7 & 8

Day Seven: Four turn offs.

1. Passive Aggression.  Either have the courage and conviction to say what's on your mind or keep it to yourself. 
2. Close talkers. Respect the personal space people. 
3. Apathy. I don't understand people who are indifferent to the world and people around them.  I don't understand people who don't vote. 
4. Debbie Downers.  You know those people who are never happy.  I hate that.

And because I'm a day late with Day Seven and it would suck to end on a negative note (and because I really want to finish this series), how about we do Day Eight today too?

 

Day Eight: Three Turn Ons.

1. Passion.  Whether it's a love for art, food, football or Star Wars, I love a person who pursues that which they love wholeheartedly and with passion. 
2. A good appetite. I love to eat. I love people who love to eat, too. Picky eaters and "I'll just have a salad" people make me sad.  I feel like they're missing so much. I love people who love a great meal and like to try new restaurants. 
3. A sense of humor.  Who doesn't like to laugh? 

day seven postponed

I realize I'm supposed to post Day Seven of my 10 day blogging series today.  Here's the thing - it's not going to happen. 

I must admit, I'm really losing my enthusiasm for this series.  It's not that I mind blogging every day, but I'm not enjoying the topics anymore. I'm tired of talking about myself. It's becoming a big fat snooze.  I'm looking forward to the end of the series so I can go back to blogging about important, relevant topics - like TV, food and football.  :) 

However, that's not why I haven't written a Day Seven post.  This is:

I read The Hunger Games this weekend. Just like everyone assured me I would, I LOVED it.  (After reading a plot summary of the book, I decided it wasn't for me.  If you've been thinking the same thing, YOU'RE WRONG. Read this. Soon.) 

I'm on the waiting list for Catching Fire (the follow up to The Hunger Games) at the library. I tried to exercise some patience and wait for the book to become available.  That lasted about 24 hours.  Last night, I decided I could wait no longer and had to go buy the book.  I made it to Barnes & Noble as they were locking the door.  I nearly cried in the parking lot. 

Needless to say, Barnes & Noble was my first stop as soon as I left work tonight. I made dinner, went to the gym, did some laundry and watched the Britney episode of Glee. (How awesome was that episode?  Instant classic. Loved it. And dang, Glee Brittany can dance!)

Now it's almost 11:30 and I'm determined to start Catching Fire before I go to bed.

Hopefully I'll get to my Day Seven post tomorrow.  My likelihood of success depends largely on whether I finish Catching Fire tonight. :) 

Peace out, Girl Scouts! 

day six

Day Six: Five people who mean a lot to me. 

I could easily post a picture of my family here and call it a post, but that's not really interesting to read. So, I'm making up my own Day Six topic.  I'm going to list the five shows I'm most excited to watch this fall. 

Dexter

30 Rock

Big Bang Theory

Modern Family

The Good Wife

on the fifth day

Day Five: Six things you wish you could change or you wish you’d never done.

1. I wish I'd never put a ceramic baking dish in the oven with the layer of plastic wrap under the tin foil. And I really wish I'd never had to spend 20 minutes scrubbing melted plastic off the dish. Not what I call a fun Friday night activity.
2. I wish I could change the casting of the movie The Help. I cannot fathom what led them to cast Emma Stone as Skeeter.  I just don't see it.
3. I wish I had never discovered the calorie content of Panera's asiago cheese bagel.  Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.
4. I wish I could change the ending of Gilmore Girls. The season finale was three years ago but I'm still bitter about how they ended things.  Rory and Logan should have ended up together.  I would have liked Lorelai to end up with Christopher but that's just me.  I own all seven seasons of Gilmore Girls on DVD.  I've seen every episode numerous times - except the finale.  I watched it the night it aired and I've never watched it again.  (I really need to get a life. I'm way too invested in a show that ended in 2007.  For the love.)
5. I wish I had never taken a pilates class.  I was perfectly happy being unaware of my core.  The class only lasted an hour but the pain lasted for five days. If you ask me, that's not exercise - it's torture. 
6. I wish I could change my husband's mind about Scrabble.  I love it. He hates it so much he bought me a Scrabble computer game for Christmas so he didn't have to play with me anymore.  Not sure if that was sweet or mean.

day four

Today is Day Four in the 10 Day Blogging Series.  Today's topic: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.

1. Why did I cut my hair? Hate stupid short hair.  Jealous of pretty long hair.
2. I should really go to the gym.  Followed immediately by the thought...Nah, tomorrow.
3. Is it Friday yet?
4. Food.  I probably think about food 37 times a day.  I'm thinking about what to have for lunch before I finish breakfast. I'm never not thinking about food. Teenage boys probably don't think about sex as often as I think about food.  (Hence the reason #2 crosses my mind so often.)
5. Babies. 
6. Frozen yogurt. There's a new yogurt place by my house & office. It's so delicious. I wish I could go everyday.  They have six flavors which rotate daily and a whole bar of toppings to choose from. My favorites are vanilla and strawberry with Fruity Pebbles. I swear I dream about that yogurt.
7. I need a nap.

happy birthday brother face!

When my little brother was born, my parents bought my sister and me two Pound Puppies and a Pound Puppy carrier to tote around our new pups.  If I remember correctly, they told us the puppies were a gift from our new baby brother.  Smart move Mom & Dad.  Maybe if you tell your other kids the new one comes bearing gifts, they'll decide to like him. 

Well, it worked. 

We decided to like him. 

Jordan, It's been 24 years since you arrived bearing Pound Puppies and you've been bringing a smile to our faces ever since. I can't imagine what our family would be without you.  {But I do know the back seat of the car growing up would have been a lot more comfortable.  Just kidding!}  I hope you have a great birthday. I wish I could be there to celebrate with you!

Happy Birthday Jordan! 

I can't believe the little boy with blond curls in the Fred Flinstone toy car is 24. And Married. With a Master's Degree. And a CPA.  Seems like just yesterday we were playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

Love you brother!

p.s. I'm still waiting for my half birthday card to arrive. Better not have forgotten! :)

day three

Day Three: Eight things you couldn't live without.

I think I'm going to change Day Three a bit and and instead of talking about the things I couldn't live without, I'll blog about eight things I wouldn't want to live without. Otherwise, I'm writing a post about air, water, food and shelter and I don't think anyone is interested in that. {I'm sorry - my lawyer is showing. On the whole, we're an anal and particular bunch. Words have meaning and.... Crap, I think I'm losing my audience.  Back to the point.}

Eight Things I Wouldn't Want to Live Without:

The Chi

The only flat iron I've ever owned. It makes my naturally wavy hair straight, smooth and shiny. What would take me half an hour with a round brush and blow dryer takes less than 10 minutes with the Chi.  I have no idea what I'd do without it.

My DVR

I watch a lot of television.  So does Brian. We'd never be able to catch all our shows without one of mankind's greatest inventions - the DVR. Take Thursday for example (by far the busiest TV night in our house).  We watch all the NBC comedies, Gray's  & Private Practice and Big Bang Theory, I watch Project Runway (which luckily repeats later) and Brian watches Bones & Fringe. Even with the DVR, we can't record all of this. Thank goodness for OnDemand and shows aired online.  I wanted to watch My Generation but I simply cannot add another show to Thursday night. 

Call me pathetic if you will, but I love my TV. 

I do, however, have limits.  I refuse to get another DVR for the bedroom.  We manage to watch far too much TV as it is with one.  If we each had a DVR, I fear my husband and I might spend our entire lives in separate rooms watching TV. 

My library card

Even with as much TV as I watch, I still love to read.  {I think I use the fact that I find time to read as a justification to watch so much TV. I can rationalize nearly anything. It's a gift and a problem.}  This year, I discovered that my local library delivers books to my front door - free of charge.  It's been an amazing discovery.  I go online, request a book and as soon as it's available it's brought to my doorstep. Blows my mind every time.  And, to return my books, I need only drive up to a service window and drop it off.  I've already rambled on enough about this on the blog, so I'll just say this - I LOVE MY LIBRARY.  Nerd rave concluded.

Chick-fil-A

There is a Chick-fil-A right around the corner from my house. It takes every ounce of restraint I have to eat there only once a week.  I get the same thing every time I go - the #1: A chicken sandwich, no butter, with fries and a large diet lemonade. Clearly, the diet lemonade offsets the fried sandwich and french fries - and ranch I dip it all in.

My blanket

I've blogged about my blanket before, but it's worth repeating.

The Restoration Hardware Luxury Plush Throw is ahhhh-mazing. {I convinced Becca to get one, too. She loves it!} It is the softest blanket I've ever felt. I drag it with me from the couch to bed every day.  I even took it with me on our honeymoon.  Get one for yourself. You'll thank me. Give them as gifts.  People will thank you.  Please, I beg of you RH, never discontinue it.

Mexican Food

I could happily eat tacos and guacamole five days a week.

My Kitchen Aid Mixer

You know how after people have kids they say they can't remember their lives before their children were born?  Well, I can't remember my life before my mixer.  (Yep, I just compared my mixer to your kid. That just happened.) 

Highlights

Who's got two thumbs and looks terrible as a brunette?  This girl. 


*Is anyone enjoying this blogging series?  It's feeling a bit narcissistic to me.  I suppose blogging is inherently narcissistic, but do you guys really want to read 10 days of me talking about myself?  I said I'd do it so I'll finish it out but feel free to skip these posts if you're tired of this gimmick. 

day two

Today is Day Two of the ten day blogging series.  The topic for today's post is: Nine things about yourself that most people don't know.

So here it is...nine incredibly random things most of you don't know about me:

1. 
   
   I don't really like peanut butter.  I'll eat a PB&J sandwich and Reese's Cups are pretty tasty, but I'm just not a huge fan.  It's too sticky and I hate the way it coats your mouth.
2. 
   
   If Shania Twain comes on the radio I MUST change the station.  Non-negotiable.
3. 
   
   My iPod is an embarrassment. My sister thinks I should do a whole post on this but I don't think I could take the shame. It's really bad.  I'll tell you this - if Taylor Swift or Huey Lewis & The News sing it, it's probably on there. And that's the stuff I'm not embarrassed about. 
4. 
   
   I get bored in the shower.  Seriously.
5. 
   
   I'm an incredibly slow eater. (Though anyone who's ever eaten with me knows this.) When I first started working at my firm, I couldn't get even half my lunch down by the time the guys had scarfed down their food.  I was hungry all the time.  I've learned to speed things up when I'm with them.
6. 
   
   I've never seen The Goonies. I don't get the BFD but people seem to freak out a bit when I mention this.
7. 
   
   I have a dimple in each shoulder.
8. 
   
   I did not have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue on my wedding day. (Just new and borrowed.)
9. 
   
   One of my life goals is to be on Jeopardy.

I'm sure your lives are complete now that you know I eat slow and get bored in the shower. My job here is done.

word to your mother

Today is day one of the ten day blogging activity.  Today's topic - Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now.

To KT - If you don't bring your sweet baby boy to see me soon, I might die.  I must see his sweet little face again.  The dimples, that smile - they kill me. 

To George O'Leary (Head Coach of my UCF Knights) - For the love, START GODFREY.

To Lilo - Please, please get it together. You're a beautiful, talented girl. You were so precious in The Parent Trap. You were hilarious in Mean Girls.  But on drugs - you're a disaster.  Clean up your act and live up to your potential.  Or at least clean up your act and LIVE.

What happened to this beautiful girl?

To Sara Bareilles - I love your new CD.  Can't wait to see you in concert on October 12! 

To Jordan & Chelsea - Congrats on becoming pet parents! I couldn't be happier to be an aunt to sweet little Cappy (aka The Honorable Captain James Earl Jones).

Big name, tiny kitty.

To Mom & Dad, you guys are the best!  I'm so excited for our whole family to be together in the Bahamas! Thanks for sending us all on this awesome vacation!!!!  Can't wait to have one of these in my hand.

To Blair Waldorf - can we switch wardrobes?  Please?

To my sweet husband - Thanks for doing the laundry and dishes tonight. It was so nice to come home to clean house.

To Deb at Smitten Kitchen - Your recipes are amazing, your photography is gorgeous. I've never been disappointed in a Smitten Kitchen recipe. Can't wait for fall to arrive so I can make your delicious Pumpkin Muffins and Apple Cake.

To the ladies in my fantasy football league  - I am so glad we decided to do this!  It's been so fun watching games and smack talking with  you girls. Love you guys.

the last 2 days and the next 10

Without fail, every Monday morning, I find myself wondering where the weekend went and how I managed to get so little done.  This Monday morning was no exception. 

I forget how easy it is to get sucked into countless hours of football watching during the Fall.  In the few hours not spent watching football, I did manage to catch up on last week's unread blogs and unwatched TV (4 episodes of Jeopardy, some Daily Show & Colbert Report, Parenthood and a Dateline), bake Chocolate Bacon Cupcakes (more on that to come), skype with my brother in Boston (yay!) and almost finished reading One Day by David Nicholls (which I'm loving). 

Things that did not get completed?  Car shopping for B, ordering new shutters for the bedroom windows, and any type of cleaning whatsoever.  Oh well! You can't do it all. 

Changing gears...

My blog bestie Sara is doing a 10 Day blog series.  She asked for people to play along.  Seeing as how the blogging has been a bit sparse around here lately, I thought I'd join in the fun.  Hopefully after 10 days of blogging I'll be encouraged to keep a more regular blog schedule.  Or maybe not... 

Anyway, here's the schedule. Over the next 10 days, I'll be blogging about the following topics:

Day One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now.

Day Two: Nine things about yourself that most people don't know.

Day Three: Eight things you couldn't live without.

Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.

Day Five: Six things you wish you could change or you wish you’d never done.

Day Six: Five people who mean a lot to you.

Day Seven: Four turn offs.

Day Eight: Three turn ons.

Day Nine: Two words that describe your life right now.

Day Ten: One confession.


Feel free to join in!

chuckles from the inbox

Sometimes, you find humor in the most unusual of places.  For me, most recently, it was my sorority's alumni email thread. 

A bit of background: My sorority has a local alumni chapter which hosts semi-regular social and volunteer events.  The group has an email list serve with hundreds of recipients which sends out occasional email reminders about upcoming meetings and events, as well as announcements and solicitations from sisters. ("Want to buy my hideous orange couch?"  "Need a realtor?" "Contact me for your Mary Kay/Insurance/Pampered Chef needs!") 

Needless to say, I typically delete the emails without giving them a second glance. 

 

Well, thank goodness I didn't miss this little gem. 

 

In response to a general email about upcoming activities, the following reply was sent to each and every one of the hundreds of email addresses on the list serve:

{names and email addresses have been changed to protect the not so innocent.}

From:  John Doe <JohnDoe123@mail.com>
To: XYZSororityAlums@yahoogroup.com
Sent: Fri, Sep 10, 2010 4:39 pm

Subject: Re: [XYZSororityAlums] Mother - Daughter Brunch


Jane and I are now divorced (thank god!). Would your please change her email address to janedoe345@mail.com ?

I think I laughed for a solid three minutes after this email showed up in my inbox. 

Maybe John Doe is a d-bag for sending this message to hundreds of Jane's sisters.  Maybe Jane was such a heinous bee-yotch that deserved this and more.  I don't know.  But I'm pretty sure the divorce wasn't amicable.  And at least one of the people in that marriage was a total jackass. 

Thanks for the laugh John Doe!

product psa

I have to share with you a great purchase I made earlier this summer. The Crate & Barrel Table in a Bag:

This is the most fantastic little product!  I purchased the table because I thought it would be great for tailgating. After last weekend's game, I can tell you that it is!  It was the perfect height and size to place under our tent in the middle of the chairs. We set out appetizers and dips in the middle of the table and everyone was able to reach and set their drinks down (rather than try to use the flimsy cup holders built into our folding chairs). 

The best part - it was so convenient to carry and assemble.

The legs unscrew and the table rolls up and the whole thing fits in a bag!  (The picture above isn't great but check out Crate & Barrel's website for better pictures if you're interested.)

It was perfect for tailgating but I think this table would also be great for other activities - camping (if you're in to that sort of thing), the beach, backyard picnics, or even a fun table for kids.

I can't wait until the weather gets cooler - I think it would be so much fun to put out some blankets and floor pillows and have a picnic in the backyard.  (Oh boy, B is going to loooovvvvee this idea.)

This probably seems like a silly product to get excited about but if you tailgate regularly, I think you'll find it very handy!  

*This is not a compensated post. Crate & Barrel did not sponsor this post nor compensate me in any way.  As always, this is just one girl's opinion. 

favorite things and the new short 'do

Did anyone else notice that ABC Family Channel had The Sound of Music on this weekend?  Most definitely in my Top 5 favorite movies of all time. 

Because I've got a case of the Mondays (on Tuesday) I thought I'd tell you about a few of my favorite things right now. Because when I remember my favorite things...then I don't feel so bad! {sorry, it couldn't be helped.}

A few of my favorite things right now:

Sara Bareilles' new CD Kaleidoscope Heart

Diet Grape Soda

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is getting good

Sons of Anarchy is back tonight!

My fantasy football league

Vinho Verde

Kate of Elefantitas Alegres was tweeting about VV. So I picked up a bottle. And now I kiss the ground she walks on.  Nobilis is my favorite so far. But I've got three more bottles in my wine rack to try.  

and ...

college football. 

Here's a picture of my new short hair.   I don't love it. But it's just hair and will grow back. 

the dreaded chop

By the time you read this, it will likely be too late. 

I'll have gone from this:

{sorry for crappy cell phone pictures, but I wanted to show you how long it is now}

to this. 

Yep, I'm chopping off the hair. 

I think it's time. It is LONG.  And I'm starting to feel like maybe I'm too old to have such long hair.  Actually, let me rephrase that.  I have no problem with women of any age having longer hair. But I work in a professional, male dominated field. And I look about 12.  The super long hair does not help this at all. {I was recently at an event for law students and I was asked no less than four times how I was enjoying my summer law clerk position.  I graduated law school 4 years ago.} I think I need a more professional, mature {read - boring} hairstyle. 

Plus, this is what I do.  I grow my hair long and then cut it to my shoulders. I instantly regret it and then spend the next year growing it back out again. It's a vicious cycle - grow, cut, regret, repeat.

Unfortunately, we've reached the "cut, regret" part of the cycle. I hate this part. I'm much happier during the "grow" period.  Ugh.  

Here's hoping I have the courage to do what must be done. The dreaded chop. 

*thanks for allowing me this overly dramatic, self centered post. I realize it's just hair. And there are people in the world who are sick, hungry, and homeless. You know, people with actual problems.  I promise I've got my priorities straight.  I absolutely realize how lucky I am that this is my big worry of the day. 

Are you ready for some football???

I am!  My Labor Day weekend plans are centered around football this year. 

Tomorrow, I'll be cheering on both my college football teams - the Florida Gators and the UCF Knights.   

The Gators are playing early so I'll cheer them on from my living room.  But don't you worry, I'll be sporting my sexy (hah!) Gator sweat pants and hollering "Go Gators!" from the couch.  

Around half time in the Gator game, we'll leave for game #2 (No worries, the Gators will be crushing Miami of Ohio by then).  The Mister and I feel so lucky to live in the same town where we attended college. We never have to miss a football game!  Tomorrow afternoon we'll head out to Bright House Networks Stadium on the University of Central Florida campus to cheer on the UCF Knights!

My black & gold attire has been chosen, the potato salad I'm contributing to the tailgate is in the fridge and the cooler is waiting to be packed. We are ready for game day!

The football fun continues on Sunday. My girlfriends and I are having our Fantasy Football draft.  Despite the fact that most of us have never played Fantasy Football, we decided to create an all girls' league. We asked my sister's boyfriend to set up the league for us because none of us had a clue how to do it.  He created the league  - and he also named it.  Future Cougars of America.  Seriously. We thought it was funny so we kept it. So come Sunday, all ten teams in the Future Cougars of America league will be drafting players, drinking beer and talking smack.  I can't wait.

My team name?  Red Beans & Jerry Rice.  (Come on, you know it's funny.)

I probably don't have to point out that I am a BIG San Francisco 49ers fan.

I think Red Beans & Jerry Rice will dominate in Sunday's draft!

There's no football planned for Monday (yet) but I'm sure I can find a way to fix that!  Hope you all have a fabulous, fun, football filled weekend!

8 Questions....x2

Because I'm completely zapped tonight, this is going to be a cop out post. 

I've been tagged by two fabulous (and, coincidentally, pregnant) bloggers in the 8 Questions post.  Who am I to ignore the request of an expectant mother?  Preggo says jump, I ask "How high?"  So, I'm going to play along.  Here's the deal with the 8 Questions Game:  I answer the 8 questions below (16 for me since I was tagged twice) and then make up my own 8 questions and tag 8 other people to answer. 

8 Questions from the beautiful momma to be Southern Blonde:

1. I have a few words that I simply cannot stand. The sound of them, the way they fill my mouth. Just the thought makes me cringe. What are your least favorite words?

I do not like the word fruition. I can't explain why, but I'm not a fan.

2. A self-declared major bookworm, I can't get enough of good fiction. What's your all-time most favorite read?

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

3. What's your favorite meal of the day? Breakfast, lunch or dinner?

Dinner. It's my favorite to make, to eat and to eat out.

4. Do you put your socks on before or after you slip your pants on?

I almost never wear socks, so I have to think about that. I wear socks to the gym. I think I put my gym pants on, then socks.

5. If you could cast yourself on any of TV's recent reality shows, which would it be? (Jerseylicious, Jersey Shore, Real Housewives, Chopped, The Next Food Network Star) Think broad spectrum here, ladies!

The Amazing Race. I'd love to travel the world on someone else's dime!

6. What's your favorite attribute?

Not sure if this is supposed to be an attribute personal to me, or an attribute I find desirable in others. Let's go with others - integrity.

7. We all have a favorite Disney movie. What's yours?

Hard one! Mary Poppins probably. Or Beauty and the Beast. Or Little Mermaid. 

8. And last but not least, you win a goldfish at the local country fair. What do you name him or her?

I'm only interested in fish I can eat. I'd probably hand the fish off to a kid.

Mrs. Rupiper, who's expecting a baby girl to be named Ava, asked these questions:

1.  What was the last movie you watched?

At home - Bounty Hunter. It was terrible. In the theater - The Switch. It was terrible, too. Jennifer Aniston needs to reexamine how she selects roles.

2. What do you wish you spent less money on?

Our utility bill. Our little old house is NOT energy inefficient. The windows are original from 1925 and they let out all the precious A/C.  I wish it didn't cost a fortune just to keep the house at 78 all summer.

3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully in a bigger, more energy efficient house!  :)

4. What's your favorite non-alcoholic beverage?

Fountain Diet Coke with lemon

5. Where was the last vacation you took?

Our 1st Anniversary trip to the Atlantis in March.

That hand on hip pose is obnoxious, yes? I must stop that.

6. You're sick at home. Ramen Noodles or Campbell's Soup?

Ramen noodles! I love them! There's actually some in my cabinet right now.

7. What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

Mocha Almond Fudge

8. What's your favorite nail polish color to wear?

Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI. I can't wait for fall so that I can wear it again!

My 8 Questions:

1.  BLT or PB&J?

2.  If you had to choose, would you give up your home Internet access or cable TV?

3.  Do believe in astrology?

4.  What is the last CD or iTunes single you purchased?

5.  If you could trade bodies with one celebrity, who would you choose?

6.  How many pairs of shoes are in your closet?

7.  Do you make your bed every day?

8.  What college football team are you rooting for this season?

I'm tagging:

Sara  @ Running from the Law

Melissa @ Duoly Noted

Laura @ iGriza

CA Wife @ Life as a California Wife

Julia @ Sleepless in Seattle Arlington

Melissa @ Chicago Girl Gone Mild

Katie @ Modern Day Family

Susannah @ The Edwards Edition