Slacker

Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since I wrote something. Since my last post on October 26, Fella and I moved in together to our new house, I hosted Thanksgiving for his parents and grandmother (and y'all, I cooked. A turkey and everything), and have mostly unpacked and settled in.  Things are going remarkably smoothly with the whole living together thing.  If I can just get him to do things EXACTLY THE WAY I DO THEM, we'll be all good. :)

We've been doing the premarital counseling thing, which is mandatory in our church (and also saves us $60 on the marriage license) and wedding plans are, for the most part, falling right into place.  The reception location has been reserved, the photographer too.  Caterer and florist are pretty much selected, but not quite booked.  Dress purchased. Invitations chosen (I think). Everything went pretty well, except for the one major argument about whether we REALLY needed thank you cards with our names on them (of course we do) and then that one time where the guest list doubled in the course of one phone call from one aunt.  But other than that...

We're going to my sister's house for Christmas, and I'm excited for our first Christmas together.  Then to ASPEN FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE I AM SO VERY EXCITED. 

Other than that, no new developments really. No major revelations about life or love this time. :)

Pining

It's hotter than the fires of hell (seriously, y'all, like almost 100 degrees) in Memphis right now (already! It's just June 1!), and it makes me miss Colorado.

I miss the sound of the rattling Aspen leaves in the cool, fresh breeze, and the river rushing by while P and I sit on the deck at our favorite bar eating chicken nachos and drinking Pacifico. 

I miss needing a jacket after dark, even in August.  I miss the lack of humidity and the not feeling sticky already at 9 am.

I miss driving with the windows down (because you don't need AC) and singing along with the radio.  I miss keeping the windows open all summer for the kitties, and sleeping to the sound of the fan (I never thought I'd live without air conditioning).

I miss the way I felt so free my Summer of Me (yes, I know it was because I was ignoring my responsibilities, which is not good in the long run, but at the time was awesome) like the weight of the world was off my shoulders (which it totally was).  I could do ANYTHING. I could be ANYONE. I was released. It was amazing.

There are plenty of things I don't miss, of course.  Being beyond broke, barely employed, and depressed can all go suck it and I'm glad they're gone.

Fella says one day when we're rich and don't have to work anymore he'll buy me a house there.

I can't wait.

Fall

So, I've been working. Hard. Harder than ever in my whole life. Which, granted, is not that high a bar to reach. The weird thing is, I kinda like it. What's up with that?

The flip side of this is that when the weekend rolls around I am WORN OUT.  Friday night I went out on an actual date, and so Saturday I was useless.  Keep in mind I still have boxes and boxes of STUFF that just arrived from Colorado and needs to be unpacked.  Did I unpack said boxes? Why no.  I did not. Well, I did unpack one or two. But mostly, I watched the week's worth of shows on the DVR and napped. And watched football. And snacked. And such. And then I watched (parts of) the Tigers' ass-whoopin by the Vols.

Sunday, I unpacked another box or two.  I figure if I do one or two a day, I might have them all done by the time my sister and niece come to visit (yay!) in a couple weeks.

Max and I did get out of the house for a lovely walk. It was truly a perfect fall day.

Tip

Even though root beer with vanilla vodka is downright delicious, you should not drink too much too fast, especially if you are not used to drinking liquor. It's possible that you may get very drunk and act like an idiot.

Trust me.

Fresh

Let me know what you think of the new winter template. I'm a little bit in love with it. I picked it up (for free, awesome) over at Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates. She has several free ones and also some for $5, the money goes to help with their adoption, so if you're looking for something new check it out.

A side note: my almost-former job is at the base of a mountain (like, I can see the ski lift from where I type this) and they've been making snow there. It's really odd to look out the back windows and see tons of snow, while in the front there's very little. It's just confusing to my brain.

Identity

I'm wondering...

Should I keep blogging anonymously? The very few readers I still have at this point all know my real name anyway. I'm feeling split--I comment on blogs as Sadie, so I can link here. I twitter with my real name. I blog as Sadie. I'm on Facebook with my real name. I just joined Dooce's community website as Sadie, but then was torn about it because I didn't know whether to use my real name and link my account there to Twitter, or link it to this blog and call myself Sadie.

Sadie does have a Twitter account. But she doesn't use it.

I'm tempted to just go with my real name, but one of the purposes of Sadie in the first place was to prevent being found by people that I didn't want to know about this blog. And that could still come in handy.

Sigh. Indecisive.

Rededication

I have failed, and miserably so, at the exercise and organize self-challenge.

I did a good job for a while with keeping neat what I had already organized, but now even that has fallen apart. My bedroom is now causing me anxiety every time I walk into it. I have GOT to get it under control in the next few days or I may go more than a little bit crazy. I did the seasonal clothes swap-out, and ended up not getting everything where it belonged, so I still have a box of winter clothes that needs to be put away, along with the clothes I've worn for the past week or so getting piled on top of that box rather than hung in the closet. I'm a slacker.

And exercise? Just no. Not even. I was doing pretty well for a while but there's no use even pretending anymore. I've GOT to get back in the habit, I am so miserably out of shape.

I'm not giving up though. I felt sooo much better with an organized space, if I can get it back under control I'll work harder at keeping it that way. And I've got less than 2 months to ski season, if I'm going to be able to do any good at all I'd better get into a little bit better shape.

So, here we go again. Starting today. At least I'm gonna try...

Zen

This is totally my new favorite website. I have spent the past few weeks poring over page after page.

It's been helping me with simplifying, decluttering my apartment, thinking more positively, and exercise.

Now I can actually walk into my walk-in closet, and I can see and reach all my clothes. With the help of my roommate, my living room finally looks like a living room and not a storage room. I'm trying to adopt a minimalist attitude about things, which coordinates nicely with my minimal funds. I love the lack of clutter that I'm starting to see in my apartment, it makes a huge difference.

And today I start a 30 day challenge for myself to exercise every day. Just a little, even to just walk Max around the block, I'm going to do SOMETHING every single day.

I'm also spending a few minutes (like ten) every day organizing a small section of my apartment, which keeps me from being overwhelmed by a large project.

This is where to start with the website if you're interested.

Links for Today

I'm having trouble coming up with blog material. My mind just ain't workin' that way anymore. So instead, I thought I'd share the things that I'm reading online today to fill my time.

Babies Don't Lie: A great election post-- one of my favorites of the whole election cycle. It's partisan, but not offensive if you don't agree with the blogger's position. Just cute and funny.

Margaret & Helen: another political blog. Entirely partisan. :)

Guarding Her Nap: The sweetest Daily Coyote post EVER. Seriously. And if you're not enjoying the daily cuteness of this site, you should be.

Black Heels to Tractor Wheels: the series of blog posts in which The Pioneer Woman shares the story of how she met a cowboy and it changed her life.

Full Court Press: "During this 10-episode series, Rivals.com goes behind the scenes of the Memphis Tigers basketball team as they prepare for the 2008-09 season. With unfettered access to the Tigers and their coaches, new episodes of “Full Court Press” debut each week through Dec. 17."

Well, frack.

I've not been doing so well with the whole "regular blogging" thing, have I? I guess it just might take me a while to get back in the swing, it's been SUCH a long time since I was really in the swing. A few random thoughts:

• I recently used "frack" as an expletive when I stubbed my toe without even thinking about BSG.

• I wish there was a community band around here. The nearest is in Denver. I miss playing my flute. Also, I watched August Rush today which made me want to go to Juilliard. It is irrelevant that even when I played I was not good enough to go to Juilliard.
  

• I have been sick for over two weeks now, and my ears, nose, and lungs are being very mean to me. The good thing to result is that since I cannot taste food at all, I'm not eating very much. I've lost four pounds.
  

• When Nashville Star starts next week, I will be recapping the show for TV Grapevine. the show starts next Monday, June 9, at 9/8c.
  

Assorted Items

The Tigers play tonight, you can read about it over on my Tigers blog.

My new friend Thin Girl at work has on these kick-ass boots that I lurve. And? She brought snacks today. See? Boots AND snacks? Resistance is futile. She must be my friend.

I'm listening to podcasts again... I had given up on them since I didn't use my iPod as much. But I thought I'd share some of my favorites...

• Drink 'til We're Funny: Three friends (two gay guys and a girl) podasting from Chicago. Hilarious, and usually dirty.
• Delta Park Project: Jason and Anna are a husband and wife team with a weekly podcast discussing pop culture. They have a separate podcast about LOST.
• Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!: NPR's weekly hour-long quiz show. Very funny.

Bits and Pieces

Don't forget! "The Closer" is airing a special 2 hour movie tonight at 7pm CT, and they're repeating the episode at 9pm CT. It's also on tomorrow night. The new season doesn't start til next summer. I love Brenda Lee Johnson. "Thank you!"

I love that Beyonce's horn section is three women. Girl power! If I had only known, I wouldn't have switched from sax to flute back in junior high.

We went to see "Casino Royale" this weekend. It was pretty good, the chase scenes went a little long, though. I don't mind looking at Daniel Craig without his shirt on, so there's that.

The Tigers play tonight. Read about it on my Tiger blog.

Favorite Football names Holiday edition: Ebenezer Ekuban Bah Humbug!

Merlin loves the Christmas tree. He has never been one for lying on his back, exposing his belly (unless I'm rubbing it at the time). But he loves to lie on his back and look up at the tree. I wish I could fit under there with him, I bet it's a nice view!

Wednesday Wanderings

I'm going to grad school! Yay, me! I went over to campus to take care of things for my graduate assistantship and it was so weird to be there... There were students everywhere, it must have been an end-of-the-semester test day because people were studying all over the place. They all looked so young and fresh-faced... and happy! Silly little things! But the weirdest was the way I felt just being on campus. Like this was exactly the thing I was supposed to be doing. I didn't feel nervous about changing careers, or anxious about making enough money... I just felt like everything was exactly right. You'd think being surrounded by people ten years younger than me (okay, fourteen years younger) would make me feel old, but I felt younger! And bouncier! And... just... it was good. I'm excited. I have to go buy some notebooks and pink erasers and a new backpack. :) I'm kidding. Sort of. But I might really need a new palm pilot, right?

I just watched the first episode of "3 Lbs." It's one of the things I started recording so I'd have something to watch while I'm home during the day. I liked it! I'm going to watch the next two (that have already aired) online and I'll probably start recording it. I like Stanley Tucci especially. I keep waiting for him to say, "looking for Mr. Sneller. Mr. Edwin F. Sneller." It's probably good that I found a new show, because "The Nine" has been cancelled. They're going to air the final episodes in the spring so we can find out what happened. That sucks. I liked that show.

I got a big fat catalog from Target in the mail today. That's just mean and hateful. It's my favorite place and they're taunting me...

Am I the only person who didn't realize that Adrian Pasdar ("Heroes") is married to Natalie Maines (the Dixie Chicks)? How did I not know that?

I just found, airing on INHD2, Earth, Wind & Fire live in concert with Chicago. Together. In concert. Live. And that? Tewtelly rocks. I love me some horns.

I read in US Weekly that Daniel Craig, Ewan McGregor, and Joseph Fiennes all went to school together. All I have to say to that is, Oh. My.

The Tigers fell in the polls after their loss to Georgia Tech last week. They're still #14 in the AP poll though. Tonight we play Arkansas State... and it's time for a little payback. I know it's a different sport, but I'll take my revenge wherever I can get it! If you're in the Memphis area you can watch it on channel 30 tonight at 7pm. If you're not in the Memphis area... then you have to wait until December 6 when they play Tennessee on ESPN2. Speaking of that game, I think a little revenge of a different sort might be on the line... Go Tigers!

And? Let's finish with some cuteness.... Doesn't it make you wanna snuggle?

Holiday Spirit

I just saw a commercial for an upcoming sale at a local furniture store.

"Impress your friends with this luxury dining set."

Really? You're going with that? You think they'd want to use something a tiny bit more holiday-ish and heartwarming like, "make room for everyone with this dining table large enough to seat all your friends and family." You know, or something.

But no. Impress your friends. That's nice.

Monday Medley

Merlin and I are mentioned on Mimi Writes today. Check it out! Then join us tomorrow and Blog for Peace.

So. Here I am! Cozy in my new uniform of unemployment: jeans, white turtleneck, Memphis sweatshirt, wool socks, and moccasins. I'm sitting on the couch with my feet on the coffee table. It's raining. Merlin is quite pleased with my new schedule. He gets lots of extra attention and I get to watch his routine: from the kitchen window to the den window, to the front door, to the right living room window, to the left living room window, and back again...

I've decided to use the time to get to know myself a little better. First experiment: how much sleep does Sadie really need? Today I did not set the alarm clock, I wanted to see how much sleep my body would want if it was allowed as much as possible. The result? TEN hours. Sheesh. But I sure feel good today. The next experiment may be how much snack food can I eat...

Bad thing #7 about being home during the day: the timing. The election is tomorrow. I cannot stand to watch television because every single commercial break includes at least two campaign commercials. I am sooo sick of every single candidate at this point (not just short little Bob Corker), they're lucky I'm going to go vote tomorrow. But then, I don't have anything else to do, right?

But really, with him here, how could I be grumpy to be home? He's so happy.

My new favorite commercial

First, head over to StuffOnMyCat.com and Vote for Tiggy! If you would. You don't have to register or anything. Yes, I seem to always be asking for votes. For cats.


Anyway, this commercial? This is awesome. This is the grumpypants antidote.

Traffic Nightmare

As I posted earlier, tonight after work I had to go to the grocery store. Now, my normal daily commute is about fifteen minutes when traffic is at its worst, so that's not a big deal. I also know all the little tricks to driving that route-- for example, for no apparent reason, no one likes to drive in the right lane, and I can zip in that lane all the way home. However, because I also needed to return a video game to Blockbuster, I thought I'd go to a different, better, grocery store. I even left the office five minutes early, hoping to get a slight jump on the traffic.

Those five minutes were of no use to me. I, apparently, have lost all ability to drive in traffic. I just don't know how anymore, and I nearly had a nervous breakdown. Truly, I about lost my shit on my fellow drivers. What is up with all those people in all those cars? Do those people drive that route every night? Cause if they do, they should be better at it. Plus, it was dark already, and I hate driving in the dark.

Oh, plus plus, when I got home and picked up the dogs' food dishes, I touched (touched!) one of the three slugs (THREE!) that had taken up residence in Max's bowl during the rain today. Ew.

And I have a new pimple on my lip. Seriously. It appeared while I was driving, I think.

Grumpypants

I don't have anything to blog about today. It's rainy. President Clinton's coming to town tomorrow and I can't go. It's Halloween and I don't have any candy. Nobody in my office has even acknowledged it's Halloween. I don't have anything good to eat for lunch and I don't want to go out in the rain for something either. Tonight I have to go grocery shopping and that's no fun. I swear, after that I'm going to take a bubble bath and give myself a pedicure to make myself feel better. In the meantime...

I know I just posted a kitten yesterday, but I'm trying to battle the grumpy today, so here's a whole basket of kittehs. Gotta fight fire with fire, people.

Seriously?

Poor Manny the Mantee. "Wet, dreary weather and a fast-rising river hampered efforts to locate the sea cow. Despite being about 8 feet long and slow-moving, it evaded helicopters equipped with infrared sensors and boats employing side-scanning sonar." Seriously? And y'all, they really are looking. I can see the helicopters from my office window. I'm even keeping one eye on the River in case I spot Manny myself. The good news is, the sun is coming out finally, and maybe the weather clearing up will make it easier. To find an 800 pound sea creature. In the Mississippi River.

Update 4:18 pm: They gave up. They gave up! The sun came out, it cleared up, and they're giving up anyway. Poor Manny. Maybe he outsmarted them and headed back home on his own. Y'all cross your fingers that he'll find his way to warmer waters...

Various and Sundry Items

I love those Jimmy Dean commercials. The ones where the guy is the Sun? Hilarious. They make me laugh early in the morning, and that is not an easy task (the "why?" one is my favorite).

"Some people contend it's too early for basketball. Not in this town, it's not." Truer words were never said. And I'm ready. Less than a month remains before the first regular season game. I see we have Arkansas State on the schedule at the end of November. Bring it on, my blue wearing hoopsters. Bring. It. On.

Speaking of Arkansas State, I thought I was recovering from a crappy football experience, but I gotta give it up for Arizona Cardinals fans. Dude. That sucked. It was one thing losing a close game in the final seconds (or actually, after the final seconds) but to lose a 20 point lead? In 22 minutes? You win, Arizona Cardinals fan, you win.

Special K snack bars are really tasty. Like Rice Krispy treats, really.

TV schedule update: I'm giving up on "Without a Trace" and "Ugly Betty." "Criminal Minds" is gone too. I really meant to watch "Dancing with the Stars" but it just didn't happen, although I plan to tune in tonight and see what Sara Evans has to say, poor woman. I still haven't watched "The Amazing Race" but I'm saving all the episodes on my DVR for a marathon some weekend. I am finally catching up on some "Desperate Housewives" so it looks like it'll get to stay on the schedule for now. My spreadsheet looks so much more manageable than it did 2 months ago!

Look at this punkin. Isn't he cute?