Pet Peeves

Everyone has their personal pet peeves. Today, I experienced one of mine, which inspired this blog post. A list of pet peeves:

1. Running in the office - Seriously....where do you have to go that's SO important?! The color copier? The water cooler? Perhaps the supply closet? Today, some lady from another department (not one of my coworkers :) ) busted out into a FULL sprint. I wanted to stop her and ask her where she was going that was so important. Was she late for a meeting? Perhaps she was about to lose her bowels? Was she going to warn someone of an impending natural disaster? There's no excuse for running in the office, unless you're running from a fire, gunman, tiger or you're going to crap your pants.

2. Improper grammar - This is just the PR/Marketing/Writer in me, but improper grammar makes me cringe. I have several friends that can surely appreciate this, including my super picky husband. I especially hate mix-ups like "they're & their", "you're & your", "where & wear"...two totally different meanings. Seriously.

3. People that walk down the aisle of the grocery store/Target/Walmart and are so oblivious to their surroundings that they either block your desired product of purchase, or run into you - Seriously, you all know you've ran into these people. Perhaps sometimes you've been this person. I have on occasion...it's unavoidable...mostly at Target when you get completely engrossed in a certain item. But there are poeple that are just like this.

4. Mopheads - Also known as Bieber hair, Skater hair, or Emo hair. On teenage boys, it drives my out.of.my.mind. Nile probably gets more irritated with this than I do. He once yelled to a group of teenage boys to cut their hair...and later he came home to a keyed car. Guess they showed him. Punks.

       Bieber Hair     

Skater Hair

Emo Hair

Goal Check

It's been almost 6 months since I started my blog. Let's check in with the goals I set forth in my original post to see how far I've gotten!

1. Do some kind of charity/volunteer work once a month

Ok, this needs some work. Nile and I have good intentions, but it seems like life always gets in the way. We've made donations to several organizations, but we haven't put in the physical labor.

2. Get in shape!
This one, I'm working on! I'm currently training for a 5K at the end of August. I got a gym membership and average working out 3-4 times a week. I'm not near where I want to be yet, but I'm going to keep on pushing.
3. Get a massage by a professional
Last week, I looked up a few massage places and plan on scheduling one this month. Woohoo!
4. Travel to Europe
Nile and I saved our money and we're ready for our Europe trip. We planned it for the end of August, however, Nile's work got in the way and it looks like we'll be pushing it until the Spring.


5. Kiss the Blarney StoneSee above.


6. Get my picture taken with Big Ben (in London, not the football player)See two above.


7. Buy a new carDone and done! I bought a lovely 2010 Corolla in Magnetic Gray! It's delightful.


8. Send more cards to people for no specific reasonI definitely have not done this as much as I'd like to. Look for a card coming your way soon :)


9. See my family more often
I talk to my family (mainly mom and Nat) on a pretty regular basis. Pretty much every other day. Once Nile leaves for a while, I'll probably be making trips home way more often. Andddd, they will be coming to visit me way more often :)


10. Get the cancer butterfly tattoo with Natalie that we've been planning
We've decided on a design and have had it drawn. Now it's just the doing. We're looking at July or August. It's time to get this thing done!
11. Take advantage of the parks and beaches in our area
Nile and I definitely started off doing this. We discovered so many great beaches and parks within 20 minutes of our house. We've been to a few and definitely found our favorite. We'll continue to keep going.


12. Go on a picinic
We haven't done this yet this season, but it's definitely in the plans!


13. Learn to golfOk, this is something I really would like to do. However, in the name of realism, this is likely to not happen this year. Perhaps next. But definitely in my lifetime.


14. Keep up with my scrapbookingUgh. After I finished the wedding, I stalled out. I've got to kick this back up...I just need to get motivated.

Ok, so I haven't finished everything, but we're only half way through 2010. I'm hoping to knock a few of these off by the end of the year, but it's good to have a reminder of the goals I set!

Sleep. Vicodin. Repeat.

I'm officially at the end of Day 5 of being completely house-bound. Yesterday, I couldn't think of doing anything other than sleeping and taking pain medication. I was really hoping the pain would subside by this morning, but alas, it did not.

I called the doc this morning and demanded that someone see me because the pain I'm experiencing is clearly not normal. Could they see me today? Of course not. Tomorrow morning is their only opening.

Today looked a lot like yesterday. Sleep, Vicodin, Repeat. However, I began to run out of said Vicodin, so I had to make the long (and by long I mean down the street) trip to the pharmacy to pick up some more. I also decided it would be a good time to stock up on more applesauce and frozen yogurt.

With all the Vicodin I'm taking, I'm beginning to feel like House. I'm not sure how that man could actually practice medicine while on this stuff. It makes you feel, well, floaty. I have problems with words when I'm taking it. My sister or Nile usually call me just after I've taken a dose, and will usually end up hanging up because I don't make any kind of sense.

Hopefully, the doc will have some answers for me tomorrow. Until then, I have big plans for my night, which include vanilla frozen yogurt, Vicodin (duh), and some On Demand television programming. Big night, I know. Don't be jealous.

Negative Nancy

In general, I'm usually a pretty positive person. However, today I'm not feeling so positive.

First, I'm in immense amounts of pain from what I think is either an infection or dry socket in one of my tooth holes. I'm only allowed to take Advil and Vicodin every 4 hours, but for some reason, it's only helping for a little over 2 hours, making about 2 hours of agony for me.

I still can't eat anything other than soup, mashed potatoes, applesauce and ice cream...and it's getting very old.  In general, I like all of those foods, but it's very boring when they are your only options. And yes, I had ice cream for breakfast today. Don't judge me. I couldn't eat another bowl of soup or applesauce.

My mom left today because she has a life to get back to and that makes me very, very sad. I was so nice having her here. We obviously don't get to spend a lot of time together with her living in PA. She usually doesn't drive down here because she's scared of driving, but I'm proud to say that she drove all by herself this time. She had a few wrong turns, but she got back on track and made it :) I'm so very proud of her. And super thankful that she came to take care of me.

I miss Nile so much. He's been working like a crazy man, so even getting the time to talk to him has been hard. This is going to be my first full week without him. It's gonna be a long one, especially since I can't even keep myself busy by going to the gym because doc says I have to wait a few more days.

Ugh. Today, I'm a Negative Nancy. Sorry for the downer, but I needed to get it out. Tomorrow will be better, right?

It's Over!!!

They're gone! The Wisdom teeth are outta here!

My mom took me on Friday morning. I worried the whole way there and paced around the waiting room until I was finally called back. The nurse could tell I was super nervous, so she gave me some laughing gas.

If you've never had laughing gas before, you're really missing out. This stuff is amazing! Yes, I giggled needlessly. My fingers and toes tingled. I didn't even feel the IV go in. All I remember saying to the doc and nurse before I passed out was, "Well, I guess I'll see you guys later!"

I woke up, super groggy, but still feeling pretty awesome. They brought my mom in. This is when I decided to just say whatever came to my mind. Apparently, I asked the nurse if I passed gas during the surgery. I didn't. Good news. Then, I told the doctor I thought he was very grumpy. Nice. Apparently I also told him that before surgery. Good thing he was a good sport. Then, I was trying to convince my mom that they removed my lips during surgery. I was so numb that I couldn't feel them, so I kept hitting myself in the face saying, "They cut off my lips!!!"

When my mom finally managed to get me to the car, I tried to call Nile and my sister. Apparently, though, I was making no sense to anyone. I don't remember any of that.

On the way home, mom got me a strawberry milkshake, upon recommendation from the doctor. I got home and attempted to drink it. Now, remember, I could not feel my face...so getting the milkshake into my mouth wasn't very easy. Mom had to sit beside me and wipe my chin after every bite. She's such a good sport! Also, I haven't had a milkshake in forever, and it was awesommmmme. Thanks, Burger King, for making a delicious shake and being located so close to my house.

Finally, I was prescribed Vicadin. Awesommmmeee! It really helps with the pain and also makes me feel very nice. It feels kind of like having 3 shots of vodka, but still being able to function. I can see how people get addicted to this stuff. Don't worry...I only have a few more doses. I don't plan on developing an addiction.

Last night, I was in a lot of pain in the middle of the night. Did I wake my mom up and ask her if I could take meds? Of course I did. I've resorted to being a 10 year-old this weekend. Mom cooks for me, medicates me, and pretty much makes sure I have whatever I need. I think she should just move in. I don't think Nile would care.

Well, it's about time for my nap and an ice pack. What a weekend :)

Shred!

Today I came home, took the puppies out, then walked over to check my little garden like I do every day. But today...today...all the jalapenos off my plant were EATEN! Yes, some kind of creature (which I'm pretty sure was a squirrel) ate every one of them...but left one with his tiny tooth marks on the deck.

I can only imagine the heartburn that little bastard has. I hope it's bad. I hope he regrets his decision. Stupid tree rat.

As for my other plants, everything is doing fine except for the tomatoes. There are tomatoes growing, but the leaves are yellow. I think it's dying. Oh well...even if it does, I got further than last year.

Also today, I didn't run outside because of an impending storm (Fun Fact about me: I have an irrational fear of being struck by lightening.) Instead, I decided to check out what we had On Demand for exercising. I came across Jillian Michael's Shred and I decided to go for it. WOW! Definitely worked me out. I was cursing her as I was doing it, but I felt good afterwards. Perhaps this could be something else to add to my fitness regimen.

Finally...for those of you that have wondered why I haven't posted about Spinning recently...it's because I haven't gone. I have this theory that it's making my behind and thighs larger instead of smaller, because I'm building muscle. We'll see if I'm right with a few weeks off.

It's Been a Day

Today I finally took my running outside, instead of the treadmill. Turns out, it's way harder to run outside than on the treadmill. I would have thought the opposite. So, I'm a bit frustrated with my lack of ability to run for very long today. I'm hoping that tomorrow will be better. I talked to some hard-core runners this weekend and they were all telling me that it's mind over matter. Which is easier said than done when my legs feel like they're going to fall off.

In other news, hubs and I started the first leg of our long distance love affair today. The first stretch is about 3 weeks, so it will be a nice little test run. However, if one more person tells me that absence makes the heart grow fonder...I might punch them. Luckily, my first weekend away from him, I'll be in a narcotic-induced haze. Yes, that's right, the Wisdom teeth come out on Friday morning. Thank God for my mother. She's heading down to drive me around and nurse me back to health. If she didn't come, who knows what state my house and the dogs would be in.

I'm already starting to have anxiety about Friday. The other night, I had a terrifying nightmare about the whole process. It involved dentists with handsaws, blood covered aprons, and long hair...and they were European. It was very much like a scene out of the movie Hostel. If you've seen it, you'll understand my terror. If you haven't, I advise that you never, ever, watch it, unless you enjoy endless gore and a completely messed up and twisted plot.

Anyway, that's neither here nor there. I'm being the biggest baby, and I totally embrace that. However, anything that anyone says, including WebMD will not make me feel better until I wake up Friday morning after these bitches have been removed.

Until then, I'll just worry needlessly. Nothing new, really.

Rosemary Ranch Chicken and Onion Potatoes and Mushrooms

I've been trying to find ways to use my herbs because, believe it or not, they are healthy and growing like weeds! 

This is what I made for dinner tonight, and it was delicious. For the potatoes, I used fresh parsley and chives, but it's not necessary. Enjoy!

Rosemary Ranch Chicken

2 tbsp fresh rosemary
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
3 tbsp worchestershire sauce
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp sugar
5 boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks
Salt and pepper

Combine all the above ingredients in a bowl, add chicken and marinate for 5-24 hours. Put chicken on skewers and grill.

Onion Potatoes and Mushrooms

1 pound baby red skin potatoes, cut into chunks
1 package white mushroom caps
1 packet onion soup mix
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 400. Combine all ingredients and roast for 25-30 minutes.

Baby Shower for Junior!

Some of you may know that my sister-in-law, Vicky, is pregnant with her first baby. Nile and I couldn't be more thrilled to have a new little one so close to us! 


Today was Vicky's baby shower. She's from Ireland and apparently bridal and baby showers are not something that the Irish do, however I can imagine if they did there would be whiskey and Guinness involved. 


I love listening to Vicky talk about baby stuff, because the terminology for most things is so different in Ireland. Such as:

• A diaper is a "nappy"
• A pacifier is a "dummy tit"
• A stroller is a "buggy or carriage"

Plus, everything baby that she refers to is "wee". Hehe :) It's a "wee pair of socks"or a "wee onesie". Small is not a part of her vocabulary, and I love it! 

So, we don't know the sex of the baby. I guess in Ireland, most people don't find out because it's bad luck. In turn, we've been referring to baby as "Junior". 

Here's some photos of the shower and the mommy-to-be:

Myself, Vicky and Junior

All the other mommies giving Vicky advice

Gifts from Auntie Heather and Uncle Nile (by the way, that bib says "Early Riser" bwhaha)

There were many frog, monkey and giraffe themed gifts. Vicky loved this froggy onesie.

Awesome gift! The wine is called "Mommy's Time Out" She got a basket full of "mommy only" gifts like chocolate, wine, Starbucks gift card.

There you have it! We can't WAIT to meet Junior and find out whether it's really a Junior or Juniorette! August 5 is the big day, but apparently she's measuring early, so this little one might meet the world in July! It makes me so excited for us to have babies :) Until then, I'll settle on being Auntie Heather.