina and I went to Geneva, Switzerland, which was about an hour and 45 minutes from Lyon.  We walked around for a bit after finding parking and had lunch at a place called The Spaghetti Factory, which was excellent.  After lunch, we went to the Saint-Pierre Archeological Site.  The site is located below the current cathedral and has been excavated during the last 30 years.  They have been able to trace the area and artifacts back to around 100 BC.  The site was amazing and definitely one of my favorites from this trip.  After exploring the site, we went into the church over it and into the towers.  The view from the towers was amazing and gave us a beautiful picture of Geneva.  

Nick and I also took the opportunity, while in Switzerland, to buy Swatch watches, which I think are very good souveniers from our trip.  We drove back to Lyon and went to the 

St. James Irish Pub, which is a very cool bar and a favorite of Ben and Kristina.  On the way home, we grabbed Kebobs for dinner, which are actually more like Gyros.  

Wednesday Ben only had practice in the morning, so after he came home, we went to a winery just outside Lyon.  The winery we went to was Georges DuBeouf and is in the Beaulojais region.  It is a huge estate filled with a cave, museum, and many gardens.  Since we didn't have a ton of time, we just went to the museum, which was quite extensive, but in need of updating.  At the end of the museum tour was a large wine tasting area with a bar.  We tasted several wines, but didn't find any we were crazy about.  

Despite that, we still bought a bottle for my collection.  On the way home, we grabbed a snack at McDonalds.  We hadn't had lunch, had lots of wine and were going to have a late dinner, so it was necessary.  Back in Lyon, we had dinner at L'Est, where we were treated to complimentary soup and a dessert because one of the waiters recognized Ben (Ben is a professional basketball player in Lyon, but he is not French, he's American).  After dinner, we had a quick drink at a restaurant/club called Boudoir.

Thursday we slept in late.  We had lunch at a place called Hippopotamus and visited Saint Jean Cathedral, which is just at the bottom of the hill from Fourviere Basilica, but much older.  On the way home, the three of us had a mini pub crawl at James' Joyce Pub, St. James Pub, and the Smoking Dog.  We met up with ben at Caffe Milano for dinner and had some excellent Italian food.  That night, we packed up and prepared to say goodbye to Lyon.

Friday morning, Kristina, Nick and I got up early to catch a train back to Paris.  Although the train was 30 minutes late, we still got to Paris at a decent time.  We went directly to our hotel, but because we were early, we were not able to check in, so we stashed our luggage in the hotel luggage room.  From there, we walked toward Notre Dame, stopping for lunch at a small cafe across from the Pompidou Museum.  There were a few less people at Notre Dame because it was Friday, but it was still decently crowded.  It was nice to visit the cathedral one more time.  From there we took a train to Versailles and visited the Chateau.  We went into the gardens, around the palace, and took an audio tour in the palace.  By the time we left, all three of us were completely mentally and physically exhausted.  7 days of walking had taken its toll.  Before going back to Paris to check into the hotel, we had a few drinks at a Tex Mex restaurant next to the train station.  We then went back to Paris, checked into the hotel, and had KFC for dinner before going to the Scottish Pub (The Auld Alliance).  It was almost exactly as I remembered it, but not quite the same without my 40 travel companions from Term In Europe.  Saturday morning, Nick and I got up early again to go to the airport.  Our trip was over and we were heading home.

Eating children?

I have to start out by talking about something that annoys the ever living SH*T out of me, and that is when people say thinks like "She's so cute, I could just eat her up!" or "Look at those little cheeks, I just want to bite them!".  What. The. Hell.  There is something wrong with people.  Children are not for eating.  They are for carrying on the human race and all that stuff.  Unfortunately the next generation of adults is going to be pretty sad considering the way most people raise their children these days.  I think it would do society a great deal of good to require people to take classes and get a license in order to have children.  Just like driving a car.  Kids today have no discipline and are spoiled little brats.  I'm speaking generally.  Chances are, if I know you personally, I think your kids are alright and you're doing a decent job with them, with a few exceptions.  But please, stop saying you want to eat them.  That's just wrong.

Moving on.  We went to the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts) last weekend.  I've lived in Michigan for 10 years now (well, 10 years in August) and I've lived in Metro Detroit for almost 6 years, but I've never been to the DIA.  What a fantastic place!  We only spent two hours there and only scratched the surface.  The place is small compared to say, The Louvre, but it would still take several visits to really see everything.  I have a short attention span and am not used to standing around and walking for 2+ hours.  I know, I'm lame.  You would think I wouldn't be since I go to the gym for an hour everyday.  I digress.  Anyway, this is my favorite painting:

This is Nick's favorite painting:

Other than that, not too much going on really.  I've been reading that Teddy Roosevelt bio that I've tried to read three times before.  It seems I'm going to be successful this time.  The Roosevelts are fascinating people.  The book is called "Mornings on Horseback" by David McCullough, if you're interested.

Speaking of books, even though this isn't about a book, let's talk about the Royal Oak Library.  The first time I went there, I borrowed a movie, a cd, and two books.  The movie was due back a week later and the cd and two books were due back three weeks later.  A week later, I returned the movie and the cd because I was done with it.  When I got the return reminder email for the two books, the cd was still indicated as being out.  When I returned the books, I talked to the old bag at the front desk and told her I had returned it two weeks ago to the obnoxious blue box outside.  She said should couldn't remove it from my account just because I said I returned it.  UGH!  So, I have to be punished because the morons they have working there lost the cd.  BS!  If they try to charge me for it, I'm going to have a cow.  I could probably buy them a replacement copy on Ebay for one cent.  It's a old cd.  Their movie and cd collection pretty much blow anyway.  Most of their books are old and stained and nasty too.  They just renovated the place, they could have sprung for some replacement books too.  I have a French book out right now that looks like it was given a swirly and then took a swim in the Detroit river.  I shouldn't have even taken it out, I'll probably contract scurvy from it or something.

Wow, I have a lot to bitch about!  I have a lot of bitching related to the gym, but I'll save that for another time.  I'll go there right now so I can get some more material :)

I'm here

Sorry for not updating this!  I'm here!  Been doing lots of Facebooking and Ebaying.  I wish I had something witty and profound to write, but it's not that kind of day.

It IS the kind of day when it will be almost 50 degrees!  I am extremely happy about that :)  The cats aren't though -- they think it's raining.  It is also the kind of day where I get new furniture!  We're buying new dressers from IKEA today!  We've been using hand-me-downs for the past six years or so and they were pretty crappy, so we're looking forward to getting some new stuff.  I know IKEA quality isn't top of the line, but we're on a budget and they will suit us just fine.  Our bed came from IKEA and that has held up pretty well over the years.

I guess the biggest news since I last wrote is that I started eating meat again!  I did the vegetarian thing for over a year and learned a lot, but it was just time.  My body wants meat

and meat it shall have!  I learned to appreciate vegetables and fruit and beans a lot more though and still plan to incorporate them heavily into my diet.  I just have to say that turkey bacon is delicious!  So is spinach and goat cheese stuffed chicken breast from the Royal Oak Brewery...

I finished the Julie Andrews book -- loved it!  I can't wait until she writes the rest of her memoirs.  I started "Holy Blood Holy Grail" but I'm having a hard time getting into it and it is supposed to go back on Tuesday.  I might give up at this time and try again later.  I might give that Teddy Roosevelt bio another stab...

Wine recommendation:  Bota Box Cabernet.  Seriously.  It comes in a box, yes, but it is great for the price.  It is $18.99 and has the equivalent amount to four 750 ml bottles of wine.  You can't beat it.  Thanks to Chris and Sara for the heads up!

Happiness is a state of mind...

Being unemployed is depressing, I've decided.  I am trying to will myself to be less depressed about it by concentrating on my housewife duties.  So far, it seems to be working.  Happiness is a state of mind.  I WILL be happy!  Today I am happy because I am meeting my Lapwing ladies for lunch.  It's only been two weeks, but it feels like it has been much longer.  I am also happy about the new book I'm reading, "Home: A Memoir of my Early Years" by Julie Andrews.  It is a fantastic book.  I've always been a big fan of hers as a singer and actress but didn't realize what a talent she has for writing.  Apparently she writes children's books, I wonder how those are?

"Absolute Power" was a wonderful book, but a terrible movie.  Do not waste your time seeing it.  Unfortunately it shows Clint Eastwood does not always equal success...

I've spent the past several days scanning in old pictures and posting them on Facebook.  I'm trying to clean things out and throw things away.  I don't think it is necessary to keep old pictures of my wrecked Chevy Beretta around...

Here is one of my favorite pictures.  It is of me, at about 2 years old -- look at those cheeks!

I've also decided that I am determined to learn to play the violin.  I bought one just after we got back from Japan and haven't touched it.  Yesterday I learned how to set up the bridge, tune (which didn't work -- I may need to buy a tuner, the online one is strange), and rosin the bow.  I managed to get sounds from it that didn't cause blood to spurt from my ears, so that's a positive thing.  I do not plan to take formal lessons.  I hope to gather the information I need online and at the library.  It should be interesting!

I better be off to get ready for lunch!

I have no good excuse for why I have not written in several days.  It's not like I've been busy working!  Last Friday, I FINALLY signed the paperwork I needed to sign and got out of there.  On the way home, I stopped at Nonie's house for some liquid consolement (I know, not a word) and good conversation.  I could easily have sat in Nonie's comfy chair all night drinking glass after glass of wine, but we had a date with Mexican Town!  Sean, Laurie, Nick and I headed down and met up with Reuben and Rob and had a wonderful time.  I think we went through 5 pitchers of Margaritas...

Saturday night I got to see my old friend that I haven't seen in about 6 or 7 years, Tim.  Tim and I used to hang out Freshmen year at Northwood, with his roommate Josh, watching Christmas Vacation over and over again while drinking Pucker.  Good times.  Tim was in town for the auto show -- he currently lives in Chicago and works as a freelance journalist.  Although it was short, it's always nice to see an old friend.  

This week has been pretty uneventful.  I filed for unemployment on Monday and went to Michigan Works! on Tuesday.  What a depressing place that is.  Even the exclamation point at the end of their name doesn't make it any less gloomy in that place.  I've been going to the gym every day, knitting and reading an awesome book, "Absolute Power".  Nick read it before I did and wants to rent the movie off of Xbox Live, so I figured I'd read it too.  It's awesome!  You must read it.  Don't worry Nonie, I'm going back to your book after this one is done, which should be tomorrow :)

I'm also ebaying again!  I just sold something this morning and want to ship it out today.  However, I don't ship until I get payment and I was hoping I could run errands and drop this baby off at the post office at the same time.  If I don't get paid soon, that isn't going to happen today, which isn't the end of the world, I suppose.

Well, my tea's getting cold (blueberry green tea, thanks for leaving it at Lapwing, Michele!) so I'll end it here for today :)

Come on, already...

Sitting here waiting for my final check and paperwork.  Lapwing closes today.  They told us hours ago that we're being let go today and here we sit.  Come on, already.

I knew yesterday that I was going to be let go today, even though I wasn't supposed to know.  So, Nick and I had a pity party for me at the Royal Oak Brewery.  Thankfully our buddy Charlie was bartending, so he cheered us up with some fermented adult beverage cheer.

Tonight we're off to Mexicantown!  Mexicantown is an area of Detroit where, you guessed it, there are lots of Mexicans and burritos and churros and margaritas.  I think a margarita and some TORTILLA CHIPS and salsa are just what the doctor ordered.

I think I'll just continue to write this entry until they give me my check.

What else can we talk about?  Hmmm...  Oh!  I can tell you about my experience at Game Stop the other night!  I had to go in while Nick drove around because Royal Oak has a plethora of shops and bars and restaurants and what-not and only about 10 parking spots in the whole place.  Makes no sense.  So after I waited in line for 4 years, 39 days, 6 hours and 3 minutes, I was finally able to make my purchase.  The guy working there was a talker.  In the time that I was in there (which was more like 20 minutes or so) I found out that the guy is 20 years old, has a one year old puppy, used to date a girl with an autistic kid or brother, goes to school, and had to clean the place before he left for the night.  DUDE.  GIVE ME MY DAMN HEADSET AND LET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!  Next time, I'll drive and Nick can run in.

It's hard to write a blog when I'm not feeling at my full wittyness. :(

Maybe I will write more after I get my stuff.  Or maybe I'll be too busy enjoying adult beverages at that time... :)

mmmm Tortilla Chips

It's only 9am and I've already learned a valuable lesson today:  Tortilla chips and coffee do not really go well together...  I have equal love for them on their own, but together... no.  Perhaps because of this realization, I will be able to control myself and save my tortilla chips for lunch or a snack as was originally intended.  I can't not have coffee in the AM, so that part won't change.  

This is further proof that I enjoy tortilla chips entirely too much and too often.  I just remembered that I didn't have any yesterday, so maybe I am making progress of some kind?  In case you were wondering, Garden Fresh Gourmet Tortilla Chips are the best.  Don't argue, Grampah Mahk...

I've found a way to appreciate the snow, and it is this:  When it snows, I get to wear my LL Bean boots.  For those of you in the glove state, I'm talking about duck boots, except better.  I'll post a picture below so that we're all on the same page here.

As you can see, they are hideously ugly.  I love them.  I am going to start a trend similar to the vomit-inducing Ugg Boot trend, only it will be with LL Bean Boots.  Run out and buy a pair now so you can be a part of this trend.  (http://www.llbean.com)

I have to report that I did, in fact, make it to the gym last night!  As predicted, 8pm is the time when everyone in my neighborhood tucks their ankle-biters into bed or irons undergarments.  The gym wasn't empty, but it wasn't off the hook either.  My favorite elliptical machine was open and that is really what mattered most.  Thankfully I had a magazine to look at because someone had the TV set to that show where a man travels all over the world eating clam lungs and drinking whale urine martinis.  I couldn't watch it.  I've been known to eat a chicken testicle (Japan -- thanks for that, by the way, Ken) and I enjoy raw sushi and eel, but this guy eats stuff that just shouldn't be eaten.  Anyway, I digress.

The Vegan Mexican Lasagna was good, except that I de-veganized it by smothering it in cheese.  I'm not entirely sure that was necessary.  Maybe next time I will skip the cheese.

Thanks for all of the comments about the blog -- here, on email and on Facebook.  I'm having a blast blogging again and I'm glad you guys are out there reading my random, senseless musings :)

Let it snow?? NO

I know it's too early to complain about snow, being that it is only January, but enough already.  I think I need to move to a warmer climate.  That won't happen anytime soon, so I should just deal.  Here's another thing to complain about:  Michigan drivers.  Listen up.  Get off of your cell phone, remove your head from your rear end and DRIVE!  But, not 2 inches from my bumper, please, I don't trust you to stop on time.  Another pointless complaint since there is nothing I can do about that either.

My desk is quite messy, and I'm not exactly sure why.

As all of you as my witness -- I AM GOING TO THE GYM TONIGHT!  I will beat the New Year Resolution gym-goers off the elliptical machine with my ipod headphones if that's what it takes, but by God I will work out!!  My plan of attack is to wait until about an hour before the gym closes.  Hopefully all of the other people will be home putting their kids to bed or ironing their underwear for tomorrow or whatever people in my neighborhood do.  I'll let you know how I make out!

Vegan Mexican Lasagna for dinner -- I'll let you know how that turns out too :)  Shhh... don't tell Nick it's Vegan.  :)

The final thing I'd like to share is a logo I created for my dad's racing team.  What do you think?  Maybe I should go into graphic design...

This is copyright, by the way.  Because I said so.  Fear my wrath.  Seriously.

I need more coffee.

Fixed! (Maybe...)

I heard there was a problem posting comments so I opened up comments to anyone.  Hopefully that works.  If you don't want to sign up, just make sure to sign your name after your comment so I know who it's from :)

I'm currently drinking coffee from my 24oz Biggby cup my crazy (in a good way) boss Amy gave me for Christmas.  It's going to be a wonderful caffeine-filled day!  Thanks Amykins! 

I should blog.

I think I should blog again.  I have a full account of the six months of my life that I was in Japan because I blogged.  I like to post things and have people comment on them.  So I should blog.

So, here I am at work.  Blogging.  Work is kind of a dark place filled with uncertainty mixed with dread a side of indigestion.  We ate too much at Honey Tree again.  We lost our main account.  We don't know how long this place will stay open.  Michigan is a terrible place to be out of a job right now.

On the flip side I just had the best holiday I've had in a long time.  I went home to Maine and spent lots of quality time with my mum and my LL Bean boots.  I ate lots of pizza and lots of lobster and as a result I need to spent lots of time at the gym now, but that's ok.  After a two day long drive back to Michigan, hubs and I chilled out for a few days, attended a Rock Band New Year party, drank too much, and I woke up under a Christmas tree.  

So now your turn.  How was your holiday?  Any ideas for employment for me?  Remember, I need to go to the gym so anything that involves a mini-skirt or spankies will not be considered...