Category: General

I have a new obsession, the Smurfs app on the IPhone. I love it! Cannot get enough of it, I totally blame Henry; he was showing it off at Thanksgiving, so of course, the next day I download it and am instantly addicted. I have built a Smurf village; I have Poppa Smurf, Greedy Smurf, Jokey Smurf, the miner Smurf, and so many others, just not Smurfette yet. I admit to having an obsessive personality, not OCD personality, I just get obsessive about new things. Then I am over them, after a while. Of course I have not gotten over my obsession for the Bay City Rollers, Kiss, Buffy, Angel, well Joss Whedon, and television in general. I think I may need help.
I am debating on what to do Starbucks wise, I really want it today, however my Friday is actually Saturday this week. So, do I wait till Saturday? Do I cheat and get it today? Decision making is tough, ok, show of hands, who thinks I should get Starbucks today. Hands down, now, all those who think I should wait. Final count to be determined later.
Elizabeth Edwards passed away yesterday; she was an amazing woman who handled horrendous situations with grace and dignity. Her battle with cancer was a long, painful one, never once in any interview did she complain, or whine, or place blame. I admire her, I know many women who have faced the battle of cancer, without a single exception, they have all been fighters and have taught me so much about a woman’s strength, not only physically, but emotionally, mentally and morally. I can only hope if I ever face a similar situation I will look to the women like my friend Sandi and to public figures like Elizabeth Edwards and handle myself with dignity. I can’t promise grace because I am not a graceful person.
I have gotten a few Christmas gifts, ordered online, but I have so much to do! I need to make a list! Peace out homies, I am off to listmaking land!

I have been silent for a few days, I have been busy moving, that is a huge job. Nothing went right on this move. It all started on Thursday when I went into the office to see if I could possibly look at the apartment to get some measurements. The manager looked at me with the proverbial deer in the headlights look. This is where I should mention the apartment complex has been sold, and this is a whole new management team. She gave me the keys and said she had not done a walk through to see if everything has been done. I went to the apartment, nothing had been done, NOTHING. So on Friday morning I advised the front office that nothing had been done, I was due to move in Saturday. She assured me that everything would be done in time for me to move in on Saturday.
Late Friday evening is when they began painting, they laid carpet on Saturday, needless to say, me wanting to start moving at 10:00 am was a moo point. Like a cow’s opinion, it didn’t matter. It took me 3 days to move. Worst move EVER. On the upside, I love the new apartment. There is so much space. It is like being in a house without the responsibilities of one.
I admit I became incredibly upset, as I like things to go my way, huge surprise there, I unleashed on an old woman in the front office. Horrible of me, I know, but seriously, I know the former management team must have left paperwork; I had to sign the new lease. The former tenants had been gone since Thanksgiving weekend. The new manager claims that she didn’t even know the space was vacant, however, I met a new neighbor and he said that the former tenants of said space also had a hard time with their new apartment; they switched to my old floor plan. So I don’t know what is going on, all I know is I received a 3 day credit on my rent for next month.
The only company that did not disappoint was Time Warner, there when they said they would be, didn’t leave until making sure everything worked. They rocked.
Elizabeth and Alex also rocked, Alex was there all three days, Elizabeth could not be, but she worked like a dog the first day. Jeffrey unable to help due to back surgery. But I know he was there wishing me well.
Yesterday was Elisabeth’s birthday, Jeffrey’s wife; I did not get to see her as she had to work until after I went to bed. But I think I really did good on the birthday present this year, I am not going to tell you all what I got until after I get to give it to her, on the off chance she reads this.

Today is my Friday; all I can say is TGIF! I am beyond exhausted, with only one weekend day and working Thanksgiving and the day after, I am ready to sleep in tomorrow. Of course it will not be a long sleep in; I have a lot to do. Pack up the apartment; get things ready to move on Saturday. Very excited!
Tonight the Irishman and I are going to my friend Wanda’s house for a Christmas gathering, so much fun. I absolutely adore Wanda, the Irishman told me out of all of my Mary Kay friends he has met, she is his favorite. And he told me this when he was inebriated, so I know it is the truth. Guinness is like truth serum for him.
I am thinking of cutting out the caffeine in the new year, however, I believe if I did that my whole system would shut down. I firmly believe that my whole nervous system is dependent on large doses of caffeine. Not in the form of sodas, but in the pure form of coffee. I love coffee, coffee treats, coffee by itself with heavy whipping cream and a little sweet and low. I have been having a love affair with coffee for as long as I can remember. Every diet I have ever indulged in has included coffee, so cutting it of my life would be cruel, cruel for the coffee industry and cruel for me. I believe cruel for everyone around me as I would go through massive withdrawals.
Happy Friday everyone! I will be indulging my coffee treat cravings with Starbucks today, so go out and make it a great Starbucks day!

I went to the doctor yesterday to figure out what is wrong with me, ok, just the one thing that is wrong with me, because the other stuff, well, I embrace the other stuff. So he says what I think is wrong with me, he doesn’t think that is the problem. He said I don’t have the right kind of symptoms. So he is running blood work to check some things, if the tests come back normal he is sending me to an endocrinologist. I have resisted the urge to go to WebMD to check the symptoms. It is killing me not to go there. He said something about thyroid issues, well let me tell you I know it is not hypo-thyroid, because my dad had that and he lost weight. No, I can’t have a disease where you lose weight; I have to have something that makes me look like a puffer fish. Of course that could be all the recent coffee treats from Starbucks. Darn me and my addictions.
So, the Irishman said something the other day that has bothered me, he was talking about someone he knows and he said that this person’s girlfriend had the upper hand in the relationship. The upper hand. Why does someone have to have the upper or lower hand in a relationship? Why can’t a relationship be on equal footing? My parents had the perfect example of an equal relationship. So I asked the Irishman what he meant, he said that said person had no say in the relationship. The girlfriend controls this person. My thoughts on this is the Irishman doesn’t know what is going on at home, I have a feeling this is a person that needs to be kept in check.
I really hope they find out why I am so hot all the time, I am so happy with 30 degree weather, I don’t wear a coat, no hat, no gloves. I just go outside and give thanks that something has cooled me down. It is not flashes, it is constant. I cannot cool down. Giving in to urges going to WebMD now.

I love Christmas. Today I am wearing a long sleeve T from that gap that is purple (dark purple) with Angel in silver emblazoned across the chest. I love wearing Christmas clothes. Not the weird sweaters, that yes, I admit to wearing in the ‘80’s, everyone dressed weird then, not just me. I look back at pictures and am so embarrassed! OMG who decided it was ok to wear acid wash jeans? Or those strange sweaters, and Units? I can’t even begin to apologize for the horrid fashion sense that was rampant then. All I can do is try and make up for it now.
Today I am rockin’ my cool Christmas T with my purple suede Chinese Laundry ankle boot, 4 inch heels, of course, with my killer Betsy Johnson belt. Today is a good fashion day. I also listened to Christmas music coming into work. Alas, Jess’ favorite Feliz Navidad was not playing, if anyone sees Jess today please sing that song to him. He LOVES it. He especially loves it when people spontaneously sing it to him. So please, please, please, make his day and burst into song when you see him.
I heard a song this morning by Vanessa Williams, does anyone remember her? She is on Desperate Housewives this season, is it me or has her forehead grown to unexplainable proportions. It looks like she has plucked her hair to make it bigger, or maybe her hair is falling out, I understand that happens a lot with actresses. They use so much product and straighteners and curling irons and blow dryers it damages the hair so much it falls out. But if that is the case why is she not having that fixed. Oh, maybe someone told her that was fashionable. But really that was only fashionable in Renaissance Florence and then it was only popular with the “public” women, not the nobility. I don’t understand it, I find it distracting, I can’t even watch her on TV, when she is in a scene I have to look away. Her forehead scares me.
Yesterday I got the best surprise, a card for a free coffee treat at Starbucks, now I find myself in a quandary, do I use it today and get a coffee treat, or do I save it as I have said I am going back to once a week and I had it on Sunday. I am going to need help with this decision. So I am open to any and all suggestions.

Monday, my old friend, it is good to see you again, you are misunderstood, maligned and cursed. Yet you herald in so many possibilities, the possibility of a new week, a fresh beginning. Everything is shiny and new on Monday; I applaud you, welcome you and celebrate you!
I have a new addiction, Cheddar Jalapeno Cheetos, OMG, pure brilliance; whoever comes up with these things is just sadistic. I could eat a whole bag, I am telling you, once January hits, I will be cleansing my system and dieting like crazy. I am not even going to pretend to diet now, I’m not completely crazy.
I have an incredible urge to go out and get a kitten, not that I believe Arthur can be replaced, but I miss him. And yes I know he and Mickey have not lived with me in a long time, but knowing they were with Elizabeth was the same. So now, I want a cat, a furry fluff ball to snuggle with.
I am still in the process of finding myself, I really wish I knew of something I am good at that I could do for a living. I have a lot of things I love doing, writing is one, I would love to take a creative writing course, I’m really funny, I could do standup, but I don’t think I would be good at standup. I play off of people. I am good with the comebacks, but I don’t know if I could be funny just by myself, talking, no one to feed off of. I will have to think about this. I used to have a goal, become a standup comedienne, then get my own show, then cast Dean Cain as my next door neighbor/love interest. Now I don’t know what I want to do! Help Me!! I am open to suggestions. Anyone have any thoughts on what I would be good at?

Arthur came to live with us in 1993, along with his brother Mickey, we almost didn’t get Arthur, but when we started to leave with Mickey they both started crying. They didn’t want to be separated; I could not leave him behind. So we took the both of them. What a great decision it was. Arthur was the best friend any of us could have had. He was Mr. Personality Plus, playful yet laid back, the very definition of a cool cat.
While Mickey was wild and out of control, Arthur was laid back and easily amused, he could hang with his brother, with humans or a big fluffy Wookie. At one point or another Arthur shared a bed with each of us, leaving behind his trademark calling card of grey fur. He was a purrer and a snuggler.
I have no doubt in my mind or heart that right now he is up in heaven along with Kiki hunting birds and waiting for us to come to him to pet him or give him a good hair brushing.

I am so tired today; I had the best time last night at Don and Gladys’, so happy we went. The food was terrific, the company was even better. Lots of food and laughter, what a great combination.
Today I am here sans makeup, so no one look at me, I was too tired to even put it on! Next weekend is moving time, if anyone wants to volunteer to help, show up! I am so excited to move to the new apartment, I am ready to have more space and will actually be putting the Irishman’s things in the closet first so there will be room for him! Otherwise I will overtake it all. I cannot wait to have a garage attached to my abode again, I have seriously missed that, also the kitchen is huge! With an island, I am so excited about that!
I have called and the cable guy will be out there on Saturday, so cool, and the electric is being switched over on Friday, everything is done but the packing. Any volunteers for that? Anyone? I see no hands going up; guess that means I will be doing it.
I think I ate too much yesterday, I am still full! I brought grapefruit to eat today, I am going to seriously have to go on a cleanse after the holidays. Ok people, I hope everyone had a good holiday, if you are out shopping today please be careful!

For years I didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, not in protest like Angelina Jolie, just because my children were with their dad every year, celebrating with his family. The first few times I did go to a different families celebration, it was awkward. I felt like a fool, people looked at me like I was a failure of a parent for allowing my children to go elsewhere for Thanksgiving. And if you are not part of that family it is awkward. I totally appreciate the invites I received over the years, but it was preferable to stay home in solitude where I received no strange looks, and I didn’t feel awkward. I finally just started telling everyone that I had plans, I was not specific, it didn’t matter those plans were by myself, in the solitary comfort of my own home. With a day long movie/television pajama day, replete with popcorn for my meal. They were my plans, they mattered to me, and no, I told no one what those plans were, as it would elicit the strange looks, awkward silences and finally end with the person feeling sorry for me, which would elicit more pity invitations.
Then I came to the subsidiary I work for now, I found I could work on Thanksgiving, what a glorious excuse that was! No one questioned that, no looks of pity, no awkward silences, pure genius.
I know what you are thinking, yes, I am going to Gladys’ house for Thanksgiving this year, after work, last year I went to Henry and Alicia’s house, I thoroughly enjoyed last year and look forward to enjoying this year.
I really thought about this and believe that I have pinpointed what is different about this invitation; these people have no family here either. I didn’t feel it was a pity invitation, there was no awkward looks or silences when I explained I was alone on Thanksgiving.

I find myself angry, angry at an entertainment industry that has the audacity to think they can “re-boot” Buffy the Vampire Slayer without Joss Whedon, without Sarah Michelle Gellar, without Anthony Stewart Head, without Alyson Hannigan, without Nicholas Brendon, without James Marsters or David Boreanaz. The thought is indeed sickening; I am saddened, disillusioned and disheartened.
A Buffy movie without Joss at the helm is unthinkable; the majority of the snappy dialogue came from him, the wit mixed with horror mixed with teen angst, brilliance personified. I admit I still watch Buffy on Chill and Logo, and catch Angel on TNT, I own all of the seasons on DVD thanks to my amazing children who strangely enough do not judge this obsession.
The original movie was horrendous, Kristie Swanson as Buffy, please, but let’s be real here, Joss was just starting out, had this brilliant idea about a powerful female lead who, instead of running from things that go bump in the night, she stakes them. He sold his rights and lost control and it was bastardized. Let us not confuse this mess with his brilliant turn on the small screen.
Week after week we got to watch Buffy saving the world, not only from Vampires, but Witches, Werewolves and a mega monster created by our own government. We also got to see her show compassion to a werewolf, Oz, played brilliantly by Seth Green. And how awesome was Willows transformation from shy geeky bookworm girl to wickedly strong wiccan? We watched her fall in love with a werewolf and then a witch. Watching her find her path and realize who she was, well the writing and performance was amazing. Handled deftly by the incredibly talented Alyson Hannigan.
Let us never forget Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia Chase, a character I could relate to as she was stylish, snobby and popular. When se showed up on Angel, we watched her grow from a selfish, self centered “mean-girl” to a defender of the defenseless, without losing her self-centeredness and her love of fashion and yes, she was still a little bit of the ‘mean-girl”, but this time it was directed at demons and vampires and the partners of Wolfram and Hart. To this day Cordelia Chase remains my favorite character. Her growth was truly incredible, handled yet by another underrated actor. Someone give Charisma Carpenter her own show! Please!
The actors were overlooked constantly despite turning in stellar performances week after week. We watched Buffy die twice and come back to life, without it being a soap opera cliché. How do these people ever hope to capture this lightening in a bottle, once in lifetime chemistry, a perfect blend of writing, acting and action sequences?
Unless Joss gives his blessing, which at this point he is not, I will not be going to see this mess.