Right now

I found this here.

RIGHT NOW:

1. I am thinking … about  making room for the new sweaters I got at Macy's

2. I am thankful for … my health

3. From the kitchen … I should pick out something for dinner before it gets too late

4. I am wearing … a t-shirt my niece gave me

5. I am creating … a blog post

6. I am going … to watch Jimmy Fallon on SNL

7. I am reading … a biography about Princess Diana I got years and years ago. I can't believe how long it's taken me to get to it in my TBR pile.

8. I am hoping … I put all that laundry away before I go to sleep

9. I am hearing … a commercial for Chase Bank

10. Around the house … there is a lot of paper (tax time)


11. One of my favorite things … is whiskers on kittens (no, really)

12. A few plans for the rest of the week … I want to work out and gets lots of cardio in

13. A picture to share …Because Kerry Wood and all the other pitchers/catchers will report in just over two weeks (February 18)

I Feel Pretty

Today we tried something new with my hair for the first time in almost five years. My stylist added blonde highlights! They are subtle, just as I wanted. They catch the sunlight and camouflage any gray hairs. (I currently only have a couple over my right ear, but as I understand the process, once they begin their take over they don't stop.)

It's not often that looking in the mirror makes me happy, but today it does.

Buzz Kill!

This is why I avoid Mr. B., my deaf-as-a-stone old neighbor. Coming back from getting my hair done -- streaked blonde, I was really happy with it -- he was standing in the vestibule for no particular reason. Except maybe to stalk and annoy me.

"How have you been, Stranger?"

"Fine, and you?" I ask, being polite as a reflex, even though I was afraid asking how he was doing was an invitation to annoying, frustrating conversation.

"Really? You sure you feel fine?" he persisted, looking at me as though I had just wandered off the set of Contagion.

"Yes," I snapped. "I just got my hair done and thought I looked good. Apparently not." Maybe if I press the elevator button a few more times, it will come faster.

"So why don't you come to the condo owners meetings?"

"Because you have them at 5:30 and I can't get home from work by 5:30. I have told you that if you want me there, you should have them after 6:30."

"So if we had it at 7:00, you would be able to come?"

AAAAAARGH! WHERE'S THAT ELEVATOR?

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: How Do You Mend a Broken Heart

1. How did you cope with your biggest heartache? There's an old Garth Brooks song that sums it up, "I'm calling every friend I have, I wake them up and make them mad, just to let them know that I'm OK ..." I also drank a lot and cried a lot. Isn't this how everyone copes?

2. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital? I met my nephew when he was a newborn.

3. How many jobs have you held in your life? How many of those were part of your chosen career field? Two secretarial, 9 (gulp!) as a writer. That 9 would be even higher if I count promotions/title changes as different jobs, but let's not do that because having this complicated a resume was never a goal of mine.

4. How did you discover Saturday 9? I don't remember for sure. I guess through Mimi at Mimi Writes. Or perhaps Miss Kwiz at Kwizgiver. They both remain my blogging buddies, both were supportive of me through my health woes of 2011 and I'm so grateful.

5. If you could take the train from anywhere to anywhere, where would 'anywhere' be? I would love to just get on the next Amtrak out and see where it takes me. You know, let fate decide where "anywhere" is. I don't know how wise or safe such an adventure would be, but train travel does hold considerable allure for me. Me and Joe Biden, we like Amtrak.

6. When was the first time you cooked for someone else? The most recent time is more interesting. I am endlessly proud of the Christmas Cookies I made for my best friend this year. They tasted good and were aesthetically pleasing. We nicknamed them "Pippa Middletons" because the backside was perfect.

7. What is the worst beverage you've ever tasted? I really hate coffee. Everything about it. Taste, smell, the way it clings to the cup and you have to really scrub when you do the dishes. Yech. Blech. (Since Starbucks' CEO earned $65 million last year alone, I realize mine is a minority opinion.)

8. Is there anything in life you are "certain" about? Firm in your beliefs? Strong in your convictions? I am strong in all my convictions. That's why they're my convictions. It's tiring, though, not only for me but for those who have to listen to me blather on. My best friend memorably told me he wishes he cared about anything as much as I care about everything. That's why I reward him with perfect cookies. I tend to wear other people out.

9. Do you know anyone who has as very unusual pet? No. Sorry. Whenever I skip a question, I feel I've disappointed you all.