Sesame Street

There's nothing like driving in to work on a clear day, windows down, listening to the Crystal Method cranked up loud (except maybe driving anywhere else but work). We've got tickets to Jazz Fest on Sunday with Governor's Lounge access, AND Chiamom has graciously agreed to babysit (an order of crawfish bread is on the way!). Our vacation is falling into place. Our Houston mini-vacation is falling into place. I thought when I went in to get Molly ready and the crib was a poop-a-palooza that it was going to be a bad day. Not so much, so far.

BB update: J took her to the orthopaedist yesterday (thanks babe!). Basically he said she jammed her finger into her hand and that's how she broke it. He put her into a new splint and told us not to take this one off (the old one smelled and I HAD to wash it - and her!) and come back in two weeks. The new splint has her pointer and middle fingers up and the rest of her fingers loose. Her arm looks like a periscope or one of those box-things that you make to look at a solar eclipse! So, I drew a face on it and now it looks like a cat. Eh, she's happy.

Vacation Ahoy!

We got the tickets! We got the hotel! We turned in our vacation requests! Only 47 days to go!!!

Addiction's a bitch. Then you die.

I was perusing the ol' Times-Pic this morning, and saw a story about a liver patient who can't get a transplant b/c he used medical marijuanna. Whether this is fair or not is open to debate, but it got me thinking on another chain of thought.

I once worked with a woman who had a lung transplant several years before I met her. Now, during the time I knew her, this woman smoked at probably 2 packs of cigarettes a day. Mores to be exact. The most vile-smelling ciggies they ever made. Her fingers were stained nicotene brown and her teeth matched. How she managed to get a lung transplant I'll never know.
But here's the thing: She used to bitch about fat people and how they moan and whine about how hard it is to diet. "Just stop eating so much food," she'd say, "how hard is that?" I would just ignore her. Hypocrite much?

In a perfect world it's easier to quit cigarettes or alcohol because you don't need them to live. Food, however, you can't just quit cold turkey. You have to eat to live. And that's where it gets tricky, making the right choices and portion sizes. I know we don't live in a perfect world. Let me stop right here and say I know it's VERY difficult to stop smoking or drinking. Some would say almost impossible. And I understand because I've seen firsthand the trials and tribulations of family and friends trying to quit. And what's funny (not really) is that the first thing that happens for most smokers trying to quit is that they gain weight. It's like trading one addiction for another.

I'm sure I'm going to get a lot of flack for this blog, but I am not saying it's easy to quit any addiction, whether it be smoking, drinking, drugs, or whatever. I guess it doesn't matter what you're addicted to, the addiction itself is a powerful thing.

Demons.

I'm flailing in my efforts to be healthier. I'm stuck at a 28 lb loss (which I know is good). I've "fallen off the wagon" over the last few days, and if it involves sugar I'm probably eating it. A lot of it.

I don't understand where this is coming from. I've been so happy with my progress and not having any real "craving" problems. I've had to shelve 3 pairs of work pants because they kept hanging down and bagging. So WTF? Why am I sabotaging myself?

I'd like to lose another 15 lbs by our Disney vacation. That gives me 7 weeks. I can do this, damnit!!

Cow-abunga, Dudes!

BB and I go back and forth over how many stuffed animals (SAs) she can keep in her bed. I like to keep it down to one or two but she wants a gazillion so we compromise at five. If she gets a new one it's agonizing watching her decide which current resident has to move. She's got this SA that she caught at a Mardi Gras parade. It's a blue and white cow with it's tongue sticking out. Here's the thing: every time I look at it I'm reminded of Mooby the Golden Calf. I don't know if that's good or bad. Hmmmm....

Doing what I do best.

Well, we are actually planning a summer vacation this year. One item on the agenda is a trip to Disney this summer. I mean actually planning it, not just dreaming about it. We're looking at hotels and counting our pennies. Do we still have a broken pipe that needs to be fixed? Sure, but you know what? It's still going to be there when we get back. We're going to split the week into two halves - first Disney, then Universal. For Disney, we are planning on staying in a hotel on the property for the first few days. Then, we'll check out and check into a hotel near the entrance to Universal until we leave. I feel like a little kid - sooo excited!!!

Then, in July, Ian is going to fly out to H-town to visit with H1 & SIL(H). He'll stay a week and then the rest of us will drive out, spend the weekend, and come home Monday. I'm very excited about this trip too. We've already got the "apartment" and Ian's flight is all set up. He's leaving the day after his 15th birthday, so I think that will be a great birthday gift for him - a whole week without his sisters!!! The only item on my agenda for this trip is that I am fascinated by the Houston Tunnels and I'd really like to visit. However, it looks like they're only open on weekdays so I guess we'll see.

Everything looks like it is falling into place, which is when I do what I do best - worry. I think it's a Herrick trait, worry. Passed down like eye color or being tall. I don't know. What I do know is I've been a worrier all my life. It's part of who I am. I don't want to worry about something happening to prevent this trip - I'm really looking forward to a real vacation.

I need something else to focus on and worry about!!!!!

Just for Laughs

I mean, no, that's not funny. At all.

Now you KNOW that would NEVER be me!!!

(click to enlarge for full effect)

Would this work in the workplace as well?

Spending time with my Baby…

Oh how I’ve jonesed for my computer all weekend! I haven’t touched it since I left work on Friday. Which is where my story begins….

When I got home Friday I decided we should go to Outback, which ended up having an hour wait so we went to Mo’s Pizza. Yummy!!! (Yes, at this point my diet went right out the window!) We were going to go to the black hole known as WalMart, but decided to just chill out at home and spend time together.

Saturday, BB had a birthday party. After our regular Saturday chores, we went out to buy a gift for said party (nothing like waiting ‘till the last minute, right?) then headed straight over. It was a backyard party, with games and food and a giant inflatable slide. They had attached a hose to the slide, and the kids were having a blast. It did get a bit slippery, and occasionally a kid would come flying out the entrance (as opposed to the exit) who had slipped climbing up the stairs/ladder to the top of the slide. About an hour into the party, BB ran up to me and said “I broke my finger. Bye!!!” and ran off to play for another 1 ½ hours. We left the party, came home, did the dinner thing, and off I went to a jewelry party. When I came home, J asked, “Why didn’t you tell me she broke her finger?” I’m thinking, what’s he talking about? Then I looked at her left hand…the pointer finger was striped with black and swollen and slightly crooked. The hand was a bit puffy and bruised too. Hmmm…looks like it’s time for: A Trip To The Emergency Room!!!!

Oh. My. God. We got to the ER at 10:30pm, were triaged and sat down to wait. And wait. And wait. We didn’t get called to the back until 2:00 am. Then x-rays and a splint. We got home at 4:00 am with instructions to call Monday for an appointment for follow-up. Last night her thumb started to look swollen and discolored, so I am anxiously waiting the call-back from the nurse. While we were sitting in the ER waiting area, J turns to me and says “If you wanted to spend time with me, we didn't have to go through all this. All you had to do was ask.” Ha. Ha. Ha.

Sunday Molly-moo let me sleep until 9:30, so that was good. In the afternoon while Molly napped J and I went to WalMart, and spent more quality time there together. Hmmm…what I’m seeing here is: quality time with J = hospital visits and grocery shopping. I think we need to spice it up a bit, eh? Then, we capped off the weekend with a BBQ, FIL(J) came and brought friends, and M/M Chiapop came.

Strangely enough, I think I'll mark this weekend in the “good” column.

Love Letter to my Husband

Now, I totally stole this from the Red Hot Chili Peppers - Hard to Concentrate from their Stadium Arcadium CD...but it sums up how I feel about you, my dear. I know it's kind of corny to copy lyrics, but every time I hear this song I want to marry you all over again. I love you. We've been married almost 16 years, and I love you more than ever.

Hustle, bustle,
And, so much muscle
Cells about to separate
Now I find it hard to concentrate

And, temporary this
Cash and carry ‘em
Stepping up to indicate
The time has come to deviate

And, all I want is for you to be happy
And, take this moment to make you my family
And, finally you have found something perfect
And, finally you have found…

Death defying this
Mess I’m buying its
Raining down with love and hate
Now, I find it hard to motivate

And, estuary is,
Blessed but scary
Heart’s about to palpitate
Now, I’m not about to hesitate

And, want to treasure the rest of your days here
And, give you pleasure in so many ways dear
And, finally you have found something perfect
And, finally you have found…

(Here we go)Do you want me to show up for duty?
And, serve this woman, and all of her beauty
And, finally you have found something perfect
And, finally you have found…

Yourself…with me, will
You, agree to take this man
Into your world
And now, we are as one

My lone ranger
The, heat-exchanger
Is, living in this figure eight
Now I do my best to recreate

And, sweet precision
And, soft collision
Heart’s about to palpitate
Now I find it hard to separate

And, all I want is for you to be happy
And, take this woman and make you my family
And, finally you have found someone perfect
And, finally you have found…
All I want is for you to be happy
And, take this woman and make you my family
And, finally you have found someone perfect
And, finally you have found…
Yourself

8 Again

I’m feeling listy (list-y? listee? listified?)

Here’s a list of my favorite actors in no particular order:

1.Johnny Depp – who’s list is he NOT on, I mean really?
2.Alan Rickman – it’s the voice. THE VOICE. Plus, he’s a great Snape.
3.Christopher Walken – I can’t explain it. I just like him.
4.Kevin Spacey – LOVED him in The Usual Suspects. I don’t necessarily like all the movies he’s done, but he sure can act.
5.Alec Baldwin – I’ve enjoyed some of his movies, but honestly 30 Rock cemented his place on this list
6.Nicholas Cage – he’s quirky, I think. Loved him in National Treasure, and, of course, Valley Girl.
7.Stanley Tucci – usually a supporting character, great underappreciated actor.
8.John Cusack - successfully transitioned from teen flicks to more mature films. As an added bonus, often his sister Joan (see below) will be in the film!


And top actresses (again, in no particular order):L

1.Toni Colette – I can’t help loving her. I first noticed her in Muriel’s Wedding and she had me at ABBA.
2.Drew Barrymore – riches to rags back to riches story. Plus she’s so cute what’s not to love?
3.Liv Tyler – probably (in my opinion) one of the most beautiful faces on the planet.
4.Kate Winslet – very believable actress. I won’t hold Titanic against her (DO NOT insert penis joke here)
5.Sandra Bullock – no explanation, I just love her!
6.Joan Cusack – as mentioned above (#8). Something special about her, not your typical Hollywood starlet.
7.Julia Roberts – can’t help it, that smile!!!
8.Julianne Moore – she’s got that “something”, she’s timeless.


Honorable Mentions:

Tina Fey – hasn’t done enough big screen stuff, but I’m expecting to see much more from her!
James McAvoy – again, not much out yet, expecting great stuff from him too!
Ian McKellen – my favorite movie line ever (from LOTR): “YOU. SHALL. NOT. PASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

And Actors/Actresses I’ll avoid at any cost (and I refuse to link):
1.Vin Diesel – Ugh.
2.Antonio Banderas – okay, he was good in Shrek.
3.Sylvester Stallone – what’s the attraction? He was Rocky, so what?
4.Russell Crowe – seems like a pompous ass.
5.Leonardo DiCaprio – don’t know why, just ick.
6.Jennifer Lopez – who told her she’s an actress?
7.Lindsey Lohan – no explanation needed.
8.don’t have a #8, sorry.


Who did I miss? And why?