new monitor!

Phil dropped off & installed the monitor & leyton's here!!  : )

we're watching V & playing w/ lego's & magnets.  actually, leyton is playing & told me to go on the computer.  LOL

****************

We watched Shrek & then it was bedtime & leyton went to bed pretty well once again.  bret stopped in for a bit & it was cute because he hadn't seen leyton for awhile.  bret was pleasantly surprised at how chatty he is!  heh.  texted back & forth w/ georgette for awhile.  watched some V after leyton went to bed.  now it's midnight & really time for me to get to sleep, too!  tomorrow is going to be busy, but oh so fun!!

one more thing i wanted to mention - check out this tree!  isn't it neat?  i'm participating in micaela's ornament swap & have lisa.  i LOVE picking out presents, as you know!

oh, i seriously need to sleep!  : )  goodnight & sleep tight!

ttfn!

so much sharing, so little time

first of all, an observation from yesterday: 

So, ya know how ppl say, “let’s do lunch!” or “we should get together soon!” but they don’t really mean it?  that annoys the crap outta me!  Yet I keep trying… so then I wonder, is that their problem or mine?  I mean, when a friend says one of those two things, I then try & set something up.  I ask things like, “what’re you doing next week?” or “how about Wednesday?”  and then, I wait. 90% of the time, I get a response fairly quickly, and we work out a plan, and we meat for said meal.  But the other 10%, I wait. And wait.  And wait. Until finally it’s been a couple months since I’ve talked to my friend again, and so I send a note saying hi, how are you? And they send a note back saying they’re great & we should get together for dinner sometime!  WTH?? 

 

At what point should I just let it go?  At what point do I stop even offering to set anything up?  And then, after awhile, when we drift apart and don’t even send little how are you notes anymore, only Happy Birthdays or Happy Christmases on the walls of fb, because fb reminds us to send them, whose fault is it then?  I always feel like it’s my fault, like if only I’d tried harder, if only I’d sent one more invitation… *sigh* 

 

I’m thinking of this today, especially, because next week is my birthday party, and I’ve received a few RSVP’s, but then a few more maybes – which usually mean no.  I mean, I know I say maybe when I have every intention of going, but I’m just not sure I’ll be able to make it.  and most of the time from that, because I’m not committed, I end up not going.  Anyway, so there are quite a few yes’s, and if all the yes’s actually ARE yes’s, then there’ll be about 18 ppl.  If some of the maybes show up w/o telling me they turned into yes’s, I’ll need another table!  *laugh*  but since I firmly believe “the more the merrier” in these situations, bring it on.  Right?  I know I’ll be all over the place that night anyway, trying to make sure I spend time w/ everyone.  Because, if they care enough to come to my birthday celebration, I certainly want them to KNOW I care enough to spend time w/ them.  Ya know? 

 

You DO know, I know you do!  Lol 

next, my new favorite turtle postcard - a turtle in action thanks to a German postcrossing: 

and now: 
yesterday & today were both very good days for work.  productive!  i love productive days.  even tho today didn't FEEL very productive, because it was a food day (too many sweets, but everything was delicious) and friday, and just kinda felt like a party.  lol  


yesterday after work, i met mom at osaka.  we sat at the hibachi w/ 3 other girls.  it was quite a lot of fun!  i had a philadelphia roll (YUM!) and shrimp fried rice.  i like their rice - they put green beans & corn in along w/ peas & carrots!  : )  i had leftovers for lunch today, but then we went to rudy's, so i ate it later.  (btw, the service was great and my tacos were correct, but there wasn't much meat in them... LOL  they were good, tho!)


today i was going to take vacation to meet toni for her dress fitting along w/ some other friends, but i had some errands to run which i didn't want to take leyton w/ tomorrow - like the bank right by work & the post office - so i took my vacation & did those errands.  : )  i spent quite a bit on stamps & yet i think i might have to go back soon anyway because i am sending out thanksgiving cards this year!  *laugh*  it was a nice break, tho.  : )  


after work, i went to the hallmark by work - have you noticed how different hallmarks have different stuff?  i LOVE it!!  i stopped by quizno's for a chicken carbonerra, but they were out of mushrooms so i got a steak sammich.  it was GOOD!  


leyton's coming over tonight, and phil's bringing over a new monitor!  yay!  jen's selling me her old one for less than the one at WM, so ... yay!  i like saving money, yup yup!  tomorrow, leyton & i are gonna do some SHOPPING!!  he is usually really good about running around, field trips, ya know.  so i think it'll be lots of fun.  i just wish i had my purse camera cuz those pictures are always fun.  ah well, next time!  : )  after shopping, i'll let him pick out a toy or movie or something fun, we'll go to lunch & then i think we're going to stop by mom's to take a nap & then play for awhile.  


so excited!!  what're YOU gonna be doing this weekend??  


ttfn!

words cannot describe

how absolutely amazing this week's Glee was.  


i seriously had the BIGGEST smile on my face when the warblers sang, first of all.  kurt's love interest is a CUTIE!  the music was spot-on thru the whole episode, and altho there were a few parts i felt were a little... much... overall the storyline was really good.  i do think that, realistically, kurt could get football dude on assault.  he has witnesses - mr. shu saw the big football dude slam him into the locker, wth wouldn't he go to figgins & have him suspended?  i mean, i'm sorry that you're struggling w/ your feelings & all, football dude, but bullying someone who is open is still NOT OKAY.


okay, i feel better after that mini-rant.  *laugh*  


today was a very good day.  God has blessed me w/ amazing friends, and i am so THANKFUL!  work was pretty smooth, not as productive as i would have liked, but there were some trickier issues to deal w/.  got those taken care of, at least!  for today!  lol  toni picked me up for lunch & we went to mama compton's.  last year, or two years ago when toni was here last, mama compton's was just a hole in the wall restaurant.  they've since moved into a larger space, and it's wonderful!  they have ice cream, and deli food.  i had a delicious roast beef on croissant, and some kickin krab & corn chowder.  YUMMY!  it was awesome to visit w/ toni & discuss her wedding (2012 now, instead of next summer, and it might be HERE instead of vegas, which would be cool).  i love my dear sister-friend!  i love that we have been friends for so long.  


i got back to work a little early & so did some checkbook stuff before getting back to actual work.  it was a quick-slow afternoon, if you know what i mean!  lots to do & actually got a lot done, but the last 3 hours felt like the dragged.on.forever.  lol  


then it was time to go home!  or, actually, to go to Borders & use the gift cards my aunt judy gave me last year for my birthday.  yes, that's right.  it took me a YEAR to use them!  wth?!  that is so unlike me.  i used to be in the bookstore ALL the time!  alas.  tonight i noticed how much more expensive books have gotten in my "absence," tho!  craziness!!!  i did find a couple books, tho - and then i also got a zombie book for matthew for christmas.  i hope he'll like it - it looks funny.  i was going to send him the normal gift card, along w/ his blanket (teeheehee), but then i saw this.  idk why it made me think of him!!  he's not a zombie, nor do i know of any particular love he has for them.  but, i read the back & it seemed like something he would get a kick out of.  so, there you go.  present logic by carrie.  (please note, this logic is employed for most of my gift-buying jaunts.  so, if and when you get a christmas present from me, if it seems like an odd choice for you, know that thought DOES go into my choices.  *loveya!*)


after all the book buying, i was quite peckish & ready for dinner.  thankfully, becca sent me a text about that time... oh yes, i also love that she & i have reconnected!  facebook, thank you!  : )  we met at texas roadhouse tonight for some eats, and oh what GOOD EATS they were!  fried pickle chips, steak, baked potato, rolls w/ cinnamon butter... just to keep myself in check: i had 2 glasses of water w/ lemon, 1/2 my steak, 1/2 my baked potato, 2 rolls w/ very little butter... and MANY pickle chips.  but we didn't eat the whole basket btwn the two of us, so i don't think either of us ate that many.  : )  it was a very fun dinner, and i was invited to go shopping in chicago w/ becks, her sister & her mom in december.  i say YAY!  it's a craft fair, even!  *bounce*  excited!!!  


when i got home, i called mom & we chatted for a bit.  she brought up the idea of taking a road trip over christmas.  i am intrigued - she mentioned disneyland - how close is disneyland to the ocean?  because if i got to see vegas AND the ocean over christmas??  seriously, i would love it!!!  : )  but, she's just thinking about it, she might change her mind & decide she doesn't want to drive all that way (27 hours to cali).  i TOTALLY want to drive all that way.  i'm already thinking of all the pictures i'd be taking!!!  : )  : )  : )  


i'll pray for wisdom on this decision.  


annnnd.  i watched Glee, of course, and then two episodes of The Good Wife.  michael j fox guested on one ep.  does everyone love MJF?  i just wanna hug him!  oh, speaking of - the boss is traveling to philly this week & i told him that if he runs into tony danza, he should give him my love.  : )  i should have also told him to look out for postcards... shoot!  


now, it's almost midnight & i still haven't read corey's latest blog post, which is about harry potter, and so i must head over there before hitting the hay.  bret's not home yet & he's usually home about 10 or 11.  hopefully he's alright!!  


ttfn!  tomorrow is thursday & mom & i are going to osaka for dinner to try it out.  yay!!!  

shopping is best when you run into friends!

today was FANTABULOUS!  : )  work was pretty normal for the most part - busy but in a steady sorta way rather than a crazy sort.  we went to rudy's for lunch - which last time had been so delicious.  this time, however, i was not impressed.  :(  it was just a series of mishaps, but the staff was still friendly & i'm sure we'll go back.  well, mostly sure.  first off, the diet pepsi was flat.  they fixed that w/ their back up - pouring from a 2-litre, which i found odd but not disturbing.  i mean, a DP's a DP!  then, i thought last time we were there i'd ordered an enchilada & it had white cheese & was very good.  however, today when i ordered a cheese enchilada (specifically saying JUST CHEESE), it was yellow cheese and it also had onions!  i discovered the onions after a couple bites (and those bites were delicious) and took it up to the counter.  they said they've never had white cheese.  weird.  we munched on chips (which some tasted stale?) and i ate my taco.  when the bill came, the enchilada i'd taken two bites of was still on it.  and i was charged $5.58!!  WTH?  so i said to the waitress, "um, this is being taken off, right?  because it wasn't what i ordered?"  and she had to take it to her manager?  that was irritating, but she did bring me the adjusted bill back, so that's okay.  and she was apologetic about the wrong order.  


crazy!  


oh!  we had some visitors from a different area of the company today, ppl i talk to all the time about various things, but hadn't met.  it was really awesome to meet a big group of them!  it's always nice to put a face/voice to a name, right?


after work, i went to hallmark.  oh, cards galore!  i found the perfect christmas card for sandra.  : ) i haven't decided if i'll keep it & send it to her at christmas or give it to her before she heads to california.  probably the latter, just for fun!  i picked up a bunch of thanksgiving cards, because i was so excited to SEE thanksgiving cards.  found some CUTE birthday cards for work.  and i spent enough to get a free magnet set (for stephen or for me, i haven't decided yet.  gotta check w/ sarah to see if he still likes magnets or if he's over that)!


next stop was target.  i was looking for a bin for my cards, that will sit on my desk.  didn't find anything i liked, tho.  i also looked at the phone i think i want.  i'm just not sure, because idk if it'll fit in the phone pocket of my purse and it doesn't have a shell, so i'm a little concerned about accidental dialling.  i like the design of the Lotus, but VM doesn't seem to have one of those w/in my price range.  so, i'm still investigating!  i am getting a new phone - it just might not be THE new phone yet.  (by THE new phone, i mean a qwerty keyboard.)  anyway, i found the most adorable journals on sale!  soooo excited!  : )  also some christmas gifties.  love!!  (i keep saying everyone's getting blankets, and they are, but not EVERYONE everyone because i keep finding cute things for ppl that aren't blankets.  LOL)  


i grabbed chick fil a & came home.  completely forgot to stop at WM to pick up the Rx i'd called in!  d'oh!  picked up the mail & found a cute postcard from stephen.  he was a cowboy for halloween & his baby brother was a horse!  i hope sarah took pictures!  : )  

i ate my dinner & then headed over to WM.  said hi to evelyn & visited w/ her for a couple minutes before heading to the pharmacy.  my plan - get in, get the Rx & some yogurt for breakfast tomorrow, get out.  what happened - got in, went to the pharmacy, gave them my insurance card to put on file (hello, why didn't i do that before?  because sometimes, I'M the DA!  lol), and waited. ... got the Rx, headed to the home area to look for a bin for my cards.  found one!  and one for stamps, too!  yay!  i'll post pictures later if i think of it.  then i went to electronics to see if the monitor i want was in store (nope, site to store only).  i moseyed over to the movies, and found the old school V DVD's i've been looking for for ages.  (and by "looking for" i mean randomly checking various stores when i'd think of it, or after watching the series which i do have on DVD - ooh, which i saw for the first time, and bought, while shopping w/ april during my trip to maryland many moons ago!!)  then i turned the corner & was looking at some other series on DVD when i spotted someone who i thought looked like Kit.  she likes camo.  but i didn't say anything, becuase - what if it wasn't her?  i hadn't seen her in a year & a half, after all!  but i kept looking back... then i thought i saw her dad... then, while i was still trying to figure it out, i heard her mom, my dear friend carol, shout, "Carrie!"  


it was kit i'd seen!  i ran over & gave carol a hug, and then discovered that the whole family (carol, pat, nannie, freya (freya's bf) & kit) were there!  hugs, hugs, hugs all around!  except freya's bf, because that would just be awkward.  LOL  we chatted for awhile & then back to shopping.  i was seriously ferklempt (sp?) at seeing them, because as i said it'd been awhile since i'd seen the kids!  we chat on FB, so i'm fairly up to date w/ them, but still.  hugs are awesome, ya know??  : )  


i got the rest of my "groceries" - yogurt, soda & honey wheat bagels because they sounded good - and headed to wendy's to pick up a cheeseburger for bret.  i totally forgot his cough drops, i feel like such a heel! :(  i went to WM for 3 things - came home w/ about 12, and no cough drops!  *sigh*  


had a message from juli, so called her back & we chatted for a couple minutes.  : )  


i need to get to bed, but i popped in the first V movie, so i guess i'll stay up to watch it... maybe not.  idk.  i have lots of cards to sort thru & write!  and organize.  oh how i love to organize cards!  


tomorrow is a busy day, tho - lunch w/ toni, dinner w/ becca, happy food day!  (i will make smart choices!  i will make smart choices!)  ttfn!

hearts are easy to break, hard to mend

tonight i had a Teach marathon.  tony danza, you know i love him, but he's not perfect.  and i know the show is edited, too.  but these kids are breaking his heart a little, and he's breaking some of theirs, and it's very emotional!  i totally understand where he's coming from, as a teacher.  i've said it before, that watching him struggle in his first year has made me feel like i really wouldn't've made it!  he is trying to connect w/ each of his students, and sometimes he succeeds, and sometimes he fails.  sometimes that failure is because - they're teenagers & a little moody.  lol  but occasionally it's because  he's falling into a trap i KNOW well.  i've fallen into this same trap many times in my babysitting days, and sometimes even at work.  it's called tipping the scales too far in the "friend" category, and not enough in the "boss" category!  


he & i both want to be liked.  it's almost a need.  i need to be liked.  not because i'm insecure, but because the thought that someone doesn't like me causes a physical hurt.  there's a reason someone doesn't like you, and it's usually because you've hurt them or done something to make them feel badly. (there ARE times *cough*evildawn*cough* when it truly is nothing you've done, they just suck as human beings.)


i don't want to hurt anyone or do anything to make them feel badly, and so when they don't like me, it hurts me.  and i see that in mr. danza, too.  he pours his heart out to his kids - even kids who aren't in his classes! - and when he doesn't see results, it causes him some pain.  


*sigh*  *HUGS*  


okay, enough of that!  i really enjoyed my Teach marathon, and even though my heart aches for his heartache, i think he'll be (or is) okay!  


and today was a GREAT day!  i woke up on time from some really odd dreams involving bret, boo, bran & bay, and a couple random ppl, a bank heist, a movie, a theatre w/ individual seats like those on the plane in The Wedding Date, secret passages, Adam Canty from highschool and his sexy voice (and eyes - that man has the coolest shade of blue eyes i have ever seen!)...  it was goofy but good!  


work was marvelous - ordered some tastefully simple , and yankee candles to support the Y's daycare program.  got a LOT accomplished.  not everything, of course.  *laugh*  subway for lunch was delish, altho my sandwich was not as tasty as it has been in the past.  i'm not sure what it was missing!  maybe pickles.  i thought about putting them on & then i got distracted by something shiny.  lol  


after work, my loan check had arrived, so i went to the bank to deposit it, went to hardee's for a mushroom swiss - which i ate w/o the bun so that i could enjoy a pumpkin pie from mcdonald's as well...lol i was celebrating! - and then mailed allllllll my bills at the post office!  i can't even fully describe the awesome feeling i have knowing i'm all paid up on my car, medical & lab bills (til my appointment friday, at least), interest on a CC & my school loan which is currently in forbearance, People magazine til November 2011, was able to send some $$ to QCCS... and i'll be able to pay mom back the $$ i owe her.  AND still have money in the bank, and payday to look forward to!  


which is good because my monitor has started blinking out & so i need to get a new one.  happily, i can get a lovely 15" flat screen for less than $100!  : )  i'm also TOTALLY stoked about christmas shopping!  and i do need to call the dentist.  


oh!  when i got home, i had 2 postcrossings as well as the check!  : )  

from sheila in great britain.  she lives in the area where the castle used for Hogwarts also resides.  how awesome!!  : ) 

from maria in finland.  this is an illustration from a finnish children's series about a dog & a cat who are best friends!  lovely!  

i need to get some stamps soon, too.  and i am as ever on the lookout for more postcards.  time to scour jana's fb albums & get some ordered, as well as do some hunting on etsy.  love love!  


and that, my dearlings, is all i have for you tonight!  tomorrow should be busy, and  hopefully i'll get to WM after work.  i need my Rx & a couple other things, and perhaps i'll do a little shopping.  i'm on the hunt for christmas blankets, peeps!  if you know of somewhere around here that has any cool ones, please do share that knowledge!  : )  


take care & be blessed.  ttfn!

hey hey we're the monkees!

did you know they've already started playing christmas music on one of our radio stations?  like, All Christmas, All the Time christmas music!  *boggle*  now, i was kinda ready for some christmas music interspersed into other music.  i mean, it is november, and i am getting into the Spirit & shopping & all that.  but ALL?  already?  i guess i'm still just enough of a traditionalist - the 24 hour christmas music shouldn't start til the friday after thanksgiving.  *laugh*  


speaking of giving thanks - i'm thankful that i live so close to jen, leyton & anthony.  : )  she texted me tonight to see if i was out or at home.  i brought over some soda for her & the kids & some sinus meds cuz she was feeling poorly.  anthony let me in & leyton gave me a biiiiig hug when i walked in & he took the bag of soda (i brought some that i had here) and said, "Thank you for bringing us something to drink!"  and he was excited, it was just cute!  jen looked & sounded like hell, and leyton asked if he could have some soda, and jen said w/ dinner.  she said she was going to get up & make something, but she just looked so tired & sounded so sick, i asked if she wanted me to make something before i left.  she said she was going to make tacos, so i said to just rest a bit & i could make them - at least brown the hamburger for her anyway!  


so, that's what i did.  i entertained leyton & browned the meat & actually, leyton helped me w/ the skillet.  : )  i loved having him in the kitchen while i cooked.  i can't WAIT for saturday when i get to hang out w/ him all day & overnight!  i think maybe we'll make cookies.  we can make a plate for his mommy, and gramma, and grammy cheek...oooh.  of course, i like this idea, but actually doing it ... who knows?  lol  i am not the best baker, as we all know!  anyway, i played w/ leyton while browning the meat & then turning it into taco meat & getting it set up for tacos.  then i zipped back home so they could eat.  : )  (jen offered me a taco, too, but i had to decline.  i don't think i should use the smart balance margarine anymore.  it does bad things to my tummy!)


mom called & she isn't sure if she'll make it to my party or not.  d'oh!  but we're going to try to go to osaka sometime this week for a birthday dinner.  birthday dinner #1 was last night at el rodeo after shopping.  *grin*  that's right, i'm spoiled (but not rotten!) & get several birthday meals.  i did mention i celebrate all month, right?  ; )  


speaking of celebrating - keep those comments coming!  remember - every comment  you leave counts as a separate entry into the Birthday Giveaway!  followers will get 1 extra entry, but i do understand if you don't want to be a follower.  i post a lot (sometimes twice in one day, like today, lol) and sometimes you just don't want that clogging up your email or blog roll.  so, no hard feelings!  i'm just tryin to give you an extra shot at the present.  ; )  


can you tell i'm into rainbows today?  : )  i watched the wedding date, ever after, summer school, today.  then my computer said "Watch Me!" and so i watched Caprica & Castle.  *bounce*  my plan is to watch another episode of castle & perhaps finish desperate housewives before bed.  oh, or what would you do?... i think that started back up last month.  burn notice starts on 11/11, happy happy!  


next week i get to see my dear friend toni, who is visiting from arkansas.  *bounce*  we're having lunch on wednesday, and then i'm hoping to make it to her wedding dress shopping on friday.  excited!!


tomorrow my grammy cheek will be 96!!!  : )  


have you checked out the tastefully simple post at the menu yet?  


i think i'll listen to my monkees cd tomorrow while i work.  i've had the title song in my head all day (mixing, oddly, w/ michael buble songs from the wedding date!).  it's more amusing than annoying, as i at least like all these songs playing in my head!  heh.


okay, i think i'm really done for today!  thanks for reading my daily journal.  thanks for commenting!  thanks for sharing w/ your friends!  : )  


ttfn!!

i am crazy

and i'm okay w/ that.  *laugh*  we're all a little crazy sometimes.  


i want a cheeseburger.  why won't hardee's take checks anymore?  *pout*


i had chai for breakfast.  it was nummy.


mailed off some postcards today.  : )  


bret has some gooooooood movies.  i'm watching The Wedding Date right now.  


i like debra messing a lot!  


i wanna go to england. 

the countryside, not necessarily the cities.  

and the netherlands.  

and ireland.


and i don't know when it'll happen, but i believe God will make it happen.  : )  

i like cheese.

and pickles.

i ate too many carbs this morning.  my bs was 144.  d'oh!

it took me forever to get enough blood for a reading.

maybe the high reading was stress related.  lol 

what is love?

or, if you have 3 kinds of love but not the 4th, does that make you any less loved?

(the answer is no.)

the answer is always 12.


michael buble is marvelous.


i need to get the soundtrack from this movie.


aww, movie's over.  :(  what other romances do i have that i can watch?  


i'm in that kinda mood today.

love.

ooooh, Ever After's going in the machine.  : ) 


i kinda want a Frosty from Wendy's.  


i'm drinking water.


and that's all i have for you today!  did you remember to set your clocks back an hour?  : )  


ttfn!