CAUTION: Woman In Progress

**I finished reading a book which starts off my new year's "one book a week goal" on a good foot. Which is better than I can say for my "hour less of TV a week" goal. The book, though a thinner Harlequin Special Edition, was tough to get through. I think I am DONE with category romance. I just kept rolling my eyes and fighting my gag-reflex the whole way through. Sort of like when I try to watch a Hallmark movie. All the sticky sweek luuuuuurrrve at first sight just doesn't do it for me anymore. I don't know if I've just become too cynical for it or what. I have a handful of books I've purchased from authors I've always loved but now I hate to try to read them for fear they'll drag me down but I also hate to NOT read them in case I miss a really great story. I guess I'll just hafta give 'em a go and if they start to drag I'll put them up and move on. **I did start a new book yesterday. A new one from Brenda Novak who I trust...

Or maybe I shoulda called this post "life support?" Because my life is being held together by duct tape and cookies? Just back after a six day (48 hour) work week. Yes. Six full 8hr days in a row. I know in the "real" world, there's nothing exceptional about this. There are industries and such that work 60-80hr work weeks. But I am spoiled and I don't like this six day work week thing. Plus, I haven't been sleeping all that well lately for worrying about the stupid event that had me working that extra 8hrs so color me crabby right now. We restarted our annual Genealogy Fair this weekend and it was a booger. No, it turned out great, but the prep and junk for the thing? A booger. We're all walking around like zombies today, lest you think it's just me being held together with duct tape. I'm not sure if anyone else patched up their feelings with cookies yesterday, so I can't speak for what else is holding them together. But I used cookie...

...baked a chocolate pie but ended up having to substitute 3/4 cups of sugar with brown sugar because I am lame and forgot to add sugar to my grocery list. Brown sugar changes everything. Not for bad, but just different. ...watched three and half hours of Vampire Diaries Season 4 on DVD. I still love Damon and wish Stefan and Elena would go jump in a lake. Oh, wait. They did that already and since they're vampires, they survived. So, I wish someone would stake 'em? Or maybe I just wish Damon was real and would whisk me a way in a blaze of intense Damon-esque passion. ...cleaned the laundry room and kitchen, swept the floor and did three loads of laundry in between naps, Vampire Diaries and jaunts outside with the Devil Pup. ...ate way too much pizza in honor of the folks' 41st anniversary. Their fault. I was content to stay home Sunday and eat a half a grilled cheese sandwich while they went off to eat and celebrate on their own. But then they went and twisted my dag...

No real point to today's post. It's a rambler. Enjoy! So. I'm thinking about writing a little editorial piece to put in the university's newspaper. A little ditty about MANNERS and HOSPITALITY. Seriously. Did no one teach half these kids about the common courtesy of checking behind you as you walk out of door to make sure no one's behind you and that if there IS someone behind you, you, I dunno, HOLD IT FOR THEM? Is that hard? Does not everyone in the world learn that little piece of 411 from infancy? Or is it just a few select old school southerners who cling to such a courtesy? You guessed it. I nearly got creamed by a door swinging shut while both my hands were full. I was leaving the coffee shop behind this student who breezed through the door ahead of me and let it swing shut behind him. Had I not thrust one of my ample hips out to catch it I'd be wearing my coffee right now. Even the person who was behind me was kind enough to rush up to catch the do...

No. I'm not going to post photos of my disgusting tub for ya'll to gag over. But I will say, the biggest accomplishment of the entire weekend was bleaching and scrubbing that sucker. But I'm getting ahead of myself. So. Friday night was errand night. I got home an hour late because Mama and I had to run a boat load of errands after work. Gas. Air in tires. Prescriptions. I don't even remember it all. Except my being cranky about it. I always want to go straight home after work because, well, I like being at home. But keeping me away from home on FRIDAY evening? Miserable. Wonder of wonders, though, I survived. I still have to pinch myself to be sure. When I (finally) got home, I vegged with a frozen pizza (well, formerly frozen. I did actually bake it before consuming!) in front of the TV and did absolutely nothing the entire night. I don't think I did much Friday at all. I know I did some work type things, you know, at werk , but I mostly only remember the ...

First of all, I know I probably say this each month, but...Where the fluff did July go? Seriously. Just yesterday it was still May and school had just gotten out and now it's fluffin' August? Well, tomorrow is fluffin' August, anyway. School--both K-12 and college--is about to start back up. K-12 starts next week and college a couple of weeks later. So yeah. Where the fluff did summer go? Anyway, you'll be happy to know that July has been kinder to me than June. Goals-wise, anyway. June was fun but it kicked my goals' butts. July, however, while slightly stressful, was mildly easier on my goals. Here's the breakdown: Health and Wellness : While I did not, in fact, get back to walking or exercising regularly (and how big of a bitch is it to spell "exercising"? A huge one with a capital B!) it was a step forward from June's utter abandonment. For one, I began dancing at home. I can't claim that my dancing is anything that would get me on an...

April started out well and truly strong. I felt good. I was doing good. I made progress on a couple of fronts. It was going smoothly and happily along. Until... Dun, dun, dun... Last week. Last week I completely derailed from all my goals. I spent more. I ate more. I walked less. I skipped church. Granted, I was sick most of the week and we've already covered that it was a weird week. But why is it that when you feel bad (sick) you give yourself so much permission to behave badly? Exhibit A:  I drank no less than four lattes last week . Four. I justified them because my throat was sore from all the coughing and sinus drainage junk. But honestly, I have tea bags at work. And hot tea would have been just as soothing. But because I was siiiiiicckkk (that's me whining) I needed the comfort of a sweet, hot, high calorie and expensive latte.  Justified? Nope. But it happened so I'm owning it. No sense denying it or pretending it never happened.  And if four l...

Last week was a weird week, for sure. I mean, it wasn't all that different from a normal week, but just felt weird. Does that even make any sense? For one thing, there was a lot of togetherness with my friends. While fun, these outings completely threw me off my game--emotionally, financially and foodily. (Yes. I just made that up.) Trips to Starbucks a couple times, two lunch outings, a work related shopping trip and that's not even counting our usual break time chats. And while I do love my friends, overload can be dangerous to my psyche. Being friends with E is easy. I've known her forever (we both started as student assistants) and she's just so stinkin' easy going. A, on the other hand, is very high strung and competitive. She and E have a lot in common--husbands and kids, mostly--and I think A is a little jealous whenever E spends more time with me than her. She got very snippy with me several times last week to the point where by Friday I was pretty much...

Anybody looking for a good book recommendation? I've got one for ya! :) Good Enough to Eat by Stacey Ballis. I found it kind of by accident while researching a book that was recommended on another blog.  You know how Amazon is...always trying to sell you more than what you're looking for? lol Good Enough was on the "People who purchased this book also purchased..." list and I really liked the description. Basically, it's a book about a woman named Melanie who lost a boat load of weight a couple of years ago when she was diagnosed with diabetes. Now that she's finally healthy and in charge of her new healthier lifestyle, her husband dumps her for a woman three times her new size. Turns out he was a chubby chaser and wasn't attracted to Melanie's trimmer body. *frowny face* (Oh, the irony!) The story reveals how she deals with this, finds a new "family" along the way and even finds love again. The best part, for me, about this book wa...

Friday Night. I watched Bad Teacher on DVD Friday night. I'm not a huge Cameron Diaz fan but the trailer seemed to funny to pass up. I especially like when she gets hit in the face with the dodgeball. *snicker* My take? Not bad. It was really laugh out loud funny in places although some parts were bordering on ridiculous. And while there's nothing really all that redeemable about any of the characters (I don't think there was supposed to be) there is a little bit of "redemption" in the end to make it a happy ending. However, if your expecting Diaz's character to suddenly become "Good" teacher, you'll be disappointed. One thing I really wasn't all that crazy about in the film was the blatant drug use. Granted, I did watch the unrated version as opposed to the theatrical release. Not sure if the bulk of the nasty drug use was just in the unrated version or not. BUT, unlike a film or two that I quit watching because of it (I'm looki...

Admittedly, my taste in television runs vastly different from what the masses seem to enjoy. Seems everyone I know talks about how amazing Modern Family is and how all the Real Housewives shows are their guilty pleasures. Me? I WANT to like Modern Family. Sofia Varga (isn't that her name?) is hilarious but the so-called comedy just kinda thuds at my feet. As for Real Housewives ...gag. All this is my way of saying, "I'm probably not the best person to go to for Fall premier reviews." Anyway, here's the rundown: Monday: Since Chuck is moving to Fridays, my Monday schedule is free to watch How I Met Your Mother. For YEARS I was certain I hated this show. Then Lifetime began showing the re-runs and I fell in love with it. I'm a little behind on what's what right now because I'm a Chuck ho and the past four seasons has been spent decidedly dedicated to Zachary Levi. This new freedom to watch HIMYM lends me to watching the new CBS comedy TWO BROKE...

Turned my back for ONE SECOND and little furry heifer stole my seat AND my book. Meanie.

Somebody was inordinately thrilled with the mail carrier Saturday. And, well, that somebody isn't actually pictured here. The Devil Pup couldn't care less even if you paid her in treats and belly rubs. But she loves Mama's bed. And Mama loves messin' with her. Although, she does look a little bit excited over the cover model on this Stephanie Bond book, right? I was, too. He's smokin' hot. So thanks for that little visual snack, Harlequin Art Department. She wasn't equally thrilled with the cover of this Susan Gable, though. "Who dat girl is and where'd teh muscle-y may-un go, Mama?" I'm with ya there, Libster! I'm sure the Gable story is awesome (it's got a good start, anyway) but the cover art can't compare to the Stephanie Bond one. In fact, I'm thinking of color copying that hottie and making him the book cover for ALL my books. And maybe a poster on the ceiling over my bed. Bet that's a home improve...

The Amazon fairy visited my house yesterday and look what she left me! Much excitement ensued. My problem now? *sigh* Which one to read first...

For the first time since early May I have a Saturday all to myself tomorrow! I hardly recall what those are like! Seems I vaguely recall being able to do my laundry and take my time cleaning my house. Or heck, lazing on the couch with the DP watching HGTV and Food Network. Summer is always such a busy time with birthdays, holidays, Emmy's visits, work, etc. And it isn't as though I haven't enjoyed the time with my family--I totally have. But, this hermit is ready to get back into some serious routines. And for at least this Saturday and next, I can do that. So I'm so looking forward to tomorrow. Beyond grocery shopping (which is always the one constant) I haven't made any plans. I need to do some serious deep cleaning around the house. Dog hair has begun taking over! I swear, it's getting so bad that every time I move around the house dog hair flutters every which way. Makes a good argument for shaving the Devil Pup, huh? hehehehe Yesterday was a little wor...

So, I'm back on the weightloss bandwagon. I know. Here we go again. But I won't bore you with all the details. Actually I was going to bore you with all the details. But then when I went back to read it for editing my own eyes started glazing over and I thought, "Meh. Nobody cares about it that much." So I deleted it. You're welcome. This week is dragging. Probably because I haven't had a bagel all week. (Gah! It all leads back to food, doesn't it.) Anyone else watching Pretty Little Liars on ABC Family? I've watched the first two episodes and I still can't decide if it's boring or not. It's kinda "meh." I wouldn't cry if I missed it. But it's a decent way to pass time. And I'm still trying to figure out how Holly Marie Combs is old enough to portray the mother of a 16-year-old girl. I mean, I guess it's possible. She's a few years older than me, I think, and if I'd followed in the tradition of ...

Boy.  Last night was the most intense 2.5 hours of my LIFE. Well, the part of my life that I relegate to television viewing, anyway. Last night, as you may have heard, was THE END for LOST. If you haven't been watching it for the past six years, what were you doing with your life? LOL No, I know. It was one of those things you were either fully emersed in or you didn't want to expend the energy it took to follow it. Because it did take a lot of energy to follow it. And as much as I was held captivated by it, I am really too stupid to really full grasp it. No, seriously. I've read the discussion boards. I've followed other blogs about it. And I'd always be like, "Why didn't I catch that?" or "I completly missed that." My brain is merely too simple to comprehend all the little mysteries and tie-ins and connections that were hidden throughout six seasons of this show. It was no different last night. Honestly, the finale was gripping an...