Denver

Photo courtesy of wikitravel.org

So, after my travel shenanigans from the past year and a half (Chicago, Barbados, DC, Scotland/England, Napa/San Francisco, New York during Sandy), I decided I kind of wanted to stick around home this year (who am I?). A trip with The Boy, a road trip in New England with my bestie, and that's about it. However, my friend, H, just got a great job in Denver - where my Best Neighbor Ever recently moved as well, so I knew I'd have to make a quick weekend trip at some point. Then, Travelzoo (please tell me you're a member for their Wednesday Top 20 emails! It's awesome, even if just to dream) had a great deal for roundtrip flights (with tax included!!) for $82. Sooold! The only problem was, the last weekend it was available was the weekend of my friend C's birthday. I mean, the other weekends were $120ish, which is still a great deal, but that meant two weekends of stuff;  C lives in Austin and is who I went to Barbados with, and we've been friends for-ev-eeer, so I knew I'd need to drive down and visit her that weekend. Two weekends of having to hit up friends to watch my fierce dog, uuuugh...

Unless.

She too wanted to go to Denver (and for her birthday!). She'd been hitting me up lately for taking a trip. Granted, Denver is not the Mediterranean or Machu Picchu, but.....it is $82. And there might even be snow*!  It's like killing 3 birds with one stone (or 3 pigs with one bird as I say, because I'm, like, really into Angry Birds).

So we're all booked! We have a pub crawl scheduled, and it's restaurant week while we're there (although C is a vegetarian, so....that's probably out. I really don't get vegetarians, btw, but that's a discussion for a later time). I got a cute-enough white puffer coat from American Eagle (guilty pleasure, although I am worried about this happening) for just $30, and I have some warm Pucci snow boots from a million years ago, so I feel set! I'm sure there will be pics to come.

* Spending our whole lives in Texas means that we never (ever) tire of seeing snow. I wonder how long I'd have to live in it myself for me not to get giddy every time anything white fell from the sky. I'd guess about 3 days. ;) Below is a picture I took when I had to travel to Chicago for work in December, which I think just goes to show how much that company sucked. Anyway, I was still a tourist, even in the snow. (It should be noted that this was pre-facebook days, before we knew for certain how horrible self shots are... and people walked in at the last minute, so it's not like I just stopped on a busy sidewalk for a self portrait. Okay, a lot of disclaimers are needed for this photo, but I share it nonetheless.)

The Queen of Versailles

I watched this documentary last night, and it was strangely enthralling. The gist is this: Filmmaker meets super wealthy, but very approachable woman who is married to the owner of the largest time share company in the world. Together they are in the process of building the largest house in the US (90,000 sq. ft., because their measly 26,000 sq. ft. property just isn't cutting it anymore). Little do any of them know that the filmmaker just happened to start filming at a pivotal time - the market crash of September 2008. What's strange is that you genuinely feel for these [former] billionaires, when in truth, what he was doing to the average person that he sold these time shares to is not much different than what the banks were doing to him. While the filmmaker still speaks very highly of the Siegels (the wife that you'll strangely love, Jackie, has attended several of the premiers), the husband is currently suing her for defamation.  While I agree that perhaps some of the camera work was shady, I feel like the family was very direct and upfront with her. It kind of reminded me of My Kid Could Paint That, in that the filmmaker started with a different idea for the movie, and then by fate, they were just in the right place at the right time for a whole new story to develop. How could the filmmaker not tell that story. [Sn: It reminds me of the Golden Girls episode where Rose is sent to report on a dog show and a masked gunman comes in. Instead of telling about that situation, she's still asking people about their dogs while they're on the ground. Oh, Rose.]

Anyway, I recommend it if you're looking for a little American Dream, money = success story/nightmare. It received rave reviews at the London Sundance last year, and can now be found on Netflix. It's thought provoking; my grandparents hit their prime in the Great Depression and WWII and always warned me about this kind of thing. They would never miss a chance to tell me about rations (as i was eating a pound of sugar with strawberries, or playing with Barbies, several of which were "identical twins" because Mom would buy me the same thing twice on accident). My grandparents had money, but never spent it, so my mom made up for lost time by buying me everything she would have wanted as a kid. Her motto is "He who dies with the most toys, wins,"  which reminds me of my favorite quotes (though there were several) in the movie. Near the beginning of the movie, Mr. Siegel is asked why he's building the biggest house in America, and he swiftly responds, "Because I can."

The "put a bird on it" craze has gone a little too far.

As though January and February aren't depressing enough with the cold, short days,* we also get an influx of black birds (called grackles) in the area. It's like straight of Hitchcock. Usually they're only around for a few weeks, but it's enough to make you consider carrying around an umbrella and bb gun for awhile. Please note below that they're on all the near cars/trucks too, and they make a horrible, frightening cackle noise.

*Okay, confession: It's actually been a lovely January this year with many days (like, almost the entire past week) in the 70's, so I can't really complain... but I choose to anyway. ;) I mean, for one thing, the sun still doens't stick around for long. Also, it means there are still insects around to bite me when I'm sitting on the patio. *shakes fist in the air* Why can't global warming be more fu-uuuuun. Serious question though: Exactly how bad would it throw off nature if we completely killed of mosquitoes? I can hardly think they're thaaaat useful. Of course, that's probably what these people thought too.  

Lunch in the Office

I hate the idea of spending a perfectly good lunch hour to eat (unless I'm meeting with friends, of course, but even then, I'd prefer to make it a happy hour). If I'm going to waste the gas to leave the office, it's going to be to go to the mall or take care of errands (true story: I have done grocery shopping while at lunch; sometimes you just have to use whatever time you have). Anyway, the point is, I usually eat at my desk.

The problem with this is that I am not a particularly healthy eater, and I've discovered that one of my biggest pet peeves in the entire world is when people comment on my food. Here's just a snippet of the multitude of reactions I've heard while chowing down at my desk:

"How can you eat that?!" [leftover pasta for breakfast]

"Was that a solid clump when you heated it up? Well, it's going to turn back into that while it's in your stomach too." [that same pasta breakfast, by a superior]

"That looks disgusting! I would never eat that!" [nigiri sushi]

"Someone's a little piggy today!" [leftover casserole for lunch, this time by a female *boss, who was also in HR* who I ever only saw consume EITHER one grapefruit OR one can of chicken noodle soup per 10 hour workday.]  

I digress.

Anyway, now if I am going to eat something really zany (like, say, McDonalds *scandalous*), I will go out and sit down and eat because it's not worth it, but I've also made it quite clear to my coworkers that I really don't appreciate their unsolicited opinions about my food, unless they want to tell me how jealous they are of my meal (which occasionally happens too, like my infamous pizza breakfasts). I have caught a few stares > open mouth > think > close mouth moments though. It makes me proud. 

Then something crazy has been happening. I've been....craving...vegetables. Don't get me wrong, this has happened before, but it's usually just during that one week of the month and then it goes away (it's like my body is slowly dying and screaming out, "IRON!!! GIVE ME IRON! And a few nutrients for god's sake!"). But this has been going on for a few weeks now -- and don't think it's some new year's resolution or anything -- it's not like I'm eating healthy, low cal salads here, but it's salads nonetheless.

My problem with eating salads has mostly been this: (1) they're usually not that much healthier than other things that somehow seem more satisfying, and (2) not every place offers spinach. I hate iceberg lettuce. Romaine/Spring mix is okay, but what's with all the hard chunks (we call them "lettuce bones" in our fam) left in the salad?! My mom always cut those out (of course, the salads we had growing up were for the beginning of the meal; never, ever did I ever see anyone eat a salad as a meal)! Oddly enough, I have actually met women that like the lettuce bones. 

Today I was eating my salad thinking about what lunatics these women must be ( ;) ), when BAM! WTF is this?! 

I'm pretty sure my mom had me picking these things out of her flower bed when I was a child. 

Anyway, I'm still trying to get used to this new craving I'm having. Who knows, maybe one day I'll buy me some fixin's and make my own.

(Juuust kidding, that will never happen.)   

Go-To Websites

I know, I know, I feel like Urban Dictionary has been around since dial up, but it can be such a mood lifter for me.

I have a particular religious zealot that's about to drive me nuts on facebook, eg:
"Curse words literally hurt my ears. I'm so thankful my mom raised me better than that!"
"I know what I'm eating today #chickfila #familyvalues"
"Do you drink? Why or why not?"

I won't even get started on all the souls she's praying for.

Anyway, after I sent my mom a thank you note for not making me a fundamentalist Southern Baptist and raising me to be a level-headed human being [I really did send her a thank you note], I went to urban dictionary to clear my head. It's here that I saw this and wanted desperately to post it on said zealot's page. But my momma taught me better than that. ;)

 

What websites cheer you up? My aaaabsolute favorites are Happy Place and Jezebel (although that one sometimes riles me up!) as well.  Also, do you ever feel bad for not being... I don't know.... like society expects you to be? I'm a female from the Bible belt, but I like some raunchy humor and booze, dammit!

Impulsive

Like every other sane human being in the northern hemisphere, I too hate January and February. It's dreary (we don't get snow, so it's just....dead), there's no holiday to look forward to, and we just had that New Year's mental breakdown of "my life has no meaning." Okay, maybe that last one is just me, but you understand; we realize that we're about to get another year older and that time is racing past us.

image of ABS from Ideeli

 

Soooo, to cheer myself up, I saw this little number on Ideeli yesterday and before I even knew what was happening, I had bought it (the internet sometimes has that effect on me). I'm certain I'll look just like that when I put it on. :| I figure I need the motivation/something to look forward to, and I know I'll get good use out of a bandeau top. I had to restrict myself after '08 and I'm only allowed one swimsuit a year. It's a hard life, I tell you. I do typically end up buying *the one* in January or February though.

Where are your favorite places to buy swimsuits? I finally swore off Target and Victoria's Secret. Target, because they're sometimes ill-fitting and I get tired of seeing every 22 year-old in the same bathing suit. Victoria's Secret has the same issue, and on top of that, one time the $40 swim top I was wearing straight up came unseamed in the front while I was sunbathing on my raft. I like to think I just put too much pressure on the poor top. *coughIwishcough* We'll see how this one turns out....it asked for actual sizes (like 2, 4, 6, 8) rather than bra or generic SML sizing. I mean... it was rather impulsive. Also, can I just rant a bit about women's sizing? The description said it was "true to size." Uuuuhm... I have clothes in about 4 different numerical sizes that all fit. That really doesn't help me, bro. Are we talking true to Gap size or Theory size or what? And dress size is sometimes different than pant size, so where does bathing suit sizing fall into all this?!?! Can we get a liiiittle consistency? And, why do women get all caught up in the number? Whether I'm a 4 or an 8, I know I didn't just lose or gain 30 lbs overnight. Who. cares. I have friends who INSIST they're always an XS, and honestly, if they'd just put on a Small (the horror!), they'd look more put together. Wear your size, folks, wear your size.

Ah, it feels good to get that off my chest. Wait, the rant, I'm not talking about the swim top again. Calm down.

Am I the only one dreaming of a tropical vacation? I really hope I can squeeze in a beach vacation this year, but....I kind of outdid myself on travelling the past two years. If I do plan something though, I plan on saving this swimsuit for then.

And now, here's some token pictures from Barbados to keep our beachin (baha! :\) inspiration:

One of many awesome beaches

Our cheap hotel, which had a great view, but apparently the "noise" that some complained about in reviews was actually an open air nightclub directly across the small road. Elaborate, reviewers, c'mon!

I petted (is that a word?) some sea turtles! Best scuba diving trip yet!

Happy MLK Day!

Mel and I fist bumpin for freedom.

I woke up late this morning. Late, as in I should have left the house 5 minutes before I actually woke up kind of late. Normally, I wouldn't mind - it happens - but last week I did the SAME THING. However, the morning last week was what I call an Alanis Morissette morning: a traffic jam when I'm already late. I did not want that to happen again. I was so relieved that I only ended up being 10 minutes late because I practically flew into work! I thought, "Wow! Everyone who's late this morning must be in a hurry too, and that's why we're all going 80!" Theeeen, I remembered: I'm the only chump who had to work today.

I haven't had MLK Day off at my last two jobs (so, going on a decade), which of course leads me to believe that the companies I work for are racists and don't believe in civil rights. (Totally kidding, but I like to tease them.)  Growing up, I always liked learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. I went to schools that were exactly 49% white, 49% black, so it hit home that I wouldn't know half of my classmates had I been my parents age (it took Texas a taaaad longer to integrate than other places). Don't get me wrong, there were definitely some tense moments too, especially in the high school years; I definitely remember some "cracker" name calling and "Kill Whitey" chanting, that we crackers would pay no mind to.

Often times I've wished that I grew up in a quaint New England town where education was valued rather than having to teach myself most of what I know (like when I signed up for my first college classes and they asked how many hours I wanted to take. "Uhm...40?" Oy.), but I do value the life and social skills that school in rural east Texas taught me. I think Dr. King would be pretty proud of what we've accomplished as a nation, even if it has taken way too long to get there and there is still improvement to be made.

Side notes:

• Am I the only one that sings "Pride" by U2 in my head when they see a picture of MLK?
• In perhaps my favorite book of all time, it's mentioned that it was a Spanish priest that had the bright idea of bringing slaves over to the Americas when the poor Native Americans started dying off. I like to remind my Catholic friends of this. ;)

Are we sure Lance Armstrong isn't behind this?

I feel like when Oprah woke up Thursday morning and heard about this, she immediately yelled "NOT ON LANCE ARMSTRONG WEEK" and slapped Stedman around for a bit.

I know quite a few ladies that have met Lance Armstrong (during the wild McConaughey days), so I've thought of him as douche for several years and never put anything past him (let's not forget this, which I consider worse than doping). I was surprised when they stripped him of his medals though. In a weird, probably telling-of-my-ethics way, I have to give it to him - he covered up his mess gooooood. And for a loooong time. That in itself is pretty impressive.

Side note: It reminds me of when I was attempting to befriend a Russian girl (we'll talk about my Russian fear later) who was about my same age. We were having dinner, and while I was really trying to figure out a polite way to ask if she was mail-order (I'm being completely serious), I made other small talk and asked her what the biggest difference between the US and Russia has been for her. She said that she was suprised by how long her shoes lasted here and liked that her soles didn't wear out so quickly. Secondly, the she "is surprised by how many Americans really believe you landed on the moon first." Heh. Heh heh. Cute. Here's the thing, I'm not saying our government *wouldn't* lie to us.... I'm just saying *if* they did, they did a good job and it's been over 40 years, so nee-ner, nee-ner.

And now we have Manti Te'o. Was it a publicity stunt he was aware of? Was it a hoax he wasn't aware of? Was it a ruse to cover up homosexuality? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS! I think my biggest question, however, is: Really, Associated Press? You don't even caaaaall Stanford? Ask any local reporters about the funeral? Really? It all makes me think of this media flub, which I blamed on the instant reporting and social media at the time, but now it really makes me wonder...

Ugh, that last link got me all thinking about Sandy Hook again. Let's all look at this to make ourselves feel better.

Crud, now I feel bad for making fun of the poor guy on the small chance he wasn't in on it and/or homosexual. Here, let's laugh at me for my dog ignoring me and thinking I'm lame JUST BECAAAAUUUUSE I was really into my show about 16th century England. There's a plague going on, Dog!

 

I Weep for the Future.

So. Here's a little backstory: I've worked two jobs pretty much my entire adult life (give and take a few spurts of quoting Chapelle's "I'm rich, biatch" whenever I got a new job, and then a few months later quoting Biggie's "Mo money, mo problems"). But, I don't have credit card (or any) debt, so....I try to tell myself it's worth it. *weeps uncontrollably*

Anyway, I just got a part time at a retail store that is pretty well known as a great place to work. We're going through our training, and we discussed phones the other night. Now, listen. I've worked in all areas - retail, restaurant, beauty shop reception, corporate world reception - and I think the max that really needs to be spent discussing the phone is 5 mintutes for a high volume place, 2 minutes anywhere else.  There were two girls in training with me, one of which works in marketing at a large well-known company, who dragged it out for like 15 minutes with no less than 20 questions that included, but were not limited to:

• "Oh, so they can ring on any of those that say 'Lines'?"
• "Wait, so you pressed the line before you picked it up? Or after?"

and the one that almost made me go postal:

• "Wait, so you can put it on hold and hang up the receiver without it hanging up on the call?!"

Yall. Really!? I just busted out laughing and upon the sweet, completely blank stares uttered, "...I'm sorry.....I just....I must be a dinosaur."

More blank, sad stares. I could see them thinking, "Why are you laughing? Do you think we're dumb? I thought this was a nice, team-friendly place?"

"Maybe...yall are used to cell phones...and I remember this from back in the day..."

One girl finally chimed in with, "No, I've worked with phones, and they're all different! I had one that hung up when it was on hold."

Me: "Mmmhmmm." I was reaaaally trying to hold it in. "Sure. I mean, I haven't ever heard of that, but I'm sure anything's possible."

I MEAN.

I'M PRETTY SURE YOU DIDN'T PRESS THE HOLD BUTTON FIRST.

REALLY!?

Those were the thoughts going on in my head. These are sweet, seemingly "smart, successful" girls. They're around 25 with a degree and "good" day job. It was then I realized that I've been answering phones in a business for NINETEEN YEARS (my parents owned businesses and I started manning the phones in middle school.). And this is where my life is.... working a part time job with girls who didn't know phone lines before Monday. Not that we don't ALL ask stupid questions, but....don't most of us usually know when we're about to have to suck it up and ask something stupid?  

Sorry if that seemed more harsh than funny - it really did just amuse the crap out of me - but I'm having one of those, "I need to reevaluate my life" kind of days, and seeing people younger than me, making similar to me with snazzier titles than me showing their idiot side just.....reaaaally drives me to drink somedays, folks.

A visual of how Columbus Day makes me feel.

via Twicsy.com, as a result of a google image search

 

 

If you're ever feeling sad for no good reason, I highly suggest looking up pictures of Kim Kardashian crying. I mean....look at that. I'm instantly cheered up! 

Columbus Day agrivates me eeeevery year.

Seriously, why, in 2012 when we know better, does this man still have a holiday? He did not discover America, nor was he a good person. I don't get it.
 
(Side note: I was recently introduced as, "Someone who can talk American history and celebrity gossip with equal enthusiasm." It's pretty much the best compliment I've ever received.)
 
Anyway, one of my favorite books is Howard Zinn’s A People's History of the United States. I don't understand why it's not mandatory reading in schools, but below are some excerpts from the very beginning of the book that get me all weepy every times.

Of the Arawak people on Hispanola, of whom estimates say there were nearly 2 million upon his arrival, Columbus wrote in his log, “They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance . . . They would make fine servants . . . With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want” (Zinn p. 1).

The Indians “are so naive and so free with their possessions that no one who has not witnessed them would believe it. When you ask for something they have, they never say no. To the contrary, they offer to share with anyone” (Zinn p. 3). In exchange for ships and supplies for a second voyage, he offered the nobility of Spain “as much gold as they need . . . and as many slaves as they ask” (Zinn p. 4).

Columbus forced all Arawaks “fourteen years or older to collect a certain amount of gold every three months. When they brought it, they were given copper tokens to hang around their necks. Indians found without a copper token had their hands cut off and bled to death” (Zinn p. 4).

“In two years, through genocide, murder, mutilation, or suicide, half of the 250,000 Indians on Haiti were dead . . . By the year 1515, there were perhaps fifty thousand Indians left. By 1550, there were five hundred. A report of the year 1650 shows none of the original Arawaks or their descendants left on the island” (Zinn p. 5).

 

And he has a federal holiday.

Color Me Rad - Ft. Worth 2012

Ran the Color Me Rad race this past Saturday in Ft. Worth. Let me tell you, I am not a runner. In fact, unless you count doing some 1 minute sprints on the trail when I'm angry and need to release the fury, the only time I run is when I'm in a mob of people for a 5K. Also, like Michael Scott on The Office, it usually makes me want to vomit (motion sickness, maybe?). However, this was an awesome 5K (for me): there were no clocks or mile markers, so I didn't have that internal self talk of "crud, I still have 2 more miles," or "Why do walkers and people with 15 children insist on starting with the first leg? Slowing. down. my time." Okay, I might have still had that last thought going through my head.

 

My boyfriend and I then spent the weekend in Fort Worth and had a great time. I actually really love Ft. Worth (but I would never admit that to the locals, of course). It's more laid back, there's still stuff to do (but it's not too big), and, unlike Dallas, the downtown is very much alive and walkable.* Also, they don't have to deal with that "Douchebag Dallas"/shallowness stereotype [it's the truth]. The place is just more genuine (and more "Texas-y" for tourists).

 

Anyway, for dinner we went to one of my favorite restaurants, Grace. It has my favorite steak tartare, and we also tried foie gras to start (don't leave me vegetarian readers! Although, it might behoove you to stop reading now so you won't hate me.).  I'd heard that foie gras just got banned in California, so of course I had to have it. Not a do over. I'm an adventurous eater, and I'm sure this restaurant did it right, but....it's not for me. It was served 3 ways: pate,  seared (the salt really made it - this was the winner of the three), and a mousse (oh dear god, help me). Guys....I'm going to say it: it tasted like animal crisco. I think if they used it as a butter and gave us copious amounts of bread, it might have been more appetizing. That said, we finished it anyway like champs. Entrees were one of the most amazing steaks I've ever had and the boy had a bass dish with clams that was also very good.

 

Tartare = yum!

Foie Gras = Well, I can cross that off the bucket list.

 *Note to other cities who want to maintain a popular downtown and good reputation in the rest of the nation: Don't assassinate a beloved president when he's visiting town. Seriously, there are newer skyscrapers and some revitalization projects, but most of downtown Dallas appears to be stuck in the 60's/70's.

Just the Two of Us....

This is me and the ol' pup, Daphne Devereaux. Just thought I'd share. :)

Uncle Sam has a way with words!

A girl I once worked with was also in the Army for few years. She just received this letter from the government, and it cracks me up:

Spring Showers (and a future vacation or two)

Umbrella via Target.com; Jacket and boots via Zappos.com

I'm suuuuch a grown-up, yall. I decided that it's time to finally buy rain boots and a rain jacket I'll actually wear. I feel like I deserve an award.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really a colorful person (although, I do get in the black and white rut sometimes, but...it's just so easy for the 8 - 5, you know), but if there's something I've learned from wearing so much color, it's that neutral accessories are my friends. You should know that I do consider olive green and dark purple neutrals, as well as hot pink. They work with so much! I still swoon over super colorful boots, though.

Here's a medley of other boots (beauts' too) from zappos.com:

One day I WILL have a yellow pair one day, although I'd really take any of these colors.



I'm normally opposed to wedge rainboots, but...these Hunters are hot.

And, a grown up pair to end it. I'd seriously wear these as real boots, even if it's not raining. They all classy and shi..tuff. ;)

Ah, that was fun. So, yeah, this shopping spree was brought on because 1) we got our first spring showers yesterday and 2) I'll be taking a trip to DC soon, and to England and Scotland later in the year, so I figured it might come in handy. Remember my dream couch? Well, it got sidelined for that overseas trip...which is during the time of the London Olympics. Make my checking account go owie.

Also, as I decided a few winters ago, I'm too damn old to be uncomfortable. I turn my heat or air up when I feel like it. I might as well invest in a rain jacket and rain boots I'll actually wear (I bought the bubble umbrella a few years ago, and it's been awesome). Here were the qualifications: For a jacket, it needed:

• a hood (sometimes the umbrella doesn't cut it)
• classic style that didn't make me look like a blob
• not black
• long enough just in case I sit down somewhere (I'm not very smart sometimes... and I've been to a few outdoor concerts in my day).

The boots were easier to figure out; I wanted something I wouldn't be embarrassed to wear to work oooor a hh.

I think I did okay, no? Also, what is it about crazy colorful rain boots that make us drool? Is it because we think that's one time we can get away with wearing pink paisley in public? Reliving our youth? Just want a pick me up from a gloomy day/time of year?

29.

Image from Google Images - This is the first picture that pops up when you search "29 years old" and that, my friends, makes me laugh hysterically.

Ah, leap year. I remember sitting with my friend watching the 2008 Olympics and saying, "Just think, the next time it's a leap year and the summer olympics are on, we'll be 30." I love the look on people's faces when I point out something horrible they've never thought of; I'm just a good friend, what can I say.

I actually really don't care about turning 30. I mean, no one likes change (I've really been relishing when I start my age with "twenty-..." lately), but it's not as scary as, say, 40 (that's always been my "scary" age; I mean that's when you either stay cool or you just turn into your mother).

Here's the problem with 29: it's felt like Sunday night for the last several months. You know what I'm talking about, when you've had a great weekend, and then it's Sunday night, and you're just sitting there dreading Monday so you can't even enjoy the rest of your weekend. Not that anything bad is going to happen Monday...maybe you even have a happy hour planned. The point is, 29 is Sunday night. For an entire year.

So, thank you leap year for giving me an extra day during my Sunday night.

Speaking of domestic skills...

This needs to go in my future suitor packet:

via Pintrest....sorry I don't know the original source!

I kill fake plants. :(

Really? This does not bode well for my domestic skills - I mean, it's bad enough that I have fake plants, but even they can't put up with me. Haha, oh well, it wouldn't have fit in with my future lottery sofa anyway.

When I win the lottery...

via crateandbarrel.com, Lounge sofa

...this will be mine. I MUST win the lottery. Here's the thing, I've wanted this couch since I bought my place; in fact, I bought my place visualizing this couch in my living room. Unfortunately, all of my furniture COMBINED (including my current beeeeiiiige sectional) wasn't as much as this sofa. COMBINED, people. I couldn't justify it then, and I just recently started to justify it when....bam! my AC unit went out on the last 100+ day last September (there were at least 70 of them). Considering my AC unit is a year younger than me (and it made it through the hottest summer ever), I can't hate. But that'll be a solid $5K this year.

And let's not forget that I also have a penchant for eating delicious food, drinking, shopping, travelling....

I need to go find my big girl panties now....must have left them in my beeeeiiiige couch. *throws temper tantrum*

Getting a little sap in here...

While being mushy isn't my thing, this is such a wonderful story I read the other day that I had to share. (It's long, but worth it.)