Happy Friday Muffins!

This is going to be a short one because I am at home today! Yay for me! My full-time job gave us today off as New Year's Eve observed and then we get Monday off (natch). So I'm doing a bunch of things today to get ready for this weekend.

Last night was incredible you guys. Matt bought us tickets to see the King Tut exhibit at The Field Museum and it was awesome! My head is just swimming with all the things I learned (like I had no idea that he was only 19 when he died) and to see all of the precious artifacts that were found in his tomb? Holy shit! I must say I was disappointed when we got to the end and King Tut wasn't even there. I was like, "Um, where's the star of the show?" :) Apparently there's some law about moving bodies and it's sacrilegious and shit.

Equally as fun (okay really, totally more fun) was Matt made reservations for us at Geja's Cafe! You guys, he NEVER does anything like this. He doesn't surprise me, it's just not him. I love romantic stuff so it's taken me a while to get used to this man who isn't romantic but last night was so awesome. He told me, before we got downtown, that he was going to take me out for a big dinner afterwards. Ooookaayyy? And then later, when I asked where we're going, he said that I'll see and that we have 9pm reservations! FUN!! I love surprises!!! And then we showed up at Geja's, which my best friend had JUST told us about last weekend, and I was just so excited!

Talk about a ton of food. We had bread and grapes and apples in a cheese fondue first. Then tons of meats and fish and dipping sauces. Then, oh baby, the dessert. Pound cake and pineapple and apples and marshmallows (there was melon and bananas but I don't eat that) and the chocolate was phenomenal. I had way too much Riesling and it was perfect. They really cram people in there so I recommend if you are ever going to go, get reservations and ask for one of the special booths. They are tucked back so you have this whole space to yourself and it's almost like you could draw curtains to close yourself off from the rest of the restaurant.

I passed out on the way home, we slept in this morning, and now we're desperately trying to find Bears tickets so we can watch them beat the Packers' asses. The game on Sunday used to be at 12 but they changed it to a night game and can you imagine how many people out there are being forced to choose between this game and New Year's Eve plans? Luckily, our plans were to hang with my best friend and her husband and they are too excited about the game!

Happy New Year everyone! Love and happiness and kitties to you all! :)

Beth

Thursday 13

Thirteen Things I Got For Christmas 1…. Let's just start with the best thing I got, and I posted it yesterday but it deserves another viewing because it IS that beautiful. Oh Coach purse, you are so pretty and expensive looking and although I've never been a name brand whore, I would gladly become one if it meant having more of you in my life. 2. My purse's baby sister, the wristlet! Now, I didn't ask for this. And I'm not sad I have it because duh! It's Coach, it's cute, it matches and it was thoughtful of him to include this. But I'd like to throw in that I don't need it and my gym shoes have holes in them and I really need new ones. There, that's it, no complaining. 3. No Shortcuts to the Top by Ed Viesturs. I can't WAIT to read this. I'm currently obsessed with Mt. Everest (it's a killa!) and have been reading and watching all I can on it. Ed's quest is to be come the first American to climb the 14 tallest peaks in the world. Does he do it? I don't know sailors! I have to read the book! :) 4. Kid if you will but I grew up with this show and I still love it! And I will faithfully watch every season as they release them. And they better do that faster than it took them to release this one! OY! 5. Bad Cat tear off calendar. I love it!! Oh I love the kitties and the bad kitties (as long as they aren't mine). Kittlelielittlelies!! YAY! 6. PostSecret Book (2nd one). I own the first one and asked for the second but now I kind of wish I hadn't. I went through the whole book with my friend (who got it for me) and we were so disappointed. These secrets were repetitive and boring. I'm sorry but this is supposed to be entertainment and I saw, over and over, cards saying shit like, "I finally know who I am" "I am happy for the first time" "I am special." You know what? Gimmie the dirty stuff. I want to hear from the people the poked holes in their condoms or what you did with your babysitter when you were 12. This might be a return. 7. I got my Clinique facial wash and another item from there. Love me some Clinique. 8. KT Tunstall CD...didn't ask for it but mentioned I'd like to hear the entire thing. Larry, I mean Matt sometimes does his own thang when it comes to buying gifts. 9. My overly-generous parents got me a $100 gift card to Mario's. I have never been but brought the menu with me to work today so see if I can schedule a little sompin sompin. :) 10. Again, the parentals gave too much and they also gave me 100 one dollar bills. My dad loves doing that. One year, he got $100 in one's, taped them end to end and rolled them up and put them in an empty Kleenex box so that when I pulled the first one, the rest came streaming out and it was FUN!! 11. I'm bringing sexy baaaack. This is my perfume and I love it. I got the body wash too. Thanks Honey! 12. This WW scale has been on my Amazon wish list foreva! My bf finally bought it for me because #1, she knows how much I wanted it, #2, she said she was sick of looking at it on my wish list (hee hee) and #3, she knows that once January 1 hits, I'm back to getting in shape. Very important, necessary gift! 13. I don't have pictures of this but the purse my parents got me for Christmas? You guys...oh brother. I am NOT ungrateful, I swear to God. But they KNOW I've been creaming for a Coach purse and they know that Matt was going to get me the one I wanted so why did they buy me possible the ugliest, most hooker looking, black purse? Seriously, I'll get pictures. It's just G0d-awful and then my sisters tell me that my DAD picked it out and he spent a lot of money on it. DAMMIT!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR my friends! I love you all and I hope you are all safe and I can't wait to see what 2007 brings us all! And because I'm mean AND fun, here's a picture of my man and his nakedness. This was taken on our canoe trip in the Boundary Waters back in September. He skinny dipped, I did not. He's got the cuter butt. Not that you can see it. That's why I don't mind sharing this...it's not too crazy naked! :) Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Hello Sailors! It's Wednesday!

And you know what that means? Tomorrow is my Friday! Hooray for company holidays!! Boo that I have to work at Chili's that night. Hopefully there will be some generous-still-filled-with-the-holiday-spirit type peeps out and they will generously tip me.


Speaking of Chili's, last night I had a table of 2 couples, their bill was $70 and they left me a $3 tip. Nice huh? Don't mind me guys, I'm just the Larry out there, busting her ass to make sure that you get your drinks, salads, entrees, napkins, and anything else your ugly ass desires. I don't need the money...I work for fun! :P Jerks. I wanted to run after them and tell them I'll give them back their $3 if they promise not to come in again. I even took their f-ing picture! Ruuuuuude!


How was everyone's gift-giving celebratory day(s)? :) That's my way of recognizing both Christmas and Hannukah. Or as I like to call it, Hannumas. Hope it was great for everyone. For me, not so much. Some of you know that my dad had knee replacement surgery on the 18th. He was in the hospital for 4 days and then was transferred to a rehab home (his choosing). So he's still in "the home" and will get out this Friday but Christmas is not Christmas without my Daddy. My sisters, Mom and I all decided there was no way we were going to open presents and do the whole Christmas morning rituals unless he was home so not having all that made this holiday feel all detached and ucky.


Matt and I fought on Christmas Eve which was highly unpleasant but not totally unexpected. He's a major Type A personality and I am Miss Relaxed Type B and we argued about the house. He wants everything done and perfect RIGHT NOW! Right now! I want it done now, raaaaaaaarrrr!! (that was him by the way, my imitation of him)


I am so much more laid back. Pardon me for enjoying the art of sitting on my ass. :) I work two jobs, one of which is stressful, the other is physically draining, and I am tired, dammit! He either doesn't care about that fact or simply doesn't think that should matter when it comes to this house. The house is painted. We are totally done painting (with the exception of the master bath which won't get done til we pick a color and change out the sink and cabinetry) and that is a huge accomplishment. You'd think that would satisfy Señor Psycho. Nope.


So we fought and brought the tension to his mother's house on Christmas Eve but after a few drinks, we were over it. Nobody wants to fight on a holiday right? It still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. His mother and step-father got us two candles and some miniature gold ornaments and a king size down comforter. No, we don't need any of this but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth (I really hate that saying and want to know what Larry made it up? What the hell is a gift horse? And why is it bad to look at his mouth? G2M).


Christmas morning Matt and I exchanged pressies and I got my purse. Yes friends, the purse that I could have humped on sight and have dreamt about since our first meeting.



Yeah baby!! Oh how I love this purse. It is so me. I am normally a basic black, no frills but classy purse lover. And never have I been one to be a name brand snob. But my GM at Chili's has this exact purse and like I said, I almost stole it the first time I saw it. The purple alone makes it very Beth. The fun patchwork is...FUN!! And that's me, fun times baby! :) Raaaar! I love it!


My best friend shopped directly off of my Amazon wish list and I got many wonderful things from her and her husband including the first season of Beverly Hills 90210! Yes friends, I LOVE that show. As in present tense...love it. It only took them years to put this first season out for all us fans.


My parents win for most generous. Seriously, their hearts are always so huge and I love them for it. I don't need everything they give me but they are just so giving. In addition to the painting they paid for which was $300, they gave me $100 in cash and a $100 gift card to Mario Tric...you know, the salon that I've never been to. Way too generous those two.


Anyway, it was just a really weird Christmas. Matt's birthday is next week already and then mine is in February so hopefully those will go more smoothly and fun-filled. :)

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!!! xoxooxoxx

Thursday Thirteen!

Thirteen Things I Want to do Before I Die 1. Climb a mountain. Not a biggun, like Everest (it's a killer!) but I would love to tackle Ranier. 2. Get married. This one is more likely to happen sooner than the mountain but it's still something I've always wanted to do. I believe in the institution of marriage and I can't wait to be Matt's wife someday. :) 3. Travel to every continent. Yes, even Antarctica. They have penguins! Yay! 4. Bungee jump and/or sky dive. I put these together because both require you putting your life into the "hands" of a small, inanimate object (cord and parachute, respectively). Just wanna try it once, not make a hobby out of risking my life. :) 5. Re-learn playing the piano. I once was pretty good, took lessons from age 3 to age 10...and now almost all of that learning has exited my brain to make room for other important things (like what time The Biggest Loser is on at or how much it costs to add a salad to your meal at Chili's). 6. Be thin. I know that's really vague and generic but it's been a dream of mine for years. Over a decade at least. And I'm working on it, but I still long for it every day. 7. Go back to college and graduate. I don't know if my life will feel truly successful unless I'm a college grad. That's just me, personally. I have always wanted this and have regreted leaving school all those years ago. 8. Work, in some way, every day, with animals. I've thought about zoology for a long time but I think I might even be better at running a rescue shelter or at least working for one. I just need to be with animals! 9. Give my parents everything they've always wanted. Sounds weird but you guys, my parents provided a great life for me with what they knew. It was by no means perfect but I love and respect them and owe them a lot of money (even though if you asked them about it they'd say they don't know what I'm talking about...all the more reason to give them stuff). 10. Take singing lessons. I really love to sing and it's hard for me to admit but I don't think I'm so bad. I would love to take lessons and see if I have any real talent and then I'm going to American Idol! :) Okay, maybe not. 11. Work for myself. I hate being bossed around. I find myself thinking or saying, "You can't tell me what to do!" just about every day. I think I need to own my own company or something like that because being controlled is so not my bag, baby. 12. Own a farm. Kind of goes along with working with animals but Matt's and my dream is to own a farm, out West, and have lots of animals on this farm. I want to kiss them all every day and love them and yeah! 13. Love myself. Awwww, isn't that preshie? Seriously, I need to love myself as much as I love others. I'm working on it! Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Look out! Here comes Crankahonis!

Yeah, that's my Beth-way of changing Pocahonnas into cranky...oh whatever! I'm bitchy! Get it?

I was at Chili's til 12am last night. I woke up an hour late this morning. There is nothing I despise more than being late. Don't get me wrong, I don't get in trouble or anything...it just throws off my day. And Matt is annoying me. And the people I support at work are annoying me. And I'm not in the mood or ready for Christmas. And I've got a mortgage payment due soon yet I still have a few more Christmas presents to buy.

And And And

Seriously, if I had any more PTO left, I'd have stayed home today. Why am I the only one that cares about certain things at work? I run two different help desks and no one seems to care that our customers get taken care of but me. Frustrating.

I am just rambling like an idiot here but my head is full of so many to-do's, just bear with me. Let me tell you what annoys me...people at Chili's, as in co-workers, that don't do their share of the work. Lazy co-workers...and then they just run out of the restaurant when they are cut and don't do their side work. Seriously, if I wouldn't get thrown in jail for battery, I'd be beating multiple asses.

I am also beyond crabby because I am fat. I am fat and miserable and please don't give me sympathy because I don't deserve it. I need to do something about it and have been trying for over a decade to have the body I want. It's so hard and nothing ruins my day more than having clothes fit snuggly or just feeling like a hippo in general.

Okay, I must stop or you guys will never read my blog again because you'll think the devil took over.

Sorry for being like this! :( WAH!

Dedicated to Dan and Dad

Today's post is dedicated to my blog buddy Dan.

Dan's father suddenly passed away and with my own father in the hospital (he's fine), I just want Dan to know that I'm thinking about him, praying for him, and loving him from the Midwest.

If everyone can say a little prayer (or just a shout out if you aren't religious) for Dan and his family during this difficult time, I know he'd appreciate it.

Dan, I know I've told you but I'm so sorry for your loss. If you need a shoulder, I am here for you.

xoxoxoxxo
Beth

The Biggest Loser

Look at this man. Yes, this is the SAME man. Erik started at 408 lbs. and in total, he lost 214 lbs! Absolutely incredible!

I am obsessed with this show. I have watched every season of The Biggest Loser and I have even tried out. Okay, I didn't really try out...here's my story.

In November 2004, I got a bug up my ass about The Biggest Loser and how I wanted to try out. Without going into all of my painful weight history, let's just say that I was at my heaviest in September of 2004, lost 20 lbs. on my own, but knew I really really wanted to be a part of The Biggest Loser. I just could really see myself on that show. Going away, making those lifelong changes...it's so me!!

So I filled out the long-ass application and went downtown to stand outside in the freezing cold on December 8, 2004. I ran out of time to do a video audition so I thought I would win them over in person.

I made some friends in line. We all shared our stories and laughed. We screamed together when we saw video cameras come out to do promo shots for the show. I was actually on the show! They came right up to me and asked me why I want to be on The Biggest Loser and my answer (and it's still true to this day), "I am a thin person trapped in a fat body and I WILL be the Biggest Loser!" :) Wishful thinking.

7 hours.

7 hours is how long I stood outside, in line, to talk to someone. And I made it to the very front of the line. And they shut the doors. I was the NEXT PERSON to go in and they shut the door. The producers had to get back to L.A. they said, and they weren't going to see anyone else.

I was devestated.

I shoved my application into the hands of one of the cameramen in hopes that just my personality on paper was enough for a phone call but of course, that never happened.

And the next day I was in the hospital with multiple blood clots in my lungs. It wasn't meant to be.

But now they are auditioning again. I have lost even more weight since that fateful night two years ago but I am nowhere near what I want to be as far as ideal weight goes. And I STILL feel like The Biggest Loser is a show meant for me. I cry with the contestants, I cheer them on and I can always picture myself there, changing my life right along with them.

This past season was especially wonderful. The transformation that these people went through...I am so stunned and so proud (weird).

I want this so badly for myself and anyone who knows me real well knows I have been battling my weight for years. I still think I should try out. I still just might!

Tag, I'm it!

Thanks for tagging me Cece!

Ok you know the rules: List your 5 favorite Christmas songs. Then choose five people to tag and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments!

1. Away in the Manger - I'm really a sucker for songs that are beautiful, with flowy melodies and that I can sing without sounding like a cat that got it's tail stepped on.

2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - See explanation from #1

3. Oh Holy Night! - Seriously, get a big ass choir together singing this and I bawl.

4. Up On The House Top - I like this song just for the ho, ho, ho line. :)

5. What Child Is This? - Again, get a choir to sing this...ah tearylicious.

I gotta tag some peeps now huh? Okay, The Mind, KaraMia, Ali, Jen, and Angie. And, go!

Thursday Thirteen, y'all!

Thirteen Things I Want You to Know About Waitressing 1. We don't make minimum wage. Common mistake made by cheap-ass people...we don't make a great, hourly wage. Our pay is your tips and during this holiday time, you would think people would be a teeny bit more generous. Ah, no. 2. It's not cool to take stuff off our trays while we're holding them. Nothing off-sets the balance of a serving tray like the grabby hands of "helpful" customers. And I put helpful in quotes because most of the time it's starving customers who are too impatient to let us pass the food out. Let me do my job, ho! 3. Your children make our job 10 times harder than it needs to be. When you're at home, do you let your kids take food out of your pantry and dump it all over the floor? No? Then why do you let them do it in a restaurant? It is SO much fun having to reorganize an entire sugar/sweetner caddy, let me tell you. I love it when kids not only dump them all out but dump them all over the floor. Kids are messy, I get that, but don't let them trash the restaurant because they are bored. Teach your children how to behave in public and maybe I'll tip YOU. 4. I do not cook the food. Your food is too hot? Your food is too cold? Your food tastes funny? Yeah, not my fault. We have these guys in the back, maybe you've heard of them, they are called cooks. They create those edible sensations sitting in front of you. Don't take money out of my tip for bad food. Tell the manager. Maybe you'll get some free shit. But don't leave me hanging as if I somehow found the time to slap on an apron and play Emeril to your Hungry Hungry Hippo. 5. Tipping 10% is not acceptable. Do you know that your tip doesn't all go home with me? I have people that I have to tip too. So not only do I make a mere $3.90 and hour, but when you tip me, I have to give part of that to a bus boy and the bartender...even if you don't order anything from the bar. And let's not forget the expo person that I have to tip out if my food gets run out for me. 6. Sitting at the table for 3+ hours is not cool. Actually, I take that back. It's fine...as long as you tip accordingly. I have a small section of tables that is given to me when I start my shift and these are my tables for the night. My goal is not to rush you out so I can fill the table again, but how do you think I feel when you sit at my table for an entire shift and then leave me $3? I could have turned that table over at least two more times but you are sitting there, chatting it up with an old friend, and I'm making no money. At least consider tipping me more for the time you are taking up. I could have made more tips if you weren't monopolizing that one table. 7. Ask me for what you need all at once. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to a table to check on them, asked if they need anything, get what they tell me, and then when I come back with the requested item, someone else needs something. You are not my only table. I like to multi-task and if you need another drink AND more napkins, ask for them both at the same time. 8. If you are nice, I'm even nicer. I have had all kinds of customers. Crabby, happy, horny, drunk, sick, ugly, mean, nice...all kinds. Why would you come in to a public place, where you have another human being serving you, and treat them like shit? Did you have a bad experience at another restaurant? Well that's not my fault, is it? I am infinitely more happy when my table is happy. I like to see smiles and nodding and if I heard a thank you, I might do a jig. Treating me like yesterday's garbage only ensures you will have a less than stellar dining experience. Moods rub off on people. So cheer up! Bitch. 9. Stiffing me makes me cry. I'm talking about leaving NO tip whatsoever. I know this kind of goes along with #5 but seriously, why would you leave NO money? I had a table of three adult women and two children on Tuesday night. They rang up a $70 bill. They were offenders for almost EVERYthing I have listed here, especially #'s 3 and 7. They left me NOTHING. You run me ragged, work me harder than toy salesman at Christmas, and you leave me nothing? SO insulting and disrespectful. I am not here for fun. No one dreams of being a waitress when they grow up so keep that in mind when you decide to walk out on the gratuity. 10. It's okay to give a small tip for bad service. Contrary to my other rants, there ARE bad servers out there and if they suck, by all means, let the tip reflect. 11. Other servers have other customers. Do you need your Diet Coke refilled? Ask your server! Unless you are being ignored or haven't seen your waitress in 10 minutes or more, don't just grab any server that walks by and ask for shit you need. That is why you have a server...to serve you. We can't all take care of you because frankly, we don't all get the tip you leave. 12. If I do a great job, please tell my boss. My manager wants to hear about the good servers and if I work my ass off for you, go above and beyond and you are really happy with the service, please tell my manager. I get reviewed just like you do at your job so it is a really great thing for a manager to get pulled aside and hear the praises of a good server. 13. Being miserly makes me miserable. If you complain and huff when I tell you that it costs $.99 for a ramekin of guacamole or there's an extra $1 charge for certain steaks, I can only assume I'm screwed with my tip. If you are nickel and diming me about little bull shit like that, I know you aren't going to be generous with a tip. What did you expect when you decided to go out to eat? A free for all for every little extra? The grocery store doesn't give shit away for free so why would we? Eat at home if you are going to be a Scrooge because again...I need to be tipped! Larrys. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Dedicated the Ones I Love

I would like to dedicate this post to my wonderful parents, Sharon and Larry. Yes, Larry. My daddy's name is Larry and he hates that Larry is the name we use as a substitution for dumbass. :) Sorry Daddy but I didn't choose the name.



My parents are a rare breed. Married for 38 years, my mom and dad didn't have me, their oldest, until they had been together for 7 years. As my mom puts it, "I had to make sure I still liked your father enough to have a kid with him." That worked out pretty well.

They have three daughters and brought us up the best they knew how. It wasn't always pleasant (I will never forget the wooden paddle, owie!) and it wasn't always fun but it was always with best intentions.

My parents have been there for me through it all. Through every boyfriend break-up, fights with friends, report cards, crushes, boy bands...all! And I never took their advice and they were almost always right!

Recently, my parents have offered to have the rest of our new house painted for us. They have listened to me complain about how much I work and how tired I am and I wah-wah'd to my mom on Monday about the little tiff Matt and I had while painting at 2am and she told me to have the painter come out and my dad and her will pay for it. I can't thank them enough for their generosity. They give too much!

So thank you Mom and Daddy! I love you guys more than you know and appreciate the crap out of you! MUAH!

I've been tagged!

According to the rules… Each player of this game starts with the “6 weird things about you”. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says “you are tagged” in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

I was tagged by Cece! Thanks, girl, here's mine:

1. I cannot and will not sleep with any apendage hanging off the edge of my bed. If I do, I know that the clown from Poltergeist will pull me off and under the bed and I'll die.

2. I am a slight germaphobe. Maybe this isn't weird but in any and all public bathrooms I wipe the seat before I sit and after I wash my hands I open the door with a sleeve over my hand.

3. I love animals more than people.

4. I have my own language. Okay, not an entire language but I make up words and it's fun.

5. I giggle after everything I say. It's more of a laughing grunt...I don't know how to describe it because I never noticed it but I've had several people point it out. I've tried to catch myself doing it but can't.

6. I'm fascinated by death and how people die. I know, weird. Maybe I'm just nosey but when I read obituaries, I really wish they all said how people died! That's why I loved the show Six Feet Under.

I would love to tag someone else but almost everyone else has done this so I just wanted to get my weirdness out there. :)

Have you seen this movie?

Oh
My
God

My eyes were swollen shut this morning from crying. This is a Disney movie and yes, there are many cheesey parts that I could have done without but the animals alone attracted Matt and I to this picture. I honestly wish I hadn't watched it. I bawled for an hour straight.

I don't want to give it away but clearly there is animal death in this movie and that is something I don't deal with well. People ask me all the time why I don't want to be a vet...animal death. I don't want to put one down, see one die, witness an injury...no. I can not handle seeing an animal in pain. Shit, I'm welling up just typing this.

Matt and I go to the Field Museum (in downtown Chicago) about once a month to see speakers that are from National Geographic. These are photographers, explorers, scientists, and journalists that come to speak about a topic they are passionate about and Matt and I make a date night of it all and it's great. Nevermind that I almost always leave these lectures in tears. Every, single presenter has a common theme...we are killing the Earth. We, as humans, are destroying our beautiful Earth and it's also up to us to save it. So they suggest things and hopefully every person there that night walks away with some knowledge and goes and spreads it to their friends.

Back to my animal stuff...the speaker last week was Maria Stenzel and she spoke of Antarctica and her journies and findings there. She showed pictures of penguins and the ice and it was all fine and dandy until she showed a video of an injured penguin (complete with a full chest of red feathers from blood) shaking violently and then being attacked by a leopard seal. I couldn't watch. And now I can't see the screen because of the tears. Animals and pain...I can't do it. I don't care if it's the circle of life...I don't like the circle!

So if you are an animal lover and it pains you to see or even think of a precious, fluffy friend dying, don't see Eight Below. The dogs are gorgeous and I love them but it was too painful.

Hi Sailors and Friends!

I'm sorry I've been MIA you guys but I've been in a two-day strategy session for work and before that I was sick. I promise to be back to my usual Larry-ness on Monday!

Miss you, love you, happy weekend!

Let It Snow! Not THAT much!

We have been bombarded with whiteness! Major snowage my friends and the roads here are abominable.

Lots of this.

My windshield looked like this

It is insane out! Or was, it's now 11:15am so the roads are better but it's taking people hours to get to work.

Speaking of work, those of us that made it in (the real workers, the true blue great ones hee hee) found out that our CEO is NOT charging a day off to people that didn't come in because of the weather. Everyone that showed up was in a major uproar. But luckily, our boss just told us that we're being given a comp. day to use whenever and I like that A LOT! I have no more days off so I'm all about getting a free one!!

If you are out there in this, be careful! If you are like Cece and in LA, I don't wanna hear about it. LOL