Long time gone

Wow, I haven't been here in a while, have I? It's not like I haven't had anything to complain about—when DON'T I??? I guess I've just been busy elsewhere.

I AM having a hard time concentrating on my project right now. I'm trying to kick my creativity in the pants and get motivated, but it's hard when everyone is snoozing or watching tv or eating or reading around you (that's mainly Pete doing all that, but the dogs do participate in everything but reading). I think I just need to lock myself in a windowless room (the bathroom?) and buckle down, but I know that won't happen. Grrrrrrraaaggghhhh! I hate it when I'm like this, it's almost stressful.

Anyhow, I have much more stressful things to look forward to, like work tomorrow (yay!) and getting some cavities filled on Wednesday. A fun week ahead for me, that's for sure!

Things I'm crabby about right now

1. my cold that won't go away and is making me feel horrible every day, to the point where I don't want to wear my pretty shoes
2. windy days like today
3. not having anything to do at work—it makes the day draaaaag
4. headaches, which i suffer from frequently
5. not having time to blog much or read other people's blogs
6. dry skin
7. darkness at 4:00 p.m.
8. being cold
9. trying to lose weight and being really into working out, then being sidelined by a stupid cold
10. being tired all the time, despite sleeping like a crazy woman on the weekends

A Friday night ritual, if I'm lucky

There's nothing like sitting around in my jammies on a Friday night, hot tea next to me, snacking on chips and chocolate, and The Dog Whisperer on tv in the background as I make my blogging rounds. Ah, so nice...

Leapfrogging

Today all I seemed to do was leapfrog on the way to work. It's when I'm in the left lane, trying to do a decent speed, and I've got someone puttering along about 10-15 mph slower than anyone else on the road. I manage to pass them (always after grinding my teeth and driving along with them for ten minutes or more) and I get to go relatively fast for, oh, a minute or two. Then I catch up to someone ELSE going slow in the left lane, and the cycle repeats itself again, and again, and again, and...well, you get the picture. Very frustrating, especially when there's no way around them, because the other lanes are full of semi trucks and cars pulling trailers and the like. Which is fine, because they are in the correct lanes for their speed and vehicle type. But there is a law on the books that the left lane is for passing, and if someone is moving along way slower than they should be in this lane, then people can't pass and there is just a huge clot of slow cars moving along the expressway, with no one in front for a mile or more. Boy, does this get old fast, ha ha!

Sheesh

Wow, I just realized I haven't been posting over here much. I guess I spend all my time playing at reverie, and now the upcoming ShoeLove blog that Georgia and I are collaborating on. A sheepish sorry to you all from my little heart...

Today I got lots of errands to do, but what am I doing instead? Blogging and reading other peoples' blogs! Typical of me. Well, I'm about to head out the door, so hope you all have a great weekend. I'll be busy tomorrow with Henry's birthday party, so I'm not sure if I'll be stopping by 'til next week.

Ugh...

I got nothing (see previous post).

Incubation

I think I'm brewing a cold, and I don't like it. I hate that run down, tired, slightly sickly and headachey feeling you get when a virus is taking over your body. And we've had a rather nasty bug going around work for the last few weeks. I was all proud of myself for avoiding the sickness bandwagon, and actually surprised, since I have a crappy immune system and I seem to always be sick, hurting, tired, and worn out.

So I thought I had dodged that bullet, but I did notice I've been really, really thirsty for the last several days, which is usually a sign of impending doom. And sure enough, today I started getting those sickly feverish headaches, the slightly swollen lymph glands, the sensitivity to cold, and a bit of delirium too (although that might be purely due to lack of sleep).

Well, let's hope nothing becomes of this in the next few days. I already had some chicken soup and tea, so I'm trying to head this one off at the pass. Wish me luck!

Brrr!

Well, I've been complaining for a while to anyone who'll listen that I'm sick of the 80+ weather and that I'm ready for fall temps. And that's true, to a point. But just like always in the Chicago area, the weather has suddenly turned from days and days of heat, to instant cozy blanket and hot chocolate time. It's not so bad when I'm at work or in the car, because I can blast heaters in those locations and feel nice and toasty. But coming home to a cold house was a bit of a shock to the system today. And I can't quite seem to regain that nice warm body temperature I had earlier this afternoon. I gotta go find the fuzzy blankets and invest in a new pair of slippers before I turn blue.

Is it too late to wish for those hazy hot days again?

Hyperosity

I get a lot of headaches, which is pretty evident if you read the posts on this blog. I'd say half of them are about my experiences with migraines and such. Anyhow, I do have prescription migraine medicine, but for normal headaches I usually just take Excedrin (or Ex, as I call it). And if you have ever taken this headache medicine, you know what I mean when I refer to how it makes you feel. Not only does it get rid of your headache, but it's filled with caffeine, so you get a truly awesome caffeine buzz from it. Take one and you're pretty peppy and excited and full of ideas. Take two and you're off the charts with the shakes, racing thoughts, and fluttering heart beats. I like to call this condition hyperosity. Sure, it solves your headache problem, but then you have to be able to deal with the jitters for the next several hours. And sometimes you get the added bonus of an upset stomach (I usually do), which sort of kills your high, but it's a sometimes necessary side effect.

Anyhow, I woke up today with yet another headache, so I took some Ex. Just one, mind you. And here I am about a half hour later, feeling jittery, scattered, and babbling a mile a minute. I just talked Pete's ear off for the last ten minutes, but he managed to escape to the bathroom upstairs where I can't bother him. So of course now I have all these wonderful ideas and notions and thoughts, and my knees are trembling while I type this, so I figure I'd channel this artificial hyperosity into something productive: this post.

So there you have it. Beware of the Ex. It's a sweet little ride, but this Trix is not for kids.

Higher-class chickens

My mom can say funny things without meaning to, it's just the way she is. She called me this morning for the first of our many chats today, and right in the middle of talking about work she blurted out, "I went to the store yesterday and bought ten cornish hens." I said that was interesting, and asked her why cornish hens? And why ten? She replied, "Because they were on sale for $3.99 a pound, and you can freeze them and they'll still be good. Cornish hens are like small chickens but higher class, so they're pretty good."

Time won't let me

I seem to have the same trouble every day during the work week. I get to work, and unless I'm tired (which is often, I'll admit), I tend to get really energized about what I need to do at home, blog ideas, pictures I want to take, shopping excursions, etc. etc. Yet I sit at work all day with nothing to do, bored out of my skull, restless, trapped. Then I get home and the time just melts away. I mean well and I try to get some things done, but time always manages to fly before I can do anything meaningful besides blogging and feeding the animals. The next thing I know, it's 10:30 and I have only done a load of laundry. Where does the time go?

Well, I think I feel the urge to just lay on the couch and read some fashion magazines. See what I mean?! Nothing gets done around our house from Monday to Friday.

Same old story

I had to get up at 2:50 a.m. this morning to drive Pete to work for an early shift. Man, did that suck. I was really out of it all day, and kept catching myself dozing off, head drifting downward. Of course now that I have left work I am perkier and have some energy, although my sleep-deprivation headache hasn't gone anywhere.

Happy Monday.

Exhausted

I don't understand my body. There are days where I wake up totally refreshed after 4 hours of sleep, and other days where I can sleep 9-10 hours and still feel exhausted. Today is an exhaustion day, although I didn't exactly get that much sleep (more like 5 1/2 hours). Ah, I'm so tired I could easily fall back asleep for another 5 1/2 hours. That sounds absolutely delicious.

Faster?

Do you think shooting daggers with your eyes at a slow driver's head will make them go any faster? I haven't had any luck yet, but I sure like trying.

Rain, rain, go away

How crappy is it that it's been pouring ALL WEEKEND, yet when we're at work the weather tends to be absolutely gorgeous? I had a lot of stuff I wanted to do outside, including plant our gingko trees and straighten the backyard patio, but that definitely isn't going to happen at this point. So instead I'm spending my time indoors blogging when I should really be scrubbing the house from top to bottom (it's pretty icky right now). I just feel tired and lazy. Maybe I'm feeling moody from the rain, I dunno. Well, the day is still young, so I think I'll wrap up surfing the 'net, order my camera (FINALLY), and get some housework done at some point today.

All wet

Pete and I just got done giving Adora and Spanky their flea baths, for the second time in a month. Seems like the drops aren't working very well, because they shouldn't have had a recurrence so soon. Nothing like being covered in dog hair and smelling like flea shampoo.

A real doozy, but...

Today I woke up with a horrible migraine, probably a level 8 on my personal migraine scale. And of course my pills were in my car, so I ended up taking two Excedrin, so now I'm really hyper. Which is kinda neat in its own sick way. If you can beat the nausea and exhaustion, and just have the revved up energy levels, things are kind of fun and trippy. I get very talkative and creative and my mind races in a million different directions. And I have a happy buzz for several hours while the Excedrin floods my system, so I listen to peppy songs, babble to anyone who'll listen about anything and everything, and I come up with a crapload of schemes and ideas. Right now I'm about 2 hours into the high, but I know I'll probably crash after lunch and become sour minded and quiet. So in the meantime I'll just sit back and enjoy the ride.

I'm back

Sorry about the looooong hiatus there. I've just been very busy, then very sick, then very uninspired, and then finally just very lazy. I find myself devoting much of my energy to reverie, and I feel bad that I've ignored The Bitchy Deli. But I'm back, and hoping to post daily, if not weekly.

Here's to more bitching!

Bon voyage

Well, I'm off to get married. I don't know whether I'll be able to blog in Hawaii, but I'll try. And I'll definitely try to post some pix. I'm sorry I have nothing now (we're STILL at home at almost 10 p.m.!).Have a great few weeks if I don't get online before then!

Wiped

I am feeling very tired today. I was up until almost midnight making favor tags for the wedding. They look nice though, I must say (thanks, Georgia!). I'm kind of feeling hazy and out of it, so I won't be having any award-wining posts today.

But I do have to say that I drove this morning (Pete slept) and I saved myself about 45 minutes of gripping the car door and closing my eyes, so today can't be all that bad!

Driving with Mario

Today was a repeat of yesterday's manic ride into work with Pete. He suggested I take a nap on the way in, which is why we're trying to switch off driving duties, but that was easier said than done. Every time I opened my eyes we were either doing 80 and three feet from someone's bumper, or swerving onto the shoulder, or slamming on the breaks at weird, random moments. And every time Pete would pass someone that was going rather slowly (which I admit was a huge problem today) he would dramatically turn his head and give the person a dirty, mean stare as we drove by. I tried to crawl under my seat, but I couldn't get my belt off. Then, when we got to his work, he asked me if I had a nice rest and why I looked so concerned. It's so ridiculous it's funny.

Well-meaning erratic driver

Pete offered to let me sleep today while he drove us to work. Let's just say I didn't sleep at all. I was able to close my eyes for a while, but every time I opened them I saw us either swerving onto the shoulder, almost missing our exits, or putt-putting behind a semi or garbage truck. He wanted me to play ABBA (and knowing Pete, it would be at eardrum-bleeding level) but I asked him not to, so we drove in silence. He didn't even want NPR, and said he can't sleep with the radio on, so how could I? That was a not-so-subtle hint to me for when I drive and I have the news radio station playing (at extremely low levels, mind you).

We managed to make it to McDonald's where the employees were moving like glaciers, and they forgot the cream in our coffee (something they proudly promote as a special feature) and my water bottle, which ended up being lukewarm. Anyhow, I made it to work in one piece, maybe not so well rested, but once again pleased by Pete's well-meaning intentions.

Neurotica

I hate being neurotic. Well, sometimes it's fun and I get wound up and worked up, which can be its own experience. But sometimes it's a pain and I am trapped in my own behavior. Like tonight. Pete and I went to get some ice cream, and I was practically doing a song and dance for him to ensure that he was enjoying himself (he was being a bit moody). He didn't seem to notice my unease, even though I said I was uneasy and worried that he wasn't happy, but that still didn't phase him. His mood improved after a while, but I almost felt exhausted from the effort. Sometimes I think I worry waaaaaaaay too much about what other people think and feel, and whether they're happy or not. When it gets to the point where I can't enjoy myself and I'm not in a good mood because of it, well, that's not healthy. It's something I should strive to control, but I'm not making very much progress. And if I worry about it, I'll start obsessing and being anxious, which is exactly what I'm trying to avoid. Sometimes it's exhausting being me.

Afternoon slumber

I hate having a wonderful burst of energy all morning long (despite a migraine) and then coming home, only to succumb to the sweet siren song of my cozy bed. I think I'm going to take a quick nap, which means I won't wake up for hours and hours, but I think I really need one, especially with this headache. I have lots of drawing to do, but I think I'll work better once I'm refreshed, although I'd like to get it done asap so I can get that out of the way (and get paid for it, too!).

Sweet dreams!

An almost-rant

I was fully prepared to start bitching about a laundry incident involving Pete this morning, but I changed my mind. See why here.

I should pay attention to what's important in life, although that can be easier said than done sometimes.

I love you, honey :)

To the creepy guy in shipping who likes to stare at all the ladies

Stop. It's creepy and gross, and I'm going to file a complaint one of these days. A look is one thing, but to openly stare and watch me walk around (and all the other female employees here) is disturbing at best. I even saw you staring at the lawn care guy and TURN AROUND as you walked past him to see what he was doing. That right there is weird, so you know you have a problem. I don't like feeling like a piece of meat when I'm trying to work. It's bad enough this job blows chunks and I have to grit my teeth just to get through each day (hell, each HOUR!). So how about you take your peek (or better yet, NOT), then turn away, and TRY not to make me want to punch you in the face. Just a thought.

Wedding jitters

I'm getting down to the wire here on the wedding stuff, and I find myself becoming a little ball of stress. Which is not good, because I'm starting to break out, have stomach aches (more so than usual, that is), and that sort of thing. I think the hardest thing is all these little details I have to remember all the time. I sorta wish I hired a wedding planner to help me. We have one through White Pines, but she's pretty much taking care of stuff on her end, and not all the piddly things that I gotta do. Well, not piddly, just numerous little tasks that, added together, make up the whole wedding experience. So I'm doing my best, but it's hard. I wonder why I haven't wasted away to nothing yet from my frazzled nerves? At least I'd fit into my dress then....

Smart Quiz

This morning I got blamed for "not believing" that Pete and I could win the Smart Quiz. This is a quiz that comes on at the same exact time every morning, but we have never tried to call in...until now. Pete knew the answer and wanted to try winning the prize, so I instantly grabbed my phone, dialed the Smart Quiz number (on speed dial, mind you), and handed him the phone. Of course Pete wasn't caller number 7, and I tried to explain to him that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people trying to call in at the same time. No, it had to be because I didn't think we could do it, and I somehow cursed our attempt to win with my reluctant attitude.

This is from the same man who also told me it looks like I have a giant poop stain on the front of my shirt today. Pete was thoughtful enough to comment on it while we were at the gas station getting coffee, and the girl behind the counter thought he was hilarious (although she was pretty sympathetic to me, too). And it it was Pete's parting comment when I dropped him off at work just a half hour ago. What a sweet man.

Tummy trouble

Why is it when I try to be good and eat healthy, I get shafted in the end? I went to McDonald's today with Pete, and being a good girl, I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich, no mayo. But the minute I started eating it, my stomach began gurgling and snarling, trying to reject the food. This is the second time this has happened to me with this particular sandwich. I thought the first time was just a fluke, but now I know better. It's been over two and a half hours and my stomach is still bloated like I'm four months pregnant. Where's the frickin' chocolate bar or half-eaten bag of Dorito's? I'm going right for the bad stuff if I have to look like a puffer fish anyhow, no matter what I eat.

Procrastination makes things happen

I'd like to know when I'm going to actually get serious and get stuff done that I'm supposed to get done. I am the world's best procrastinator. Give me something important that needs to be done by a certain time, and I'll be sure to blow it off 'til the eleventh hour. But I do think I feed off that panicky energy, and it helps me in a creative way, but it certainly doesn't do much for my nerves, that's for sure. Here I sit, needing to get done LOTS of freelance work and house cleaning and grocery shopping, oh my, and what am I doing? Blogging, checking email, online shopping, organizing my photos, watching tv, etc. At least I can say I'm an excellent multi-tasker, eh?

Swollen foot

Yesterday morning I was getting some water in the lunchroom at work, and happened to look down at my feet. I almost did a double take when I saw how swollen my left foot was. The ankle was completely shrouded in bloated shapes, and even my calf was slightly enlarged. It started feeling more and more tender as the day went on, and the swelling seemed to increase as well. Since I don't remember hurting my foot, this happened to freak me out quite a bit. I always seem to get these weird afflictions, and I always worry I've got some rare, incurable disease or disorder. Then my mind starts running in a million directions, and I imagine things like being treated for a weird parasitic disease, or fainting during a meeting, etc.

My foot is still a bit tender and swollen today, so I'm going to guess that I stepped on it funny and this is the result. Very bizarre.

Pun-O-Rama

My dad is serious about his puns. No one can match his way with this groan-inducing wordplay. And God forbid that anyone else gets caught up in the madness, like Pete did last night at my parents' house.

We were all talking about wedding traditions from different cultures, and I mentioned the jumping of the broom ceremony in African American weddings. That suddenly sent off a frenzy of puns, each one worse than the previous one. Apparently Pete found this irresistable and joined right in. Pretty soon I was feeling nauseated from the constant verbal stream and had to sit down. But Pete and my dad thought it was hilarious and had a blast outdoing each other. I practically had to drag Pete away from the house to escape. You might say Pete was "swept away" by my inability to tolerate any more puns...har, har, har.