Thursday, February 24, 2011

More Tidbits...

...becuase I'm too lazy to compose an entire cohesive thought today.

My hair is kinda big today.
Kinda was being nice.
My hair is big and frizzy and puffy today.
Since when does MY hair frizz or puff?
I am baffled.
 
Looking through a friend's newborn pictures I decided that newborns are not particularly attractive beings. They are all purple and wrinkly. They look like California Raisins! And they are usually screaming. I have been told, when they child is your own you feel differently about it-- but i'm not sure. I tend to call 'em like I see 'em. If it comes out wrinkly and purple and screaming I will just make my peace with having a California Raisin -- and encourage it to grow out of that stage quickly -- for it's own benefit, of course.  My children will be scarred from an early age. I probably shouldn't pro-create.
 
A friend pointed out to me the pleasure of listening to the sleety-ice stuff crunch under your shoes as you are forced to walk through it. I do enjoy things that go crunch. Good call.
 
I went for a run yesterday. It was actually a lovely experience. It felt good. Though I am a tad embarrassed to admit it was the first run of the year for me. And then a voice of wisdom informed me that a fiscal running year would make my stats look a lot better. So my fiscal running year started yesterday and i started out strong with a run on the first day, and thus far I have run every day. I know you are impressed by my commitment to the sport and to my own personal health and well-being. Go team.
 
I made a bow tie for a friend's child the other day. He turned 2 and a striped bow tie seemed an appropriate gift for the occasion. He wore it the next day and it made me giggle quite a bit. Am I the only person who gets a kick out of adult accessories on children? I want to make more and give them to everyone I know. I want to bring the bow-tie back hardcore. Who's with me?
 
I had a dream last night that i went on vacation to the beach with my husband and the ocean caved in and our beach vacation was almost ruined, until we booked a Pirates of the Caribbean Cruise with my Grandma... but we almost didn't make it on time because we had to go back and get my camera, and all the plumbing was blowing up in our condo and because I am a professional plumber (don'tchaknow) I felt inclined to fix it all and then we missed the bus but we got to the dock at exactly 7:03 pm when the cruise was leaving and waltzed into the dining room just in time for dinner with Grandma and a pirate or two.
True story.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Confession

I find tracking packages online unreasonably entertaining.
When I get an email that says "Your package has been shipped!" you better believe I meediately click through that link, even though I know it will be several hours before any tracking information is posted on it. I will check it several times a day sometimes. It's in Arizona! Now it's in Oklahoma! Now it's in Kansas! Now it's out for delivery! YAY! And I know when I get home from work there will be a package on my doorstep. The whole process is so utterly entertaining and fulfilling for me, i just love it. I must admit, during the holidays I do most of my shopping online for this very reason. It's a rush. I love it.
I can't wait to get home this afternoon. I will have a box full or jewelry waiting on my doorstep.
Yay! Just like Christmas-- only in February.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

A Good Day.

I have this friend who is a Pollyanna. You know what a Pollyanna is, right? She is lovely, and happy and charming and a joy to be around. And she never has a bad day. Anytime there is a bad situation she can find the silver lining. Anytime there is negativity or awkwardness she can diffuse it quickly and easier than anyone I have ever met. She can (and does) befriend anyone. She loves people that most of us wouldn't give the time of day to. Her outlook on life and her commitment to being joyful in all situations are...
Challenging to be around.
I know, I just said she is a joy to be around. And I meant it. But every time I am with her I am challenged by her optimism. And I am jealous that every day she has is a good day.
I am the kind of person that can easily fall into gloom and doom mindset. Not that my life is really that terrible, but frustrating things happen, I am easily overwhelmed, and it's so much easier to give into the self-pity and despair than it is to... be a Pollyanna. Every time I am with my friend, I desire to be more like her. And I realize most days, it's a series of simple choices to make.
Work has been crazy stressful this week, and I have been extra tired, and not feeling 100%. On a normal week, this would be a great excuse for a 'bad day' and a little self pity. But I am tired of pitifully bad days... so I decided each morning this week that "Today is a good day". I literally said it out loud. (and to be honest I felt like a goober when I did) But... I think there is something powerful about vocalizing affirmations. Each time a stressful situation presented itself, I approached it as a challenge and literally visualized myself pouring energy (my energy apparently looks like sparkly red kool-aid) from a bucket labeled stress to a bucket labeled challenge. (again, I feel like a goober sharing this... but I just needed something visual/tangible to make a switch in my brain). So now that I am putting my energy toward completing a challenge rather than toward being stressed about it... I am much calmer and optimistic about the outcome.
Also, I am more productive. And a kinder, gentler, Valerie. I have more patience and understanding for the crazy people I work with and the crazy person I live with. :)
Since Monday I have had 3 really good days.
This morning I was really feeling drained. My body is sore and my nose is running and my stomach feels squeezy. I knew unexciting and tedious tasks awaited me at work. I was moping about as I got ready and ate breakfast this morning. Before I walked out the door, Z looked at me and said, "Today is going to be another good day!"
Ahh... I had almost forgotten. Today IS going to be a good day. And I have nearly tackled half of it with good decisions and I am feeling a little better and a little energized. Which is awesome, because I have a date with my Hubs tonight as the shiny red cherry on top of the good day I am having at work.
See I am on my way to some Pollyanna-ness myself.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Tidbits

I'm okay with people who pick out and share the name for their baby before the child is born. It DOES kind of wig me out when parents routinely refer to their unborn child by name. It's just a little weird. Had a whole conversation with a woman and couldn't for the life of me figure out who 'Steven' was. After the fact, I realized 'Steven' was the child she would give birth to in four months. It was weird.

We went to see The Kings Speech the other night. It's rated R. On the way into the theatre, the ticket taker pointed to me and asked Z "Is she over 17?" to which he replied, "Well, I hope so, she's my wife!"
I also got carded to buy spray paint the other day. I guess I'll appreciate it when I am older I guess... but when I am 25 and getting banned from rated R movies... it's a little lame.

I have to go to the doctor today, and I'm not really excited about it. Z says if I am good I get to celebrate by buying jewelry tonight. I guess that's the adult equivalent of the 'sticker box'.

Z and I played scrabble the other day. We each expanded our vocabulary through the process. I didn't know what a wadi was and he didn't know what a wino was. I decided to just let him look it up in the dictionary rather than start naming names.

People need to stop confiding in me. I am a TERRIBLE secret keeper. Seriously, have you met me? If I have a secret it's written all over my face. Within 24 hours I am in physical pain trying not to blab.
Christmas and birthdays make me a total train wreck of anxiety over blabbing. I think I accidentally told all my family members what their gifts were last December. If I have a secret i have to tell someone about it-- After i tell one person the brain splitting secret-keeping anxiety subsides some. Z is the most likely candidate, but he doesn't play along well. We have conversations that go like this:
Me: I have a secret!
Z: Good
Me: Do you want to know what it is?
Z: No, then it won't be a secret.
Me: But don't you want to be a part of the secret?
Z: No, if it's a secret, I'd prefer you not tell me.
Me: But don't you want to know what it is?
Z: No, if it's a secret I don't need to.
Me: But but don't you want--
Z: I want you to stop talking to me about the secret.
Me: (Sigh.) WHY WON'T YOU PLAY MY GAME!?!?
The problem is... even though I am really bad at secrets and surprises, I truly love them with all my heart.
Z doesn't love secrets or surprises. We are an unfortunate combination.

Still in love with my Magic School Bus Yellow sweater. So glad I took the plunge and dyed it. My husband thinks I wear it too much, and comments-- Oh, you are wearing that yellow sweater... again.

I am about 98% certain someone is putting maple syrup on my desk in the afternoons while I am gone for lunch. I come back and it smells strongly of maple syrup in here, and my desk is sticky. Ew.