Monday, January 31, 2011

I was laughing so hard I was crying...

I can't decide if this is really, really funny or if I was just in dire need of a good laugh. Nevertheless...shoveling, drifting, shoveling, drifting...


Big thanks to Alison Vavra for putting this on her Facebook page. It certainly made my night!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Pretty good day.

I have been in talks with Margaux lately to hit up a brunch place. We had gone to Presto after work and although it was quite delicious (how can a half price pineapple upside down cake martini NOT be delicious???), Margaux recently pointed out to me that there is nothing better than brunch:
1. Breakfast is offered.
2. Lunch is offered.
3. It is perfectly acceptable (nay, you are encouraged) to drink.

She had the brilliant idea of going to the Terrace Cafe down in Southpark (go ahead and click on the link to check out the yummy stuff they offer) and if anyone hasn't been to this place, you should definitely give it a try. I would venture to say that it was the best bruschetta that I've ever had (and I've had some pretty quality bruschetta).

After I got home, I asked a friend how his day was going. He informed me that a guy in the drive-thru* line at McDonald's had gotten out of his car to yell at the poor (probably 17 year old) cashier. When he yelled out to the guy to get back in his car to move on, the guy threw his sandwich at him. Classic.
After he told me the story, he asked how my day was going. The only thing I could respond with was, "Good. I had brunch with a friend and no one threw a sandwich at me."

*Why does it make me cringe to type the word "thru"? I realize that it's a "legal" misspelling of a word, but really...why did we need to change the spelling of a word?? We already have threw and through...did we really need to add "thru" to the mix? Was it just to confuse 6th graders??? And while I'm on the subject (and I believe I've said this before, so I apologize if you've already heard this particular rant)...why can't greeting cards put "congratulations" in graduation cards and not "conGRADulations"? Do you know how many times I've seen that misspelled?? There is nothing quite like seeing, "Congradulations on the new baby!" on Facebook.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Night at Alton's

When I woke up this morning, there was a text from Thomas asking if I would like to go to Alton's Kitchen in Cornelius for dinner with him, Mike, Beth, and Rob. Since I'm one to never say no to, well...pretty much anything that has to do with red meat, potatoes, and wine...I replied with a resounding yes. Well, in my head I sounded like I was saying "yes" resoundingly...maybe Thomas didn't quite get how stoked I was about it via text; as he always says...texting isn't really the best form of communication when trying to portray feelings.
Anywhoozles, after getting home from work and taking a quick shower, I hopped in the car to go to this new-ish restaurant only to find out that my GPS didn't have it in it's system of global positioningness. At this point, I thought it would just be a quick call to Thomas to find out where exactly it was. I really should have known better than to call a man.
Although Beth would have given me a simple, "It's by the Harris Teeter on Jetton", Thomas started throwing out directions like, "It's on the west side of...." (I can't even remember what he said it was on the west side of as he had lost me at "west")
I believe that after he was informed by Beth that girls' brains don't work like boys' brains, he informed me that it was by the Teet and all was well and good.
The whole thing kind of reminds me of the times that my dad would talk to his friends and my brothers about our hunting land and he would say, "You'll come to a spot in the woods that's like a nipple."
I never understood that, but the boys always seemed to. I guess guys understand directions in terms of north, south, east, west, and nipples.

Seeing that it is Restaurant Week in Charlotte, we all decided to go with the $30 4-course meal. Although, the 4 courses were yummy (is it surprising that the twice baked potato was my favorite part???), the conversation was priceless.

The topics included (but were certainly not limited to):
-My new-found lesbian status at work (apparently, if you're not dating anyone and you have no kids, then you MUST be into the ladies).
-Speed dating (if you want to date Precious, you better sign up for speed dating in Charlotte...and ask Rob to come with you because he's really into that).
-Where to find the best lobster meat (in the tail fin; it's the hardest to get to and there isn't much there for the payoff, but it's the most tender).
-The sleeping arrangements for our weekend cabin trip coming up next month (I'll be rooming with Rob, but Beth said she had no qualms about me rooming with her fiance if I wanted to. I'm going to choose to believe that she wouldn't mind me rooming with Mikey because she just trusts me that much....it's better for my self-esteem).
-Thomas not going to be in town for Beth's birthday (yet again).
-Rob and Mike's 5K coming up (apparently those poor guys have to run half of it, stop in the middle to each eat a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts, and then run the second half of the race).
-The proper way to shake someone's hand (don't dominate, don't be weak, don't try to be gangsta, don't touch Rob on the shoulder)

I have to say that overall, Alton's was good, but the friends are what made the night fantastic.

I have a feeling that when I reread this blog in a few days, I'll totally be able to see that I've had two glasses of wine right before writing it.

Monday, January 24, 2011

I'm going to answer your question (as long as your question is one of these questions...)

1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
What an odd #1 question. As a matter of fact, I sleep with my closet door open...I actually can't think of the last time I closed the door to my closet.

2. Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?
Once upon a time I did. Now I really don't see the point...well, unless I'm staying at a nice hotel and they have quality shampoo.

3. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?
Wait...where is my top sheet? Oh...there it is...on the floor.

4. Have you ever stolen a street sign before?
Nope. I'm no hoodlum.

5. Do you like to use post-it notes?
At work, yes. At home, only the post-it note function on my computer.

6. Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?
Sarah circa 2005 did.

7. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?
Seeing that a big bear would kill me and a swarm of bees would more than likely just be painful, I'd go with the swarm of bees...and hope that there was a body of water close by that I could jump in.

8. Do you have freckles?
I do. A lot more on my shoulders than on my face.

9. Do you always smile for pictures?
I try to.

10. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Ohhhh...I have so many. It's too hard to choose just one!

11. Do you ever count your steps when you walk?
Nah.

12. Have you ever peed in the woods?
Unfortunately, yes.

13. What about pooped in the woods?
Thankfully, no.

14. Do you ever dance even if theres no music playing?
Wait...isn't there ALWAYS music playing?

15. Do you chew your pens and pencils?
Gross. No.

16. How many people have you slept with this week?
What kind of question is this?? What kind of hookers fill out this survey?????

17. What size is your bed?
Queen (Is it weird that "Bohemian Rhapsody" just popped in my head??)

18. What is your Song of the week?
All Around Me by the David Crowder Band

19. Is it okay for guys to wear pink?
Absolutely! Please do!

20. Do you still watch cartoons?
Every once in awhile I'll fall asleep to The Family Guy.

21. Whats your least favorite movie?
Star Wars (I've never been able to get through the whole thing)

22. Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?
Wouldn't me telling you be completely against the point of having a hidden treasure?

23. What do you drink with dinner?
Depends on what's for dinner. If I'm having dinner out, I'll usually have a glass of red wine. If I'm eating at home, it will probably be a Diet Coke or a glass of milk.

24. What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
Ketchup or nothing.

25. What is your favorite food?
Do you know me at all? Potatoes.

26. What movies could you watch over and over and still love?
Father of the Bride I & II

27. Last person you kissed/kissed you?
You don't want to know.

28. Were you ever a boy/girl scout?
I was a Sparky (****bonus points to anyone...other than my mother....who knows what that is).

29. Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?
Gag me. No.

30. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?
I sent Julie a box of randomness and Chris a box of his sheets last week. Both of them got a card...but I'm not sure who was the last person I wrote to was exactly. Let's just pretend that I wrote the cards simultaneously.

31. Can you change the oil on a car?
I can swipe my debit card at Jiffy Lube.

32. Ever gotten a speeding ticket?
Ugh. Yes.

33. Ran out of gas?
With my Grandma Rogers. I was 5 and we had to walk miles and miles (or at least that's what I remember telling my mom when we got home).

34. Favorite kind of sandwich?
Roast beef with horseradish from 131 Main (THANKS FOR LUNCH ON SATURDAY, MIKE!!)

35 Best thing to eat for breakfast?
French toast and hashbrowns or biscuits and gravy. Ohhhh, I want some breakfast.

36. What is your usual bedtime?
Lately it has been around 8pm. Wow...that's sad.

37. Are you lazy?
I try not to be, but I work really hard at work and when I get home...well, yes...I get lazy.

38. When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?
I remember being a ballerina once and a clown once, but other than that...I'm not sure.

39. What is your Chinese astrological sign?
I don't know anymore! I'm so lost!!!!

40. How many languages can you speak?
Just the one....Spanish.

41. Do you have any magazine subscriptions?
Too many. Entertainment Weekly, Glamour, Self, Fitness, Women's Health, and...oddly enough...I'm still getting Chris' Details and GQ.

42..Which are better legos or lincoln logs?
Legos...because they remind me of Eggo waffles.

43. Are you stubborn?
I don't think I am, but I guess that's a question better answered by my friends and family.

44. Who is better...Leno or Letterman?
I don't watch either, but I'd have to go with Letterman.

45. Ever watch soap operas?
For a short time (when I worked nights) I indulged in The Bold and the Beautiful and As the World Turns.

46. Afraid of heights?
Not particularly.

47. Sing in the car?
Every day.

48. Dance in the shower?
Sorry for the visual, but yes.

49. Dance in the car?
Sometimes.

50. Ever used a gun?
Absolutely.

51. Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?
Hmmm...I think it was Christmas 2 years ago.

52. Do you think musicals are cheesy?
Not at all...I think they are magical.

53. Is Christmas stressful?
Not when you make the executive decision not to decorate or buy presents for anyone.

54. Ever eat a pierogi?
I actually have some in my freezer right now! (Guess what mine are filled with...) :)

55. Favorite type of fruit pie?
I just had a pretty fierce lemon meringue pie at Christmas. I'd have to say that it's my new fave.

56. Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?
Anything where I got to travel (I remember telling my grandpa that I wanted to get on planes like he did. He laughed and said something like, "You'll get tired of it.")

57. Do you believe in ghosts?
In some form, yes.

58. Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?
I feel like you've already asked me this question.

59. Take a vitamin daily?
I tried. Failed.

60. Wear slippers?
Not since my older brother stole my cat slippers and shot at them with a shotgun in a (now in hindsight, pretty hilarious) "hunting" video that he made with his best friend, Brad. I was FURIOUS and actually cried about it.

61. Wear a bath robe?
More when I lived with people. Not so much while I live alone.

62. What do you wear to bed?
Ummm....next question...

63. First concert?
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.....New Kids On the Block when I was in kindergarten!

64. Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?
Does anyone really choose Kmart from this list?? TARGET.

65. Nike or Adidas?
I've actually really come around to Nike lately. Their clothes are just lasting longer than my Adidas clothes.

66.Cheetos Or Fritos?
Cheetos on their own....Fritos in my chili.

67. Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?
Peanuts

68. Ever hear of the group Tres Bien?
I (very well) haven't.

69. Ever take dance lessons?
Have you seen me dance??? Exactly.

70. Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?
Is it sad that I picture my future spouse traveling a lot for work? Wow...I should SO not be in a relationship right now.

71. Can you curl your tongue?
Yup.

72. Ever won a spelling bee?
Close. I think I got in the top 5 or something.

73. Have you ever cried because you were so happy?
Absolutely.

74. Own any record albums?
I have never purchased one, but I remember very distinctly breaking out my mom and dad's Alabama album when I was about 5 or 6.

75. Own a record player?
Again...it was my mom and dad's.

76. Regularly burn incense?
Actually, I think I did at one time. Nag Champa. Wow...it would probably make me sick these days.

77. Ever been in love?
Yes.

78. Who would you like to see in concert?
I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see would be Newton Faulkner. He rarely tours America. Anyone up for an overseas trip???

79. What was the last concert you saw?
David Crowder Band

80.Hot tea or cold tea?
Neither tea.

81.Tea or coffee?
Coffee

82. Sugar or snickerdoodles?
Snickerdoodles

83.Can you swim well?
I can swim, but not well. Beth actually saved my life at the beach....but I really just blame the waves on that one.

84.Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?
I've never been able to master that.

85. Are you patient?
I like to think I am.

86. DJ or band, at a wedding?
DJ

87.Ever won a contest?
I'm sure I have...I just can't remember what.

88. Ever have plastic surgery?
I wish.

89. Which are better black or green olives?
Black...I hate green olives.

90.Can you knit or crochet?
There is a difference?

91. Best room for a fireplace?
I would love a fireplace in my bedroom.

92. Do you want to get married?
Someday.

93. If married, how long have you been married?
This question obviously doesn't apply to me.

94. Who was your HS crush?
*sigh*

95. Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way?
I guess if I actually make a decision that I want to go my way (which is quite rare), I suppose I would throw a fit until I got my way. I mean really, people...I never have an opinion!

96. Do you have kids?
Nope. Not that I know of.

97. Do you want kids?
It would be nice if it happened someday, but my life certainly isn't incomplete without one.

98. Whats your favorite color?
Black.

99. Do you miss anyone right now?
Absolutely...almost sickeningly so.

100. Did you watch American Idol?
Nope.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

I'm a Hyper-Hypo

Everyone has their favorite decade of Saturday Night Live.
Mine was definitely the 90's (more specifically, the early to mid 90's). It may have something to do with the fact that my brother would videotape* it on Saturday nights and we would watch it after we got home from church on Sunday.

I found an old episode of SNL on Vh1 Classic today and it reminded me of one of my favorite skits ever. I can't tell you how many times I've quoted, "You're the devil..."



So tell me...what is your favorite SNL quote??

*Ask my mom sometime about the time that my older brother videotaped an episode of SNL over the video of my little brother's first birthday. Ohhhh...I did not envy him.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Sarah's Key

So at 5am yesterday morning I was able to rally for the last day in a 10 day working streak. I threw on my jeans and my tennies (YAY FOR CASUAL FRIDAY!) and was out the door. I had my half of a peanut butter sandwich in one hand and a Diet Coke in the other...I was ready to go. Wait. Go. Like...in my car. Where the crap are my car keys???
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

My mind starting spinning out of control.
Who has a spare key?...Everyone who has moved away.
Do I have any of my windows unlocked?...No, I'm a single girl living alone, that would be ridiculous.
How do I break in?...I HAVE NO IDEA! I'M NOT A FELON!!!
Ohhh, it's getting so cold...maybe I should huddle up in the tool shed...but then I may get high from the paint fumes.
Who do I call at 6am?...Well, who is the only person on the planet who wouldn't hold it against me for calling at 6am?...Stupid question.......MIKE!!!!!!!

After trying (almost comically) to open the door with a gift card for about 20 minutes, I decided that it was time to text Mike. Was he still in bed? Of course. But guess who was to my house by 7am?
When I got in his (thankfully, very warm) car, I started furiously texting Emily to ask if she could overnight me a key. Unfortunately, in my panic, I forgot that Texas is in a different time zone. After she woke up, she let me know that she would get the spare key sent to me that very morning.

That night, after Mike left me his car so I could get home from work, I got to Beth and Mike's and found a bathroom filled with every kind of toiletry item that I would ever need. They had tickets to see Billy Elliot, so it was just me and Sammy and a bottle of vino.
Apparently, I had fallen asleep while watching Comedy Central and Sammy woke me up around 11pm. I stumbled my way into bed and around 2am, Sammy was very clearly trying to wake me up to tell me something. Once I woke up, she went into the guest bathroom and started getting into stuff. When I got out of bed to check out what was going on, Sammy took me into the kitchen. I didn't realize until this morning that she was trying to show me that she wanted me to leash her up and take her outside.
Whoops!

My key was to Beth's house by 10am and Beth, Mike, and I headed to 131 Main before they dropped me off at my place.

On a recent episode of Cougar Town, Laurie made up a reason why she had to stay the night at Jules' house because she just wanted to spend time with her friend. Now, in no way did I purposely lock myself out of my house, but in a tiny way...I'm kind of glad I did. It was an awesome reminder as to what kind of friends I have and how much I have to be thankful for.



Sunday, January 16, 2011

Camels can't hold endless amounts of straw.

So lately I feel like I've been running and running (and running and running....), completely unable to keep up with life. This morning, I got in the shower to get ready for work (yes, I know...it's Sunday). I got out, I put on my makeup, I blew my hair dry, and I stood in front of the mirror....something didn't look right. No, it wasn't my pasty white skin (sadly, I haven't been able to get to the tanning bed for awhile); it was my hair. Greaseball.
I had taken a shower and forgot to wash my hair. Like many people, I have a shower routine. I have showered the same way every day for years and this morning I forgot a major step. So, needless to say, I had a two-part shower this morning.

Yesterday, my favorite thing that happened was my trip to the post office.
Once upon a time, I would avoid going to the post office on a Saturday, but who am I kidding? These days, I am completely unable to make it to a post office during the work week. I have had a few things to send to Kansas for awhile and decided that it was time to buckle down and get them in the mail. Along with things to send out, I also had a note from USPS that said that one of my packages that I sent a few months ago was found destroyed in one of their warehouses and if I came in, they would give me a refund of my postage, but they couldn't pay for the items inside since I didn't opt for insurance.
So after standing in a line that was going out the door, I put the boxes on the counter and handed the note to the postlady. She gave a deep sigh and said, "Let me explain something to you. If you send something, sometimes a 70 pound box can be stacked on top of your smaller box and get smashed."
I smiled and said, "It's okay...I've come to grips with what happened. I really don't need an explanations. I just want my refund and I want to send these things to Kansas."
She then sighed again and explained, "Well, I wish I could give you a refund, but since you didn't buy insurance, I can't refund your postage."
I, thinking she was kidding...and then realizing that she was very much NOT kidding, argued, "Wait...so what you're telling me is that I paid you $8.09 to take something somewhere for me and not only did you destroy the item that I entrusted you with, but you also won't pay me back the money that I paid you to get my item safely from Point A to Point B???"
To which the lovely postwoman replied, "Yes. Would you like to pay for insurance on these items that you're shipping today?"

Unbelievable.

Friday, January 14, 2011

It's been awhile...

I haven't blogged in awhile, but I figured I'd ease back into it with a photo of my dear, dear friend Ali's NYE photo shoot that he did for some spread in some St. Louis something-or-other. Believe me, he explained it...I just can never remember (which is a shocker, I know).

I have had the same black peacoat for about 12 years or so (lay off me, peacoats never go out of style!) and I've had a note from Ali in my coat pocket for almost as long as I've had the coat. It is on the back of one of those tithing cards that they have in church (yeah, ummm...we used to write notes on the back of those and pass them amongst our friends...) and in Ali's very distant handwriting it says, "I love you. Like that agape type of love that they are talking about."

As I was walking into work this morning, I felt the note in my pocket and...well, felt loved.