Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, lovies.

Baby, I got you.

Sometimes I'm sad. Sometimes I'm worried. Sometimes I'm overwhelmed. Often I am tired.

Sometimes I am so unbelievably thankful for everything I have. Sometimes I need a hug. And sometimes I just want to listen to some Sonny and Cher.

Today, I am all of these things.

Shambles

Let's talk for a moment about my bedroom. Specifically, let's talk about the fact that my bedroom currently looks like it was raided by the gestapo.

There are two, yes TWO, hampers of clean, folded clothes on my floor. Well, at least they were folded at one point. We'll call this exhibit A. Scattered around exhibit A are several casualties. Because HEAVEN FORBID I put those folded clothes away. So when I get dressed in the morning (or afternoon, as is often the case with that whole night shift nonsense) I have to tear through those folded clothes to find what I want to wear. Really, it doesn't even have to be something I want to wear. It just has to look like I didn't get dressed in the dark. (What? Plaid and polka dots TOTALLY go together!) Of course, my nicely folded clothes fly everywhere. Naturally. It's like they have wings. They're magical flying clothes! It's amazing how far they can travel.

In my closet, there is a separate pile. I this case, segregation is a really important thing. This shall be henceforth be called exhibit B. This pile is for the dirty clothes. The clothes that are dead to me until I get some time to do laundry. I swear, it will happen. Eventually. I swear. Until then, the pile grows. It currently is resembles the Trash Heap from Fraggle Rock.

This blanket of snow's a blanket of woooooooooooooe!

Sorry. Back to the case at hand...

Then, there's my book shelf. I currently can't find my bookshelf, so I can't in good conscience give it an exhibit letter. I'm pretty sure it still resides in my room, but it is buried under a large amount of mail. Unopened, opened, you know, whatevs. Look, IT HAPPENS. Also, various magazines that I haven't read, paperwork I brought home from the office with every intention of getting stuff done. I put that in italics because I think getting stuff done is a mythical thing. Like a unicorn. Or Nessie.

We'll move next to my bedside table. There are no less than three, yeah I said three, glasses of water beside my bed. You know. I get thirsty, alright? Exhibit C.

So I know what you're thinking. Why don't I get up and just clean. Put the clothes away. Do some laundry. Open some damn mail, woman! Well, because lately I have been busy. Super busy. Work, sleep, caffeinate. Rinse, repeat. That kind of busy. Well, what do I do when I'm not working, you ask. Like, you know, RIGHT NOW! During those times I sit on the couch staring blankly at the TV, trying to get my eyes to focus. Orrrrr I'm out. Out with family, out with friends, out of the state. Just out.

But here's the thing. My room may look like a war torn nation. I might not have the time, energy, or mental competence to cook a sensible dinner or bake some tasty morsels. I might not even have the energy to play tug of war with my dog. In spite of all of this, I am happy. I am content. I'm ignoring the mess, and focusing on the good. I love my family. I love my friends. I love my dog, who is totally cool with snuggling instead of playing tug of war. I looooove this fall weather, and the lovely pumpkins everywhere.

Life is good.

And I swear I have a load of laundry going RIGHT NOW. And one day my room will be spotless and organized again. One day...

Happy Thank You More Please

Sometimes I like sweet, slightly sappy movies. This is one of them.

I've had this DVD sitting on my dresser, sad and neglected, for an embarrassing amount of time. Now, I wish I had watched it sooner. It made me swoon ever so slightly.

And sometimes movies make you think. I need to increase my gratitude, and be more accepting of the good things that come my way. Let's work on that...

Bork bork bork

I love the muppets. I love the Swedish Chef. I love Beaker. And this makes me pretty happy.

Random Observations About Relationships

True that.

Aryan

Chris Ewald 8:29 pm
so yeah i originally designed the character to be blonde hair, blue eye and look like you and EA said you were too aryan
hahahahahha

Amanda Slade 8:29 pm
HAHAHA



Thanks EA!!!!

Song of the Day

This song, right here. This is the song I can't stop listening to today. It just kind of fits...

Stephen Powers

Oh, hey blogger! I have been cruel, and I have neglected you. Luckily enough, a wicked bout of strep throat and pink eye have left me marooned on couch island. I've chosen to use this unplanned free time to bring you this, oh sweet blogosphere:
Stephen Powers of First and Fifteenth is taking classic street art and lettering and adding a beautiful emotional component. The result makes me swoon.

via The Fox Is Black.

Black and Gold

I can NOT get enough of this song right now. It makes me swoon more than a little.

Bond 45

Last night my bff coworker and I went to Bond 45 in National Harbor for yummy steaks and good company.
The view from the dining room is stunning, and the cocktails are delicious. The "prohibition cocktail" is served in a teapot!
Burrata is made in house, and is divine with the warm cheese popover. When it comes to good steak, I am not at all ladylike. I am downright manly when it comes to steak. My palate screams for a dry aged steak cooked blue, as seen above. You see that baby? Barely cooked.

Steaks are a little pricier than some places with equally delicious steaks, but the views can't be beat. And the cocktails! That illegally blond cocktail was one of the best I've ever had.

So there you have it. Bond 45. Go there.

Adele

I am tooooooootally in love with Adele's new album, 21. Her voice is haunting and stunning. It doesn't hurt that a lot of the songs really hit home right now

Haven't heard it yet? What are you waiting for?! Hop to it! You can watch her record release performance online!

Nephew Love

I am the happy aunt to four nephews, three nieces, and two great nieces. They're all adorable and, sometimes, incredibly frustrating. Today, the littlest nephew did something incredible, and I'm so proud I could cry.

He's had a rough couple of years. Well, we all have, but it has been exceptionally hard on him. This year he has really been trying harder, and it has shown. This afternoon while on patrol duty, he saved a life! Apparently a high school girl wasn't paying attention, and almost stepped out into traffic. My nephew grabbed her arm and pulled her back right before she stepped in front of a car. My nephew! I know it may not sound like a huge deal to the rest of the world, but he's made so many improvements in this last year. I'm sososo proud of him.

Confession

I have something that I must admit, but I'm terrified that saying it out loud will make it more real. Unfortunately, I think the only way to come to terms with it is to fess up...

I still miss you. Not the waiting up for calls, the feeling anxious all the time, or the constant ache and confusion. What I miss is you. I miss my friend. There was this person in my life that I had so much in common with. Someone that could make me laugh, and that understood the stupid things I do. Not only understand, but appreciate. I still want to call you whenever I do something stupid, or when I see something I know you would like. I HATE that.

But I'm trying to accept it, and work out how this whole friendship thing fills in the cracks.


image via ffffound.

Valentine

In honor of Valentine's Day, let's take a brief moment to discuss a few things that make me swoon right now. Shall we? Yes. We shall.

* I am completely, totally, madly in love with these little bookshelves. I'm currently trying to devise a plan to make one my own.

* Anything that reminds me of Paris. (hint: pretty much everything reminds me of Paris.) Beautiful baked goods, stunning art, the old Europe feel. I love it all.

* This VW commercial is so positively precious I can hardly stand it.



So there you have it. Three things that I'm head over heels for right this moment. I hope you too have something you're totally gaga about! Now get off the internet, and go tell someone that you love them. It IS Valentine's Day after all!

Yawn...

Something happened with the beginning of 2011. Somehow, in some unbelievable way, I have become EXTREMELY busy. Also, extremely popular. Who knew such things could happen? It seems I forgot that I have so many friends!

All of this activity has ruined my already chaotic sleep schedule. And let's be real here, sleepy time has never been my strong suit. Warm milk with a healthy dose of honey and cinnamon is my savior.



image via ffffound.

To 2011

I'm so excited about a new year and a fresh start! I spent the evening with good friends, playing quelf and drinking champagne.

I'm looking forward to more friends, more travel, and more happiness in 2011. I just want to be healthy and happy, and I think that's all anyone can ask for.