Ahh, what a terrific day

So I'm totally in 14 year old girl mode. I could not concentrate at work today. Because of a boy. I'm working up the courage to talk to him. I'm such a wuss. My goal is to talk to him by this weekend. Wish me luck.

So then I get home, and Miss School Teacher maid is not feeling well. Feel better soon! It's almost Christmas!

I had the most delicious dinner last night. I took out my 2 quart saucepan and put in four cups of Brita filtered water. When it started boiling, I put in 2 servings of Creamette spaghetti. While that was boiling away, I browned one pound of lean ground beef, and seasoned it with salt and pepper to my taste. I then opened a can of Green Giant mushrooms, and added them to the meat. I added a jar of Ragu Meat flavored spaghetti sauce to the meat, and turned the heat down to low, so it could simmer while the pasta finished boiling. When the pasta was sufficiently tender, I drained out the water, and put in on a plate. Then I put the sauce on top of the pasta, and topped it all off with some Kraft parmesan cheese. I added a side of garlic toast, and a glass of Kemps Select Skim milk. I like the select because the cows don't get the weird milk hormone, and they live longer. I'm all about saving the dairy cows. Not so much about saving the beef cows. Mmm, meat. For dessert I had a bowl of Kemps New York Vanilla ice cream. The battery in my camera is dead, or I'd have taken pictures of this. And that's how I make spaghetti. Not at all from scratch.

It's Chele's Birthday!

In honor of Chele's birthday, I have composed a poem.


There once was a lady named Chele
If you saw her, you'd say "Well, well, well!"
Her birthday's today
so we all yell "Hooray!"
Because we think she's real swell.


I know, I missed my calling in life. I should have been a poet. Ok, off to work in all the snow. Not real excited about that.

Ahh, the joys of knitting

Knitting is perhaps my favorite time of the week. Tonight's knitting was especially interesting. Chele looked so pretty, and then baby Smells took care of that. I've starting knitting on a hat for a boy...but not an exciting boy. Well, he's exciting, but he's the brother of my favorite redhead...so he's not exciting in that way. Ok, enough 10 year old girl.

I worked a whole 8.5 hours today. That's a lot for me. Shut up, it is a lot for me. Just cause I read all day doesn't mean it's not hard. Ok, so it's not, but still.

I had a lovely time with my maids (and a maid in law...) last night. There's just something about watching Desparate Housewives with your girlfriends to put your life in perspective. My life doesn't have nearly enough drama. Maybe I'll see if I can round up a nun. Or Dr. McDreamy from Grey's Anatomy. Ahhh.

So that's it for tonight. Toodles!

Commencing Christmas

Well- it's officially Christmas season. I've started my shopping. I took my dad out the day after Thanksgiving (always an experience) and he picked out everything he wanted for his birthday and Christmas. One down, many more to go.
I had a terrific time at home. Lots (and lots) of eating. Lots of family fun too. My aunt brought a scalloped pineapple, which was yummy, and my mom made my favorite potatoes. I was super excited about all the leftover potatoes, but I managed to leave them in the fridge at my parents. I'm a smidge disappointed about that.
We did some shopping, some more eating, and plenty of general laying around. My favorite redhead and I went out on Friday night, and ran into half of my high school class. I hadn't seen most of them since graduation five and half years ago, so it was fun to catch up. It was interesting to see how people had changed. It was also interesting to see who stayed in touch with each other. Good fun all around. I finally got to meet someone I've been trying to meet for two years, so I was pretty excited about that.
Thanksgiving is over, so it's time to decorate for Christmas. I got my tree out today, and put lights on it. I'm waiting for bethmania to return before I put the ornaments on. I also have some Christmas wall hangings to put up, and lots and lots of Christmas music.

It's just another manic Monday

Monday, Monday Monday. Not a very exciting day so far. I went to work, went to knitting, saw Baby Smellen, and am now home to watch Monday Night Football and Las Vegas. I'm sad, real sad. Sometimes, I just need a day with no excitement. If everyday was exciting, then exciting would become boring, and I do hate boring.

It's almost Thanksgiving. Hooray! No work and eating all day! Of all the holidays, Thanksgiving ranks pretty high, because I like to eat, I like watching football, and it marks the start of the Christmas season. And boy, do I love Christmas. I'm going to Christmasify my apartment this year. We didn't decorate last year, because I was going to Phoenix, and I'm pretty sure bex remembered how I didn't take the tree down until March the year before. But bex is in Kentucky, so haha! I'm going to put up a (fake) tree, and try to take it down before March. Now I just have to find a tree, as I don't really want to buy one. I'd rather have a real tree, but I'd probably start it on fire. So I'll spray the fake one with some pine air freshener. It'll be classy. Because I'm a real classy sort of girl.

It's football time, so I'm out.

Phew. What a weekend. I had a makeshift Thanksgiving dinner at Famous Dave's on Friday with some family that I won't see on Thursday. I haven't seen any of them in quite awhile, so it was super fun. And I really like to eat. Yum. I especially like to eat when I don't have to cook.

I also went to a bridal shower of a friend who's getting married in three weeks. I sometimes don't feel as though I'm old enough to have friends my age getting married, but then I remember I'm not all that young anymore. I mean, I'm not old, but I'm not a teenager anymore. A bunch of my friends are getting married in the next year. I'm excited for all the weddings. I don't envy all the planning that goes into weddings. When I get married, we're all going to the beach, and all my ladies can wear sundresses. Low key. But I'm still walking down the aisle to this. It's classy, very classy.

Ok, it's back to work tomorrow, and then knitting! Hooray! Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Witchcraft and Wizardry

Well, I'm a little sleepy today, due to a very late night after the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The dork quotient was really upped at the theater. Lots (and lots) of costumes. It was almost as bad as the midnight showing of Star Wars, but not nearly as bad as any of the Lord of the Rings premiere. People need to find more to do with their lives (says the girl who sees three hour fantasy/supernatural movies at midnight). Anyway, the movie. It was dark, but not scary. All in all, I enjoyed every minute of it. I highly recommend it.

So after the show, bethmania and I wandered down to our chariot, and then spent another 45 in the most poorly designed parking structure ever. Whoever built the ramp under Block E clearly never had to enter or exit it. It's probably the same person who decided not to put ANY stairs in the whole complex. Nothing like two elevators for five hundred people who need to go down two floors. I tell ya.

I'm hosting some visitors for the weekend, which I'm pretty excited about. Actually, I'm more excited that they're not coming for another hour AND my apartment is clean. No last minute rushing around here. The place still smells like wet wool from my blocking fun yesterday, so I'm burning candles left and right, hoping to get rid of the smell. So far, the smell is proving to be a wily opponent, but I've got a few tricks up my sleeve.

All right team- I'm off. Hope everyone has a lovely Friday, and cheer hard for the Gophers tomorrow!

I am queen of a very clean castle

It's Harry Potter Day! Hooray for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! I'm so excited to see the movie tonight. I will, however, refrain from wearing any sort of Harry Potter costume to the midnight showing. I've never understood people who do that. Is the movie more enjoyable in costume because you look like you could be in the movie? Do people stop and say, "Hey, nice dress robes. Was that you in the background of the Christmas dinner?" I didn't think so. I'm really excited to see Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort. Evil has never looked so good.

I had a very yummy dinner last night. Mmm. I know you all like to see pictures, so here you go.

Meat and potatoes. Two of my favorite foods. BS is still complaining about her blog handle, so I am taking submissions from the peanut gallery. Any suggestions?

I blocked my sweater this morning after resewing one of the sleeves. Soon, I will be ready to put the zipper on, and then relegate the sweater to the shelf in my closet where all sweaters go to die. I hope this sweater turns out better than my last attempt. So far, so good.

It's Thursday , and time for CSI. Will Nick's mustache still be there, scaring all of womankind? A burning question.

Snow, glorious snow

The snow is here! Hooray! It looks so pretty! Time for scarves and hats and mittens and other knitted outerwear! I'm not so excited about that biting wind though. Brrrr...

On my way home from knitting last night, I was channel surfing on my radio. One of the radio stations is playing Christmas music already. Isn't it a little early for that? I'm all for the month of Christmas music we get after Thanksgiving, but I think two solid months might be overkill. I'm going to get holidayed out.

I just read this. Frank Vascellaro is leaving KARE-11. I'm so sad. Frank was my trusted source for news. At least, since Paul Magers left. What is going on at Channel 11? They better not lose Ken Barlow too! I'm not old enough to watch WCCO, and all the other "news" programs are less than stellar.

So I'm trying my hand in the kitchen today and am going to make a shepherd's pie. Meat, good. Vegetables, good. Cheese, good. We'll see how it turns out, but it seems simple enough. I'm not completely inept in the kitchen, but I'm usually good for a laugh.

So I have found my new profession. I was watching Boston Legal last night, and James Spader needed to have someone sleep in his bed to help combat the "night terrors". Sold! Though I think thousands of other women may also like the job. I love James Spader. He's so sleezy, but it's a hot sort of sleezy. Boston Legal is just a great show in general. It's super witty, and after watching last night's show, I'm never having any sort of plastic surgery done. Gross.

So I'm off to the store. Enjoy the snow everyone, and don't drive like idiots.

Foiled again by technology...

My computer is determined that I not blog today. It's frozen both times I've tried. So third times a charm. I am determined to outsmart something that is approximately the size of a Dr. Suess book.

I made up my Christmas list today. I know, I know, it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but all the stores have Christmas stuff out, and I'm almost in a holiday mood. Now if we only had some snow so I could bust out all my cute winter wear. Ahh. I think I'm becoming too domestic. Next thing you know, I'll be baking cookies wearing a reindeer sweater and singing in my kitchen. If that happens, hit me. Preferably with the cookie sheet. Then light the reindeer sweater on fire.

Speaking of sweaters, I've reaching the sewing point on my lovely cardigan. I'm a terrible seamstress. Perhaps the worst one ever to attempt sewing. It took me an hour last night to sew one sleeve seam. Watching tv probably didn't help things any. Oh well. Here's a picture for you. I've also included, in the picture, a refreshing caffeinated beverage. Mmm. I couldn't resist just one Mountain Dew.

All right- I'm working on MS's graduation present (look at me, ahead of the game) and having a lot of fun doing it.

Movie quiz of the day- ( A hint, it's from the same people who brought you Waiting for Guffman and A Mighty Wind)

Hamilton Swan: Honey, I'm thinking of switching to the mock turtleneck?

Meg Swan: Is that not breathing?

Hamilton Swan: Well, it's breathing now, but it'll be hot down there. I could go with the lambswool, but then again, you'll see a lot of khaki down there and this merlot looks good with the gray.

A case of the Mondays

I definitely have a case of the Mondays. It's one of those days when there are more reasons to stay in bed than to get out of it. Not even any knitting to look forward to today. I'm almost finished with sleeve number two of the sweater. Then I get to have my first attempt at blocking. Don't worry, I won't do anything without adult supervision. The goal is to have the sweater finished by Thanksgiving so all my relatives can ask about it and I can brag that I have a useful skill.

I'm going to clean my bedroom today. Cleaning is good for the soul. At least that's what I tell myself. Sometimes it's just good for working off a temper, which my goal for the day. I tend to throw away a lot more junk when my brain isn't paying attention to the cleaning. Since I'm just a little bit of a packrat, that's a good thing.

I watched THIS IS SPINAL TAP last night. I love that movie. I'm thinking of souping up all my speakers so they go to 11. Filmmaking genius. I'll never understand how that movie never won an Oscar. Rockumentary. Great stuff.

Ok, I think that's it from me today. It doesn't appear to be so windy, so maybe I'll venture outside this afternoon.

Song of the Day- I love Rock and Roll- Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
It was the Number One song on the day I came into the world, so I think it's very fitting that I do indeed love Rock and Roll. Plus, there's no better song to sing along with in your car.

Sunday, lovely Sunday

Ahh, it's Sunday. What a terrific day. Other than fearing that my building might blow over.

I hope everyone has had a terrific weekend. I know I have. My Gophers ran all over those hapless Michigan State Spartans yesterday. I have good feelings about next week against Iowa. It should be a terrific game. I hope those silly Iowa fans don't try something stupid. Who remembers when they tried to take the Metrodome goalposts out the revolving doors? Anyway, I hope that Floyd of Rosedale spends the next year next to the little brown jug.

While we're on the football subject, I'm watching the Vikings and the Giants, and it's a surprisingly good game. I'm a little confused though. Part of the football field appears to be better lit than other parts. It's like the Giants don't have a roof on their stadium. I think we all know that's stupid. Why would you ever want to play outside when you could have a teflon dome? And who thought the Vikings could play under natural sunlight? Not me.

I've had a request that I post pictures of what I've been eating. I'm cooking dinner on Wednesday, so you'll have to wait until Thursday for those.

Ok- back to football. I'll see you all tomorrow.

My hot boy of the day- Jake Gyllenhot...I mean Gyllenhaal. Ahh. He can be my jarhead anytime, but I have to fight bethmania to get him. I'm pretty sure I can take her. I mean, she cheers for the Packers.

It's Friday! Hooray and stuff!

Hooray! It's Friday and I'm very excited!

Thanks to my favorite redhead, my maids and I are headed out for a night on the town. I'm going to test out all my dancing moves for all the upcoming weddings I get to go to. I'm still working on my special signature dance move.

A shout out to Chele, mistress of all things including but not limited to her own domain, who correctly guessed yesterday's movie quote. It's from the Naked Gun, one of the all time great movies ever made.

So last night, bethmania and I were watching CSI because we're sort of addicted. We're enjoying the episode, until we discover Nick has grown himself a rather disturbing mustache. He looks creepy, much older, and not at all hot. So I think the mustache needs to go. That's what I think of that.

Big weekend. Well, big enough. My beloved Golden Gopher footballers are taking on Michigan State tomorrow in the last home game of the season. The Gophs are already bowl eligible, but I think they're going to end up in Nashville, Houston or Shreveport. All those in favor of going say aye. No takers? Me either. So I think tomorrow is the last time I will bust out the gopherocious shirt and cheer in the Metrodome until April, when baseball starts again. At least I'll have hockey to watch.

Ok kids- everyone have a terrific Friday. Watch out for pirates.

Am considering becoming full time sports predictor

I've decided on a new career path today. Because of my excellent football picks (10 of 12) correct, I have decided to become a professional football picker. Now if only I could find someone to pay me for it, and it wasn't illegal to bet on sports. We also need to see how this weekend goes. I may have just had a freaky good week.

In the likely event that my picking career does not immediately take off, perhaps I will become a professional karaoke singer. I sang excellent renditions of Like a Prayer and Proud Mary last night. Madonna and Tina better watch out. I'm on the rise. It's a good thing I dropped the second "n" from my name. It was getting between my fans and me.

I'm super excited for the holiday movie season. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Pride and Prejudice, Walk the Line, and about thirty other movies I want to see. What's the over under on me actually seeing any of them? Well, the last movie I went to was in June, so that should tell you something. We may need to take a knitting movie trip to see Pride and Prejudice, and then maybe see another one, as long as we're already at the theater.

I hope this Mr. Darcy is as good as Colin Firth. Well, no one will ever be Mr. Darcy like Colin Firth, so we'll see if this upstart Darcy is any good. I'm also excited to see Mr. Bingley and crazy Mrs. Bennet. BS, I know you're as excited as I am.

Well, kids, this was a long post. I'll leave you with a great quote from an equally great movie. Bonus point and a new blog handle for the first person to get it right.

Frank: It's the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girls dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day. Jane Spencer: Goodyear?
Frank: No, the worst

Tornado Season in Minneapolis

I woke up this morning to high winds, and as I sit here looking out the window, I keep expecting a dog or a small child to blow past. But the sun is peeking out, so perhaps this won't be such a gloomy day.

Last week, I decided to cut out (or cut down) on my caffeine intake. I haven't had any of my beloved Mountain Dew since last Thursday when I drank the last can in the cube. This decision may have been made out of sheer laziness, since the cubes are really heavy to lug up lots of flights of stairs to my apartment. Anyway, I don't think I'm any more irritable than usual. Bethmania would know. Ask her.

So I've finished sleeve number one (of two, since I just have the two arms) of my sweater. If you want to see what it's supposed to look like, here's a link. Mine is not this color, nor does it look this good, but I have hopes for it.
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTsamus.html

I had a delicious lasagna last night, prepared by my loveable bs. She's decided she doesn't want to be bs anymore, but she hasn't come up with a better acronym, so I'm sticking with bs. The dinner was uber yummy, and bs, bethmania and natpot are always delightful company.

So I'm search of gainful employment yet again today. Then it's off to Bar Abilene with mini-sis (ms), and some other peeps.

Hot boy of the day- Joseph Fiennes, from Elizabeth and Shakespeare in Love
Ahh...

Election Day

Well kids, today is Election Day. Did you all remember to vote? I don't want to hear any complaining if you haven't voted.

It's also the first day of my experiment with blogging. I have shamelessly stolen the idea from Chele, one of the great bloggers of the world.

My favorite news story of the weekend-

A cruise ship got attacked by pirates off the coast of Africa. When I heard the story, I had visions of Pirates of the Caribbean, and thought, how exciting to be on a ship attacked by Johnny Depp. Oh wait, no. I don't think Johnny Depp was on this particular pirate ship, and I'm sure that everyone on that cruise was shocked that pirates still existed. So that's my story about that.

My song of the day-
Country Roads by John Denver
It just feels like that sort of day.

Ok- I'm off to vote, then to mail a present to my favorite Kentuckian. Then big sis (bs) is cooking dinner. I'm excited.