She won!!!

Jamie's going to Ireland!

Thank you to all who voted for her!

Woohoo!

(Click here to link to contest.)

I LOVE Ellen

Quiz to the right

Please see the quiz in the upper right column of my blog. This actually happened to me the other day. I tackled him and stole his keys. (J/K)

It's time to stay in one place

Yesterday, I was thinking about how A and I have another move in our future. Got me thinking of all the places I've lived.

I don't think I've ever actually thought about the fact that I've lived in 8 cities in the last 9 years. Crazy. I can't wait to stay somewhere for a while.

* And, yes. I'm totally counting my 3-day stint in San Francisco. I sold a car. I went to the CA DMV for a new license. To me, that constitutes a move.

Not impressed

I've now tried the following McD's new coffee drinks:

- Vanilla cappuccino

- Caramel latte

- Mocha

Thus far, I'm entirely unimpressed.

They just don't seem to hold a candle to their competitors.

Have you tried? What do you think?

If I had to choose today...

I'd pick this one.

(In Canton, Mich.)

How would this happen so quickly?...

"New cases of HIV/AIDS in China increased by a whopping 45% last year compared with 2006." - PerezHilton.com

So scary. So sad.

* Perezhilton.com is obviously not my first choice when it comes to reading hard news... Thought I'd pass on anyway.

Not another one!

Why, oh why do celebrities keep doing this crap to their lips?!

Who's telling them it looks good?!

Food Trifecta

I'm not sure what to think of these edible creations.

Sure, I LOVE fruit, but I have a few reservations...

For instance:

1) How sanitary is the delivering system?
2) How long would the fruit last before turning bad?
3) Is this still a "romantic" gesture?

Have you ever heard of these things before? Someone's really trying to promote it lately... Check out the website here.

While I'm at it...

Thought I'd post my mom's awesome banana bread recipe.

I'm waiting for a new loaf to bake right now, so that's pretty much all I can smell. Yummy.

Preheat oven at 350 degrees

Mix:
1/3 cup shortening (melted)
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 mashed bananas (make sure you really mash 'em!)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (totally optional)

Spray bread pan. Heat for 55 minutes and voila!

Enjoy!

A new fave

I'm sure this is nothing new to most folks out there, but I'd thought I'd share a great dinner idea with ya'll. It's A's fave right now.

Very simple...

- One cut red pepper
- One cut green pepper
- One cut onion
- 1 can of water chestnuts
- 1/2 - 2/3 box of rotini noodles (cooked)
- Szechuan sauce (make sure it's not toooooo hot!)
- Add meat if you'd like as well as other veggies

Mix veggies in a skillet on high. Add noodles once onions brown. Then add sauce.

Eat with tortillas or plain.

Very easy. Very good. And leaves you with a good amount of leftovers.

I'm really trying with this whole cooking thing...!

Watching in style

A went to a Pistons game last week and came home with one of these babies just for me!

I can't wait to rock my new Rip jersey! I never had a jersey back in the days of the Bad Boys, so this is tres cool.

Hopefully we'll get to a game soon...

* A, he'll always be Ashley to me.

The Oscars

I'll keep this at a minimum.

Two things.

Cate Blanchett is the definition of elegance, class and talent.

Johnny Depp can truly do no wrong.

That's it for now. Hope you're enjoying the Oscars!

Help Jamie Get to Ireland!

Click on http://wycd.com/Vote-now-for-your-favorite-Irish-Toast!/1541306 and vote for Jamie (the redhead)! Your votes could help her win a trip to Ireland! (You have to scroll down a bit to cast your vote...)

* Jamie is my friend Dani's sister...

I never learn

I have a 600-minute per month plan on my phone.

I have used more than 580 minutes.

I don't get new minutes until Feb. 27.

The moral of the story? Please don't worry if you do not hear from me for a week or so. I am ok. I just need more minutes.

(I can still chat after 9 p.m. or on the weekends!)

* Don't even get me started on the text messages... I don't even have those worked into my plan! I can't wait until my contract is up on April 26! T-mobile will screw me no more!

Humorous forward

THE LAWS OF LIFE

Law of Probability
The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.

Law of the Telephone
If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal.

Law of the Alibi
If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.

Variation Law
If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).

Law of the Bath
When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.

Law of Close Encounters
The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

Law of the Result
When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

Law of Biomechanics
The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

Law of the Theater
At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.

Law of Coffee
As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

Wilson's Law
As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

Doctors' Law
If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better. Don't make an appointment and you'll stay sick.

I'm disgusted

Let me start this post by saying, yes, I love celebrity culture. I love leaving my own world for a brief period of time and sneaking a glimpse into the lives of those with fame, money and glory. I know my time could be used in MANY more inspiring and creative ways; for whatever reason, this doesn't seem to deter me.

That said, I would like to express my sheer disgust over the fact that a magazine is willing to shell out $6 million for one picture that includes a star (who, if you ask me, isn't nearly as relevant as she used to be) and her yet-to-be-born twins. $6 million?! Seriously? What has this world come to? (I will certainly lose respect if this money isn't given to those in need somewhere in the U.S. or abroad.)

I am going on the record to say that my purchasing of celebrity magazines may, in fact, be finished.

Group projects suck

That's it. That's all I have to say about that.

Not again

Oh man.

Don't you just love it when your husband (or significant other) orders about 10 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies?

I. Must. Refrain...

Damn Caramel delites (a.k.a. Samoas)!

No deals for you

We pulled in to a Hampton Inn at about 2:30 a.m. on Friday morning. (It was either that or keep feeding H energy drinks. We opted for the former.)

Am I the only one disturbed by the fact that hotels (the "nicer" ones anyway) don't offer discounts at such a late hour? Seriously. We only slept about four hours before we got up, showered and were on the road again.

I'm not asking for all hotels to rent by the hour. I know that opens the doors to some shady clientele. But can a girl at least get a discount?

Loads of fun

Well, we're back to the Mitten state and, aside from a slight case of midday drowsiness, I feel revitalized.

It's always nice hanging out with your pals and forget about daily stressors.

Unfortunately, I realized I forgot the memory card for my camera only after I whipped it out to take some pics. Hopefully, one of the girls will send some pics soon!

Thanks for letting us stay K!

A necessary blogging break

Tomorrow I'm off on a road trip to VA with the girls!

Speaking on behalf of H, J and B, we're so pumped to see you K!

Can't wait.

I'm guessing I won't be blogging all that much until Mondayish - at which time I'm sure I'll have some new pics for my loyal blog readers!

Have a great weekend!

Happy Valentine's Day

I love you so much BP.

They are absolutely gorgeous!

(He got me the bouquet on the left!)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Wow. We're getting old.

Remember how fun it was to wave a polaroid pic in your hands until an image magically appeared?!

Well, future generations will cease to have that experience. Apparently, Polaroid has announced it is going to stop making the instant cameras and film.

I know I haven't used one of these things in years but it still makes me sad to see it go.

My dog is human

Thanks to H's heads-up, A, myself and Cooper watched a good hour of the Westminster Dog Show on TV last night.

I swear, Cooper watches the television like a human. For whole segments. It's amazing. Will your dog/cat watch TV? Specific shows?

Oh, and seriously how fun is it to watch the men and women trainers prance along with their pups?

New product alert!

Hey blog readers. You have to check out this awesome new product that will help keep your computer monitors clean. Seems to work like a charm... Click here.

Saturday night movies

A and I endulged in a movie marathon last night. We sat down to watch Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. My thoughts are as follows:

1) Cate Blanchett is truly amazing.
2) What great casts in both movies.
3) Joseph Fiennes is now on my list.
4) What a fabulous history lesson. (I'm sure it stayed fairly true to facts...)
5) I want to wear those dresses.
6) I'm eager to learn more about English/British monarchies.
7) I would never want to be queen of a country. She seemed so sad.
8) I'm so excited to visit London!

I think that's about it. Two thumbs up for both movies!

Bad work ethic?

I was cleaning out my old files earlier this morning when I ran across a folder with pay stubs from all the jobs I worked at from 1999-2003. I must say, I don't remember working 12 jobs in four years! What a horrible employee! Can you say A.D.D.?

In case you don't believe me, here's a brief (and somewhat embarassing) rundown. I think they're in the proper order...

Employer: Thomas Edison Inn
Duration: 8 months (?)
Title: Hostess/Server

Employer: Port Huron Hospital
Duration: About 4 months
Title: Copy Queen

Employer: Western Herald
Duration: 2 years (with a 4 month break that allowed for the next three positions)
Title: Copy Editor

Employer: Meijer
Duration: 3 months
Title: Beauty section stockgirl

Employer: Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce
Duration: 4 months
Title: Marketing Intern

Employer: International Gilmore Keyboard Festival
Duration: 3 months
Title: PR Intern

Employer: CGI Communications
Duration: 2 weeks
Title: Professional map seller

Employer: Voyageur Restaurant
Duration: 3 months
Title: Server

Employer: Red Lobster
Duration: 6 months max
Title: Bartender

Employer: Reno's East (at MSU)
Duration: 1 month
Title: Server/Beer Bitch

Employer: Fore Lakes Golf Club
Duration: 4 months
Title: Server/Bartender

Employer: St. Clair County Community College
Duration: 2 stints equaling about a year
Title: Admin. Asst. in President's Office

... Professional jobs finally began at this point... Woohoo!

I can't believe I still had pay stubs on file for some of these. Amazing.

Were you a bit like me during your formative college years? Did you tend to job hop?

V-Day Gifts to Avoid

For Him:

1. Soaps, lotions, potions, anything that smells like candy. Unless it's actually candy.

2. Flowers. He just doesn't understand why you would buy him something that he has to a) nurture and b) nurture. If you simply must, a cactus might pass--but remember, he wants a gift that can take care of itself.

3. Unfun tools. Yeah, he gets it. You want him to shovel the snow. Do not buy him a shovel to drive the point home. (Large noisemaking power tools excluded.)

4. Dinner. It's a blatant cop-out. Saving him the 80 bucks does not a romantic gesture make. A gift should come in a box. (Unless it is a kitty or a pup, which are other things you should not get him. See rule #2). (Uh-oh. I seem to remember a post yesterday in which I said A and I would probably go out for dinner... Perhaps I should re-think?)

5. An electric razor. If he wanted one, he would have bought it for himself (and of all the gadgets, this is not likely one he's coveting). Ask yourself: Do you want him to buy you a razor?

6. Boxer shorts. To men, they're truly utilitarian. No frills. No styles. (Same goes for socks.)

7. A tie. Dude, he's not your dad. So unless you plan to tie him up with it and give him his real present, ditch the old standard.

For Her:

1. Anything that even remotely implies that she is not physically perfect: gym memberships, Botox, diet plan subscriptions, self help books and the like.

2. A bathing suit. Unless it comes with a trip to the Bahamas, she does not want your input on this personal matter. What's more, you're likely to give her an anxiety attack when she thinks about trying it on (especially after the great binge/food fest with the in-laws that were the Holidays 2007).

3. Toys. Women usually do not want video games. We might occasionally like to kick your butt in Wii, but that does not mean we want Street Fighter II (or whatever game it is you're playing). Also, your avatar is lame.

4. Homemade coupons. Whether they're for dish duty, garbage duty, dinner, or something else, she's not likely to be impressed. Did your high school girlfriend even use hers?

5. A gift certificate. Step it up with something a little more personal--unless it's for 300 dollars and you can't wait to take her to the store and shop. All. Day.

6. Food. Unless you're the Iron Chef or Francois Payard, skip anything home-baked. When her friends ask what you got her for V-day, she does not want to have to regurgitate. Literally.

7. A magazine subscription. Bo-ring.

8. Tickets to the "big game." Hate to break it to you, but when she said she loved football, she was lying. Save the sports stuff for your buddies.

9. A DVD box set of your favorite show. You've both already seen every episode. It will just accumulate dust with the rest of the collection.

10. Same goes for CDs. Hello, iTunes.

11. Appliances. Every man has made this guffaw. Just because she says, "I need a new vacuum" does not mean you should buy her a vacuum.12. Any gift you once bought for an ex-girlfriend. She will find out--and punish you.

* From Yahoo.com

Will you celebrate?

Are you celebrating Valentine's Day with your sweetie this year?

Any great gift ideas you'd like to share?

While I will not be with my sweetie (Can I get a woohoo to the Virginia road trip, girls?!), I'm thinking of making a crafty card like the one in the picture to the right. Then, when I give it to him, we'll look at each other just like that. Awwww.

In all seriousness, we'll probably do a nice dinner out. Josephine's was pretty darn yummy A...

I'm not so sure

How fun!

(I chose to leave off my mug shot as well as most of you know what I look like.)

I'm not positive who all of these folks are...

But I'm totally ok if people actually think I look like any of them!

Thanks turtleparade and twopretzels!

To test it out, click here.

Super Tuesday

A general FYI (because I was curious)... Twenty-four states are holding caucuses or primary elections on Super Tuesday, 2008. Blue denotes Democratic-only caucuses (3), Red illustrates Republican-only contests (2), and Purple represents states holding elections for both parties (19).

Contract Schmontract

Per my usual routine (on the days I don't get to take the ipod to work...!), I was listening to the radio this morning. The topic of the segment was that there are actually brides out there who are now demanding that bridesmaids sign contracts to be in their weddings.

Some of the contracts include:

- You will not gain weight.
- You will not get your hair cut.
- You will not get any tattoos before the wedding.

Seriously? Since when did this become a sort of business transaction?

This is completely asinine! If someone were to ask me to sign such a thing, I'd be out of their wedding in a heartbeat. Isn't it about being close? Being friends? Being accepting of loved ones? Being happy they're part of your big day?

Good thing I have such wonderful friends:)

Moments of clarity

Have you ever had moments of clarity in your life?

In my experience, they don't happen all that often. But when they do? What an amazing feeling.

Cheers!

How often do you clean out...

... your medicine cabinet?

Apparently, I don't do it often enough. I just put a cough drop in my mouth that was best if used by March 2005.

Ew.

* Update: Seems to be working. Just tastes a little funny.

Food exploration

I'm not what you call a food expert. The very idea of cooking used to actually scare me quite a bit. So, in an effort to expand my horizons and explore all there is out there, I've been making a conscious effort to try new things.

Every trip to the grocery store as of late, I've been trying to purchase at least one thing that I've never had before. Our last trip? Egg whites. (Seriously. I've never tried them.)

I'm not a huge egg person as it is, but, I must say, I was pleasantly surprised after I cooked up some scrambled eggs this weekend. I'd buy them again.

Once every 15 years is enough

A and I went to a gigantic flea market this weekend in an effort to get out of the house, walk around, and not spend money.

I hadn't been to this particular place in at least 15 years - at which time I was uber-psyched to go home with an "authentically-signed" Isiah Thomas framed poster. (I swear it was my absolute most prized possession for at least three years...)

Anyway, it was a little less glamourous than I remembered. I mean, aside from the posh goose wardrobe line, the poufy sports jackets, the guns and the hordes of "designer" purses, I was a little disappointed.

Plus, I couldn't get over the fact that dog breeders cage up their pups and sell them there. Seemed so wrong that A and I nearly went home with another rascal.

All in all, I'm pretty sure I won't need to frequent that market for at least another 15 years.

Aaaaah!

What happened to my Queen Bee?!

She's not even recognizable anymore!

Lil' Kim was so pretty when she started... This is truly upsetting.

A blessing in disguise?

Is anyone else strangely enjoying this writer's strike? Just me?

I haven't thought about television nearly as much lately -

and I like that.

*I wish no ill will toward the writers. Just realizing and appreciating the change in my life.

Hooray!

A and I have officially paid off our (his) credit card!

We officially have no credit debt... at least until we put Europe on our new card that is!

Either way, a celebration is certainly in order.

Here we come

I'm all about trying out this Josephine's place tonight.

Mmmmm... crepes.

Thanks, Mr. Chairman, for recommending.

My next purchase

Word on the street is that Bill Cosby will soon be putting out a rap album targeted to the black community. Yes. I did say rap album.

Known for his controversial comments regarding, in his opinion, the irresponsibility of black parents in not educating their children, this project is apparently going to be a positive and informational album targeted at that community.

Sounds enticing doesn't it?!

I just hope that he incorporates his awesome patchwork sweaters and a ton of Jello pudding into his videos!