Best things come to those who wait...

...and for those of you who are proactive, who plan ahead, and who are very organized... YOU ARE SCREWED.

Case in point:
90% of xmas gifts are wrapped and under the tree. Have just a few more to do.
100% of gifts are purchased- take the credit card away, because some of these sales are too good to pass up...but no, I'm really done.


Can't believe my next yoga class isnt until Jan 6th. I'm counting down the days...

It's a buyers market

For anyone who has ever had their house on the market you know these truths:
You are a slave to:
- The buyer. No matter what hour they want to come. Even if you have to wake a sleeping child.
- Finding a streak free shine. What's up with the window cleaner I bought at BJs? Streak city-- argh!
- Second guessing your listing price. How low can you go?
- Nosey neighbors stealing the street-side brochures.
- Stalkers. Seriously white minivan: you passed the house 4 times. My husband waved to you... the least you could do would be to call and make an appointment to come inside.

Santa. All I want for Christmas is a buyer.

holiday disaster!

Could potentially have a holiday disaster on my hands if I can't figure out how to navigate Kodak.com all over again.

Last year- a big hit with the family was a personalized calendar with cute pics of N. Requests for the 2009 version started coming in around September (guess when you're a grandparent you schedule dr. appts more than 4 months out and you already have a need for a 2009).

So... I got on top of it early this year. I designed a super-cool (if I don't say so myself) cally,... and it arrived only for me to discover.. It looked like crap. I think only 2 months actually looked crisp and "right".

Complained to a semi-helpful kodak customer service agent who proceeded to instruct me on how to return said- callys. Like a good customer, I packaged up my items, returned them, and waited patiently for my new ones. Only, I did'nt get new ones. I got a $150 credit in my Kodak Account. Wait a second here.

A) kodak did acknowledge over the telephone with me that some photos didn't quite carry through right to no fault of my own. B) I did everything that they asked.

So why is it A) I didn't get a credit to my AMEX?, or b) even better... why didn't they follow my request for production on new calendars?

I'm now spending my Saturday afternoon reviewing all the photos again... and trying to upload everything ...again. Not taking any chances that the photos that are currenlty in my gallery are tainted.

A) The new callys better arrive before xmas. B) They better look good. Or else- Kodak's going to have one pissed customer with a line of grandparents behind her.

Punkin'

Aren't they cute?
What a perfect day.

Happy Halloween Stella, Happy Halloween Cinderella!

Should I stay or should I go now?

Have never felt so bipolar in my life.

Should I Stay or Should I Go? - The Clash

Darling you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
If you say that you are mine
I'll be here 'til the end of time
So you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

It's always tease, tease, tease
You're happy when I'm on my knees
One day is fine the next is black
So if you want me off your back
Well come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

Should I stay or should I go now?Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
An' if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know...

But I'm not done with my gossip magazines...

Some of my thoughtful friends brought by key picker-uppers last week: David Bruce Petit Syrah (yum.. I did savor it). Chocolate- a girls best friend. And... some mindless rag magazines.

But I'm not done reading them yet, and tomorrow is already Monday!

I've never dreaded going to work more than I do right now. a) I'm a changed person. b) I am not quite sure what rumors may have been circulating about my hastey departure last week, c) I have a huge project that is supposed to be presented tomorrow, (and ha!) I have no idea what the status of it is, d) I'm running out of waterproof mascara and you just never know when the tears are going to flow, and e) It's a Monday.

Can't I just stay home in my sweats with no makeup again?

insomnia

Oddly enough after the week that I've had, tonight at nearly midnight I find myself having trouble falling asleep. Whereas every other night this past week I've been so mentally/physically exhausted that no matter what was on my mind, I managed to find the zzz's.

Could it be because I had 2.5 large cookies as dessert accompanied by 2 glasses of Pinot Noir? I have to say, I do have some ogida right now.

Could it also be because I am have mentally started a checklist that seems daunting?

Could it be that we are about to embark on a brand new chapter in our lives that is coming completely from out of left field?

All of the above. Off to surf the internet and hope that I find what I'm looking for.

distracted

I probably should be cleaning tonight, but there are so many distractions.

-Halloween candy to eat (Skittles calling my name!)
-Biggest Loser to watch... Kinda feel guilty about those Skittles now (and starbursts)
-Debates to try to pay attention to
-Witty Facebook posts to reply to re: the Debate
-Pictures to post to Facebook from as far back as 2003, darnit I was pale and my hair was so long.

Still laughing that McCain called Obama a croney. Pretty sure I'll still be chuckling about that tomorrow.

ft lauderdale

Dust, must, overbearing floral scent, really tan 90yr olds, wacky drivers, early bird specials, gold ankle bracelets, overbearing condo assocn representative, rain, GREAT water pressure.

First Impressions

So our little Natalie is turning out to be such a comedian.

Over breakfast this morning she gave her first impression. Waffle in hand she trembled as she took it to her mouth. Took a small bite, put the waffle down and then said.. HEY LOOK... I'm Nana Frances.

Yes, folks. My 87 year old, frail nana, who's been formally committed to a nursing facility.

I didn't say the impression was hysterical, but it was spot on. And we were both shocked that she came up with this all on her own.

What's next? Last Comic Standing?

Taking a note from Auntie Pockets...

...and will supply a list today:

Things that make me happy today:
Yoga

Twizzlers

Water with fresh lemon

Little one learned how to spell her name (and now spells it 25x per conversation. Pretty soon I think she might start talking about herself in the 3rd person like Suede on Project Runway!)

Chocolate pudding

Ricola throat drops- they really work

Fleece jackets- so cozy when the office is cold

Hot chocolate with marshmallows

The Hills- what will I do when Lauren decides she’s had enough of MTV following her with camera’s?

The Biggest Loser – Raleigh couple came close to going home last week. They better step it up!

Pumpkins- We got the biggest gourd for our front stoop

Mums

Salon Kroma- Blake did a really nice job on my do yet again

Love TV, Fear the Internet

Watching tonights Emmy's and there have been some funny acceptance speeches. I couldn't tell you the name of the guy who said, Love TV, Fear the Internet. But I thought it was genius.

I also have a new affinity for Ricky Gervais. Hilarious.

The 5 host thing...eh. Not really feeling it. Heidi looks great. Jeff Probst, a little out of place. Howie... should stick to DOND. Ryan...over-exposed. I actually think Tom Bergeron should just run the show. I laugh at everything that comes out of his quick witted mouth.

Hoping I laugh my way to sleep tonight. Dreading work tomorrow...

Pessimist at the core

Ok, so after my last post I was playing around with my settings and went back to "view my blog" and I got a little bit of a shock.

Darnit. I'm such a freakin pessimist. Look at the majority of my post titles.

I think I find my blog to be a good venting arena- but for my poor blog readers, let me assure you that all in life is not bad on my end.

Promising more cheery posts for the future...

the dreaded task...

The sense of accomplishment when it is over will be profound. The relief. The sense of control over my destiny.

But... I can't for the life of me get motivated today to update my resume.

Bletch...

Yesterday was classic. Without going into too many details, I started tearing up in my bosses office and excused myself - then I came back to my desk and hot-headedly "replied-all" to an email that there may or may not be reprecussions for on Monday. Stuck around a few more minutes but then decided it was best to bolt down the back staircase so as not to see any familiar faces on my way out.

Who needs a high school reunion?

Haven’t yet downloaded the Facebook application to my blackberry, but it is becoming increasingly tempting to do so.

For a while I was content to build my site with current, local pals. Then I realized my current, local pals had about a gazillion more “friends” than me. So I branched out. (I’m so competitive.) I allowed the application to search my hotmail and compare against every email address in my book to see who else I might be a facebook-match with. As the friends list grew, the more tempted I was to make it grow even MORE.

Most days I would rather not look back to high school in the least. Some days I get nostalgic. Did I have a lot of friends? Sure. Do I still talk to most of them? Well, no. After a bitter college experience with some of my HS buds- I distanced myself from a few key chickas. Also didn’t hurt that I left Long Island (the horror!). As a Long Islander you find that those that leave aren’t understood. Why would you leave NY? You’re supposed to either move to Manhattan or live in your parent’s basement until your 40, married and have 3 kids.

What possessed me a few weeks ago, I cannot explain. But I used the High School feature and searched for my graduation year. Before I knew it, I was sending notes to friends I hadn’t spoken to since graduation. An old softball buddy, a neighborhood friend who moved to Seattle after high school and who I lost touch with immediately after graduation, a funny guy from HS who also went to Albany with me.
Some of my “links” are nothing more than that- Do you confirm me as your friend? Yes, ok, thanks. We’re now linked. But for others, it’s been super-voyeuristic to see what they’ve been up to for 15 yrs. You surf their site, check out their photos…discover they’re now bald. Who needs a tacky reunion in a hotel conference room?

One of those weeks...

This week feels like one of those weeks. The weeks where you think you're further along in the week than you actually are. How much does that suck?

The summer cold is still with me, WILL IT EVER END?

Having trouble sleeping. Two nights ago 2am-3am was the witching hour. Today, I woke up at 5am and there was no getting back to sleep. The dog has already been walked, I have already caught up on today's top news and I'm just waiting for an appropriate time to go back upstairs and wake up the rest of the family.

Going to be a rainy, stormy day here in Raleigh. Bletch.
Sour puss, signing off.

What is worse...

..Than a summer cold? Not a whole lot. Its 92 degrees out and I keep putting on more layers. The tissue box is by my side and no matter how much General Hospital and 90210 (yes, I watched the premiere!), I don't seem to feel better.

The fam will be home in a little over an hour, and I think take-in food is on the menu for tonight. Can't even muster up energy to fry burger meat for Hamburger Helper.

So back to 90210. I was sucked in. At the last minute I DVR'ed the 2 hour premiere. Although when I came home from work I probably should have konked out, I decided to veg on the couch. Not only did they bring Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty back, but good 'ol Nat from the Peach Pit was there too. Thankfully, they gave the Pit a makeover.

Rob Estes and Lori Loughlin are the new Walsh-parents who dragged their kids from Kansas to the bright lights and fast paced Beverly Hills. Alcohol, hidden pregnancies, blow jobs in the parking lot before home room. I was sucked in. I'll be tuning in next week... (Until it conflicts with something more interesting...)

America's Next Top Model starts tonight! Woo-hoo Tyra~!

Stringbean

Really looking forward to this weekend. Heading to Charlotte, the Queen City of North Carolina for a bday celebration for my brother and sister-in-law. They both turn 30 this month...Woo-hoo!!!

As much as I cannot wait to put work behind me and hop in the car, the weekend is going to be a strange one. My father is bringing.... his lady friend.

It was inevitable. They've been dating for probably a year. We've successfully avoided any meeting in previous trips to NY, although last trip I really thought he was going to spring her on us.

My cousins have nicknames for the "other" partners in their now-divorced parents lives. Can't really beat "String Bean Sharon." She's tall and lanky and really mean when she drinks. String Bean. Love it. When I'm back on Sunday we'll see if I've made one up too.

Wah-Wah

Had our official restructuring announcement this afternoon. Not only was it anti-climactic, but now more than ever I will liken my management to the adults in Charlie Brown cartoon; WAH-WAH!!! (ok, with a dash of evil Lucy).

Rock the Reception

OMG- I think I've found my new favorite show. Rock the Reception from TLC!

Rock the Reception follows engaged couples as they plan and carry out an elaborate first wedding dance. World-class choreographers will work with bride, groom and bridal party to create an outrageous first dance that will knock the socks off their wedding guests. The first dances will be choreographed to songs that range from the likes of "Thriller" to "Baby Got Back." With the couples having only a limited amount of time to learn an elaborate dance while also preparing for their wedding, tensions are sure to run high. No matter the outcome, the wedding guests are sure to see a first dance they'll never forget.

HA!

Those are big shoes to fill...

Eda-mommy

My daughter's new favorite food. Eda-mommy beans. (as she likes to call them). I shouldn't have been surprised. They are finger food. They pop - sometimes sending beans all over the table/floor/into my dog's mouth. Perfectly child-friendly.

The obsession with Edamame has increased significantly over the past two weeks. I wouldn't serve them for breakfast and she cried. We had none in the house- she told me to go to the store. I'm pretty sure if all I put out for meals now was M&Ms and Edamame, I'd have one happy child.

Happy Friday... or is it?

What sucked most about this week is that all week long I thought it was further on in the week than it actually was.

Kinda made today feel anti-climactic.

Certainly didn't help my weekend-forward mind that I checked my email after I got home tonight. Found an email from my boss calling me into a v.important meeting on Monday. I think its the announcement they've been teasing for two weeks.

Dammit. Now all weekend I'm going to be thinking about that!
Argh.

Heath Ledger

Don't usually DVR an E True Hollywood Story, but this weekends Heath Ledger episode caught my eye. What a sad story. And such a talent.

Heath said something in an interview that struck a nerve. When talking about his daughter he said that it gave him a new found appreciation for his own mortality. Before Matilda, he lived life to the fullest and felt like his life could end at any time, and he would be fine.

Having a child changed things. He was even more so fulfilled and now no matter what- a piece of him would always live on- but at the same time, there was a drive to stay alive to be there in the moment with your child.

They ruled out suicide and declared it an accidental overdose of Rx drugs. I believe it truly was a careless mistake for a young man wise beyond his years.

And now Batman is arrested for assaulting his mom and sister? WTF? Hoping that the Bale family is a whole lotta crazy and that Chrisitian is not the monster they are portraying him to be...

Restructure my @ss

The title of today's blog relates to what almost came out of my mouth when speaking to my boss. Shoulda, woulda, coulda.

So, if you haven't guessed already, we're going through a little restructuring. Not pleasant, but could be so much easier if properly communicated.

Guess that is where my "leaders" are lacking. In recent months I've daydreamed about my old life... when I worked at an agency and not an in-house shop. Stress was there, don't get me wrong. You worried about forecasting and bringing in a certain amout of $ each month and logging your hours to the quarter hour. BUT.... there were perks.

As I do every morning, I read ADAGE and laughed my butt off reading this article on advertising agencies and their fancy for adult beverages in the office. HA! When I was a youngin' I couldn't believe it when I heard folk-lore about kegs in the office... but then I entered the real world of MAD MEN and were introduced to 4pm happy hours. And, btw, back to work!... Buzzed!!

I reserve my reserve for home these days...and tonight with vino in hand I am counting down the minutes until the weekend. Sh&t..it's only Tuesday! Doesn't bode well for the rest of my week.

Cheers...

pre-mourning

Been contemplating my own mortality a lot these days. Reading a thought provoking book about GOD (or lack thereof), and witnessing the downfall of a great 87 year old woman.

A few pearls of wisdom from this 87 year old powerhouse:
- Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
- Play the lotto. (winning a million is the only thing left to do on her bucket list)
- Don't smoke.
- Awesome is the worst word in the English dictionary.
- Eat well, laugh often and enjoy life.

This is a woman who really feels as if she's had a good life. The hardest part now is that she's committed to a rehab facility and this will probably turn into a long term care situation. This is a woman who led a clean life. Didn't smoke. Hardly drank. Laughed a lot. I guess the thing I'm tortured by the most is she led a good life and this is how it's ending.

I think I'd rather go out with a bang. Maybe I'll live on the edge a little bit more so that some of my vices take me. Having all your faculties at 87 and having to push a button to request to use the bathroom/ get a pain pill is not my idea of living-well.

Letter to my colleague:

Dear black strappy sandals:

Pardon me. Pretty sure that Mr. Tidy Bowl was not invited to the conference call. When I came by to do my womanly business in the 3rd floor toilets outside the elevators I didn't know that my flush would be broadcast to your meeting.

Why is it that I was embarassed to flush, when I'm pretty sure the only chatter Emily Post would say is acceptable in the loo is the kind, quick exchange while washing hands.

What amazes me the most is that this is the second time I've encountered this situation since working where I do. AND, that Ms. Black Strappy Sandals, you were not the same feet as the first time around...which means that we have two guilty culprits on our hands.

Ladies, ladies, I implore you. Exit the call for a bio break. Just because the bluetooth is hooked to your ear, it does not mean you have an open invitation to pee and keep the convo going. Puhlease......

Sincerely,
Bathroom etiquette police

Negative M&Ms

This was a great weekend. 3 days off from work. Only caught myself talking/thinking about work about a half a dozen times (that's pretty good, right?)

With such a span of time at home and with no place to be- we took Potty Training serious this weekend. Panties all day with pull ups only at bed and naptime. Nat did great! (I think...)

I promise to keep Poop-Posts to a minimum. But here goes...the P and P log and subsequent M&M tally:

- No messes Friday. Big girl panties on almost all day! Only caveat- we took a trip a few hours out of the house and put pull ups on. That seemed to give her the "ok" to poop in them without telling me. Argh. M&M log: approx. 5
- Saturday: Pooped in her pants in first few hours wearing panties Saturday. You kidding me? The only reason we knew is that she went reaching for tissues to wipe her hands.. Yep folks.. she reached down in there. All in all, a good day though. M&M tally: approx 5
- Sunday: Freaked myself out a bit because we went grocery shopping in the a.m. which is the first time I've ever left the house with her in big girl pants. Was great all morning. Afternoon- a little trip to Lowes... all dry! During dinner we realized its been about 3 hours since last potty trip but each time I ask her, she says, "No...not yet!" -- and in this snarky tone. Granted, I must ask her about 20x an hour, so I can imagine she's sick of me hounding her... but c'mon, what's a mom to do? M&M tally: approx. 3
- Sunday night: ARGH! I knew I should have insisted she sit on the potty after dinner. She not only wet herself, but when I put her in the tub she pooped. We've taken like 15 steps back.

NEGATIVE 3 M&Ms.

OCD...just a little bit

Can you be just a little bit OCD?

There are certain family members of mine who I would definitely describe as OCD. Even my little one has a little bit of it in her. (Did I mention the time at 2 yrs she put all the crayons back in the box, taking special care to ensure they were facing the same way?) A) What child puts things away, b) ALL the same way? There was a split second where I sighed in relief because one crayon went in "backwards"... but no, she realized it quickly, pulled it out and reinserted correctly. Yikes.

So today, we have a little bit of spring cleaning going on here at our casa. There is nothing more that I love than having everything organized. I am not the most organized person I know- heck, I could rattle off a handful of friends, cousins and co-workers who are cleaner, more organized and more OCD than me...

It provides such relief... to know that something is where it should be. So that when I look for it again...ha! There it will be. Dropped a cool $100 in Space Savers this afternoon and have cheerfully been putting things away. I'm gonna sleep well tonight!

I want to live in America

We're at the stage now where little Nat repeats everything we say. It can be stinkin cute...

Last week while driving through DC we picnicked on the tidal basin after driving past a few monuments. We pointed out the White House and KP taught her that it will soon be..."Barack Obama's house".

So last night we were over at moms for dinner and Barack came into our living room, as he often does on the television. Natalie screamed out of joy (she just loves him!) and proclaimed that she saw his BIG WHITE HOUSE. When the commercial was over she pleaded, "Barack Obama, Talk to ME!"

This jump started a conversation on the 4th of July; America and concepts way to big for a 2 year old. KP explained, We live in America. We're in America right now... Our House is in America.

Getting closer to bed time and after red white and blue sprinkle-covered cupcake Natalie was sorta hopped up on sugar, but also getting tired. Mom- I don't want to go home...I want to stay in America!

Which then prompted Mom and KP to break out into West Side Story re-enactment with singing and Rita Morena impressions. Bless America! Happy 4th everyone...

2 day work-week

I know I shouldn't be complaining but I have to go to work tomorrow. Haven't been since last Thursday and Independance Day is Friday- yipee! But I really don't want to go to work tomorrow....

Maybe if I treat work like "I survived a Japanese Gameshow" I will be able to get through the day.

Do you think anyone will notice if I, a) speak a different language than everyone else, b) wear protective eye gear to all my meetings, and c) talk back to my Mama-San?

Two days... (15 actual work hours!!!) and a pot luck 4th of July luncheon... I can do it... I can get through my two day work week.

Sayunara

PS...

New Coldplay rocks!

shake ur money-maker

So I'm writing from the crackberry- forgive mispellings + shortcuts.

I have a new money making scheme. People would pay good $ to rent me and my fam (that includes u HR) for parties.

We bring some serious F U N wherevs we go. Enough laughs to fill a month.

We're good minglers...we like 2 dance... We like trying new foods... We like stealing cake off guests plates... We require little supervision- what more could u ask? Oh and we document events with over 1000 photos. (Evidence 4 l8r)

Saving the world one flush at a time

Automatic flushers. Frees up your hands so you don't have to touch the toilet handle. GREAT.

Automatic flushers that malfunction. Spray you like a bidet 3 times during one bathroom visit. NOT SO GREAT.

Even worse... when it flushes while you're urinating, so in effect, you're getting sprayed with your own feces. PRICELESS.

1st attempt- disgraceful

ok, so here's the problem. I bore myself. Holly convinced me to blog and when Kevin went to poker last night I decided I would sit back and let the blogging begin.

I bored myself to tears, reached for more M&Ms and then went to bed. blecht.....