She don't eat the meat but she sure likes the bone

When I was 13 I quit eating meat. All of it. This decision came after watching one of those 48 Hours specials about the meat industry. If the abuse wasn't enough to appaul you, the farm conditions certainly would. Something about eating something that festered in its own feces kind of grossed me out. I was pleased with my decision and was never one of those preachy vegetarians. You know the kind I'm talking about.

Around 18 or 19 years of age I started eating turkey and chicken again. I would go back and forth with poultry (I've never been one for fish) but I was unwavering on my decision to nix the red meat.

Last week something weird happened. I began to crave red meat. This was not the first time that this has happened but this was the first time that the craving was so intense. I actually dreamed about eating a hamburger. After doing some research on what red meats to start with again and how my body would react, I took the plunge and ate a hamburger.

Go ahead and laugh but my first hamburger in 18 years was a White Castle. They are plain and I recalled liking them at one point. I did not lose the contents of my stomach at first bite but I was surprised at how flavorless it was. In fact the hamburger items I have had this past week have all been pretty bland. But my craving is mostly cured.

Bottom line, if I want it I'm going to have it and the next time I see my doctor I am going to get tested for anemia. I can think of no other explanation for my sudden meat cravings. I think that the body has a way of letting you know if it needs something. For once, I listened to my body.

(Bonus points if you can name the song this entry title came from WITHOUT googling it!! Double points if you know where the picture came from!)

Disaster Zone or Serene Classroom?

This school year is destined to be different from previous school years since I will be teaching students online. No new school clothes or buying supplies that my students can't afford to buy themselves. I will certainly save money but let's hope I don't get lazy.

Recently I was at Old Navy with my friends and Sarah pointed out some comfy lounge pants and I made some jokes about those being my new school clothes. Sounds great, right? But is it? Am I going to gain 50 pounds, wear stained shirts and never wash my face again? I need to be conscious of these things and not totally turn into a disaster.

So, people...if you start to see me pile the pounds on or notice that I've been in the same clothes for too long, tell me. I mean it. If the junk is overflowing in my trunk I need you all to call me out.

I Hate When I Lose Things!

I really identify with this poem today. Enjoy...


One Art
By Elizabeth Bishop

The art of losing isn't hard to master; so many things seem filled with the intent to be lost that their loss is no disaster.

Lose something every day. Accept the fluster of lost door keys, the hour badly spent. The art of losing isn't hard to master.

Then practice losing farther, losing faster: places, and names, and where it was you meant to travel. None of these will bring disaster.

I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or next-to-last, of three loved houses went. The art of losing isn't hard to master.

I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster, some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent. I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.

---Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident the art of losing's not too hard to master though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.

A Meme...just because....

1. What kind of SOAP is in your bathtub right now? No soap. Soap does bad things to my skin.
2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? No.
3. What would you change about your living room? I'd like for the cable drop to be in more than one places so we could rearrange out furniture.
4. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? Dishwasher? What's this dishwasher business?
5. What is in your fridge? More condiments than I will ever need, water, Brian's pop, my tea, cheeses, lunchmeat...
6. White or wheat bread? Either
7. What is on top of your refrigerator?Breadbox, cat food, small wine rack.
8. What color or design is on your shower curtain? Green, yellow, white and blue stripes.
9. How many plants are in your home? 0
10. Is your bed made right now? I don't make the bed.
11. Comet or Soft Scrub? Comet
12. Is your closet organized?I try to.
13. Can you describe your flashlight? Silver and big.
14. Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? Glass.
15. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? No
16. If you have a garage, is it cluttered? I have one and it isn't too bad right now, thanks to Brian.
17. Curtains or blinds? Both. Blinds and curtains on all windows.
18. How many pillows do you sleep with? 1.
19. Do you sleep with any lights on at night? No, I have to have a really dark room.
20. How often do you vacuumWith 2 dogs, frequently.
21. Standard toothbrush or electric? Standard.
22. What color is your toothbrush? White and blue.
23. Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? No but I have a Halloween one that I put out in October.
24. What is in your oven right now? A chocolate cake!
25. Is there anything under your bed? Clothes containers, shoes, book, dust bunnies, probably a cat.
26. Chore you hate doing the most? Cleaning the toilets.
27. What retro items are in your home? A bathroom cabinet, some purses, an end table...
28. Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? Yes, and now I'm about to have 2.
29. How many mirrors are in your home? 4
30. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? I found $3 in an old purse last week. Does that count?
31. What color are your walls? Our walls are different colors. I like color.
32. What are you listening too right now? Brian is playing Weezer so that is what I have to listen to as well.
33. What does your home smell like right now? Cake and blueberries.
34. Favorite candle scent? I like fruity scents.
35. What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now? Kosher.
36. What color is your favorite Bible? No Bible.
37. Ever been on your roof? Nooo
38. Do you own a stereo? Yes
39. How many TVs do you have? 2 - one in the living room and one in the Florida room.
40. How many house phones? 3
41. Do you have a housekeeper? I wish!
42. What style do you decorate in? I'm not even sure anymore.
43. Do you like solid colors in furniture or prints? I prefer solid.
44. Is there a smoke detector in your home? Yes, I really need them too!
45. In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you’d grab if you only could make one quick trip? Besides obviously Brian and the pets, I can't think of anything. I don't have anything that I couldn't replace if I had to.

What's going on in your world?

It's been a while since I posted so here is what's been happening in my world lately:

1. School's out! School is out for summer and I'm working at a preschool part-time. I have little responsibility as far as paper work is concerned and I love that. The parents are challenging but in a different way than my school parents are challenging. For example, a mom of one of the preschoolers calls several times a day to make sure that her son is okay. He is always fine. He's a happy kid, well-behaved and has fun at preschool. Mom is a school teacher too so she's off this summer. If you are that worried about him, don't stick him in day care all day when you DON'T need it.

2. Clear Mascara I was blessed with dark eyelashes that are pretty long but I love the fact that mascara can accentuate what you've been given. However, mascara almost always ends up under my eyes. Not a good look. And this is why clear mascara rocks! There is no messy residue under your eyes but you get the benefit of darkened and separated lashes with a slight extension. Go try it.

3. Knot me Brian and I visited Temptations in Dublin and learned to knit over the weekend. Lindsey and Julie were the patient teachers. I still need lots of practice and guidance but I'm getting the hang of it. Homemade Christmas presents for everyone!

4. Another One Bites the Dust Last Tuesday, was my birthday. Another year of my 30s is gone. I'm 31 now so I guess I need to get more mature.

5. Etsy Invasion By pure accident, I learned that Etsy allows people to sell their baked goods. I may be invading Etsy sometime soon. I love to bake and I'm actually good at it so I might give it a try.

Cat Scratch Fever

I headed out bright and early this morning and was greeted by a mess of tools on the garage floor. Weird. I assumed they just fell. But it got better. As I was getting in my car I found a small pile of poo next to my tire. Luckily it was not rodent-small. It was definitely of the feline variety.

I did what anyone would do. I called my husband and asked him to get rid of whatever it is. During his lunch break, he came home (he always comes home for lunch so I didn't make him give up his lunch or anything! I'm not that big of a bitch.) and shook some boxes in the garage. Out popped a cat and off he went. Problem solved, right? Wrong.

After doing some much needed shopping, I came home around 3. As I was letting Colby outside I saw a little kitty face pressed against the patio door, crying to come in. I'm a sucker for animals and they all know it. Of course, I went to my yard and gave him some water and food. He followed me into the garage, back outside, and even into my shed while I found the animal carrier.

After very little coaxing, he went into the crate and I took him to the humane society. He was skinny and hungry so I'm glad that tonight he's eating and drinking and safe.

Take My License and All that Jive

I was rolling along Sullivant Ave. (St.?) today, heading back to work from lunch. I was already late as it was and knew I was about to be even later when a boy in blue stepped out into the middle of the street, stopped traffic and pointed for me to pull over.

I knew I was speeding. I am always speeding. I have no excuses but I'm still going to bitch. Here are my grivences:

1. I got pulled over in front of a known whore house. The sign of this "hair salon" contains the words ultimate, fantasy and tanning. Enough said. So I should think that the police have far more important things to do.
2. The cost of the fine was not on the ticket. Okay, I was going 10 mph over the speed limit. I will take the penalty but shouldn't I at least know how much to shell out? Fair is fair. Instead there is a number on the back of the ticket for me to call. When I called they told me that it would take 72 hours for the case to be updated. Ridiculous!
3. Well, it just sucks to get a ticket.