My stepdaughter and I walked up to her school today - class lists were posted and we wanted to see who was in her room this year.
Her teacher posted his list of required supplies as well. Notebooks, pencils, kleenex, antibacterial soap, etc... ok, normal stuff. But then: "3 air fresheners, Glade Plug-Ins work the best, please no spray air fresheners." What? Is the classroom particularly stinky or something? That's the weirdest item I've ever seen on a supply list.
I have a feeling that the fifth grade is going to be interesting.
Thanks to a friend, I've discovered the magic that is Etsy. I am having to seriously restrain myself - there are so many fun and interesting things there! I want so much!
I'm really going to be hard-pressed not to buy all my Christmas gifts there. I got tired of choosing creative and inspired gifts, only to get blank looks and "oh, thanks" from people. I'm list-shopping this year. Period.
Bitter Christmas rant aside, Etsy has renewed my desire to learn to make my own jewelry. Especially chain mail jewelry. I keep finding the coolest pieces there... and since I work in a job where people see my wrists and hands a lot - it'll be worth it - I'll get maximum notice... and why else buy a $50 bracelet made out of metal rings if you're not going to show it off? That's why I really need to learn to just make my own, I think.
I went to the dentist today - three fillings. It's what comes of being afraid of the dentist for four years. But ouch, I hurt.
To add to my joy, the ever-lovely monthly curse has arrived.
The upside: provided I can chew my food, my darling husband is taking me out to dinner.
I read this morning in the Lansing State Journal that today is "Freshman Move In Day" at Michigan State. It didn't sink in until I walked into the Meijer store at Marsh and Grand River - probably the closest "big" store to campus - to find it over-run by teenagers and their parents. Dear God, I've died and gone to hell. It was unspeakable. I can't believe that of all the parents who stopped in front of me, stepped on me, cut in front of me, and generally got in my way that only two of them bothered to say "I'm sorry" or "excuse me." If I hadn't had a list of things I needed, I would have just left. What rational-thinking adult blocks an entire (busy) aisle so their precious darling can sit in a chair?
Gah. Then I got stuck in rush-hour traffic.
If I didn't have to work in the morning, I'd get rip-roaring drunk right now.
Diet food can get so boring so far if you don't innovate... so I wandered the meat department at the grocery store this weekend, looking for something, anything, interesting and low fat.
I found pre-formed turkey burger patties. Low fat, white meat, lazy people's food. What could be better? I also never realized that two slices of center-cut bacon were only one point. Forget the turkey bacon - I'll eat the "real stuff!"
I fried the bacon first, then cooked the turkey patties the same pan. I added salt, pepper and paprika. I tossed on 2% cheese slices at the very end, and put it all on low-fat buns.
That was the best burger I've had in a while. If I'd had fresh greens, they'd have added something more to it, but I doubt the husband would have eaten them anyway.
By my count, the burgers were 7 points apiece. That's not bad for a filling dinner. I need some more veggies to round out my day, but I'm very happy. :)
My husband promised me a surprise for every 10 pounds lost, since I'm in Weight Watchers and really trying to do well with it.
My first 10 pounds was official tonight.
He gave me a bottle of "Very Sexy" perfume from Victoria Secret - it came in a cute box with a bottle of lotion in the same scent.
I can't wait for the next 10 pounds - he says that's a better present.
Is my husband the greatest, or what? :)
And best of all - I've lost 10 pounds. Go me!
So I joined Myspace today. Makes me feel 14 again, but what can I do? Everyone I know is on there, I had to give it a shot.
So right off the bat, I go searching for old classmates. Found one. L's locker was... oh, 2 or 3 lockers down from me all through school. We used to laugh and have a lot of fun. I had a crush on him for a while but it never went anywhere... I always had fond thoughts of him when he'd cross my mind.
He committed suicide last month.
I didn't talk to him after high school... and after 15 years, I can't claim to be sad to know he's gone... but I am. He was a dynamic, charismatic amazing person... and I can't believe he's not here any more.
I've been proud to be a volunteer (four out of five years so far!) for the annual Boobie-thon breast cancer fundraiser. It's a very unorthodox but fun & rewarding project. The last five years have raised over $35,000. For a fundraiser begun by bloggers, it's pretty impressive!
October will be here before we know it! If you're interested in helping out, the 'thon's new "management," Mel, is looking for volunteers.
I don't seem to have much to say these days, but I'm still reading. I stumbled across George R. R. Martin and his "Song of Ice and Fire" series. And since I'm twitchy waiting for installments in the Sword of Truth and Wheel of Time sagas, I needed another huge fantasy series to keep me going. I finished the first book today, and I liked it. I had a little trouble getting into it - there's a lot of back story, a heck of a lot of people, and it seems like my mind had to be everywhere at once to grasp who was where and why and how. Sometimes, reading books like these make me want a big map on the wall and a genealogy next to it, just so I can keep the players straight until I learn the names.
