I am officially a home owner! My savings account is cleared out (Except for $1.94) and I have about a half an inch of paperwork on my desk, but it's done!! Now I just have to get through the next two days of work and moving. I am not doing much emailing in the midst of all this, so if you are waiting for a response, please don't take personally the lack thereof. I promise to get back to everyone.
I'm going to go do some packing. Happy Hump Day. Go do some humping.
Posted @ 7:03 PM
Sunday, November 27, 2005
I made Christmas lights! Yippeeee! Made from scratch in Jasc Animation Shop. I went searching for some animated Christmas lights and they all sucked, so I figured if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself, right?
I have to thank Rome for the snow. It was his idea, though I made my own snowflake, 'cause the original sucked.
Yeah, I know, I know...should go pack. But this was fun!
Posted @ 12:30 PM
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Well, I have been a very busy bee today, as you can see. Not only did I do what I think is a super-cute holiday layout, I went grocery shopping and am in the process of washing and packing all non-essential kitchen items. May not sound like a ton of stuff to do, but it's kept me sufficiently busy today.
Jay's working and also on call tonight, so odds are I won't see much of him this evening. Oh well. Maybe there'll be some cheezy Christmas movie Indie and I can watch. I'm such a happy fool around the holidays.
Hope everyone's having a good weekend!
Posted @ 3:23 PM
Friday, November 25, 2005
There's something so peaceful and magical about the first measurable snow -- not the first almost invisible flurries, or dusty snow squall. The last 2 years, it has been on October 16th (don't ask me how I remember that, I just do) when we have gotten enough to cover the dead grass. These pictures are from my balcony yesterday morning. I love New England.
Jay's brother and his girlfriend didn't make it yesterday, so we ate solo. That's probably a good thing, 'cause I somehow totally screwed up my turkey. I got conflicting cook times from three different, reputable sources: the Joy of Cooking, the Butterball wrapper that the bird came in, and my mother. Evidently I went with the wrong one, 'cause the breast was cooked and nothing else. I don't have a meat thermometer either, so when I carved it and realized half of it was still raw, I had no idea what to do. I covered it and stuck it back in the oven for another hour and a half. *shrugs* Jay picked at it last night and didn't get sick, so I assume it's okay. Lol.
Jenn and I are going to go see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in an hour...I hope. She just called and is having a super hectic morning, but still wants to come, so here's hoping. I am really excited to see it; it was the best book by far.
I should go do something with my mop top. I look a tad discheveled. Hope everyone's enjoying Black Friday!
Posted @ 11:01 AM
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Posted @ 8:53 AM
Monday, November 21, 2005
Did your mom ever make you breakfast for dinner when you were a kid? To us, that was as almost as fun as a holiday or other special occasion, and ranks in this order (1 being the best):
1. Christmas 2. Birthday 3. Halloween (candy!) 4. Easter (candy!) 5. The night before going on a big trip 6. The night before family came to visit from far away 7. Breakfast for dinner
I just made low-carb French toast (yes, it can be done and is quite tasty), bacon and sausage. Yummmmmmmmm.
Posted @ 8:05 PM
Sunday, November 20, 2005
*sigh* Lotta packing again today. There is nothing left in the bathroom except the essentials. I washed and packed all my candle holders, sconces, candle cups, etc. as well as the candles themselves (I have tons.) I packed all my windchimes and sun catchers. I cleaned out the medicine cabinet and scrubbed the toilet and sink. I cleaned the fish tank filter (which has nothing to do with packing, but it needed to be done.) I also got groceries and did three loads of laundry. I also removed all pictures from the wall and Windexed them before packing. I feel like I got a lot done. My back is killing me...
I am making Thanksgiving dinner this year for Jay, his brother and brother's girlfriend and myself. It will be served in oh-so-not-Martha-Stewart (or Laura Seavey!) fashion on Dixie Stoneware because I am hoping I will have everything else packed by then. It's not going to be fancy, but very traditional as far as my family goes. I have spent the last two Thanksgivings with Jay's family who all moved to North Carolina this year, so we're flying solo.
The one thing that makes Thanksgiving for me is Pepperidge Farm stuffing and Jay's family -- and I don't mean to sound ungrateful -- makes "stuffing" from mixing cooked ground beef with mashed potatoes. Sort of like shepherd's pie without the corn. It's good, but it's not stuffing to me. So this year, we're having the real deal. Also having butternut squash, mashed p'taters (my specialty!), peas, and of course turkey and gravy. The turkey's gonna be special though. One year, to prove to my mother that she need not have a nervous breakdown every Thanksgiving, I decided to cook dinner. I was probably 16 or 17. Anyway, I found a method in a little book we had and it was seriously the best turkey ever. It is as follows, in case anyone's interested in trying it: Thaw and scoop out the insides like you normally would. Do not stuff with stuffing - just some celery, an onion cut into large pieces and a clove of garlic or two. They will steam inside and infuse the turkey with subtle flavor. Next, cut a stick of butter into very thin pads and lay over the turkey everywhere you can. Then lay strips of bacon over the breast, wrap the thighs, etc. and overlap a little. This not only imparts a delicious smoky flavor to the turkey, but seals in the juices. Lastly, saturate a cheese cloth in olive oil and place over the turkey. This also keeps the juice in. Then cook normally. Remove the bacon before carving. It's a super juicy, tasty turkey.
Hope everyone had a good weekend and that Monday is kind to you.
Posted @ 5:57 PM
Saturday, November 19, 2005
This is Dimitri helping us pack. It still seems like there's an insurmountable amount of crap that needs to be sorted through and put into boxes, but we made a good dent in it at least. Now Jay's taking a nap and I am taking a break. Round Two begins shortly.
I finally changed the CSS for the shoutbox and got the rest of my links up. To anyone who might have wondered where their link went, I was just being lazy...or more preoccupied, I guess. I think everything's back up. If you're still missing or want to be added, email me.
I realize this is probably shameful and pathetic and totally horrible etiquette, but if anyone was planning on or would be interested in sending housewarming and/or Christmas presents this way, here are some things I need. I'll provide a new mailing address when I know it and if requested by email. Please note: I have been asked not to use work as my personal PO box, so until I know my new address, please don't send anything.
gift cards/certificates for: Lowes, Home Depot, WalMart, Target, Hannaford, Exxon, Irving, PetCo, etc. (Think: home improvement/misc. necessities)
Living in Clip - Ani DiFranco I bought this for myself but lost one of the CDs and it was, of course, the better of the two
gift card/certificate for Barnes & Noble
I'm sure there's more, but I'm feeling bad for posting even this much. *sigh* Hope everyone's weekend is going well.
Posted @ 1:15 PM
Thursday, November 17, 2005
At some point in time - perhaps even while I was still in utero - it seems my reproductive system and my brain entered into some sort of contract regarding the relinquishment of any previous thoughts I ever had about kids, to be replaced with hypomanic episodes of pure glee when clients' babies smile at me, or when I find myself hitting it off with a 3-footer (because I have no concept of how children age), or when a shy toddler has the courage to come up and talk to me. The terms of this contract have gone into effect here and now; my previously concrete resolution never to bear young has somehow evaporated despite the face that I have always told myself I didn't understand, like, want and was not good with kids. I understand that this is a smart move on the part of evolution (tricky character), but seriously! I am blown away by how strictly this contract is being enforced. To say it's binding is like saying that the Titanic was a boat. Damn. Anyhoo, I am not about to stop taking my little pill every night, but it's still and interesting turn of events in my own mind and history.
Speaking of babies: a few months ago, I had a very vivid dream that my boss's wife announced that she was pregnant with her third child. Five weeks pregnant, to be exact. I told everyone about the dream the next day and Dave (boss) laughed and blew it off like I was some kind of nutjob. Well, today they announced that she is pregnant and when I did the math, she would have been five weeks when I had that dream. I even told Jay about the dream: I'm telling you this so when it happens, I have proof that I predicted it! I guess she had some complications in the beginning which is why they waited to tell us. Anyway, I've had loads of prophetic dreams before, but it's still always cool.
I have tomorrow off and will be spending the weekend packing. Jay's out on call tonight, so I have the condo to myself. My back is killing me and I have nothing much to do, so I was thinking I might go read until CSI comes on. I just picked up a book I bought when I was in elementary school but never read and I am totally digging it so far. I was too young to appreciate anecdotal, reflective writing then, but I can now! Funny how when you're a kid and everything is fun and illuminating, you have no need to feed on more fun and illumination. Now I require it as part of my recommended daily allowances.
Happy Friday, in advance.
Posted @ 7:33 PM
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Ugh. As a member of the veterinary community, I am disgusted by this phenomenon: puggle.org. Yes, it's a very cute dog, but no animal should ever be a fad and following dalmations and chihuahuas, we now have a new animal fad. People crave novelty and are oblivious to the fact that if everyone gets one 'cause they're so cute and different, they're not different anymore. They're a dime a dozen! Anyway, so puggles are the new iPod or Segway or Tickle Me Elmo or whatever-the-hell-else people freak out over these days. Yay.
I found what I suspect will be the next fad breed and before you scoff, let me just say that I truly believe my experience in animal industry enables a failsafe prediction. The next fad dog will be the Tennessee Bird Hound. Click on the link for a picture.
Posted @ 8:01 PM
Monday, November 07, 2005
Today was kinda cool. Well, it was slow enough that Jenn went home early, so things were a bit hectic from time to time, but it was mostly OK.
Two notable Jenn things happened today that I thought I'd share. She fucked up her tail bone while on a ride at Disney in the spring, so when her rolley chair tipped over and she landed on her ass last week, we all gasped. She's a tough chick, but her eyes were watering... Anyway, so today she said "I wonder if I have a bruise on my butt," and with mock resignation, I said, "OK, fine, I'll check it for you." She said, "Are you serious?" and then dropped trou. (I should specify that there were no clients in the building, no one was looking and she did not let her pants hit the floor. Just "mooned" me, if that clarifies the visual for you!) Anyhoo, no bruise, but a few very weirded out coworkers. I don't see what the big deal is. It's not like they caught us making out in a closet or something. Maybe I'm too open or maybe they're prudish, but I thought everyone was way more stunned by it than need be. Jenn's my friend. I would expect her to inspect my ass for bruises too if I needed an ass bruise check done.
Secondly, we were discussing colors for some reason today and the shade "puce" came up. She then made a wicked obscure movie reference to "puce juice" which was from my favorite Christmas movie as a kid: Santa Clause the Movie. I don't know anyone who's seen that movie (let alone can quote it!) besides me, so I am more sure than ever that we're gonna be friends forever. I got home tonight, busted out the VISA (yeah, I know, that's bad) and ordered four copies off amazon.com. One for me, one for Jenn and one each for my brother and sister. What can I say? I'm a Christmas freak!!
Anyway, the house thing is moving along. Waiting for the seller to install some new windows and insulate some plumbing, but we're still set to close November 30th. I am still sort of in denial about it and every time I look around at all my crap, I get overwhelmed and find something to do besides pack. Yikes. Oh, incidentally, the background of this layout is made up of the paint I picked. It's Glidden. Green: Woodland Mystery (living room). Blue: Nantucket Mist (bedrooms). Reddish-brown: Rolling Hills (kitchen). Taupe: Water Chestnut (bathroom). White: Wedding Silk (trim). I really like those colors together.
Gotta go do something productive. Hope everyone has a happy Tuesday.
Posted @ 8:38 PM
Sunday, November 06, 2005
*yawn* Well, it's been a weekend of nothing much. I have slept a lot, read some, been lazy... Mentally, I think I needed to just be a lump. The next few weeks are going to be incredibly busy.
I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner for Jay's brother and his girlfriend. It's not a huge undertaking or anything, cooking for four people, but considering most of our stuff will be (better be!) in boxes, it's gonna be interesting. That's stressor #2: packing. I know it's not as bad as I think, it's just hard to motivate myself to go through five years of accumulated crap. Then I have my mother and stepfather (via my mother) telling me that I am being screwed by my lender, but I find it hard to take their input seriously, as they are not informed enough to speak on the subject. They're way out of state and have never bough a mobile home, so they don't get it that the financing is different. It's like banging my head up against the wall talking to them. Oh well. That's what refinancing is for, right? Got go to work every day on top of all that...oh, and finances are always such a joy. Also trying to figure out what to do about Christmas, because I promised my mother I'd see her this year (have missed the last two) but Jay can't get the time off and his family moved to North Carolina, so that'd leave him in New Hampshire all alone... Ugh. I am starting to hate the next two months already.
I want to slap myself upon rereading that paragraph, because as always, there are people far worse off than I and I should be ashamed of myself for bitching. Nonetheless, misery is graded on a personal scale, so that's easy to lose sight of.
'Nother picture I found recently. This is me trying to look like a tough girl when I was sixteen. Funny, isn't it? On second thought, maybe that was my jail bait face...?
I'm gonna go watch TV. Hope everyone has a lovely Monday.
Jenn and I are going to go see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in an hour...I hope. She just called and is having a super hectic morning, but still wants to come, so here's hoping. I am really excited to see it; it was the best book by far.
