Dork Alert
I am extremely picky about calendars.
I like them to be coil-bound, with a hook on top. I like them to show only a week at a time (but with monthly summary pages). I like to have the entire year visible somewhere on every page. I like to have enough space to write several things on the same day. And I like for them to make me laugh.
Last year, we found a PERFECT calendar that featured The Office and met ALL my requirements. I was happy as a clam. But do you think we could find the same thing for 2011? Of course not. And we checked everywhere. EVERYWHERE.
I did, however, end up finding something just as good. It fits all of my requirements - and it's based on
Cake Wrecks.
It's going to be a good year. I can tell by my calendar :)
Labels: Nothing Important
Victory Over DeFEET
Oh yes. I JUST DID.
Anyway.
I learned something new this week. Something foot related, of course.
Know those fabulous boots that you're just dying to have but don't *quite* fit? YOU KNOW WHICH ONES I'M TALKING ABOUT. The ones that look FIERCE but require some serious blood, sweat, and tears to jam your calves into them.
Well, I bought them anyway. And then I took them to a good shoe repair place that *easily* stretched them out for me - just about a quarter inch and just the part of the boot that was extra-snug. They kept them for two days and charged me $15. And I could not be happier about it.
I had no idea that I could do that. And - assuming the boots you have your eye on are a decent quality leather - YOU CAN TOO.
(Is this common knowledge? My calves were significantly smaller before I became a mommy, so I guess I never really paid attention before.)
Labels: Nothing Important
Royal Disappointment
Want to hear something funny?
Yesterday, when the news broke that Prince William had officially proposed to Kate Middleton, I felt a tiny twinge of disappointment. It would appear that - somewhere buried deep in my psyche - there was a remnant of that old girlish dream of becoming a princess someday.
I'm willing to bet that I am NOT the only grown woman in the British Commonwealth who felt that this week. Though I'm realizing now that I am probably the only one admitting it ;)
Labels: Current Events, Nothing Important
Aha Moment
It's quite something to witness another person's 'AHA!' moment.
I had the privilege yesterday evening when Geoff, Briony + I took a walk to our local Starbucks after dinner. I walked up to the counter to order my latte while Geoff + B checked out the travel mugs - and the girl behind the counter started FREAKING OUT.
'You guys are together!' she blurted out.
Um, yeah.
'You're married! And that's your baby!'
Um, yeah.
'Hey... Did you know these two are TOGETHER?'
'Whaaaaat! Seriously?'
'Yep, MARRIED. That's THEIR little girl!'
Um, yeah.
Apparently, we are both regular customers - but rarely go in together. It totally rocked their world, and we all had a pretty big laugh about it.
Labels: My Life, Nothing Important, Starbucks, The Boy
Behold! New Glasses!
So this was HIDEOUSLY overdue.
I picked up my two new pairs of glasses today and I'm in love with them right now. I know the doubt and insecurity will come... It's such a strange experience to adjust to having something NEW on your face every day. But I feel good in them. More importantly, I can see better in them. And I know I'll feel even better when I go for an also-embarrassingly-overdue haircut tomorrow afternoon.
I really don't want to post these, but I know the questions are coming so...
VOILA!
And here. LOOK AT ME BEING A GOOD SPORT. (And don't expect it to happen again anytime soon, hehe.)
Labels: My Life, Nothing Important
Brrr...
Did anyone else notice a slight chill in the air today? That would be because HELL FROZE OVER. My husband not only saw a doctor today (gasp!), he also got his very first cell phone (seriously). And I finally got around to ordering new glasses that I get to pick up tomorrow. In fact, we crossed a ton of things off our 'to do' lists while Briony played with Katie this afternoon. We even got to have lunch together. Oh, happy day...
(Remember when a great 'date' meant oh so much more than running errands and grabbing lunch? :)
Labels: Married Stuff, Nothing Important, The Boy
Tutu Not Required
Just unpacking from my trip and unloading some of my purchases... I'm thinking that the sparkly silver tutu for Briony was probably unnecessary.
But it is SO CUTE.
Labels: Briony, Nothing Important
The Smallest Things
Know what's making me happy today?
Dishes.
Specifically, NEW dishes.
More specifically, new dishes that simplify the whole dishes situation in the Wright household.
My parents wanted to know what to get my for my birthday. My suggestion was quick and easy: money to spend in Minneapolis this past weekend. I put it to good use and took the opportunity to snag a few pieces from Ikea, missing pieces that were standing between me and my dream of ditching two older sets of dishes that are taking up some very precious real estate in our smallish house. There's nothing wrong with them, they are just nine and eleven years old respectively - and they reflect a different style and a different era. They'll find new homes with grateful new owners, and we will move on.
We received some simple white dishes at one of our wedding showers, and I am in love with them other than the lack of usable bowls. But we have simple white bowls now (God bless Ikea). So all my dishes are now basic white and entirely interchangeable.
It sounds like such a small thing, but it's making me SO HAPPY. Hooray for pretty, simple things. And maybe for therapists too, because I'm not entirely sure that my dishes-related glee is normal :)
Labels: House Stuff, Nothing Important
Feeling Lucky?
Three months ago today, I was having Chinese with Amber + Geoff and opened this fortune...
I taped it onto my calendar so that I'd remember. And now I sit waiting for awesomeness to start raining down on me. Any time now... hehe.
So far, today is a wash. I forgot my BlackBerry at home, which is messing with my day to an extent that is almost embarrassing. I totally feel like I'm naked and missing a limb. But it's Daddy Day today while I'm at work - and I nailed my first meeting. But I'm missing a pool party with some other moms and babies this afternoon. But I'm excited for Girls Night tonight. But I'm having a bad hair day. No evidence of a 'lucky star' - but I suppose it's still early in the day.
My theory is that the cookie I opened was intended for Amber... But we'll see if my theory proves correct :)
Labels: Amber, Nothing Important
Loving This Second
A few material objects I've been obsessing over lately...
1. Kraft Olive Oil Dressings. Specifically, the Pesto Parmesan and Fig Balsamic varieties. And specifically as marinades for grilled chicken. YUMMY.
2.
This ridiculously adorable (and environmentally conscious) tea set by Green Toys I've had my eye on for Briony FOREVER. I finally picked it up today and can't wait to give it to her later today.
3. The new Eucalyptus mosquito repellant by OFF. I looked everywhere for eucalyptus oil last summer and had very poor luck. This year, you can buy it at Superstore for pretty much the same cost as the yucky chemical stuff. It goes on so nicely, smells lovely, and works like a sonuvabitch. Seriously. And seriously awesome.
4. WASHABLE CRAYONS. Where were these things when we were kids?
5. Buy 3 Get The 4th Free at Chapters until July 4. I've been once already, and I'm thinking I'll be back :)
Labels: Great Baby Stuff, Loving This Second, Nothing Important
It Has Come To This
It's 20.18 on a Friday night and I am bribing myself - with ice cream - to work until 21.00. At that magic and entirely arbitrary hour, I plan to power down my laptop and then proceed to gorge myself on said ice cream (and maybe some popcorn too, because that's the kind of week it's been) and watch reruns of Law + Order... or whatever else is on television on a Friday night.
I suspect that most people my age are probably out doing something more fun than working, eating ice cream, and watching reruns of legal shows that are probably based on 'current events' that happened four years ago when the episode originally aired... And while I may be behind on my Law + Order, I am most certainly NOT behind on MSNBC / The Daily Show, so I have at least one foot still firmly planted in (sarcastic and US-centric) reality and will realize this as I stuff popcorn in my face and wonder why I took FRIDAY night off instead of a superior television night earlier in the week.
This is my life now. I suspect my blog was more interesting when my life was more interesting.
PS - NBC announced this week that
Law + Order will not be renewed for its upcoming 21st season. BOO. Before you get your panties in a knot, the spinoffs are all safe. There's even a new spinoff approved for the fall. But I don't know what television (and NBC) will be without Sam Waterston. And this means that it only *ties* for the record of longest-running drama, which seems kind of tragic. Hmph.
Labels: Going Rogue, My Life, Nothing Important, Television
A Dark + Rainy Friday Night
My week came in like a lion and went out like a lion. RAWR.
Today was a whirlwind of meetings and office time and groceries and deadlines, then my parents came for dinner and Geoff went to work and Briony went to bed.
Now it's 8 pm and the house is quiet. I'm trying not to stress about yet another round of Big Work Related Decisions. In fact, I'm trying not to think about anything work related at all. And I'm DEFINITELY trying not to freak out about the fact that this flare-up is going on a full week now.
Instead, I'm preparing to enjoy a ginormous bowl of popcorn, hot chocolate with marshmallows, various flavours of red Starburst candies, and whatever is currently saved on my PVR.
I can think of worse ways to spend a dark and rainy Friday night.
Labels: Going Rogue, My Life, Nothing Important
A Sign of the Times
In case you've ever wondered what it looks like for someone to Lose It...
This photo represents the culmination of Geoff working full-time, Lindsay working *more* than full-time, Katie being away for a few days, Briony teething, my grandma starting chemo, and all kinds of other related drama.
What is it? I'm glad you asked.
This, friends, is what it looks like for an entire bottle of Advil Liquigels to get knocked into the dishwasher and then run through a compete cycle. It's hard as rock and all melted together. I can't figure it out except that I was multi-tasking like mad and trying to cross a ton of things off my list right before bed when Geoff was working nights. But you'd imagine that I would have HEARD it fall. Or seen it. Or SOMETHING.
Talk about art representing life... :)
Labels: Going Rogue, Married Stuff, Mommy Stuff, Nothing Important
Nosy Neighbour
Okay, so I'm trying to solve another neighbourhood mystery... It's not really that fabulous of a mystery because we live in the most boring neighbourhood in the world. Seriously. The worst thing that has happened in North River Heights in recent memory is that one of our treasured Academy Road restaurants lost their chef last week. It was in the paper for about a week and everyone is talking about it. (Us included... It's probably our favourite place to eat out.)
And sometimes kids from other parts of the city come here to steal our cars. But we have an obscenely disproportionate number of police patrols around here, and they usually catch them. There was an *attempted* break and enter on our street last year and there were dozens of cops here in about two minutes. We're talking about dogs and everything, with the entire area blocked off - and then multiple police visits and line-up photos and all kinds of Law + Order style drama (no Chris Noth, unfortunately). I'm not exaggerating. You can't make this stuff up.
Anyway.
There's a couple on our street who had a baby. We think so anyway... Everyone kind of hibernates in winter so it's hard to know exactly. But the guy who we assume is the dad pushes a baby stroller up and down our block every day now. And that's the thing. It's every single day, and it's seriously just up and down our block. For HOURS sometimes. At first, we didn't think anything of it - other than that the baby must be colicky or something. But he never goes around the corner or takes the baby on an actual walk. Just up and down the block.
Our current favourite theory is house arrest with some kind of ankle thingamajig that allows him to go a certain distance from the house. Or two ex-girlfriends who each live one block away in opposite directions and have restraining orders against him. Don't even get me started. I'm losing sleep over this one. And I still haven't solved the mystery of our across-the-street neighbours' bizarre little revolving door or visitors.
SHEESH. I don't have time to work full-time outside of our home and get all this Nancy Drew work done!
Labels: House Stuff, Nothing Important
Stop It, Lindsay!
UGH. I need to stop trolling real estate listings. I'm only frustrating myself because 'bigger and better' is not only incredibly unnecessary, it's also incredibly expensive... And I am coming to the realization that I love things like drinking Starbucks and traveling to new places and always having at least one pair of jeans in my closet that fit me *perfectly* and knowing that Briony can go to university someday too much to also be in love with a perfect, pretty, larger-than-necessary house.
Labels: House Stuff, Nothing Important
Remember When
Remember when I always had perfectly manicured nails? Flawless cuticles, moisturized skin, immaculate French polish applied to perfectly shaped nails... At one point in my not-so-ancient history, I actually took pride in my hands.
I looked down at them today and LAUGHED OUT LOUD. Three years ago, I literally did a photo shoot as a hand model. Now they look like they belong to a mom. And I never understood why anyone would let their hands look like that... SIGH. Karma is a bitch.
Labels: Mommy Stuff, Nothing Important
Yikes!
I'm totally still wearing these flip flops. ALL THE TIME. And I am totally not That Girl who wears sloppy footwear when socially inappropriate to do so. So far, it's just been in the house and to the park (and maybe Starbucks), but... YIKES! It's not even summer yet.
Hold me. I'm frightened.
Labels: Nothing Important
Lent
Hey, is it too late to claim that I'm giving up coffee for Lent? ;)
I never do Lent. It wasn't really a part of my childhood religious upbringing, and by the time I became an adult and was more exposed to it, I didn't really get it. I mean, I GET IT, but I think that those same Lenty principles would mean more to me if they were practiced as part of my everyday life. I seriously hate doing something just because someone told me to. That's pretty much the best way to guarantee that I WON'T do it, actually.
If it's something that works for you and has significance in your life, that's awesome. Good for you. Seriously. I just don't see how - for me personally - giving up Facebook or television or chocolate or whatever will bring me closer to God. And God's cool with that. Really. I asked him. Right after I finished yelling at him for doing such a lousy job of taking care of this whole gallbladder situation.
Anyway. I used to work in an office where it seemed like EVERYONE did Lent. I was new, so I told them I was giving up cigarettes. Everyone was so super impressed. (I have never even tried smoking in my life.) And what do you know, I was totally successful! I *may* have also spread a rumour that one of my coworkers - the one I was secretly dating - was trying to give up cocaine for Lent... Yeah. It's a very good thing that I don't work there anymore. (Right, Margaret?) Boredom causes me to do terrible, terrible things.
I'm referring, of course, to my dating decisions. The Lent thing was FUNNY :D
Labels: Church the Universe and Everything, Nothing Important, Starbucks
Bugs
Two things...
1. Does EVERYONE have the stomach flu?! It's disturbing to me how many people have posted stomach-flu-related status updates on Facebook or stuff on their blogs. I have a mortal fear of the stomach flu, and I am literally scared to leave my house right now. (Of course, I did - to go to work. But I'm disinfecting like I have OCD.)
2. I have an epic travel bug right now. Yes, that's right - I said epic. I find myself online almost every day, researching trips and figuring out how much I'd need to save every month to be able to pull it off. The funniest thing is that I don't even know where I want to go, I just want to GO. Of course, there's a short list, but the fact that we haven't travelled since I got pregnant means that this is the longest I've ever gone without going and exploring a new place... And I miss it. There are so very many places that I still want to see - and some of them aren't exotic or unattainably expensive at all. Can you believe that I've never been to New York? I've never been to New York. And I know exactly how much I'd need to put away in order to go there at the beginning of December when it's all magical and Christmassy and super-commercialized (with Wicked tickets included, of course). And I've figured out exactly how much extra freelance work I'd need to do in order to make it happen. SIGH. A girl can dream, right? :)
Labels: Nothing Important, Travel
Awesome
A while back, we were running very low on hand soap for the bathroom. I went to go buy some and they were sold out of the foaming kind that I like, so I picked up the regular kind instead. We finished the regular soap and I replaced it with a fresh new bottle of foaming hand soap yesterday. Why does foaming hand soap make me so happy? IT'S EXACTLY THE SAME SOAP. It just comes out foamy. But it's so much more awesome.
Know what else is kind of awesome? Peanut butter. I've eaten the natural peanut butter - or almond butter - for YEARS now, but I needed some regular old peanut butter for a recipe and so I have a little bit left in a tiny jar in my kitchen. I put it on my toast this morning and was like 'Oh, THIS is why people hate natural peanut butter.' And I didn't like it at the beginning either, but I knew it was better for me and so I stuck it out - and I ended up enjoying it. Or so I thought. It turns out that I just got used to it. And now I'll apparently need to start all over again.
The same thing happened when Geoff accidentally brought me a regular latte from Starbucks a few months ago. I was like OH MY GOD, this is why people order regular lattes. Until that moment, I'd been perfectly happy LOVING nonfat lattes. And I do again. But that first nonfat latte after the regular latte was just a tiny bit disappointing to me.
Yeah. I need to stop blogging and go work now.
Labels: Nothing Important
