Desert Star

I'm BAAAAaaaack

2006-11-14T22:51:00.000-08:00

Thanks for all the well wishes. I am feeling MUCH better. I appreciate all the virtual greeting cards, phone calls, etc. I had the biggest thrill yesterday when I heard from a friend that Heidi Collins on CNN did a story on Celiac Disease. I was equally as excited when I saw that my hero Gluten-free Girl gave it a plug as well on her blog. I am not quite 100% yet, so I apologize for keeping this short, but... here is a note I sent to all my family and friends and I will share it here with you as well...

Since many of you have asked me about the disease I have, I thought I’d send you this link to a story that ran on CNN yesterday. It’s quite thorough and not very long, so if you’re interested, take a gander. It does a far better job of explaining this crazy disease than I! I hope you’ll forward it on to those who have been diagnosed with Celiac or who may need to visit the doctor to investigate it as a possibility… Finally finding out what was up with my own body nearly two years ago changed my life! I’m hoping that if I send it to enough of my friends it will help someone else.

http://www.celiaccentral.org/Other/CNN_Interview_with_Dr_Green/300/

P.S. – You can also find lots more info. on this site: http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/ That’s where I found out about this story. I’ve been reading this site daily for over a year and it’s been a real comfort to me… pass it on to others if you think it will help. Thanks!

I promise to post again as soon as I can... much love and xoxoxoxS

Farewell Friends!

2006-10-07T17:55:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a rough few weeks. I had been well for so long that it was quite a blow. I hope to someday comeback with regular contributions to bloggerland, but for now I will just stick to posting to the blogs of others when I have time. I need to refocus and spend time at rest getting healthy again. Feel free to post here and I will answer when I can.
Will miss you all! xoS

One Book...

2006-09-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

Was tagged for this one... I went to grad school to become a librarian and was one quite happily for 8 years. I believe I always will be. If I ever find the right library again, I will rejoin the library world. Cross your fingers for me. This meme was a snap for me (though difficult to just stop at ONE for each).... Oh yes, thank you Green for the tag!… now on with the meme…

1. One book that changed your life: Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank)

2. One book that you’ve read more than once: Madame Bovary (Gustave Flaubert)

3. One book you’d want on a desert island: William Shakespeare – The Complete Works (duh!)

4. One book that made you laugh: Me Talk Pretty One Day (David Sedaris)

5. One book that made you cry [or feel really sad]: Death Be Not Proud (John Gunther)

6. One book that you wish had been written: Family stories written down by all my grandparents.

7. One book that you wish had never been written: I really couldn’t think of one, so started doing some searching to get possible ideas… came across this link of “Worst 100 Childrens Books of All Time“ and it really frightened me … oh someone has A LOT of free time… I did laugh a little too… ;o)

8. One book you’re currently reading: In Cold Blood (Truman Capote)

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: My nightstand overfloweth…

10. One book you wish you had written: (Ok, I invented #10)… Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown) … the best bedtime book that has ever been or ever will be written… period.

FOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!

2006-09-06T18:12:00.000-07:00

I have a love, love relationship with food... Sometimes it’s my body that I’m unhappy with though… simply because it just doesn’t adjust as well as it should to my food intake... goshdarnit… stole this meme from Vesper.

How do you like your eggs? Scrambled, with a drop of olive oil in the pan and just a hint of milk in the eggs – definitely fluffy.

How do you take your coffee/tea? If ordering from a coffee joint it’s usually a soy latte of some variety… my tea… redbush chai or green tea.

Favorite breakfast foods: Larabars (ok, I know I shamelessly plug them, but I’m allergic to gluten so I do love them so since I can’t have granola or energy bars…), also omelets and brown rice toast. Fruit is sometimes good too – kiwi, grapefruit…

Peanut butter: smooth. I go through phases with p.b. I usually don’t ever eat it, but sometimes I get a craving… usually it has to do with a chocolate accompaniment of some kind, so I can’t blame it solely on the p.b. Also, like Vesper, I only like unsweetened, please!

What kind of dressing on your salad? Annie’s Naturals g.f. Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette … my FAVORITE!

Coke or Pepsi? I don’t drink anything carbonated (except Perrier).

You’re feeling lazy. What do you make? Popcorn… if I’m feeling really lazy…. For somewhat lazy moments mung bean noodles (aka Cellophane noodles) with pesto or marinara (I keep these both in my freezer since I have to make my own). Mung bean noodles take just a few minutes and are a great sub for pasta! I’m Italian so I LOVE carbs… I just can’t eat a large percentage of carbs b/c of my CD. If I have more time and energy I’ll do rice pasta…

You’re feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order? Can’t order pizza… however, I’ve considered opening my own GF pizzeria… I instead doctor up one of Amy’s rice crust cheese pizzas with some turkey pepperoni and some veggie or another… that only takes 12 minutes… fast enough for me…

You feel like cooking. What do you make? Roast chicken with roasted sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts (see below). And for dessert… GF apple pie with homemade gelato! MMMMM… I guess I’d also have to be VERY hungry too…

Do any foods bring back good memories? My mother’s Asian chicken wings with white rice. My grandmother’s gnocchi and calamari. My dad’s linguini w/ clam sauce & frittatas. Lots and lots of popcorn.

Do any foods bring back bad memories? Raw peanuts… I was once chased down the street by a woman on Halloween who I was scared of (she was dressed as a witch) … she was dead set on giving me a bag of peanuts… She thought I was afraid of her… I was afraid of having to eat the contents of that bag… I had been sick for hours the week before after binge eating peanuts with a friend of mine (we were six and decided to have a good old fashioned eating contest after seeing an episode of Little House….suckers…)

Is there a food you refuse to eat? Raw peanuts, capers, walnuts, mint jelly, anything with gluten

What was your favorite food as a child? Fish sticks, Hamburger Helper, Animal Crackers, eeegads….

Is there a food that you hated as a child but now love? Can’t think of a single one.

Is there a food that you loved as a child but now hate? Anything with gluten.

Favorite fruits & vegetables: fruits – honeydew melon, raspberries, strawberries, kiwis, Macoun apples. vegetables – bell peppers (all colors), carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, jicama

Favorite junk food: ice cream!!

Favorite between meal snack: handful of raw cashews

Do you have any weird food habits? Sometimes I try to cool off cold things by blowing on them like I would a cup of coffee… it’s silly… but I’ve been caught doing it before and it’s a reflex I can’t control… just a quirk…

You’re on a diet. What food(s) do you fill up on? Salads. Soups.

You’re off your diet. Now what would you like? Dark chocolate

How spicy do you order Indian/Thai? Verrry mild… but I LOVE I/T food…

Can I get you a drink? Water (any kind)

May I get you a drink? Margarrrrita!!!!

Red wine or white? White, pinot gris

We only have beer: Is it GF? If so, yes PLEASE!

Favorite dessert? GF chocolate mousse from Bistro Vatel in San Antonio.

The perfect nightcap? A hot cup of decaf chai with a couple of small chocolates to melt in my mouth.

The Effort to Slow Down...

2006-08-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

I've been taking dr's orders and sleeping in when I can, taking time out to do things that are truly relaxing and drinking LOTS of water. It's helping, it's just difficult to switch gears so abruptly. I used to find it easy to relax after a long day of work, but lately my mind just races around and even sitting down isn't relaxing...

I have been swimming a lot. Our pool is a welcome invitation after a long day, but it all depends on when I get home. I used to swim competitively so it's interesting coming at swimming from a relaxation standpoint.

I have been watching movies at least twice a week. Some of the latest have been Pumpkin, Brokeback Mountain, Hitch, My Big Fat Greek Wedding (had already seen but was worth the re-watch), Cinderella Man, and Beyond the Sea. Let me know if you have any suggestions for uplifting, relaxing, or funny films that I may not have seen. I like movies that have good character development and are well-written. I also love to laugh and crying can be therapeutic... so put on your thinking caps.

Books... well, I am reading 3 books simultaneously right now (Tender at the Bone - Ruth Reichl, Naked - David Sedaris, and The Professor and the Madman - Simon Winchester) ... I realize now that I'm reading all non-fiction. This is unusal for me... though I to gravitate towards books that have a narrative tone and these have that in common. If you have other reccs let me know... I am a librarian so I have a storehouse of books I have yet to read, but I'm always open to suggestions.

There you have it... my 3 prong approach... swimming, movies, books... now I know I'll get bored with this soon... next skydiving??? xoS

Wanting to feel carefree....

2006-08-16T19:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I've been gone for awhile. Been doing some life re-examination and my work has taken up about 80% of my time. Busy, busy summer's end. Have a car for the first time in my entire life so am re-learning my deft driving skills... Probably the most frustrating thing is my health has not been happy with my workaholic schedule. I was just about to pack up and move to one of Money Magazine's best places to live. I feel like downsizing our entire life.... cutting our belongings in half... working part-time (HA!). ...only fleeting thoughts, but not entirely unfounded. I think that life has been just a little too breakneck of late. So that, in a nutshell, is what has been up, down and all around... xoS

Stole this from Gina who stole it from ???

2006-07-14T17:51:00.000-07:00

1) Your Rock Star name: (first pet and current street name) Cindy Pebble

2) Your Movie Star name: (grandfather/grandmother on your dad's side and your favourite candy) Billy Rose Truffle

3) Your 'Fly Girl/Guy" name: (first initial of first name and the first two or three letters of your last name) R. Tu

4) Your Detective name: (favourite animal and favourite colour) Milly Red

5) Your Soap Opera name: (middle name and the city where you were born) Katharine Toledo

6) Your Star Wars name: (first three letters of your last name, last three letters of your mum's maiden name, and first three letters of your pet's name) Tureemil

7) Your Porn Star name: (middle name, father's middle initial, and the street you grew up on) Katharine J. Crescent

8) Your Superhero name: ('The', your favourite colour, and the automobile you drive)
The Red CR-V

On what for me has been an entirely too serious weekend... I hereby tag you all with this drivel! Have fun! xoS

Personal DNA...

2006-07-08T15:17:00.000-07:00

Because my husband is a psychometrician (essentially a psychologist in the area of testing/statistics) I have lots of personality testing sources all around. I keep them sometimes just to remind me of things that I often forget about myself and sometimes they help me work through problems I'm having. One thing that is pretty consistent through all of them - no matter my age - is that I have a tendency to have some severe self-doubt. It never says I have low self-esteem. Don't these things go hand in hand?? I know as a teenager I had the low self-esteem thing... but most of my friends did. Now I am going through more of a teenage phase of low self-esteem where I feel like my appearance isn't quite what I'd like it to be. The next day, however, I tell myself... "get over it! Remember your 10 year high school reunion? You looked waaaay better than most everyone there." It's funny how much a change in career can bring back those feelings of inadequacy... I was a librarian... not a high fashion career... now I'm a realtor in Texas... now that's a HUGE wardrobe change... let me tell you... I am praying for the weather to cool off so I can cover up again... If you wear anything with sleeves in this weather you will bake for sure. Anyhow, enough rambling... You can see what the results were from my most recent personality test. I tag all that wish to be tagged to get your own "Personal DNA" (whatever that means)... ENJOY!! xoS

What Is Your Personal DNA??? YOU ARE A GENEROUS CURATOR

Generous Curator

You are a Curator

You are straightforward and real, down-to-earth, and have a healthy respect for order and stability. These attributes, complemented by your desire to be surrounded by things of beauty, make you a CURATOR.

You don't feel the need to try everything new that comes along – you know what you like and what you want.

You are a no-nonsense person, not someone who falls for pretensions.

Being strongly grounded in the here-and-now, you are practical and realistic about yourself and your life.

You find comfort and calmness in your habits and routines.

Although others might not know this about you, you strongly appreciate aesthetic qualities, noticing whether something is well-designed and stylish.

You have a refined sense of taste, and you want your environments to reflect your preferred style.

There are times when you feel insecure and vulnerable, even though you know deep down that you are a good person.

You aren't narcissistic – you allow yourself to be realistic about your positive and negative qualities.

If you want to be different:

It wouldn't hurt to indulge your imagination and creativity sometimes. These are skills like any other, and develop with practice, so try to carve out some time for them in your life.

Try to quiet your inner feelings of doubt – you will be more successful if you can overcome these worries and focus on your many strengths, such as your responsible and honest nature.

You are Generous

Your awareness of those around you, along with your nuanced perceptions of the world at large, makes you the GENEROUS person that you are.

You value time to yourself and understand how rich your private world can be—you know that you don't have to go wild to have a good time.

You are excited and energized by ideas and often enjoy things more through observation than through experience.

This tendency gives you an appreciation for different perspectives and opinions about the world.

Being as aware of others as you are doesn't mean you find it easy to trust them immediately—this is something that happens more slowly for you.

Despite this, you are aware of the complexities of many situations and are reluctant to pass judgments on others.

Although you have fewer friendships than some people, those that you have are meaningful and are important to you.

You value spending time alone—it is while reflecting on the world around you that you often learn something new about yourself or begin to understand something that's been bothering you.

If you want to be different:

Given how attuned you are to others' thoughts and feelings, you might find that trusting people more is a way to broaden your perspective even further.

While you know how much can be learned from observing the world around you, remember that much of life can be lived by experiencing it, not just by understanding it.

Because I Don’t Know What Else To Say…

2006-07-06T21:53:00.000-07:00

Someone tagged me with this awhile back, but I just now found it... was reminded by it when I saw it on someone elses! :o)

10 Favorites
Favorite Season: Winter
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Time: Dusk
Favorite Food: Dark Chocolate
Favorite Drink: Margarita/Rocks/Salt
Favorite Ice Cream: Dutch Chocolate
Favorite Place: Bath, England or Edinburgh, Scotland
Favorite Sport: Swimming
Favorite Actor: Johnny Depp/Dustin Hoffman
Favorite Actress: Bette Davis/Meryl Streep

9 Currents
Current Feeling: Punchy
Current Drink: Redbush Chai
Current Time: 11:30 PM - central time
Current Show on TV: Frasier rerun
Current Mobile used: Motorola
Current Windows Open: Email, Word Doc, Blogger
Current Underwear: MYOB
Current Clothes: Gray yoga pants & purple tank
Current Thought: My eyelashes hurt

8 Firsts
First Nickname: Geeflesnort (courtesy of my sister)
First Kiss: My first REAL kiss was with my husband, the others just didn’t count
First Crush: Rich D. from 8^th grade… he was a metal head/skater dude
First Best Friend: Rachel D. she befriended me when I moved to an unfamiliar town – no questions asked.
First Vehicle I Drove: 1985 Volkswagen Golf
First Job: Lifeguard
First Date: School dance in 6^th grade.
First Pet: Cockapoo named Manfred

7 Lasts
Last Drink: Lipton Iced Tea
Last Kiss: My huband’s left ear
Last Meal: Homemade Omelet with tomatoes & broccoli and brown rice toast
Last Web Site Visited: www.imdb.com
Last Movie Watched: Family Stone
Last Phone Call: I talked to my husband before he got home
Last TV show Watched: Will & Grace

6 Have You Evers
Have You Ever Broken the Law: Yes
Have You Ever Been Drunk: Yes
Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: “Know??” Well, I guess I’ve kissed people on the cheek (European style) that I just was introduced to…
Have You Ever Been in the Middle/Close to Gunfire: No
Have You Ever Skinny Dipped: Yes indeed, on multiple occasions. Open lake, ocean & swimming pool.
Have You Ever Broken Anyone's Heart: I can’t be positive, but I think so.

5 Things
Things You Can Hear Right Now: My dog snoring, Heidi Klum pitching Project Runway on BRAVO, my typing
Things On Your Bed: Pillows, my work clothes from today, and a bookmark
Things You Ate Today: A Larabar, tomato salad with tuna, and my last meal named above
Things You Can't Live Without: Love, air, water, and support.
Things You Do When You Are Bored: Eat, surf

4 Places You Have Been Today
My house, the grocery store, office, backyard, & around the block.

3 Things On Your Desk Right Now
Flash Drive, large mug, files

2 Choices
Black or White: Black
Hot or Cold: Cold

1 Place You Want To Visit
(Just 1?!?!? ... oh, ok) Ireland

The Wish I Never Thought Would Come True...

2006-07-03T16:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm 31. I have had my drivers license for a few years now, but have had no car to continue practicing on. Never have owned a car... well, at least not my own. I am, of course, partial owner of our "family" car. My husband drives that car, but it's too big for me (he has a long commute). I have wanted just a little car to get comfortable with. If you've been reading my blog you know I have struggled with a fear of driving. As corny as it sounds, I got a book that has helped me immensely... so write this down if you have suffered from the same problem... It's called Zen Driving by K.T. Berger. It's actually pretty funny in parts since he obviously finds truth in Zen philosophies, but he also sees humor in them as well. I won't get into specifics, but this is the book I needed to get over my large mental hump. Also, the stars are aligning and we are being given some money so we can get a second car. Please keep your fingers crossed that all goes well. I should have it by the end of the month. Then the journey really begins...

What American City Are You?

2006-06-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

You Are Boston

Both modern and old school, you never forget your roots.
Well educated and a little snobby, you demand the best.
And quite frankly, you think you are the best.

Famous people from the Boston area: Conan O'Brien, Ben Affleck, New Kids on the Block

What American City Are You?

And Now For Something Completely Different....

2006-06-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

Knock yourself out with these absolutely mindless weekend activities...

Your Hillbilly Name Is...

Kissy Cissy Farmer

Hillbilly Name Generator

Your Daddy Is Johnny Depp

What You Call Him: Dada

Why You Love Him: He gives good spankings

Who's Your Daddy?

Your Bumper Sticker Should Be

Livin' in a van - down by the river

What Bumper Sticker Should Be On Your Car?

In a Past Life...

You Were: An Insane Jester.

Where You Lived: Egypt.

How You Died: Typhoid fever.

Who Were You In a Past Life?

Your Italian Name Is...

Belladonna Ferrari

What's Your Italian Name?

Who Should Paint You: Gustav Klimt

Sensual and gorgeous, you would inspire an enchanting portrait..
With just enough classic appeal to be hung in any museum!

What Artist Should Paint Your Portrait?

And I think that is just about enough to give you a few minutes of silly fun... xoS

For A Friend...

2006-06-02T21:06:00.000-07:00

When I watch you
sitting, fidgeting
like a sociopathic maniac,
staring blankly and intently drawn
into one dimension of your complex mind
or
when I watch you at your vandalized desk
chomping and biting on your innocent pen
and out of reality in this world
I say
when I watch you
you nervous wreck of an animal
when you used to be happy and fun-loving
Wanting to play on the grand swings
or running about in the star-studded night
while trying to find a hiding place in the bushes
I realize
I understand.
xoS

I AM Princess Leia... and who, might I ask, are you?

2006-05-28T23:30:00.000-07:00

This is actually a running joke in my life... I have often been told I look a heckuva lot like Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia... You be the judge... but I still have the proof of the quiz... :D This is so silly....

Your results:
You are Princess Leia

Princess Leia		66%
Han Solo		65%
Boba Fett		65%
Padme		64%
Luke Skywalker		60%
Obi-Wan Kenobi		57%
Anakin Skywalker		57%
Lando Calrissian		57%
Mace Windu		56%
Darth Vader		55%

You are an excellent friend
and an unselfish person,
yet you like to spend a lot of
time on your hair and fashion.
You spend most of your time
with guys that are too cocky,
too hairy, or too related.

(This list displays the top 10 results out of a possible 21 characters)

Click here to take the "Which Star Wars character are you?" quiz...

BUT HOLD THE PHONE!!!!

According to another (I'm sure) very reputable source...
You're considered very attractive by many, but don't allow it to go to your head. On the contrary, you're very humble, and though you sometimes dress to accent your beauty, you think little of materialistic possessions and value the humanity in people. Your intelligence propels you in the world. Your tolerance and patience are virtues and you stick by your loved ones no matter what.

"Which Star Wars Character Am I?" Quiz
by Always Two There Are

I....

2006-05-21T19:56:00.000-07:00

The lovely Genna tagged me for this... so here goes...

I AM: thinking about lunch...
I SAID: "do you want to go somewhere or just find something here to eat?"
I WANT: the best gluten free meal anyone has ever prepared.
I WISH: there was a gluten free restaurant around the corner.
I MISS: Whole Foods in Austin - it's better than the one in San Antonio.
I HEAR: birds - they are happy it rained last night.
I WONDER: if I should open my own restaurant.
I REGRET: not buying more at Central Market for lunch today. Stomach full shopping...
I AM NOT: happy about holding a house open today.
I DANCE: all the time... and encourage my husband by turning on big 80s hair metal - since that brings out his inhibitions.... :o)
I SING: badly, but love to sing anyway... I went to too many summer camps as a kid and on long car rides I'm a pain in the ass... it's a campfire song insane asylum.
I CRY: when I feel helpless.
I AM NOT ALWAYS: sure of my abilities.
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: my mozarella, tomato, basil salad.
I WRITE: like a serial killer on some days and like my 5th grade teacher on others.
I CONFUSE: the names of Colin Farrell and Will Ferrell all the time which leaves people scratching their heads I'm sure.
I NEED: a hug.
I SHOULD: get into the kitchen and get creative.
I START: to get less fearful of driving and then get set several steps back.
I FINISH: each day with a mug of tea (my favorite is Yogi brand)
I TAG: Maddy, Wriju, Gina, Gina, Heidi, Chloe, Green & Kain. (Apologies if you've already been tagged with this... just ignore if you have!)

Forever Stealing from Green...

2006-05-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm procrastinating... don't want to read any more for this course. But I must... for now, I steal just a few moments and as for what I stole from Green?? See below. Those who know me ... have no doubt I'm a girly girly girly girl with an adventurous/analytical streak...

Your Brain is 87% Female, 13% Male

You have the brain of a girly girl
Which isn't a bad thing at all
You're emphatetic, caring, and in tune with emotions.
You're a good friend and give great advice.

What Gender Is Your Brain?

So let me know about you too! :o)

Brief Blogging Hiatus...

2006-05-17T10:07:00.000-07:00

I'll be back as soon as I can! I am taking a designation course so my free time is limited for the next week or so. Hope everyone is well! xo S

Looking Outside...

2006-05-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

I am going through a pity party phase that I'm trying to break. There are just several things that are not going as I had planned and so I'm being generally pissy. I just need to get over it. I have been playing with my dog a lot today and wish I could be spending time with my husband this weekend, but so far he's in more of a hibernating mode and sleeping a lot. He had a stressful week last week (interview for big job). He already has a job, just looking to move up in the world. As a result, I spent most of last week cheering him on and helping him get prepared. I love helping him, but I'm worn out too and just trying to find outlets... I had a busy work week and am feeling, more than ever, the sting of my overwhelming fear of driving. As some of you will recall I thought I'd have a car by now to practice with and gain confidence. I do not. I'm trying to be patient, but it's difficult. In the mean time, I am trying too look outside myself so I don't wallow and stew.. In the spirit of this, I borrowed the following from Kain. (Modified & shortened)... If you comment to this post:

1. I'll respond with something random I like about you.

2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.

3. I'll leave you a quote that is somehow appropriate to you.

4. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.

5. If I do this for you, you must (please) post this on your journal so you can do the same for other people.

Ahhhh bribery… xo S

Presents of Mind...

2006-05-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

Buying gifts has ALWAYS been a cinch for me. I am usually very good at picking out just the right thing. It's usually because I remember something mentioned in passing or I get them something I think they'd like based purely on personality. There is one person, however, that I cannot figure out. My mother. She is an enigma in that department. It's been that way ever since I can remember. I think part of it is that she's just not a good receiver of gifts. She likes getting things for herself. She doesn't like being given something. Do you know anyone else like this? It's quite frustrating. So... I've decided the good old gift card is the best bet with her. I HATE giving gift cards to most people... seems like a cop out, but it's what I do with her. I was in a gift making phase for awhile. I've stopped doing that. I got much more enjoyment out of making it than the recipient got out of receiving my crafty oddities. This is all on my mind because Mother's Day is just around the corner. I need to put my thinking cap on. In most cases, however, I can rely on my keen sense of observation... HA! What a joke... I stole this from .... Guess Who??? Green... (thanks Green)...

Your Observation Skills Get An A-

Hardly anything gets by you...
You have a great memory and eagle eyes

How Observant Are You?

Silly, silly games...

2006-05-03T16:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know this is cheesy, but life has been waaaay too serious lately, so I needed to unwind and don't have time to do my usual unwinding activities... :o) Enjoy!

Check this out... my results were...
I am worth $2,361,940 on HumanForSale.com
Should I be insulted? or relieved? Don't answer that...

Guess what??! Surprise, surprise... stole this from The Great Green...

Your Life Path Number is 5

Your purpose in life is to life freely and collect experiences.

You love life - new adventures, new people, new ideas.
You are very curious, and you crave novelty in all forms.
You tend to make friends easily, and you enjoy the company of all types of people.

In love, you are fun and even a bit intoxicating. But you won't stick around for long.

You are impulsive and spontaneous - which sometimes leads you to do things you regret.
Sometimes you can be overindulgent with food, sex, or drugs.
You have many talents, so many that you are often scattered and unfocused.

What Is Your Life Path Number?

Ok... now for the last one today... an ego booster.... at least for me it was.... I expect a full report from the rest of you....

Your Seduction Style: Fantasy Lover

You know that ideal love that each of us dreams of from childhood? That's you!
Not because you posess all of the ideal characteristics, but because you are a savvy shape shifter.
You have the uncanny ability to detect someone's particular fantasy... and make it you.

You inspire each person to be an idealist and passionate, and you make each moment memorable
Even a simple coffee date with you can be the most romantic moment of someone's life
By giving your date exactly what he or she desires, you quickly become the ideal lover.

Your abilities to make dreams come true is so strong, that you are often the love of many people's lives.
Your ex's (and even people you have simply met or been friends with) long to be yours.
No doubt you are the one others have dreamed of... your biggest challenge is finding *your* dream lover.

What Kind of Seducer Are You?

Good thing is... I already found my "dream lover" .... LOL... Sorry for all the cheese... xo S

More stolen goods...

2006-04-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

Stole this from Sable... Who knew I was so freakin' optimistic? I'll have to show this to naysayers... :o)

Sunny summer day
Your forecast: 74°F, 37 mph wind, 17% chance of precipitation

What your score means:

Please note that all variables are scaled to a range of
0 to 100. I'd like to present some of them differently, but the OkCupid
system doesn't seem to allow independent scaling of variables.

Category names are not meant to be taken literally. They are only
weather patterns that match your score for the three variables. A
person might be classified as "hurricane" because he/she is outgoing,
athletic and compassionate; it does not relate to any destructive
behavior by any means.

Temperature measures your relationships with other
fellow humans. A high temperature means you are caring and
compassionate, and you tend to keep a personal touch with all your
friends. A low temperature means you are more independent, and although
you may like to hang out with your friends, personal life rarely enters
the picture.

Wind measures your level of energy. A low wind says
you are usually calm and composed, somewhat introverted, and perhaps do
not prefer intense physical activities. A high wind says you are
energetic, extroverted, and tend to lead an active lifestyle. Higher
wind can also mean greater ambitions in life. In extreme cases and
especially when coupled with high precipitation, high wind might
suggest a tendency toward violence.

Precipitation measures your mood. A sunny sky, as you
might guess, is associated with a bright, optimistic mood. People like
this tend to be satisfied with their lives, and might take the effort
to help make other people's lives better as well. A rainy sky would be
the opposite: people in this category tend to be moody or depressed at
times.

So, What do you think? Do the scores seem fair to you? If not, you can
help make it better by sending me a message with your comments,
suggestions, rants, death threats, whatever. Otherwise, your vote is
very much appreciated. Thanks!

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 97% on temperature
You scored higher than 23% on wind
You scored higher than 2% on precipitation

Link: The what kind of weather are you Test written by LTbot on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Life's Simplest Pleasures

2006-04-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

Sarafina's 10 of Life's Simplest Pleasures

I was tagged by the gorgeous GENNA to share my top 10 of life's simplest pleasures. I could come up with lots of guilty pleasures, but tried to stay clear of them ... Hoping that you are all having a great weekend. ENJOY!

Feeling a breeze against bare skin. It reminds me of being at the beach as a kid.
Taste/texture combinations on my tongue – cold & creamy, crunchy & salty rank highest for me. Since I have to be so careful about what I eat I savor all things I can, especially since I can’t eat anything that is not homemade or a whole food. I love cashews with dark chocolate & carrot sticks with sour cream and a hint of salt & pepper in it (not all at once, silly!)
Stargazing – blanket on the ground, looking up to a clear quiet sky of twinkling stars, that’s my idea of sheer magic.
Dancing – fast or slow… as long as I’m having fun with it… never took lessons. I was called Boogie Bride at my wedding. Love to dance. I got the bug from my dad who does a mean white man’s overbite (think Harry’s impression in When Harry Met Sally). I am, however, a MUCH better dancer than my dad… just don’t tell him.
Hugs – I am a very huggy person. My husband and I hug ALL the time and my family was a very huggy family… no wonder…
Water – To drink, to swim in… without water, I would be sunk… literally…
Humor – Whether it’s a sad or happy occasion I am usually the first to see the humor in it. I am hugely sarcastic and grew up with Monty Python and SNL (the good years, Gilda Radner (my hero)/John Belushi/Dan Ackroyd/Bill Murray)… in any case humor makes life much more livable.
Waking up near my loved ones – Before I got married I was asked by a family member if I could imagine waking up to my fiancés face everyday for the rest of my life. My reaction was a good one. I hate hearing him snore but love waking up next to him. Also, every morning when I get up I make sure to say hello to my other in-house loved one – my dog. I get down on the ground – no joke - and put my chin on my hands, once she opens her eyes, I say good morning. She usually rolls over for a belly rub right away. One of the best ways of waking up I know…
Feeding ducks at the park – one of my favorites pastimes as a kid. When my husband and I go on vacation we always try to find the local park and feed the ducks. I don’t do it so much in Texas since parks with ponds/lakes are few and far between…
Play – I love being a kid or just a carefree grownup. I agree with Genna on swings. I also love rollerskating (NOT blading), board games (favorites are Apples to Apples, Trivial Pursuit, & Scrabble), cards, & getting on an abandoned playground and just acting like a total nitwit.

I would like to tag Chloe, Green, Scribe, & Kain. YOU ARE IT!

Forcing Friendship

2006-03-31T15:13:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking a lot about whether or not I should bother putting so much emphasis on having some real friends in my new hometown. I have joined some local groups (church, museum) and am trying to make more connections with people at work. I am just not clicking with anyone. I feel adrift. Tonight my husband and I are going to a dinner where about 30 or so other couples will be - all in their 30s and early 40s - like us. Most of them have kids, we do not. That's not really a big deal to me AT ALL. I do get the impression that some of them care, however (it's a monthly dinner and we went last month). We're giving it another whirl, though. Maybe this time we'll get to have some good discussions and get to know people better. Part of the issue is my husband is not very good in social environments. He sticks to my side. I don't mind it at all, but I feel like some of the women don't talk to me as much as they would if he wasn't standing next to me all the time. The guys all get together and talk about things he isn't "interested in" (sports, 9-5 jobs, etc etc). Well... I better get crackin' ... I have to make some of my bunuelo chips and my mozarella/basil/tomato salad. My standards for potlucking...

Which Rock Chick Are You?

2006-03-29T12:53:00.000-08:00

Ok... please don't hate me... I'm having a tough time so wanted to take some solace in another dumb quiz... so here are my results...

Which Rock Chick Are You?

What Kind of Girl Are You?

2006-03-21T18:59:00.000-08:00

Apparently...

I am a hybrid of:
Progressive Girl
Gourmet Girl

Click on the pictures below to read more:

Take the 'What Kind of Girl Are You?' quiz at CookingToHookup.com

I know this is really for ladies, but would be interesting to see a guy's results with this... :o)

My Quick Oscar Picks...

2006-03-05T16:13:00.000-08:00

Almost forgot to post this... only 45 minutes until air time... so here goes... this is the list of those I think will win... those in () are sentimental faves...

Best Picture : Brokeback Mountain (Good Night, and Good Luck)

Best Director: Ang Lee

Best Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman (Joaquin Phoenix)

Best Actress: Reese Witherspoon

Best Supporting Actor: Paul Giamatti

Best Supporting Actress: Amy Adams

Original Screenplay: Crash

Adapted Screenplay: Brokeback Mountain

Best Anim. Feature: Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of...

Best Foreign-Lang. Film: Paradise Now

Art Direction: Memoirs of A Geisha

Cinematography: Memoirs of A Geisha

Costume Design: Memoirs of A Geisha

Documentary Feature: March of the Penguins

Film Editing: The Constant Gardener

Makeup: The Chronicles of Narnia...

Original Score: Memoirs of A Geisha

Original Song: Travelin' Thru' (Dolly Parton)

Sound Editing: War of the Worlds

Sound Mixing: Walk the Line

Visual Effects: King Kong

We'll see how I did! :o)

Whew!

2006-03-02T20:56:00.000-08:00

I passed! I got the papers in the mail today... now I just have to pass two more courses later this year and I get more alphabet soup after my name. Oh, the joy! Anyhow, I'm very sleepy so this is a short entry, but wanted to give that quick update. Hope everyone is well and ready to have a great weekend. Hooray Oscars! I plan to do an Oscar prediction post...

Back to Church

2006-02-27T15:08:00.000-08:00

I pretty much stopped going to church when I left my parent's house (college). I started up again sporadically but was always on the move so really had no time to let roots take hold. I then lived in somewhere else after grad school and after working there for over 8 years following school, my husband and I did a few months at a near by church which ended up rubbing us the wrong way. Now, we find ourselves feeling more settled than we have anywhere and started looking for a church a few weeks ago. Mainly we are after the fellowship. While we are much happier here, we still feel a sense of disconnect. We hope a church family will help. So far it's going well. We have been involved in a few of the more social events and have been attending regular services. Religion has been a rough thing for me. I won't go into major details, but I have always identified more with my mother's chosen religion. My father's religion, however, was the one my sister and I were raised with. It was a religious experience that I felt revolved more around a guilt complex than anything else. Luckily, my husband (M) has had a long history with the religion my mother belongs to. I am hoping M & I can learn from each other when it comes to our backgrounds. I am also hoping we meet lots of new people and begin to build some friendships. Now I just need to pray that this will stick. I am still afraid that some event will occur that will turn me off from church again. If I sound conflicted, it's because I am... but I'm trying to give it all a chance!

The Waiting Game... And Office Supply Lust

2006-02-17T19:30:00.000-08:00

Well, I took the test and will get my results in the next couple of weeks I guess. They really didn't say... I was hoping for instant results! I appreciate all the words of encouragement.

Work has been pretty busy so the mind is occupied pretty much all the time. I am working on lots of organizational projects right now. There are few things that capture my attention more than getting paperwork whipped into shape. There is a TON of paper generated in real estate. I just spent a looong time in Office Depot just gazing at all kinds of options - folders, binders, files, partitions with fasteners, pockets, etc. etc. I know that for some people Office Depot is a scary place, much like Home Depot is to me! I get all happy even if I just buy a new set of pens. Office supplies are a drug to me. It's a good thing I am an independent contractor now because I can get exactly what I want and then I can write it off. Hooray! I do have to watch myself, however. I can get a little carried away. Yes, I was one of those kids who looked forward to a new school year because it meant all new stuff - Trapper Keeper, highlighters, spiffy pens & pencils, protractor, compass, notebook paper, and many more absolutely essential items. I think my parents were blessed to be in smaller towns at that time (not an Office Depot in sight!) - so there were Five & Dimes like Ben Franklin and Woolworth's... couldn't do nearly as much damage there. :o)

Hope everyone is staying warm. It's below 40 here now and it's supposed to rain tonight... so we may have ice in San Antonio in February... that is very, very unusual for here. I used to live in Ohio, so I still am not used to 40 being such a big deal, but it is here! I'm glad to see some actual winter weather! I like a good chill now and again... I just wish I could live somewhere with four defined seasons - with each not being too extreme! Wishful thinking I'm afraid...

Test Stress

2006-02-12T18:30:00.000-08:00

I've never been a "good test taker." What exactly does that mean anyway? To me it means that I really get anxious and even things I absolutely know fall out of my ears because I'm so stressed out. Anyhow, I have an exam that I have to take Tuesday and it helps me get closer to my first real estate designation (more professional alphabet soupness following my name). I already have 4 letters after my name because of my masters degree, so the more the merrier. :o)

I'm an "old school" test taker too. I make flash cards. It's a habit that I actually developed later in life (during grad school). I have a form of dyslexia which makes it difficult for my eyes to focus on some text formats (columns, text on facing pages - I use guide pages sometimes). Anyhow, it helps to isolate the information on separate cards. I have a photographic memory with many things - I am convinced this is tied into the dyslexia somehow. In any case, I hope this exam goes well... I'll have two others after this (later this year) that go towards this designation. So... that's what's on my mind right now. Hope I'll have more exciting news later! xoxo S

Friendship

2006-01-31T19:01:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the long hiatus, but I have been getting my life back in order. I've been getting my health back into shape after some little meltdowns. All is well now though... I'm doing MUCH better. Thanks to all for the well wishes and concern...

Now, I am reflecting on friendship and what it has meant in my life.

I had a very out-of-the-blue visit from a long lost friend of mine from high school. We only were together during my junior year her senior year, and were inseparable. She ended up moving after her senior year and we just lost touch... inexplicably. We found each other here and there through casual emailing, but hadn't seen each other for 15 years. She emailed me two weeks ago saying she'd be in town for a conference and would love to get together. My response... "absofreakinlutely!" Normally when I get these requests from friends of long ago I am more hesitatant... because it's awkward. Or at least I'm awkward with the unknown... will we have anything to talk about? Will we have changed too much to feel like friends again? etc.

It was fantastic. My husband said that we were like long lost sisters reunited. It was two days of catching up and just being the silly, carefree, caring friends we were. We visited the old haunts and just hung out. I realized just how much I missed having friends around. I moved a lot during my childhood so have grown used to having friends and losing them, so losing this friend years ago just seemed normal. When she left last week I felt like weeping. I felt lost again... set adrift. I finally saw a hole in my life. I have lots of virtual friends - you all out there. I have a few close friends I keep in touch with over email and I see once or twice a year, but no constant, present friends.

I had a consult with my holistic health guru yesterday and discussed this void. It was a breakthrough, I broke down, I was weeping uncontrollably. She had me list 15 things that make me a good choice as a friend. I did so reluctantly. It did make me feel slightly better... but still, I'm scared. I told her this. She suggested I start a book group here where I live and just invite all kinds of people and see what happens. I have run book groups before, but never from my home. I'm nervous. What if no one shows up? What if it gets started and then just fades into nothing... I'm full of all kinds of self-doubt. I want to try. I want to succeed... but I do feel like a teen embroiled in the "do you like me? check yes or no...." conundrum. I need help, but don't know exactly how to ask for it without sounding pitiful.

Ok, had better go now... tears starting again... non-productive blogging will soon follow... Thanks for reading... Hugs to all...

Odd Habits

2006-01-13T12:44:00.000-08:00

I have been tagged by my friend Genna. If you don’t visit her blog already, add her to your list! She is amazing, smart, witty, strong, and beautiful.

These are the rules I’ve been charged with: "The first player of this game starts with the topic "five weird habits" of yourself and people who get tagged need to write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals." I hope I can live up to this!

1) I can never just step onto an escalator… it takes me a few seconds to get up the nerve… especially if I’m holding anything in my hands like shopping bags. I let my left foot linger over the moving steps until I get up courage and then I hop on.

2) I blow on ice cream as if it’s hot when I have the first few spoonfuls. Then I realize I’m doing it and I stop… Only a few people have noticed me do this.

3) I “surf” in my sleep. My pillow always ends up lengthwise under my torso.

4) I often dream things a few months before they happen. Sort of a premonition thing.

5) When I watch the news and see murder or kidnapping stories I can usually figure out what profile the culprit is going to fit. As a result, I have stopped watching the news, since this is a habit I want to break... it freaks me out too much. Instead, I read the news… for whatever reason, if I read it, instead of watch it, it does not have the same impact. The last time I watched the news was during the Washington, DC sniper scare.

Whew! Now, I tag the following….

Helena,
Chloe,
Nabeel,
Eric,
Shauna
-- YOU’RE IT!

What is Your Sesame Street Persona??

2006-01-10T18:54:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it!? I'm Elmo!! I hope that doesn't mean I'm ever-so-slightly obnoxious... I can handle the cute part, but that voice for any extended period of time can be wearing... Stole this from Chloe... read on...

You are both somewhat organized. You have a good
idea where you put things and you probably keep your place reasonably
clean. You aren't totally obsessed with neatness though. Elmo has the
same basic approach. His place is pretty tidy, but he doesn't spend all
of his time cleaning it up.

You both are abstract thinkers. You definitely are not afraid to take
chances in life. You only live once. You may notice others around you
playing it safe, but you are more concerned with not compromising your
desires, and getting everything you can out of life. This is a very
romantic approach to life, but hopefully you are also grounded enough
to get by. Elmo's whole life is based on fantasy and his imagination.
In the beginning he was a regular character, but now he spends most of
his time in this fantasy world.

You are both somewhat extroverts. Like Elmo, you probably like to have
some time to yourself, but you do appreciate spending time with your
friends, and you aren't scared of social situations. Elmo spends some
of his time with real friends, but he also needs some time just to chat
it up with his goldfish.

You can take it too! :
The Your SESAME STREET Persona Test written by greencowsgomoo

Hiding Under the Covers...

2006-01-10T18:15:00.000-08:00

Today was one of those days where after kissing the hubby goodbye... all hell broke loose. The phone was ringing off the hook, my nerves were fried, and I had a quick cry trigger going on. I just started weeping and wishing I had never gotten out of bed.

I think my stress level began with yesterday's adventures. We took a day off to focus on replacing our one car which was about to go over 100,000 miles. Hubby has a long commute. We've only had the car since 2003. Went to dealership #1 and they couldn't make us a deal we could live with- we were there for 3 hours. Went to dealership #2... they were able to deliver... after 6 hours... Needless to say, it was a long and stressful day. I think that experience is what fried my nerves and it so happened to carry over to today.

So... when I get in these helpless moods I feel like eating. Luckily, thankfully, wonderfully, my dietician called me just as I was about to gorge myself. I took a few deep breaths and cuddled with my dog. I felt infinitely better and was able to continue my day. I think it's amazing how simply carefully breathing can bring me out of a funk. Now if I can just get to bed on time tonight, maybe I'll kick this streak! :o)

Ice Cream!! How I miss thee!!

2006-01-07T19:26:00.000-08:00

I was going to write an "Ode Upon A Empty Pint Of Ice Cream"... but I'm not feeling poetically inspired this evening. I can't eat ice cream any more... actually, that's not entirely true. If I make it myself and put in every single ingredient with my own two hands. I'm sure I'll resort to that in the summer. Lately I've been trying to substitute things like chocolate and ice cream with decaf coffee concoctions that are super creamy, just so I get the same kind of aftertaste going.

Can I risk it? Dare I? I often fall into that frame of mind where I think just this ONCE??? Well, to give you an idea, the last time I had even a small dish of my formerly favorite ice cream I was at the hospital within the hour. I couldn't stand up straight. I couldn't talk. It was like getting struck by a carrageenan comet. This was one of the events that led to my diagnosis. I need only think of that incident and I'm cured of my desire for store bought ice cream.

In honor of my inability to indulge in this former passion... would you be so kind as to add to my virtual freezer and take this idiotic test to see what your flavor is? I have been told that ...

I Am Brownie Batter Ice Cream

I've been known to lick *everything* clean

What Flavor Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Are You?

Oh! To Be Twitterpated...

2006-01-05T19:53:00.000-08:00

Twitterpated is one of my favorite words...

To find out what it means (if you don't already know) see my response to Nabeel's post to "Good Things Come in 3s"...

The girly squirrel here could be described as being obnoxiously twitterpated (but still darn cute)...

Good things come in 3s...

2006-01-05T17:55:00.000-08:00

I've always had the philosophy that good things come in 3s since it's too depressing to follow the 3rd time's the charm approach...

1. I consider you all one BIG good thing. Your kind words the last weeks have been very helpful to my self-esteem. The thing about this insidious disease is that it makes you feel unappealing and bloated most of the time (no matter how well you follow a gluten free diet). I feel like I'm wearing an inner tube most of the time... your comments help me float on through....

2. Good car news! I may inherit a car! It's a nifty little Toyota Camry. I'll give you more details if you want, but basically my dream may come true sooner than I think. Hopefully it will happen before or around my birthday in March.

3. The real estate business has taken off again in these parts. Got 3 offers today on 3 different listings. Also got 3 new listings! Lots of threes... see??? I tell you, this philosophy can do you no wrong... :)

Help Me, Obi-Wan Kenobi... You're My Only Hope...

2006-01-03T22:02:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of Green's comment that I resemble Carrie Fisher circa Star Wars... I coincidentally got a letter in the mail over Christmas from my childhood friend whom I used to play Star Wars with... This usually meant I was Han Solo and she was Princess Leia. This is the first I've heard from her since I moved after 3rd grade from Portland, Oregon to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Oi! It was truly out of the blue. So... as I child I never got to be Leia. Now you've got me thinking, Green... perhaps I need to fill that void... host a Halloween party this year as Princess Leia... hmmm.... No dining room table needed for that! You be the judge... this is the closest my hair has ever come to being Princess Leia-esque... Too funny!

Makeover for the New Year

2006-01-03T14:00:00.000-08:00

I've been doing so much thinking about inward change, that I've neglected the outer a little. Friday I've scheduled my first haircut in weeks and can't wait! Take a look at this picture (taken a about a month ago) and let me know if you have any ideas!?

I also hope to finally find a dentist... I have not had a cavity yet, knock on wood... but haven't been to the dentist in years. These 30 year old teeth probably need some TLC. There are lots of things we forget to do when obsessing on other things. I had a year of mostly focus on Celiac. I had to change my entire lifestyle. As a result I cared more about my insides (quite literally). Dining with me has become an adventure that I do not inflict on most others. I went to quite a few holiday parties where there was all this scuttling about - trying to accomodate my needs. I truly appreciated it, but sometimes I wish they'd just let me help! It's very difficult to explain what I can/cannot eat. My mother-in-law handled it best. She called and had me send her a list - even had me shop with her before she bought food for her pantry. My husband and I visited for a few days and she wanted to be prepared. I also brought along my new favorite thing! LARABARS! They are the best!! I can't eat gluten now, so I miss my ClifBars and other nutrition bars... but these are GF! They totally rock. The company is so cool that they gave me a nice t-shirt... my hubby calls it my sexy shirt... shows off my curves... ha! Anyhow, if you like dates and nuts, these are for you!! They come in really great varieties... check them out... www.larabar.com. They were absolutely a gift during the holiday season... kept me safe from the hospital!!

The New Year has also brought some tough realizations. Money is tight. There will not be a car for me in the near future. Eating, it seems, is more important. Go figure! We also are in dire need of a dining room table... we haven't had a housewarming or guests over yet and we've lived here for almost half a year now... it's pathetic. There is something in me that just wants to nest- no matter how silly it is. It's not out of being pretentious. I don't actually think that in order to entertain you HAVE to have a dining room table. It's just something I'd like to do and am holding onto that like holding on to my dream for a car. To be sure, there are many more important things in life... having kids, improving myself... the odd thing is that I can link having a car and dining room table to those goals... now if that's not cracked up... I don't know what is...

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850

Stole this from Green TOO!

2006-01-01T19:51:00.000-08:00

In the year 2006 I resolve to:

Teach my dog to fly.

Get your resolution here

You think it's possible??? Look at that face! :)

What's your monster name?

2005-12-17T07:51:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been feeling a little monsterish since it's the holiday season - a little out of sorts. Can't even go to the grocery store without encountering crowds. I feel as though I want to inhale the chocolate I see everywhere. I also confess that I brood a little when I realize that this holiday would go more smoothly if my family & in-laws lived a little closer together.... Because of all this I I thought this little time waster was a good way to sum it all up. Can't wait to hear what resides in your monster cores.

Your Monster Profile

Cursed Beast

You Feast On: Peanut Butter

You Lurk Around In: Closets

You Especially Like to Torment: Hicks

What's Your Monster Name?

What a relief!!

2005-12-02T19:41:00.000-08:00

Ok... so I didn't test positive for being anything cooked in a Crock Pot... I guess I should provide some background. I have been using my Crock Pot very excessively these last weeks. As such, I thought for sure I'd come out as a stew or chili of some sort in the "What Kind of Food Are You" quiz... see for yourself... these were my results...

You Are Chinese Food

Exotic yet ordinary.

People think they've had enough of you, but they're back for more in an hour.

What Kind of Food Are You?

I LOVE CHINESE FOOD... I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER!! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Better Than Fireworks...

2005-11-30T16:08:00.000-08:00

I just read a friend's post and was inspired to write. She has had a history of bad experiences with the men in her life (dad and exes). I have had my share of bad relationships, but none of them abusive... they ended usually because there was a lack of seriousness on my part or their part. I have always believed that a sense of humor was the MOST important thing to me in all my relationships. All of my close friends share my sense of humor... that includes family members I am close to. Before I met my husband I long dated those that I had been able to develop "His Girl Friday" kind of repore. I have to have witty repartee. I can't live without it... if I can't have that back and forth of funny discourse, I am not turned on... That made it difficult to find someone who had a good balance of qualities.

I found several guys in h.s. and college who were only interested in having a fun time, in being the clown... they were not interested in settling down or having a serious discussion once in a while. Almost 10 yrs. ago, when I was at the end of my rope after a bad blind date, I spoke to a friend who had been online and got a "good laugh" out of looking at online dating profiles of guys in her area... since I was so depressed she suggested I look there to cheer up.. . since I was bound to find guys even worse than the guys I was dating. I know... cheery! I did look. I found someone though who seemed out of place... he stood out... he sounded serious... PhD bound... driven.... but what's this..... a fan of Monty Python? A fan of Celtic music? A fan of Gilda Radner? The list went on and on... I went to his site and found the window to my soul... we started emailing... met months later... and we never were apart from then on... never a break-up, never a hiccup.

We got married 3 years ago. We've been very happy and we still have our witty repartee alive and kicking... The only thing I ever worry about is that maybe we don't have sex as much as we should... I'm not wired that way I guess... I can't worry about what society things is "normal" for sex drive... so we talk about that occasionally, but seriously... it's not that big a deal. I'd rather be able to hug and kiss my hubby and laugh lots. Question is can one really have it all? I have all I need. I do. I guess, though, sometimes I wish I had more of the lusty fireworks some people describe... mine are more like eternal sparklers. :o) But I like sparklers... they’re feisty and have a flair all their own.

Open House Fest!

2005-11-27T18:54:00.000-08:00

Normally this time of year it's difficult to get good attendance at open houses. I am a realtor, among other things, and November and December do not tend to be busy months. Between all the California investors coming over and plunking cash down for 4-5 properties at once ranging in the 200K - million range and lots of military relo, it's been super busy! I've held 2 open houses each weekend since November started and have had record attendance.

One thing I've noticed is that you can tell a lot about the personalities of individuals when they are walking around an open house. Some say only nice things, but you can tell they HATE the house. Some come through and do nothing but complain about the layout, color scheme, etc. However, they don't just leave, they stay longer than everyone else... longer than even those that make the offers! These are the people, I suspect, that stay in miserable situations just so they can bitch about them. They don't try to do something constructive with their time... they just like to complain about life in general. I, of course, like the ones that can see the positives (even if the house isn't right for them). It's almost like they want you to feel good about it, like it's your child. I try not to get emotionally attached to the houses I'm selling, so these people make me giggle inside a little. I just tell them be sure to pass on their compliments to the owners. When I walk through a house, I have on my poker face. However, I do walk quickly if it's a house I do not like... that's my tell...

As December nears I gear up for more Open Houses and hopefully some more sales. I hope everyone is recovering from their post-turkey and shopping mall stupor!!! Manic Monday is just around the corner... embrace it with open arms and don't forget .... you CAN freeze turkey soup... you DON'T have to eat it all now! :)

Thanksgiving wish... heck, everyday wish...

2005-11-23T19:12:00.000-08:00

I've had so many friends and family that get kicked while they are down.

In the past weeks I've seen people who are sick getting sicker.

People who have already been abused (whether physically, verbally or psychologically) receive further mistreatment from those they once loved, do love or don't even know!

My wish is this... that all these terrible cowards and injustices STOP already! Whether they are diseases, jerks or those that are just uncomfortable in their own skin... so feel they need to hurt others to feel good about themselves.

I want everyone to have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING, dammit... Now eat some turkey, tofurkey or whatever gets you in the holiday mood... :)

What Kind of Princess Are You?

2005-11-18T22:22:00.000-08:00

Ok, so this one is obviously more meant for the ladies, but my husband had fun with this one... he was a rather butch princess... :) I, alas, was a dreamer... however, I was also a Fairy Princess & Traditional Princess... I have MPPD (multiple princess personality disorder)... God help my husband... see how you fit in...

The Dreaming Princess

Your head is in the clouds and you don't feel like
coming back down to earth any time soon. You
have a very active imagination and may find
sometimes that you enjoy fantasy more than
reality. You are sweet and girlish, a loveable,
kind dreamer given to flights of fancy.

Role Models: The Princess of "The Frog
Prince"

You are most likely to: Be enchanted by fairies
after falling asleep in the forest.

What Kind of Princess are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Fleet Feet

2005-11-13T08:27:00.000-08:00

Ever since late last year when I started experiencing extreme numbness in my legs and feet, I realized how much I had pissed away my chances to exercise. I was getting fairly sedentary though those that knew me didn't know how much my muscles had begun to atrophy.

I have a second chance now, an opportunity to get healthy. I have been speed walking on my treadmill about 4 times a week, going about 2 miles each time. The exercise ball has also helped my crazy tummy which increases by 2 pant sizes anytime I accidentally eat something with gluten. Crunches are my new best friend, as is my hot water bottle. A friend of mine introduced me to that trick. It helps for those awful monthly cramps, but also general bouts with extreme bloating when I dine out (inevitably) and the chef doesn't know what gluten is, but is too embarrassed to admit it. So... how do I stay motivated? Sometimes I don't, I wallow, I don't wake up when I should. Usually the music wins... I let music be the one to drag me of bed. I love music that much. For working out I listen to what I refer to as "model stomp music" - you know music that you can't help but feel through powerful steps... steps that mean business.

My favorites ---
American Woman (Lenny Kravitz) * Starry-Eyed Surprise (Paul Oakenfold) * Mama Said Knock You Out (LL Cool J) * Hey Baby (No Doubt) * I Fought the Law (Clash) * Praise You OR Weapon of Choice (Fatboy Slim) *You Shook Me All Night Long (AC/DC)* Batter Up (Nelly)*Pour Some Sugar On Me (Def Leppard)* Goody Two Shoes (Adam Ant) * So Alive (Love & Rockets) *It's Tricky (Run DMC) * Bittersweet Symphony (The Verve) * Loser (Beck) * Oh What A Night - December 1963 (Four Seasons) *Without Me (Eminem) * Hit the Road Jack (Ray Charles) * Do Wa Diddy (Manfred Mann) * Oh Yeah (Yello) * Cherry Pie (Warrant) * Bust A Move (Tone Loc) *Relax (Frankie Goes To Hollywood) * Song of the South OR Louisiana Saturday Night (Alabama) * Pump Up The Volume (Marrs) * Closer (NIN) * Wild, Wild West (Escape Club) *You're My Everything (Barry White) * Volcano (Jimmy Buffett) * Dancing Queen (ABBA) * Hot In Heeere (Nelly) .... and many, many more....

I used to DJ back in college so I have lots of different kinds of music to draw from. I am incredibly driven to dance when I hear it, but when on the treadmill it turns into a hyperkinetic expression of how happy I am to be moving again. I hope I don't lose that. And if you have lost it ... I hope you find it again too...

Put it in a bubble... and blow it away...

2005-11-12T21:13:00.000-08:00

Letting things go is often easier said than done... I think that's why we deaden ourselves to bad baggage with food, tv, gossip, and any number of distractions so we don't have to deal with it. I do it constantly. Often I don't even talk about what's been bothering me until it hits the boiling point. I was watching an old episode of Dharma and Greg... you know... the hippie dippy girl with the uptight guy... She was trying to come to terms with her bad doings in the past 7 years by asking those she did wrong for forgiveness. She would just straight up tell them what she had done and pantomime putting it in a bubble and blowing it away. It was meant to be funny, and it was... until I starting thinking about all the things I have let sit and fester over the years. The little things and big things that tug at me out of the blue that make me feel less than confident about who I am. The things you try to ignore. I wonder if you gave others a chance to come clean to you in this manner... would they take it? Would they get all earthy crunchy just to blow that badness away - to gain some peace of mind? I would.... if I knew it would end that nagging feeling of having made a bad move... one time when... I'll let you know if I overcome that fear. I have lots of fears and a fear of not being forgiven is one of the biggest. Does putting your fears in a bubble and blowing them away do the same thing? I wish... I wish... I wish...

Bundle of thoughts

2005-11-11T21:26:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you need an outlet... something to get your head straight before you head into your hangups, problems, what-have-you... at full throttle. This is what this will be for me. I intend to not use the delete key.... not to censor. But I'm sure my intentions will meet obstacles...

I live a very happy life to all outsiders. I have no major complaints. No tragedies. Let's get the not-so-major obstacles I face out of the way: my restrictive diet (I can't eat gluten/lactose intolerance), fear of driving, my dog is neurotic & does not get along well with others, my husband may/may not want children... That's it! You say? Well, that's enough for me to obsess about... I intend to do so... right here...

I was watching some kids today while eating dinner at a local restaurant. My husband is very good at blocking out the kiddo noise unless he's in a bad mood. I constantly critique. I think of how I would love being a parent so I could be one of the few who other adults (kid free) look at and say " now THAT'S a good parent, look how well behaved those kids are). That's, of course, a daydream... a luck of the draw scenario... of course, I guess some lead a charmed life.

Perhaps someday I will have a child. I am still young - 30. I think of my aforementioned neurotic but VERY loveable dog... she hampers my thoughts of motherhood. She has hostility issues with everyone except us. Who knows how she would react to a baby... Anyone out there with experience with training dogs who seem to snap, out of the blue? She is normally very docile. She seems very friendly. There have only been a few incidences... those have been enough though. We now don't even know if we can leave her in the care of a housesitter. She's too unpredictable. Perhaps we're the neurotic ones... I often wonder...

Fear of driving... well, I don't know where it began, but mothers that don't drive could encounter some difficulties, no? I do plan on getting my very first car soon, but it may take awhile given finances. I have a very accomodating husband. I just feel it's time now.. time to conquer my fear... I have the license... now I must overcome this... Does anyone out there have this somewhat irrational fear?

I'll get to my nutritional oddities later... I don't want to come off as a Woody Allen-esque caricature right of the bat... let me get warmed up...

First Post

2005-11-11T19:53:00.000-08:00

I want someplace to vent freely. I have learned I need an outlet... so here it all begins...

Desert Star

I'm BAAAAaaaack

Farewell Friends!

One Book...

FOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!

The Effort to Slow Down...

Wanting to feel carefree....

Stole this from Gina who stole it from ???

Personal DNA...

You are a Curator

If you want to be different:

If you want to be different:

Because I Don’t Know What Else To Say…

The Wish I Never Thought Would Come True...

What American City Are You?

And Now For Something Completely Different....

For A Friend...

I AM Princess Leia... and who, might I ask, are you?

I....

Forever Stealing from Green...

Brief Blogging Hiatus...

Looking Outside...

Presents of Mind...

Silly, silly games...

More stolen goods...

Life's Simplest Pleasures

Forcing Friendship

Which Rock Chick Are You?

What Kind of Girl Are You?

My Quick Oscar Picks...

Whew!

Back to Church

The Waiting Game... And Office Supply Lust

Test Stress

More than 20 Questions...

Friendship

Odd Habits

What is Your Sesame Street Persona??

Hiding Under the Covers...

Ice Cream!! How I miss thee!!

Oh! To Be Twitterpated...

Good things come in 3s...

Help Me, Obi-Wan Kenobi... You're My Only Hope...

Makeover for the New Year

Stole this from Green TOO!

What's your monster name?

What a relief!!

Better Than Fireworks...

Open House Fest!

Thanksgiving wish... heck, everyday wish...

What Kind of Princess Are You?

Fleet Feet

Put it in a bubble... and blow it away...

Bundle of thoughts

First Post