I think this photo is Christmas card good.

Lazy days in jammies. They're the best!

So I drank two glasses of milk the other night while finishing off a pack of fudge strip cookies. Despite the fact that, "milk does a body good," it in that moment did not do my body good. My stomach got so upset. It probably didn't know what to do with such a large consumption..especially since it's been months since I drank milk.

Oh, and I also tried orzo. It wasn't bad and I think I'll do some experimenting w/it.

Myles and I, with some friends, went to see "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" last Friday. The high school was performing it, so I figured it might be some cheap fun. It wasn't too bad. I hadn't been to a high school play/musical since I was in high school. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I said see a play, but alas it was a play.

I'll just add pictures for now

Oh my goodness. I have been absolutely terrible at updating. That being said, I don't remember all the dates in which some completed tasks occurred..and I'm sure I have probably forgotten about some that I have started/completed. Oh well, I guess. And it took me forever to get logged in, because I had forgotten what email/password combo I used. Lesson learned? We'll see.

Quite a few updates

1.) I was laying in bed the other night and couldn't sleep, so I grabbed my crossword puzzle book. I would have much preferred to finish one out of a newspaper (because those are harder), but oh well.

2.) I'm almost to the goal mount of mommy/son pictures. By the time it's all said and done, I'm sure I will have surpassed the limit by quite a bit. Actually, it'll probably be a never ending project.

3.) I watched Casablanca. It wasn't bad, but I was disappointed. There has always been so much hype about it, I was just expecting more.

4.) There are some guys that have been staying at the hotel for about a month. I like'em, they're. They're nice, funny, and good looking. They stay for multiple nights, so like to have a fridge and microwave in their room. The problem is that not all of our rooms have that. So I happened to see their truck in town one day and decided to make them a reservation when I got to work..to ensure that I could assign them a room with the aforementioned amenities. I was starting to get a little worried because it had gotten lat and they hadn't arrived yet. I had other guest that wanted a room like that. I would have kinda felt like an ass if they never showed..but they did..and they were very appreciative.

Last night I watched Broken Embraces, starring Penelope Cruz. It was the second subtitled movie I watched with her in it. One of the ways I judge if I can watch a foreign film, is that if I can get so wrapped up into it, it doesn't seem like I'm reading anymore. Although I had to think about it after it was over to really decide how much I liked, it was able to keep my attention to watch it. Plus, it had good music. I can't remember whether or not I cried..I did think it was kinda sad though.

A couple of days ago I finished reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I liked it. It made me mad, it made me sad. I cried a little bit. The fact that it's fiction doesn't make me feel better because I know what happened in the book happened/happens all the time all over the world. The ending was a happy one, I guess. I think I was expecting something a little more, but how it ended suited the story. As with many other books that I read, I had heard of it before, but never grabbed it to read. Prior to checking it out, I had seen the title and heard it's name a bunch of ties over a week or two period, so..I decided that was a sign that I need to go ahead and read it. Now, I'll pobbly check out the movie.

Myles' 5th birthday = definite photo op

I can hardly believe my baby is five.

Oh, just some more pictures

These pictures are obviously not in chronological order. I also didn't feel like adding captions.

Why not add another.

Mother's day '09.

I have officially gone 2+ weeks without eating out. I'm not sure the exact date in which it was accomplished, but I do know it has occurred.

The other day, last Monday to be exact, I went over to my sister's and asked for a book to read. She recently got two new ones and had started to read both of them. She was reluctant to give me the one she was furthest along in, but I told her (jokingly), that I would give it back to her the next day. Sure enough, I had it finished the next day. What book? "The Weight of Silence" by Heather Gudenkauf. It was pretty good. I think I only got teary eyed once. At one point, I thought I had it figured out. I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't though.

I also have a new photo for my mommy/son photo book.

Before I went to bed Christmas morning, I gagged down "Santa's" chocolate milk. Sure I could have just poured it out, but I didn't want to be wasteful though.

I finished reading "The Lovely Bones" tonight while at work. It took just a few days to do so. I remembered all the hype it got when it first came out back in 2002, but never really had the urge to read it. The other day when I was at the library though, it came to mind. Since I didn't go in there with a particular book in mind, I decided to see if they had it. It evoked many emotions. I cried of course..surprise, surprise. I liked it. At first, I wasn't pleased with the end, but after rolling it around a little, I accepted it and agreed the it was fitting. And, my cousin informed me that it's being made into a movie. I'm kinda excited about that.

The first new musician that I will document is Kings of Leon. Despite the fact they're not new, they're new to me.

I tried a new peanut butter cookie recipe. Nothing drastic, merely using honey instead of brown sugar. I think I probably will not use that recipe again. The cookies were really soft and everything, but not very peanut buttery..I don't know why exactly.

And I have two pictures to add to my mommy son album.

This was taken while we were on a train ride at the zoo.

This was just a random pic my mom took to use as her caller ID for us on her cell phone. I love it!

Last night, this morning rather, around a quarter to three, I finished reading The Time Traveler's Wife. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will be purchasing the book (the one I read came from the library). I spent about six hours finishing it, simply could not put it down. I balled at the end. The tears probably started welling up with a hundred pages to go. I want to see the movie now. I heard it was good. I think it will be lacking a lot though..the book had what seemed to me to be, so much pertinent stuff. Anyway, I think it could be shelved in my top 20.

Looking back through my completed task, I realized I did post anything about the foreign film I watched. I chose Amelie. I'd been wanting to see it for years. I had a couple of friends that just raved about it..along with critics and awards. I must say though, that I was a little disappointed. It didn't suck, but by no means was it something to write home about. It took me around two weeks to get through it..if that tells you anything. I did like the music though, and there were some fun ideas in it.

I did my first random act of kindness the other day at work the other day (9.29.09). I was talking about home-cooked meals with a guest last week and this week. I had a taste for mac & cheese, so I made some. I had a fairly large amount, so I took some to him. I almost didn't want to give it to him, because it wasn't as good as usual. I did however, and he said it was good. He seemed quite appreciative.

Finally, I'm sad to report that I've already failed one of my task. I didn't get around to making a new recipe during the month of September. I will still keep track of new recipes though. What upsets me most about this, is that it was an easy task.

In the last two weeks, I've finished two books. It took me very little time to read the both of them. I had found a list, that don't remember making, of books to read and they were both on there.

The first one was Flowers for Algernon (1966) by Daniel Keys. I greatly enjoyed it, and it could quite possibly make it onto my list of favorite books. As I've probably mentioned, I like when whatever I'm reading evokes some type of emotion. At more than one point, my eyes got a little teary and there were some spots that made me angry for the characters. For the time when it was written, I think it gave insight into how medicine would continue to evolve. I was also pleased with the ending.

The second book was The Secret Life of Bees (2003) by Sue Monk Kidd. I liked this book, but it left more to be desired. It didn't bring our a lot of emotion, but I wouldn't put it in the discard pile. I'm really not sure where I would put the climax of the book and the end was just okay.

Toward the end of junior high, up through junior year of high school, I had a best friend named Katie. We were pretty much so inseparable. Then one day over the summer, before senior year, our friendship basically evaporated. I didn't know what happened and the majority of what I heard from other people, was that I was at fault. I made a couple of attempts before we graduated to kinda make some type of amends, but it was to no avail. I had hard feeling for a long time and it wasn't until this morning that I finally decided to ask. I was pleasantly surprised by the response I got. Basically, she said she couldn't think of any specifics, but regretted not repairing the friendship. I do feel better. Hopefully all that she said was the truth. I haven't decided yet if I'll suggest starting over. I mean, you can't make up for lost time, plus so much has changed. I don't know, we'll see.

Today my sister and I tried Rachel Ray's buffalo chicken flatbread pizzas. They were quite tasty. Not only that though, it was fairly inexpensive and quick to make. It'll be something i have again.

Myles and I had s'mores the other day. Originally, I was thinking we would have them near a bon fire or something, but the microwave sufficed. One of the best parts was Myles' messy face. I should have taken a picture.

Last Tuesday, I finished Diary by Chuck Palahniuk. It took me awhile to get into it, and there were moments when I even wanted to just put it down. Toward the end however, it got a bit more interesting. Plus comma, it would have been a waste of my time if i just stopped partway through. I figured out part of it..I don't know if I like that or not.

On a different note...

Last night for dinner, I made a rice and vegetable pilaf to accompany brown sugar and lemon glaze sauteed tilapia. As I was putting the ingredients together, I became a little worried that it wouldn't taste good or how I wanted. In the end however, it was so good! I called my mom over to taste it. She said she would be trying. I also took some to Kevin for lunch. I had it for leftovers tonight, it was just as good (if not better). Yay for success.

I took Myles to the Children's Museum today. And as I hate to much as I hate to say it, I was a bit disappointed. It hardly seemed like the same place I use to visit as a child. I mean, it has been over 15 years since I was last there but still. I so wanted to share all favorite things with Myles. I was also irritated and annoyed. I couldn't believe how unruly and unwilling to share so many of the children were. By no means is Myles the most well behaved child in the world, but compared to some of them, I might have to reconsider that thought. The other thing that bothered me was how timid (for lack of a better word) Myles was. He was basically just letting the other kids walk all over him. I tried to explain to him that the other kids, more than likely were not going to be considerate. I told him he could be a bit more aggressive and still not be rude. I don't know if it was just all too much for him, if he was intimidated, or if he really didn't care what the others kids were(n't) doing. He is by nature a considerate and friendly child. He did say that he had fun though, so really in the end, that's all that matters. And I got some cute pictures.

Picture number two for the mommy/son photo album. After about three or four attempts, Myles finally cooperated.

Donated blood today with the Indiana Blood Center. I wasn't aware of the drive until Myles and I went to the counter at the library to check out our books. They had a sign up sheet and information. After we were finished with our play date at the park we went back. While I was getting ready, Myles entertained the ladies in the back of the bus. The whole process, which usually takes me at least an hour was over in about 45 minutes, max. Myles wasn't freaked out at all.

I think it was Friday when I noticed all kinda of trash in the yard and parking area by my apartment. I don't know it someones trash can fell over and the stuff fell out, or if someone was just being lazy and threw it down. I knew it wasn't from my trash can because the trash was from stuff I don't use. I didn't pick it up though. When we got home Saturday the stuff was still out there. My hands were full, so I couldn't pick it up. Later that evening I had to get stuff out of the car and decided to pick up the trash. It wasn't until later when I though, hey, this counts as picking up trash. I hate seeing trash in yards..especially my yard, when it's not my trash.

While at work tonight, I finished reading my first new book, My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult. It was pretty good. I knew I was in store for some sad parts, so I wasn't surprised when I came across them. Luckily, no one saw me wiping away tears. Now that I'm on second shift, I'll have time to read and such. Now, I want to go see the movie. In my experience, books are almost always better than the movie. I'm not sure what I'll read next. It's so wonderful to be able to red something that's no school related.

After going to the library this morning, Myles and I headed to the park. I almost immediately saw trash just laying around. I wasn't prepared, with a bag to pick up trash, but decided to do it any way. After all, there are only about a million trash cans throughout the park (resulting in me being boggled..if there are so many trash cans, why don't people use them?) Myles asked me why we were picking up trash that wasn't ours. After I gave him an explanation, he said okay and helped me pick up more. We didn't pick up a ton, but some is better than none.

This evening I went to Morty's Comedy Joint with Kevin. The comedians were Jimmy Dore and a guy named Cleveland. We had a good time and the guys were funny. I was hoping to laugh so hard a had tears and stomach pains..unfortunately that didn't happen.

After leaving the club we were going to get some food, but everything we chose was closed. Then we were going to see a movie, but they all started too late. We drove around for awhile and then I decided I wanted to see my old house. It took three times to pass until I finally realized which one it was. It looked the same, but then it didn't. It has probably been about 20 years since I last saw it. A ton of memories came rushing back.

Myles and I tried a pluot (half plum, half apricot) today. It was quite tasty. I try to introduce Myles to new and different things. He was a bit turned off by the looks of it and reluctant to eat it, but as I cut into it, he immediately changed his thoughts. Although the outside isn't very pretty (Myles compared it to a potato), the inside is a gorgeous shade of red). I recently saw a segment on the fruit on one of the morning shows. They had it prepared in many different ways, so of which I would like to try. Hopefully, I can find the recipes. Next time we go to the store we're going to get some more.

I had my mom & stepdad and grandparents over for dinner tonight. My mom had been bugging me about making some baked ziti, so I surprised her with it. I made it from scratch almost five years ago, while I was pregnant with Myles, and hadn't made it since. I had to use a different recipe this time because I lost mine. I did alter it though. It was really good. It had to have been..I can't recall a time when I had seen them all eat so much. Of course, I ate way much. Oh, and it was the first time Myles and I had guest over for dinner.

This is the first picture taken to be used in the the mommy/son photo album.