November Challenge

Day 27 -- A quote I like to live by

If I'm feeling flip: "East is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste more like prunes than rhubarb does." Groucho Marx

If I'm introspective: "You cannot change the winds, but you can adjust the sails." Elizabeth Edwards

My rooted-in-reality response: "Have you ever noticed how 'what the hell' is always the right answer?" Marilyn Monroe

Happy Birthday to me, Part 6

The Mail Edition. My aunt sent me a box filled with organic teas to keep me warm as the winds grow cold. SnarkyPants proved she reads this humble blog by coming through with one of my recently lusted after items -- the Body Shop Vitamin C capsules.

I love getting mail. Now, more than ever, because receiving packages is so rare. And both gifts were such a surprise, and so thoughtful. I am really very lucky.

Happy Birthday to me, Part 5

Dinner with my friend Mindy. It was nice to see her, and I was happy to receive her gifts -- a pair of DVDs (Friday Night Lights and Springteen and I). I'm a little sorry I had a Moscow Mule. I feel a headache coming on ...

Since Hanukkah is early this year, I'm proud that I had her gifts ready -- a pair of shirts for her and her husband from ShopHeart.org. His mom died a few months ago and in lieu of flowers, the family asked for contributions to the American Heart Association. I think these shirts are a nice, proactive way to continue honoring the lady.

Happy Birthday to me, Part 4

I went down to Tampa to visit my cousin Rose for my birthday. The trip was a mixed bag, as I expected it would be. Rose is very, very set in her ways, and very convinced that her way is the only way. I really wished I'd stayed in a motel instead of at her house, because despite basking in how much she loves me and her willingness to show me all the local sites, she got on my last nerve. Example: "Why do you carry such a big purse, Gal?" "You don't need such a big purse." "What do you have in that big purse anyway?" Finally I snapped, "Why do you care?" The whole weekend was like that.

Interestingly, I don't get on her last nerve. She kept talking about trips we could take together once I retire. AAAARGH! I can't imagine what it would be like to share a confined space with her!

On to happier things. Friday was my actual birthday. I wanted to go to Lowry Park (aka Tampa Zoo) so that's where we were headed when her car died. She was very sorry and very embarrassed but I didn't mind. We were both safe and sound, I got to ride in a tow truck for the first time ever, and yes, we were stuck in the garage for most of the afternoon. But they had CNN on and I got to see the ceremonies at Arlington Cemetery, and since President Kennedy has been on my mind sooooo much this month, it seemed fitting. (I was happy to see the flags half mast all over town that day.)

Then we went to Madeira Beach to watch the sun set. It was gorgeous. To see gulls, walk along the shore barefoot and stepping on shells, and to watch the sun fall into the sea was a special treat.

The next day, Saturday, was zoo day. Here in Chicagoland we have two world class zoos, so my cousin was surprised that Lowry Park was on my list of things I wanted to do for my birthday, but okapis have always been my favorite zoo friends and they recently had a new addition. It was important to me to see the baby. I was not disappointed.

For her part, my cousin's favorites are the giraffes. They have an expansive, beautiful exhibit -- but then so do the zoos here. What was different about The Lowry giraffe area was the artwork. My cousin found a pair of giraffe earrings in the gift shop. I bought manatee magnets for my coworkers at the gift shop, as well. I found myself enchanted by those big, docile sea cows, but they didn't photograph well. So I got myself a snow globe (sea globe?) with a pair of manatees inside.

Then later we went back to Madeira for a dolphin cruise. It was so beautiful. We saw several "pods" (or families) of dolphins. They were majestic. But everything about the cruise was perfect. A little over 80º, mostly smooth seas, clear skies. Little islands of nothing other than birds. Elegant estates dotting the
shore. Jimmy Buffett on the speakers. If only I'd had a margarita in my hand, it would have been perfect.

I was happy to go to Tampa, and happy to come home. One of the nice things about the flights is now I'm on the TSA precheck list. I don't have to remove my shoes, belt or baggie of liquids anymore when I go through security anymore. Believe it or not, that made the trips a wee bit less stressful for me.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Sugar Shack
 
This song was popular 50 years ago today. Hear it here.

1) In this song, our hero orders espresso. What's your standard coffee order? Not a coffee drinker

2) Originally the phrase "sugar shack" meant a small cabin where sap from maple trees was boiled into syrup. So for breakfast today, would you rather pour syrup on pancakes, french toast or waffles? I just had French Toast this morning, so I'll go with that.

3) The name of the group that recorded this song is The Fireballs. "Fireballs" is also the brand name of a red hot jawbreaker. Do you like cinnamon? Love it!

4) In 1963, when this song was a hit, newscaster Walter Cronkite was one of the most trusted and influential men in the country. Do you have a favorite TV newsperson? If something really bad ever happens again, I think I'd like to hear it from Tom Brokaw.


5) The Rambler was named 1963 Car of the Year by Motor Trend, and their most popular model was a 9-passenger station wagon. What's the car of your dreams? One that comes with a driver.

6) The Zip Code was first introduced in 1963. How many different Zip Codes have you had throughout your life?  Three

7) What was the first thing you thought about when you woke up this morning? "What was with that dream?"

8) Are you a good pool player? I am the worst

9) Do you actually make a wish when you blow out your birthday candles? Yes.

November Challenge

Day 21 -- What you hope your future will be like

I'd like to clean up and improve my home so it's a better reflection of who I am.

November Challenge

Day 20 -- Your fears

Air travel is by far #1. I'm flying tomorrow so this is very top of mind for me right now.

Happy Birthday to me, Parts 2 and 3

Yesterday started out as a bad day. There were continuous raised voices on the el -- someone felt disrespected by an invasion of personal space -- and it was very rattling. The tension in the car was sky high as we all worried about the confrontation becoming physical. ("Excuse me, Madam? Your tote bag does not deserve it's own seat! And you, Sir? Don't go out of your way to smash her belongings! We all have to share this confined space. Let's try to respect one another." One of these days, a silly conflict like this is going to escalate until someone gets shot.)

So I was already rattled when I got to work. And my plate keeps getting more and more projects

heaped upon it. It's always like this year-end. I'm not surprised, but I am anxious, because my boss seems alternately rattled and in denial.

Naturally I was surprised and very grateful when my most annoying coworker said, "Let's go to lunch for your birthday!" She took me to Wildberry, the breakfast-centric restaurant right in our office building and I got to have eggs benedict for lunch. It was a thoughtful and much appreciated gesture.

Then I went back to work-work-work and was surprise and happy when these arrived. My oldest friend sent them to my office because she knows I'm going to be gone this weekend.

I really appreciated this gesture, too. I knew she would remember my birthday -- hell, we've known one another since Kindergarten -- but this explains why she was so adamant about knowing my travel plans. She wanted to send the arrangement where I could enjoy them the most. (And after the flowers go, that's going to make quite the cosmo glass.)

Teaser Tuesday

Here's how to play this meme.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I dug out Death of a President, November 1963. I don't think I need to be warned about "spoilers" because if you don't know how this story ends, you never went to school as a child or haven't passed a magazine rack this month.

I haven't read this in, literally, decades. Conspiracy buffs discredited it so. But now, with advanced forensics having proven the lone gunman theory this book supports, I'm revisiting it and find myself appreciating it more. Manchester can be flowery at times, but for the most part he has the sense and sensitivity to not let his writer's ego get in the way of the story. 

For example, from page 33:

Maybe it was too much to ask those Dallas patrolmen in the vicinity of the warehouse to follow the example of New York policemen by turning their backs on the President to scan the overlooking windows -- in which event they, like the pedestrians around them, would have seen the waiting rifleman in the window. Perhaps every man did his duty and the blow could not have been averted.

November Challenge

Day 18 -- A problem you have had

This new credit card from the NASA Credit Union. They sent me a pre-approved application and so I said, "what the hell." The offer was lucrative (a low APR on balance transfers for life) and I do card marketing for a living so I wanted to see how they did.

THEY DO IT POORLY! First, it took forever for the card to arrive. They send the balance transfer checks under separate cover for security reasons. I get that. BUT IT'S BEEN A MONTH! Yesterday I called their 800 number and I was transferred three times and the conversation took 24 minutes. Nearly a half hour to be told, give it a few more days. Don't get me started on their website.

I'm not an astronaut. I don't know why they solicited me. And now I'm sorry they have.

Day 19 -- Five items you lust after

1) Is time an "item?" I ask because I really need more time this week.
2) Lots of Vitamin C skincare from The Body Shop. Especially the pre-measured capsules. I love that stuff!
3) A new iPod. I bought a Nano, and I accept it, but I lust after a real, old school iPod original.
4) A bathroom renovation.
5) A really nice new winter coat. The one I got is serviceable and an improvement over the one I had, but I'm not in love with it.

Sunday Stealing

The ASK Meme, part one

1. What’s your favorite candle scent? I like the holiday scents, like cinnamon apple.

2. What female celebrity do you wish was your sister? The late Nora Ephron. I think she would have been the ideal older sister!

3. What male celebrity do you wish was your brother? Vince Vaughn


4. How old do you think you’ll be when you get married? 78

5. Do you know a hoarder? I'm a garden variety slob, not a hoarder. I read the book Coming Clean about growing up with hoarder parents and it was moving and sobering.

6. Can you do a split? No

7. How old were you when you learned how to ride a bike? Very young. I remember riding up and down the block, over and over again, by myself by the time I was in third grade.

8. How many oceans have you swam in? 3 -- Atlantic, Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico.

9. How many countries have you been to? 6 -- US, Canada, France, Germany, Lichtenstein, Switzerland.

10. Is anyone in your family in the military? My oldest nephew is on the USS Nimitz.

11. Have you named any of your body parts? No

12. If you had a child today, what would you name him/her? Mary or Michael

13. What’s the worst grade you got on a test? F

14. What was your favorite TV show when you were a child? That Girl




15. What did you dress up as on Halloween when you were eight? That's too specific. I do remember going as an Asian girl, wearing a costume my uncle brought back from Thailand. It was my favorite color (blue) with black toggles closures. I remember it so distinctly, but I can't swear that it was the year I was 8.


16. Have you read any of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games or Twilight series? Nope

17. Would you rather have an American accent or a British accent? I think if I had a British accent, people would think I was smart.

18. Did your mother go to college? No

19. Are your grandparents still married? My grandparents are dead

20. Have you ever taken karate lessons? No

21. Do you know who Kermit the frog is? Yes

22. What was the first amusement park you’ve been to? KiddieLand. It's closed now, and the carousel was up for auction just yesterday. It didn't sell, no one made the minimum bid. I'm glad. I was afraid someone was going to buy it and then tear it apart. I suspect anyone willing to spend nearly a million would keep it in tact.

23. What language, besides your native language, would you like to be fluent in? Spanish

24. Do you spell the color as grey or gray?  Gray

25. Is your father bald? Yes, and he was very sensitive about it. I don't know why, as both his dad and his brother were bald, too.

November Challenge

Day 17 -- Something you're proud of

Yesterday I had lunch with my nephew.* He's in 8th grade now. I try to see him once a month. I'm proud that we're able to maintain this relationship as he grows into a teen. I think adolescents need someone they can turn to who isn't their parent -- I know I did! -- and I want him to know I'm available.

*He dips his pizza crusts in ketchup before he eats them.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: 1, 2, 3, 4

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) In this song, the singer tells his girl he appreciates how she makes him feel. Who is the most supportive person in your life? My Aunt Jo. My dad's sister and my godmother. She re-entered my life about 3 years ago, just as I was losing my mom's brother and godfather, an uncle I loved very much. Her renewed presence is such a gift.

2)  Our singer only has to count to 4, which is a cinch. Do you understand the more sophisticated math sciences, like geometry and algebra? I'm hopeless.
 
3) This video features a couple who shared their first kiss behind the high school. Tell us about your first kiss. A neighborhood boy. Two years older than I! I remember little about it, except being mortified that my braces would make it uncomfortable for him. Apparently I needn't have worried.

4) Filmed in Chicago, this video features the Art Institute of Chicago, home to works by Monet, Gauguin and Van Gogh. How do you express your creativity? (Draw, paint, write, sing or play music ... ) I write.

5) Chicago is home to two of the world's tallest buildings -- the Willis aka Sears Tower and

The John Hancock Center (which appears briefly in this video). Both have observation decks that offer panoramic views of the city. Are you afraid of heights? Nope. I live in Chicago and a cab driver told me that tourists call it "Willis Tower" but locals still say, "Sears Tower."

6) The Plain White T's got their start in Lombard, a suburb of Chicago and home to Yorktown Center -- a huge, two story shopping mall. Do you enjoy going to the mall, or would you rather shop online, or in small, independent stores? I'm a mall rat.

7) Naturally Yorktown Center has a food court. Would you prefer a pretzel from Auntie Anne's, a cinnamon roll from Cinnabon or a cookie from Mrs. Field's? I suppose Mrs. Field's because it offers a greater selection.

8) While we're at the mall … Imagine you're at the customer service counter of a big department store. As you wait for help, you see an older lady pocket a Timex watch. Would you turn her in or look the other way? I don't know. I'd be afraid to confront her because what I misunderstood what I saw? Maybe I'd point her out to a clerk and whisper my suspicions.

9) Which puzzle would you have more success with: crossword or sudoku? I've never done sodoku, so I'll say crossword.

November Challenge

Day 16 -- Something you think "what if" about
 

"At home"

That was the title of the email my best friend sent yesterday afternoon. His hernia operation was not without complication, lasting twice as long as scheduled, but it was ultimately successful, he's fine now and under the covers in his own bedroom for the next two days.

I am relieved that he's OK, and grateful that he thought to send me the good word. I'm a worrier.

November Challenge

Day 15 -- My zodiac/horoscope and if it fits

I was born on the cusp, but I have been reassured that because of the way the planet aligned at the very moment I was born, I am a Sagittarius.

True of me:

• Freedom loving a strong need to express my views (hence this blog)

• Eternal optimist. (I think that's why I battle depression; I expect things to go well and am disappointed when they don't.)

• Honest, open and often too blunt.

•  Irresponsible and restless (guilty as charged).

•  Loves animals.

Not true of me:

•  Love to socialize and meet new people

•  Prefers every day to be different

•  Drawn to glamour

Two Questions I Can't Ask

I found out yesterday, much to my shock and dismay, that my best friend is having surgery today! He mentioned, for the first time, that he's been back and forth to his doctor's office a lot over the last two weeks.

HUH? WHAT?

He has diabetes and I was worried that this medical crisis had to do with the condition he's been managing with so much success. He says "no," that this trip to the hospital is an outpatient procedure to repair a hernia.

He will not say any more about it. I am assuming that he has been in quite a bit of pain for at least two weeks, but instead he wants to talk about the money he and his wife raised with the fundraiser they held in their backyard. It was a chili cookoff,  60 people attended, and they made more than $8,000 for their daughter's ballet school. Impressive, yes, BUT HE'S IN PAIN AND HE'S HAVING SURGERY!

So now I am assuming there is something about this hernia that embarrasses him. I told him I worry whenever someone approaches him with a scalpel and removes anything, anything at all. He reassured me that it's laparascopic, nothing major, and nothing to worry about.

And how is he paying for this? I've read that the average cost for this procedure is about $7,000. He's been unemployed for 15 months. Is he still on COBRA? Has his millionaire father-in-law been supporting the family? I can't ask. The money relationship with father-in-law has always been fraught with tension and danger and I simply can't go there. I can't ask him if he's taking money from the man he once believed was trying to buy his family.

It makes me sad, because I miss the days when we could talk to one another about anything. If he's in pain -- physical or psychic -- he can always tell me.

November Challenge

Day 14 -- What I wore today

Old Navy jeans (Flirt), a pale blue Studio Works sweater that laces at the collar from Carson's (perhaps it's Bergner's or Younker's in our part of the country) and blue/black plaid cloth flats.

November Challenge

Day 13 -- My opinion about my body and how comfortable I am with it

I can't get over how fat I've become, and I don't like it. I don't like it one bit. It endangers my health and makes me feel completely invisible to the opposite sex, which makes me sad.

 

And yet here it is 11/13 and look how many times I've been to the health club this month (graphic at right). 

 

I have been busy at work, which is great, and makes my customary lunchtime workout impossible. But the club near my house is open nearly 24 hours/day, including weekends, and I could go there. I just haven't. 

 

My lazy approach to my weight is, I think, akin to alcoholism. Just as an alcoholic has to want to quit drinking, I have to want ... REALLY WANT ... to lose weight. And as unhappy as I feel, somehow I haven't reached that spot.

November Challenge

Day 12 -- Five guys whom you find attractive

Oh, I am all over this one, as I give this topic an inordinate amount of thought.

1) Bruce Springsteen
2) Bruce Willis*
3) George Stephanopolous
4) George Clooney
5) Pierce Brosnan

*The inclusion of my hair-challenged Republican dream date reminds me of that Sesame Street rhyme, "One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong ..."

November Challenge

Day 10 -- Put your music player on shuffle and write the first 10 songs that play

I've taken a few days off from this Challenge. My Saturday 9 duties of helping Crazy Sam and then my Nanowrimo Novel have presented more pressing duties. But this one is pretty easy, and it represents my taste so well!

1) All My Loving -- The Beatles
2) Emotionally Yours -- Bob Dylan
3) Kicking & Screaming -- Garth Brooks
4) If Only You Knew -- Patti LaBelle
5) Another Day -- Paul McCartney
6) Dark Lady -- Cher
7) Stoney End -- Barbra Streisand
8) Manchester, England -- Hair Soundtrack
9) I Get a Kick Out of You -- Frank Sinatra
10) All Shook Up -- Elvis Presley

Happy Birthday to Me -- Part 1

Sunday I enjoyed my first birthday celebration. I'm surprised and pleased to report that I had a lovely time with (the often prickly) Kathy!

We went to Ina's, an independent Chicago institution that's been around for more than 30 years but is closing its doors on New Year's Eve. Ina's breakfast menu is not only peerless, the proprietress herself has been a supporter of good causes for as long as I can remember. (In time for Veteran's Day, Ina's was promoting the Honor Flight Network.) Lines are long and the place is always packed with people like me who want to say goodbye, so I appreciate Kathy enthusiastically supporting my choice.

Then she bought me a book by Bobby Orr. Kathy knows little and cares less about sports, but she saw an interview with Orr on CBS Sunday Morning and decided his story was one that would resonate with me. It was a thoughtful gift and I appreciate it, as well.

Her life is still as turbulent as ever. Since I last saw her, she was in a major car crash, became a great grandmother when her teenage granddaughter got pregnant by one boy while dating another (she's now not with either of them), her daughter has remarried and now Kathy, her daughter, her daughter's new husband, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild two cats and a pitbull mix are all living together under the same roof.

Much of the fractious-ness in our relationship stems, I think, from her unhappiness with her own life, and her perception that somehow mine is all sunshine and lollipops. That's why I think it's good that we see each other only occasionally. We get along in small doses.

The four hours we spent together yesterday were so pleasant, and such a great kick off to my birthday celebration.

Sunday Stealing

The What's What Meme

What is on your bed right now? A book, a magazine, and an afghan that I haven't needed yet

What’s your favorite word or phrase? Deuteronomy. It's fun to say.

What is the best ice cream flavor? 

Did you wake up smiling this morning?
 I'm sorry but I don't remember

Is there something in your life you used to have, and now miss? Seeing my best friend day in/day out

What major company would you like to work for? Nothing comes to mind.

What time do you wake up on a typical morning? Between 6 and 7 AM

What holiday makes you sad? Easter. It was such a big deal when I was a kid, mostly because of my uncle. He put such care and imagination into hiding our baskets! But here we are: I'm an adult and he's gone now.

Where does a good night’s sleep rank on your priorities? Meh

One song that makes you cry? "At Seventeen," by Janis Ian. My teen years were not good. Below you'll find the sad, sad lyrics.

JANIS IAN lyrics - At Seventeen 

How old was your mom when she had you? 22

When is the last time you went to the beach? July. I went to Pere Marquette Beach in Michigan. I was visiting my niece and her boyfriend.

What is the most random object around you? A snowglobe depicting the corner of Hollywood and Vine.

 What is your favorite sushi? Sorry, but I don't like sushi.

What food do you find disgusting? Tomatoes. Their consistency (or lack thereof) gives me the willies.

If you could have any type of dog in the world, what would it be? A friendly one

What was the last meal that you made for yourself? Define "made." Yesterday I microwaved a quiche. If that doesn't count, well then Thursday I made myself a steak.

Is the hard drive on your computer full or getting close to being full? Nope

Are there any songs that you prefer the acoustic version over the regular version? I like the acoustic remake of "Layla." I've never been a fan of long guitar solos.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Potential New Boyfriend

Unfamiliar with this week's featured song? Hear it here. 
 
1) In this song, Dolly Parton locks eyes with a definite maybe. What's the first thing that attracts you to a potential new boyfriend or girlfriend? If you're currently in a relationship, what first attracted you to your partner? Hair. Hair is very important to me because I am a very shallow woman.
 
2) When Dolly was still a very young girl, she met Johnny Cash, who told her to follow her instincts and pursue a music career. Obviously this worked out very well for her. What's the best advice you ever received? "Don't listen to what they say, watch what they do." A very wise coworker told me this. In the corporate world, executives have been known to say things they don't necessarily mean to further their agendas, so it's better not to trust the words but monitor the deeds.


3) Dolly enjoys telling interviewers how she met her husband at the Wishy-Washy Laundromat in Nashville. Do you have a load of dirty clothes, or some other household chore, waiting for you after you finish this week's Saturday 9? I love my new futon, but cat hair does find its way into the nooks and crannies and to vacuum it properly I must open it and ... well ... I don't feel like it. But I really should do that today!


 
4) Dolly's Imagination Library is a charity devoted to children's literacy. What book did you

enjoy as a kid? Or, if you're a parent, what book did you enjoy sharing with your own children? I loved, loved, LOVED this book about Lincoln by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire. The storytelling is highly relate-able and the illustrations are gorgeous. If you have a young book lover on your gift list, I couldn't recommend this more highly. (Of course, I'm an unabashed Abe-o-phile and believe the world would be an inherently better place if all kids grew up reading about Lincoln.)


5) Dolly's theme park, Dollywood, is a very popular vacation destination. When you have time off, would you rather travel or have friends/relatives visit you? I prefer traveling and staying in hotels. I'm visiting my cousin Rose later this month and staying with her and, I must confess, I'm dreading some aspects of it. I like my quiet, alone time. (I know I'm being ridiculous. She loves me and is looking forward to doing anything I want to do.)

6) Dolly is godmother to Miley Cyrus. If you could advise Miley, what would you say? Little girls look up to you, you dipshit. Don't brag/joke about how much pot and tobacco you smoke. What is this, 1960? We know how UNcool smoking is for our lungs and our skin. (I'm looking at you, too, Rihanna.)

7) Dolly has earned a reputation for being very warm and friendly to the public. Have you ever had a celebrity encounter? To this day, Bruce Springsteen is the only man to dip me back and kiss me. Yes, it was awesome. (I've blogged about this before, and if you want to read it, click here.)

8) As you can see by the photo, this song was originally released on vinyl. Do you still have any old-school LPs or 45s? Yes. I never play them, but I cannot part with them.
 
9) Sam simply cannot stand Dish TV's Hopper commercial, where hysterical grown men hide under the bed and up in a tree house because they're afraid of ... something. What commercial just bugs the beejeesus out of you? There's an Aflac commercial during which the duck is preparing to tape a commercial and he keeps saying "Aflac" in different ways. The kid who prompts him says he's afraid he's going to get fired. The commercial bugs me because I don't get it. I don't mean I don't think it's funny, I mean I don't understand what it means.

 

Me and my Nano

I've written 7000 words for my November novel, More Real than Anything. According to conventional Nanowrimo wisdom, my wordcount should be double that if I'm to finish my 50,000 word book by November 30.

I write to deadline. It's what I do. Therefore this bothers me, even though there is no downside to not finishing my Nanowrimo attempt. Plus, I like my heroine, Dorothy. She's the editor of a very popular 1960s-1970s era teeny bopper rag. She truly cares about her young readers and the message she sends their way on the pages of the fictional Teen Datebook. And she just fell into this success when her first career as a model fizzled. As you can see, Dorothy is very real to me and I have many plans for her. I just have to get down to it and write it!

Nanowrimo isn't the only thing I haven't had time for. I also didn't work out one single day this week! I feel mega-pudgy right now. (Thank God I don't have a scale!)

The upside to all of this is that I have been very busy at work. The days just fly by, and I feel more secure in my position at the agency. That's a relief.