divaquest

Another kidless day...

I did better alone last night. I'm a little under the weather, which is contributing to my mood funk. Also contributing is the fact that I had plans with a friend, but it is noon, I've called her twice, she has not returned my call. That's disappointing but not surprising, which again, is disappointing. I was seeing lunch on a patio with margaritas, instead, I'm not sure what it will be. Maybe I'll go to the pool alone, with a book this time. Maybe I'll go shop. Maybe I'll do my toes. Maybe I'll take a nap. Maybe I'll continue watching Lifetime movies. Maybe I'll finish laundry, or maybe I'll continue to marvel at how some people have the time and propensity to come up with and actually "type" 100 things about themselves.

Sunday, Sunday

The party went well, other than I am so smart that I reached for a falling (and broken) wine glass - I don't know why because I buy cheap, cheap crystal ones from the Dollar Store in case me or someone else breaks one and I don't get pissed - but nonetheless, instinct kicked in, I reach for it, sliced my thumb to high bloody hell.  Gaping wound actually RIGHT BEFORE guests arrived.  I got it to stop bleeding, someone told me I should get a couple of stitches.  Nah.

The white pizza was great with the Famega Vinho Verde, and the Stilton Lemon cheese was excellent with the wine as well.  I highly recommend both.

The baked ziti was really good as well, but I didn't find a red that I liked too much.  I used sweet Italian sausage, red & yellow pepper, onions, garlic - and a tomato sauce recipe that I have from my favorite Italian cookbook, baked it with fresh motzerella.  Yummo.

Speaking of Yummo, have you seen Racheal Ray's latest cover on her magazine.  1)  I didn't know she even had her on magazine, 2) her face looks fab, but they've photoshopped the hell out of her arm.  I started looking closely at the photo thinking "something is off" - it was her arm. Go look for yourself, and tell me that they didn't slice her arm too thin.  It's like a straight line from underneath.  Just weird.

I digressed, anyway - people left by 11:00 p.m.  I attempted to sleep, didn't go well.  I had a dream that 3 people broke in, my throat is sore, I just cannot relax.  I took sleep aide at 4:00 a.m., got up at 9:00 - feel groggy. 

Amber is doing great, did well for them last night.  Savanna was doing well also last night, having lots of fun with her grandmother, but I haven't talked to them this morning... she's at church for the very first time this morning.  I have nothing against church, I'd like to go - but I'm afraid she'll be "holy hell", so I haven't braved the religious forum.

Ah, today... I was going to shop, but I'm feeling groggish.  So I may go lay out by the pool.  The house is very clean & straight, and it's amazing the blog entries I can write when no one else is home.

Ok, so what tha hell is going on with Typepad spell check just highlighting in yellow the words that are incorrect instead of offering suggestions? What have I done wrong? I think the whole thing just kinda flipped out on me, it got all funky, luckily I was able to save all this hard work. Please forgive the spelling.

To break it down

Hi, it's me again.  I've already called the hubby.

I'm drinking more of the wine, and eating empanadas - which aren't really that good, but they get better as I drink more wine, and have become good now.

So... to break it down.  I am home, alone, for once, and I am blogging and drinking.

Um.

Yeh.

Maybe I'll surf some porn, that'll bring some excitement, right?  Or maybe celebrity gossip.  Yes, this is the person who was just complaining about media coverage of celebs, but wine changes me.

They're gone

:( and :)

It's quiet in this house.  The family is gone.  It's just me.  I got a little teary, and I feel a little odd and almost even lonely, it's only been 5 minutes.  I broke open my greet wine, which is Famego Vhino Vherde, and I'm loving it.  Loving it.  It's cool and crisp and effervescent with big bubbles because it's a table wine, and a touch dry - not sweet.  It's really good.  It will be fantastic with garlic and some type of mild white cheese - I'm actually thinking of this cheese sample I tried, which was odd and wonderful all at the same time - it had lemon zest and pecans in it.  It was a sweet, soft, white cheese - I'll have to figure out the name.  I think it'd go great with this wine.  They say it pairs well with seafood.  I'm not having seafood at the party tomorra.

I've been thinking... I'm sick of the media, especially TMZ posting ugly photos of celebrities and making fun of them, especially the cellulite photos of asses.  Yep, that's right - most EVERYONE has a bit of cellulite on their butt.  That is life.  It actually makes me feel better to see that stars who can afford chefs and trainers have flaws.  I don't understand why magazines have to point out flaws to embarrass someone, or make them feel ashamed - because that's how I'd feel.  Can you image Mischa Barton when her ass was posted everywhere in a very unflattering way???  It's wrong,  No one is perfect.  Photographs are so touched up these days - celebs only half look like their photos in magazines, right Tracey? 

Ummm... I guess that's about it for now.  I have so much cleaning to do, yet I am so tired from my night with teething Amber who was awake at one point from 3 a.m. to past 4.  I'm also feeling parched... need water.

Happy Birt'day

That's what Savanna says "Happy Birt'day".

Today is my 37th.  I share this day with Otter, who is a dear friend - and very much like me, other than she is a creative, witty writer and has a PHD in astrology or astro-physics or biological astro-chemistry physics or physical ed or something like that.  But, you know - whateva.

I heard my husband with the girls outside this morning saying "smile, smile".  I walked downstairs to have Savanna hand me a gift bag with "Happy Birt'day Mamma" - she's advancing from Mommy to Mamma and I'm not sure I like it.  In the bag was a new camera with a very fast shutter speed and photos of the girls holding a "Happy Birthday Mommy" sign.  I've been complaining about the shutter speed on our current camera because the girls move so fast, you often miss the cute faces and somehow capture all the "kid looks drugged" ones.  I thought it was very thoughtful.  Must be expensive because he said "You CANNOT take that to Mexico with you."

I'm also going to lunch with seven of my friends, which makes me very happy.  I feel special.  Tonight I am taking the girls to daddy's b-ball game to hear Savanna yell "run daddy run, go daddy go", Hubby is taking the girls for 5 nights this weekend so I'm having a wine party and "alone" time for once - and that's it, other than Cancun in a couple of weeks without kids.  Can't complain about any of it.

I also came up with a very simple, but brilliant idea in a meeting today.  I love it when that happens, because it doesn't happen often!  Maybe I am getting better with age????  Bwaaaaa bwwwaaaaa bwaaaa hahaha!

Have a good one!

Weekend Blog

I've been up since 5:00 a.m., how 'bout you on this fine Sunday morning?

Little Bit - that's what we call Amber - is TEETHING.  It looks as if she may have SIX, count 'em, SIX teeth trying to come in at the same time.  Last night was terrible compared to the night before when she slept 8 hours in a row, which is considered ALL NIGHT.  And I'll take that.  But this teething is a little rough.  She's standing next to me right now demanding attention.  The little piggy bank and Mickey airplane aren't doing it for her.  She's telling me "ba ba ba ba baba - dee dee dees ba da be das".  Ok, I guess that's what she wanted to say, she's off back to the piggy bank.

I'm having an Italian themed wine party next Saturday.  Hubby is taking the kids for 5 nights to Dallas! Woo-ha!  I can't decide on the menu, I go back & forth, but I don't want it too complicated, so here's what I'm thinking:

• Alfredo pizza with roasted garlic & chicken, some fancy cheese blend, don't know what yet
• I keep going round & round about this, but I need something red & meaty, but I don't want pasta so I'm thinking Italian sausage - maybe spicy - with stewed tomatoes, peppers and onions bruschetta, sprinkle shaved Parmesan on top (uh oh, she's back - diverted her with an old keyboard)
• 3 olive tapenade on crispy baguettes
• An antipasto platter with Italian meats/cheeses
• Grapes/Strawberries - maybe Brie
• Cheesecake
• Assorted Chocolates (uh oh, she's back - I think she wants to type)

Ok, must be bottle time, gotta cut it short.  Ugh!

I Remember When...

Next week I'll be 37.

I saw a cute sports car on my way to work this morning.  It made me want one to zip around in.  I used to be the cute, fit girl driving the Camero.  Now I am the mom of 2 driving an SUV, struggling to get my muscle tone back.  I miss the days of being the cute young girl in the office.  I remember it like it was yesterday... being 23, starting my first job.  Working for a man who was a chauvinist, and I put up with it.  He used to make crude comments.  I did nothing about it until one day I blew up... told him that I didn't appreciate the things he said and that I was changing positions.  He apologized and begged me not to go - probably because he was afraid I'd tell on him, but I left him - fucker!  Same job, the new boss - the second in command for a city government, masturbated in his office with his door open.  I looked up to see the "motion" of masturbation - his eyes were closed, his head was back. I quickly looked down thinking "no way, he can't be doing what I think he is doing."  Inside I was panicking.  I peeked back up to see him "finish" the job.  Everything was hidden behind the desk, but when his eyes rolled back into his head I knew I was right and I knew I had to do something about it.

I trotted down the hall to a friend's office.  Shaking and nervous, I said, "I don't know how to say this, but I swear xxx was jacking off in his office with the door open." She said that I should go tell my supervisor, who was a pearly white, beautiful, naive, church-going type.  When I told her, she said "Oh.... maybe it's just the shakes because of his drinking."  Yes - he was a known alcoholic, working in a high city official position.

At this point I knew I needed evidence because I had just accused the 2nd in command of jacking off in his office.  I searched through his office while he was at lunch.  As I walked into his office, I could smell the evidence.  I didn't realize there was a smell to sperm...until I was hunting for it.  There in the trash can lay an envelope.  That's right - he spewed on the envelope, threw it into the trash can - didn't even fold or wad it up.  Ever so gently I grabbed the corner of the envelope, walked to my supervisor and handed it to her.  I simply said "smell it."  The color left her face.  She knew that I was not lying - she went straight to the City Manager and City Attorney.

Next came meetings with the City Manager, the City Attorney, the Police Chief... sure enough, the blue light test glowed blue, the lab tests came back positive for spew - his spew - because they made him give his DNA... They all asked what did I want to do, what did I want, what did I need.  I wanted the man to get some fucking help.  These people knew this man was an alcoholic coming to work every single day.  He couldn't even sign his name on a straight line.  He was so drunk at work, he jacked off in his office with his door wide open and he threw the damn spew in the trash can - they all ignored it until he got to what had to be the lowest point in his life - being confronted by the Police Chief, the City Attorney, and the City Manager about jacking off in your office.  So, that was it.  They made him go to rehab for 6 weeks.  He actually asked me to come into his office, but said I didn't have to if I was uncomfortable and he apologized and admitted that he was an alcoholic.  His wife called me and thanked me for handling it so "maturely."  I went to school with his fucking daughter.  It was so awkward.

I quit not too much longer after that and moved to Dallas but it wasn't related to the incident.  I felt sorry for him and I was not emotionally scarred and I did not feel harassed, I felt so sorry for the man. The day it happened, I told my family, my brother said "let me know when to dress up to meet the press at the door."  I took a few days off while they worked the situation out.  And that original "friend" I told, went blabbing... I never confirmed the story to anyone, not even my last day when the local newspaper called to "discuss an incident that I witnessed involving a high ranking city official."  He's probably dead now.  He looked about 105, but I think he was only 60.

But that's not where I was going with this blog entry... another day I guess.

Fast Food Improvement?

For the longest time I've wished that you could get healthy finger food at a drive-through.  You can't eat a salad while driving.  Ok, let's forget that eating while driving isn't safe - but that's not my point.  I've thought that grilled chicken fingers would be a great option and wondered why no one offered that.  I've also been pissed that there aren't more whole grain bread options... grilled chicken sandwich on white bread - why can't you get wheat?????  Guess what?!

I drove through Jack In the Box today, and there it is... grilled chicken fingers and the chicken fajita pita now comes with a whole grain pita!  Yay!  It's a start right?  I enjoy the chicken fajita pita - I hope the grilled chicken fingers are just like the chicken in the fajita pita.  One day I'll find out. 

Seems that every other restaurant is attempting to mimic McDonald's iced coffees.  They aren't doing a good job of it.  Sonic's iced coffee was worthy of a trash can.  I can't even believe that passed the market testing.  It was TERRIBLE.  I threw it away, and for me to throw away coffee - well, that's unheard of.  Jack In the Box's iced coffee wasn't TERRIBLE, but certainly no comparison to McDonald's - it was smaller, and only .30 cheaper.  So, I gotta say McDonald's has got the coffee thing down.  It's better than Starbuck's and cheaper. 

Much ado

I hate it when I see people using equipment wrong at the gym and none of the gym employees are walking around to say "let me show how you do this to get the best benefit."  Two young girls were there today, swinging weights up in the air... like "weeee, weeee, this is fun".  One girl was practically doing the splits while maintaining her bicep curl squat.

My arms are shaking.  I can barely use my fork to eat my new favorite salad.  It's very simple, I assemble it at work.  The Italian blend bag salad, grape tomatoes, 2 Laughing Cow Light Cheese rounds cut into chunks, 3 slices smoked turkey, Southbeach Balsamic dressing.

I'm under 135 now, which I am very happy about.  4 more lbs to wedding weight, then 4 to "when I met hubby" weight.

Yesteray a woman was carried off in an ambulance at the gym.  I'm guessing she passed out.  The paramedics arrived as I arrived.  They gave her oxygen and an IV, watched her for awhile, and took her away.  Second time I've seen that happen.

Here's a dark photo of Savanna's party.  It's not a great photo, but I love the look on her face as she sees the candle.  I could write a book about all that I see in her face.

Quest

I am doing well with losing weight and fitting back into my clothes, however, I am not doing so well in the matter of toning and lifting weights.  I am now 1 pound under my pre-pregnancy weight.  Someone asked me "I see you eating whatever you want, I saw you with a mocha, and you are toning up & slimming down, what are you doing?"

Bwaaaaahaha!  Ok, let's give me a little credit.  I am doing the zig zag thing pretty much, watching my portion sizes, not eating many sweets, trying to be more active with simple things like walking to another building rather than using inner-office mail.  By zig zag I mean mostly liquid and or salad or fruit one day - if there is any meat, it's very lean turkey or chicken or fish, then the next day I eat more food, healthy choices for the most part, though if I want bread, I'll have bread - I just won't eat the whole loaf.  The mocha she saw me with was a skinny one, with sugar-free syrup and fat-free milk.

The woman I mentioned is someone that I go to lunch with and the last time I went to lunch with her, everyone else was all "oh, I can't have this, I can't have that... salad please - no dessert for me."  Inside I was rolling my eyes, I'm a bitch like that.  I had an appetizer, my meal, and a partial dessert, 1) because it was a mini celebration of meeting my pre-preg weight, and 2) mostly because I had just eaten very light the day before.  So, see, there is a life while losing weight - it's about finding what works for you.

This woman has hit a plateau.  I've asked her what she's eating, and asked her to think about if she is consistently eating & doing the same things.  She said "yes."  I told her to shake it up.  Evaluate the "same" and change it.  If you are having carbs for breakfast every day, eat protein.  If you eat a Lean Cuisine for lunch every day - do something else.  Evaluate your carbs, protein.  What are you drinking.  How many times are you cheating?  Do you snack on your kids' food? (this is a biggie for mom's - you don't realize you are taking bites of this and that - I've noticed this of myself lately).  I sent her info about zig zagging calories too.

Shake it up.  If it ain't working, shake it up.  When you've only got 10 lbs to lose, it is pretty difficult.  Well, it's not actually difficult, getting in the right mind-set is difficult.