When two people are in a grumpy contest, they both lose.

Today I am grateful for embracing my inner thrifty gal, whoever invented libraries, being okay hanging out alone for a while, Pandora radio, my red scarf, making healthy choices, beautiful weather, having dinner with a mentee, email (which keeps me in touch with friends and family), staying calm despite horrendous retail experience, and not being too old for The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Perfect Day

Today I went to church and out to breakfast with My Heart's Desire, hung out in front of the fire, visited with mentee, had dinner with My Heart's Desire, watched Big Love, and shared the last cupcake from Cake Love.

How do you know where you belong?

Today I am grateful for: the spring weather, being able to put some time between my thoughts and actions, and the library for lending me An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England.

Yesteray I slept until I woke up, went for a long walk around my neighborhood, saw 9 neighbors washing cars, thought about washing mine, realized I was missing crucial birthday cake ingredient, walked to the market and bought it, made birthday cake with lots of frosting, had a nice phone chat with Mom, discussed Murphy Beds (particularly how they were portrayed in The Great Muppet Caper), attempted to take brief nap, enjoyed veggie burger with gorgonzola My Heart's Desire grilled (it snowed 3" on Monday and was 73* today, perfect grilling weather!), put on new cute springy dress, celebrated friend's birthday, socialized with old friends and new, and fell asleep watching My Name is Bruce.

Today I am grateful for: my electric blanket, being hopeful that my hydrangea plant with thaw and bloom soon, getting lots done at work, politely turning down birthday cake, getting the 20% off my purchase of sheets at Bed, Bath & Beyond retroactively, having a nice chat with an old friend, Craigslist, listening to the 104mph Vegas Mix that my BFF made for a road trip to Sin City for New Year's 2000 (or 2001, I forget), having dinner and watching My Name is Earl with My Heart's Desire, and getting some chores done at home.

What if?

Don't we all ponder... What if? about some choices that we've made? I know I do. What if I had been nicer to my high school boyfriend? What if I had actually stopped smoking the first time I quit instead of smoking on and off for 15 years? What if I had never adopted Gracie Lou Freebush, the best dog of all time? What if I had gone to grad school in Baltimore instead of DC?

Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch is a fabulous book that does more than wonder. Jillian has a perfectly happy little life in the suburbs but asks herself the question we all ask. One day she gets a massage and -- suspend your disbelief here -- she wakes up from her post-massage nap and finds it's seven years ago. Jillian has her old boyfriend, her old job, her old apartment, and the opportunity to make different choices.

I won't give away what happens, don't worry. If you want to read something interesting and fun, then get your hands on this book.

Today I got up early and read, went to see probiotic frozen yogurt kiosk that My Heart's Desire designed, sampled said yogurt (yummy, much better than PinkBerry - still don't know what all the fuss is about that stuff despite BFFs attempts to covert me), looked at purses at H&M, had pancakes at The Silver Diner, met a friend and saw Slumdog Millionaire (LOVED IT!!!), caught up with her over coffee, came home and had dinner in front of the fire with My Heart's Desire.

Today I woke up at 3:30am (I heard something but don't know what), couldn't go back to sleep, watched Six Feet Under, went back to sleep, got up at 8:30am, decided not to wear makeup, worked, had a great lunch with a friend, we caught up on everything, more work, cleaned off my desk, went to Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Dinner at church with My Heart's Desire, met other teachers, loved the performance by the Youth Choir, considered going to Target, came home instead, watched a few episodes of The Simpsons, and read chick-lit library book.

Today I am grateful for: doing AM Yoga first thing (well, first thing after brushing my teeth), the burned velvet scarf (Christmas gift I wore for the first time) that I got lots of compliments on, being able to type fast (one of few things that I learned in high school that I actually use in my life), parenthesis, looking up the meaning of cattywampus, slicing up lemons to stick in my humongous bottle of water, not reacting when annoyed, eating three yummy girl scout cookies, beating the traffic this evening to get where I was going early, having dinner with some of my favorite girls, seeing a friend I haven't seen in ages, listening to An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England, and catching up with My Heart's Desire.

Today I got up early, went to the gym, read Fitness magazine on the treadmill, came home, made PB&J, had coffee with mentee at Starbucks, met friends for sushi, shared cookie with another mentee, browsed fabulous vintage store, picked up a few items at the supermarket, went home to My Heart's Desire, tidied a little, did laundry, made bean and cheese soft tacos with avocado, watched Vegas Vacation and Big Love by the fire with My Heart's Desire, and forgot to floss (going to the dentist tomorrow).

It's cold outside

but it's warm in here by the fire...

Today I am greateful for: sleeping in my own bed, watching the snowflakes fall, the package of hippie soap I love arrived, and curling up by the fire with My Heart's Desire.

Commandment #3: Prepare

This commandment requires thinking ahead and considering what I might need in the future. Some of these things are a lot easier to do than others.

A short list of things for which #3 is doing great:
• Keeping $20 cash handy
• Extra umbrella [actually, I'm on my second one because I lent my last extra umbrella to a friend and haven't gotten it back]
• Emergency sunglasses
• Spare workout clothes, shoes + trashy magazine in car at all times
• Spare winter hat
• Buying lots of cards at once so I don't have to scramble
• Spare granola bar [at work and in the car]
• Small bottle of Advil

Other #3's that I am working on include:
• Getting ready for the day the night before
• Having plenty of healthy snacks handy
• Setting up ticklers in my calendar to remind me to do stuff
• Establishing a schedule (see #8)
• Thinking ahead for possible outcomes
• Adding ten minutes to however long I think it's going to take to get somewhere
• Keeping something to read with me in case I need to wait

Grateful

Today I am grateful for: bringing a fleece jacket to work because even though it's 65* outside it is freezing in my office, remembering my water bottle, my purple pen, Pad Thai, buying a copy of America Anonymous (I had a gift card and Barnes & Noble coupon, I usually don't buy hardbacks), listening to smooove jazz, furiously emailing with a friend, holding hands with My Heart's Desire and being mindful of my #6 commandment.

Valentine's Day

A few years ago my BFF and I decided to exchange Valentine's Day presents instead of Christmas gifts. We've been doing this for at least a few years now and it's really fun. I love creating new traditions.

It takes the pressure off holiday shopping and we can come up with some interesting ideas. On other Valentine's Day, I've gotten her a neighborhoodie sweatshirt (Playa del Rey, but of course), social cards, a piñata, and of course the BFF necklace, similar to the one pictured.

This year I got her _______________ and a really cute ________________. I'll let you know after Saturday.

Even though I'm really glad I quit... sometimes I still miss smoking.

Do I live in a garbage can?

Because I sure am grouchy.

Today I am grateful for stargazer lilies, fixable mistakes, online everything, and warm sweaters.

Commandment #1: Everything counts

There's a reason this commandment is number one. It's really a challenge for me to think this way, especially when it comes to workouts.

Despite my not really being a morning person, the am is the only time I go to the gym during the week. If I don't go in the morning, I don't go. So if I don't get up when my alarm goes off, and keep hitting snooze, I'll think, "I only have 20 minutes to go to the gym - then why bother?"

Now I'm bothering. No, I don't get a full workout in but what I do accomplish, other than a little cardio, is the feeling that going is worth it. And that I feel better when I look at the week and know I went to the gym regularly, even if once was just a brief visit. It also helps establish the habit of getting up and going to the gym. Even though I just did a little workout, everything counts.

This morning in one sentence

I got up at 5:30am, tried to go back to sleep, gave up, went to the gym (who are these people at the gym at 6am?), read Marie Claire, bought gas, went home and startled My Heart's Desire (he hadn't realized I had even left), made an egg white/dill/Parmesan omelet, took a shower, did some writing, was very cold so put on socks, still cold so climbed back in bed just for a minute, got up an hour later, listened to Beyonce's Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), threw on black pants, charcoal top and new favorite pashmina (but of course), forgot to wear makeup, brought my BFF's Valentine's Day present to work to ship, and decided I really need to get a car wash.

Today I am grateful for: getting up before my alarm, doing Yoga, long johns, comfy socks, snowflakes on my eyelashes, getting the best parking space at work I have ever gotten, having a door at work I can close (and did), being able to do the smart thing, the snow and ice scraper My Heart's Desire put in my car, chocolate-covered marshmallows (the Crate & Barrel ones are really good), practicing holding my tongue, and the Coca-Cola clock one of my writer's group members gave me last night (it really does tick loud but in my bathroom I'm glad to know the time when I'm getting ready).

Three Jerk Rule

I've been told that if you come across three jerks in one day, that you are, in fact, the jerk. It's not the other people that are the problem, it's your attitude.

And today, I was a jerk. This afternoon I was behind a few terrible drivers (very frustrating) and I was very annoyed at people in the crosswalk (they had the right of the way but I thought they didn't). Ugh, jerks! I realized then that I was, in fact, the jerk.

So I had to give myself a few minutes to adjust my attitude and take deep breaths. I also considered #2 of my 2009 Commandments: Be Kind. With a few minutes of contemplation and breathing, I was able to let go of the frustration and start over. I had given myself plenty of time to get where I was going and did not have to drive like I was going to win something. Amazingly enough, on the way home I didn't see a single jerk.

Today I am grateful for: getting 10 hours of sleep, the fleece LA Dodgers blanket my friend Carlos sent me that keeps me warm at work, Mad Men (just started watching), the library emails telling me to pick up and return books, my mentor, the Sweaty, Sweet & Shameless workout mix I got from a friend (she wasn't kidding about the shameless),workout sneakers I liked so much I bought another pair, being able to stay at a cozy B&B at a conference instead of the corporate hotel I stayed at last time that didn't enforce their smoke-free policy, the Barnes & Noble gift card I thought I'd spent but has $23 left on it, DC restaurant week is coming soon, and the fire My Heart's Desire made for us to enjoy.

He takes the cake

For the past few days, My Heart's Desire claimed he had some type of surprise for me, but I was very skeptical. Last night I came home around 10pm, tired from my long day. Imagine my surprise when I came home and our house was not only warm but also smelled really good.

"Did you make cookies?" I asked. He only laughed.

I went upstairs and found a perfect yellow cake, already cool and ready for frosting. We frosted it with milk chocolate frosting (the really good kind) and each had a piece.

I was so touched that he baked for me. Other than grilling (which he's terrific at), My Heart's Desire's culinary exploits are usually limited to boiling hot dogs and microwaving Hot Pockets.



The yellow cake with chocolate frosting was exactly what I wanted. And it was yummy!

Today I am grateful for: getting a good night's sleep, having a short commute to work, the mail order pharmacy that calls me when it's time for refills, a $5 copay for three months Rx, listening to Sirius Symphony Hall at work, writing press releases to amuse myself and send to friends, having dinner with some of my favorite people, seeing an acquaintance I haven't seen in ages, spell check, my shopping philosophy (if it's not an absolute yes, it's a no), listening to The Whole World Over by Julia Glass, being asked for advice, getting referrals to wonderful B&B's, and watching episodes of The Simpsons with My Heart's Desire.

Last week, a family friend (who's known me since I was 2) came over on and showed me how to make "gravy" (meaty marinara sauce) from scratch and we assembled a lasagna. It's the old family recipe, handed down to me from the Bronx.

Since I baked the lasagna, My Heart's Desire and I have had it for dinner twice and lunch once. Of course it was fantastic. There's still one piece left. And we also have some leftover gravy in the freezer, which we will enjoy soon.

My Heart's Desire and I talked about how we entertain a lot, especially in the summer, when we can use the deck and outside and she suggested such delights as Lemonade Pie, Strawberry Jell-O Cake, and Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. Now I can't wait for summer!

But after all of that talk of food and cooking and desserts, I keep thinking about yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

The second Wednesday in February I am going to a potluck and already know what I'm going to bake and frost.

#3 Prepare

This morning I was oh, so proud of myself for getting up early and driving to the gym in the dark and pouring rain. When I got to the gym and was taking my stuff out of my car, I dropped the clean shirt I was going to wear to work in a puddle.

I went in and asked the desk clerk if she could toss it in the dryer and learned that my gym uses a towel service. Oh, well. So I worked out, stretched, then went back home to get ready and wear dry clothes.

I grabbed an extra sweater and brought it to work so that if I ever need a clean/dry top, I'm prepared.

Today I am grateful for: being able to take good care of My Heart's Desire, laughing when I made a mistake instead of getting mad, finding a good parking spot at work, seeing photos of a friend in her wedding dress (she's getting married this fall), making plans to meet with my writing group next week, IM, chicken panang from my restaurant, Amina Thai, post-holiday sales, spending all but $.15 of my 2008 flexible spending account, and getting a kick out of The House Bunny.

My 9 Commandments

I make goals every year. I’ve learned it’s the things I do every day that have changed me, not what I do once in a while.

And even if I don’t accomplish my annual goals, they get me a lot closer to where I was before, and I appreciate the value of that.

One of my favorite blogs is The Happiness Project, and I’ve written my own personal commandments for the New Year.

Here are my 2009 Commandments:

1. Everything counts
2. Be kind
3. Prepare
4. Write three times a week, even if it’s only a little
5. In a 50/50 relationship, give 100%
6. Learn from experience
7. Respond, not react
8. Create a schedule that works for me
9. Complain less, compliment more.

Today I am grateful for: sleeping until I wake up, finding machines at the gym (despite all the resolvers), saving $6 at the supermarket with coupons, buying Christmas cloth napkins on super-extra-ultimate sale, running errands with My Heart's Desire and staying calm despite the crowds, catching up on laundry, being able to help out a friend, reading the paper by the fire, watching P.S. I Love You, the cheesiest film I could find, when Charlie sits next to me and cuddles, then lets out a tiny cat sigh of contentment, and deciding not to take down the holiday decorations quite yet.

So long and thanks for all the fish

Goodbye, 2008!

Today I am grateful for: my dad's birthday gift (from Etsy, of course) arriving in the mail, cheap travel alerts at SideStep, making decent coffee, being able to be of service, talking books with my girlfriends, buying a warm, comfy, and dressy wool wrap (is that a great combo or what?), fancy cheeses from Whole Foods, the person I don't see a lot but who gives great hugs, getting a referral for an awesome place to stay in Block Island next year (going for a wedding), having things to look forward to, making up my own Mad Libs, and having a nice chat with my BFF.

2008 Greatest Hits

Books
Middlesex
by Jeffrey Eugenides (I know this book was huge a few years ago but I was reluctant to read it until now)

This Charming Man by Marian Keyes


What is the What by Dave Eggers

Local Getaway
Trip to Philadelphia to see the Frida Kahlo art exhibit and eat cheesesteaks

Family Visit
Meeting My Heart's Desire's 97-year-old Great-Aunt in Florida. She's a pistol. I love how she just says whatever she thinks. And she made us fried hamburgers on buttered English Muffins.

Strangest vegetable we got from the CSA
Kohlrabi, or as My Heart's Desire called it, The Alien Baby Head


Thrift
Retail Me Not

Surprise
How many of my girlfriends (3!) got engaged this year

New Tradition
Monthly Tuesday night dinner with some of my favorite girls

Birthday Party
One of my girlfriends celebrated at the bowling alley, followed by cake and pizza. Super fun!

Flowers
The ones My Heart's Desire sent for our April Fool's Day wedding anniversary

New Food I Tried And Don't Have to Again
Moon Pies

Long-Running Gag
The small rubber chicken My Heart's Desire put in my birthday pinata, which we take turn hiding in places around the house where the other will find it. Endless amusement.

Guilty Pleasure
Watching CSI

Used Bookstore
Friends of the San Antonio Public Library


Afternoon Playing Hooky
(tie) Leaving work early to watch Vicky Christy Barcelona with a girlfriend

Spending the afternoon with my Mom and honorary grandmother having lunch at Levante's then catching a matinee of Happy-Go-Lucky

Earliest Birthday Celebration
6:15 am in Falls Church

Dreaded Experience... That Wasn't So Bad
Root Canal (I really expected it to be much worse)

Fancy cake at party celebrating family weddings


Breakfast
Huevos Rancheros at Guapos

Best Brunch
Firefly at the Hotel Madiera

Perfect Summer Evening
Having a picnic on the lawn with friends at Wolf Trap, dancing to the Gipsy Kings under the stars

Hotel
Fairmont Turnberry Isle

Today I am grateful for: being able to hold down the fort at work, the Hearst magazine sale, gmail, holiday music on Sirius, having nice chats with each of my mentees, whoever invented chicken panang, lemon cupcakes from the Randolph bakery, returning The Story of Edward Sawtelle to the library (I got through 8 of 18 CDs before I gave up), listening to The Third Angel (I'm LOVING it so far), watching My Heart's Desire take care of Charlie Cat, the old school ornaments on our tree, and my electric blanket.

Oh, so cozy by the fire

Today I went to work, got stuff done, had a doctor's appointment, listened to The Story of Edgar Sawtelle (disc 5 of 18), came home, faux cleaned the house (looks great... just don't peek in the guest room), two girlfriends came over, baked chocolate chip cookies, ate stuffed-crust pizza, decorated sugar cookies with homemade frosting (the really, really sugary kind, my favorite) red hots, sprinkles, candy glitter, tiny marshmallows, and more red hots, laughed a lot, listened to holiday music, did two loads of laundry, planned holiday menus, ordered birthday present for Dad, watched two episodes of The Simpsons with My Heart's Desire -- now, good night!

“I cannot live without books.” - Thomas Jefferson, 1815

Grateful

Today it is easy for me to be grateful that My Heart's Desire and I are happy and healthy.

Back to Mexico

Today it hit me that my mom is g-o-n-e and I'm blue.

Sunday!

Woke up at 5:10 am to say goodbye to Mom, watched episode of Brotherhood, ate sesame bagel with cream cheese, went back to sleep, friend called at 9:43 am and I acted like I wasn't sleeping even though I was, alarm went off at 9:45 am, taught Sunday School class, had huevos rancheros at brunch with some of my favorite girls, talked with a friend I hadn't seen since last summer, chatted at Starbucks with my mentor, went to the supermarket, put groceries away, did two loads of laundry, lounged on sofa with Once Upon A Day, welcomed the cats home from their vacation, had dinner with My Heart's Desire, and watched My Name is Earl.

Christmas Cookies - Part II

First we have the traditional holiday tree


If you squint a little you can see this is a snowman



Santa with a bag of toys



And, of course, the holiday lobster.

Gratitude

Today I am grateful for: shipping my first two holiday gifts already, planning a visit to the farm to buy or chop down (My Heart's Desire's idea) a Christmas tree, that I have so far avoided the nasty colds that are going around, people who stay home when they are sick, flexible spending, that so many women are coming to the brunch this Sunday, buying the last Obama handbag for my Mom, talking to my favorite new bride, having Chicken Souvlaki for dinner with some friends, talking about our Best Childhood Christmas (mine was, hands-down, the one where my sister and I got the Barbie Dream House!), and the great-smelling fire that My Heart's Desire made.

Sunday!

Got up around 9, had leftover Pad Thai from Amina Thai for breakfast, bundled up, drove to Baltimore with my Mom, it was an amazingly clear day to see the skyline, enjoyed the Bedazzled! exhibit at The Walters Art Museum, wondered why people don't commission cameos for their beloveds anymore, chatted with Mom over a leisurely, nummy brunch at Donna's (I had the breakfast rotolo), perused used treasures at The Book Escape, filled up my gas tank for $22.33, left Baltimore, stopped by the Georgia Avenue library, baked sugar cookies with Mom all evening, ran out to Safeway to buy food coloring, loved the way the house smelled when I came back, made icing, stood by the fire until my pants were really warm, iced some cookies, finished the leftover Pad Thai and had an apple with stinky/delicious blue cheese for dinner, kissed My Heart's Desire, passed out cold.

Today I am grateful for: rather being happy than right, getting a decent parking space at work, realizing that most things are not about me, feeling happy and calm, getting home before the rain started, making dinner with my Mom, clementines, my new Christmas stocking, and my pink plaid flannel jammies.

Gratitude

Today I am grateful for: Never Let Me Go book on CD I borrowed from the library, British accents, the white noise machine in my office that drowns out other sounds, communicating with old friends on Facebook, meeting a friend for dinner, cookies from the Heidelberg Bakery, the Target near my house that is open until 11pm this month, my very cozy breakfast-in-bed flannel sheets, and that My Heart's Desire holds my hand whenever I want.

Christmas Cookies

Is there anything better than homemade Christmas cookies? I didn't think so. The smell of the cookies, the fun of decorating, and of course the official tastings.

I recently borrowed a bunch of cookie cutters from My Heart's Desire's Mom, and now I can't wait to bake. In addition to the usual trees, snowmen, and stars, there's also a holiday cat and Christmas giraffe - how festive!

It's been ages since I made homemade Christmas cookies, usually I am too busy or just don't want a house full of cookies. This year, however, I am finding my cooling racks again. I'll wear the holiday apron my Mom made me, my house will smell like sugar, and I'll have lots of fun frosting.

Holiday Spirit

The holidays are here! I have plenty of holiday spirit to go around. I'm trying to convince My Heart's Desire we should buy a tree this week (Boy Scout troops are selling them near our house) and start putting up our decorations. And I bought a Christmas stocking that should arrive this week. And, of course, "Joy to the World 2008," my holiday mix is finished.

I'm hostessing a second annual holiday potluck brunch for some of my favorite girls next weekend, which was one of my favorite holiday events last year. It's easy and fun, people always offer to help clean up, and there's no drama or stress. All I do is: put out extra towels in the bathroom, bring up the extra table from the basement, make a fire (okay, I ask My Heart's Desire to do it), make coffee in my party-size coffee pot, bake something easy, and spend time with my guests, most of whom know each other. It's lovely.

Thanksgiving Edition: Gratitude

Today I am grateful for: friends and family, mentors and mentees, seeing people I haven't seen since Christmas, that we are all healthy, holiday delights, having dinner early, whoever invented dream bars, holiday music, watching four cats running amok, that my Sunday School class (along with my Heart's Desire and I) worked the food drive from my church to make Thanksgiving grocery bags for hungry families last Sunday, being part of a faith community, everyone who called to say "Happy Thanksgiving!", not having to drive anywhere today, moderate weather, having hot water in the shower this evening, and feeling the love.

the (blue) cheese stands alone

I love, love, love cheese. And Cheesetique is offering a blue cheese class but everyone I asked to go with me pleaded a dislike of blue cheese.

Alas, for the price I could probably go to Whole Foods and try every kind of cheese they have.

To the fromage!

Grateful

Today I am grateful for: it being too warm in my office (instead of too cold like yesterday, brrr!) and wearing a t-shirt underneath my so-cozy-is-it-really-a-blanket-sweater, getting a Sat afternoon hair appointment, getting free shipping from drugstore.com (I went to four stores and couldn't find the hippie soap I like so I ordered it online), listening to Sirius Real Jazz at work, listening to Alice Hoffman's The River King and not minding traffic, making plans to bake and decorate holiday cookies with a friend, going to The Silver Diner for dinner on Kids Night and sitting on the side of the diner where there were no children, sharing a piece of carrot cake, feeling at home, seeing some pals I haven't seen in a while, watching my BFF on Cha$e with My Heart's Desire.

Woke up early and read Middlesex, taught Sunday School class at church, went to lunch at my favorite Indian restaurant, went to the hippie market (they did not have the soap I love) and got a loaf of bread that weighs as much as a bowling ball, did some laundry at home, went to the happiest place on earth with My Heart's Desire, collected twigs while he stacked logs (we had a cord of firewood delivered last week), met with one of my mentees, enjoyed our first fire of the fall, had dinner, finally watched Run Fatboy Run, and bought a pair of shoes to replace the worn-out ones I'd been wearing until one of the cats threw up on them.

Tray tables, seat backs, IV's

I dreamed that I had the best seat in coach ( I could see right out of the plane's windshield) and that a dentist needed my assistance giving an elderly patient an IV. I told him he'd be better off alone but the dentist insisted that I help. Then the plane landed on a freeway instead of a runway.

Short/sweet

Today I am grateful that I'm healthy, it's usually easy to be nice and The Garden of Last Days.

Winter Wonderland

I know it's a little early, but I've already started making my holiday 2008 mix.

Television

I think of myself as someone who doesn't watch a lot of TV. That could be because I don't like most of the stuff that's on it. And I watch the shows that I like (Dexter, True Blood) either On Demand (I wanna give a big kiss to whoever invented it) or get the whole season from Netflix (Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives). Sometimes I'll watch Dirty Jobs, Bizarre Foods or Good Eats, but that's about as much as I enjoy.

My Heart's Desire, on the other hand, is someone who has at least one TV on if he is at home and awake. Sometimes I'll come home and he'll be in the kitchen and have the TV on downstairs and in the living room. For him, it's background. For me, it's annoying. He regularly falls asleep on the sofa with the TV on.

We eat a lot of dinners in front of the TV. And we can be sucked in to spending entire weekend afternoons on the couch watching one DIY show after another. The first show is okay but after that it can feel hard to motivate to do something else.


I've happily lived without cable for years and lived in our house without it for a few months. The weekend after My Heart's Desire moved in we had cable. He doesn't like living without it. When we were looking for ways to save money, I suggested 86ing the cable. He'd rather live without hot water.

We both enjoying staying at Bed & Breakfasts. And one of the reasons I like it so much is because they often don't have TV sets. At first I can tell it's strange for him, but then we find something else to do. I also always bring games, cards, and (if I remember) Mad Libs. More than just a getaway for us, it's also a vacation from the TV.

Dropped off dry cleaning, realized I forgot mobile phone at home, got a toasted poppy bagel with light cream cheese (the place by my office puts on the perfect amount), went to work, had lots to do, packed up my office (am moving to a different floor tomorrow, don't ask why), had doctor's appointment, came home to pick up phone (nobody called), went and got massage (got four calls while on the table) that was physical therapy-like (I don't know if I liked it or not yet), met My Heart's Desire at store, helped him buy black pants, bought self a pair of jeans, talked to family members on phone, shared Boston Market chicken dinner with My Heart's Desire, tidied up at home, threw in a load of laundry, and am going to try and keep eyes open so we can watch Run, Fatboy, Run.

Got up before my alarm, went for a walk around my neighborhood, did am yoga (I really like Rodney Yee -- could he please wear pants though?), called a friend and sang for her birthday, went to work, had lots to do, picked up fresh produce from the CSA, hung out at home and enjoyed the quiet alone, had some pizza and watched Dexter with My Heart's Desire, then will make list and go to sleep.

Email from My Heart's Desire

are you trying to kill me with these sandwiches? you didn't take the plastic off the cheese!

Very scary

When I was a teenager, I lived in ripped jeans and ratty t-shirts (some hand decorated when I painted my bedroom gray). Oh, and bandannas as headbands. I don't know why. Anyway, one Halloween I went to my siblings' elementary school for some reason and one of the kids asked me, "What are you dressed up as?" I had to say, "These are my clothes!"

Boo!

My Heart's Desire strung up lights (candy corn, black cat, pumpkin, and ghosts!) and made our house very festive. We also decorated with bats, rats, pumpkins, mummies and spiders. Last year we got lots of kids (and a few teenagers, which is fine as long as they wear a costume) and we have plenty of candy to give away tonight as well.
Happy Halloween!

GratiTuesday

Today I am grateful for how much My Heart's Desire loves me.

GratiTuesday

Today I am grateful for: beating traffic this morning, having a car, finding gas for $2.75, not making a bad situation worse, listening to books on CD in my car, being able to be flexible, watching True Blood on demand with My Heart's Desire, and going to bed before 9:30 (I got up at 5:45am).

Just got American Wife from the library. Will let you know.

Went to Sunday School this morning (I'm teaching the high school youths* again this year), talked to a friend in New York, had brunch with some new and old friends at Harry's Tap Room, bought used books from the Wheaton library, hung out with My Heart's Desire, watched episodes of Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives, tried on clothes I ordered from TravelSmith and LL Bean, made grilled cheese, soup and salad for dinner, and finally went through the big ol' mail basket.

*It is almost impossible for me to hear the word youths and not think of My Cousin Vinny -- "The two yutes, your honor."

Classy

Last night my writer's group took a class together. It's the first time we've done that since we were all in school. It was great to do something different and flex our creative muscles. Our instructor shushed our inner judge and just let us see where the prompts took us.

Exhibit A, circa 1984

My brother wrote this letter to me and stuck it under my door when we were kids. What kills me about this is that he asks me not to be crabby all the time. Like, sometimes crabby, okay. Just not all the time. Then he tries to cheer me up with a joke.

A Hitch in My Giddy-Up

I've been a little short-tempered and crankly lately.

GratiTuesday

Today I am greateful for: going for a medium walk this morning, learning I was making a big deal out of nothing (instead of ingoring a big deal), paying 0% on a transfer balance, seeing some of my favorite women, my mentor, being able to think before I act, the many strands of Halloween lights (pumpkins! candy corn! ghosts! black cats! other pumpkins!) My Heart's Desire put up at home, and Berger's cookies.

A pathetic sandwich

Three mornings a week I send My Heart's Desire to work with a lunch bag, sometimes leftovers, sometimes a Lean Cuisine, usually a sandwich, piece of fruit, and bag of chips. Most of the time I make lunches the night before, but today I made both our lunches in the morning.

I got two calls and an IM from My Heart's Desire around lunchtime where he complained that the sandwich I made him was pathetic. Between the slices of rye bread were just two measly pieces of cheese and a little ranch dressing. Evidently I took the meat out of the fridge and forgot to put it in the sandwich.

He wondered if I was mad at him or just being a jerk for some reason. Nope, just neglected the meat. I offered to send a pizza to his office but he declined. Then came home very grumpy and hungry. I put out wheat thins and cheese to take the edge off his grouchiness. It kind of worked.

CORRECTION: My Heart's Desire claims they were two "paper-thin" slices of cheese.

Very odd fall

The leaves are turning on the big trees in the backyard.
But it's so warm that I cut six hydrangeas from my garden and brought them to work to liven up my office. A few nights last week were downright chilly and tomorrow it's supposed to be 85*. I like wearing open-toed shoes every day, but am ready for the weather to change so My Heart's Desire can make fires and we can sip hot cocoa.

After a few days in the fridge-o

We revisited the pesto. My Heart's Desire and I were surprised that it was really, really good. The flavors came together and it was delicious, sharp, and a little nutty. We couldn't cook the pasta fast enough. With some broccoli (my idea) and Texas toast (his idea), it was a perfect dinner.

Amazon.com doesn't know me very well

Amazon.com recommended All We Ever Wanted Was Everything. Some parts of it were interesting, but altogether I found it disappointing. I didn't really care about the characters and found the plot was lacking.

I wanted to like it. Really, I did. Some women's fiction books are very enjoyable, including Baby Proof, Good Grief, and of course Rachel's Holiday, one of my faves. I no longer have a copy because I lent it to a friend who still hasn't read it.

I also subscribe to tons and tons of periodicals so that I can read them while I am at the gym. But lately the weather's been so nice that I've been walking in the mornings before work. The window of pleasant weather - not sweltering or freezing - is really small. I'm enjoying taking long walks around the neighborhood and being outside. So now I've got a humongous stack of magazines to devour. Off to read!

Came home too late-o to finish pesto

I think it will stay okay in the fridge. And we may throw some fresh basil in for good measure to give it more flavor. By looking at our basil plants, you wouldn't think we harvested last weekend. But we did.

Our pesto was just okay-o

My Heart's Desire and I harvested basil from our window garden and made pesto with a recipe from Rosie Daley. It turned out okay but not great. We put it in the fridge overnight and are hoping it will taste better tomorrow.

Got up early and am going for a walk before work - Tuesday's my day to be grateful, and I'm ready!

Is this, like, some kind of irony?

Fall is my favorite season and I think I'm allergic to it.

Hippie Girl Update

This hippie girl dries almost everything on a clothesline on the porch (also 'cuz I'm a thrifty girl). And I bring my sandwiches to work wrapped in cloth napkins; I got some really cute ones from Etsy.

I bought a share of a share of local community supported agriculture and will be having farm-fresh food starting next week.

Last night when I was cold, I put on a sweatshirt and dove beneath a blanket rather than turning up the heat (which was on a balmy 58*). Evidently there's quite a bit of crossover between hippie and thrifty.

I've also been shopping more at My Organic Market. The sampling there on weekends is quite a lovely situation. And I've been trying to encourage My Heart's Desire to like whole grain breads, though so far - hmm, not so much. I like my bread to be as heavy as a bowling ball.

Today I am grateful for: having an office where I can shut the door, the last hydrangeas of the season from my garden, going home at lunch, beautiful fall afternoons, being able to order the library books I want, beating traffic (or actually giving myself enough time to get somewhere), the way that Germans have a word for everything (schadenfruede, doppelganger), remembering that I forgot to sign my timesheet and signing it later, having delicious dinner at Portabello’s (Fritto Misto salad was spectacular) with five friends - some new, some old, a wonderful evening, store-bought cake with chocolate frosting and watching The Simpsons with My Heart’s Desire.

I don't know if you know this about me, but being told no does not dissuade me. It only makes me go about getting the answer I want in a different way. When I send work out for publication, I get at least 50 no's before I get one yes. So I've developed a thick skin to being told no. And every no I get just means I'm that much closer to a yes.

Saturday

Today I got up almost as early as I get up during the week (after going to bed with a horrendous headache last night) and read for two hours (Watermelon, by one of my favorite writers), ate PB&J with an apple (of course), went to the gym, hit the organic market for expensive peppermint soap, super-wheat bread, vitamins, and trail mix, hung out with My Heart's Desire, went to the happiest place on earth, had dinner while watching a movie My Heart's Desire chose, and chilled at home.

Better late than never

Today I am grateful for: The Four Agreements (especially the second agreement),getting plenty of sleep, waking up early, good-smelling shampoo, getting to work early, feeling sore from yesterday's workout, staying in touch with friends, having plenty of food in the fridge, making homemade soup (even though it turned out... less than delightful), having a trip to Vero Beach, Fl, to look forward to, buying a South Florida travel guide that will be here in a jiffy, an unexpected gift, wearing jeans, a sweatshirt, and flip-flops, a new workout playlist, sharing dinner with My Heart's Desire, and diving back into One Fifth Avenue.

Finally!

My Heart's Desire and I broke down and went to the grocery store. Now we have food. But mostly we're eating apples (we went apple-picking on Saturday and came home with a bushel). Apple slices, apples with Nutella, apples with caramel...

Mrs. Cranky Pants

I know it’s Tuesday and I’m supposed to be grateful, but for some reason today I have been Mrs. Cranky Pants. Ugh.

Still haven’t gone to the grocery store quiche

From the freezer:
Pie crust
Broccoli, cauliflower

From the pantry:
Cream of broccoli soup
Artichoke hearts
Flour

From the fridge:
Milk
Cheddar
Parmesan
Eggs

Preheat oven to 375. Then put in pie crust for 10 minutes.

Mix all ingredients together, except save ½ c cheese.

Pour into pie crust. Top with cheese. Bake for 45 min.

My Heart’s Desire was impressed, it was a delight.

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Grocery-less

For some reason, neither My Heart’s Desire nor I will go to the grocery store. We discussed going together at some point last weekend, but the idea was rejected. And it’s been a couple of weeks since either of us has gone so now we really need a lot of stuff – like bread, milk, yogurt, Lean Cuisines, peanut butter, produce, cheese, etc. Which is one of the reasons we ordered pizza on Sunday.

We ate the pizza for lunch and dinner on Sunday; on Monday for dinner we ate steaks (defrosted) with grilled potatoes and cucumber slices with peanut sauce; yesterday I had sushi with friends and he polished off the pizza; and tonight we’ll be having either sloppy joes on buns that have been in the downstairs freezer since July 5 with or vegetarian chili.

I wonder how long we can keep up this grocery embargo. As far as produce goes, I have a dozen cherry tomatoes, a cucumber, and a peach that I bought from the roadside stand on Monday before I got my fancy-pants manicure and pedicure. Other meals we could fix include: shrimp with Spanish rice, frittata (if I can figure out how to make one) and hamburgers. We’ll see how long we can resist the lure of the supermarket. We don’t have lots of stuff, but we do have plenty of Diet Coke. So I won’t be the one who cracks!

It's the little things, really

Today I am grateful for: my shamelessly bad playlist, getting to my meeting downtown early, mail-order prescription refills, having lunch with My Heart’s Desire, getting things off my plate at work and on to the next phase, being able to be nice, having inexpensive, yummy sushi at WasabiSito in Arlington with friends, reading The Ten-Year Nap, and going to bed nice and early.

Oh, like, duh

Sorry -- just figured out that the moderate comments feature moved. So now I will approve comments in a more timely manner.

Easy like Sunday morning

Boiling hot day - taught first Sunday School class of the year, came home, My Heart's Desire and I both unmotivated to cook so we ordered pizza for brunch, dozed off reading The Post-Birthday World (interesting premise, though overwritten and discusses coarse topics in most pretentious literary fashion possible), met with friend, switched purses (finally!), talked to Dad, made food for tomorrow, checked bank balance, friended gal on FB, listened to most shameless playlist to date, and considered joining Costco.

Area Man Does Not Like Road Trips

My Heart's Desire and I are planning a trip to Florida to visit his 95-year-old great Aunt. Of course I wanted to drive. Which is how I found out he doesn't like road trips.

I, on the other hand, am quite fond of the road trip. Being able to get to where I'm going at my own pace, as well as stopping often for bathroom breaks and to sample local delights. Not to mention the road trip music CD's burned for the occasion. I've logged many thousands of miles in road trips (4k was the longest but gas was only $1.10) from LA to any-damn-where, from DC to Delaware and southern Virginia.

My BFF reminded me that the #1 rule of road trips is: don't go on one with someone who doesn't like road trip. She and I have gone on many a road trip together, with The Bad Girls' Guide to the Open Road as our trusty guide.

But, really, what's not to like about road trips? Singing bad songs really loudly, a car full of snacks (Twizzlers for sure), and tales from America. How else would I have stories about getting a sheriff's escort off Alamo grounds, the world's largest thermometer, Casa de Fruta, squishing a penny at Graceland, and the 103mph Vega$ mix?

How do you know if you are a grown-up?

I told My Heart's Desire that I didn't feel like a real grown-up. He scoffed and asked me, "You have a job, a bank account, a place to live, friends, belong to a church, and are married -- what else do you need?

I don't know. How do you know if you are a real, bona fide adult? Is it something you just decide? Or do you just start faking it and hope it will work out? In some ways, I feel very adult. After all, I have a savings account and a 401k. And I make killer guacamole. But there's still loads I need to do.

Sometimes I think about where my mom (I was nine when she was my age) and all of her responsibilities, she was married with three kids and a mortgage and a part-time job and frosted her girlfriend's hair while they sipped Tab and smoked menthol lights.

Do real grown-ups wear sneakers to work on days they don't have any meetings? Do they call their best friend their BFF? Do they see The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (both 1 and 2) in the theater? Do they still use college slang? Do they hate to wear makeup? Do they eat Eggo waffles with peanut butter and jelly for dinner?

Today I am grateful for: waking up before my alarm (unprecedented!), going to the gym, finding cool B&B’s in San Antonio that take the government rate, being able to put a serious dent in my credit card debt, having dinner with some of my favorite people at a diner that serves fries with every entrée (seriously – order an omelet or salad, you’re still getting fries), being able to connect to others in a meaningful way, talking to my mentor, and watching Bizarre Foods with My Heart’s Desire.

I'm ready for fall - for sweaters and crisp air and fresh apples and fires.

You like-a the mozz?!

I took my own free advice: Try new things, even if you’re scared.

As mentioned previously, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle has been changing the way I think about food. I have been going out of my way to go to the organic store and to the local Farmers Markets, which are plentiful and bountiful. Despite the fact that I’m running out of Diet Coke, it’s going pretty well. Last week I ordered a cheesemaking kit so that I could try and make my own cheese.

Today I came home from the organic market with a gallon of whole milk and proceeded to follow the pretty simple directions. My Heart’s Desire and I measured, dissolved, heated, stirred, drained, microwaved, stirred, and salted the milk for about half an hour. Then we had fresh, warm mozzarella cheese! It was delicious. I ate some while it was still warm. Then we made a pizza (olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and onions on my half, just onions on My Heart’s Desire’s half) and used our homemade mozzarella to top it. It was a dairy delight.

Hurricane Hannah

It's just pretty soggy, rainy and kinda windy outside - but we still have electricity (for now).

Charlottesville, Va

Does anyone read this blog...

or am I just amusing myself?

Local sauce

Today I made a pasta sauce made mostly from local ingredients. I started with fresh tomatoes from my colleague's garden, a local onion from the organic market, basil and peppers from My Heart's Desire's garden in the front window, and leftover grass-fed, local steak (last night's dinner, also from organic market). The only non-local items were the tomato paste (at first I just made a really good bruschetta) and the sun-dried tomatoes that I added for sweetness. I served it over pasta and it was a hit!