Manic Monday

Do you sometimes type a whole comment on something on Facebook and then rethink it and not post? I frequently do that.

I am dreading today's day of remodeling. Totally dreading it. Hopefully everything will work out, and it will be the last day of contractors for a little while.

Saturday 9: The Waiting

1. Have you ever stayed online for a very long time waiting for someone?
No. If someone is supposed to meet me online, I don't wait more than a few minutes. They can always text me when they're available.

2. How do you eat oreos?
I rarely ever eat an Oreo because they make your teeth black. If I have one, I usually eat it intact. Sometimes I'll separate it and scrape the filling off with my bottom teeth, because licking it off seems... kinda... weird. I know, that's a "Kathy thing." :p

3. Are you cocky?
Not at all. Cockiness is an instant turnoff to me. You can be confident without being cocky.

4. Did you have an imaginary friend as a kid?
Nope.

5. What t.v. station do you watch the most?
HGTV

6. Have you ever seen the ocean?
A lot! I grew up near Galveston. I also love to vacation near the beach or on a cruise ship.

7. Have you ever been hospitalized?
6 times- 2 babies, 2 major surgeries, 2 illnesses

8. What's your favorite brand of rootbeer?
A&W

9. Could you live without a computer?
I definitely could, but I would prefer to have one.

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Wall Art--- Check!

I finally pulled the trigger on the bathroom wall art. The selection process has been almost as stressful as the paint. I found two pieces I really love, so that's what matters. Hopefully they'll look fantabulous in the room. They are being shipped to me in the next couple of weeks. I'll be on pins and needles waiting.

Nickelback's "Far Away"... not only an awesome song in an aural sense, but also there is something really intense about a guy fessing up to his true feelings. That song never gets old. I still dig it as much as I did the first time I heard it.

Got my A&M/Utah game tickets in the mail. YAY! 4th row. That means no walking ten miles up and down, back and forth along those ramps. It was my first StubHub purchase, and it worked really well. These are someone's season tix, where apparently they can't or don't want to go to this particular game, so we got quite a deal on them. My brother-in-law is going with us. It'll be a blast. Sadly, Lauren has guard practice all day that day, so she'll have to miss it. :(

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Holy Bajeezus, Don't Tell Me You Use My Jergens to...

What?! I didn't tell y'all about Zack and Miri Make a Porno? OMG. I love Kevin Smith and this is one of his best. It is one filthy, hilarious movie. Not for the easily offended... or even the moderately tolerant. There's your warning. Now the other 95% of you who read this blog, go out and rent it today.

From IMDB: Lifelong platonic friends Zack and Miri look to solve their respective cash-flow problems by making an adult film together. As the cameras roll, however, the duo begin to sense that they may have more feelings for each other than they previously thought.

The love story is cheesy, but cute. It's just a backdrop for the hilarity.

Justin Long in his funniest, although possibly briefest, role. I can't even explain why he had me in tears of laughter. You just have to see it.

Jason Mewes is surprisingly attractive without the long hair.

Just as funny as the flick is the DVD bonus material. Seth Rogan has THE goofiest laugh I've ever heard. And the whole sh*t shot thing.... ahahahaaaa and eww.

On the remodel front----- everything went terribly wonky yesterday afternoon. The mirrors were a no go, and then the plumber realized that he won't be able to install my tub fixture now that the cabinet is installed in his way. Jeff, the GC and I all told him that two weeks ago when the whole tub was opened up. Did he listen? Noooooo. So they aren't sure what to do. They'll probably have to cut a panel out of the side of my brand new custom cabinet. Hidden from the outside, but visible from the inside. Freakin' GRR.

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TGIF and All That

Donna has finally had enough of friends' highly partisan (either way) postings filling up her Facebook wall. She's going to start blocking. I think of those postings as unavoidable, especially during a heated issue in Congress, but I do think we should keep in mind that constant posting of highly charged political opinions will turn some people off. Not our "real friends," but still. I understand the free speech and "it's MY facebook" issues, but if you use Facebook for networking, it's probably wise to keep the partisan stuff to a minimum.

The high school football game was a rout. We won pretty easily, and looked really good! The band was great. Lauren has such expressive and pretty dancing form, and is a skilled performer in front of a big crowd. She's front and center quite a bit. It's hard to believe she was shy when she was little. The show is really fun to watch! No videos can be posted until after regional marching competition in October. Wah.

The paint looks GOOD. Oh man, was I a mess over it. Today is a finishing up day for everything. Lights, plumbing fixtures, second coat of paint in the linen closet, measuring for mirrors (again), final cleanup. The shower glass won't be in for another couple of weeks, but that will be all that's left. Oh and I have to get a window treatment and art piece on my own.

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Um...

They're painting the bathroom. Right. This. Very. Minute.

eek

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Paint Woes

Remember when I said I was choosing paint and something about "it's just paint" and that it wouldn't be a disaster if I chose the wrong one and needed to paint over it?

WELL I'M FREAKING OUT ABOUT THE PAINT.

Seriously, I was about in tears over it last night. I have to choose today. No more time to dork around. They paint tomorrow.

The room is all shades of brown. I have to go light or dark on the wall paint, since most of the tile work in there is a medium tone, and I need some sort of contrast between the two. If I go light, it's your basic standard wall paint. Blah City. If I go dark, it could be a cave in there.

I originally wanted to do a dark paint, and Robin said it should be fine. I guess I'll try that. Now to find the right color. They'll be here in about an hour and there isn't any light in the bathroom. So I wait for sunrise...

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Some Laughs for a Tuesday

I added a folder called "Bathroom Wall" to my browser's bookmarks. I'm putting links to art possibilities in it. Problem is, it is alphabetically inserted into the space formerly occupied by my bookmark folder called "Blogger." So every time I try to come in here to talk to you fine folks, I almost go to this awesome Pottery Barn art piece. Cute, ain't it? But Blogger it is not.

On to the funny. Tonya posted this on Facebook. Some of these are hilarious!

Random Thoughts

-I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

-More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves me.

-Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

-I don't understand the purpose of the line, "I don't need to drink to have fun." Great, no one does. But why start a fire with flint and sticks when they've invented the lighter?

-Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.

-That's enough, Nickelback.

-I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

-Is it just me, or are 80% of the people in the "people you may know" feature on Facebook people that I do know, but I deliberately choose not to be friends with?

-Do you remember when you were a kid, playing Nintendo and it wouldn't work? You take the cartridge out, blow in it and that would magically fix the problem. Every kid in America did that, but how did we all know how to fix the problem? There was no internet or message boards or FAQ's. We just figured it out. Today's kids are soft.

-There is a great need for sarcasm font.

-Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the f was going on when I first saw it.

-I think everyone has a movie that they love so much, it actually becomes stressful to watch it with other people. I'll end up wasting 90 minutes shiftily glancing around to confirm that everyone's laughing at the right parts, then making sure I laugh just a little bit harder (and a millisecond earlier) to prove that I'm still the only one who really, really gets it.

-How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

-I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

- I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

-The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

- A recent study has shown that playing beer pong contributes to the spread of mono and the flu. Yeah, if you suck at it.

- LOL has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else to say".

- I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

- Answering the same letter three times or more in a row on a Scantron test is absolutely petrifying.

- Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart", all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart".

- How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?

- I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent a dick from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!

- Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using 'as in' examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete idiot. Today I had to spell my boss's last name to an attorney and said "Yes that's G as in...(10 second lapse)..ummm...Goonies"

-What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow each other?

- While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and instinctively swerved to avoid it...thanks Mario Kart.

- MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

- Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

- I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.

-Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

- I would like to officially coin the phrase 'catching the swine flu' to be used as a way to make fun of a friend for hooking up with an overweight woman. Example: "Dave caught the swine flu last night."

-I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

- Bad decisions make good stories

-Whenever I'm Facebook stalking someone and I find out that their profile is public I feel like a kid on Christmas morning who just got the Red Ryder BB gun that I always wanted. 546 pictures? Don't mind if I do!

- Is it just me or do high school girls get sluttier & sluttier every year?

-If Carmen San Diego and Waldo ever got together, their offspring would probably just be completely invisible.

-Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....

-You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything productive for the rest of the day.

-Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after DVDs? I don't want to have to restart my collection.

-There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

-I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

- "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this, ever.

-I hate being the one with the remote in a room full of people watching TV. There's so much pressure. 'I love this show, but will they judge me if I keep it on? I bet everyone is wishing we weren't watching this. It's only a matter of time before they all get up and leave the room. Will we still be friends after this?'

-I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Dammit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

- I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

-When I meet a new girl, I'm terrified of mentioning something she hasn't already told me but that I have learned from some light internet stalking.

-I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.

-Why is a school zone 20 mph? That seems like the optimal cruising speed for pedophiles...

-Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

-It should probably be called Unplanned Parenthood.

-I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

-Even if I knew your social security number, I wouldn't know what do to with it.

-Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, hitting the G-spot, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet my ass everyone can find and push the Snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time every time...

-My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the hell do I respond to that?

-It really pisses me off when I want to read a story on CNN.com and the link takes me to a video instead of text.

-I wonder if cops ever get pissed off at the fact that everyone they drive behind obeys the speed limit.

-I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

-I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.

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Back to School

First day of school, y'all. Everyone have your pencils? How about your lunches? OK.

Monday Meme from Sunday Stealing...

INSTRUCTIONS: Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! The great thing is that if you have already done this meme, you can do it again with a different artist!

Duran Duran

-Are you a male or female? Girls on Film

-Describe yourself: Box Full o' Honey

-How do you feel right now? Taste the Summer

-If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Rio

-Your favorite form of transportation: Night Boat

-Describe Your Morning Routine: Pop Trash Movie

-Your best friend is: She's Too Much

-What's the weather like: Hold Back the Rain

-Pet Peeve? So Misled

-If your life was a TV show, what would it be called? Still Breathing

-Your relationship: Finest Hour

-Your Fear: Playing with Uranium

-What is the best advice you have to give? Reach Up for the Sunrise

-If you could change your name, you would change it to: Tiger Tiger

-What do you say when you are frustrated? One of Those Days

-Thought for the day: Sun Doesn't Shine Forever

-How you would like to die: Someone Else Not Me

-Your soul's present condition: My Own Way

-Your motto: I'm Looking for Cracks in the Pavement

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Inquiring Minds...

Wearing a medical bracelet seems to be an invitation for random people to touch you, much like being pregnant. I wear (what I thought was a pretty inconspicuous) one because I have a deadly allergy to the contrast dyes they use for CT and MRI scans. If I'm in a car accident or otherwise unconscious, I don't want the docs to kill me in the process of doing some precautionary test.

I cannot tell you how many people have reached over and grabbed my wrist to read the back of that bracelet. They're not typically total strangers, but rather people I've just met in a social setting. Maybe it's some sort of odd ice-breaker. Maybe they're thinking they need to be informed in case something happens to me while I am in their presence. Frankly, it's just weird.

The last person who did it happened to have the same severe allergy. LOL. She was a little freaked out. I'm guessing she ordered a bracelet for herself that day, and people are now grabbing her as well.

The first of the bathroom materials has been installed. It's the floor tile, and IT... LOOKS.... MARVELOUS!! What a relief.

Monday is shower tile and cabinets. I have to select paint color this week. The final choice. Luckily it's "just paint" so it's not as much pressure as tile and fixtures. Very changeable should there be a paint color disaster.

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Saturday Nine... On Time Thankyouverymuch

Saturday 9: I Ran

1. When's the last time you ran?
Last week I had to run to my car for something. Can't remember why I was in a hurry. Last time I ran for exercise? Probably high school. I hate running. I do cardio kickboxing and step.

2. Do your jeans have rips, tears, and holes in them?
No. They're all pretty nice.

3. What are you dreading right now?
Nothing! Wow.

4. Do you like Mexican food?
Love it.

5. Favorite ice cream?
Amy's dark chocolate with peanut butter cups

6. When was your last doctor's visit?
February-ish

7. Do you get the full 8 hours of sleep at night?
Hardly ever. I usually wake up around 5:30, so I would need to go to bed at 9:30 to get 8 hours. Ain't gonna happen. I get about 6-7 hours.

8. How many pets do you have?
None. :(

9. "First Loves Are Never Over." Is this true for you?
Nope. It was over when I was 16.

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Facebook Profile Photo Privacy

Yeesh, it only took me sixteen years to find the privacy settings for my Facebook profile photo. I don't have time for this goofiness. For those who want to know- it's under Privacy>Search. Of course it is! Duh. *huge eyeroll*

I couldn't figure out why suddenly a few friends of friends are appearing with their names unlinked and no photo. That is why. You set who can find you and if they can see your photo or not. My Facebook is probably one of the most locked down out there, but actually, I wanted to make sure my photo is visible to everyone. I know- the queen of internet privacy has become an web exhibitionist. Yeah. That didn't come out right.

Lauren and I schlepped out to Round Rock to go to IKEA yesterday. I needed a curtain rod to go all the way across about 14 feet of wall, and the Kvartal system allows for connecting rods seamlessly to do just that. I was toting around a few 55" lengths of rod, when she took them from me. I was a bit klutzy with them, I have to admit. They are unwieldy! She said she is used to carrying a six-foot-long flag bag around every day. Sure enough, she was a master at harnessing the curtain rods.

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Game Night Goes on the Road

For this month's game night, we're all going to a Round Rock Express game. Plus we get to have Salt Lick there, which rocks. Forget hot dogs, baby. Wait a minute. Why didn't I think to have game night somewhere I could avoid cooking?

Thank you, Angel, for calling me about Daughtry tix. I could not find a posted tour schedule anywhere. Tickets on sale Sep. 26, and he'll be here after football season, so Lauren can go, too. Yay!

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National Health Care

Sorry. I am not a fan of public health care for the entire country. I'm saying it here instead of FB because I have a couple of wonderful but over-the-top-liberal buddies over there who are touting it as the sensible option, and would harass me mercilessly for at least the next week. :D

Many folks in England and Canada will tell you the number one problem with national health care is that if you have ominous symptoms, you have to wait and wait and wait for testing. Once you are into the system with your life-threatening illness, it's fine, but to get there, you may croak waiting for a CT scan. If you are healthy or have something minor, it works alright, but if you are sick, forget it.

We complain all the time that government is wasteful and slow. Is that how we want our health care managed? We're talking life and death here, for Pete's sake- not standing in line at the DMV.

I do think there should be government coverage for those who have no other coverage. Uninsured? We've got you covered. I would welcome an option, should I be uninsured at some point. And maybe with a smaller group, rather than the entire country, they can make it function.

Aww man. Laura's going to see this... ;) Eh. She's a closet Republican anyway.

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Sadness

A long-time school friend of Lauren's, who happened to sit next to her last year in computer science, died in a diving accident over the weekend. Of course the kids are all reeling from it. It is so touching to see all the poems, songs, etc. his classmates are writing for him on Facebook. They've also posted hundreds of messages to him on his page. Almost everyone's status has something to do with him. What a gift to his family, to be able to see all those heartfelt messages.

Via Facebook, the kids have organized a "wear red" day in memory of him on the first day of school. Sweet.

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Crisis Averted

In one day, I went from impending bathroom remodel disaster to all OK. Whew!

While I was gone Friday, the electricians installed the lighting wiring way too low over the countertops, and it sounded like they had to do it that way because of whatever was going on behind the walls. That left no room for my mirrors. The GC also said that the tile company probably didn't have the shower tile available that I had taken two weeks and several trips around town to select. AND... my lights appeared to be on backorder from the online store where I ordered them.

O.M.G. I was freaking out. No really. Most of the bathroom is lighting, mirrors and tile. That is basically my design up in smoke, with very little time to make alternate selections.

But, the electricians came back yesterday morning and moved the lighting to exactly where I wanted it (and at no charge). The GC called about 5:45pm to tell me that my tile IS available. And sometime in the evening, I got an email that my lights will arrive on Thursday. Hot dang! We're ready to go again.

Today begins the wallpaper removal process and sheet rock repairs.

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Wicked

It was so good! The touring company plays in Austin through August 30. The only thing I didn't like about the musical is that the songs aren't memorable. You don't come out of there remembering and singing a few of them. Like... I dunno... West Side Story. RENT. Most musicals. The Wicked songs are lovely to listen to, but they don't have many memorable lyrics or melodies. The girl who played Elphaba was in the New York production, and has some serious pipes. Holy cow.

I soooo wish I could have seen Kristin Chenoweth's Tony-award-winning performance in the Broadway show. I saw her sing "Popular" once on TV. Hilarious. She is such a perfect Glinda!

The story is interesting and funny, and very sad in a few parts. Fantastic costumes!

Funny funny quotes:
"I happen to be genuinely self-absorbed and deeply shallow."
"We can't all come and go by bubble."
"There's a goat on the lam."
"I can't harbor a fugitive! I'm an unelected official!"
"Lemons and melons and pears." ... "Oh my!"
"Dearest Momsie and Popsicle..."
"They're just SHOES. Let it go."

Really good. Just don't anticipate wanting the CD afterwards. Maybe just download "Popular," and only because it's funny. lol.

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Galveston, Oh Galveston

My first trip to the island since Ike. It's been 11 months since the hurricane, and the vast majority of businesses are up and running. Some are still boarded shut.

Biggest shocks were:

1) Dead trees. Did you know that when a storm surge floods land, the plant roots soak up the sea water and most die from too much salt? Yep. I had no idea. A few of the trees will recover, all those within two years. So they are waiting to see which of them may survive, before cutting them down. The palm trees seem fine, but maybe 98% of the oaks, particularly noticeable along Broadway, are dead. Creepy.

2) Blue water. Oh yes, friends. Galveston has blue water. Right at the shore, it looks brown from the sand color, but it is not murky like it always was. The view across the water is beautiful! Am I bluuuuuuue... Am I bluuuuuuuue...

Hotels (including the San Luis- yay!) are open and operational. Buildings are newly painted. Everything looks really good. The Strand is open for business, although we didn't make it over there this weekend.

The Flagship is still as it was the day of the storm. :( They do have plans to refurbish it though.

There are a lot of piers that are still in pieces. The gulls LOVE the pier chunks that are unattached to the beach. They crowd onto them. So funny.

Graduation wasn't the typical long experience it can be. And now CJ finally has her BS! Well, she's had the BS down for a while, but you know... ;)

After grad, we ate at The Spot, which has awesome food, a gorgeous view and many patrons' impressive motorcycles parked out front. Get the Caribbean Salad and add grilled chicken. It was a big hit with our group.

Eleven of us stayed at a beach house, and hosted a graduation party on Friday night. I was in charge of margs all night and I think they turned out strong great! Much fun was had by all.

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Mirror Mirror on the Wall...

I've seen myself every day for years in mirrors around the house. I have a huge full-length mirror in my bedroom. Often I am in department stores where they have the awesome (but tricky) "skinny mirrors," but I have never seen mirrors like the ones at Academy. I'll just skip right past "fat mirrors" and call these suckers "fun house mirrors."

I know what you're thinking. Kathy, you've had too much ice cream this summer. Not true! This mirror was so distractingly short and wide that I couldn't get a realistic view of what I was trying on. When you're buying workout wear, the visual needs to be particularly accurate. Bleh. I'm determined not to let it give me a complex.

The bathroom is framed. Today they do plumbing and waterproof/fiberglass the shower. That means two days sleeping in the guest room (in a double bed- wah) to avoid the noxious fumes. Well, one day for me, because I'm going to Galveston for the weekend. Perfect timing!

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Reconnecting

Have reconnected with a few more of the fansite girls. Last time we hung out was 2003. Fun times!

Also reconnected with Jeff C. Shock of all shocks. Some of you are thinking he skipped town. But no! He and Jeff hung out on Sunday and then we all met for dinner. Just like the old days. Fun!

Sunday Stealing (on Tuesday)

Then: August 1989

1. Age: 22

2. Romantic Status: engaged

3. Occupation: student

4. Fun night out: dancing and lots of Shiner

5. My BFFs: Cathy J, Kimberly, Kathy L, Judy, Bob

6. I spent way too much time: reading bridal magazines

7. I spent not enough time: pushing my thesis advisor to get my project set up

8. I wanted to be when I grew up: a radiation safety engineer

9. Biggest concern: selecting a church for my wedding

10. What my biggest concern should have been: working on my thesis

11. Where did I live: College Station

12. Dumbest thing I did that year: tell one of the Deans that I was scrimping and saving my engineering fellowship money to pay for things like wedding flowers. They promptly decided to reduce that fellowship for the following year's applicants because it must have been "too much money." I was really being frugal, y'all. I challenge any student to be as cheap as I was that year.

13. If I could go back now and talk to myself I would say: leave the wedding plans for 1990. It will be plenty of time for most of that stuff you are obsessing over. Finish your thesis before you leave campus.

Now: August 2009

1. Age: 42

2. Romantic Status: married

3. Occupation: stay-at-home mom

4. Fun night out: Pete's dueling piano bar or a concert

5. My BFFs: Cathy J, Laura and Kathy L

6. I spend way too much time: on Facebook

7. I spend not enough time: dancing and drinking Shiner

8. I want to be when I grow up: not sure, but first and foremost I want to be happy about doing it

9. Biggest concern: finding mosaic tile with glass or satin nickel accents- ACK

10. What my biggest concern should be: that should be my biggest concern. lol

11. Where do I live: the ATX, baby!

12. Dumbest thing I have done this year: said yes to a contract project I should have simply said no to in the first place

13. What I think I would say to myself in 20 years: I will remind myself that it was good to appreciate the last few years I had with Lauren living at home. Then hopefully she'll live nearby and I can have lunch with her and tell her in person. :)

Summary:

1. What do I miss most from 1989: having my own office downstairs in Zach, all of us playing hearts on our Macs down there while chatting about everything under the sun

2. What do I miss least from 1989: Spring chemo treatments in Houston. That just sucked out loud.

3. What have I accomplished in 20 years that I am most proud of: being a mom

4. What have I NOT accomplished in 20 years that I wish I had: being a radiation safety engineer

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Decisions Decisions

As an amateur interior designer, I have officially coined the term "soap garage" when referring to a niche in one's shower wall, created specifically for a bar of soap. I'm thinking about writing Candace Olsen to tell her about it. Maybe she can use it on her show.

I was in the zone yesterday and made a lot of remodel decisions. I've made 4,256 choices so far. I have 2,531 remaining. Yesterday I had to select SINKS. I hadn't even thought of that. Do you know how many sinks there are in the world?

And I didn't want to ever step foot in a tile store again, but I must. Shoot me now.

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MW

This is me up at 5am, angsting about cabinet knobs and art and mosaic tile and visiting the online stores Robin suggested yesterday. Diverting occasionally to do a mob hit or two.

My all-time favorite Mafia Wars names so far: Don of the Dead and Captain Kickass. Captain Kickass! I love it. There are a lot of Don Juans and Don Quixotes. Cute, but not quite Captain Kickass.

I'm finally getting to where I can fight off attacks with my secret defense points. HA. And those guns I've been calling M-one-six-A-ones? Jeff tells me those are M-sixteen A-ones. Ahhhhhhhh! Yes.

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Saturday 9

Demo Day for the bathroom is next Wednesday. The room should be complete and walk-through ready by Aug 31. This blog space is officially declared a whining zone for me, since I will be displaced from my bathroom during that time. Thanks in advance for your patience.

Saturday 9: On Broadway (I know I just did last week's.)

1. Have you ever seen a Broadway play? If yes what and when?
I've seen A Chorus Line (1985), Hairspray (2003), RENT (2003) and Legally Blonde (2008) on Broadway.

2. Tell us about one strange event in your life this week.
Nothing strange has happened this week. It's all been pretty normal. I've just been driving back and forth to the football stadium all day. ;)

3. Have you ever lied to "get the guy/gal"?
Heck no. If I had to lie to him to get him, he wasn't someone I wanted to be with.

4. Tell us about your best friend.
Gosh, I have a few. Let's talk about Cathy. She's spunky and feisty and funny. She's always up for anything. She's cute and thoughtful and she collects Coca-Cola memorabilia. She's going to move to Austin when she completes her Physician's Assistant degree at UTMB. And she's single!

5. What was the best vacation that you ever had?
I'm going to say Hawaii, because the big island is absolutely the most interesting place I've been. The people in Hawaii are so friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed. Wonderful vacation!

6. What was the last big purchase you made?
A master bathroom.

7. What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink and when did you start drinking it?
Tea. When I was in high school.

8. When was the last time someone did not believe you?
This week. Someone thought I was telling one of those "I have this friend" stories that are really about me, when I soooo wasn't.

9. You have signed on to direct a romantic comedy. Who are your stars?
Robert Downey Jr. and Kate Walsh

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TGIF

John Hughes has died. Movies that defined a generation.

"It's sorta social. Demented and sad, but social." -Bender, referring to Brian's Physics Club in The Breakfast Club, 1985

l.o.l.

Saturday 9: Rain
1. What do you typically like to do on a rainy day?
Watch movies. Sit on the porch.

2. Tell us about the last time you did something you later regretted, that you can share with us.
I signed on to do a website project that became a hot mess in a hurry. I'm out of it now. WHEW.

3. I recently got an email from a lover from a very long time ago. I was asked "Have all your dreams come true?" If it were you and it was from someone you remember fondly, how would you answer the question?
Um, of what significance is the lover part of this question? lol. If anyone asked me, I would say very many of my dreams have come true!

4. If you had a job interview and were asked, "If you were an animal, what kind would you be (other than human?)" How would you answer that question.
I would have to try my best not to laugh. And I would say... a panther. Cuz they're so beautiful and cool.

5. Do you think it is a good idea to share with a new lover stories of your past lovers?
Rarely. If they ask, I would do my best to tell a minimal story. They are free to ask more and I'll tell more.

6. When do you think it is permissible or even important to lie?
If something has happened to a small child's parent, I think it would be okay to smooth it over in some way until you know exactly what to say. Or if someone in like a traffic accident is concerned about a loved one's well-being while their own is in danger, I'm okay with them lying about the status to get them through the immediate situation.

7. What was the last thing you did that you never thought you would?
Sewed curtains for the kitchen. They actually turned out really nice.

8. What is one important lesson that you learned from your mother?
It's a worthwhile effort to build an open and communicative relationship with your children.

9. What is one important lesson that you learned from your father?
Don't sweat the small stuff.

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Finally Thursday

PA gunman was bitter about women

He is a nice-looking guy. The psychosis must have been a bit off-putting.
After three days of band camp, Lauren looks like she's been in Jamaica for a week. That is with heavy-duty sunscreen reapplied several times a day. She is having a blast. I'm really glad, because she quit marching band last year because of all this time commitment. Now she's in guard, which she loves, so it's a totally different experience. And we don't have to haul her baritone all over town. Woohoo!

Here are the remodel selections so far:



The dark is the cabinet color. The darker brown tile is floor. The lighter brown tile is the shower and backsplashes. The bottom left corner is Silestone countertops. The light brown paint swatch is... well, paint. Not sure whether to take the paint to a golder tone. I've been trying to stay away from gold tones here though. The faucets are that satin nickel, as will be the knobs and lights.

Being my own designer is exciting and frightening.

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Interview

From Facebook

Who do you admire most?
Egads. I cannot believe I am about to say this. At the moment- Bill Clinton. Ask me again tomorrow. I beg you.

Get the number or give the number?
I was usually giving out a fake number.

How do you feel?
Busy and contented

Water or 100% Juice?
water

Would you rather be hot or cold?
My body temp? Cold. I prefer hot weather though. Go figure.

Would you rather lose an arm or a leg?
Definitely a leg.

Favorite Place to Eat?
Musashino

Opera, Musical, Concert, Play, Performance, or Other?
I have to pick only one? Concert

If you had to pick one car, which would it be?
Silver BMW Z8. As if you had to ask.

Your favorite Disney Films?
Little Mermaid

Why did the chicken cross the road?
to get to the other side

What was your last thought?
What were some of those old funny answers to the "why did the chicken cross the road?" question...

Juice and crackers or milk and cookies?
Milk & Cookies

Favorite fruit?
watermelon

Are you a cat or a dog person?
cat

Would you rather be blind or deaf?
blind

Define yourself in 3 words...
Fun. Introspective. Optimistic.

Do you eat cold cereal at night?
Sometimes.

What is your favorite TV show?
The Office

Kill the spider or let it out?
Kill it. The thing never wants to be "let out." It's not a house pet, for goodness' sake. Ever try to coax a spider out the door?

Do you shower every single day?
Of course.

Walking past a beggar, spare change or ignore?
Ignore

Where do you want to travel next?
St. Petersburg, Russia

What is your favorite food?
Ribeye, medium rare

Do you read harry potter books?
Nope

What is your favorite place?
The beach

If you could have one super human power what would you choose?
Invisibility.

Have you had a beer in the last week?
No

Vitamin Water or Gatorade?
Gatorade

Flip flops or sandles?
Flip flops

What do you do on fridays?
Go out to dinner- although we'll be going to football games every Friday for a while.

What is your favorite song of all time?
"Smooth" by Santana & Rob Thomas is one of my all-time faves. I have a LOT of favorite songs.

Do you like bananas?
Love bananas.

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You Suck at Photoshop

Ohhhhhhh lawdy, you have to see this series of Webby Award-winning video tutorials. Even if you don't use (or suck at) Photoshop, these will make you laugh. I've actually learned some things, too.

You Suck at Photoshop

Strap on your stupid and let's get started...

There are twenty in all, and you should watch them in order, as there is a story to it. I've watched up through #9 so far.

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This One Time at Band Camp

Ohmigosh, if YOU had a dime for every time I'll say that over the next three weeks. You could take me to Vegas!

Tracy, Janeen, Laura and I went to Summer Stock Austin's Sweeney Todd this weekend. Amazing, of course. (One of Lauren's friends is in it. I had no idea!) One more week of that. They are concurrently doing Little Shop of Horrors as well. My first time in the Long Center. Nice facility. I still haven't seen the main venue- Dell Hall- as this show was in the Rollins Studio Theater. They do Long Center tours during the week, so I definitely want to do that.

I found a curtain rod I want from IKEA. Guess I have to make a trip up there now. Whee!

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I Don't Know How to Tell You This...

...but there's a Chinese family in our bathroom.

From one of my favorite scenes from 500 Days of Summer. (See it here- so cute!) Summer and Tom go to IKEA on a date, which I love. I could spend hours in there dorking around on a date. It's free, and if you want to grab a bite, it's dirt cheap and good. How perfect.

Good thing we bought a house with two kitchens.

I wish I had bought a house with two kitchens-- Yesterday our dishwasher died. Yes, it is the second in what is almost certain to be at least a three-part series of large money outlays for things around the house that break. The first was both our vehicles needing tires at once. Oy.

Anywayzz... As the dishwasher is 7 years old, and some of the interior pieces are broken, we decided to get a new one. We bought one last night, and then Jeff decided to check the switch in the wall. After his high-tech initial testing with his fancy electro-whatchamajiggers, he thought it was actually the switch and not the dishwasher at all. ACK.

Then after some other tests, it turned out it is the dishwasher. I suppose replacing a 50-cent switch would have been better, but I really like the baking pan turbo jets in the new dishwasher that arrives next week, so I was going to be very sad to let it go. lol. Even more sad that we had dragged our Consumer Reports from store to store all afternoon looking at boring dishwashers.

Then he started explaining to me what was weird about the switch. Guess he had forgotten that part of the reason we are here together in this house, talking about a dishwasher switch, is that he had to coach me through sophomore Electrical Engineering, where I got a D, despite his heroic efforts.

I asked, "Do you see my eyes glazing over?" It was like an electrical engineering flashback. So he got out paper and drew some pictures that I actually understood. Your basic 8th grade circuit theory, but still. I got it. Electricity goes to ground, but only when the switch is on. Ohhhhhhhhhh!

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Happy BDay MTV

And I forgot to mention MTV turning 28. I was watching on Day 1, when they started broadcasting. Back in the day, it was videos, videos, videos. Now it's reality TV and mostly stuff I would never watch (then again, I'm not their demographic anymore), but it's cool to remember what an impact it had on all of us in high school. The original VJs will always be the best!


JJ Jackson, Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Martha Quinn, Alan Hunter

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In High School They Called Me "Anal Girl"

... because I was neat and organized.

A quote from 500 Days of Summer. Great movie! (Are Zooey Deschanel and Katy Perry the same person or what?) The crowd loved it- girls AND guys. So I would call it a fantastic date movie. It's written from the guy's point of view. It was cool. Don't miss the first 15 seconds, which is hilarious without an actor having even shown up on screen yet.

Katy Zooey

Today, Lauren is heading off to a high school girls "sex retreat" at the lake. Ha. Not what you think. It's a church youth group retreat where they'll talk about sex very candidly and honestly, with a Biblical perspective. And swim. I think it's a great idea, and it should be an exorcism-free weekend. Yeah, I'll never get tired of that reference.

Guard Camp is over and Band Camp begins Monday. The girls are absolutely thrilled to death with their fall costumes. I could tell you about it, but then I'd have to kill you. The guard director always gets a negative reaction when they see the new costume, but not this time. He was so relieved they liked it. New designer this season. I can't wait to see the show!

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