My Dream House!!

I've had a lot of time to think about what I want in a home.  Now, I'm not looking for a McMansion.  I don't want a pile of land.

I someday want a house, with enough of a fenced back yard that I can let Misty run in.  Enough to put a grill and some chairs.  Now this doesn't take much.  Many townhouses will give me this.  So at times I let me mind wander and think about what I'd really want....

I drive by this house every day.  I've never been inside, but something about the house makes me happy.  Like it would be a cozy home.

In a perfect world, I'd like to build this house with a basement.  Basements are rare in Virginia... but I'd LOVE one.  I'd make it a game room, a place to put the video games, to play role playing games.  Maybe with a wet bar!

I know that the upstairs is one of those open spaces.  That's where I'd love to have my bedroom.  My idea of a perfect bedroom consists of 2 smaller rooms, connected by a doorway.  One just has the bed and the night stand.  The other has closets, clothes racks, dressers and the like.  A dressing room of sorts.  Though, I don't like traditional dressers.  I like things like these, with the fabric drawers.  Because I'm OCD like that.

I am one of those people, that dones't seen the importance of a formal living room.  I'd rather have a library.  With a fancy computer.  And maybe a chair and love seat.

In the realm of me wanting to save money, I'd look into solar panels, and the ultra efficient heat pump.  Environmentally friendly AND saves me money.  Sign me up.

All in all, I need to win the lottery.

Plans for the future!

I've been asked (and the Spousal Equivalent has been asked, as well).. well, if you're getting your tubes tired.... what about the future.

Because apparently if I don't have biological children, my life is over.  Insert the eye rolling here.

As as matter of fact, we do have plans!

I know that kids are expensive.  And since we have issues affording the dog and cat some months, we decided to wait on kids.  Me being 37 makes waiting VERY difficult.  Plus, babies freak me out.

So our solution:  Someday, when we get the credit straight, and we have some money, we're going to buy a house.  In that house, we'll have some spare rooms.  At that point, we're going to see about becoming foster parents.

Not a bad plan, huh?

As for the house... I have many aspects of the dream house in mind... but that's another post.

I've been waiting for this moment since high school!!!

The Les Miserables Trailer is here!!

Now, why do I love this musical so much?  2 words:  Marching. Band.

We used music from the show for my first two years of band.  And amazingly, I wasn't sick of the music.  The next year, Les Miserables became the first Broadway show I've ever seen.

And now, it's going to the theaters.  Actually, it'll be in theaters for my birthday.  I know what I'll be doing for my birthday!!

A person's best friend

Dogs are supposed to be man's best friend. Well, Misty qualifies. On Friday, when I was brought home from the surgery center, Misty was let out from her kennel by the Spousal Equivalent. Instead of walking to the door to out outside, she ran into the bedroom to joyously lick my face. She refused to leave the bedroom all day, even to go on a walk.

Misty's had a good weekend. I was home, and she was out of the kennel, for five days.

And for all of this devotion, all she asks for is walkies, rawhide treats, and love. I think I can do that.

Little Steps Everyday

Obviously, the surgery has put a crimp in my diet plans. I mean, Friday I was WAY under points, since I only ate 5 saltines on Friday.

Since then, we've been eating pretty much what we've wanted. But in the interest of moderation, we've been having salad for dinner.

My workplace hasn't been helping. They sent me chocolate covered strawberries that I had to eat! And they are good!!!

My only exercise lately has been walking the dog. And I think I'm going to continue with this for a while.

Diggin' in the Dirt

It's planting season, so I've been thinking about this a lot. I'm not an outdoorsy person. I once killed a fake plant. Seriously, I have a black thumb.

One day last week, I was browsing Facebook, and ran across an article about how gardening alleviates depression and other mental problems. That got me thinking. It might help some people, except those that hate being dirty.

Me, I hate the idea of digging in the dirt. I always have. I sat on something when I played in my sandbox so I wouldn't get dirty. I have always preferred swimming in pools over natural bodies of water. The only beaches I've ever tolerated have been groomed to be free of seaweed. (it brushing against my legs gives me the heeby jeebies). Even when I owned a house, I had no interest in planting flowers. I think I've killed every potted plant I've owned.

So for all of you planting, gardening people: Bravo! It's just not my thing.

Oh nostalgic tv!!!

Oh Netflix Streaming, how I love thee! What I've watched over the last few days:

~The Dresden Files
~Battlestar Galactica
~She-Ra
~G. I. Joe (cartoon from the 80's)
~Jem and the Holograms

The only place I'm comfortable is in bed, so it's a lot of Netflix for me.

Well, I did it, My tubes are tied!!

My journey started yesterday, just before noon. My friend picked me up and brought me to the Surgery Center. I was given an IV, asked my name, birthdate and what I was there for. (actually, I was asked that so many times that I had to get creative)

I was wheeled to the OR, and the sarcastic anesthesia guy pushed the meds. Nice sleep, weird dreams. I remember being asked to stop rubbing my eyes. I was brought to recovery, propped up in a chair, and partially dressed. I was given Percocet, crackers and ginger ale. My friend was brought in. Honestly, I had the worse cramps ever and all I wanted to do was sleep. My blood pressure was really low (who knew! It's usually too hight!), so we waited for the Spousal Equivalent to pick me up.

He came, I was loaded into the car and off to Target we went. After the prescriptions were dropped off, I was taken home. It was three, and I slept off and on until eight or nine. Dinner consisted of saltines, water and a pain pill.

Yesterday, I had the worst cramps ever. Today it's only sore when I move. Today I'm going to watch very old cartoons and feast on Five Guys! Weight Watcher points be damned!

Friday, my life will change forever

Why, do you ask?  Friday I shut off my reproductive ability.  I'm going to have surgery for a tubal ligation.  After Friday there's no chance of me reproducing biologically.

I'm nervous.  I've never had surgery before.  It's freaking me out.

My friends have been amazingly supportive.  Not one of them have questioned me, stated that all women want children, talked about my duty to reproduce, or anything like that.  They understand me, and that's why I love them.

I was questioned about the timing.  My insurance covers the procedure.  But we've all seen the news.  Reproductive rights are being stripped, or are about to be stripped from women.  I wanted to make sure I could have this done before this country turns into A Handmaiden's Tale.

GleeCap: Goodbye

First, it was a 5 tissue episode. Seriously. Especially the last quarter of it.

They left people in interesting places. Mercedes and Mike going on the great things. Puck actually graduating. Brittany won't. Does that surprise anyone?

I was surprised with Kurt not making it into NYADA. Rachel was made for the school, so her getting in wasn't a surprise. But what will Kurt do now? What will Santana do? I personally think she should go to college. Finn's enlisting. I'm not surprised. It's actually a decent move. But he set her free. No wedding. That simply killed me.

Now, some unanswered questions:

• Wasn't Sam a senior this year?  I thought he was....
• Will Rory get to come back?
• Will Joe have a bigger role?
• What about Kurt?  Was he stupid enough not to have a safety school?

Why I am a Gleek

Most of my friends are also Glee fans.  Many of the ones that aren't, don't understand the appeal of the show.

Why do people love this show?  The music?  Sure.

I think a lot of us see ourselves in the characters.  We've been the outsiders.  We've been the outcasts.  We've had our hearts broken, or come from a broken home, or have been tossed into a dumpster.   Hell, I used to sing choir songs around a friend's piano.

We were those kids.  We are those kids.  We're the ones that are different, and and don't fit in.  But somehow, the different kids can find a place to fit, together.

I'm thankful for my misfit friends, both from high school and college, and now.

Has anyone seen my motivation?

The Spousal Equivalent has been working insane hours at work.  He was doing 12 hour days Monday through Thursday with an 8 hour day on Friday.  Now it's 12 hour days (weekends included) for the foreseeable future.

What does this mean?  That I have become a serious lazy ass!  I'm ashamed to admit it.  The dishes are undone, the wash needs doing, I need to vacuum.  I'll be hanging my head in shame over here.

Looking at the calendar, my surgery is a week from today, and my mom visits in three weeks.

What does this mean?  Today after work is dishes!  Tomorrow is sorting laundry and vacuuming and Sunday is laundry and grocery shopping!!

So if anyone sees my motivation, can you send it on home?

GleeCap: Props/Nationls

Before I say anything else....


I love it so much, I want to draw hearts around it!  AMAZING!  Like seriously amazing!!

So here we go!  My thoughts:

• Tina:  I think her points were valid, and the lesson learned about being a team player was a little forced.  But woman, couldn't you have stormed out in like, September?  Needless to say, they better give her LOTS of solos next year.
• Beiste:  I've heard the whole "why didn't she leave him already????" song and dance about her.  I KNOW why she didn't leave, she was convinced that he's the best she was ever going to do.  I'm glad she left, and I hope she won't go back.  But the statistics aren't with her on this one.
• Puck:  He's another one of those people that has this hard exterior, but a battered and bruised interior (like Beiste).  I wish he would have had this breakdown months ago.  Needless to say, I'm glad he did.  I have more respect for him.
• Rachael:  That's one tenacious woman!
• Quinn:  Seriously, people.  Can she limp a little? 
• On winning nationals:  I think it was time.  They put in the work, they have the personnel, and their star singers are graduating.

And on a personal note, I cried when they announced their name.  Why?  I've been there.  I remember being on the Marching Band field, waiting to see if we won.  I remember the elation on hearing our name announced as winner.

They left things on an interesting note.  I wonder what's in store for the future.

And today people commenced!

I have 2 weekends that I work, one of them. Commencement. We set up the ceremony, put out refreshments, refilled punch bowls and trays of cookies, then cleaned it all up. 5 hours on my feet.

What am I doing now? I have my feet up, am in my jammies and am watching Glee. It's 8, and I'm done for the night.

Clutter

Last night was my Wednesday Weight Watchers meeting.  I've had a few people tell me:  Why are you paying for someone to help you with weight loss?  Isn't that a waste of money?  My answer:  It works for me.

I sat in the meeting and thought about what works for me and why.  I decided that a cluttered, disorganized life isn't helping me what so ever.  I've noticed that when the house is a mess, I tend to eat out and eat poorly.

So, now in addition to the Weight Watchers, I need to get back into the FlyLady.

I've been kindasorta doing the FlyLady program for a while now.  Instead of having a room a week for my focus, I have a different part of the apartment a day.  I just can't believe it took that long for it to click.  When my life is decluttered, I am a healthier person.

Strangely enough, one of the things that is working for me is not keeping to do lists, or my points journal on my fancy iPhone.  I have a notebook that I keep in my purse for that.  I write out my week's to do lists, keep track of food and appointments in the book.  At night, I cross off everything I've done.  It's very old school, but it works for me!

GleeCap: Prom-asaurus

Well.... that was interesting...

• Blaine:  wow... that's some hair... 
• Brittany: I'm taking bets on if she graduates.
• Puck:  Again with the bets, but he was really sweet with Becky
• Quinn:  Well, now we know the extent of her injuries.  She can walk, but well or steady, but it's getting there.  I think Finn was a little hard on her.  If I was her I wouldn't debut it until it was a little more... perfected.  But if she's back to normal as of next week, I'll be disappointed!!
• Rachael:  I'm DYING to know what happens with her.  Seriously!!  DYING!!!

Wow, can I multitask or what??

I came home with a pile and a half of things to do. So I got home and I
~took out chicken and frozen cooked pasta (I always make too much, so I froze it)
~ took the dog out, and made a salad, ate it while the the chicken defrosted.
~ cut up and started cooking the chicken, while it simmered, I vacuumed the bedroom
~ combined the chicken, the pasta, and a good portion of a jar of pesto
~ I put the bedding in to wash, and remade the bed
~ then I sat down with dinner, and lazy Sangria.

Recipe: Lazy Sangria

I have a 2 quart glass bottle. I filled it 1/4 to 1/3 full of cheap red wine. The rest I filled up with fruit juice (blueberry pomegranate this time). I keep this in the fridge. When I want some, I just mix it with diet Sprite! So good!

Itchy! Again....

I usually spend the spring and summer with bug bites on my legs.  Bugs LOVE me.

Last night I realized that I rarely ever get bug bites on my thighs.  This means fleas.  *sigh*  The pup is itchy.  I don't know how, she's taken a pill AND the topical meds.  I believe she has another two weeks before she can take the pill again.

What this means is that I've been slacking.  I've been slacking on the vacuuming.  I know.  I'm a bad momma.

I got up this morning and stripped the bed.  I sprayed the bed (lightly) and the carpet with flea killer.  Tonight, I vacuum and wash the blankets.  I need to also clean up the living room floor, so I can spray and vacuum that one tomorrow.

Since there was no winter we knew that fleas and ticks would be awful this year.  Now I know what I need to do to combat that.  Clean!

Belated GleeCap!

My cousin remarked that I was late on this. I was!

Choke
~ Kurt made the right song choice, ultimately. I'm proud of his success

~ I had a feeling that Rachael would fail. She's overconfident at times. I don't think we've seen the last of her.

~ Puck. We all know that he's not a college man. But he's not that much of an idiot. I think that he's bored, and got Senioritus as a Sophomore. But he's got too much pride to keep fighting.

I'm curious about the prom next episode...

And in other news: I fell off the diet wagon. I'm working to get back on, but it's proving very difficult. The long walk today helped, unfortunately yoga was made of fail. I need bricks for one video, and the other is almost all Downward Dog, which hurts my wrists something fierce!

And now, some Sangria, and dinner. Tomorrow is Monday.

The Avengers

First, if you haven't seen it.  GO.  Go now.  It's everything a Super Hero movie should be.

Now, my thoughts:

• This is a Joss Whedon movie.  That includes all the things that we love about him (mixing humor with seriousness) and the things we hate about him (killing off characters).  Most of the humor that had the theater roaring involved the Hulk.  Especially Hulk tossing Loki around like he was a towel.
• The more I see Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark, the more I want to go drinking with the man.  Hilarious!
• Thank god Cap't. America was there to formulate a plan.  Seriously.  
• 2 words: Scarlett Johansson.
• This is movie 2 of three that HEAVILY involves archery.  I want to learn to shoot now!
• What the hell is shawarma?  (Please don't tell me... it's from the movie.  And a reason to stay to the VERY end.)

Buying this one in Blu Ray FOR SURE!