lost here in a place called America...

I elected to stay home the other night to watch George on TV. *Shakes head* I am so annoyed with him.

I have a new addiction to American Idol. I love Simon. I love how honest he is. I think too many people sugar-coat the truth and I find Simon refreshing. However, he looks a lot like my ex, which was probably the reason for my crazy dreams the other night.

decisions, decisions

I have a tough choice to make tonight...do I want to stay home to watch Bush's State of the Union Address, or head to the East Side with Donna to see The Pianist, courtesy of my boss? It's a toughie.

and if i'm wasting all your time this time
maybe you never learned to take

Ok, I want my weekend back. I did nothing exciting. I was lazy and unmotivated to accomplish anything. The most I did was pig out on pizza and wings, and watch movies, and read. I suppose yesterday couldn't be helped, because we were pretty much snowed in. I'm amazed I even made it to church yesterday morning. I think there were a total of 30 people, half of which belonged in my choir. (It's a shame really, because yesterday was the first time, in the 4 years I have been employed by the church, that an even somewhat inspiring message was delivered. Honestly, I was shocked!)

Anyway, I feel like I gained about 100 pounds from being a couch potato. I did, though, with Gerry's help, finally decide on colors for the bedroom. I have everything planned out...paint colors, wallpaper for the one wall behind the bed, fabric colors, curtain panels, etc. Now I'm excited to get started, except that I can't paint anything till the weather warms up just a wee bit. All those fumes and nowhere to go with closed windows. I don't want to asphyxiate the cats, Merlin, or myself.

back in the saddle again

Picked up my car this morning, new rear bumper and all. What a treat to be driving in a real vehicle again, although it won't be for long. She's going to have to go back to the shop again at the end of the week so her wheel bearings can be replaced. If it's not one thing, it's something else. I hate cars.

Last night Kevin and I went to a birthday party for Justin, Kevin's brother, and then over to Chuck and Margaret's for a little get together. Unfortunately, most of the people at Chuck and Margaret's were Arhaus employees, who wasted 4 hours of good beer-drinking time bitching and moaning about how awful that company is. *Shakes head* I want those 4 hours of my life back. Now, please.

it's your choice, babe...

A super-huge congratulatory hug to Julia and Matt on their recent engagement. I guess since Julia finally posted the news, it's ok for me to do so as well. I am so thrilled for them!

craziness and aggravation

I'm going to rant:
1. I still don't have my car back. I still have not heard jack from either insurance company, mine or the woman who hit me. No one returns phone calls in either office, and every important person to whom I'm supposed to speak is always out of the office at just the right time.
2. Snow blows. So do sub-zero temperatures.
3. My mother-in-law is nuts. She decided to clean out her closet and wanted to give me some skimpy lingerie she can no longer wear. What was she thinking?!?!? Why would I ever want to wear lingerie hand me downs, especially from Kevin's mother?! That's just wrong! And gross.
4. This blog aggravates me. I'm thinking of quitting the whole thing altogether. (But then how would I occupy my time at work? Hmmm.)
5. I wonder when Julia is going to post her news. If she's going to post her news.

Maybe I'll get my comments up and running again. Maybe I won't. We'll see.

i know where the car is parked, i know he isn't you

Bumper Cars
Thursday evening I was in a car accident, for those of you who haven't heard what's going on, where I've been. It was pretty scary and I was really shaken up by it. Here's what happened:

I was turning into the Post Office on my way home from work. There was a line of cars in front of me, so obviously I had to stop. The lady driving the car behind me didn't stop, and rammed into my rear end. Hard. Hence, I was not at work yesterday because my back was killing me. Not to mention that I had to go back to North Royalton where it happened to file a police report because the idiot left before I could call the police. Practically all day yesterday Kevin and I were fighting with both insurance companies. We finally took my car in for repairs, as my entire rear bumper will most likely need to be replaced. So now I am driving a crappy little Saturn rental with no tape deck and manual windows and door locks. I never thought my car was all that great, but I was spoiled compared to the crapper I'm driving now. (No offense to you who are Saturn owners.)

I'm pretty much ok, but I may still go to the doctor depending upon how I feel today. Last night I slept with the heating pad on my neck and upper back all night. It worked, I guess, because my pain isn't as bad as it was yesterday. So, no worries - I'm fine. :o)

Bill Gates is the anti-Christ

Just once this week I would like to get to work and turn on my computer WITHOUT IT CRASHING!!!!! The damn thing has crashed every day this week, so far. I cannot figure out what is wrong with it. My only saving grace is Go Back, which can revert my hard drive. I wonder what Bill Gates would do if he knew his programs make me want to gouge my eyes out. Probably nothing. Dammit!

Which Sesame Street Muppet's Dark Secret Are You?
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some memories came back to me last night...

A Possible Self-Crucifixion
To experience you
You- my safe risk-
you who are not so safe
now that we are
tangled

You evoke me
Your fingers play me
familiarly,
drawing out my breath,
making me real

Touch me-
I cave

hje 4/17/99

Athena will attest that it could be done

Got all my shopping done this weekend, saw The Two Towers , and even decided somewhat on how to redo the master bedroom and bathroom.

For the bedroom, I decided on a faux finish of neutral tones - either doing a colorwash effect or a linen/chambray sort of looking finish. The things you can do with paint these days amaze me. On Friday when I was watching Room By Room on HGTV I got inspired to paint the bathroom to make it look like it has a beadboard wainscoting around the perimeter. I have such big ideas, I can hardly wait to get started. Now, if only I could have some help from the husband.

Chinese and rolling heads

So far on my list of things to get done this weekend, I have completed the repair of my MSN 8. Why is it that whenever I get used to one version of MSN, they have to go and switch it? I suppose the upgrade is ok, but I can't fit that much more crap on my monitor screen. I never use the calendar, the stock tracker (I will cry if I look at that anyway), etc. Argh! My stupid access numbers were screwed up, not to mention the fact that those idiots charged me twice for the month of December. It took me half an hour on the phone to straighten this mess out. I'm done bitching now.

Haggis McBaggis' birthday party was postponed till next week, so we went over to Gerry's house instead. I had the best General Tso's chicken of my life last night. It had been a while since the last time I ate Chinese. I can't wait for leftovers for lunch today. I always dream strange things when I eat Chinese, and last night was no exception: I had a dream that Gerry's head came off and that he walked around headless. Detachable head. I am reminded of a certain King Missile song at the present moment...

it's finally Friday

This has seemed like the longest week. Maybe tonight I'll get to have some fun. We're supposed to go to a birthday party/get-together for one of Kevin's co-workers tonight at the Winking Lizard. I can't decide whether or not I want to go, because the birthday girl is obnoxious and gross. Meaning she sleeps around and is always discussing her recent conquest and it's effect on her toddler son, which completely makes me ill. That, and I can't understand how she gets all these guys because every time I see her she looks like Haggis McBaggis. On the other hand, if I go I won't be the only girl for a change, and there are will be other people there with whom I enjoy being social. Maybe just for a drink or two, to get me ready for my busy weekend. Cheers!

things I must get done this weekend
1. Exchange wool coat at TJ Maxx
2. Get leak in tire repaired at Sam's Club
3. Grocery shop
4. UPS very belated Christmas gifts to Julia and Matt
5. Figure out when I can make a trip to Rochester to get Julia's Mom my grandmother's wedding dress
6. Make my famous banana spelt muffins for a dinner party on Saturday
7. Clean the upstairs bathroom
8. Fix my G.D. MSN 8

switching bodies

More weird dreams again last night:
1. I dreamed I had switched bodies with Julia's ex, whom I may or may not have had a crush on at one time while still at B-W.
2. I also dreamed that Kevin and our extremely attractive friend Kyle switched personalities.
*Sigh*

taco night
I think the entire neighborhood was at our house last night for tacos. ARGH! I had a good time, drinking my G&T's, but I am so tired today. This past Monday, the day we got 6 inches of snow, I was out with Kevin shoveling our driveway. Yesterday I paid for it, with an aching back and sore arms and shoulders. On top of that, I picked up my new glasses last night and am still trying to adjust to the stronger prescription and teeny-tiny lenses. When I look down now, I have to move my entire head, instead of just my eyes. I was a sight to behold last night trying to prepare tacos for 6 people, in all my aching awkwardness. Never again!

i wish i knew how to sew

Over the Christmas holiday while my family was visiting, I got out my grandmother's wedding dress. It's been boxed and preserved for years, so it was really an experience opening it. I promised my mother I would try it on, but reserved the right to veto it, if it wasn't what I wanted to wear in the wedding. I felt like I was visiting with a ghost when I opened the boxes in which it was contained; like I was opening a grave or something. It was very mystical, really. The dress was very plain, very simple, with a high collar and poofy short sleeves, made out of a very sheer fabric. Grandma must have worn a petticoat beneath it, in 1935. Unfortunately, the dress wasn't preserved very well - there were a few moth holes in it, and it was very yellowed from age. Not in wearing condition at all. The good news is, however, that Julia's mother has graciously agreed to look at the dress to determine if she'd be able to create a replica of it - as a wedding gift to Kevin and me. With a few changes to the style, and a different fabric, I think this would make the perfect wedding dress.

I will not, however, be able to call Julia's Mom by her first name. I just can't! I've known her since Julia and I were in like, 5th grade and have never called her by her first name. It's too weird. :o)

keep your eyes on her horizon

As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm getting my eyes examined tonight after work. Tomorrow, I'm going to pick out some new frames, which is very exciting for me. I'm giving my contacts a rest for a while, I think, and I'm going back to glasses. I was browsing around, looking at different frames, and I went to eyeglasses.com where you can upload a picture of yourself and "try on" glasses on-line. How cool is that!

go Bucks, go Browns

OK, so I don't generally like football, not to mention sports of any kind. However, when you live in a sports-focused city, it's sometimes hard not to get swept away by the fanaticism. So, tonight, after getting my eyes examined for the first time in about 4 years, whilst taking down our lovely Christmas tree, Kev and I will be cheering for the OSU Buckeyes as we watch the Fiesta Bowl. And again, on Sunday, we'll be cheering for the Brownies in the playoffs. That'll be enough football for me till next year. Unless the Browns are in the Super Bowl.

getting back to the wedding planning...

Check out these invitations.

Also, my very-crafty Mom helped me decide on favors for all the guests. Our supplies are coming from Dan's Crafts and Things in Rochester, but I wish their crappy website would let me show what I'm getting. To go along with our garden theme, we're getting little watering cans in which I'm going to put wildflower seed packets, and also I'm going to fill little butterfly cookie cutters with potpourri, wrap them in tulle and tie them with ribbons. How cute!

My New Year's Resolutions
1. Wake up an extra half hour earlier so I'll have plenty of time to make the bed before I leave for work every morning.
2. Eat healthier and exercise more...take better care of myself.
3. Be better about car maintenance.
4. Clean the litter box every day, instead of two or three times a week.