Easypleaser: an expose on afternoon tea (or not)

I’m not hard to please. In fact, I think I’m pretty easy-going. I’m pretty good at letting things roll off my back and letting things go. I wasn’t always this way, but let’s just call this new(ish) development either “maturity” or “the product of marriage”, because let’s face it: that may be one of the most important keys to a successful marriage (don’t hate: obviously there are other equally and even more important things). So when I talk about how happy I am about something, or how pleased I am with my brilliant husband :), I genuinely mean it, and consider myself generally a very happy person. In all honesty, I think I get carried away sometimes and find myself thinking “man, I am SUCH a great wife! Look how easy-going I am!”…which I have confessed to my mother, who herself has been known to say things aloud like “Aren’t I SO charming?!”, and yet she rolls her eyes at my little confession. Huh. Where was I going with this? Oh, right. I was thinking about writing an entire post about how HAPPY my afternoon cup o’ Tazo Passion tea truly makes me (hence the title), until I realized nobody wants to read about that, and I should probably dig deep into my recesses and find something more entertaining to throw to the sharks…I got nothin’. But the tea…seriously.

chibblins

It’s at this point into my daily (sob) bag of Razzles that I think, “I should stop. I am going to get diabetes or rot my teeth or put on 20 pounds…and WHY is 80% of this bag the oranges and yellows?!”

Today I invested in the Caudalie “Eau de Beaute” that The Pretty Analyst recommended. If I can get past the funky smell (something like what I imagine Mary Engelbreit smells like), I will be a huge fan. I *actually* feel rejuvenated already! Note to self: close lips when applying so I don’t also TASTE Mary Engelbright the next time I sip my coffee.

I also invested in (I imagine this is where Nolan cringes) another cardigan from Gap. I tell you what, their spring colours are FANTASTIC (I own 3 now), and what better to brave my office adversary (appropriately titled, “Psychopathic Thermostat Fluctuations: Arctic to Hell and Back Again”) with, than a nice ¾ sleeve cardigan. And who doesn’t love a cardigan, anyway.


Other than the normal pressures of a new job, I have chalked my tired eyes up to my contacts, and figured I need to take a glasses day. So I did today, and it is amazing how many people have said, “Wow, you wear glasses? Did you know I do, too?” I don’t really consider having poor eyes a bonding point, but now I feel like maybe I should start a “we’re all blind and it sucks but it’s okay because we have each other” fraternity or something. People obviously need to have vision buddies so they don’t feel alone in their groping blindness (that 3-minute time span until they pop in their contacts in the mornings and are miraculously healed). We could have “sight” parties and eat carrots and play “pin the glasses on the mannequin”.

My chilblains have come back with a vengeance. Anybody know a good remedy to get rid of ‘em?

I MAY have overreacted...

I got a haircut today. A haircut that took an hour and a half (to cut 2 inches, seriously!). A haircut that made me actually take the scissors from the hairstylists hands to do my own bangs for fear those would be botched too. Needless to say, I fled the scene thinking I had received a duplicate of my 5th grade haircut, what I like to call "Le WEDGE". It was awful...until I got home and straightened it, and then I felt bad for thinking bad thoughts at the hairstylist throughout the day. I even got my little layers back around the chin. See?


I also just got home from babysitting for a friend and his wife. Their son is 5, and since I am their first babysitter EVER (!), they had the most detailed instructions on everything in the house. Even their son drew me a detailed diagram for me, showing me EXACTLY how much ketchup and mustard he wanted on his hot dog, and which part of the plate he would like the macaroni to cover. It looked a little bit like two lines, so I mean, I assumed that meant that he liked light condiments as opposed to scribbles all over the page (thank God). I also got to watch Cartoon Network for the first time in forever, and spent most of it wondering what it must be like in the offices of the marketing/advertising departments for things like Oscar Meyer wieners and Jello. I know that it doesn't take that much to entertain kids, but...really? Corn Pops' commercial involves an upside-chin with googly eyes stuck on it, threatening scared townsfolk in Japanese (with subtitles, of course). I think I'll stay in my job. I like having a decent answer to: "So what did you do at work today?".

One more thing: before I forget; my mother recommended a movie to us when we were up there, called "August Rush", and you MUST watch it. Especially if you love music. And hot guys. And Keri Russell. And happy endings. Okay anyway, just see it--it's fantastic, and one of my new favourites (teaser for Twilight fans: the main male lead (the "dad") is the actor Stephenie Meyer had in her mind when she wrote Edward Cullen. Imagine THAT!).

Reign of Chaos

I have decided a couple of things in regard to my lifelessness lately. Obviously it is due to my new job, in which I feel totally overwhelmed and exhausted…which will pass, but it IS a new job. I have decided that I need to work out more to gain back the capacity for energy. I also am allowing myself to go to Starbucks every morning until this passes, because I just pass out in the afternoons if I don’t have some caffeine. I am going to allow myself (Nolan has been helping me deal with this one) to be lazy sometimes. I hate sitting on the couch doing nothing, but he encourages me to skip laundry for a week or not do the dishes or whatever I have to do until maybe the next day, and he has been trying to get me to make a goal for each week (like, which day to do chores/work, which days to be lazy, which days to hang out, and when to say no…ultimately what I want to have DONE by the end of the week.), so that I don’t feel like I have a million things pulling me in difference directions. He has really been a lifeboat helping me to relax, and I, for once, am glad that we are both busy and tired at the end of the day, because it means we understand the need to sit and play Warcraft 3 (YES, Brystal we are moving past Age—this is serious stuff.) with each other instead of trying to eek an extra ounce of productivity from our brains by playing Scrabble or something. We are officially bums once the clock strikes 8pm (1pm on Sundays, heh). In general, I have to say that it is amazingly liberating to realize what I need, and that it is okay to allow myself some things during this transition. Maybe I am finally learning that I can’t do everything at once. Hmm.

Quote of the day (from ylehsa):
me: you know, i have to leave in 5 min, and you will be sad.
Ash: mmm. we'll see. i'll get more stipling done! stupid stippling
me: huh. i prefer you missing my pleasantries.
Ash: FINE. i'll cry and sob and scratch your name into my arm with a sharp pin
me: whoa.

sunday mornin

I had a long morning at church today, and I got home thinking my boys were asleep still, but I found this waiting for me:

Yes, that is pink highlighter. Apparently none of us had a quiet Sunday morning.

...and of course it makes Milo SO.ANGRY. when I take pictures of him:

guest spot

'nother quick one here...

Firstly, I hope you love the new design--I do! Thanks, ylehsa!

Secondly, The Pretty Analyst posted my guest spot on her blog. Take a look (and ignore how stupid I sound reviewing beauty products)!

FACELIFT!

This is ylesha. If the blog looks a little horrifying it's because we're under construction. Ignore the mess and don't judge us yet!

I've fallen and I can't get up

Here I sit, slowly digesting my Razzles, and deciding that I don’t like Fridays. I think Fridays and Tuesdays are my least favourite days of the work week. Tuesdays: obviously the worst day because you are not EVEN to the halfway point and already tired from Monday and it drags by. Fridays: you know the weekend is just around the corner, yet still you watch the clock tick by every minute, longing for freedom. *sigh*

I am on the hunt for the impossible: cheap, trendy, but yet comfortable and professional shoes. Payless has those of the first two varieties, but my feet usually feel like they’ve been in a food processor all day after wearing them. Aerosoles has the third variety, but theirs are frumpy. The only pair I actually own that meets all of the above, are from high school, and are a size too big (I obviously had no idea how to take care of myself in HS). Help me find shoes. I’m desperate.

I am realizing now that my social life is suffering in more ways than one because I am so tired from work. Woe to me for not keeping up on my blogs! Look what I JUST found that J.Nobbity wrote for me and Nolan on her blog! EEEEE!!!

Expect great things soon. Like: I guest-blogged for The Pretty Analyst (coming soon!), and I am getting a blog makeover. Yep. It’s time it looked a little neater and maybe more…open? And I think Nolan deserves and upgrade and can now join Milo and I on the front page. Also, ylehsa has been bugging me to ditch the vomit (which I fondly call PEACH) colour of the background and go…something else. What do you think?

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

Confessions

Things I must admit to today and most days that you should probably be aware of:

I have not worked a day at my new job without first getting coffee. In other words: I have not entered that building without having fresh caffeine rushing through my veins.
I bought the London Fog drink at Starbucks today solely based on the name. It smells/tastes like soap. I hate it.
I get dry-mouth when I am in the elevator with powerful people.
I genuinely believe Milo has a soul, and will most likely end up in hell. But I love him probably more than is healthy.
The thing that has brought me the most joy today and yesterday (besides Nolan--that is just implied), is my extendable clip on my ID badge. I can swipe into the building from like 3 feet away if I have to. w00t.
I worry about the elevator crashing. Seriously, you probably would too if your ears popped multiple times on the way down and the car shook a bit on each floor.

I had my first personal training session today, and learned that a.) I am healthy and right where I should be, but b.) I need to tone and strengthen because c.) I have a lot of joint/bone issues to be aware of. So I therefore also have a chiropractor/sports trainer appt. on Monday, and my second personal training appt. In six weeks prepare to see a picture of me looking more ripped than whats-her-face from the Biggest Loser. Oh, right. Jillian Michaels.

Hot 'n' Cold

Best I have seen yet...and somehow I cannot believe someone actually put that much time, money (did you SEE the exact costuming?!), and effort into something like this. Complete with a "wtf-dance-sequence". Haha, enjoy.


It’s that season. People sneezing/oozing mucus on the Muni. Someone in a cube near me coughs, then draws in a deep, rattling breath. Spray-able hand sanitizer, 2 inches from my keyboard, ready for deployment, lest anyone else’s troops get too near and lay siege to my beaches. It’s sick season. I am just trying to stay warm, dry, and germ-free…and between hot tea (which we all know probably means coffee for me, despite my pure intentions) and Airborne, Starbucks and Walgreens are making a fortune off of me. Which…I guess isn’t that different since before it was just “Coffee” and Candy. You could say I am being more prudent with my fortune-blowing.

It's only February, and already I am looking around my cube and thinking how FABULOUS it will look at Christmas when I decorate it. I am thinking lights, tinsel, maybe a tiny (TINY) tree. Heh. Today I went out and bought a little yellow rosebush to make me happy in my little corner, and earlier I brought in my “The Office” Calendar (thanks, Nate). Next step: a pretty pencil holder. Huzzah!

Poor Milo. First he barfs all over our back seat after driving up to Pville (guess who had to scrape up the bits of kibble and stomach acid, etc.), then Nolan tells him how stupid he looks in his new teal, striped collar (Milo has no balls -- what does he care if he looks manly or not?), then tonight he loses his collar and goes back to the crappy blue one, then Nolan throws small (but soft! don't call the SPCA) objects at him because he is chewing on electrical cords, and now he is sitting on our bed, fearing Nolan, and wondering (as I am) if his fish will survive the night. The fish's been doing the floating vertically thing. We're holding a candlelight vigil.

I feel like I catch up on my superficial life when I get home. I do business-y things all day, and then when I get home I plunge headfirst into facebook and people.com and other trashy sites, like a pig plunges into its trough.

Shout-out to Sarah, who launched her new blog, which WILL be my financial downfall, but is excellent nonetheless.

snow!

As promised, here is what we woke up to on Saturday morning! My parents' ranch, covered in snow!



More to actually write later :)

An Affair to Remember

*man. my link disappeared. the pic below WAS a cool human heart made out of candy.*

Happy Valentine's Day! Tonight we are going to Outback to spend some quality time together at a nice date place, and enjoy a free night together :) So, here is my valentine (obviously with my doctor-husband in mind!):



Tomorrow I will post pictures of the ranch--we have been having snow! How lovely is that! Right now I am sitting here again with ylehsa, having a little tete-a-tete and tea and watching (what else) "An Affair to Remember".

Applesauce?

Burnin up some time waiting for the Grey's/Private Practice crossover event...because seriously I almost died last week from suspense. So: I'm watching the NAACP image awards and cleaning my house for the weekend, since we're heading up to Placerville for the long weekend to hang out.

I'm also debating eating something, because I have an unfortunate desire to eat a LOT at night...which doesn't seem to coincide with my fitness goal. Speaking of which, I tried my new gym today and it.is.fantastic. Except for the weirdly cramped locker rooms (I am pretty sure the girl behind me got an eyeful of my big white you-know-what as I changed), I absolutely love it!

I seem to be either brain-dead from learning so much at work all day, or I genuinely have nothing interesting to say.

Day 2

I absolutely love my job. I mean my brain feels fried, but so far SO GOOD.

I even love the material my cube is made out of. It's easy to stick pins into and makes a satisfying crunching sound when you do.

Did I mention I have a huge, lovely smelling bouquet that was delivered to my desk yesterday from my coworkers? Eeee.

This morning I stopped in at Starbucks to, you know, feed the habit, and my favourite boys (who work there) decided that in honour of my new job, the drink was on them today. w00t w00t! Little did they know that by not making me pay, in my mind they were allowing me to spend money on another drink later today and feed the habit a little more. DOH. Since I was embarrassed about going back twice in 5 hours, I went to the one a block over, and lo and behold: one of the boys had transferred over there and asked what I was doing back again. Foiled.

Also, let me restate as I did 6 months ago, that I DO NOT understand some food-service people. I mean, I go into Subway (and this has happened before), and try to get my free 8th sandwich with my punch card, but no, I have to take a drink too. I can't just take a free sandwich, I have to take a drink too. Okay well I don't want an icy drink on a frigid January afternoon. They cannot seem to fathom a world where they save money by keeping their dumb drink and just giving me the sandwich, and instead tell me that if I don't want my drink, I can't use the punch card for my free sandwich. wtf, mate.

ylehsa sent me a video today that will look oddly familiar to those of you who have met my fat little child. Enjoy.

A New Leaf (because seriously I don't want to screw this up)

My (overdue) New Year's Resolution: not blog about work directly anymore. That includes at work (so my afternoon readers you might be disappointed to find I am writing later in the day now), and about work directly. By which I mean I may refer to work-related things/people but ALWAYS vaguely. I have already learned a few lessons from my first day today, the first of which helped me to reach this decision about blogging and the others are just interesting:
a.) people at my new work are not WILDLY INAPPROPRIATE like those at my old work. You know who you are if you read this (and I would if I were you because there have been some doozies), and do not talk about: 1.) their genitalia 2.) who did what in the men's bathroom today that required maintenance to pay a visit 3.) others' genitalia 4.) fart machines 5.) wild political rants 6.) general bashing (don't ask) 7. this is the "etc." category under which pretty much every other inappropriate but still makes you guffaw/snort into your hand when your supervisor isn't looking (and sometimes when he is) thing falls.
b.) no matter how much you love your work, there is always somewhere better in some way. In my case, in lots of ways, though I didn't even think that possible. I feel spoiled already.
c.) It is very possible that San Francisco may one day fall into the ocean...and my company is prepared and THEN some (they gave us all emergency backpacks with everything we need to survive in our cubicles for several days, and encouraged us to bring a book or a picture of our dog to put in there to "calm us" if we feel panicky during a disaster. I don't know about you, but I am pretty sure if I am trapped in the remains of my cube with only rubble around me and my crank-able flashlight to guide me, gazing into milo's frozen eyes is sure as hell not going to get me through it. ).

This being said, if you need me: email IS the new chat.

They took me to lunch today at the Palace Hotel. It is the swankiest...well, look:

pictures (but none here)

*edit* since I have gotten odd comments from people on this, to clarify: This is just what I thought was a funny anecdote about how some men view girly things like weddings and decorating apartments. It wasn't mean or anything. Relax.

After almost 2 years, we finally developed wedding pictures for the frames we have sitting lonely and dust-covered on the floor. Tomorrow my task is to hang the frames, and then eventually pick more pictures next weekend of random events. Nolan and Brandon were over hanging around, and so I asked Nolan a couple times for his advice on which pictures to put where in the frames, to which he replied, "I love being in a marriage with you, but I didn't care much about the actual wedding day and I really couldn't care less what you do with the pictures of that day", then kissed me on the cheek. Brandon looked back and forth at us and told Nolan that was possibly one of the most dick-ish things he has heard, which prompted Nolan to kiss me on the cheek again. Hhhhh.

D-town, etc.

I left early this morning to head to Davis and to see ylehsa with Jennie. We spent breakfast with the girls in Davis, then headed up to Folsom to meet Ash. Now we sit here blogging and watching a parade of the ugliest people on earth, aka the video version of "Persuasion". Ugh.


Tonight I go back to Davis to play AoM with Brystal, get drinks and dinner with the girls, and generally pretend I'm in college again, though of course I will be cold and lonely in bed tonight :(

Even with a fun day like this, I find I have nothing to say. Boo.

wine-oh

Over the weekend, and into this week (since I am not what the title implies, and it takes that long), we tried a new wine, and I have to recommend it simply because I know a lot of people who don't like the acidic taste of wine, or the tannins in it. That being said, let me push on you this Pinot Noir, that actually goes well with chicken, and has a berry-ish taste to it and ALMOST no bite at all. Actually...it's so mild that I was a little bit shocked when I tasted it:


Today I was cursing my fate/criminal record, because I thought I had lost my new job. My background check revealed a record that was supposedly expunged, but HAS NOT been yet, and so of course they were questioning the fact that their new employee had a misdemeanor. Fine, and I can understand that, as ridiculous as the "crime" was, but I am amazed that this thing has, to put it delicately, after 2+ years still come back to bite me in the ass. HHH.

ps-if you were wondering, I got the green-light afterall and everything is a-okay. Phew.

Also we got a street cleaning ticket today, so that didn't really help the mood. Until now, when I am contemplating my fun day in Davis/Folsom tomorrow, and seeing Jennie tonight!

As a little throwback to what ended up improving my mood invariably (aside from my PERFECT husband who I cannot stop gushing over, but I don't want to make you vomit, so SORRY), here is my little moment of the day, stolen from someone's facebook ;)

zzz

ohmygosh. I sleep WAY too much. On the one hand I suppose I am entitled to it, this being my last week off and all...but then again the sun is shining, and I have LESS than a week to pack in whatever I can before I hit the grind again. Dilemma. I say that now as if it is a choice, but I know that tomorrow morning when I am wrapped in my sweet sheets, there will be no hope to change my ways.

Yesterday I had to go downtown to take a drug test for my new job, and seriously, I think those lab techs only went into that profession so that they could snicker at the white collar workers downtown. Man, how degrading is it to pee in a little cup, NOT be able to flush or wash your hands, and then walk into a room where they are waiting and say, "umm, well, here it is" and thrust your urine into their waiting hands while they smirk (probably half in disgust).

Along those lines, because I am so.immature....yesterday I got ylehsa to: a.) believe that I was sending her a bag of fresh cat poo in the mail, and .) admit that she would still open it, knowing what was inside. Hahaha, victory. Of course I would never really do that to anyone. Okay maybe Brystal.

On Thursday I am going up to Davis for the day, just to get away and do something. So...I am debating bringing my bike and playing on campus maybe, gettin coffee at the CoHo, and hangin out with my two girls.

Until then: I will most likely be asleep.

Happy Valentine's Month?

This weekend my parents were here visiting us, and we had some good times. We played games, ate a lot, chatted and walked around town, played with my new computer...

...and went to the zoo.

I haven't been to a zoo since 4 years ago when a bunch of us went for Tim's birthday...and I was too preoccupied at the time watching my future husband to notice the animals ;) I forgot how much I love watching the monkeys chase each other, the lions sleeping, the otters wrestling under water. Of course it brought back memories of trudging around when I was 6, on a leash attached to my brother and I (what? we were wild kids!). I must say, the zoo is infinitely better sans leash.

For those of you who care (not I this year), Happy Superbowl Sunday!

Also: I can't believe it's already February!