Thursday, April 30, 2009

This one's for you, baby

Plus a few more.....
(they weren't curling irons, babe!)







Good times...great friend

Monday, April 27, 2009

Somethin' to blog about....

or

Ode to the Girl I Was

Haven't blogged for awhile. Just haven't been feeling it. Wondering what to blog about....so here's a topic for you:

Facebook.

What a strange, strange world. I resisting joining Facebook for a looooong time. And I'm still a wee bit embarassed that I finally caved and joined (though, truth be told, I had an ulterior motive: setting up a page for my business). But, that being said.....it's been kind of fun.

I've caught up with old friends from high school and college that I haven't seen or talked to in YEARS.....and that I wouldn't have had any contact with otherwise. It's been fun to see where their lives have gone...and of course, the morbid curiosity bit fulfilled on some people that I'm not sure qualify as friends, but that I'm wondering about anyway. It's definitely made me think about myself in a different way. The people I'm catching up with knew a girl that sometimes I hardly even remember. It makes me miss who I was before my child. Sometimes I still find traces of her, if I examine myself and my life long enough. But mostly....I feel like I don't have much to tell them when they ask me what I'm up to now. They knew a girl who was ambitious, introspective, quirky, assertive, academically dedicated, feisty, adventurous, slightly zaney, exuberant, loyal, and unabashedly marching to the beat of her own drum. (Well, maybe that's the girl people in college knew....high school acquaintances may not have fully known that girl.) I find myself wanting to give these old friends a long list of all the things I did, all the goals I accomplished, etc., before I had my son. I am fully aware that being Dallin's mommy is the most important role I will ever fulfill. And I always wanted to be a mother, I did. But.....

I really liked that girl I was in college. It's not that I don't like who I am now.......I just think I like The Girl I Was better.


Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Ho hum. Another week of American Idol.

Okay, so I swear, this year the weekly themes haven't been very exciting. Past years have been much better. And they've had hardly enough "coaches" either. Not crazy about that change.

Now that's said, let's chat about the performances.

I actually missed Lil's completely. The boys left to run an errand, and I got caught up digital scrapbooking (I'm trying SO hard to get 2006 done because Winkflash is having a sale on their photobooks). But from the reference Simon made to it while critiquing Kris, and the recap at the end, I don't think I missed much. And re-ally, Chaka Khan?! Could have predicted that wouldn't go well.

Okay, so I LOVE KRIS! He was terrific, again! I want the finals to be him and Adam. I find myself listening to his songs over and over. Loved it. He does such a great job of taking a song and making in contemporary and fresh....Go Kris!

Now Danny. Guys, I'm sorry, but every week I dislike him more and more! I know many of you think Adam is smug, but Danny is just as bad, folks. I'm not saying he can't sing, but I think he is OVER-RATED (clap, clap, clapclapclap)!!!

Allison. The girl can sing. I liked it, didn't love it. I actually agreed with Randy, it was overly indulgent. Oh well. I like Allison, but I wouldn't cry if she went home sooner rather than later.

I actually enjoyed Matt's version of Stayin' Alive. I was SCARED when I heard the band start the song. I mean, hello, an iconic song. But I liked it, I really did. And I like Matt.

Go Adam, Go Adam! A-mazing as usual. Loved the hair too. And it was funny to watch Paula's face during the performance. He's just so creative, like Kris is, in adapting a song.

Dear Anoop. Thought he was good too. Not in the league of Kris and Adam, but good. And likeable. I wasn't so sure about the scruff though. And I think last week was better. I was with Simon, I kinda cringed when the tempo picked up...but then it wasn't bad as I was anticipating.

As for who is going home, this HAS to be Lil's last shot. I wouldn't mind if Danny went home, but I don't think he will. I think it will be Matt or Anoop. Too bad.

In fact, I was so concerned about where things are going that I did something I've only done once all season. I voted. Jen, I thought of you, because I allotted 20 votes each for Kris and Adam, and 5 votes for everybody but Lil and Danny. So we'll see, eh?

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Wonder of Wonders


Miracle of Miracles

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Vengeance is mine!

or
A Character Flaw


Okay, so in my quest for honesty and unabashed self-disclosure, let me tell you a little something about myself. I have this strong impulsively vengeful streak in me. Yes, it's true (stop laughing, all you old friends and roommates). I'm not exactly sure what makes me this way....but somehow I subconsciously find it rewarding enough that I keep doing it. Even though I might be ashamed after. Like that time in high school when a guy wrote an insensitive-at-best note to my friend, basically breaking up with her...after another friend and I escorted her to her car to go home early, I went in search of the guy to give him a piece of my mind. I only found his friend, not him, but I later heard his friend told him I looked "mad enough to castrate him." Not my words, just a reminder there (Remember that, Michelle?) Or that time when I warned TJ Bennett that if he pretended to slice open his hand with his pocket knife one more time, I would huck my textbook at him.....foolish boy didn't believe me. It didn't really hurt when my textbook slammed into him....he was just being a baby. Then there's the persistent rejected suitor who sent my roommate flowers.....I won't say that shredding them in the parking lot then stomping on and driving over them was my idea, because I'm not sure, but it IS fairly likely (Shells, remember that?). Oh, ANOTHER would-be suitor of my other roommate....he tried to kiss her after she repeatedly kept dodging his advances of all kinds. He happened to also be a friend of ours, so I called him up and bawled him out. Brutally honest, but at the end, he said, "Thanks Heather, you're a good friend." See, so I'm actually a SAINT for being impulsively vengeful! :P Anyway, the list could go on.

I was reminded of this tendency of mine last week while I was driving. It probably won't shock you that I have some road rage tendencies. I'm really trying not to yell Moron (my word of choice) at people while I'm in the car....I don't really want my son hearing it. I'd like to preserve the illusion that his mother is kind and gentle for as long as possible. Anyway, so last week I was sitting in the right turn lane at a red light. It was those 3 seconds where no one has a green light, and I wasn't sure who would be moving next. I was cautious, I had my toddler son in the back seat for crying out loud! Some moron...I mean NICE HUMAN BEING honked behind me. When I moved a couple seconds later, I was muttering (okay, loudly saying the word "MORON") and glanced back over my shoulder at the next light to see who had honked at me....I didn't think he saw me shake my head and give a nasty look, but apparently he did. The light turned green, he ZOOMED up to cut me off before the lanes merged, and rolled down his window to give me the FINGER.
As if that wasn't enough, out of the back seat window extended the skinny little limb (and FINGER) of his maybe 8 year old son.
(And I'm worried about saying "Moron" in front of Dallin?!)
But mostly I think, in terms of Generalized Reciprocity, I got my come uppance.

P.S. wrote that late last night, and left out an important detail: in addition to muttering "Moron" I also said "If I wasn't trying to be a better person, I'd flip you off!" So there you have it.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Book sale, baby!


Today was the annual Friends of Eugene Public Library book sale. Basically my dream come true. Ah, books.

Anyway, this is a VERY big deal around these parts. You have to get there early to get a ticket that will tell you what time you can enter. A couple friends and I got there early enough to get 9 AM entry - the very first entry time. And then we got to wait in line until nine o' clock actually came.

I'll admit, I wasn't as excited with my findings this year. Don't get me wrong, I got some great books, I did. But I didn't spend as much time looking this year, and I was pickier. I just remembered going through all the books I'd pulled last year and putting some back...so I didn't want to bother with that this year. Anyway.

This year, I got 43 books for $55.50. Mostly children's, mostly hardbacks, some great picture books about beautiful far off places for me.....(Two of my great loves: books and travel)

LOVE IT. (And so does Dallin....he kept saying "WOW" while I showed him all his new books.)

Thursday, April 16, 2009

I have alot to say today......

Where to start....First of all, One A Day multi-vitamin drink mixes are disgusting, so unless you want to drink a bottle of water that tastes like carbonated medicine, stay away (Heather is gagging in the background).
Second of all, have you guys heard about this lady?


WOW, that's all I have to say. You have to check out this video.

Moving on, let's chat about American Idol real quick like. Sorry to disappoint my loyal readers (aka my little sister) by not posting yesterday, but I just didn't feel like. Another one of those belligerent days, I'm afraid. Anyway, so wow. I really thought Lil was going home, really I did. And I'm glad they saved Matt. But everybody is going to have to BRING it next week. So that being said, let me just run down the performances:

I enjoyed Allison, and Anoop, for that matter. Danny was good, but y'all know I don't love him. But it was a touching performance. Lil I didn't think was terrible, but I've never loved her. I still think she should have been the one going home. Matt, well, I think he's really talented, and I think it could have been great...but it just wasn't. Hence the position he found himself in. I LOVED Kris. I LOVED IT. He took a risk in choosing such an obscure song, but wow, I thought he was amazing. And I think he made the right choice in leaving the guitar behind. And Adam, of course. Well. He was incredible....but it DEFINITELY reminded me of some of the Alice Cooper I had been listening to earlier that day. Which actually might explain why I like him....I DO listen to Alice Cooper by choice..... Anyway, Rocky Horror Movie, like Simon said? Maybe a little. :)


What else do I have to say.........oh, I'm sick. Yep, feeling nice and thick in the lungs. Nothing like phelgm to make your day a little more enjoyable.


XOXOXO

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

And the lucky winner is....

ME!

I won something! I never win anything! A few days ago, I picked up a digital scrapbooking freebie (it's my latest hobby) off the blog of a very talented designer. I left a comment to say thanks, and because of that, she entered my name into a drawing. And she drew my name! :) I won her newest digital scrapbooking kit....
it's SO cute, I am so excited to use it! Check out her blog, it's very fun....

elisespiecesdesigns.blogspot.com

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Just a thought....

I would like to share a quote from one of the blogs I frequent:

"If motherhood's luxuries don't include napping when your monkey naps, than I don't know what else to look for in the future."

Thank you, cjane. You put it so well.


P.S......from another blog, I read:

This sums it up completely!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Hmmmm....not so sure how I feel about this....

SO, American Idol last night. Well.....I really really thought Lil was going to go. Given, I thought Scott would be gone next week, but not yet. I'm kind of sad about it, but I knew his time was waning. I do think Lil will be gone next. What a great guy, though. Quality. You don't see someone like him everyday!


Moving on, just to make you laugh:

My hair has grown out a little since I chopped it....so of course, I've managed to find a variation on the wet ponytail look.....

(Sorry, I'd show you the full face of a "wet ponytail day", but then you'd be scarred for life....or at least the rest of the day....)

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Sounding off on American Idol

or

Ode to Adam
Wow, interesting night. First of all, that's a pretty young crowd this year. Makes me feel old to find out Lil is two years younger than I am and has three kids. Anyway.


So, sorry, I know many of my readers are huge Danny fans, but I tell ya, he is losing his charm for me. I was bored to tears during his song, AND I didn't think he sang it well. It's funny, because going into this, I really thought he'd be a big favorite of mine. Nope. I thought his performance was worthy of a cruise ship.


I actually really liked Anoop's performance, despite the fact that I'm not into that song at all. I think he did well.


Allison was good, not great. That's a terrific song, but........yeah.


Lil is slipping! She has such potential, but I don't think she's going to be with us much longer. In fact, she is my prediction for who's packing their bags.


Dear Kris, I LOVE the song he picked, but I don't think it was the platform for it. I think he sang it well, but there's only so much you can do with a song like that on a stage like that.


And Scott, ah Scott. Could he have picked a cheesier song? It made me laugh when he said the electric guitar was the punk side of him coming out......yeah, to The Search is Over?!!! (I thought of you though, Ams.) I think he sang it okay, but I was not a fan of the choice.


Matt.......I liked it alot! He hasn't ever been one of my favorites, but I think he improved drastically from last week. Chose the right song....this week, he's looking better than Kris.


And last but definitely not least, Adam. Guys, come on, he's amazing. His talent blows everyone else out of the water. However, that being said........while he definitely has the chops to win this thing, I don't know that he will. Because most people seem to think he's....well, to quote Landon, "creepy." Sigh. Your loss, folks.


I think the bottom three will be Lil, Scott, and.......maybe Allison. I think Lil is going home.


Now, I have to attend to my son. He actually cried this morning when I came into the office and sat down at the computer. He knows that means Mommy will be less than attentive to him. Poor kiddo.


(Well, that's what I thought until I turned to find him ransacking the bag the old scanner is in.....and everything else in the room, for that matter....)

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Give-away this week

Hey guys, just wanted to let ya know, I'm doing a big give-away with my business this week. Check out my business blog (link also to the right) for details on how to enter.
XOXOXO

Friday, April 3, 2009

Friday.....still my favorite day


A couple of things to note:

1) Look how clean and spacious the living room looks. Sure, there's toys tucked away in every corner, but they are nice and neat in their place.......have to enjoy that in the brief moments it lasts.....

2) There is sunshine, blessed sunshine! Something else to enjoy in those quick seconds it lasts! But perhaps I'm lucky, and Spring just might show up before late June this year......

Nah, probably not.

In the meantime, here's Dal rocking out in the tub.



P.S. For those of you interested, I updated my parents' blog with pictures of the interior of their gorgeous house....

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

P.S.....American Idol....

Yep, not surprised it was Megan. And on the bright side, she gets to go home to her little son. I just about cried when she got teary about that.....

Adventures in cuisine

So a couple nights ago, I decided to try out spaghetti squash. I'd heard good things about it. I opted for just a basic tomato sauce with oregano, garlic salt, basil, italian seasoning and fresh mushrooms to serve over it, topped with shredded mozarella (though there is a recipe I'm dying to try...it looks SO GOOD). I followed the directions on the sticker:
And this is what I got:



After having a good laugh and burning my fingers on piping hot squash rind, I eventually got it scooped out. Forgot to take a picture of the meal all plated up and pretty.....oh WAIT, it wasn't pretty, so I purposely didn't take a picture. But it tasted great! Highly recommend it.

P.S. yes, I still hate to cook...this wild and crazy adventure was definitely a departure from the norm. I cook to feed my family, not because I have any inner yearnings to be a chef.....well, maybe sometimes when I watch Top Chef or Ratatouille (who knew rat could inspire me?!)

Oh, and I put new batteries in Dallin's chick that he got for Easter last year. So this one's for the grandparents: