tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34134542392278666622024-03-13T03:04:39.492-07:00The B HiveB - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.comBlogger481125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-49054108091143227582013-10-02T09:31:00.001-07:002013-10-02T09:31:04.034-07:00Day 6,7,8,9...Day 10, InspiredThis weekend was like the anti-cleanse weekend. We had so many plans that I probably should have waited until just after to begin. Which really is probably the end result. <br />
<br />
Friday night, we had a concert. We didn't actually do too bad, except that we picked up fast food on the way there because we ran out of time getting there. I hadn't done very well that day, either, having eaten a pepperoni pizzadilla during a work meeting. So still not committed.<br />
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Saturday, we rested most of the day and had all day to be good and excellent and on plan. Can't remember, but pretty sure we just ate whatever and no lemon water to be found. Then we got hammered at our friends' bachelor and bachelorette parties. We don't drink that often, but when we do, we drink to excess. Some aspects of that were fairly awesome, like getting flirted with and then having my husband show up and make out with me in the photo booth, but then there was getting his drunk ass home and the fast food problem again that night.<br />
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Sunday, we woke up pretty hung over and it was sports day, so we had waffles with friends. Didn't do too bad at the game, all things considered, but who wants to slam beers with a hangover like that? Not this girl. So we had some Vietnamese chicken and rice, but I needed more grease apparently, so I added fries and a hot chocolate. Dinner that night was at a friends place and that was delightful and could have been totally on plan but for the delicious cheese plate. <br />
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So basically, all weekend and through today, including my breakfast of chicken salad, I've just been continuing to eat unconsciously. Two things have woken me up a little: 1) my MIL telling my husband what to eat and take for his cold and 2) a colleague's honest and public blog about her decision to give up plastics and processed foods.<br />
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Not much to say about my friends blog, just that she's making a hard change and struggling with it and it inspired me to try harder, but more about my MIL. My husband and I don't eat a lot of fruit, but we eat a lot of vegetables. Probably not as much when she was here, because I always get lost and confused about what to make when she is here. And, to be honest, because I'm not the best food planner. But also, we've done TSFL/Medifast and my husband is still doing it. So she seems to think that we're avoiding fruit altogether and also that this is what he needs to eat to stay well. She also said that he needs to take vitamins and vitamin C. Though she's his mother, it's insulting to me as his wife and as a physician for her to be telling him what to eat and take. Then he asked me if we need antibiotics. So I blew up at him and pointed out that I bring things home for him to take and that he doesn't take them as recommended and explained exactly why we don't need antibiotics. He then said something about maybe our systems are just weakened. Well, enough said, yep, our systems probably are weakened and I resent her just enough to be inspired by that. Okay, honey, want to be well more often, well, it's not wellness for wellness sake, but to spite your mother, I will start making sure we eat right and get better. <br />
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I still don't know if <i>this</i> cleanse is what I need or want to do or if I agree with all of its principles, but I think I can modify the plan to something that makes sense for me. For the remaining 11 days:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Start the day with lemon water and herbal tea</li>
<li>Solid food if and when I feel hungry for it, not necessarily waiting until noon</li>
<li>Greens in my smoothie every day at some point. </li>
<li>No sugar</li>
<li>No animal products</li>
<li>Eat like I tell my patients to eat - that is 1/2 plate produce, 1/4 protein, 1/4 optional grains and fruits</li>
<li>Drink more water</li>
<li>Take my multivitamin, Vitamin D, B12 and things for my cold.</li>
</ul>
<div>
That's the plan...at least for the next 11 days. I'm not quitting gluten at the same time - as Zooey Deschanel says, being gluten free and vegan is hard. I'm also not quitting coffee altogether, but I am certainly not going to drink it like I was. I was drinking 16-32+ ounces of coffee per day and I feel better and enjoy better my herbal tea in the morning, but I also want to be able to have a cup of coffee with my husband on the weekends. I guess that's sort of the difference between a cleanse and a lifestyle. So, here goes. </div>
B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-45479858208287761592013-09-27T11:35:00.003-07:002013-09-27T11:35:58.678-07:00Day 5: So far, so goodI started the day with lemon water. No cayenne - that shit is just too spicy for me. I decided to just grab a small glass of water with lemon as I was getting the dog settled this morning. Drank it down. Check.<br />
<br />
Made some herbal tea. Good Earth caffeine free herbal tea plus a bag of Tulsi tea for those adrenal glands. This is actually delicious with a small dash of soy creamer. Check.<br />
<br />
Green drink. Damn, I knew I forgot something. No smoothie this morning, which explains why I'm starving.<br />
<br />
No solid food til ... when? Did she specify exactly how long you shouldn't eat solid food? This is another of those little random bits of "wisdom" that floats around the web-verse that I'm not sure I agree with. I love breakfast. I'm hungry in the morning. I'm not one of those birds who wakes up and breakfast doesn't agree with me. I'm one of those, give-me-a-hearty-breakfast and no-you-cannot-finish-my-hash-browns gals. It's my favorite meal of the day in terms of how it makes me feel. Dinner and lunch are fun because there are so many great options, but breakfast feels <i>RIGHT.</i> So not eating solid food in the mornings seems like hooey to me. I guess this cleanse is also good for getting straight about what you do and don't think are reasonable ways to live. <br />
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Oh wait, I did have solid food this morning. I had toast (gluten) with veg-butter and nutritional yeast. Delicious, but not enough to stick to my ribs. Giving up eggs is going to be hard. All I want are some whole eggs on that toast to make me happy. I can do without the cheese between said eggs and toast. Maybe I start my "transition" lifestyle there - give up meat (not hard) and ditch the dairy (hard).<br />
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Oh well, I thought I was doing good, but even when I think I am, I'm not. What do I say to my girl friend who is so gung ho? Do I just jettison the project or keep thinking about it and trying it? And I think I've proven to myself that I'm not addicted to coffee - no withdrawal, no headaches, legitimately not feeling like I "need" it - so can I go get a cup now to deal with this dreary weather? Seriously, when I moved to P___ 14 years ago, I thought it was hysterical how many espresso places there are - they have them in the barber shops and car washes - but now I know why they exist everywhere. You need that little high to deal with the weather here - I'm not giving up coffee. I don't tell my patients they have to give it up, so why should I? I do, however, think it's wise not to drink it in combination with other factors that may raise my blood pressure...like my in-laws. <br />
<br />
Yeah, I'm going to the coffee shop. B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-75756595829694873142013-09-26T21:06:00.000-07:002013-09-27T11:37:06.724-07:00Day 4: The Universe Gives You What You WantSo I left work early on Tuesday and stayed home Wednesday, also known as Days 2 and 3. And then returned to work, pretty well ready to get back into the fray, only to have most of my patients cancel. All told, I had 5 cancellations, though not all were last minute. That's got to be some kind of record for me. I wish I could say that with all that extra time, I followed my cleanse rules or at least caught up at work, but no. I headed out to the local teriyaki place and wolfed down the lunch special which is a huge serving of white rice, fatty chicken, sweet teriyaki sauce with a spring roll and a small side of steamed cabbage. <br />
<br />
It's delicious and they get me every time because it's so easy to order "lunch special" which includes a drink for $6 instead of bento for $4 which is a much more appropriate sized portion with no corn syrup or alternatively sweetened poison to wash it down with. After eating my kings feast of meat and white food for lunch, I had to walk it off because I felt like I would burst. This is what I need to remember <i>before</i> I engage in binge eating - how I feel <i>after</i> I binge eat: awful, sick, heavy, stuffed. So I walked around until my staff texted me that my next appointment cancelled. Then I sat at a picnic table and played video games until I couldn't justify staying out any longer. <br />
<br />
And now I'm finishing the day with brownies. Because I made them before the cleanse and can't stand throwing them in the compost. And because I want their sweet delicious goodness more than I want to do a cleanse right now.B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-18041509254007909532013-09-25T12:36:00.000-07:002013-09-25T12:36:00.949-07:00Day 3: What part of vegan, gluten free, no coffee do I not understand?!I just had a yummy breakfast of eggs with veggie sausage (did you know TVP is made with gluten?!) and broccoli, aged cheddar and toast...with coffee to wash it all down. I guess one could say I'm not on a cleanse, but I almost think battling this daily IS the cleanse. Dealing with the decision again and again, deciding to feel guilty or not because this is really my choice and then there is all the internal cleansing going on. Emotional venting, cleaning out the hairball from my recent visit with my in-laws and then practically, I've just gone through all my husbands clothes and pulled out about 1/2 his wardrobe that can be donated, much of it never worn. <br />
<br />
Yes, that's not my stuff that I'm clutter clearing, but his stuff is literally and physically in the way of my accessing my stuff. He's bought so many new golf shirts lately that are still in their packaging that he was overwhelmed to put away his laundry. Well, combine new clothes, clean clothes, dirty clothes, recent travel and new furniture and the need to decide where everything goes and he was overwhelmed. So in addition to clearing <i>family</i> clutter, I also provided a loving service to my husband.<br />
<br />
If you doubt that, just know this, there are three tasks that my husband does in the house that I don't do. <i>Ever.</i> He cleans out the drains, he mows the lawn and he does his own laundry. I love being a good wifey and am happy to cook and clean for my husband even after working just as long and sometimes longer hours than him. He's the major bread winner for our family, so if reducing his stress when he comes home by him not having that many chores to attend to helps him focus at work, so be it. But there is something about handling my husbands dirty laundry that strikes me as a bit too subservient. Maybe it's the disdain I've always held for people who came to college not knowing how to run a load of laundry, maybe it's the stereotype of wives and mothers doing laundry for their kids and men, maybe it's the possibility that I might see stains on his clothing that I'm not interesting in seeing...in any event, since we started living together, that's always been my rule. I've only broken it once before, and though I can't remember the circumstances right now, I think it they were special circumstances and that I ended up running our laundry together just to speed up the process. In any event, I didn't just clean out his closet - I also did his laundry. That's twice. In a marriage of 2 years and relationship of 7. So yes, it's a loving service to him. <br />
<br />
And yes, providing my husband with clean laundry and an organized closet may not be justification for completely breaking with my cleanse (did I mention the many Trader Joe's dark chocolate peanut butter cups I ate yesterday?), but it all comes down to choice. I am interested in becoming vegan. I think it might be good for my soul and good for my health. I don't eat much sugar anyway. I don't think coffee is the devil and don't have withdrawal symptoms when I stop drinking it. I think even as good as I am at it, I should still keep trying to eat more fruits and vegetables. But do I think I need to do this cleanse? Do I think I need to stick to the arbitrary rules defined by a self-educated woman with her own experience as her primary guide?<br />
<br />
In a word, no.<br />
<br />
But I committed to my friend that I would do it with her. And mastery comes from making the same decision over and over again. So even if I don't necessarily share the passion that <i>THIS</i> is what's going to shake my world in a profound way, I will endeavor each day to make decisions in alignment with this current program. And if I fall, every day, I will keep getting up, because maybe I'll be surprised and my world will be shaken. And even if it's not, I will grow from taking on the challenge, even if I just end up thinking about why I didn't stick with it.B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-21845754031161292972013-09-24T10:11:00.002-07:002013-09-24T10:11:56.760-07:00Day 2: Not starting out so hotSo I finished up Day 1 with the anti-cleanse menu of macaroni and cheese, made with the leftover milk remaining after my MILs stay and diet Dr. Pepper and diet cola to wash it all down with. So, gluten, dairy and nasty sugar-alternatives. I didn't feel great about my choices, but obviously don't feel too bad about them either, since I woke up this morning, drank 1/2 cup of lemon water and then had a bowl of my leftovers for breakfast. <br />
<br />
I feel emotionally depressed and let down and feel like I need a reset to get back on track. About the only things I feel good about right now are my husband and my dog, although I could even complain about them without straining my brain too much. My husband was very disapproving of my food choices last night and my dog shit on the floor and vomited all over the couch yesterday. Or some days ago...I'm not actually sure when he vomited on the couch and that's really just a sign that our house is simply too big. If you don't see your furniture or belongings enough to know that they've been vomited on, you probably just have too much stuff. <br />
<br />
I'm not ready to sign up for the 100-belongings challenge yet, but I do enjoy a good clutter clearing. Looking forward to keeping up that project as we move into fall and winter. After cleaning out our garage and getting both vehicles inside, A and I both felt so motivated to keep it up and I've been slowing giving items away to friends, but unless and until they pick up their items, they are still there cluttering up my home and it just makes me want to dump it all at goodwill or the shelter and be done with it. <br />
<br />
So anyway, it's day 2 of the adventure cleanse, yeah!, and my shit is still coming up in a major way. So I'm blogging to try to get it out of my system. Maybe this will help. I'm also going home from work early today and staying home tomorrow. Planning to wash the couch cover that the dog vomited on, the 2 sets of sheets the in-laws slept on (oh yeah, they slept in one guest bedroom and didn't like it so they moved into the other guest bedroom, so now I get to wash both sheets, one after only a single use!), do the dishes and plan some options for better food choices. Maybe I'll sit on the Wii fit board and "meditate" a little today, too, since that's supposed to be part of the cleanse. B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-78374256963587225482013-09-23T15:28:00.001-07:002013-09-23T15:28:39.993-07:00Trip to Lake Tahoe...synonomous with Lake ChelanSo I just wrote and tagged my post about my first day of cleansing. I wondered if I had ever tagged a post "in-laws" before so I checked. At the beginning of my MILs three week stay with us, we took her and my FIL to Lake Tahoe for a long weekend where we met A's sister and brother-in-law for a family vacation. I could write about the trip, but it would pretty much be the same post as what I wrote about our Lake Chelan family vacation more than four years ago. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They still complained about almost everything. I didn't actually get to do anything without them this time, but they still set my nerves on edge and we still left with someone crying, "never again," only this time it was me.</div>
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<div>
Except that we planned a trip to Hawai'i with them for next year. Bugger!</div>
B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-5014842012079980962013-09-23T15:14:00.002-07:002013-09-23T15:21:32.361-07:00Doing a Cleanse: Day 1: A Tortuous Adventure<h2>
Day 1</h2>
My pal and I decided to do Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Diet 21 Day Adventure Cleanse a week or so ago. She did it over the summer and reported that she got compliments on the evident change in her appearance literally every day. While I wouldn't mind sporting a new glow, I was thinking of it more like a vegan kick start. Here's the gist of the cleanse:<br />
<br />
Eliminate:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>all animal products: meat and dairy</li>
<li>gluten</li>
<li>sugar</li>
<li>alcohol</li>
</ul>
<div>
Include: </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>starting the day with lemon water (cayenne optional)</li>
<ul>
<li>water with lemon, cayenne and maple syrup is part of the master cleanse, so not sure if that just got left out...?</li>
</ul>
<li>liquids only until noon</li>
<li>food combining - basically just eating fruits away from other foods</li>
<li>dry skin brushing</li>
<li>exercise 35 minutes daily</li>
<li>daily morning meditation</li>
<li>prayers</li>
</ul>
<div>
All of this is a big change for me - I usually eat gluten and dairy daily, I enjoy a hearty breakfast, I'm very inactive and I don't meditate or pray. But maybe I should...and maybe I will. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today is only Day 1 and here's what I've learned so far:</div>
<h3>
1) The cayenne to water ratio needs to be specified. </h3>
<div>
And the size of glass of water with lemon and cayenne to drink. I poured myself a full mason jar (that's 32 ounces) of water, squeezed in 1/4 lemon worth of juice and added a "smidgen" of cayenne and about 1/2 tbsp of maple syrup. My first sips tasted pretty good and as the morning wore on, this started feeling more and more like some kind of torture. I rarely get heartburn, but this drink was enough to trigger some serious heat. I'm thinking tomorrow, 1 granule of cayenne in 8 ounces is probably sufficient. I also think sipping lemon water throughout the day is probably not good for my teeth. The acid in the lemon has to have some effect on my enamel, right? Yes, drinking lemon water is probably not as bad as soaking my teeth in soda, but still. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
2) Trying to start the day on liquids requires more planning...and serious sipping. </h3>
<div>
After preparing my water and packing my lunch, I made my usual morning protein smoothie, this time with vegan protein powder instead of whey. I got to work with a little extra time, so I called my mom and before I knew it, time to get busy...with little time to finish that lemon water (I still have 1/2 left), no time to drink my herbal tea and forget about getting my smoothie out of the fridge. I usually drink my smoothie on my commute, because either my husband drives me to work or I take the bus/train - plenty of time to drink and fiddle with my phone. Not so when I drove myself in today. And seriously, that's a lot of liquid to carry on a commute. I've been trying to whittle my 20 lb pack down and adding in a mason jar of lemon water, 2 blender bottles of smoothie and a thermos of herbal tea - so not happening. I'm going to have to slam that water at home, plan on making tea at work and bring my smoothie with plans to drink it on the way in.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
3) Temptation is impossible to avoid and hard to resist. </h3>
<div>
So today was also unusual in that midday between patients I had to take my mother-in-law who's been visiting for 3 weeks to the airport. I had seen a few patients this morning on only my cayenne water and 1/2 smoothie, so by the time I was driving back to the office, I was starved. Because my MIL is a vegetarian, we eat exclusively vegetarian when she is visiting. She doesn't even know that my husband and I eat meat. I find it ironic that we're so careful about her not knowing we eat meat when I find myself really wanting to lay into her about her milk consumption. I find milk (the literal liquid milk, not all dairy products) disgusting and I think my MIL would feel a lot better if she gave it up, but she doesn't ask, so I don't try to change her. She's almost 70 and feels pretty strongly about her diet and lifestyle, so I don't suppose I'm going to make much change unless it starts with her own curiosity. I did enjoy taking her to a presentation entitled "Becoming Vegan" in which the speaker focused on milk and it's many ill health effects. Brilliant. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But I digress. The stress of dealing with my in-laws often drives me to meat. Something I don't typically crave that often, but always want after being with them for any prolonged period of time. I often meat-load in advance of their visits, sneak out during and then binge on meat after they leave. I don't really want to do it, but it's just part of my emotional eating routine. Today, in a rush to get back to the office after dropping her at the airport, I considered a quick run through McD's for a burger...deciding on some restraint, since I'm cleansing and all, I ran through Taco Bell for some bean burritos instead. I haven't gotten my diet soda, yet, but I'm mentally making plans to go out for one soon. It's gluten and sugar free, but I don't think it's really in alignment with the goals of the cleanse. And that brings me to #4.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
4) Cleansing brings up your shit. </h3>
<div>
I'm dealing with a lot of emotional baggage following this most recent visit of my MIL, including things that have nothing to do with her and it's hard to deal with or let go, so it's just hanging out in the soup. Though this blog is completely anonymous (except for the possible couple of friends who subscribed a long time ago and may still be subscribed not knowing it - what's up Brian and Christa?), it's probably not a good idea to blast out the whole of who did and said what and the seven years of my relationship with them and the many years before that of my husband's relationship with his parents and the entire cross cultural history of how they and he have developed into who and how they are today, so I'll just summarize. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Husband and I did something moderately bad. His mother got mad and screamed at us for two days. She then gave us the silent treatment for two days. Then we all just pretended nothing happened. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think this is probably a typical peace-keeping strategy employed by families in all cultures and it works in a limited way. But I didn't forget what was screamed at me, nor do I think it advisable to forget. Due to the screaming, it has become clear to my husband, even without my prompting, that there are certain changes that need to take place in our dealings with his parents. His parents, who he deeply loves and respects and treats with as much difference as I've ever seen. His parents, who expect him to pay, plan and execute many aspects of their lives and then treat him like a child. His mother, who basically called me a gold digger, told me that the entire family doesn't like me and pretty clearly indicated that marrying me was the biggest mistake her son ever made and attributes all of the ways "he's changed" (obviously with negative connotation) to being in a relationship with me...or maybe with white girls in general. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, on Day 1 of the cleanse, when it should be easy cause I'm just getting started, it feels like torture. My head is pounding, my blood pressure is elevated and all I can think about is laying in bed for the next week in blissed out abandon that our home is just ours again, we don't need to fear another wrathful outburst and that we don't have to put on our pants or robes to go down to the kitchen for another cup of coffee or bowl of sugar-free dairy-free ice cream. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But sure, it's an adventure cleanse after all, right? </div>
B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-20391360509984550702012-08-06T08:14:00.000-07:002012-08-06T08:14:00.323-07:00Friends LostThis weekend I thought a lot about an old friend of mine from college. While A and I were on a road trip, we saw a couple driving down the freeway in their convertible with the top down. A said it looked like they were having fun and this got me thinking about my college chum who had a convertible. We spent many a Friday evening racing down the freeway from our college town two hours down the way to where her boyfriend and his friend lived. Her boyfriend and I were chummy and his friend and I kept trying to make something work, but we were neither of us really much into one another. It was fun to be a foursome, though, so we kept it up for that reason alone.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, I have nothing but fond memories of this friend. I even remember running to her for solace when something hurtful happened right around graduation. After graduation, I moved to P____ and... And what? I honestly can't remember if I ever spoke to her again after I ran to her for solace. I have a vague sense that I might be "in trouble" with her...as in, we may have gotten into a fight before I moved out of town, but I honestly can't remember. I might just feel a slight guilt for walking away and never looking back. I can't believe that my passing acquaintance with marijuana in my youth has affected my memory like this, so I attribute my memory issues to two major surgeries under general anesthesia. (It was really after these that I noticed the problem.)<br />
<br />
I have memories from when I was four years old and younger, but I can't remember large chunks of high school or college, and now graduate school is starting to fade. I remember things I need to know for work, but I find that my mind is not as sharp as I'd like it to be. I can do easy crosswords and all levels of Sudoku like a house on fire, but critical thinking of the professional kind is difficult. Not impossible: I'm not irresponsible and I often come up with ideas that turn out to be vital to my business partners. <br />
<br />
High school friends: can't remember. I remember the people I used to ride the bus with every day and I remember the people I was in class with for all four years, but anyone that I had a shorter friendship with...I just can't seem to remember details of our relationship. There was one fellow named Trent that I know I was friends with...probably briefly, but still, I remember being at his house. I remember being friends. But I can't remember a single exchange or words we ever shared with one another. There is another high school friend that I remember more clearly, though his name escapes me now - I remember parties at his house (but now I came to be included as the group were not my everyday people) and even spending time one on one, especially after my boyfriend of many years dumped me. But how did our friendship end? Did I make the effort to say goodbye before I moved to college? Did I see him any summertime when I visited back home? I think not. <br />
<br />
I believe I legitimately have a memory problem. I can't remember words a lot of times and sometimes struggle with names of people I see every week. But I think I also turn my face to the future and forget about what and who are behind me. Maybe this is somewhat natural as we move forward in life. I know we don't necessarily have brain space or time to maintain friendships with everyone we were ever friends with, but still...it hurts a little when I think of friends I would still like to know. I think it hurts more to remember the friends who's friendship ending I can't remember than to remember the few friends with whom I've actually had a falling out to cause the end of our friendship. <br />
<br />
I thought about making business cards to hand out to people indicating my memory problems - as in,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi. I have a memory problem. </div>
<span style="font-family: 'Wingdings 2';">£</span>Can you please remind me your name when we meet again as I will remember you, but probably struggle to remember your name?<br /><span style="font-family: 'Wingdings 2';">£</span>I think I know you, but can't place you. Do you remember me? Can you remind me your name and how/where/why I know you?<br /><span style="font-family: 'Wingdings 2';">£</span>If I just said I would email you, call you, get you some information or do anything for you at a later date, please email me at remindme@memoryproblem.com or I will forget.</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
That's funny. What was I saying? I already forgot.<br />
<br />B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-42711031811544518112011-04-22T09:47:00.000-07:002011-04-22T09:51:26.689-07:00Raw GiveawayMy partner, housemate and I all decided to adopt a high raw food diet for the next three weeks. What better way to get my blogging habit back in business than to have delicious recipes, pictures of yummy food and maybe, just maybe, a one week trip to a raw vegan B&B to start it all off?<div><br /></div><div>uncooking101 is giving away a week's stay at a raw B&B - the drawing is minutes away, so if you're reading this immediately after posting, click<a href="https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Funcooking101.com%2Fsite%2Fraw-food-retreats%2Fraw-vegan-bed-and-breakfast-win-a-week-stay-in-marthas-vineyard-may-1-8%2F&h=23668"> here</a> and go comment to enter. If you missed the drawing, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/uncooking101">like them on Facebook</a> to get recipes and raw conversation as a part of your daily fuel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stay tuned for more on my raw vegan adventure!</div>B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-42162195454139239762010-09-28T13:20:00.000-07:002010-09-28T13:22:42.229-07:00Proper AmountsThe proper amount of butter on toast is just enough to spread thinly over the bread such that you hear that scraping sound as the knife travels over the bread.<div><br /></div><div>The proper amount of cream cheese on a bagel is just enough to spread over the bagel without hearing that sound. It seems most bagel places either "butter" my cream cheese over my bagel and it's not enough or thickly pile it on such that it spills out over the sides, through the hole and onto my black shirt and pants.</div><div><br /></div><div>Where is Goldilocks, really?<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-76509760835527372712010-05-23T09:12:00.000-07:002010-05-23T09:27:12.819-07:00Just like how Video Killed the Radio Star1. I noticed that my favorite amateur bloggers have all kind of quit out of blogging all about the same time. By amateur, I mean people who are just blogging about their lives and rambling, like me. I mean people who I know or wish I knew, just talking about their lives. It's kind of a bummer, but perhaps I don't get to complain since I haven't been on the blog much either. When I logged on, my reader really only contained the list of those bloggers who are doing business or generating awareness of themselves or their product and not the social updates and commentary I have come to love about blogging. I'm still reading people's Facebook updates and am thinking of joining twitter, but the long form appears to be lost. Did Facebook kill the amateur blog?<br /><br />2. My recent awareness of nightmares has increased due to a) trailers for the new Nightmare on Elm Street - even the trailer gives me the heebie jeebies and no, A, I will not EVER go see this with you and b) my business partner's report that she's not getting any sleep because her toddler is waking up regularly with nightmares. I didn't know this was so common. At any rate, I had a horrible nightmare last night/this morning that makes me want to really look at myself:<br /><br />I was spending time with a friend's husband and child. She, who had apparently been absent, returned dressed up as for a nightclub. In the dream, this somehow really pissed me off and I felt really betrayed - like, how dare she go out while I'm with her family? There may have been something more to it, because I was <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> upset. Anyway, I leave her house and actually hide from her in an empty home - seems like a model home - probably a nod to my recent house hunting efforts. I successfully hide from her and join my own partner, share an intimate moment and then we have an earthquake. During the earthquake, I actually think about if I should leave her a note forgiving her . . . and decide <span style="font-weight: bold;">NOT</span> to!<br /><br />Seriously, what kind of grudge holder am I? What makes this worse is the drawn out rumbling sound I heard when I did open my eyes - I really thought we were having an earthquake and a jolt of cortisol prepared me to grab the dog and force A bodily into the doorway. My understanding is that doorways or under heavy furniture are the safe places, but that may be for tornadoes or hurricanes. I feel woefully unprepared for an actual emergency and the Red Cross spots suggesting I be prepared are not helping. Nor is the buzz that our area is due for a nice big earthquake any time. Ugh!<br /><br />3. My goals have gone to the toilet. I don't remember what my financial, professional or personal goals included and the one thing that was making me so proud, my sewing, has fallen by the wayside with the relative dissolution of sewing club after one member injured herself. So, bootstraps, my friends, bootstraps. I've got an article (<span style="font-style: italic;">for the newspaper!</span>) due Tuesday and after that, it's back to the practicalities of making some lists. Hopefully the new phone I'm planning to get in June will be a useful tool for checking it twice.B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-35797314678597804382010-03-23T08:33:00.000-07:002010-03-22T20:42:23.394-07:00New GoalsAfter my first 101 goals expired, I had this idea about making another list. I have been struggling with that list, actively and passively, for 3 months. It's both because I'm more serious about making goals that are S.M.A.R.T. and also because I'm loath to commit to more "goals" when I have so many other things going on. It seems a bit like cheating to set goals that I'm already lined up for like "get married" or "buy a new house." <div><br /></div><div>On the other hand, I would feel pretty accomplished if I was able to mark those approximately three years (1001 days) by checking off an entire list of 101 goals accomplished, no matter if some of them were mild cheats or not. Because, after all, who's being cheated? </div><div><br /></div><div>In any event, I do have one goal for 2010 that I set and have been keeping up with to my great pleasure. After getting my sewing machine for Christmas, I set a goal to make 12 projects in 2010. One per month with the help of E and Ree, my sewing club buddies. We're set to have sewing club at my house this Sunday for our third meeting. So far, I've sewn 2 car rubbish bags and an oven mitt and hot pad. And I've learned a lot!</div><div><br /></div><div>I was even able to teach E, an experienced seamstress, a thing or two! I've got several yards of fabric waiting to be made into aprons, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">place mats</span>, napkins, wine bags, a tote bag and maybe even a doggy coat! I might even try a clothing item by the end of the year. So, when I'm not here blogging about goals that I might or might not ever get to, rest assured that I'm out there meeting my sewing goal one small project at a time.</div>B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-64405405754974569192010-03-22T20:29:00.000-07:002010-03-22T20:33:04.087-07:00Domestic GoddessI got home late...again.<div><br /></div><div>This happens surprisingly often, but sometimes, on my good days, things are just flowing at the office and it's easy to keep going. The hours fly by and then it's 7 o'clock before I'm leaving for home. Tonight, A surprised me by having dinner in the make when I arrived. As I was finishing up a conversation on my phone, he set the table and when I hung up, it was hello, sit down and here's a beautiful salad and chick'n cordon bleu (not real chicken) with peaches for dessert.</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel pretty lucky at the moment. And well-fed. Smart man, very smart man.</div>B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-45216913233423436942010-01-18T21:02:00.000-08:002010-01-18T21:12:06.940-08:00Stiching BitchI am a goddess of domesticity. Picked up this months Vegetarian Times magazine and discovered some great recipes from culinary students. I decided on a very Julie/Julia whim to make all of them. So far I've made the bruschetta, the green beans and tonight, the soup. All delicious and I think the best is yet to come in a wild mushroom ravioli in browned butter and sage sauce. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. <div><br /></div><div>So, after making a fresh soup and cleaning up the kitchen, I threw the laundry in and started pressing my sewing project. Yes, I said sewing project. At long last, I am sewing. Just a couple of car garbage bags to start with, but still, sewing. With my new computerized sewing machine that I got for Christmas. And it was so easy. Granted, I wasn't doing anything too complicated, I wasn't quilting or embroidering or anything like that, just a couple simple straight lines to close up the straps for the bag, but I feel so very accomplished. </div><div><br /></div><div>If I was a housewife/homemaker, I would be the Queen of Suburbia. I might already be the Queen of Suburbia because I do a lot (read: IT ALL!) while owning and running my own business. Basically, I kick ass. And I do it with only the tiniest resentment that my partner isn't very domestic (domesticated?)...but I guess I do like my men wild.</div>B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-8161251945263270082010-01-06T12:35:00.000-08:002010-01-06T12:42:51.234-08:00WOTD: PropagandaWord of the Day: <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propaganda">Propaganda</a><br />From Merriam - Webster:<br />1: a congregation of the Roman curia having jurisdiction over missionary territories and related institutions<br />2 : the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person<br />3 : ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect<br /><br />I would like to focus on definitions 2 and 3 for a moment. The spread of ideas, information or <em>rumors</em> and or ideas, facts or <em>allegations</em> that are spread to help or hinder a cause. E and I were talking on the phone this morning about vaccines and about how propaganda is used to further the cause of such. A noticed that many of the people with whom he had previously spoken about flu vaccines were now sick, despite getting vaccinated and speaking vehemently in favor of them and that he himself, not having been vaccinated and using natural options, has not been sick all season. It bothers me that so many people who ARE NOT MEDICAL PROVIDERS (!) have been giving my partner, their friends and family, and potentially the world medical advice - i.e., get vaccinated - when they are both uneducated and unqualified to offer it. <br /><br />Basically, it's a great example of propaganda. The companies that manufacture vaccines and the machine that is our news media have provided a one sided account in favor of vaccination that the public has adopted and repeats. It's ridiculous - people, if you want medical advise, ask your doctor!B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-1639843387754592742010-01-05T06:48:00.001-08:002010-01-05T06:55:25.979-08:00I also Love my boyfriend's new NetbookA bought himself a netbook for Christmas this year. He's wanted one for a while because we usually take a computer with us when we travel and he wished we didn't need to take such a big obvious computer with us. The netbook was the perfect solution. He asked me if I wanted one since my laptop is slowly dieing, (Seriously, I thought that was mis-spelled, too, but it is apparently the correct spelling!) but I resisted. No, I want a laptop that I can edit videos with and do more than surf the net. I still want a <i>computer</i> I can do those things with, but I have learned to love the netbook. I'm typing on it right now.<div><br /></div><div>It's tiny, it's lightweight, it's much faster than my computer. I don't save anything on it, but instead use my little corner of cyberspace via GoogleDocs, etc., so I don't have to worry about it crashing. We used it (and the iPhone) on our vacation recently to find coupons and hotels, to plot our route, to check email, to write an article for work and to play. It's great. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's Tuesday morning following vacation, I played catch up yesterday and I have a haircut tonight. Yes, I have nothing better to do with my time than blog about how I love this computer.</div><div>XO, netbook, time to get ready for work.</div>B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-72130317233646084502010-01-04T20:32:00.000-08:002010-01-04T20:44:04.316-08:00OMG, I love VeganomiconI don't even know where to start this story...at VegFest where I did <i>NOT</i> buy VCon? With the other soup I made from VCon? Or perhaps with my New Year New Food Planning Plan? Since A awaits me below with a video (free video day from RedBox - holla!), I'll be brief.<div><br /></div><div>I have a New Year New Food Planning Plan. Part of that plan is to make a specifically vegan dinner one night of the week...actually, now that I think of it, tonight was soup night...and tomorrow's planned meal covers multiple categories, too...okay, let me explain. The Productivity Pro's mom had 31 meals that she made every month. I thought this was brilliant, but couldn't think of even 7 recipes/meals that I knew how to make and wanted to repeat. </div><div><br /></div><div>My alternative is to select 7 <i>categories</i> of meals and make 1 from each category each week. Ala Julie/Julia (I confess I just read the book and watched the movie), but with a little more leeway. So my categories are: vegan, raw, soup, rice/beans, pasta, Indian and take out/date night, because come on, let's be realistic. </div><div><br /></div><div>So for dinner tonight, soup night (not vegan night after all, but since VCon is in action, it turns out to be), I made VCon's Broccoli-Potato Soup with Fresh Herbs. I made A stop by the market for mint on the way home and it was totally worth it. I had salad ready for us when he come home - that and the baguette he picked up held us over until the soup was ready. I almost wish I had more room for soup tonight, but on the other hand, I can't wait for leftovers tomorrow!</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow's plan: Pumpkin Saag - Indian <i>and</i> vegan!<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-76578507680533830022009-12-27T06:59:00.000-08:002010-01-05T07:22:19.560-08:00ABCs Arizona Adventure?So we arrived in Arizona later than expected - we originally thought we'd get here about 8pm, but didn't drive up until midnight. We've got 4 days and need to stay somewhat close to the house since A is "technically" on call. We also want to maximize our time with our host, M, who flew in (from very far away) and is suffering from major jet lag, no small thanks to our late arrival. So what are we to do?<div><br /></div><div>Despite the many plans and suggestions from M's wife, G, we didn't do a lot during our 4 days in Arizona. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wednesday - A and I took the car and vacuumed it out and got the outside washed so that M wouldn't think we were complete slobs and I have to say, the old girl cleans up pretty good. It was actually pretty embarrassing that state I'd let it get in and I'm so grateful that A just cleaned without judging. We grabbed some lunch and headed back to the house. G wanted to get her dogs nails trimmed and Chibo needed his done, too, so we went along. Unfortunately, we missed the groomer by about 10 minutes. We should have gotten in the car that minute and returned home as we had dinner reservations and still needed to shower, but G ran into some folks she wanted to talk to...an <i>hour and a half </i>later, we headed back home. A also hadn't showered, so he and I had to rush to get ready.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dinner was a great little Thai place in Scottsdale for which G had Groupon's. Because of the Groupon's, G ordered way too much pre-food. We got two plates of appetizers and soup. When it was time to order entrees we realized that we couldn't finish four, so we only ordered two, but unfortunately both were meat dishes so A and I were left to pick around it. Probably I should have spoken up, but it can be hard to do, especially when you're still reeling by your friends and dinner companions just calling you "namby pamby liberals" . . . over dinner!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thursday - Since we missed the groomer, I took all the dogs to get their nails trimmed while G did her riding lesson. I will never repeat this experience and if A is smart, he'll remind me of it when I think of getting a second or third dog. Not only did the dogs jump around from front to back to on top of me and cry the whole way there and back, they also got hair all over the (remember?) freshly vacuumed car. I <i>still</i> have scratches on my arms from holding her crazy puppy while the groomer clipped her. After this, I went back to the house - since no one else was home, I dropped her dogs off and walked Chibo down to the park and talked to my friends on the phone. Nothing like a lifeline!</div><div><br /></div><div>Friday - Christmas day! Most of this day was spent preparing for supper. We broke out the Wii. A played tennis much of the day and I did a bit of bowling. When G's parents came over, her mom was really interested, so I taught her how to play and she loved it. A nice Christmas meal together, clean up and then early to bed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday - Boxing Day, G had a riding lesson, so while she was doing her lesson, M, A and I got dressed and went to the farm to see their petting zoo. It was very cool, but I love all opportunities to get close to animals. What's especially great about their petting zoo is that all the animals are rescued - it's not like they bought a camel specifically to have for a petting zoo, but they acquired him as a rescue. The other especially great thing about this petting zoo is that it has an interesting animal blend that I'm not sure you could find anywhere else. Zebra + Donkey = Zonky. Goes by the name Pippi, like Pippilongstockings. Very cute, very special. </div><div><br /></div><div>After that, we headed to Los Dos Molinos for lunch. A had a special fondness for this restaurant, although we went to the new franchise opened in Mesa instead of the original one and he wished we'd driven to the original for the ambiance as this one was located in a business park next to a car repair shop. After that, (yes, this was our most active day yet!), we decided to go see Avatar in IMAX 3D - yeah, we were dreaming. We just showed up and no, we didn't get in. We also couldn't get into the current flat screen 3D showing. We purchased tickets for a later showing and headed home for a nap. We couldn't decide when to go back to get good seats and ended up leaving later than we'd planned, so we ended up in the front row, which sucked, although the movie was good. A now tells me that IMAX 3D is 17.50 per person and I just can't swallow that, although I bet the movie is great that way. I bitched about the crick in my neck until the next night, when I was able to finally cure it in Palm Desert. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, that was our time in Arizona. What we learned from this part is that we probably don't want to commit to staying with friends for any certain length of time on our vacation - even with people that we love and even though I love to rest and relax on my vacations, laying around at someone else's house is just about as much fun as laying around at your own. If we're going to fly or drive 1500 miles, we want to DO something!</div>B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-64621990364530906502009-12-23T01:01:00.000-08:002009-12-24T08:25:50.088-08:00ABC's California Adventure Part 2Arrived in beautiful Burbank, California with time enough to check into our retro hotel, the Safari Inn and then head over to Universal Studios theme park. Our hotel is cute - 1950's style, but updated in the 90's so it's got modern amenities. They also allow dogs for only $25 per stay which was as reasonable as we could find. They don't allow the dog to stay in your room without you, though, which makes us even more grateful for Universal Studio's free kennels. So, if traveling with dogs, these are the questions I recommend you ask any hotel:<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Do you allow pets/dogs?</div><div style="text-align: center;"> (Check for size according to your breed)</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. What is your pet fee?</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Is the pet fee per day or per stay?</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Can the dog be left in the room? In a kennel?</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Do you offer any dog walking services?</div><div><br /></div><div>We liked the Safari a lot, though, and we ended up leaving <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chibo</span> in the room when we went to dinner with no problems. We put him in the bathroom with his crate and blankets and he was fine. We tested knocking on the door before we left and had also learned from the night before to leave a fan running to help block noise. We decided to stay an extra night at the Safari.</div><div><br /></div><div>But when we arrived Sunday, we just threw our bags in the room and headed immediately over to Universal Studios, which was only 10 minutes away. Parked in Jurassic Parking, walked through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">CityWalk</span> to the gates and dropped <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Chibo</span> in the kennel through guest services and then we were in the park with 3 hours to play. We managed to fit in a couple shows and rides before we collected our dog and went back to the hotel. </div><div><br /></div><div>My mom had recommended we go to this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">restaurant</span> built into the cliff face, but we weren't sure what it was called and couldn't figure it out, so we got cleaned up and headed over to Olive's Bistro down the street from our hotel. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">restaurant</span> was empty, and I mean empty, but the small bar was full of local flavor. Paul, our bartender, was friendly and expressive and told us all about the other characters in the bar, including an animator from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ren</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Stimpy</span> fame, a local couple he affectionately referred to as The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bickersons</span> and others. A had a couple of martinis and was feeling pretty jovial by the time we left, but we tried to get to sleep so we could get up early and enjoy the park some more.</div><div><br /></div><div>A was feeling slightly conflicted about our plans for Monday - having enjoyed the park on Sunday, we weren't sure if we should stay all day. We had the option of touring another studio and/or leaving town early. We needed to decide that morning so we could check out and pack the car or not. Our minds were made up when we realized some friends who were also vacationing in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">SoCal</span> were going to Universal that day. We booked the hotel for another night and decided to visit Warner Brothers the next day. Since we were so close to the park, we just showered, ate and checked the dog in for an early start. </div><div><br /></div><div>We found our friends right outside of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Shrek</span> 4D Experience getting their pictures taken with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Shrek</span> and Fiona - Fiona has asked our friend Sara, "Is this your ogre?" about her husband. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Hee</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">hee</span>! We enjoyed the day with them, riding all the rides and seeing the shows we had missed the night before. It was a fun day and we especially enjoyed the studio tour. By the end of the day, my legs were aching, though, from so much more walking around than I am used to doing! We closed the park and headed back to our hotel where we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">promptly</span> fell asleep at 9pm.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning, we headed over to Warner Brothers studio for an even more inside look at television and movie making. As our guide explained to us, most of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">back lots</span> and sound stages on the studio lot are used in television productions, because movie budgets have allowed locations to be used more extensively, but she pointed out the location of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Spiderman's</span> famous kiss, the casino from Ocean's 13 and we got to see the Friend's Central Perk set and even walk on the set of Chuck. It was really fun - they were filming the new Nightmare on Elm Street and she tried to let us see Freddy Kruger, but it didn't happen, much to A's regret and my relief!</div><div><br /></div><div>After that, we headed east towards Arizona with plans to arrive while our friends were away at dinner. We were, however, delayed when our missing California hosts, my aunt and uncle, returned our phone call. They had been in LA for the weekend, but had just arrived to their home in the desert. As we were about 30 minutes away, we decided to stop in for lunch. It was great to see my family and A loved them, so lunch turned into dinner and we got out of their way late! A drove like a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">trooper</span>, though and got us to our friends' home in Arizona about midnight without incident. Whew! Time for some sleep now!</div>B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-56406788028305397532009-12-20T08:59:00.001-08:002009-12-24T08:01:23.657-08:00ABC's California Adventure Part 1Friday night after work, A and I packed our bags, loaded the car and drove down to Grants Pass to begin our California (and Arizona) Christmas Adventure. Our plans have been somewhat touch and go, because both our employers asked us to work during the holidays (after pre-approving our vacation plans!), some pressure from our Arizona hosts and no response from our potential California hosts. In the end, we decided to just do it and we're on our way!<br /><br />Friday driving was hard with rain, fog and traffic, but we made to our friend J's house without incident by about 11pm. We planned to breakfast with J and get back on the road and my quote of the evening was, "I'll feel like we're starting really late if we leave at noon." A said he'd like to get on the road by 10. After cleaning Chibo's urine off J's carpet and my luggage and being awoken by him crying in the middle of the night, we woke up later than expected. Breakfast was a delicious frittata with asparagus, zucchini, carrots and onion, toast and coffee and lots of time spent working on our new netbook trying to find a hotel for the next night.<br /><br />We got out of there at 1pm and I may never live down my quotable deadline from the night before, at least in J's mind. He thought that quite funny. A drove the next leg of the journey and repeated many of the same behaviors that I had done the night before, eyeing the GPS every minute or two and lamenting that we weren't getting there faster. I had kept that to myself, but A kept talking about it, which just made it worse. This day was also foggy and dreary.<div><br /></div><div>We spent the night in Tracy, CA at a Quality Inn. Ate dinner from the food I brought along, which was nice because we didn't have to go out of our room and the town of Tracy smelled a little funny. We also snuck Chibo into the room and so I had to dive bomb him and wrestle him every time he barked, which was, unfortunately frequently as some young gigglers were just getting their room at about 3am. A considers that these may be town gals getting a room with their boyfriends after the bar closed. Maybe.</div><div><br /></div><div>Continental breakfast, including boiled eggs and mini bagels (yum!) and we were on our way again, for a slightly less difficult, but no less boring, drive down the rest of California.</div>B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-7834305493125839062009-12-13T13:29:00.000-08:002009-12-13T13:46:27.814-08:00Christmas Came TWICE this YearA and I joined COSTCO. I feel very suburban, but seriously, the savings are intense! A bought my VitaMix there and in addition to mine, we got one for E and another that we sold online (at just enough profit to pay for our Costco membership, thank you very much). When A saw the VitaMix there (which only happens once in a while), that was the tipping point to getting our membership. <br /><br />The challenges in my mind about a place like Costco are:<br />1. Purchasing products that are manufactured by children in third world countries<br />2. Purchasing from a big box store/warehouse instead of a small local business<br />3. Purchasing things we don't really need just because they are less expensive<br /><br />When I was guiltily discussing this with my colleague at work, she reminded me that I can still choose ethical brand names and that these companies love working with warehouse stores, because they know they will sell at volume. Number one - check. Regarding buying things just because they are less expensive, I already know that we're doing that, because we bought 40 ounces of pomegranate juice that neither of really enjoy drinking straight. I'm putting it in smoothies and mixing it with orange juice to use it up. I think it might be the nature of a place like Costco that when you first join, you overbuy, but I am confident that we will normalize our buying habits pretty quickly. <br /><br />My second concern is a little harder to figure out, but my second Christmas gift from A is the best example of this that I can come up with. I have had a mild interest in sewing for a while and E bought me an old Singer sewing machine a few years ago. The machine needed a tune up, got pretty dusty sitting in my garage and has never been used by me. Now that my friend R has started sewing and I paid $12x2 for hems that I know should be a snap, my interest in sewing has increased again. So, I hauled my old Singer to the small locally owned sewing machine sales and repair shop near my house to see what we could do.<br /><br />For $100, I could tune-up my basic 3-stitch machine, though any needed parts would be extra. I asked about trading in and they weren't interested and asked about upgrading and was referred to a computerized 120-stitch machine for $399. This was days after Thanksgiving and <em>on sale</em> mind you! Yesterday, we found the same machine at Costco for $170. I cannot justify supporting my neighbors small locally owned business by purchasing a machine there for more than twice the cost at Costco. I can buy fabric, thread, notions and classes there, but I don't even feel guilty about buying my machine at Costco - the price is just too much better. <br /><br />So, that's my second Christmas gift - A bought me a <a href="http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/BSC/public/us/us/en/model_top/HomeSewingMachine/hf_xr9000eus.html?reg=us&c=us&lang=en&prod=hf_xr9000eus">Brother XR9000 sewing machine</a>. He extracted a promise from me to sew on his buttons and hem his pants, but I think I can handle that. And I'm going to clean up my old machine and gift it to my friend T who would also like to learn to sew. So, everybody wins - even the local sewing machine shop, because I<em> </em>probably will take my machine there for service and may even take a class there so that I don't mess up every pair of pants that A every buys!B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-69707083285358019562009-12-10T23:19:00.000-08:002009-12-13T13:53:17.947-08:00It's Complicated: Loved ItGot to see a free sneak preview of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1230414/">It's Complicated</a>, starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin tonight. A signed us up for this website that allows us to check out free films - we saw 2012 a couple nights before it opened, too. No opinion surveys, no photo ops on the evening news, just watch the film. I'm thinking they are creating <em>buzz</em> around the film with these sneaky previews and decided to do my part.<br /><br />I <em>LOVED</em> It's Complicated. You should go see it.<br /><br />There, my work here is done.B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-85022661489628477752009-12-07T13:48:00.000-08:002009-12-13T13:52:31.470-08:00The Goods - Liked ItWatched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1092633/">The Goods</a> today as a free rental from Netflix. Seriously, I should bill this blog as a way to live cheaply, because I feel like I'm always talking about how we get our entertainment for free! Anyways, I didn't like the previews for this film and wasn't that interested in watching it, but was pleasantly surprised. <br /><br />It's a fun film. Give it a go.B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-38218605929905916172009-12-06T07:27:00.000-08:002009-12-13T13:19:27.924-08:00Blind Pilot: Loved ItWas invited by friends to attend the Blind Pilot concert tonight. They rock. Loved them. <br /><br />I'm finding it difficult to figure out the language of loving bands. The way that I want to express my admiration and affection for them is to say, "I want to have sex with every single member of the band." Do I really want to have sex with every single member of the band? No. If for no other reason than that one member of the band is a woman and I'm not that gay. But I probably don't really want to have sex with the male members of the band, either - I'm happily blissed out in my monogamous relationship. <br /><br />But I do find myself <em>attracted</em> to the band and its members in a very visceral way. It's the music, it's the fun they are obviously having and, at the risk of sounding like a dirty old woman though I'm only thirty-something, I think it's also their youthful energy and angst. So, into monogamy or not, go see Blind Pilot - they are awesome.<br /><br />P.S. Accordion player, I might actually want to have sex with you - you have a beautiful right arm and an electrifying smile. I'm no good with temptation, so please stay away from me.B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413454239227866662.post-83152289789136658392009-12-05T23:53:00.000-08:002009-12-13T13:57:36.472-08:00The Prestige: Loved ItWatched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1230414/">The Prestige</a> at a friends house tonight. Holy crap - what an amazing film! Can't say anything more about it - if you haven't seen it yet, go see it. I don't know how I missed this one, but I remember A saying this one and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443543/">The Illusionist</a> in the same sentence and saying they were about magic - my response to that, "meh!" I haven't seen The Illusionist yet, but I will be putting it in my queue now that I love The Prestige, because I realize I may have missed another great film in that one.B - The Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16629948689875964997noreply@blogger.com0