Friday, May 30, 2008

The secret is pretty much out

Head over to absent.canadian and put two-and-two together. You'll figure it out ... it's not too difficult, I promise.

In other news, I've started my job in Sports. So far I love it. While I'm super stressed because my brain is crammed with sports information I never thought I would know, I still feel I made the right decision in requesting to transfer departments. I love my boss. I love my co-workers. I love the challenge.

Life is good.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Because he doesn't think I will

Writer's block

It's been nearly a week since I've posted. I know, I'm a bad blogger.

I have lots to say, but I can't seem to string together the right words or even attempt a meaningful sentence.

That's not to say things are bad. It's quite the opposite, really. I'm kind of on Cloud 9.

I'll post when I come back down to Earth.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Sprout!


Because my pesky cat loves to wander onto my patio and attempt to taste my flowers, I bought a packet of cat grass seeds the other day. Just three days after planting, I have a zillion sprouts emerging from their container.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Check engine light

After owning my Volkswagen, car problems don't really phase me too much. I'm used to making the bi-monthly trip to a mechanic and have gotten to know some of the basic parts of a car and how to recognize when they crap out on me.

But, never have I had a car that silently warns me when something's up. Until now. My poor car is trying to tell me there is something wrong, flicking on the check engine light once every couple of months, and sending me into a fit because I'm tired of being told that the Kia mechanic's machine says there's a major evap leak, but that they can't find it.

My car is still under warranty, and that won't last forever. I want to get this "nonissue" resolved before it costs me $70 to have the Kia service center tell me there's nothing wrong and reset things again and again. I'm frustrated and getting a little cranky. And today I get to do it all over again. Oh joy.

So, how's your check engine light? I've talked to several people about this issue, and I've heard a lot of folks who have similar problems.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Some things

There are some things that I just don't blog.

Work is a biggie
Relationships come in a strong second.
Family matters are also high on the list.

I've always said that if I could bring myself to blog about at least one of those topics, this blog would rock. But, alas, I always hold back - mostly because I've never had a strong urge to divulge my super personal life.

Until recently. But I can't. Well, I could. But I'm torn.

So tell me, do you wrestle with this, too? Or should I just throw my hands in the air and spill it?

Monday, May 12, 2008

Junkie

I've gone three days without a fix.
My head hurts.
I'm tired.
I need that familiar pick-me-up from my old friend.

Caffeine.

But I'm determined to kick the habit. I've gone cold-turkey, and my goal is to get through a full week. Then maybe another week ... and then maybe I'll reward myself with a tall glass of heaven.

I miss you, Diet Coke.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Easy come, easy go

I'm old school. I file my taxes and actually mail in the forms.

So this week, while it seems as though everyone around me is getting their tax "rebates" directly deposited into their bank accounts, I'm still pondering what I'll do with mine.

The impractical side of me says to go for it. Spend it like it's on fire. Put it toward that camera my heart has been aching for. Or use it for a new wardrobe - one that includes at least one full-priced item. Heck, forgo the clearance rack altogether. Or maybe I could buy a new bedding set! Or a sleek new iPhone when they come out next month. Yes, that would rock. Good plan.

But then the logical side of me has to be a big, fat buzzkill and pop into the picture. You know that evil credit card that could be paid off? Yeah, that pretty Banana Republic card I decided to apply for because 20 percent off was such a great deal on the $150 I was spending? That could be gone. Sayonara, bye-bye.

And just like that, poof! The credit card wins.

So, tell me, are you going to have fun with your rebate? I hope so!

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Stacey + Red Bull = A bad thing

Never, under any circumstance, would I recommend drinking a 16-oz. can of Red Bull in one sitting. I don't care how alert you need to be.

Four hours ago at work I was about to pass out from from not having slept much at all last night. Now I'm ready to run a marathon.

It's going to be a long night.

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Baby skillz 101

I'm sore today. My left arm is on fire, and my right calf is actually throbbing. But I feel like I accomplished something amazing.

Did I do some kind of bizarre left upper-body workout combined with a right lower-body workout? Nope.

All I did was hold a baby - without moving for 45 minutes straight - in the same position: elbow up, knee balancing a pacifier. It was serious business, trust me.

You see, after a rather stressful 30 minutes at a hair salon in Atlanta in which I felt like the biggest dork for not knowing how to calm a crying 1-month-old (as about five or six other women watched me squirm with nervous smiles on their motherly faces) I was NOT going to disturb the little angel who had FINALLY fallen asleep in my arms.

So there I sat. As still as a statue, and thank goodness he didn't wake up, because I was out of tricks.

If you couldn't tell, I have exactly zero experience with babies. And that's not because I don't love children. I want about 10 of them someday. Well, maybe two. But anyhow, I'm an only child who never grew up around baby cousins or even friends with younger siblings. I didn't babysit, either.

So when Allison journeyed all the way to the back of her salon yesterday, and I looked down at the little guy with a furrowed brow sitting in his carrier, I immediately tried to reason with him.
Me: Please, please don't cry.
Baby: Wait a second, where's my mom??!?
Me: Oh no, your face is turning red. You're not about to cry, are you?
Baby: YOU. ARE. NOT. MY. MOM!
Me: Please, PLEASE don't cry.
Baby: Waaaaaah! Waaaaaah! WAAAH-AAAH-AAAH!!!
Other mothers in waiting area: Awww, bless his heart. He's so cute! Is he wet? Is he hungry? How old is he? Are you his mother? etc. ...
Me: Oh God, I'm in trouble.
After numerous attempts at giving him a pacifier, rocking his carrier, taking him out of the carrier and walking him around the salon, trying to soothe him with quiet pleas, giving him a bottle and goodness knows what else I tried in the midst of my panic, I think he finally wore himself out. I know I was beat.

We eased into a chair and bam! He was out. Praise the Lord.

Forty-five minutes later, Allison emerged with the cutest perky haircut I've ever seen, and much to my gratitude looked down at her sleeping baby and said, "Aw, he looks SO content. Good job!"

Whew.

Next up: Retail therapy at Crate & Barrel, where I bought these:

They're salt and pepper shakers perfect for work! I'm forever searching my desk for little packets of salt and pepper, but now I've got the cutest shakers ever. Made from recycled materials, I thought these little guys were neat-o!

So, I rewarded myself and bought 'em. After all, I deserved it.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

It's the weekend!

... and I'm off - for THREE days!

What am I going to do with myself? Well, I'll tell you. I've got a list because, um, I'm a listmaker.

1. Saturday - I'm about to leave for Atlanta to visit Allison and her new baby. It's mandatory that I get her out of the house, according to her husband (who is out of town on business this weekend). So that's just what I'm going to do. First stop: lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Second stop: the salon for a haircut (her, not me). Third stop: The mall, because I really want a particular top at the Gap and I'm crossing my fingers they've got my size there (no more mediums at my Gap).

2. Sunday - Purge and organize my place. I helped a friend move last week and was completely in awe of her minimalistic approach to living. Only a few boxes, several pieces of furniture and an hour later she was in her new home. That would not be the case if I were to move. Some things have GOT to go. Why I hang on to old magazines, for example, is beyond me. The recycle center and Goodwill are going to be my BFF's on Sunday.

3. Monday - Learn an appreciation for ZZ Top. (Nah, just kidding) Um, I believe Monday is a certain festive holiday called Cinco de Mayo. And it's also cheap taco night at a local Mexican restaurant. Need I say more?

And that's it. Have a great weekend!