It's the last day of 2010! It makes you look back on your year and wonder where the time has gone. I think especially when you're happy, time flies faster. I know there were years when I wasn't so happy that the days seemed to tick by agonizingly.
I think about how I've spent my last year and the people I've surrounded myself with--I feel extremely lucky to have them all in my life. I think for a long time I've taken them for granted. Things were just handed to me, and my life continued as it were. I began to expect things, and I think I lost sight of how they can be taken away from you in the blink of an eye.
I'm so lucky to have such an amazing family, as dysfunctional as we all are. This past year I've seen a reconciliation between my family over a 13-year-long feud. I can end this year saying that I have a lot of people back in my life that I truly missed, and I plan on working on the relationships to keep it that way. I am lucky enough to have two sets of parents that love me; a sister who is my best friend, an awesome stepbrother, a boyfriend who has absolutely changed my life and the way I look at it. I have an aunt and uncle who have taken me in as one of their own; cousins who have adopted me as their sister, and a few amazing friends who I consider actual family.
I think it's been easy for me to focus on those things that have gone wrong this year. And trust me, there have been some. But the truth of the matter is that I am incredibly lucky to have all of these people in my life, to have a job that I enjoy, to live in a happy home, and to wake up every morning knowing that I have everything I need to survive and be happy in life.
I love you all like family, thank you for being there for me and making my life richer with your sass and awesomeness. I can't wait to see what next year brings for us.
Happy New Year!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Save the Drama Fo Yo Mama
Drama seems to follow me like a dryer sheet stuck to a Snuggie. And I have a confession to make, dear readers. I have spent the majority of 2010 caught up in other people's business. I have been so busy worrying about what other people are doing, saying, feeling and thinking that I have lost focus on my own goals. I'll tell you this, though--I find myself much happier when I'm able to separate from it.
Much like an unwanted STD, drama manifests itself in one person and makes its way around a group of friends leaving everyone itchy and a little uncomfortable. It's entertaining though, isn't it? Finding out who is divorcing who, who is knocked up, and who is cheating with the dude they met on match.com? And with the integration of facebook as the ultimate pot-stirring, paparazzi stalking tool, creating and maintaining drama is as easy as ever.
I have been thinking a lot about what I want for next year. I think what I'd like the most, aside from health, happiness, and safety for my family, is freedom from the stress that drama brings me. I've been making a concerted effort to rid my life of the negativity that drama carries. I've been trying to find some peace, surround myself with positive, loving people, and roll myself in bubble wrap to protect from the stress (or bounce down the stairs if I so choose.)
So my goal for next year is to stop worrying about other people's business, enjoy the people around me, and focus on bettering myself. I think it's time for me to grow up a little, make a solid effort to keep a positive attitude, and switch to liquid fabric softener.
XOXO,
(P)GG
Much like an unwanted STD, drama manifests itself in one person and makes its way around a group of friends leaving everyone itchy and a little uncomfortable. It's entertaining though, isn't it? Finding out who is divorcing who, who is knocked up, and who is cheating with the dude they met on match.com? And with the integration of facebook as the ultimate pot-stirring, paparazzi stalking tool, creating and maintaining drama is as easy as ever.
I have been thinking a lot about what I want for next year. I think what I'd like the most, aside from health, happiness, and safety for my family, is freedom from the stress that drama brings me. I've been making a concerted effort to rid my life of the negativity that drama carries. I've been trying to find some peace, surround myself with positive, loving people, and roll myself in bubble wrap to protect from the stress (or bounce down the stairs if I so choose.)
So my goal for next year is to stop worrying about other people's business, enjoy the people around me, and focus on bettering myself. I think it's time for me to grow up a little, make a solid effort to keep a positive attitude, and switch to liquid fabric softener.
XOXO,
(P)GG
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Cold Turkey (and Mashed Potatoes)
At a BBQ this summer, solo cup of keg beer in one hand, cheeseburger in the other, I was talking to someone at the party who stopped mid-conversation and said: (get this) "so...how's that going?", pointing to my stomach. Looking down, I cheerfully replied: "my beer? it's good!" and gave him a look of poignant confusion. Red faced, we both realized what he meant at the same time. And while this hilariously humiliating experience is good for an LOL, I'm hoping it is the motivating factor I need to kick myself into gear.
Normally, I don't go with the stereotypical New Years resolutions; they seem doomed to failure. But with New Years and my 27th birthday right around the corner, it makes me think about my goals. Last year, right before my 26th birthday, I quit smoking cold turkey. I haven't bragged about it, the biggest reason being I didn't want to set myself up for failure if I caved and had a smoke or two while out with friends. But somehow, (and I'm not saying it isn't without its urges!) I have managed to make it almost a year and haven't touched one. And since that was so successful, I feel like I should do something else big.
Why is losing weight so hard? I think it's because of my undying affection for food. Food and I have a love-hate relationship. I can always count on a McDonald's #1 meal to cheer me up when I'm feeling blue. You will almost always find me with some kind of food article in my purse, just in case I need a little "nom". In fact, when I met K out at the bar, we went to get food at the end of the night, and after I stuffed his face with my twice baked potato, I stuffed the other half in my purse... for breakfast the next morning.
Crash diets have never worked for me. Typically, I just eat whatever I want and go to the gym to counterbalance. But with the holidays, and the way I've been stuffing my face these past 6 months, I think I have to change some things around in addition to the working out. My stepdad successfully lost a ton of weight with his new eating habits, and he's an inspiration to my new ambition.
So come January 1st, I'm going to join all of the newly motivated people who got gym memberships in their stockings as a (thoughtful?) present, and wobble myself into that gym. Wish me luck!
Normally, I don't go with the stereotypical New Years resolutions; they seem doomed to failure. But with New Years and my 27th birthday right around the corner, it makes me think about my goals. Last year, right before my 26th birthday, I quit smoking cold turkey. I haven't bragged about it, the biggest reason being I didn't want to set myself up for failure if I caved and had a smoke or two while out with friends. But somehow, (and I'm not saying it isn't without its urges!) I have managed to make it almost a year and haven't touched one. And since that was so successful, I feel like I should do something else big.
Why is losing weight so hard? I think it's because of my undying affection for food. Food and I have a love-hate relationship. I can always count on a McDonald's #1 meal to cheer me up when I'm feeling blue. You will almost always find me with some kind of food article in my purse, just in case I need a little "nom". In fact, when I met K out at the bar, we went to get food at the end of the night, and after I stuffed his face with my twice baked potato, I stuffed the other half in my purse... for breakfast the next morning.
Crash diets have never worked for me. Typically, I just eat whatever I want and go to the gym to counterbalance. But with the holidays, and the way I've been stuffing my face these past 6 months, I think I have to change some things around in addition to the working out. My stepdad successfully lost a ton of weight with his new eating habits, and he's an inspiration to my new ambition.
So come January 1st, I'm going to join all of the newly motivated people who got gym memberships in their stockings as a (thoughtful?) present, and wobble myself into that gym. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The Poop Eye
For the past several weeks, I've been waking up feeling like I slept face down in a sand box. My eyes have been red, itchy, watery, and they burn even when I get in the shower. I've been consistently punishing the culprit--Gwen, our tiny feline matriarch who has made her nest atop my squishy down pillow.
We made a new rule for the big bed: no kitties on the pillows. They can sleep anywhere in the range from chest to feet, but nowhere north of there. And I've been pretty diligent in enforcing the new regulations. Each night, I awake at least twice, and though I hate to do it--I have to move Gwen in the middle of her furry slumber. She squaks, I apologize... it's a regular round table of nightly arguing.
Gradually, the pillow nesting wore down a bit, and though K's eyes have cleared up, mine continued to burn. I got so used to it that I stopped noticing. When I went to the mitten for Christmas, I stopped into my eye doctor to get a new prescription for my contacts. And that's when I found out... that I had the poop eye. Okay, it's not really poop eye, just a "cold" really, but that's what K is calling it.
It wasn't just allergies to the kitties; in fact, I may have been punishing Gwen for no reason, though I'm sure her sleeping on or near my face didn't help the situation. My doctor asked how long I've been dealing with it. I told him for quite some time, and that it was because my cat slept on my pillow a lot. He shook his head, telling me that it was quite something else, and prescribed two sets of eyedrops for my condition. Two sets? That sounds pretty serious.
So for the entire week I spent in the mitten, I had to pull out the old goggles. I was on a strict no contact lens diet. This means all Christmas photos were in my glasses, every time I saw old friends, I had to do it in my glasses, and I won't even mention trying to drive at night with these damn things.
Now, I'm back home and Gwen seems to have forgotten the rules. I had to relocate her twice last night, and my eyes are starting to burn again. I'm starting to think that she's sleeping with her butt right on my eyeballs. I'm going to give it a few days of reminding her of the rules, and (STILL) wearing these glasses... then we'll see how the poop eye develops.
We made a new rule for the big bed: no kitties on the pillows. They can sleep anywhere in the range from chest to feet, but nowhere north of there. And I've been pretty diligent in enforcing the new regulations. Each night, I awake at least twice, and though I hate to do it--I have to move Gwen in the middle of her furry slumber. She squaks, I apologize... it's a regular round table of nightly arguing.
Gradually, the pillow nesting wore down a bit, and though K's eyes have cleared up, mine continued to burn. I got so used to it that I stopped noticing. When I went to the mitten for Christmas, I stopped into my eye doctor to get a new prescription for my contacts. And that's when I found out... that I had the poop eye. Okay, it's not really poop eye, just a "cold" really, but that's what K is calling it.
It wasn't just allergies to the kitties; in fact, I may have been punishing Gwen for no reason, though I'm sure her sleeping on or near my face didn't help the situation. My doctor asked how long I've been dealing with it. I told him for quite some time, and that it was because my cat slept on my pillow a lot. He shook his head, telling me that it was quite something else, and prescribed two sets of eyedrops for my condition. Two sets? That sounds pretty serious.
So for the entire week I spent in the mitten, I had to pull out the old goggles. I was on a strict no contact lens diet. This means all Christmas photos were in my glasses, every time I saw old friends, I had to do it in my glasses, and I won't even mention trying to drive at night with these damn things.
Now, I'm back home and Gwen seems to have forgotten the rules. I had to relocate her twice last night, and my eyes are starting to burn again. I'm starting to think that she's sleeping with her butt right on my eyeballs. I'm going to give it a few days of reminding her of the rules, and (STILL) wearing these glasses... then we'll see how the poop eye develops.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Christmas Hangover
Well we made it home alive. We JUST missed the crazy snowstorm that has ravaged the northeast, and I woke up this morning to a winter wonderland. It has been a long week of Christmas events and activities, visiting and catching up with everyone. It's an exhausting week every year, but I'll tell you this--when I get home, I find myself thinking about how lucky I am to have such wonderful family and friends.
Every year is a bit of a cluster-F, I'll be honest. It started the night before we left, with a bit more than a slow panic when I realized I had not finished my shopping. (I actually still went home with less than I anticipated, but wound up finding even better gifts there.) K and I trekked out into the wilderness that is the Friday night before Christmas shopping, elbowed our way through the crowds and made it out with minor cuts and scratches. When we returned home, I realized that I hadn't packed my bags yet, and even though I desperately needed sleep, I had to get that done first. I am SO crazy about flying that I NEED to be prepared hours (or days) in advance so that I don't have a full-on breakdown when we get up in the morning. K knows this, and though he is a bit of a procrastinator normally, he eagerly packs his bags no matter how crazy early it is, just so that he doesn't have to deal with the aftermath of my panic in the morning. (It usually involves screaming, sometimes crying, and him consoling me.)
The next day went fine, we made it to the airport and home to the mitten in plenty of time. We had my Dad's party the first night, and we got to see many friends and family members that we hadn't spent time with in quite awhile. It was really wonderful. We wound up staying until around 4am, talking with my cousin who we hadn't spoken to in many years because of the family rift. And I will tell you that it was one of the most wonderful Christmas gifts I think we could have given my Dad. He sat in the chair listening to my sister, my cousin, K and I talking, and positively glowed watching us catch up.
After spending time with my Dad's side of the family, we spent the next few days with my stepbrother, stepdad and Mom. We got to see my brother's new apartment and oogle his new TV (he just moved back to the mitten from TX). It was great to see he and his girlfriend, who is such a sweetheart. We laughed, karate-chopped and punched each other, with the occasional hug slipped in. He's a total goof, and we always have a good time when he's around. We spent the night laughing and talking with our parents and enjoying all being in the same state, it was awesome.
We did lunch with my aunt and uncle, a night at the bar with some of our best friends, and ended the week with a wonderful Christmas dinner with family and friends. It was so great to see everyone, and though we were ready to collapse when we got home yesterday, I look back and think how lucky we are to have been able to spend the week with so many wonderful people. I hope you all had a wonderful time with your families too!
Every year is a bit of a cluster-F, I'll be honest. It started the night before we left, with a bit more than a slow panic when I realized I had not finished my shopping. (I actually still went home with less than I anticipated, but wound up finding even better gifts there.) K and I trekked out into the wilderness that is the Friday night before Christmas shopping, elbowed our way through the crowds and made it out with minor cuts and scratches. When we returned home, I realized that I hadn't packed my bags yet, and even though I desperately needed sleep, I had to get that done first. I am SO crazy about flying that I NEED to be prepared hours (or days) in advance so that I don't have a full-on breakdown when we get up in the morning. K knows this, and though he is a bit of a procrastinator normally, he eagerly packs his bags no matter how crazy early it is, just so that he doesn't have to deal with the aftermath of my panic in the morning. (It usually involves screaming, sometimes crying, and him consoling me.)
The next day went fine, we made it to the airport and home to the mitten in plenty of time. We had my Dad's party the first night, and we got to see many friends and family members that we hadn't spent time with in quite awhile. It was really wonderful. We wound up staying until around 4am, talking with my cousin who we hadn't spoken to in many years because of the family rift. And I will tell you that it was one of the most wonderful Christmas gifts I think we could have given my Dad. He sat in the chair listening to my sister, my cousin, K and I talking, and positively glowed watching us catch up.
After spending time with my Dad's side of the family, we spent the next few days with my stepbrother, stepdad and Mom. We got to see my brother's new apartment and oogle his new TV (he just moved back to the mitten from TX). It was great to see he and his girlfriend, who is such a sweetheart. We laughed, karate-chopped and punched each other, with the occasional hug slipped in. He's a total goof, and we always have a good time when he's around. We spent the night laughing and talking with our parents and enjoying all being in the same state, it was awesome.
We did lunch with my aunt and uncle, a night at the bar with some of our best friends, and ended the week with a wonderful Christmas dinner with family and friends. It was so great to see everyone, and though we were ready to collapse when we got home yesterday, I look back and think how lucky we are to have been able to spend the week with so many wonderful people. I hope you all had a wonderful time with your families too!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Santa Paper Chain
It's time. I have one more night to accomplish the rest of my shopping, and we leave tomorrow. No more links left on my Santa paper chain. No more squares to cross off the cat calendar. No more time to make to-do lists or brainstorm. It is go time, and I am officially freaking out.
I have to pack, buy (then wrap) Christmas presents, try to relax long enough to sleep tonight, then get us to the airport tomorrow. I just hope they allow me to bring a paper bag onto the plane, so I'm prepared when I can't decide if I'm going to hyperventilate or throw up.
I have been contemplating all day whether I want to pay an extra $23 to check a bag on the plane, rather than try to carry on all of my belongings like I normally do. I think it might be fruitful this trip, because we'll be coming home with whatever Santa decides to drop by the mitten state for us good boys and girls. If it's coal, I hope it passes through the metal detector.
So I bid you all adieu, and wish you a most wonderful holiday season with your families. I hope you all make it through alive, and don't end up in a straight jacket with all that you have to accomplish. And just remember--Santa makes that list and checks it twice, so let's just hope he wasn't paying attention that time I threw a tantrum that US Weekly was a few days late.
Merry Christmas, everyone! :)
I have to pack, buy (then wrap) Christmas presents, try to relax long enough to sleep tonight, then get us to the airport tomorrow. I just hope they allow me to bring a paper bag onto the plane, so I'm prepared when I can't decide if I'm going to hyperventilate or throw up.
I have been contemplating all day whether I want to pay an extra $23 to check a bag on the plane, rather than try to carry on all of my belongings like I normally do. I think it might be fruitful this trip, because we'll be coming home with whatever Santa decides to drop by the mitten state for us good boys and girls. If it's coal, I hope it passes through the metal detector.
So I bid you all adieu, and wish you a most wonderful holiday season with your families. I hope you all make it through alive, and don't end up in a straight jacket with all that you have to accomplish. And just remember--Santa makes that list and checks it twice, so let's just hope he wasn't paying attention that time I threw a tantrum that US Weekly was a few days late.
Merry Christmas, everyone! :)
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Cheating is Sucky.
Joey Greco has his work cut out for him. With Perez Hilton reporting that Michael C. Hall has cheated on his wife with Julia Stiles, it begs the question: who is immune to infidelity these days? Eva Longoria, one of the most beautiful women on earth, is rumored to have been cheated on by husband Tony Parker. Is any relationship safe anymore? What are these people missing in their lives that they feel they have to outsource to ladies (or gents) of the night? I don't know about you guys, but if I'm Tony Parker, a tall, gumpy dude who, let's face it, is just NOT that cute, and I score a lady as gorgeous as Eva, I think I'm pretty much set. I guess you could pull a Weird Science and digitally create your perfect woman, but let's be honest: she just won't have the sass that human ladies do.
I don't know any person that hasn't been affected by cheating in some way at this point in our lives. I've been cheated on. So have many of my friends. Sure, it sucks, but can you really be that mad about fate intervening in this divine way? Is it really meant to be if the person you love is snookin' for love in a dumpy townie bar? I think not.
People are mad about gay marriage. I have to be honest, I just don't get it. So two men want to officially declare their love for each other. You're more upset about that than Larry King having his pick of the litter and continuing to pluck wives for his collection? I hope somewhere in his creepy lair he has a wax museum filled with life-sized figures dedicated to each of his former wives. A gaggle of ladies to stare him in the face the next time he visits Jakob the jeweler and decides he might want to pop the question and add another to the flock.
Cheating is sucky, there's no doubt about it. And with all the negativity around, it's easy to get caught up and get down on the sanctity of marriage. But I think the most inspirational thing to see are the couples who stand by each other when times get tough, support each other and stay loyal. They're out there, I've seen it. My aunt and uncle have been married for decades, and stand by each other. And I'm not saying that life doesn't grenade launch lemons at you now and again, but I think it's the people who put those lemons in the Jack LaLanne juicer and make lemonade that inspire me the most. Stay strong, Eva. If Hilary, Sandra Bullock and Elin can do it, you can too.
I don't know any person that hasn't been affected by cheating in some way at this point in our lives. I've been cheated on. So have many of my friends. Sure, it sucks, but can you really be that mad about fate intervening in this divine way? Is it really meant to be if the person you love is snookin' for love in a dumpy townie bar? I think not.
People are mad about gay marriage. I have to be honest, I just don't get it. So two men want to officially declare their love for each other. You're more upset about that than Larry King having his pick of the litter and continuing to pluck wives for his collection? I hope somewhere in his creepy lair he has a wax museum filled with life-sized figures dedicated to each of his former wives. A gaggle of ladies to stare him in the face the next time he visits Jakob the jeweler and decides he might want to pop the question and add another to the flock.
Cheating is sucky, there's no doubt about it. And with all the negativity around, it's easy to get caught up and get down on the sanctity of marriage. But I think the most inspirational thing to see are the couples who stand by each other when times get tough, support each other and stay loyal. They're out there, I've seen it. My aunt and uncle have been married for decades, and stand by each other. And I'm not saying that life doesn't grenade launch lemons at you now and again, but I think it's the people who put those lemons in the Jack LaLanne juicer and make lemonade that inspire me the most. Stay strong, Eva. If Hilary, Sandra Bullock and Elin can do it, you can too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)