updates on what the hell has been keeping me so damned busy

As we're already on the 2nd day of November, I thought it might be nice to update my goals for the year. Here's the status report:

Financial Goals:
Only keep a balance on one credit card
> this is going well, haven't had a balance on more than one card at all this year
Lower credit card balance to at least $x by January 1, 2010
> I'm on track to complete this goal and successfully pay off all credit card debt before July 2010
Pay off Student Loan 1 by January 1, 2010
> this loan was paid off in October 2009
Contribute monthly to savings account to cover non-monthly budgetary expenses
> I've been doing this, and have had to tap into it for some unforeseen repairs and other expenses
Cut expenses
> I need to up my vigilance on this one. Since my "promotion" at work I've been putting in more hours and haven't been as good about eating at home when picking up carry-out is oh so easy. However, I have been good about my coupon usage
Raise income
> Due to the amount of hours going in at work, this is no longer feasible

Professional Goals:
Continue taking advantage of all applicable training sessions
> not many trainings offered lately, but I have attended all opportunities
Build and maintain professional network
> not much has been done to further build my network, but I have continued to maintain what I already have
Apply myself to outperform in current role - be indispensable
> this is going well, and I contingue to take on more work, which is good for the employer, not so good for my social life and relationship. Now the key is to find some sort of balance
Complete thesis
> this is coming along in spurts.

Relationship Goals:
Do not interrupt, over-share, or compare experiences
> I remind myself of this goal on a daily basis, I'm not sure I'm completely reformed yet
Be supportive, but also share caution when necessary
> this still requires daily concentration, but I think the man and I are on the same page on a lot more issues now
Spend more time w/, or communicate more w/ family and friends
> Another area where work has been screwing my my time and or desire to spend time away from home. Need to work on this as holidays are fast approaching
Reach out to others more
> blood donation on a 6-week rotation is going pretty well and the man and I have been spendign more time helping out his grandma (who is recovering from surgery)

Personal Goals:
Keep a tidy house
> a constant battle, but I never feel like the house is "dirty." More work is being done on weekends than during the week, but that's okay
Make time for fun, don't schedule life to the minute
> Not doing well here
Make physical and mental health a priority
> This is fabulous - I joined a gym and have been making progress in regard to lessening some of my daily pain. Also, have been working on ways to lower daily mental stress, though I'm not entirely pleased with the way that is going right now
Minimize stress
> Still not going as well as it could/should be
Celebrate success
> eh...not sure I have a whole lot of energy for this one and I haven't felt like I've had many successes lately
Don't be over-critical or take myself too seriously
> Judging from my answer immediately above, this isn't going so well
Live in the present - don't fret about those things outside of my control
> somehow have bypassed the present and am more interested in living for the future right now
Train myself to sustain myself
> it seems harder to do things locally when I'm as busy as I've been, but I'm still making an effort in any way I can

Also, I've crossed a couple things off my goals for the age of 28:
Throw a big party
> I had a birthday party/Halloween party for the man (who just turned 39 on Friday)
Fix the ding in my windshield before it cracks
> done and done
Make at least one home-cooked meal per week...
> I've been doing this quite well and even more frequently than once per week
Commit to cardio 3 times each week
> I've bettered this and am doing 30 min. per day, a minimum of 5 days per week
Read at least 10 books...
> This is going well, though most of the books are about adopting retired racing greyhounds

All in all, I'm happy with my progress and now that winter is knocking on my door I know I need to buckle down and get some shit done!

something occupying my brain...often

You may be wondering what I’ve been doing to pass the time lately. The first answer is work. The second answer is continued work on my thesis. The third answer is that I am officially obsessed.

I cannot say that I have ever really had a full-fledged obsession before, now that I actually think about it. I have really liked and or wanted things before, but never have I felt some sort of compulsion toward action that has been a daily consideration. Now, however, I have one (as you will see by what promises to be an extremely long post).

I am obsessed with the thought of adopting a retired greyhound. Not necessarily a widespread obsession, I realize. However, since visiting Dubuque with the man’s family and seeing the racetrack at the casino where we had lunch, I can’t seem to get the idea out of my mind.

It isn’t that I necessarily am disgusted by the concept of dog racing. I understand that it is a sport that doesn’t intend for dogs to be mistreated or harmed. These dogs are bred to run, built to run, love to run. However, they are sprinters and only run in very short bursts and then often spend the rest of their time in crates. After they’ve reached their retirement age or are no longer able to run up to the demands of their “profession,” they are either sent to an adoption center or sometimes euthanized.

The part of the racing industry that I despise is the treatment of these dogs as commodities. They are not “pets.” They are professional athletes, but without all the bling and casual sex. They are trained to race and not given attention that would interfere with that training. When they are washed up, they don’t retire and buy a few car dealerships or restaurant franchises like many professional athletes do, they are left homeless and without purpose. Agencies have been around for decades that seek to find these retired racers new homes where they can live out their retirement with a “family.” In my research of greyhounds and greyhound racing, I’ve been in contact with an area chapter of the GPA (Greyhound Pets of America) and have had the opportunity to speak with foster “parents” and “parents” of some of these dogs, and have even met a couple of these retired dogs (shout out to Pirate Pete and Queenie).

These interactions with the GPA and the dogs have further cemented in my mind that this type of dog would be good for us, and we would also be benefiting a cause and helping an animal that needs us. If you have read about our cats and how we came to “find” them (or how they came to find us, rather), you know that we are suckers for animals that need homes.

I don't just want another dog because of a desire to help animals. I have a feeling that something positive can come out of us adding to the family. Jammer is fully the man's dog. I have the cats, but they could ultimately take or leave us and let's face it, they're cats and can't be companions outside the house. I want a dog that is my dog, that will bond with me and that I'll be able to take on walks. (Note: Jammer hates going on walks where a leash is required, and thus our "walks" take place around the yard.) That is a selfish reason, but I don't care. Unselfishly, I do think that the addition of another dog to the household would be helpful in treating Jammer’s separation anxiety while we are at work (even though I have reservations about how she'll react).

We've talked about different breeds of dogs for a couple years and what type of dog we'd like. After mulling over options, we had decided to go with a rescue dog or a dog from the shelter. Personally, I’ve always had an affinity toward hounds. I grew up with a bluetick hound (Chance) and a redbone hound (Hondo) and have been in love with all types of hounds for years. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why a number of the hunting breeds would not work for me or my lifestyle. I thought the greyhound would be another breed of dog to add to that category until I conducted more research. The breed is not hyperactive and is often referred to as the 40 mile per hour couch potato. This means that while the dogs are super-fast, they prefer to lounge and can sleep up to 18 hours per day. They shed very little and can be left alone while their people are at work without problem. Many of them have no problem with cats and/or other dogs. They love to go on leashed walks (and have already been leash-trained during their racing days). All in all, this is a breed that would definitely work with our lifestyle.

The man hasn’t come with me to visit the dogs or to speak with the agency. This is not because he doesn’t support the idea of adoption, but rather he knows that he would fall in love with the idea and that we are not yet prepared to take the next step (applying for adoption). I, too, understand that we aren’t ready for this and that it may be quite some time before we can take that next step.

One of my major concerns (that no amount of research can put to rest) is that Jammer (our Australian Shepherd) would be the reason why we could not bring another dog into the family. She is going on 9 years old and is not a fan of us bringing other dogs into the house, even for a visit. She enjoys the company of other dogs outside of our home, but is quite territorial about dogs invading what she considers to be her space. With her aggressive behavior toward other dogs in those situations, I’m not sure a home visit (which is a required phase of the adoption process) would be successful. It may end up that we can help to mellow Jammer out via spaying, but if that doesn’t work we may have to wait until she’s no longer with us to adopt a greyhound. This could be between 3 and 8 years, given the life expectancy of Australian Shepherds. (It saddens me to even think about not having her around and even to type the words 'life expectancy.')

To make this long post even longer, I’m not sure that this is going to be a short-term goal, but I’m doing everything I can to make sure that it is a possibility.

The best-case scenario would play out as follows: I’ve become very solid in my belief that the roommate will be moving out next summer. If this were to occur, we would have more space in the house and could ultimately have enough room to have an additional dog. In addition, we wouldn’t have to worry about him being a dickbag about a new pet. Secondly, if Jammer calms down after we get her spayed, the concern about her reaction would be alleviated. Given the first two things happening according to plan, we would make a few modifications around the house (like the addition of a fenced in area of the yard) and then begin the adoption process.

I’ve not come into this obsession in a fly-by-night fashion. I’ve been reading books and doing research on the greyhound breed and have read about what to expect from adopting a retired racing greyhound. Two more books on this subject are on reserve at the library and I plan to read them over the weekend. I’ve spoken with other people who've adopted greyhounds about the good, bad, and ugly parts of adopting. I’ve mulled this over for over 4 months and have still come to the conclusion that this is a good step for us.

In what has seemed like a dismal and depressing few months in terms of my career and an overall feeling of fatigue in regard to my social life, this interest in greyhounds has kind of pulled me out of my funk and has given me something to look forward to. I am not holding my breath, but I am keeping my fingers crossed.

what i'm listening to these days

I've been listening to a lot of Neko Case lately. She has a really soulful voice and a alt-country vibe. Here's a live performance of one of my favorite songs, "Prison Girls."



Enjoy.

making headway as i settle into 28

Things I've already done while 28 years old...granted, it has only been a few weeks.

• join a gym - I've been a member since September 1, and I love it
• whole-heartedly commit to daily exercise (work out at least 4 days a week - no ifs, ands, or buts) - this has been difficult, especially the getting up and going at 4:45 am, but I've done it a minimum of 5 times per week...and I even exercised while in Michigan visiting my brother and his family
• go to Ikea - I did this while visiting family in Michigan, oh how I love the Swedes and their clean lines
• visit my nephews and the new baby at least twice - I did this once already
• go to some sort of professional development that I actually find useful - I've signed up for 2 professional development conferences, though I'm only confident that one will be useful
• make a calendar for our family members - it will be funny, the man and I have discussed it for a couple years - the process has begun, I've already begun w/ the photos
• send/give thank-you cards for each gift given - so far, so good
• make the transition away from having a roommate - I have already broached the topic w/ dickbag roommate and looks like the one-year deadline will be manageable (keep in mind that dickbag roommate is a pathological liar and the laziest person I've ever encountered)

random question thursday

After a long hiatus, here's another random question Thursday. What habit would you like to pick up? Not end.

For example, I would like to stop picking at my fingernails when I'm bored/nervous/etc. - that is not what I'm asking. I want to know what habit you want to start and keep going.

The habit I've picked up is exercise. I've been exercising with some semblance of regularity for the past 6 or so months. However, I am not an evening/night person and exercise after work just feels like more damned work to me. With the additional hours going in at my real job, looking at the weights and exercise videos/equipment after I get home and make us dinner is not really tempting at all. Then, I feel guilty for not having worked out. No more.

I've now gone to the gym 7 of the past 8 days and am well on my way to establishing this as a habitual action. Getting up at 4:45 AM is not at all pleasant, but it is a lot better than trying to sneak in a workout after I'm already exhausted. So far so good. I've committed to going to the gym for at least 45 minutes each day Monday through Friday. Weekends are optional. If I do decide to extend my one-month free trial into an actual full-blown membership, I'll be able to go to a closer gym on the weekends free of charge.

In addition to the trial period, I was also able to get a free session with a personal trainer. This was eye-opening for me and I wish I had done this all much sooner. I now have a weekly exercise plan and have come to the realization that I can do this and I can do it without a whole lot of pain.

I feel like my stress levels are more manageable and that I have more energy throughout the day. I'm going to admit that I'm sore, but not so much so that it is affecting my life any more than on an average day before I took on this habit.

so that was 27

I turn 28 on Sunday. 28. 28 seems so old, yet so young at the same time. I don't know if I had hoped to have accomplished more by now, or different things, but somehow it seems like I need to pick up the pace. I don't know why or what I'm working toward. I think I must be vain. But, to be honest, I don't look much different than I did at 23, so I don't know why this has affected me so much.

Much of the issue is that I somehow completely forgot about my birthday until about two weeks ago. Even my 10-year high school reunion didn't seem to cement the thought in my head...other than, "wow, all of those poor people are at least 28 if not older, ha!" Well, less than a month later, I'm on the verge of joining them in their (gulp) late twenties.

If I could go back to my early twenties, there are definitely a handful of things I would do differently. I'd be more diligent. I wouldn't procrastinate. I would re-think that one guy and maybe a couple years of wasted time. However, those things got me to where I am now. Ultimately, despite the suck of my job from time-to-time (aka most of the time), I'm happy. I am head over heels (still) with my boyfriend, who feels the same way. We have three pets, even though I'd like to toss one of them out the window at least once each day, I love them and am lucky they have chosen to keep us company. I have a lazy-ass, worthless, dickbag piece-0f-shit roommate +1, but they give us something to gripe about, so that is something. I'm making progress in my career, even though I'm not sure I'm going the right direction. I have my health, for the most part, a new haircut, and a brighter outlook than I did when I was in my mid-twenties. Things are good. Yet, 28 is still 28.

So, in an effort to push clear my thoughts, to push out the uglies and to get down to the optimism, I've come up with a list of 28 things I will do while I'm 28. These are not things I want to do, these are things I will do between August 30, 2009 and August 30, 2010. I am going to double-up on some of my new year's goals and my life list, but hey, I am realistic and 28 things is a lot, I might as well multitask. I make the rules. That is very adult of me, don't you think?

Here goes (in no particular order):

1. paint the living/dining room
2. throw a big party
3. read 10 books of my own choosing
4. bake an apple pie from scratch, including the crust
5. plant that big ol' vegetable garden I keep pining for
6. finally hang the curtains in the living/dining room
7. take a "family" photo in a snowstorm
8. get another tattoo (or two)
9. join a gym
10. whole-heartedly commit to daily exercise (work out at least 4 days a week - no ifs, ands, or buts)
11. pay off my credit card debt
12. go to Ikea
13. finish my thesis, get it conferred, shut the book on that damned project
14. visit Kristen in Door County (before she finds a fabulous new job and leaves)
15. fix the ding in my windshield before it cracks
16. make at least one home-cooked meal each week, regardless of the roommate's whereabouts
17. get new tires for the car
18. visit my nephews and the new baby at least twice
19. go to some sort of professional development that I actually find useful
20. cardio - even though I despise it, I will do cardio at least 3 days per week (my cardiologist and my physical therapist will finally be happy)
21. complete the landscaping around the perimeter of the house
22. make a calendar for our family members - it will be funny, the man and I have discussed it for a couple years
23. take another college class
24. send/give thank-you cards for each gift given
25. six-pack abs, or something close to that without being too manly
26. write to my grandmother at least once per month
27. make the transition away from having a roommate
28. complete three NaBloPoMo month-long blog runs

Whew, looks like I'll be busy. Goals are fun!

what amounts to quite a good 4th of july

The man didn't have to work yesterday, which was a wonderful surprise. Another surprise was that he had today off from work as well. This never happens, where we get to spend a couple full days together. It is times like these that remind me of why we are together - the time we spend together is effortless and relaxing, and all around wonderful.

To celebrate our togetherness after over two weeks of barely having time to nod in one another's direction, the man and I went out last night for the first time in a very long time. We went to a movie, hit up a couple local bars and didn't come home until bar time. All in all, we welcomed the 4th of July with a ton of merriment and then crashed, sleeping in until 10 am. And...another wonderful thing...no hangovers. I'd say the night was a success.

We've taken advantage of the new patio chairs I just purchased from St. Vincent de Paul's (6 for $33.00), two of which are on our balcony and already have new cushions. The other four still need cushions, which I'm adding to my to-do list for the week. I'd like to get them done before we have company over next weekend. Here's hoping that I won't have a bunch of late work nights this week so that I have time to prep the house for the "mother-in-law's" arrival mid-week.

Now, back to the balcony. Have a safe and happy Independence Day.

red rabbit

This is a wonderful short animated film by Egmont Mayer. I know the screen shot looks a little dirty, but this is by no means racy. Definitely worth a few minutes of your time to watch:

Red Rabbit from Egmont Mayer on Vimeo.

random question thursday

If you could live in any home on the big (movies) or small screen (TV), which home would it be and why?

I'd live in the house from The Incredibles, hands down. It is a mid-century modernist's dream. Yes, I know it is animated, but it is gorgeous. The furniture styling is authentic, and there was obviously an effort to make the home truly mid-century. Here are some photos:

I love the 60s architecture, the furniture, the paint colors, the accessories, the kitchen. It was hard to find good screen shots, because most of the house scenes are at night, and obviously most of them are just background shots for the actions of the characters. There are enough to note that every piece was intentional.

What about you? What is your cinematic dream home?

july 2009 goals

Yesterday marked the official end of my June National Blog Posting Month. I didn't quite make it, but I'm still pretty proud of getting 30 posts up in 30 days, whether they occurred one each day or not.

As promised, here's my list of goals for July 2009:

• finish coffee table project (leftover from June)
• reorganize paper files (leftover from June)
• exercise (in some form) every single day in June - I want to be active on a daily basis, as I know work will be stressful with added responsibilities and home will be less homey with multiple visitors and the man working most weekends. I need an outlet to get rid of my negativity, and I am thinking amping up my exercise again will help.
• reorganize closets/storage - I'm doing this in a continued effort to simplify my life.
• go through the house and donate items to charity - clearing out the closets will make this easier.
• read a few books on feng shui and institute some of the practices in my home - see, all the goals are coming together.
• plan a weekend trip with the man - maybe camping, maybe a B&B somewhere, I'm not sure yet.
• buy a wedding gift for my friend Pam
• enjoy some sort of cultural outing (Concerts on the Square, a museum, a play, etc.)
• redo my budget

And there you have it, my list of goals for July. Nothing too heavy, but enough to keep me busy. I'm sort of bummed out that the man has to work most of the weekends this month, but I keep reminding myself that I have plenty to do on my own. Here's hoping that all of the extra hours we've been putting in lately creates some good karma. I'm just throwing this out into the universe: we could definitely use a little more cash and one fewer roommate. Take that as a hint, universe.

june goals update

Well, here's the update on my June 2009 goals:

• get a library card - DONE
• read at least one new book - DONE
• finish my coffee table project - I made absolutely no progress on this due to the hot, humid weather. I couldn't stain the coffee table out of fear that it would not dry
• prepare the guest bedroom for the "mother-in-law" - DONE
• paint the kitchen - DONE
• plant vegetables and finish my flower beds - DONE. I even went so far as to make new beds and mulch all of the existing beds
• take all of my use-or-lose vacation time - DONE. I have a little time left, but I am not concerned about it
• go to the farmer's market at least three times - DONE
• reorganize my paper files - not even attempted
• find/purchase a bridesmaid dress - DONE. I bought not one, but two dresses that could be worn to the wedding.

All in all, 80% isn't bad. It is above average, a passing grade. Still, there is room for improvemtn. I'll add the two remaining goals to my July list and we'll go from there. I'll be back tomorrow with my goals for July. Now, I'm off to watch The Cleaner and then it is bedtime. I'll have my 40 hours in by Thursday at 12:30 pm. This is proving to be a long and demanding week, despite the fact that I have Thursday afternoon (potentially) and Friday off due to the Fourth of July holiday.

one more day

I've almost reached the end of my NaBloPoMo posting for June. I've come close, but haven't quite posted every day. I'm thinking that I won't attempt again until the winter time, when I have less to do and more time on my hands. But for now, I think I've done pretty well.

I'll post more tomorrow about my goals for July and how I've done in terms of accomplishing my June goals. Unless I can add another 50 hours to tomorrow, I won't be able to get everything done. Still, I'm pretty happy with what I've accomplished this month, given all of the stuff going on at work and at home.

I'm going to go to bed now. An 11-hour day at work today and two 12+ hour days tomorrow and Wednesday are already making me tired, irritable, and on edge. Not enough beauty sleep in the world to remedy that combination, I'm afraid.

quick question

Why is it that no one seems to think it odd that Michael Jackson JUST died and images of him dressed up as a zombie dancing around are plastered all over the TV? The man is dead and we delight in watching him pretend to be the living dead. Not sure that sits well with me.

new from better than ezra

I'm excited to finally be able to view YouTube videos from my home internet connection without having to wait 1/2 hour for them to buffer.

I am also excited to pick up Better Than Ezra's new album, now in stores. I have liked this band since high school and they haven't had a hit in a few years, but I still like them nonetheless.

Here's their latest video, for the song "Absolutely Still." I'm not too impressed with the production value, but the song is good. It fits their formula and isn't too much different than their other music. I find their music comforting and it always seems to fit my mood, whether I'm happy or sad. I guess the concept is, if it isn't broken, don't fix it. I'm sure they'd be happy with another hit though.

passings

The world is a buzz of discussion and memories after the deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett yesterday. It was no surprise that the former Charlie's Angel and The Burning Bed star was near the end of her life, but that was not the case for Michael Jackson. The King of Pop was slated to have a career renewal (or so was his hope, I suppose) by launching a number of tour dates. He was only 50 years old, too young for a heart attack.

I can't help but feel a twinge of pain for the death of a musical icon and one of the most entertaining performers of my lifetime. I feel pained for the loss of that part of Michael Jackson. I cannot help but think, though, that there are some people who find the death of this man to be a relief. Whether you think he was guilty of child molestation, or at least poor judgement, I believe that more than one individual feels victimized by this man and that they are feeling a sense of relief from his passing.

I'm not sure what events took place, but I do know that over a decade of Michael Jackson's life has been tainted by the stigma that he is an abuser of children. This might be because of actions, and it may be because of rumor. I hope that his children can live a normal life and free themselves of the negative rumblings that surrounded their father. I hope they can find peace and become well-adjusted, despite their seemingly odd upbringing. I hope that all the rumors were wrong and that Michael Jackson was a wonderful father to his children. I don't know if that is the case.

All I do know is that the world lost a talented musician and entertainer, and that is the part of him that I will be grieving today as I listen once again, to "Smooth Criminal."

random question thursday

What is the one thing you would like to change most about yourself?

This doesn't need to be a physical trait, but could be one. It could also be an aspect of your personality or something else that makes you who you are. This isn't what your other, your parents, your workmates, or your friends would change about you: it is the thing about yourself that if you changed, you would be happier as a whole.

I know what mine would be right off the bat. It isn't looks-related, doesn't have to deal with money or relationships, and isn't even about work. It is about my debilitating fear of failure. If I could change one aspect of my Trishness, it would be to stop worrying and being so damned afraid of not living up to my potential all of the time.

My fear of failure sometimes keeps me from trying new things because I'm petrified of not doing well. This fear is what often leads to my procrastination. It is also tied to my fear of commitment. I'm afraid of committing to something and not having it work out.

I've been trying to push out of my comfort zone, and in many ways this new position at work is making me do that even more than I want to with all of the added responsibility. Of course, with that added responsibility leads to more fear and worry, worry about how it will affect my relationship with the man for example. I need to stop this cycle of worry.

Exercising more has helped stave off the worrying a bit. It allows me to turn off my brain for long enough to experience some semblance of much-needed calm.

Now that you know what I'd change, think about yourself...what would you change about yourself?

put the lime in the coconut

It is hot...again...do you know what would be delicious right now? Pina coladas. That's what. If you are wanting one as badly as I am, here is a recipe:

1 1/2 oz light rum

2 oz Coco Lopez® cream of coconut

2 oz pineapple juice

1 cup crushed ice

Pour rum, cream of coconut and pineapple juice into a blender with one cup of crushed ice. Blend until smooth, and pour into a collins glass. Garnish with a slice of pineapple and a maraschino cherry, and serve. Be sure to add a paper umbrella and possibly wear a lei...or get laid, I suppose.

too hot to think

The heatwave spreading through the Midwest has been having various effects on the population. The concrete is exploding on the highways. People are sweaty and cranky and likely committing crimes. Tempers are flaring and it is difficult to focus. I'm one of the lucky ones who gets to work in an air conditioned building. For that I am grateful.

I'm also grateful that I am able to type this message and not worry about my internet connection disconnecting mid-post. As I write this I am sitting on my couch working quickly on the internet thanks to the aid of my lovely new provider. It is wonderful. Now that I can work on my computer without being tethered to my office I get to take in various views around the house. Right now I have the scenic view of the Cat Named Jack lying on his back, baring his no-longer-existent balls to the air conditioning being circulated by the ceiling fan directly above him.

What a wonderful way to spend a steamy June evening.

happily ever after?

I'm at a point in my life where I have friends who are running the gamut of relationship milestones. I have friends who are dating (online and otherwise), friends who are happily coupled, friends who are getting married, friends who are newly married, friends who are unhappily coupled, and friends who are breaking up. All of these people are in different places in their relationships, but it is safe to say that they will each at some point (if they haven't already) experience disappointment. Some of the disappointments are small, others become deal breakers.

All in all, however, everyone is doomed to get to a point where some of the shine wears off newly-found love and we have to accept that most things don't end in "happily ever after" and that relationships take work. Sometimes the work isn't worth it, sometimes it is. I am one of the happily coupled people amongst my friend base, but I'm also a realist. The man and I have had our share of ups and downs, and we are in a pretty steady upward trend right now. All I know is that both he and I are happy with one another and are willing to do whatever we must to stay together. We have similar goals and we are realistic: we know that our relationship isn't always going to be all sunshine and rainbows.

I came across this article/photo project that features princesses from a number of Disney stories. The photos show what our favorite fairy tales look like when "The '...happily ever after' is replaced with a realistic outcome and addresses current issues." I've decided to post my favorite:

Go here to check out the rest.

let's panic!

This is a great new site called Let's Panic About Babies! It is an extremely snarky, not-at-all-informational, witty, and terribly funny website about pregnancy and babies in general. It is for people who have babies, people who don't want babies, people who hate babies, people who can't stand to look at babies, people who love babies, and people who tolerate babies. I think that everyone falls in at least one of those categories.

Go check it out, it is definitely good for a laugh.

awaiting the arrival of cricket - potential internet savior

So, you may have noticed that I didn't post this past weekend. My shoddy internet connection via my phone can be thanked for that. Actually, my phone hasn't even been receiving calls with much success over the weekend so there is going to be some customer service dealings going on today after work. In the meantime, I feel the guilt of not posting for a couple days so I will post three times today to make up for it.

In optimistic news, my Cricket broadband modem etc. is supposed to arrive sometime today. The bad news is that a signature is required and I am doubtful that anyone will be home by the time it shows up. My hope is that the man will get home early to receive the package from FedEx, but if my morning was any indicator of my luck for the day, I would sooner expect the apocalypse than anything going my way.

Count this as post #1 of my guilt-induced triple play.

another anniversary

The man surprised me with an anniversary gift last night. Both the gift and the anniversary were a surprise. We don't have an actual anniversary date, but whenever we feel the need or want to do something out-of-the-ordinary, we use our anniversary as the reason. This way we can have multiple, spontaneous anniversaries throughout the year and there is no real date to remember or forget.

Last night I came home from work (late, for the upteenth time in a row) to find this beauty waiting for me in my garage space:

It is a convertible garden cart that can be pulled with the handle like a wagon, or can be converted to be pulled behind the lawnmower. It is wonderful and glorious and one of the best (if not the best) anniversary gifts I've ever gotten. No, it isn't conventional, but we are not conventional people.

The man's friend went along with him to get a present for me. His friend asked where, and was more than a little surprised to hear "Farm and Fleet" as the response to the question. This friend went so far as to try to convince the man to buy something different, something that I might actually like. The man knows me well enough to know that at this point in our financial lives, a usable gift is much more appreciated than something unimportant (like jewelry, for example). I spend at least ten hours a weekend outside puttering around the yard, so this is a most thoughtful gift. This cart is going to be much more Trish-friendly than my current wheelbarrow.

The timing is sort of funny, because although we had talked about getting Cricket wireless internet a while back, it hasn't entered conversation in quite some time. I was planning on it being an anniversary surprise for the man, but he got me first.

I love my gift and I love my boyfriend. I can't wait for the next anniversary.

random question thursdays!

The man is always exasperated with me because I ask a lot of random, out-of-the-blue, how-the-hell-did-I-even-think-of-that questions. A lot. Enough that he just looks at me a certain way while shaking his head and I know that there are probably only a handful of humans on earth who would know the answer to that question.

Anyway, in honor of this particular personality trait I am instituting "random question thursdays." When I post on a Thursday, the post title will be a question, to which...

1. I will research and attempt to provide an answer with the post,


2. I will ask hoping that someone will comment with an answer or link to an answer


3. my readers (hello to my few readers! holla!) will find the question interesting to ponder


4. the question will spark an interest in my readers to ask others.

Today's question fits into the second, third, or fourth category listed above. Feel free to comment - I won't bite!

If you could only take with you the amount of items that would fit in the trunk of a car, what would they be? (The rest would be gone forever.)

Here's my list (thank god my little Fifi is a hatchback):

• the pets (Jack [cat], Jammer [dog], Rue [cat])


• my grandmother's class ring


• the little, thimble-sized doll my neighbor gave to me and asked me to keep forever


• my laptop (a lot of stuff stored on there!)


• my fire-proof box (includes backup drive with all of my photos, passport, other vital information)


• a change or two of clothes


• my favorite sandals in the world - which I believe have been discontinued

That's all I've got for now, pretty much everything else could be replaced and most of my stuff doesn't have any sentimental value.

do crickets chirp?

I have written before about the awful state of Internet access at my house. We cannot get DSL because we are the only house on our road and it isn't worth it for AT&T to extend coverage for one household. Note: AT&T are bastards and have continuously screwed me over the years with their buyout of Cingular and so on and so forth. But enough about that.

I've been using my cell phone as a modem for the past few months and it is very slightly better than dial-up, but drops the connection a lot and doesn't allow me to use my phone while online. Also, it drains my phone battery quite quickly so the most I can hope for is 45 minutes of online use before my full battery is drained. 45 minutes isn't very long when you consider the amount of time it takes for a page to load. Working from home is next to impossible.

After reviewing my finances for the billionth time, I've decided to bite the bullet and upgrade to Cricket broadband, which boasts a stellar signal in my area. I made the purchase last night and hope to be reaping the benefits of the service by early next week. It should only cost me about $10 extra each month and I think I can move around some expenditures and trim enough that this is feasible. Plus, if things work out as hoped, the man has agreed to purchase a wireless router so that we can both utilize the Internet access at the same time (he's hoping he can use his Xbox 360 online with the router).

Oh, to be able to speedily do anything online from home. That would be a joyous event.

june 2009 - two weeks in

It has been two weeks since I set out on my June 2009 goals. These are in various stages of completion:

• read at least one book (pending)
• finish my coffee table project (haven't really begun yet)
• plant vegetables and finish my flower beds (pending)
• prepare the guest bedroom for the "mother-in-law" (pending - it is pretty close)
• go to the farmer's market at least three times (haven't gone at all yet)
• reorganize my paper files (kind of scared to start this unless I have a few solid hours to complete it)

I still think I can get everything finished before the end of the month and undoubtedly will add additional projects along the way. I'm getting kind of interested in feng shui, but have not pursued that yet. I'll be picking up a book about it tonight at the library. It's safe to assume that this will spur additional projects.

i love it, but not enough that a restraining order is warranted

I know that I have mentioned how much I love the FX show Burn Notice before. Well, this is one of the songs that is played in the advertisements for the show. I love it, but I kept forgetting to google it. Today it popped up on my Pandora station. (You can check out my work station by clicking on the link in the nav bar to the left of the posts.) Oh, Pandora, what had I done all of those years before you? I guess I had to remember things and make an effort. Thank God I don't have to do that anymore.

Go here for the video for "Hang Me Up To Dry" by the Cold War Kids. I can't embed the video because it is the "official" version and the folks at Universal are apparently bastards.

it was good while it lasted

I have to go back to work tomorrow. It is only 9:30 PM, which is my general bedtime on weeknights, and I'm mourning the end of my vacation time for June. I have a few hours left to take before the end of the fiscal year (July 1), but I won't be taking any more full days off. Not to mention that I have a major project to finish up and have out of my hands before the end of the month. And that there is potential for a shitload more work to be heading my way once the new fiscal year hits. This is going to be one whirlwind of a summer.

Next weekend is my town's summer festival, which the man and I always attend (I'm looking forward to the pancake breakfast more than the beer tents, to be honest). My parents are visiting in two weeks, but only for a couple days maximum. Two weekends in July will be spent at weddings. The man's mother is visiting for three weeks in July. I am looking forward to seeing her, but the prospect of sharing our space with another person for three whole weeks is making my blood pressure raise every time I think about it. I'm sure it will be fine, and I'm trying not to add it to the stress bucket right now.

As for my time off, I was pretty productive. I can't say that I accomplished everything I had hoped over the past few days, but I did catch up with some friends and get a better grasp on a few things.

I'll post more about my project/goals status tomorrow. Right now I'm pretty exhausted after spending half the day enlarging (doubling) one of the flowerbeds next to the house and moving plants around. I'm off to get a good night's sleep [knock on wood] before facing work tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

eco brushes

Here is yet another of my recent purchases to beautify myself while keeping the environment in mind.

These are EcoTools Earth-Friendly brushes. The handles are bamboo and the bristles are cruelty-free. The carrying case is made from hemp. Quite green, I'd say, and they are super-soft and work quite well. The $8.99 price tag at Target doesn't hurt.

This is my last cosmetics post for a while, I promise. I'm biding my time until I can share my bridesmaid dress with you all - if Pam ever tells me which one she'd like me to wear.

we fit

I hung some sheets and towels and such on the clothesline today. It was the first day when it was warm and the wind wasn’t whipping past my house at hurricane strength, so it was time to save some energy and let some sheets absorb that fresh from the sun smell.

Folding fitted sheets has always sucked for me. I could never seem to get the folded product to look like anything but a mangled ball of wrinkles. This video has made my linen closet let out a huge sigh of relief.

thisclose

I suck. I missed a day. The problem is, when I thought “oh shit, I have to post to my blog,” it was already 12:09 AM. I had just finished watching the new episode of Burn Notice and was about ready to go to bed when it struck me. But, alas, it was too late. Don't worry, I'll make it up to you. I'll post twice today. I promise.

I spent the day yesterday at the mall with my friend Pam, window shopping and making a half-assed attempt to find shoes for her wedding. It was a nice, laid back, do nothing kind of day. Today was once again much of the same. I spent the majority of the day with my friend Kristen, had lunch, spent most of the day outside with her dog, nothing serious or too intense. Tomorrow I plan on waking up early to hit a few garage sales with a couple of friends, then I hope to mow the lawn (if the man hasn’t already finished by the time I get back), and then cook up a couple steaks for dinner.

Thank God it is finally summer.

counting my pennies, and my hatred

Well, well, well...I've been posting about a lot of products and objects and goals and such lately, and have given the bitching a bit of a rest for a while. The bitching is back, my friends, and it is back with a vengeance. At least for today.

I really don't like the roommate...at all. I think he is a worthless, over-sized carcass who takes up space and has been set on this earth to annoy the fuck out of me and my man. I have recently noticed that I don't even look at the roommate anymore. The sight of him annoys me and if I were to make eye contact, a conversation might ensue and I surely don't have the intestinal fortitude to deal with all the bullshit he would try to feed me. Also, it is difficult to make eye contact with someone whose gaze so rarely shifts from either his feed bag or the television.

Anyway, I don't like him and now he has a girlfriend. They've seemingly bonded over their shared abilities to not speak to one another and to be slovenly, couch-lounging, thick-bodied sloths. Okay, she's not terribly over-wide, but when you never get off the fucking couch it is difficult for me to distinguish between cushion and your ass. I've heard them speak to one another only a couple times, always about food, funny enough. Yes, they've been dating for just over a month and she is at the house ever single night without fail. And they only leave to feed themselves then it is back to the couch to watch yet another Deadliest Catch marathon or another Food network program. I have the sneaking suspicion that the girlfriend is annoyed by the dickbag roommate's proclivity to laziness and that she doesn't care to be a fatbody who lays around staring at the tv screen. She has recently taken to sitting next to him on these marathons but instead does crossword puzzles and doesn't stare blindly into Emeril's huge face like the roommate chooses to do.

Why do we still keep him around? Because we are still only thisclose to not needing his rent check. The man's answer to everything roommate related is, "tell him to move out if he doesn't like it." I hope that this means his finances are getting very close to the point that we would be able to live alone. Thus, I'm hoping and praying that the man will soon be the one telling Mr. Lazyballs to move the fuck out and to take his girlfriend and massive load of ugly-ass belongings with him. Personally, my goal is to be able to kick in his portion of the rent by the end of the year, and that we'll be okay to kick his ass to the curb shortly thereafter (this is all independent of what the man can pitch in). Until that time, I'll bide my time and continue to avoid looking in the roommate's general direction as not to be drawn into the vortex of yuck. The vortex has gotten even stronger now that his female counterpart has joined in the sucking worthlessness.

like being naked

I have decided to share with you a new purchase which I love. I have started using a new brand of beautification products: Stript. I was turned on to this product line by my hairstylist, who always looks completely polished.

So far I've only switched over to the eyeliner (color: cocoa) and blush (color: lolita). Yes, there were multiple jokes made at my expense because the color of blush that best matches my fair complexion is Lolita. Even though it has the name Lolita, I don't look like a hooker or a drag queen when I wear it. I have never in my life used blush before, but I think I like it. It makes me look like I have actual cheekbones. Who knew? I like the eyeliner because it doesn't make me look like a raccoon halfway through the day by smearing and bleeding and melting all around my eye holes.

I had my doubts about a vegan product staying put all day and being as effective as my normal products, but I have been quite pleasantly surprised. The prices are a little higher than you'd pay at the nearest Walgreens for beauty products, but are definitely on par with the department store brands. I'm impressed by the company's socially responsible business practices: from eco-friendly packaging to generous contributions to various charities. For more information about Stript makeup and where you can buy their products, click here.

but enough about me...

It was another nasty weather day today: cold, rainy, grey, and dismal. This is the perfect day to start my June book - the one I just borrowed from the local library. I was looking for a light, entertaining read and this one nearly bounced off the shelf and into my lap.

It sports a fun and flirty, girly cover. It has stars and glitter. It is non-fiction, but filled with celebrity gossip. It even has a glowing endorsement from none other than Dolly Parton. It must be good.


I didn't know anything about the book before I picked it up, but I just looked it up on Amazon and the reviews are strikingly positive. Here's a link if you'd like to learn more.

I'll keep you posted.

june 2009 - one week in

Well, let's see what kind of progress I've made during the first week of June. I think I've done quite well in terms of goals and I've even managed to do some things that weren't on my list. Her is what I have accomplished:

• get a library card
• paint the kitchen
• find/purchase a bridesmaid dress

I've done some other things that I've been meaning to do for a long time as well:

• bundle my home and auto insurance, saving a buttload of money (I'm a lazy moron for not doing this sooner, particularly since I at one time held a property/casualty insurance licensure)
• reconnect with some family/friends with whom I've lost touch (however, there is still more to do with this one)
• continue exploring professional development and potential career enhancing moves
• step outside of my comfort zone and attend gatherings I normally would avoid
• upgrade more of my projects to natural and eco-friendly alternatives

Some of these are small things, others have more impact, but all of them are making me extremely happy to add to my list of accomplishments. I'm happy with all that I've done this summer and am looking forward to doing a lot more this upcoming week to get toward polishing off the rest of my June goals.

And, this is day seven of a successful NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month). Woo hoo.

No, I'm not all about self-enlightenment and improvement these days. There is a pent-up rant about the roommate about to boil over and you will reap all of the juicy benefits.

i love me some throwback curtains

I mentioned yesterday that I purchased new pinch pleat curtains for the office and that they are magnificently wonderful. Here is a closeup of the fabulous pattern (I am fully aware that most of you will think this is atrocious):

The color isn't really showing true to form - I hope that the weather cooperates better soon so that I can get some better natural light in the office. The teal is close, but the background is really a lime color with a bit of a cold in the sheen. A better picture will follow. The flash on my moderately priced Canon is not painting a very good picture of my office as a whole today, so full shots will have to wait as well.

More to come.

bargain bandit

Yesterday, after painting the kitchen, I realized that I was in desperate need of kitchenware and felt the need for some retail therapy while on my "vacation." I was uber-successful in my shopping endeavors and found a ton of things that I was not even looking for. This is where the "pretend it's a dress" theory comes in. As I wasn't looking for a dress (or for many of the other items listed below), I was able to find the perfect one. Here is a list of things I purchased today - totaling less than $100:

• two, count them, TWO potential dresses for the wedding
• fabric matching the kitchen paint color (to be made into pillows or cushions for the adjoining living room)
• brocade pinch-pleat drapes for the office - the perfect score (posting pics tomorrow)
• a new shower curtain and liner
• two pairs of heels
• a cute denim jacket
• a yellow and orange, three-piece Pyrex mixing bowl set
• two microfiber pillow shams
• a matte white, faux bois pot

I believe there may have been a couple other little things thrown in the mix, but that's most of it. Yes, I was the bargain bandit. Can't believe what a steal the dresses were. I'll have to get pics after the man gets home so I can post them. Now I'm out for a night of merriment.

whew

I've been busy today. I painted the kitchen, got my hair cut, went to a grand opening party, and had drinks at a couple different establishments. Oh, and I watched the Burn Notice marathon on USA network. I must say that I have a bit of a crush on the leading man. It did serve as good background dialogue for my taping, prepping, painting project. I'd say that's a pretty busy day and I'm still a bit tipsy after my drinking excursions.

I'll post more about my projects tomorrow, when I plan to complete another of my June goals - getting my library card. Oh yes, I'm one exciting chica.

say huh? to the dress

I've been looking for a dress. I will be the witness for my best friend from high school's wedding. I've written about Pam before. It is a small civil ceremony including Pam, her betrothed, their parents, a judge, me and another witness. So, I suppose this role could be equated to maid of honor. This is a role I have never been put in before. Granted, the wedding is not very traditional, so the same rules do not apply, but I'm still feeling a bit o' the pressure.

Anyway, Pam has chosen a very nice J. Crew cotton dress to wear as her wedding gear. I'm now hunting for a cotton something-or-other dress that will be more casual than Pam's dress (which I have never physically seen with my own eyes). Preferably not too brightly colored, and preferably something reasonably priced that I will wear again. Yes, that is a lot of pressure, as dress shopping is a wretched, not fun event in my opinion.

Here are some reasons why dress shopping is not an acceptable form of entertainment and why I am very oft not successful in finding a dress:

• my torso appears to be the inappropriate length for dresses - don't know if this is too long or too short
• my boobs are not big enough to fill out dresses that require boobage to hold them up
• I don't like to try things on
• wearing appropriate undergarments for dress shopping is next to impossible
• I am in the in-between stage - not a junior, not an old lady, not a hooker - very difficult to find a dress that isn't tethered to one of those categories
• When I finally find something that I really like, then look at the price tag and realize I would have to get knocked up, deliver, then sell the baby to pay for the dress

Despite all of these factors working against me, I still need to have something appropriate to wear to the wedding/party. I just need to put on my big girl panties (as my friend Cheri would say) and rise to the challenge.

My friend Kristen has agreed to help me find said dress. She had a similar task when she stood up as her sister's maid of honor last month in Mexico. I'll be in Milwaukee, nowhere near as tropical, but less likely that I'll be getting murdered or come down with the next case of swine flu. Then again, it is Milwaukee, so I'd better limit it to "nowhere near as tropical," the other two are still possible.

I digress, the dress hunt commences next week Friday when I am taking another vacation day off from work. I am hoping that the dress finding adventure takes very little time so that we can also get a fast and friendly Culver's meal and maybe take in a movie as well. Of course I am also hoping that Pam blesses the dress and that I will not be mocked as the "what the fuck was she thinking wearing that to the wedding" attendee of the party. I'll post pics of said dress, when it has been procured, which will likely be accompanied by lovely tan lines, brought to you courtesy of Trish Taunts Skin Cancer.

goals for june 2009

Here's my list of short-term goals for June. Nothing too extraordinary, but it's one of my efforts toward making time for fun. Yes, I suck at spontaneity. Most of the things on this list will be "fun" for me. No, I'm not normal. Yes, I'm a dork. The man will be working out of town during the week for about eight weeks this summer - this should leave me with a good amount of time to accomplish the projects that I would like to do.

• get a library card
• read at least one new book
• finish my coffee table project
• prepare the guest bedroom for the "mother-in-law"
• paint the kitchen (not the cabinets, just the walls - yes, it is the same color as my office. the office was a trial run to see if I would like it in the kitchen)
  
• plant vegetables and finish my flower beds
• take all of my use-or-lose vacation time
• go to the farmer's market at least three times
• reorganize my paper files
• find/purchase a bridesmaid dress

goals update - is this the sixth month already?

Hello, long time no write. I've been quite busy as of late, and I need a bit of a kick in the ass to jumpstart my blog writing again. As you can see from the badge to the left, I'll be participating in NaBlogPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) again to try to get a post in each of the next 30 days.

Time to recap my goals for the year and to see how I've been doing:

Financial Goals:

• Only keep a balance on one credit card
  > this is going well, haven't had a balance on more than one card at all this year
• Lower credit card balance to at least $x by January 1, 2010
  > also going well - I'm on track to complete this goal and successfully pay off all credit card debt within the next 12 months
• Pay off Student Loan 1 by January 1, 2010
  > this loan will be paid off by October, 2009
• Contribute monthly to savings account to cover non-monthly budgetary expenses
  > I've been doing this, thankfully, as I had to use a good portion of it to pay for my laptop repairs
• Cut expenses
  > still going well, though there isn't much left to trim at this point. I have been waning a bit on my coupon usage, but I'm committed to picking that back up
• Raise income
  > I've taken on some side projects, but not a second job. There seems to be potential for an increase at work, but I'm not holding my breath. I need to seek out additional possibilities for this goal

Professional Goals:

• Continue taking advantage of all applicable training sessions
  > not many trainings offered lately, but I have attended all opportunities
• Build and maintain professional network
  > not much has been done to further build my network, but I have continued to maintain what I already have
• Apply myself to outperform in current role - be indispensable
  > this is going well, I suppose, as I have taken on additional responsibilities. I do, however, feel more confined than ever
• Complete thesis
  > now that my laptop is finally fixed, I should be able to make more headway. Any additional income will be put toward a higher-speed internet connection so that I can do more from home

Relationship Goals:

• Do not interrupt, over-share, or compare experiences
  > I remind myself of this goal on a daily basis, I hope that I've made progress in this area
• Be supportive, but also share caution when necessary
  > this also requires daily concentration, sometimes the man has some pretty out-there ideas that are hard to support though, but I've been doing my best to not gravitate toward the role of Devil's advocate all of the time
• Spend more time w/, or communicate more w/ family and friends
  > I think this has been successful. I just spent the Memorial Day weekend visiting my hometown and was able to see a lot of people while there. I've also been pretty good regarding my monthly correspondence
• Reach out to others more
  > not much has been done in terms of volunteer work, I have committed to donating blood on a six-week cycle though

Personal Goals:

• Keep a tidy house
  > not so hot on this one, I must admit that the more I am able to do toward reaching other goals leaves something to be desired in terms of household chores. The outdoor spaces (garden) is looking pretty good though
• Make time for fun, don't schedule life to the minute
  > I have done this, but it seems that I wait until I can't barely stand myself before it happens. I need to make a more conscious effort to get out there more
• Make physical and mental health a priority
  > I am happy to admit that I have stopped wearing the belt (most of the time). More on this to come later in the month
• Minimize stress
  > working out and eating better has helped this, all other factors are kicking this goal in the belly repeatedly though. in other words, this needs work
• Celebrate success
  > not a whole lot of success to celebrate, guess this needs more work too
• Don't be over-critical or take myself too seriously
  > I'd say this one is only so-so
• Live in the present - don't fret about those things outside of my control
  > my worry level is down, so that is a good thing
• Train myself to sustain myself
  > I've stopped using anything but reusable shopping bags and have continued trying to buy local. Cooking at home has suffered since I've started putting in a lot more hours at work - this needs to be revisited. I'll write more about growing vegetables and herbs later in the month

and by 'we,' you mean 'me,' right?

Things at work have been uber-hectic lately. I try to keep my blog posting as separate from my work life as possible, but lately it is all one big pile of work-related feces. I am stressed about work, take that stress home, carry it around on my back for the rest of the evening, then strap it back on when I'm off to work again. It is all-consuming. And I'm not the only one affected by the goings on.

My coworkers are also stressed; you can see it on their faces. I'm worried that we are all just one misstep away from devolving into crazed lunatics. We've absorbed the work of yet another person who has left the office. The details of how and why the person left are unimportant. What is important is that we are once again having to pick up the slack.

I'm an honest person, and I don't believe in letting things fester. I speak to management about my concerns and don't try to pretend everything is okay. Now for the rhetorical questions. How do you walk the line between giving constructive criticism and giving a person a rude wake-up call? How do you do this when the person is above you in the hierarchy? When do you say enough is enough and just cut your losses and get the hell out? When does responsibility, integrity, and loyalty become plain-old stupidity? These are the things that run through my brain multiple times per day and keep me up at night.

All I want to do is have a job I enjoy doing something that will make a positive difference in the lives of others. I would hope that that job would allow me to live comfortably and to have enough extra money to do something fun every once in a while. I fear that this is simply too much to ask right now. In a time when the economy and job market have gone down the toilet, money is tight, and things are not looking to improve anytime soon, how much should a person take and how much imbalance can you withstand before your home life suffers at the hands of your work life?

lost another friend this week

You may or may not have heard that Bea Arthur, best known as Dorothy of the Golden Girls has passed away after a fight against cancer. This comes in the same year that Estelle Getty also left us. I was going to write again about my feelings on the Golden Girls, as I did when Estelle Getty died, but I think you may have guessed that the sense of loss I feel for Bea Arthur strikes a similar chord. Even though I know that it was just a television show, I hope that Bea and Estelle are sharing a cheesecake up in heaven and that we can keep Rue and Betty here with us for a while longer.

I leave you with this little token of remembrance from two of the girls.