75 Things (Because I'm just not interesting enough to have 100)

Since I'm somewhat computer illiterate as well as new to this whole blogging thing, I can't figure out how the hell to post this as a sidebar. Anyone, anyone? Bueller? Any help would be appreciated! Anyway, here goes...

1. I have four younger brothers... I'm the oldest and the only girl. And my brothers rock the casbah.
2. I am a total dog freak. Up until recently, I had a German Shepherd and a Cocker Spaniel. I had to put my shepherd to sleep two weeks ago. She was a sweet, beautiful girl.
3. I played women's varsity fast pitch softball in college. I was a pitcher.
4. I'm mostly Irish, Polish, Swedish/Danish, and French. In other words, kind of a mutt.
5. I can touch my nose with my tongue.
6. I love accessories... purses and jewelry are my weaknesses.
7. I have battled depression for the last 12 years.
8. I've had several works of fiction published in regional literary journals.
9. Ketchup is the one condiment I could never live without. I even like it on bacon.
10. My parents are two of my best friends.
11. I have been truly in love twice in my life.
12. Turquoise is my favorite color.
13. I'm a very fast reader... unless the book sucks. Then I just quit reading it.
14. Everyone has always told me that I should be a teacher and a coach.
15. I have lived in Minnesota my whole life, except for four years of college in Wisconsin, and that doesn't really count.
16. I love to travel and I'm always ready to see someplace new, but Minnesota will always be home to me.
17. Insincere people piss me off.
18. I don't like drama.
19. I really wish I could sing.
20. I miss my dog terribly when I go out of town.
21. Frogs and toads creep me out. I'd never hurt one of the little guys but I prefer that they stay FAR away from me.
22. I've been semi-stalked twice by ex-boyfriends.
23. I'm usually too trusting.
24. I was raised Catholic but I don't necessarily agree with all the teachings of the Catholic Church.
25. I don't usually go to church, but I pray daily.
26. I also swear a lot.
27. I'm still working on my bachelor's degree- three classes to go!!
28. I'm a licensed real estate agent, but I'm not currently working in that industry.
29. I've owned investment property in the past and discovered that I'm not enough of a hard ass to be a good landlord.
30. I can't wait to have children and be a mom sometime soon. I hope and pray that I'll be able to.
31. I'm a Libra.
32. I hate coffee.
33. I'm not very punctual, but I'm working on it.
34. I love entertaining guests.
35. My house was built in 1903 and it was completely restored by the previous owners.
36. We looked at 35 other houses before finding our current home.
37. I grew up in the suburbs, and now I LOVE living in the city of St. Paul.
38. I grew up in a hockey family. My dad is almost 62 and still plays twice a week, as do two of my brothers.
39. I don't know nearly as much about the game of hockey as I should.
40. I used to be very competitive, but I've chilled out a lot in the last ten years.
41. I've always been a good sport, though. I can't stand sore losers.
42. I've been married for a year and a half.
43. I have another great love of my life that I still think about every single day.
44. I would rather read a good book than watch TV or a movie.
45. I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up.
46. I like girlfriends that act like guys... no gossip, no drama, no bullshit.(okay, maybe just a little gossip ;)
47. If I was just starting college, I'd consider becoming a veterinarian (even though I hate math and science).
48. I'm very non-confrontational. Conflict makes me uncomfortable.
49. But if you talk trash about my family or friends, I WILL defend them to the end.
50. I work in financial services at an art school.
51. In the words of my dad, I believe that eating is one of the great pleasures in life.
52. I'm a night owl.
53. And it's hard for me to get up in the morning.
54. I'm very diplomatic (it's that Libra thing).
55. When I was a kid my eyes were blue, but now they're green.
56. I consider myself to be a creative person.
57. I've been told that I'm low maintenance.
58. I'm a diehard bargain shopper, but I don't mind paying full price for quality products.
59. I think the reality shows on MTV are so bad they make me crazy!
60. I'm becoming a BIG fan of Bikram yoga.
61. I would love to visit Africa someday... but I'm not sure which countries yet.
62. I am a sucker for tropical vacations.
63. I love big, solid, masculine men with dark hair and eyes.
64. But blue eyes are a close second.
65. For some reason I have dated a lot of older men (8+ years) in my life.
66. And no, I don't have any daddy issues. My dad rocks.
67. I'm a big Elvis fan.
68. But I thought Graceland was totally cheesy.
69. I like to go to Gopher hockey games more than Wild games.
70. Although I'm not really into many pro sports.
71. I would love to work at an animal shelter.
72. I believe in Heaven.
73. I used to have my belly button pierced.
74. I have two tatoos.
75. Spring is my favorite season.

A little somethin' somethin'

So I thought I'd post a few pics... I know, so exciting.

This is me with Oliver, a friend's new Maltese puppy. Generally speaking, I like bigger dogs, but he's so freaking cute! And yes, I am wearing a newsboy/Rasta man hat, and I have already received a large ration of shit about it from my brothers and dad.

On our honeymoon in Jamaica. Hubby hates this pic but I think it's kinda cute.

Freshly scrubbed and shiny on our trip to NYC.

Just another Friday night at home. Okay, so it was actually Halloween... hubby is sort of Elton John-ish and I'm the metal groupie/biker chic. You can't really see them in the photo, but he's wearing blue pleather pants with tapered legs that we got at Ragstock for three bucks. It was hot. Good times.

TGIF

This week has been longer than Ron Jeremy's cock. I'm so freaking glad it's Friday!! Each day has felt like an eon! Not sure why... maybe it's because we've had all these four day weeks in the last month due to the holidays. I guess I've gotten spoiled. It doesn't help that I'm moving to a somewhat different position and learning a bunch of new shit all at once. Lovely.

Oh well, at least I can relax this weekend. I had an awesome time with Mike and Susie last weekend, but it will be nice to stay in town for a change. Next weekend we head up north to visit Hubby's parents, the weekend after that we have plans Friday and I work Saturday, and then on the 19th I'm having a shower for my future sister-in-law. Our weekends have been insane ever since last May. We've only had two or three where we didn't have plans, and quite honestly, that's getting old. I like to chill the fuck out once in a while, ya know? I'm getting tired of all the running around.

I'm looking forward to having coffee with some friends tomorrow and spending some time with my family as well. Hubby will be out of town Saturday night to see the Gopher/Badger hockey game in Madison, and I have to admit that I do enjoy having the house to myself sometimes. I REALLY need to clean so maybe I'll do that and then spend some quality time with my little dog... she's so damn cute. I really have to post some pictures this weekend. Maybe I'll try to do that, too.

Okay, so Monday I'm planning to go see a psychic. I know, I know, it's probably a little nuts and I pretty much have to promise my first-born child to pay for it, but I've heard lots of good things about this woman from people whose opinions I trust. And she's not some crazy Mama Cleo palm-reader freak, either, so I decided to give it a shot. I'm sure she'll help me solve all my problems. Riiiiight. Either way, it will be interesting.

In other news, I feel like eating every salty, greasy, and chocolately snack in sight... thanks, PMS! So far I've been pretty good, but I am planning to have a nice, juicy burger and some onion rings tonight with Hubby and my bro Joey and his girlfriend at a nice little dive bar up in Scandia. Why does the food always taste so much better in those places? Maybe I could just have them deep fry the whole meal for me... mmmm, grease. Yummy.

Thank God for Bikram yoga! I don't feel so bad eating crap when I know I'll be sweating a quarter of my body weight off three times a week. I can't believe what a great workout that is. Last night I went for the fourth time and it seems like it's getting harder instead of easier. I think I just actually know what the hell I'm doing now so I'm actually doing the poses correctly. The first night I was just trying to act like a big girl and not laugh at the loud breathing and the weird positions. Yes, I'm mature like that. I also try not to smile when I see middle aged men in class wearing nothing but tight biker shorts that cling to their junk. Or should I say "manhood?" I love it when they say that in books. Another favorite of mine is "throbbing member." Seriously, what the hell?? Anyway, what's your favorite? I'll leave you to ponder that. Happy Friday!

Layin' low

Well, I haven't been very good about posting lately, so I guess I better work on that. It's been kind of a hard month so far. Monday was really nice, though... spent the day with my mom and great-aunt (grandma's sister and oldest friend) and another aunt. We chatted, had lunch, shopped, had appetizers and dessert, and chatted some more. It was great to be able to spend some time together; of course, we missed grandma, as she was always a part of these excursions. I still can't believe she's really gone. I don't think it's really, truly hit me yet.

Luckily this weekend I'm getting out of town for a couple of days to see some of my closest friends. One of them, Susie, was my college roommate. The other, Mike, is the father of a guy I dated in college. He was like our surrogate dad while we were in school, and has become very close to my family. He's so awesome... he's 69 years old and he's built like a brick shit house! The guy is huge... he's always been into working out and lifting weights, etc., but lately he's been having some health problems so it'll be really nice to see him.

Susie is a riot... she's just a little wacky but that's why I love her so much! The chick is seriously funny, and we always laugh a lot. Sadly, we can even have a good time watching "Dynasty" re-runs-- now that's a good friend. She's been battling a bipolar disorder for close to 15 years now, and she's doing a lot better than she was at one point in time. She got her Master's Degree a year ago and now she's teaching English as a second language, which she loves, so it's always great to see how far she's come. I can't wait to see both of them!

On another note, I started Bikram yoga this week. The second night was actually harder than the first, but I loved it! I'll be going back this weekend. I never thought yoga could be such a good work out, but it pretty much kicked my ass! I also started my two classes (psychology and advanced writing) so after this semester I'll only need one more to graduate! I cannot fucking wait to be done! I'm even considering pursuing a Master's in the next year or two, but we'll see.

Work is getting busier as well so I guess that's a good thing... it definitely makes the time go faster. Somewhere in there I also need to finish my real estate continuing ed and also plan a shower for my future sister-in-law... the wedding's only 3 months away! It's always good to have something to look forward to, right??

So I'll be up in the northwoods of Wisconsin, staying at a dive hotel and drinking Leinie's for most of the weekend. Have a good one!

Goodbye, Grandma

On January 3rd, 2006, my beloved grandmother passed away. It was quicker than we expected, but it was very peaceful and dignified, just as she deserved. I haven't been able to absorb it all quite yet, and I'm feeling somewhat numb. I did, however, manage to write something that I read at her funeral. Here it is.

When I was a little girl, there was no I looked forward to seeing more than my grandma. Even though she only lived five minutes away, I cried whenever she tried to leave. She would either have to sneak away when I wasn’t looking, or else take me home with her for the night, which she did many times. “Don’t go, grandma!” I would call out, standing at the doorway, watching her walk away. And she would always turn around and come back and hug me and say, “Oh honey, don’t cry, grandma has to go home now. I’ll see you again.”

But who could blame me for crying? If you asked any of her grandchildren I’m sure they’d agree that there was no one like grandma, and no better place than grandma and grandpa’s house. Where else would you have a captive audience who thought your every word and action was perfect? Who else was always happy to see you and never got mad, even when you spilled your milk or tracked dirt on the clean floor? She had a front closet full of bottled pop, three kinds of ice cream in the freezer at all times, and, as she would always say, “oodles” of chips and candy. Staying overnight was the best. She would roll out the blue sleeping bags in the front room and she always left her bedroom door open all night, just in case you got scared. We stayed up late together and watched re-runs of the Jeffersons and usually had one of her favorite snacks, popcorn or a bowl of cereal, before bed. Then, when you could barely keep your eyes open, she’d tuck you in for the night, her upswept hairdo wrapped up in a paper turban, the scent of Oil of Olay on her skin.

Through the years she came to countless sporting events, plays, concerts, and anything else her grandchildren were involved in. It was a guarantee that, in her eyes, you would always be the best one out there. And even though you knew you really weren’t, it made you feel good just to know that someone thought you were that special.

She also had a way of making birthdays and holidays seem like the most important days in the year. As children, she always made sure she brought a small present for all the kids in the family, not just the birthday boy or girl… who else would think to do something so small yet so thoughtful? And although there were cards and treats on other holidays, she was definitely the queen of Christmas. From her year round shopping to the two weeks it took to decorate the house and wrap presents, she wowed us every year. And it wasn’t just the gifts… it was how you always knew there’d be Christmas lights on the front lamppost and the big red Santa boots on the front step. It was the long table set up downstairs, decorated with Santa placemats and candy cane salt and pepper shakers. It was the men and kids doing dishes after dinner, the anticipation of waiting to open your first present because you just knew she got you exactly what you wanted. It was the traditions that she and grandpa built, the love of family that they instilled in each of us, time and again.

As I grew older, her presence in my life never dimmed. She sent me letters when I went away to college and always insisted that I call her collect when I wanted to talk. She helped me pack up and move more than once, and somehow, she always found a way to pick up the check when we went out to eat. “Don’t you be spending your money on me, honey,” she’d say. “I have everything I need.” Up until recently, she could shop anyone under the table, and she knew every bargain spot in town. She was generous to a fault, she was stubborn at times, and she had a great sense of humor. She could take a joke and she could give you a hard time right back.

It was always great to have her with us at parties and gatherings. I tried to describe her to my friends and other people before they met her. “She’s not your typical grandma,” I’d tell them. “She’s better. She’s fun, and hip, and she fits right in with any crowd.” After they met her, they understood. “Your grandma is so cool,” they’d say. “She’s awesome!” They didn’t have to convince me. I knew she was more than just a grandmother; she was also a great friend.

I was blessed to spend a few hours with her on the day she passed away. Every time a new visitor showed up (and there were many), she would smile that beautiful smile that lit up her face and could make you think you just made her day. As uncomfortable as she was, she still found the strength to put up a good front and make the rest of us feel good. She laughed and joked around, and talked about going home in a few days to see her canine “friends.”

And so we are here today to say goodbye to a woman who has made my life, and the lives of all who’ve known her, much better and richer by the gifts she gave us during her lifetime… the love, the laughter, the support, the strength, and so many wonderful memories.

Just like when I was little, I want so badly to say, “Don’t go grandma! Please, don’t go.”
But we should listen to her words, just as she would always tell me: “Don’t cry. I’ll see you again.”

So we must say, “Goodbye, grandma. We’ll miss you so very much. We love you more than you’ll ever know. And we will see you again.”