Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The Ghost of New Year's Eve Past

Since we are just about to close the book on 2008, I found some treasures from New Year's Eve 2004. Before I get all ready to celebrate the future, it is important to remember the past. So my last entry in 2008 ends with a Polipino fortune cookie saying. Good friends are like bad rashes. They never really go away.(in bed)
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I'm TJ Brooker and Kat's boob, and I approve of drive-by photography

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Puppies from heaven

I'm feeling kind of sad right now. My aunt had to put down a much loved pet a few hours ago. His name was Butch and he was very much part of our family. My aunt didn't have kids, but she had Butch, and that was more than enough.

I remember as a teenager wrestling with Butchy in the living room. His stinky puppy breath. His big floppy ears slapping at my face. During chilly Christmas seasons, I would snuggle up to his warm barrel body and he'd snuggle right back. Photobucket

Butch
He loved playing, naps in the sun and bacon. You gotta respect that. We'll miss you buddy.

With a little help from my friends

What would you do if I sang out of tune? Would you drag my ass around a park for six miles? Yep, that is what my friends did last night.

You see, months and months ago, I said I was going to walk/run the mini-marathon coming up in 2009. My husband said if I could do six miles by the end of the year, he would do it with me. The kicker here is that my husband knows I am a chronic starter then stopper. I'm sure he thought he would just make the offer and be done with it. He apparently underestimated my girls.

December 28 had come and gone and I had only done about four and a half miles since the offer had been made. During the weekend, we had plans to make the six mile walk, but those plans were thwarted by my overwhelming urge to well, not do it. December 29 was my first day back at work after a week of festivities when I get a call from my favorite mayo mistress Kerri. She lets me know that we are doing the six miles tonight. In all honesty, her call interupted me trying to think of reasons not to go to weight lifting class. I'm pretty sure that was God laughing at me.

I get to Seneca Park where I am met by mayo mistress Kerri, Halladay Celebration and TJ Brooker(showing off her new super cute red hat she got for Christmas.) Later, Heidi the Norweigan bikini team model and Harris Bueller show up with Hunter the wonder puh-pay. We were a full on crew. I was ready to give up after mile two. My girls weren't having it. They pulled my Polipino ass exactly six miles. I have the toe blister to prove it.

Afterwards we headed to my place where my husband showered us with sweet and savory treats. He started with popcorn and followed it up with soup, salad and sandwiches with some mulled cider to wash it down. Soon after, apples and caramel dip with wine. Just when we couldn't take any more, cookies and milk. We were practically begging for mercy by the time he brought out warm apple pie a la mode.

By about midnight my husband tucked me into bed and I fell into a really deep sleep almost immediately. But before I enjoyed my much earned slumber, I reflected on what my friends have done for me. According to this morning's measurements, since October 17, I have lost 1/2 inch on my arms, 3 1/2 inches on my waist, 4 inches on my hips, and 1 and 1/2 inches on my thighs. I'm so blessed to be surrounded by people who cheer me on through my tiniest accomplishments and never judge me for the largest of failures. They make me want to be a better me. They push me to do my best. What they don't know is that if they keep this up, we'll be the same size and I'll be stealing all those bitches' clothes. That's right Miss "Let's sprint the last quarter mile." That Prada skirt is practically in my closet already. Rekinize.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Raving Cravings

Perhaps it is cabin fever setting in on me, but I have had really strong cravings over the past couple of days. Christmas Eve, I HAD to have Chicken Tikka Masala. Christmas Day, a box, no that is not a typo, an ENTIRE BOX of Chips Ahoy.

I have been doing OK on exercise. Yesterday my hubby and I knocked out four miles. On Christmas Eve, I did two miles solo. The food cravings are just ruining it all. When I get a craving, if I do not feed it until it goes away, it will linger, ruining my entire day. I'm like a junkie coming down. I keep thinking about it until it consumes me and I give in.

Sure you might be thinking, just have a few Chips Ahoy, you don't need the entire box. Oh you would be wrong my dear friend. The last cookie in the box is apparently what quiets the voices in my little Polipino head.

I went to see a movie called "The Boy in Striped Pajamas" today. Not exactly the feel good movie of the year. Before I went into the theater, I loaded up with a popcorn(extra butter and salt) and a large cherry coke. There was so much butter in the bag, it seeped through and left a perfect circle of grease(not the John Travolta kind) on my jeans. I treated the stain with baking soda and threw them in the washer. We'll see if the crispy puffs coated in golden melty goodness scored another casuality besides my calorie count for the day.

What's the craving of the hour you ask? Donuts. Sweet, doughy and warm. Maybe they are frosted with chocolate and filled with custard, dipped in milk. Perhaps a simple glazed. You know the feeling I'm having. It is the same one you get when you drive past Krispy Kreme and you see that glowy "hot" light on. If I get there and see you in line, we'll just avert our eyes and pretend we never saw each other. I'm a giver like that.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

There is nothing like family

My brother heard I was sad for Christmas, so he made an adult youtube video with my mother's movable Christmas characters. Enjoy.

Pictures from Grand Rapids

My aunt/godmother who was hosting Christmas Day dinner sent me some pictures of her front yard. Apparently they are already way above their average for snow, which is saying something.
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Can you see her picket fence?
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This would have made a pretty fine snowman.

And in honor of missing my brother.
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Feeling Kinda Heavy

It is Christmas Day and it is the first day in three that I haven't started the day with a fit of tears. You see, I had been looking forward to seeing my family in Michigan for about two months. Apparently Mother Nature had different plans.

On Monday night I had already packed for the week. I had made a special trip to Sephora to get supplies for the trip, you know, in case of emergency. We went to the husband's family's house to celebrate an early Christmas as we were going to be in Michigan for the actual day. On the way home from Lexington, I begin to get a slew of calls from relatives in Grand Rapids saying we should probably sit this one out. These are people who think ice skating in SUV's should be an Olympic sport. Seriously, people from Michigan are crazy, but even they said it was too dangerous.

My husband knew how much I had been looking forward to seeing everyone. He had listened to me talk about this being the first Christmas I would spend with my brother in more than eight years. He knew of my plans to build a snowman and drink hot chocolate while drawing eyeliner mustaches on whoever was stupid enough to nap on the couch. He whispered calmly, "If you want to do it, we'll go. We'll make this work." I made a stong and useless attempt to fight back tears as I said "I have to be a grown up. It is too dangerous."

When I got home, I looked up the local weather reports in Michigan. They had closed freeways. Some poor holiday travelers who were on a train took 15 hours to get from Chicago to Grand Rapids. I knew it was right not to go, but my heart is still breaking like I'm a little girl.

My husband is doing his best to keep my spirits up. He surprised me with a diamond and emerald necklace. I'm making him pork tenderloin and mashed potatoes. Most would say this is not a fair trade, but in my defense, he really loves mashed potatoes.

I plan on snuggling with the husband trying to forget that I should be breaking the ornaments on my mom's tree, stealing my brother's Christmas cookies, foot fighting with my aunt for the best seat on the couch and eating pierogi while having a Merry Christmas. Sigh.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Karma Chameleon

Last night I celebrated my chilling three miles with a trip to Halladay Celebration's Turkey, well, celebration. I brought the husband along with me and we ate and ate and ate. I was the picture of glamour as I picked up an entire turkey leg and walked around gnawing happily.

Halladay Celebration gave us a lovely plate to take home with the other turkey leg. After all, it was only right. The other turkey leg would get lonely in my tummy. We are supposed to head over to the husband's mom's house to celebrate Christmas early, so I decided I would snack on my beloved turkey leg before going to eat. I'm like a hobbit. I have second and third breakfast-and I'm only five foot tall-and I don't wear shoes.

So I heat up the turkey leg and show it to my husband singing a song I penned just for the occasion called "This is mine and not yours." I choreographed a little dance that went to my clever tune. As I pulled out the wooden TV tray to enjoy my much earned feast, I got my finger stuck in the joint of the tray and it pinched the crap out of me. I think it almost broke skin.

After my husband got done laughing hysterically, he made up his own little song called "Rub some cream on it and shut up." My song was obviously better. I'm just sayin.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Bring It!

This morning I discovered that my kitteh has super powers. She slept next to me last night. At about 6:30 a.m., my eyes popped open and I was ready for my day. Seeing this, super hero kitteh nuzzled me with her face. I put my hand on her and the soft fuzzy cuteness sucked the energy right out of my body. I was down for the count. Two hours later, my eyes open again and I have to go to the bathroom. This time, she puts her paw on my face. It is warm and I can almost hear the power drain from my limbs. I'm out again for another hour and a half. It was amazing I didn't wet the bed. Now I know that if given the choice, my kitteh will use her powers for evil, just like her mom.

I really didn't want to exercise today and super power kitteh was not helping. Road block #2. I called Brooklyn to see if we were running today. She said it was too cold. Oh boy, she was right. I can't really blame her.

It is about 21 degrees with some nasty winds and I just finished my three mile run/walk. Woo hoo! I still can't feel the front of my thighs and my face has some pretty ugly wind burn, but hey, I made it!

I decided to go to the store and pick up some essentials like gingerbread spice tea, you know, for emergencies. I noticed the lack of sidewalks in my neighborhood as well as a certain lack of regard for pedestrians is ever present in the land of Plainview. At one point I had to lean forward and force my way through the icy gusts. I had to laugh to myself as I remembered my mother telling me of a similar trek to school in the Michigan snow, but I believe her journey was uphill both ways, or so she said.

The exercise gave me a bounce and vigor for the day. My fellow Walgreens shoppers did not share it. They complained about the cold and the traffic and part of me wanted to let them know that I had to walk farther than the parking lot and traffic on foot is worse, but I digress. Venus razor blades are on sale. Score!

I realized on my walk home, carrying a bag full of things I didn't need and a gallon of milk that every little bit makes me stronger and healthier.

My husband was inspired by my efforts when I got home, so he strapped on his gloves, hat and jacket and headed out for a walk. Look at me being all inspirational. I will reward myself with some gingerbread spice tea and a nap with my super hero kitteh.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

What a pain in the foot

Today we got up at an ungodly hour(for a Saturday) to go walking in Cherokee Park. It was actually about 35 degrees, so it wasn't brutally cold either. Kerri was running late, so we decided to just start walking because she is super woman and runs and stuff. We had a special guest, Hunter the wonder mutt. He's not much of a tracker as we never found Kerri.

She ran up after we had met up at the cars. No Kerri action while walking, but she joined us for bacon at Sweet and Savory. I felt I needed stength so I got the spinach and artichoke omlette. I highly recommend it.

When I got home I decided that I had some extra energy as I had gotten a boost from my girls, Heidi the Norwegian Bikini team model's beux Harris Bueller and Hunter the wonder mutt. I decided to do a little running in the neighborhood. When I got home, I felt like my heel was going to fall off. The entire bottom of my foot aches soooo baad. Oh well.

All in all today, about 4 miles. Mark it baby!

Ok, I didn't run the whole way. I put Lady Gaga on repeat and just ran during the chorus, but it is a start. Take it Gaga.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Run, Run Rudolph

I finished my first race ever! Hooray! The Reindeer Romp is part of the Polar Bear Grand Prix. I used to make fun of my buddy Blaine for running. Ok, well, I'm not running, so the ridicule will probably continue.
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It was at Cherokee park and I had to park almost half a mile away from the start line. That is what we call in Polipino land "bullshit." When I got there I was happy to see TJ Brooker and Heidi the Norwegian bikini team model. They brought their respective dudes.
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My husband stayed home because exercising in 25 degree weather is "bullshit." I think he has a point. I was dripping because I sweat like it is my job. Anyway, it actually iced up in my hair.

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Heidi's beux Matt walked with me because the other people suck and wanted to run. The term "bullshit" came back into play as we worked our way up the trecherous climb known as "dog hill."

In my opinion, all hills are bullshit. That's the wisdom I gained from toting my ass around the park in sub-freezing weather. Go me.
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Holy Awesome Wife Batman

If you read this blog, you know my husband is the bestest. He takes very good care of me. So for his birthday, I ordered him a copy of The Dark Knight because he loves it so. It is pretty bad ass.
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I had already pre-ordered a copy from Blockbuster, but he recently got a PS3, so I wanted to get him a Blu-ray limited edition double disc in the Batpod.

Since bootcamp, I've become pretty used to getting up early and going to bed early. A midnight release had become a pretty big deal for me. Halladay Celebration and I both had Angel tree kids to shop for, so we hit Toys R Us. While I'm on subject, check out the frames I painted for them. The little boy is a spiderman fan.
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I was pretty excited. Anyway, we go shopping and I head home. I was exhausted. I was sure I wasn't going to make it to the witching hour. I figured I will just get the regular copy later. He didn't need to be surprised.

I made some soup and crawled into bed with my husband. He rolls over and pulls me close. He kisses my forehead and whispers that he loves me. Shit. I wonder if he knows the amount of guilt laid on my little Polipino head. I let him drift into a half sleep and creep out of bed.

It was supposed to be warmer, but apparently, no one told Mother Nature. I know I'm in for about an hour wait outside. I bundle up and head off to Best Buy. When I get there, I can tell I'm about to stand in line with the coolest people on the planet.
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Someone starts adjusting the light when I hear someone yell "don't move it or he won't come!" I begin to wonder how many 30 year-old-virgins I'm going to meet. Well, the short answer is: a lot.
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I can't judge. I was out there too. I collect my prize and head home. I've never seen my husband so elated. I had to remind him that our wedding day was the best day of his life, not this one. I don't think he was listening, but in his defense, the movie is stunning in Blu-ray. Holla.

One bourbon, one shot, one beer

Let me start out by saying that I don't really drink too much now. Sure there was a time in college when I would have a couple of shots and dance on a bar, but let's face it, my back just can't take the climb anymore.

I was kindly invited to see a screening of a movie called "Dirty Country." It is a documentary about a guy named Larry Pierce. He is a sweet guy who lives in a small town in Indiana and sings dirty, filthy country songs. My favorite is "She makes my peter stand up." It's a love song, can't you tell? Afterwards, Larry sang a few songs for us. The movie was pretty entertaining and the songs were really entertaining. I bought a CD for my husband because the humor is right up his alley.

The movie was shown at Bluegrass Brewing Company and of course, I had a beer. I knew it was a school night, but I figured one wouldn't kill me. That would have been fine had I gone straight home after the show, but someone, we'll call her "bad influence girl," suggests we all go to Stevie Ray's(a nearby bar) for a few drinks. Can you guess which one she is in the picture?
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Let me just say, I had the best intentions. I got there and started to order a soda pop. My new friend Stu was buying and insisted I mix something with it. Ok, he was nice enough to invite me. I'll bite. This glass was filled with bourbon lightly colored, nay, barely scented with coke. I begin to sip. Still doing fine.

Larry's wife is a great lady who is just the life of the party. She decides to buy all the girls shots. I figure this is where I should put my foot down and do the responsible thing. That didn't work.
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Oh dear. This could be bad. Maybe 10 minutes past and guess what happens again.
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Then next morning, I had trouble figuring out if throwing up would make me feel better or not, but soon, my body didn't give me a choice. For those who are laughing at me for being a light weight, read Larry's card.
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You said it buddy.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Talk Soup

Growing up in Arizona, I didn't experiece a lot of cold weather. We had basically two seasons. You could tell if it was winter, because more guys wore shirts.

Moving to Kentucky, I must admit I was thrilled to see rain and snow. One of the main reasons is because they are true signs of soup season! I'm a sucker for good soup. Recently, my friend Kerri taught me how to make a crock pot of comfort soup.

I've named it Gallagirl Rocks Soup. I took the name from a tale I loved about making Stone soup. If you don't know the story, a man tricks a village into feeding him by saying he can make soup out of a stone. He puts the stone in a pot of water and keeps saying things like "oh this needs carrots" or "if we only had a little beef, this would be perfect." By the end, the villagers have all contributed to make this heavenly concoction and they all happily dine on said soup.

The reason I'm relating this story to my soup is simply the method in which it is made. I started with meat and tomato sauce. Throughout the week, I eat a bowl and then add another ingredient of left overs to fill up the crock pot, like rice or potatoes or diced tomatoes. It seems to make a different soup each day and each day it becomes more wonderful.

I'm really jonesing to make a batch of corned beef and cabbage. It reminds me of my college roommate Cari. Not because she like it, but because she hated the smell with such passion. My husband says I can only make it when he is not in town. I apparently married the only Irish man on the planet who hates corned beef and cabbage. I must be cursed. Sigh.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Mortal Kombat in the Park with George

The biggest challenge since ending boot camp is staying with some sort of fitness routine. As hard as it was to get up at 4 a.m. each morning, that seems like cake compared to inspiring myself to get up. My friennds and hubby have been super supportive, so I really want to work at it, for them and for me.

I've found a class that I totatlly love at my gym. I'm guessing it is because of the instructor. You may have heard me mention her before in my spinning and group power class. She is punchy and fun with a great sense of humor. She teaches a body sculpting class on Wednesdays and I have convinced myself that it will be a weekly ritual. We'll see how that goes. Afterwards, some people were coming in for the next class which I found out was Zumba. Eh, what the hell, I needed some cardio.

This will be the second time I have regretted staying for the cardio class following. The instructor seemed like she would have been just as happy if we were all just sitting and watching her dance. The steps were not overly complicated, but it was like trying to follow a dance routine without being told what was coming next. It was like the first three times you tried to learn the Oops I did it again dance without being able to pause Britney. Um, not that I've ever done that.

Thursday I did a little action on the resistance band but just enough to get a little tightness. It wasn't really a workout, but at least I didn't just sit on the couch and gorge myself. Well, I mean I didn't do that until AFTER I played with my resistance band.

Saturday the girls wanted to walk at Cherokee Park where boot camp was held. A few are runners, I am not. Again, Halladay Celebration to the rescue. She kept a walker's pace with me. It was snowing at about 26 degrees. I saw a dude wearing a mask that made him look like a character in Mortal Kombat.

My mind drifted to hand to hand combat on the bridge where I defeat the Evil Park Ninja, let's call him George. I fly to the sky and cut him down with my combo death chop. I earn a MK fatality where I rip off his head exposing his spinal cord and then steal the keys to his BMW SUV, cuz let's face it, if you own one, you have that coming to you. Alas, I did none of the above. Instead, I continued to pant and whine about my shoe inserts giving me shin splints.

Next time Evil Park Ninja, next time.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Viva La Resistance!

I bought a resistance band for working out at home. For those who don't know, it is a big rubber band. Yep, that is all there is to it. Yep, I paid money for it. I got the medium resistance band because I felt that if I pay money for it, it should hurt me, although not as much as a maxiumum resistance band. I bathe in self deceit, but even I have my limits.

Last night I did the work out dvd that came with the band. It was ok. I feel a little sore in my arms, but I think once I actually understand what they are doing I'll get better with my form, thus being more effective. For now, the band is doing more for me when I wrap it around my forehead and pretend that I am Rambo. Hey, a girl can dream.

Back in Black

Say what you will, Black Friday is my bag baby. Is it the deals? Is it standing outside in sub-freezing temperatures with strangers? Is it watching the everyday Suzie Homemaker turn into a fire breathing monster over the last hot pink hoodie in a size 6? Well, to tell the truth, for me, it is a little bit of all of the above.

I grazed the ads on Thanksgiving Day to see where I would be collecting frost the next morning. Believe it or not, my destination ended up being Staples. Not Target. Not Macy's. Nope, it was home of the easy button for me. The husband wanted a Bluetooth and they had a really nice $100 one for $50. The bluetooth I was waiting for was on page 2 of the circular. I didn't even need a ticket. Because I was one of the first 5 in line, they let us in before the store opened to get stuff. I was checked out before the store actually opened. I'm guessing the experience was not so good for the hundreds of people waiting to get into Walmart next door.

My next store was Michael's cuz, well, it was next door and it still was not 6am. I gleefully asked a woman in line what we were waiting for. They were all very tight lipped. Suddenly someone lets it slip that there are lighted Christmas trees for 50% off. Wowza....but um, I don't need one. Another woman tells me that she is there for a special cartridge. I squint my eyes and say "well, I'm gonna get them first." She was apparently not in the mood to joke about it. C'mon, the machine itself is like $250, I'm not gonna buy a cartridge just out of spite...or am I? It is in the spirit of Black Friday to destroy the person standing next to you, but instead I stocked up on some paints and stuff.

Then I jotted off to Macy's. It seems as though they have coupons, but they should put in the fine print "you can not use them for anything." I tried to buy perfume. Can't use them in cosmetics. I tried to buy clothes. Can't use them for door buster deals. Anyway, I pick up a $99 Nautica wool top coat (retail $350) for Jeremy. I didn't get to use my coupon there either because you can't use them on outerwear. Seriously, I should have used their circular to make a hut for warmth. It would have done me more good. I trotted on over to my beloved Sephora, but apparently they were not participating the "open before the sun comes up tradition." Bastards. So off to Old Navy I go, cuz really, why not.

I pick up some stuff for my angel tree kids. Can you believe they charge $17 for toddler jeans!!! Good thing they were half off. Old Navy sucked because I was lugging a huge wool coat around on a wooden hanger, which was awkward in the first place, but I now have begun to sweat from the 14 layers of clothing I'm still wearing to guard me from the cold outside. Then there was a guy who was bugging the piss out of me in line. I won't get into all the details of why I wanted to hurt him, but I'll end it with this gem, he was checking out with his friend's debit card and didn't have the PIN, so he was trying to call him on his cell even though the cashier said "no one gets service in here." Oh yeah. He started hmmm and hawing like this was such a huge inconvenience for him. I didn't feel violent because it was Black Friday. This guy is a douche bag no matter what day you are talking about.

Anyway, I digress. Off to Bath and Body Works. No big deals. I walk out, cuz if I'm up before the sun, you need to GIVE ME SOMETHING.

I head home for a little food and to peruse the ads again. I wake up Jeremy and make him try on the coat. He doesn't like that it is 3/4 length not full length. I explain to him that those were already gone. So I head back to da mall and return the coat. I am met by an older man who just doesn't understand why I would COME BACK to the mall. I told him that I had to check Sephora for the Beauty Insider reward. By the way, it totally sucked. C'mon Sephora, get with the game!! I rounded out my day with a little Disney store and Sears action. I left Target for Saturday which is another story all together.