Key West Day Two Part 1

It's a good thing I have my pictures to remind me of what we did because I have been terrible at posting. Day 2 was a busy one, we walked all over the place, so this post will be kind of long!! If anyone is thinking of traveling to KW or has any questions, please email me through this blog. I love KW and I love sharing it with people!!

On Day 2, we got up early at the Blue Parrot Inn, identified the "cougher" at breakfast and decided to head out and see if we could either check into our next Bed & Breakfast (Marreros Guest Mansion-www.marreros.com) or just drop our stuff off. I knew the location of the B & B was prime, but we could not have got any better. we were centrally located right off Duval in a quiet area...right at the end/beginning of US 1, so essentially the last Bed and Breakfast on US 1. Maybe some time Brad and I will make it to Maine and we can stay at the first!


Our room was ready and although it was pepto pink, it was huge! There was a great glass shower in the bathroom and we had a private enterance to the pool. And they have wireless!! You can see I really didn't take advantage of it, not to blog anyways :) The hotel is Victorian style and gorgeous. They offer continental breakfast each morning (great spread!) and happy hour every evening. We left the hotel and headed up to Duval Street.


This guy was right outside Fast Buck Freddie's Department Store. There used to be a lot more street entertainers and homeless people in KW but I guess the hurricanes must have driven some of them out. We continued on to Fat Tuesday's to have our first drink of the day-HEY! WE'RE ON VACATION!! Brad got a Rum Runner and when he was in the bathroom I ordered him the extra test tube shot of 151 and dumped it in there, I am such a great wife! I got a Bloody Mary and we were on our way to the Kino's Sandal Factory...


Kino's has been in KW for a really long time. They make these super comfortable leather sandals and they sell them for just 9 dollars a pair. I think it is the best deal you are going to get in KW!! I stocked up on a couple of pairs and we got some for Brad and his mom too. All in all we spent 99 dollars on sandals, but we got 10 pairs, unlike my Birks which cost that much for one pair.

Next we went over to the Wrecker's Museum where we learned about looting and rioting KW old school style.


KW used to be the richest city per capita and it was all because of Wrecking. Unlike Pirates (ARGH!), the Wreckers would just go out to salvage the goods on sinking boats and save the crew (yeah right). Pirates would post signs in the shallow waters around KW telling ships to go a certain direction where they would end up beaching themselves and then the pirates would loot and pillage. Can you see the difference between the two? We got to see lots of fun stuff they had pulled up from the boats and we climbed the tower and got a great aerial view of the island. I see Sloppy Joe's! Is it time for a drink yet??


And now it is only 2 o'clock! We walked up the Blond Giraffe and Brad had his first slice of Key Lime Pie in KW. They were rated the best a few years ago and did not dissapoint! Buttery crust as opposed to graham cracker and meringue to boot!


Here is The Story of Key Lime Pie from the travel channel website:
Back in the old days, there were no bridges or cars in the Florida Keys. In fact, there wasn't a whole lot of anything except chickens and lime trees. But you can't make pie with a chicken and a tree, so when Gail Borden invented condensed milk around 1858, locals took what they had and got busy.

Recipe:
The Original Key West Key Lime Pie
Ingredients
4 egg yolks
1 can condensed sweetened milk
1/2 cup fresh or bottled lime juice
9-inch-deep regular pie crust (not graham cracker)
For the meringue topping
4 egg whites
2-3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions
Mix egg yolks, milk and lime juice in a bowl. Bake pie crust at 325 degrees until golden brown (10 to 12 minutes). Pour egg-yolk mixture into crust and return to oven. Bake at 325 for 10 to 15 minutes (depending on the oven).

To make the meringue topping, beat egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar until mixture peaks. Take pie out of oven and place meringue over egg-yolk mixture. Return pie to oven and back at 325 degrees until meringue is golden brown.

I'll have to try this one out!

On to the Marina and the Wyland Whaling wall at the Market.


I used to love to shop here and they have great fresh fish. We wandered around and looked at the boats and headed over for a late lunch/early dinner at Alonzo's Oyster Bar....a place that was on my list not to miss. They have the best Fried Oyster Po'Boy and that is exactly what I ordered. We also had the true KW Bloody Mary experience...A Shrimpwreck Mary: Old Bay rim, awesome Bloody mix, Grey Goose Vodka, topped with a peel and eat shrimp, celery, an olive and a pickle!


But we better hurry...we're going to be late for sunset :)
To be continued....

Key West Day One Part 2

When we got into town we took the scenic route...around by Smathers Beach past where house boat row USED to be (?), past the airport where the people that can afford 500 dollar tickets fly into. We went past my old house on Washington (off White) which my man said looked like a dump, but hey! that was a great house and at $1800 a month for rent or roughly $22,000 a year it was a bargain! We got to our first hotel, the Blue Parrot Inn, a bed and breakfast on Elizabeth Street.



The room was small. REALLY SMALL. Double bed at the top of the stairs with a teeny tiny bathroom. And thin walls, but we wouldn't find that out til later...
So we took a nap, got gussied up and headed out to the southernmost side. We walked up to my old apartment on Duval, located above the Alan Maltz gallery. Brad approved of this one much more and after looking in the windows I could see that it was no longer used as an apartment but part of the gallery. There was a wine bar (Grand Vin) catty corner that I always liked so I headed over there. The people were great, lots of locals and wine talk. We sat on the porch and drank and bullshitted for an hour and then headed on over to the greatest restaurant on earth, Alice's. We had:
E:
Dirty Martini w/ Bleu cheese olives of course!

Pure Passion Salad
Wild Baby Greens with Goat Cheese, Mango, Toasted Almonds, and Berries
Alice’s own Passion Fruit Vinaigrette
(Prepared at the James Beard House in New York City by Chef Alice)

Tuna Tempura Roll-actually a special appetizer but my FAVORITE!!



B:
7 & 7

Cajun Spring Rolls, Hot & Sour Passion Sauce
Filled with Blackened Shrimp, Fire Roasted Corn and Goat Cheese



Tuna Steak special

I had hoped to go over to Flamingo Crossing for some homemade coconut ice cream but we were so full we were going to burst so we headed up duval for a short walk and then back to the room to crash. At about 5:20 in the morning some body decided they were going to cough up a lung and hacked outside of our room for an hour. I was going to kill someone!! I pulled out the ipod and struggled through the rest of the night (morning).

Key West

So, we're back. I've actually been back for a week, but work has been so crazy there has been little time for nothing else. I really meant to recap while I was there, I swear. Yes, it was all it was cracked up to be and more. I loved every minute. I wish I could move back but that is a different time. I'll try to recap as best as possible...

Day One, Part One

We had to get up at 5:30 (after Brad spent the evening telling me I packed too much...who do you think was wearing my extra t-shirts I packed and running out of underwear?? Not me.) to get the plane, the cab was here in plenty o' time and we were off. When we landed in Miami, the weather was a chilly 65 degrees which was like bathwater to us 22 degree Ohioans. My dude called for the shuttle to the car rental place I had found on line that had "too good to be true" rates. The non-english speaking at all driver picked us up and I worked my spanglish magic on him to the point where he continued to talk to me in spanish for the entire ride even though I had no idea what he was talking about. We drove down into the ghetto-chickens, pitbulls, homemade empanadas....and there was the car rental. The man at the counter told my man that the price we had reserved on the internet was an "estimate" and quoted us another price, which was $100+ of the "estimate". My dude of course freaked and worked it down to only 30 dollars more then the price and we were off before gunfire could break out. We hoped in that Ford Focus (midsize car, my ass!!) and headed down the keys...

At about mile marker 70, we stopped to get gas and change into shorts and flip flops. We were on island time!! We got a big gatorade and a water (hydration prepping for mass alcohol drinking) and a bag of plaintain chips and took off at a brisk 45 sometimes 25 miles per hour which meant we were really making good time. The next thing I knew we were at MM 20, and that my friends, is the home of Mangrove Mama's. This was a favorite of mine when I lived down there. Distinct keys style-mismatched chairs, pink, purple, and teal paint, cutesy signs all over the walls. We stopped, I had a margarita and some stone crab claws...YUM.



We also had some smoked fish dip which is a real treat as we don't have that any where around here. My dude had a jerk shrimp ceaser salad. The tequila gave me a good buzz and my excitement of driving into Key West itself overwhelmed me...We're at Stock Island! We passed the tattoo parlor where I got my tat, the golf course and we were there...the last 3 miles of US 1.

To be continued!!

Money for Nothing...

I was excited today because I got a check in the mail for my first ever invoice I sent out on my own as a freelancer. In the past I have piggy backed onto other companies and in turn got paid through them. So, hurrah! Hopefully the start of something good!

One week and counting til my vacation. I am super psyched and I hope to be able to have some time to post from down there via my wireless at a Starbucks. My dude and I are addicted so he shouldn't mind a little extra time in there. And then my reader (supposed to be singular...hahaha) can check up on our trip. I also think it might be nice for myself to read through later on.

My birthday was this past weekend, hard to believe I am 29. Where has the time gone? We celebrated in the proper way, eating eating and more eating. Fat Cats on Friday, then on to Zanna and Chris', the next night out with mom and dad to Ponte Vecchio...YUM! Super Bowl I lazed around while my dude went out with his buddies. This friday we continue the extravaganza at the Melting Pot...fondue...mmmmm.

I played volleyball last night with my old boss. I am sore today. I guess 29 makes me an old lady. haha. There were 2 leagues going on at the same time, the A league-ers all looked like straight out of highschool/college with their long thin legs, buns (super as short hot pants like things), and killer spikes. I am used to ruling the school when it comes to co-ed but those girls would put a whipping on not only me but any dude. I am looking forward to playing more in the upcoming weeks, hopefully I will get back in A-League shape! Until then, I'll have to relive my glory days playing "hit me with your best shot" on my itunes.

*side note...i think my sister reads this sometimes. At first when I thought she might be, I worried what she might think. I mean, only 3 of my friends have seen this site and less then half of my total friends even knows I write online, let alone knows what a blog is. But now that she is gone, I like to think she is reading this. I miss you and I miss seeing you everyday. It makes me feel good that you are a part of my everyday life. So if you are there...welcome :)

Why Don't You Love Me?

Dear Job,

I've been here for about a year now and despite the ups and downs I was really starting to feel like I know you. I still haven't gotten to the point where I was with my last job, when I would dread getting up in the morning, and I thank you for that.
I think we need to have a talk, though.

Here's the thing, I think you're tolerable, I really do. And I really like the money you get me. Folding things and watching Oprah, I mean that part is awesome. The busy work you give me makes the days fly by. And you know I love designing things for you, just for you. I especially love it when you let me go home early and I appreciate the fact that when I do go home I don't think about you until the next day and you don't call me.
It's just, this is really hard for me to say, but I feel like your smothering me.

I'm sorry! I feel like you need to hear this though. All of the advertising you make me call about, and the deadlines, and the events along with people not responding until the day before, it's really bogging me down. I am getting chest pains and starting to stress royally. You promised me you would be unstressful and I like a fool believed you. I need some "Me" time. I hope you understand. I want to continue seeing you, I really feel like we are starting to connect.

All I'm asking is that you back off a little. I don't want to be with someone who is needy and co-dependent, okay? I know you are a major chunk of my life, I spend more time with you then anyone else. I'm just asking you to be a little more pleasant and stop making me feel like I am losing my shit.

So just think about what I said. I'm counting down the days til my vacation. I know you won't blame me.

Love,
Erin

Let's get SIRIUS

Howard Stern broadcasted from his new channel today. Yeah, baby! Unfortunately for me (or possibly fortunate) my commute to work is only about 20 minutes so I just got the little taste of it. Sounded like the same old Howard with the f word thrown in here and there. I'm looking forward to hearing more.

This weekend I went to Columbus to visit some friends and attend a going away party for my friend Jenn* who is moving to Arkansas, down to the land of Wal-mart. Now, I don't think I have ever really confessed my hatred of Wal-mart to Jenn and I will probably continue to hide it for her sake, but I am not a supporter. I used to design retail packaging and I have seen first hand their goal of driving out all small business in America just to get the consumer rock bottom prices, even if that means strictly only buying from china, Mexico, and Pakistan. I know everyone is all about getting the best deal, but don't cry to me when you can't find a job. Our economy is like a hamster on a wheel and it will be interesting to see what it takes to make it better again. People don't get paid enough so they have to bargain shop. Bargain shopping drives down the need for American made (ie. Union) goods. So they in turn get laid off for trying to save money.

It was good seeing Jenn and all my high school friends though. Sometimes I feel more like I fit in down there then I do with my friends up here, but we don't live there and I think seeing anyone in small doses is better then all the time. I'll miss her. Now onto this week's worth of good-byes, I am seeing my niece tonight for the last time before their big move. I'm going to try not to be too sad but we shall see. Brad has promised to fill the void and entertain me whenever I need it. Plus I just got a bunch of new stampin' up stamps to keep my busy. Filling to void with shopping. If I had a therapist they would be proud.

*the story of Jenn:
Jenn and I met when we were 4. Her mom came over for welcome wagon when my parents moved to Ohio. We emptied out the toy box and Jenn's mom thought Jenn should stay and help clean up and least to say she never left. All the way through out college and until now we have retained that friendship. I like to tell her she is one of the handful of people that HAS to love me. She claims she doesn't have to, she just does. Whatever the situation is I am grateful to be loved by such a wonderful person. Oh and I get free doritos out of the deal too. :) Just kidding.

Four for Four

Hope everyone enjoyed the holidays...not too thrilled to be back at work today. My sleeping pattern is all messed up and I am one tired chicky. Plus I started the Abs diet today and although I am not even hungry there is always that moment of panic when you worry there will be nothing to eat. Well hopefully it will pay off...and now for your enjoyment, a "quiz".

Four Jobs You’ve Had in Your Life:
Waitress/Bartender in Put-in-Bay, OHIO
Waitress/Bartender in Key West, FL
Graphic Designer
Project Manager-sounds the most glamorous but by far is not :(

Four Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:
Stand by Me
Tombstone
Forest Gump
Billy Madison
I am such a girly girl except for that last one.

Four Places You’ve Lived:
Fremont OH-shout out F-town
Bowling Green, OH
Key West, FL
Cleveland, OH

Four TV Shows You Love to Watch:
CSI
Lost
Nip/Tuck
Any reality show on MTV.

Four Places You’ve Been on Vacation:
Europe
Aruba
Disney World
NYC, Baby

Four Websites You Visit Daily:
Oddtodd.com
City Rag
Socialites Life
Eonline

Four of Your Favorite Foods:
Sushi
Filet Mignon
Potatoes
Tuna steak

Four Places You’d Rather Be:
At home sleeping
Anywhere with a beach
Shopping
In my car listening to Howard 100

Four Albums You Can’t Live Without:
How about bands, you can limit me to the greatest hits compliations if you are really going to take away all my music...
The Beatles
U2
James Taylor
CSNY

Dear Santa

Here is my mad libs Dear Santa letter. If you want to make your own, go here....
http://members.aol.com/frogiearno/dearsanta.htm

Dear Santa,

I have been a good girl.
It really wasn't my fault what happened at Zanna's Office party. It was Brad who spiked the punch with too much Martini. I can't help it if I drank 90000000 glasses. It was so good---smelled and tasted just like poo.

I thought it was funny when I put Meghan's shirt on my head and danced the macarena on the chaise lounge while singing `You Shook Me All Night Long'. I didn't mean to break Zanna's ipod and don't know why Zanna would accuse me of streaking.

I don't remember calling Eric's wife a silly chicken---even though she looked like one with red eye shadow and blue lipstick!

And when I threw up on Aimee's husband's elbow, it was only because I ate too much of that macaroni and cheese.

After all that fun, I admit I was a little tired. So I fell asleep on my way home and drove my SUV through my neighbor's roof. I don't think that was any reason for my neighbor to call me a dumb dog and have me arrested for public intoxication!

So, Santa...here I sit in my jail cell on Christmas Eve, all stupid and friendly. And I'm really not to blame for any of this cute stuff. Please bring me what I want the most---bail money!

Sincerely and boldly yours,
Erin (Really a nice girl!)

P.S. It's only 5 bucks!

The "List"

Remember that episode of friends when Ross and Rachel made lists of celebrities they would be allowed to sleep with if given the opportunity? Well, here's mine. Sorry I did not have time to laminate it.

Tried and True, although I would take the late 90's version over this new and unimproved one...


You all know how I feel about this guy:


Lenny is someone I always thought was hot even though I know he's a shorty. I just remembered how hot he is at the Aerosmith concert on Sunday where he rocked it out as the opening act. Not sure about that whole being married at one time to Lisa Bonet thing but i could get over it. YUM!


And a new front runner....straight from nip/tuck thanks to my netflix, Dr. Christian Troy himself.


Still looking for that number 5, I am sure he is out there somewhere, so many to choose from. :) I'll have to interview Brad and see what his choices are but it will be hard to decipher who "that one chick with the big boobs" is. Until then...

We will return after these messages

I have thought of coming here many times over the last month. I had nothing to write about. Is blogging a fad for me? Am I over it like I was my Cabbage Patch Kid, my Care Bear, my Glow Worm and my Pogo Ball? As I age do I have less to talk (bitch) about? Is careless broadcasting of my private life a figment of my misspent youth? I am still into the idea of it...even though as I type, I always worry what other people reading it are thinking. But then I remind myself, no one else reads this. I guess if I can entertain one bored cube monkey I have done my good deed for the day. Not to mention, this seems to help my typing and spelling skills (even as I typed that I misspelled the word spelling-oh the irony!).

Well, on to the show. Not much is new here, I already got my dose of the flu for this year and let me tell you it was not pleasant. I can't believe Christmas is coming and it is already the middle of November. I spend my days at work tolerating my boss and selling (and buying unfortunately) things on eBay. I am obsessed. My plan is to sell enough stuff that I can pay for our trip to the Keys in February. This weekend I am going to Columbus for a baby shower so I get to hang out with all pregnant ladies who love to talk about how they can't fit into their size 4 200 dollar jeans anymore and isn't it just a travesty. All my normal (sized) friends have some how found something else better to do that day. I knew I should have scheduled better...

I really can't complain, all this is trivial and over all things are going well. I am actually excited to unpack the decorations and get on with the holidays already.

BTW...I still have that Care Bear :)

Meet my new Grandma

So my Grandfather has a girlfriend. Which is weird, but you know who really cares in the long run? I mean I think he is like 80. But anyways she is town this weekend and I may or may not get to see her. Isn't it weird to think of old people dating and falling in love or worse yet being a player or getting dumped? Just like being 13 all over again.

Like, Oh My God, Y'all!

I heard on the radio this morning that Britney Spears was out drinking while pregnant. Apparently, she had a glass of white wine and some margaritas and told the waiter at the restaurant that her doctor said it was okay to "get drunk" in your last tri-mester. God help her.

Inlaws and Outlaws

Brad's birthday is this weekend. I got him a dvd for his birthday, The Dancing Outlaw. (http://www.dancingoutlaw.com/index.aspx) It is a documentary our friends Z & C had us watch that is CRA-ZEE. Hillbilly-ville. Well Brad was so into it and he totally wanted to see the follow up. This will be a classic in our family for years to come. I didn't spring for the "Limited Addition". Not sure what is in that bonus track, but I don't think it is worth an extra $50.00. Here is a description:
"Nestled deep within the heart of the mountains of Boone County, West Virginia reigns a King. The King - Jesco White, The Dancing Outlaw. Jesco is a living legend. The last of the Mountain Dancers, his style is unique to the mountain culture. Resembling tap dancing, it's a tradition passed down from father to son - as were his dancing shoes. His dance floor? An 8 by 4 piece of plywood or the roof of his canine companion Duke's doghouse.
His venue? The front yard, the den of Jesco's and Norma Jean's trailer, or any place the spirit moves.
But dancing isn't the only phenomenon that emanates from the cabin. On quiet nights, legend has it, you can hear the echoes of vintage Elvis tunes careening off the walls of Jesco's Elvis room and through the mountains of Boone county. Jesco belts out Elvis tunes as only a true King can."

My friend Jenn came to town last night and we went to dinner and sushi-ed it up. It was good to see her.
On the ebay front, I bid on an ottoman/coffee table that was most perfect yesterday.

I waited until the last 10 minutes it was up for auction and there was a frenzy. I was given a second chance to bid today, because I think the seller is a manufacturer and they have tons of them in stock. We shall see. Brad told me it was my last purchase of '05. :( Good thing it is september already!!

PS. Is everyone surprised I didn't talk about the finale of Six Feet Under? It was phenomenal. And the song in the end, Breathe Me by Sia, awesome. I actually found a place to download it off the internet, damn you itunes. Couldn't get it there, because you can't just buy that one song, big mistake. Some people thought the ending was cheesy, but I liked it because there was closure. Now to wait for the Sopranos....

Selling stuff, not myself

So yesterday I went down to Tower City to get some lunch. I stopped in the music store to check and see if they had a cd for my dude's b-day coming up (Eurotrip soundtrack-it is so wrong I have to buy a whole cd just to get the song Scotty Doesn't Know by Lustra). There I am, wandering around, and then this:
"Hey girl, you got some pretty blond hair."
Me: *?* "Uh, thanks."
"I'm sure you hear that all the time, but you sure look good, girl."
Me" "Ummm. My colorist must do a great job!" *Just keep walking, Erin*
"Hey, come back here, I gotta question for you."
Me: *starting to panic*
"What's your name?"
Me: "Uh, Erin?" *I couldn't even think of a fake name*
"You look like a Stephanie"
Me: *???????*
Here is my future boyfriend:



I know that is Fat Joe, but I didn't really want to excite the guy more by asking if I could take his picture. You know, for under my pillow at night, and stuff like that.

So the car is still for sale. The bidding on craigslist has gone into a frenzy. I am amazed by how many people keep offering me cash. That's some crazy shit. The original offer-ee emailed me today, he came from Cali and maybe he appreciates a good German luxury vehicle. He is going down there today to check it out. Fingers crossed, peeps.
Speaking of money, money, money. I gotta get rid of these U2 tickets. They are burning a hole in my pocket. Check them out on ebay hopefully next week. Bid!! See you at the show.

Tired

I know everyone is tired of hearing it.

I am very depressed about the finale of Queer As Folk. The ending was fine, it is just the fact that it is over. I can't take it. I don't know if it was because I don't know anyone else that watched it so I have no one to talk to about it or what. I confessed to Brad last night that I was very very sad about it still and he told me I was pathetic. I can go back and watch all the episodes on Showtime InDemand. I can buy the dvds off of ebay. I even heard there were books that someone wrote (fan-fiction). I downloaded some songs from iTunes from the soundtrack.
"Cue the Pulse to Begin" Burnside Project
"Proud" Heather Small
They are in constant rotation on my iTunes. Am I making it worse on myself? I need to move on. I need something better. How did a television show become so much of my life? More over than that, the character of Brian Kinney (see my post L-O-V-E). At work sometimes when we are folding stuff, I watch Oprah. I can't stand it when those women in the beginning go ape shit and are screaming like they just saw Jesus. But you know what, I would probably do that if I ever saw Gale Harold. Sad, so sad. Sometimes I think there is a direct correlation between my time in Key West and the show. When I left there and moved here, that show was the one thing that let me visit there once a week from my own snowy living room. I know QAF takes place in Pittsburgh, but the club scenes reminded me so much of that time in my life.

Well, I am going to look for another hobby. I've got some stained glass that needs finishing and then there is the whole stamping thing, and the house. Maybe I needed it to end so I could do what they did in the end, move on with my life. Find vindication, make myself proud. Make myself "the best homosexual I can be". Ha.

I look into the window of my mind
Reflections of the fears I know I've left behind
I step out of the ordinary
I can feel my soul ascending
I am on my way
Can't stop me now
And you can do the same
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
It's never too late to try
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
You could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
Still so many answers I don't know
Realise that to question is how we grow
So I step out of the ordinary
I can feel my soul ascending
I am on my way
Can't stop me now
And you can do the same
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
It's never too late to try
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
You could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
We need a change
Do it today
I can feel my spirit rising
We need a change
So do it today
'Cause I can see a clear horizon
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
So what have you done today to make you feel proud?
'Cause you could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
So what have you done today to make you feel proud?
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
What have you done today
You could be so many people?
Just make that break for freedom
So what have you done today to make you feel proud?

100 Things I Like

1. fortune cookies
2. sushi
3. edamame
4. Pretty much all things asian!
5. breezy days
6. fall time
7. osu football
8. the beach
9. crystal blue water
10. wet sand between my toes
11. the smell of clean laundry
12. a freshly mowed lawn
13. veggies from the garden
14. homemade salsa
15. being alone at work
16. the internet!!
17. ebay
18. garage sales
19. my husband's kisses
20. sleeping in
21. an ice cold dirty martini
22. my dog
23. puppies
24. stampin' up!
25. my niece's emerging personality
26. my parent's house
27. my parents
28. my sister and brother in law
29. my friends
30. all things apple/macintosh
31. cell phones
32. suvs
33. electric hybrids
34. empty trash cans
35. clean house
36. reality television
37. mtv
38. queer as folk
39. cable programming
40. harry potter
41. mcdonald's
42. getting my hair cut
43. getting my nails done
44. flip flops
45. tattoos
46. george clooney
47. gale harold (see last post)
48. silence
49. loud music
50. venus hum
51. the beatles
52. adobe products
53. not waiting in line
54. smelling the roses
55. flowers
56. eliptical trainers
57. rib offs
58. bbq
59. vacations
60. key west
61. sunsets
62. margaritas
63. cornonas
64. bloody marys
65. put-in-bay
66. great restaurants
67. booths
68. rubber boots
69. tank tops
70. hipster underwear
71. red bull
72. starbucks!
73. van gogh
74. don li leger
75. sledding
76. warm winter jackets
77. old navy
78. sun dried tomato wheat thins
79. down filled pillows
80. cake
81. smores
82. speeding
83. passing a cop and not getting pulled over
84. being free
85. lying in the grass
86. throwing things away
87. short car trips
88. matinee movies
89. popcorn
90. no phones ringing
91. my wedding ring and what it means
92. lying on the couch
93. allman brothers
94. itunes
95. living in the city that was built on rock and roll
96. being able to say cleveland rocks and mean it
97. indians games
98. working downtown
99. going out to lunch
100. being me

In L-O-V-E

I love Gale Harold (Showtime's Queer As Folk). I want to eat his face off. I can't stand it. I can't stand it. I can't stand it. I can't stand it!!



Oh, and I love Brad too, but have you seen this guy? YUM!

Alone and I like it

Now that my temper tantrum is over...

So I think it is pretty funny that my boss doesn't tell me when he's not coming in. I get here this morning and I have had no phone calls or any sightings of him. I think he does it because God forbid if I know he isn't going to be here, I'll come in drunk or throw like a party or something. HAHA. Actually it IS better being here alone, I have the Neil Young cranked up, I am getting tons of work done, and I can blog! At my last job (cubicle factory), my manager was always riding me with a whip and crop demanding me to work more! harder! Telling me I was a slacker when I was doing 3 times the work of my co-workers. She always told me it was the same stress and pressure and pay as everywhere else. Well I hate to break it to you, I make more now, I work less hours, I have my own office and someone who could care less how much I am on the internet or working on my own stuff as long as what I need to do for him gets done first. I know I have bitched about this job, but I can't think of a better work environment for me. Oh, except if my office was in the middle of my living room. I can dream, can't I?

Tonight I am off to a Jell-O Shot, Flip Flop party. My mom told me on the phone last night not to get drunk, but with less then a cup of liquor for 35 shots, I don't think that will be an issue. (Except for that sixer of Corona I am taking with me!) I have never made Jell-O shots before, so I decided to get crafty and make my own recipe up...I'll share it with you, my guinea pig (Brad) said they turned out A-OK. I maybe could of added more rum, I was scared because I thought they wouldn't gel.

Strawberry Daquiri Jell-O shots
You will need:
little plastic cups, or if you want to go crazy, make it in a big dish
1 large packet strawberry flavored gelatin
2 cups boiling H2O
3/4 cup Captain Morgan's rum, I bet Bicardi or whatever would work too
3/4 cup cream
1/2 cup cold H2O

Add the boiling water to the Jell-O powder, stir til melted, add in the Capt. Morgan's and the cream, whisk it up. Add in 1/2 cup cold water, pour into little cups, put in fridge. When these solidify, the top half will be creamy pinkish and the bottom will be clear red. Not sure why this happens. Top with whip cream and a strawberry. Eat whole batch and maybe you will catch a buzz. And it is fat free!! Enjoy!
Here is a picture I found of Jell-O shots on the internet. So that is what the lids are for! Easy transport. So do like the picture and get lids.



Love, E

Artsy Fartsy

This is a fun site:
http://postsecret.blogspot.com/
It is amazing at how many of those postcards you can identify with. Makes me think about making my own someday.

Congrats to Z on the new job, although without email, I will be pretty bored at work. Hey! more time to blog!

On another note, we are heading to the country this weekend, it is my 10 year high school reunion. I am sure I will have lots to post about when I get back...

Home Tomorrow Jiggity Jig

Sad to leave.