a dry run

Spent the weekend in CT with the fam, it was good.  

I do like hanging with my sisters, it's so good to just sit around for hours in comfy clothes eating and talking and drinking coffee and planning for the Apocalypse.

Don't tell anyone we are still planning for the Apocalypse.

John wants to do a challenge, a "dry run," if you will, where we all have to get to CT (which is part one of our plan of action) but get there as if it had really happened.  Like, no car for transportation, because obviously, the roads would be pretty impassable.  That leaves four wheelers, boats or walking.  I can't tell you my exact plan, but it involves me stealing a boat, so if I do a dry run I might get arrested.

I wonder if the cops would understand if I explained.  I mean, everyone really needs to do a dry run!  They teach kids about that with fire drills - how would we all know what tree to meet at if there was a fire if we didn't have drills?  We wouldn't, would we?

The only problem with the dry run boat stealing thing (besides impending jail time, of course) is if there was an Apocalypse that happened because of an EMP.

I know all about EMP's, trust me.  Because I am a freak like to be in the know!

In case you aren't aware, an EMP is an Electromagnetic Pulse, and it is entirely plausible that one could occur as a form of nuclear war and shut down basically everything electronic.  I made the mistake of reading this book called One Second After, and it freaked me right out, let me tell you.

Ah, maybe I shouldn't divulge my mental instability.  I don't have a panic room.

I wish I had a panic room.  But I don't.  If I did I would have candy in there. 

So anyway, how was your weekend?

random yapping

Man, it's COLD!  I have no desire to go outside today.  

Well, actually, I do have a desire to go outside today, but I will not.  When it's cold enough to freeze your nose holes together, it's too cold to enjoy the outdoors.  That's my philosophy.  I read a funny tweet that said something like - wind chills just don't translate for me. How about wind descriptions, like "microdermabrasion" and "needles in your eyeballs." I was like, um, yes.

So instead, I will roam around my house.  

I have lots to do, so much I could do.  I could organize the hoarder room.

That room is a shocking embarrassment.  Kara and my poor sister are subjected to sleep there when they come over.  Somewhere in there, there is a bed.  Pretty much the rest of it is piles.  Ridiculous piles of things I so need to purge.  A good majority are outgrown clothes, but there are also boxes of craft supplies.  Because I am a weirdo, and I cannot go into a craft store without buying stupid amounts of things that I am positive I will use one day.  Like a paper crinkler.

Because everyone needs a paper crinkler.  Obviously.

I also need to reorganize my kitchen cabinets.  Is there a phobia for fear of purging?  I have so many things that I just don't use, or multiples of things.  Like, why do you need several of the same sized mixing bowl?  For that one time when you have someone over to mix things with you?  Or 11 wooden spoons?  I mean, clearly you don't use more than one wooden spoon at a time, so why do I need so many?

The answer is, I don't.  But I have the roughest time boxing stuff up and getting rid of it.  Because I think, what if??

I think I am going to partake in a purging challenge.  Starting tomorrow!!!  Tomorrow I will lay out my plan and start.  And then I will tell you all about it.  And maybe I will like, sell stuff on eBay and make all sorts of cash and be so happy.

Or maybe the week after I donate that brown suede coat I haven't worn in three years, I will wish I had a brown suede coat...

quitter

I didn't formally make any New Year's resolutions.  Every year, I start January filled with hope of a "fresh start" and a "new beginning," and blahblahblah.  And then, I pretty much never complete anything significant on my resolution list.

It's like, you put all of this pressure on yourself to do all of the things you procrastinate about or hate, but you expect yourself to achieve these things all at once - you're basically bound to fail.  Especially if you have my personality disorder, which is a giver-upper before fail-er.  I wonder if there is an actual term for that.  Maybe I should make one up.

For the most part, I am a quitter.  I hate to fail.  But I never really recognized that giving up or quitting before failing was actually failure in itself.

I'm not sure what it would take to motivate myself to make certain changes that I really want and need to make in my life.

The thing I need to get over is that giant fear of failure.  I guess my old therapist would have said, so what if you do fail?  Who cares, really?  Besides me, anyway I guess.  But it matters if I care, right?

Right about now I am so craving some time alone.  I need to get away from responsibilities and just clear my brain.  I've been sleeping kind of sucky lately.  I need to just think and make decisions and figure things out.  Everything is hard.  I need to figure out where to go.







there's something about you
it's hard to explain
there's something inside you, boy
and you're still the same

the last word, v13

People Magazine has this feature thing on the last page of their magazine.  On the last page, they have a feature called the last word (so clever!) where a celebrity answers a few questions on some of the last things they've done.  So even though I'm not a celebrity or anything (wait. what?!), I'm going to go ahead and answer the questions.  Because, why not?

The last thing I broke was a a pair of reading glasses.  Thankfully I have a hundred cheap pairs laying all over the house, because I seem to break them all of the time.  I was sad though, because the latest pair I broke I really liked.  They were on my bed and I sat on them in the dark.  Damn it.

The last time I was scared was probably when we were recently away at this resort, and Brooke ran into the path of a car that was backing up.  It was like a slo-mo thing, and thank God someone yelled and the driver slammed on the brakes!  That was a heart on the ground kind of moment.

The last time I fought with a sibling was probably over the summer.  My BIL John and I had a loud screamy tiff one night, which is so very rare for me.  I don't fight with anyone much.  I think I won because I got an apology the next day.  That's all I will say about that.

The last TV show I watched was the finale of The Americans last night.  I decided to sort of challenge myself to watch the top ten shows recently recommended by People Magazine, and that was the first one on the list.  I ended up having to buck up and download the series from itunes because I couldn't get it on demand, but it was really great!  It's a show on FX about this couple who are Russian spies in the 80's, living as an average American family.  Kerri Russell and Matthew Rhys star in it and they're really good.  I can't wait til the next season starts.

The last day off I had was, well, pretty much every day.  I don't work.  Well, I work, but not like at a jobjob, so every day is "off" for me.  The last time I had a day off from my regular life though, like of being a mom and taking care of things at home I guess would have to be my last real solo get-away, which was to NM.  I have a couple of new get-aways in mind though, so I'll have some days off soon enough.   

The last movie I watched was Frozen, at the theater with the kids.  I liked it!  It was really cute, a good little story with some good music.  Idina Menzel played one of the parts, and her voice is amazing, so that was cool.  Victoria really liked the movie because it was set in Norway, and it reminded her of home.

words to live by

New Year thoughts and things and words to live by...

This moment is your life. – Your life is not between the moments of your birth and death.  Your life is between now and your next breath.  The present – the here and now – is all the life you ever get.  So live each moment in full, in kindness and peace, without fear and regret.  And do the best you can with what you have in this moment; because that is all you can ever expect of anyone, including yourself.

A lifetime isn’t very long. – This is your life, and you’ve got to fight for it.  Fight for what’s right.  Fight for what you believe in.  Fight for what’s important to you.  Fight for the people you love, and never forget to tell them how much they mean to you.  Realize that right now you’re lucky because you still have a chance.  So stop for a moment and think.  Whatever you still need to do, start doing it today.  There are only so many tomorrows.

Failures are only lessons. – Good things come to those who still hope even though they’ve been disappointed, to those who still believe even though they’ve tasted failure, to those who still love even though they’ve been hurt.  So never regret anything that has happened in your life; it cannot be changed, undone or forgotten.  Take it all as lessons learned and move on with grace.

You are your most important relationship. – Happiness is when you feel good about yourself without feeling the need for anyone else’s approval.  You must first have a healthy relationship with yourself before you can have a healthy relationship with others.  You have to feel worthwhile and acceptable in your own eyes, so that you’ll be able to look confidently into the eyes of the people around you and connect with them.

A person’s actions speak the truth. – You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times; but in the end, it’s always their actions you should judge them by.  So pay attention to what people do.  Their actions will tell you everything you need to know.

Behind every beautiful life, there has been some kind of pain. – You fall, you rise, you make mistakes, you live, you learn.  You’re human, not perfect.  You’ve been hurt, but you’re alive.  Think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, and to chase the things you love.  Sometimes there is sadness in our journey, but there is also lots of beauty.  We must keep putting one foot in front of the other even when we hurt, for we will never know what is waiting for us just around the bend.

So there. 

that christmas review post... part uno

So I know it was already like, two whole weeks ago, but I didn't blog at all during the break, so I need to do a little review.  So, fair warning:  long-winded holiday recap ahead.  Gratuitous family pictures included!

Christmas was really good here this year.  Really good and super hectic.  As I expected, my procrastinating caught up with me and I was wrapping gifts til 1 am on Christmas morning.  Every year I tell myself that I will get it done early, and every year I wait til the last possible minute and am really sorry that I did.  At least I didn't run out of boxes and wrapping paper, like last year!  And at least my kids are bigger now, and I don't have twenty annoying toys with 897 tiny pieces to put together while propping my eyelids open with toothpicks or anything.

Oh, but I so remember those days...

So anyway, we go to a small dinner party at my mom's house on Christmas Eve Eve.  That's pretty much adult only, and that was fun.  I like that get-together, because a few of my cousins on my Dad's side are there, and we always have a good time together.  

Mom with me, Chrissie and Amanda (The Aussies), and Ty.  Ignore my round face.

Mom always makes such a great dinner.  Basically, we sit around eating, drinking and yapping in nice clothes.  The only difference from your average sister-hang day is the nice clothes, and yummier food.  I picked Kara and her two Australian friends from the train that night, and Kara was all cranky, like a cranky traveler.  It was funny.  I didn't engage, so that was good, and we didn't argue.  I waited for her super nice apology for being moody at me before we left the parking lot.  Originally, because of her work schedule, I didn't expect to see her til the next day - I'm so glad they were able to get in earlier than expected though.  Who wants to travel on Christmas Eve?  T-Bone was all tipsy and yelled "Fuck Australia!" at the Australians.  I was thinking that might have not gone over too well, but the girls seemed to roll with it.  I think Kara gave them a heads up on excessive drinking/uncle behavior, so they weren't too offended?  I hope?

One sucky thing happened!  Like, a few days before Christmas, we got this weird heat wave, and all of the awesome snow melted!!  I was like, wtf.  I really was hoping for a snowy Christmas... those are the best kinds of Christmases!  Then I was thinking maybe we'd get a Christmas fucking miracle and a few flakes would fly, but they didn't.  Wah!  Oh well.

So Kara spent the night at Mom's house with her Aussie friends because it was just too hectic at home.  I was stressing because I really did not have enough decent space for three extra people.  Mom did though, so that worked out really well.  The next morning, they all came home to our house to get ready for Christmas Eve at my Dad's.  Though, as usual, we ended up hanging far too long at Ali's fireplace, and had to rush to get to Dad's in a timely fashion.  In my defense, Ali's fireplace is very inviting...  I tend to visit it often in the winter.  My very special chair is right by the fireplace.  It's a rather cozy glider, and they always give it up for me, which is like, the best thing ever.

We went to Dad's in the early afternoon for more eating, drinking and yapping in nice clothes, but this time presents were included!  And kids!  My Dad's wife spends like, a ridiculous amount of time in the kitchen making dinner every year, and as always, it was amazing.  I was so full from appetizers by the time dinner came out I could barely finish my plate.  I hate when that happens when great food is involved!  The kids all had fun and loved their gifts.  They are all so good and nice to be around... there are twelve grandkids, and we included Victoria (our exchange student from Norway), Javi (Ali's exchange student from Spain) and the two Aussies this year, so that really expanded the "kid" pool.  It was kind of like an international party in the living room.

Jen and Abba

Kylie requested a massive bear as a gift...

a casually yummy xmas eve dinner at Dad's house.

Anyway, Christmas Eve at Dad's house was really perfect.  I love that time with everyone.  Supposedly, Tyrone gave Dad the winning gift this year - it was a framed award that he "tracked down from the original bar in Binghampton," that was given to my Dad for being the Champion in a beer pong tournament in the Greater Binghampton area.  My Dad claims to hold that title from back in the day.  I called foul on Ty's winning gift because it didn't have a golden seal on it, even though it was signed by the "Governor" at the time.  It was definitely a fraud.

Ty's excitement over his self proclaimed win.

For the past several years, I have been the winner in gifts to my Dad, starting with the year I gave him a few old swizzle sticks that I had acquired...  It was a shocker, everyone gave me a hard time about it, but it set the stage for unique gifts to give to my Dad.  Ali was mad because I got the swizzle sticks from a house she bought from an old lady that was filled with stuff.  In my defense, she didn't care about the swizzle sticks one bit originally!  She would have just thrown them away!  I can't help it if I have an eye for interesting things to hang onto.  Anyway, my dad collects all things related to the town we live in, and a few of the swizzle sticks were from really old bars and restaurants where we live.  He loved them, what can I say?

It's very hard to maintain the status as the best gift giver of all time!  Every year I have to uphold the tradition.  I'll give it to Ty this year for his effort though, since I wasn't on my game.  I already have an idea for next year's gift though...

OK, I'm going to have to revisit this post and make this a part one of two, because I am tired of writing, which means you are probably tired of reading.  We'll pick up where we left off, but we'll start with Christmas Eve at home.  Also, I'm super hungry and I need to go get myself a sandwich before I eat my own arm.  Alsoalso, I just noticed that I am seriously lacking in the gratuitous pictures that I promised would accompany this post - sorry.  I was having trouble loading so I kind of gave up.  More in the next post, if you were disappointed.

Later bloggers!

TRAVEL San Francisco: Touristy Things to do in San Francisco

It took me nearly 40 years to get myself some good, quality time in San Francisco.  When I finally got there, I really wanted to do some typical touristy things.  I wanted to see the Golden Gate Bridge and the Ferry Building, I wanted to go to Coit Tower and Ghiridelli Square, and I wanted to see a Redwood tree.  I did all of those things and much, much more!  I still feel like I haven't scratched the surface in SF yet though, and even after a few solid trips to the Bay Area, I'm always thinking about the next visit.

So anyway, I decided to share my favorite tourist attractions in SF. 

Alcatraz - Definitely plan a visit to the notorious "Rock," where you can stand in the prison cells of notorious criminals like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly.  Surrounded by the freezing water of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz was believed to be inescapable. Get a ferry from Pier 33 to the island, and visit for either self guided or formal guided tours.  You'll walk up to the prison buildings and tour the cell block, exercise yard and other locations.  Besides being a popular tourist attraction, the island is also a historic site, and is operated by the National Park Service. Tickets during peak season can be hard to get, so plan ahead!

Coit Tower -  to get a bird's-eye view of the city, you'll want to venture to the top of Telegraph Hill, to the Coit Tower.  Built in 1933, some say the 210-foot tower resembles a fire-hose nozzle that stands as a tribute to firefighters.  You can take an elevator all the way to the top, or if you're feeling it, challenge yourself to take the nearly 400 steep steps up and down.

Ferry Building - The Ferry Building marketplace is open all week, and everything you could possibly want to eat will be there.  Amazing coffee, cured meats, burgers, biscuits, fresh seafood galore!  Try some tasty crab at Slanted Door, anything at Boulette’s Larder — it’s hard to go wrong. If you happen to be there on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, you’ll get to experience the famous farmer’s market, which is among the best in the U.S.

Fisherman's Wharf - if you're in search of food, shops, entertainment, and waterfront views, a visit to the Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 is a no-brainer.  Clam chowder in a bread bowl is a must have, or just sit and people watch as street performers of all kinds do their thing, though I've heard people complain that the street performers haven't changed in years. Either way, it's still an entertaining experience.  This is also where you'll find hundreds of lively sea lions on the marina's western docks.

The Golden Gate Bridge - The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the strait between San Francisco and Marin County. The bridge has become an internationally recognized symbol of San Francisco and CA, and is one of the most photographed bridges in the world. Its famous red-orange color was chosen to make the bridge more easily visible through the thick fog that frequently shrouds the bridge.  You can drive, bike or walk over it, and you can pretty much catch a view of it from everywhere in the city.

Muir Woods - one of my very favorite tourist attractions, Muir Woods National Monument was established in 1908 to protect a redwood forest from destruction.  The trees' ages range from 400 to 800 years, their height up to 250 feet.  It is truly a spectacular, awe-inspiring sight.  Flat easy trails loop through the groves, you can make this stop for a quick scenic walk, or hike the numerous trails for a few hours.  Tour buses routinely visit Muir Woods, or you can take a drive and park at the entrance.

Cable Cars - the trolleys operate today as more of a tourist attraction, though many residents say that they actually use them daily.  They're definitely worth the experience. They're a fun, unique ride, running between Market Street and Fisherman's Wharf. A a nice day, prepare to wait for a ride, and to get the best experience, be sure to stand on the running boards!

Lombard Street - located between Hyde and Leavenworth streets, Lombard Street is what's known as the world's "crookedest" street, though it's actually neither the crookedest or steepest in SF.  With eight hairpin turns to reduce the hill's steepness, Lombard Street has a speed limit of 5 mph, and is lined with flowered walkways -- and throngs of picture-snapping tourists. Photo ops are best from the bottom looking up. 

Chinatown - the tourist section of Chinatown is mainly along Grant Avenue, from Bush to Broadway.  There are 24 blocks of crowds, packed densely with shops, markets and restaurants.  Be sure to make a pit stop for some authentic dim-sum.  And don't miss the Golden Gate Cookie Factory, where apparently, every day, two women make over 20,000 fortune cookies by hand. 

What's your favorite tourist attraction in San Francisco?  What have I missed?

anchorman is my motivation. you stay classy, bloggers.

So I looked at my clock at like 11 something and PROMISED myself that by noon I would get off the computer and stop procrastinating and get shit done!  So far I have been on Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, BuzzFeed... basically everywhere but the places I need to be.

Last night I wrapped about six presents.

I only have 991 left to wrap!  Wahoo!!  Progress!

Seriously.  What is wrong with me?  I am never so sluggish during the holidays!  I cannot get my shit together and make it all happen this year for some reason.  It better all magically come together like some Christmas fucking miracle.  I think it will.  I have faith.  It did snow.  That's a Christmas fucking miracle, right?  Do you think it's rude to say Christmas fucking miracle?

So crap, it's already after noon.  I lied to my own self. It's practically half past noon.  I am shocked.  Shocked!  Where does the time go?!  

And on a completely unrelated note, apparently Phil Robertson made some anti-gay remarks in a GQ article and everyone in social media is having a fit about it and he is being made to take a "break" from Duck Dynasty.  I feel that it needs to be discussed but I just don't have to time to get into it right now.

At least I showered.  Maybe I will go to the mall tonight and go see Anchorman.  That will be very relaxing.  And I could really use some movie popcorn.  Here is the the deal.  If I can wrap 11 presents, I can go to the mall and see Anchorman.  That shit is happening people!  I am doing it!  Wait, if I wrap 11 presents, and order 4 presents, I am going to Anchorman!  Hold on, wrap 11, order 4 and mail 2 packages!  That is the real deal.  And go to the pharmacy.  Because I really need a refill on my prescription.  If I do all of those things, I will reward my good behavior and go see the movie I have been waiting to see all year.

OK.  Now I really do want to go see that movie.  Before I wrap, order and mail though, I better check on movie times... let me just go on Fandango.com...

really? it's wednesday again?

WTF it's Wednesday again, and here I am!  Blogging like the blogger I am!  Who knew?

I have no business sitting down in front of the computer right now.  I am currently looking at my chalkboard countdown to Christmas, and it's mocking me.  It's like " you do know that it's 7 days til Christmas, dumbass!"  

OK, it doesn't really say dumbass, but I'm sure it means it.  Because the reality is, I have only wrapped about 12 out of 997 presents so far.  And I have not made ONE Christmas cookie.  I have not mailed ONE Christmas card.  I am a massive, horrifying Christmas slacker.

In my defense, my Christmas cards have not yet arrived.  What the heck is taking them so long?!!!  At this rate, I'll be lucky if they get to people before Santa comes to town.  I feel so crappy because Victoria's picture isn't on the cards.  Maybe that makes me a bad host mom :(  The problem was that I had it done and set on Thanksgiving before she came to live with us!  On the plus side, Victoria's Christmas ball came yesterday and she hung it on the tree, so yay!  My status as a decent host mom should hopefully be restored to good standing.

Also in my defense, I am sick!  I have a dumb cold!  I totally blame Ali and her germy family.  Ali had strep throat last week and I took a picture of her germy throat with my phone, because I'm weird like that I guess.  I can't talk, my voice is all hoarse and barky.  I'm all congested and stuff.  So, wah.  It's very hard to want to get out of bed and bake and  wrap and shop til I drop when I am hacking up a lung and feeling generally junky.  Incidentally, isn't it kind of funny when you lose your voice and you have to whisper at people, they whisper back?  I kind of like that...  

And ALSO in my defense, it's snowed!  A lot!  I'm not complaining or anything, because I absolutely love a snowy Christmas season.  I love this time of year, I really really do.  It finally feels like Christmas with snow on the ground and cold, frosty weather, and red rosy cheeks.  I love it.  But.  But, snow means school cancellations and delays.  Which of course means, cramps in my shopping and wrapping style.   How in the heck am I supposed to shop for hours on end in a blizzard with kids at home bouncing around instead of snug at their desks at school?  Sheesh.

So, yeah.  I'm sitting here on the computer.  Procrastinating and looking at awkward cat gifs, bark-laughing by myself like a dummy.  Then, just to balance myself, crying til my nose runs literally to my chin at super sad restore-your-faith-in-humanity dog rescue videos.  Jeez.  Good thing my video cam isn't on or anything.  Nobody needs to see this.

Well.  I guess I should go.  I really have to make a plan of action for what is left of this day.  And I also have to play Candy Crush and Words.  Did I say that out loud?

TRAVEL: What to Bring in Your Carry-on

I'd definitely advocate for traveling with only a carry on, which helps in avoiding the long processing lines you typically wait o while checking a suitcase, and also to avoid the potential hassle of lost luggage.  However, we don't always have that option.  Packing a carry-on bag is a combination of art and science.   Your carry-on bag is the only item guaranteed to get to your final destination with you, so pack the things you'll need during the flight and any essentials that will make dealing with lost luggage easier.

Most airlines allow you to bring one personal item, such as a purse or briefcase, and one carry-on bag.  The best way to organize your carry on bag is to separate your needs into three categories: Absolute Needs, Basic Needs and Comfort Needs.

Absolute Needs are, obviously, the things that you absolutely need and could not function without if your luggage was lost in transit.  Tickets and medications are two of the most crucial items to keep in your carry-on.  This includes prescription medicine or medical supplies, travel documents such as drivers license, passports, boarding papers or tickets and confirmation details for flights and accommodations.  A phone charger is also typically a necessity.

For your Basic Needs, it's wise to pack a change of underwear, a simple outfit and something to wear to bed in case your luggage doesn't make it to your destination.  Of course you can buy clothing as needed, but having the basics helps tremendously while you are trying to track down your lost suitcases. I also pack travel sized toiletries, such as deodorant, toothpaste, soap, etc, and a small makeup bag for freshening up.  Valuables, such as jewelry, money, money orders, electronics and headphones should also be in your carry on to avoid theft.  

As for Basic Comforts, knowing that you cannot control the temperature on a plane, and you can't predict whether your flight is going to be overly warm or overly chilly, a jacket or sweatshirt is wise to bring along. A light blanket or pillow is also nice to pack to help you keep comfortable during the flight. In preparation of potential boredom, pack these items for entertainment: a book or magazine, an iPod for listening to music (or for drowning out crying babies or noisy seat-mates) a few light snacks, water and gum.

Consider the length of your flight, and how long you'll be away when packing your carry-on. You most likely won't be served a meal. A few of your favorite snacks will make a long flight more enjoyable. The longer your flight, the more books, magazines and electronic equipment you'll probably need to pass the time. It also helps to be familiar with the security regulations for transporting liquids and potentially hazardous items. With careful planning, you can avoid baggage fees and have a more enjoyable travel experience both in flight and on arrival.