Early to Bed, Early to Rise

I am a nightowl. I like to stay up late, after the kids are in bed, and revel in the peace and quiet. Lately, my 'late nights' are a bit earlier, but what can I say? I'm getting older.

So, getting up early - before the sun is even up - is like pulling teeth. I just don't like it. The earlier I get up, the more queasy my stomach feels (does this happen to anyone else? I just don't feel "right" first thing) and the more I'd just rather stay under the covers.

This morning the cars needed to be moved around so that my dad could get out of the garage and get to an appointment. I knew we needed to be up early, and I knew that I should really get myself more into a schedule and try to make sure my ass is at work at 8am sharp like it should be.

I was awake at 6:30, but layed in the bed until 6:40 before I decided I should just get up and go. Left the house at 7, and imagine my surprise when I rolled up to work a bit earlier than 8.

And imagine my surprise even more that I'm actually in a better mood and just feel better in general than I do most days. Like I'm rejuvenated. Or maybe it's just because we're at the back of the hump and approaching the weekend?

At any rate - perhaps I need to make this a habit. Actually setting an alarm (gasp!) and getting up and leaving for work on time (even bigger gasp!).

OH! And - the BESTEST. NEWS. OF. ALL. My weight loss endevour for this year.....I got good news this morning, but you'll have to read about it at my weight loss blog.

The Great Big List of Books I Read in 2008 (updated 1/6/09)

In 2007, I hammered out at least 22 books (I didn't keep track, and that is just looking back through my bookshelves trying to recall those I read. And yeah, I know several of you over-achievers out there are rolling your eyes at my bleak number....well, pfffffffffffttt at you!!!!!)

I'd like to read at least 30 this year. Hopefully more like 50. We'll see.

1. As Seen On TV by Sarah Mlynowski

2. The Thin Pink Line by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

3. Lying in Bed by M.J. Rose

4. Full House by Janet Evanovich

5. Target Underwear and a Vera Wang Gown: Notes From a Single Girl's Closet by Adena Halpern

6. Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger

7. Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster

8. Been There, Done That by Carol Snow

9. Passion by P.F. Kozak

10. Getting Warmer by Carol Snow

11. Baby Proof by Emily Giffin

12. Jemima J by Jane Green

13. Wicked Ties by Shayla Black

14. Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich

15. Made in the U.S.A. by Billie Letts

16. Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella

17. Back to the Bedroom by Janet Evanovich

18. The Rocky Road to Romance by Janet Evanovich

19. Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich

20. Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

21. Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty

22. I Never Promised You A Rose Garden by Joanne Greenberg (reading in progress)

23. Love Overboard by Janet Evanovich

Total Books Read in 2008 = 22.5 (one book is still awaiting me to finish it)

Where's the sun?

It's rainy and dreary, and I'm finding myself sleepy and lazy.

The phone hasn't rang in quite awhile, so it's been relatively quiet around here aside from the radio in the background, playing quite a mixture of music to get us through the day. So, I'm losing focus and staring at the wall in my office.

I think to myself, I should put a picture there. One that I took! Maybe of flowers. Or fruit. A peach! Millions of peaches! Movin' to the country....I'm gonna eat a lot of peaches. I remember singing that song while we had free swim in gym class. Man, I hated those bathing suits they made us wear! And how our hair would be messed up for the remainder of the day. That part of high school sucked. Why didn't I take photography classes then? That would have been cool. Yeah. I definitely should add some of my own photographic art to this office.

And then the phone rang, and I got to talk to a man with a sexy voice. I needed some information on some advertising, and he offered to bring the information by, or mail it. I tell him to mail it. Doh! Hello? I could have had the opportunity to see this sexy voice in person to break up the monotony of the day.

Instead I fear I'm going to end up with drool on my keyboard! 4:30, come quickly, please! I've got hot wax and nail files waiting for me! Eyebrows be gone (or at least smaller) and my very first manicure ever is scheduled for after work! Woohoooo!!!!

100 Things About Me - Part 5

41. In my freshman year of high school, I went through a phase where I really enjoyed rap music and wore long tshirts and baggy jeans. In fact, I got men's jeans to achieve the look.

42. One of my favorite songs, that will always be one of my favorites, is Lady in Red by Chris DeBurgh.

43. I think Matthew McConaughey is HOT! Totally dream and drool worthy.

44. I am a Chicago Cubs fan through and through. No matter how much they break my heart, year after year, I still keep coming back for more.

45. I suffer from allergies that generally flare up in the spring, and then again in the fall.

46. I have 2 siblings. They are only 1/2 related; we share the same mother. Otherwise I am an 'only' child between my folks.

47. My cousins are all female. The 4 of us were all pretty close growing up. Now 2 of us still reside in Illinois (me in the burbs, the other near the city), 1 resides in Arizona, and the other in Connecticut.

48. One place I love to shoot photos, and don't get down there nearly enough is downtown Chicago. While down there, I love to pick up Garrett's caramel pocorn.

49. I tend to drive slightly over the speed limit, so when someone in a fancy car rides my ass and then passes me, it really pisses me off.

50. I'm a multi-tasker. I usually have about 20 things going on at once. Hence why I started this at 2:40 and am just finishing up at 4:53pm.

100 Things About Me - Part 4

31. I love Christmas time, and decorating for it -- but I hate taking everything down when it's all over.

32. I love the smell of coffee, but don't drink it.

33. When I was a child, I had a pet goldfish named Norman.

34. I have only flown 3 (well, I guess 6 flights) times in my life. Once when I was 11 and I went to Disney World with family. In 2000, when we went on our honeymoon to Jamaica. And lastly, in 2006 when we went to Disney World.

35. As above; my first trip to Disney World was with my aunts, uncle and cousins. No folks (mom won't fly). The second trip was our first as a family; me, the hubby and our two kiddos (which, the trip I won through a local radio station (score!!!)). The plan is to visit WDW again, this fall, this time with my folks (we're driving).

36. Back to planes; the most recent flying experience was a bad one. Tail end of a hurricane over Florida didn't allow immediate landing .... we circled for so long we had to go to Jacksonville to refuel. On the landing into Jax, I used an airsick bag for the first time in my life (thank goodness my stomach was pretty much empty).

37. I've only been out of the country twice. To Canada and to Jamaica.

38. My favorite item of makeup is eyeshadow. Love that there are so many shades of color out there!

39. Fall is my favorite season. I love the changing leaves/colors and that the air is a bit cooler and crisp.

40. Even with fall being my favorite season, I do love summer quite a bit. BBQs, outdoor activities, and it seems like everyone is happier when the sun is shining and the weather is beautiful.

Happy Friday ..... NOT!

I woke up this morning to Mike fumbling around and trying not to moan. I could hear that he was holding his breath a lot, which I know for me is a sure fire sign that there is awful pain.

He had been complaining of leg cramps and pain in his foot, which progressed this morning to him not being able to put any weight on his left ankle.

I felt bad that he needed to take himself over to the urgent care, but I had no choice; I had to be to work.

While I'm worrying about his situation and waiting for his call, I get to work and find my nightmare has come true. The new driver that we just hired, and was just set to start, did not show up last night. I've been worrying myself to a great extent about finding a good, reliable driver - I told one of the current drivers yesterday that when I end up hospitalized for ulcers, they better come visit me.

I get a call from Mike, and he's got tendinitis. He's got a doctor's note for work, orders on how to care for it, and a script for 800mg Ibuprofen.

In the meantime, I'm having a hard time focusing on my work, wanting to be home, and worrying about the 8 million Christmas lights that are outside and on the house that all need to come down tomorrow. I just want to crawl in bed and not come out.

Wastin' Time

82 words

Touch Typing online

100 Things About Me - Part 3

21. Back in the day, I was HUGE New Kids on the Block fan. LOVED them! Joey was my favorite. ;) I had all the paraphernalia that came along with it; clock, bed sheets, dolls, buttons, posters, etc. And saw them in concert!

22. I was diagnosed with a degenerative disc in early 2002. To this day I suffer from back pain quite a bit.

23. I used to want a family of 6 kids. Then I got married and had a boy. Then I had a girl. Now two is plenty, thank you.

24. I dated one guy from November 1995 until the fall of 1998. Looking back, that is one thing I would have changed in my life. Not having to do with anything about him; just that I was 'tied-down' throughout high school.

25. My feet are always cold. Like icicles, really. Maybe toe-sicles. :) They don't "thaw out" until about July, and then come, say October or November and they start into their frozen-like state again.

26. I have never, ever, ever tried pot. Or any other kind of drug for that matter. Honestly, not one puff of pot. No desire to try, and I'm still not curious about it. I think it smells like something my cat left in the litter box.

27. I am a cat person through and through. I talk to them, talk for them, buy them Christmas presents, and wish them a happy birthday. They are allowed to sleep with me, next to me, on me or wrapped around my head. I understand their looks and when they 'roll' their eyes at me. At one time, growing up, we had 4 cats in the house. Now, we've just got my 'baby', Cosmo, who is 11 years old. God help me when he's gone. :(

28. My first car was a 1988 Toyota Celica GT. I had it for 3 years before I bought my first brand new car, a 1999 Hyundai Accent.

29. I am addicted to garlic & herb pita chips.

30. I am a clearance shopper. Love to hit all the clearance sections in stores. I love to shop, and saving money is great, too!