Friday, August 29, 2008
I'm back!!
Highs:
1. Had a great time.
2. Bermuda is stunningly beautiful.
3. Had lots of great food and drinks.
4. I read 2 whole books!
5. Relaxed a ton.
6. Played games with the kids.
7. Kids were old enough to entertain themselves when they got bored of us.
8. Discovered stretch capri yoga pants in suitcase yesterday after a week's worth of eating and drinking way too much! Woo Hoo!
9. Amazing weather.
10. Fab entertainment on ship. LMAO on several occasions.
11. Shared a small stateroom with kids, so didn't have to do the "vacation thing/activity", if you know what I mean. :)
12. Puked once! Not too bad!
Lows:
1. Puked 1st thing Sunday morning while waiting to enter the restaurant for breakfast. Made it to the restroom just on time.
2. Shared a small stateroom with kids. Couldn't do "vacation thing" for the brief moment that it struck me as a good idea. Luckily, idea was fleeting.
3. Had to leave Bermuda.
4. Came home to rain.
5. Back to the real world.
Stay tuned!! Thanks for all of the visits and comments while I was away!!! Welcome to my new visitors and commenters!
Check back soon!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
What's in a name?
Monday, August 25, 2008
Oh to be 10 again.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
My status as of tonight will be questionable...
I'm going on vacay with the family starting today. We're going on a Bermuda cruise until next Friday. Apparently, the internet access on cruise ships is quite expensive, so I won't be blogging "live" next week. (unless I can sneak away while Sean is napping or something) But, I'm hoping to get some posts ready ahead of time, so don't forget to check in at Debland this week!
Ok, something you should know. Well, not really, but I'm going to tell you anyway. I get seasick. I get carsick, I get sick in Imax theatres, on rides, even doing certain yoga poses. Yet I am going on a cruise. I really want to see Bermuda!! I went on a cruise for my honeymoon. I didn't get sick, but also spent most of the week drinking. A. lot. of. drinking. Hmm.
Now that I have 2 kiddos, the cruise will be much more tame then in my wild young years. That being said, it is quite possible I'll be sick. Yuck.
So, either I'll be having a great time when you read this, or I'll be trying out some new yoga-like poses as I puke in the ever so tiny bathroom in our cabin. I am well supplied with Dramamine, so I'm hoping for the best.
What do you think will happen? Vote now in comments! When I get back, I'll let you know.
Will Deb:
a. bow down to the porcelain gods on Norwegian Cruise Line?
b. be able to drug herself sufficiently to have fun?
I'll be interested to see what you guys think.
Bon Voyage!
Friday, August 22, 2008
I never thought…
Me:
Celebrities I supposedly look like:
Robin Wright Penn – I wish.
Erinn Hayes – Wow, I really wish.
Jennifer Jason Leigh – What ARE they smoking?
Tandy Cronyn – Good God, I hope not!
Anne De Salvo – She is pretty, but looks like a newscaster to me.
Finally, as they say, last but not least, Michael J. Fox –
I mean, I have always thought he was super cute, but not to the extent that I would like to look like him.
Are you brave enough to try this??? If I can, you can. I double dog dare you!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
BS isn’t always at work.
I am so lucky to have spent the last 9 years at home with the kids. Really, I do feel lucky. Sometimes, however, I do lament my former days as a bank VP, dressing up in great suits and hopping into my BMW to go off to work. (Btw – the BMW was the first thing to go when I quit.) While it seems like I only remember the good days, I think I romanticize those days to an extent. Today, when I got my Urban Dictionary word of the day, I started remembering some of the crappy things about working in the corporate world.
Word of the day:
August 20: bullshit bingo
A game that can be played in large meetings. The players write down management-nonsense word like "Out-of-the-box-thinking", "Synergy", "Content streamlining" etc. in a 5 by 5 square bingo card.
If a word or phrase is used during the meeting you check the box. When you get a five box line (horizontally, vertically or diagonally ) you shout "BULLSHIT!" and win.
Company bigshot fancypants: "And that is why this merger is going to benefit shareholder value by creating value driven content.
You: "BULLSHIT BINGO!"
Company bigshot fancypants: "You're fired!"
We had a ton of BS jargon at the bank. Some of my favorites were:
- Value added
- "Convenience" Fee
- Success is Confidence, We Can Help You Get There. (I know, I don't get it either)
- Star Power (internal sales jargon)
- Solution oriented products
Then I settled back, feeling happy that once again I was reminded that being an executive wasn't all it was cracked up to be. BUT, then it dawned on me, that even now, in the life that I live, there are still bullshit phrases that are used. A lot. Things like:
- "Yes, Sean, I do agree we should watch the budget. I'm so glad you brought that up."
- "I'm sorry you feel that way honey, but I still love you." (in response to a kid that has just gone ballistic on you about something that is SO not your fault)"
- "We'll see." (When you have no intentions of saying yes)
- "Yes, I would be glad to volunteer for my millionth time this years PTA fund drive."
- "We don't eat sugar cereal, because it isn't healthy." (Meanwhile, I have my own private stash)
- "Yes, we should have your parents over. We haven't seen them in a while."
I could go on and on here. But, then I wouldn't be able to hear some of your bullshit bingo life phrases. Who wants to play?
Monday, August 18, 2008
Trading one for the other can make you a flake (literally)
Guess what? It worked! I felt so triumphant. Yesterday, as I was fixing my beloved hair, I noticed a little piece of dead skin on my earlobe. I reached up to rub it, and literally sheets of skin peeled off my ear. As it turns out, I protected my hair color, but will now be getting a serious case of skin cancer on my earlobe sometime in the near future. The sun burnt the crap out of it.
I feel a mix of emotions here, I do feel rather stupid, but I also wrestle with feeling smug that I outsmarted the sun and its hair fading properties.
Hmm...hmm...I'm at a loss for more words. Just thought I'd share a portion of the exciting dangerous life I lead.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Tag, I'm it!!!
Here's the rules!
1. Link the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them & leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they have been tagged.
Ok, I can only share 6? Hmm...here goes...
1. As a kid, I used to be able to bite my toenails. For some odd reason, I bit them instead of clipping them. Luckily I'm not limber enough to do that anymore.
2. I am totally and completely freaked out by bellybuttons. Seriously. They just gross me out to no end. Back in the 90's, Sean's roommates, knowing this fact about me, dared me to put my finger in my bellybutton. I did. I puked and then cried.
3. I have always had, and always will have a thing for thin guys who wear glasses. (luckily for Sean) Love it. I just think the smart look is sexy. Anyone out there agree?
4. When eating things like sandwiches, dips, or spreadable cheeses, I cannot have the mayo, dip, or cheese put on thick. If I bite into something, and it "splooshes" out, I feel like I want to get sick. I do not know if "splooshes" is a word. Frankly, I don't care.
5. Given the chance, I will always pick out things that are Hello Kitty themed. I think she is adorable, and she is a throwback to my childhood. I own a black velour Hello Kitty sweatsuit, have Hello Kitty notebooks and pencils, and have used Hello Kitty nail polish. This is just a few examples of my Hello Kitty love. (eeww, that sounded weird) I understand that there are Hello Kitty themed violin cases, and I totally want one.
6. I am a amateur violin player, to say the least. I started when I was 30. When I practice, I often fantasize that I am a fabulous player who is a professional. I daydream about being in an orchestra. Strangely enough, those fantasies used to agitate me and make me sad, yet I couldn't help it. Now, I enjoy them.
Hey, I never said I was normal. Ok, now to tag 6 people to hear their unremarkable traits. Here goes...
1. Jill Jill Bo Bill - http://jilljillbobill.blogspot.com/. Jill is way fun, and I am interested to hear some facts about her.
2. Amelia Bedelia - http://amylowrey.blogspot.com/. She is Jill Jill's sister, and equally as fun to read. (Sorry girls, I won't pick favorites!)
3. Wendi Aarons - http://wendi-aarons.blogspot.com/. Wendy's blog is hysterical. I look forward to reading her posts. I'm such a fan of her, and actually wish she would post more often, because she is so creative.
4. Jen the Mom - http://cheaperthantherapyjen.blogspot.com/. Sometimes the therapist, always the entertainer, I'm tagging Jen to see what she has to say.
5. Sue - http://happymealsandhappyhour.blogspot.com/. Sue doesn't know me well, if at all, but I read her blog daily, and also just purchased a blogging t-shirt she designed. How funny is her name of her blog? Go check her out!
6.Tena - http://5150mommy.blogspot.com/. Tena is refreshingly honest and creative in her blogging. I enjoy reading about her self proclaimed "jungle" that is her life.
Thanks again, Sheila! This was fun! If anyone ever wants to know more odd facts about me, they abound. Feel free to ask.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The family just got a little bit bigger...
pics courtesy of my cell phone...sorry for the poor quality.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
What do YOU need?
Here's how it works. Go on Google, or any search engine, type in your first name, then a plus sign, then the word "needs". Here's what my search looked like:
"Deb+needs"
Then, you write down the first 10 phrases that pop up, which tell you what you "need" Here is what came up for me.
1. Deb needs HAL removed. -
Now I'm not sure what Hal is, perhaps it is a skin growth, a stalker of mine, I don't know. I do know however, that whatever the hell HAL is, I want him/it removed immediately.
2. Deb needs help with whole words.
Ok, now it is getting a bit personal. I thought I had a pretty good way with words, but apparently I don't.
3. Deb needs our help.
Well, they say it takes a village, so I guess this is true. Please help me.
4. Deb needs xbill.desktop file -
FINALLY, someone is listening to me. Those who know me well know that I complain about this all of the time. I want my xbill desktop file, hear me?
5. Deb needs helpers! -
Ok, did we not cover this in #3? I thought there was no shame in needing helpers.
6. Deb needs your prayers -
Do you sense a theme here? I hope nothing horrible is about to happen to me!
7. Deb needs a revelation when a grisly axe murderer kills a man. -
Uh. Hmm. WTF?
8. Deb needs dependency on... -
ON WHAT? There's no ending to this phrase! What could I possibly need dependency on? Aren't cafe' lattes enough?
9. Deb needs to join this group.
Sounds good to me, if I knew which group it was. Is it a 12 step group? Is it a group of people who are getting shipped off to the funny farm? Maybe it is a coffee group of some kind. Hopefully it isn't a swingers group or something kinky like that.
10. Deb needs to be processed by Ubuntu's automagic installer -
Maybe that will happen in the group I will be joining.
Well, I amused myself. Hopefully you too are amused. Please feel free to comment, or add to what you think I need. I need comments. They are integral to my feeling successful as a blogger.
I can hear it now..."My name is Deb, and I'm a comment whore..."
Saturday, August 9, 2008
No, I didn't do an 8-8-08 post!!!
But, I suppose I've never been one who follows the rules too often, so I will boldly declare that I DID NOT do an 8-8-08 post!
Sigh. Still wish I did.
Ok, onto a completely different subject. We're supposed to go to the beach tomorrow for a couple of days. That will definitely be good for some new blog posts upon my return. Check this out though! I'm talking to the kids about the beach trip...here's the conversation...
Me - ok, after we do blah blah blah tomorrow, we'll leave for the beach. (by the way, we're not really doing blah blah blah, I just didn't feel like typing it all out)
Alissa - "Ok", she says with a sigh.
Me - "What's wrong?"
Alissa - "Well, I just was hoping we could shop for school supplies, since we just got our lists."
Me - "We can do it when we come home."
Alissa - "I really want to do it tomorrow!"
Me - "But don't you want to get to the shore?"
Alissa - "Not if it means we can't shop for school supplies."
Me (Thinking in my head at this point, not speaking) "What in the world is wrong with this child? She CAN'T be serious, can she? Shit, I think she is serious."
Me (out loud) - "I can't promise it will happen tomorrow, but we'll see."
Note: for anyone who doesn't have kids yet, saying "we'll see" is a huge mistake. The kids totally think it means that you said yes. Honestly, it is true.
Later this evening, I'm putting the kids to bed. I kiss Alissa, tuck her in, and go to leave her room. I wish her a good night, and say I love you.
Alissa - "So we're going to shop for school supplies tomorrow, right?"
I swear. Is it just me, or is that totally weird? Maybe I was a slacker in school or something. Guess I should be glad, but I want to go to the shore, NOT to Target where I'm guaranteed to blow a minimum of $100.00.
I'll keep you posted. (No pun intended)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Looks can be deceiving
One toy that I always wanted, but never got was an Easy Bake oven. I used to watch those commercials where the little girls would get together with their friends to create a multitude of confectionary delights, which in the commercial would look just perfect, like it came from a bakery. I was soooo jealous, and convinced that I too, could replicate these desserts.
I asked. I was told no. I begged. It didn't happen. Unfortunately, by age 5 I caught on to the whole Santa thing, so I knew asking Santa wouldn't work.
Sadly, I didn't get one. Eventually I did come to realize that it was for the best. (sniff!)
Sean, as a little boy, always remembered wanting this toy...
Remember these? Yup! A Snoopy sno-cone machine. I can still see the commercial, kids on a hot summer day making delicious looking sno-cones, and putting various colors and flavors of syrup on them. They always looked so refreshing, and so perfect. To have one of these would guarantee a child from the 70's pure bliss, right? Of course.
Last year before Christmas, I was thumbing through some catalogs that sold old fashioned toys and stumbled across the sno-cone machine. Feeling charitable, as well as wanting to fulfill one of Sean's little childhood dreams, I bought it for him for Christmas. I was actually excited to give it to him. I had idyllic visions of him making sno-cones with the kids this summer, just like in the commercials I so vividly remembered.
They tried it. The stupid thing completely sucked. Sean's arm was completely exhausted and cramped up from trying to crank the stupid thing. It made minute amounts of shredded ice. There were no syrup packets.
It's now sitting on a pantry shelf, unused, and unloved.
Why am I posting about this? No reason. Just what came to mind. If anyone wants to share about a toy from the 70's era, whether they had it or just wanted it, feel free. If not, you can certainly confirm your suspicions that I am nuts, and read your next blog in your feed. :)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
R.I.P. Hermie
Saturday, August 2, 2008
I want to be a part of it...New York, New York...but does NY want any part of me again?
Here's Whoopi! She seems to be the favorite cast member of the audience. I have no idea what she is really like in real life, but comes across as very friendly and funny when chatting.
Notice that Lisa and I did not feel the need to be serious. Oh, and one more thing about Tom...he smelled really good, so if anyone out there wants to hire him they should know that Tom puts hygiene first.
A bag? What is so bad about a bag, you ask? Well, it isn't just a bag. It was a bag filled with this:
Yes, those ARE Clorox cleaning products. On our one big day out and about in Manhattan, we were once again reminded of the fact that a good portion of our "regular" lives involves scrubbing toilets and such. Oh, and the bag stunk like cleaning products. We got to lug them around Manhattan for the afternoon. Very Carrie Bradshaw, I think, don't you?
Before lunch, we made sure to explore the building, and we especially paid close attention to the art there.
We had a ball. Or two.
Not only can it be a pretty summery choice for a day around town, but it also helps me create this handy sugar packet dispenser...
Or a great place to stash a ticket...
Now I'll tell you one thing that was NO JOKE. Lunch was amazing. I had a lobster BLT that was to die for. Really. No really. I mean it. It rocked. Hey, by the way, here is a picture of Central Park. We had a great view from the restaurant. Unfortunately, this picture was shot from street level.
I thought it would only be fair to show the other tops that were worn that day, lest you think I am the only exhibitionist...
Just sayin, that's all. Hypocrites. :)
It was a great day!!!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Much to tell
I'll give you one hint...
the prize stunk.
We had fun anyway.