'Chokes!

Artichokes

I love Trader Joe's. I got 4 little artichokes the other day for $2.14, and cooked them up yesterday. My first time actually preparing them myself. (We used to have them quite a bit when I was living with my parents, but one of them always cooked them.) Tonight when I got home from work, I was craving a stuffed artichoke, like Mom & Dad used to make. And I lucked out! I actually had the recipe! Unfortunately, it's for 6 artichokes, so I had to scale it down for 1. I think I did a pretty good job (especially since I did very little actual measuring). And it was delicious! Though next time I think I'll scale down the parmesan and olive oil a little bit.















Survey

I'm starting to accept the loss of my beloved hairdresser... No, it's not like that. She didn't die or anything. She had a 2nd baby, and went on maternity leave. Then she didn't renew her lease at the old salon (I knew she wasn't going to - we'd discussed it). She was supposed to call the clients she wanted to keep and let them know where she was moving to (work-wise) when she came back from leave.

Well, it's been over 8 months, and no phone call...so I don't know if that means I wasn't of the select clientele (though I doubt she'd have mentioned it to me if I wasn't) or if she's not working again yet. In either case, I desperately need a haircut. (Just ask Christyn!) My dilemma is this - do I just trim it and keep the current length? It hasn't been this long in years.






Or, do I hack it back down to short again? (It was much easier to deal with short, but took getting used to.)

Any opinions? (The long hair shots are not the most flattering of me...but you get the idea.)

No rush...I haven't called a new hairdresser yet. Though Christyn did give me the number of her guy. (I've never had a male hairdresser...)





Coronation

Tomorrow at lunchtime I go back into the dentist's office for the permanent crown. Even though they've marked my chart for no Epinephrine, I'm still kind of afraid I'll pass out on them. I'm trying to think positive...I'm just hoping I don't work myself up over it. (Happy thoughts, happy thoughts...)

I'm also afraid I'm going to need that root canal after all. My gums under the affected molar have been achey on & off still, but people keep telling me that a temporary crown never really fits right, so it might just be that. Well, we'll see.

Wish me luck!!

Sweet Southern Style

My mother has repeatedly told me that I should have become an editor. I always find the grammatical errors in things (except my own writing of course...until it's too late), or mispelled words, etc. And I know y'all is a regional term, and I'm not Southern... (though my grandmother was...and my great aunt used to say y'all quite a bit living in Texas).

So, I'm currently reading "Little Altars Everywhere" by Rebecca Wells. She also wrote "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood", which I haven't read (nor have I seen the movie). Anyway, the book is set in Louisiana, and it's pretty good, once you get past the fact that each chapter takes place in a different year, and is from another character's point of view. (That was a bit confusing for the first few chapters.) And although I am enjoying the book, the author uses "y'all" a lot, but spells it "yall." It bugs me EVERY time! (Yes, I AM neurotic, I know, and I embrace it.)

Does this spelling of y'all bother anyone else out there? Is it just me?

Miles o' Files

Work Stuff

Tomorrow there are big wigs floating around my office...The CEO of our parent company and the head of the company that is acquiring us in the beginning of the 4th quarter (I think that's when it's supposed to go through anyway). So, an e-mail went out basically telling everyone to dress appropriately (which they should be doing anyway) and to clean up our respective areas... Well, I'm not too worried about the dressing thing (I'm not one of the ones who shows up in cropped tops and low-rise jeans - and yes, there are people around the office that have been known to do that - just not in my department).

Um...I did spend the last half hour of work today cleaning my desk though. It's cleaner than it has been in months, even though I still have some piles of files on my floor (total loss control issue, I know...not allowed at all at my previous company, which was insurance, where my father was in the Loss Control department). Anyway, I finished with the desk (which could have used a little more work, but I was done!) and it immediately lifted my stress level. Funny how that works. (Now - the key would be to keep working on my apartment to de-clutter and de-stress!)

I am hoping that now my desk is less cluttery, I'll be more motivated to get more stuff done at work. (I've not been really motivated lately, but now I've got a lot of new loans to work on, so that's motivation too.)

Crochet Stuff

Well, I've finished one whole sock. I have not weaved in the ends yet (have I mentioned before how much I hate doing that?) and haven't started the second one yet. Soon though...maybe later tonight, while I watch someone get fired on The Apprentice...but, if I'm sucked into the show I'm more likely to make mistakes and end up ripping out row upon row...

Two steps back

I thought I'd been doing so well lately with the whole break-up thing. But, this weekend was a tough one. I don't particularly know why.

I have this bad habit of not deleting my phone messages after listening to them. So, today I decided to listen and delete the 14 messages saved on my machine (yes, 14). I didn't realize it had been so long since I'd cleared the machine. There were 5 messages on there from Fred - must have been months old (we've been broken up for almost 3 months). Well, every one of those old messages cut through me like a knife. It was hard to listen and I'll admit I broke down a little. But I deleted all of them. It felt like a final step in a way.

Will it get easier now? I'm kind of doubting it. I am back to feeling like I'll be alone forever - which isn't really a new feeling for me - my relationship with Fred was an 8 month break in the desolation. I want to think positive, but it's really difficult. I miss him so much, even though I know things weren't perfect. At the same time, I'm really upset at him (and getting angrier by the day) for what seems to me as his total lack of respect for me, shown by him ignoring my requests to return each others' stuff. Would it really have killed him to respond to the IM? I wasn't asking him to devote himself to me. I just wanted his crap out of my house. And I refuse to spend my money to mail it to him (especially since his little barbecue - the Ba-B-Q - is sitting out on my balcony). And really, I don't really know what I left at his house aside from the CDs that were in his car and a couple of movies (I do want the CDs and movies back). Anything else there is probably stuff he gave me as gifts. And I don't think I'd be able to really use or enjoy those things.

Argh...I feel pathetic for still being hung up on him. When will it stop? When will I no longer care if I ever hear from him again? Why do I still consider taking him back? (Not that it's an option - he has made it clear that he no longer wants me in his life.) Okay, sorry for the depressing rant...

One Skein...

It's Official

Okay, I did it! I sent my info to Interweave Press and have now officially signed up for the One Skein Secret Pal Exchange. I'm kind of excited now! It gives me a good excuse to go peruse the LYS at lunchtime (I haven't been to the one by work since before Christmas - trying to curb my unneccesary spending…plus need to use up some of the yarn already in my ever-growing stash…of course, I have visited the LYS closer to home once since Christmas…but that was totally necessary. You know, have to curtail the withdrawal symptoms).

So, now I have that pretty little button on my sidebar! (Love that yarn!) I don't know how to make the button link to the website though...I have my limitations.

One More Week...or more

I have a slight reprieve from the frantic housecleaning (which I'll admit, has not been nearly as frantic as it should have been). I had been planning to have the place ship shape (if your ship is a wreck?) by Saturday so it would be presentable when Mom and the step-father came to haul off my ugly couches. I talked to Mom Wednesday night, and it turns out they are not coming this weekend after all, because some event or something with their Chevy club came up. (I see where I fit into the priorities…:( ) But, at least now I have more time to clean…like all weekend. Probably good, since I don't get any cleaning done during the week at all. But, that means I don't get Gracie for a few more weeks.

Testing, Testing...

I don't know why I'm so fond of these little mindless tests. It's not like they're based on any scientific studies or fact...but they're fun! Even if they are sometimes way off the mark. So, here goes - have fun!

All American Kid

Popular but not plastic. Athletic but not a jock. Smart but not a brain. You were well rounded and well liked in high school.

Who Were You In High School?

Hmm... This was SO not me. While I wasn't picked on, and got along with everybody, I was very very shy. Not athletic at all (had special attention from my P.E. teacher to insure that I'd pass the physical fitness exam and not have to take P.E. for another year). I probably was considered a brain. And I would never have considered myself Popular. Not the biggest geek, but I always figured I was considered a geek or nerd. (Not that I really know how people saw me.)

--------------------------

Your Birthdate: September 12

You're a dynamic, charismatic person who's possibly headed for fame.You tend to charm strangers easily. And you usually can get what you want from them.Verbally talented, you tend to persuade people with your speaking and writing.You are affectionate and loving, but it's hard for you to commit to any one relationship. Your strength: Your charm Your weakness: Your extreme manipulation tactics Your power color: Indigo Your power symbol: Four leaf clover Your power month: December

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Hmm...never really thought of myself as charming, or unable to commit to any one relationship. Extreme manipulation tactics? (I think not!!) Who writes this stuff? On this one, I actually wonder if the results are completely at random. (Then again, maybe all the tests are that way!)

Sock it to Me...

Okay, here's the progress on the Lorna's Laces socks. I wish the picture had come out better. The golds in the yarn aren't nearly as orange as they appear in the photo. This fits me pretty well so far - yay me! I think the trick was finally settling on a hook 2 sizes larger than called for in the family (mostly because I don't have a C hook, and couldn't find a D... Looks like it worked out. I estimated the gauge - I'm not good with being too precise.) I actually attempted two different sock patterns before settling on this one. The other two weren't working out for me (one was working out too small, even having checked my gauge, the other was a boring stitch pattern and I didn't think I'd make it through 2 whole socks if I wasn't enjoying it.

So, like my classy stitch markers? The purple one matches the yarn. The green one...well, it was closest to my hand when I needed it. Can't beat proximity for a stitch marker! (For me, the same thing goes when it comes to bookmarks...whatever thin object is closest will hold my spot fine.)

Well, tomorrow morning I have a meeting that starts at the same time I get in, so I
really need to be on time to work. Hopefully early, since I'll want time to grab some paper and a cup of tea first. Wish me luck! (Anyone reading this who knows me and my problems with timeliness know how bad I need the luck!)