A Royal Baby is On the Way!

Ahhh what the heck am I still doing here? It’s time to hit the gym, and then get home to put an actual pen to paper.

Although, truth be told, I did end up talking to a coworker for, like, an hour out of the blue. So out of the blue and so lost track of all time. It was so out of this worked that my boss came looking for me to tell me she was heading to a meeting…and I was still standing there talking. What can I say? My job is to be social….but probably not that kind of social. I really hope this doesn’t come back to bite me in the butt.

Hey, I know you! And you too!

Tomorrow’s plan? To be chained to my desk. Hopefully, I am not wearing spandex shorts underneath whatever I don as my apparel choices for tomorrow. It is highly uncomfortable…but I probably shouldnt be wearing a dress in the middle of 27 degree weather either. It’s winter, girl. Get home, and put your fuzzy pajama pants on. Lay on the couch with your DVD player and cry your eyes out as the horse drama plays out in front of you (and no, I am not kidding. Watch the movie ‘Flicka’ if you’ve ever had a problem with your father and you will weep like a baby. Or I’m just incredibly emotional ALL THE TIME these days.)

Father and Daughter should always work on the same page….but it’s not quite so easy.

Is this what happens when you give a large part of your life to the higher beings? When you fully place your trust in them to take control of any aspect of your life, and let be what will be? Does everyone become an emotional mess when they have no control over certain things? Like my never-ending need to shove chips and chocolate down my gullet? I did have a salad the other day, so I can’t be treating myself THAT horribly.

Ugh, but I do love my ice cream.

On a happier note…Kate Middleton is expecting! I was so happy to hear the news, I started jumping up and down. My next course of action? To unofficially start planning a baby shower in her honor. How sad am I? But what a great party idea! I’m looking forward to seeing what sort of stylish pregnant mommy looks she’s doing to bring to the front page of every fashion magazine in the world.

So incredibly excited!

One thing is for sure…unless pushing out an 8-pound baby knocks a few screws loose in her noggin’, I don’t think she’ll be posing nude with her pregnant belly like some other notable celebrities. Demi Moore, cough cough. I’m glad women are very proud with their enlarged and pregnant bellies, but keep it covered ladies. I’ll deal with it and see it first hand when I’m carrying a child of my own.

The infamous magazine cover in question.

Until then, cover up!

“My kids are sane.”

The every-so-lovely Michelle Obama speaks her mind on her finest achievement during her first year of being her ladyship, the First Lady. I hear ya, Ms. Obama, and I’m sure the Duchess of Cambridge will have the same thought running through her mind when her little one is born in a handful of months. The whole world will be watching, all too closely for anyone’s taste. (I sure do hope she has a little girl. A little princess born to the perfect fairytale couple. Oh no, I’m getting weepy again…)

Classy lady in so many ways. She’s a new idol of mine.

It’s my hope and dream to be what I call a “hot mama” when I rock the baby bump. Fit, stylish, and not the least bit afraid of how I look because giving birth is the miracle of life. It’s a miracle I really look forward to taking part in one day. On a different thought, is this what happens when you give up on your love life, even if temporarily? Do you start daydreaming about babies and pregnant bellies and weeping at the sight of every itty-bitty tiny child you come across? If so, I’m a goner.

They even write books about it! So it’s incredibly possible.

I went to a new brew house’s opening night to, of course, try the beer, and the food, and I ended up sitting at a table next to a very cute little baby boy. Definitely going to be a flirt, that one. He wouldn’t take his eyes off of me! It had nothing to do with the funny faces I was making at him, but still! I didn’t mind. He was adorable, and his smile? Gush-worthy. (Do you hear me talking? It wasn’t even my kid and I can’t shut up about him.)

Could you resist a face like this?

What kind of mother will I be? Embarrassing. That;s a no-brainer. I kind of look forward to the day my kids tell me I’m “so embarrassing…like, seriously Mom!” I bet I’ll be holding a lightsaber when they speak these fated words.

Yes, darling, I know. I should stop, but I won’t/

God save the man who provides the second part of the equation to my carrying a child.

Run while you can. I’m warning you.

The Road is Calling

I need to go on a road trip.

It's much needed.

I’m not talking any old, sort of road trip. I’m talking the kind where you stop at a gas station, fill up your tank, grab a bunch of snacks (my personal faves for driving trips are Gardettos, Pringle’s, Gummy Worms, and Jolly Ranchers), get a large cup of coffee, put a great mix of tunes on the radio, roll down the windows, and just go! Unless it’s the dead of winter, you probably won’t want to roll your windows down. Heck, if it’s the dead of winter, you’re probably not to gung-ho about driving. But, regardless, whether you’re jumping into your car alone or with a slew of friends, just pump up the music and go.

Chewy, fruity, and delicious.

I know this sudden urge to drive somewhere with no definite destination is due to this immaculate sunshine I walked into once I was done with classes for the day. Add an entire dance class listening to 90s music, I felt like my old self again for a short period of time. You know who I’m talking about…The girl who is always smiling, laughing obnoxiously loud at pretty much everything, tripping over her own to feet, jamming out to any music she hears, quick to offer her opinion be it good or bad, and carrying herself with a sense of pride and purpose.

That girl had been missing from my life for the last couple of weeks (or dare I say, months) and I just hate it.

Where did you go, and when are you coming back?

Lately, I snap at people for almost no reason, I’m always on the verge of tears, I wake up with my first thought of the day being when I can crawl back under the covers, I’m eating when I’,m not hungry, and I’d rather spend time alone than with other people. And the people I would like to spend my time with, I barely utter two words to them because my mind is consumed by a million and one things. My brain never stops, and it’s getting really annoying. I’m pretty sure I have anxiety. No one should be this tired all time. Well, if they’re pulling all-nighters consistently, then yes, they would be this tired. But you get my point.

“I always said I was like those round-bottomed circus dolls — you know, those dolls you could and push down and they’d come back up? I’ve always been like that.”

Normally I would agree with my self-perception like the marquee maven, Doris Day.

The original bounce-back girl

But, lately, I just don’t feel like me, and people are beginning to notice.

I'm going to turn into a real fatty if I don't stop eating my feelings.

My sister shouldn’t have to send me text repeatedly telling me that she’s willing to listen to me when I’m ready to talk about whatever is bothering me. She also reminds me that she loves me. I might not say it enough, but she really is a great sister, and I hope I can do her wedding justice by being the Maid of Honor. I shouldn’t have coworkers asking me what’s wrong on a daily basis because I snapped ast one of them two minutes after I walked in the door with a smile on my face. I shouldn’t be posting emo-ish statues on Facebook to express myself. I shouldn’t be living off coffee and fast food.

I need my ray of sunshine to come back to me, and for a short time, I felt like it did. Even if it was only  as I filled up my gas tank, grabbed a fat-filled caramel latter for SuperAmerica, turned up the latest album of the Rascal Flatts, and just hit the road (to my apartment…ha!), it still felt good. Singing my heart out like no one could hear me, except a few could when I stopped at a light. Their faces were priceless!

Belt it out! No one is around to hear you anyways!

At the same time, it was a moment of melancholy. My years as a student are coming to an end. I’ll be a real-live adult soon enough, and it’s scary. I have loans, medical bills, credit cards, and living expenses to worry about now. Just utterly ridiculous, real life is. But, I’m warming up to the journey. You only get one life, right?

Diamond tiaras look good on me. Don't ask me how I know. I just do.

Unless reincarnation is a real thing. I’m hoping to come back as a princess, a movie star, the President’s wife…you know, a position with power and influence

Growing up has also meant getting jobs to help me support myself. Because I’m working an insane amount of jobs, it doesn’t leave much free time in the evenings or on my weekends. I’ve been craving the need to go home for some time now. Being home on the farm always seems to put things in perspective for me. Returning to my roots reminds me of who I am, and it helps lift my up when I’m feeling down, even if all I do when I’m home is milk the cows or clean out their pens filled with manure. Hard work builds character. It’s how I was raised. It’s not something you wake up and forget. You actually wake up remembering how fit and certain you were in everyday life before you made the choice to move away to a city where farming barely exists.

Whoever thought I would miss the cows, the chores, and the sweat saw something in me back then I never did. Senior year of high school? I was so done listening to my dad give a list of chores to do every single day, done with sitting on a tractor for hours and hours (the only benefit being getting a killer tan…and killer tan lines along with it), and so done with being on his time and not my own.

These cute little guys taught me patience. Believe it or not, they are not cooperative at all.

Goes to show how little I appreciated everything he did for me, and how little I recognized how much I was learning from it. Now, when my dad or brother call to ask me if I could come home to do chores for a weekend, I do what I can to be there. But, with three jobs, it’s not so easy to just jump in the car and drive home once I’m done with classes for the day.

It sucks, quite frankly. I’ve never wanted to jump in my car to head for home so badly as I did this afternoon.

Yes, I really do wear a hat like this.

You can take the girl away from the country, but you can’t take the country away from the girl.

On a different note, congratulations to making it through the week to Friday! YEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS! Fist pumping everywhere! So, you  know what that means? Fabulous Friday is here so inspire you through the weekend, and maybe ignite brilliance for the week laying ahead. But, for now, we’re going to enjoy the weekend that is only just beginning.

Here’s is what is making my Fabulous Friday:

Fabulous Boyfriend Advice:

Fabulous Decor Idea:

Puzzle piece backgrounds give a very modern feel to any room.

Fabulous Giggle:

Scandal Alert! C-3P0 and Leia are going in for the kiss! What is Han going to say about it?

Fabulous Flashback:

"Did I do that?" Classic 90s TV show!

Fabulous Spring Cocktail: Find the recipe here!

Pomegranate and White Wine Spritzter! Doesn't it just sound refreshing?

Fabulous Man of the Moment:

Forgive me, but I couldn’t single it down to one. So, instead, I’m giving you two to enjoy.

 

I'm still on a Titanic kick. So, of course, Leo is a part of this!

Hello, Handsome!

Fabulous Words of Wisdom:

Fabulous Dream:

Caught it at just the right time. Beautiful.

Fabulous Jedi Training:

Have you seen the commercials for this thing?!

Fabulous Smile:

I think he's learning the rules so he can break them

Fabulous Girl Power Reminder:

Fabulous Future:

This is probably what I’m going to be like at 80 years old. You’ve all been warned…

You can’t see it where you are, but I’m raising my glass to all of you this evening. Thank you for stopping in and checking out what I have to say, whether about a current topic or a rant about my daily life which can range from utterly exciting to dull enough to kill an acorn.

Continue to thrive and continue to train. We only become better if we work on it. I’m working on becoming a bona fide adult. It’ll take years, let’s be honest. I’m too much of a kid at heart (and mind) to fully become an adult in every way, shape or form.

Staying fit is key to a healthy lifestyle. Plus, it keeps you prepared.

I’m missing home tonight, but I’ll rest easy. Why? Because it all else fails, I know I have a place to run to, to drive to when the urge strikes.

You always know your way home.

Nothing like a twin sun sunset.

That ‘Keep Them Guessing’ Smile

No comment.

On a day like this, I wouldn't have a comment either.

Two very simple short words. Celebrities use them all the time. Especially in that moment when they have to acknowledge the world’s witnessing of something stupid on their part. Most will emerge into the daylight with sunglasses, a downward pulled hat, maybe even the lapels of their jacket pulled up high on their necks. Doesn’t matter what they wear. It all screams the same thing: “I know you want to talk to me about it, but I don’t want to say a word.”

So, what do they say instead?

Flying under the radar is the name of the game.

No comment.

It may not seem like a huge deal to say those two tiny, insignificant words. But its *such* a huge deal. If someone’s lips are kept tight around a subject, any subject at all, it becomes that much juicier. It’s like a steak you can smell on the grill, but you’re a vegetarian. You’re not allowed to eat…you can’t eat it, in fact….but if you ever enjoyed meat at one point in your life, the moment you smell that delicious flank being grilled to perfection or you see someone slice into it with its even and tender slightly pink coloring, you want it that much more.

Now, add mashed potatoes and I'm done for.

Yes! Secrets that have no comments about them are just like wanting to sink your teeth into the perfectly well-done steak!

I’ve experienced this for myself. People have seen me out in social settings, I’ve interacted with certain people in said social settings, a few drinks were had, we’re seen leaving the room together….and that’s where the viewers part of the story ends.

You wanna get out of here? For you, Ryan Gosling, I'd go anywhere.

What happens the next day? A hurricane of questions ensue.

So, what happened last night? You two really seemed to hit it off. We saw you leave together. You had more than a few mojitos. I’m pretty sure I saw him touch you on the shoulder more than once. You were getting awfully close to each other. Someone said they saw you outside his apartment. Somone said they saw you leaving his apartment this morning. You never called me last night, so I bet you were busy. Yeah, really busy. No one could reach you.

And it goes on and on…Been there, dealt with the drama. And all I had to do was smile and shrug my shoulders.

If I left without telling you, do you really think I'm going to pick up when you call me?

They already have an idea in their heads anyways! It’s none of their business if I went home with a guy or not. Or if we sat in a bar to have another drink. Not their business if he brought me home and walked me to my door…and kissed my hand good-bye for fear of looking too much like a pushy hard head. It’s even better if they think he’s good-looking, and have no clue as to who he actually is.

Yeah…I’ve been there. The drama, the questions, the attention, everything that followed…it was awesome. I didn’t say a word to anyone about what happened. They all thought they knew, anyways. So, if they actually want the real details, they can come find me and ask me in person. Not via text. Phone call might even be acceptable, but I don’t know if they’re alone or getting the deets for someone else’s sick purposes…so face-to-face is best.

All eyes are always on Kate, but she's managed to keep us guessing for years now. Master!

Celebrities have to worry about the press. Photos speak a thousand words. Sometimes I do have to deal with photographs, but not nearly on the scale celebrities do. However, in this day and age, there’s probably a video of everything out there.

Don't get caught with dozens of cameras around. You'll need to think quick otherwise.

“I don’t believe in that ‘no comment’ business. I always have a comment.”

You and me both, Martha Mitchell, the Watergate-era “mouth of the south.”

Does this look like a woman who often keeps her thoughts to herself?

Hey, if celebrities and presidents want to try their hand at this tactic, and maybe think they can get away with it, I’m more than entitled to try it when the need arises. I am a so-called “normal”. Ha, whatever that means!

I don’t think I’ve ever had a moment of where I’ve actually had to use the words “No comment. My reply of choice? “Why do you need to know?” Because, seriously, why do you need to know about my business? If I want you to know, I’ll tell you. Or blog about it

We didn't get into a tangle like this, but others not involved will make their own assumptions. Are you sure of what's happening here?

Like, last night for example. There was a brief moment in time where my “date” and I stepped outside to grab a breath of fresh air. The way I was dancing up a storm, not only did I lose around 2,000 calories, but I was also losing pounds in sweat. It was sort of disgusting. But, anyways, for the brief time we stepped outside, we were spotted. Almost instantly…”Hey, just saw you outside [insert building name here]. OMG…Who’re you with?” Add about a dozens questions with every conversation I’ve held since opening my eyes this morning.

Invite me out for coffee if you want the dirty deets.

C’est la vie for the life of the adventurous.

At least while I’m alive, I’m not going to let someone say to another that I lived in ‘a long darn era.’ Oh no, I did not. It may be a long era by length, but by no means should it be boring. That’s half the fun of the ‘no comment’ tactic anyways. Seeing how much you can make people salivate. They probably already know 98% of the story, and the 98% they know is probably the hard, cold facts. But, if you keep them guessing, that’s where the intrigue comes in. You have to know when to play your cards right.

“You gotta know when to hold’em…know when to fold’em…”

Keep it tight against the chest.

The weekend is not nearly close to being done. Stay scandalous, my friends!

The Queen of Scandal herself.

Not Everyone Can be a Dancing Queen

It will be a morning for recovery.

I should have gotten up early to meditate by the lake.

Not only from the number of drinks I had, but my muscles need a small break from movement and my throat is so sore, I just need a giant cup of tea with lots and lots of lemon. I have an 8-hour shift ahead of me…where I have to answer the phone. Yeah, I need my voice.

Calming the throat is the first of many battles this fine morning.

So, what’s up with my that once again I skipped Fabulous Friday? (and it’s coming this weekend, no worries.)

I attended a wedding with a friend last night. Of this wedding party, I did not know a single person. How about that? I almost felt like a Wedding Crasher. Ha, almost.

Yeah...I channeled my inner Rachel McAdams.

While I didn’t know either the bride or the groom, I did know an usher and he is the one I went to the wedding with. You know what? It was a blast! I spent the afternoon taking my time getting ready once classes were done for the day.

The whole evening reeked of elegance, and I absolutely loved it. My “date”  came and picked me up from my front door. Like, he actually came to the front door of my apartment building and rang the buzzer so I would know he was there. He opened the car door for me, he let me pick the music in the car, he offered an arm for me when we got to the reception. He bought me my first drink of the evening (a cucumber press! I don’t normally have these, but this one had pineapple juice added to its concoction. Is this normal for this type of drink? Since I normally don’t drink it, I don’t know!)

Delicious and refreshing.

I even got to ‘check’ my coat. I have never ‘checked’ my  coat before. How fancy-schmancy was I?

Check your coat? Oh, please do!

He pulled out the chair for me when it was time to eat dinner. Let me tell you, I felt so classy as I sat with my cucumber press and tossed around my hair a little bit. Oh yea, I was that girl at the wedding. Hell, I didn’t know anybody at this wedding other than my “date” so I really didn’t care what anyone else thought about me.

I did get a thumbs up from one of the groomsmen when I went to refill my drink at the bar. From a groomsmen. Granted, I know when I slid into my dress, it did highlight my waist, which has shrunk considerably in the last couple of months. It definitely felt smaller after my huge bloating episode the previous day when I pretty much fell off the face of the earth in calories.

I’m going through a funk. Why, why, why? I have no idea. But, i pushed myself through for a night…and getting all fancy for a night may have been the cure for a small period of time.

You know you have a great party dress when your skirt twirls out fully when dancing!

Anyways, my dress was perfect for dancing and flowing around my hips in all the best ways. It also felt great against shaved legs. This may be gross to reveal to you, but I haven’t shaved in a few months. Feeling silk against my bare thighs is a rush of its own kind.

I even broke out my Kate Middleton engagement ring. Yeah, I’m one of those people who bought a replica of the royal engagement ring. I only break it out on special occasions. Weddings celebrations count in the category of ‘special occasions.’ Since I broke it out last night, and I remembered how beautiful the ring is, I may just keep it out all weekend long.

Oh yeah, rocking a giant, dazzling blue stone!

Seriously...it's gorgeous.

I should probably explain why I keep calling him my “date.” The guy is only my friend. We are not dating, we have never gone on a date or two. We’ve only gone out in group settings. On one such outing with friends, where I first met him actually, I ran into my ex-boyfriend and had a small mental breakdown. Yeah…most definetly the way you want to make a first impression on people. Mental freak-outs and break-downs. I’m such a winner!

Winning!

Anyways, someone actually broached the subject of whether I was his girlfriend or not, and I had to shake my head. I wasn’t at the wedding to be someone’s date. I came merely as a +1. It may be harsh to say that out loud, but I did not go to this wedding to possibly find a boyfriend,  have a boyfriend by the end of the night, or let my “date” know I’m interested in him in that way. We’re friends.

Although, I think he had other thoughts. I always caught him looking at me in certain ways, and I had to dance my way out of it. I’m a really good dancer with life’s problems. How else could I still be standing here if I wasn’t? I know I looked really good last night, but no one should be looking at their +1 that way…especially when it was stated early on I wasn’t going as a date. I was going to keep him company.

Not saying it wasn’t fun. We danced and had a good time. All the songs we requested were played…probably because only a group of 8 people stayed out on the dance floor for the last 2 hours we were there. A couple slow dances, a dance contest (where we placed last…HAHAHA! and our reward was a purple glow stick. I’ll take it!) and I actually sat out of the Electric Slide. What type of person sits out the Electric Slide?

I can teach you the electric sliiiiiide!

I may have sat out the Electric Slide, but I did not sit out on Thriller. Thriller came on just as I stepped out of the bathroom, and I ran to the dance floor. The other couple we were hanging out with knew how badly I wanted to dance to this song, and I owned that dance floor. I don’t even know the full extent of the actual dance, but I knew the basic parts that everyone recognized. I owned that dance floor.

I don't understand why the dance floor completely clears every single time this song comes one.

It was awesome.

This wedding made me appreciate our family weddings so much more. Where I don’t need a date because I can get out on the dance floor all by myself and dance the world away…and no one says a thing. No  one is looking at me in certain ways. I’m just me.

I can’t wait for November to get my wedding groove on again.

“My passions were all gathered together like fingers that made a fist. Drive is considered aggression today; I knew it then as purpose.”

These words give me hope, Bette Davis, a film buff’s fave.

Old school glamour has modern-day advice.

If I feel this great about dancing in a handful of months, I should feel this great about everything in life happening in even less time. Because I want something, even if it’s simply to have a good time at a wedding where I don’t know anybody, it shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing. It should be seen as myself working towards something I want, and need, in my life.

Who said film stars don’t have great views on life?

Maybe TomKat isn't the best example here, but I would have had a blast drinking their free booze!

Happy Saturday, and its only just the start of this wonderful weekend day. Make the most of it! I’ll update you more on the day, and let you in on a little fabulousness later on!

Wear the Fabulous loud, and wear it proud!

Women of the Universe Unite!

Someone from Romania has viewed my blog. Today.

Viewers from far and wide!

Who knew I could be enticing to such a global audience. You think I’m joking. Not in the least. Someone from Romania, Argentina, Italy, several from Australia, a handful in South America, a dozen from Alaska….the list goes on. What a nifty thing to find out. Go me! So, thank you, new and returning viewers. Your support is greatly appreciated by moi.

On that note, Happy International Woman’s Day! Hey, you! Yeah you! You rock, sister! Everything about everything you do is awesome. Whether you’re a sister, a mother, an aunt, a niece, a student, a grandmother, a granddaughter, a sister twice removed, a sister by a different mother, lovers, or a best friend….whatever you want to call yourself and whatever you are, be proud of your womanhood.

YAY WOMEN!!!!

It’s continually proven that women are stronger than men. I have one reason and one reason along why I continue to believe this to be true. Giving birth. Enough said. If men experienced the pain of childbirth, the man would have one child, the woman would have one…and most families would probably stop at two children. Unless we’re all like Octo-Mom…then our planet is in serious threat of being overpopulated. But seriously…we are one strong species.

We’re fighters. We have been fighting for everything our entire lives. Equality, the right to work outside the home, the right to choose whether to stay single or be married, the right to birth control, may I repeat it again…EQUALITY. Equality in all things….relationships, job positions, wages *ahem* wages, politics. There are still a lot of men who believe women should be seen and not heard. That we should not be anything but arm candy for them. To assist in making them look good at all times.

No, ladies, this is not an ideal career path. For anyone,

Yeah….that’s something I want included on my resume. “Assist male counterpart look better than he does on a regular basis.” Not only does that make me sound conceited and high-and-mighty, but what guy would be shallow enough to do that? What girl would have such low self-esteem to allow herself to be treated that way? Alas, I know I’m a very strong-willed individual. Many aren’t willing to put themselves at risk speaking the things I say on a regular basis. I’ll cut it to the point: I’m not afraid to call you out on your bullshit. If you’re being an ass, I’ll tell you you’re being an ass. It might be passive-aggressive at first, but give it time to simmer and you’ll feel my wrath.

As my father always tells me, you’re cool, calm and collected until someone pisses you off. Then, watch out.

Well spoken, Dad.

“Every employment was closed to me, except those of the teacher, the seamstress, and the housekeeper. In education, in marriage, in religion, in everything, disappointment is the lot of the woman. It shall be the business of my life to deepen this disappointment in every woman’s heart until she bows down to it no longer.”

Smart and brave words of the super suffragist, Lucy Stone.

Preach it, sister. You were ahead of your time, but we've finally caught up. The fight is on.

I’m sure she heard a few choice words directed at her…all because she fought for what was entitled to her. Freedom and equality. I’ll admit this right now, I sound like I’m making a speech straight out of Braveheart. “Freeeeeeeeeee-dooooooooooom!” Gotta love Mel Gibson before we went all crazy on Hollywood.

That Scottish brogue....sign me up.

I’m proud to be a woman. I’m proud to fight for the things I want in life. Nothing annoys me more than being treated like my thoughts don’t count, especially by a man. Prime example: I was enrolled in a theatrical lighting class last semester, and our final project for the class was to design a light show to a song of our choosing. I was in a group with two other guys. I don’t mind working with men. In fact, I prefer hanging out with them on a regular basis. You can shoot the shit with them, insult them, let them insult you back, but in the end, you get the work done. As long as there’s already an understanding that any insult thrown in anyone’s direction is not to be taken personally….aka we’ve been friends for some time and we understand each other. But that’s beside the point….

Something similar to this. Our design by the way, ended up being spectacular!

We picked a 3 minute song, and two hours later, we only have 10 seconds done. I’m not joking. 10 seconds in 2 hours. Not a very good work output rate. The reason we took so long to get anything done? I do not exaggerate when I say this: I made a suggestion about using two different colored lights to signify the Boy and Girl of the song; a blue and a purple, respectively. My idea was simply rejected because the plot was too simple and lame. What did Brainless #1 come up with? Nothing. In fact, he stared at his own laptop screen the whole time while my other male partner (who is not brainless) and I experimented and made decisions about what to do within the song. Did Brainless help us at all? NO. In fact, he left 2 hours early from our allotted time slot to go do something else because we weren’t getting anywhere.

I’ve never wanted to smack someone so hard in the face before.

I was ready to go all Maggie Fitzgerald on his patootie.

He even said, straight to my face, I don’t know what I’m talking about and shouldn’t give my opinion on what’s going on. Excuse me? I know I’m not a genius when it comes to lighting to programming the lighting board, but creative thought and process…I happen to consider myself an expert. Usually when doing a project like this, you need both the technical and creative side working together, or everything falls a part.

Needless to say, this kid was also 4 years younger than me. I wasn’t too happy with him. It showed me I need to control my irritation levels when someone says something offensive to me. I got up and left the light booth at one point because I was thisclose to screaming at him, but I went for a walk around campus instead. Normally, I would have yelled without a second thought…but Jedi patience paid off. So, I’m making progress

Be proud of who you are, ladies. A favorite quote of mine as of late: “If a guy can’t handle you wearing sweatpants in public, he probably can’t handle you doing anything.” I really like it. To me, it speaks about when we ladies finally let our guard down, are finally comfortable around them, and if they have an issue with how we chillax, they probably will have a heart attack when we’re out in public and dressed to impressed. I always seem to get myself in trouble when I’m attached to someone and we go out in public. I either have to fawn all over him, or be completely ignored by him, and be okay with either option is ends up being. I may have high standards, but if a random guy strikes up a conversation with me, I’m not going to be rude and blow him off. I’ll chit-chat back. Talking to someone does not mean I’m cheating or flirting. I’m just talking.

A bit risque...but risque also doesn't mean cheating. Sometimes, we have to get your attention.

Be regal in everything you do. Do it with grace, do it with style…if you ever run into a question, think: What Would Kate Middleton Do? (I’m sorry…but I just love her.)

Can she do wrong? Stay tuned.

Whether you’re a doctor, a lawyer, an actress, an ad agent, a waitress, a cab driver, a military officer, a stewardess, or a stay-at-home mom….don’t let any man get you down. When they realize it takes two to tango, it’ll make everything better. We can’t force them into that conclusion, but we can help them along the way.

Embrace your womanhood! Happy Woman’s Day!

Today, more than any other day, I embrace my Jedi self.

A Box of Chocolates Later…

WHOA! Holey Moley….

Doesn't seem like much, but it means the world.

My number of hits keeps going up, which only makes this girl smile a little wider. After not writing yesterday, I figured frequent visitors might get a little bored, and maybe even a little disappointed. Nope. The exact opposite happened. Just…wow!

Thank you very much for your attention and continued support!

Yesterday was by far one of the hardest in a little while. Valentine’s Day is always going to be tinged with a little black coloring. When you claim Valentine’s Day as your official going-out date, and then things end unexpectedly, it makes the holiday a little hard to swallow. Yeah..yeah..yeah. I know a handful of you are already shaking your head at me, claiming Valentine’s Day is nothing more than a Hallmark holiday not worth anyone’s time.

Ladies, if you’ve ever received a bouquet of flowers, a tin of chocolates, or a small sweet gift on the 14th, you get what I mean about feeling left out when you’re walking through the halls and down the street listening to other girls gush about their special guy, and all you have is the box of chocolates you bought yourself a week ago so you had something to look forward to at the end of the day.

Just the two of us. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Guys, if you’ve seen her face light up when you give her that special something, take her out for a surprise dinner, or just curl up on the couch with her on this not-all-that-important-but-it-really-is-imporatant day, then you know deep down inside you strive to feel a connection to someone as much as she does.

I do have to laugh that I came across these words of Joan Rivers. Of all the days, it had to be Valentine’s Day to find this gem of advice:

“Never give back the ring. Never. Swallow it first.”

I appreciate her words on a day like V-Day

Are you listening to this, Miss Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge? You swallow that beautiful ring before ever giving it back to Prince William.

No engagement ring should look that beautiful

Not that I am wishing wedding woes between you two. Absolutely not! You two are going to make it. Not just as a royal couple, but as a devoted pair of lovers who value each other’s morals and beliefs, respect each other’s differences, and genuinely like each other. And don’t forget the sexual attraction! Come on, Prince William, your wife is a hottie, and I hope you tell her every day that she is absolutely gorgeous.

All sources point to yes, Kate Middleton is a Royal Babe

All in all, not a terrible V-Day, just a lonely one. When you keep hearing others say I Love You’s and giving away flowers all night long, and you get nothing? It wears on you. I do enjoy seeing couples in love. Nothing makes me happier than seeing an older couple come into a store and at a glance you just know they are still head over heels in love with each other. Holding hands, laughing, swatting each other on their shoulders. That’s what a marriage is all about.

I did have to work a holiday party last night, which didn’t help my mood at all. YAY. Yet another reason to despise people who are in love. On top of that, I worked with my ex-boyfriend. Yahoo. On top of THAT, if we were still together, it would have been our 2-year anniversary together. Sappy and mushy and all of the above. With every hour that passed, I kept recalling a year ago and what I would have been doing, The past is, however, the past for a reason. It can’t be relived. Only remembered.

How about that for some Jedi wisdom?

As I left work, there were dozens of red roses just lying around ”for decoration.” Whatever. I grabbed two of the prettiest ones I could find, and left. If I wasn’t getting flowers from some dumb schmuk, I would give them to myself. I deserve a flower just as much as every one else!

A rose for me from me. Don't you dare judge me!

The evening shaped up to be rather pleasant. Went home, crawled into my comforting pajama pants, and got an unexpected phone call from New Guy. Okay? His reason for calling so late? He wanted to say hello and talk with me before the day was over. Then, he did say he hated Valentine’s Day. Aw shucks. For a second, I thought I was going to get a sentimental moment out of him. Unfortunately, just not so. But…he did call. With no prompting from me, so that’s got to mean something, right?

Cracked open a bottle of wine the instant I was settled into my couch with the next episode of Grey’s Anatomy cued up on Netflix, and then I dived into my Darth Vader chocolates. Oh, yes. Chocolate covered caramels with the Force infused inside. My sister also made chocolate covered strawberries, which didn’t hurt the situations. If anything, I filled up on my missing calories for the day and crawled into bed feeling content.

I gave myself a little buzz. Just enough to fall into a pleasant sleep.

Love is out there for me somewhere. I believe deep down the Force will bring us together at some point in our lives, but if my life is as hectic as the last couple months have been, I really don’t have time for one. Unless he wants to see me maybe one night a week, and that’s past anyone’s normal bed time.

Or I could just hook up with New Guy’s Best Friend. Eh, why not? No commitment that way. Just a night of total and complete uninhibited nonsense. Yes, I am calling it nonsense, because that is what it would be. Can’t say the thought isn’t tempting…

For those of you who are in love, have been in love, or are searching for love…the Force will not lead you astray. When the time is right, you will meet him. Or her. Maybe you already have, but the Force had to intervene to say, “Not yet. In due time. But not right now. It’ll come at a better time, and then you’ll understand.”

Or just listen to Han. He always has grand advice!

Oh, to have the wisdom of a Jedi Master right about now.

The two masters I would trust with all my being.