Look at my loot!

Heather is my secret pal!! And today is her birthday! Happy Birthday! Check out all the great stuff she sent me. I forgot to mention a bath bomb (the fizzy smell-good kind, not when Derrick farts in the tub) and a great reference book, that I didn't even find until way later!

I had the greatest secret pal ever.

Hooray!

Dear Secret Pal, how do I love thee?

Last night I got home to find a UPS notice on the mailbox, which I love! But the office was already closed, which I was bummed about. Neither of us were expecting a package, so I figured it might be a huge stack of legal papers or something from my accident. So I go this morning to pick it up on my way to work and it's a HUGE package from my Secret Pal! Hooray!! She is so wonderful! Timed it perfectly too, on the last day! (I, myself, do not have such impeccible timing, and will be sending my last package today) Inside was an enormous amount of stuff! It's in the car right now, but I'll try to remember everything, and then I'll post pics tonite. (this is gonna be like those intelligence quizzes---where you have to remember what was where and stuff--cool!) OK, here goes!

Mug that says "Girls who knit", handknit face cloth-soooo soft!, Cucumber Melon soaps and lotions, Burt's Bees lip balm (she really does know me!), snowman wall hanging that says New Hampshire, yarn catalogue, cute scissors, a row counter--coolest one I've seen, really pretty teal Bamboo yarn, a notepad that says Knit Notes, knitters hand balm, and....I think that's all of it. I hope. I probably missed something. But isn't that amazing??? I'm seriously debating whether or not to do SP6 because I had such a great pal this time, I honestly don't think anyone will be able to top her! I don't want to be bummed the next time! End on a high note, huh? So thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you Secret Pal!! You're the best! (and when do I get to find out who you are???)

I know I said I'd post NY pictures. I did upload them to Ofoto--if you want to see them there, just ask and I'll send em. I took over 300, so I'll just put a couple of my favorites here.



This is me in front of Purl SoHo, a yarn store in, well, SoHo. It was closed, which I was bummed about, but it's pretty expensive so it's not like I was gonna buy anything anyway. It was just cool b/c I've seen it in like every knitting magazine I've ever read. I know, I'm a nerd.



This one is at the entrance to F.A.O. Schwartz with the doorman/toy soldier guy. He was really nice, and even saluted for me when I asked. What a stud!



Having gone through a period in middle school where I was obsessed with The Beatles, I really wanted to see where John Lennon was shot. This isn't it, but a memorial called Strawberry Fields in Central Park, which is right across the street from The Dakota, where he was shot. There was this hippy arranging flowers on the monument and was telling us all about how the NYPD likes to drive on it and it's ruining it and now there are barricades around it, but "peace, love, and happiness!"



This last pictures is one of my favorites, because it makes me feel artsy. I like to think I could be a decent photographer if I really wanted to be. Heck, in my own conceited little head, I like to think I could be good at everything! Well, I at least want to try everything. And maybe I'll strike it big and be good at a couple things! But anyway, I like chess, (but I'm not very good), and I like the colors, or lack thereof. And I like how the pieces on the table behind are kinda fuzzy. I just like it. And I don't care if you don't.

Checkmate!

Goodbye vacation, hello work. Goodbye New Orleans, hello aftermath.

NYC was awesome. AWESOME!! Being back in the "real world" sucks. I filled up my whole memory card with pics, which I shall attempt to upload tonite. Unless I collapse from exhaustion at 6. Then it may be tomorrow. :)

I just heard that Hurricane Katrina ripped holes in the Superdome, where people were seeking shelter. So sad. Having been through more than my fair share of hurricanes, I can completely empathize (or is it symphathize??) with the people of New Orleans. The worse Hurricane I've ever been through was Hugo in '89, when I was living in Puerto Rico. It's mainly known for hitting Charleston, SC, but we got it too!! I think the scariest part was the preparation for it. Filling every empty container up with water. Stocking up on food and supplies. Of course, it certainly wasn't fun sitting in the hallway listening to the howling winds outside. Looking outside at the electric poles and trees wondering if they were headed for your window. After it was all over we went outside to check out the damage. It was almost surreal. Not a single leaf was to be found on any tree, it was like winter in a tropical paradise. It made everything seem so barren. We were without power and water for about 2 weeks, and during that time I remember reading book upon book with my mom on her bed to the glow of an oil lamp. My dad was always gone when storms would come along so the ships wouldn't be damaged. So my mom had to pull us through it. Sometimes we were lucky enough to have a day with a generator. A water truck would come by every so often to fill up our empty containers. There was so much standing water that a truck would come by to spray for mosquitos. You could hear it the next street over so we would run inside and hide from it because it burned our eyes. We were pretty lucky to be living on a Navy base at the time--the government really took care of us. They had meal tents every night. We were very blessed.

Those in Katrina's path are certainly in my prayers.

Real vs. Fake Smile Test

Take me!

This is really interesting...and harder than you think. Do it then comment back with how many you got right. I only got 12. Better than 50%--not bad, I guess!

bah

So yeah. Got in a car accident on the way home from work today.

Ain't that a bitch.

Quizzy

Not exactly sure how my friends do in school has anything to do with what kind of shoe I am, but whatever! And where can I get a pair of heels like that?? Yowza!



High Heels

What kind of shoe are you?

Comments

Ok folks, Shannon apparently is my only friend---she is the only one that leaves me comments! So I opened up the comments to anyone--you don't have to be a blogspot member to leave one. So send me some love! I get pretty lonely and bored at work, so I need something to cheer me up! Just make sure you put your name at least, so I know who you are! No anonymous comments!! I will find you eventually anyway.....

I am Chemist, here me roar!

I GOT AN A IN CHEM!! Hooray!!! All those minutes of intense studying finally paid off!

If I don't get into to nursing school, I'm jumping off a cliff.

I did it!!!

I signed up for the City Orchestra! I'm so excited! I might pee my pants!!

Musical Weekend

Pretty concert-y weekend. Friday night we went to the All-American Rejects show. We couldn't have timed it better if we planned. We went to dinner before (at the yummiest BBQ joint ever) and got to The Rave at 8:55. They started at 9. Just in time. The played just short of an hour, which was odd since they have 2 albums, but whatever. They were decent--lead singer was a crazy kid. After the show, we went to this bar in Menomonee Falls to try and win tickets to the Miller Brew-Ha. Derrick already had a ticket to go with our friend Amy who he works with. So I was all set to have all Saturday by myself to go shopping and do whatever else I wanted to. Well, Friday at work this guy I work with was looking for tickets on eBay and I told him I would pay no more than 25 bucks for a ticket and if he found cheap ones, get em and I'll pay him back. So, back to the bar...we didn't win tickets. Bummer. You got more entries the more Miller you bought, so we were obviously at a disadvantage, but hey, it doesn't hurt to try! So I call John (my co-worker) and he tells me he bought some on eBay. Obviously a little buzzed, he explains to me that it was the beer bidding, not him, but he got 2 tickets for us! Hooray! He paid $128 for them!!!! He said to buy him a couple beers and we'll call it even. Ha!! Sold! So, we all tailgated together out in the parking lot. I'm pretty sure we were the only ones not drinking, besides pregnant ladies. But I was happy sucking down my Diet Coke with Lime, and Derrick had his Steven's Point Root Beer. Then I said goodbye to Derrick and he left with Amy and I left with John to go to our seats. Crazy. Our seats were better tho. This was the set-up:
There really wasn't a great seat anywhere, unless you were on the field, but that was only for Miller employees. But hey, can't complain about a free ticket to see the Goo Goo Dolls and Bon Jovi!!! Bon Jovi is one sexy beast, I have to admit. And a great performer. It was a great show. And the fireworks at the end were some of the best I have ever seen. Loved it.


Now I'm just trying to get through this week. We leave for NYC on Thursday and I can't wait!!!!! 3 whole days in the city. So great.

And here's some proof that Wisconsin is actually really pretty, and not that bad a place to live.

It's over!

The dreaded Biochemistry class is over!! Took the final this morning. Ridiculously easy. All multiple-choice. Who has ever heard of a chemistry exam being multiple choice? Not me. Our teacher was a certified pushover. If you don't get at least a B in that class, there's something seriously wrong with you. It was like a high school course. I find out my grade tomorrow....hopefully I don't have to eat my words!

I won tickets (again!) to see the All-American Rejects at The Rave tonite.

I've only heard "Swing, Swing", but Derrick heard some of their other stuff the other day and said they're pretty good. So we'll see. They could suck live. Like lots of bands...

So, yesterday I go home and the Milwaukee Recreational Magazine was in the mail. I was looking through it and lo and behold--I find info on the Milwaukee Municipal Orchestra!!! I totally want to do it. It starts in September and goes through December, Wednesday nights. I was looking at some other ones and they start in January or are full--this one sounds like the best. Well, at least schedule-wise. They could suck as an orchestra. But still, I'd at least be playing! Then, there was a ceramics class that I want to do, and a stained-glass class that looks interesting, but the equipment looked kinda pricey. So we'll see. But it would be great to have all this stuff to do during the winter when the weather is hellacious. I would have something fun to look forward to! (Besides a whole new lineup of Reality TV!!!!! Hooray for Martha Stewart!!)

OK--guess that's it for now. My desk is a war zone, so that's my project for the afternoon. I love Fridays. Oh, listen to this. "The work week is 40 hours, and the weekend is 48 hours". Sure doesn't feel like the weekend is longer!!!

3 more hours till the weekend starts!!!

One day, when I'm rich....

...I'm going to have a collection of musical instruments. Look at this piccolo---isn't it awesome?! I would love to have this! The only thing better than a new piccolo is a PINK piccolo! I should bust out my flute tonite and play a little. I have to every once in awhile to knock the rust off my lips. It sucks how much skill I've already lost. I would love to play in a community orchestra. There's lots of things I'd like to do...it's just finding time to do it all. It's only gonna get worse tho if I get into nursing school. I should just do it all now. I don't have kids, I don't have an overly needy husband...I should just do it. Join an orchestra. Go to knitting groups. Volunteer more. A bunch of us girls from church are taking a Wilton cake decorating class tho---that should be really fun. I've wanted to take one for a really long time. I'm sure I'll be addicted to it. My problem is, I get soooo involved in an activity once I start it. I get obsessed. Maybe passionate is a better word...It's good tho, I think. Good to be well-rounded and have lots of interests. Be multi-talented. It makes you a more intersting person, don't you agree? And I'm terrified of becoming one of those "boring people". Drag me out into the street and have me shot if I ever do. Please.

This made me laugh out loud today. I love Garfield!

I ♥ shoes

As I'm walking to my car after class, I step off the curb and feel something funny between my toes. The piece my sandal that goes between my big toe snapped! Sigh. What's a girl to do but go buy new ones?? She certainly can't go the whole day at work sliding out of her 10 year old Steve Maddens now, can she? No!! The mall wasn't open yet, sadly, and Wal-Mart, despite it's 1000 other great uses, has an unfortunate shoe collection. So I picked the next best, closest option. Target.

I love shopping for shoes. Shoes make me happy. No matter how fat you get, how much you blow your diet, how tight your pants fit, your shoes will always be there for you, with a perfect fit. They are the ultimate best friend.

Anyway, it's really hard to buy a pair of shoes to match what you're wearing at that moment. Luckily, I'm wearing black pants, which was a good thing, since the only shoes at Target were black! Hello!! Let's have some color, here! It's not a funeral for feet! Here's what I managed to grab:



Aren't they tasty??? They match for the most part. But work is definitely NOT a place where fashion is high on anyone's list. I even dare to say my measly outdated wardrobe is the most fashionable here. See?? It's that bad.

At least their pocket protectors are clear--those go with everything!

Love this.

Allow me to vent.

Ok, so keep in mind that I've submitted my application to Nursing school a month ago. Rumor has it that we don't hear back until October, but who really knows. So I come home yesterday and get the mail and I thought I went through it all to see if there was anything good. Couple mags, couple bills, ads. Nothing too exciting. Or so I thought. Well, I'm getting dinner ready and Derrick comes home and he's going through the mail and pulls out a letter from UWM. "Are you going to open this?" he asks?? It's a thin little letter. My heart drops. Never good when it's a one-pager. So...I delay opening it for a minute then decide I should get it over with.

"Dear Ms. Callister,

Congratulations!"

At this point I begin to scream and jump up and down and basically freak out. Derrick, being the logical level-headed one, calms me down and tells me to read the rest of it.

"The grades you earned in the Spring 2005 semester indicate that the time and engergy you have put into your studies has paid off. You should be proud of your successes in our very rigourous (yeah right) curriculum. I am very pleased to see that you are progressing toward your goal of working in the exciting, rewarding profession of nursing where many opportunities away you.

Please be sure to contact the Student Affairs Office at blah blah balh is you need any assistance or blah blah talk to an advisor. Best wishes for continued academic and personall success."

WHO SENDS A LETTER LIKE THAT OUT WHEN THEY KNOW I'M WAITING FOR AN ACCEPTANCE LETTER???????

After I read it I was so confused. It didn't really say anything at all! Talk about deflating my balloon! Oh well, at least they know I exist! Derrick did bring up the point that if I was accepted, they would probably send a big packet of information. I asked a friend in class who was accepted to the Master's program, and he's right, he did get a big packet. So. Now more waiting. So lame.

And to think I had a sore throat all night for nothin'.

I promised pictures....

First, on to the important stuff. I finished my very first real sock!! Look!!!!



Isn't it beautiful??? (The correct answer is "yes")

Now here are some random pictures from the fair:

This was at Herb Kohl's Milk Hut, where you can buy cups of flavored milk for a quatta. The root beer milk was soooo yummy!



Crazy llamas and their crazy soft fur. I wanted to pet them all day!



One of the Budweiser Clydesdales. They are very impressive. There are strict requirement to become one.



Recognize this guy??? I was cracking up when I saw him.



My beloved Cream Puff!!! We meet at last!!! Alas, he is soon devoured. Poor Cream Puff. He didn't even stand a chance.



This little guy was just born the day before. How adorable is he??? I instantly wanted a wee piglet of my own. Of course, I would name him Babe. Or Bacon.



They really do love cheese here....



And this thing was really nasty looking. It was an inflatable maze deal thing. Grody.



And a huge lazy blob. Oh, and that's a pig on the left. ;)



Th-th-th-that's all f-f-f-folks!

Top 3....

Now, there are NOT a lot of things that gross me out. I mean, my dream job is a pathologist and do autopsies and stuff, so I have a pretty tough stomach. However, there are a few exceptions. Onto the list!

Top 3 things that gross me out:

1. Seeing people spit.

Honestly, it's nasty. Spitting anything, anywhere---raunchy. Poor manners. Even if you have the biggest, slimiest loogie, there is no need to hock it up in the middle of the street and spew it on the sidewalk where other people will walk. Use a napkin people. It's not that hard.

2. Seeing people tongue kiss.

On TV, at the movies, in person. Guh-ross. I do NOT want to see someone's slimy tongue intertwine with another slimy tongue. This does not mean that I do not partake in such activities....I just don't want to see anyone else do it. Ew.

3. Listening to someone eat with their mouths open.

Who wants to hear you smack your food around as you gnaw on it? I certainly don't want to see it either. This one will almost instantly make me lose my appetite, which is pretty hard to do!

Honorable Mention:

4. Men who wear white dress shirts without an undershirt.

It's like wearing pants without underwear. (Which, let's face it, is just nasty. I don't care how many guys claim it's "sexy". We wear underwear for a reason, folks. Think about it.) The worst is when I can see your chest/back/stomach hair through your paper-thin shirt. Correction, the worst is seeing your nipples. Please, Hanes sells a 3-pack for a mere $6.99 at your local K-Mart. Do us all a favor and buy a set.

Heck, let's just make it an even 5.

5. Kids with crusty noses.

Now, I have issues with the word "crusty" alone, (I refuse to buy Krusteaz brand waffle mix). But you know what I'm talking about. The yellow/green/brown crust that forms around little kids' nostrils to the extent that they can't even fit their little fingers in there anymore. I'm sure I was one of those kids once, and I'm almost positive my kids will have them too, since I hate them so much. Hence, I will always have on me those little travel packs of Kleenex. So by the time I notice their little snotty noses, they will have crusted over so bad my kids will scream in pain as I rip the congealed snot off their faces. Sick, sick, sick.

This list comes to you courtesy of my trip to the Wisconsin State Fair this weekend. Which was a blast. But I did notice a lot of things, many of which I have just mentioned. I had my first Wisconsin Cream Puff, which I have waited one whole year to eat. Mmmmm....sooo worth the wait! I love the fair. I love looking at the animals, and the gadgets that the saleshounds try to sell you. And the food. I live for fair food! We didn't go too crazy this year, but it's probably for the best. I think that next year I'm going to submit a knitted article. There was a lot of really nice stuff. And some stuff that I thought was ugly, and that I could do better! I just don't know how to go about doing that. I guess I have a year to find out.

I should get back to work. But none of my bosses are here, so it's kinda slow, and I'm loving it! I'll post some pics tonite for your viewing pleasure.

Keep those noses clean and nipples covered!

My good deed for the day.

So today at school, I ripped down all the paper cutouts of birds that were killing all the other birdies. Shhhhh.....don't tell!!

Boo on Thursdays.

I guess for every good day, there must be a bad day. Today was a really bad day.

It started off with a KILLER headache. OWW. It rained all day. Which I normally wouldn't have minded--I love rainstorms. I think the weather was reflecting how I felt today, personally.

Today was Sabahat's last day of work for HK. It was really sad for me. I consider her one of my really close friends. One of the few girls here that I can really talk to, and I know she'll listen and not give me advice if I don't want it, or give me really good advice if I do. I'm really happy for her and her new job, but I'm selfish and wanted her to stay with me. Hopefully we will not be like other friends who say they'll keep in touch but never do.

Then I realized today was August 11th. 6 years to the day that I left my home in Florida for college. 6 years. I really loved living there. Some people hated it, but High School was a really great time for me. I loved it. I would totally do it over again. Especially now, since I think I would be more popular....I was what you would call a "late bloomer". ha. Ok, let's face it, I was in marching band all 4 years. But I wasn't a "band dork". At least, I don't think I was. I still hung out with the cool kids, all my friends were smart and popular and stuff. I like to think I helped to give the band a less geeky image. Still, I loved every minute of band too. It was just an overall good period in my life. It used to be that I had lived in Florida longer than anywhere else in my whole entire life. 4 years. Crazy to think, huh? Now I have lived in Utah for 5, but still, I find myself saying I'm from Florida. My heart is still there. So many people I love and miss. Home is where the heart is, they say. Well, I don't have a home there anymore. And I have never been to my parents' new home in CT. Where do I belong? Do I call Wisconsin home? I've only lived here 51 weeks (to the day!). I am a nomad. America is my home. I really hope that I return to live in Florida someday. I know it will never be like I remember it. Places never are once you leave. But I love the Tampa Bay area soooo much!

I had a mini-meltdown at a meeting tonite. I didn't mean to, honest. But I have been holding in tears since Sunday for some reason and the floodgates just needed to open. They just opened at the wrong time. So I'm at this meeting, and I'm trying to get my point across, and either I'm misunderstanding people or they're misunderstanding me, but I get really frustrated at it. And I have to leave. And then I'm confronted about it, and I try to brush it off, but here come the tears anyway. So it was just really awkward, and everyone was looking at me, and I'm babbling on about how it's ok, really, it's not you, it's me, I just have to go, blah blah blah. But in my mind there just all this stuff happening at once. Like that gay commercial for Britney Spears perfume where everything flashes at once. That's what I felt like. Daneise, Sabahat, Florida, my family--it all came at once and I couldn't stop it. So I ran. It was like a really bad Lifetime movie. Ah well.

So at least you'll know why I'll be eating the entire Death by Chocolate cake that's baking right now. Tasty!

Hooray for Wednesday!

Today was a pretty sweet day. Went to class. Took a lame quiz. Went to work for like an hour and then we left for Miller Park to be Big Sisters/Brothers. My "little" was Gabrielle. It was pretty fun. Really hot, but fun. Derrick randomly happened to be at the same game--his division went from work. So that was cool. Then I came home and look was what waiting for us!!!!



Hooray!!! No, it wasn't free. Unfortunately. :( But I still LOVE it! We've been setting it up all evening and uploading songs and all sorts of fun stuff. We named him ikePod. How cute is that? My hubby is the bestest. And look what he surprised me with last night!



Aren't they so pretty?

Here are some pics of my sock that I promised:



I think that I am quickly becoming addicted to making socks. They are quick and instantly gratifying. Of course, I haven't really gotten to the meat of the pattern yet, so we'll see what happens when I get there....

We had free pizza for dinner, so bonus there. And a card from my granmda with cashola in it. Overall a pretty great day!

So I saw the funniest bumper sticker the other day. I was laughing in my car, all by myself. "PETA---People Eating Tasty Animals". Isn't that great??? Maybe it's just me....I think it's the word "tasty" that is so funny to me. Tasty. I think that should be the word of the week. I'll try and use it as much as I can.

"How are you doing today, Karen?"
"Pretty tasty, yourself?"

Soon it will be the new "phat". "Tasty" will be the new hip word to describe all things cool. I'll know I've made it if I hear Snoop use it. Hey, everyone's gotta have a goal, right?

K, more uploading to do. Everyone have a tasty night!

Prayers please!

I just found out that my sister in law has breast cancer. It comes at a really bad time for her (not that it ever is a good time...). But we would all appreciate any thoughts and prayers you can send our way! She has 4 young children and a husband working across the country. Seeing as how they were supposed to be moving 3000 miles this weekend, deciding on where to start treatment is not an easy decision for them right now. I just hope we caught it in time.

Thanks much.

2 Years!

Happy Anniversary to me! I can't believe it's been 2 whole years! Time has seriously flown by. Especially this year in Wisconsin. I've loved every minute of it. Being married is the best, especially to Derrick. It's so fun. Everyone said that the first year was the hardest, so we were bracing ourselves for what was to come. But it never did! And honestly, I think the people that say that are the people that dated for like, a month, and then got married a month later. Of course you're going to have a rough year--you're still getting to know that person!!! So it's been a fantabulous 2 years, no complaints at all. I've learned lots about myself, and about life. Hopefully we have many many more happy years ahead of us!

I'm less than enthusiastic at the idea of yet another week. At least this weekend was fun. Saturday we went to Madison with Amy, who was Derrick's trainer. It's a pretty cool little city. And I mean little. We started out in the middle of State Street and walked up to the Capitol Building. It was gorgeous inside! My favorite part were these badgers that poked out of the walls. All around the capitol there is a farmer's market, so we checked that out. Got yummy pastries. Then I bought pesto cheese curds. Holy cow! So good! And these were the first cheese curds I've had that have actually squeaked! I was so excited! (For the non-Wisconsinites, you can tell a good cheese curd by whether or not it squeaks when you chew it.) So then we walked back down State to the UW campus, and Amy gave us the tour. It's pretty nice campus overall. Weird to see alcohol sold in the union. We got some drinks and sat out on the famous terrace and watched the sailboats and compared BYU to UW. Which, really, in my opinion, there IS no comparison. But I'm biased. So then we walked down to Camp Randall, which is where the football team plays. It's called Camp Randall b/c it was a soldier camp during the Civil War. That's pretty cool. We had lunch at an awesome little place called The Great Dane. We walked pretty much everywhere we went, and it only took 4 hours or so. Campus is pretty much the whole city. But there are lots of trees and it is really pretty on the lake.

We came home and were soooo tired, so we just sat like bums for awhile. Derrick slept, I started a sock with the aforementioned sock gift box. It's coming along great! I'm so excited! I decided to shelve the Scoop du Jour for awhile. The ribbing is just depressing me. And until I figure out what's wrong, I don't want to deal with it. Plus, I need to get crackin on some Christmas gifts! Mom is getting socks and Branching Out, Dad is getting Convertible Gloves and a scarf, and I haven't quite decided what the lil' bro should get. I already made him a HP scarf. Maybe a hat. Something cool, since he's sorta lacking in that category.

We saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that night. IT. WAS. AWESOME. I loved it. Love love love love love it. If you haven't seen it---GO!! Seriously, I had so much fun watching it. And it went by so fast! Now, I am NOT a huge Johnny Depp fan. Not in the heartthrob sort of way. But I do think he's a brilliant actor. He was great in Pirates, and he was the perfect Willy Wonka. I could go on forever. Incredible. Must own this movie.



I love Tim Burton. And Danny Elfman. And now I want to see Corpse Bride so bad!

Too bad I feel like a corpse this morning. Someone wake me up!

What a day!

I have a feeling this might be a long post.

This morning on the radio they were talking about those jelly bracelets that we used to wear as kids in the 80s. You know, simple thin, plasticky little bracelets that came in every single color. We just wore them. We changed color to match our outfits, we traded them, no big deal. Well, turns out, kids are wearing them now. Except, the colors have different meanings. Sexual meanings. Whatever color you wear corresponds to what you are willign to do. What in the world is up with that? For instance, yellow means hug, orange means kiss. So if you wear orange bracelets, you will only go as far as kissing. Of course, there are colors that go much farther. Honestly, it makes me sick. Oh, and the worst part--if a guy pulls on your bracelet and it breaks, you have to do whatever that color is. These are high-schoolers we're talking about, which is pretty bad. But worse still, there's a color code for middle-schoolers. I swear, I'm never having kids ever. You can read more about it here if you're interested. Ugh.

So after a ridiculously crazy and busy week, we decided to stay in tonite and get some crap done around the house. I learned many things about myself during this little clean-sweep.

#1) I have waaaaay too many purses.
#2) I hate ironing.
#3) I have no idea what's in my fridge.

Case in point. As I was cleaning out the fridge, throwing away old leftovers, and organizing a little, this is what I found:



3 half empty jars of pizza sauce. That's not too bad....I guess. I must think I always need lunch filler stuff, b/c I found container upon container upon container of puddings, fruit cups, applesauces, yogurts, and Jell-o's. HONESTLY!!! Someone tell me to step away from the canned snacks aisle!! Granted, there were 6 Yumsters Yogurts bearing Dora the Explorer on them. I can't expect Derrick to tote those to work and still maintain a smidge of manliness at the lunch table. Still, food is food, despite who's on the label, right? Right????

You would be proud tho-I got rid of lots of purses and sweaters and such that I haven't used/worn in ages. Still, I've had some of those things since high school, it feels like they're a part of me--I couldn't let go!!! It was like erasing memories! Still, I was strong. That, and Derrick made me.

Then i was putting stuff away in the closet and I was standing on our Ikea folding chairs and as I was stepping down I slipped and fell and the back of the chair went straight up into my business. It hurt soooooo bad. Still does actually. I'd put ice on it if I could stand it.

So then I needed cheering up so I looked at all the stuff my Secret Pal sent me today!! Hooray!!



It's a "just stop being a weiner and knit a pair of socks already" kit. It's awesome. It came with Plymouth Sockotta, in a gorgeous earthy-toned colorway.



Plus a pattern for some socks, which I actually like, and don't think they'd be too hard. And the needles! She thinks of everything! Plus, it came with a great mix CD that I totally rocked out to while I cleaned. (That, and the Wicked soundtrack courtesy of Shannon.)Anyway, the CD has my favorite song right now--Don't Phunk With My Heart by the Black Eyed Peas, plus Keane, who I love, AND the Sundays, who are pretty much my all-time favorite band!!! Sooooo great!!!

Tomorrow we're headed to Madison to check it out. Should be lots of fun. Everyone says is really pretty. And that there's good food to eat! Sign me up! Which reminds me. I'm going on a diet. Starting Monday. I was looking at some pictures. Recent pictures. And it grossed me out. So...no tempting me with sweets!!!

Only fruit cups and puddings allowed.

Poor, Poor Birdies

Ok, so something has been bothering me for awhile. I finally got around to getting some pictures so I can better tell the tale. In the chemistry building at UWM, there is a stairwell next to a wall of windows. On these windows, are black cutouts of bird silhouettes. See Exhibit A:



There is a ledge halfway up the first story, and I looked out one day and saw little black piles on the ledge. See Exhibit B:



Upon closer inspection, I realized these little black piles were actually birds! Look!





How sad is that??? Do you think they just ran into the window and died? I wonder if it's the construction paper bird that throws them off. I think that next time I go up those stairs, I'm going to rip down all the birds. Now, I am FAR FROM an animal lover by any defintion of the term, but to see little birdy carcasses, with their feathers and beaks, is just too much, even for me. I mean, has nobody else noticed them out there? It's kind of hard to miss. All I can think of are the cute little birdies at the beginning of Toy Story 2, or whatever Pixar short that is. For the Birds, I think. So sad.

On to happier things. Today is August 4th, which marks the 210th birthday of the Coast Guard! (Which, in case you didn't know, my dad is in the CG, and has been since before I was born. He currently teaches at the CG Academy in CT. So, I'm a big time military brat, uber-patriotic, and love it.)



In 1790, Congress authorized the construction of 10 vessels to enforce trade laws, prevent smuggling, you know, piratey stuff. It was the nations only armed force on the water until the Navy was established in 1798. In times of peace they act under the Department of Homeland security, and in times of war, under the direction of the President and the Department of the Navy.

So, happy birthday Coast Guard! Thanks for protecting us from Pirates!

So I finally cast on for Scoop du Jour this morning. Right after my ridiculously easy biochem test. All multiple choice. Who has ever heard of a CHEMISTRY test being multiple choice?? Not that I'm complaining of course....but still. At least make it an eensy weensy bit challenging!! But back to Scoop. Here's my progress so far. About an hours worth of knitting.



Something always happens when I knit in ribbing, and it bugs the crap out of me. When I switch from knit to purl, and vice versa, I always get this huge gap. And I don't know how to fix it! I've tried everything I can think of!! Help me please!!! Look:



See what I mean? Ugh.

In other news, I upgraded my diamond on a whim.



Not bad, huh? Actually, I took my real one in to get replated and bought a temp one at Claire's. I like it a lot, except it's too big so I wrapped tape around the bottom to make it fit. Really ghetto. Juh-hetto. And keep the comments on the man-hands to a minimum, will ya?

Had lots of Kohl's friend over tonite as a farewell BBQ type dealie. Lots of fun. Always fun to have girly talk while the men discuss whatever it is men discuss. Sports, business, work. Blah blah blah. Ours was much more interesting. Brad and Angelina, boob implants, the new Sephora in Mayfair Mall...you know, important stuff.

I love being a girl. :)

If this isn't coolest quiz ever, I don't know what is.

Like, totally.


You are Summer Wheatley and you hate cake.


Which Napoleon Dynamite character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

It's a scorcher!

Who else could go for a Jell-o Pudding pop? Raise your hand!

Bored?

"Pop" on over here!

Quote for the day

Sabahat: Hey Janice, do you like Subway?
Janice: I'll eat anything that doesn't eat me first!

Chew on this:

People are more violently opposed to fur than to leather because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs.