15 randoms

1. It never fails when in the morning, after initial chores, the very second when I sit in my uncomfortable chair and fix the three awkward pillows behind my back just so and reach for my coffee to have the very first sip while it's hot - Brody barks from outside for me to get up, go into the kitchen, obtain a cookie and hand it to him through the slider door.

2. I hate having to walk past people looking for donations when I come out of (or walk into) a store. I mean, I get it - most of us have had to do it at one point or another for school or what not... but I've come to realize that it's easier to just give a buck rather than awkwardly fooling with keys or sunglasses ... or pretending that a seagull is chasing me.

3. Much to my surprise, I absolutely love Instagram. I am such a fan. I love looking at creative photos from strangers across the globe. I find that my favorites are mostly from the Netherlands and Australia. I participate in blogger Fat Mum Slim's photo-a-day challenge and I love it. It's not easy to fit the prompts on a daily basis - but it's a great creative outlet. {I'm @sherib0bbins by the way}.

4. I've created a little Chapstick-loving monster. Scarlett sees me apply Chapstick and lip gloss routinely and is naturally intrigued. She now has her own special Hello Kitty lip balm and is not afraid to apply it all over her face. Liberally.

5. I tip well for a person of limited means. I can thank my harrowing days and nights as a waitress for that. For those of you who don't know this - servers rely on their tips, their paychecks are usually laughable. They are ordered around and often treated poorly on a daily basis. It's not a glamorous job, it's by no means an easy job and just think about what your world with be like without service workers. TIP them. And tip them well.

6. I really love watching old episodes of Who's the Boss. I'll tell ya, that Mona, she's a hot shit. And I love the dynamic between Tony and Angela. It's both funny and a little sad to watch shows that I enjoyed as a kid and now side with the "older" characters.

7. The foods that I seem to eat the most of are: eggs, whole grain bread, chicken breast, beans, greens, turkey, dark chocolate, pizza, cheese and frozen yogurt. Quite an odd mix there.

8. Soon, our new living room chairs will be delivered! Gregg and I each picked out a new seat back in early December, on our anniversary. My old recliner was shown the curb in November and his is on its last leg. We bought those when we moved into our first apartment ten years ago, it was a good run. We are planning to break them in by spending a very comfortable night watching movies by the fire.

9. I watched that Lifetime Movie Network remake of Flowers in the Attic. Hoo Boy. I mean, the original had a cheese factor too but at least it was haunting and kept me nervous. I assume when someone "remakes" a film their intention is to make it better than the original... right? Definitely fell short on this one. Nine times out of ten I watch movies like this just to see the creepy old house. {One of my many obsessions}.

10. Pet peeve #23: I greatly dislike when I'm in line in a store and the customer in front of me is being super friendly and smiley and is truly pleasant - only to be met with the grumpiest of all cashiers. I feel like I always have to chime in and intercept their friendliness so they don't feel badly. I know some cashiers aren't thrilled with their position... but kindness is kindness. We take it where we can get it. And we should always give it back.

11. I love Valentine's Day decorations. I know the day itself is corny and a big money-making scheme but I enjoy pink, white and red and I LOVE heart-shaped everything. Gregg and I don't do flowers or candy (okay sometimes candy), we don't go out to dinner or anything but you know I'm scouring the shelves for clearance items to pepper my home with for everyday enjoyment.

12. I like Maxwell House Master Blend. There I've said it. I grew up on it. I used to brew it in a Farberware percolator for the best piping hot cup. When the Keurig came along I still chose MH. I just use the refillable K-Cup everyday. Of course I like Dunkin and Starbucks. But at home I'm a Maxwell House girl.

13. Even though Scarlett isn't a baby anymore I still sometimes tear up when singing her lullabies. Baby Mine? Did you ever try that one? "Rest your head close to my heart, never to part, baby of mine" ... ugh.

14. I feel like I can never see another movie in a theater and be fine with it. I don't know, the big screen somehow lost its luster for me when HD TVs came out. I'm happier watching in my living room draped in fleece with frozen yogurt.

15. "Drunk Uncle" is currently my favorite SNL character. I get the whole "Make it a treat" thing but I wish he was on more often.

check-marks and cross-outs

Gettin it done. 

Some days I just prance out of bed with the intent and desire to get my ass presentable and get out the door. Today was one of those days. I had a bunch of errands to run so I figured why not get them done before noon and spend the afternoon on fun? First task? Opening a new checking account. 

I rolled into the bank lot at 9:02, I bet you thought I got out the door at 7 or something - ha! I should back up here and explain what "getting presentable" consists of. It doesn't matter if I am going to a dinner party or the gas station- I am straightening my hair and putting on my everyday makeup. Be it the bakery, the convenience store for a Powerball ticket, the gas pump or my own curb to get the mail - I am not wearing pajama pants and I am not naked-faced. It's just who I am. So anyhow - After my daily prep I headed to the bank. I sat in one of the chairs and felt so weird because just being inside the bank is strange on its own. I really only pop in about twice a year. A friendly and somewhat boisterous man called me into his cubicle. He dutifully set up a new account for me all the while cracking little jokes and giving me tips and advice on Christmas shopping and Overdraft protection. He did his job well and I crossed that errand off the list. Next up, Borders. 

I enjoy Garden City shopping center. I loathe malls and these jam-packed plazas are my favorite alternative. I roamed around the bookstore for what felt like an hour but was under 20 minutes. After finding a random gift for my father (I won't say what just in case he decides to ever read my blog) I headed to the checkout line which was easily 15 people deep. Sandwiched between two moms with strollers full of line-hating kids I pretended to read every title of every book stacked along side the waiting ropes. The cashier gave me the go ahead to take those six steps forward and proceeded to throw out one-liners to shows and movies that I have never seen. Gotta give her credit for being friendly though. She was a doll. I braved the biting cold wind on the walk back to my car and headed to the next stop ... the pet store.

Even Brody loves Christmas. He gets that from me & Gregg. Each year Brody receives several presents from Santa. Mostly squeak toys and plushies and the occasional bag of treats. He opens them himself - with the slightest bit of help from his mom and dad. His face even lights up like a little kid. It's pretty adorable. So I stopped and bought his annual gifts. When I got home he met me at the door as usual and stuck his head in the bag trying desperately to find the cookies that he no doubt smelled when my car turned onto our street. 

My last stop before heading home was simply to Food Mart to purchase the beloved Powerball ticket. I just enjoy when the owners say "Good Luuuuck"  as I walk out the door. Hey ya never know, I'll take all the well wishes I can get! 

After a couple of phone conversations I noticed that the mailman had just left some boxes at my front door so I ventured out to grab the mail and said boxes. More gifts! I will admit that I am ridiculously efficient when it comes to shopping and wrapping. Cardboard boxes arrive at the house and within two hours they are transformed into delightfully wrapped red and green presents (after they are logged into my "system", crossed off, check-marked and what have you). I'm pretty organized alright. I never wrap for longer than an hour since I keep up with it daily. It works for me. 

I had some banking to do online and some paperwork to go through before I sat down to have a nice bowl of turkey chili. Mmmm. Always something to look forward to and I savor it until it's gone. Thankfully I freeze some - so I can look forward to that now! 

I felt like I had accomplished quite a bit by 2 pm so I decided to make some coffee, I use Maxwell House Master Blend, and watch my daily episodes of Roseanne. Coffee/Roseanne time is one of my favorite times of the day. It's less than an hour but it's just such a simple and enjoyable way to relax. I will never give up watching that show. I'm sure I won't always watch it Monday through Friday - but I know I will pop in a DVD every now and then at the very least. 

The day continued with me doing a little unsuccessful designing - I deleted my hour-long attempt and will start from scratch with new ideas tomorrow. I made some grilled chicken for our weekly "Chicken, Brown Rice and Broccoli" dinners - I use a ton of hot sauce, Gregg uses duck sauce. We never get sick of it. I conquered today's journal entry and even read a few pages of Real Simple magazine - my favorite. After dinner we watched the finale of Boardwalk Empire - a few days after it aired. What a great show! I wonder how much of the story line is based on true events. We are both hooked. Great plot, great cast. 

And that was my day... I watched a scene from Titanic and a few groups on The Sing-Off, had some hot chocolate with peppermint and here I am! Hope you enjoyed a recap of my December 15 and I hope yours was wonderful and productive as well! Cheers!  

30 day photo challenge: Day 21

Something that makes me happy...

Keeping it "light" and not taking things too seriously.

... oh and a nice cup of coffee naturally...

the truth...

Well, I figure I owe it to anyone reading this nonsense, post after post, to be brutally honest. Sure, I have given you tidbits of information and brief glances at my life from a safe distance. And yes, I have spoken with sincerity about my husband, friends and family. But isn't there more to sheribloggins besides sarcasm, a fear of insects, a passion for decorating and love for horror films? ISN'T THERE??? Since I have kept my profile information short and sweet, please allow me to elaborate a bit on... well, ME. A bit self centered don'tcha think?? Yep. And that's just the beginning...

I have been unemployed since January. Now, before you go judging me - I am not a quitter or a lazy ass... I was no longer needed at my former job. The dismissal was super shady but I couldn't be happier now. At first, I didn't know what to do with myself. I applied for a crazy amount of jobs in a one week span - barely looking at the salary or requirements. Upon settling down, I eased into my new-found housewife-ism. I realized quickly that I need to win powerball so that I can forever be the awesomest housewife - and someday, mother - on the east coast. Currently I am still searching for a job that will allow me to continue paying my mortgage and seven million other monthly bills. And I am in good company, as tons of people are in similar situations, some better but most worse.

I wrote a children's book. Yes, yes I did. I have sent it to two publishing companies since the spring - no takers yet but I will keep floating that manuscript on and on and who knows? Maybe someday, someone will love it.

I don't make coffee everyday. Don't get me wrong. I DID. For the longest time. But lately I let myself decide in the morning - can I make it with just a small glass of milk in my little, pink Hello Kitty cup?? Or do I need two giant mugs of the good stuff? My D&D coffee preference? Medium iced Dunkin' Dark with milk and 3 sugar. I quit Splenda since I found out the ridiculousness that goes into it. Also because I bought a bag of Splenda and the weight of the bag made me want to vomit. It looks like snow and when you pour coffee onto it, it fizzes and foams up. MMMMMM granulated slow death crystals.

I am pretty selfish at times. I can't even apologize for it because it's just part of who I am. Breakdown: I would never turn my mom down if she needed help with anything or leave my friends flat in a desperate situation. But if you ask me to go to your candle party or jewelry party or Pampered Chef party - yeah I'm not going. If an invitation arrives in the mail for a 50th birthday party at a VFW hall and I don't know who the person is - yeah I'm not going. If I made plans for Friday night but it ends up rainy and I have cramps - guess who's canceling to put on pajamas and cozy up with a magazine? That's me.

If you make a comment to me that I don't like, I usually won't address it with you right then and there. A lot of times the setting doesn't allow for a confrontation. What will happen is - I will go home, LIVID over it, mulling it over a million times in my head, coming up with awesome comebacks and playing out elaborate scenarios. In time, I will move past the aggravation but will never quite fully forget what you said and how pissed I was about it.

I fully understand the dangers of skin cancer but I am one of the morons who slathers tanning accelerator on rather than SPF.

I am as stubborn as they come. I almost always discard good advice and learn my lessons the hardest way possible. And that has definitely played a huge part in my becoming a responsible adult. (Please refrain from pissing your pants laughing).

I do have my pride. And a LOT of armor. It takes an incredibly harsh person to really break me down but when they do - and they hurt my pride - it takes me a long, long time to build it back up.

I often say words when I burp. I know! I am charming as hell - hands off, guys, this 10 is married.

Perfect time to admit that I have absolutely no grace. I couldn't be LESS elegant. I envy graceful people.  I don't think they realize what an amazing quality that is. Just something as simple as getting into a car for instance ... graceful people just GLIDE in - almost weightless. Not me. I practically explode into that seat. Hair getting caught in the door, smashing my elbow on the console, change falling out of my pocketbook, a button getting ripped off of my pants pocket etc. It's not easy.

I would move to another state in a heartbeat. I appear to be very set in my ways and comfortable with the "regular" but that's not true. I could easily start a fresh life in a new place. Easily.

I am looking forward to being a mother someday. It took me a long time to feel like I am "ready" and a lot of people just didn't get that. I have had some battles over it in the past few years. And I had asked that friends and family stop the constant nagging as I didn't think it was fair to me. I just see it as an extremely personal matter and I really only share personal information on my terms.

I am not very affectionate. I am not the hug-spreader (although I have gotten much better thanks to Gregg, Cass and D). I don't like to get excited because it just makes it harder to deal with disappointments. I have a very firm grip on reality and my life and our finances and budget and household but at times I wish someone would just take that all over so I could put my hair in pigtails and play hopscotch. I do miss being a child with no responsibilities. I am a writer at heart. I love poetry and have written over two hundred of my own poems. I love art and music and movies. My memories mean the most to me. My biggest love is Gregg. I look forward to our future together as we grow old (starting with my crow's feet). My biggest fear is Alzheimer's. I worry too much. I wear the same jeans several times before washing them. I practically live in pajamas. I won't leave the house without makeup on. I am not a news watcher or a newspaper reader. I will read top stories online and that's that. I don't get into politics. I don't get into religion. I love pasta and eggplant. I eat four thousand eggs per week. My favorite band is Pearl Jam. I have a pretty solid crew of friends who are all exactly what I need them to be. I am very strong in many ways but can also be very weak. I have to talk myself into being confident. I still watch episodes of Full House every now and then. And I feel better in my thirties than I EVER felt in my twenties.

So that's more of me for you to "love" hahaha ... or maybe now you are realizing 'Hmmm, I don't think I like this Sheribloggins very much at all, actually'. Nah, I'm not all bad. I am who I am. I just wanted to give you a closer look.

waking up awesome ...

There are few things so simply enjoyed as opening your eyes in the morning, head still on the pillow and arm tucked under it, with a comfortable smile across your face. The chilly breeze from the two, open windows accentuated by the ceiling fan ... pleasant dreams still tumbling around in your mind ... you have no idea what the day ahead holds. You could roll over and throw your back out, you could be electrocuted shutting the stereo off, you could find a family of squirrels in your fireplace ... but you don't know that at this initial, awesome moment.

That's how I started this day! I know! I know! How exciting!! After weeks of on-and-off, annoying illnesses - I finally feel fantastic right out of the gate! I made my coffee and tossed in a teaspoon of peppermint cocoa (one of my favorite 'treats'). I had my routinely delicious egg whites on a wheat English muffin.  I remembered that in just a few hours I will be at Salon de Moda visiting Tanya, the best hair stylist around, for my cut and color. I plan to stop at Dunkin' Donuts for a yummy iced coffee on the way and I don't even have to spend a dime because I have a gift card! Everything is coming up daisies today! (I prefer daisies over roses).

Here's to your awesome day!!

... and here's to me not falling down the stairs as I exit this room!!