Free Hugs!

We just got home from the Westfield Spring Fling, and there were kids there doing the Free Hugs thing. I got a hug from a cute little red head punky boy. :)

So... I had a lot of food. Levi and I split a grilled cheese sandwich made w/cornbread pancake looking things, a really good cupcake from Bovella's Pastry Shoppe, fried Oreos (kind of gross), and shrimp on a stick (yum). Levi also had a pulled pork sandwich that looked a bit stomach turning. It was getting pretty hot and crowded by the time we left, so we ran through Starbucks for a couple of cold drinks.

Oh! And I got to try on some of the Masai Barefoot Technology shoes at Scott's. I'm going to get some as soon as I decide which style/color I like best.

Rassinfrassin Shopping

So, I had a WHOLE HALF HOUR to spend shopping by myself tonight before I had to pick Levi up. I've been wanting to at least get a new shirt or two so I look cute this weekend, so I decided to go to Kohls (20% off coupon!) and look around.

My credit cards have been living in my freezer and after about five minutes away from my house, I realized that I didn't have my Kohl's charge in my wallet. You can't get the discount w/out the card. So, I had to turn around and go home. That didn't take long and I got to the store pretty fast.

I found three 1X tops that I liked in the fat lady section and on XL summer sweater in the misses section. And one pair of gray dress pants in 16W (fat lady section), because my 20s died a long time ago and I've been wearing black everyday. Which is depressing and limits what tops I can wear to work. But, anyway.

The good news? The 1X shirts were all too big. And the pants were okay, but not the right cut for me. But the regular sized person XL fit funny, too. So, I didn't get any of it.

I couldn't even find any earrings or a purse that I liked.

I suspect that I'm deformed. I know I'm lacking in cute new accessories.

I'm an addict...

I'm an addict to, specifically, Whoppers (the malted milk ball kind, not the BK variety) and Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs.

Easter is mean.

I just want to note...

That getting your period when off the pill is very different from getting your period while on the pill.

And that's all I'm going to say about that.

10 Things You Might Not Know / Who Wants to Play Tag?

Via: http://alisonpace.typepad.com/

1. I read a lot. I'm actually reading an Alison Pace book right now.
2. I love to draw, but haven't in months.
3. I had a craniectomy when I was six months old. My scar runs from the top of my head to my right ear. My head feels weird and I love to make people touch it.
4. I'm constantly injuring myself. Last night, I dropped a window on the top of my head. On the bit in front of my scar, actually. I cried when my husband laughed at me for standing there with the window resting on my head. It still hurts.
5. I never wear opened toe shoes because I have an irrational fear of something happening to my toes.
6. My right leg is shorter than my left. When I was younger, I had a heel lift to put in my shoe. I have no idea where that thing is now, though.
7. I think my right boob is bigger than my left, though. Odd, that.
8. I have scoliosis and really should have that checked out because it's getting noticeable. It's been well over 10 years since I've had treatment.
9. I married my high school sweetheart. In November, we'll have been together for 12 years -- married for 8.
10. I tell my husband that I want our future kids to have green eyes like me, but I secretly hope for at least one dark brown eyed baby.

If you have a blog and you’ve just read this, you have to go write ten things about yourself on your blog. Yes, really, you’re it.

Otters holding hands...

Oh, the cuteness.

Gift giving is also hard...

Gift giving is also hard when you're trying not to shop.

My father's birthday was February 23rd. For Christmas, I gave him two nice sweaters and a giftcard for Sam's Club. Oh, and a tin of handmade chocolate dipped Oreos. And was whined at because the gift didn't live up to his expectations. Usually, I buy my dad something weird or fancy. Last Christmas, though, we had just moved to New Jersey, I didn't have a job, and I didn't even have a car most of the time.

And did I mention that my mother was visiting when he called to say thanks and whine at me? Like I wasn't already stressed enough...

Because of these high expectations, I'd been looking for months trying to figure out what to send him. Nothing seemed right. Or something seemed really cool, but was about 10 times my budget. It was a pisser.

Finally, I decided to just send a big box of handmade treats. I figure I can try again on Father's Day.

I ended up sending Man-Catcher Brownies. And OMG, they are the best damn brownie ever. The day he received the box, he called and said, "Did you make these!?!" No hello or how are you, just, "Did you make these!?!"

I think they were a hit.

::Sigh::

Another thing that I've been working on is my shopaholic tendencies.

I am really really sad right now, because Lucky Accessories is running a 30% off everything on their site w/code Spring07. I have the woodland peapod necklace and earrings and they're absolutely gorgeous.

Wouldn't one of the reminder necklaces w/the word "spark" look totally awesome?

Shopping w/out buying sucks.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Chauncey Olcott and George Graff, Jr.

There's a tear in your eye,
And I'm wondering why,
For it never should be there at all.
With such pow'r in your smile,
Sure a stone you'd beguile,
So there's never a teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting laughter's
Like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;
You should laugh all the while
And all other times smile,
And now, smile a smile for me.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

For your smile is a part
Of the love in your heart,
And it makes even sunshine more bright.
Like the linnet's sweet song,
Crooning all the day long,
Comes your laughter and light.
For the springtime of life
Is the sweetest of all
There is ne'er a real care or regret;
And while springtime is ours
Throughout all of youth's hours,
Let us smile each chance we get.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

A great big year of great big change.

I guess you could say that this is the year I'm going to grow up. A little. :)

There's been a lot of stuff I've wanted to change in my life, but never really had the will, nerve, or whatever it takes to actually follow through. This year, though, I've decided that it's finally time. There are a lot of little things that need to be fixed, but right now I'm focusing on two big things. The first is my health.

I decided that I'm tired of being overweight. In no particular order:

I'm tired of hurting my body. Looking at my stretchmarks makes me feel so stupid. I'm tired of feeling and looking so much older than my cute girlfriends. (Okay, so that one is stemming from jealousy.) I'm tired of shopping in the plus sized old lady section. I'm not even 30, but I've been a plus for a loooong time. I'm tired of having to buy mens L or XL shirts.

I want a baby. I want to be stong and healthy when carrying little him or her. I want to be able to buy maternity clothes that aren't enormous. I want my belly to actually be baby. It would be nice to take pics that don't have the gross frontal waist dent that I'm sporting now. I want to be able to chase that kid and not have people think, "Wow, she moves pretty quick for a fat girl."

I want to go out with my sister and feel fabulous instead of frumpy. She's so gorgeous and smart. I'm completely in awe of the woman she's grown up to be.

When I was in high school, a friend told me I move like a ballerina. I was 17 and that's stuck with me. I want to feel that easy confidence again.

I've worked so hard for so long at being quiet and hidden. I've had enough of that.

Weight/Inches Lost

As of 3/12/07:
23 pounds
28 inches

Yes, I know I'm weird.

Just watching Ben Lee drink tea makes me happy.

I've been lucky enough to see him play live twice, and got him to autograph cds for my sister and I. He's so cute and wee in person, too.

And since then?

Down 12 pounds and (holy crap!) 16 inches.

Holy crap, that's a big number...

I was just playing with this site (which I like), to see what the masses and medical professionals think I should weigh. Lately, I've been thinking a lot about weightloss and what exactly my goals should be for the future.

It's hard. I've come up with a number that I think is a good and healthy choice. It's a lot less than I weigh now. A lot less.



I'll post more about it later.

ETA: The ticker originally said 70 pounds to go.

I hate radiators.

I especially hate radiators that sound like they are breathing. The one in my den must have a hidden nose. A nose that are whistles, squeeks, and wheezes whenever it breathes in and out.

HATE!

And after looking over that list...

I think that I read way too many girly or brain candy kind of books. One of my resolutions for this year is to read 12 classics and/or 12 "learning" books.

I'm feeling more grown up already. Of course, I am currently reading Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein. We'll have to see how this goes.

A Great Big List...

Of the books I read in 2006. Here we go:

1. The Ghost Writer by John Harwood
2. Cane River by Lalita Tademy
3. The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracey Chevalier
4. The Dark Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
5. The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland
6. Headlong: A Novel by Michael Frayn
7. Kiss of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
8. The Seduction of Water by Carol Goodman
9. The Paid Companion by Amanda Quick
10. The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman
11. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress: A Novel by Dai Sijie
12. The Confessions of Max Tivoli: A Novel by Andrew Sean Greer
13. Ursula, Under by Ingrid Hill
14. Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson
15. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
16. The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, Book 1) by Stephen King
17. Patron Saint of Liars: A Novel by Ann Patchett
18. The Boy Next Door by Meggin Cabot
19. I Know Some Things: Stories About Childhood by Contemporary Writers by Lorrie Moore
20. The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower, Book 2) by Stephen King
21. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
22. Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella
23. Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella
24. Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix
25. Saffron Skies by Lesley Lokko
26. Angus, Thongs and Full-frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
27. Dancing Barefoot by Wil Wheaton
28. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
29. Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde
30. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
31. Vanishing Acts: A Novel by Jodi Picoult
32. Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning
33. Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters
34. Dumping Billy by Olivia Goldsmith
35. Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office by Jen Lancaster
36. Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions by Daniel Wallace
37. Barrel Fever: Stories and Essays by David Sedaris
38. The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters
39. To Tame a Highland Warrior by Karen Marie Moning
40. Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio
41. Freaky Green Eyes by Joyce Carol Oates
42. Sleeping Arrangements by Laura Shaine Cunningham
43. The Immortal Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
44. The Feast of Love: A Novel by Charles Baxter
45. Spell of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
46. Stranger Than Fiction: True Stories by Chuck Palahniuk
47. The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters
48. Grave's End by Elaine Mercado
49. Tales From The Scale by Erin J. Shea
50. Enemy Women: A Novel by Paulette Jiles
51. His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
52. Drinking Midnight Wine by Simon R. Green
53. My Sister's Keeper: A Novel by Jodi Picoult
54. sMothering by Wendy French
55. A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb
56. But Inside I'm Screaming by Elizabeth Flock
57. The Mermaid Chair: A Novel by Sue Monk Kidd
58. The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, Book 3) by Stephen King
59. The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls
60. Lion in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters
61. The Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters
62. The Last Camel Died at Noon by Elizabeth Peters
63. Eyes of Darkness by Dean Koontz
64. Why Girls Are Weird : A Novel by Pamela Ribon
65. Love and a Bad Hair Day by Annie Flannigan
66. The Big Bad Wolf Tells All by Donna Kauffman
67. Mrs. Einstein by Anna McGrail
68. The Return Journey by Maeve Binchy
69. Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey
70. Come Together by Josie Floyd & Emlyn Rees
71. Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray
72. The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2004 by Dave Eggers
73. High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

And now I'm feeling much better.

I think I'm getting sick, but haven't bothered to dig out my Zicam. So, it's been a pajama and lounge day for me. Threadless t-shirts and Dr. Seuss pants are totally hot, no?

About an hour ago, I was sitting on the couch watching an old Gilmore Girls episode when I heard the mailbox thunk shut. There's nothing I love more that seeing what's come in the mail. Yesterday was hard, y'all.

There was a returned Christmas card (crap) and the normal bunch of bills. And a package! At first I thought it was a PaperBackSwap.com book I'd ordered, but it felt really light. It wasn't a book, but it was preeeetty pretty jewelry! I got this and these from Lucky Accessories. And they were 40% off! Are you jealous? Don't be. The sale ends January 15th.

Thanks to Awesome for the link.

It's 2007.

About 2:30am on January 1st, actually.

This year, so far, it's all about the beauty treatments. An awesome way to start of the new year, right?

My hair smells and feels awesome. The rest of me smells good, too. And my face? Well, I'm feeling pretty rejuvenated.

Just in time to go to bed.

I love Edward Gorey.

My mother in law gave me this t-shirt for Christmas. And then I stumbled up on this quiz today:

What horrible Edward Gorey Death will you die?

You will perish of fits. Repeat this to yourself: "Things can work out even if I don't get my way. Things can work out even...."

Take this quiz!

Me? Pitch a fit? You must be crazy.