I cannot even BELIEVE that it's New Year's Eve already. I did this meme last year.. I think a good way to end the year is to do it again. Compare and contrast, you know. So here we go. 2004 answers first, then 2005.
1. What did you do this year that you'd never done before?
2004: Put my financial house in order so that I can buy a REAL house.
2005: BOUGHT my house!
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions and will you make more for next year?
2004: Yes. I'll make more for this year - I found out, though, that it's all about making achievable goals!
2005: I didn't really do resolutions.. they're too much pressure. I'm not going to do any next year, either. I'm going to just go back to the old standard: NO FOBFO (freaking out before finding out!). That's the best way to live.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
2004: No.
2005: Yes! Welcome to the world, Baby Smellen! We're so glad you're here. Knitting has never been more fun.. and involved LESS actual knitting! We love ya, CakeBaby...
4. Did anyone close to you die?
2004: No, thank God.
2005: Yes, my favorite uncle is now hanging out up in heaven with papa...
5. What countries did you visit?
2004: I stayed right here in the USofA. In fact, I stayed right here in Minnesota. That'll change this year. I'm going to take a REAL vacation.
2005: Again, I didn't leave the country. But I did take a couple of vacations, one to Vegas, one to Santa Barbara. And I'll do at least those two trips again next year.
6. What would you like to have in next year that you lacked this year?
2004: For the first time in my life, I can say that I'm not lacking anything. I have everything I need right now.. I'm mostly content.
2005: Again.. I'm mostly content. I have my health, my friends, my house.. what else could I possibly want?
7. What date from 2004/2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
2004: June 26th - the day the Pastor's Wives Club was born was a great day. July 4th - the picnic at the lake, also a great time... times spent with people who are important to me.
2005: June 22nd - the day that I moved into my house. February 3rd - the day I met a bunch of my new friends. October 31st - the day I met one of my most favorite people ever. It's been a good year.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
2004: Running a 67,000 square foot construction project and moving 400 employees was a pretty big deal, I guess.
2005: Buying a house. Winning the health battle.
9. What was your biggest failure?
2004: I don't believe in failures. I believe in learning opportunities! There were quite a few times when I was less-than-true to myself and my beliefs. I'm changing that in 2005.
2005: Again, no such thing as failures.. Opportunities! I did a better job of being true to myself. I learned to let go of that which wasn't working for me.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
2004: Well, besides the strep and mono? :-) During the construction project, I strained my back and lost a fingernail, and the migraines are back. But compared to what I've been through the past 4 years, this one was a cake walk!
2005: The summer was tough. But I lived thru every single thing they threw at me, and I'm back on track now. I even have hair again!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
2004: My iBook.
2005: My house.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
2004: Mare's, Dame's and mine over the past month - for getting through some pretty tough times relatively unscathed...
2005: All those most important peeps around me who pulled me through the toughest fight of my life. Thanks, amici.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
2004: Those who know me best know the answer to this. 'Nuff said.
2005: Same answer.
14. Where did most of your money go?
2004: iTunes, yarn, dining out.. the fun parts of life.
2005: My house, moving, dining out, shoes, playing.
15. What did you get really, really really excited about?
2004: Getting my laptop and the wireless network set up. I can blog from the balcony now!
2005: Being a homeowner. Meeting new people.
16. What song will remind you of this year?
2004: "Pavement Cracks" by Annie Lennox - I listened to that all summer long.
2005: "Come On Home" by Indigo Girls
17 Compared to this time last year, are you: i. happier or sadder?
2004: a little sadder, but definitely back on the upswing
2005: happier. definitely! ii. thinner or fatter?
2004: thinner!
2005: almost exactly the same, which is pretty good.. considering what I've been through. iii. richer or poorer?
2004: richer! two outta three ain't bad.
2005: richer! YAY! Three outta three!
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
2004: Walking at the lake. Hanging out with CuzGirl.
2005: Just sitting. Going slower. I'm going to work on that this year.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
2004: A little less second guessing, less self-doubting.
2005: I need to stop trying to always be the 'fixer'.. I have to learn that there are some things I just can't control.
20. How will you be spending New Year's
2004: I went out for dinner with new friends last night..had great laughs and great conversation. Today I just hung out at home with the kitties. It's sleeting outside - I'm glad I'm inside.
2005: I'm going to a party with about 50 of my closest friends.. most of whom I didn't even know a year ago. Yeah. It's been a good year.
21. Did you fall in love in 2004?
2004: Nope - I just fell..
2005: Now I fall in love with everything.. all the time!
22. How many one-night stands?
2004: I'm not that kind of girl!
2005: I'm still not that kind of girl!
23. What was your favorite TV program?
2004: Desperate Housewives, Boston Legal.
2005: Grey's Anatomy, Boston Legal.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
2004: "Hate" is a pretty strong word. But yeah, there's a couple people who've slipped off of chele's top-ten list...
2005: Yeah, one or two people slipped off the list again.. but I added a bunch of people, too, so I'm still ahead of the game!
25. What was the best book you read?
2004: "Zen and the Art of Knitting". Mock me if you will... it's a great book! It covers two of my favorite hobbies.
2005: "He's Just Not That Into You" was pretty eye-opening. Lorna Landvik's new one (that I just started, and the name escapes me at the moment..). And I'm just starting to read the Chronicles of Narnia again..
26. What was your greatest musical (re)discovery?
2004: Joan Baez - Diamonds and Rust.
2005: Sheryl Crow is back on my like-her-all-the-time list. "I Know Why" is another one of my favorite songs of this year.
27. What did you want and get?
2004: The laptop. Peace of mind.
2005: My house. My health.
28. What did you want and not get?
2004: Nothing! And I've learned the difference between "want" and "need".
2005: I can happily report the exact same answer for this year.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
2004: You know, I don't think I went to a single movie this year.. I watched "Stargate" on DVD and I thought it was pretty good. "Bruce Almighty" and "Best of Show" made me laugh and laugh..
2005: My favorite movie experience this year was seeing "Oklahoma!" on the big screen at the big movie theater. My poor friend E.. he endured my singing and bouncing around the entire time.. hehe.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
2004: Well, I was 29 and some months... (okay - 29 and quite a few months). My birthday celebration lasted almost an entire week, during which I ate at Mai Village, Pazzaluna, Macaroni Grill and Pazzaluna AGAIN. Gotta love that. Amazingly, I do not weigh 300 pounds..
2005: I was 29 and a few more months this year! The Chelebration again lasted for an entire week or more.. I went to LaCucaracha, The Vintage, The Chinee place, AND had people over for dinner. I loved it..
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
2004: I wish I would have met up with S-P a little earlier in the year..What a huge difference that would have made.
2005: There are a couple people I wished I could have met up with sooner this year.. hehe.. but I'm glad I got to know them when I did.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
2004: Oh, for the LOVE of God...! I'm not a fashion-maven. Is it comfortable, and can I wear it out in public and not be mocked? OK. Then I'm good.
2005: This is the year I got to break out the HEELS again! Whoop! My shoe budget is through the roof, but I'm having a great time..
33. What kept you sane?
2004: S-P, The Pastors Wives, CuzGirl, and chinese food.
2005: All of the above, plus my favorite geek. The joys of having calming, steady people in my otherwise chaotic life..
34. What celebrity/public figure do you fancy the most?
2004: James Spader. He's my boyfriend, you know... (he just doesn't know it yet!)
2005: My love for James Spader continues... He's still my favorite celebrity boyfriend, and he still doesn't know it yet. Heh.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
2004: The election. Thank God that's over.
2005: New rule: No politics allowed on cheleblog!
36. Who did you miss?
2004: My dad.
2005: I will always miss Papa.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
2004: Ms. Lee Michaels. S-P. The SnB Girls.
2005: Grocery Girl. Leeezzard. E. My favorite geek. So many people..
38. What is a valuable life lesson that you learned in 2004?
2004: That I'm stronger than I give myself credit for. That the Vikings choke every-single-year. That there IS something to that whole 'power of positive thinking' thing.
2005: Mostly the same lessons. I'm very strong, the Vikings STILL suck, and that I'm the luckiest girl in the whole world, because I'm surrounded by the best friends ever.
39. What is the phrase the best captures the spirit of the year?
2004: Praise! (The Pastors Wives know what that means..)
2005: Call On Me!
40. Quote a song lyric that best sums up your year.
2004: From my favorite song: "The less I seek my source for some definitive, the closer I am to fine."
2005: "Come on home. The team you're hitched to has a mind of its own. But it's just the forces of your past you've fought before - don't you recognize them anymore? I'm stacking sandbags 'gainst the river of your trouble."
This blog, too, has been one of the best and most consistent things in my life. I love blathering at you every day.. thanks for listening to me, and for sharing the internetweb with me. Ti amo così tanto. Ciao, Bellas.
12/30/05 8:40 PM
I ran the 3000 errands - which really turned into eleventy BILLION errands - and finally got done around 5-ish. There was a party I was on the fence about going to tonight, so I decided to stay home and bake for the big party tomorrow night (and re-purple my hair, too). It's hard to make myself STOP running..I feel like I might miss something (kinda like the sleep thing.. if I go to bed early, I might MISS something!). But then I gotta stop and think - I have something on the calendar Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday.... sometimes, ya gotta just stop chele.
So, è tutto. My plan is to read my book and fall asleep on the couch. It sounds rather pleasant, actually. Buona Sera, Bellas.
12/30/05 11:31 AM
AGH! It's 11:30 and I'm still in my jammies and I have about 3000 errands to run. Did I mention how vacation days RULE? I'm heading out to do various things now. I will talk to youse all in a little while. Ciao, Amici.
12/29/05 4:50 AM
Another excellent checkup yesterady, thankyouverymuch! YeeHaw, as they say. Then came home and took the longest nap in the recent history of chele-naps. (How is it that I never knew of these things before? They DO rule.)
The news has nothing of interest, so it's meme time! The year-long meme, ripped off from Jenni, of course. She's the queen of meme. Heh.
*January*
1. Did you have a new year's resolution this year?:
No, I didn't do those this year.
2. Who kissed you at midnight?:
Last year? I don't think anyone did. I'm hoping to make up for that this year. Hehehe!
3. Does it snow where you live?:
Yes, but not as much as it did when I was a kid. We used to get snow days a lot! Now we're more like Portland, I think.
4. Do you like hot chocolate?:
Oh yeah. Even moreso with Cask & Cream or Bailey's in it.
5. Have you ever been to times square to watch the ball drop?:
Nah. I don't really want to, either.
*February*
1. Who was your valentine in 2005?:
I didn't have one! Sad for me. I think I've corrected that for this year... I have LOTS of 'em! yay!
2. What did your give your valentine?:
See above.
3. When you were little, did you buy valentines for your whole class?:
Yes. I even gave them to the mean girls that I hated.. because I was a nice kid.
*March*
1. Are you Irish?:
Not one.tiny.bit.
2. Do you wear green on St. Patty's Day?:
No. I don't usually wear green on ANY day. Not my color.
3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day in 2005?:
Whatever I would normally do on whatever day of the week that fell. It's not my holiday.
*April*
1. Do you like the rain?:
In the Spring, I actually do. It washes away all the gunk, and Spring rain smells good.
2. Did you play an April fool's joke on anyone this year?
No.. I'm not big on the gags.
3. Do you get tons of candy on easter?:
I seem to have tons of candy all year long! Mmmm... Godiva...
*May*
1. What's your favorite kind of flower?:
Iris.
3. Do you like the spring?:
Yes. It's my favorite season.
4. Finish the phrase: April showers bring?
May flowers. And my white shoes out of the back of the closet.
5. What would you think of as a spring color?:
Purple, yellow, pink... Peeps colors!
*June*
1. Did you go on any vacations last June?:
No, I vacationed in February and April. And it's doggone near time to go again, I think.
*July*
1. What did you do on the 4th of July?:
Went to a friend's house for a barbecue.
2. Went on any vacations during this month?:
No, but we went up north to the Swap Meet.
*August*
1. Did you do anything special to end off your summer?:
The annual trip to the State Fair.. that signifies the end of summer.
2. What was your favorite summer memory of '05?:
I had a REALLY sucky summer. I was sick for most of it. Actually, it was good up until the time I moved into my new place at the end of June.. then I got sick right after that.
3. Do you go swimming a lot in the summer?:
Nope, I'm not a swimmer girl.
4. Do you go to the beach a lot?:
Not really. I like to walk around the lake, but I'm not a big 'sit on the beach' girl, either.
*September*
1. Did you attend school/college in '05?:
No.
2. Who is/was your favorite teacher?:
A tie here: My 3rd grade teacher who made me the little fat girl in me feel loved and special, and my Education Methods teacher in College. She was, hands down, the best teacher I've ever had.
3. Do you like fall better than summer?:
I used to.. but now I'm all about Springtime.
*October*
1. What was your favorite halloween costume ever?:
I hate hate hate halloween. Ask Brandacious about that.
2. What's your favorite candy?:
Anything at all by Godiva.
3. What did you dress up like this year?:
A person who doesn't like halloween!
*November*
1. Whose house do you usually go to for thanksgiving?:
We go out for fancy brunch, so no one has to cook or clean.
2. Do you like stuffing?:
Yes, but not if it has scary stuff like apples or raisins in it.
3. What are you thankful for?
My health. Friends. My home.
*December*
1. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?:
You know, I don't think I ever have!
2. What do you want this year for christmas?:
This year I didn't want one thing. I wanted to GIVE to others, and I did just that. It was great.
3. What's the best present you ever got for Christmas?:
I'm grateful for ANY present, any time. I can't think of just one thing that was the best.
4. Do you like cold weather?:
No. I don't. So someone needs to explain to me why I live here, again...
5. How would you rate your 05(1-10)?:
I'd give it a 9 overall. I bought my house, which was the high point, and I got sick again, which was the low point, all within the same month. Now that I'm back on the upswing, though, life is pretty goddam good. I met some great new people **waves all around** and learned a lot about myself and about life in general. I'm a Barbie-Girl, in a Barbie-World. Heh.
All right, ya mooks. I gotta go to work. Have the best day ever in the history of your life. Or at least an adequate one. TiAmo, Bellas. Ciao.
12/28/05 4:53 AM
Yesterday I had approximately eleventy million cups of coffee. It started in the morning, because I was having a hard time waking up. Somehow, it just continued all day long.. until last night at 11:30, when I was lamenting "I've had so much coffee, I'm never gonna be tired again!" Uh... except for RIGHT NOW, when I had to get up. GAH. So what am I doing? Yep, you guessed it. Slamming down the coffee. I think I've got myself into a bit of a spiral here. Heh.
Review with me: Clue #1 that you are crazy is a six-page typed letter about anything at all. Clue #2 that you are crazy is representing yourself in court.
I need to get running here.. it's a short day at work (appointment this afternoon), and I've a lot to squeeze into one morning. Have a good day, Bellas. Ciao.
12/27/05 4:45 AM
Um, wow... this is REALLY early again, isn't it? It's my own fault, for not taking this whole week off. The good news is that it'll be very quiet at the office, so I can get a lot of stuff done (and hopefully be able to sneak out a bit early each day). But what a great way to end a long weekend. Cossetta's was absolutely fabulous, as usual. I had a slice of sausage pizza that was absolute perfection (and nibbled on part of a slice of pepperoni that was as well.. thanks for letting me graze, hon). Then, coolest present ever, a big caddy ride. Nothing better than that, either. :::big smile all day::: So I guess I AM ready for work. Let's quick look at the news.
No more Monday Night Football on ABC. And no more football for the Vikings this year, either. Oh.. are they still playing? I'm just not paying attention.
You probably won't recognize his name, but you will know who he is when you see his face. RIP Vincent Schiavelli.
Oprah's plane takes off from MY Santa Barbara airport! And I know just which hills they're talking about. I need to go back out there. Hello, S-B Boy??? I'll be making a phone call to you today.. hehe.
Okay, amici. Time to head back to the workplace. Have a beautiful day. Ciao.
12/26/05 8:13 AM
Happy Boxing Day! Heh. This is my most favorite day.. We're farthest away from all the hoo-ha. And the days are starting to get longer. Real life gets to start again. I took down some of the decorations yesterday.. the big tree and the little tree, the lite-up houses and the mini village. I think I'll leave the Hello Kitty wreath up for a while, though.. and my snowmen too. Just for a couple more days.
Brunch was delicious. They always have mountains of shrimp and gallons of cocktail sauce, so I pretty much plant myself there. The desserts were faboo too. Got home and after undecorating just planted myself on the couch and watched the game and chatted.
Now semi-real life starts again. It feels like Saturday. I have to run over to get Hello-Kitty Saturn's oil changed (yes, yes, my favorite geek.. i was supposed to do that last week). Gotta make a couple quick errand stops too. We're going to one of my favorite spots for dinner tonight. I just couldn't be happier about that. I miss being within walking distance.
È tutto! I don't know anything else. Have a good day, and I'll talk to you later. Ciao.
12/25/05 9:07 AM
(yes, I know I used the same picture last year.. but I think it's cute!)
To you and yours... from me and mine:
Buon Natale!
Love, Chele
12/24/05 8:41 AM
Merry Christmas Eve, if that's your holiday of choice. And Merry Saturday if it isn't. Honestly, it looks like a Spring day, if you ignore the ever-shrinking piles of snow. It's grey and damp outside, and again the door is open. Global warming. It's the best.
Almost a year since the tsunami hit. The sheer numbers reported about the devastation are what get to me.. 216,000 killed, 2 million homeless, 400,000 homes swept away. Maybe it's time to donate again.
Attention ladies: Mike Myers is available. Eh, he's not that cute, but he'd make you laugh. Of course, maybe he'd want to wear that scary Cat in the Hat costume around the house.. Eeek. I don't want him.
Someone needs to explain this to me again. He competed on a top-rated television show - that everyone in the freakin' COUNTRY watched - and won. Then he didn't pay TAXES on it? How did he think he was going to get away with that??
I wonder if his middle initial is H? (okay. only my real-life friends will get that inside joke. sorry.)
I'm going to get cleaned up, and then meet some friends to go on a cool old house tour, and then grab a little lunch. It's off to Mare's tonight for more holiday chelebration, and then Orphan Christmas brunch tomorrow. What an excellent weekend. Hope you day is molto bene as well. Ciao, Bellas.
12/23/05 9:11 AM
Good morning, and welcome to Christmas vacation! YAY! I have four things on my to-do list today, and then I'm free to play for the rest of the weekend. Whoop! And did I mention that it's 44.1 degrees on the deck right now? I'm sure some of that is sun shining on the sensor.. but it's warm enough that I have the door open a little. So good to have fresh air in here. The kitties are lovin' it.
I want to see this movie. I remember when this happened. I didn't actually understand all the broader implications.. but I remember that all the adults around me were so upset, and my social studies teacher said "the world changes after this". I can PHYSICALLY remember the chill that went through me when he said that.
Oh how sad.. He was eighteen years old, with his whole life in front of him. RIP.. and thoughts and prayers to his family.
Have you seen this Deal or No Deal Show? It was like a train wreck. But yet I couldn't look away.
My goal was to be outta the house at 10. Um, that's not going to happen now, so time for a little goal revision? How about out the door at 11? Yeah..that's it. Now I have time for one more cup of coffee and the rest of the news. Hehe. Have a most excellent day, kids. Ciao.
12/22/05 4:56 AM
It's amazing, sometimes, the power that our words have. In an instant, the right ones can make you feel happy and special. My days always have lots of words in them.. I'm typing, I'm on e-mail, I'm online all day long. I wonder how many words come out of my brain, out of my hands, onto a keyboard and out to the world everyday? Today, especially, I want to make sure that my words lift people up.
Okay. enough philosophizing. It's the last day of work before the long weekend. I got a lot done yesterday, and I'm pretty sure I can wrap the rest of my desk up today. Whoop! It's been a long time since I've been all caught up. It'll feel good. Let's look at news before the day starts:
Oh my lord. What a lot of hoo-ha. Let the kid wear a kilt if he wants to. I agree. The kilt is going to be a distraction from WHAT, Mr. Principal? From the intense concentration needed for dancing? It sounds as though the kid was wearing it because he WAS honoring his heritage.. not to be a clown.
Oh my lord, part two. Shhh.. listen, do you hear it? "Cuckoo. Cuckoo. Cuckoo." (ps: a six-page typed letter about anything is usually a sign, too.)
Doesn't it seem like people are always getting stabbed at record release parties? If I'm ever invited to one, I don't think I'll go..
Aaagh! I got the link to this picture from Freakgirl yesterday. Um, thanks, Freakgirl. I'm never, ever, ever going to be able to sleep again. Add it to the list of fears: bats, clowns and now santa popes.
That's it... quick today. Talk to you later, kids. Ciao.
12/20/05 5:01 AM
The best parts of yesterday (because I didn't get to have thai food with my favorite geek for lunch..otherwise that would be included as well) were:
1. Finding the greatest-ever nail-lady RIGHT BY MY OFFICE. She's good, fast, and best of all friendly and funny! We laughed for 40 minutes. I asked her where she'd been all my life and she said "well, right here! why didn't you find me before?" Isn't that the truth about most things in life??
2. Well, knitting, of course. Sometimes it doesn't even have to BE all about the knitting, as evidenced by the fact that two of us didn't bring any at all, and the other two actually knitted for about 3.5 minutes. Heh. When I first walked into the coffee shop last year with yarn and needles in hand, little did I know that I'd be meeting the women I now consider to be some of my bestest, bestest friends. And they were RIGHT HERE! Why didn't I find them before?
3. Getting the hugest box of cookies ever from one of my vendors. Luckily my IP boyz helped me take care of those in a hurry. There's no way those could have come home with me. I'd be big as a house...
4. I had one not-so-best part of yesterday.. But for now I've chosen to deal with it by - well, not IGNORING it, but letting it sit in the corner un-noticed for a while. I don't want to give it more attention than its worth, and that way I can just think about how I want to ultimately deal with it. So ha.
I first read this headline as that they were banning all country western music.. and I thought "what a GREAT idea! I wish WE would do that!". Heh heh heh..
Read this story, and then tell me if you don't get all itchy immediately upon finishing it ::shudder::
Christmas cards going into the mail today. The present for the rellies was ordered online yesterday to be delivered tomorrow. I think I'm all ready now. I'm actually a tiny bit excited for the holiday this year, for a change. Man..5 years ago, it was the bleakest day ever. There've been lots of life-changes since then. And now, truly, la vita è bella. Have an excellent day, kids. Ciao.
12/19/05 4:52 AM
Well, I only went out a little tiny bit yesterday. I went to brunch, because I figured - hey, I have to eat anyway. We went here...and it was okay. I can't really taste anything, though, so don't trust my skills as a restaurant reviewer right now. I was a little sad to skip the movie on the big-screen at the theater. Got home, settled in on the couch and lo and behold: It was on TV! I watched it - with breaks (so I can tell I'm feeling a little better.. I had to get up and move around a bit).
I'm feeling about 75% of fine. Got the killer cough and plugged head going for me, and, of course, still no voice. I may never get to talk again. Which may be all right for all of you, but it's starting to piss me off. Heh.
I didn't know this was on until I went to watch my TiVo'd Family Guy. And this is not a political blog.. so I'm just going to keep my comments to myself. So ha.
You know what's sad? People will probably tune in more to see how they handle his death than they have for the rest of the season. Yeah, it'll probably end this year. If it does, I bet they'll let the Republican candidate win.
I should get started then, I suppose. Maybe one more cup of coffee, or ANY hot liquid, that might possibly make my throat feel a little better. I will talk, or more correctly, squeak at you later. Ciao.
12/18/05 8:57 AM
I was only going to stay at the Christmas party for a little while. Really, I swear. And surely I wasn't going to dance or do anything foolish like that. Um. yeah. So I don't really know how to explain the getting home at 1:30 in the morning after having danced like a fool all night. It was someone else, not me.
So now I REALLY have no voice, and I'm tired so I'm just. staying. home. I took myself out of everything I had planned for today. I have to be able to go to work tomorrow. See? It might take me a while, but eventually I get it. Sometimes I have to run into a wall first, but I get it..
I'll talk to you later. Ciao Bellas.
12/17/05 1:59 PM
Mid-day note: The best place in the WORLD to go for a little coffee and treat with Smellen and the Cake-Baby is Cupcake! Does this look delicious or what?:
Yeah.. it's a camera-phone picture so it's not the greatest.. but it WAS deliciously decadent.
Then I had to shovel off my deck.. because evidently there's a rule about that. Now Issy and I have found a warm place in the sun to stretch out. I think I might have to close my eyes for about 10 minutes or so. Parlerò presto! Ciao.
12/17/05 8:16 AM
Hey, little dogies. (is that how you spell it?) I always think I'm getting better after like one day of being sick. Turns out I'm almost NEVER all the way better after just one day. I rested most of the day away yesterday (just one quick trip to Target), and then hung out with S-B boy. Even though it wasn't a late night, I can tell this morning that I should have just rested more... but I don't even care. It's great to see him. Let's quickly do the news:
RIP John Spencer. I'm so sad about this. And how are they going to handle it on the show? Here's how other shows have handled it.. but all in all, it doesn't bode well for the series. Too bad.. this is one of my favorites.
I love Lou Rawls' attitude: "There's been many people who have been diagnosed with this kind of thing and they're still jumpin' and pumpin'" LOL! Amen, Sir.
Okay. Many things to do today, and I'm going to need to be drugged up to do them. Someday, someday, I'm going to learn to go slow. Today, unfortunately, can't be that day. Better living thru chemistry! Break out the DayQuil. Here I go. Ciao, Babies. TiAmo.
12/16/05 8:28 AM
I'm pretty much dying of the bird flu here.. I'm fairly certain of it. Oh, wait. That's wrong. The fever is down to 100, and I can stand up without the room whirling around me. This must mean I'm on the road to recovery. It sucks. I have the ever so sexy low and rumbly voice, and I'm about to start coughing out some nasty gunk. That's hot. I have exactly 11 hours or so to recover, since I want to hang out with S-B boy tonight (I won't breathe on you, I promise).
I spent the afternoon yesterday watching bad TV. Honestly, how do people WATCH that all day? Then I shopped for refrigerators online. When I recover from the malaria I have to go to Best Buy to check out a couple in person. The fact that the fridge that I want costs just a little more than my new red pumps is telling me something about the way my priorities are lining up. At about 5:00, I got a little rush of energy and decided that it would be a good idea to throw some laundry in. Bad idea. Now I have clothes all over the place that need to be put away, and I just can't do it! AGH! Quick - who wants to make a quick $5? Get over here and help me. Hehe. I watched The Truman Show - all the way through, with no breaks - last night. This is how you KNOW I'm all f*ed up. Sitting quietly through an entire movie? Who IS this girl? And what has she done with chele?
No energy for the news today. If you find something good, throw it in the comments. I'll talk to you later. Ciao.
12/15/05 11:36 AM
Whoa. Sono ammalata! I'm sick. As in knock me on my ass, the kitchen's a mess and I don't care, running a fever, ache all over, my eyes are all funny and I'm hallucinating sick. What I thought was a chest cold is just.. this. Flu? Cold? Who knows. I went in to the office for exactly 30 minutes, wrote up the order for the tech, stopped at the grocery store (I did.. but scarily, I really don't remember that much about BEING there..), came home and collapsed on the couch. I haven't moved since, except to stumble over to the kitchen for water now and then. My co-worker called twice..or maybe it was three times. The last time I talked to him, I said something like "for GOD'S sake, leave me alone!".. or something equally not-nice. I talked to aunty-the-nurse.. lots of fluids, rest, tylenol, watch my temp. My favorite geek is reminding me to do that. Just typing this much is tiring me out. I gotta put my head back down again.
12/15/05 4:52 AM
We watched Family Guy last night... I haven't laughed that hard in a long, long time. I don't understand how it is that Seth MacFarlane's mind works.. but I'm glad he chooses to share that which is floating around in it with the rest of us. Pizza, DVD and laughs.. what a kick ass way to spend a snowy night. (oh yeah. good company too ::grin:: )
I woke up this morning (after having forgotten to set up the coffee.. horrors..) and realized that I have the chest-cold-of-death coming on. I can feel it starting. I'm breaking out the Zicam and the vitamins this morning in hopes of heading it off a little bit.
Eh, the news just isn't doing it for me today. So let's do an alphabet meme. I think I got it from Jenni
Act your age: I will for now and forever be 29.. and some months.
Born on what day of the week: Tuesday.
Chore you hate: emptying the dishwasher. I ALWAYS have to be on the phone while I'm doing it, to distract me.
Dad's name: Mike.
Essential make-up item: pink lip gloss. I don't remember the brand.
Favorite actors/actresses: James Spader. Still my boyfriend. Still never met him.
Gold or silver: silver.
Hometown: I will always be a St. Paul girl.
Instruments you play: Piano, organ, violin, guitar.
Job title: Facilities Goddess. Oh, you mean my OFFICIAL title?
Kids: No, thank you. I'll just keep the kitties.
Living arrangements: Said kitties and me in my condo with a lot of nature in the backyard.
Mom's name: Next question.
Number of socks you own: About one gozillion. Many of them pink.
Overnight hospital stays: A few.
Phobia: Hmm. Stuff like bugs or germs really don't bother me that much. I'll have to get back to you on that one. UPDATE: CLOWNS! I'm terrified of clowns!
Quote you like: Cio è amore, che viene e va. Gioia e dolore, sempre ci da.
Religious affiliation: I'm not religious..I just try to live by the golden rule.
Siblings: 2.
Time you woke up today: 4:34 AM.
Unusual habits: I obsessively clean when I'm stressed out, nervous or bored.
Vicious thing you've done: Only Mare knows what this is.. and we're taking that secret to the grave with us.
Worst habit: Making shoe-piles at the front door. I've gotta learn to just put them away.
X-rays you've had: Between X-rays, MRIs, mammograms and ultrasounds, I think they have pictures of pretty much every square inch of me.
Your favorite season: It used to be fall, but I think it's spring now. Anything but winter, really.
Zodiac sign: sagittarius.
Okay. I gotta get my move on. Short week again - whoop! OH.. and the best christmas present of all: my S-B boy is coming to town tomorrow. La vita è bella! Have a good day. Ciao.
12/14/05 6:22 AM
It's like modified snow day today. I have a meeting at our sales office (which is about 2 seconds from home) at 8:30, so I'm going there first. By the time that's over and I have to head to my office, most of the traffic should be over (and I can take the short cuts anyway). Then we have our department holiday lunch.. then I'm going to bring my stuff home and work on it for the afternoon. If I have to deal with snow, I guess that's the way to do it. I keep glancing at the TV.. at least stuff is still moving. We get all wigged out about snow..It's 3-4 inches, people! Calm down!
A few quick newsies:
Wondering what to buy for that person who has everything on your list? Wonder no more!
Well. My pager just went off. The meeting was cancelled. So I guess I'll head in to the office to see what I can get done this morning. Azionamento lentamente! (drive slowly!). Be careful out there. Ciao.
12/13/05 5:03 AM
It was a fairly UNchaotic Monday, for a change. I barely know what to do with unchaotic days. Sometimes I worry that chaos will just become the norm (hell, it almost HAS) and that I won't know how to function when life is calm. Sure, the inbox is still piled up to the ceiling (well, obscenely high, anyway).. and I have about 25 floorplans strewn about the office.. but nothing has spun outta control just yet. Let's see what today brings.
Somehow his admission rings a little hollow. He's basically saying "yeah, I sucked. But look how I still have $250 million in stock!" Guessing that you or I couldn't do that.
Cool. I wonder what the equivalent noise in cats is? I've often said it would be fun to get into Issy's brain for just one day. But who am I kidding? It would just be "FEED ME. FEED ME." all day long. Heh.
I guess that's what I can tell you so far. The goal today is to get more STUFF off the desk and try to keep 400+ people happy. Piece of cake, right? Ciao, Bellas. TiAmo.
12/12/05 4:53 AM
Rest of the weekend update: On Saturday night a few of us got all dolled up and headed over to Azia Restaurant. It was good, if a tad spendy. $13 a glass for the house chardonnay? Wow. Sunday was the other knitting group (no, JenY, not as much fun and the regular knitting group), a quick trip to run a few errands, and then chatting and Grey's Anatomy. Those weekends just fly right by. Even the long ones.
I just don't get him. Maybe it's like the 3 Stooges thing? Only guys like him? I listened exactly once when he was on the air here. That was enough.
I read the second paragraph of this story as "Brooks, 43, and Yearwood, 41, were married before TO family members..." which gives the story an ENTIRELY different meaning.. Heh Heh. I have to drink a lot more coffee in the mornings, I think..
Round one of holiday cards done.. I have to go pick up a few more. Just a little bit more baking to be done. Crazy week this week, followed by a much more calm one next week, and a very quiet (at least so far) Christmas week. Join me in sending good thoughts to a couple people who really need some right now, okay? The holidays are harder for some people than for others. And now I'm going to move the seemingly immovable-IssyCat and go get ready for work (and thai-food lunch ::grins:: ). Have a good day. Ciao, Bellas.
12/10/05 1:14 PM
Better late blogging than never, eh? It was a busy day and evening. Went out to the Mall of the Universe, got some faboo red boots and then, because matching is important, got some red gel-nails put on. I don't know how long I'll keep 'em.. but they're quite glamorous for now. Ran home, baked a little, then it was off to Lizzard's for poker and games and general merriment (with a little imbibing thrown in as well...). This morning it was up early for coffee and errands, and now I'm cleaning up the joint. I have something going on every night for the next week.. I knew the place had to be clean to start with..or I'd be really wigged out by next Saturday.
Melissa Etheridge is my hero and hair role model. Hers is about a month ahead of mine..hehe. I downloaded this song off iTunes a couple months ago, but have just started listening to it a lot lately. The first time I heard it, I had to literally pull off the freeway and cry. (yeah. wear your emotions on your sleeve, chele?) She captures it all.. the fear, the hope, everything. Give it a listen if you have a chance.
I Run for Life
It's been years since they told her about it
The darkness her body possessed
And the scars are still there in the mirror
Everyday that she gets herself dressed
Though the pain is miles and miles behind her
And the fear is now a docile beast
If you ask her why she is still running
She'll tell you it makes her complete
[Chorus:]
I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all that is real
I run for your mother your sister your wife
I run for you and me my friend I run for life
It's a blur since they told me about it
How the darkness had taken its toll
And they cut into my skin and they cut into my body
But they will never get a piece of my soul
And now I'm still learning the lesson
To waken when I hear the call
And if you ask me why I am still running
I'll tell you I run for us all
[Chorus]
I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all that is real
I run for your mother your sister your wife
I run for you and me my friend I run for life
And someday if they tell you about it
If the darkness knocks on your door
Remember her remember me
We will be running as we have before
Running for answers
Running for more
[Chorus]
I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all that is real
I run for your mother your sister your daughter your wife
I run for you and me my friend I run for life
Funziono anche (I run, too.) Have a good day. Ciao.
12/09/05 8:19 AM
Still trying to burn up that vacation time. I'm not gonna make it. I slept until almost 8:00 - think I'm back to my normal self again. I have to run out to the ::shudder:: MALL today. I try to avoid it for the entire month of December, but there's one thing I MUST get and it's only out there. So the plan for the day is caffeinate, then head out. Going to finish up the holiday cards (regular and electronic), then go to Lizzard's tonite for poker and cocoa w/mixers. yummm..
And can I just say - good lord, I need some new glasses. I can't SEE. I'm squinting to look at the calendar.. seeing when my flex benefit account has money in it again. I see a trip to Lenscrafters in my near future.
Some quick news items, because Dame! and JenY get all in an uproar if there's no news:
Okay.. can that be enough news? I need to get going. I forgot that I have to make some brownies today, too. Male AND female (nuts and no nuts.. get it?? hehehehe). Have a good day. Ciao.
12/08/05 3:05 AM
Well, how's THIS for irony? I wish to be awake so that I can blog at 3:00 AM, and - - well - - here I am. I woke up at 2:38. Someday, I'm going to try one of those "sleep aids" that everyone's always talking about..
Good God. I'm glad I didn't know about this until way late in the day. Lizzard called and said "did you hear about the guy that got shot on the plane?" Now.. even though everyone that I know who HAD to be on planes yesterday had gotten safely to their destinations - I'd already spoken to both of them earlier in the day - my heart absolutely dropped to the ground. Yikes. This was just a bad situation all around. Take your meds. And don't say the word "bomb" when you're anywhere NEAR a plane.
This could be funny. I watched the Stewie Griffin movie this weekend. I have to watch it again soon, because I fell off the couch laughing a couple of times, and I know I missed stuff.
My day yesterday was made better because I bought myself a small christmas present: the prettiest shoes ever. I can't find a picture of them anywhere.. but oh. my. god.. they're the best. Red leather Sergio Rossi pumps. They cost almost as much as my iPod, but I don't even care. It's been a long and arduous year..I can treat myself, right? Hehehe. I've got a big day ahead of me today as well.. so I think I'll start on it early. Ciao, Bellas. TiAmo.
12/07/05 3:45 AM
Yes. It's morning. Happy and joyful, all that. My ear hurts! Not inside.. but like up in the cartilage. What's up with that? Blahblah. I spent the evening falling asleep on the couch, waking up to chat with people, then falling asleep again. I was in bed at 10. Now I'm wide awake again. Guess you just have to hit that wall every once in a while.
Get well soon, Don Ho. I really just like saying his name...
And what's with all these people up so very early in the morning? Heh..Chat with Smellen, chat with the Geek..pretty soon I'm gonna have to get up at 3 AM to blog in peace. Hehehe. Glad you're all coming around to the early-AM-dark-side. Mwah hah hah...
What will Katie Couric do? She'll make a bazillion dollars no matter what she decides to do, so I guess I don't feel sorry for her.
Narnia? Meh. I liked the books, don't think I'll see the movie, though.
OKAY! I give up! Too many interruptions.. I've now talked/texted with five people.
Go read the rest of the news for yourselves. I gotta go to work! Ciao...
12/06/05 4:43 AM
Good. Lord. It's -1.1 degrees out there. It's like January! Why is it so freakin' cold? Why do I live here? (Again.. because all of you do. Can we all just go somewhere warmer, please?) I had to turn on both heaters this morning. :sigh: It's not even officially winter yet. Bah.
Now that I'm done ranting about the weather...I forgot to DO my football picks last week, and I came in 3rd. I'm not even in VERY last place anymore. Heh. This has not been chele's year for the football pick 'em.
This is scary. Mess with a lot of things.. don't mess with that.
Now I need to get me one of those Video iPods, I suppose. Sheesh. I'm never all-the-way caught up on my Apple technology. Damn you, Steve Jobs. Heh.
Someday, I'll actually KNIT at knitting again (it's ever-so-much more fun to just play with Baby Smellen.. oh, and to visit with you girls, too. HA!). Then I ran over to play darts. We actually WON the last game! I got a 'hole in one'.. except now I know that I should really call it a bulls-eye. Yeah, all of ya - stop laughing at me. I ate dinner at 10:30. Well, if you can call oatmeal with chocolate chips in it dinner. I liked it. I had to get in to work early. Again. I'll talk to youse all later, Amici. Ciao.
12/05/05 4:52 AM
Good Morning. Or whatever it is. Sundays just mess me up, man. I always end up staying up extra late (well, I have to watch Grey's Anatomy, so I can talk about it at knitting..). And even if I'm tired, I don't really want the weekend to end, so I just end up being awake and putzing around until the wee, wee hours of the morning. Then when the alarm goes off (and the coffee maker starts sputtering) at 4:30, I'm a little sad. But I get up, start caffeinating, and I'm good to go. Turning then to the news..
Yeah, yeah, yeah, We've won five straight. I'm not paying attention to them, either. I was much more focused on eggs benedict then on the game yesterday.
Twenty-five years. I can't believe it's been 25 years since John Lennon died. I remember hearing them announce it on Monday night football. And how we all talked about it at school the next day. Sheesh. One of those 'frozen in time' moments..
This makes a lot of sense. Hello? Just eat when you're hungry, don't eat when you're not. When I was losing all the weight, I learned this. I did a lot of the "I'm bored, I have nothing to do, so let's just eat." Even now, Mare gets on me sometimes about not eating.. but honestly, sometimes I'm just NOT hungry. Like Issy-Cat, I'll always eat eventually. Don't worry!
I revised the meme from yesterday a little bit. Go read the new answers. Time to start the day. Ciao, Bellas. TiAmo.
12/04/05 5:27 PM
Look at this - a rare two-times-in-one-day post. Brunch was absolutely fabulous. Eggs Benedict AND chocolate mousse in the same meal? Chele was in heaven.. It was fine, fine company too. I got home mid-afternoon, flopped on the couch.. and then realized that I was supposed to have gone to Target to pick up some must-have-before-Monday items. So off I ran again. NOW I'm home again. The laundry is put away, I'm still so full I'll never need to eat again until tomorrow.. I can just relax.
Doing that meme this morning put me in a mood to think about the past year. I'm in such a different place (literally and figuratively) now than I was a year ago. It's been a long time coming. I saw a card once that said "When you're going through Hell, just keep going." This was my year for doing that. I'm out onto the other side now, and damn, it feels good.
That's all, folks. Buona Sera. See you tomorrow.
12/04/05 8:50 AM
The one thing that I know for sure about life... don't ever THINK you can make plans, or control what happens. Learn to just go with it. Went to lunch with the GoodOlCuz-Boy yesterday, then ran to Target to pick up a couple of things. Then, as I was gonna get on the highway to head home, some nincompoop numskull drove me off the road and into the snowbank. Putz. He didn't even stop. I was really shook up.. and really bounced around a lot. I have a really sore hip and shoulder. Hello-Kitty Saturn appears to be fine. So I spent the rest of the day on the heating pad and in the hot shower, taking lots of advil. The shoulder is lots better this morning. My hip is killing me. So there was no party last night for chele. Instead I watched TV and chatted and just generally tried to move as little as possible. I'm gonna go to brunch this morning, because I want to GET OUT and be with people.. and I probably don't have to walk that much to do that. Heh.
It's been a while since I shamelessly ripped off a meme from Jenni. May I present - the year in review meme:
1) Was 2005 a good year for you?
It was hard - physically and emotionally.. but in the end it has been a good one.
2) What was your favorite moment of the year?
I think the day I signed the closing papers and walked into my OWN home - by myself - for the very first time.
3) What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Walking into the doctor's office....
4) Where were you when 2005 began?
In my house-in-the-sky in downtown St. Paul.
5) Who were you with?
Physically, on New Years Eve? Some of my new friends.
6) Where will you be when 2005 ends?
In my OWN home in "The Park".
7) Who will you be with when 2005 ends?
With my entirely new circle of friends. I couldn't have gotten through the year without them.
8) Did you keep your new years resolution of 2005?
My goal for the year was just to get through it (2004 had ended badly..). I did more than just get through.. I got through it WELL.
9) Do you have a new years resolution for 2006?
I'm not gonna do those this year. Let's just LIVE life and see what happens...
10) Did you fall in love in 2005?
I am always falling in love with everything... all the time! People, places, things.
11) Do you regret it?
Absolutely not. It's who I am.
12) Did you breakup with anyone in 2005?
Yep.
13) Did you make any new friends in 2005?
LOTS of new friends! It's been great!
14) Who are your favorite new friends?
Too many to name. TiAmo, Amici..
15) What was your favorite month of 2005?
I have to say October/November. I met one of my favorite new people then.
16) Did you travel outside of the US in 2005?
No.
17) How many different states did you travel to in 2005?
California and Nevada. Two.
18) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2005?
Yes.
19) Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Yep. I miss my dad every year.
20) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2005?
Seeing Oklahoma! on the big screen was my favorite movie moment this year.
21) What was your favorite song from 2005?
It's a tie between "I Know Why" by Sheryl Crow and "Come On Home" by Indigo Girls.
22) What was your favorite record from 2005?
Wildflower by Sheryl Crow.
23) How many concerts did you see in 2005?
Wow - for the first time in FOREVER... hardly any! Maybe two..
24) Did you have a favorite concert in 2005?
My favorite concert MOMENT was hearing Billy Idol on Jenni's phone! hehe..
25) Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2005?
Hardly ANY! I just started again like a month ago. I have a lot of catching up to do in 2006! Hehehe.
26) How many people did you sleep with in 2005?
Well... now, I'm gonna just plead the fifth on that one. My family members read this!
27) Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Not anything I can think of right now..
29) What was the worst lie someone told you in 2005?
That they'd stand by me no matter what..
30) Did you treat somebody badly in 2005?
I tried not to.
31) Did anyone treat you badly in 2005?
Yep.
32) How much money did you spend in 2005?
Well, I now am the proud owner of a 30-year mortgage.. I spent a little bit of money, I'd say.
33) What was your proudest moment of 2005?
Signing my closing papers.
34) What was your most embarrassing moment of 2005?
Getting to know a new friend and issuing forth a most embarrassing and most UNlady-like belch. Sheesh. I'm a dainty, delicate flower...
35) If you could go back in time to any moment of 2005 and change something, what would it be?
Well, obviously I wouldn't want to spend the summer the way I did...I'd have a lot more hair right now. Hehehe.
36) What are your plans for 2006?
To be happy and healthy. That's not so much to ask, is it?
On to brunch now. Have a good day. Ciao.
12/03/05 10:08 AM
Oh, hello there. I'm much better now, because my phone is working again. That Geek - he's the smartest man I know.. heh.
Once my phone was better, the rest of the day was, well, chaos.. because that's how ALL my work days are. I was on the phone with our cell provider for almost 6 hours total. It was a huge mess. Got finished and just packed up my toys and went home at 4:00.. Sometimes, you've just had all you can take. Last night I stayed in, re-purply-reddish-ized my hair, and baked some cookies. Then I fell asleep on the couch until 2:00. I woke up and I couldn't MOVE.. I had cats all 'round me. I disintangled myself and fell into bed. And I didn't wake up until WAY after 9:00. I may lose my early-bird status because of that.
Today I'm birthday lunching with my GoodOl'Cuz-Boy at Don Pablos, and am going to a party waaaay the heck down in New Prague tonight. That's almost in Iowa, I'm pretty sure. Tomorrow is brunching. Man.. it's ALL about the food, isn't it? And yet I'm down 7 pounds without trying. SCORE! Hehehe.
So there's what I know. Have a most excellent day. Ciao, amici. TiAmo.
12/02/05 5:21 AM
GAH. My new phone ISN'T WORKING AT ALL THIS MORNING. It worked perfectly last night when my favorite geek set it up, and now this morning-NOT SO MUCH. And you know how I am when I want something to work.. I WANT IT TO WORK NOW. Goddammit. I know it'll get fixed.. but it's 5:34 in the morning and I want it to be fixed NOW. Why can't things just be easy and work right the first time??? Because I am chele, and life is NEVER easy and works the first time, that's why. Heh. You'd think I'd be used to this by now.
Sorry for the bad 'tude. I will feel better when it's all working again. Remind me again how la vita è bella, eh? Ciao.
12/01/05 4:54 AM
Yes, and the Chelebration continued last night, with ever-so-good chinese food. Well worth the journey back to St. Paul. The roads SUCKED, but we all got where we needed to go. AND ANOTHER THING.. let's talk about how very, very tired Ms. Mare gets. After dinner, she pretty much just wanted to go home, but I had to drag her on one quick grocery store errand. Trooper that she is, she gamely came along and I dragged her up and down the aisles at Lunds. We get back out to the car. Turns out Mare had forgotten to close the car door! Sheesh. Lesson learned. When it's time for her to go to bed, it's time for her to go to bed. (Now, honestly, Mare... did you think I wasn't gonna tell the world that story? Come on...)
I loved the song "Dont Give Up" when Peter Gabriel and Katie Bush did it. (and it was called "So") Hmm. Bono and Alicia Keys doing it? We'll have to give it a listen on Tuesday.
She's gonna have a baby. I really just love her name: Mariska Hargitay. Very melodic, and fun to say.
Wow - you go from starring in your own highly rated TV show to sampling dog food. How's show biz treating ya, Dick?
Tonight I'm getting a new toy, and my favorite geek is going to help me get it all set up. (I just had to LOOK at it a little bit. So very cool. I suppose 5:30 is too early to call him to ask him to set it up, eh?)
That's what I know so far. Have a good day. Ciao, Bellas.
