And the winner is....

Me, of course. I win. I started a new contest. It's called "Let's go to the grocery store and see who can spend the most money without actually buying anything". I just spent $50 and left with hardly anything. Some banana's (which must be $17.59 a pound) and a couple of items that were 10 for $10.

I am very excited that I am going to see Kathy Griffin in October. Yippy!

Secret memo to ZarahZou- when do you want to get a practice pedicure? It's probably a good idea if we get lots of practice ones before I go to Florida so that I can make sure I know how to get them. What if I forget?

My dentist sent me a very nice courtesy reminder that I haven't paid my bill yet. That was so thoughtful of them. Memo to the dentist: I can't pay my bill right now because I'm too busy giving all of my to the grocery store in exchange for a couple of banana's and a tub of sour cream.

I'm selling my pink Coach on ebay. I'm kinda worried because the bidding is only up to $23.50. It's worth about $70-80, but I'd like at least $50. But that's the risk you take when you start the bidding at $.99. I hope it goes up.

Ok, I'm going to do the dishes. I like doing the dishes just about as much as I like paying the dentist.

I'm not really a waitress,,,,

But I do have really pretty toes. "I'm not really a waitress" is the name of the OPI nail polish that I have on my toes. I got my first pedicure of the season yesterday, and it was most excellent! I like pedicures. After the pedicure, ZarahZou and I went to a Chinese buffet for lunch. I like Chinese buffet's, too. It was an excellent day. I also got my Pampered Chef products. it was almost like Christmas. I got so many fun things. I can't wait to use them.

ZickyZou thinks I'm brilliant. He told me so about 50 times. We went out for Chinese Friday night. Like I always do, I dipped my egg roll first in the spicy mustard then in the sweet & sour. He told me that it looked disgusting. I told him it was most excellent and to try it. He did. And he liked it. And told me that I was absolutely brilliant for inventing it. And he told me a zillion times over the rest of the night how brilliant I am. It's the little things.

I'm going back to Weight Watchers. The third time might be the charm. Hopefully. I'd really like to lose 30 pounds. But I'll settle for 25. I weigh about what I weighed the first time I joined WW. And I was able to lose 25 pounds. too bad I couldn't keep it off. This time I am more determined.

I'm selling my pink Coach pebbled leather handbag on ebay. It's going to be hard, but it's time to let it go. Plus I need to $$. So, I'm off to take pictures of it.....

Tator tot hotdish

Tonight I made tator tot hotdish. Even thought ZickyZou doesn't really like it, it's something that both me and princess enjoy, so every so often I make it. And since I rinsed off the 93/7 hamburger and used 98% fat free cream of celery, it isn't terribly unhealthy. Except that the tator tots are my favorite part. And there is enough elftover that we can have it again on Thursday (we are having chicken tomorrow night since I already took it out of the freezer) and maybe even some left for Friday!

Last Friday night ZickyZou and I went to the Twins game. It probably would have been fun (awesome seats) but they lost. And plus ZickyZou promised to catch me a Justin Morneau home-run. Except the Twins didn't even score one run, let alone a home-run. That was sad. But it was a nice night out.

Next Saturday morning I have an appointment for my first pedicure of the season. I am meeting ZarahZou at the beauty school so we can both get our feet made pretty. Then we can go out to lunch and show them off. I miss e-mailing with her everyday. (sniffle...sniffle). But today I spent my work day learning about the quadratic equation. I am now a semi-expert on -b - the square root of b squared times 4 times a times b over 2a. I hope that's right since I've been chanting it to myself for the past 4 hours. I now think I know semi-enough to teach it to my daughter maybe. Except she doesn't want to learn it. And I really wish that someone would give me an example of how it applicable to real life. Plus, it doesn't make sense to me how a math problem can have 2 answers. Oh, well.

I just finished reading Duma Key, the newest Stephen King novel. It was actually not bad. I expected it to be crazy. I read Lisey's Story and couldn't believe that the brilliant guy that wrote The Stand wrote about Lisey. But, Duma Key helps him redeem himself. I just started the newest book by Harlan Coben, but I can't remember the name. It's okay so far, but I think I need to read something lighter next. Maybe I'll re-read a Shopaholic book.

MissZalyssa wants to get a job so that she can get another cat. I don't think that Tabby-Wabby would appreciate that. She doesn't even like that we live here, I can't imagine how she would feel about another animal.

Ok, I need to go over to my parents house to help my mom with something. Then the treadmill......

I hate my treadmill....

I just had to say that. It works perfectly fine. But it makes my feet hurt and it makes tired. If only it would make me skinny.....I just saw an ad on myspace that said "Are you fat? Take this quiz to find out". Do people actually click on that crap? I don't really need an on-line quiz to tell me that I need to lose weight (I have my doctor for that). Do you type in your height and weight and then SHAZAM! it tells you if you're fat? Brilliant. I wonder if you have to put in you credit card # first.

Saturday zarahzou and I are co-hosting a Pampered Chef party. I am rather excited because I am going to make my favorite taco dip and I have been walking extra on the treadmill so that I can eat it and only feel slightly guilty. It's no wonder that I hate my treadmill. I have walked for 60 minutes a night, 4 (sometimes 5) nights a week for a month. I have eaten around 1500 calories most days, 1800 a couple of days. I have lost .5 pounds. Yes, that is half a pound. at that rate, I am going to walk 5,865,432 miles before I lose 10 pounds. And my doctor suggested I lose 20 to even consider going off the blood pressure medication.

Misszalyssa wants a new ipod. Since I just bought her a new phone, I told her that she needed to find a way to pay for it. She is returning her new Juicy Couture swimsuit (that I know she really wants to keep) and she is selling a bunch of stuff on ebay. Hopefully she'll get enough $. Selling stuff on ebay is a pain in the azz. But it's a good lesson for the princess - having to give up old stuff to get new stuff.

I just finished a book called "Damaged" by Cathy Glass. The book is very well-written, but the subject matter is extremely disturbing, especially since it is a true story. It's written by a lady who is a foster care provider and it's about one of the children she took in and the horrific abuse that the little girl suffered before being placed into foster care. When I finished it, I was deeply disturbed and sad. I read the whole book on Saturday because I couldn't put it down. I wanted a happy ending. But I don't think that there is truly happy ending for a child who is put through so much.

I also just finished "Honor Thyself" by Danielle Steele. It was okay. Just another Danielle Steele book. They are pretty much all the same. I am now reading a double novel by Harlan Coben. I think I may have read at least one of the two books before. Good thing my memory is shot. I can re-read a book and not even know it.

Zomeone that I e-mail every single work day, usually at least 100 e-mails a day back and forth got in trouble for sending me e-mails. I'm sad without being able to e-mail her. I told Zickyzou that she got in trouble for e-mailing me. He said that it was dumb she got into trouble. Then I told him how many e-mails we usually send and he said that we should both get written up. But the funny thing is, I get more work done when I'm e-mailing her than when I'm not. When I am e-mailing her, I have to stay at my desk and work super fast. When I'm not e-mailing her, it's easy to get up and walk around and talk to people or to get side-tracked and be doing something off of the computer.

Ok, it's 9:10 and I want to go to bed early.

March Madness!!

It's that time of year- my favorite time. Hours upon hours of basketball. The only thing that could make it better would be if the Gopher's were going to the dance. They should make it to the NIT, and they did have a decent season, so I'm not totally disappointed. And there's always next year.

My house is almost clean. Nick and I just finished a 3 hour marathon of scrubbing and vacuuming and dusting. There is still plenty left to do, but we got a lot done. We are cleaning in anticipation of Easter dinner. I'm making lasagne, ham, homemade mac & cheese and green bean casserole. I can't wait.

Last week Alyssa decided that she wanted to become a vegetarian. I decided to semi-join her. I will gladly eat veggie burgers and fake chicken patties for dinner, but there is no way in the world that I'm swearing off steak. I am willing to completely give up chicken and pork, but there is nothing better than a huge slab of steak, somewhere between rare and medium-rare. So, we ate vegetarian every night last week. Maybe we'll become healthy.

Tabby-wabby can be quite the bratty-watty. She knows how to get treats. I've told her 10 times today that she wasn't getting any more treats. So what does she do??? She lies down right behind the computer chair so that it can't be pulled out because she thinks that that is going to get her a treat to get her to move. It worked. This time.

Ok, the selection show is about to start. That's the real kick-off to March Madness.

I heart ebay!

I booked my trip to Orlando last week. June 23-30th. That is a long ways away, but it should give me enough time to lose 20 more pounds. That's my goal. But I'll accept 15 because I'm an underacheiver.

I just bought all of my Florida shorts off of ebay. I just got three pairs from the same seller (2 Old Navy's and a DKNY) for $24.50 total. Then from another seller I got 2 pairs of Old Navy's for about $15. That is 5 pairs of shorts, and the exact amount I need for my vacation. I'm happy with my purchases. And I have like 4 sleeveless tops that I got from Kohls on clearance for $4 or less each. I think I'm ready to start packing.

Last night I watched 2 movies and the new episode of Degrassi. I watched "A Mighty Heart" with Angelina Jolie. It's the story of the journalist Daniel Pearl who was kidnapped and beheaded in Pakistan. It was very good, but so sad. I also watched "28 Weeks Later." It freaked me out. I was watching it in bed, and Nick was leaving to play video games with my brother and he asked me if he should turn out the light. I asked him to leave it on. I love scary movies. This one was excellent. It kind of reminds me of "The Stand", but you don't get to kow the characters as well in a movie that's only an hour and a half long.

Today is "date day". Nick and I are going out to lunch and then we are going to a movie. We are going to see "Jumper". We were going to go shopping for a treadmill, but I just got a coupon in the mail for 10% off next saturday at Sears. And since that's where we were going to go.....

I redid my bathroom last week. If I get time, I'll post pics. It's certainly different that the turquoise and line green that it was. It is not floraly and pink. I think I like it better.

Ok, I suppose I should go throw in a load of laundry. And maybe start getting dressed.

I have a couple of confessions....

1) I'm getting really bored with blogging. This is my 145th post. That's a lot. I'm not saying I'm going to stop, just that I am running out of htings to say.

2) I have a pair of pajama's that have teddy bears on them. And I like them. A lot. They are warm and comfy and cute. And probably more appropriate for a 5th grader.

3) Losing weight is hard. Sometimes I want to quit struggling with it. I think I'd be very happy if I ate donuts and garlic bread every day. But, I know that it's probably not worth the health risks. That doesn't mean that I can't dream of a life without having to worry about every single thing I shove in my mouth.

4) Someone (I'm not going to mention any names) gave me a Starbucks gift card for Christmas with a notation that it should be used only for chai tea lattes. Well, since I am trying to break the chai tea habit and I still wanted to use the gift card, I used it for vanilla lattes instead. Sorry! But I did really, really, really enjoy the vanilla lattes.

5) It makes me very excited and very happy that Tubby Smith is the coach for the Gophers. I mean VERY EXCITED. Tubby Smith is our freaking coach! That is so cool. He's a legend. And he's coaching at Minnesota. It's going to take me a few seasons to get used to that. Maybe after he wins the national championship here it will finally sink in. I have not been this excited for Gopher basketball since Dusty Rychart wore maroon & gold. Go, Gophers!!

6) I just ate half a bottle of tums because I have really bad heartburn from eating a piece of spicy italian pizza. Perhaps I should have listened to the little voice saying "pizza is not the best option for dinner. you should eat healthier".

Okay, and finally #7) I am going to bed at 9:30. I think I'm adopting that as my new bedtime.

Is it Sunday already???

This weekend has gone by way too fast. I wish weekends were longer. I did do a lot of stuff, but I would like more time to sit around and do nothing. Friday I read a book. Saturday afternoon I went to ZickyZou's grandma's birthday party. That was fun. I love celebrations that center around food. Then I met my sister at the movie theater and we saw Untraceable. Very good, but it kind of freaked me out. I was slightly afraid to go on the internet when I got home.

Today I spent most of the day at my parents house screaming at the tv. First the gopher's men's team got stomped on by Wisconsin, then the women's team let Ohio St walk all over them. There was a lot of yelling going on.

Now I'm home, watching the "big game". I want Randy Moss to win. ZickyZou's grandma is a big Randy fan, too. So both her and I got lectured at about what a bad person he is. Hello, that is why we like him. He wouldn't be any fun if he didn't cause trouble.

Okay, I'm going to go watch the 4th quarter. Then I must shower and go to bed. Good night!

Green Bay....

I'm torn. I can't decide if I want Green Bay to go to the Super Bowl, if I detest them and want them to self-destruct, or if I even care. Well, of course I care, I have numbers for the game. But do I CARE? And why is this such a dilemma for me?

Me and ZickyZou went to see Juno today. Very, very good. Very funny.

MissZalyssa and I went to Target to order her birthday cake- Hannah Montana. I can't believe that she is going to be 16. Friday night me, her, her friend Zemily and my sister Zisa are going to Benihana. That's where the Zalyssa-monster wanted to go.

I went to Turnstyle today and bought the cutest pair of pants of $7. However, they are just a little bit to big so I am going to gain 5 pounds so that they fit. A size 4 is supposed to fit me, so they are obviously missized. I have a serious sizing problem with my clothes. A size 4 is way too big. A size 2 is like trying to squeeze into a toddler size. There is no size in between. What am I supposed to. And I only dream that my dilemma is between a size 2 and a 4. I hate clothes.

I went to JC Penney and bought a bra on that was on clearance. She charged me full price. I didn't notice until I got into the car and was looking at my receipt trying to figure out how I spent $65. So I go back in. And unlike at most normal stores, they can't do returns or price adjustments at the front registers, you have to go back to customer service. Nice. At least I burned an extra 1000 calories walking the 17 miles back to customer service. But I got my $22.41 refund. And I have a really nice bra.

I am putting off working on my closet. Screw cheap shelves that fall down. And screw clothes that don't fold themselves.

Ok, I am either going to go to work on my closet or go to bed.

Only four episodes left....

and then I have completed watching the entire O.C. series. I can't watch any episodes tonight because I have to watch the Biggest Loser and Law & Order: SVU. But, tomorrow night I may be able to finish it off. This makes me a little bit excited and a very bit sad. sniffle....sniffle.....

I have added a New Year's resolution to my list. I am going to break up with semi-expensive beauty products. I am going to try really, really, really hard to not buy any more philosophy or bare escentuals. Except I need to continue using philosophy supernatural foundation and bare escentuals bisque for concealer, but that's only because they have really helped my skin. But I am done with pro-activ. and amazing grace. and all of the yummy 3-in-1's. This is going to be hard. But it is necessary. And I'm ready. Plus, I have enough stockpiled to get me through to at least May.

OK, I'm going to go finish watching TBL and I still have to figure out what I'm wearing to work tomorrow.......

Wednesday?!?!

It's already Wednesday. I rather like having a day off in the middle of the week- it should make the work week go so much faster.I had an excellent New Year's eve. Ryan, Marissa, Summer, Seth and I hung out, along with the rest of the Cohens and Julie Cooper-Nichol. Yes, they are the characters on The O.C. I am on episode 16 of season 3. What am I going to do when I have completed watching the entire series?

I realize that my New Years resolution of reducing my chai tea intake was perhaps a cop out to avoid choosing an actual resolution that could make me a better person. But I really don't feel like working on things like how I should be less judgmental or that I should be nicer to people. And losing weight isn't something I want to use as a resolution, because I've been working on that for years. I'd rather work on something where I can visibly see the results and chart my progress. I can give myself a gold star every time I pass a Starbucks or Caribou and don't stop in and give them the equivalent of an hours salary in exchange for a latte. Maybe next year I will work on my character flaws.

Today I am wearing the bracelet that my sister brought me home from New York. The one that she thinks is authentic Tiffany just because it's stamped "Tiffany & Co." She says the guy she bought it from on the street said he bought them in a wholesale lot and that they are real. I hope she didn't pay more than $15 for it, because although it is a very cute bracelet, it is very "inspired by Tiffany", which equates to a fake. But it is very pretty.

According to the T-Mobile rebate website, they are going to honor the rebate I submitted for Princess Zalyssa's sidekick. The guy at the store told me that I could not get the rebate because I did not sign up for the $20 per month internet plan. The rebate status on their website says that I have "qualified" and the check is pending. I won't hold my breath until I have the check in my hand, but I am pretty excite about the prospect of an extra $50.

Ok, off to the O.C........

I resolve to....

I am going to work on the chai tea latte addiction as my new years resolution. I think I did well last year with the kicking of the lip gloss habit - I only bought 4 or 5 (or so) new lip glosses all year! So this year I think I can quit the chai tea's. This will be despite ZarahZou enabling me with a wonderful Christmas gift of a Starbucks gift card. She also gave me like 7 or 8 mostly used gift cards. $.63 for Target, $.47 for Caribou, $.72 for Super America, a 2 minute calling card. I heart ZarahZou. She's hilarious. She made me laugh a lot. Semi-used gift cards are the next hot thing.

Anyhow, back to the chai tea thing. It should be fairly easy to kick the chai since I have a completely new addiction. That would be watching The O.C. I used my Christmas money (thank you, favoritest mother-in-law ever) to buy all 4 seasons. I could either buy all 4 seasons packaged together in a cute little plastic case for $135 or I could buy each season individually in cardboard cases for $20 per season. As much as I wanted to spend the extra $55 for the plastic case, I opted to purchase each season individually. Since last Wednesday I have watched the first two seasons- that would be 51 episodes. And I worked Thursday, Friday and today. I am Obsessed Completely. I didn't start watching the show until the season finale of season 1, but I watched every single episode after that, so I am just basically re-watching what I've already seen. Am I pathetic or dedicated? I should note that it is 9:00 on New Years Eve and I am taking a break from watching to check my e-mail.

ZickyZou and I pretty much spent all weekend in bed recovering from very bad colds. But it worked out well because he could watch the tv and I could watch The O.C. on the portable dvd player with headphones. Sad?

Ok, enough about Californyaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.

My Christmas was most excellent, except for the whole being sick part. I'm almost better now, but Nick just started being sick. He thought I was faking how sick I was until he caught it. I told him to stay away from me, but he didn't listen. Shouldn't he know by now that I am always right?

I am going to start season 3 since it is only 9:15. I can get in 3 episodes before bedtime. Except season 3 is the last season with Marissa. I'm not sure I want to live through this one again. Merry New Year!

100% done Christmas Shopping!

Yippy! I just bought my final gift tonight. I am very excited. Now if someone would just wrap the presents for me......

I also finished selling my stuff on ebay. On $242 worth of stuff, I am profiting about $3.62. If I continue at that rate, I can retire in the Year 3000 when the Jonas Brothers 7th album comes out and goes multi-platinum and outsells Kelly Clarkson. And now that stupid song is stuck in my head again.

I am now considered a regular at the post office. The clerk lady told me so. I guess that's what happens when you go there every day for a week & 1/2. If all the ebay people would pay at once, I could ship everything at once. Oh, well. I like waiting in line.

Jamie Lynn Spears being pregnant kinda makes me feel ill. I'm really not too happy about teen pregnancy being glamorized. Being 16 and pregnant is not really something to be proud of. It's not exactly an accomplishment. Oh, well. To each his own, I suppose.

Ok, now I really need to go and wrap some presents......

77% done Christmas shopping.....

I spent 4 hours today going to 2 different Walmarts, Old Navy, a bookstore, and Sears trying to finish up my Christmas shopping. Now I just have some hard people left. I won't say who is case they are reading this. I'd hate for them to think that they are one of the "hard" people. I wish they were all as easy as MissZalyssa and that they would give me a list telling me exactly what they would like, where to get it, how much it costs, and that they will love me forever if I get it for them.

I'm very tired, but it's only 8:30. I'd hate to end my weekend early by going to sleep. I still have 2 hours left of my weekend. I wish that weekends were 3 or 4 days long. If I ever run for president, that will be the first change I make. I bet that if that is on my platform, I will win. Too bad I'm too lazy to actually run for office.

People that win ebay auctions and don't pay for them right away make me cranky. The sooner you pay, the sooner I can ship and get the stuff out of my house. I'm trying to get rid of stuff, and waiting for your payment means I have to keep the junk of my bedroom floor for longer.

I think I'll go lay in bed and watch tv. that's almost like going to bed early, but it is also keeping my weekend just a little bit longer. Good night!

That stupid Longaberger pen...

Ok, so I still feel guilty about stealing the pen from the basket party. I know she would have told me I could have it if I would have asked. It was a REALLY nice pen.

Anyway, some kid came to the door selling the Star Tribune. The last time we got the paper 7 days a week, I ended up recycling 72 pounds of unread paper. So I told the poor kid no. He tried a hard sell, he gets a savings bond for college, I'll save the world, feed starving children, etc, etc. But I stood my ground. No more paper. We get the paper on Saturday and Sunday. That's plenty of paper for us. So he gives up and asks me if I will fill out a quick card thing so that he can prove he talked to me and that I said no. Ok, fine. I can do that. He gives me his little clip board and pen. I try to fill out the form, but his pen doesn't work. Instead of doing the smart thing and saying "see ya, bye", I said I'd go get a pen. The first one I could grab is the really nice Longaberger pen. So I filled out the rest of the form, and told him he could keep the pen so he would have one that worked. That good deed officially absolves me of any guilt I felt about stealing the pen in the first place since I gave it to some kid fundraising to save money to adopt orphans or whales or something. But I miss the pen already. I liked that pen. It was such a nice pen.

All I want for Christmas is a Longaberger pen.

And on that note, I am off to re-heat dear husbands dinner and then he is going to give me a foot massage because he loves me. And I love foot massages. This arrangement works well.

Michael Jackson.....

I was just thinking today how big of a superstar Michael Jackson would be if he had not gone psycho. Some of my favoritest songs ever are by him, and I still enjoy listening to his music. I'm sad that he is a criminally insane psychotic lunatic, because I would really have liked him to continue to make music.

I listened to "We are the world" tonight on the 80's music channel, and that's what made me think of MJ. I love that song, too. My exercising time goes really fast if I am switching back and forth between the 80's, the 90's and adult Top 40. I love that my tv plays music.

I have no idea what I'm wearing to work tomorrow. I have a lunch with some sales reps. I suppose I should dress nicely. On days when I want to dress nicer, my hair never turns out. I had a good hair today when I didn't really need one. Not fair.

Ok, I'm going to shower and try on half my closet.

Some things that bug me....

I was looking at the myspace profile of the little brother of this girl that I used to go to school with. He is probably 26-28 now. Here is what I know: He wants a nice girl, and he don't want no golddigga or playa's. Nice, especially since he works part time at the grocery store, drives a 94 Ford Taurus and lives in his mom's basement. Not that there is anything wrong with that combination, but I'm pretty sure that he's not exactly Kanye West. I can promise him that girl's are not lining up to steal him $7.50 an hour (before taxes). So, note to "this kid": if you really want a nice girl, be a nice guy. And use semi-proper grammar, including the er's at the end of words. Girls want a nice guy that can hold a conversation.

Another thing that bugs me: I've been saving this expensive bar of soap for the last few months with the intention of using it on an occasion where I felt a little stressed out and wanted to do something nice (and cheap) for myself. So I decide tonight's the nice to pull out my bar of CLEAN Ultimate soap. I guess I set my expectations too high because I was rather disappointed. I expected to have a truly uplifting experience. It smelled like and felt like a regular bar of soap. Shouldn't a bar of soap that costs $10 be something special?

Okay, final thing that bugs me: Some idiot forgot to add the electric bill automatic deduction to her checkbook. The electric bill has been taken out of my checkbook on the same day of the month for the past year and a half. It is not a surprise. So, I sold some of things on ebay and I thought I was rich. I'm not. But at least I'll have lights.

I still have not listed the Dooney & Bourke Signature Tassel Tote on ebay. Could my hesitation be because I really want to keep it? Ok, off to read my book. I am currently reading P.S. I love You by Cecelia Ahern. Very good so far. I think when I finish this, I'll try to finish Missing Mom by Joyce Carol Oates. That is the only book that I have had to put down because it was truly disturbing me. I have read hundreds of scary novels and not been disturbed. But this one isn't really scary in a monster/supernatural way. It is a drama, but it just hits me in a place I guess I don't want to go. I had to stop reading. But I think I want to try it again. It's going to take me a while to get through P.S. I Love You, so I won't have to decide what to read next for about a week.

Good night!

My car is smart....

You gotta love your car when it is smart enough to tell you that you have "low traction" when you are driving on solid ice. Like I couldn't figure that out for myself. Does anybody actually depend on their car for trying to figure out whether or not it is slippery out????

I just got a check from Mr.Rebates for $62.02. I got that much money just for buying things that I would have bought anyways. And I have at least $25 pending. I heart mr.rebates.com.

Tomorrow night is KDWB's Jingle Ball concert. I want nothing more than to be closed in with 50,000 screaming people. At least I get to see Avril Lavigne in concert, and that has always been a dream of mine?!?!?

I know I should be exercising right now. But I don't want to. and who's going to make me?

I went to a Longaberger basket party last night. I spent $62 on 4 candles, so in defiance I stole a Longaberger pen. I'm sure the hostess would have told me I could have it if I would have asked, but it wouldn't have made me feel victorious had I gotten permission to take it. But is it really stealing if she would have given it to me? I say not. Plus, didn't she kind of give it to me when she shoved it at me with the order form and catalogs? Does anyone (besides my sister) spend $82 for one little basket? The prices are insane.

Ok, now that I feel guilty about the pen, I have to go exercise.

EEEEEEEbay.......

Someone just paid me $22 for an item that I got as a free gift with purchase from an online store. That rocks! I wanted to ship it out today, but the stupid snow caused my stupid commute to be a stupid 2 & 1/2 hours. 2 & 1/2 hours to go 22 miles. Good thing I'm comfortable talking to myself and that I find myself really good company.

I bought a super cute Dooney & Bourke handbag for myself for Nick to give me for Christmas. But I am not 100% certain that it is the right handbag for me. I am considering selling it on ebay. I could probably profit $20-30 on it because I bought it on sale. But I like it. Such decisions.....

I am reading a really good (but disturbing) book called The Handmaid's Tale. I will not write a summary of it here, but I do suggest that everyone read it. It's quite good. But scary. Lots of what if's.

Does anyone want to lend me some motivation so that I can send in the rebate card for my new cell phone and get $50 back? You'd think $50 would be enough to make me quite delaying. But I guess I'm lazy.

Ok, I am going to bed. I am not even going to watch the new Law & Order SVU because I am exhausted.

Kitty's, and T-wolves,and Vikings - Oh My!

Ok, so we got a new cat. Her name is Tabby, and she is a very good kitty. And she likes me. She keeps crawling up on my lap while I'm trying to type. It's rather cute.

I went to the Timberwolves game last night, they lost. But MissZalyssa is planning on becoming a basketball groupie. It's in her genes. ZarahZou, you missed out on a great game.

I just got back from the Vikings game. They won. But we parked liken 987 blocks away from the dome, and when we were leaving it was raining and very, very cold. My hands are still frozen.

I really should be cleaning my house in anticipation of the millions of people that are coming over for dinner on Thanksgiving. At the very least I should take the leftover Halloween candy off the couch. But that's just so much work. I'd rather do the dishes. So that's what I'm going to do.....

Time to let go....

Ok, I decided that I needed to have a resolution for the start of the college basketball season. This season I pledge to try to let go of the (illogical) bitterness I feel towards former MN coach, current MD coach Brenda Freese. There is no REAL reason for me not to like her. I was just watching the MD-OK game, and she is pregnant with twins. How can I harbor bitterness towards someone who is about to have twins? Yes, she is a very successful coach and recruiter who abandoned the MN team. But, that was a few years ago and I need to get over, everyone else in the world has. So, Ms. Freese, good luck to you on the babies, but may you lose every basketball game.

I tried sushi....

and I didn't die. MissZalyssa had an extreme fascination with buying sushi from the Target deli. So I finally gave in about bought her the California Roll for $5.00. I tried a piece, and it wasn't awful. It wasn't actually good, but it wasn't terrible. Not certain I'd eat it again, but she liked it. I guess that that is what's important.

I got a flu shot today. They make it so easy to get one at work. A nurse comes in, you just show your Medica card and then they shot you int he arm. So now I won't get sick all winter, right? Does the flu shot ward off sinus infections and colds? It should.

I'm getting a pedicure on Saturday. I like pedicures. Yes, it is winter. Yes, it will probably snow tonight. But I am still wearing flip=flops and getting a pedicure. I like pedicures. Plus, just cause it's almost Thanksgiving is really no excuse to not have beautiful toes.

I am debating about getting ready to maybe get started on making my Thanksgiving grocery list. I wish someone would do that for me. I don't mind the cooking, but the planning is just so hard.

Ok, I am going to go have my nutri-dinner.....

I have two major problems....

and they are not very funny, so don't laugh.

First, I think I am addicted to Chai Tea drinks from Starbucks. Chai Tea Latte's, Chai Tea Frappachino's, Chai Tea whatevers. I love them all. And at over $4 a drink, this addiction is nearly as bad as coke. Is there a support group for quitting Starbucks? I am going to need to get a part-time job to support this bad habit.

Second, I really think I like the Jonas Brothers. Not in like a "they are so cute way", but in a way like "every song they sing is catchy and cute and gets stuck in my head". Is that bad? I'm 30-ish and I like listening to a teeny-bopper boy band.

First Gopher's game of the season is on tonight. Allegedly I supposedly can watch it on-line. I hope that is true. I would be sad to not be able to watch the start of basketball season. I heart Gopher's basketball.

Ok, I have to super-exercise a lot tonight to burn off the calories of my Chai Tea Frap. It only has like 7000 calories, so 18 hours on the elliptical shall take care of it.

Best of Both Worlds.....

I can say, without a doubt, that Hannah Montana can not sing. Wanna know how I can say that? Because I went to her concert. Me, her, and 17,000 screaming girls. I called Ticketmaster 4 hours before the concert and was able to score 3 tickets on the second level diagonal to the back of the stage. They were actually not bad seats. We could see right on to the stage and we were right in front of the screen. We got to the Target Center at 4, because that's when the website said that Will Call opened. Except it didn't open until 5. The gates opened at 6. Lots of waiting. Worth it for the girls, not so much for me. They had a blast. $30 t-shirts, $4 bottles of water, a $10 plastic fake backstage pass.... YIKES! At least I got a deal on parking because we got there before event parking started.

Speaking of waiting, we got to the Mall of America at 8:30 yesterday to see the Jonas Brothers. We got our wristbands, but we has to wait in a little sectioned off area so we could get a good spot for the 4:00 concert. So, we sat until 1:30. Then they said we all had to stand up. So we stood for 3 hours to see a 15 minute concert. We were very, very close to the stage. But it was a lot of waiting, a lot of standing, and a lot of pushing. Pretty much after 1:30 you could not leave to go to the bathroom or anything. I did leave the sectioned off area three times- once at 9:00 to get coffee and donuts for breakfast, once to go the bathroom and see where it was so that the girls could go, and then I went to get lunch at 12:00. Pizza Hut. Yum. It was a very long day, but the girls had a blast. If I am not the best mom in the world, I don't know what else I could do to get the title.

Ok, me and ZickyZou are about to leave to pick up our new car. We got the very last automatic Ion Quad Coupe in the Twin Cities. It is storm grey, and does not have all of the features we hoped for. But it does have 0% financing for 6 years. You can't beat that.

I'm not very good...

at blogging consistently anymore. It's been about 3 weeks since I blogger last. I'm going to blame it on my new work schedule (8:00-4:30), zalyssa going to school on-line, my newly married status, oh, and I'm lazy.

Last week was United Way week at work. I won a $10 gift certificate to the deli by my work. Awesome. I also won a tea cup and saucer set. Not quite sure what is going to become of that.

Last Tuesday I took the day off to get some errands done. I went to the Social Security office to change my name. I also went to the credit union to update my account. Then I met a friend for lunch. She brought her baby, and he was sooo good that it almost made me think that I could handle one of my own. If I could get a guarantee that I could get a baby that easy going (and cute!) I'd be all in. Lunch was great. I love lunch at the Olive Garden.

Yesterday I watched the Gophers blow a 3 touchdown lead. Lets see what the Vikings can do today. I'm not feeling optimistic.

Any volunteers to come and clean my house? I am 100% caught up on laundry, but everything else is a cluttery mess. I should go get some of it down.

It only took me 7 hours

to get Zalyssa's new ipod set up. The stupid computer would not recognize it, and it made me so mad that I stayed up until midnight trying to get it to work. Then I came home tonight and spent more time on it. I have never been so happy to get something to work. I almost started to cry i was so excited. I finally tried unplugging the printer and using that usb port. It worked!! Yippy.

But I did not have time to exercise tonight. I am willing to sacrifice the 7 pounds I am destined to gain overnight by skipping a night of exercise.

Next week I have continue ed classes Mon-Thurs and then on Friday I am playing golf for the United Way. I hope we don't embarrass ourselves. But, we probably will.

It has been a long week. I am ready for the weekend. I think on Saturday I am going to go to the dmv and update my name on my license. Then I can change my bank account. Then maybe not next week but the week after I will go down to the social security office and update that. I've heard that I should get there early and bring lunch. Nice!

Ok, to shower and then to bed.

Mrs. ZickyZou

I am now officially Mrs. ZickyZou. I haven't posted in awhile because I have been so busy getting ready. And I just changed my work schedule so I have 2 hours less at home every night. But I get to drive MissZalyssa to school every morning, so that makes it worth it.

The wedding was beautiful. Everything went as planned, and that is always good when it comes to weddings. Now I just have to go through all of the name-changing. I think I'll type up a form letter to send to the numerous credit card companies. That should save me some time.

Ok, I ordered the Zalyssa-monster pizza for dinner. It should be here any second.

A pre-nup????

So, Zicky-Zou had his bachelor party Saturday night. One of his friends from work, a thrice-married, quite jaded guy, advised Zicky-Zou that the best thing he can ever do is not get married. And if he does get married,he needs a pre-nup. Nice idea, except our net worth is negative $217,232.We have assets of about $3.68. Somehow I think if we went to lawyer and tried to get a pre-nup drawn up that listed items like three-32 ounce bottles of philosophy body lotion, a bic razor, and half a bottle of hairspray we'd be laughed out of his office.

I have lots of money invested in hair and body care products that will probably be gone in 5 years when we get divorced. And I would guess the value of ZickyZou's X-Box decreases daily. Somehow I don't see us fighting over empty bottles and used video games. The only joint purchase we have is a $77 tv we got on clearance when we pooled out Christmas money from his grandma. And since it was his grandma, he can have the tv if it still works in 5 years.We are not the type of people that pre-nups were designed for. Plus, I make more money. Shouldn't I be insisting on a pre-nup to protect my Coach and Dooney collection? Maybe the judge will award him alimony of $1.72 a month.

Ok, enough about divorce. We are not even married yet. Two weeks! Seems rather surreal.My bachlorette party was great, except the toy party lady never showed up. I hope she wasn't in a fiery car crash since I have been cursing her existence. Actually, I should be glad she didn't show up because she probably saved me a couple of hundred dollars. I didn't "need' anything anyway, although I was looking forward to buying some more shaving cream. I love that stuff.

I had a blast at my party, even without the toy party part. ZarahZou was a most-excellent bartender. She made lots of fruity pretty drinks. I didn't get "trashed", but I did get a tad bit tipsy. And a couple of people that I have not seen in years and years came. That was really fun. It was nice to see them, I am very glad they came. Zheresa and Zamy have not changed one bit in the past 15 or so years. They look they same. It's hard for me to comprehend that someone (Zheresa) that I used to go trick or treating with has 4 kids! We are officially and certifiably ADULTS! Sometimes I feel younger, but then I remember that I have a 15 year old daughter and a mortgage.

And now I have enough alcohol leftover to have an official "liquor cabinet". Except I don't have a cabinet. But I have plenty of alcohol. If I ever need a drink, I have a little of everything. Yesterday Alyssa and I made nonalcoholic apple and watermelon martini's. Yum. And I made her a Tequila Sunrise, sans tequila, of course. She was impressed with the drink,and I got to explain density to her.

Today I got a phone call from another person that I have not talked to since high school. Zenee used to live across the street from me from about the time I was 5 until I was 14. She slept over at my house numerous times and we spent lots of time together. I haven't talked to her forever so it was really nice to hear from her.

Ok, time to make my nutri-dinner....

Over two weeks

since I last wrote an entry. Wow! What is happening to me. That is unacceptable. I have just been so preoccupied with things- my dad was in the hospital, I'm getting a root canal (and I had a killer toothache), school clothes shopping, family picnics, oh, and wedding plans. So much to do, so little time.

It's past my bedtime, but I get to sleep in for about 45 minutes tomorrow because I have a dentist appt. at 8:00 am to finish my root canal. And I get to pay $250 to get it done. What a treat. A trip to the dentist and an increased balance on my visa. But, good news- by charging it on my amazon.com visa I will have accrued enough points to get a $25 amazon.com gift card. What a deal.

Family picnic in Becker on Saturday. And I get to make two dishes, my parents and my own. I am soooo lucky. Plus I don't even get to enjoy any picnic foods since I am on nutrisystem. I did decide to make my bachlorette party an exception and I plan to consume at least 2500 calories worth of tequila. I'm not making an exception for the picnic since there will be other picnics in my future. There will not, however, be any other bachlorette parties in my honor. So I need to drink. A lot.

I just had the best dessert. Nutrisystem chocolate-chocolate chip pudding. It was so good. Some of the food is really, really good. For dinner tonight I had green pepper steak w/ rice. I didn't expect to like it, but it was surprisingly good. I dumped it over a plate of cooked frozen broccoli, cauliflower and carrots. I am eating so much cooked broccoli. I still don't like it, but when you dump a dinner over it, it tastes like the dinner's sauce. I have lost nearly 14 pounds so far. I am very excited about that. 14 down, 26 to go. Too bad the next 14 won't be quite as easy. Or maybe they will be??

Ok, my laundry is done so I should go fold my clothes before I go to bed. Need to be well-rested for the root canal.

We set a date!!!

I know, about time, huh? Especially since I've been planning the bachlorette party for 2 months. Anyhow, the date is September 9th at the Chapel of Love in the Mall of America. We got the least expensive package and get to have 12 whole guests (as opposed to half guests). And following the ceremony, dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe (Zalyssa's choice). I ordered my dress. Actually, I ordered two dresses since I have no idea what size I'll be in September, hopefully a size 2, maybe a 4. But I'll settle for a comfortable 12 or a tight 10.

I'm having pretty good luck with Nutrisystem. Most of the food has been pretty good and I haven't been hungry. I expect that tomorrow (which will be 2 weeks on the plan) I'll have lost about 9 pounds. 9 down, 26 to go. At two pounds a week, that's only 13 more weeks. Very doable.

I'm still trying to figure out my reaction to the KG trade. I so want to be happy for him, this is his chance to get a ring. And he's such a fun player to watch. But, I also want the Timberwolves to win, and trading away of of the best players EVER just doesn't seem like the key to winning. But, what do I know?

Ok, time to shower. Then I get my nutri-snack. Not sure what to have tonight- BBQ soy chips (which are really, really good), Nutri-chocolates (also really, really good) or a nutri-chocolate crunch bar (again- super good). So many choices.

Super Saturday!

Today is Super Saturday and a benefit is being held in The Hampton's to raise money for ovarian cancer. And this year QVC is participating. I just got a killer deal on some philosophy products that will make perfect Christmas or birthday presents for a couple of people. Awesome! philosophy at half-price!

Ok, since I started Nutri-system I have lost almost 7 pounds. I am very excited. Some of the food is excellent. I had another awful thing- the orange-cranberry breakfast pastry. It tasted and smelled like feet. For real. And I truly thought it would be one of my favorites. Oh,well.

I finished the new Harry Potter book. It was very good, but I am a bit disappointed that it is over. I wanted it to keep going.

Ok, I need to go to the grocery store and get more zucchini. I have been eating tons of it. I didn't even really like it until I started frying it with peppers and garlic. Now I think it is fantastic.

Has it really been 9 days...

since my last blog? wow, doesn't seem like that long.

I started Nutrisystem. I have been strictly following the program since the 19th. So far, so good. Most of the food has either been really good or tolerable. Only really NASTY thing was the turkey with balsamic vinaigrette. Holy nasty. Like really, really bad. It sounds good, but it is bad. I even semi-enjoyed the tuna casserole that people on the website told me to not even bother opening. I fried up a bunch of green peppers, red peppers, onions and celery and mixed it in. it tasted like peppers. Not sure I'd want it again, but it was edible. And I have already lost 3 pounds. I have given up my goal of losing 57 pounds by September. I'll take 15.

I went to see Hairspray with ZarahZou. She had popcorn (and was nice enough to skip the icee) while I ate cucumber slices and a large diet coke. Note- large diet coke is way too much to drink in the first half of a movie. I think this may be the first movie I have gone to where I didn't have popcorn and an icee. And I didn't die or anything. The movie was really good, but I think I like the original better.

I am for surely getting married in September, but we still have not chosen a date. We decided to go to the chapel in the Mall of America. Cheesy? Yes. But it is a good middle ground between a real wedding and going to the courthouse. We are just waiting for my sister to book her airline ticket. She has exactly about 2 more days before we just choose a date and if she's here, she's here. I'd like her to be there, but we can't wait much longer.

Nick wants to go see The Simpson's this weekend, but I just don't know if I can do another movie without popcorn. I may be better off skipping it. I'm sure he can find someone else to go with. Plus (is this sacrilegious) I don't really care one way or the other about the Simpson's. Kind of a take 'em or leave 'em kind of thing.

Ok, I should go make dinner for my starving child.

Zennieland....

I got the most bestest birthday present ever from ZarahZou. She made me a game (modeled after CandyLand) called ZennieLand. It is the most hilarious game ever. The game cards are all relevant to my life and people like Dumbledork and other people I work with. I almost hyperventilated at work while reading some of the cards. It is the most thoughtful gift I have ever received, and I know she spent hours and hours working on. How am I ever going to top it? Thank you very much, ZarahZou, I absolutely love it.

I am going to start Nutrisystem just as soon it is delivered. My wonderful dad purchased it for me. I really, really hope that it works. I will be religiously following the plan. Please let it work! On a semi-related note, for the first and only time I remember, I lied to ZickyZou. But since it was about how much I weigh, does it really count as a lie? I'd like to want to tell the truth, but the number is just too high. Maybe when I am at my goal weight of 112 pounds, then I will tell the truth. Actually my goal weight is 150. I would be quite happy there, i think. that is still higher than the recommended weight for my height, but I think 150 would be fine. We'll see how well this huge investment (it costs $300 for 5 weeks) works. And since it wasn't my money, I'll feel too guilty to not religiously follow the plan. I brought my scale home from my parents, so now I can weigh myself.

Ok, i am going to finish my laundry.

$17 for a movie??

That's how much I spent to see Harry Potter. But it was worth every penny, even if we had to sit in the third row and my neck hurts. It was a really good movie. I recommend that you see it in the theater.

I just got back from getting my oil changed. My dad changes it for free! Yippee for free oil changes. That saves me tons of money. Plus he checked my tire pressure and filled my windshield washer fluid.

We got our marriage license in the mail so now we can get married any time we want within the next 6 months. It was very weird to see how my new name will look. Zennifer Zynn Zartinez. That's going to take a lot of getting used to. I've had the same name for as long as I can remember.

When I woke up this morning at 7:00 am, I heard the clickety-clacking of the computer keyboard. I went downstairs to see what was going on, and MissZalyssa was typing away. I asked her what she was doing up already. Silly question- she was still up and hadn't gone to bed yet. She finally went to bed around 9, in my bed where it is nice, quiet and clean.

I had the best breakfast ever. An egg (eggbeaters, of course), pepper and onion quesadilla. It was soooo good. I think I'll have one tomorrow morning, too.

Ok, I am going to go and watch a lifetime movie. That is my new favorite past time.

Please stop calling me....

I do not know who you are, but your early morning calls to my cell phone are driving me insane. When my child is away, I need to leave my cell phone on for emergency purposes. An emergency is the only reason I want it to ring at 4:00am. Call me all you want around noon, but not when I am supposed to be sleeping.

You are quite lucky I am so lazy and poor, or you'd probably either be in jail or in the hospital. After our discussion this morning about you asking me if I saw your "naughty pictures", I could either march myself down to the police station and file a report or I could pay the $14.95 to get the phone # report and get your name and address and send the hired help over to visit you.

The new show on NBC "The Singing Bee" is pretty lame. I really wanted to like it, but I just am not getting it. It feels kind of choppy or something. So tonight I am trying "Don't forget the lyrics". I hope it's better, I love singing. I have also been watching "The Next Best Thing". How could they not move Dolly on. I think she as the best of all of them. .

Ok, back to the tv and exercising. I love exercising.

Transformers....

more than meets the eye.......the only thing really wrong with this movie is that they never do the theme song. Otherwise, the movie is awesome. It got a bit long, but it is really good- awesome special effects.

I am currently waiting for my birthday dinner to finish cooking- pepperoni pizza from Papa Murphy's- yum! Nick go time ice cream for my birthday- Sticky Toffee Cake from Haagan Daaz. We saw it advertised in a magazine and it looked soooo good. Except I was kind of mad because it was the ice cream that won a contest on the food network- except I had not seen the conclusion show yet. So the advertisement ruined it.

Today would be perfect if only it were Saturday. I could use another day off. I like days off. Last night I went to bed at 8:00. And I woke up this morning at 7:00. Hopefully I can go to bed early tonight.
OK, pizza is almost done.

Do you recognize this cell phone #?

763-482-1311??? Whoever it belongs to better have a GOOD explanation as to why they not only called my cell phone at 4:00 in the morning, but why they sent me the most obscene picture message I have ever received. The phone woke ZickyZou up, too and he was not pleased. Very few people have my cell phone #, so unless one of those few plastered it on the bathroom wall, I can't explain why someone so stupid would have it. And, if by chance this guy googled his own number and got to my blog- you have a very small penis. I should know since I've seen pictures of it. But I'm more pissed that you woke me up. I should be able to sleep through the night unless there is an emergency. And I doubt you were calling to tell me someone I know died.

Ok, now that we established I was not happy with my early morning wake up, I shall move on to happier things. Like that in just a few shorts hours we are having Indian Taco's. Yum. Except there may be a slight problem for me as I have recently started taking the new (fda-approved) diet supplement Alli. It is way spendy, so it better work. If nothing else, the "treatment effects" as they call them give me a really good incentive to not exceed 15 fat grams per meal for fear of devastating, uncontrollable things happening in my gastrointestinal tract. The guide that came with it warns of sudden, oily leakage. How gross is that. But since I have so much money invested in it, I have a very good reason to eat healthy. I am just sad that I will be limited to one small piece of fry bread. But I can eat all the lettuce and tomato that my (fat-craving) heart desires. Lucky me. If it works, it's worth it. Plus I got a Target gift card from my sister for my birthday that I used to pay for part of it.

I really should repaint my toenails. Zindy told me that they made look like I was jaundiced. I tend to agree. But they are such a beautiful yellow.

Ok, time to go get dressed so I can start frying the bread shortly. Happy 4th of July!

It's Sunday...

and it's 12:30. ZickyZou just got out of bed. I've been up since 8. So far I have made breakfast 3 separate times (me, zlyssa, and zickyzou), brought 2 whole bags of shoes up from the entry closet to my bedroom closet, started the dishwasher, drank 5 glasses of water, and watched a Lifetime movie. Now I am on break.

When I was at the credit union on Friday, the bank teller lady had the nerve to ask me if my handbag was fake. I am currently carrying the primary color Coach Scribble tote. That is rather an insulting question, dontcha think? It's real, I swear, I have the receipt. So now I am wondering if everyone assumes I am carrying a fake and trying to pretend it's real? It is real, I am just not sure I like it so much anymore if people think it's fake.

And on the subject of fake handbags, a lady at work brought in a bunch of fakes to sell. I am just not sure as to what my stance is on "designer inspired" handbags. I will admit that I have a fake coach and a fake spade (which is my favoritest handbag ever), but I also have a wardrobe of real bags and they are so much higher quality. But when I carry one of the real ones, do people think it's fake? And do I care? Should I care? Is buying a fake handbag the equivalent of downloading music and movies illegally (which I am adamantly opposed to)?

ZickyZou is ALLEGEDLY going to Sears today to get the new garage door keypad. He swears he is. I'll believe it when it is in my hands.

I invited my parents over for dinner on Wednesday, I am making fry bread tacos. So I better get started on cleaning the trashcan I call my house.

Friday night....

and I am home alone again. ZickyZou is fishing with my brother and I just dropped the Zalyssa-monster off at my parents house so that she could puppy-sit tomorrow. Since I just got home from dropping her off at 10:15, does that count as going out on Friday night since I did go out???

I am very tired. I was going to take a shower, but maybe I'll just wait until tomorrow. I washed my face and am doing a Biore pore strip instead. I'm waiting for it to dry so that I can remove it and peel away all my blackheads. So gross, but so satisfying.

If I was writing about work on my blog, my blog would include a lot of swear words directed at one person. But since I am not writing about work, I have nothing to say about Voldy. Oh, and Dumbledork is the biggest dum-bass ever. ZarahZou, if you are reading this, remind me to tell you the stories about Voldy and customer service and Dumbledork and the waiver of subrogation.

I just got a most excellent shipment from qvc today. On easy-pay celebration day, I ordered philosophy micro-delivery peel (awesome), 32 ounce bottles of senorita margarita and melon daquiri 3-in-1's and a product I have never used before called the present clear make-up. It is allegedly supposed to make pores and lines invisible. I guess we'll see. My greatest thought is that it is going to make me break out. but, we'll see. I bought it on 5 easy monthly payments, so it is practically free. and qvc has a 30 day money back guarantee. the only way I can lose is if I break out and can't get the acne back under control. That would suck. I can't wait to wash my hair with the margarita scented stuff. except first I must finish off all the open bottles of other stuff.

ok, time to peel off the biore and then I am going to bed.

For my next adventure....

I will be reading Breakfast at Tiffany's. I've seen the movie, but have never read the book. The movie is supposed to be only "loosely based" on the book, but I hope it's just as good. Holly Golightly is the 1960's version of my favorite shopaholic, Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood). I'm hoping to love this book.

When I win the lottery (or become an ebay zillionaire) the only conditioner I am going to use on my hair is philosophy's amazing grace. Wow does it make my hair soft and shiny. I wish I could afford to use it everyday, but over $1 an ounce is just too much for my Suave budget. Thank you to QVC for having such fabulous and affordable kits available that allow me to have 8 ounces of conditioner every 3 months.

I am very sad that New Kid on the Block have not yet accepted my myspace friend invitation. I want to be their friend.

I heard on the radio that the Spice Girls are reuniting and going on tour. If they do MN, I am going. Won't that be a blast? I feel bad not taking Alyssa when she was 8 or 9 or however old she was when they were here. I'm willing to make it up to her now. Her best birthday party ever was when we played "Pin the Spice Girl on the stage" and the Spice Girl pencil drop where the prizes (that everybody won) was Spice Girl pencils. I was an awesome mom. All that was missing was the concert.

My new ceiling fan is installed. We have light in the "dining room". Awesome.

OK, I am going to go to bed early. I'm tired.

Wow! It's been a long week...

It is way past my bedtime, but I haven't blogged in over a week. Lots to say, no time to say it. My mom is doing much, much better. She is out of the hospital, still not sure exactly what happened, but she is doing better. Spending a couple of nights in the hospital with her left me exhausted. And I really don't think I have never been so scared in my entire life. But she is doing better and I am very thankful for that.

My dad halfway installed my new ceiling fan. He is coming back tomorrow to put on the light fixture thingy's. Now that the fan is up, I'm wondering if I should have went with the wood colored instead of white. Oh, well. too late now. It will match the beautiful track lighting in the kitchen, so at least it'll be tacky-coordinated.

My sister's myspace talks about Paul Bunyan, except she spelled his name Bunion. I found that to be very funny. But then I went in and corrected it for her because she is my sister. I am having a lot of fun with myspace. I just changed my song to Geri Halliwell's Look at Me. Because I'm a drama queen if that's your thing baabeee, I can even do reality. I love that song, even it makes me even more dorky than I already may be. I would like to think that it is just because I have extensive musical interests. Or I'm a dork. You choose.

I wish that I had not decided to no longer write about my job. I have a list of complaints that no one but ZarahZou (via e-mail) will ever hear. But since she is probably the only person that reads my blog, it would be redundant to type them all again anyway. I've tried to get other people to read my blog, but they just don't want to. I know Zalyssa comes in and skims for any references to her so that she can get mad at me for something legitimate, but other than that, I doubt I have any other readers , although everyone is welcome.

Ok, it is 10:20 and I am tired.

8:00 pm on a Saturday night...

and where was I??? In bed. I was so tired that I went to bed super early Saturday night. Then I was able to get up early this morning and get some house cleaning stuff done. I love doing laundry:)

I went to my dad's house for Father's day, we grilled hamburgers and carrots and potatoes on the grill. They turned out most excellent. I am most impressed with my grilling ability.

Yesterday I returned the light that won't fit into my ceiling fan. My dad said it might be cheaper and easier to just buy a new fan that already has a light in it, so I'll look into that. And he did some searching on how to fix the garage door keypad. We can buy a new keypad thing for $40. Any guesses on what ZickyZou is doing this week?? If you guessed going to Sears to buy the new keypad, you win.

All but one of my ebay auctions sold. I didn't make a ton of money, but I am going to come out ahead by a couple of dollars. And I relisted the other item for practically free, so maybe someone will bid. I have to go to the post office tomorrow to mail 3 packages.

I still need to figure out what I'm going to wear tomorrow. You;d think going casual would make getting dressed easier. No such luck. It is so hard to choose clothes because I have to be so careful of the shoes I choose because my feet hurt so bad all the time. I guess I'm getting old or something.

OK, off to my closet....

My life on the Z list....

Here's the garbage can that is still on backorder. I really

wish that it would get back in stock and ship to me.

It will absolutely complete my beautiful kitchen. Thank you ZarahZou for helping make my kitchen awesome. You and a trash can are all it took!!! (And your paintbrush.)

I just started watching Kathy Griffin: My life on the D list. I really, really like this show. She is hilarious. She swears a lot, but she is so freekin' funny. I think I might buy the first season so I can watch that.

Carlos Silva just got a complete game shut out. This is way cool, especially since the last time I saw him pitch he gave up like 18 runs in the first inning. I'm glad he was able to do this, and the twins win.

I would be very, very happy if someone would bid on my ebay auctions that do not have bids. Please. Please. Please. I am practically giving the items away, and if they don't sell I still have to pay ebay fees. I have lost so much money on the last couple of auctions, please someone buy these items.

Ok, bedtime...

Music & Lyrics....

I just finished watching Music & Lyrics. What a cute movie. I love Drew Barrymore.

I decided to go with a coral paint for the kitchen. And today I went to Target and bought new rugs that are coral, beige and green, so hopefully that will draw all the colors together and make it look like I have a semi-clue about decorating.

I just lost money selling something on ebay. That sucks! I paid $16 for a bottle of philosophy pure grace lotion ($34 retail). It sold for $21.99 + $5.00 shipping. Ebay fees of about $1.00, paypal fees of just over $1.00, shipping costs of $6.20 + .65 for delivery confirmation, .99 for the shipping box. Ok, I made a $1.15. But it took me 20 minutes to list the product plus 15 minutes in line at the post office. Nice. philosophy

I am making enchilada's for dinner. I may very likely be the only one home at dinner time. ZickyZou went fishing and I think Zalyssa is going to the Father Hennepin Days carnival. WE are going to be eating enchilada leftovers for 20 years. Good thing I like enchilada's.

Ok, I am going to list some more items on ebay. I have a lot of ground to make up if I am going to become a millionaire.

I slammed my finger in the door...

and it freekin' hurts. It bled for an hour. I think I might lose the nail. this is what I get for being in a hurry and trying to do 18 things at once.

I am going to be rich. I listed on ebay a bottle of philosophy shower gel that I got for free as a gift with purchase, and the bidding is already up to $8.50. I'll probably lose about a dollar on shipping because I am only charging $5 and it will cost that much to ship it plus I had to buy a box, but I am going to be RICH! I love selling gift with purchases. Free money!

I spent $100 at Target picking up milk. I do not recommend stopping there for milk. They way overcharge. And what is it with the new $100 Target service fee. It used to cost me $40 to pick up milk. Inflation sucks.

I have a half day of vacation on thursday to go paint shopping. I am considering taking a half day wednesday, too. Would that be terrible? I had the day from hell thanks to my favorite reps and my most excellent wonderfulist dum-bass manager. I could use some time off. I'm just scared I'll use up all my paid time off and then I'll get sick and have to take days off without pay. That would be very bad.

Ok, time to shower and then I'm going to bed.

Thank you, ZarahZou!

On Saturday ZarahZou and I got pedicures. very nice! we went to the beauty school, so thee cost was rather affordable. And my toes are a very pretty iridescent hot pink color. very fun looking. except one of my toes got a little smudged cause we went shoe shopping. I only bought two pair (I think ZarahZou got 3?).

Then we went back to my house and primed my kitchen. That's why me title thanks her. she did 95% of the work. she is very, very nice. and she has volunteered to help me paint next weekend. I am super glad she is my friend. not just because she is helping me paint. I was glad she was my friend before saturday, but now I'm gladder because she's so nice. This week I'm going to go shopping to find the perfect color. I find a sample of a beige that I really like, but I want to see if I can find a similar color, just a tad more coraly-pinkish, I think.

I've been very bad about posting new posts. Partly cause I'm lazy and partly because zalyssa spends so much time on the computer.

I listed new things on ebay, so maybe I'll be a zillionaire sometime soon. I hope so.

Ok, I am going to watch the mtv movie awards.

Moving day....

In honor of ZarahZou moving into a new house, I decided to do some rearranging. I moved "the library" from the living room up to my bedroom. Moving one bookshelf probably doesn't sound like a lot of work, but it took me a couple of hours. Carrying stacks of books up the stairs, at least 20 trips. Then carrying the book case. Then when I got it up to my bedroom, I had to move stuff around to make it fit. Then I had to perform surgery on it with my super-handy drill. One of the sides needed to be re-connected. Then I had to put the books back. Then I moved the kitchen table, moved the loveseat a bit, then I finished reading "The Woods" by Harlan Coben. WOW! It was very, very good.

I love my new purple vacuum. It is so cute and so light. And it picks up great.

Monday is my follow up appointment with the doctor to see if my cholesterol has dropped. I can't wait to find out if my flax seed/fish oil/metamucil diet is working. I'll be rather disappointed if it is not.

Ok, I am going to watch Law & Order since I have the house to myself. ZickyZou is working on his dad's car, and Zalyssa is at her dads. So the house is all mine.

The house to myself....

ZickyZou went somewhere with his brother. MissZalyssa went to the Twins game with her friend Zashley. I have the house to myself. Except I have to make the broccoli salad, cut up the strawberries, and do a bunch of other stuff to get ready for tomorrow. We are going over to my parents and grilling steaks. Yum!

I am very, very mad at stupid Mr. Zristopher Zawks, my sisters ex-husband. They are both being stupid. His new girlfriend is telling my nephew that his mom is stupid and other things like that. Mr.Zris is telling my sister, Zeryl, that she is lying about it. I don't really care what the real story is, all that is important is that all 3 of them (Zris, Zeryl and Zapril) need to GROW UP! and act like adults. The most important person is the equation is the child. Love your children more than you hate your ex. My nephew is four years old, he should not have to deal with the name-calling and the fighting and tension being caused by this situation. Yes, I know it's hard. I've been there.

I got up early and got my hair cut. Just two inches off the back, the ends of the layers and bangs. Looks exactly like it did, but shorter. I like that.

Okay, I have about another hour and a half to myself. I'm going to take a nap. Or watch for my daughter on tv.

Rory said no!!

I'm very very sad that Gilmore Girls is coming to an end. The whole story reminds me of Alyssa and I, except I'm not beautiful like Lorelei, and my daughter probably isn't going to Yale. I can't believe the show is ending. And I can't believe that Rory said no when Logan proposed. It would have been so perfect. I really hope that Luke and Lorelei get back together before it all ends. That is two shows I have lost in the past couple of months.

I have over $30 in my mr.rebates account. I am super-rich. Except I'm going to get about $2 taken back because I'm returning 2 pairs of capri pants because they look silly on me. Too long to be capri's, too short to be pants. But then I bought a new purple vacuum cleaner, so I'll get $3 back.

I'm going to finish watching SVU. Good night!

Alternative to lip gloss....

Last night before I went to bed I drank some fruit punch. I woke up with a nice, bright red kool-aid mustache. I always thought that it was the sugar in kool-aid that caused the staining. But I was drinking a sugar-free crystal light-type zero calorie drink. Next time I am using a straw.

I got a $15 rebate from paypal. I love free money.

I have almost $20 in the mr.rebates account because I may or may not have bought a new dooney handbag. I am not admitting to anything other than having a penchant for nice handbags, and having one heckuva collection.

A very small part of me wonders who is getting kicked off Idol tonight. A very large part of me does not care. An even larger part knows that I should be on my treadmill right now, and not typing this.

The Twins are up by 2. There are very many quite nice looking players. What a fun game to watch.

Ok, I must either walk or go on the stepper. Exercise is a good thing, right?