patriots and pot roast. yummy.

Tom Brady + sweaty helmet head + scruffy face = Perfection! ;)

Today I made pot roast with potatoes, carrots, and onions. Decided it was too yummy not to share, and invited my parents over for dinner and a Patriots game. I wasn't sure I would be able to lure my dad away from his precious widescreen television, but he caved and we spent a fun-filled evening at my apartment.

I love watching sports with my dad. I am the eternal pessimist, and he remains the cool and constant optimist. I'm ashamed to admit I'm always the first to wanna throw in the towel:

"Oh my God, they are gonna lose!!" is my typical outcry, accompanied by pacing and several stomps.

"Sit down, daughter. They are not gonna lose... " is always his stern but calm reply.

He says it like it's written in stone; a sure bet. Of course there have been countless times over the years when he has been wrong (don't tell him that), but when he's right I always like to extend a little credit his way.

I'm not sure how much he enjoys watching games with me though, especially since my mom and I can't help but make repeated references to just how darn cute Tom Brady is. I do believe "yummy" is my favorite word when his face pops onto the screen.

Things have been tough for my family the past several months. So many things have gone wrong, our lives wanting to unravel at the seams. It's been very difficult to keep my emotions in check, but I have remained a constant rock...

Last night was good times... another reminder of how much I love my family.

(And I'm sure the Pats victory over the Giants may have contributed to the above mentioned good times)

photo courtesy of espn.com

pointless dribble

I am so unbelievably bored right now.

I don't feel like watching television... I don't feel like watching one of the many movies I borrowed from Jason... there are no books calling my name... I already wrote in my journal earlier, leading to a few lines of pointless dribble. I also spent a lazy hour talking on the phone to several friends, checking in and sharing a laugh or two. I'm sure they are asleep now.

I'm not sleepy (maybe because I'm actually off work tomorrow and my body knows if I stay up late I can sleep in)... I don't feel like roaming mindlessly online. I tried to play Word Racer on Yahoo, but after 30 minutes of losing I'm now here pecking away on my blog. Silly really, considering I don't have much to say.

Perhaps I should be content in my boredom. There were several days this week when I would have given anything to be lying on the floor, chin propped upon pillow, having nothing in the world to do. My kitty, her bandaged paw stretched out beneath the Christmas tree, seems very comfortable in my current nothing-in-the-world-to-do state.

So, I will lay here quietly, enjoying this peaceful midnight hour. Hopefully sleep or a brilliant idea will find me soon...

i can't wait to have kids :)

oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree...

I was still in a very festive mood this evening, and I decided to express my jolly holiday mood by decorating my apartment balcony with lights. It feels a little late in the season to be stringing up outdoor decor, but it turned out quite ... festive ;)

I then busted out my piece of crap digital camera, and snapped a few shots of my cozy Christmas tree clad living room. I call my camera such derogative names because my pictures continuously turn out blurry. (I asked for a Canon Powershot for Christmas ... I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!)



I would have ventured outside to showcase my colorful balcony, but my fingers were already numb from untangling lights in the cold :)



Now, I just have taking all the products of my jolly holiday mood down in less than a month... oh well.

ho, ho, ho

I can't believe it's already the middle of December. Work has pretty much taken over my life, but that's retail for ya during the holidays. I should be going to bed right now, especially since I have to be back at work at 8 in the morning (I just got home from work at 11 ... it's a never ending cycle...)

I don't even feel sleepy, which amazes me. Thankfully, as hectic as things have been, I have to say this holiday season is a major improvement to last year. My stress levels have been very manageable and I have yet to become tired of the constant blast of Christmas music we are subjected to at work. Who needs a karaoke bar when you've got a packed audience of co-workers and customers ;)

*silly girl sings and dances*

"I love those J. I. N. G. L. E. Bells .... those holiday J. I. N. G. L. E. Bells..."

For the first time in years, I truly feel in the holiday spirit. My Christmas tree is up and decorated with a hodge podge of ornaments: ornate glass balls, homemade crafts from my childhood, candy canes, and even a picture of my cat. I also plan on dressing up the balcony of my apartment with lights and bows.

All I need is a Santa hat and a mug of spiked egg nog, and this girl is good to go!!

apologize

I am currently obsessed with this song...



I'm holding on your rope,
Got me ten feet off the ground
I'm hearin what you say but I just can't make a sound
You tell me that you need me
Then you go and cut me down, but wait
You tell me that you're sorry
Didn't think I'd turn around, and say...

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late

I'd take another chance, take a fall
Take a shot for you
And I need you like a heart needs a beat
But it's nothin new
I loved you with a fire red-
Now it's turning blue, and you say...
"Sorry" like the angel heaven let me think was you
But I'm afraid...

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late
It's too late to apologize, yeah
I said it's too late to apologize, yeah-
I'm holdin on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground...

in honor of the astute, peter griffin...

... here are some random things that really "grind my gears":

* People who don't use their turn signals. I am not a mind reader.

* While at work, people approach me and ask, "excuse me ma'am, do you work here?" (I wear an apron with the name of the store on it, and a name tag)

* The commercial ads I frequently have to sit through repeatedly while watching movie previews and music videos online. I get enough on my television.

* The fact that no matter how many times I have tried to make coffee, it always tastes like crap.

* People who talk during a movie, specifically obnoxious teenagers. But, I will even extend this theatre no-no to my own friends and family who insist on asking me questions during the movie like I'm a freakin' psychic...

* The cast of The Real World on MTV. I'm not a huge fan of reality television, but I've been watching The Real World since it's first season in 1992. Originally the show did bring together a very "real" and eclectic group of early twenty somethings. Now, it seems they are cookie cutter party girls and frat boys. Yeah, it's full of drama and controversy, and I understand the public's love of "pretty" people. But ... it's not even close to the real world I live in.

* Speaking of MTV... I'm fairly certain MTV stands for MUSIC TELEVISION. Hmmm... I don't remember the last time I saw music videos on MTV. Sure, there's the pop driven TRL which features the favorite videos of 13 yr. old girls. But, that's about it. If you watch t.v. at my parents', my dad has MTV labeled as "NOT MTV". It apparently grinds his gears too :)

Alrighty. I feel better now. The bitching has ceased ... at least until the next edition of "You know what really grinds my gears??" ;)

i'm dreaming of a white christmas.

My phone rings. I don't answer because I have not been so comfortable and relaxed in a long time. I know it's Jess calling to guilt trip me into going out with her yet again.

It rings a second time, and knowing how persistent she is, I decide to go ahead and answer.

"'ello"

"Hey. What's goin' on?"

"Nothing much. Covered up on my couch watching White Christmas"

"What?"

"Uh, I'm watching a movie while laying on my couch covered by a blanket. Is there anything else you don't understand?"

"White Christmas, huh. Never heard of it."

"You're kidding, right?"

"Nope. Is it a new movie?"

"Hardly. But, I can't believe you don't know it. It's a holiday musical starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney. Hell, you love her nephew George ... and they hail from Kentucky. Is it still not ringing any bells?"

"No. But, I don't like musicals."

"Well I know you know the song, White Christmas. It was actually first featured in the movie Holiday Inn, which came out 12 years before White Christmas the movie."

*silence*

I then broke into song, doing my best to capture Bing's holiday classic (I didn't hear any dogs howling so it must not have been too bad)

"Yeah, I know that song. Never knew it was a movie."

*heavy sigh*

I decide not to venture out with her, choosing to remain on my couch happy and relaxed. I eventually fell asleep with Irving Berlin's melodies dancing through my head.

I must seem like an alien to some of my friends. But, I can't help it if they have no taste for the pleasantries of old movies and simpler times.

I'm hosting our holiday work party at my apartment next Sunday evening. Little do they know I plan to torture them with Christmas movies and music galore. Although, the eggnog will most likely be spiked making the torture not quite as painful...

the blog readability test...

.... can KISS my ass!! ;)

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the calm after the storm.

This past weekend was supposed to be relaxing. I had Thursday through Sunday off from work - my last bit of peace before the madness of the holiday season begins.

Unfortunately peace was nowhere to be found. My grandmother has been in the hospital since Friday, and I had to play host to several family members, including a very adorable but hyperactive 2 yr. old (Excellent birth control I might add...)

I love my family and I'm glad we are able to come together when the chips are down. Even so, I will never understand how they always manage to create stress and chaos. Perhaps this is the purpose of the family unit - to keep us on our toes.

Of course, the weekend was not a complete waste! I now know how to jump start a car and also mastered the technique of blowing up air mattresses with a hair dryer (I don't particularly recommend this method ... it caused some sparkage and I blew a fuse which turned the refrigerator off, a fact that was not discovered til the morning after. Oooppps!)

Thankfully, my grandmother is going to be o.k. and will hopefully be going home tomorrow. I am also thankful that most of my family will be leaving this afternoon ;)

She had a heart transplant 10 years ago, and while her new heart is still in tip-top shape, other areas of her health are beginning to falter. She is my last living grandparent, and I can't imagine not having her in my life. Most importantly, she is the glue that holds my crazy family together, and I'm worried that when she is gone we will become disconnected...

At least I get to spend some more quality time with 'em this Thursday. Yay! ... a day filled with screaming kids and a feast to spoil my regime of healthy eating. Oh well.

My poor apartment is now peaceful but in a state of disarray. I decided to take my final sick day today, giving myself a moment to breath and straighten up.

It looks as though my date with R&R will have to wait 'til after Christmas.