Being sick and another neighborhood cat

I'm sick. (cough, cough).
Yuck.
I don't say "I'm never sick" because I think it'll jinx it - but I really am never sick. It started yesterday. I felt sinus pressure and I was tired. I went with Graham and Audrey to Shrek III and it turned into a full-blown cold. My head weighs thirty pounds, I'm achy and just want to sleep.

I'm watching tv, in sweats and drinking gallons of orange juice when I see the adorable calico kitten. She (sometimes) let me feed her by hand. She hisses at me while she takes food from my hand. No collar, she's small but I can't tell if it's because she's young or just a small kitty. Either way, I hope she continues to warm up to me and I gain more trust.

Rescue Me, breakfast and 8 day count down till Jess returns to P-town!!

I've been a general fan of Denis Leary for some time. I am completely aware of his "Rescue Me" show that was on the Fox Network but do not have cable. Alas, Netflix has all 5 seasons - I've ordered them all!!
Wow!! It's taken me all week but I'm done with season 1 and two episodes into season 2. This show is messy, emotional, puts addiction and abuse in your face - and has hot fire fighters. I'm hooked.




I've made a delicious breakfast to enjoy while continuing my Rescue Me marathon. Italian toast. Instead of using bread (I don't eat bread), I used sourdough english muffins. You hollow them, crack an egg in the center and heat over low. It takes awhile but once the egg starts setting you can add all the yummy stuff: salt & pepper, garlic mustard, cilantro, shredded cheese, etc.
Cover, turn the heat up just a bit (maybe re-spray the bottom so the eggs won't stick) and sit back and enjoy as your apartment smells like a corner restaurant.
Mmm... I was going to take pictures but I ate the final product. Sorry kids. I'm that hungry!!!

Jess & Matt are coming back to Portland for a week visit in 8 days!! I haven't seen my sister since her wedding - well over a year ago. She's coming during finals week but I'm sure we can manage a meet up; stroll Waterfront, maybe get out to the Gorge and have a few meals.

Happy Saturday Bloggers.

tuition, certifications, credit cards - it's all too much!!

I'm faced with a dilemma. Do the accelerated CNA program (which I really want to do!!) or put it off... save up more money and see if I can pile it on in the Fall while re-taking A&P??

Well, if I take the CNA program during the summer, I need to fork over $1095 by June 15th!! The silver lining? I'll be certified by September and can take a job with Providence or the Holgate Center and have CNA and hospital hours on my resume when I apply for nursing school in October. But I still need to come up with that $1095!!

If I wait, take the CNA program in the Fall - I'll have more time to save up for that $1095, but I'll be taking it while I'm taking A&P... for the second time because the first time I didn't cut it. And when I apply for nursing school I won't be a CNA... I'll be a CNA in training (LAME).

Oh, what to do, what to do??? I'm 26 years old and have survived this long without a credit card. Is it time to put that to rest and charge tuition?

Or I could just play my odds at the Lottery!!

Law & Order: canceled??

SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!


After 21 glorious seasons the original (dun-dun-dun) Law and Order is rumored to be canceled!!! Although I'm a huge fan of SVU (oh, that studly Elliot Stabler) and sorta a fan of CI - nothing compares to the original tv crime drama. Poor Dick Wolf (Law & Order producer) may have to say adieu to the silver fox Jack McCoy.

I'm fairly certain I've seen every Law and Order episode yet I can't pull myself off my couch when the 12-hr marathons play. Where's a petition or fan blog I can join to keep this show running??

Brownies with cookies

Betty Crocker has a mix that combines Hershery's brownie batter with cookie dough!

I KNOW!!!

They're in the oven now... pictures soon to follow. Mmmmm... My apartment smells amazing!

UPDATE!! Picture.... Mmmm...

Neighbor Cat

Don't know her/his name, but s/he sure is cute. I bought some cat food and try to feed her/him whenever s/he appears.

Doggie Dash & Springwater Corridor

This morning was the Oregon Humane Society's Doggie Dash. Tons of fun, a bit disappointing that I wasn't sharing it with Andrew and Serena but it was still enjoyable none the less.
(Skippy, Gretchen and Bella)

(Sophie)

After spending the morning with 3,000 dogs I came home and took advantage of the beautiful weather we're having right now in Portland - 80* and low humidity. Ahhh...

I took the Springwater Corridor from SE 122nd and made my u-turn at Main Street Park in Gresham. It was about a 11-12 mile round trip. Felt great except when I got home and took off my shoes.



My foot is throbbing!! I guess that's why you don't wear Converse for a long bike ride.

After Hours

I'm having writers block. I'm super tired - I had an intense stair machine work out and an hour of yoga today. My paper is due TOMORROW and I can't seem to get past two pages... five is the minimum.
Urg.
Wish me luck and send me super thoughts to break-up my writer's block.

Open Letter

I received a piece of snail mail today from a friend who has touched a very soft spot in my soul. I can't remember how we met but I know her through my sister. Laura is a smart and sensitive woman and I just adore her. She is a writer, a giver, funny and witty. I could count on one hand how many times we've hung out, but she's just one of those people that you instantly connect with.

I have left no room for doubt regarding the sadness and sense of loss and heartache I've felt from my break-up with Andrew and no longer being Serena's owner. This ordeal is one of those big yet few experiences that a woman has in her life time that contributes to how she values not only the love she receives, but the value she places on the love she can give.

Laura sent me a letter responding to an email I sent her when I was feeling especially low. I do not want to reveal too much here, but I read her letter no less then three times, tearful. It is a relief to know that the sadness I felt, though I want no one else to go through it, is not mine alone. To not be told to just move on, that shit happens, a million other women go through this and to basically not acknowledge this loss - is refreshing. It's comforting.

I do not dwell, but I do acknowledge. I will not swallow up emotions and lock them up. I am too much of a believer that we should all be more honest with expressions; there is less confusion and more healing that way.

"I now believe, with all of my heart, that the better you become at caring for and honoring yourself, the better your chances become for meeting a male version of yourself."

Genius, Laura. Expect my letter soon.

xoxo

Ben's 20th Birthday dinner

The majority of the kids met up at the Outback Steak House to celebrate Ben turning 20 years old!
Not too exciting - just some photos.


Me with Ben.


Andy, Emily and Ben.


Mark III being adorable.

Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart

(stupid video, AMAZING song. PS: Sorry, I can't make the video fit)

Even if you were a million miles away
I could still feel you in my bed
Near me, touch me, feel me

And even at the bottom of the sea
I could still hear inside my head
Telling me, touch me, feel me
And all the time, you were telling me lies

So tonight, I’m gonna find a way to make it without you
Tonight, I’m gonna find a way to make it without you
I’m gonna hold on to the times that we had
Tonight, I’m gonna find a way to make it without you

Have you ever tried sleeping with a broken heart?
Well, you could try sleeping in my bed
Lonely, own me, nobody ever shut it down like you

You wore the crown
You made my body feel heaven bound
Why don’t you hold me, need me?
I thought you told me you’d never leave me

Looking in the sky, I can see your face
And then I know right where I fit in
Take me, make me, you know that I’ll always be in love with you
Right ‘till the end

So tonight, I’m gonna find a way to make it without you
Tonight, I’m gonna find a way to make it without you
I’m gonna hold on to the times that we had
Tonight, I’m gonna find a way to make it without you

Anybody could’ve told you right from the start it’s ‘bout to fall apart
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I’ll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, don’t hold on too tight
I’ll make it without you tonight

So tonight, I’m gonna find a way to make it without you
Tonight, I’m gonna find a way to make it without you
I’m gonna hold on to the times that we had
Tonight, I’m gonna find a way to make it without you

jackass 101

This is a douche bag. Why? I have clearly marked (by the red arrows) the parking spots.
This is the parking lot near the Student Center on campus.

Monday Minute

(Thanks Jessica)

1 - How much would you have to be paid to eat a human cadaver's finger?
Maybe I've been watching too many episodes of "Bones" but I can't ever imagine being able to munch on a human body part. Of course, those intense, once in a billion chances I'm stranded on a frozen mountain top, possibly, yes, I would eat a human finger for zero dollars. But to eat a cadaver's finger? I'd have to say there is no amount of money.


2 - Describe the worst physical fight you've ever been in.
Hmmm... I've had more then my fair share of physical altercations with siblings growing up. But the worst fight did not involve them; it was when I was jumped. In no way do I want to paint a picture that I lived in some gang infested neighborhood, but between 1st and 3rd grade we lived in a not so safe place. I was in 3rd grade, walking home from my best friend Becky's house one evening, (she lived on the same street, maybe four blocks east), when two older teen guys affiliated with the "13th" crew came out of nowhere, asked me for my money - which I had none, I was probably 10 years old - and the flight part of me sparked, they grabbed me before I could reach my front door steps and smacked me around a bit. I was more traumatized then beat up, but that is an experience I will never forget.


3 - Name one song that if you never heard it ever again, you'd be thrilled.
Just about anything Nickelback and that Gnarls Barkley "I Think I'm Crazy" song.

4 - Describe the "drunkest" situation you've ever been.
I'm not a big drinker but I got pretty shit-faced at my friend Siobhan's wedding and at Aimee's bachelorette party. I cried at the wedding (bad drunk) and did some crazy, out of character things with a stripper at Aimee's party. Thanks Jack Daniels. And the time that made me (nearly) quit drinking altogether - a few years ago a group of friends went to the coast for the weekend. I didn't eat all evening and sat in the hot tub with my ghetto-beverage of cherry Kool-Aid and vodka. The only time I've ever blacked out.

5 - What's your biggest regret?
Again, Hmmmm... I don't like thinking I've made regrets but is a regret something you wish you could do differently? I wish I finished college when I started 7 years ago. I wish I stood up for myself and my convictions more throughout my life.

My new bike!!

Yes - I took the plunge and purchased a brand new bike. That's right kids, no more trolling Craig's List hoping to find a gem. Nathan at Hollywood's Bike Gallery was wicked awesome and helped me find my new wheels. It's a 2010 Trek 820. I spent over $100 more then I wanted to for a replacement bike, but I couldn't pass on such a great deal.

I can't wait to start doing my part with helping out traffic and pollution and riding to work and school.

Sophie checking out my new ride.

Inappropriate!!

Why, why, WHY - does my older, creepy neighbor always manage to sneak up on me while I'm letting my dogs do their business, and want to not only carry on a conversation with me about "how beautiful I am" but also pet my dogs!!

First, ew. When I'm standing in pajamas, a coat, my slippers, my glasses and I haven't washed my face or brushed my teeth - do not tell me how beautiful I am. Especially if I'm at least 25 years your junior. Second NEVER pet a dog while it's taking a dump. It's weird, it's gross, it's unsightly. By doing this are you trying to show me how comfortable you are with my dogs? Because it makes me quite uncomfortable. And I've said this - "Oh, don't touch them while they're trying to do their business..." But I guess it didn't stick.

The good thing, he's moving today. I hope his replacement isn't as creepy.
Happy Saturday everyone!!!