so long 2010...

Well, everyone seems to be posting these blogs and status' about their love/hate for the year 2010. Not wanting to leave it behind, excited for 2011, etc. If I could sum up my feelings in one word, it would be "meh." 2010 was not bad, but not particularly memorable. There were a few things that weren't good, but they've turned out fine.

So, 2011, I guess I'd like a little pizazz--only good stuff though. Please and thank you.

hahahahahaha

Free stuff

I love free stuff. I was reading an article (I love reading articles about money, saving, etc.) and found the website www.savecreatively.com. They have a "free stuff" section full of websites for free samples. You don't have to take surveys or any of that crap. So far I've signed up for:
*emergen-c (2 different ones)
*gummy vitamins (2 different ones)
*tampons (2 different ones)
*ear plugs (who knows? I might need them someday)
*box of kleenex
*deodorant
*lotion
*50 sheets of origami paper (surely I can use it at school)
*some weird tape/dispenser thing (again, I'll take it to school)
*lube (who knows, maybe useful someday...)
*coupon book

Looking forward to 6-8 weeks from now when all my free stuff starts pouring in. haha

All I've ever wanted.

I was driving home from a movie tonight after a super exhausting week. Chatted a bit with my good friend Becky about an upcoming concert. Thought about all the fun stuff I have coming up. Despite the fact that this week was insane--I calculated it and I worked at least 10 hours above my normal contract time in four days--and my next week is what I've dubbed "the perfect storm" where all of the things I've got going on by themselves wouldn't be too bad but when added all together it's insanity, I'm just pretty content. (What a run on sentence!) Here's why:

I have gone back at times and re-read old journals...as far back as 7th grade... that have all said the same thing. These include journals from my freshman year of high school, freshman and sophomore years in college and my 2 years in California. I always wrote that I didn't need a boyfriend, I didn't need tons of clothes and nice purses and money, all I wanted was to have a good group of friends. Yes I had one in high school, and had some semblance of one later in college, but I just wanted those people that you know almost every weekend you'll do something with and that if you don't it's not for lack of wanting to, it's more logistics with time, work, $, etc. I always wanted to be in what I thought of as the core of the group and not one of the outliers that sometimes got invited, but often didn't. I feel pretty confident in saying that I've attained that wish that I'd had at so many different points in my life. It's just nice. It's nice to have things lined up on my calendar. I love the feeling of turning down plans if I don't feel like going. I have stayed home so many Friday and Saturday nights over the years and felt so pathetic for not having plans and now it's something I treasure--free weekends! My attitude has changed because I know there will be a next time and I didn't miss my only opportunity. In addition, I really do love my job no matter how much I've complained this week about the parents and extra stuff that needs to get done. I still have little bouts of depression here and there, but it doesn't last long because inevitably something good happens. This is a big change from some points where looking back I know I was really suffering from depression.

After this long, rambly post, right now I can sum things up with--"It's all good." That's a great feeling to have.

Pinkhouse

I think I'm in love.

TV

love it

too much information

While I <3 facebook, I find out too much about other people's lives sometimes. In particular, I'm thinking about exes (some were actual "boyfriends", some not--more than a month @ least). I could pretty much care less about the guys themselves (they're not bad people or anything, just it's been a long time, etc.) but I'm kinda like WTF. Anyway--over the weekend one got married, another got engaged this week, blah blah blah. Here's a recap.
*names are omitted to protect their privacy ;)

L--married w/ baby on the way
J--married over the weekend
R--in a relationship, guessing a ring is on the way
S--in a relationship I believe
K--last I saw (on myspace) engaged
K--just got engaged this week

Perhaps I'm the problem...

I love fall.

Wow, I forgot how much I missed college football until yesterday!!! It has inspired this list of my favorite things about fall--my favorite season!

*football!!! (KSU WILDCATS)
*tailgating!
*the colors--my house is decorated like fall year round--I feel like it's purple's season
*being able to be outside and not sweat like a man
*crisp air in the mornings
*the first frost (hopefully sooner than later!) that will bring the end of the bugs and allergies
*getting to wear different clothes and having my favorite clothing--jeans--once again be perfect for the weather
*lower electric bill
*changing leaves
*TV IS BACK!!!
*Halloween
*soup sounds really good again
*red wine returning to its position as my most craved alcoholic beverage (mostly beer in the summers...a lot of "take it with you" activities)
*as much as I hate to say it, the return of routine
* " " " " " , being back at school--I miss my co workers in the summer!
*school supplies fill the stores :)
*the scents of candles that are now appropriate (all my favorites are not good in the summer!)
*honeycrisp apples are back
*no humidity! I think it's my best hair season
*hoodies are often the perfect thing to throw on
*coats! I love them, enjoy wearing them but not needing to "bundle up"...just wearing them more for fun

Is it September 22nd yet??

First Day of School....

Well, I've made it through 2 days. It is crazy how exhausting these first few days are!! I cannot explain why it is so much more exhausting than the rest of the year, other than the fact that you are as perky as you'll ever be and as "on" as you'll ever be for 7 hours straight (most likely without ever sitting down). I am so sick of hearing my own "teacher voice"!! I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday. :)

In other news, I have a beautiful new car and had to give my beloved Equinox back today (which was actually kind of sad despite my cool new car!). I haven't quite gotten the Sync system down yet, as I called Jackie instead of Becky and then didn't know how to hang up! Here she is:



Otherwise, I have nothing newsworthy to report. My house is in a horrible state of uncleanliness, but hopefully that will be fixed this weekend. I will say that I'm totally into Big Brother right now--as always--and wish it was on every night of the week!!!

Dentist

So, I was terrified (super terrified in fact) about going to the dentist today. I have had a couple of fillings which were horrible, so I figured getting a crown was going to be even worse. I was trying to be brave, but the second I sat in the chair I started crying. Everyone was so nice...which is better than most dental experiences I've had lately. They recommended the gas. Why oh why haven't I had the pleasure of this at my other dental visits? It made it so ok. I was aware to the point I could turn down my ipod when they needed to talk to me, but I just kind of chilled. I told the girl I felt better than drunk and asked if people usually spilled their secrets to her...I remember that much! Usually I am white knuckled, gripping the chair the whole time I'm in there, so this was better. Anyway, I'm happy that the worst is behind me. I still have to get the permanent crown in 2 weeks, but they said that part isn't so bad (fingers crossed). So glad the whole ordeal is almost over!!

Word.

Grumblings....

This post is nothing but a place for me to vent because even my mom is sick of hearing about my bad afternoon...so feel free to skip it.

Here are the things that pissed me off (my day was fine until about 3:15)!

*On the way to the chiropractor (running late of course) it was the beginning of the torrential rain; I had to follow an old man driving 17 in a 40 for about 5 miles.
*Leaving chiropractor--ran into train crossing...no train ever came. Went around train--took a total of 13 minutes to go one block.
*More torrential rain, making me 15 min. late to the vet.
*Charlie's vet visit cost $178...and he has to go back in two weeks.
*Said visit could have cost $25 less if the damn new girl didn't have to give me the wrong size bottle of insulin.
*Kitty has to switch to different food...old cans cost $.48 each, new cans cost $.78 each (he eats 2.5 cans a day)
*Took me over 30 minutes to get home from vet (normal time--about 11 min.) particularly due to sitting through college & quivira stop light for about 6 cycles.
*More fucking rain.
*Got home, my lamp (the only source of light) in my living room is broken.
*Still leftover from last week--but very angry about it--have to get a $1260 crown on my tooth--and I don't even have a cavity.

There. I think I'm done.

Uh oh...

...I might be working forever! Piggybacking off my last post about worry for my mom and step-dad who will be working well into their 60's and most likely 70's (yikes!!), I looked at my retirement fund today since the stock market crashed a bit. (I always look at the fluctuation when I read about those things.) At this point, it doesn't make much of a difference--I plan on having that $ in there for a long time, but it still is neat to look at (particularly when it goes up by a bunch!). So that got me thinking, I'm about 1.5 years from 30 which seems like a pretty grown up age. So I googled "how much should I have in retirement accounts by 30." There were many different answers, but the most common would be that you should have about a year's salary saved by 30. Holy shit! One place said something like a person who makes $48,000 (more than me, but the only ball park I could find) should be saving about $700 a month. Who the hell can afford that! Also, the big trend was to take advantage of company matching. Well, fuck. Teachers have no such thing as matching. Any penny in my accounts has come from me--no matching or anything like that. So basically, I would say I'm not even a quarter to that goal they mentioned-I don't want to work until I'm 60 or 70!! I think the only choice I have is to win the lottery.

Worry

I had a conversation with a co-worker today about how much we worry about our parents. This is what got us started. My mom told me that my step-dad will start having to pay $1000 a month additional into KPERS (public retirement fund--you have to do it as a teacher) as a penalty for retiring and going back to work. i.e. he worked long enough in the Wichita school district to retire, worked in another district, tried another job, now works in Olathe schools. This money is not something they will every see again. They just owe it as a kind of "fuck you for trying to retire." My mom is obviously devestated. She went back to work this year to help them try to dig out of debt; she makes about $1000 a month. So now, instead of working to help pay for stuff, her whole salary will go to this magical KPERS account--she might as well throw it out the window. I don't even know how that's legal, but what a fucking crock of shit.

My dad and my step-mom are retired. They literally retired about a month before the bottom dropped out of the economy and I know they lost tens of thousands of dollars. Hopefully with the economy recovering their accounts are doing better; but still. I also found out when I visited that they are paying over $1000 a month for insurance. You don't have an "income" yet owe $1000 a month for just one bill. Plus, I am hoping my dad's cancer stuff is all covered by this very expensive insurance. Now I'm not as worried about my dad and Connie, but still.

Anyway--it just makes me sad. I want my mom and Don to get to retire some day--it doesn't look like that will ever happen!

Missing :(

Someone stole him from my front porch. Mother fucker--I hope the gnome is cursed. I loved him! I got him for Christmas, and now he is gone. :(

Un-datable

Well, that is the conclusion I've drawn. There is something fundamentally un-datable about me. I did a free trial of match.com (thank God I didn't actually pay for it!) this weekend. I thought, I'm going to not be so nitpicky and email some people that I may or may not be that interested in. I emailed (not winked at or any of that shit) 15 guys this weekend. 15--I feel like that is a good number. Yesterday, no response--I figure I'll give people the benefit of the doubt because maybe they get online more at work. Today--1 response--a hell no (or something like that). I hear from certain friends who go on date after date after date, and I can't get one fucking guy to email me back. Anyway, no wonder I don't give a shit about it. If I cared more, I would probably feel even worse about myself. Screw it, I'll marry Charlie.

Lazy

Well, I have always known this, but I am lazy! How did I get to be so lazy? I don't know. For instance, I should be cleaning but instead am writing a blog post. Sigh. Who knows if I'll ever change my ways.

In other news, I was slightly not lazy because I didn't sleep past 9:30 either day this weekend! Yesterday I did the CF walk, and this morning I went to church. Maybe my lazy ways can be mended.

Well, I promised myself I wouldn't write boring blog posts like this one I'm currently writing, however I haven't updated in a long time and can't think of anything interesting to blog about. So how about a bit of a rant?

I am always on a quest to make more money; isn't everyone though? Since getting my masters, I am making more than a beginning teacher, but as a teacher you can continue to move over on the pay scale by going to school more. So, I am taking random classes here and there so this fall I'll be at masters +12. It's a puny amount of money, but I'll take what I can get. So anyway, I just finished up my latest online class (hey--maybe not so lazy after all--it doesn't end until Friday!). I was working on my final project in the posting box for the class website. I was about done--had maybe 2 more sentences to type. Suddenly, my internet explorer freezes, shuts down, then pops back up saying "don't worry, we've recovered your session"! Yeah assholes, except you recovered my session with an empty box and none of the work I'd just been typing for the last 20 or 30 minutes. So, needless to say I retyped the whole thing in a word document. Ugh.

Okay, well, now that I have posted perhaps the world's most boring blog ever, I'll go back to being lazy for awhile--maybe in an hour or so I'll get something done.

Grill master (mistress?)

So, I got a grill from the Easter bunny. Yay! I was going to buy one off of craigslist, but the Easter bunny made me cancel my order. Here is how my first grilling experience went down:

*buy meat
*start grill (success!)
*place meat on grill (hamburgers)
*place frantic phone call to mom--it's flaming and there's lots of fire!
*step-dad calls after mom knows no answer...well it's flaming from the grease dripping. why did you decide to start with hamburgers? You're mom told you they were the easiest? She knows nothing about grilling
*stop worrying about flames, they probably won't catch my neighbors balcony on fire
*cut into it--looks great
*turn off grill
*bring it inside--sure looks different (RED) in the light inside
*go back out, turn on grill, more fire, cook some more. cut into it, looks great
*bring inside--still looks red in the inside light--I need a lamp or something out there!
*fuck it--stick it in the microwave to finish cooking
*shit--forgot to put salt and pepper on it whilst cooking
*oh well, eat it anyway.

Was it the best burger I've ever had? Probably not. Will I become a better griller after each attempt? Hopefully.

think think think

I feel like I've just got a lot on my mind. Things I'm thinking about today:

*hoping that I have a job (my job--not a different one) next year (will find out more tomorrow)
*hoping my dad will be ok (will find out more on the 12th)
*feeling like I should have gone to church for Easter but really just didn't want to go
*excited because I was going to get a grill off of craigslist but my mom and Don just bought me a new one today! Gonna go get some meat soon. :)
*about all the families who are going through battles with cancer (including the Hofens) and how shitty it must be...esp. when kids are suffering
*hating the dentist I went to for filling a different tooth then the one I said was bothering me...gonna be getting a new dentist here soon
*ready for my first time home buyer check to come so I don't have to keep watching the interest on my credit card quickly eat away any leftover I might have
*dreading the fact that I probably need to go into work today

I guess I should get off my ass and stop thinking so much!

I wrote a blog post!

Wow, it's been awhile. I guess my life has felt particularly uninteresting for the last month. Here are some fun things coming up. Yay for looking forward to stuff!

Tomorrow: Book club at my house! (Shit I better get it cleaned up!)
Friday: Becky and I get to pretend were 15 and go see Taylor Swift. Ah to be young again.
Next weekend: Royals for Jenna's birthday!
The weekend after that: Caravan reunion (for which I'm totally excited...and I took a day off work too!)
June: Dixie Chicks in Chick-ago! Hopefully I can sell the less cool tickets for a profit to pay for the way cool tickets. Otherwise, I'll have to sell the way cool tickets. :-/ Oh, and bonus--this particular concert happens to fall on the same weekend as my 10 year reunion. Darn, I hate that I'm missing it--particularly the "spend the day at the zoo with our families" portion.

In other news, I think I'm going to buy a grill! Maybe I won't spend the rest of my life eating Quaker Oatmeal Squares for dinner like I have for the last 2 nights. (Although they are delicious--esp. w/ peanut butter)

Oh and for more random topics, I had to go the dentist today and get another cavity filled! I haven't had cavities in life really...but now I've had 2 in the past 12 months. I think it's because I'm old as fuck.

For Jackie...

Not quite how I remembered it...but still funny.

Will my blog title bite me in the ass?

I've always felt a little proud of my self for the decisions I made after college. I was unhappy with my career choice; very unhappy. I made it through student teaching hanging on by a thread. Many times I considered just quitting--throwing away the 3.5 years I'd put into this degree because I was that unhappy. But, somehow, I soldiered through. After college, I had great interviews, a job offer, etc. I just couldn't do it. So, I moved to Lawrence (of all places!) because my best friend had an extra room for 2 months. I worked at Dress Barn and Applebee's. I got drunk a lot. It was fun. Moving to California seriously just dropped in my lap and it didn't take me long to jump on it. It wasn't like I was so brave and thinking of ways to improve my life, it just happened. But that is where my blog title came from-Taking the Long Way. I feel like right now I'm living the life I'm supposed to be living, it just took a detour.

However, with all these fucking budget cuts, my job is now one of the ones that could possibly fall by the wayside. I know that shoulda woulda coulda's are pointless and stupid but I can't help but wonder: (I was totally channeling Carrie Bradshaw right there)
If I had just taken a job after college, where would I be right now? I can say for sure if it was a teaching job and I was still doing it, I would not be in the position I'm in now. This would be my 6th year. I would be perfectly safe. I might be miserable, but I'd have a guaranteed job. So here is the age old question: Which is more important, happiness or money? I realize that money can't buy happiness, but if I seriously lose my job, I don't know what I would do. I know the job market is tough everywhere. But here's the thing--it isn't like I could do anything else. I don't have a business degree or a random other degree that would qualify me for any other types of jobs. I have teaching--that's it. Since there are literally no school districts hiring, I don't know where else I would look. Sigh. I am hoping this will all blow over and not affect me. But who knows.

Man up, grow a pair, et al.

So I went on a date with this guy on Thursday...finally. We emailed for maybe 3 weeks, texted for probably 2 more, then I finally said...hey wanna meet? Now, to be fair, there weren't many opportunities before that due to his travel schedule. However; I am the one who said "hey, here's my number." I am the one who said "hey, you think we should meet"?

Anyway, we went out on Thursday, it was fine, nothing groundbreaking. I am not even sure chemistry exists, that it might be a figment of my imagination. It is something I haven't experienced in a number of years. But that's beside to point. So, Friday, Saturday, and today, said guy and I have been texting back and forth. But seriously, are you ever going to be a man? Freaking either ask me to go out again or leave me alone. I don't need a text buddy. Guys need to not be idiots. Oh, by the way, he is 35 years old...it isn't like he is new to the dating scene. I think I've just decided I'm over it.

Olympics

So, I have been nothing less than obsessed with the Olympics this year. In fact, it is one of my favorite Olympics ever. I am trying to pinpoint why. I usually don't like the winter ones that much. Here are a few reasons though:

1. Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso: Both beautiful, both kick ass skiers. It's too bad they have such a rocky relationship. I just really enjoy watching them though.

2. Apolo: He is just cool. I like his attitude, he's having fun, he makes it look effortless.

3. Evan Lysacek (sp?): He's really strange looking to me; sometimes he is kind of attractive, and sometimes he reminds me of Edward Scissorhands. I think it's awesome he won gold and awesome that he dates Nastia Liukin.

4. Joannie Rochette: Ok, this might actually be my number one but I don't feel like changing stuff. Her mom passed away Sunday. I can't imagine being able to get out of bed, let alone skating her best short program and being in 3rd place. I just cried while she skated, and then sobbed afterward when she started crying. It was incredible.

5. Shaun White/all snow boarders: Just...wow.

6. Bode: Way to not suck like you did in 2006. He has a cute little girl now and keeps climbing the podium.

7. Ice Dancing: Who would have thought? I only liked it because of the teams from North America. I loved Virtue/Moir from Canada, and the college kids from Michigan too.

8. That cute, awesome South Korean ice skater Kim Yu-Na.

9. Probably the reason I am so into it all...the athletes are all on Twitter! I love reading their tweets.

There are probably more, but those stand out. I have only been skiing once in my life...and I sucked at it. After watching all this fun stuff, I would maybe like to try again. (Don't worry, I realize I won't be skiing slalom or downhill anytime soon; or ever.) Well, that's my run down on the Olympics. It has even been causing me to stay up late...if you know me, that is pretty crazy considering how much I value my sleep!!

Word.

Stole this from Jackie. Best thing I've seen in awhile.
Although, I'm sure I'll still see a good amount of flowers from jackasses that want to rub it in.

Pissed

I was on the phone on my way home from work (I am allowed to talk while driving; have vowed to not text and drive again--stop lights are ok). There is this little stretch of Quivira between 151st and 143rd that is 35. The rest of the way is 45. Well, apparently I wasn't paying attention because I was going 49 in a 35. Shit. $126 ticket.

2 things:
1--I am 99% sure that is Overland Park, yet I got pulled over by an Olathe police officer. I didn't know that was allowed.

2--This is the first time in my life I have gotten a ticket and haven't almost hyperventilated over how I was going to pay for it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not loaded w/ extra money, but I'll be able to cover it w/out tons of stress. I guess I'm growing up.

I'm in!

This afternoon I became a member of Church of the Resurrection. I've been going on and off for nearly 3 years now, and I thought I'd make things official. It was interesting going to the "Coffee w/ Pastors" because there was a considerable amount of mingle time. I personally did not enjoy that part. Let's just say the group was 80% families and couples. I really enjoyed hearing the pastor Adam Hamilton's story though. So, I'm officially a member of COR, yay!

Worry Wart

In the past year or so, I have become more of a worrier about things I put in my body and/or things I am around. In particular I worry about aspartame and plastic. Here's why: I have read countless articles on both, and there is no definitive answer about either! Some people seem to think aspartame is going to kill us all someday, while others say it's nothing to worry about. The same goes with plastic. Studies have shown mice w/ lots of exposure to BPA (in plastic) develop tumors at rapid rates on their little mice breasts. Others discount those saying that the mice are getting way higher doses than we are exposed to. But BPA is everywhere...who's to say how much we are exposed to? I just have this nagging feeling that someday 10 or 15 years down the road there is going to be some huge breakthrough and the news will report about how scientists have discovered that some inane thing like plastic or fake sugar is the cause of all the cancer, autism, and the rest of the diseases that seem to be growing at an exponential rate.

Oh and thank God I don't have kids yet. I can't imagine having to worry about pesticides and hormones in their food. I feel like as far as that goes, I've already missed the boat. What's done is done. However with the other two things, here is how I deal with it. As far as plastic, I used to reuse water bottles (to use when I work out and stuff). I no longer do that, nor do I heat anything in plastic. In fact plastic doesn't go near my microwave. As for the aspartame, I still don't know. I am conscious of my calories...I feel like many low calorie foods have aspartame in them. So in general, I just consume it anyway. Fingers crossed that it's all ok.

Accomplishment!

First of all, tiny baby boy Jace was born Friday and is doing well. He was full term but small...4 lb 2 oz and 16 inches (the size of many preemies). He is still in the hospital and will be for the next few days. He has jaundice and is in a light bed. Sad for Memaw, he cannot be held unless he is being fed. But they think he'll get to come home on Wednesday perhaps. Big Jace has been going back and forth between the hospital and the funeral home. His son's funeral is on Tuesday. How sad.

Now on to my big accomplishment. In my whole life, I have never had the ability to run. In 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, etc. I dreaded the "mile" day. I always walked it. Here are 2 specific memories I have. One, I tried to run because my teacher yelled at me. I ran a bit of it. When I got done, I put my head between my knees and threw up. Two, in 8th grade, we were on the track. My teacher left another girl and I out there to finish up by ourselves because everyone else was done. So, not fond memories.

Today, I went to my mom's house to use her treadmill and I just felt in the zone. I decided today was going to be the day I ran a mile. I tried last summer, and never got there...got to about .75. Well, I got to .75 today and just decided to make myself keep going. So, today is monumental. I did indeed run a whole mile. I feel pretty darn good about that. I'm quite the athlete now. :)

Happy/Sad/Ironic

My step-sister Tammy is going to have a baby tomorrow. She and her husband Jace are having their 2nd child together...baby Jace. :) We've been really worried; this pregnancy hasn't been easy, Tammy is nearly 40, and the baby is measuring very small. Luckily he's been able to hang in there. So tomorrow will be exciting, I'll have my 12th nephew (well, counting nieces/nephews).

The sad part is that Jace has 3 grown children from his first marriage. Today, one of his sons passed away from a brain aneurysm. Matt was young, in his 20's, and his wife walked in on him taking a nap only to find out that he was not breathing. So, while Jace and the family are getting ready to welcome this new baby tomorrow, they'll also be burying another son in the next few days. Life can be way too short.

Your prayers for them are welcome!

Baby

Wow, I had a wonderful time with friends and baby Bailey this weekend. I am absolutely in love with this child.

Bodybuilding.com

Not that I'm a big believer in New Year's resolutions, but prior to Christmas I had been waiting to get a Wii so I could use the Wii fit to work out. So, that kind of coincides with New Year's, hence it's sort of a resolution.

I've been doing well working out with my Biggest Loser game. I think I've worked out 7 out of the last 12 days. Today at work we were talking about calorie counting, which I had been halfheartedly doing w/ the Biggest Loser game. But thanks to Diane, I signed up for myfitnesspal.com. It's awesome! I had entered my meals for the last couple days on the Biggest Loser game so I kind of transferred that over. Here's something I see as a problem. I am eating practically no protein! As in, I am eating under half of what is my recommended daily intake. No wonder I'm so hungry! So my solution is, of course, turn to the internet. I researched about protein bars and powders. Read tons of reviews, and ended up at bodybuilding.com. Now I'm not looking to be a body builder, but they had a great search where you could input what was important...calories, fat, carbs, protein, etc. I stumbled across a protein powder called Dedicated Woman: Women's Whey. I totally bought some! It is a good amount of protein (27 grams--I'm currently only getting like 30 a day) and 125 calories a serving. Unfortunately the chocolate (which got rave reviews) is on backorder, but hopefully they'll have it again soon and ship it to me. I don't know that I'll love it or have it every day or anything, however I'm really excited to try it! I am often hungry (for instance--right now even though I just 2 hours ago). Maybe this will be a good meal/snack replacement. I'll let all my faithful followers (all 2 or 3 of you) know once I get it.

Wow, embarassing...

...I can't even believe I am going to post this. But it's incredible! I just found my old xanga (after trying MANY of the screennames I've had through the years). I can't believe that I don't remember how much I used to write in it! I wrote in it from 2005-2007 while I was (lonely) living in California. It's 1:11 am now...I'm guessing I'll probably stay up and read the whole thing. Yikes, what a late night.

If you have any interest whatsoever in my old xanga...

miche124.xanga.com

Some things I find humorous from this (these are all directly from the xanga):
-That I ever said, "I really want to go to the beach today but I don't know if I have time...maybe I should just try to go for a half hour or so? But then, is it really worth the walk? What a quandry."
-What else...oh, my fish died the other day, that was kind of sad. We had a coupon for a free beta, but then Roxy chewed that up so now I have no free beta in my future either.
-I wish there was like a summer reading club for adults like the ones when we were kids. I used to win prizes and such, but now it is just for my own satisfaction. Oh well, inner joy :)
-(from a survey)10 years ago: trying to be as cool as my friends but having no chance due to my seriously unfortunate bangs
-Last night I was sitting on the couch, at this house in Palos Verdes that I'm housesitting at, and I just thought, how on earth did I get here? I never in a million years would've pictured this life for myself 5 years ago. I just have no idea how I got here! It's weird...I wonder if this is where I'm supposed to be or if it's a detour that I will move on from in a few years.
-(some things never change) I made chili tonight. It was quite an episode. I cried a few times for the following reasons: I spilled tomatoes all over the kitchen, including on my light pink work shirt, I cut my finger on a blade from the chopper, and it was overall overwhelming. Thank God no one was home, or I might have been sent to a home.
-Oh, one more thing, my friend Jimmy worked on the movie Crash, and he just got invited to this big party at the head of Lion's Gate films house tomorrow night, a sort of "hey, we got 5 Oscar nominations" party, and I'm trying to get him to take me but he says he'll only take someone who will "reward" him for taking her. I said, nah, meeting Ryan Phillppe and Sandra Bullock isn't that important to me.
-I think the current president is: not smart enough to serve my french fries
-20) Who wrote the book on love?
apparently whoever wrote it is hiding it from me
-KC is awesome. I am so so so glad I moved. This is the happiest I have been in a very long time.

Taking the Long Way

So, I have decided to join the land of the blogging. I figure, I used to be pretty dedicated to my xanga, I can do this right? I was blogging before blogging was cool. Plus, you know, everyone's doing it. Which pretty much contradicts why I named my blog what I did. More on that...

...if you actually know me in real life you know I'm a total Dixie Chicks fan. So as I'm sitting here thinking about what to name this thing (even googling "cool names for blogs"), I went to my old stand-by favorite group. I always really identified with the song "The Long Way Around" off of their Taking the Long Way album. It came out when I lived in California and was wrestling with whether or not I wanted to stay there. Megan was just leaving, so I was feeling fairly uncertain. After all, most of my friends finished college, found a place they wanted to live, and started their careers. I on the other hand wanted to do anything but be a teacher, and didn't have a clue in the world where to live. My mom and step dad lived in Montana, and what was bringing me back to Wichita? So, on what can only be called a whim, I headed west. I had a great job, but by no means was it a career. Which brings me back to the song. Only now am I living a life I had pictured...i.e. Taking the Long Way. (Of course back then imagining my life I always had a husband and kids by now! Yikes!)

Anyway, my blog won't probably have much to do with my actual life. (i.e. went to work today, watched tv, etc.) I just often find random things that I wish I had someone to tell, but instead of bothering my friends with inane text messages, I can just write it on here and feel as though I told someone--the internet.