Puppy Love and all that other stuff...

So blog posts don't come naturally to me- well, at least not as much as I would like them to. 

Valentine's Day was lovely.

Husband, much to my surprise, did very well. He is a notorious last minute gifter so unless I heavily hint (and by that I mean if I am saying it and I don't see him immediately pick up a pen and see him try to write it on his hand without me seeing him, then I can pretty much forget about it) and he usually doesn't go shopping for gifts until the day before or the day of- which usually means I know he is going to get me the last three things I mentioned I liked at Target- ha ha. (I'm not complaining though, he remembered, right?)

Well in true fashion, I had ordered him 3 books off Amazon weeks before (which he knew were coming because he knows he is going to get a book and thus checks the amazon account come gift time), but I was sneaky and also ordered him an embosser- which reads "From the Library of (Husband's Name Here)". I also bought tickets to the movie Taken from work ($3 off each ticket if I buy them through work) and filled my biggest purse up with store bought colas, popcorn, and candy so we could see the movie the way Husband likes to see it- on the cheap. And if you know me- I like to go to the movies a lot and I like the works- so skipping on the movie theatre popcorn was not an easy task. But Alas! He loved it and spent most of the free time we had the next few days embossing his books. 

In his true fashion, Husband woke up Valentine's Day and went shopping. I was kind of disappointed in him until he got back and (after not letting me see him) he had bought me three orange roses, which I loved, and managed to scour many different stores to find me my favorite Russell Stover's candy (the caramel collection- on a side note I basically said "don't come home without these" and since he never got me my chocolate birthday cake- I think he may have known it was a do or die situation). As I was getting ready to go out to eat (Olive Garden), Husband walked in the room holding a shirt I had pointed out in where else but Target. It was such a sweat jester. I was trying on my shirt when I heard Husband clanking around in the kitchen. When I inquired as to what he was doing in there, he just huffed and puffed and said, "I don't want to show you because it is supposed to be a surprise for later, but I don't know if I am doing this right." 

I knew it had to be food related.

So he let me peak/help and he had bought lots of strawberries and some Hershey chocolate bars to make chocolate covered strawberries. He also bought me some champagne because I had been saying for the last few weeks that I had a horrible craving for it. 

BUT THE BEST PART WAS OUR PUPPY LOVE (see video). No, I mean literally, what we gave our perfect puppy, Matlock, for Valentine's Day. Jacob distracted Matlock while I made a trail of treats leading from the bedroom to the kitchen and at the end was two yummy bones- which he is known to love-and a new bobo toy. Matlock didn't know what to do- he was so confused when he had to pick which one to get comfy with first. (PS: Forgive the messyness of my apartment- I was on strike that week, but eventually gave up because I couldn't stand it being so messy). ALSO- I tried tirelessly to rotate the video- but for some reason, blogger won't play it any way but sideways, so crank your neck or flip your computer screen on its side, ha ha. 

Really though, it was the best Valentine's day gesture Husband and I could do together because when I pitched the idea to him and he agreed whole-heartily and with as much excitement, it solidified our soul mateness... if he didn't love Matlock as much as I do, he just wouldn't be the one. 

Until next time... (which I promise will be sooner than later- I've been busy re-doing the voyageofaliikai.com website!)

ANIB-SHO

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This isn't a list, technically.

Okay. Okay. I'm back. Geez, how long have you been waiting for a new post from me (Mom)?

Diet Determination and Dilemmas!

This week I started a diet. What Amber? You're so skinny, you don't need to go on a diet! (I wish people said that to me, but instead they just look back at me like tell me more about the diet you are going on- bahumbug). I really just want to feel healthier more than anything and I have a huge binge-eating problem on the weekends and wanted to get out of that routine. I estimated that I was eating well over the 2,000 calorie mark a day- so it is amazing I have not ballooned. Right now, I am just counting calories and eating healthy. How healthy?

Breakfast- Special K Red Berries Cereal with Skim Milk and OJ..... 340 calories (OJ has a lot more calories than you think)

Lunch- Salads, lately, and the calories vary, but I googled and it estimated around 300 calories. 

Dinner- varies, but I just cooked some Weight Watcher soup-FROM SCRATCH- last night (with Husband) and will be eating that every other

 meal or so- I have about two servings of it and it is usually around 80 calories per serving, plus 5 crackers (60 calories). It is so yummy for such little calorie count.

Then there are the snacks- which I haven't been doing much of lately, and when I do it is usually a 100 calorie snack once a day. 

Let me tell you, going from well over 2,000 calories a day to 1,500 calories or lower a day is not easy. I haven't really felt like I am giving up anything I love yet- but the first day, I thought I was going to pass out from hunger (or from grouchiness). And my coworkers have a bad habit of bringing in yummies for everyone (at least twice a week someone brings in something) and it has been awful turning them down. 

Exercising? Not a chance- well, not yet at least- baby steps, baby steps. Before and After Pictures to come (pending of course, ha ha)...don't worry, they will be PG. 

Nancy Drew! The Mystery of the Husband's Disdain

I got a package (see other story below) on Monday and what could it be? A box of 12 or so Nancy Drew-Vintage-books to add to my collection, which coincidentally wasn't considered a collection in my mind until I received the package. I already had 10 or so and want to expand for as long as I can. I love them and Nancy Drew in general and my mother was kind enough to send them to me. Thanks Ma! Husband hates my collection- maybe he thinks they are childish, maybe he thinks I am never going to read them all, or maybe he is just... jealous. I think we all know which one it is. Don't hate, appreciate!

Speaking of Husband...

As the super bowl was approaching, previews for one of me and Husband's favorite shows, "Chuck", was advertising their Monday night special 3-D episode. I was determined to get us our 3-D glasses and was elated when the woman at target still had some left (she laughed when I asked for them). Any who... here is a beautiful picture of Husband and I watching Chuck in 3-D- Oh wait! But what? This picture was staged! Husband would not watch the show with his 3-D glasses on! I was offended and somewhat appalled that I had married someone who would not partake in such a joyous and fun experience with me- but alas, i will get my payback- tune in tomorrow night when I expose one of his secrets! 

Package Hater

I'm just going to jump right into it- the man who works the front counter in my apartment building (the concierge is what they call him) clearly dislikes me/thinks I am running an illegal business from my apartment. 

To explain a little further, I get packages a lot (to those who send them- i love you for it, it is one of my favorite things in the whole wide world- that and letters in the mail- but who doesn't?). And while he has never warmed to my "hello, how ya doin?"s,  I have forgiven him- not everyone is as friendly. Today though, I looked online and the postal service had tracked the package and said it had been delivered to my apartment. Usually I get a sticky on my mailbox or a note under my door telling me to come pick it up, but lately I haven't been getting them. I trotted downstairs and told him the tracking number said it had been delivered and he just looked at me blankly and said, "No." 

There were packages surrounding the man, and he didn't even glance to see if he had missed one. So I am assuming one of two things at this time- 1. He is holding each package a few days after he gets them just to spite me or 2. He thinks because I am getting so many packages that I must be doing something illegal and is holding them each time for the FBI to look over them first. Either way, I want my packages!

K. Enough Now. Tomorrow's will be better, this I can promise you. Love and Junk,

ANIB-SHO

PS: The picture below is for all the lovers out there... the sun never sets on the cool.

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Borders Bookstore Politics

I was on my lunch break, hanging around Borders bookstore and browsing the magazine stands with all the other moochers and picked up an edition of The Weekly Standard that featured an interesting cover. On the front it portrayed certain democrats in a circus scene, including Hillary Clinton. 

When I went to the front counter to purchase my items, the woman ringing me up let out a very disapproving "Oh!" when she saw the portrayal of Clinton. 

"That's my daughters new boss!" she said to me (at this time it was obvious she just wanted to brag, which, as a Mother, is her right).

"Oh! Well, great for her," I responded, very supportive/nice-ly. 

"Yes, she is a foreign diplomat in Mumbai." By this time, she was beaming with pride. 

"Oh, so just a few more days then," I said, referring to the count-down until the new administration takes over.

"No!" the woman exclaimed, looking at me like I was an idiot. She pointed to the picture of Clinton again, "She is going to be the next Secretary of State!"

"Yes, I know. Just a few more days until she takes office," I responded, looking confused why she was looking back at me like I was crazy (We are saying the same thing woman!). 

The conversation died down as she rung (rang? ringed? that's a whole other blog topic) up my magazines.

"Well, I just think women make better diplomats," she started up again. 

"Hmmm," I said, being polite and acknowledging her comment (It was a very nice 'hmm' too!)

"Well, that's just my opinion," she said (looking at me like my conservative magazine preferences somehow also made me automatically disagree with whatever opinion she holds)

Feeling her getting defensive, I laughed and said, "Well, I wouldn't know. I don't know any diplomats." HA HA. 

"Well I gave birth to one!" she cried out. I think she wanted to fight and since I don't make a habit of fighting women twice my age, I gracefully bowed out and said, "You win."

Not really, but honestly, I wasn't trying to compete with her, I just wanted to buy some magazines.

Anywho, once again, life would be so boring without politics. 

G'day

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Everybody Loves Lists!

So here is my list of things to talk about:

1. Want to hear what the book I am writing is about? Too bad. It's a secret....unfortunately, even to me.

2. I listened to the book Sundays at Tiffany's on the drive back to NOVA (12 hours!) and I have to say, it really makes me angry when they say the character looks like one thing in the book and then they put a completely different figure on the cover! The main character is known for her bubbly blondeness and on the cover she has black curly hair. Argh! Maybe I am just mad because the blondes got slighted once again...

4. Amy (Husband's cousin's wife) and I started a little competition this break- it involves the race to procreate first (see spaghetti picture label)- I was only kidding, but alas! two days later (today), I get a call informing me of her victory. But you are a cheater Amy! Yeah, I said it. A cheater! She had a headstart and therefore the competition was null from the beginning! Luckily, I wasn't serious about the competition, yay for Amy! As for me, I have six or so more years ahead...

5. Today I failed my new year's resolution, which was to only spend $125-$150 on groceries, beauty products, etc. a month. As a part of my plan, I purchased a membership to BJs wholesale club (a Sam's Club type deal). I spent $216 while I was there, which still isn't bad for supplies for the entire month, but I thought Husband was going to faint when he saw the bill. Faint away Husband! Atleast I'm trying... The flaw in this plan is that since we buy in bulk now, we have a lot less variety in our meals. I'm thinking Taco Tuesdays, Sgetti Saturdays, Sporkchop Sundays? Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Whatever, I stink at new year's resolutions (but who doesn't?). PS: On my club card, I look like a crack-addicted possessed woman...not attractive, but still no different from the look I get when someone tells me to get out of bed in the morning.

6. Everyone misses me already... check my facebook wall, it's documented (and true). ( I have to brag about this, I have no friends here!) On a side note: I miss everyone too! 

7. At lunch today, some of my coworkers made fun of younger guys wearing sweaters or blazers with elbow patches. I firmly stood my ground that elbow patches can be sexy. Sadly, I was out numbered. Am I wrong about this? Either way, I married an elbow-patch kinda guy (Husband, in case you were wondering what his name was), and I've never seen him look better than when he is sporting the "professor" look. In case you are wondering, yes, I also think fondly of argyle sweaters. 

8. Hmmm... I really need a soap box item.... it wouldn't be a blog without a soap box item....what to get on my soap box about.... hmmm... oh! how about this!? Sometimes when people find out I am married, they say things like "You're married? I can't believe that. I guess I just like to do what I want, with who I want, when I want," to which I want to say back, "that is what I am doing...mine just happens to be with the same person (ignorance!)" Pshhh.

9. (Can) you (count) how (many) times (I) have (used) parenthesis (in) this (blog) entry(?)

10. Better question, where did #3 go? I'm not telling...

11. I am currently the new "webmaster" for my friend Boggs' website- actually the website of the Aliikai crew- (my friend who is sailing around the world for 18 months). It still has a lot more pages to add and little fixes to work out, but if you want to see a rough draft the website is www.voyageofaliikai.com. 

12. Every morning I watch Fox and Friends in the Morning and since the election is over, the hosts have been looking for a new slogan. I submitted my suggestion today (they are taking suggestions as jokes) and I completely ripped it from my (x)sorority's slogan. Anywho... listen for it every morning! My suggestion was "Fox and Friends, the First and Finest in News". I bet I win. 

Until next time... love and junk.

ANIB-SHO 

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A BNIB Birthday Tribute

In Kindergarten my brothers would be rough housing and sometimes I would end up in the middle- which was the worst part- but to every downside there is an upside. After bawling my eyes out because I got caught up in their whirlwind elementary fight-club, my brothers would often put on a nice song and dance to get me to forgive them/not tell mom and Irving. Often this routine included begging for forgiveness and allowing me to continuously punch them as hard as I wanted, after which they would exaggerate the pain they felt from my powerful 5 year old muscles. Good times...

Every summer we used to spend 2 or 3 months in Florida where my DAD lived. Since CNIB was too old for games and spent most of his time watching sports or tv shows on DAD's large screen tv- Brandon had no choice but to spend time with his sweet, adoring little sister. We spent our days doing the following: putting hand soap in CNIB's sunny delight (as if the drink wasn't gross enough already-Sorry CNIB, at least you are still alive), watching Nintendo baseball games as if they were real- I think that was just me actually, but BNIB happily obliged, and playing ghost writer (with awesome pen necklaces and everything...). But my favorite memories of those summer days actually come from when BNIB and I would roller skate to the nearest shopping center and roam around Toys'R'Us for hours- they had the best air conditioning- and buy press on tattoos-me, again, not him- and watch every summer blockbuster imaginable. 

Also, there was a great incident at the beach, when we were all on an island and Brandon and I were on one side (it was a very small island) and were diligently searching underwater for sand dollars- we just let the current carry us as we had our heads buried in the water and eventually we looked up to find that we had drifted around to the other side of the island, but were some ways off. To top it off, we were is some sort of natural whirl pool that was sucking us under water. As BNIB waved his arms and yelled for help, I bravely freaked out and practically climbed on top of my brother's shoulders to stay above water (i exaggerate, i exaggerate)- but BNIB just kept telling me to calm down (and by that, I mean he said, "stop freaking out, you're going to make me drown too")- eventually, some jet ski peeps picked us up- but I wouldn't have made it without B. 

On my first day of 2nd grade, my teacher told the story of the most wonderful student she ever had. "This student was soooo polite," she went on, "this student was so kind to others and always said their please, thank yous and yes ma'ams and no sirs. This student was one of the best students I ever had and his name was Brandon Niblock and this is his sister, Amber." I thought I was going to die because while I was secretly proud of my brother, I also was terrified of what I had to live up to. For the rest of my life I would grow up hearing that CNIB was such a wonderful student, CNIB was always on time, CNIB always did his homework and also hearing, BNIB is so funny, BNIB was a joy to have in class, BNIB is so polite and respectful, BNIB-CNIB-BNIB-CNIB. To one teacher I finally just had to say, "Well, I am not my brothers."

Okay, the story everyone loves to hear. When Brandon was in 5th grade, the teacher was going around asking people what they wanted to be when they grew up. When the teacher got to BNIB, he said "A cop." To which she asked, "Why?" To which he answered, "So I can beat people over the head with a club."- Before everyone freaks out, my brother was obviously joking (we hope- :)), but the teacher was very upset by this remark and proceeded to call my mother to inform her of the conversation. My mother's reply- "Well, at least he was honest." - implying that all the other kids were just saying a profession and then giving some goody two-shoes answer as to why. Either way, I think my mom knew my brother was too good hearted to ever actually mean that. 

Whenever I was having a bad day, BNIB would sometimes help me plan a sock war attack against CNIB- which basically meant folding every pair of socks in the house into a ball and throwing them at CNIB. 

I could go on forever, but blogs are supposed to be somewhat short, right? I mean, there is no amount of words that could describe why B is so great- after all, he is the only guy I know that would choose to do his college how-to speech on "how to make a sock puppet" and still look cool doing it. Either way, I am saving my BNIB stories for my biography. SO Happy Birthday BNIB and thanks for making my childhood worth writing about... and for letting me live. 

Love and Junk, Amber

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Happy Holidays... Decorating the Apartment for Christmas

So there is apparently no way to photograph my apartment that will give you a good sense of how cute my apartment decorations actually worked out- so I decided to video tape it (which I think still does not do it justice), but here is my way of decorating for Christmas on the cheap (well, Husband would disagree with the cheap part). Too bad nobody but Husband and I will get to experience our decor in person. It really is more dramatic when you see it first hand, I don't think you can really gather the true look from the video but either way... Enjoy! And just so you know, the music wasn't planned, but I thought it was a nice touch... Merry Christmas!!

Comments of my own: I wanted to put up more decorations hanging from the ceiling, but it got so tiring get up and down off the step stool- not to mention the snowflakes take forever to make and so does stringing everything on fishing wire. If I knew people were going to see it though, I probably would have went all out. Oh and I accidently got green string lights instead of white, which is bothering me like crazy...

Also, did anyone notice my pantry doors with the wrapping paper on it to display my christmas cards? It is official now, I am married- you know this when you start recieving seperate Christmas cards from people and not just ones addressed to your parents with your name tagged on to it. Yay! Love and Junk!

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I WON!

I went to my third Holiday party this week and there was a raffle for a ton of prizes and guess what? Yeah, yeah, my blog title gave it away. 

There were many prizes at stake, and knowing that I never win raffles, I had long since put my raffle ticket away and as the prizes dwindled- I just knew they would call my number when it ran down to the horrible knock-off wii system. I had resided to relaxing in my chair and counting down the minutes until we were let off work thirty minutes earlier than usual (yay Holiday parties!). Then, a small voice at the front of the NRA Cafe called out "212". I continued to daydream. "212" the voice called out again- my mind wandered back to real life-"that's my address, that's my number, that's my raffle number, 'Oh! That's Me!'" Everyone clapped and I made my way to the front of the room, and carefully looked over the prize table. There were only a few prizes left, and only one gift card left and what was is? It was fate I tell you! P.F. Changs just happens to be one of my favorite restaurants ever...and now I am the proud winner of a $50 gift certificate to P.F. Changs... What! What!

Hmmm.... and suddenly everyone at work became my best friend that day, ha ha. 

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The South Will Rise Again

It has been so long since I have blogged, I think I might have forgotten how to. Luckily, Mother has been consistently pestering me to post, so whether I want to get back on that bike (which in the non-metaphorical world known as reality-not the real world TV type- I actually have no idea how to ride a bike) or not, I am going to blog. So here goes...

Just to step up on the old familiar soap box... 

I have been living in this wonderful place called Northern Virginia (NOVA) for sometime now and while I love the new environment, there are a few things I have learned to value about the South since moving away. While many of you are probably assuming right now that I am going to mention things like sweet tea (which I actually don't care for at all) and fried food or country music and backroading (which I do love and miss very much-backroading, that is), none of these reasons, or any of things similiar to them, make me miss the South more than the reasons listed below. 

1. In the South, people know who they are and what they believe and they aren't afraid to show it

Now before I have a bunch of NOVAs mad at me, let me delve a little deeper on the topic. I only mean to say that Southerners aren't as weary in expressing their beliefs- they aren't looking over their shoulders as they say them, they aren't constantly afraid of being judged, and they say what they mean not what they think the other person wants to hear. Now NOVAs, those Southern characteristics aren't all considered good in my book, so if you are mad at me dissing you, I am actually dissing Southerners and Northerners to some extent- because a person's strengths can sometimes also be their weaknesses- which actually means I am insulting myself- geez, what kind of blog am I running here?

To clarify, Southerners say what they mean and they mean what they say and if they disagree with you or want to insult you, they don't play mind games- they just do or they don't. For example, a NOVA would say, "Joe was just joking to everyone about how obnoxiously bright your shoes are, ha ha, but he was just kidding of course," when they really mean, "WE were just talking about how much we hated your shoes and I just wanted to tell you so you would either A. stop wearing them in the future or B. so that I can deflect others from making fun of me." Whereas a Southerner would say, "Amber, those are some ugly shoes, where did you get those?" and they mean, "Amber, those are some ugly shoes, tell me why you are wearing them?" - Giving me the opportunity to say, "Well Lisa (she always hated my shoe choices), they were only 99 cents a pair and super colorful and I like them, so get over it." - We all laugh and continue on our merry way... 

2. Southerners find few subjects "inappropriate"

Okay, Okay- we do find some subjects taboo at the dinner table- but not many. In the south, meal time conversations aren't solely dictated by what is going on in the news or what happened on the farm that day (see #3 for further explanation on why I said farm). Southerners are notorious for #1, saying what they mean and meaning what they say and the same boldness carries over to everyday conversation with... everyone! In the South, you don't have to know someone for more than a day before you can sit down and have a 30 minute discussion with them. In the South, you can tell someone your entire life story- dirty laundry and all- and while a Southerner may leave the conversation thinking "I didn't need to know all that" after talking with someone, a Southerner doesn't leave thinking "what a wierdo" and if they do, they still value it as an interesting story to tell at the dinner table later- airing the dirty laundry all over again- over fried food and sweet tea, right? ha ha. 

I think it goes back to our Southern hospitality or the fact that when talking to a "wierdo" we probably know his brother or his niece or someone in his family and when you see people as...well, people, you don't think they are so wierd after all. But I have always said, and still do say, that I think the most boring people are the people that aren't wierd at all and that the world would be a very boring and dull place to live in if we weren't all a little wierd. 

3. Southerners have a realistic view of the rest of America, WHAT?!?!! Let me explain (this is a shout out to Katie Lewis, she had an awesome article series titled 'Let Me Explain' when she wrote for Saint Louis University- look them up, they are really good!). 

Have you ever met someone who thought that the way something was portrayed on television, was actually the way it is in real life? Like, for instance, someone who thinks that MTV's The Real World is actually how college students act 24/7? 

Okay- I am lying. I actually know a lot of Southerners who have a somewhat warped view of the rest of America and the world- but it isn't just some Southerners guys, so "phew!"- you can wipe that sweat off your forehead, because they have them up here too...

For example, on just about every occasion when someone has asked me where I am from originally (after finding out I just moved to the area), and I have answered "Tennessee," the person inevitably replies back, "Oh, so this must be like a HUGE change for you..." like the South is all hillbillies and hoedowns (not that there is anything wrong with either of those). That or I get, "You don't have a strong Southern accent... (like it is a question, like I can't really be from the South if I don't have one- ha ha)" 

C'mon NOVA- the South is a lot more than Country Music and cowboy hats (once again, nothing wrong with either)! My reply (no kidding) to each person who makes such a laughable comment is usually along the lines of "Well, we aren't all tobacco farms and Southern Belles in the South" - (ummm... yes, I know, I am a Southern Belle- a Kappa Alpha little sister-wait, those don't technically exist, so I guess I am safe in my statement). Needless to say, my answer always gets a chuckle or an interesting look. To be honest, I haven't really notice much of a difference between the two places- in fact, if they threw in some Krogers and Walmarts up here, you could swear you were in Tennessee again.   

So alot of these are just me complaining, and most don't hold up as completely true because the nation is so blended today- but there is something to be said for the Southern lifestyle or "hospitality"- on a side note, I also get a lot of "I am sure things move a lot faster up here than they do down here, don't they?"- to which I respond, "Well, all our "open land" does make for faster highways and fewer traffic jams (yay 70 mile speed limits!), so really, it's quite the opposite up here."

While I could do without the tobacco spitting and the obnoxiously loud trucks (which I also secretly love), I wouldn't change the Southern attitude for anything- and while I love NOVA, I think they could take a lesson or two from all us skoal dipping, line-dancers and maybe after I live here for long enough, I can blog about a few leasons we can learn from NOVA - maybe ;)

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Text Messaging Brother B

Now and Then I like to watch a movie called Now and Then. When it came on television a while ago, I got very excited and started telling Husband that I used to watch the movie over and over again when I was younger. 

A few weeks ago, Brother B texted me around midnight or so and said, "The movie Now and Then is on TNT right now, ha ha." When I woke up, I laughed and forgot all about it, only thinking "that was random." 

The next week, Brother B sent me a picture of mouse pad with my face on it- one of the University's secretaries (who I spent a lot of time pestering for help with things, mainly the copier/printer) was using it with her computer. While texting him back on that conversation I also said "Why did you send me a text message last week telling me Now and Then was on TNT?" To which he replied, "Because that was like your favorite movie when you were younger." 

"That is so cute that you remember that," I said.

"Yeah, yeah," he said (in typical brother fashion). 

When relaying the first half of the texting conversation to Husband, he said, "What is Now and Then again?" C'mon Husband!

Speaking of text messaging, yesterday Brother B sent me a text message of a turkey dancing to a funny song- I thought it was hilarious and forwarded to a bunch of people to say Happy Thanksgiving and after doing so, Husband tells me that the song had some explicit content (to which I was apparently oblivious to- who listens to the actual lyrics of a song anymore?). So to all that got the text message and did not appreciate it, My bad, I just thought it was a cute dancing turkey. To all those who got it and did like it, Happy Thanksgiving (Clay)! ha ha. 

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Curious About My Cubicle?

So- as you have noticed, I have been having a little bloggers block and since I am always trying to explain to people that my "office" isn't a cubicle- well, okay it is- but it is a GIANT cubicle- as you can clearly see from the photo below- I decided to just take a picture of it with my cell phone. So this is it, this is where all the magic happens- it actually looks even bigger in person, because you aren't seeing the other space past the colorful folders... The picture was taken across the hall, from the cubicle across from mine were JoshUA works- his fiance told me about the job via facebook- it really is a networking site, ha ha. See the corresponding numbers for more information: 

1. My picture of my brother's girlfriend Julie in my brother's 7th grade overalls. That picture makes me so happy, I laugh everytime I see it. 

2. My dry erase board (it is actually pointing at a giraffe my coworker Nicole drew for me)

3. My business cards with my creative business card holder- an extra hole puncher lying around the office. Everyone loves it and wants to steal it...

4. My awesome military statues... Since we have so many of the products we sell lying around, most people use them to decorate their office- Mine were already there and everyone makes fun of them, but I think they are awesome and kind of perfect for my specific workspace because of the equally numbered cubes below. (Below the seond one, you can see my Scalia Bobblehead!!)

5. My ancient computer- we are still using word professional 2000 and my computer is probably one of the first ever made, ha ha. That's what you have to work with when you work for a non-profit organization!

My office is right in the middle of the hallway, next to the copier and supply room and water cooler- so I always have a lot of visitors... If there is anything else you'd like to know about it, just ask.... and yes, Jessica, I have pictures up of you too. 

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Preface to ANIB-SHO Blog

Do you remember when you were a kid and were assigned summer reading lists? Oh, how kids loathed (and probably still do) their summer reading. I secretly loved my summer reading list (well most of it, anyway)- maybe it was because it only furthered my obsession with checking off giant to-do lists or the fact that we had to write a paper on each book after we read it (i loved writing- hence the blogging)- regardless, I liked it. 

Side note: My dear little sister, J, is also a fan of the summer reading list, despite what she may argue otherwise. Her face lights up and she pretty much begs my mother every spare moment they have to take a trip to the book store to pick up her summer reading list- a purchase which can't be denied, because "I have to read it for school." She may be sulking on the outside, but I see the excitement bouncing within.

But what I didn't like about summer reading was the beginning of the books- I'm not talking about the opening sentence- I'm talking about the Acknowledgments and the Introductions and the Prefaces (and the Acknowledgements disguised as Prefaces). What is the difference between a Preface and and Introduction anyway- well, I think a Preface is written by the author and an Intro by someone else (0r vice-verse. As my sister would say, "idk") Either way- who cares?

If you are the author writing the Preface- too bad for you! You should have written it in the book! 

I hated, as a child and still today- does that tell you anything?- when I would pick up a book and have to sift through anywhere from 2 to 20 pages of introductory remarks before I even got to the meat of the book. No wonder kids think they don't like to read- they decide reading is boring within the first few pages- because what they are reading is all the boring stuff. Leave it out and they will read (okay I am sure the country's educational problems are a little more complicated, but hey! every bit helps). 

More so, I couldn't stand it when teachers would test you or make you include those remarks in your book report- for no other reason, but to make sure you read it. Why should I memorize how the book touched another author's life or why they decided to write

 its introductory remarks?? It matters not to me.

Husband reads every introduction/preface/acknowledgement/footnote/publisher's page/index in every book he reads (okay, okay, I stretch the truth a little there), so I don't expect him to relate-- what a rare specimen he is.

I finally picked up F.A. Hayek's The Road to Serfdom to read- long over due- and I am immediately bombarded with 19 pages (19 PAGES!!!!!!!) of PRE-pages (marked ever so cutely with roman numerals). After about 5 pages, I thought I was going to pass out- I want to read the book! not this stuff! But what if I miss something? What if the author retracts something, corrects something, explains something, whatever, and I miss it? What if? Argh!!  

Wait! Husband has read this book before, maybe I can ask him if I will miss anything. "Just read it," he says. Some help... One of these days Husband, you are going to want to know why Giraffes have thick, hairy lips and I am going to tell you to "just look it up."

To top it off, the first 12 pages of the actual book's material is chapterized© (yes, I made that word up) as "Introduction". I thought I was going to die.

Sure, sure, keep all that "stuff" in the books- what do I care? But move it to the back... Stop forcing me to PRE-read about why the book is so great... I am already reading the book, friend, you don't have to convince me! That stuff is for the real fans, the second time around readers, not me- Me, who is trying to read it on her lunch break. Me, who just wants to soak up what the book has to offer me. Me, who just wants the meat- no veggies! 

Okay, I am down from my soap box. 

For all those who read this "Preface to ANIB-SHO Blog"- I thank you, because not only was it poorly written, but I know if I saw that title, I would have just skipped right on to the good stuff.

PS: I plan to review this book later on my blog, stay tuned- I promise no Inroductions (because I need no introduction-ha ha)- but there may be a Preface  -->  :)

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Internet Says I'm Mentally Unstable, Have Deadly Disease, and am Expert on Mental InStability and Deadly Diseases

So I took a few free online psychology tests today (out of sheer internet boredom, and looking for something to blog about) and apparently I have every mental disease under the sun, and just to solidify, I made Husband take some of them and he doesn't have any- this result I disagree with though, because if I really am "moderately" suffering from all of them, then Husband has to be more messed up in the head to marry someone like me, right? ha ha. 

Regardless, I have a feeling he is going to use these little tests against me in the future. I can hear it now... 

"Husband, please take out the trash, this is the millionth time I have asked you and you said you would." -Me 

"Are you sure you just didn't hear me saying that in your head, Amber? Because I don't recall ever saying that and you know what the tests said..." - Husband

Although I am a huge proponent of the Web-MD culture, I can't help but think how many of us have become pseudo-hypochondriacs in the process of frequenting such websites. I can't tell you how many times I have googled a bump on my foot to a chest pain and each time been told my situation was potential fatal and should contact a medical physician immediately, only to find out later it was a calcium deposit and muscular tightening (as normal as they get). It seems they are almost as reliable as the college student health centers who insist that the source of your problem/aches/pains/wounds are pregnancy, no matter your sex or the fact that you have a pencil sticking through your hands and bleeding profusely- it's always pregnancy. 

But I guess that wouldn't be the best example, because after Student Health told me that one time (and I assured them, it was impossible), my mother did some WEB MDing of her own and figured out it was protein deficiency (I had given it up for lent, forgot to continue to take the vitamins after coming home from a trip, and got super sick- including hair loss). Three giant hamburgers later and I was feeling better already! Thanks Ma! 

The same goes for psych tests and personality tests- just by taking a simple 10 question test online, we can prove our insanity! prove our saneness! prove that we are just like everyone else or prove we are unique! prove we are smarter, or cooler, or whatever... The point is, the internet let's people be whatever they want to be- whether through secret chat room discussions claiming you are a 30 year old good-looking, highly paid business exec, or meeting other Avatars (whatever those are) with similar interests, or just googling anything and everything you want to know about and claiming expertise around the office water cooler- the possibilities are endless...

Like me, for instance, because of google, I am now an expert on Mark Helprin, giraffes, Mitt Romney, cool reference books, and things to google. Maybe next, I will let the internet make me an expert on mental instabilities and deadly diseases. 

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All I Want For Christmas

So I took the liberty of creating a picture collage of things I want for Christmas, but of course I couldn't remember half the things I wanted (or actually need) -- but I can say that there are a few things that you can never go wrong with me, like cool office and school supplies, new clothes (which I always need), puppy stuff, gift cards, candles, exoctic all-expense-paid trips, etc. And while I did make this collage myself, I am open to different variations of some of the things.... but as you know, I am very picky. 

Starting from the left:

1. Clear "Bubble" Umbrella from Target.com- I have wanted one ever since I saw it on that cell phone commercial.

2. Tetris for Nintendo DS

3. Victoria's Secret Soft Sweater Rober in dark gray

4. Mama Mia on DVD- Comes out December 16th!

5. Women's Health Subscription

6. Writing Tablet

7. Ipod Dock Station

8. Business Card Holder- Silver

9. White Valet Station- $19.99 on Amazon

10. New Underwear! Always needed... but I especially like these

 Hanes Women Boxer Boy Shorts

11. A cute change purse is needed!

12. Mama Mia Soundtrack- or an Itunes gift card so I can buy it myself!

13. The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

14. Super Mario Brothers for Nintendo DS

15. Mitt Romney Watter Bottle- $8.00 on GOP.com

16. Franklin Covey Caroline Laptop Bag- $164.00

17. BBC Knowledge Supscription- It is the best Magazine ever!! I love it!

18. A tempurpedic King Size bed- any takers? ha ha

19. Ipod Phone- what? a girl can dream, can't she?

20. You've Got Mail on DVD- It is my favorite movie ever, and I only get to watch it around Christmas every year when it comes on tv.

21. National Review Subscription

22. Tiffany Heart Toggle Necklace- Sterling Silver (I will gladly settle for a knock-0ff version)

23. West Wing Complete Series on DVD- Amazon.com

24. West Elm headboard, to go with my new king size tempurpedic bed.

For some reason, it wouldn't let me include the Catholic Guilt Funny Money Jar...which I love-- $9.99 at http://www.ogunquitmaine.net/wcsmall.html

So now the question is, What do you want for Christmas?

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Anchor Away...

My good friend Boggs is leaving in December to sail the ocean blue for 18 months. And even though he is leaving me for a more exciting adventure and for the opportunity of a lifetime, I STILL forgive him. Just to show there are no hard feelings, I even agreed (after he asked me) to design his going away party postcard invitation, shown below...

Bon Voyage Boggsies!

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The People Have Spoken

The people have spoken. They would rather me blog about nothing, than to not blog at all. And while I agree that even my most boring conversational topics are more interesting than a normal person's conversation-- I must say that I am at a loss for words, but since you have made it so clear that you cannot live another day without a blog from me, I will do my best.

Side Note: As my husband tries to look onto the computer screen, I quickly cover it up and say, "excuse me, you can read it with all my other fans."

Things that are going on in my life right now:

1. My lips are chapped beyond belief, to the point that they are turning a dark pink color (that's when you know it is bad). I expect to run out of Softlips by the end of the night.

2. Husband has one week of groveling on his list of things to do... it's a long story.

3. I had veterns day off and Husband still made me wake up at 7:30 in the morning to drive him to class and then refused to have lunch with me! So much for groveling... ha ha. But all is forgiven because we bought matching oversized men's dark-gray sweatpants to wear around the house... (Patrick Ariemma, I still remember when you swiped my old ones Freshman year-- and I'm shaking my fist)

To the right is a picture of Husband with them on. We like to pull them up as high as they will go (because they are oversized) and try to work our karate moves on eachother...

4. None of my jeans fit anymore... Naturally, I blame the dryer. Oh and in case you assumed I was loosing wait, I thank you, but that is not the case- they don't fit because they are too small.

5. I am pretty sure I have something called Binge Eating Disorder. This is unrelated to the jean situation, of course.

6. At work, I have a minimum of three different Holiday parties to attend. One, gives me pratically a whole day off, the other gives me a good two hours or so, but the third one is on a Saturday (shucks!). Either way, I am still in free food college mode, so all is good.

7. My coworkers and I went to this restaurant called Pei Wei, and it is literally a diner version of P.F. Changs (owned by them too). So I get PF Changs for cheaper and faster, it's heavenly. Why go back?

8. I have a pot that hasn't been washed in more than a week. But it is only noodles! So it's okay, right?

9. I feel bad in the mornings, as the air gets colder and colder with each step closer to Winter-- because before I take Matlock out for a walk, and I keep layering more and more clothes on and Matlock is still just as naked. But I think he is just so excited that he is going out, he doesn't care.

10. I have an aviator jacket and I look really cute in it, in fact, I even have a song that I sing and dance to when I wear it, it goes like so: "I'm so cute in my aviator jacket, my aviator jacket, my aviator jacket" - repeat about a thousand times. Aviator Jacket Song© is copywritten, as noted by my copywrite symbol. (Is it illegal to put the copywrite symbol after something that isn't actually copywritten? I don't know yet because Husband hasn't taken that class at law school yet)

Okay fans (Mom and Julie), I have written you 10 things to hold you off for a few days until I feel the real inspiration. I appreciate you pressuring me into writing about anything, if not something, because it's really what I should be doing anyway.

Love you and Junk© (Copywrite ANIB-SHO... ha ha Julie! I got it copywritten before you could, thanks!)

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