It never fails WINCO trips always suck, suck, suck. Is it worth the savings?? Not sure.

Book Review: Twenties Girl

I just finished Sophie Kinsella's latest book Twenties Girl. This book was a bit of a departure from the heroines in her previous books, in that one is a ghost. I don't particularly like sci-fi, vampire, or even murder mysteries, so upon realization that she was serious about seeing a ghost apparition, I was a bit skeptical on whether I'd enjoy her latest novel. What I found out was that not only was I able to buy into the 20s flapper girl ghost befriending her great niece (who's alive), but I found their relationship real, funny, and most of all endearing. I think for Kinsella it's a great novel that separates itself from the all popular shopaholic series while retaining that specific Kinsella tone. It didn't take long, just a couple of paces to digest the ghost theme, and I was able to get pulled straight into this story and enjoy every minute.

I was like sweating and it totally grossed me out to the max!

I had my 30th birthday party on Sunday. It was an 80s theme and was totally radical. The exception of course was that it was about a bazillion degrees in the house with our 80s costumes on. I hadn't really prep'd for an outdoor party, not even sure why, but I was thinking games, games, games. We attempted to play an 80s trivia game, which was a blast... until everyone abandoned it claiming heat stroke. Luckily our friends The Burts brought an outdoor game with them call BAG-O. So, we traded out playing BAG-O, helped our engaged friends do some wine and champagne tasting in prep for their wedding, blasted the 80s compilation discs and had a killer time. Thirty is not so bad. Especially when you get to remember what it was like to be 8 years old.
Runnin' just as fast as you can -an -an -an......

Did I just start a random conversational blog, as if I blog all the time? Yeah, I just did that.

Complacency Kills

To run the Pre or not to run the Pre, that is the question. I really have no excuse this year. No, "I just had a baby and need to take it easy" rationalizing in my pocket this year. I should want to do it. I lack so much motivation. Or perhaps I am just lazy. Whatever the reason, I have yet to run a lap, let alone a mile in preparation for the 10K that looms ahead that I'm suppose to complete. I have ran it before... once, and enjoyed it even. I've yet to even fully commit, aloud. Why start now, you know? I'd say it's safer to leave it at a we'll see...

Scuse me... I just tweeted.

Started a twitter. I'll officially jump off a bridge if everyone else is doin' it.

Happy 70th Birthday Chuck Norris!

1. Chuck Norris makes onions cry.

2. Chuck Norris can slam revolving doors.

3. When Chuck Norris does a push-up, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the earth down.

4. Ghosts are actually caused by Chuck Norris killing people faster than death can process them.

5. Chuck Norris can build a snowman out of rain.

6. Chuck Norris can drown a fish.

7. Chuck Norris' calendar goes straight from March 31st to April 2nd; no one fools Chuck Norris.

8. A cobra once bit Chuck Norris' leg. After five days of excruciating pain, the cobra died.

9. Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.

10. The most honourable way of dying is taking a bullet for Chuck Norris. This amuses Chuck Norris because he is bullet-proof.

There is nothing like a good cup of coffee. It serves so many vital roles in my life. Morning Joe, Midday Joe, Evening Joe I HEART all the JOEs. Add a doughnut to the mix, and watchout!

Blazer Nation

I am all kinds of excited about the start of the NBA season. One of the perks of living in P-town is I can fully geek-out with my support of the Portland Trailblazers. Last year was awesome and I expect this year will be as well. Patrick was out and about showing his support on opening day. Check out his cool Blazer gear, can you say LadyKiller?

I love you, Paul Rudd...

These guys are all pretty funny, but I've noticed I get really geeked up about anything with Paul Rudd in it lately. Eric and I watched I LOVE YOU, MAN last night, and I really dug it. It was a great concept that I feel like a lot of people could relate to. It was essentially a feel-good bro-flick. Poor husband, I knew it wasn't quite the same watching the movie with me, when Eric really should have been watching it with another special someone, they could have held each other close through the really moving parts. But, back to Paul Rudd... I was excited to watch him in this movie, because I realized I enjoy him in so many movies he's in these days. Even if he is not the main character, he's still a stand-out. Take 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN for instance, I think his character is so hilarious and fun to watch, and even if he's playing a sorta pathetic clingy ex-boyfriend, he still is able to maintain an adorable likability. If you haven't watched the Age of Aquarius video at the end of that movie, you must! It is freakn hilarious! I also enjoyed his kick on SNL this year. The other night I was flipping through the channels and stopped to watch the tail end of one of my favorite older flicks, CLUELESS, and guess who was the leading man.... that's right, Mr. Paul Rudd. So... here's to you Mr. Rudd, for entertaining me so thoroughly, and to you future endeavors... we love you man.

Finally, a movie I've actually been looking foward to...

Eric and I watched Coraline last night in 3D. The whole 3D experience was not quite what I had expected. At times it seemed to give the movie an enhanced quality, and other times it seem as if the 3D was off. I never had the feeling as if anything was popping out of the screen. The movie however, I liked a great deal. It was dark, but not too dark. A tiny bit of a Tim Burton feel, but more original. I am looking forward to watching the regular ol' 2D version. Eric might want to watch it with me, considering that we had all the lights off in order to really get a feel for the 3D, and he really got a feel of watching the back of his eyelids throughout the movie. I've got to cut him a little slack I suppose, as we are new parents and both pretty sleep deprived.

Burn baby burn...

It's been crazy hot here, so the family has been confined to the only air conditioned room (family room) in the house for days. This is the first time I am able to sit at the computer and not be sweating like bananas, (yeah, they sweat). I slept in my own bed for the first time in like a week and it was AMÅZING. Now I have lots of chores to catch up on in the rest of the house that has been neglected--fun. Oh, and in a mad, sweaty fit, I bought a Slip N' Slide, woohoo!

I'm Back!

I will be returning to work on August 1st. I will start out two days a week, Saturdays and Sundays. Come see me!!

Pump it up...

I attempted an exercise video the other morning. It was one I had never tried before, and I even convinced Eric to do it with me. It was a dance aerobics DVD that I purchased at Ross on clearance ($2.99, how bad could it be). It was a crazy, terrible, low budget kind of mess. The cover was very deceiving though, because it showed a girl in a fancy strike-a-pose move with current trendy workout garb on. She, however, was nowhere to be found in the actual workout. The people in this video looked like they were picked off the street, thrown in some black 90s workout sweats complete with scrunchy socks and high top wrestler type shoes. Oh, and they were all Australian. Nothing wrong with that, but the weirdest part was it was produce by a company here locally in Portland, literally down the street from my house. It was strange to say the least. Even still, I'm proud to say we stuck it out, and even though the moves and clothing were incredibly outdated, it was still an okay workout. Not the hardest I've ever done, but for a post pregnant lady trying to get back on the exercise horse, it was a good start. And did I mention Eric did it with me, so it was not without entertainment.

Name that tune...

I still have the 5 dollar... 5 dollar... 5 dollar foot long song stuck in my head. Subway is still running those commercials. One might say that it's good marketing because obviously it sticks with you and you know it's from Subway. But the thing is, it doesn't actually make me want to eat a Subway sandwich, just get the darn song out of my head. I respond much better to food commercials where the food looks really appetizing. I'm think "Mmmm" that's what I should have for lunch. I much more of a instant gratification person that way. Gimmicks don't really work on me.

It's hot out and I want a Slip N' Slide...

I have wanted to revisit this nostalgic water toy for a long time. I used to love, love, love these when I was a kid. I would have the best birthday parties with them, specifically my favorite memory was with the Crocodile Mile. It was one of the first slides to have a little pool at the end of the run, it ruled! So the problem with actually getting a Slip N' Slide? Well, I do realize I am a grown up now, and not only will the slide most likely seem like a rather long bath mat (ok, so I'm reaching here) instead of the long runway of a slide that I remember from days of old, but I don't know how well my 29 year old body is going to take running and diving on a thin wet piece of plastic laid over the hard bumpy yard. The other problem that I'm beginning to become aware of is I tend to have a pattern of wanted things from my childhood, getting them, and not using them. I have thus far received an Easy Bake Oven (never used, finally gave up and gave to Goodwill), a Bedazzler (still have intentions of using, but haven't found the occasion for it yet), a badly recorded copy of Rainbow Brite Episodes from EBAY (watched some, then forgot about). So, is it still a good idea to get a Slip N' Slide after all that? I vote yes!

I talk a good game...

Sometimes I truly think I can give sound advice. It feels good to have someone really take into account your thoughts and opinions. It is, however, so much easier to comment on someone else's circumstance, than to take a firm hold on your own. Do you ever feel like you can talk the talk, but not necessarily walk the walk?

I only miss it like every other day.

My newest TV addiction...

Staying at home with a little baby proves for a lot of TV watching. Unfortunately it's summertime, and there's just not a lot of good shows on right now. I mean with gems like Dance your Ass Off, America's Got Talent (do they?), Superstars (huh?), just to name a few, I'm sure you catch what I'm throw'n. So on just another random lazy TV surfing day I somehow got stuck on a marathon of... Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood. Um, I sort of love it. I always thought Tori Spelling would be a terribly annoying person, so why would I watch a show all about her life. Especially her previous reality show, I mean a B & B, really? But, I was quite wrong, at least in my opinion. I find Dean and Tori an incredibly cute couple, very relatable, and who knew-funny. So it's my new favorite show. The only problem with watching the show is it gives me "the wants". I "want" a big house with a pool, I "want" to write a book, I "want" to lose my baby weight, I "want" to go on trips, have both Eric and I be home together more often, and generally have more money. All in all though, it's nice to have a show to look forward to during this time where I am not able to do a whole lot. I am, however, going back to work on August 1st. I will start out very part time, only two days a week, Saturday and Sunday. I am excited to get back, but I'll miss my little Paddy. So, not to long after I discovered their reality show, I went out and purchased her book STori Telling, which I found very entertaining. Next I will read her second book Mommywoood, and how appropriate considering I am a new mom. I think my good friend Malinda may have purchased not only STori Telling and Mommywood, but also Candy Spelling's book, Candyland. Just might have to borrow those...

This is what a happy mom looks like...