Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you are all surrounded by loved ones and eat lots of turkey and pie!

Lolz

Because it's Friday and I have nothing else to talk about...

Yep, been there.

Awww, been there too.

For the Harry Potter fans...

And for the knitting fans...

That is all. Enjoy your weekend!

(Not-So-Wordless) Wednesday - Muffin and Web Cam

The Muffinator loves her computer games. Oh yes, she adores not only the Webkinz site but various "edu-ma-cational" sites that encourage development in reading and mathematics (which may explain the "exceeds expectations" results on her report card. insert smirk).

Turns out, she also loves the computer itself! I came across these images which could only have been taken by Herself while supposedly playing an educational game while I was doing something along the lines of watching TV cooking and cleaning. Let us observe the progression...

First, it's a new button to push! What does that do?

Then, realization dawns - that thing just took a picture of me!

So, if we're gonna take a picture - we need to be properly dressed (which, by the way, coincides with the fact that she inexplicably jumped up, asked to put on her princess dress and crown)

But, every expert has a learning curve - and thus, the final picture is perfection:

Say CHEEZE! My pretty, pretty princess Muffin. What manner of sneaky subterfuge will I discover next. God willing, I'll keep ahead... Yikes!

Autocomplete - Fail

One of my favorite sites, failblog, posted a link to this gem Autocomplete Me. You know how Google tries to read your mind autocomplete your search? Well, this blog has some real winners - here's one that almost made me cry.

And another one - who can honestly say they haven't felt this way!

Anyway - if you're up for a giggle - check it out!

Oh, Grit!

So, I've been buying salad-in-a-bag at the grocery and am frankly appalled at the price. I know that I'm currently going through the "used to buy at the Commissary but must now shop commercially" phase - but it's ugly! Seriously - I'm spending at least a third more on groceries and, I'm sure it's no surprise to everyone else, shopping healthy is freaking expensive!

That being said, I decided to take matters into my own two (non-cooking) hands and buy actual greens, chop them up and put them in little containers for lunch. Sounds pretty easy, but in fact, today - when I took a big bite of my own handiwork - I was supremely disappointed.

I received a mouthful of grit. And this is AFTER I had washed the damn bunch of greens the night before! I mean, I washed, I spun, I wrung, I chopped, I carefully packaged an entire bunch of greens into five individual containers and went to bed feeling quite self-satisfied. ONLY to be disappointed the next day with a nice big bite of grit. And lest you think me faint-hearted, I took several bites. Grit-filled, every one.

It was nearly enough to send me speeding to the nearest fast-food place but thankfully I work in an area of town that precludes those type of establishments. Instead, I sucked it up and ate my tuna salad on crackers. Crackers that probably won't do my waist-line any good but at least aren't equal in calories to the burger and fries I immediately craved in a moment of frustration.

So, what can I do? How do I guarantee "grit-free" greens?!? All suggestions are welcome! Kai Thks!

Let the mocking begin...

Wait, wait - before the mocking can I just say BEST EPISODE OF SURVIVOR EVAH!! Alright, the episode where uber-confident Ozzy got blind-sided was freaking awesome, but did Ozzy find TWO hidden immunity idols without a single clue? No. I mean, damn - Russell is a snake but I love him. Unconditionally. I'm sure that a kitten just died because I said that - but I can live with it.

Ok, on to the mocking... I’m putting myself out there for public humiliation but I simply must share this.

Tuesday evening I was flipping channels and came across a video countdown show on the Fuse channel. Since I am a sucker for any sort of countdown show and since I’d never visited Fuse before and since they were about to show the #1 video – I stuck around. The #1 video is below.



I was riveted. Let me just say that I have never heard of this group before – mostly because I live under a rock. A very un-informed, non-hip kind of rock.

So yeah, at first I was struck by the lead singer – he looks like an anime character come to life! There was a moment of androgynous ambiguity, but I quickly determined that he was a dude. Granted, a heavily made-up dude with super tight pants and outrageous hair who happened to resemble a young Janice Dickinson - but a dude none-the-less. Oh who am I kidding, I love The Cure and Depeche Mode so that kind of get-up is probably what fascinated me in the first place.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the rest of the band because they got zero face time. Zero! Recent wikipedia investigations (shut. up.) have uncovered the fact that one of the faceless band members is the front guy's TWIN FREAKING BROTHER! Imagine the bitterness... Ah, fame.

Then I was struck by the fact that they made an entire song around one word and maybe three chord changes. Just repeating the same word got them to #1! I need to get in on this racket.

Also, the video was clearly designed to showcase things that guys like – fast cars and transformer type robots. Ok, maybe they were trying to make up for the lead singer's appearance, but still - it was a guy video. It had nothing to do with the song itself – nothing! Not that song made much sense... (perhaps because the band is actually from Germany) But all together it is possibly the most contrived thing I’ve ever come across in my life.

And I like it. Yes, that damn song has been stuck in my head for days. I woke up this morning with words like “automatic,” “systematic,” “diplomatic,” "emblematic," "problematic," and every other word that ends in “matic” running through my head!

So go ahead, mock away. I deserve it. But all the torture in the world will not get me to confess the number of times I listened to that song via youtube. I'm taking that to the grave.

I'm Kreativ!

Amber over at Everybody’s Working For The Weekend tagged me with this bit of bloggy bling a couple of weeks ago and because I’m a lazy good-for-nothing busy single mom I’m just now getting around to posting it!




Anyway, the rules are to write 7-10 facts about myself and then pass on the award to other bloggers. Fair enough, let’s go!

1. I am the world’s laziest cook. Have you ever watched that show “Semi Home Made?” Even that shit is too involved for me. I like “one pot wonders” and things like that. I think part of my laziness stems from the fact that I can never get all the dishes completed at the same time. This means that something is always either too cold or too hot at dinner and it frustrates the hell out of me.

2. I have a TV addiction. There is literally something on every night that I want to watch. Since the loss of my beloved DVR this addiction has morphed into anxiety. Anxiety that I’ll miss something important on one of my shows. Typing this has made me realize that I am pathetic so I will go straight home to throw the damn TV out the window. Just as soon as I watch “America’s Next Top Model.”

3. Living in a more urban area has made me realize that I need to update my style. Time to spiff up the old wardrobe and maybe do something about my hair. I don’t know – I’m on the fence about the hair. None-the-less, I live close to some awesome shopping and there is no excuse for what passes as Calico’s Weekend Wardrobe. It’s just plain awful. My wallet is trembling because it knows what is coming. Oh yes, it knows…

4. Another side effect of moving to the DC area is an unexplained desire to own better electronics. WTF? All that time in Hampton Roads I survived just fine with my little Razr and 16GB ipod, but all of a sudden it’s not good enough. A craving for an iphone and maybe even a 32BG ipod touch has been flung upon me! The PS3 is calling me and so is the little DSi for Muffin. What is wrong with me! (must go knit something and get back to reality)

5. I’m a lefty. Did ya’ll know that? Some of you did – I’m sure. Still, you’d be surprised how many of us there are in the world. I remember taking a class where nearly 50% of the students were lefties! Why are we considered to be so rare? Who knows… Funny thing is that I shoot pool, bowl and throw a ball with my right hand. No explanation for that – but if you guys have one I’d be happy to hear it.

6. I am guilty of leaving clothes in the dryer and then “fluffing” them up when I want to wear something. A throwback from my college days. Sadly, I give myself a big pat on the back whenever I actually fold the laundry and put it where it belongs. Which is usually once a week. *sigh*

7. Let’s see, I’ve talked about my lack of mad cooking, and laundry skillz – perhaps I should stop while I’m ahead? Nah! I’m actually a great cleaner. Seriously, I have been known to comb the carpet. Granted, it was under “altered” circumstances but that carpet had never been cleaner. I dislike schmutz in any shape/form/smell/what-have-you. I like beds made and pillows fluffed. I like dishes put away and floors shiny. I suck at cooking and laundry but you will always find my home clean.

So that’s all I can come up with for now… Again, I’m going to be a loser and ask those of you who were not tagged already to please pick this award up for your own blog. I feel very fortunate to be able to get a peek into all of your Kreativ lives.

Happy Veteran's Day!

To all of our brave men and women in uniform - I salute you!

As a former sailor, I understand your sacrifices and am honored by your dedication.

My family and I are forever grateful for your service. Thank you!!


God Bless!

Subletting Saga

**Warning, this post contains high amounts of bitching, moaning and speculation**

I have mentioned in previous posts my dislike with this subletting gig, right? I mean, the lady seems nice enough but I’m not sure I can trust her. Frankly, I don’t know what is going on with her – so I’m going to post “the low down.”

I found her ad on Craigslist back in September. She had a two bedroom pad in a good area that she wanted to sublease – fully furnished – for a couple of months. The price wasn’t awesome, but it was a lot better than the quotes from corporate housing I had received. I took a chance, gave her a call and we made a deal.

Muffin and I went to see her a few days later to give her the first months rent as well as the security deposit. We toured the apartment – it was nice, clean and the furnishings were lovely. It only had one single bed, but I figured that I could survive on an inflatable mattress. One of the bedrooms was filled from floor to ceiling with books, but the apartment had a loft – so I figured I could use that instead. In other words, it wasn’t exactly as described but I felt like I could make do.

Land lady and I conversed for a bit and it came to light that she had recently been divorced, that her husband was English (which accounts for the antiques), that she was used to living in the more expensive area of town, that her one and only son was in college and that she was going to be traveling a lot for work in the next few months and felt that subletting the apartment was better than paying rent on one that would be empty 90% of the time. Ok, that’s cool. We agreed that I would move my stuff in the following Monday.

On moving day land lady was not quite ready to go. She was trying to get her stuff out at the same time I was trying to get my stuff in. She hadn’t made a key for me and asked if we could meet the next day and get one made then. Which was fine – but I honestly thought that would be the end of our interactions – at least until the rent was due. Not by a long shot.

Since Muffin and I moved in I have heard from her at least twice a week for one thing or another. First, she needed to pick up some things she forgot in her haste to move out. Then, she needed to pick up some more things. Then, she received the electricity bill for October and wanted to drop it off for me. I was all “WTF? I wasn’t here for the majority of the billing cycle!” but figured it was easier to pay the bill up front than try and figure out who owes what when I move out.

She left me the payment stub and I couldn’t help but notice that there was an overdue amount on it. She told me not to worry about that and just pay for the current month. She would pick the money up the next morning from the mailbox. The next morning, Muffin and I came out around 7AM and before I could get to the mailbox – she pounced on me! I was startled to say the least, but I had the envelope in my pocket and gave it to her. Next came the gas bill – this one had an overdue amount of over $400! Then, she wanted money for the cable bill – but didn’t have a paystub for it. The icing on the cake was when she asked for the rent check a WEEK EARLY!

During this time I was actively seeking a new home and there were a couple of times when I thought I might end up renting instead of buying. I researched the apartment complex Muffin and I were staying at and discovered that the rent for our unit was actually $500 less than what she was charging me. Not that I blame the lady for charging a little more – but it got me thinking. When she asked for the rent early I came to a few completely unfounded conclusions.

A) She is flat out of cash. Why else is she subletting her place when she clearly isn’t out of town as much as she said she was going to be. Also, what is up with all those really, really, overdue utility accounts?
B) She is trying to live/maintain a lifestyle that she was accustomed to.
C) She might try and scam me out of my deposit.

Like I said, these assumptions are without any proof. Still, I agreed to pay the rent a week early and told the land lady that I would put it in the mailbox when I got home - some time between 6PM and 6:30. We pulled up that evening around 5:45 and I noticed her car – but she didn’t get out. I walked to the mail boxes, put the envelope in and ushered Muffin upstairs. Then, I spun around and saw her sneaking up to the mailbox not 30 seconds after I had put the envelope in! I waved to her and she gave a sheepish wave back.

Just when I thought the visits might slow down – at least until she received next month’s bills – she calls me last Wednesday because she needed some paperwork that is in the apartment. Of course I said “fine.” Then, I get home and discover that she has actually taken a shower in the apartment! The floor of the bath is damp, there is a towel over the shower rod and a washcloth that has pink lipstick smeared on it. Is it me, or is that a bit intrusive? I mean, I know it’s her place – but technically I’M the one paying rent! That should mean I get a little privacy, right? I was creeped out. Not going to lie.

Since then, she has come into the apartment and taken a shower TWICE while Muffin and I have been at school/work! I am at the point where I feel like I ought to call her and ask what is going on - but I'm afraid of getting kicked out with no where to stay for the rest of the month.

So, that is the saga of subletting from down and out former well-to-do lady who is, in my opinion, probably living out of her car and struggling to make ends meet. I feel for her and whatever situation she is in that is causing her to live this way - but I'll damned if I leave here without my deposit.

Well, guess that's enough whining for the day... :)

Office Space

The lovely Bev invited us to post pictures of our office/desk areas and I'm going to play along... Obviously, my office is pretty bare - I've only worked here for about a month. But don't worry! I'll get it all cluttered up very quickly.


We have some beautiful pictures of the Muffinator (that's for you Amber!), some awesome Aveda hand lotion, requisite water bottle, ipod speakers and ipod as well as my brand new wireless mouse and keyboard! Also brand new? The humongous monitor. I share the office with a co-worker and he's just a teensy bit jealous that the new girl got all new stuff. Bwahh, ha ha ha... Way to make friends on the job, right?

So, meh, not very exciting - but like I said, I'll make it more homey soon. I need one of those posters with a kitten dangling from a branch and the phrase "Hang In There" or some shit - right? Definitely going to have to do something about that blank wall...

Over the Top!

The glorious Ms. Sassy Pants Mommy gifted me with this piece of bloggy bling!

Here are The Rules:

USE ONLY ONE WORD! It’s not as easy as you might think. Copy and change the answers to suit yourself and pass it on. It’s really hard to use only one-word answers so try your best.
Let all of your blogger friends know that you think they are 'Over the Top'!

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2.Your hair? Straight-ish
3. Your mother? Thoughtful
4. Your father? Creative
5. Your favorite food? Mexican
6. Your dream last night? Wierd
7. Your favorite drink? Vodka
8. Your dream/goal? Happiness
9. What room are you in? Office
10. Your hobby? Knitting
11. Your fear? Loss
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Successful
13. Where were you last night? Couch
14. Something that you aren’t? Fearless
15. Muffins? Please!
16. Wish list item? Shoes!
17. Where did you grow up? South
18. Last thing you did? Work
19. What are you wearing? BOOTS!
20. Your TV? Meh.
21. Your pets? Loving
22. Friends? AWESOME!
23. Your life? hectic
24. Your mood? content
25. Missing someone? Louis
26. Vehicle? Honda
27. Something you’re not wearing? Necklace
28. Your favorite store? Kohls
29. Your favorite color? Purple
30. When was the last time you laughed? Morning
31. Last time you cried? Louis
32. Your best friend? Family
33. One place that I go to over and over? Safeway
34. One person who emails me regularly? Sissy
35. Favorite place to eat? Azteca!

And that's my list. I hope you all grab this piece of bloggy bling - everyone I know has probably been tagged with it before but I especially want Breedale and Kris to pick it up. Come on everyone! We're ALL over the top, aren't we!!

Sunday Classics - Saber Dance

Everyone has heard at least the first 30 seconds of this piece - if not in a commercial, than in a movie or television show. Anyway, here is the rest along with a little blurb about it and the composer.

The "Sabre Dance" is a movement in the final act of the Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian's ballet Gayane, completed in 1942. It evokes a whirling war dance in an Armenian dance, where the dancers display their skill with sabres.



Aram Ilyich Khachaturian was born in Tiflis, Imperial Russia (now Tbilisi, Georgia) to a poor Armenian family. In his youth, he was fascinated by the music he heard around him, but at first he did not study music or learn to read it. In 1921 he travelled to Moscow to join his brother, the stage director of the Second Moscow Art Theatre. Although he had almost no musical education, Khachaturian showed such great talent that he was admitted to the Gnessin Institute where he studied cello.

In the 1930s, he married the composer Nina Makarova, a fellow student from Myaskovsky’s class. In 1951, he became professor at the Gnessin State Musical and Pedagogical Institute (Moscow) and the Moscow Conservatory. He also held important posts at the Composers' Union, which would later severely denounce some of his works as being “formalist” music, along with those of Sergei Prokofiev and Dmitri Shostakovich. These three composers became the so called "titans" of Soviet music, enjoying worldwide reputation as some of the leading composers of the 20th century.

Giving Thanks

By now, I'm sure you have all heard about the horrible incident at Fort Hood yesterday.

The scary thing? That's where my brother (aka The Dude) is stationed.

And the shooter was a Psychiatrist.

Did I mention that Dude is a doctor?

Yeah, he worked in the same freaking building as this lunatic.

I managed to get a call through the lock-down and talk to him for a few seconds. He was cool, just busy trying to help out with the casualties.

And, of course, my thoughts and prayers are with the families of Soldiers lost. Losing Soldiers on our own soil is as horrifying as it gets. To see it done by one of our own is even more horrifying. God Bless you all.

I'm so grateful that my brother is well and especially grateful to my Sissy for hearing me vent about all sorts of nonsense in the wake of this tragedy. Thank you, God. Thank you, Sissy. Thank you, Dude for being there for the Soldiers.

RIP Louis

Last week I lost my kitty Louis. He was 15 and it was not unexpected - but it was still sad. I'll miss you Loodle my Lou-burger. Hope you're having a blast at the great cat-nip farm in the sky.

Boo!

Guess who finally found the cord that connects her camera to her computer? Yay!

Muffin's Pre-Zoo picture

Riding the Metro

Crowds of families trick-or-treating.

One of the many displays set up around the zoo.

Muffin's "Metro Ballet" which she performed while waiting for the train. God, I love this girl.

La La Lame

Guess who didn't take their child trick-or-treating this year. Yep, that would be me. Lamest mom ever. I wasn't comfortable taking her around the apartment complex where I'm subletting (though I'm not supposed to be - see below) and I don't know of any nice neighborhoods to go to - seeing as I've lived here all of a month! Also, it was raining and she got to trick-or-treat at the zoo last weekend. So, there it is - my rationale for not manning up and taking my sweetheart out for free candy. I suck.

Another lame thing? The subletting. I'm so ready for it to be over. SO, so ready. The lady that I'm sub-letting from is nice enough, but I'm afraid I'm never going to see my deposit back. Also, she is constantly coming by to pick up various items. I feel like I have to keep the house in tip top shape "just in case" she pops in! Not that I live like a pig or anything - I just can't relax in that kind of environment.

Every time I see her name on the caller id I cringe. Mercifully, she was out of town for a couple of weeks but sure enough, when she came back she called. This time it wasn't to stop by - it was to tell me that there had been FOUR complaints of "crowds" in the apartment.

Wait. What? What kind of complaint? Crowds? I just moved here for crying out loud! I don't even know enough people to constitute a crowd! It's just been me, the Muffinator and the cats! Scouts honor!! She said she didn't believe for one minute that the complaints were legit but she just wanted to call me an ask about it to make certain before she called the management back. She said they wanted to make sure she wasn't subletting the apartment. Because apparently that's against the rules. Great!

When she casually dropped that information I was afraid she was going to then tell me to pack my stuff and go. But no. She doesn't care about the rules. She said she was going to tell them that I was a "dear friend" who just moved here and is staying with her until I close on my new home. So, not only are Muffin and I officially "homeless" we are staying in a place illegally. Yet another reason why I am The Lamest Mom Ever.

Then I told her the good news about the condo and she said to let me know as soon as I can when we'll be out because she'll need to find another subletter. Awesome way to continue your rule-breaking rampage lady! I can not even tell you guys how badly I want to get into my new home. I wish we could have closed on it sooner than the end of the month. Every day is another reason why I am ready to finally get settled.

On a brighter note... I have recently received a few awards and I promise to post them soon and redistribute the wealth! Also - I'm loving all the Halloween posts! The costumes are to die for! What a creative group of bloggy-friends!

Hot Damn!

You Are Betty Grable

The ultimate girl next door You're the perfect girl for most guys Pretty yet approachable. Beautiful yet real.