Tuesday March 31st

This picture isn't from last night, but I did feel this way after 2 shots of Café Patron - whoever invented this beverage is a pure assassin/genius. I met friends for dinner and a few at Slainte (pronounced Slawn Cha, which means Cheers! in Gaelic), it’s a new Irish pub within walking distance to my place, so awesome. Boyfriend stumbled in mid-girl talk and proceeded to tell us how crappy of an Irish bar this place was. Even though everyone there is actually Irish, with a real Irish accent, and the singer was even sporting a “Pogues” shirt. Slainte!

Monday March 30th

Ahhh, the dreaded boob check. Even at the ripe age of 29, my doc still feels it's necessary to check out the suspicious "lumps" in my left breast. I understand, Grandma had a double masectomy, so it's better safe than sorry. So here I am, in not such a cute outfit, waiting for the tech. I'm pretty sure I'm just lumpy but I guess I'll leave that up to her to decide.

Sunday March 29th

After breakfast at The Bread Box with the crew on Sunday, Liz and I went on a mirror mission for my latest project. We had the best time together and came out with some great pieces. It's not finished but here's what it looks like so far -

Saturday March 28th

I really hope you didn't just spend the first few seconds of this post counting our margarita glasses. Lace Ann, Valerie, Rita and I all went to Bradley's for lunch on Saturday. I've been dying for Rita to meet Val for years now, and this was the perfect setting, since Rita was in town for a tennis tournament earlier in the week, and she'd planned to stay with me on Saturday night before she headed back home to Orlando. While Bradley's may be famous for injuries and hangovers in the past, we breezed through a light lunch and a few of their famous margaritas and made it home with all of our toenails in tact.

Friday March 27th

I'm super happy to be home after a long week of airports, hotels, and flight delays. Boyfriend made this amazing soup tonight and we watched, "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" which was much cuter than I anticipated. I love relaxing nights like this with boyfriend.

Thursday March 26th

Off the Master Cleanse and ready to relax after bizarre happenings here in El Paso, we opted for what else but a top shelf margarita on the rocks. Since our arrival, we've had everything from wind strong enough to knock us over and make us scream like little girls trying to fight our way back to our car, to applicants that applied for positions that you would never, ever, be able to tell your mother about. I mean, when someone applies for, "cock", it’s clearly a sign that unemployment is on the…err, rise?

Tuesday March 24th, Wednesday March 25th

I stayed on the Master Cleanse miraculously through Tuesday and most of Wednesday while in El Paso, TX for work. When we first arrived, my boss (Jennifer) and I took a scenic drive and quickly got out and snapped this picture before bolting back to our car and locking the doors. Juarez is all over the news at this point, and we can see it from every major highway we drive on.

Monday March 23rd

And so today is the 3rd day of the cleanse. I guess it's a good thing that my Grandma gave me her juicer before she moved. What isn't good is that it's manual, and was probably made before I was born.

Sunday March 22nd

Kim bought me this awesome photo hanging-thingy as a housewarming gift, which is super cool. It took forever to find a place to hang it where it actually looked decent (and the nail went in to the ceiling easily...) so I hung it up yesterday, along with some art I bought. I might put pictures in it for now, or cards I get from friends (now that I have my own place, I tend to get a lot of cards in the mail from my friends! Thanks ladies!) But I was also thinking for parties, I could change the pictures to who is attending, or do something theme-appropriate. It's the little things like this that I get such a kick out of. Oh, and I also attempted to put up the new chandelier I purchased, but it's just not ready. I think I want to paint it a dark purple/red first, it's a really boring wood color now.

Saturday March 21st

Who knew so many social activities revolved around eating? I mean drinking alcohol, I understand, but trying to think of things to do other than planning my next meal is really quite difficult. So we went bowling...which I suck at by the way, but it was actually still fun. I usually only like things that I'm awesome at. Surprisingly, there were tons of people at the bowling alley - YOUNG people, so it was great people watching. They played dance music, rap mostly, and people actually "got low" on their way up to throw the ball. Crazy.

Friday March 20th

Today was my first day of The Master Cleanse, boy is it good to be home. And by good, I mean shit, now I have to chug a liter of salt water. At least I have something to look forward to tonight, a movie date to see "I love you, Man".

Thursday March 19th

Last night I ate ice cream and brownies in preparation for Day 1 of the Master Cleanse tomorrow. I am already trying to figure out how I can stop the cleanse before my 10 days are up. If I can make it 1/2 way through, I will be happy. Last time I only made it 2 days.

Oh yeah, and I painted this.

Wednesday March 18th

I went to a step-aerobics class tonight that kicked my ass. Who knew you had to be so coordinated to get some good cardio in? Between the old ladies counting at me and guiding me when I screwed up, and the pain I have in my calves for being daring and adding two levels to my "step", I think I will reconsider ditching bootcamp for a "girly" workout to avoid the rain.

I went home and painted, hated what I painted and made a mess over it. I think I’ll hang it in my bedroom, it’s the right colors and it will remind me to be more patient.

Tuesday March 17th (St. Patrick's Day and Raegan's 5th Birthday!)

Instead of drinking with the Irish today, I colored hair for the Scottish instead. My sister-in-law came over last night and I colored her hair from a dark red to a cranberry chocolate. While coloring, V called and said she is staying at the Westin in Key West over Easter weekend. Somehow I missed her on the email chain, for crying out loud, my best friend of all people! It's destiny that she has somehow planted herself in the same hotel, on the same weekend as all of us girls, without even knowing about the trip. It's kind of funny how things like that work out. She was having a blast in the Irish district in Chicago celebrating St. Patrick's Day, so she wasn't too mad at me by night's end. Phew.

Monday March 16th

WHOA this is a close up that I really didn't need to provide but.....I am happy to report that my skin seems to be improving. For now. Maybe it's the antibiotics I've been taking for my illness? Hmmm... I'm just happy that I'm able to speak a complete sentence without blowing my nose, but if they helped my complexion as well, I better go stock up on more! So much for organic! I have another appointment on Saturday...we'll see.

Sunday March 15th

I've been thinking about what I'll add to my tattoo soon. For now, I have a large red orchid on my left shoulder. Eventually, I would like my back covered in a garden of beautiful flowers, each representing a place I've traveled to, or a significance in my life. The orchid needs some color added to it, possibly a few shades of pink and maybe some white, and then I'd like to somehow add a hydrangea for the time we've spent in P-town, a rose for Portland's famous rose garden and England, a Scottish thistle and lavender, Violets for Toronto, more orchids...ahh, I could go on forever. I don't know where to start! I need a referral for a floral tattoo artist. Do you know someone?

Saturday March 14th

This is mom. She's so cute.

The boys on the dock.

The boys singing karaoke with some SERIOUS participation.

A picture with Gracie and Renee never made me laugh so hard.

Kissing the blarney stone.

Partying with the Irish is fun because a) they are super creative when it comes to party planning b) they always have loads of alcohol options and c) yummy food! My mom threw a party on Saturday, she always throws the best parties. All of our friends are always invited, it's so much fun. There was everything from a blarney stone we had to kiss, to green light-bulbs throughout her house, hats and t-shirts for those that didn't wear green, the always-a-crowd-pleaser-karaoke (be careful with mom's mic!), and plenty o'drink. Thanks mom!

Friday March 13th

After a 3-hour manicure/pedicure with Dany, I cried twice, decided I would call my whole family and tell them how much I love them, and realized despite the recession, we have a whole lot to be thankful for. Dany is from Cambodia. She lived for 4 years without shoes! All the while, planting rice in fields for hours, some days watching family members get executed, other days hoping she would make it through the food line in time to eat one meal. After every story, Dany looked at me and smiled, saying things like, "you have a kind heart" and "just remember, be happy"...she really touched my heart and I am hoping that I can pass on that love to you too...

Thursday March 12th

After starting my antibiotics today, the drive to Orlando, although a short 3 hours usually, was hellish to say the least. As soon as I checked in to my hotel, I set my alarm for an hour later so I could squeeze in a nap before waking up to represent GEO at a cocktail hour we sponsored. I'm the only rep here today, which makes it hard to avoid spreading my sickness. The balance between a polite nod and "I don't want to shake your hand because you WILL get this" is something I will have to master this evening.

Wednesday March 11th

I went to the dr. this morning to get a prescription, the cold has gotten worse. Bah.

Tuesday March 10th

I wonder how I will ever have enough time today to finish all of the projects I have on my desk. Being out sick on Monday really set me back. I'm still under the weather, but the conference for correctional health care professionals and the visit from our Careerbuilder account rep can't be postponed. Another item on the to-do list is that it's my long time friend Lisa's birthday today, I've known her since the 5th grade. She cheated off of me in Science, and tried to say that I allowed her to copy my answers. You guessed it, we've been friends ever since. Now, she's "the nurse" I need for my facilities out in Texas, and I'm asking for her advice on how to target and recruit young medical professionals. Isn't it ironic?

Monday March 9th

Awww, the good ol' days...actually, this was taken yesterday. And yes, we're back on. How sweet it is, to be loved by you.

Sunday March 8th

Sunday was the worst peak of my illness. I did nothing but sleep. Nothing exciting happened today. Bob came by to pick up Levi and wanted to be in the picture for the blog.

Saturday March 7th

Somehow, I managed to get out of bed and make it to the H's wedding. The wedding was absolutely beautiful, held on the rooftop of The Atlantic Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, the weather was perfect and the reception had many hilarious moments. During the garter removal, the groom stayed under the bride's dress for what seemed like an hour, only to pop out with a Heineken and finish it off before going back in to remove it.

Friday March 6th

*

No, I was not swinging from a pole on Friday night. In fact, I went to bed at 7:30PM and didn't wake up for 12 hours. This was the beginning of a long weekend in bed.

*picture is from a strip-aerobics class friends and I took together a few months ago.

Thursday March 5th

Today is Day #1 of puppy sitting Mr. Levi. Last night when my cousin Renee dropped him off, I thought she was going to leave me with a breast pump along with all of the instructions. Man, this dog is spoiled. He's also skinny, sports crazy long hair, and has a touch of separation anxiety. I'll be feeding him copious amounts of treats and giving him some tough love, along with a haircut, while he's with me. Who knows, maybe I'll go crazy and take him for a wild night at the dog park.

Wednesday March 4th

Valerie and I went to the Badfish concert tonight. They are my new favorite band! We felt like we were in the midwest with all of the hospitality. It was the longest concert we have ever been to, but it was totally worth all 5 1/2 hours of it. Scotty Don't was another band that went on before Badfish, with all of the members of Badfish, only playing their own original music. Both bands, although the same members, were different and equally fantastic. I can't wait to see them again!

Tuesday March 3rd

I'm really impressed with my green thumb lately. The plant that Julie gave me as a housewarming gift, the plants that my grandparents passed on to me when they moved, and the orchid that I bought at Whole Foods two months ago, are all thriving incredibly well. Of course, without anyone to talk to at home, I am spending a whole lot more time telling them how amazing they look. And if this is the case, plants must be just like women. Simply feed them with a bunch of bullshit about how beautiful they are, and they will stick by you regardless of how hot it is in your apartment, how long it’s been since you’ve given them a drink, or how often you fertilize their…ahem…soil.

Monday March 2nd

Tonight I went and saw the movie "He's Just Not That into You" with Kim. Which I thought was an honest depiction of just how desperate women and men can be.

Afterwards, I went home and put a mask on, stumbled upon and watched the last and only episode I've seen of, "The Bachelor" (what the hell is wrong with that guy anyway!), woke up this morning to CNN (of all channels!) discussing a book, “Cracking the Love Code” (which actually sounds brilliant) and an article on Lemondrop that reviewed a woman that lost half her body weight in order to lose her virginity (seriously, WTF!).

If the single life is really so difficult to be a part of, why are more and more people settling down and having children so much later in life than they used to? I'll tell you why, it's because marriage has gotten a bad rap.

So, having gone on my rant, I'd like to conclude by inviting all of the happily married, happily coupled, or even happily single people to post a comment on this blog, start their own blog, or just to simply tell someone just how happy you are. Just like our economy, nothing is going to get any better until we start putting our money where our mouth is. Are there any more happy endings out there?

I say prove it.

Sunday March 1st

Awesome. I got jury duty. Finding this out on a Sunday is only possible because I never check my mail, and today I was finally bored enough to actually read it. I promptly postponed my originally scheduled date, because it falls in the same week I'm holding a job fair in Texas.. Neato.

Saturday February 28th

My HOA does not mess around. The poor sap that owns the Lexus in the top left of this image was probably sleeping at 12AM while this picture was taken and his car was subsequently being towed, especially considering they just moved in today. Earlier this morning, we noticed they couldn’t fit their couch in the front door and all of their belongings were left in the rain. I have to believe these folks must have just won the lottery, or something along those lines, to have had such a run of bad luck all in one day.

Note: Taking a picture of someone else's vehicle being towed is frowned upon by building security.

Friday February 27th

Today is Josh's birthday. He's going to Biloxi, MS to stay at a fancy hotel and go gambling. He invited me yesterday, he's such a planner.
Thank goodness Renee' is coming over to do my hair tomorrow. EW.