An Array of Lights

Soon I will be temporarly husbandless...

2009-04-03T01:37:29Z

Greg leaves tomorrow for a weekend long bachelor party. I'm excited and not. It will be good to have some time away but that also means Desmond is single handedly mine for the weekend. I made sure to schedule lots of stuff for this weekend for me and Des. He seems to get easily bored like his mom - but hopefuy I won't tire myself out too much in the long run.

I am excited to have some girl time tomorrow night. We're gonna try going out for Em's birthday. I'm saying try because if it's a wash we'll probably instead all sit around in our jammies eating pizza while watching My So Called Life. Oh yes - it will be that kind of night.

So far the new job is going well. It's been a month but seriously feels like it's been a week or two. Time flies!!! Which is a good thing for while I'm at work - but then I come home and time continues to go on here too. I was putting Des down to bed tonight and I wasn't sure how I felt about being a working mom for a little while. Thinking about it I spend about 12 hours with my son Mon-Fri and during part of that I'm getting ready for work or cooking dinner. Then I get the weekend with him which is nice, but he's in bed by 8 and I want to go out then but am too exhausted because I spent the whole day keeping him busy. It just seems like things are passing me too quickly.

I think I'm just "in a mood" recently. I've been psyching myself out about the possibility of being preggers again the past couple days. I'm a couple days late on my period and have been crazy tired and hungry lately. For shits and giggles I took a pregnancy test yesterday. The results came back "inconcusive/invalid". Ha - April Fool's Day apparently wanted to fuck with me. I would like to say that I have no real sound reason for thinking I would be since we use protection everytime. Had to through that TMI in there.

Well internet world - that's all you're getting from me for now. I need to go do some laundry so there are clean sheets for any guests I'm lucky enough to have tomorrow night.

Nighters!

I think I have about 5 minutes before Desmond starts crying... ;)

2009-03-22T00:32:51Z

Greg is out getting me yummy Rita's before we throw on a movie together.

I was kinda bummed, because Desmond's school is hosting a "parent's night out". It's $25 and they watch the kids from 6p-11p and dinner is included. Freakin' awesome. They do it once a month. Last month we didn't do it because it was V-Day weekend. Boo! And then Greg had to work tonight til 8 so it didn't seem to make much sense. I was going to write this whole long post about how I've been feeling a lot older than what I really am and how it's been bumming me out, because I've been focusing on it a lot lately. But then Theresa surprised me by telling my her plans fell through and spent the day running my errands with me so I got to tell her all about it and then I got to play her shrink. Yay for having a friend that likes to play shrink!!

So my day was spent running errands. It's like the only day that I have before Desmond's party to get anything done for it. Props to T for scurrying about with me.

Tomorrow will be nice. I'm heading up to my parents for a little while with Emily. We're gonna try to get in the habbit of visiting our mom's together. Like seeing my mom tomorrow then next month or the one after we'll go visit her mom, etc. I like Alice (her mom) and she likes mine so it just makes sense to get some of that kinda time in.

Hmmmm... I guess I should get the movie ready. I think Greg wants to go out (without me) after the movie to see Stu's band. He's sub drumming for them on June 20th and they'll let him come on stage and play a few songs tonight. Kinda like a public practice.

G'Night LJ-Land

oooh... Megan - did you get my email response?

Exhausted!!!

2009-03-17T03:21:17Z

Finally went to the gym tonight for the first night in like forever. We had a yummy dinner too. Marinated london broil with cajun shrimp and some veggies but they're not as yummy to talk about.

My body hates me right now - and I didn't even do that much. Ugh! Hopefully this doesn't make it too difficult to wake up tomorrow.

I do have some updates. I started the new job last week. So far I like the work a lot better than my old job. Most of it is more interesting. The only downside is that about 20% of the job is administrative. It won't be like this all the time though. We get a co-op. So we've posted a job description and I assume it won't take long before we find one. Then they can do the new hire set ups and expat mail forwarding. Otherwise I'm in the middle of tax season. I get to do all the expatriate and third country national tax preparation before sending it out to PWC or E&Y. I really like doing it, which kinda surprised me.

Also, Desmond's birthday party is scheduled for the last weekend of this month. INSANE! I can't believe that it's been a year. Maybe I've been working too much because I just feel like I've totally missed out or something. It seriously flew by. Usually I'm a crazy anal coordinator too and would have everything planned by now. Apparently not this time. I'm going to spend this Saturday out buying decorations/food/ordering the cake, etc. and then Sunday when I go to my mom's we'll probably hammer out an exact menu, or at least I hope. I'm excited because we'll even have a few kids (ok - so not many but 5 is a pretty good start if you ask me).

The weekend after that is his actual birthday. Greg is going to be away for a weekend bachelor party. I think I may bring Des to target to get a birthday portrait done. I have a coupon for a free sitting and 6.99 sheets of pictures. I was thinking of adding one to the thank you cards. Anyone think that it's a bit much sending out pictures of your kid? I don't want to cram him in people's faces, but thought it might be nice since he can't actually sign anything yet (obviously). AND apparently there's this thing called "Baby Loves Disco". My favorite club is open on his birthday from 2-5 pm. The whole place is baby proofed, they set up changing stations, and bring in baby vendors and photographers and play music for the kids (and adults) to dance to. Think kids bop (today's hits sung by kids). And they actually open the bar. Score!! I think it's an awesome idea. It's aimed at ages 6 mos - 7 years. I'll be sure to let everyone know what I think of it.

I guess my last piece of news (also Desmond related) is that he got his first tooth and his first haircut. He's a busy boy! We took him to cookie cutters and got the first haircut package. He didn't mind it at all. Such a good kiddo. I'll leave you with some photos since Greg just finished work - meaning I get to go to sleep!

This one is at the Please Touch Museum:

He is his father's son:

Recipe - as requested

2009-02-26T03:19:32Z

This will make 2 servings:

1/2 lb. chicken breast - cut into strips (about 1/2" thick)
1/2 lb. brocollini
1/2 red pepper - cut in strips
2 cloves garlic
4 thin slices of fresh ginger root cut into strips
teriyaki sauce (about 1/4 cup)
olive oil
1/2 cup water

Heat a little bit of oil in pan and brown chicken strips. Once cooked through remove from pan. Add a little more oil and add red peppers. Cook about a minute or so until crispy and add garlic and ginger. Cook a coupe more minutes before adding brocollini and water. When water starts to boil cover and cook until water is evaporated. Add chicken back into pan and teriyaki sauce to mix all together.

234 calories, 8 grams fat, 12 grams carbs, 2 grams fiber, 29 grams protein

We served it with some whole grain rice. Yum!

Exhausted!

2009-02-25T03:44:03Z

There's something to be said about wakig up 6 am every day with a baby to then go to work just to come home and cook dinner (it was teriyaki chicken & brocollini - under 300 cal if you want the recipe Lauren!) bath and play with cute baby then get him to sleep just so I can make 6 different baby foods. Hooray for variety.

I'm not sitting here waiting to pass the fuck out drinking my $100 tea. I can't imagine how people would pay that price for tea regularly (mine was a gift).

I'm excited - I got the international HR job I had applied for. Now, after my 6 years in HR I'm actually going to be doing HR work. I'm also pretty nervous. I haven't heard the best of things about my boss, but I do know her and know that we get along fine. It just may be difficcult if I have questions finding someone to go to that can actually answer them. Nevertheless, yay for new job and a few extra bucks in my pocket. The job starts on Monday. I've been going cuckoo at work trying to tie up all the things I had going on. Tomorrow is my "Nikki is a traitor" lunch since my current boss is out on Thurs & Fri. We're going to Triumph Brewery. yum!

Hmmm... I'm trying to think of an actual Nikki update, not one about the baby, or just everything that I do. I'm starting to feel really "mature". Maybe not in a good way; in a "my body feels tired & worn" kind of way. I noticed how many other people seem to be in the same boat on the train. I think that this is something that may go away once it gets nice out again. I never really thought that season changes affected me much, especially since I enjoy winter sports, but there is something to be said about the lack of energy and motivation when it's always cold and dark out.

There's lots of things that I have coming up. It's pretty crazy to sit down and look at my calendar. Especially when I know there are lots of other things I'd like to add as well. I really would like to put together a girls spa day. I don't know if I actually know enough girls that would be interested to get a group discount though. My close contact with the female race seems to be fairly limited these days. I do think that Theresa & I will finally get our tapas party underway (I got your message about this weekend - and I can't do it this weekend but I can do it on March 7th, I'm thinking 7 pm because I'm going to a baby shower that afternoon). I'm excited for this and I think Greg will be happy too he's going nuts since he's not totally sure of what tapas are.

Ugh! 15 more minutes and Greg will be done work. I'm thinking about busting in there now and just asking him to work his last 15 minutes without the tv on. hmmm... maybe I'll give that a try. Night all!

TONS of pictures

2009-02-11T04:17:09Z

So I'm gonna try to play catch up. Hopefully I'll remember how to even do a cut correctly.

Des and his pumpkin

Dressed up on Halloween with daddy

With his puppies

One of his new favorite toys from Teesa

Waiting for me to finish vacuuming his room

Naked Baby!

This was his first portrait - we got a free package from Sears

And of course our visit to Santa

Practicing for keg stands with Brian

First time sledding! (he's in yellow)

And some random ones:

He's seriously such a good kid. We're really lucky.

That's it for tonight as I want to go to bed. Maybe a real update tomorrow night. But that's after LOST of course.

Radio competition

2009-02-10T04:05:17Z

http://www.radio1045.com/pages/promo/tattoos_2009.html

Best Band/Artist Logo Tattoo - Group 1 category. After flipping through the pictures it brings up the people in the category. Just click the Nikki B. dot and type in your email address to vote.

So I disappear for like 8 months and then reappear begging friends to vote for me. Yup. That's how I roll. But I may actually be able to start updating on a fairly regular basis again. I have tons of pictures to share and plenty to talk about. Perhaps tomorrow night as I'm tired now and Greg's just about to get off of work so I can sleep. Yay!!!

candyeater @ 2008-06-20T22:15:00

2008-06-21T02:25:19Z

I'm so tired. I have no idea what I'm going to be like next week when I have to go back to work. I was hoping he'd be sleeping a bit longer than he is now. It's not that he doesn't sleep long, it's that he goes to bed pretty early and if I choose to go to sleep that early with him I'll have to get up for two feeds versus one. I don't think that it'd really be worth it to try to incorporate into my daily schedule.

His schedule got all screwed up due to a couple things going on this morning. So even though he should be getting his last feed now, he won't want it for another half hour. It wouldn't be so bad but we have a wedding that starts at 1pm in Jersey tomorrow and I need to drop him off to my gf that's babysitting him and go over a few things with her before Greg and I even get to start on the trek up there.

Playing on his rainforest mat

Taking a nap with mommy

After his bath

I was dragging him somewhere in this shot

happy family

Desmond's last playdate with Brian

Today I was able to stop over at the daycare and get him all set up for Monday. Afterwards we went to visit Zahra since she and Rory came home on Wednesday from the hospital. He's 21.5 inches which is like an inch longer than Des already, and he's somewhere a little over 7 lbs. Des makes him look small! It's good to know that Desmond is growing so well. I weighed him this morning. He was 10lbs 3ozs

Ahhh that's it for now. Next week I'll start having non baby updates to make again. *Gasp!*

Man oh man....

2008-06-13T04:24:51Z

I hadn't realized that LJ had a nudge function. Someone very AWESOME nudged me to comment, but I won't name names.

I've been enjoying my time off on maternity and am really upset that next week is my last week off before going back. It'll have then been 12 weeks since I've gone to work (last day there was March 28th). It's gonna be so weird. I really don't think that I'm going to have any problem being seperated from Desmond for the day, but I'm just having a good time not working and still getting a paycheck. I've been meeting up with Katie once a week and we've been taking the boys on shopping trips. Tomorrow we're heading up to either Peddler's Village or New Hope - hell, maybe both time permitting.

I've also gotten to go visit Zahra in all her pregnant glory. She's due this weekend. I'm crossing my fingers that the little guy or gal makes their appearance soon for her because I know she'd hate having to be induced.

Stu and Emily's wedding happened and the world hasn't ended. It went better than I thought that it was going to and only had a few hiccups. I really can't believe how much it cost me to be in that wedding. I wouldn't mind not being asked to be in anymore but I have a feeling that I'll be in a couple more before my time is up. Greg is in one next year. I believe that we're just taking turns being in weddings because it seems like once he's in one I'm in one again.

I'm guessing that as all post baby women say I should attempt at losing some weight. I didn't get to the last two months of pregnancy where women usually pack on the pounds. I'm already 8 pounds less than my prepregnancy weight without trying. However, since my milk has already dried up I don't think I'm going to be lucky enough to continue not trying. At least when I go back to work I know that I'll be getting in at least a mile to two a day of walking. The women that I go to lunch with said they'e been using their lunch breaks to just go on walks which sounds good to me.

We're still deciding about the name ceremony for Desmond. I do think that I'd like to do one, but the invitees to the ceremony is going to have to be very limited as I don't want anyone there to feel awkward about the ceremony and it's a ceremony where everyone present is involved. Granted, it's not much on their behalf but it's not something where you can just sit back and watch quietly. I think afterwards we'd throw a big bbq to celebrate (the name ceremony is the equivalent to a baptism) but I dunno if that would just look too gimme gimme. I wouldn't expect everyone to bring gifts but there's those specific (generous) individuals that always bring things.

Hmmm... I have some pictures of Desmond on the computer downstairs I'll have to post again sometime in the next few days with them. He's up to 9.5 pounds so he's really starting to fill out. And he's finally in "Newborn" size and not premie. It only took him 7-8 weeks to get there. hahaha.

Movie Night

2008-04-28T03:30:38Z

I'm not sure if anyone remembers the way I raved about El Orfanato when it came out in theaters. It came out on dvd this past week, so tomorrow I'm picking it up. I will be having a movie night this weekend now to watch it. Greg - I'm requiring that you be present. You absolutely will not want to miss seeing this movie. It's just so good.

In other news - Frank Warren is going to be at Drexel May 12. I would like to go, but being it's a Monday and Greg has work I will not be able to go :(. I don't know if I'd be able to anyway you need a Drexel Undergrad ID to buy tickets. I suppose I could just post to the Drexel LJ community and offer someone $10 to pick me up one, but still - there's the whole need to watch Desmond bit. Ah well... someone needs to go and let me know how it is!

Quick Update

2008-04-25T01:06:33Z

Desmond came home last week (for the few of you that didn't get a chance to meet him this past weekend). It's been fairly non-stop since then. He's up like clockwork about every 2.5-3 hours and even in between every time he makes a peep I wake up when I'm trying to sleep. It's hard trying to get everything done, but I think we're doing fairly well with it all.

I am a little sad about having to miss out on a few upcoming things. I can't make it to my girlfriends wedding anymore this weekend. I won't be able to make it to my other girlfriend's bridal shower on the 10th (Greg already made plans for himself during that time so I'll have to decline the invite), and I'm having problems thinking I may have to miss most of Emily's bachelorette party. I'm really trying to get comfortable with the idea of having Jimmy and Gina watch him that night - at least if they're comfortable. There's not terribly much to do since he mostly sleeps between feeds and changes. Lately he's been staying up for 20-40 minutes now. I guess I'll have to wait and see how much more changes. It's more difficult because a lot of people get even more uneasy about watching him since he's especially small.

That said he's gained nine ounces since we brought him home and he has another weight check tomorrow morning. He's up to 4 lbs. 9.5oz. He had an eye appointment and is mildly nearsighted but the doc thinks he may outgrow that. So there's another follow up appt for that. The only time I feel like I really get out now is for doctor appointments.

Greg's band has a gig this Saturday which he is not playing in (we had planned on going to the wedding) and they had found a fill-in when we thought that we would be in DE for the wedding. He's probably going to go to the show anyway. I'm thinking of possibly having a couple people over for a movie and nachos. Not a long night or anything (I don't have it in me at the moment). But I really need adult companionship right now! lol... Let me know if there are any takers.

And since I have tons of other things I should be doing right now I'll leave you with a few pictures....

Desmond napping

On his cool play mat

Daddy holding Desmond

Raine has his own spot at the end of the crib so he can look in and watch the baby. He watches him a while then lays down and as soon as the baby makes a sound he pops up to look in on him.

May I Present To You...

2008-04-09T03:11:53Z

Most of you already know that I had Desmond this past weekend. So here's his public service announcement :)

Desmond Louis
4/5/08 (our six year anniversary together)
3 lbs. 13 oz. 17.25 inches

Alive and kickin'

2008-04-02T14:44:51Z

Just figured I'd put a small blurb out there since I know there's been a few people trying to get a hold of me as of late. I ended up in the hospital over the weekend and was diagnosed with superimposed preeclampsia. I'll be in the hospital for the rest of my pregnancy since they're having a difficult time getting my blood pressure under control and want to try to keep me pregnant for as long as possible. My due date has been pushed up to May 13th since Des would be full term that day, but I believe that my doctors are expecting a preemie. It looks like he may eve be delivered at some point this month. I'm trying to relax as much as possible so will be online on occassion, but please don't expect a whole heck of a lot out of me. I realize it's kinda rude to come off like that - I'm just trying to stay as healthy as possible.

Oh - and I'm on slow hospital internet making MySpace nearly impossible to use, so if you want to get a hold of me lj or email will work best.

Movie Night - Fo' sure this time :)

2008-02-06T23:58:14Z

Ok... so we're definately getting the movie together for this Friday (8th). I figure around 7:30ish get together and I'll order pizza and wings and everyone can just throw a few bucks in the pot. Much easier than going person by person, imo.

Something had come up last weekend and I never got around to posting here.

In baby news Greg got to hear the baby for the first time a few nights ago. We put the stethoscope on my belly and he was able to hear the baby's heartbeat. Then today I missed my train and since he had the earlier shift I met him at his job and on the way home I was able to feel the baby kick on the outside for the first time - so I grabbed his hand (while driving - whoops!) and he got to feel the baby too. It was cool. Monday I got for another u/s and Em is coming to this one. I know Jen has dubs on the one after that whenever it may be. hehe.

I suppose I should be off to start dinner. Greg just ran out to Home Depot to get some paint for the window in our bedroom. It broke and he replaced it but wants to repaint it now. I told him it should be about ready to eat when he gets home. mmmm.... ravioli :)

Movie Night?

2008-01-29T01:56:42Z

King of California is coming out to video tomorrow. I didn't see it listed on Blockbuster's announcement board last time I was there. I'm hoping that's because it was independent and wasn't out for too long here. Greg said we'll probably end up having to buy it just to see it, but whenever we buy movies before seeing them they always end up sucking, and I'd rather that not be the case.

So - just so everyone knows I may be having a movie night on Friday. It's undecided, but if enough people want to that's all it would take to sway me. Though I need to warn, I'm not good at staying up late anymore and I have a dentist appointment at 8:45 the following morning, so good luck trying to keep me up past 11pm.

Got so more wedding stuff done with Emily, Jen, and Katie this weekend. Though Emily still hasn't given me the guest list for her shower. It's really getting a little annoying now. I had to order invites already, so I got 45 - if she wanted more than that invited to the shower she's SOL. Plus, it's really hard to try and plan how many centerpieces, favors, size cake, etc. is needed when you really don't know how many people are going to be there. I need rsvps by the 5th of March so I wanted to have invites out by Feb. 6. There's still time for her to give it to me obviously, but I didn't want to be filling out 45 of the darn things in one night. I know I know whine whine - but seriously, it's crampy!!

Ummm... baby stuff is at a standstill. Greg doesn't want to finish painting while it's cold out, but I really want the room to be done by the shower so people can come in and see how cute it is! And speaking of showers, my mom isn't going to be throwing me one :( I know that I don't have to have a shower, but I'm seriously bummed because I don't know who else would really be the one to throw one for me. We're not having godparents so that's out. I know I'm not supposed to plan my own shower, but I really was hoping someone would throw one for me at my house becuase I get tired so easily and this way I wouldn't have to worry about bringing a lot of items back from wherever it would have been. *sigh* I just think it's a lot to ask of anyone. I'm sure something will pan out, but I'm ridiculously controling and like to know what's going on all the time. I hate not knowing what will (if anything) end up happening.

Blah... I guess that's all I really have. It's no fun when I can't be like I saw so and so and we got trashed and it was great... life is just really boring. I saw a few movies that weren't so good this weekend, but who wants to hear about bad movies?

I freakin' love this

2008-01-17T01:35:01Z

Antici................pation

2008-01-16T12:29:51Z

I've give myself 30 minutes to drink 32 oz of water for the ultrasound at 8. I know have two more minutes and I'm literally gagging on this stuff. I feel sicky from drinking all this :(

But on the brightside the baby should hopefully have a name in about an hour!

Quick - or not so quick - update

2007-11-03T13:39:15Z

Obviously the reason that I haven't been around so much in LJ land is that they've finally realized that I spend way too much time on it and blocked it from work. So yeah, unfortunately from here on out I'm going to be mostly quiet.

The basement is finished!!! It looks great, and I believe was probably worth all the headaches that it gave me. We're going to home depot tomorrow to look at flooring options. Keith told Greg about an apoxy paint to do the floor with, which he'll probably do since it's the cheapest option. I still think wood laminate would look killer though.

Found someone who wants the spare bedroom set. She was going to come this morning to take it, then found out her son's best friend (both in Iraq right now) was killed and is working with the Red Cross to bring her son home for the funeral. I told her to take her time and I'd hold the set for her. So advancements on that room are at a standstill.

I ordered a new bed for the spare bedroom. There was a sale at Overstock and I found a full size bed (frame, headboard, footboard) for 150 with shipping since I had a coupon to use with the sale. That's getting here this week, then I'll have to figure out what to do with it until it's ready to set up.

Someone from Empire is oming on Monday to give me a quote on what carpeting the nursery will be. We want it done right, because the basement didn't soundproof quite like I feel like they led me to believe.

Oh! and my new blinds came so I don't have to feel like I'm on show anymore. Greg and his dad are going to install them tomorrow. It's a bigger project than I thought it was going to be.

Once all of this is done our house is going to be that much more awesome and I'm excited. Plus I'm going to want to just sit down and enjoy it at some point. We'll have to see when that can be.

This weekend is comprised of Greg's show tonight and tomorrow will be spent raking. Leave collection is scheduled for this week and I'd much rather just rake themm to the curb rather than spend my time bending down to pack the leaves into haul away bags.

So much getting done!

2007-10-19T16:00:42Z

So they may possibly be finishing the basement as soon as tomorrow! If the wall materials that they need get delivered today they're talking about working the weekend to finish up the project. Can you believe new studio in 4 days? That's freakin' sweet! :)

So we've got that and the backyard getting finished up on Saturday. If the basement gets done for sure I think I'm going to go to Home Depot and get the linoleum for downstairs on Sat after work at Genuardi's (I need a new living room carpet I'm picking up that day) so Greg and I can install on Sunday and then he could move everything into that room Sunday night. It'll be an intense weekend, but mighty well worth it!

This all means that painting will most likely then commence next weekend. First the back room then the STB nursery. I need to pick up a new bed frame for the spare bed and I went through and picked out a bedroom set for the nursery that I like at Target. The total came to less than $1k, and I'm going to wait until the holidays when the prices go down and I'll have my 10% off coupon on top of that for extra savings. Yay! Then I can just relax and wait it out since everything will be in the order that I want.

Today is gonna be such a long day! I'll get home around 5:45 then cook dinner quick because I want to have something made for Greg when he gets home (all he'll have to do is heat it up), because then I have work at Genuardi's tonight from 7-11p. It's really not that bad there. The job is super easy (that's why it's a high schoolers job I suppose), and I get to talk to lots of people, and they don't require you to stay busy. Like if it's slow and there's no one to check out I get to just hang out I don't have to help stock shelves or anything like that, so it's just real easy. I did end up working both Sat & Sun last weekend (first weekend working there) and I already told them that I'd prefer to not have to do that again. The house cleaning got way neglected without me having a day to dedicate to cleaning and laundry, etc. So I know I'm working this Sat, but if they schedule me for Sun (I'll find out tonight if they did) I'm just not showing up. I already spoke to them about this and I have my TTD shoot which I'm so uber excited about Sunday morning so they can forget it! I can tell that I have a very bad work ethic when it comes to this job, and I know it's because I know that I don't actually need it. I'm kinda disappointed in myself for taking on that outlook but at the same time it's nice to have that luxury when everything else is so hectic in my life.

So I'm getting to see Theresa again this weekend! Yay! We better not get used to this... heh...

Oh! And for those of you that I haven't told individually yet. Put November 3rd on your calendars! Greg is opening up for a band at the TROCADERO!!!! Tickets are $15 and you can get them straight from Greg. It would mean a tremendous amount to us if everyone could make it. This is a fabulous opportunity for him. We haven't decided if we'll be throwing an after party yet. We'd love to, but all of our funds have gone into the house and if things weren't so tight we would without hesitation, but we'll have to see what things look like closer to the date. If we do have one anyone at the show is more than welcome back to the house. Bring all your friends, this can be a real fun night out!!!

So sore....

2007-10-17T20:48:47Z

So Greg and I started a mini project yesterday. We're determined to get rid of that hunk of concrete in the backyard. Yesterday we started and dug out a little over 90% of it. We were almost done, but just couldn't bring ourselves to finishing it. I've currently got three blisters and very sore hamstrings.

Clancy said that we could borrow his jackhammer to break up the concrete with. So that's Greg's plan for this weekend. I have work at Genuardi's Fri night and Sat during the day, so I won't be around to help with that part. I know Everham volunteered and I still need to talk to him about coming over early Sat before going out for Derek's birthday that night to help Greg out with it.

I haven't found any takers for the spare bedroom set. Though I found one woman interested in the long dresser. I think I'm going to try to have her purchase just the dresser, than I'll keep the high chest and one of the night stands and just donate the other pieces. Another tax write off certainly wouldn't hurt us any.

I'm freakin' beat. I'm looking forward to vegging tonight with a book and breaking to watch ANTM. The only thing on my to do list is to make dinner. I pulled out chicken from the freezer yesterday to defrost and threw it in the microwave (didn't turn it on just wanted it to sit out). But then after all the work we did I wanted Olive Garden and completely forgot to put the chicken in the fridge. Can anyone say absent minded much? So it's still in the microwave I have to stop at Genuardi's to pick up something to make and then throw out the old chicken when I get home. Duh Nikki!

Yes! Work will begin shortly!

2007-10-12T14:28:55Z

I just got off the phone with the people that are doing our basement. They want to know if Tuesday is a good day for them to come over and start the project. I'm sooo excited! I cleared the work from home day with Anna, so we're going to go over the plans on Monday night then Tuesday they're going to start. It should take 2-3 weeks, so by Thanksgiving we should have a new studio in the basement :)

I reposted our bedroom set on CL. I really have a feeling that it's not going to go anywhere. My new plan is to keep the highchest and one nightstand to move into the back room with the bed and to just find a company that will pick up the dresser and night stand and just leave us a charity receipt. Unless of course any of you guys out there could use a dresser nightstand (or lamps for that matter). I just want to know that they will be going somewhere shortly. I love that everything is coming along.

Also, I thought we were going to wait until next year to dismantle the "swimming pool" in the backyard. But Greg wants to tackle it asap! So we'll probably start on the 20th. We're going to dig out all the dirt and he's gonna borrow Clancy's jackhammer and we're gonna get rid of the concrete (then fill it back up with the dirt). I hope we'll still have enough time to lay down some grass seed for next year. That will be great, because it'll really open up the backyard a bit and then I don't have to worry about Xander jumping the fence anymore. Yay for win-win situations!

There's so much going on with the house. I'm happy to see that things are starting to take shape there. I already know that when yearly bonus time comes around I want to use mine to have the huge tree in the front yard taken down. I want to get a yoshino mock cherry tree to put on that side of the yard. I think it'll look really good (especially with the red leaf tree on the other side).

I didn't get the opportunity to decorate last night, so I think I'm gonna try to get out there today. It's not like I bought much. It will seriously take me like 5 minutes once I actually get my lazy butt outside. The only thing that will take some time is the light up spiderweb I got for the front window.

Theresa and Derek will be over for dinner tonight, so I'm excited for that. Hopefully I won't fall asleep on them. I have pretty much been falling asleep at 10pm instantly the past couple weeks. I always feel so exhausted. Next week this has to change though, and I'm going to try to get back into a gym routine. hah! cross your fingers for me.

Costumes

2007-10-11T17:41:35Z

I went down to South Street on my lunch break today. I started looking around for stuff that I'm going to need for my halloween costume. I was able to grab a wig that I think is going to work out for $10 at E Zone. So that worked out. Then Alicia and I grabbed lunch at Johnny Rockets and went to Bare Feet where I bought a pair of shoes that I don't need (but that's ok they were on clearance for $5 and I have like no sneakers that I like).

I have to start shopping some more for my costume. I think that I should probably be able to have it made in one weekend though. So that's a good thought. The main things that I need now are a black turtleneck and some red fabric for the poncho. Michelle at work gave me some of her purple eyeshadow to use for the costume and Alicia thinks that she has a purple scrunchie that I can have as well. Otherwise I'll probably be stuck making one, I haven't seen scrunchies in years.

In non-halloween related news, they may be starting work on the basement as soon as next week. That would be ridiculously sweet. They're thinking about 12 days worth of work should do it if everything goes smoothly. I really hope it does. Then Greg and I can work on finishing the flooring in there and he can get set up. Which means that I can then start getting set up upstairs since we can start moving things around and painting. Hopefully I can recruit one or two people to help us out with the painting. The rooms are smaller than our bedroom (and that took us 3 hours to paint with the help of Jen), so it should be less than an afternoon and food will of course then be offered up.

I have a doctor's appointment at 5:30 tonight that I'm leaving a little early for. Hopefully everything goes well. I had to change my medication and we're gonna see if this new one is doing the jobby. If it's still light out when I get home I seriously want to do some exterior halloween decorating (yes, I'm jumping back to this topic), but I don't know the simple things, like where to plug things into. I wish I wasn't such an airhead sometimes. heh...

candyeater @ 2007-10-08T11:53:00

2007-10-08T16:03:36Z

Busy weekend. Friday night I went shopping and we rented 1408. I really liked it. It got a little slow during one part and I really wanted it to get on with it and it finally did. It's one of those movies that I really liked at first, then it got slow, then it picked back up and ya know that the ending is either going to make it or break it for you, and I really liked the ending. So yay! I think that makes three movies with John Cusack in it that I actually like now.

Saturday was spent running around. Greg and I went out for breakfast, then while he had band practice I went to Angelice's 5th bday party. It was very cute. Lee did a good job throwing her the party. Afterwards we took the dogs to the dog park where we had a tiff with this one asshole there and left about 15 minutes earlier than we planned, so that wasn't too bad. The guy was just such a douchebag that one of our mouth's woulda started a fight with him if we didn't leave.

That night Greg (E) and I went to see Henry Rollins, who was awesome - of course! Afterwards we grabbed something quick to eat. I wanted to join Derek at the Andalujia but I was beat and Greg reminded me we had to be up early. By the time we would have gotten there the bar woulda only been open for another hour anyway, so we bailed like jerks.

Yesterday was spent at my parents house. I guess it's good I didn't stay out even later the night before because I ended up falling asleep at their house that afternoon (I'm actually in the mood for another nap right now). All was good though. I didn't get to see Lee-Ann though, so maybe next time.

So, 28 Weeks Later comes out on dvd tomorrow. I already put in for a reserved copy. If anyone is interested in seeing it I'm thinking of the possibility of another movie night on Friday. We can either do food the way we did it last time (eveyone throw in a few bucks and I'll order - this time I'll do pizzas and wings instead of hoagies), or we can do the each man for himself ordering. We'll go by popular vote.

Plans for Friday - Cancelled

2007-10-03T14:07:15Z

Ummmm.... well apparently the Ritz didn't plan on keeping the movie for more than a week. It's not playing Friday night :( It's only playing once that day around noon. Looks like I'll have to have a movie night in Jan when it comes to video. Sorry guys.

Friday?

2007-10-01T14:04:02Z

King of California is playing at the Bourse. I wanna go. I was thinking dinner at like 6:45 (Greg works until 6:30) and then we could go see the movie.

Any ideas on where to go for dinner? I wanna keep it semi-cheap. I already told Emily about it and she seems down for it, and I assumed Doug and Greg would be in. I'm gonna call Derek tomorrow night and tell him about it (I'm at Genuardi's for a few hours tonight and am going to be beat by the time I get home). I also told Kevin and he seemed interested I'll just have to send him details when we figure out where dinner is.

So please, throw out some ideas. Thanks!