Clinging To Windows… November 30, 2011

The older I get, the more I turn into my mother.  I cry at happy things (on occasion, I’m still me deep down), I am terrible about mailing things on time, and I love window clings.  Don’t get me wrong, I always liked the window clings that my mom had for every holiday.  I just really hated taking them down and putting them back on the sheet from which they came.  It was an impossible task, made more difficult by my need to line everything up perfectly.  As I grew older I vowed to never put the damn things on my own windows.  Fast forward to having my own apartment and I ignored my previous claim with reckless abandon.

I have clings for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter.  The only reason I don’t have them for Arbor Day or Fourth of July is because I haven’t found them.  Yet.

The good news, however, is that my beloved gel clings are much easier to put back on the sheet.  Which would make my job easier if I didn’t have so many.  But I’m no longer complaining.  As it turns out, no matter how hard I fight it, there are just some childhood memories that I will always cling to…

Showered With Thanks… November 28, 2011

So I am about fifty weeks behind on listing the things I’m thankful for.  But we all knew this would happen, didn’t we?  I guess I should be thankful that I’m very forgiving of myself.  If you knew what it was like to put up with myself, you’d be thankful too…

So today I am thankful for a few things, namely, early Christmas presents.  Now I love presents just as much as the next person.  I love surprises even more.  But what I love most is that people in my life know me so well and get so excited that I receive half my presents before the actual day.  Hades, it’s not even December yet.

My parental unit sent the nerdy science books that I wanted (and canNOT wait to dig into).  The moment I opened the box I made room for them on the shelf.  They look quite pretty. 

Dan bought me a gift card to get the Christmas sweater I yearned for (and to give me an excuse to shop on Black Friday).  It’s from Abercrombie.  But that’s a story for another time.  Seriously.

Kelly skillfully wrapped my present in paper towels after I correctly guessed what it was (I’m good, what can I say?).  It was perfect.  Plus I had cherry pie goo on my hands, so it was quite handy.

Which reminds me, I’m also thankful for pie.  Between Tuesday night and Saturday morning, I made four (count ‘em), four pies: chocolate, apple, pumpkin, and cherry.  Needless to say, I had an amazing Thanksgiving weekend.  I made the chocolate pie for our work potluck (more on that later too!) with delightful Cool Whip topping.  I’m drooling.  I made the apple pie to eat after dinner on Thursday since the pumpkin was a bit more labor intensive that I planned (and by planned, I mean that I looked up recipes the morning of).  But no worries, it was a delicious breakfast on Friday morning, a fantastic tradition back home.  Then, just because it sounded good and Sandwich and Kelly bought me the ingredients, I made a cherry pie.  By Sunday evening the pies were no more.  Which means that I’m also thankful for the weight I lost during the juice, which I’m pretty sure I gained back over the weekend.

So there you have it, a few more things I’m thankful for to make up for some of them that I’ve missed.  I bet you’re thankul too…

On Juicing… November 16, 2011

I’m starving.  Determined to stick this out, but starving. Mostly because I keep reading food blogs.  Oreos…

Home Comforts… November 15, 2011

Today I am thankful for flannel sheets.  I am especially thankful for cupcake flannel sheets.  (Happy Diabetes Day to Me, courtesy of the fam.)

There is just something awesome about crawling in between the sheets, especially when it is the first flannel sheet night of the year.  So comfy, so cozy.

On The Contrary… November 14, 2011

I was in (gasp!) Starbucks last week.  I’ve noticed this sign before but never paid it much attention.
When I got to thinking about it I realized how much I disagree with this statement.  Fall is by far my favorite season.  But that doesn’t mean I don’t miss the daylight.  Especially daylight that extends beyond my (longer than your typical) workday.

So, today, I’m thankful for the sunshine.  I prefer apple cider and cute boots to lemonade and flip flops, but this girl needs Vitamin D.  Or at least a greater opportunity to make it on my own…

To Your Health… November 13, 2011

Today I am thankful for my health.  I may have the diabetes, but I am otherwise healthy.  Actually, I am kinda healthy.  So in order to thank my body for being otherwise healthy, I’m on a 30-day health quest.

It started yesterday with my nose dive into P90X.  It was rough, but I did finished.  I plan to complete 30 days.  I know it’s not the full amount (as a math tutor I’m well aware that 30<90), but I like to make small, manageable goals.  And I'm pretty sure 30 days will be a top three personal record.  I'll keep you updated on how sore I am.  That's why I didn't blog yesterday, too many pushups (if you believe that one, I'm also starting up my own company and will need start-up donors…)

The other part started about an hour ago.  I’m juicing.  Green juicing.  A few weeks ago I watched a documentary called Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.  It was amazing.  I absolutely recommend that everyone watch it.  An Aussie has a very rare autoimmune disease and weighs about 300 pounds.  In an effort to get his health back on track and shed some kilos, he goes on a 60-day juice cleanse.  Within the first month he loses 30 pounds or something ridiculous like that.  I won’t spoil the ending (oh the suspense!) but I will tell you that it’s extremely inspiring.

I watched it again with Dan and Steve a few days ago.  It is highly motivating so Dan and I decided to give it a go.  I’m only juicing for 10 days and Dan will power through another 20.  Also, I plan to eat fresh fruits and vegetables along with the juice to ensure good blood sugars and enough strength to power through my workouts.

So, to make up for yesterday, I am also thankful that the juice isn’t revolting.  It tastes a lot like celery.  Which I can live with.  But probably for only ten days…

Nerds are Cool… November 11, 2011

Another perk of my new job…the nerdiness.  I’m surrounded by fellow nerds that can crack jokes about being a good cell mama and sing along to Caught in a Bad Project.

So today for the end of the world (11:11:11 on 11/11/11) we made commemorative tshirts.

And we also had a lab party in the conference room complete with “one” themed songs and delicious treats.

Needless to say it was a good day.  Not only did I add another sweet homemade tshirt to my collection but I also survived another ending of the world.  And thank goodness for the latter, I have yet to master my zombie-fighting skills…

Taking For Granted… November 11, 2011

Today I am thankful for the things I take for granted.  It’s not a quality that I’m proud to have, but it is a reality.  I have the luxury to take things for granted because of all the fortunes I have in my life.  As I browsed Facebook today I resisted the urge to follow suit and thank the veterans.  Why?  Because I would only be jumping on the train.  I only think about the sacrifice when it’s staring me in the face.  And I don’t like that.   So I’m also thankful for people who are willing to make these sacrifices so that I don’t have to.  My biggest worry of the day is whether or not I packed enough snacks.  And let’s be honest, I never do…

Manners November 9, 2011

Growing up my parents would make me do things I found ridiculous.  But today I am thankful they made me chew with my mouth closed.  In fact, every day I’m thankful for it.  There is just something so unappealing and flat out icky about open-mouth chewing.  Let alone chomping.  Oh the chomping!  It’s definitely one of my pet peeves.  (Sidenote: one of my kids asked me if I knew what pet peeves were and if I had any.  If he only knew…)

So today I would like to thank my parents (and all parents of the same mindset) for teaching manners.  I may put my elbows on the table and sometimes wipe my face with my sleeve.  But I will always chew with my mouth closed.  Always.

A Thank You Note… November 8, 2011

Dear Dr. Banting,

I would like to rain my thanks upon you.  Despite being born in Canada, you overcame the odds (like Celine Dion and Justin Bieber) to show the world your greatness.  And by greatness, I mean that you gave the world one of the greatest discoveries of all time.  I cannot help but be humbled by your many accomplishments.  Without you, I  truly wouldn’t be here today.  And that’s no lie.

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you, Dr. Banting, for taking time away from kicking ass in war and playing hockey to discover insulin.  You are a great man.  If you were here, I would kiss you right on the mouth.  And then give myself a shot.  Because I can only imagine how sweet that would be.

Happy Diabetes Day to you from a most gracious admirer of your work,

Becca, the nine-year diabetic

P.S. Since I imagine he’s eating donuts with you up there, please give Dr. Best my, well, best.  I’m sure he’s just as swell of a guy.