Complete thoughts are overrated.

Because my mind is all over the place, and my arms are so sore I can't lift my arms over my head (or heads over my arm, as I typed the first time), I'm going with the good ol' bullets point method tonight.

What can I say, I'm lazy.  My thoughts for this dreary Monday: 

• NaBloPoMo is nearing it's end and while some may not consider me successful, I say it's all how you interpret the rules.  30 posts in 30 days?  Check.  I consider myself victorius.
• Enough with the rain already.  Seriously.  I feel like Noah, minus the boats and the pairs of animals.
• Watching HGTV is dangerous for my health.  It makes me want to a buy a house solely to be able to remodel.  Too bad you need money for that.
• I started circuit training today at the gym and I haven't feel like such a weakling in years.  Hopefully I'll be able to wash my hair tonight, but that's a long way to lift my arms.
• I really need to shower.  And do laundry.  That's the one thing that really sucks about these regular trips to the gym.  All the laundry.  (I know, I know, my life is horrible.)
• I was craving sweets tonight and tried to distract myself with a salad.  Needless to say, I am still craving sweets.

The End.

Sunday Funday Fatday

While I lived in a dorm in the land of the Rockies, my fellow interns and I proudly celebrated Sunday Funday Fatday every week.

For many reasons: Monday was the next day, we were usually a little worn out from Saturday night, and it was a good excuse for eating junk food.

Plus, Sundays were the best food days in the cafeteria. 

There was brunch that included Monkey Bread, which is one of the best things I have ever experienced. 

It was cinnamon sugary gooey goodness.  I think Paula Deen has one of the better recipes, which should make clear it's healthiness for you.

Some of my favorite Sunday Funday Fatday memories:

• Seeing who could eating a McDs cheeseburger in the fewest bites
• Having a 5 movie marathon
• Not getting out of sweat pants for the entire day
• Stopping at multiple fast food restaurants in one trip to get everything we were craving
  

More recently, with my new quasi health kick, I haven't been participating in Sunday Funday Fatday.  Especially since the holidays provide numerous opportunities for eating delicious, but not-so-good-for-you stuff.

Plus prior to my lifestyle change, I was pretty much engaged in eating whatever I wanted, whenever I felt like it.

So it's probably best that I take a break.

Rivalry Week

I am a sports junkie.  I like watching, I like playing, I just plain like 'em.

And this weekend is a big one for college football.  Rivalry week.

In what many are fondly referring to as the Crapple Cup (formerly the Apple Cup), my alma mater (go Cougs!) and our arch nemesis are facing off.

The beautiful thing about this game is that all bets are off as to who will win.

My team should lose as they are the worst team in the nation (not really an exaggeration), and most likely will lose, but we can cling to the hope of an upset.

Because in this game, stranger things have happened.

Go Cougs!!!

Familia

There's something about this time of year, and the things that have been going on in life, that has me thinking about family.

Spending time with family.

Being thankful for family.

I was reminded again tonight when I went to the Blindside.

The movie was seriously good.  Sandra Bullock was awesome.  I laughed, my sister laughed (a lot!).

If you're looking for a good movie to go see, this is one I would definitely recommend.

Check it!

Full of Thanks

The sky is gloomy, the beds are hard, and the pillows are small, but I am thankful.

Thankful to spending time with family, some of whom we don't get to see all that often.

Thankful for time to remember an amazing woman.

Thankful for champagne.

Thankful for naps and sports on TV.

Thankful for today.

Happy turkey day!

Ferry Boat

I spent a good chunk of my growing years in a place where riding ferries was necessary to get to the city.

It was a normal, common occurence to pile on with numerous other cars, try walking to the sway of the boat, and standing in the sea spray.

Today, I was very excited to ride a ferry again.  It's been a while.

Unfortunately, I was also trying to get on the ferry with hundreds of my closest friends, as we all headed wherever the holidays took us.

But I was still excited to be back on, even if I had to sit in line for almost 3 hours and missed a boat by one car.

No hard feelings.  Really.

One Thing I Need To Do

I am sitting at work, with the class that was supposed to be taking place now cancelled.  Life is rough I tell you.

I work from 1-3pm and then I'm done!  Until Monday!  I really can't tell you exactly how excited I am.

Tomorrow afternoon, the siblings and I will travel (just a few hours behind our parents) over to the peninsula for family time with my grandparents, some uncles, and a cousin.

We'll have our big dinner at Grampie and Thyrza's retirement home.

This means no cooking for us, and also gives an excuse for a having a second Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday.

I mean, leftovers are pretty much the best part.  My brother will not be happy if he doesn't get turkey pot pie.

I do not plan on participating in Black Friday, mostly because I really want to sleep in. 

Plus, I don't have many more presents to buy.  And to be honest, I'm digging online shopping these days.  There's just something about sitting on the couch in sweats will spending money that I like.

As we head off for Thanksgiving tomorrow--hopefully I'll still be posting--I am giving myself one assignment: take some dang pictures.

Seriously, this fall has been a complete fail in terms of using my camera.

And that needs to change.  Now.

FAIL...but it's not my fault.

I guess putting things off to the last minute can be a problem.

Like when it's NaBloPoMo and you wait until 11:30pm and then the internet doesn't want to work and you're screwed.

Like me last night.  So fail.  I admit it.

But I would like to go on the record as saying it's not completely my fault.

See, I was "busy" yesterday (and I'm using that term in the loosest sense.  I had football to watch, a new chandelier to help my dad install, a visit to make to the gym, a complicated mac & cheese recipe to undertake (delicious!), and basketball to play.

Of all of those things, basketball was probably the least successful.  I mean, I haven't played in a year and a half, and I was playing with all guys.  Never a recipe for success. 

My only advantage was that they were too nice to block my shots, so I was able to drive fairly freely.

And that would have been a real advantage, had I actually been able to make a shot.

Oh well, details.

Now the question remains, do I still try to keep posting daily?

I'm undecided.

Kryptonite

I am a complete and total sucker for macaroni & cheese, and (unlike my brother) I'm not talking about the stuff in the blue box.

By mac & cheese, I mean, freshly grated, creamy, butter-filled, baked pasta dishes.

It's my kryptonite, especially right now when I have a bridesmaid dress to look fabulous in this coming June.

A month ago when I was on the east side of the state, my sister and I had lunch at the Onion before I headed out of town.

I orded the Epicurian Mac & Cheese, mostly because when I saw the words "mac & cheese" I knew I didn't have a choice about what I was going to get.

My only hesitation was the inclusion of American cheese, which has never really been appealing to me.

The dish was ridiculously delicious.  Amazing, melt-in-my-mouth creaminess.

And now I'm on a quest to create something similar. 

Here's what I have to work from:


The Onion's BAKED EPICUREAN MAC & CHEESE
A blend of Brie and American cheeses, butter, whole cream, sea salt, cracked pepper, and a few other special ingredients. Finished with a crispy baked panko topping.

I Wish I May

Because I'm tired, it's Friday and I'm pretty much out of any sort of creative juice, I've decided to go with a little Christmas Wish list.

Just in case anyone was wondering.

Here's what I'm hoping for:

I'm digging the multiple necklace, layered look.  And having that look available in one piece is even more appealing.

I've been a fan of the slouchy, boyfriend sweater look from the start.  Throw on a belt, layer over a dress, the possibilities are endless.

I've never been a huge watch person, but with my current job and a recent trip to Costa Rica, where I never knew what time it was sin cell phone, I see the appeal. 

I've become a bigger and bigger dress enthusiast as I've gotten older.  I actually loathed dresses when I was younger.  Just ask my mom.  But now I do, and a sweater dress is a warm, comfortable, cute option for the colder months.

Who can have a sweater dress, or boots for that matter, without tights?  Add a little color and it's even better.

Books are always a safe bet.  I can't remember a Christmas without getting one or two.

So there you go.  Just a few things I wouldn't mind finding under the tree.  Although if someone wanted to go with a plane ticket to Europe or Cabo, or a set of new brake pads or a windshield, I wouldn't say "no."

A Great Woman

A couple weeks ago I wrote about a family crisis.  My aunt, who had suffered what the doctors thought were a series of small strokes, had slipped into a coma.

This woman, Auntie Glo, suffered from more health issues than most people can even comprehend.

A diabetic, Auntie Glo dealt with a kidney transplant, a kidney/pancreas transplant, more walking boots than I can count, sepsis, brain tumors, a leg amputated, and blindness.

(As a side note: did you know that when you get a new kidney or pancreas, they leave the old ones in? True story.  Weird story.)

And she did it all with an infectious positive spirit.  (Note to self: suck it up.)  Not to mention, she was pretty much a cat with nine lives.

That's not a metaphor.

Last week, the decision was made to move Auntie Glo to a hospice facility, as the doctors had determined that the brain damage was too great to recover from.  The series of strokes, combined with the radiation she had, had killed off too many cells.

Yesterday, shortly after midnight, Auntie Glo took her last breath.

When my dad came into to my room early in the morning, my first thought was relief.  Finally she is rid of her broken, bruised and battered body.

But there is definitely sadness as well.

This was the woman who took me to what may have been my first movie in theaters--101 Dalmatians.  She could make you laugh like nothing else.  She paid for the order at Starbucks for the person behind her in the drive thru.  She asked my sister and I for help styling her wig at Thanksgiving.

Auntie Glo was a great woman.

A Wee Bit Damp

I had a regular day yesterday.  You know, go to work, go home, stare at Facebook, go work out, and finished up with dinner with some friends.

The Tuesday-night dinner has become a regular occurrence, which is pretty much awesome.  I mean free food.  Come on.

This schedule, unfortunately, results in a Britney concert like wardrobe procession.  And tonight after a stop at the gym, followed by a MUCH needed shower, I decided to dress like a real person.

By that I mean, not just in sweats and a hat.

'Cuz that was last week.

In fact, I decided to venture near the cute end of the spectrum.  You know, dress, leggings, scarf, jacket type getup.  (As a bonus, this outfit is actually as comfortable as sweats, so it's a win-win.)

The problem with this choice was the fact that it was literally raining buckets of water.

I'm not even sure why I took a shower ahead of time. 

The major issue with the outfit was nothing was waterproof, I was wearing flats from Payless, and the scarf was wool.  Ok, major reasons. 

My only good choice of the evening was leaving my hair curly and not drying it.

You may be thinking that I am exaggerating about the water quantities, but a road that was clear on the drive to my friend's house had turned into a stream or river or lake or ocean or something.

It was serious.  I don't make this kind of thing up.

So I did what any sane person would do when I got home, put on sweats and drank peppermint hot cocoa (from Costco and absolutely delish, by the way).

Sometimes I wonder if that whole cute and fashionable thing is even worth the effort.

Phone Phobias

Okay, really, how many people actually enjoy using telephones?  I mean, really.

I used to detest it, but, what with all my maturing I've done, have gotten quite a bit better. 

This got me thinking about how the phone has been a major part of a few of my jobs.  Weird, right?

My very first official big-kid job was as a front office worker in a doctor's office.  It lasted all of a few months--basically from when school started until basketball began.  I didn't really explain that whole basketball thing clearly during the hiring process.

Because I was a normal 16-year-old, you know, going to school and everything, I worked the late shift.  This was awesome because starting at 5 or 6pm (I can't really remember) I got paid time and a half.

Score!

The hitch in this schedule was that I was never really completely trained.  I didn't know the rules for scheduling appointments or anything else.

Yet I still got in trouble for it.  This was a little freaky then. 

At this point in my life, I had a huge aversion to the phone.  I couldn't tell you where it came from, but it was real.

There were 3 people who worked in the front desk after hours and I spent the ENTIRE time avoiding answering the phone.

It didn't help that most doctors and nurses had left at this point, so patients could really talk to whoever they needed to anyways.  Nor did I have anyone to ask questions of.

Basically, it was awesome.

I wonder if my coworkers ever caught on to my antics?  Probably.  From what I've seen, most juniors in high school are not very smooth.

I Got Sucked In

I was moving to hit snooze on my phone's alarm for the third time turn off my alarm and get up this morning when I got a text from my boss.

Power was out at the University and I didn't have to be at work until noon.

It was a pretty fabulous way to start out the week, and Monday.

The downside of only working 1 hour today (but getting paid for 5.5--it's okay to hate me) is that my day swiftly devolved into sitting on the couch and watching crap reality TV.

More specifically, Keeping Up with the Kardashian's: The Wedding. 

In my defense, there isn't a lot to be found on TV at 3 in the afternoon, and I did intersperse my watching with Househunters and Say 'Yes' to the Dress.

Impressive, no?

My achievement for the day: going to the gym, which resulted in me struggling to be able to wash my hair.

What can I say, my arms are a wee bit sore.

Now excuse me while I go gear up for 24 hours straight of college basketball.

Is it me, or is it a little crowded?

Today I did a little Christmas shopping.

Although I suppose it's a bit of stretch to qualify all my shopping today as "for Christmas." 

In truth, I bought two Christmas presents, a shower present, and a few things for myself.

"One for you, one for me."  Just kidding, sorta.

I actually worked really hard to hold myself back from personal purchases.  In fact, most of what I purchased for myself were shower-related products.

Scouts honor.

I even passed up a super cute, sleeveless, pin-striped, summer weight shift dress from GAP.  Not that I'm bitter or anything.

And I walked through ALL of Pier 1 without considering a simple thing.  Although, I will admit I find throw pillows inspirational.

Don't ask me why.

I also went to Costco for lunch.  Their samples, particularly on Sunday, are the best!

What surprised me the most about the venture was how many people were shopping.  I mean, seriously, it's not even Thanksgiving.  I went now to avoid the crowds.  (And use my GAP 30% Give and Get discount.)

What is going on people?!

And I would know if it's a lot of people.  Our household visits Costco approximately 2-3 times a week.

That's no exaggeration either.

My guess is that's it the week dollar's fault.  Those Canadians are pouring over the border to take advantage like there's no tomorrow.

Aching

I've been paying for my newly acquired gym routine with very sore legs.

Watching me try to walk, or stand or sit for that matter, is a sight to behold.

Last night, I met up with a couple friends for a late night dinner (and adult beverages), I knew I just had to wear my new heels.

I bought them a while ago and hadn't had a chance to test them out.

That's mostly because I lead a rather exciting life living with my parents.  And I work two jobs.  And I'm lame.

But last night presented the perfect opportunity for the shoes, except for those really sore legs.

Watching me walk you'd probably never guess that I'd worn heels before, let alone owned numerous pairs.  Nor would you guess that I'd only had (gasp) one adult beverage over the course of 2.5 hours.

I could barely get in or out of my car without some sort of assistance due to muscle spasms, let alone walk like a normal person.

What's happening to me?

There's been a new development in life.

As I mentioned last week I joined a gym, and now I have a personal trainer.

I don't know who I am becoming.

The thing is, and don't ask me why I feel the need to justify this decision to the internet, I really enjoy working out.

Weird, right?

It's true though.  Right now, I'm kind of relishing the fact that it's painful to sit down, stand up, and bend over.

(Keep your mind out of the gutter!)

I mentioned previously that I've started to enjoy running, although "enjoy" may be a bit of a stretch.  But what I really like is lifting weights.

This is for a couple reasons.  Thanks to my athletic past (and the lawn mowing) I tend be a little stronger than the average woman.  I don't associate lifting with punishment, and the same cannot be said for running.  Because that's what running was in sports, torture.

Seriously, my lung are constricting a little just thinking about it.

Also, a personal trainer keeps my a little more accountable for getting to the gym, not just for my sessions, but outside of those as I know he'll check in to see what I've done on my "off" days.

Is it expensive?  Absolutely, but for now, the benefits outweigh the costs.

About that Ad

I'm not gonna lie, the internet scares me a wee bit.

Just recently I noticed that the ads on many pages seem to stalk my movements. 

If I go virtual window shopping apparently it knows exactly where I went and what for, and it doesn't forget.

At this point, I'm pretty sure that the internet qualifies as a living, breathing thing. 

And I'm not talking about your typical family pet, but an exotic creature ready to consume you (and your credit) at a moment's notice.

I've seen I, Robot, people. 

If I didn't have faith in Will Smith's ability to save the human race, I would be completely freaking out right now.

Plus, my obssession with the internet is such that I probably won't be parting with it anytime soon.

Like I said, I'm not going to lie.

Not My Grandma's Music (apparently)

A few years ago, before we realized just how demented (as in one who has dementia) my grandmother was, part of the family took a trip to Seaside.

That part of the family included my good friend and roommate, the Dancing Queen.  (she is a really good dancer and because of her I have legitmately learned some dance moves--think ballroom/swing-type stuff)

The trip was a bit of a logistical nightmare, because the people coming from the east side, besides my grandmother, were not going to be able to stay for the whole week.

This meant that while my grandmother had a ride to the coast, she didn't exactly have a way back.

It was decided that I would drive back with the Dancing Queen and my grandmother, and then fly home.

Very efficient.  And green.

In an effort to keep my grandmother from hating life (and, quite possibly, me), we stopped early on in the trip at a Fred Meyer.

The goal: some sort of music that my grandmother might actually enjoy.

The solution: a 3-CD compilation of old time gospel.  I kid you not.

And she didn't appreciate it, which is ridiculous considering hymns are some of her favorite music.

I can honestly say that most of the trip back, and the music involved, is a blur.  By that, I mean that I still listen to the CDs every day.

However, I do distinctly remember my grandmother saying at the end that next she would get to pick the music.

I avoided that fate by never driving her across the state again.

So long, Jess.

Over my many, many years of life, I have been a regular visitor out to my uncle's farm.

Growing up it was every summer, at least once, and sometimes for extended periods of time.  Some summers we visited long enough to take swimming lessons at the pool where my mom once lifeguarded.

By the time I was in college we were no longer visiting as regularly or for as long, but then, after tranferring schools, I was living there.

With family, close family.  It was pretty great.  Not only did I manage to get some good home cooked meals out of the deal, but I also got to play on the farm.

And by play I mean ride horses and make excuses for buying boots and western-style jeans.

Over all the years, all the trips, everything, there have been a few constants at the farm.

Two constants were Jim and Jess.  These draft horses were there before I was even alive, and I couldn't imagine a visit without stopping by to say hello to them.

This past week, Jess died.  She was around 30 years old.

Jim and Jess have been a very dependable duo, even as they have slowed way, way down over the years. 

As most horses don't live to be that old, it wasn't a complete shock.  But that doesn't mean her loss isn't felt.

Felt, I would guess, most by Jim as Jess has been his constant partner their entire lives.

She will be missed.

How much is too much?

I have a hard time knowing how to balance real life with the internet world.

Maybe balance isn't the right word.  Connect might be better.

Regardless of proper vocab, I'm just not sure.

First, there's the issue of people knowing what's going on in my life.  Between Facebook, blogging, Twitter, and the mostly abandoned Myspace, there are a multitude of options of ways to stalk get updates.

The same is true for keeping track of others.  With well over 500 Facebook friends, I see updates for people I don't really know.

My favorite is when people get engaged or married.  I'll read through comments people have left them or scroll through pictures.

It doesn't matter that our interactions were limited to one class project or meeting, I still want to know.  Or at least look at pretty pictures.

The lines between all these different technologies and outlets seemed to become more blurry everyday.  Maybe someone texts or Facebooks me in response to a blog. Then I respond to a tweet.  And they call.  And so on and so on...

It's confusing, I tell you.

All this online interaction and information sharing can lead to an anti-climatic real life.

Maybe you haven't seen or spoke to a good friend in days, but they update their status so often you know exactly what they've had for breakfast.

Whenever a person has some story or update to give me that I already know about via internet, I'm faced with the dilemma of how to react.

Surprise?  Consternation?  Shock?  Amusement?  Or do I just interrupt and tell them I already know.

Every once in a while I wish life could be a little more simple, but then I spend half an hour stalking checking on friends on Facebook and forget all about that.

Nothing to Tell

Right now, some of you are probably wondering about me.

Likely, all of you are.  I know I wonder about myself on a daily basis.

More specifically, you are probably wondering how I can drop a bomb such as "my aunt's in a coma" and procede to spend the next few days blogging about shoes and cars.

The truth is, there isn't much to report.  My aunt is still unconcious and we're playing a waiting game.

And honestly, I'd rather blog about shoes and cars than about sitting in an ICU or navigating the multiple members of the family to and fro. 

The big news of the weekend is that my father helped my grandpa use his cell phone's speakerphone, and grandpa can't get enough. 

Of course, my dad has to talk him through turning it on every single time, but that's beside the point.


Now I'm home, exhausted, and not at all ready for the week to begin.  Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do to stop it.

Bridesmaid shoes? Check.

My cousin, the tall one, is getting married in June.

She's dubbed "the tall one," not because she's my tallest cousin (not by a long shot), but because she was the tallest roommate back in the days we lived together.

A few weekends ago, the crew (aka the bridal party...or the females at least) met in the city for a day o' wedding.

Thanks to, or maybe even in spite of, that weekend, bridesmaid dresses have been ordered.

More importantly, we selected shoes we thought would work.  And the tall one confirmed the choice just this week.

They are beauts, the shoes are.  Comfortable, cute, and elegant.

I can't wait to wear them for the tall one's wedding, and probably a few times before and after.

The purchase also gets me excited for the big day.

I think it can.

Today, while driving in the big city, I realized how much I would NOT want a manual if I lived here.

Mostly because there were steep hills everywhere, and people pulling way too close to my bumper, rain running all over the place, and a weird smoke-like smell that might have been coming from my car.

But I'm not sure if it was or not.

I really like having a manual, especially since my car is about as powerful as a dogs pulling a sled in the iditarod. 

If I have to get over a mountain, I better have some momentum otherwise the semitrucks will be passing me.  True story.

One thing I would give up about my car (besides the amazing hybrid gas mileage) is my stereo with Bluetooth and MP3 player capabilities. 

Literally, I will not give it up.  As in, I will tear it out of the car when I have to get rid of it.  Although by that time, the technology will probably be obsolete, since I know it's not cutting edge anymore.

Now excuse me as I look for some uplifting, upbeat music to drown out the reality of life. 

Sitting in a hospital just takes it out of me.

Relaxed. Totally.

Two in one day? What?!

It's true.  I am posting again.  Mostly because the last post was more like a breaking news announcement than anything.

Now that I'm laying on a hotel bed, lounging in yoga pants, using free wi-fi, having consumed a delicious shepard's pie, I'm feeling relaxed. 

I could fall asleep right now and be perfectly content with life. 

The only thing that could make life better (besides the looming disaster mentioned in my last post being over) is some sort of delicious in the form of dessert.

I'm watching teen jeopardy, which let's me feel a little bit more smart, and more normal.  These kids are interesting, to say the least.

Just kidding, I'm taking back the smart part.  These kids know way more random stuff than I ever have.

I have to say, sometimes it's totally worth paying a little more to stay in a nicer hotel.  Not that I paid, but that's not the point.

Now excuse me as I resume me TV viewing and avoid thinking too hard.

Breaking from the regularly scheduled program:

I swear I had something witty interesting to say today.  Cross my heart and stuff.

Then the family got bad news: my aunt is in the hospital (and has been for a bit) and is now in a coma.

So instead of putting together awesome blogging posts and taking naps, as I had planned, I will be spending at least today down in the Emerald City with family.

Any prayers you can send our way would be greatly appreciated.

Don't worry NaBloPoMo, I haven't forgotten you.  You're just not as important right now.

Also, one of our middle schools essentially burned down last night.  I'm waiting for the third thing.

Typing It Up

My job is pretty hard to complain about, not that I don't give it my best shot some days.

Sure, there are annoying aspects, like when a student gives a presentation with ten million statistics at a rapid fire pace and shows a music video that is impossible to keep up with.

Then again, there are also days (like yesterday) where I work approximately one hour, but get paid for six.

As I told a friend, if I go shopping those days then it's like I'm breaking even. $25 of groceries while I'm getting paid for work. Deal.

My job is transcribing, providing communication access in college classrooms for deaf and hard of hearing students.

I get the perks of school (learning interesting stuff--let me tell you about tsunamis) without the crap (assignments, essays, test, and TUITION). Plus, I'm improving someone else's life.

Just give me my gold star already.

For some (or most) of you, you probably know this all. I'm sure I've explained/talked about it before.

But I have to post everyday and I don't want to use all my good material up on the first day.

To give you a real feel for what I do, I thought I'd include some work "typing" or the shorthand we use in our program.  Now I just have to think of something to say.

i'm hpg jt NaBloPoMo l help m imprv blggg ovrll  for a whl now i'v felt frly unsprd abt blggg  evry once n a whl, i'l v sm brllnt ia t wrte abt, but most f j time i'm just typg whtvr j heck hppns t pop n my head  srry abt jt  k's bn rgh, i know  so here's to NaBloPoMo hpg jt k insprs m x many ojr blggrs  good nws: k crtnly c't get wrse (for m jt s) 

Pumping Iron Starts Now

I joined a gym this evening. I couldn't be more happy about it, for a number of reasons.

1) I have really missed working out. It's weird. I actually miss running a little, even if I don't enjoy it. And I really enjoy lifting.
2) The holidays are coming and I can feel a little less guilty about the ten servings of whatever if I am going to the gym regularly. And I won't need a new wardrobe (double win!).
3) I spotted a couple cute guys while I was there signing up. Not that I'm counting chickens or anything, but at least a girl can hope.
4) Signing up came with a number of free starter coupons: a free personal training session, free tannings, and much more.

I'm just hoping that my body will be just as enthused about this when I go to the gym for the first visit.

I am also really excited to take advantage of the fitness classes. I've never really gone that route before and I looking forward to trying out something different.

All I know is that one 20 minute run two months ago isn't enough. Unless I'm part sloth. Then I need to rethink the gym membership thing entirely.

Oh, and if anyone asks, I'm my best friend's roommate.

It's just money.

I have two major addictions when it comes to shopping: shoes and makeup.

Shoes I like because the size isn't associated with beauty in quite the same way.

Yes, I have above average sized feet, and have probably even gotten a couple comments, but our society doesn't associate large feet with 'fatness' in the same way pants sizes are.

Sorry for the soapbox side trip.

The point there being shoes are beautiful and I can't have enough and I spend hours drooling over boots ('cuz it's fall).

Makeup is just pretty. It's the eye shadow that gets me, with the sparkles and colors.

I also get sucked in to the special deals, and the kits that "save you money" and whatever other marketing ploys companies use.

I try the internet window shopping technique, but unless the shopping cart expires fairly soon after purchase, that is usually more dangerous than it is beneficial. All it takes is me looking at a product a couple times and I just know I have to have it.

(Or a special at Sephora: 20% off using FF2009 through today.)

I came about 5 minutes from buying three sweaters from Victoria Secret yesterday because I was going to get free shipping and a lip gloss set.

Dangerous I tell you.

I also justify spending habits. Like, for example, that shopping for gifts doesn't fall under the normal shopping category and is somewhat exempt from budgetary limits.

Don't go imagining the I am spending millions, thousands or even hundreds (mostly) on gifts, but I am much more likely to spend more or not worry about "deals" when it's a gift than when it's for myself.

So as the holiday season approaches, I am girding my loins (and my wallet) for an influx of temptations and opportunities to fill all the recently purged holes in my life (a.k.a. closet).

I'm not thinking. It's a curse.

Daylight savings combined with Halloween to make me feel like I need to fall asleep about three hours ago.

But I held out. And my sister is headed back to school tomorrow, so I was busy trying to suck all the nectar from our visit.

Currently we are engaged in a debate of worst actors ever. We can't decide between Kevin Costner, Keanu Reeves and Nicholas Cage.

Paul Walker was just added to the debate. But he gets points for hotness.

On a completely unrelated note, I've just made the important decision (internal, not part of the current discussion) to be a part of NaPoBloMo.

I've signed up to make it official and everything.

This could be the worst decision of my life. I'm not even exaggerating.

And I'll probably regret making this announcement

By probably, I mean I will. Tomorrow.