It Really Is A Wonderful Life

Well, I realized last night that I didn't have everything that I needed. I got up this morning around six and made my way to town. WalMart was totally kickin' when I got there to get some rechargeable AA batteries, hair gel, and a new overnight bag. I inadvertently stole a bag someone had put in the overnight bag. I thought, "Wow, I got a bonus bag. Cool!" Then I realized, "Not cool. This has an SKU on it. It wasn't a bonus." I haven't taken it back yet, but I will. The tote bag has wheels, so I did self check-out and rolled it out, I guess under the radar.

Then I went back to Belk. I found my sister THE BEST necklace. It's silver and very dainty. There are tiny colored stones stationed all around it. She'll be able to wear it with almost anything. I also got Mrs. C. a mug and gift card from Starbuck's. They put the cable-knit sweater looking mugs on sale. They are so pretty. I bought one for me, too! I know I'm going to enjoy my evening hot tea in it.

The Child put out reindeer food for, duh, the reindeer. He is about to BURST with excitement. There have been random shouts throughout the day, "Santa's Claus is coming!" That alternates with a "Mer-ray Chris-mus!"

Well, as Santa is on his way and I'm watching Clarence show George that his life really has made a difference, I'm singing off and wishing a merry Christmas to one and all.

I'm Awarding Myself

I am giving this to myself. Here. Thank myself. What is it for, you ask? Why, it's for getting all the shopping done that I need to get done prior to Christmas. All gifts were tasteful, but not too much. Unfortunately, I chose two sweatshirts for my diddy, so he may never get to wear them. While (or whilst, which I actually prefer) the North is completely snowed under with no signs of relief, I'm sweating my *insert body part you like to use in this expression* off. We actually switched to AC earlier today. But I scooted out at 7 a.m. and did all my shopping locally, but mostly with chains. Regardless, I'm through. I'm quite relieved because I was a little worried if I'd get the "right" stuff. I just got stuff I thought they'd like that was relatively low-priced. I decided on about a $30 limit for family members. $20ish for friends.

I'm off to a "Night Before Christmas" themed party tonight. We're supposed to wear our pajamas. I'm going to sweat my *same as above* off. I have really cute flannel pajamas. I'm gonna wear them anyway. I'll just wear a t-shirt with them. My friends hosting the party are TOO excited. I'm actually excited too. There will be sugar cookies and spinach dip. I wouldn't recommend mixing these two items, but I'm looking forward to each in its own merit. Yum-o. Wait, can I revoke that? I am boycotting Rachel Ray. Talk about overkill. Replace the yum-o with "wowsers!"

I am looking forward to a hair cut on Monday and dinner with this chica. There are quite a few REALLY good restaurants that have come to our area. We are planning on patronizing one of them. There's one that has an AMAZING mushroom ravioli with a pesto cream sauce. That is what my gluttonous tum-tum is thinking of.

Well, I've got to get ready to go to PJ Mania 2008. I'll let you know how awesome it was. And it WILL be awesome.

Hugs and finished shopping celebrations!

I Ran the Bridge!

This is a picture of the Talmadge Bridge. I got it from here. We left the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center at around 8:30. The picture came from here. There was a little distance to go from the convention center to the start. They had good music and the running crowd is always a good one. People were dressed in Christmas regalia. (Snoopy, Fiona, nor I did.) I wore the trusty thick sweatshirt, yoga pants, a t-shirt, and the run's shirt tied around my waist. Oh yeah, THAT was a good look. My shoes were amazing! We finished up the run at the Savannah Civic Center.



Well, I ran the 5K in 45:48. I don't think it's my best, but it was WAY fun. I can't wait to do it again next year.

We've slated the Shamrock Run, which is an evening run on March 6. Click here if you're interested. And, I am ECSTATIC to report we will be participating in the Susan G. Komen Run for the Cure in Savannah. It'll be on April 18th, which is a Saturday. I'm going to try to get some others to run/walk as well. Consider this your invitation to participate with us on any of these with us. At least Snoopy, Fiona, and I will be participating. Supermom may be doing the Komen also.

This past week was crazy. The only day I didn't have a mania was Wednesday and I got outta school late, so it was a handle anyway. This week should (operative word being should) be much less hectic. THEN, the last week of the semester! I'll really miss SOME of my students. Others, I will be happy NOT to see anymore.

Have you been to World Market lately? We went yesterday after the run and after a luxurious breakfast at Burger King. It was tasty. World Market has CRAZY good ornaments and gift wrap, bags, and gift card holders for 50% off. Maybe that ended today, not sure. Regardless, I got one of my BEST friends, whom I'll call PeeWee Herman, two GORGEOUS ornaments. I found some for gifts for a brunch I'll attend and a gift for the hostess. After World Market, we went to Best Buy where I got The Child a Thomas the Tank Engine DVD. I got myself new earbuds and Smokey and the Bandit, parts 1, 2, and 3. Then we came back and I went to the school gym and worked in the concession stand from about 2:30 to 9:30. Needless to say, since I sat down on the way to and from to Savannah, and that's all for the entire day, my feet were TIRED. Fortunately, I wore my running shoes to do the concession stand duty. This made my dogs bark a little less loudly.

Well, I'm looking forward to fun this week, although I don't know what it'll be. I do know that Fiona will be cooking dinner for Snoopy, her husband, and me on Wednesday, so that'll be fun.

I wish each of you a week that is full of getting things accomplished and less stress than last week!

My Shopping (Virtually)

A lovely turquoise tunic

A nice yellow-y dress shirt

I bought these two shirts. They were both on sale. Obviously, Thanksgiving has blessed me with brevity of sentences. Anyway, I also shopped for a pair of brown corduroy cargo pants and two more shirts. I'm pretty stoked. I found them, they were all on sale, and I didn't even have to get dressed, shower, or deal with others. How awesome is that? Pretty awesome.

My Thanksgiving was really good. It was very low-key. It was just the immediate fam, with my sister-in-law, who is now considered immediate fam. She's wonderful. She just doesn't care. Whatever is fine with her.

We had the big spread. Momma outdid herself. We had turkey breast, dressing, sausage muffin thingies, baked sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce (the kind with rings on the side--delicious), broccoli casserole, deviled eggs, giblet gravy (I try to get pure gravy. Giblets totally creep me out.) We just talked and hung out. It was nice. Nothing too much. Then the tryptophan kicked in and I was asleep (Yes, asleep no adult beverages for me! Actually no adult beverages in the 'rents' house.) on the den floor. I woke up really snotty and gross. It must've been a bad pillow, because I'm fine now. Weird.

I drove back over here at around 8. I just went to bed. In bed and slept until around 9 this morning. That's when I did my awesome shopping.

I found out that my mom and my sister did some shopping for me this morning. This should be interesting. Our tastes don't necessarily run in the same realm.

Have I mentioned here that I'm doing the Intermittent Fasting thing? It's just a little trial to see what happens. I like what I've read about this. Here's some information about it. This guy seems to be pretty reliable. When I told my parents about it yesterday, they weren't even surprised. My mom's brother used this method to lose 50+ pounds and get to his goal weight and has always struggled with being too heavy. He said that it was pretty easy and virtually thoughtless. Instead of obsessing about food, you can ignore it for long stretches, and when you do eat, it's whatever you want, but according to the information I've read, you really want something that is good and good for you. They stress that you should go for whole foods. I am on board with that. Let's see if that's the ticket for me, at least through the eating season that is the holidays!

Today Has Been Interesting

Greetings. I've had quite an interesting day. I woke up and began watching an O-L-D movie about Andrew Jackson. It had Joan Crawford in it. She's quite captivating.

I then got "awake" and went to shop at my arch-nemesis, WalMart. Wow, it was nice to get in there at about 7:30 and out around 8:30. I hate it. I was trying to get all the stuff I need, supply-wise AND stuff for my trip to the conference in Atlanta. It's really quite a pain. We're leaving Tuesday afternoon after school, so everything I need done has to be done essentially tomorrow afternoon since we get no planning block to speak of on Tuesday. Being absent is really a pain if you want to do your job as a teacher.

Then I began the cooking process. I improved the whole-wheat pasta dish I made last week. I also made a switch in the chiliesque soup business I made last week. They both seem better-tasting. That was good.

I joined up on this GTD website. I really like the idea of it being accessible online. You can also print out your lists. It's simple and makes sense. It's working for me so far today!?!

Supermom went and got Chinese for us. I think my taster is broken. The sesame chicken had a very odd taste to me. I wonder if it's the meds I'm taking. I'm on the loogey-ridding medicine Mucinex. I hate the commercials, but that stuff really does work. It's not cheap either, but it does work.

I've got to fold some clothes and get my work together for my students, so I'll sign out.

It may be Wednesday or Thursday before I get back to y'all, so have a good week!

Day Three Has Been Grand. . . So Far

I woke up at 5:30 and tried to decide whether to go back to bed or not. I decided that I'd read a little, until the meds got far enough down my gullet. Well, that turned into an hour. Then I decided I wanted to make my way to Hell*Mart before the droves arrived. It wasn't too bad, but I had to park further away than I wanted to. I bought everything soft. Pudding, 'minner cheese, spongy white bread, potatoes. Well, I can't open my mouth very wide at this point, and chewing can be painful, so I wanted to go a little soft. I have grits and 'meal, as The Child calls oatmeal.

After Hell*Mart, I decided that the carnivore in me had to be sated, so I went by Krystal at 8:00 a.m. and ordered up three cheese Krystals. I smashed the buns down and scarfed them. Delicious. I'd only had a little bacon at Mrs. Beth's the day of the surgery. And I do like my meat. Anyway, I also got Supermom a gift certificate from Krystal. She really has enjoyed it being here. Then I traveled to Mrs. C.'s to replace the hair dryer I destroyed yesterday. It was one of those old Vidal Sassoon dryers circa 1978. I had it on high while drying my hair it decided it wanted to power down to low. Then I smelled some burniness (not to be confused with truthiness). I then decided that my hair didn't need to be THAT dry. Well, Mr. C. made the comment that he had had the dryer for over 25 years and he wanted it replaced. So, I saw a small one this morning at Hell*Mart and took it over.

I shared some coffee with Mrs. C. and she gave me my Christmas gift, which was overwhelming. It makes me a little nervous to try to figure what I need to get to complete her gift! She got me a mondo addidas bag for the gym and a gym gift certificate. Oh, and also an i-pod sleeve-holder thingie. All so neato! She's already the bomb for letting me convalesce at her home.

Then I trekked over to the Walgreen's again. I needed to pick up some things I thought they'd have at Hell*Mart, but didn't. Then I found some Burt's Bees stuff that I thought that my sis-in-law might enjoy. The lady today was number one. Not like the girl who kept my ice cream yesterday. So, for the moment, Walgreen's has been redeemed. Thank you, nice lady.

Then I took the car to the service place I go to and had them check fluids, etc. I need to have my tires rotated and my transmission fluid flushed. The dude says it's foaming. He also said that I had a little much in the oil. He asked if I had added any. Ha! That's what they're there for, right?

So, I got home and made some CDs for Momma and Snoopy. The rest of the time I've been cutting up and watching my personal porn, The Food Network. Elie Krieger and Guy Fieri ROCK my face off! The crunch from the onion rings sent me to another dimension.

That's been my awesome morning/early afternoon. Hope your day is equally satisfying.

Catch Up!

Well, since I am now a working person, blogging time has greatly decreased. My first day was EXCELLENT. My classes seem pretty good, my room was cool, and my feet were SO sore! I am very excited about the possibilities for this school year.

Snoopy, Fiona, and I went outlet shopping at Hilton Head Island yesterday. Fiona and I didn't have a whole lotta luck, but Snoopy hit the jackpot at Eddie Bauer. Eddie Bauer has some really cute tailored shirts. Snoopy is the original prepster, so she got several of these and a cute sweater vest (I know, who knew they could be cute?). We were delirious (mostly me) from being tired. After shopping, BACKYARD BURGER.

Backyard Burger is DELICIOUS. Why hasn't someone told me about this? Is it because my heart would have exploded from all of these hamburgers, onion rings, cobblers, etc. that I would've eaten? My Lord, but this is good. We were caught in a monsoon and were all drenched to the bones. I'm sure there were local places that would've been better, but we couldn't pursue those at 9:30 at night.

Well, I woke up this morning and the balls of my feet were throbbing! All day on my feet plus walking the outlet malls equals SORE feet. I HATE being around huge groups of people, so in fear of them I girded up my loins and went to Wal*Mart at around 8 this morning. Got that done. Then I went over to Office Max to finish up the spending of my "Sonny Money" as it was dubbed by a friend. I love to be able to say this-- the lady who checked me out was SO HELPFUL. I was a goober-head and had no idea how much of the $100 was left on my card, so she kept doing some deal where we started at $20 and went down and figured out that I had $10. She was wonderful. I am so busy "hatin'" on customer service people ususally. This woman was so nice.

Also at Office Max, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when I saw the end-cap of Tul (long "u" I don' t know how to represent that here) products. They have gel pens and dry-erase markers too! I hope the markers are as awesome as their pens. And did I say that the pack of gel pens includes purple and green?!? I am totally blissed out.

Fiona, by the way, is a teacher at school as well. She is a down-to-earth coach's wife who is an EXCELLENT social studies teacher. She's got sarcasm on lock down, so you can see why I enjoy being around her. She's also a smart person. (Don't ask her about the political implications of The Wizard of Oz unless you've got a good hour and a half on your hands, though.)

Gym, what is that? I've gotta do that tomorrow. I forgot how hectic things get when school starts back.

Oh yeah, I've got to mention what I experienced at the nail salon this morning. It was, like, the day of some sorority, like, rush activities, so, like, some officers of one of them were, like, all getting mani-pedis and, like, it was AWESOME! One that got finished first went on a run and got them some iced coffee. They talked about all their potential pledges. OMG! It was really entertaining since I didn't bring a book. Yes, a HUGE foul on my part. I usually have some book in my bag or on my person for these types of occasions, but I forgot it. I'm reading My Antonia by Willa Cather. I LOVE it so far. She's kind of like a grown person's Laura Ingalls Wilder. Where are the Willa Cather p.r. people? She is awesome, but I really had never heard of her prior to a couple of years ago. I read AND LOVED O Pioneers!. I finally got around to getting another one.

I think I'm going to make a fast food run, so I'm gonna PEACE OUT!