for being patient with me. I wasn't doing so hot last week, but luckily things have brightened up for the time being.
My bestest friend ever called to tell me she's pregnant with numero 3. She's been married 5 years, she and her fabulous hubs own not one but 2 homes now, she has her masters, so far has run about 5 marathons (some while pregnant!), and after 2 kids still looks like a freakin model. To top it all off, she's my age. Don't get me wrong, I'm truly thrilled. I love this girl and told her a while back that she should populate the world with her model-esque blond haired blue-eyed children. Apparently she took me seriously. No one in the world deserves this more than her-she's truly an amazing person and gone through alot to get to where she's at. But wow-I feel so far away from that. That same week, R and I pretty much tallied up a fight a day and I was feeling pretty miserable. We fought about everything from the always amusing finance argument to how I proof read while reading his homework. Lame-o.
They say the first year of marriage is the hardest, which I'm totally in agreement with. However, year #2? Better, but still...
The other week I went to Hooters for the first time. Yes, folks, I was a Hooters virgin. But I joined my boys and sucked it up (Actually, their boneless wings with hot sauce? Pretty good! And the girls? Meh. Seen better.). While watching the Chargers game, I looked at the table to our right. There was a couple, sitting so close to one another I didn't know why they need more than one chair. She was reading her Lucky magazine, pointing out this seasons latest ankle boot fashion, and pointing them out to him. He was READING THE MAGAZINE WITH HER INSTEAD OF WATCHING THE GAME. You know he wanted to watch the game because he was decked out in football gear. She made him smell the perfume samples, and they gazed into each other's eyes and swooned and totally started groping one another. OK, I made that last part up, but, point is-they were in love. I remember those days-holding hands over the table top. Surprise flowers brought to my doorstep. The sweetest little love notes left by my purse in the morning (yes, deep down, R is a romantic.). Wow-those days seem long gone. I so sound like an old married lady, but I'm not. It's just funny how those things tend to die as "the deal is sealed." I know life get's in the way and all, but for a moment, I wish I was that girl falling in love over a chick magazine at Hooters. It was so dreamy. sigh....
I was feeling pretty crappy towards the end of that week. I was thrilled for L and her growing family, but couldn't help but feel slightly jealous, as R and I seemed so far away from it all at that point. How could we possibly pro-create when he's up in my grill about how I proof read as I read? (I know it's an annoying habit, but it's just something I do. geesh. get over it. vent over. thanks. love you.)
A few days later, I read this:
To know I'm not alone feels...great. Makes me feel better, actually. To hear that it's so hard, but it get so.much.better? Almost as if a weight was lifted off my shoulders. OK, so I'm being a bit dramatic, but it was a really hard week. A week where you question everything and one minute your down, then up, then down, then...it was exhausting. Most were typical "still kinda newlywed" issues. I was being needy, he was being a guy. Finances-what finances? First you have to have money to have financial issues, right? ha ha. You know, those kind of arguemnts. Yes, we have a few other issues on our plate that some other couples don't have to deal with. R works 3 jobs (um, 4 this week-yay!), going to school, we have a roomate (who is great, but "man's night" every night, honey? really?), I have a family with serious boundary issues...you get the picture. It just adds to the stress of life that is already, well, stressful.
R is my best friend (yes, there's my bestest friend, too). There's no doubt we're meant to be together, given the path(s) that brought us together. I know there's no one else I'm mean to be with. A large part of that is because the very first date with R, I knew he was the man I was going to marry. We broke up two years later and lived completely separate lives for 3 years. As in he was married, and he assumed I was married. (but that's for another day.) Meanwhile, I always knew in the back of my head that we were just...connected. I know, where's Hallmark when you need them? But it's so true. If I was on a deserted island, he would be my one person, my one "thing", and we'd have a blast together. In fact, I wish right now we WERE on a deserted island with nothing but the clothes on our backs (or no clothes at all! Why not?). That's what we truly need-to just escape and enjoy what we love about one another. We would probably have TOO much fun on that deserted island, in which R concocts some kick arse bungalow for us, and makes sweet nectar from rocks or something because he's just that creative and brainy like that.
I know it just takes time. We'll sort through our issues and life will work itself out. He'll finish school, we'll carry on, and we'll get to the point where it makes sense to have mini E's or R's. Because right now, it so is not in the cards and I don't really want it to be anyways. I'll live through my BFF and her work-of-art model children. Times like last week, when I sort-kinda-blew a fuse in our stove and we thought the whole thing was toast, made us realize that it's not so bad to rent. We're trying a little harder to have "date night" once a week, and trying to get back that "falling in love at Hooters" moments. He's a handsome devil, it's not hard.
Marriage, at least for us, is hard work. The payoff is great, and we truly are a good team. Yes, there are days I want to curse at marriage and tell it to f-off. But with the bad comes the good, and it's a great "good". I'm up for the challenge and know that he is, too.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Foto Friday
Alaskan Waters
Nothing fabulous, as this was pre DSRL-but where I want to be. On a cruise, back on our honeymoon in Alaska....a much simpler time.
Monday, November 10, 2008
I heart Omnivores
I've seen this on so many blogs and every time I read it I mentally do the checklist, so why not ACTUALLY go this!? I'll admit, I'm not the most adventurous person when it comes to food. Ironic, because my dear mother is probably the MOST adventurous person I know when it comes to food. Sometimes the thought of what that women has put in her body disgusts me, but that's what I love about her-she'll try anything once.
When I was younger, I was the.pickiest.child.ever. Not sure why-my parents are both great cooks, exposed my sister and me to many different ethnic foods, and didn't "force" us to eat everything on out plate. However; for some reason, I literally survived on Kraft Mac n' Cheese (and probably still could!). My poor dad was the dad that cooked two meals-one for my my mom and sister, and one for me!
It wasn't until I went to college that my taste buds finally started waking up. I still hate seafood, but I've come a long way. Studying aboard in Germany really did it for me-when you're living with a host family, you don't say "no" to the large German woman named Helga who cooks all your meals. (That's a lie-she was a beautiful young sexy soccer mom named Simone. And I loved her.) So when they served fish, I ate fish (I don't eat fish). They insisted I try "blutwurst", I tried it (nevermind that I gagged afterwards.) Germany is where I began my life long love affair with stinky cheese-starting with Brie (my current fave is Cambazola. Heaven in cheese form.) Living abroad that year is where I truly learned to cook. (Oh how I miss Maultashen!) Funny that R knew me Pre-Germany :"Look-I can boil water!", and Post-Germany: "Oh, this Duck Confit and Mashed Potato Ravioli with White Truffle Sauce? Just whipped it up!" (no, I didn't. That's a little beyond my range, but I'm confident I could do it!) Point is-expanding my flavor palette made me want to learn to cook. Being half the world away from decent refried beans and Mexican rice made me learn that it's just better to make it yourself. (R is still confused that I am MAKING my own enchilada sauce for tonights dinner. From scratch. No honey, not out of a can. Scratch. Yes, it's possible.) Eating wondering things made me want to learn to create and perfect and season perfectly. I take after my dad in that I don't really follow a recipe-I get the "gist" of it, and go from there. I actually consider myself a "cook" now, much to the surprise of my family and friends (which I'm a little offended honestly. What-ya'll didn't think I was capable? Thanks!) Yes folks, I make a mean roux. The past 8 years or so have that me that when you open up your taste buds, you start to crave things like Gorgonzola, truffle infused olive oil, and the perfect lamb chop. I know I have many items left on my "Omnivores Hundred", and I'm not that confident I will get to them all. In fact, I know I won't. So sue me.
So, without further ado:
) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating. (I used an asterisk)
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.
The Omnivore’s Hundred:
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos Rancheros
4. steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding (also known as blood pudding) -Apparently, Blutwurst counts.
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp*
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari *
12. Pho
13. PB & J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. epoisses (Stinky cheese? I'm there!)
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras ******* oh.hellllll.no
24. rice and beans
25. Brawn , or head cheese *
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de Leche
28. Oysters*
29. Baklava
30. Bagna Cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. salted lassi
34. sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O (Uh, you mean Jello-shots?)
39. gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat *
42. Whole insects *
43. phall (phwhat?)
44. Goat’s milk (does this count in excessive cheese form?)
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46 fugu (Pufferfish) *
47. chicken tikka masala
48. Eel*
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin *
51. prickly pear
52. umeboshi
53. abalone*
54. paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal. Yes, never eaten one. Happy meal? Probably. Big Mac? Nope.
56. spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini (honestly, no desire)
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. poutine
60. carob chips
61. s'mores
62. sweetbreads *
63. kaolin
64. currywurst
65. durian
66. Frogs’ legs (my grandma disguised these as chicken legs when I was young)
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. haggis *
69. Fried plantain
70. chitterlings , or andouillette *
71. gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini *
73. Louche absinthe
74 .gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill *
76. baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail *
79. lapsang souchong
80. bellini
81. tom yum
82. eggs benedict
83. pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-michelin-star restaurant.
85. kobe beef
86. Hare *
87. goulash
88. flowers
89. Horse *
90. Criollo chocolate (um, extemely dark chocolate? yes please!)
91. Spam
92. soft shelled crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish (fried, of course)
95. mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. lobster thermidor
98. polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
100. Snake *
You're turn!
When I was younger, I was the.pickiest.child.ever. Not sure why-my parents are both great cooks, exposed my sister and me to many different ethnic foods, and didn't "force" us to eat everything on out plate. However; for some reason, I literally survived on Kraft Mac n' Cheese (and probably still could!). My poor dad was the dad that cooked two meals-one for my my mom and sister, and one for me!
It wasn't until I went to college that my taste buds finally started waking up. I still hate seafood, but I've come a long way. Studying aboard in Germany really did it for me-when you're living with a host family, you don't say "no" to the large German woman named Helga who cooks all your meals. (That's a lie-she was a beautiful young sexy soccer mom named Simone. And I loved her.) So when they served fish, I ate fish (I don't eat fish). They insisted I try "blutwurst", I tried it (nevermind that I gagged afterwards.) Germany is where I began my life long love affair with stinky cheese-starting with Brie (my current fave is Cambazola. Heaven in cheese form.) Living abroad that year is where I truly learned to cook. (Oh how I miss Maultashen!) Funny that R knew me Pre-Germany :"Look-I can boil water!", and Post-Germany: "Oh, this Duck Confit and Mashed Potato Ravioli with White Truffle Sauce? Just whipped it up!" (no, I didn't. That's a little beyond my range, but I'm confident I could do it!) Point is-expanding my flavor palette made me want to learn to cook. Being half the world away from decent refried beans and Mexican rice made me learn that it's just better to make it yourself. (R is still confused that I am MAKING my own enchilada sauce for tonights dinner. From scratch. No honey, not out of a can. Scratch. Yes, it's possible.) Eating wondering things made me want to learn to create and perfect and season perfectly. I take after my dad in that I don't really follow a recipe-I get the "gist" of it, and go from there. I actually consider myself a "cook" now, much to the surprise of my family and friends (which I'm a little offended honestly. What-ya'll didn't think I was capable? Thanks!) Yes folks, I make a mean roux. The past 8 years or so have that me that when you open up your taste buds, you start to crave things like Gorgonzola, truffle infused olive oil, and the perfect lamb chop. I know I have many items left on my "Omnivores Hundred", and I'm not that confident I will get to them all. In fact, I know I won't. So sue me.
So, without further ado:
) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating. (I used an asterisk)
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.
The Omnivore’s Hundred:
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos Rancheros
4. steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding (also known as blood pudding) -Apparently, Blutwurst counts.
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp*
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari *
12. Pho
13. PB & J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. epoisses (Stinky cheese? I'm there!)
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras ******* oh.hellllll.no
24. rice and beans
25. Brawn , or head cheese *
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de Leche
28. Oysters*
29. Baklava
30. Bagna Cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. salted lassi
34. sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O (Uh, you mean Jello-shots?)
39. gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat *
42. Whole insects *
43. phall (phwhat?)
44. Goat’s milk (does this count in excessive cheese form?)
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46 fugu (Pufferfish) *
47. chicken tikka masala
48. Eel*
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin *
51. prickly pear
52. umeboshi
53. abalone*
54. paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal. Yes, never eaten one. Happy meal? Probably. Big Mac? Nope.
56. spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini (honestly, no desire)
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. poutine
60. carob chips
61. s'mores
62. sweetbreads *
63. kaolin
64. currywurst
65. durian
66. Frogs’ legs (my grandma disguised these as chicken legs when I was young)
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. haggis *
69. Fried plantain
70. chitterlings , or andouillette *
71. gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini *
73. Louche absinthe
74 .gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill *
76. baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail *
79. lapsang souchong
80. bellini
81. tom yum
82. eggs benedict
83. pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-michelin-star restaurant.
85. kobe beef
86. Hare *
87. goulash
88. flowers
89. Horse *
90. Criollo chocolate (um, extemely dark chocolate? yes please!)
91. Spam
92. soft shelled crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish (fried, of course)
95. mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. lobster thermidor
98. polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
100. Snake *
You're turn!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Shopping Therapy...
...I figure I'd not go into why this election was truly bittersweet. I'll save that for another post.( Summary: Yes, Obama kicked some hardcore McPalin's boot-ay, but the passing of Prop 8 reminds us all that we have a long way to go in the battle of discrimination.)
How did I choose to celebrate this historic election? I created my own economic stimulus...
I splurged with a little birthday cash and purchased these babies:
The best part-they were 44% off on election day only! I have last years version in black, and they fit like a glove-seriously, I could probably run a marathon in them. OK, maybe a marathon around the mall, but nevertheless, they are COMFY! I would have loved to get these, but apparently I have fat calves? Darn it.
Since we're shopping with money I now don't have, let's continue...
I need a new brown purse, and am quite love-struck with this one:
I'd probably never wear these, except the one night a year I go out, but hello sexy!
One more reason to move to the Pacific Northwest: COATS! MORE COATS! AN EXCUSE TO WEAR CUTE COATS! I love coats so much, yet, they are almost pointless to have down here in sunny SoCal. (Thank you to Bryn for the discovery of cute affordable coats on Overstock.com!)
Or these:
I may have "fat calves" and won't really fit into these adorable boots that go perfectly with said coats and cute jeans, but their price tag makes them just as impossible as fitting them over my "muscular" legs.
Shopping always makes it better....
How did I choose to celebrate this historic election? I created my own economic stimulus...
I splurged with a little birthday cash and purchased these babies:
The best part-they were 44% off on election day only! I have last years version in black, and they fit like a glove-seriously, I could probably run a marathon in them. OK, maybe a marathon around the mall, but nevertheless, they are COMFY! I would have loved to get these, but apparently I have fat calves? Darn it.
Since we're shopping with money I now don't have, let's continue...
I need a new brown purse, and am quite love-struck with this one:
I'd probably never wear these, except the one night a year I go out, but hello sexy!
One more reason to move to the Pacific Northwest: COATS! MORE COATS! AN EXCUSE TO WEAR CUTE COATS! I love coats so much, yet, they are almost pointless to have down here in sunny SoCal. (Thank you to Bryn for the discovery of cute affordable coats on Overstock.com!)
Or these:
I may have "fat calves" and won't really fit into these adorable boots that go perfectly with said coats and cute jeans, but their price tag makes them just as impossible as fitting them over my "muscular" legs.
Shopping always makes it better....
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
What more can I say?
I'm proud. Proud our country is ready for the change. Proud of John McCain's concession speech (not so proud his crowd "boo-ed" so much). Proud we can look past the color of one's skin. Proud we believed that great things were possible, that history could be made, that this generation could start the change. I cried when started speaking, tears welling up when his family walked out, and it gave me chills to hear the following:
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
"It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.
"It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America."
"It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.
"It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America."
He's in for a heck of a ride...and I wish him the best of luck.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Time of our lives....
I almost can't believe it. I've been listening to NPR daily for the past 20+ months counting down to this very day, and it's finally here. Today, November 4th, is a day that will go down in the history books. A day to share with our children. The day our next generation will learn about in their PoliSci 101 class. Either way it turns out, history will be made. Yes, I hope it's "my" way, but don't we all? While I may not believe Sarah P is the best representation of woman everywhere, or agree with her values or fellow "maverick-y buddy", I have to acknowledge she did make a name for herself in politics and for some reason, and as a fan of female rights (shocking, I know) I have to say I give her a little credit. Yes, many of us wonder how she got to where she is. Heck, I think she wonders how she got to where she is. Scary to some, myself included, she may very well be the next president of the United States. R just hopes she'll make "Huntin' Day" a national holiday. And that there will be moose served on the White House Thanksgiving table.
It's such a monumental moment in our time and our parents time. It's exciting to hear people actually care about their country and realize the power they have to make a difference. I've heard less of the "I don't know enough about either candidate so I'm just not gonna vote" bull-schiesse excuses this year. I've never seen people so prepared to vote, or so opinionated on all the issues (cough NO ON 8, cough cough.). Finally, Americans understand that their voice can be heard through the voting process. Let's just hope they don't forget 4 years from now. As much as I disagree with the famous Prop 8, I secrely loved seeing street corners filled with proponents of the prop only because I like to drive by and thumbs-down-boo them. What? Have to take advantage of freedom of speech, right? I told R that I thought we should go out, a night on the town even. Something akin watching the Superbowl-though this is about a million times more important. I want to be near people, and discuss and debate-yes even with my Yes on 8 counterparts. Sitting at home seems rather boring on such an exciting night-really, it's the night of a lifetime. Alas, that is what we will be doing-while avidly watching TV and logging online. Apparently, we're serving up some mean meatballs from our local heifer heaven (because to us, meatballs are as American as apple pie), local brew, and a home-made by yours truly apple crisp (not a fan of apple pie). Fun will be had, food will be eaten and history will be made.
**update***
...and don't forget...
(courtesy of Cakewrecks)
It's such a monumental moment in our time and our parents time. It's exciting to hear people actually care about their country and realize the power they have to make a difference. I've heard less of the "I don't know enough about either candidate so I'm just not gonna vote" bull-schiesse excuses this year. I've never seen people so prepared to vote, or so opinionated on all the issues (cough NO ON 8, cough cough.). Finally, Americans understand that their voice can be heard through the voting process. Let's just hope they don't forget 4 years from now. As much as I disagree with the famous Prop 8, I secrely loved seeing street corners filled with proponents of the prop only because I like to drive by and thumbs-down-boo them. What? Have to take advantage of freedom of speech, right? I told R that I thought we should go out, a night on the town even. Something akin watching the Superbowl-though this is about a million times more important. I want to be near people, and discuss and debate-yes even with my Yes on 8 counterparts. Sitting at home seems rather boring on such an exciting night-really, it's the night of a lifetime. Alas, that is what we will be doing-while avidly watching TV and logging online. Apparently, we're serving up some mean meatballs from our local heifer heaven (because to us, meatballs are as American as apple pie), local brew, and a home-made by yours truly apple crisp (not a fan of apple pie). Fun will be had, food will be eaten and history will be made.
**update***
...and don't forget...
(courtesy of Cakewrecks)
Monday, November 3, 2008
TADA!!!
I felt pretty superhero-y. I pretty much kick home-made costume in less than 24 hours arse. No one knew who I was, but I guess that's the life of a superhero, right?
And here I am, The Huntress and her adoring, scare-the-crap-out-of-me husband (one of the "goons" from the new Batman movie)...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
