3.30.2007

This just in...

Source: PerezHilton.com

It's happening!
There had been talk recently, but now the ink is dry and the papers are signed!
Sources confirm exclusively to PerezHilton.com that Sarah Jessica Parker and everyone else involved just closed their deals this week to star in a big screen feature adaptation of Sex & The City.
And, yes, Kim Cattrall will be in it!


My dream dinner party

Question on the radio today: If you could have a dinner party and invite 10 famous/notorious people, dead or alive, who would they be?

Off the top of my head (and in no particular order), they'd be as follows:

Ellen DeGeneres
Johnny Depp
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Will Smith
Joan of Arc
George Clooney
Oprah
Abraham Lincoln
Mahatma Ghandi
Hugh Grant

Yup. I think that'd make for a very interesting evening indeed.

Who would you choose to invite?

3.29.2007

Cautiously optimistic

Our realtor (who is a bit out there and too John Candy-esque for my taste) signed us up for an online survey. Once potential buyers go through our home, they're asked to fill out the below short survey. I thought I'd share the results thus far with you.

Showing Statistics

Total Number of Showings - 24
Number of Responses- 20
Response Rate- 83%

FeedBack

On a scale of 1 to 4. Did your buyers like the property?
No - 0%
Somewhat - 37%
Yes - 53%
Very interested - 11%

What did you think of the Price?
Above market value - 24%
At market value - 76%

Are they considering a second showing?
Yes - 19%
Possibly - 38%
No - 44%

Are they considering making an offer?
Yes - 17%
Possibly - 42%
No - 42%

Rate the exterior.
Well maintained - 19%
Average - 81%
Poor - 0%

Rate the interior.
Well maintained - 89%
Average - 11%
Poor - 0%

Please rate the lot/landscaping/view.
Above average - 13%
Average - 87%
Below average - 0%

Please rate the location.
Above average - 0%
Average - 88%
Below average -13%

Have your buyers made an offer on another property?
Yes - 12%
No - 88%

I'm cautiously optimistic. Although, if you would all pray, chant, cross your fingers or whatever, that'd help too!

Favorite landmarks

When I was younger, I remember passing the Uniroyal Tire every time we went to the airport to pick up family or friends who were flying in to visit. When we saw it, I knew we were close to seeing loved ones.

I pass it everyday now on my way to work. Still love the sight.

Do you have a favorite landmark you pass while driving?

3.28.2007

Is it over yet?

Is this whole "rat poison in over 95 brands of pet food" freaking anyone else out?

The pictures of the ill pups and kitties are just heartbreaking.

I don't know what I'd do...

Sidenote: Did you hear that a woman in Canada is now coming forward saying that she, too, ate the dog food and suffered horrible side effects (vomiting, foaming at the mouth, etc.)? Personally, I think she's after a lawsuit. I mean, come on, who the heck eats dog food?!

A secret addiction

I think it’s been about five years now. Five years since H and I went to visit J in California for spring break.

On our plane ride out there, H sat next to a friendly elderly woman – about 70ish we presumed at the time. Once the plane took off, the old woman took out two things. A bag of Cheetos and a trashy romance novel.

I can remember giggling like crazy with H as we both tried to get a glimpse of the text in the book. It’s not often you see a grandma shamelessly perusing a book with terms I would never think of publishing on my blog.

The funny thing is, I’m beginning to think that might be me someday. For whatever reason, it’s much more difficult for me to really get into books that are educational and/or political. Nope. A good book, to me, is one that’s provocative, poetic and page-turning.

Take, for instance, my somewhat shameful admission that I am currently reading a book by Jackie Collins. Yup. Jackie Collins. Not something I’m incredibly proud of, yet, I can’t seem to put the damn book down.

Thinking back to that old woman, I still catch myself giggling now and then. Not because she simply had the trashy romance novel, but because she was on a plane with more than 200 people and she wasn’t embarrassed in the least.

I suppose when you get into your 70s, you’re done caring what people think of you.

To hug or not to hug

I’ve recently been seeing a lot more of my good friend, M, whom I went to college with back in the day. Previously, we didn’t see each other that often – perhaps once or twice a year – and we grew accustom to hugging when we did meet.

Now, to the bemusement of both M and I, we are hugging on a regular basis.

The question I pose for you today? Is there a certain amount of time that should pass between friends that calls for hugging?

(I really don’t mind hugs. In fact, I’m quite fond of them. M and I just noticed it was funny.)

3.22.2007

Rich Chocolate Ovaltine Please!


Did you ever have Ovaltine as a kid? Do you drink it now? (To my knowledge, I've never had it...)

I heard a commercial for Ovaltine the other day. It’s definitely one of the few products that has the EXACT same commercials on the air as it did when I was 8 years old.

Talk about a cheap marketing plan.

Books on cd rule

Last I wrote about books on cds, I had mentioned that I had started listening to "Lolita."

Not sure if anyone out there has had the priviledge of reading “Lolita.” If you have, you know exactly why I can’t seem to get past the second cd (out of 11). (The subject matter is just a bit too much for me to take.)

Though largely disturbed and thoroughly disgusted by “Lolita,” I was still fascinated by the whole idea of books on cd. Especially due to the vast amount of time I now spend by myself driving.

M was nice enough to let me borrow “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” a few weeks ago. I listened to that thing in my car on the way to work, on drives down to Toledo, on walks with my pup – even at the gym I now venture to a few times a week.

I finished it this morning on the way to work and can’t wait until I get the second Harry Potter from M.

The moral of the ill-conceived story? Books on cd rule. Oh, and Harry Potter is awesome.

Do you see what I see?

Help! Can you see my side column with all my links? I fear it's downright disappeared on me...

3.20.2007

AWE.SOME.

I CAN'T WAIT!

Check out the trailer for "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" here.

3.19.2007

Question of the Day

Do you or your significant other do your taxes, or do you have them done by a professional?

We've done it both ways. Felt like we got ripped off, though, the time we had a "professional" do them.

Back to school!


It's official! I've been accepted and will begin earning my (free!) master's degree in May. It's going to be in Public Relations and Organizational Development.

Totally excited to get the degree and shop for school supplies one more time. (Maybe I'll get one of those cool backpacks on wheels... Hehehe!) Not too excited about losing free time, though!

An apology to my loyal readers

I'm realizing that my old habit of blogging whilst at work is just plain unrealistic at the new job. (Much to the delight of my employer, I'm sure.) It's just too chaotic.

So, I apologize for any lulls you might find here on tinyblogspot.com. I promise to do my best.

Keep reading. (Please!)

3.15.2007

Go MSU!!!

Kick Marquette's butt!!!

A natural high

Went to the mall yesterday in search of a new pair of jeans.

(Ladies, you know that this is no easy feat.)

Well, imagine my sheer joy when, in the FIRST store I meandered into, I found a perfect pair of jeans. Perfect around the waist. Perfect in length.

I left in a state of euphoric bliss.

(I found my new, perfect pair of jeans in Express, which was very surprising. I don't think I've bought a pair of jeans from that store in about 10 years. They never seemed to fit right before...)

Jeep anyone?

The near-hour long commute to Detroit has been taking a toll (mileage- and gas-wise) on my baby. Due to these unforeseen circumstances, A and I have decided to try to sell it while it's still in tip-top shape.

So, anyone out there longing to purchase a black, 2002 Jeep Liberty? Only 53,000 miles! In superb condition! $9,500 or best offer! (Even has a cd player now... hehehe.)

Tell all your friends!

3.13.2007

Book Review: “Jemima J”

Those looking for an easy, entirely entertaining read will surely enjoy “Jemima J.” It’s about weight struggles, obsession and learning to be happy with yourself. Throw in a bit of humor, English vocabulary (bloody!), romance and charm, and you’ve got “Jemima J.”

Grade: A-

(I’m currently listening to “Lolita” on my commute. It’s my first book on tape, and, frankly, I’m a little frightened by Jeremy Irons’ creepy rendition. More on that when I’ve finished.)

Introducing... Connor Blaine!


Hehehe... Isn't he adorable?!

3.11.2007

A new nephew!

Welcome to the world Connor Blaine Martin!
Born: 10:27 p.m., Saturday, March 10, 2007
Weight: 7 lbs, 14 ounces
Length: 21 inches
Congratulations B and M!
I'm so excited to have him in our lives!
He's absolutely perfect!
(Pictures to come...)

Isn't he cute?!


Meet Bruce. H and J's new pup.
I'm not usually a large-dog person, but Bruce is just too adorable!
Congrats H and J on your new family member!
(P.S. Cooper can't wait to meet his new friend!)

3.09.2007

Seriously?


So, A and I got another offer on our house yesterday.
A whopping $24,000 under the asking price! (And, our realtor overheard them discussing whether or not to ask for all our furniture too!)
Seriously?!!!
If our home was a $500K home and someone offered $486K, I might think about it.
Obviously, though, this is not the case.
C'est la vie I suppose. More Nert time cometh.


Where's the baby?!

Well, here we are. March 9. D-day. And, still no Conner Blaine.
What's with all the late pregnancies lately?
(Seriously, anytime now B. I thought we agreed that you'd have him by today...)

Congratulations H!


Congratulations to my BFF, H, who just found out that she passed the test needed to practice as a Doctor of Physical Therapy!
Woohoo! Can't wait to celebrate! (And to meet Bruce!)

3.07.2007

Stop the presses!

Stop the presses and get out the champagne!

I just bought a 20-time pass to a gym! (Baby steps...)

I'm so over this winter thing.

(I've only been to the gym once and I already look like this picture.)

$51 bones!

Holy crap. It amazes me that they can charge so much for birth control pills.

Yesterday, I thought I had lost and/or accidentally thrown out two months worth of pills. After looking EVERYWHERE (or so I thought), I conceded and decided to go to my friendly neighborhood drug store to see what, if anything, could be done.

What could be done? NOTHING. Instead, they smiled at me and said I could buy two packs for 102 big ones! $102 bucks! Seriously?! Talk about inflation!

Now, personally, I care more about the fact that my pills provide me with great relief from cramps (a medical reason!) than the "controlling of birth." Heck, if I just wanted birth control, I'd seek other alternatives.

This, my friends, is crap. I feel so bad for those people out there without insurance. Free clinics are great and all, but it just doesn't seem right.

Perhaps I'll riot.

(FYI... I did end up finding my perscription after I had decided to, after 10 years or so, "wing it" and be off of the pill. I took one immediately.)

3.06.2007

Under the weather

Sorry for the lack of blogging. I, like many of my friends and family as of late, have been a bit under the weather. I will be back to blogging shortly.

Quick question for those sickies out there? What kind of medicine, if any, have you found to work? I've been using Tylenol Cold/Allergy but really haven't been that impressed with the results.


3.01.2007

Reason #592 why I love Target


The white cherry slush. Simply heaven.

Pet Peeve

I know I’ve probably mentioned this before, however, due to situational circumstances that have transpired today, I thought I’d reiterate my stance.

I absolutely HATE when people think you’re overstressed (when, in fact, you aren’t AT ALL) and then go on to tell you to “take deep breaths” or “relax.” Even worse, it usually happens with someone who doesn’t remotely know you.

Er. You’ll know when I’m stressed.