A Busy Day and a Deep Sleep

Today went by faster than I could have imagined. I awoke this morning feeling well-rested and rejuvinated. For whatever reason I slept better last night than I have in two weeks. I still had crazy dreams though... something I had plenty of this past week. Last night's is a little blurry.. there was a giant purple octupus and an appearance from Robert Downy Junior. Dream interpreters chime in any time.

After coffee was errands and a trip to Subway, followed by an afternoon with the In-Laws and a decadent dinner at one of our favorite Restaurants. It's Italian, priced well and comical in it's portion sizes. The leftovers from my meal alone will be dinner for both me and the Hubs tomorrw night. I had homemade pasta ribbons with grilled chicken in a basil cream sauce topped with toasted pinenuts. Outstanding. I am still feeling full as I type this to you now... and I love it.

Last night I had the pleasure of playing a rousing round of Dominoes with some great friends. Don't judge... Dominoes is an addictively fun game. You begin with rolling eyes and end asking, "So where did you buy this and how much was it?"

At the end of the evening as we were putting on our coats and finishing up our conversation, we somehow digressed to the coasters sitting on the kitchen table. Four glass coasters, thick and rectangular with a photo frame built in. "Mommy, Daddy, Baby and Doggie," my friend suggested. But her husband had a better idea.

This, I'm sure, would always add to dinner conversation with guests.

Tomorrow a little R & R and a little wedding chat with a friend. I love weddings. Especially when I get to take part in some way.

Today's Useless Trivia: For Glove:

The original title of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice was First Impressions.

Twofer

So today you get two posts because I forgot to publish the one written yesterday.

Today is a big day for me, as it is my last day in the office. I don't feel like it will set in until Monday though, I'm usually pretty elated on Friday's because of the weekend, so today feels no different. I couldn't let today go totally unnoticed though, so I had fun with my pics today.

I already received a good-bye call today from someone I look up to and respect. Words of encouragement are a little more meaningful when they come from someone you don't expect.

Speaking of words of encouragement, I just want to say hello to my second Mom... aka Mom-in-law. She was diagnosed with breast cancer this week, which is never good news. I am insisting on not crying. I know she has probably done enough crying for us all, so I have to stay smiling and make sure she is doing the same. So Mom, this one's for you. I promise to blog every day for you... I know you follow closely and I know you enjoy reading. So it may be a small contribution, but I hope it helps lift your spirits if you are feeling low. I love you!!!

Today's Useless Trivia:

Source of the name "Indiana Jones": it was the name of producer George Lucas' pet Malamute. Dogs rule!

Well, Pin a Rose on Your Nose

And by nose I mean Sweater.

This is my favorite trick... pinning a cardigan to make it a little more form fitting and a little less conservative. Maybe you noticed, conservative isn't really my style.

Today's Useless Trivia:

The bark of a redwood tree is fireproof. Fires that occur in a redwood forest take place inside the trees.

Get the Wax out Abe

Not too much time to post today. Everything is going wrong at work... my luck! Anyway, I came accross this when trying to plan my first museum day after I move to Maryland. Smithsonian's here I come!

Today's Useless Trivia:

After Lincoln's assassination, Mary Todd, his wife, was hysterical for months and finally her son Robert asked for a hearing to determine her sanity. In 1875, she was formally committed to an institution for the insane. She was released after 4 months, and died in 1882 at the age of 63. Only one of Lincoln's 4 sons survived adolescence: Robert Todd Lincoln, who served as Secretary of War under President Garfield.

Better Late than Never

Sorry it's so late today... the office has been way hechtic, but my outfit was too fun not to post at all.

Today's Useless Trivia:

Of the 15,000-odd known species of orchids in the world, 3,000 of them can be found in Brazil.

A Good and Happy Outfit

Today's outfit courtesy of Red, White and Blue thrift. Well, the dress at least... the cardigan may as well have been. I got it on such a season-end sale that it felt like a crime! Booties are from Apt. 9.

Jeeze, even in black, the "slenderizing color", my calves are ginormous and tank-like. Damn the family legs! The first 25 years of my life I hated, covered and cursed those calves. Now, I have accepted them... embraced them almost. I try to think of it this way: I could definitely pick my calves out in a line-up! Cankles or tankles, whatever, they're mine.

Last Thursday evening I spent a couple of leisurely hours in the book store. I landed on a book I'd never heard of: A Good and Happy Child, by Justin Evans. Anyone ever read this book before? Well, I am totally loving it and can't keep my nose out of it. I was reading in bed last night and one minute I was nodding off and the very next I was wide-eyed having to slow my reading down so I didn't miss anything. The book plays on the contrast and similarities between psychological disorders and demon possession. I love scary movies, so scary books are not a huge leap. This is turning out to be more creepy and less scary, but great all the same. If you are interested in finding out more, go to the author's website here. And if you are anything like me and completely fascinated by anything paranormal, please read this on the ULTIMATE (and only in my opinion) scary movie: The Exorcist. This article reveals unknown truths and shows that maybe it's not so terrifying after all.

Today's Useless Trivia:
There are several theories about the origin of the term "Ouija". The Oxford English Dictionary states that the origin is unknown, but mentions three possibilities. According to one of these, the word is derived from the French "oui" (for "yes") and the German "ja" (also for "yes"). An alternative story suggests that the name was revealed to inventor Charles Kennard during a Ouija séance and was claimed to be an Ancient Egyptian word meaning "good luck". It has also been suggested that the word was inspired by the name of the Moroccan city Oujda.

For the Love of Red

I hate beginning posts with the ever-lame “sorry for not posting,” but, sorry for not posting. I have been taking it easy and enjoying my last days here before heading to the Old Line State. Only 12 more office days to go! Giddy-up!

In the last week or so I have been doing plenty of cooking and plenty of eating. Here are some delicious foodie pics.

Homemade pretzels with Red Hawaiian Salt

Steak and Shrimp

Last night’s dinner of Chicken breast stuffed with homemade stuffing with toasted almonds and granny smith apples, Roasted herbed potato rounds with Parmesan Cheese and the black sheep, disgusting mixed veggies. Everything was made from scratch except the nasty veggies which came from a bag tucked in the back of the freezer. It was that junk or no veggies at all… and we can’t have that. I tried adding salt and butter and a splash of balsamic vinegar, but they were still gross.

I also made these little mini apple pie cuties. With a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt… decadent and classic.

Today I am sporting two newbies: a haircut and a sweater. I happily wore both to the movies on Saturday night... and I don't know which I love more. My hair finally fits me again, it was looking a little matronly before... yuk. I feel sassy again! I once heard a woman say that if you want a mans attention get a haircut and a new pair of jeans. Did I mention I bought jeans on Saturday too... they were on sale... I couldn't resist! And the sweater is just so soft and warm…and goes so well with red! But, in my opinion, everything is better with red.

Today's Useless Trivia:

Fleas can jump more than 200 times their body length.

Somehow that is seriously disgusting .