Wednesday, February 28, 2007

OK GO

While at the gym this morning at the crack of "who gets up this early??" I was watching this COOL COOL video by OK GO. How appropriate the use of treadmills in the gym!!

Monday, February 26, 2007

Cheat to Win


After watching a wonderful movie this weekend "Amazing Grace" I have come to the conclusion, thanks to the characters in the movie, that in order to get anything done in this world you have to cheat and sneak. If at first you don't succeed try, try again. And if that doesn't work...Cheat to Win. Thanks to the dear people at The Onion for providing me with a Cheat to Win bracelet to remind me at all times that in order to get great feats accomplished, you must Cheat to Win.

Until then...

As you have noticed lately I have been experiencing a little bit of a writers block. Call it my busy life getting in the way. Call it me having too many other problems on my head to sit down and write a non cynical view of the cynical world around us. Call it...well, call it what you will. I am hoping to be out of this drought soon, until then I will try to wow and amuse you with.....well with whatever I can come up with to wow and amuse you.

Until then....this is K to the P on stand by!

A nice note from the Mystery Cookie on Marriage and Parenthood

Marriage.

Things have certainly changed a lot since my parents were young. My mom got married when she was eighteen and had her first child a year later. And the same was true for her siblings.

Today it seems like marriage gets pushed off further and further.

I'm guilty myself. Here I sit at the ripe ol' age of 35 with the possibility of marriage still a distant prospect. Like so many others I originally blamed my pursuit of higher education and then more recently my career.

But I still think about marriage. It usually goes something like this, "Why would I want to get married?"

From a purely selfish perspective there doesn't seem to be much in it for me. I would have to share my bed, my paltry savings, and my time. The idea of sharing my space is also a tough one.

So why would I do that when I could just date and get most of the benefits without the long term downsides?

After all, if a person never marries then they'll never get divorced. Right?

Well, there are some things about marriage that are different than simply having a boyfriend or girlfriend. In most countries marriage implies a special type of commitment and responsibility.

I know, two things most men avoid like the plague.

And perhaps that is why so many marriages fail. I think we've lost an understanding of what marriage means and the sacrifices required. It's not all fun.

It's often sacrifice!

For males it means we can't sleep with every girl that crosses our path. And that is one that trips up a lot of well meaning males, because biologically we're attracted to just about every female that crosses our paths.

Although most married men won't admit it.

And being "responsible" is a novel concept for many of us. That means we cannot just spend all of our money on stuff we want since there might be the needs of others to consider.

Although a few of my friends got married but still spent their money as if nothing had changed.

And then there are kids to consider. And that is a lifelong consideration, because if they're anything like me they will do everything in their power to put off adulthood until it's forced upon them.

Although I didn't have this luxury, many of my classmates had their entire education paid for by their parents. And some moved back home for a few years. And it goes on and on.

At least back in the day you could put the kids to good use by sending them out into the fields. Today they're an economic drain from the moment they're born until the moment the parent passes on. ;-)

And what kind of thanks do parents get for a lifetime of sacrifice? Which reminds me, I should probably send a thank you note to my parents.

And that is why I consider marriage and parenthood a noble calling. I don't mean the act of creating a child, but the lifelong effort of raising and supporting a child. It's a selfless act that should be respected and honored in our society.

Parents are heroes.

I know there are people who had no business being a parent and the children suffered. But the vast, vast majority of parents did a pretty good job. I know, because I've met a lot of you.

But why did so many marriages fail despite the kids turning out okay?

Nobody wants to take the blame for a failed marriage. It's always the other persons fault. But maybe too many of us enter into marriage with the mentality of a child and expect to "get" and not "give".

That seems normal since we're given so much by our parents.

So the next question I have to ask myself is whether I am the kind of person who can put the needs of someone else before my own. Even if it means I might not always get the benefit of a "thank you" at the end of day. If not, then I risk becoming another divorce statistic.

But when was the last time two generous people focused on helping each other gave up?

Food for thought.

-Mystery Cookie

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Big News!!


I have big news for everyone. I have been contemplating whether to share this or not, but I finally came to the conclusion that I should. I am coming out and letting everyone know I'M STRAIGHT!!! Please, I hope to have little or no criticism about my decision. I have been dealing with these feelings and attractions to the opposite sex for....well all my life, and I finally thought the whole world should know. I am a happy straight woman in love with the man of my dreams...AND PROUD OF IT!!

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Come on St. Valentine!!


I woke up this morning in a horrible mood. Here it is my first Valentines Day where I actually have a Valentine in...well...a long time, and what happens?? It snows!! Have I mentioned I'm sick of the snow? So, I was showering and getting ready for work cursing the day and the snow when guess what?? They canceled work until the roads were better!!! Wohoo!!! I love the snow!!!

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

When did brown sugar get so light??


This afternoon I have been doing some cooking and baking. I'm cooking soup for my week adventure and I'm also baking brownies for Jeremy's birthday "cake". My mom has always been the brownie baker in our family...she loves those box mixes. For my brownies I decided to go a la scratch. I know, I know, they make those boxes for a reason, but I figured I would add some love along with my sweat and tears.

I went to the store and managed to find all of the ingredients. I was only missing the unsalted butter and the unsweetened and semi-sweet chocolate. I checked out and came home to do my baking. I should have known it was going to be a strange baking experience when the recipe asked me to grease the pan and then line it with wax paper. It seems I just greased something I didn't need to.

The second thing that made me scratch my head is...when did the brown sugar get so light? Seriously, it was a mix between the whiteness of regular sugar and the darkness of brown sugar. Come on people...I like the brown in my brown sugar (yeah baby, that's you!!) Next came the crazy question of why use unsweetened chocolate if you're just going to add sugar? Doesn't that defeat the purpose? And while I'm on that one, why use unsalted butter if you're just going to add salt when you add the flour??

It was a very interesting afternoon of baking...on top of all the questions that came to my mind I dropped the spoon in the batter not once, but twice. How annoying!!

Monday, February 12, 2007

Pickles


I am a huge lover of pickles, especially dill pickles. Any kind of dill is good for me, but I really love spears. It's hard a lot of times, however, to find a good spear dill pickle. Last week I found the best pickle and let me tell you I savored that thing to the last drop of pickle juice.

My Mom and I went to the Flying Star, which is a local cafe here in Albuquerque. I had never been a fan, it's a little too trendy for this simple girl. Let me rephrase that, I always thought it was a little too trendy for this simple girl, but I now have a new favorite place to hang out. Not only do they have free wireless internet, (who could pass that up??) and amazing desserts, but they have the pickle of my dreams. This pickle I had was wonderful. It was chilled, crisp and extra juicy, just like I like them. I can't wait to go back for another!!!

My Deepest Apologies


I apologize sincerely to you all for my lack of blogging. I have had a lot going on in my life this past week and have not felt up to sharing any of my thoughts. I know that is purely selfish on my part, and I promise to get back with it!!

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Distance

It's amazing the thoughts that will go through a persons head when there is distance between them and others. Sometimes good, but usually bad. I wish I knew how to make them stop.

Saturday, February 03, 2007

A possible addiction


Okay, so, I have had an ipod for going on 3 years now. I love itunes for organizing my music. However, I had never bought music or anything from i tunes. I have downloaded my music from another site and then just transferred it to my itunes file.

A couple of weeks ago, though, Jeremy and I were going through my seasons of Gray's Anatomy I have saved on my TIVO and we came across one episode I was missing. So, being the geniuses we are, we downloaded it from itunes for the low, low price of $1.99 (can I say what a bargain!!) and watched it.

Well, here I am sitting in Slaton, TX, which is about 20 miles outside of Lubbock. It's Po-dunkville if you have ever seen it. There is no music store within, well, 20 miles -- Lubbock. I was really wanting Chris Daughtry's new CD (he was my favorite Idol from last year), so I decided to buy it on itunes.

OH MY MY, I think this could be my new addiction. It's internet shopping, but soooo much better because 1. you don't have to leave your home, and b. you get it now....NO WAITING!! What a great concept. I tunes, you are my new addiction.

Friday, February 02, 2007

My biggest Pet Peeve


I have this thing about noises. Often times noises...especially small annoying ones...really get to me. But, the worst noise of them all is snoring. I can't stand to hear people snore. To me it's worse than nails on a chalkboard. So here I am tonight, it's almost midnight here in Lubbock, and guess what I hear?? That's right, my mom just 2 feet away from me is SNORING....LOUD!!! Ugh, it's so so annoying I don't know how I can handle it. I hope I can fall asleep fast and get some sleep.

Goodnight moon.

My day was great, thanks for asking!


Today was a great Friday. Although I have been lonely without Jeremy, he's in my favorite place...Montana, I have had to survive. And although I have learned I can survive without him, I would just rather not.

Work is starting to get a little better. I am learning how to handle the workload, and ask for help when things get too rough, which can be a hard task for me sometimes. I am learning to deal with problems which arise, and even impressed the owner of the company with something I had accomplished.

I am currently visiting my grandparents in Lubbock. I knew this would be a great weekend to go since Jeremy wasn't in town. It was hectic and chaotic trying to get everything ready to leave and my Mom and I barely made it to the airport on time. But, we did make it. The flight was horrible, especially for a girl who hates to fly. The pilot DID NOT know how to drive the plane straight on the runway...come on...how long did you go to flight school for??

It was a sad and uplifting visit to the nursing home tonight. My 95 year old great-grandmother is doing AMAZING considering her age. She can't hear, and can't get around very well, but her mind is very much there and that's a good thing. My Memaw (Grandmother) on the other hand is going downhill rapidly. She has a degenerative disease, much like Alzheimer's, and she is losing the ability to do things that you and I take for granted, such as swallowing. So every meal is dangerous...and not getting better.

I had the most amazing conversation with my Mom and "Aunts" over a bowl of taco soup. The last time I was around them much was probably when I was in Mid School, so for me to sit around and carry on a conversation with them was very adult-like of me. I guess it really does prove I'm growing up. Maybe now they wont make me sit at the kids table for Thanksgiving.

All in all, despite the loneliness from being away from Jeremy and the sadness I felt at the nursing home, it was an alright day. I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

Raggedy Ann and Andy


I decided to take a break and sit on my windowseat this afternoon. In doing so, I had to move my Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls so there would be room for me. This got me thinking about these dolls that I treasure so much, so I have decided to tell you about them.

My Mom got me Ann and Andy when I was in elementary school. I remember going with her and picking out the fabric I wanted as their clothes. This made it personal for me, and made me feel special because I was involved. What is even more special about these dolls is the special message they have for me in their heart. This isn't like a build a bear where you have the "special heart" on the inside with the stuffing, this heart is on the outside so I can see it when I want. You see, embroidered on the dolls about where your heart is, is a heart with the words "Katie I Love You" inside. When I was little I remember being so excited that I had these special dolls...and they had my name on them.

Through the years I have picked up many of my dolls and my stuffed animals. My room used to be covered with them. Now, I have only my special ones that still sit out with me. And these two are a part of this special group. They remind me of the love of my family, and also to hold onto my childhood. Those were the happiest days of my life and I will always cherish my memories.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

How refreshing


Yesterday I needed a BREAK...from everything. I have been under a lot of stress at my new job. I mean firing 2 people to hire half of a person means one thing...A LOT OF WORK. And that's what I have been dealing with. I have been reassured that it will get better, I'm still waiting for that day though. So, I decided to take the afternoon off from EVERYTHING. I didn't go to class and I called and had to bail on my Wednesday program with the kiddos at the church. I needed an afternoon all to myself and it was great.

Sometimes we need to do that. We need to take a break from reality and enter into our own little happy place. Whether it is just hanging out, listening to some music, doing some reading, or napping, we all need to take some mental health time. I can tell you last night when I did finally hang out with the family and Jeremy I was so refreshed. I felt like a whole new person. I just need to make sure do to that more often so I don't burn out on life. You should try it sometime too!!