I take the view, and always have, that if you cannot say what you are going to say in twenty minutes you ought to go away and write a book about it.

Tuesday…ugh…I can't get my head in gear this morning so I'm not making any promises about the quality of this blog post at all today…Just sayin'.

New Foodie Blog
If you are a foodie, like moi, you sometimes spend entire days cruising the internet for a food blog that inspires you and makes good useful recipes. We've talked about some I've found before like Ashlee's A Year in the Kitchen, which I LOVE. Now my dear, dear, super talented friend Jeni Friend of Enjoyer of the Journey and jenifriend photography has found a new foodie blog that I currently am adoring Pinch My Salt, I just amended my party menu to include Artichoke Hummus!! Love it!!! I know some of you foodies will hit up the comments about this site for sure! (PS I just read the recipe list and SQUEEED OUT LOUD when I read some of them! Carrot Potato Cheese Soup with Corn!?!?)

Hung
I think my giant crush on Thomas Jane will keep this one alive for a while! I actually enjoyed it, especially the voice in the head monologues. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who does that. I thought it was really good though, but it made me sad for Detroit. Did you watch? What did you think?

Law and Order: CI
Two episodes! Are the producers reading my blog? Because last week I complained that it seemed like Gorm and Eames didn't know that Wheeler and Jeff Goldblum (Look I spent a full five minutes and a trip to the bathroom trying to remember his characters name, I can't remember…Nick? Nickles?) existed. But this week the boss who works with them all made a passing reference to the other. Nice. Thanks for listening. The first episode with Wheeler and Jeff was good, slow moving but good. A lot of those actors/actresses in the episode seemed familiar. One of those guys was in a Justin Timberlake video…The second episode was really good. I love Gorm and Eames…

Kendra
She is so cute, I can't wait for her wedding episode. And have I mentioned I love her husband?? I think I might have to cheer for the Eagles this year. Carrie R of Half-Assed will be ESTATIC!!!

The Closer
I only watched the first 11 minutes and then I ran out of time, but I really liked the first 11 minutes! I like the episodes where her and Fritz work together. I'll finish it tonite for sure, since Intervention and Obsessed were on hiatus last night.

Bootylicious Buns
Okay so word says I am spelling that wrong, but word doesn't have any suggestions for the proper spelling of bootylicious. Forgive if it is wrong. Anyway I figured because my ROCKING dress for Cheeto and Whit's wedding on August 1st is a dress that shows off my legs more than anything else, I should probably focus on that area as much as I can until then. So last night I stopped The Closer to do some OnDemand fitness. (Love this!) I choose "Bootylicious Buns" because I knew it was something Seth would never do with me, since he only likes to do Pilates Abs. HOLY MAC AND CHEESE PEOPLE. I think my thighs quit the team. I literally stumbled up the stairs this morning because I didn't have the strength to walk up them. Nicole turned my buns into useless blobs. And for some reason I'll probably go back for more tonite. Ugh.

Lunch
My lunch is boring today and it makes me sad, I wish I would have packed a burrito. I have the worst burrito craving this morning…On plus side, I was struggling so bad this morning I made an executive decision to drink a pop (which I try not to do) to wake up, but then changed my mind when I came in and had iced tea. Yay me! That's a better source of caffeine right?

July 4th Party
Party on Wayne! We made an executive decision last night. And we've decided to have the party. I'm excited now!!!

SHE LOVES ME
Okay I really don't know that but remember when I WON a contest on my favorite author's blog? If not, here's a reminder link.

Anyway it came this yesterday! I literally JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND SCREAMED. Pam was on the phone with me at the time, she can attest to it. I ran in the house and opened it carefully. Inside she wrote "For Carrie: Just keep Swimming!" and then she drew a little picture of a fish and signed her name. It is the new paperback copy of "The Girl Who Stopped Swimming" (that I implored you to go buy, along with all her other books, which because I'm a frequent visitor to Book A Million I can tell you are on the bargain rack in hard back so get it done people!) Maybe if you are lucky I will take a picture of it for you. I will confess I totally smelled the package and the book and then asked Seth if he thought that was what her house smelled like. He told me I was a freak. But if you wondered, it smelled VERY good, like potpourri or something lovely. Maybe she has a scentsy pot?? Probably not, she doesn't have co-workers who hock them to her. Anyway if you want to come see the book and hold it in reverence, visiting hours are between 5-8. Appointments appreciated.

Toodles!
Alright Adored-I'm going to work, lots of stuff to do before the holiday! And I have a whole new blog and you guys have tons of links this blog to this sift thru!

Love (food, for sure)

Carrie

Request dearest Google!

I would really appreciate it if google reader would stop running this ad in my window. It's starting to make me feel dirty at work. Plus it's really hard to scroll past those masssive lady parts and not have a panic attack that someone might walk by. Anything that is touted as being able to be played "discreetly" means you shouldn't be advertising it on a public news forum. Also, what in my google reader envokes this ad? Usuallly it's weight loss and crazy cat lady stuff...

Anyway, if you could get rid of it, I would appreciate it, thanks.

Love (to screw off with out actually screwing...),

Carrie

Good taste is the worst vice ever invented.

It's a four day work week this week everyone! Hang in there, Monday's are rough. I'm here for you though.

Weekend Recap
Friday Seth didn't get home until about 8:30, basically we ate some dinner and watched some TV and went to bed. We finally finished our Lord of the Rings Extended Edition DVD watching though. (Seriously, if you didn't know that I married and nerd and love him for it then you haven't read the archives)
Saturday we woke up early and started cleaning the kitchen (who knows why) my cousin showed up for his yard work detail around 11 and then around 12 my brother called and was lonely and offered to bring me lunch. Then he and I basically sat and jerked around while Seth and Dalton worked. We ate, played N64, played with the cats, watched TV and were generally not helpful. Dalton did a great job though and got done super fast. We sent him and Jesse over to my Mom's house to do some work there while Seth and I finished up some indoor things and then went to return his shirts to Old Navy. We decided to stop at Gordman's as well to get him some cheap cologne for work and I found THE PERFECT DRESS for Cheeto and Whitney's wedding. It is a jewel toned pink and a great length and the right kind of straps. Best of all it was only 16 bucks!! I heart it so hard. There was this long yellow dress I loved too I'm secretly thinking of going back and getting…shh don't tell Seth. After that we went to Mom and Dad's for dinner and Dad made MEXICAN and it was FANTASTIC. I wish I could go back and eat it again. I forgot to take some home and now I miss it. My dad makes the best Mexican food, I'm not sure why. It could be because if I was on a desert island forever and could only eat one kind of food it would be Mexican.
Sunday we woke up early (for us) and went to see Transformers 2! It was really a good movie. I don't know what the critics were talking about, no plot, there was almost too much plot. I have noticed though that older people I talk to don't like it. So take from that what you will. After the movie (in which we had to stay to the end because Lockheed Martin was personally thanked in the credits so Seth had to have that moment where he felt that Transformers was made especially for him) we went to Cheesecake Factory. I always get overwhelmed by their menu. I want to be risky because all the food looks good, but then I get afraid and stick with the grilled cheese (which is phenomenal) this time though I asked for it on brown bread. Our waitress was a little less than stellar (when you start off forgetting them lemon in my water and I can clearly see someone at another one of your tables drinking a water with lemon) and I got the normal egg bread on my grilled cheese. I was about starved so I just mauled into it. She came over and freaked out because it was wrong. I was like whatever, its fine. About halfway thru the sandwich the manger came over and asked me if I wanted them to make a new one. I was like, I already ate more than half of this one, I'm fine. Give me some dessert. Then as I'm finishing up he brings me a whole new one, stating the chef demanded to make it because his "honor was at stake". *eye roll* Then I told him he would have to box it up because there was no way I could eat it. So I got a free grilled cheese for dinner tonite. You know this wouldn’t be a problem if the waiters actually brought your food to the table. I hate when they have other people bring your food because then you have to do that awkward who ordered what thing with the pointing and the hand raising, and you don't know if you can ask those people for extra dressing or for more water. Some restaurants they won't, they just dump your food and run. And now, as evident by my story, in cases like this where the order isn't right and then there is this big bro-haha that could have been avoided if the waitress just SAW my food before they brought it. And do you tip those people who bring the food?
Anyway after all that Seth was feeling EXTRA happy and claimed we needed to go to Maggie Moo's for ice cream. It was hot and I was uber full but he really wanted it so I conceded. I got the udderly cream and better batter chocolate with cookie dough and almonds. I still have half of it left but it was mind blowing good. Then we came home around 4 and took a nap. I had such a food coma going on. I woke up at 5:30 and watched House and waited for Seth to get up. He had to do homework. Around 7 I got a wild hair while I was making lunches and decided to attempt the Gordon Ramsey Italian Meatballs. It was entirely too late to start a cooking project, but like I said, I had an itch. I pretty much stuck to his recipe (which I have now lovingly renamed Gordon's Balls) but I added red peppers to the sauce because I had one and put the sweated shallots into the meatballs and kept the garlic for the sauce. I will tell you the guinea pig's review today, he's having them for lunch, since I didn't get them done until 10, but they smelled good and I had some of the pasta and sauce and it was EXCELLENT. If I didn't have a metric ton of grilled cheese at home, I'd eat it tonite again for dinner.

July 4th party
I'm wrestling with cancelling our July 4th party. I didn't account for the fact that most people do family things on that day so only two couples can really come. And I have a lot of food for just two people. Plus Seth's family has begged us more than once to cancel it so that we can spend the day with them and Seth can enjoy the present he gave his Dad (the hunting bow) and see all the upgrades. But I feel bad telling the two couples that I'm cancelling…I'll let you know how it goes.

Succubus Garden Watch
The succubus garden has recently become home to a baby bunny. I haven't told Seth's he's there. His name is Scoot. Scoot the Succubus Garden bunny. Mostly because when I was in there weeding yesterday I had to say "Scoot bunny!" and he ran away scared. I'm sure he's eating my cabbage, but if you read Peter Rabbit, you'd be okay with it, he'll learn his lesson eventually when he has a tummy ache.
The garden is producing a little more, the tomatoes are big and green and hopefully going to turn red soon, I have grand sauces in their future! I really want to harvest a bunch, make ricotta and then make some BANGING lasagna. The white pumpkin plants are spreading out and I'm really excited to have some white pumpkins for table decorations this fall. I can't tell if the peas are just working on it or what, but they seem small and shrivel-ly. I made Seth water them (and Scoot!) last night.

TV
I forgot to tell you all to watch Hung on HBO last night! I'm sure it's repeating, I have it DVR'd so I will let you know what I think tomorrow. I have a lot of DVR watching to do tonite while Seth is at class. Hung, 2 Law and Order: CI's, Kendra, Tru Blood, and one other I can't remember right now. I watched House all weekend so my DVR is about three seconds from a coup.

So long! Farewell!
See ya friends! I hope you have-as my boss says "A bright, smiling, productive, sunshine-y day." See you tomorrow!

Love (weekends),
Carrie

Sharing is a nice gesture, stupid, but nice.

Hello and welcome to Friday's blog! I hope you are having a good day. Sit back, get comfy, snuggle up to your humming computer screen with your favorite beverage (I'm drinking peppermint green tea) and see what we have on the blog for you and your loved ones today!

Cupcakes
I just saw the relatively creepy girl walk by with a tray full of cupcakes. And not just any cupcakes, those delicious store bought ones with the icing that is so good, butter cream I think it's called. I want one so bad. But see these cupcakes come at a price, you have to talk to creepy girl. There aren't even words to describe how uncomfortable this girl makes everyone feel. You could be sitting in your cube working and humming away when all of the sudden you turn around and she's standing there watching you. Then she says something odd like "Is it weird that I'm standing here watching you work for like 20 minutes?" She asks a lot of questions like that, and she uses big words, just to use them. I think she is from Minnesota. And she drives a giant gold minivan with no windows. It's her uncle's. She told me one time when I came into the conference area to file something. She told me she was watching to see if anyone got out of it. She's one of those girls who believes her dolls move while she's gone. She's overly friendly and shares WAY too much. She just tries too hard. So yeah, I don't want a cupcake THAT bad. To carry on a 25 minute uncomfortable conversation, that usually ends in a high five. What the heck?

SYTYCD
Yay! Did anyone notice that the Pitbull song I told you all I downloaded was the group number?!?! The dance was a little strange, and poorly edited, but whatever. I love that song! I am happy with who they sent home, but I wish they would have sent home Jonathon instead, just because I think Vitolio would be a better partner then whoever he's getting now. Anywhoo, what did you think of the vote off's?

Yay the Juvies' have their idol hands busy
Fireworks stands opened in Omaha yesterday. Thank GOD because I don't know what those juvenile delinquents were going to do this weekend. Now we are treated to the random 3 am explosion and pop. It's going to be a LONG summer.

I suppose
I should say something about Michael Jackson dying. I would say something about Farrah Fawcett dying, but all I really know about here is her poster and how everyone always thought it was this big sexy symbol and I wanted to be like, have you looked at a Maxim lately? So back to MJ, who have active memories about. My brother LOVED him-wrote fan mail to him even, my parents when to his concert in Europe and my mom sat on my Dad's shoulders the WHOLE concert. (Which as a child, always seemed massively impressive to me, even more impressive then say, seeing Michael Jackson's Bad Tour.) Part of me is torn about being upset about this, mostly because my active reference to MJ is a kiddy-toucher. I mean, I watched that show with Corey Feldmen on A&E-MJ messed him up royally. But the other part of me remembers watching his videos (My Aunt Nat used to tape them for us because we were in Europe and we only got one channel and AFN wasn't really big on showing music videos) with Jesse and singing along. The nice thing about all of this, is that the radio is playing his songs more, reminding me how much I really like them. I'm very interested to see what kind of funeral he will have…will it be bigger than Diane's? Bigger than Evita's!??! He is more of a worldwide beloved pop star. The part that I will remember about his death though, is that I was just surfing Twitter, stalking the New Kids on the Block and Eddie Izzard and all of the sudden Perez Hilton pops up with the news of his death. So I call my brother and update my facebook and all of the sudden I get BOMBARDED by all of these people saying I'm lying and I'm awful for saying that. And I'm like, no look TMZ is reporting him as dead. And then there was this big-TMZ is not a credible news source. Look it's obvious TMZ has sold its soul to the devil. They got the Rhianna picture, they have divorce documents, hell they had all sorts of inappropriate Heath Ledger stuff. I trust them. It took CNN almost 3 hours to confirm his death-but I'll tell you when they did I really wished Seth could invent the "I TOLD YOU SO" dance for the internet. Just a picture of me that pops up and goes "Told ya so, Told ya so, Told ya, Told ya, Told ya so" ala Grace in Will and Grace. But I didn't, because at that point, I was tired of fighting (oh that's a lie, I so did it.) So in closing-I wish we could get a day off of work to celebrate MJ's life, I would celebrate it by sleeping and watching Burn Notice.

Do you have a flag?
For those of you who don't know the awesomeness that is the comedy of Eddie Izzard, please get a clue. I'll help, I own all of his stand up DVD's. He is a genius. I just recently found out he will be at Madison Square Garden on January 16th. I NEED to be there. I'm currently petitioning my loved ones to take me.

More than meets the eye
Alright kiddos, my weekend plans include sleeping, watching TV, watching my cousin work in the yard, BBQing something for dinner and going to Transformers and Cheesecake factory. I'm very excited for the weekend. I hope you all have a great one too!

Love (To tell you I was right),
Carrie

If it weren't for Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of television, we'd still be eating frozen radio dinners.

Thursday…sigh…is this week over yet? I seriously need it to be Friday night. For reals.

SYTYCD
Did everyone watch!?!? I risked Seth's wrath and watched it without him. I'm not opposed to watching it twice. Here are my reviews and who I voted for:
Karla/Jonathan (hip hop by Dave Scott) Boring. It would not surprise me if they go home.
Asuka/Vitolio (jazz by Mandy Moore) While I thought the dance was alright, I was all touched and squishy by Vitolio and how he comforted Asuka when she cried. That said, I'm kind of over Asuka. I wouldn't care if she went home, but I would if he did. I voted for him, well them, but mostly him.
Melissa/Ade (rumba by Tony Meredith) this was good. I liked it, I voted for them. Tony Meredith is starting to grow on me.
Janette/Brandon (hip hop by Dave Scott) This was really good, I was surprised by Brandon and his skill. Janette I'm kind of over. But I voted for them.
Kayla/Pono (Viennese waltz by Jean-Marc) Eh It was interesting to learn that Pono likes to make the costumes. I have a really hard time with his name, I keep calling him Porno. If they get put in the bottom 3 he will probably be sent home.
Randi/Evan (contemporary by Mia Michaels) Loved, Loved, Loved this one. This was my favorite of the night. I voted as much as I could for them. Oh Mia Michaels, see this is what I was talking about I HATE her has a judge but love her as a choreographer.
Caitlin/Jason (paso doble by Jean-Marc & France) Meh. There is something in this pairing that's not right. I think if they had different partners I would like them more. I did like the power Jason brought to it though.
Jeanine/Phillip (Broadway by Tyce) for all of you newbies to SYTYCD this year, Broadway by Tyce is hit or miss. I think this one was a hit, but just because he made good prop and music choices. I loved that Phillip split his pants. When the clip first started I mentally started writing my rag on Janine, but she grew on me when she started performing. I voted for them.
So in summary, I like Vitolio, Brandon, Kayla, Evan, Phillip, Melissa for sure. Can we do some couple rearranging??
Also Toni Basil as a judge? Bah. She got on my nerves. It's hard to take a woman dressed like that who keeps telling us how street she is. I googled her to try to see some of her "street" dancing and couldn't really find any. And everything I did find (2 things) looked like some half assed attempt at Paula Abdul's choreography. Why isn't Paula Abdul guest judging on this show? I vote for Paula. I'd love to see Mary and Paula judge. For about 5 seconds.
If you missed the show, and need some work consuming blog reading for the day, I highly suggest the folks over at Television Without Pity. I've linked it for you, because I love you and think you are pretty.

HawthoRNe
So I gave this show a second chance, and I have to say people, it's barely treading. It's riding the line, I don't think it will last on my DVR, which is sad because it's the only thing I'm taping on Tuesday night…anyone else giving this one a spin?

What's on the DVR from last night
So here is what my DVR taped last night, I don't think I will get to all of it tonite since we have to go grocery shopping AND workout tonite:
Top Chef Masters (I linked the TWOP recap for you here too)
The F Word
The Philanthropist (wow that word is hard to spell)

Panic Attacks in the Bathroom
Yeah it's been a while since we've talked about the bathroom. So yesterday I'm wearing this cute pair of jeans from the Bitten line (DAMN YOU STEVE AND BARRY'S FOR CLOSING!!) and let's face it, they are awesome, but not exactly your high YKK standard zipper. So yesterday, EVERY TIME I went to the bathroom and started to pull down my zipper, it would get stuck. Like it wasn’t going to move. I would sit there and tug and tug and jiggle the stupid thing. Then right before the point where I thought I was going to have a complete meltdown and pee in my pants-it would unstick and slide right down. This happened AT LEAST 6 times yesterday. On one trip back from the bathroom one of my coworkers commented that I looked "out of sorts". Yeah, panic attacks from your zipper in the bathroom will do that to you, especially when it's your SIXTH one of the day. Thanks.

Did you know?
Did you know I and Mr. Hellbusch had our wedding reception at the Omaha Press Club in downtown Omaha? It was LOVELY. Especially now that a lot of my other friends are planning weddings and getting married and I'm going to more weddings. I really appreciate my wedding and reception more. It was a lot of push and pull, but I think it was really unique. I don't find many people who say they got married there. My Dad made the BEST speech, totally shocked me, and because of it, I still can't watch my reception video. Ha. Thanks Mom and Pop for our great reception! And thanks to Seth's parents for buying the bar! I didn't partake in much of it, but those who I know who did said it was good.
Since I constantly internet stalk things of my past, I've been eyeing their website and they are having a super fun looking dance class and competition! I'm sad now that my mom cancelled her membership. It used to be really fun to go there for dinner or meet my mom there for lunch, it was like a secret club house. And the food was always really good.
Look here is some pictures of our reception for you:
The fireplace where we put the head table

Going around to greet everyone at the tables

Dancing while looking over downtown Omaha! (we danced to Flo Rida's "Low" for our bridal party dance-shut up I love rap music.

Dad's Speech (weep)

Making an entrace-how many people do you know were announced at their wedding to Kanye West's "Touch the Sky"-not many-that's right. I told you I love rap.

Our first toast-pretty! My grandpa made our cake topper. That cake was good, I can't wait to eat that old frozen cake in 4 months.

Blog time
Alright I'm off to read my recap blogs! Feel free to comment below! Who do you think will get voted off SYTYCD? Who were your favorites? Are you watching any of the shows I am? Heavy Baggage Blogger L'ara just caught up with Obsessed and well-she is hooked (heh) and horrified. Which I think is a proper response.
Have a great day everyone!!

Love (to do my wedding day again),
Carrie

My idea of an agreeable person is a person who agrees with me.

Happy Hump Day, Piglets!
At this moment Mr. Hellbusch is still home in bed sleeping and I'm trying not to be jealous. It totally stinks that he has flex hours and doesn’t have to drive 45 minutes to get to work. I seriously considered calling in today because I was a ZOMBIE when I woke up this morning, but I eventually talked myself out of it, like I normally do.

Eli Stone
Last night we watched Eli Stone for our nightly show and it made me SO SAD. I kind of hate ABC for bringing back the final episodes of Eli Stone and Pushing Daisies, it's like rubbing salt in the wound. But I kind of love them because right now my DVR is sorely lacking and I love seeing my old shows that I adore. Seth is decidedly not as excited because now I check every day to see when the DVD's are coming out. On the plus side though, it's not like there are 20 seasons to buy of these two. Just two seasons, two fantastic seasons.

Intervention
I taped the wrong episode and got Chad the biker who used to bike with Lance Armstrong but now bikes with meth. While it is a good episode, seen it! I'll try to watch it tonite online since I only have "HawthoRNe" to watch and Seth has class.

HawthoRNe
Speaking of, I forgot to tell you that I watched this show, and I'm giving it the three strikes you are out rule, because I think it has real potential. But so far, meh. But we will see after next week if I pull the plug or not. It kind of feels like ER, but the acting feels stunted, like, they are afraid to act their fullest because it might be pulled, or the OVER acting of Jada Pinkett is making them all pale in comparison. I'm interested in some of the other characters-let's hope they expand on them.

Obsessed
OH MY GOD DID YOU WATCH IT!?!? She kept her miscarried FETUS in the FREEZER FOR SEVEN YEARS!?!?! I have SO MANY QUESTIONS for that woman. SO MANY. Did you notice it was in a true value hardware bag? Man I know that woman's pains though, I have meltdowns like that, but about three seconds into it I think, okay you are just being crazy, have a dose of reality. I'm glad that lady got better though, especially for her kid. Autism looks like it BLOWS. Isn't that the one where the kids don't want you to touch them and they don't like loud noises? I'm also glad she got a makeover because I kept thinking, she can't possibly be as old as she looks. Let's talk about the other guy, Tommy? Was that his name? How do you stay married to someone THAT level of crazy and not get him help? I mean, you have are exposing your child to this guy every day. Ask crazy fetus lady, eventually they start mimicking. I've told Seth 1000 times, the SECOND you do something that puts our kids in danger, you better load up your truck and peace out to live in the driveway for real. Love or not, I'm not raising a firestarter. Also if you can name your anxiety disorder by its medical name and pronounce it correctly and use it in a sentence, there is something VERY wrong with you. I knew a girl that had that pull your hair out disorder when I lived in Augsburg. That being said, I'm glad the behavior therapist knew something was much deeper and beyond his expertise with this guy and sent him to a psychiatrist. I hope they both get better and do well. Although now I'm leery of people's freezers. Thanks Obsessed!

SYTYCD
Tonite is the performance night! Here are the spoilers I have dug up for you.
Karla/Jonathan - hip hop by Dave Scott
Asuka/Vitolio - jazz by Mandy Moore to "Heartbreaker"
Melissa/Ade - rumba by Tony Meredith to "Emotion" by Destiny's Child
Janette/Brandon - hip hop by Dave Scott
Kayla/Pono - Viennese waltz by Jean-Marc
Randi/Evan - contemporary by Mia Michaels
Caitlin/Jason - paso doble by Jean-Marc & France to "O Fortuna" from Carmina Burana
Jeanine/Phillip - Broadway by Tyce to "Moses Supposes" from Singing in the Rain

Sigh…Tyce. I like him better as a judge then a choreographer, but we will see tonite! Yay for SYTYCD!!
Oh and some guy named Tony Basil is the guest judge, I don't remember who that is. I'll need to decide if I'm going to watch it tonite or with Seth tomorrow since he has class tonite, I don't think I can wait that long.

4th of July Menu
I have a menu!! Here is what we are going to have!
Grilled Ribs, Chicken, and brats
Fat Potato Fat Fat (make this weekend and freeze)
A new cucumber salad I’m going to try with balsamic vinegar and mustard from Carrie R at Half-Assed
Corn Muffins
Cole Slaw
Boxed Mac and Cheese
Some kind of corn and peas from our garden, maybe on the grill??

I'm still working on the last thing-any suggestions are welcome! I spent about 2 hours yesterday scouring the internet looking for something…

*snort*
I just read a blog that said they should call that TV show I'm ashamed I watched "Jon and Kate plus Hate" Ha. Clever little minxes.

The weekend ahead
Did I mention its TRANSFORMERS 2 WEEKEND!?!? So we will probably go to our normal Sunday matinee.

I sent my husband this email, subject titled "Dear Husband", I have yet to hear back.
When we go see Transformers 2 on Sunday can we please make it a date and go to the Cheesecake Factory afterwards?
I need a romatical date.
Love, your wife

I'm sure his answer will be something lamesauce like, we will see, I have to run the budget numbers, we are getting to the end of the month, you know. I know, I married him. But when we do get things like shiny new cars or the air conditioning breaks and he doesn't FREAK OUT like I do. Or he doesn't have a meltdown of epic proportions during the house buying process because the numbers sound so scary-then I am very grateful I married him. I realize I'm blessed.

I'm officially not old!
Yay! I'm still cool enough that my 17 year old cousin wants to hang out with me! Okay I am old. My cousin Dalton is coming to do paid yard service for us since Seth has ran out of time (stupid Masters program) on Saturday. But I'm still excited that he wants to give up his weekend to come clean up my sticks and pine needles and wash my windows. I long stopped being able to sucker my brother into doing that for me.

Blog Linky Love
Go read Joshilyn Jackson's blog today, it's hilarious, especially the part about Boggart, her cat (of which I think Bagheera's personality was cloned). I emailed it to people I knew weren't savvy enough to find her blog-it's that funny.

Peace in the Middle East!
Seriously I haven't said that since the 90's. That's a relevant throwback for you today.
Talk to you later Peaches!!

Love (for it to be the weekend already and for an extra three hours of sleep a night),
Carrie

It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety.

HOLY MACARONI AND CHEESE it's disgusting out. It's hot and muggy and already about 85 degrees. Is summer over yet? Because I don't think I can take much more of this…

Welcome to my 151st post! Not that it's monumental or anything, I just noticed it's 151. Let's start off by recapping what I watched on TV last night.

Kendra
Kendra and her fiancée Hank Bassett are really starting to grow on me. I kind of love them a lot. But can we not show anymore of her two stupid roommates/friends putzing around? Also, how do I get an assistant to organize my house and clean it? I'll pay you in hugs and high fives and snacks.

Law and Order:CI
Goren got a haircut! And next week we get TWO episodes!! With both detectives! But not together because it's not like they work in the same department or anything. It's not like they have the same boss who advises them on cases. Chances are they probably don't run into each other at the water cooler or the bathroom. So there's no reason why they should share an episode right? Am I the only one who thinks this is weird? Also this week's episode, we've done this before right? Except the crazy guy who thought God was talking to him had the syph and he was killing hookers. I'm just saying. Crazy Jesus Family Annihilators…done it. Maybe if you had consulted with your other co-workers they could have helped out and told you it was this guy. Also I don't like knowing who the killer is before the cops do, like that is the fun in Law and Order is the "who done it". Otherwise if you show me the guy in the first act killing people, I spend the rest of the episode thinking that the detectives can't really be THAT dumb can they?

The Closer
Well this episode was better than most, but didn't come at a good time since she had to put her cat down in the end and my family recently just put a cat down, so I was bawling like a baby. I loved Mary McDonnell in this episode though, as the captain. Much better than whatever that weirdness was that she was playing on Grey's Anatomy. I often wonder if the actors themselves think those things in their head. PS I love Brenda's pink trench coat. I want one.

Jon and Kate plus 8
I'm so ashamed I watched this, I feel like I'm feeding the machine. I'm an enabler, I'm part of the problem. But I was genuinely sad for them. Especially that part at the end where they attempt to do a family dinner and Kate says it was like their old fashioned team work. I know she is crazy evil and all, but he let her get that way. He didn't communicate with her that he felt like she was being over the line. I'm not sure how they think that their relationship is going to grow if they can't communicate better. I also wonder, why didn't they try counseling? It just seems like they don't even talk. I'm sad for those kids, you can already see them mimicking their parents relationships in their interactions with one another. Okay I swear, I won't talk about it again-I seriously shouldn't have even watched it!

So Peased!
The garden is growing! And guess what I saw yesterday? PEAS!! I have peas!! I'm so excited. It took everything in me not to pick one because they aren't very big yet, but I'm hoping this horrendous weather will help them grow quickly. Also the tomatoes are going CRAZY. Next year I think I'm going to do those hanging bags of tomatoes because I can't see anything that's going on in the thicket of tomatoes I have and that always leads to rotten tomatoes and bugs. And I have a very tiny head of cauliflower!! The succubus garden is not on my nerves this week, but I haven't had to weed it or anything yet in this heat.

Title Quote
Today's title quote is by one of my husband's favorite authors, Isaac Asimov. I think it's quite clever. If you all ever want to know the identity of the quote in the blog post title, just shoot me a line.

New songs
Last night I downloaded "Knock You Down" by Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West and Neyo. I also downloaded "Rockin' that thang" by The Dream. I just thought you should know, I'm pretty excited about it. Don't tell my husband. I don’t think 99 cent songs from Amazon were in this week's budget.

Tonite's TV
Tonite I will sure watch Intervention and Obessesed-be prepared to discuss tomorrow!

Goodbye my Pretties!
Alright people of the blog! I'm headed out to actually work today. It feels like it is going to be a very long day, and to make matters worse, I have to go to the training building today and experience Mother Nature's hot sweaty armpit. Lovely.
Have a great day!

Love (to be living in Alaska right now-did you know they get PAID to live there?),
Carrie

I hate mankind, for I think myself one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am.

The only reason I showed up for work today is because it's supposed to be a heat index of 105 and the air conditioning is free here. Blah summer. I hate summer. I really need to look into finding somewhere that doesn't get about 70 ever.

Weekend recap
MAN did we have a lazy weekend, and it was DIVINE. We pretty much laid around the house (upstairs!) and watched the "House" season 1 that Pam lent us. We only left the house on two occasions, once to buy the tile from Menards for our front entry way, and once to celebrate Father's Day with my Dad. It was great and he LOVED the golf GPS we got him!! He was actually surpised!!! We ate at the Millard Roadhouse, which I always enjoy because they have good French fries.

Here is a list of other stuff we watched this weekend:
3:10 to Yuma (good)
Taken (Liam Nissan was NOT the actor for that part, but still good)
Hitman (also good, I couldn't believe the guy from Deadwood was the same guy!)
Numb3ers (finally a good episode! That only took all season)
Kings (yeah…I just figured out why this show got cancelled)
Pushing Daises (INJUSTICE!! Tears.)

More than meets the eye
Yeah, it's THAT weekend. Transformer's weekend. Seth is pretty excited, and I'm not going to lie, I am a little too. We've been watching lots of clips from Europe (it was released there first) and it looks really well done!

July 4th
So we are trying to repeat out great July 4th party from last year. I invited more people, and we have a theme. But the date snuck up on me-I have no idea what to make!! I'll keep you posted on my meltdown.

1st year!
Today is the first year anniversary for us being in our house! How exciting is that? We've made a lot of improvements, but it's getting harder to leave the darn thing! We know we will have to once we have more than one kid, so I'm enjoying the home we have created now!

Garden update!
I have a head of cauliflower! How exciting is that!?!? Other than that, not much is going on, the tomatoes are starting to get green balls on them and the peas are growing at a rapid rate-I'm sure with the heat today there will be LOTS of fun changes to the garden.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho!
To work I go. Stay cool today everyone!

Love ( to be an Ice Road Trucker right now),
Carrie

Things could always be worse; for instance, you could be ugly and work in the Post Office.

FRIIIIIDDDAAAAYYYY! Huah! FRIIIIDDAAYY! Talkin’ ‘bout a FRIDAY!

Yeah I’m a dork.

C-R-V ya later douche
So I’m sad to report that we got shady salesmen syndrome last night at the car dealer. So I have no CRV, but I have a new appreciation for Sucky, that’s for sure. The salesman was HORRIBLE. He only wanted to give me 7,000 for Sucky because “there is a question about if the brand is going to last and no one is buying them” then I called bs on him for that since it just got bought by that race car company and so then he said my 3 spots (literally 3 dinks) of hail damage really brought down the price. REALLY? Ass. Then he wouldn’t come down on the price of the car even though it looked like it had been driven through a gravel yard, behind a gravel truck, in a sandstorm. Or that Cruella DeVille and Wolverine owned the car and had a hard time opening the doors with their nails and claws being so long.
That being said-I LOVE the CRV. We should have walked away right when we saw the pits on the car but I need to know that I would like driving one. And I did. There are so many handy compartments and so much SPACE. It was super nice. So here’s hoping we find another one not being given delusions of grandeur by a shady salesmen. I hate that, I used to work at two car dealerships, so I know ever stupid trick in the book-and I make that clear before we sit down. And this dude still tries it. He tried the old “take your keys to assess your car” one. And then got all bent out of shape when I demanded my keys back. I know your tricks lamesauce. Nice try.
We ended up getting out of there after about an hour and a half of the old song and dance. Seth was really angry and bent out of shape-but I was happy that I knew I loved the CRV.

SYTYCD
YAY they kicked off Max! I was actually not surprised by the bottom three (wow BOTH Shane Sparks routines? Step it up Sparky) but am so excited to see the new couple next week! I love when they change up couples. I thought Max and Kayla were a really poor match. He looks like her creepy cousin. So he’s gone and I’m happy and WHAT THE HECK was that musical performance? Dude, next. Was she even really singing or was her talent supposed to be air humping? Let me know if you all figure it out. The Mia Michaels routine had some really awesome movements in it. Did you all enjoy it? Can’t wait for next week!

Team *insert name here*
So Seth has a golf tournament today and he formed his own team for it (I’m so proud of him!) it’s for a really good cause (The Vets) and it’s put on by Lockheed so it’s all official. His team is him, my pops, Dan, and our usher and his childhood friend Ty. I was tasked with naming their team. First I picked Putt Pirates because well it’s hilarious, but the people in charge of the tourney rejected it saying it was a “family” tourney. (Whatever DIRTIES) next I picked “Weapons of Grass Destruction” but that name was taking (Stupid development nerds) finally the let us take (which was not without its complaining about the length) was The Four Hackmen of the Apocalypse. So I made them a fun graphic and then I made them some golf polo’s and I hope they like them and don’t complain because that would make me sad and put out since the dang things ended up costing me about 60 bucks to make. (The ink went out on the printer at home, the printer at work wouldn’t work, Seth wanted a certain kind of fabric, blah blah blah)
I hope someone wins a prize and they do well!

Weekend plan
My plan this weekend is to relax! I think next weekend I feel a cooking storm coming on. It feels like a lasagna storm. I feel like making ricotta again. And maybe some ricotta gnocchi. Watching Top Chef Masters has done that to me. So this weekend I will relax and plan and spend a great Father’s Day with my Pop. We are golfing on Sunday. I’d tell you what I got him because I’m UBER excited about it. But he reads this blog everyday (awww thanks Pop!) and I’m not giving it away (even though, I’m sure I have).
I think Saturday I’m just going to enjoy with Seth and try to get some stuff organized in our house. We tried to find a letter Seth needed for his Masters class reimbursement and we tore apart the house looking for it. I’d also like to go out and try to find some tile for tile project. Then if I find some I can talk to my dad about getting it done here shortly.

Peace beeps!
Alright everyone, I want you to have a fun and SAFE weekend. Make sure you don’t forget Father’s Day. And thank you to all the Dad’s out there! Especially my Pop who I love very, very much. He is a very good Dad. And I can’t wait to see what he thinks of his present!!

Love (my dad),
Carrie

Psychiatry enables us to correct our faults by confessing our parents' shortcomings.

Thursday-Yay!
It would be better if you were Friday-but I will take you as you come.

SYTYCD
Let’s talk about it.
Evan and Randi doing a Jive by Louis Van Amstel-Loved it! Voted for them, but that could be because I love them. I thought it was fun (!) and they performed it with a lot of energy.
Ade and Melissa doing Jazz by Sonya Tayeh- Oh Sonya…you live in a very weird world. And I dig it. I voted for them too.
Jason and Caitlin doing Hip Hop by Shane Sparks- Dude, what did America’s next dance crew do to my Shane Sparks? What was that? And why does he look so OLD?
Brandon and Janette doing Disco by Doriana Sanchez- Now I’m the first one to admit that Disco is usually the kiss of death in this competition but WOW! They did not stop moving!! It was awesome! I voted for them.
Vitolio and Asuka doing Waltz by Louis van Amstel – Louis, I am fast loving you. You made me CRY, but I’m a sucker for that heart string pulling stuff. I voted for them.
Max and Kayla doing Pop Jazz by Brian Friedman – Oh Brian Friedman, where have you been? It’s been forever! I really enjoyed this one too, I like when they use props. I voted for them, even though Max kind of creeps me out, I love Kayla.
Jonathan and Karla doing Contemporary by Stacey Tookey - *meh*
Philip and Jeanine doing American Tango by Tony Meredith - *meh*
Kupono and Ashley doing Hip Hop by Shane Sparks- this piece really could have been hard hitting and explosive but it wasn’t and that made me sad.

And can we STOP having Lil C as a judge? He’s just making shit up, for real. He goes home and gets a dictionary and finds words that sound good together, writes them down and then uses them on the show, no matter if they fit or not. He’s annoying. Stick to chorography. You don’t see Tony Meredith trying to judge, do you??
And for those of you who can’t stand Mary Murphy-hit the standard Mary Murphy Mute or Fast Forward on your remote, it’s what we do at home.
Also…now that I think I about it, you know what would be AWESOME? If the chorographers were asked at the end of the piece how their vision was portrayed. I was very interested to know if the routines Shane’s Sparks put out were what he wanted, he looked REALLY grumpy in the audience every time they showed him.

We are off to the dealer...no not that kind of dealer dirty babies!
So Seth found a CRV (I hyperlinked it but I don’t know how long it will be up) that he thinks is do able, and I think that if I get a car with that many luxury items I will FAINT. Things I’ve never dreamed of like radio controls in the dash, heated mirrors, the radio that turns itself up and down based on how fast you are going, a plug in for my ipod, a stereo that tells you what’s playing, a computer system in the dash that tells you all sorts of cool stuff like how many miles you have left on your tank of gas, and it gets AMAZING gas mileage for an SUV. Which if you know me, you know I have ridden in SUV’s my whole life, and when I get into a car I feel like I’m getting into a coffin, so I have never been able to own one-the last time I had one was my first car, the probe. And I was a walking death trap in that thing. So yay that I might get a new car, but boo that I have to do that whole dealership dance-I HATE that part. Seth thinks its do able, but we will see. I would miss Sucky the VUE, but not all that much since it’s been making a funny noise if I go over 50.
In preparation for maybe selling off Sucky, yesterday I had to clean her up…essentially make her look like a WHORE. I made her all shiny and attractive. I cleaned her out so there were no more traces of the girl who drives 66 miles a day and lives in her car. Cheese-it boxes were given the heave-ho, the 25 purses I think is necessary to survive were shuffled into the house and out of the backseat. I even stashed my 45 half drank water bottles under the passenger seat.
Then I got out this Mr. Clean Car Wash kit thingy I got on the clearance aisle. Man what a crock of nonsense this thing is. My Dad would be MORTIFIED that I used soap on my car. I’m still wondering what got into me. It smelled pretty. But it didn’t work worth a dang. And now all the road dirt stuck to the soap. Plus it took FOREVER to figure out and it was hotter than hades outside yesterday. Needless to say I’m kind of okay with parting with Sucky right now. Although she was my “Independent Woman Car”, the first thing I bought with my new “real job” and I have always made the payments with no help from anyone. Not even when I had no job in Sioux Falls and Seth offered to make a payment. Ahh I love being married to a math nerd who calculates that it would be cheaper for me to get this car. Fingers crossed it all works out.

Random Question
To my blog stalkers reading in California-do you sit in traffic forever? See I think I have this stereotype that you have to get up at the crack of dawn and sit in traffic for HOURS. And honk at each other and make obscene hand gestures. I’m not sure if that is accurate. Anywhoo-if it’s true-HOW IN THE HELL DO YOU DO IT? I drive 33 miles (45 minutes) every day to work and if I don’t pee before I leave each place, I’m practically in tears on the exit ramps because I have to pee so bad. So in my head, you people in Cali are peeing in your car seats-just FYI.

Work? We don’t need no stinking work!
Alright well I’d better act like I work here, since I do have a lot of it to do.
Hope you all have a productive and happy Thursday-the weekend is almost here! Did you remember Sunday is Father’s Day? If not, there is your reminder.

Love (my pops and my potential new car *squee!*),
Carrie

Delusions of grandeur make me feel a lot better about myself.

Happy Hump Day all!
Yesterday’s appointment went well, I’m good and healthy and ready to make babies. Hooray!
So because I got off early yesterday I had tons of time to catch up on TV!

Obsessed
Okay so the hoarder thing was NOT as exciting as I thought it would be. And that woman who seemed to be afraid of well…everything, was she a little person? She had the most grating voice ever-I know that much. They didn’t use the psychiatrist I liked though-these were new people. They were okay. Also the hoarder guy was just strange, he was a gay old chorus singer who was hung up on this really mean guy. He had a keyboard and he played “his music” and cried a lot about missing his mom. It made me uncomfortable. It’s hard to make fun of people like that.
I’m interested to see next week’s episode though, the chick whose OCD is affecting her kid now too. I wonder if he will have to have therapy.
International House Hunters
So the first one were these people who bought a property somewhere in Italy-LITERALLY DESCRIBED TO THEM AS A RUIN. Dominico the real estate agent (who lived up to my every Eddie Izzard played expectation by RIDING A MOPED in a three piece suit and saying CIAO!) sold them a ruin that was on the top of a mountain and the only way to access it was to climb 350 steps. And to do the renovation, they had to bring up the materials with DONKEY’S. Don’t worry, it’s a historical ruin, so it’s over 600 years old. It’s a three year project, they will work it out. Right now they have no bathroom and sleep in a single bed together-but don’t worry, this was the best million dollars they ever spent and if they need to remind themselves when they are not busy squatting over a HOLE they have to dig-the can just hike down the 350 mountain scaled steps to the beach and be happy. Idiots. They could have gotten a 4 bath 4 bedroom for the same money-billed as a luxury condo. I bet the camera crew HATED them.
The other couple were buying a “villa” on St. John’s island in the Caribbean. I wanted to sing the “Gold Digger” song the entire episode. It was this little Indian guy who was about 1200 years old and his wife who had the face of a 18 year old (thanks plastic surgeon!) and the body of a 30 year old. The picked the most expensive house and then remodeled it to look even gaudier and more expensive. Weird.

Top Chef Masters
Oh HOW did I leave this on my DVR for a week!?!? What a great show! First off I LOVED all of the chefs this round, they were humble and nice and cooked food with LOVE which is sometimes what you miss out on during Top Chef. They weren’t playing for pride or honor, they were playing for LOVE. Now I think it sucks that they have to put them in weird situations to cook, like I dorm room. Why can’t the masters cook in the kitchen and have who they are cooking for be the challenge? Like the guy from Texas would have to cook for vegetarians or something. Anyway bar the weird situations of cooking I’m really going to enjoy this show. I hope they don’t bring to many a-holes on to be Master Chefs, some of the previews showed some mean sounding Chefs. Did anyone else catch this show?

Ice Road Truckers
The episode I watched was from ages ago, but they finally showed a female trucker who didn’t want to be a dude or look like a dude-and to top it off, she was a good trucker! I like the George guy, but not the rookie kid who I’m convinced is on meth or something. I LOVE they brought back Alex and Hugh-the only two I could stand from the last two seasons. I can’t wait for them to get on the road! But of course I have those episodes, it just takes a certain mood to watch them. There are only so many truck from”under the ice” shots you can take in a day. I’m learning a lot about Alaska though, like they are the richest state in the US AND they pay people to be a resident of Alaska. I knew a guy in college from Alaska and he told me that once and I didn’t believe him, mostly because he was a drug addict and the biggest douche I knew.

SYTYCD
Guess what! I have spoilers for you! Make sure you watch tonite at 7 on Fox!!
Evan/Randi - Jive - Louis
Ade/Melissa - Jazz - SONYA!!!
Jason/Caitlin - Hip-Hop - Shane
Brandon/Janette - Disco - Doriana
Vitolio/Asuka - Waltz - Louis
Maksim/Kayla - Pop Jazz - Brian Freedman
Jonathan/Karla - Contemporary - Stacey Tookey (from SYTYCD Canada)
Phillip/Jeanine - Tango (American style) - Tony Meredith
Kupono/Ashley - Hip-Hop - Shane

Yay Shane Sparks is back!! Disco is usually the kiss of death, so we will see how that goes. I've heard Vitolio and Asuka's waltz brings the tears!

New Show
Last night I DVR'd HawthoRNe on TNT. Anyone watch it? I haven't yet, I wondered if it was any good.

See ya on the flip side!
Alright kiddos, hope you have a happy hump day-the week is almost over!!

Love (television, obviously),
Carrie

Where all think alike, no one thinks very much.

Hey there Tuesday and people who enjoy reading the musings of a crazy woman trying to make her workday pass faster!

Garden of the Goddess
Or not. I spent a good 45 minutes weeding the Succubus Garden last night. Hopefully I either killed everything so I can turn it into a horseshoe pit before the Fourth of July or I am causing things to THRIVE. So far all we have gotten is a salad out of the dang thing. Patience is one of the virtues that got left out in this body. I’m pretty sure it will lead to the destruction of my garden. I do have some tiny little green tomatoes though! Our tomato plants are out of control. It’s going to be an all hands on deck for the canning when the fall comes.
I also traipsed across this on my internet musings:

Isn’t it the coolest? It’s from petsugar.com I was reading their bit on cat nip for the furbabies. If the Succubus Garden manages to do anything worthwhile this year, I might try it next year.

Welcome weight loss readers-or Caroline’s Friends
Heavy Baggage Blogger Carrie (or Caroline who some people call her-because they’ve never heard of the awesomeness that is Carrie2) linked me on her blog for my broccoli cauliflower mash recipe. So if you linked over here from there-Welcome! Hope your weight loss journey is treating you well. Mine typically doesn’t. In fact I routinely give up until I see a picture of Megan Fox or something and then I begrudgingly go weed my garden or run with Seth. It’s been so friggin hot these days that I just can’t get up the gumption to do better by myself. I need a treadmill in front of my tv. I would be SO healthy then. In theory.
But hello there all! Leave a comment-or not, whatever you want to do, but make sure you come back! Even though I wouldn’t know if you did or not, since google gadgets looks at me like I just took off my pants in church when I ask it for a visitor counter. So until taking off your pants in church becomes acceptable, we are on the honor system on website visiting here on Carrie-on Baggage.

Television-one of my favorite things, next to burritos.
So last night I watched two Law and Order: CI’s, The Closer, Big Bang Theory, and Intervention. I haven’t gotten to Obsessed yet, but trust it’s going to be good because the guy is a HOARDER!! I can’t wait. There is something about hoarders that I’ve always wanted to know. I’m also secretly scared that my grandma and I are well on our way to become some. And I’m just sure if Seth leaves me I’ll be one of those hoarder cat ladies who come out in a nightgown and scream MY BABIES! And yell crazy things at the TV cameras when the Humane Society comes to get my animals. So I’m excited to watch that when I get home. Also I’ve been watching Kendra-don’t judge me, you would watch it too if you knew what time it was on-and I think I love her fiancée. He’s pretty awesome. Although every time I watch it Seth tells me that he doesn’t think he plays for the Eagles anymore. Whatevs-more time for mindless TV!! Also I’m going to watch the season premiere of Tru Blood, not that I’ve actually watched the show, I’ve tried, I’m hoping season 2 will enlighten me.

540 words huh?
Well what else can I talk to you about? Well in about 2 hours and 30 minutes I get to go back to the doctor to learn about my blood work and WORLDS MOST HORRIBLE PROCEDURE results. So that should be exciting. I’m going to take the rest of the afternoon to clear some things off the DVR. Seth will probably go hit some golf balls and do constructive things.

Oh a question!
Do any of you use Google Reader? I’ve been using it for awhile now to read the entries of certain websites that my work blocks. Like PerezHilton.com or other celebrity news stuff. If you do, am I missing something cool it’s supposed to be doing or do you have any suggestions for my list? A lot of things won’t show up like http://www.mediatakeout.com/ but I think I’m not using it right. However it is super handy for catching up on Perez or gawker or defamer. Anywhoo, if you use it and abuse it, clue me in on what I can do better with it.

The utility player fields another ball
So I’ve taken on another “responsibility” at work. I’ve decided to stop calling them “jobs” because it’s not like I get paid more, or get more time or overtime to do them, I just get to squeeze them into my already jam packed day. This new one is basically a policemen or teacher like roll where I tell a bunch of guys who get paid more than me that they are doing something wrong or that they can’t do something with regards to our procedures that run our plant. They are currently updating some of them and I consistently find myself saying or writing “We have to be consistent here, you can’t just break our guidelines because they don’t fit for you or because you are too lazy to read them.” Next I’m going to get out a ruler and start hitting them when they don’t listen to me.

Additions
I added two new boxes on the right hand side. Go me. One of these days this blog will be AWESOME, well as awesome as a crazy girls rambling can be.

Ciao!
Alright kiddos-have a great rest of your day! Fingers crossed I don’t have eboli or my uterus isn’t secretly a penis that my parents had stuffed back in when I was born!

Love (getting out of work early),

Carrie

You've got to take the bitter with the sour.

Hello Monday and people of the blog.

Today I got a new job responsibility which is why today’s blog is coming to you late. Tomorrow I have another doctor’s appointment to review our test results. Hopefully they don’t tell me they have to shoot me up with dye again because that was HORRIBLE.

Weekend recap
This weekend was busy! Since I had death Friday, we laid low. I went to my parents and my mom and I went to Old Navy (half priced men’s clothes-Seth is getting pants!) and then we had pizza with them.
Saturday we woke up early and went to Syracuse so Seth could take a golf lesson from my Grandpa and I hung out with my Grandma delivering things for Palmyra days. It was really fun. The best part of the day though, was when we drove past the library and they had a cart and table of FREE BOOKS. I was like STOP THE CAR!!! I think I got about 25 books. I couldn’t tell if my Grandma was proud or embarrassed! Then we went back to the house and at homemade church lady pie and soft serve ice cream. After that we went to have a quick bite at Mamacita’s in Bennett. After that we went to Lincoln to pick up Seth’s Dad’s father’s day gift and then drove to Columbus to celebrate Father’s Day with Seth’s family. We had a really fun time there with them.
On Sunday we woke up late and then started getting things ready for Pam’s BBQ party. Holly, Ty, Jason, Pam, Jesse, and my parents all came. Seth did a really good job on the ribs (from what I hear) and I made Mac n Cheese nests, Dilly Potatoes, and black bean corn salsa. We played Apples to Apples and had a really great time.

In loving memory
When I was in college I broke up with my high school boyfriend and to soothe my wounds my parents let me get a cat-his name was Samuel Chipper Jones. I got him from Pam. He was a sweetie who walked to the beat of his own drum. Over time he became a regular old tomcat and was known to talk to whoever would listen. This morning, after a battle with an illness, we let Sam go. It breaks my heart every time I think about it. I can’t imagine sitting on my parents deck without old Sammy Screwball coming to tell me what’s up. My dad took him into the vet today and I just don’t know have the right words to tell him thank you for loving him to the end, from the bottom of my heart. If you have a cat or pet give it some love today in honor of Sammy, even though Sam would probably run away if you tried to give him unsolicited love.

Adios
Alright my loves, my eyes are welling up with tears again so I’m going to finish out the rest of this day. See you tomorrow!

Love (Samuel Chipper Jones),
Carrie

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.

Happy Friday all!

You are reading this because I made it alive thru my medical procedure, but it wasn’t without its trauma-so I took the day off from work. Which I feel immensely guilty about. Geez you think I was an old Italian grandmother or something.

So I’m writing this to you from the comfort of my beautiful living room, on an AMAZING weather day (cool, cloudy, and rainy) and in my sweats. This day is how I always envisioned being a blog writer. Except I would be in Seattle, not Omaha, so I would know the rain and clouds weren’t going to stop anytime soon. Leaving me perfectly comfortable to write whatever came into my brooding mind.

A word about sweats.

I used to be that girl who thought every moment was a moment I should be dressed for. I wasn’t much of a sports player, so I really never appreciated the “sports wear” lifestyle or sweats. Those girls in college were scary and could probably beat you up while drinking a handle of Captain. Then while I was in college, the “juicy sweat” fad came into the world. You know, the sweat pants with the random adjective spread across the ass? I was quite prone to picking things with the word “Angel”. In retrospect, I was doing it because I loved the Aerosmith song and I hoped people would associate me with the love that radiated from that song. Of course the fact that the song was about 20 years old and no one in college would have ever listened to the song didn’t seem to flaw my logic at the time. Then, one visit to my parents house, and a night where my sweats were in the wash, I tried my mom’s old PT sweats from the army. I’ve never looked back. Now I LIVE in sweats any chance I get. And even though the army doesn’t carry this type of sweatpants anymore I still wear them enough to make Seth pray they start falling apart. I figure he would want me to be comfy and pleasant then made up and crabby. He’s a farm boy anyway, I’m sure he is more relaxed when I am laid back-his family is anyway.

Presenting!

So as teased yesterday-Our Heavy Baggage Blogger Carrie has started her own blog! You can find it here- http://carriehalfassed.blogspot.com/ Show her some love! She said she would be making a blog post here to introduce it to you all, but I thought you lovely lovelies would make sure to show her some encouragement because it’s hard enough to have to write about weight loss and the road to improvement-throw on top of that the stress of trying to come up with a blog post about it…well every blogger loves comments. Even the porny ones. That usually means they aren’t shouting into a dark hole. And everyone likes to think someone is listening.

Avast!

Alright friends! It’s going to be a stressful, but good weekend. I hope you all have a good one, and don’t worry, I’ll be back Monday to chat all about mine.

Love (sweats, rainy days, and blogs)

Carrie

I bought a cactus. A week later it died. And I got depressed, because I thought, Damn. I am less nurturing than a desert.

Happy Thursday everyone!

*Waves enthusiastically*
So remember when I lovingly implored you all to go buy Joshilyn Jackson’s new paperback “The Girl Who Stopped Swimming”? (Seriously, if you haven’t done it-do it, I wouldn’t lie to you-it’s a great book) Well I was killing two birds with one stone, I was getting the word out about one of my favorite authors (and if you are an avid reader of my blog, you will know that, I talk about her a lot) AND I was entering her contest to win a signed copy of her book. My first contest ever. And I WON!!! I was so excited about it last night I posted about it on facebook and I think the entire facebook community now thinks I’m a freak. One of many, I’m sure. Why doesn’t this sort of magic happen when I win buy lotto tickets?? Maybe I should talk more about winning the lotto on my blog…
BUT the best part of this story is that in winning, you may have noticed that Joshilyn *SWOON* linked this little old blog right here! Which in theory, means that some of her THOUSANDS of readers a day, may be inclined to link on this blog and read it. That means all six of us might have some more visitors and some more comments to share. If you came over here from Joshilyn’s site-WELCOME! I’m glad you are here! Sit, read, hang out a while! It isn’t much, but it’s mine! And if I could give you snacks-I would. Because I’m a snacks kind of gal. I hope you have a good time-come back and see us again! Those regular readers, if you want to give the new kids some insight into this blog or your thoughts, the comments are down below. Have at it.
I can’t even THINK about the fact that Joshilyn had to click on my link and look at my blog. I start hyperventilating like that time I saw Emilio Estevez at Old Tucson on a girl scouts trip. I’m hoping she didn’t read the first paragraph and go Holy Mac and Cheese what is this hot mess and back arrow as fast as she could. All though we did talk about brushing your butt with a toothbrush yesterday-so I wouldn’t blame her!

So You Think You Can Dance
Did you watch last night!?!? Did you!?!? Okay so I have some favorites. Who are yours? I voted for these couples:
Phillip & Jeanine - Hip-Hop - Napoleon & Tabitha
Evan & Randi - Jazz – Tyce
Jason & Caitlin - Bollywood - (to Jai Ho)
Brandon & Janette - Foxtrot - Louis Van Amstel
Ade & Melissa - Contemporary - Mandy Moore
Maks & Kayla - Samba - Louis Van Amstel

I really liked Evan-he surprised me. And Ade and Melissa’s contemporary routine got me because they used a Richard Marx song and I have the biggest soft spot for Richard Marx songs in the history of soft spots.
I hate eliminating people so early, I wish they got two weeks to show us what they can do and to let us get to know them a little better.
Here’s a brilliantly snarky blog that I love to read if you missed the show and need a recap: http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/so_you_think_you_can_dance/the_top_20_dancers_perform.php

Back to Doctor Pokes a lot *shivers*
I’m headed back to the doctor today for another test-don’t worry I’m not dying, just trying to have babies. We are making sure everything good to go on my end. Who knew there were so many tests they can do to see if you can have babies? Oh well, at least today I get to go home early, even if it means I get injected with radioactive dye and have a panic attack of epic proportions when they come at me with those needles. Hopefully I won’t vomit again. Stupid phobias.

Decidedly not a strip- teaser
So here’s a little tease-I’ve been informed that one of our Heavy Baggage Guest Bloggers is starting her own blog about her weight loss journey and road to a better self. I won’t say much more because I don’t want to put TOO much pressure on her before she gets it up. But she said I could guest blog over there on those days I’m actually feeling like I have credibility to blog on a weight loss blog. Stay Tuned for more details!

The upcoming weekend
I’ve talked a little about our run around this weekend. I’m now trying to coordinate a birthday bbq on Sunday for Pam, since I’m not sure we will get back at a good time to properly celebrate it, I’m trying to put together something nice for her. Since I love her and all and she’s a really great friend. Other than that we are going to Syracuse on Saturday so Seth can have a golf lesson with my grandpa and then to Lincoln to pick up my Father in Law’s Father’s Day gift and then to Columbus to give it to him and have dinner. We are trying to do a tour of Eastern Nebraska, apparently.

Adieu
Alright all! That’s all the time I have today! I hope you all have a great day and welcome again to everyone who may have clicked over from Joshilyn’s blog! Thanks for stopping by-come back again soon!

Love (the excitement of winning and things to come),
Carrie

The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder.

Welcome Wednesday. I’m not glad to see you. I would have been much more happy to receive you yesterday-when I thought it was Wednesday. Again. I must have something against Tuesday’s because I’m always skipping them.

House Hunters International
So House Hunters International is doing this thing where they go to the top 5 destinations voted on by viewers and watch people find houses there. I generally enjoy HHI because I can’t get mad at the people for buying stupid things, because most of those destination spots have AMAZING houses for tons of cash. And you really mostly just hate the person for having that much money. The number 5 spot, which we watched last night was the Bahamas. In 20 minutes I was convinced I NEVER needed to live in the Bahamas-ever. These people were spending a million dollars, and that basically got them the shit shack by the river. None of the three houses were anything short of terrible. One of them had a refrigerator entirely covered in mold. Another had a toilet that you had to walk over to get to the shower. The last one had two bedrooms and one bathroom and the floor was a concrete slab with some tiles smooshed into the concrete. REALLY? A million dollars? So yeah-I’m never moving to the Bahamas. I’ll save my MILLION DOLLARS for a beach resort in Mexico or something. At least there the house comes furnished. On top of that-all of the houses on this island are considered historic and over 200 years old so if you wanted to refurbish them or build a bathroom that doesn’t involve doing a power squat to get into the shower, you would have to go thru the historical society to get it approved. But don’t worry, they picked the house near the ocean, where their SIX KIDS would have to share two rooms and there is ample parking for their golf carts. Because that is the only mode of transportation in the Bahamas is golf carts, or at least on this island of craptaucluar million dollar houses. I’m excited to see what tonite’s destination is and how it will be ruined for me. I think its Cyprus.

Mmmm Mmmm somethings coming over me-my baby’s got a secret
So listen, I’m going to tell you a big secret of mine. I want to go to Comic-Con in San Diego. Every year I read the blogs and watch the videos and wish I was there. All my favorite people from my favorite shows are there. Like Joss Whedon and Nathan Fillion, and Heroes and stuff. And they premiere stuff from movies I LOVE like Transformers and Harry Potter and they announce upcoming movie awesomeness. And it just seems like a lot of fun. I’m sure tickets are outrageous and sold out years in advance, but it’s a secret dream of mine. I hope one day to have a son or daughter who is a huge comic book nerd and I can make their life by taking them to Comic Con when they are like 13. But really, so you all know, I will be fulfilling my secret wish. Judge yest ye be judged, jerks.

Mandate
Bromance is a big thing right now, there are movies about it, and it’s acceptable in society. I really think though that we need to address the Mandate. How do I set my husband up on a Mandate. See my husband is a brilliantly nerdy engineer. He loves math and numbers and computers. I work with a bunch of engineers who love the same thing. There are about 40 people here who I think he would get along famously with. So how do I do that without being creepy? Taking suggestions below.

Obsessed with Obsessed.
Seriously ya’ll have you SEEN THIS SHOW!?!? Holy mac and cheese! I’m in love. I have so much more insight into OCD now. I had no idea it is basically an anxiety disorder where people perform “rituals” to curb anxiety. The one I watched last night was two people. The first guy was kind of a nutcase, and there was really no helping him. He would workout 50 times a week because he was afraid of dying. Plus he was UBER smart, like he was a mathematician and physicist. I don’t think the psychologist was a smart enough for him. This guy couldn’t commit to the treatment because he couldn’t rationalize it, where as he had found rationality in his behaviors to combat his fear. The guy wasn’t on the same mental level as this guy. One thing I have learned from my husband’s analytical brain is that it doesn’t think the same way mine does. If you explain something to him, or you want to win a point, you have to approach it from an analytical standpoint. Telling the nutjob that he needed to stop working out so he could “reach his goal and spend more time with his family” didn’t combat his fear of dying.
The second lady I was amazed by. This lady was afraid of poop. So afraid that bowel movements basically made her have a mental breakdown and she would spend 3 hours in the shower after she pooped doing enimas and scrubbing herself on the INSIDE with a toothbrush until she bled. OH. MY.GOD. She had to have two blood transfusions because she had lost so much blood from her vigorous butt brushing. It was HORRIFIC. But the cognitive behaviorist got her better in the end and saved her marriage. But still, can you IMAGINE!?!?
Please watch this show so I have someone to talk about it with. I can’t talk about this stuff at work, no one watches this show and people think I’m weird when I talk about cleaning poop out of your butt with a toothbrush and how many gym memberships the nutjob has.

Alright all, I’m going to get thru some of this work so I can think about taking Friday off. I said THINK.

Love (cloudy days),
Carrie

I am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally.

And it’s Tuesday!
We were super busy last night. We had to run to Target, then run to Home Depot to get propane for the grill. Chet was there when we got home. He came over to help Seth finish the fence project. See the kidtens and the bunnies are coming into our yard thru these openings that were purposely put in our fence. Our fence is like one post is on our side then one post is on the neighbors side and it’s held together by a long piece of wood in the middle that the posts are attached to. So what this means is an enterprising bunny or a Willow can squeeze thru the slats as easy as a greased pig thru the mud. (Where did THAT analogy come from?? Does that even work?) So Seth is pounding little garden posts and drilling them into the fence line where the gaps are. He had Chet come over and help (Thanks Chet!). I laid in the yard and finished reading my book Dark Angels: A Novel by Karleen Koen which was really good and I highly recommend. Then I cut fresh lettuce and spinach from our garden and made a salad. It was really good! And super exciting to get something productive out of my friggin succubus garden. Way to finally give back. I think I will be way more jazzed when we start getting tomatoes because I have GRAND plans for sauces and salsa and other dishes.
In other news, Seth and I have been tossing around the idea of getting a new SUV for me. Sucky (my Saturn VUE) is making a funny noise, about to hit the 60,000 mile mark (it’s a 2005) and it feels like a good time since the rates are so good and people are practically giving cars away. I told myself I never buy new again, but Seth seems to think that it’s worth it with the warranty and all. I wouldn’t mind another Saturn, but I really like the gas mileage of a Honda CRV. I’m currently looking for a black Honda CRV 2007-2009. For under 20,000. All you assholes who are holding onto your CRV’s need to let them go, because seriously, there isn’t one in Omaha or Lincoln. Which proves they are a really good car, but makes it difficult for me to buy one and become a happy customer. We figure we will have kids soon and need to have a reliable car and the time is good to buy now. This is the logic Seth has come up with anyway. I told him if he really wants to do this and make me happy, do it and put it in the driveway with a bow so I don’t have to even think about payments, registration, insurance or going and haggling with the dealers. UGH I hate that. And I worked at two car dealerships in my life. (One which is the antichrist of car dealerships)

The next book I’m reading is Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: A Novel by Susanna Clarke (it’s linked for you).

Alright well since I’m getting off early on Thursday to get the results of my bloodwork-I’d better hop to today!
Love (to be at home snoozin’),
Carrie

The future will be better tomorrow.

Welcome to Monday everyone. I’m sure your Monday didn’t start out nearly as badly as mine did what with the needles and the poking and the blood and the vomiting.
I had to have blood work done, needles make me vomit, my nurse was not appreciative. At all. But my husband was super nice, and held my hand and told me jokes. So he is a good husband.

Author love!
So first and foremost! The most important thing ever-Joshilyn Jackson’s book “The Girl Who Stopped Swimming” is out on paperback-and you should go buy it one because I told you to and two because if you are awesome at life, you own this book and THREE because she told you too. Here I will make it easy for you-GO HERE, that is a link to her website. She has every which way you can think of to get the book on there from Amazon to local book sellers. She even has a book store that she signs copies for! So show a good author some love and while you are there read her blog and laugh and laugh. If not for me, for her sweet children who need to eat and have a roof over their heads, and if you hate kids, then for her adorable dog and cats. You won’t regret it! Promise!

Snooze
So I had such a boring mundane weekend that its not even worth re-capping for you all. Basically I ate, slept, watched a lot of house and read my books. Seth caught some fish and came back to a clean house. The end. Pam got sick so we didn’t get the bathroom painted, but that wasn’t her fault because I crapped out on it too. (heh.)

Love my hair school
My hair appointment went great-for those of you in the Omaha area looking to save some dough and get a great job done, I recommend whole heartedly “Capitol Hair School” I’ve been going since 2005 and I have never had anyone bad enough that the instructors had to fix or reimburse me. They constantly check the students work and you get quality hair color. I paid 55 bucks for mine and it was really great. If you go I recommend Daisy B, she was really fast and let me read my book but talked to me when I wanted to talk. And soon I will post a picture of my new look for you and you will go “Oo good job Daisy B” and rush to make your appointment.

These sheets are the SHEET!
I got new sheets this week in a pre-needle panic attack and they are from Walmart ( I know-SHAME) but they are organic cotton and OHMYGOD they are divine. I’ll let you know how they fair a week of Seth’s ashy scratchy heels and the second round of washing, but so far, they are the softest and coolest sheets I have slept on since my Tommy Hilfiger ones. And I only paid 32 bucks for queen size.

Okay everyone, I should actually work since I got in late!

Love (to not start the day off with a blood evacuation),
Carrie

Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy.

Happy Friday!
It’s going to be a very happy Friday for me indeed because I have grand plans of going home and sleeping. For reals. Seth is going camping for Cheeto’s Bachelor “party”. I have made you a handy list of other things I may or may not be doing this weekend.

Weekend List
1. Sleeping
2. Watching TV
3. Getting my hair done
4. Eating
5. Reading my book “Dark Angels”
6. Laying in bed petting kidtens
7. Dancing to the song I downloaded last night- “I know you want me (Calle Ocho)” by Pitbull (did I mention I dig reggaeton?)
8. Start a jar of sun tea and drink the entire thing
9. Hang out with Pam and eat Zio’s
10. Hopefully see my cousin and brother and eat Pepperax

SYTYCD
Here is a link to the pictures of the top 10 guys: http://www.sytycdism.com/2009/06/official-photos-your-top-20-guys.html
And the top 10 girls: http://www.sytycdism.com/2009/06/official-photos-your-top-10-girls.html
Here are the ones that I immediately remember and like, but I reserve the right to change my mind once I see how they work with choreography:
Tony Bellissimo, Philip Chbeeb, Vitolio Jeune, Evan Kasprzak, Randi Evans, Janette Manrara, Kayla Radomski, and Paris Torres.
How about you? Any front runners in your pool yet?

Commitment week in review:
I accomplished none of them. Oh well, next week!

My Saturn
Dude they sold Saturn to some race car driver. I don’t know how to feel about this. I’m not like an uber passionate Saturn owner, but I do love the car and was treated really well at the dealership (and trust, I worked in two different dealerships in college, so I know what is good customer service and what is terrible customer service *coughs WOODHOUSE coughs*. Here is the article on the deal: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-penske6-2009jun06,0,575936.story

Alright I’m out of thoughts. My head is all empty-is this day over already?

Love (having the weekend to myself),
Carrie

Some idiots just have too much power

Shout out to L'ara for the blog quote title today!

Once upon a time on a magical blog…I had something interesting to type/talk for you. Today all I got is randoms:

It’s not worth it, whatever it is you are crying about.
So I’m doing my normal grocery run on the way home from work yesterday and as usual, because I drink so much water (as demonstrated by my diluted drug test) I had to run into the bathroom before I started shopping. I go in and there is someone at the sink in there and I wasn’t paying much attention. I go pee and come out and do the “hand wash” that I don’t normally do, and this is the tiniest double sink I’ve ever seen and of course this is a bigger girl and now I can tell she is a Baker’s employee and she is SOBBING and texting. Great. She looks at me with her blotchy face and big wet doe eyes and snorts. And I’m not in any mood because yesterday really sucked balls as a whole for me and I just say “Seriously? You are really crying at the sink right now? You couldn’t do that in a stall with the door shut so the customers don’t have to see you?” and I left. Because I’m evil. As a general rule, if you are reduced to crying in a public bathroom about something-it’s not worth it. In my experience anyway.

SYTYCD
So Vegas week is here! I’ll be honest, last year was the first time I watched Vegas week and I really didn’t care for it. This year has not been much different. I hate that they introduce us to people and make us like them and then cut them. And then there are like 16 people in the top ten and they don’t feature them, so when they get picked over someone I like I get all pissy and WHO IS THAT GUY ANYWAY like. It’s irritating. And it seems like it’s some sort of rule that the choreographers have to spend that week being complete assholes with their choreography. Mia Michaels especially. I hate her during Vegas week. The worst cut was when they cut Natalie Reid after Sonya just made her demonstrate how she wants the dance done. She didn’t even get a dance for your life or anything like the mush mouth tapper kid did. I mean, I don’t even like Natalie Reid all that much but the fact she got cut with no second chance and double standards burnt my biscuits. Tonite we find out who is in the top 20…and then I’ll start caring.

New Job?
So I applied for a new job, which really isn’t all that new. Basically it’s a permanent position in the company that owns the Nuclear Power Plant. I’m a contractor right now, which is nice because it’s pretty flexible and you get exempt from a lot of stupid stuff like plant clean up day and really shitty jobs during the outage, like fire watch (you literally sit behind a welder and watch to see if he sets anything on fire, for 8 hours and you can’t do ANYTHING but watch him, no radio, no dancing, no TALKING, it’s a very serious job). But it’s not nice because there are no benefits, no guarantee you will be employed for longer than a month at a time some jobs and you don’t get the discount on your bill or the cool free stuff they give away like lunches for filling out a stupid survey. My boss told me to apply because basically it’s the job that has had me swamped since I got back from Florida that I’ve been doing on top of my other job duties. It’s basically a foot in the door position. It doesn’t pay much more, but there is opportunity to move up and the benefits. So I applied last night and if I get it, I get it and if I don’t, well I’m happy here for sure. My “cohort” is none too pleased about it, because it means her help would go away-even though she is completely caught up thanks to me.

Is that Jesse’s trailer?
So last night we were watching the news on mute, and Seth looks up and goes, is that Jesse’s trailer? And this just happens to be what happened in my brother’s trailer park last night. http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/46864497.html It was the trailer a couple down from him. He thought they might be drug dealers, but he NEVER THOUGHT THEY SOLD GIANT GUNS TO MEXICAN DRUG LORDS. Like you do, on Tuesdays. I called my Dad and then Jesse and then made about 300 facebook posts about it.

Speaking of
Speaking of Facebook, I am currently asking some of my friends at work to be my friends on facebook. So if you found your way here-congrats! And don’t tell anyone. You are in a secret club of awesomeness now.

Le *sigh*
Alright I’d better go do that job I applied for!
Hope you all have a great day!

Love (to shame bathroom criers),
Carrie