It’s Thursday, I’m Random

• I need spring to come back.  This gloomy, rainy, and cold weather is not the business.
• Did I ever tell y’all that occasionally I pimp myself out?  I will sign up for a “compensation is available” medical study in a heart beat.  Most only pay 20 or 25 bucks, but I put that check in Lovegirl’s account and keep right on stepping.  Next on my list – a resting heart rate study which will garner me a  $20 WalMart gift card.  You had to be overweight to qualify.  Thanks much 25.7 BMI for getting me in.  Thanks a lot.
• I simply must wash my and Lovegirl’s hair this weekend.  Color me unexcited.  I love my girl, and I love that she has a head full of healthy hair, but sometimes I wish she would agree to rock a low fade.
• To my loc rockers:  how long does it take your hair to dry?  Do you sit under the dryer?
• Anyone who sees me today would probably think that I got dressed in the dark.  I did.  I look a hot mess.
• I couldn’t sleep last night so I stayed up until 2 (maybe 3?) watching  Red Rock West – a movie about a sheriff who hired someone to kill his wife and the dude didn’t, but then the real killer showed up and it turned into a big old mess.  It was pretty good – full of twists and turns.  Of course it was the crack of dawn, so please take that review with a grain or two of salt.
• Why do my coworkers insist on continuing to have pot luck lunches?   I.am.not.eating.your.food.
• I lost four pounds last week. Yay!  And gained three over the weekend.  Boo!  Apparently, consistency is key. Who knew?
• Smoochy brought me some pyramid scheme organic mocha drink.  It was disgusting.  Who is making money off of that???
• I ordered my Mother’s Day gift – from Smoochy to me – yesterday.  He did real good this year

‘Tis all.  What’s going on in your world??

Can You Help Me, Baby Can You Help Me Out???

Our pastor has been doing a series on family and his most recent sermon was on disciplining children and establishing household rules.  It’s been a great series that has confirmed some things that I’ve been thinking about as it relates to the way our house is run and how Lovegirl is being raised. 

I am working on keeping the house neater/cleaner.  Smoochy is working on disciplining Lovegirl on a more regular/consistent basis.  Right now, I’m the “heavy” and would like for us to share this role – not that I won’t spank Lovegirl – I just don’t want to be the only one doing so.  Lovegirl is going to work on doing better – behaviorally – at school.

Now, this is where y’all come in.  I’d like to have a piece of artwork done (by a truly talented friend of mine) that lists, details, spells out (pick a phrase) our house rules – those things which we will adhere to because we are Christians and because we are the Ourlastnamehere family.  But um, er, I can’t think of anything!  Okay, that’s not true, I’ve thought of a few things, but I feel like I want more included. I’m not looking for a list of thou shalt nots or anything like that, just a visual reminder of the things we hold important and will strive toward on the daily.

This is what I’ve come up with so far:

Obey God’s Word
Treat Others With Kindness
Respect Ourselves and Others
Be Excellent In All Things

Um yeah, that’s it.  Do have anything like this in your home? 

What suggestions do you have for mine?  Thanks in advance!

Shhhhh…Don’t Tell Anybody

I’m spending the day – yep, the work day – uploading pictures and making photo albums.  I have about 3 gazillion pictures – give or take – on various and sundry SD cards and I have got to stop the madness.  So today’s goal is to get all of these pictures dowloaded, albums made, and a few of the albums ordered.  I cannot believe how many pictures have been “trapped” on cards for years!

Are you good at printing pictures/making albums or are your pictures trapped like mine are were?

Have a great weekend – we’re going to spend Saturday at a festival downtown and Sunday at church - Lovegirl is singing at 9:30 services and the African Children’s Choir is performing that night – they’re awesome!

Wherein Nerd Girl Rambles Like a Rose…

Sigh.

I bought a scale last night.  And was crazy enough to get on it.  I weigh 179.2 pounds.  Giving me a BMI of 25.7.  I am officially overweight.  So, I’m going to try to lose …20 pounds.  Dear. God.  I looked around on these here internets and according to them I “should” weigh around 153. 

I’m not going to go nuts and eat only cabbage soup or wear garbage bags to lose the weight.  I’m going to eat less, choose my foods more wisely, and move more.  This week I’ve resolved not to eat anything that didn’t come from the perimeter of the grocery store – dairy, meat, veggies.  So far, so good.

I guess this should take me about 5 months?

* * * * *

I’ve been feeling very listless lately and I realized that I feel better when I am working toward something.  And I haven’t been really been working toward anything  since I finished my degree.  Last summer.  Oops.  I’m not looking for anything as major as another degree right now, but I’m going to spend some time being quiet so that I can figure out what my next “to do” will be.  And how to make it work within the confines of my budget and schedule.

* * * * *

How short a dress is too short for work?  I was going to try to add 2 or 3 dresses to my spring/summer wardrobe but everything I’ve been trying on seems mighty darn short to me.   They’re at least a few inches above my knees.  Is that appropriate??  Any suggestions?

* * * * *

One of my graduating students brought me some roti her mom made and a silk clutch from India.  Another stopped in to tell me how much she appreciates all the help I’ve given her over the last two years.  I got all verklepmt y’all.  It’s nice to be appreciated.

* * * * *

The department chair is on our hall today.  I only know this because they keep sending emails and whispering this.  Um, I don’t care. 

* * * * *

Special shout out to TIH who got me hooked on Tess Gerritsen’s books which I’ve been reading like there’s no tomorrow.  They’re good, fast paced reads which just happen to be crime thrillers.  I’ve checked out so many from the libary I’m probably on somebody’s watch list…

* * * * *

Speaking of the library, I’m waiting for somebody to finish “Warmth of Other Suns” so I can get started on it.  Has anyone started yet??

* * * * *

I’ve got to go.  It’s time for my lunchtime walk.  Peace.

Joy and Pain – The Weekend Edition

Joy – Leaving work early Friday to hang out with the kiddo.

Pain – Chuck E Cheese with Lovegirl and every other short person out for Spring Break.

Extra Pain – Having to wait behind the velvet rope to get into Chuck E Cheese.

* * * * *

Joy – Two tickets to the Frankie Beverly/Maze concert on Saturday night.

Pain – Arriving at the convention center and realizing the show was canceled.

Extra Joy – Just hanging out with Smoochy, laughing and talking over drinks and Mexican food.

* * * * *

Joy – Having Lovegirl announce she added a new word to her vocabulary.

Pain – Finding out that word is bitch.

Extra Joy – Having her ask for a definition and then using the word in a sentence.  “Ohhh, I get it.  The devil is a bitch.”  (Totally my fault – when she learns new words I make her use them in a sentence to make sure she understands their usage.)

* * * * *

I leave you with this exchange we had Saturday night which totally brought me joy:

Lovegirl:  Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.

Me:  Um, honey, it’s not our anniversary.

Lovegirl:  then why are y’all going somewhere without me???

Anyhoo, we had a great weekend and I hope you did too.  Did you???

Funked Out With A Gangsta Twist

• RIP to Nathaniel Hale BKA Nate Dogg.  This dude sang some of the best hooks in rap IMHO – who else could sing about hoes in different area codes and make it sound so good??  And don’t get me started on Regulate – one of my favorites.  I don’t like all rap, but I like a lot of it and Nate Dogg was the voice that took many of the songs I like to the next level.
• Yesterday was Scramble Day in the world of medical education.  Those graduating seniors who didn’t match with a residency program anywhere scramble to find a spot – any spot – somewhere.  We were on the phone all day long breaking hearts by telling folks we didn’t have any available spots.  I cannot imagine going through four years of medical school just to find out that I didn’t match anywhere, that I had to scramble for a position, that any position I get is only for a year, and that I’d have to do it all over again next year.  Whew.
• My phone died again – touch screen went out.  I bought a cheapo replacement.  No me gusta.  Does anyone have a V.erizon phone that’s not “smart”?  What kind? I really don’t want to pay for a data package just to get a good phone…even though I think that’s what I’m going to end up having to do
• Remember my self-imposed month long ban on exclamation points?  Yeah, it’s over – I know when to admit defeat.  I can’t do it no mo’.  I need, I crave, I want excessive punctuation.
• !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• OMG – I watched RHOM for the first – and probably last – time last night.  What is up with the excessive plastic surgery that one chick’s mom has oh-so-obviously had?  She looks like that chick who’s famous for overdoing the surgeries.  I think the docs who agree to eff up people’s faces/bodies like that should have their licenses revoked.  Luther was not referencing plastic surgery when he sang “Never Too Much!”
• How the hell is C.harlie Sheen selling out tours????

That’s it!  I hope you make it over the Hump with no drama!  Enjoy your day!

Did You Know…

There is a huge difference between projectrungay.blogspot.com and projectrungay.com?  And this is not a difference you need to discover while at work on your state-issued computer. 

Oops.

Life Lesson # 31211: How to Have a Garage Sale in Ten Easy Steps

1.  Have Pserendipity remind you that y’all are having a garage sale in two days.

2.  Post an ad on Crai.gslist advising the general public that all of your crap fantastic earthly treasures will be available for purchase.

3.  Go to bed at 9 on the Friday night before the garage sale.

4. Wake up at 5 on Saturday and look around your house for random treasures to sell.

5.  Put said treasures in back of car along with sleep daughter.

6.  Hightail it over to Pserendipity’s and lay wares out.

7.  Pray that you make $20 to offset the price of a purse you’ve been coveting.

8.  End up making $47 – a good portion of which came from Pserendipity’s neighbor who was having the sale with us.

9.  Walk around talking smack about your riches.

10.  Ensure that you have something that will really catch buyers’ attention and reel them in:

Run DST

Wednesday Hodgepodge

• Monday morning I picked up the rental car I’ll be driving until my car is fixed.  They told me I was “approved” for a large SUV since that’s the size vehicle I normally drive.  Um, no.  Gas is a gazillion dollars a gallon (shout out to Jameil) and I’ll take a mid-size vehicle por favor.  So I was all set to drive off in a shiny, red Chevy Malibu when I realized that my stature and the car didn’t agree – the steering wheel hit my knees/thighs every time I tried to turn the wheel.  Thank you Chevrolet for making me feel freakishly large. 
• I’ll be riding around in a Jeep something-or-other for the next few days.  If, that is, I can actually remember what it looks like when I go to the parking lot.  Have I mentioned that I’m not much of a car person and very few vehicles actually turn my head?  I should’ve taken a picture.
• Lovegirl was in a wedding Saturday.  After repeatedly telling me she didn’t want to do it and that she was too nervous, I was like fine and told the bride not to count on Lovegirl.  The bride asked if Lovegirl could just wear the tutu (yes, tutu) and take pictures and I said yes.  I’ll let you guess who went to the wedding, decided she was feeling it and stole the show.  Lovegirl is still giggling at the fact that the bride’s father told her she did a better job than the bride.  This is the same child who stood at the altar during Pserendipity’s wedding and cried like there was no tomorrow.  Sigh.
• My dear sweet husband turned 39 on Sunday – we celebrated by chilling at the house all day long.  It was wonderful.  I cooked for him – pot roast, mashed potatoes, green peas.  He was happy as a clam.  Lovegirl was thrilled with the 3-layer strawberry cake.  I was just happy they were happy. 
• I’m not much of a “server.”  I am all about self-sufficiency.  But I decided to serve Smoochy all day on his birthday.  Here dear, let me get that for you.  I’ll clear the table.  Can I get you anything else?  He kept asking if I was feeling okay.  I should probably try to be a little nicer a little more often.  Any time the offer of getting your spouse a glass of water is met with suspicion, it’s probably time to make some adjustments.
• I also used our “good” dishes (Crate and Barrel v. WalMart) and put linens on the table.  Hmm, maybe something is wrong with me.
• I’m breaking up with a work friend.  It has recently dawned on me that she’s a total user.  She only calls when she needs help, wants information, or wants me to hook her up with some of my hookups.  So, we’re still cool - but I’m not helping her out any longer.  Wonder if the phone calls will continue when she realizes this??
• Does anybody bake?  Why are the bottoms of my cakes always burnt?  I’ve tried adjusting the heat/cooking time and invested in an oven thermometer (okay fine, it only cost $5), but I’m still producing burnt-bottom cakes.  Maybe I need new cake pans?
• I haven’t been sleeping well lately.  Waking up at 3 a.m. and all kinds of nonsense.  Well last night I went to sleep shortly after 8 and slept the sleep of the innocent.  Until the tornado sirens started wailing at about 2. I was up all night watching the weather and listening to the sirens.  #sostankingtired.
• I need some clothes.  I seem to have gotten a little too carried away with the whole cardigan thing and now 98.9% of my wardrobe is cardigans and tank tops.  I want something else  to wear.  What, if anything, are you refreshing your wardrobe with this season?
• Speaking of cardigans, sometime last week I told y’all Target had their winter color cardigans – black, grey, crimson – on sale for $9.  Well now, they’re $4.  I bought a crimson one….
• Since we’re on a fashion roll – I’m looking for a cute top to wear out next weekend.  Anybody seen anything?  Where?  If I can remember I’m going to go out to Char.ming C.harlie’s and see if they’ve got anything.
• My work computer died yesterday.  Do you have any idea how difficult it is to look busy without a computer to aid you in your ruse? 
• Next week is Spring Break.  Once again I’ve totally failed to plan anything.  I’m thinking we’ll have a Friday Fun Night this week and maybe a day out during actual Spring Break.  Maybe next year I’ll plan an actual trip for us.  Something quick and easy – maybe New Orleans.
• Tonight Jameil is in town again so she, Pserendipity, the kiddos and I are going to hang out and watch T.op Chef.  Should be fun – if I can stay awake.

Happy Wednesday.

Hmmm…

A lady at work and I were talking the other day about weekend plans.  She mentioned that she was going garage sale hopping and that she was taking her husband.  I asked if her husband liked going to garage sales.  She said that he did not, but that she made him go. And that gave me pause. 

Even before Smoochy hit the road as a driver, I never thought of him as my constant escort.  Some things I went to, some things he went to, and some things we went to together.  I don’t think in the the 17 years we’ve been together I’ve ever made him go to anything.  I can’t really see that I ever would.  I would no more make him go to a performance of the metropolitan opera than he would make me  go to a fight.  If I told him I really wanted him to go, he’d go – and vice versa.  But I know he doesn’t like certain things and I’m happy to go with a friend or roll out solo if he doesn’t want to go.  There have been things I’ve asked him to go to – Alvin Ailey, Jefferson Airplane/REO Speedwagon concert, and a Balinese dance troupe performance - where he surprised me and said yes.  And I was happy to have him as my date.  But if he’d said no, I would not have been messed up about it.

Where do you stand on this one?  Do you and S/O “make” each other go places, or are y’all happy to let there be spaces in your togetherness?  Just curious…