I knew a girl named Rachel, I didn't like her either.

So, I can't believe I'm even taking the time to write this. I'm behind at work because the fire alarm just went off and so I spent my lunch across the street standing in the hot sun. (So awesome!) Perhaps that is what possessed me to write. I'm irritated. Seconds before the fire alarm started blaring, I took my first bite of my peanut butter sandwich. "Delicious!" I said to myself. And to accompany it - some vanilla yogurt. (I know - i eat pretty plain stuff...please don't judge me on my lunch items.) So, why the anger? No, it wasn't the fire alarm...although I think that was the tipping point to write. But the real reason for the anger is the yogurt. Here's my question: How do you screw up vanilla yogurt?!!

I have just discovered it is possible.

To preface the rest of the story: When we went to the grocery this weekend, there were NO Dannon vanilla yogurts (always the first choice)- which is fine, because the "Giant" brand is pretty much the same and works fine - but there was only 4 of those - so to supplement the 5 day week, I grabbed another brand I had read about in of my Woman's Health magazines. "Can't be bad," I thought as Jason patiently waited by the eggs...slowly creeping further away as I struggled to decide what to do. So, i went with it.

Word of Warning: Just because it has 'vanilla' in the title doesn't necessarily mean it tastes like vanilla. In fact Rachel's Lowfat Relax Vanilla Chai Yogurt tastes so strange I can't even pinpoint the flavor for you. It just tastes...well...gross. Thanks, Rachel! It may be "blissfully blended" and "help support the heart, brain and eyes with Omega-3's" but I'm not going to benefit from any of that today. It's going straight in the garbage.


PS. On the same note - I also wanted to publicly apologize for putting celery in the eggsalad this weekend. I am sorry Jason.

Alternate Route

Came up on the bird again today. This time we didn't even make it to the corner of the front of the building as it came flying straight toward Leia and I with a loud squack! "Ok, ok, ok," I said annoyed, "come on Leia, let's cross the street." We hopped the curb and high-tailed it across the pavement. The bird won today.

Across the street and safe from any bird dives, I watched the KJ perch on a tree then dive down into a bush. Then a minute later, some dude with headphones and floppy brown hair walked straight through the King-Jerk threshold without any diving or squacking at all. I thought that was bizzare. So, is it Leia? Or a combo of Leia and I? Seriously, there should just be some orange cones or better yet a sign post......

so everyone knows that you can't get through. I mean, what is that bird protecting anyway?

Leia sniffed a few new patches of grass as I squinted my eyes in search of a nest, but I didn't see one. And to be honest, the other side of the street is much nicer - because it's out of the hot sun. This will be my alternate route for now.

Watch OUT! Tyrannus tyrannus!!!

The past few days out walking Leia, we have been harrassed by a bird on the front of our building. I just did a google search and I believe it to be an Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)...or as I will be referring to it Eastern King-Jerk. This bird won't give up. Each day we just walk calmly down the brick sidewalk around the building and as we approach the front -it begins. The bird start harrassing us and diving down on us. The bird got about 5 dives in today and the last one almost nipped Leia's bum. Sheeeeeesh. I made a lame attempt to shoo it away. (I bet that looked goofy.) So, I read up on the Eastern Kingjerk and here's what I found.


Eastern Kingbird Notes: Fearless, often harasses larger birds. Pairs may defend nest vigorously against people. Timing of breeding appears to be related to insect abundance.

I'm guessing there's a nest close by. I'm going to look. Better yet, I may just find a new route for Leia's walk. It's kinda freaky how close this bird gets!

Speaking of Leia. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She turns 5 today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

08-08-08 (Happy Birthday Jason!)

Well these numbers only happens once folks! 08-08-08. Today is Jason's birthday! He decided to take the day off from work and I would have to agree, it was a wise choice. As I left for work I saw the Italian Beef and gravy in the crock pot ready to slow cook all day. (It arrived from Chicago yesterday via US Mail.) By the time I get home it should smell really good. And by request, I made Jason a chocolate cake last night. It turned out nice. I decorated the cake with chocolate frosting and used white frosting to write "35" in large numbers on top.

Today, we eat cake. Happy Birthday Jason!

Good to Know: To commemorate his 35th year on planet earth, Jason has compiled a retrospective of his life via photos on his blog. Nice!

Looking forward to tomorrow.

I am really looking forward to tomorrow. First things first, tomorrow is Friday...and the end of week two of me keeping my job since the merger went through. But that's not all. Tomorrow is also a day of celebrating! It's Jason's Birthday!!!!!!! AND the Olympics start AND the pizza has arrived from Chicago!!!! What else could you ask for on a Friday? Oh, yeah...cake. There will be chocolate cake. I am making it right now.

Happy Birthday Eve Jason :)

Birthdays, mergers and meh.

Let's be honest, last week was rough. I was so nervous I couldn't think straight, let alone do my job....or blog. If you've been keeping up with our website, you probably already know that my future at XM is unknown (via Jason's posts.) And it's not the best feeling. I'm trying to stay positive and hope to know a little more before this week is through. As of right now, I still know nothing.

With that in mind, I thought I'd turn to a trusty source for some guidance...and i use the word "trusty" mostly in jest - because I'm pretty sure you can't "trust" a horoscope - but anything to help my worried head is worth a try.

Have you ever read your Susan Miller AstrologyZone Horoscope before? I encourage you to click the link and give it a whirl. I've made Jason read his before and it has been crazy accurate sometimes.

I just read mine. Between the total eclipse of the sun on August 1st and a full lunar eclipse on August 16th - my horoscope states that "this will be a a major, landmark month."

Oh goodness.

It also says "Eclipses always change the status of things, mainly to keep you moving forward. "

Let's hope it's in a positive way.

Speaking of moving forward, I'm really looking forward to Jason's birthday. Here are the things I'm excited for this Friday:

1. Jason has ordered up some Italian Beefs and Pizza from CHICAGO!
2. We're going to eat cake.
3. We're going to watch the Olympic opening ceremonies.
4. Giving Jason his gifts. They're all ready to go!

Keep moving forward :)