No...I'M RIGHT!

grrr.

When Husband wanted to quit his job and go back to grad school. I knew we'd be poor. Technically, we've never been anything but poor. But I knew that for the next two years, I'd have to be the breadwinner and our bread would need to be generic and stale. And I agreed. I also knew that when Husband's job ended for the summer we'd be even poorer. And I agreed. It's ok, i decided. I can eat ramen, and live with "borrowed" internet. We're both making sacrificies right?
and regarding the borrowed internet, it hasn't worked in 3 days, and I'm sitting at a park that offers free wifi just to type this. Unfortunately, it also offers me as an "all you can eat buffet" to the mosquitoes that are currently hovering overhead.

Well, for my birthday, my wonderful mother-in-law gave a some cash. Nothing substantial, but enough for me to buy something I wouldn't normally be able to. [Sidenote: you know you're getting old when you open your birthday cards, and no more checks fall out]

I decided I wanted to put the cash towards a digital camera. It would cover about half the cost, and I could definitely pay for the rest. I mean, that's why we have a savings account right? To buy things that aren't an everyday expense, right?

[I'd like to stop for a moment and address my parents, who are inevitably asking themselves, "what the hell happened to the camera we got you for christmas?" And my answer this, I am going to adopt the military's don't ask, don't tell policy...but if you must know, it went out with us on St. Patty's Day, never to return home. (which makes whoever found it a jerk, b/c I had my name and phone number in the camera case!) Sorry guys, I win the ungrateful daughter award.]

Anyway, I set out the other day, still in the "it's my birthday and I get to be extravagant" mood. I get my eyebrows waxed (with a coupon), i get my oil change (AND pay for husband's oil change too), and I'll be damned if I'm not gonna get a new camera.

Then starts Captain Cheapskate (aka-Husband) with the "Do we really need one right now? Shouldn't we wait until I'm working again? blah.blah.blah" Finally, I give in. I don't buy a camera that day, and resign myself to wait a little longer.

[Parents: I also had this great plan to buy the exact one you got me so that you'd be none the wiser]

So ok, it's been a few days, I still have no camera. I still really want one, but am will to wait until our finances are a little more secure.

But THEN, Husband gets a call from his friends tell him that it's almost Draft Day for their Fantasy Football League. Does he hesitate in the slightest to fork his share of the pot to play fantasy football? THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IT WOULD HAVE COST ME FOR MY CAMERA!!! nooooo, of course not. Because that's not a frivolous expenditure. Who needs a digital camera when you have a cell phone with 1/18th of a megapixel quality camera?

The point: I'm skeeved

Husband is currently on hour 1,000 of "lets take FOREVER to pick our players" THAT DON'T EVEN MATTER BECAUSE IT'S NOT REAL. spoiler alert: Guys, it's fake. You aren't a team owner, nor are you a coach, and actually, you can't even play football
............................................................................................................................

The real lesson in all this (gentleman), is make sure your fantasy football draft day doesn't fall on one of your wife's "3 irrational days per month"...

May I just reiterate HOW much fun I am having with my bike?

Today we rode to famous dave's for bbq. nom nom nom.

I've received a couple suggestions on what to name her. Here are some of my favorites:

• Jessica Fletcher (I could call her Fletch)
• Lucy
• Stella
  
• Molly
• Thelma [or] Louise
• Cindi Loo Who

All good suggestions. But I think I have a winner!

Everyone, Meet Isabella
The Bike, not Me



I will call her Bella for short. Which is perfect since it's Italian for Beautiful, and that's exactly what she is! I now imagine myself cycling throughout little Tuscan villages, wine and fresh bread in my basket, and people everywhere stop and shout, "Ciao! Bellissima!" (nuh uh, it could too happen!)

I am definitely digging this biking lifestyle.


The one thing I'm quickly learning though, is that we will soon need to get Husband a new bike too, because, handsom as he is, he just can't keep-up on a used mongoose without working breaks...

Dear Facebook,

Actually, this goes out to all social networking sites: stop it, just stop it!






this one cracks me up, i've never even been to michigan!

Stop giving me pregnancy ads. Just because I am married doesn't mean I'm ready/trying to reproduce. It is in a babies best interest to stay away from this couple for awhile. It would get lost amidst the mountains of laundry that have taken over our apartment.

Why Can't We Be Friends?

I SERIOUSLY need to make some friends up here. It's been a year and my social circle could fit in a petri dish. Plus, all this sitting at home alone is causing me to watch videos from The Muppets (which, although enjoyable, really ought to be done sparingly).

Husband is great, but we both think we'd like each other more if we each had some outlet besides each other.

I have plenty of people that I am on friendly terms with, and when I am around others I have lots of fun. But still, no one's saved in my phone that I could call up at anytime for a cocktail or movie. I underestimated how hard it is to move to a new city when everyone else is already rooted. (i know, i know: pity party, table for one)

One thing I really want to do (that I think could help me meet some people) is join a book club.
I have a couple friends who are in them (in other cities). In one, they meet once a month. Everyone makes a dish, and whoever's willing to host it gets to pick the book for that month. In another friend's, they take turned making a parts of a meal that are themed around the book (honey for secret life of bee's, red foods for twilight, etc.) and when the book's done, they watch the movie. I'm not sure how I would handle watching a movie right after reading the book. I'd probably be hated, since all I'd do is point out the discrepancies.

Either way, I'd love to join one! I've been trying to all year. I even went so far as to whore myself out on a craig's list ad. I only got 2 responses, both creepers [Note to creepers: when inviting me to a bookclub, it's pretty suspicious to ask me for a photo of myself].

Even if I don't find a bookclub to join, something needs to change soon. I'm scared I'm just a couple steps away from living in my mom's basement and creating an avatar for second life (somewhat appealing since I could design myself tanner without the extra lard around my midsection).

Fortunately, the one saving grace in all this, is that my mom doesn't actually have a basement.

This is What I Waste My Time Thinking About on My Days Off

I've been enjoying my new sweet ride! So far I've ridden to the zoo, the library, and went to pick up sandwiches for dinner (which fit ever-so-neatly into my basket)! A woman even stopped me to ask me where I got my basket, maybe I'm setting a trend! (hey, there's a first time for everything)



I'm thinking we need to name the bike.

It's so pretty and shiny that I think it must be a girl. I suggested Jessica Fletcher, since I very distinctly remember on Murder She Wrote that Angela Lansbury's character rode a bike everywhere. However, it doesn't really roll off the tongue. (plus, I'd constantly be explaining why I named her that)

So, people of the interweb, I am yet again calling upon you for any helpful suggestions you may offer!

Perfect Day.

My birthday was this past weekend. In the past, I've dreaded my birthday. Not really sure why, it just always seems anticlimactic. Even as a youngin, I used to think, "My God, another year of my life is over, wasted!" (I was very dramatic).

However, last year, I was on a cruise on my bday. It was fantastic! I decided then and there, that no birthday would ever be as great, and I would just stop having them.

I was wrong though, because this year's couldn't have been more wonderful! (I hope it means that it sent a precedent for all future bdays)

It started with me awaking to an apartment festooned with balloons! Husband and I went to the Come Back Inn for brunch. We enjoyed $1 mimosas & bloody mary's, and the rudest waitress I have ever encountered. It was almost laughable. She never once introduced herself, and when she found it it was my birthday her exact words were, "Well, good for you." Yes, snarky waitress, good for me indeed!

Afterwards, we went back to open presents. I received lots of goodies, including some new clothes, rubber spatulas (i really needed some!), and my very own bocce ball set.

For the afternoon, we decided to go to the "beach" (on the lake), and Husband suggested we pick up some champagne first.

We stopped at Trader Joe's to get a bottle, but I was very confused because TJ doesn't have chilled champagne and I wasn't about to drink it warm. We get in the store, and I start walking around, picking-up some extra items I wanted. Husband walks up to the manager, and they talk very hush-hush for a moment. The manager goes to the back, where husband explains that they have a chilled bottle waiting for us. Confused, I wait for the mgr to return. He hands Husband the bottle, and they both look at each other, then at the products in my hands, then back at each other. After a moments hesitation, the mgr says, "don't worry about it, just take the stuff."
Then comes a very awkward couple of minutes where I figure out that Husband has already paid for the champagne, but I can't figure out why or how. Not wanting to be a clepto, I put the rest of my items back on the shelf, and we head out the door.

Only find a shiny new bike waiting for me outside!! I was flabbergasted. I know I had asked for a bike, but I wasn't expecting such a nice one, nor did i think it would be bestowed upon me at a grocery store :)

I was in shock. Husband said it's the only time he's ever seen me at a loss for words (which I think was music to his ears). All I could muster out of my mouth was, "oijhdflhwebg".

It's beautiful....and very orange:) I'm adjusting to the color. My mom said it's so that everyone will see me coming and I won't get hit, which sounds good to me. All I can say is, Thanks mom and dad!! (and Husband and TJ's manager for all your sneakery)

I think my favorite part so far is all the accessories. It has a wicker basket in the front, a little bell, and (the best part) a cup holder! You know you're a casual rider when you need a cupholder for your coffee instead of a water bottle holder.

I rode it to the beach, ringing my little bell the entire time. After a glorious and relaxing 3 hours at the beach, I rode home, only to find that I had burned myself a bit and was doing a magnificent impression of a candy cane.

Being famished from the day, we enjoyed a delicious cake that Husband baked all by himself! (See, miracles can happen!)

We had planned on pf chang's for dinner, but at the last minute chose red robin. It was festive, and the singing was utterly humiliating for the birthday girl (which I think was Husband's goal).

We had planned on mini-golfing afterwards, but were too stuffed/content/exhausted. So we headed home, promising ourselves a rain check and that we would go in a couple weeks.

It was a perfect day. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

And now, pictures!


my new baby, waiting for me a trader joe's with roses in the basket!


Me holding the yummy champagne


Delicious Success, compliments of Chef Husband


the fancy, website version of my bicycle. I will definitely get noticed on this puppy.

Just Dance

I recently posted a very entertaining wedding intro, which quickly became unviewable since I apparently didn't have the original, copyrighten version. So here ya go!



You can view their official website here. This video has gotten over 13,000,000 views so far, and the couple is trying to use their new found fame for a good cause. On there website, there is a link to help raise money to end domestic abuse.

And also, since imitation is the highest form of flattery. My brother found a hilarious spoof of what the end of their marriage might look like: