Rawwrr

Let’s get one thing straight. I am the cuddle queen. The absolute Snuggle Temptress.

The other part of my doctor’s visit was asking about, well, let’s just come out and say it – the lack of testosterone in my diet.

I’ve come to a dramatic conclusion here. (drumroll please)

I am not a sex kitten.

The doc – not so helpful. Other than to say I’m not alone. Apparently the amount of sex drive you have is also hereditary. Oh, that will console the hubs. He should have interviewed my mom about this.

Well, women out there who have to remind yourself to press your buttons – unite!

I will never be found in Frederick’s seeking out the skimpiest. I often go to bed before it even occurs to me to put the pretty eyes on.

If there's another sister out there who knows who I feel, know that I’m all about the hugs, too.

Simply, I don’t think about sex. Recovering from abusive marriage doesn’t help and holding the hands of rape victims isn’t a turn on. But I enjoy volunteering and it’s healing.

Medical research is trying. And women line up to be participants of the tests. But then it gives them heart attacks. And I’m not willing to do that. Sorry – naked time ain’t worth dying for. Actually, I don’t think it’s the naked time. It’s just that the ooey and the gooey doesn’t appeal to me. Why doesn’t we tell that to kids when we’re trying to get them to wait? It’s gross kids!

Whoops – TMI…better get back on track.

The hubs is an understanding one. He knows he’s good looking. He likes me for me.

When I asked him if I could blog about my libido, he said “well honey, it’s your libido.”

Thus, there remains no ferocity in my meow.

But hey – there’s thousands of other animals that came across on the ark right?

At night with the not-so-newlyweds

N: What is wrong with these blankets?
A: I folded them over. It’s too hot in here.
N: Noooo! I cannot have them folded. They must be spread out so I can fluffify them and cocoon myself.
A: You don’t do that, you just spread them everywhere.
N: Nooo!
A: OW! My arm hurts!
N: I don’t think flu shots are supposed to hurt for two days.
A: It hurts so bad I couldn’t go to the gym today.
N: Why didn’t you just work out your legs?
A: That’s tomorrow.
N: Ah, I see. What do I know about working out anyway – it’s not like I try it.
A: I thought you typed. That’s your sport or whatever.
N: No honey. It’s writing.
A: Same thing.
N: You totally didn’t get the analogy did you?
A: What analogy.
N: Oh my goodness. It’s metaphoric. Typing is like kicking the ball. Writing, it’s like playing the game.
A: Oh, I see.
N: Good night and good luck.

Does it apply to diet?

Best. News. Evah.

Free Dr. Pepper coupons on the doc's Web site because the Guns and Roses album is dropping. On Sunday. From 12:01 a.m. to midnight. They are valid until Feb. 28.

I don't much care for GNR -- but oh, do I mucho care for Dr. Pep.

update for Anna

Just in time for the most expensive time of the year... we just sent almost $300 to the shelters in San Diego County, in honor of Anna.

Thank you so much.

November and December are top months for domestic violence because of the stress of the holidays and the fact that some people do not handle it well. No excuse -- but hopefully this money can help those victims get on their feet a little.

In case you're wondering -- there was a delay due to a massive paypal glitch (never try to tell PayPal you got married and changed states... just change bank accounts...run away) that took awhile to get resolved.

I see huge things for this. A non-profit in Anna's name. Going across the country -- no going global. Getting grants or something (because I hate asking for money from individuals) and helping woman get a fresh start. Will it end domestic violence? No. But maybe it will break the awful cycle of violence that my family helped me get away from. That's what I want.

Famous

The new line of Amy Butler prints are named after my dog. Maybe that will get me a discount? Because there's no way -- no matter how great the new curtains would be in my kitchen -- I'd ever pay that much for fabric.

CopyPenguin

Mer, if you're going to take my ideas, at least take me with you to Australia. I mean, I just posted about it -- and she goes and does a segment about the struggling penguins abandoning their babysitting duties for food.



We're so not talking. And that has nothing to do with the fact that I have to leave for work at 7 a.m.

This is my sport

The amount of lessons my parents paid for when I was a child likely drove them to the .99 menu.

Piano, check. Flute, check. Karate, check. Ballet, jazz, hip hop, check check check. Theater, gymnastics, done and done. Soccer, softball, and oh the list goes on.

Writing is me, the court is not. I skied once, but I promptly tore my ACL and required
surgery. I decided it was too cold and never went back. Sorry you bought all that stuff mom. I sure looked cute when I went sledding.

I was never the type to do a talent show, always the type to be told that I was a "good friend" and should clap instead. That's cool, I'm a good clapper.

But then I started writing. I filled journals, started typing 75 words a minute. Felt the thrill of being published every day. It was my name they called for awards -- and that was a good feeling. I found confidence and broke out of that shy shell.

All was going well, until last Thursday when I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel at the ripe old age of 23.

Oh my heavenly days it hurts so bad. Tears. Both wrists, all my fingers. I told the doctor "I think I have arthritis!"

I'm remembering my blessings. Good friends who know the right equipment (thank you Heidi)
a job who said no prob and overnighted special equipment in for me. A patient husband.

It hurts to pet my puppy, which makes me feel like a bad mommy. I feel like a bad wife when I'm sitting at home after work icing my sore hands.

The doc told me no typing after work. Writing is my sport, and blogging is my outlet. I would be more than heartbroken if I had to quit. I don't plan on it. I plan on doing everything else before it comes to that.

But I also plan on counting my blessings that I can walk, see, talk and do so many other things. Because not being able to use your hands. Well, let's just say -- you use your hands a lot.

Where would you store it?

What if the batteries malfunction on this thing and it eats your child at night?



The hubs and I just saw this commercial and it seriously freaked me out.

Why not be crafty?

Oh my sewing teacher Margaret would be so disappointed that I am not creating elaborate things with a needle and thread, but I hear that onesies make good gifts because you can never have enough. So that's that.

If you would like to purchase the onesies -- because let's face it, life is sometimes to stressful to embark on craft projects (my dining table has been covered in fabric for oh, two weeks now) I put a few on Etsy here.



I found great letter patterns here, a flower here, and a whole bunch of manly stencils here (not all will work for the project.


If I didn't do a good job, there is another tutorial here that might help.

Good luck. Let me know if this helped!

Perma-baby

She's fully grown. She's 14 pounds. She's so little. I couldn't be happier. Now if only she'd realize that shoes aren't for chewing.

Tom tom

This is Tom the Turkey. He's a little tattered. He's a little old. But ever since I remember, he's gone on the fridge in November and every visitor to our house writes down what they are thankful for on a feather.

We still need to write on our feathers, but mine will say that I'm so grateful my parents are coming this year for Thanksgiving. I'm so lucky. I'm grateful for my husband, he'll get his own feather. I'm grateful for my new job -- a job I actually love and can picture myself being at for a long time. I'm grateful that we have health insurance after a year and a half of not. I'm grateful for more stability this year -- that could change, but I'm grateful for some moments of peace. And yes, I'm grateful for Ann Taylor's and Banana Republic's clearance rack. I saved our feathers from last year -- and I was laughing because that was on there! But it's so true. Never does a $15 shirt feel so good.

Let's create a virtual Turkey -- Tom looks so naked. What does your feather say this year?

He said no

The no is out on bringing home the abandoned egg. But, this was the best part of picking up my prescription at CVS. I didn't buy them, but I took a picture and asked my husband if he would change his name to Penn so I could be Gwen. That's better than proposing a new pet, right?

My luck

We'll call that one a strike-out.

Thanks for all the honesty. It's tempting to not just turn this into one of those blogs where I post what I wear everyday. It's so dang helpful.

I wore the shoe-booties. My dumb luck right? In my defense, the gray shoes are new, so I was blinded by "I must wear my new shoes!" syndrome. And a husband who preferred the gray. He's still learning that you have to look at the whole outfit. Not just one piece.

Struggles.

But I must say -- my momma sent me a scarf from Greece and I rocked it on Sunday. Well, according to my 12 and 13 year old friends. But hey, sometimes they can be the toughest critics. Sorry the picture is blurry -- I was scolding a certain puppy at the same time.

Texted

The husband sent me this text message today:

Baby. If you can. Could you stop at the store and get milk, cereal, and shaving cream? Maybe bananas and little oranges? But that is it. I could do it tomorrow too and be fine. Love you.

Cute husband. Way cute husband. But when he checks the bank account, he may notice I picked up a few other things. In my defense...



The fact that Febreeze makes such an industrial-sized, fierce-looking "pet odor eliminator" made me think that my house must smell. Why on earth else would there be such intimidating bottles? So I bought it.

I'm on a new lunch kick. This kick is better than the last one because pizza comes in flavors. The price point isn't as fabulous -- $2 a pizza -- but it's still better than if I bought lunch. So we call it good. Though everyone at my new job is starting to notice that I eat pizza every single day. I think I may need to alternate with a peanut butter and jelly.

I did make it home with some produce. I'm loving the $5 boxes of mandarin oranges available at a Safeway near you. Perfect to stick in your purse for a snack.

Mmhmm

I subscribe to a few livestreams on friendfeed because I like the links they post. Or maybe just the pictures that make me wonder if it's OK to have a crush on the president. What, OK? He's great about sending text messages and emails.
But...I'm still way to enamoured with Michelle. And my own husband. Isn't this post-election pre-presidency high great? When he hasn't done anything to mess it up yet?

Pin it: Autumn

Despite what the tinsel hanging on the stores will tell you, it is fall. So celebrate good times. And the fact that somewhere out there, the leaves are falling.

If baking will get you in that mood, try these Chocolate trees! The tutorial at Crazy Delicious Food actually makes it look easy -- which it might not be, but hey they're so cute it's definitely worth trying.