Parched.

Today I am grateful for parchment paper.

and I ain't talking bout no goatskin or calf skin parchment neither.

sorry. lame ghetto impersonation. moving on...

I'm not exactly sure when I decided to start using parchment paper with all my baking. Probably somewhere around the 20th or so cake that came out of the pan with half of it still stuck in it. acompanied by alot of curse words. alot. I tried other options. non-stick pans. crisco, lots of non-stick cooking spray. nothing worked. the universe was out to get my cakes and make them uneven!

(the universe is out to get me alot)

Then one day I saw the idea of using parchment paper as a cookie sheet liner. I don't even remember where I saw it. It was when we were living at are last apartment and I still had cable in my life, so maybe on the food network channel or something. anyway. I started thinking that if parchment paper works so well for cookies and such, I bet it would work as a cake pan liner too.

WHOOOOOOOOSHHHHHHH!

That was the sound of the earth shifting. for the better. my life will never be the same.

sounds dramatic I know. but it really is awesome. and now I feel kind of old. Hip 24 year old moms can get excited about parchment paper too. (I'll keep telling myself....) The cake just slides right out of the pan. no more sticking. I tried it with the cookie bars I sometimes make too. It was a beautiful sight. I wouldn't have even had to wash the pan if I didn't want to. and really? who ever really wants to wash a pan?

Tonight I am grateful for this non-stick revelation because I have been busy in my kitchen baking my sister's birthday cake. her 18th birthday cake. How in the hell did that happen? I was also making some treats to take to my best friend Ashley's puppy party tomorrow. so between the cake and the treats I was happy to have any step go a bit faster. and since the cake has three layers, but I only own two 8 inch round pans, having the ability to slide one of the finished cakes out of the pan right after it came out of the oven so I could start baking the next layer was very nice. If any of you bake I'm sure you'll agree with me. and if you don't bake but feel the urge, I suggest you try using the parchment paper. so you don't go postal when a giant chunk of your cake doesn't come out of the pan causing you to make the decision to never bake anything again.

Thanks for reading!
Lana

When in Rome.

Today I am grateful it's friday.

T.G.I.F., if you please.

I'm not usually grateful for fridays. don't get me wrong, I don't hate fridays. I don't spend my week going "No friday!! Please don't come!" well. maybe I do on occasion. but thats only because friday happens to be one of the two days a week I work.

anyhoo. as I've said I don't particularly dislike fridays, i just don't get super excited about them. The Marsh's work week always started on wednesday. so weekends weren't anything special to get excited about around here. and sure, I have the weekends off. but i also have monday, wednesday, and thursday off too. so while the rest of the world gears up for the weekend and proclaims loudly to the world "Thank God it's Friday!" my typical response is something alongs the lines of "is it monday yet?" people tend to condsider that a downer.

But today, this special friday, The Marsh and I both made it through our work day and now we have the next three days off. So this is me joining in with the masses. Viva la Friday! Normally I would be so excited by this amazingness that I would be drinking a bottle of wine and staying up all night watching foreign movies with The Marsh. but that isn't going to happen tonight. One, because I don't have any wine. *insert cranky face here* and two, becuase I just want to go to bed. The price paid to earn this three day weekend was The Marsh working his 12 hour shifts all week. and I was awake with him when he got up at 4:30 AM one morning too many. I've also spent most of this week squaring off against arch nemesis numero uno.

If she's this exhausting at 3, she's never allowed to grow up. I don't think I can handle her at 16. Meanwhile my mother is enjoying every second of this. If I ever believed in magic, i would believe the magical powers behind the phase "I hope you have a daughter just like you." Lucky for her she's too stinkin' cute for her own good. It saves her from more trouble. alot. come to think of it, she may get that from me too.

Now if you'll excuse me I have to start this weekend off with a hot date. with my pillow.

oh..and just to recap, I'm always grateful for food. hehe.

Thanks for reading!
Lana

ps. Thanks for sticking with me for 60 straight days! only 305 to go.

Hot Fudge Goodness.

Is it wrong to always be grateful for food?

Out of my 58 or so posts I think 49 have been about food.

Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating. It's been more like 47.

anyway. Tonight I went over to my Momma's for some wine. and some food. We had chop suey and coleslaw. very healthy.

maybe.

but then The Marsh picked me up and we were on our way home and I asked the question. "Are you hungry?"...and then he was all "i dont know, I might want McDonalds..blah blah blah" what I heard was "If he goes to McDonalds I can get an ice cream."

So then he decided he wasn't going to go. that he would just make something at home. and I let out an enormous sigh. and then he changed lanes because he hates it when I get all exasperated. and then he ordered a filet o fish just to be an ass. FISH IS GROSS. but I got my hot fudge sundae.

and in truth? I probably could have really done without it. It was all melted. and the hot fudge was no way shape or form hot. but it was still a little cup full of happiness for this girl. because my arms still hurt from my new yoga regiment.

I wish all of you could enjoy this little moment of contentment with me. I'm serious. as soon as you can run out and get a hot fudge sundae from McDonalds. It's only a dollar. and you kind of feel like you should hate yourself after. but mostly you just wish that you has been smart enough to order two.

Thanks for reading!
Lana

My Favorite Co-Worker.

Today I am grateful for being a member of my favorite team.

Let's call it, Team Mom and Dad.

There's me, of course, playing the role of Mommy. and then there is The Marsh playing the role of Dad.

To these little monsters.

Oh sure, they're adorable now. But you don't even want to know what I had to do to my toilet to get it to flush after my son was done with it today. and that little miss right there? she has attitude to the moon. she gets it from her father.

and while I wouldn't change one little thing about this crazy little life we've got going on here, there is no denying how challenging it can be to have two toddlers just 13 months apart in age. If there is anything in this world that I am absolutely grateful for, it's that I have The Marsh here drowning in the craziness with me. I have the highest respect for single parents. single moms, single dads, whatever. I am amazed at you. Rick Santorum be damned. When my son was 6 days old and I was exhausted I remember The Marsh took Bear downstairs for a little bit so I could try and take a nap. I looked right at him before he disappeared down the stairs and said "I don't know how anyone does this alone." of course, I do know. They just do it. It has to be done, they don't have a choice. But I count my blessings twice everyday that I'm not among them.

It's not as though today was particularly taxing. I managed to get some yoga in, cleaned the bathroom a little bit, picked up my living room, vacuumed, spent some time with my sister, and managed to keep my kids from tearing my house or each other apart. OH! and I also got up this morning at 6:00 am and took the trash and recyclables out because The Marsh forgot to on his rush out the door this morning. which wasn't exactly the highlight of my day, running out in the FREAKING snow in my nightgown and ugg boots. (note to self: be grateful we don't have close neighbors.) What I didn't get done today that I wanted to was the dishes. well, I DID load the dishwasher and run that. but I didn't wash the ones in the sink. but you know who did? The Marsh. right after he got home from work. without me even asking him. and it gets better. then he made me tacos. He's a keeper.

I always love it when The Marsh is home too. He works ALOT of hours, so I'm used to it just being my babes and I chilling (or you know, screaming and yelling) here at home. but when he comes home he jumps right in. He's never once made me feel like his job is more important than what I do staying home with the kids. He recognizes that we're a team. and that we've both had long and equally exhausting days. his just took place elsewhere. We make it through the evenings by tag teaming what needs to get done and spending time with the babes. and as I've mentioned before, I put Bear and G to bed and then The Marsh reads them their bedtime story. giving Mommy 10 minutes of alone time.

I came across this picture and thought it

was incredibly accurate.

So today and everyday I'm grateful for the little team The Marsh and I make. and that my co-worker is hot.

Thanks for reading!
Lana

Lost and Found.

Today... I am grateful that the trash guy comes on Wednesday.

Say what???

Yup.

Thanks Bill (that's our trash guy's name) for not picking up my trash until tomorrow. or else my husband might not have ever spoken to me again.

and you know, this whole thing doesn't work

if one of us is doomed to sleeping on the couch.

or as he put it "you should be grateful no one has to die today".....he's just a tad bit dramatic.

So what exactly was in the trash that was SOOO important that it didn't get picked up today. that would be The Marsh's keys. the key to his car. the spare key to my car. a house key. possibly even a key to the local adult education office that The Marsh works for part time. I don't keep an inventory of his keys. i just know that they are important. and it would really have sucked to try and replace them all.

I'm sure by now you've figured out that it may have possibly been my fault that they ended up there in the first place. But to be fair, he put them in a plastic bag. and then told me to put Georgie's melty ice cream cone in said bag when she was finished with it on saturday. I looked through the bag quickly before tossing it in the garbage, removed somethings, i can't remember exactly what, but I know I did take something out. but unfortunately, it wasn't his keys.

so The Marsh has been walking around since Saturday not knowing where his keys went. and then today he remembered that they were in the bag in my car. so he calls me at work and says "hey, I figured out where I left my keys! Where did you put that bag with the ice cream cone?"...uhh the only place you put a plastic bag with a melty ice cream cone? I didn't say that. call me psychic but I knew he wouldn't take it well. especially when I was about to send him dumpster diving. although it was more like garage trash can tipping. he was lucky enough to spot the bag at the bottom of one of the trash bags, so he just cut a hole in the bag and pulled out his keys. relatively no mess. no harm. no fowl, right? I'll just keep telling myself that.

So I am extremely grateful that he found his keys. I think the real thing to be thankful about is that he didn't have this revelation tomorrow. I've metioned before that The Marsh is in some serious need of some Ginko Biloba for his memory. If he had taken one more day to figure out where they were...well, i don't even want to think about that. I prefer it when my husband is actually speaking to me.

Thanks for reading!
Lana

Hodge Podge.

Today I am grateful for many things.

okay, maybe many is over doing it a bit.

Today I am grateful for a few things.

besides the obvious living, breathing sorts of things....

Lets see....

#1. I am grateful that the homemade meatballs I made today came out pretty damn good. I've never made meatballs from scratch before. It was suprisingly easy. I am giving myself very large pats on the back. I just used PW's recipe with a few variations. I didn't have parmesan cheese on hand, so I used mozzarella cheese instead. I didn't have fresh herbs either, so I just used an italian dry blend. It all worked out very nicely. Oh, I didn't use her sauce recipe this time, although I usually do, so in the future I would have made more sauce. It all cooked down so there wasn't very much extra other than what was on the meatballs. I will still be keeping this meal in the mental "win" column I have going on in my head for kitchen endeavors.

#2. I am grateful that there was enough wine left in the bottle for one last glass. It's a very nice bottle of Malbec that I managed to stretch out over the last three days. mostly because I still had some Cab Sav left on saturday when I picked up the bottle of Malbec. Either way I was grateful to have a glass to go with my delicious meatballs. and I am grateful that I remained outwardly calm when The Marsh said "Hey, do you want to share the last glass of wine with me?" Umm no. but I said yes. because I am an amazing wife. I am also grateful that when he said share he meant he was gonna take two sips and be done. The fact that I kept one hand on the wine glass while I was eating may or may not have effected his decision.

#3. I am grateful for Leonard Nimoy. and his amazing portrayal of Mr. Spock. whom I love. If I had to choose between Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, I would be Captain Kirk (who wouldn't) and I would keep Mr. Spock as my second in command for always. so I am grateful today, on Leonard Nimoy's 81st birthday, for the wonderful character he managed to bring to life. I was watching the Big Bang Theory the other day, and when the guys managed to convince Sheldon to join their physics bowl by quoting Spock's dying words at the end of The Wrath of Khan, I knew they were playing dirty. I mean, come on! Who can say no to that! "The needs of the many out weigh.." and Kirk says "the needs of the few..." and then back to Spock who says "or the one.." I get choked up just thinking about it. fighting dirty indeed.

#4/#5. I am grateful after a week I finally got my ihome power cord back from my mom's house. cooking dinner is just not the same without bon jovi. and who wants to wash dishes without Lady Gaga? Not this girl. I am also grateful that I bought a pretty new spring dress last friday. and I'm going to wear it to work tomorrow. why am I grateful for that? because it means it's spring, of course.
You know what meatballs, wine, mr. spock, music, a pretty dress, and spring have in common? they make me happy. and in my house, everyone is always grateful for that.

Thanks for reading!
Lana

Movie Adaptations.

Today I am grateful for movie adaptations.

I've been recently thinking about great books that are brought to life through film. and while I would almost always say the book is still better (almost, I'm looking at you Gone With The Wind) I can't imagine not liking a movie that was based off a book I loved.

Lets start off with The Hunger Games because it just came out into the theater. Was it as good as the book? No. but really, it would take more than just movie magic and certainly more than a PG-13 rating to be so. Does that mean it was a bad movie? No way. In fact it was a great movie. There were so many things that I loved seeing played out before my eyes. Katniss volunteering. Peeta's interview. even though they changed somethings around, I still find myself thinking "I can't wait for the next one!"

It definately made me fall in so much more in love with Peeta.

continuing on...The Davinci Code and Angels and Demons. I love Robert Langdon. He's one of my FAVORITE fictional characters. and I enjoyed both movies very much. The storylines in each novel were intensely complicated. there was so much information coming at you all the time. I applaud anyone for taking on the project of these movies. Sure, somethings were left out or changed. But I think these movies would have been four hours each otherwise. which is usually the case with most movie adaptations. I think they did a great job bringing it to life. and I love that Tom Hanks was cast to play the part of Robert. It's actually very rare when I read a book to picture the actor who portrays that character in the movie as the character when I'm reading. did you follow that? anybody? The point is, by the time I watch the story play out on the big screen I already have what a character looks like in my mind. sometimes the actor or actress is pretty spot on. sometimes it's way off (hello Joe Morelli in One For The Money), but it never changes how I picture the character when I read. But when I read The Davinci Code, you can bet your ass I'm picturing Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon.

I hate to even admit this, but I saw the early Harry Potter movies before I actually read the books. Ok, well I read part of The Chamber of Secrets but not enough to really get what was going on. and I loved the movies so much that I read the books. and LOVED them. and now I actually love the books way more than the movies. The movies leave so much out, change things that to me seem crucial, and add in moments that never happened in the stories. and I'm pretty much okay with that. because short of the real Harry Potter showing up and saying "hey, come follow me around Hogwarts" these movies are the closest any of us are ever going to get to seeing this beautiful story come alive. and I'm grateful to have grown up with the books and the movies.

There are movies out there that I absolutely love that are based on books. some I'm ashamed to say that I've never read. but I know I need to based on the movie alone. Can you say Shawshank Redemption? One of the greatest movies of all time. I've heard that the book can be a little slow moving but I have a hard time believing I wouldn't love it. just because I already love the characters so much. and moving on with The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I haven't read it yet. and honestly, if I didn't love the movies so much I don't think I would ever really want to. But I just know there has to be more to the story. little details that I bet run through the novels but aren't anywhere in the movies. I want to know those things. so one day I will read them. and ok I'm sure I'll picture Aragorn as Viggo Mortensen. but come on, wouldn't you?

Sometimes it does happen. Movies that other people think are completely amazing, you find yourself disappointed with because it just didn't live up to the book. Suddenly you're a social outcast because everytime someone goes on and on about how amazing The Green Mile was you're the first to say "The book was better." But I would rather be able to watch a movie based off a favorite book and judge how well the directors and the actors did then to never even be given the option. Could you imagine never seeing a favorite book played out on the big screen? ever? I mean we all know that Twilight certainly wasn't going to be winning any Oscars anytime soon but it doesn't stop me from squealing like a 15 old girl whenever I watch it. even the bad movie adaptations make me grateful because at least they were made.

There are books I own and love that I know will never be made into movies. One of my favorite series of all time will most likely never be put to film. and if they did they would butcher it. they would leave things out. skip over so much detail and history. totally change things. and absolutely piss me off. But you know what? I would be the first person in line to buy tickets. and I would love it. because I love the story.

Thanks for reading!
Lana

ps. I know I didn't mention Pride and Prejudice. which is, of course, my favorite book. Why? because I still can't choose between this...

or this.

Weekend Bliss.

Today I am grateful for the weekend.

Because this weekend is being spent with The Marsh and my babes.

and yes, I do spend every weekend with The Marsh and my babes. but this weekend? The Marsh isn't working. I blogged a few weeks ago about The Marsh switching up his work schedule for a little bit and one of the perks from this is the occasional weekend off. and this was our first weekend to really enjoy it.

Sure, he was home last weekend. but it was St. Patrick's Day. and my sister spent the weekend with us. and we had a party. and we had alot of fun.

Obviously.

But it wasn't that quiet, family oriented weekend we were looking foward to. This weekend is.

The morning started off with the babes coming into our room and demanding The Marsh get up and make them breakfast. (this is only something they do when he is home. They associate me with cereal) I enjoyed a few extra minutes of sleep that I'm not normally lucky enough to get. and then I got up and enjoyed an equally quiet cup of coffee because the babes and The Marsh went outside to play. on a saturday morning! this is big stuff in our house. Eventually everyone came back inside and B & G enjoyed a movie while The Marsh and I began planning our veggie garden. or I guess started planning our two small vegtable garden beds and various potted pepper plants is more accurate.

We then went to Sams Club. which happens to be one of my favorite places. for various reasons. (note to self: be grateful for sams club.) and after leaving sams club with my brand new beach umbrella, we went to Dairy Queen for some ice cream. the babes got vanilla cones and The Marsh and I got blizzards because they were buy one get one for .99 cents. (note to self: be grateful for BOGO) We did some more quick grocery shopping then headed home. The Marsh and the babes stayed outside to play ball for a while and I reorganized my pantry. which I've convinced myself totally counts as my spring cleaning for the season. We had a light dinner. The Marsh and Brey played some Dragon Quest while George played Disney Jr. online. I read my new issue of Better Homes and Gardens. because I'm such a badass, of course. I did have a glass of wine while I read it though. Does that make me more of a 40 year old woman or less??

anyway, i'm sure this doesn't sound very exciting. and you know why? because it's something alot of other families do EVERY single weekend. but we don't. The Marsh and I have one day off together usually. and it's Monday. sounds awesome, right?

So today I am grateful for our average family saturday. and the best part is that the weekend isn't over. I get to do it all over again tomorrow. and I'm grateful for that too.

Heart Healthy.

Today I am grateful to be healthy.

Well for the most part. I run. I do yoga. I'm also occasionally grateful for wendy's. so I say for the most part.

But bad eating habits aside, I am healthy. and The Marsh is healthy. and my babes are healthy.

Have you taken a moment to just be grateful that all of your organs work properly today? I know I have. I spoke with a man today who happens to be a diabetic. His diabetes has caused kidney failure and he's now in the process of getting on the transplant list for new ones. in the meantime he has dialysis three times a week. and he's 32 years old.

32 years old.

Thats 8 years older than I am. and only 3 years older than The Marsh.

It's incredibly tragic. and this man has two children. After I spoke with him all I could think about is how lucky my little family is right now. Obviously as a whole we're not untouched by sickness because my father-in-law is battling cancer right now. but all of The Marsh and my's organs are in fine working order. and with any luck we'll stay this way.

We're sure to test out our liver funtionality every so often.

My children are also functioning within normal parameters. (said in spock voice) and I am SOO grateful for that. I'm sure most mothers are. but I am especially grateful because there was the slightest chance that they wouldn't be. a 3% chance to be exact.

The Marsh was born with a "leaky valve" in his heart as he describes it and had to have open heart surgery when he was 24 months old. and there was a 3% chance that my babes could have been born with the same heart defect. When we were pregnant with my son we had to go to a special doctor's office to have our ultrasound so that his heart could be examined closely while he was still in the womb. He passed his exam with flying colors.

When I went for this same ultrasound when I was pregnant with my daughter, the doctor looked at me and said "I can't tell at this point if she has a heart defect or not. you'll need to come back when you're 32 weeks along for another ultrasound." I was 19 weeks at the time. and it was the longest 13 weeks of my life. and when we eventually went back we found out that she was fine as well.

but it was scary there for a minute. there could have been have been a need for surgery. it's definately an easier process than it was 26 years ago when The Marsh had it, but I'm grateful everyday it never came to that. as a small thank you to the world everytime someone asks me if I want to donate to the local children's hospital, St. Jude's, or the children's miracle network I say yes.

I hope all of you out there, if you're lucky enough to be healthy, takes a moment just to be happy. I know life sometimes can seem pretty rough. But unless it's end stage renal failure rough, it wasn't really that bad.

Thanks for reading!

Lana

Happy Hunger Games.

Today I am grateful for the Hunger Games Movie.

and the fact that I am going to see the movie tonight at midnight.

I keep watching the trailer over and over again. I'm so stoked!

So please excuse the short blog tonight. I am losing basically all my sleep tonight in order to watch this movie. so I am trying to relax as much as possible before heading out. I hope eveyone has a great night and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Thanks for reading!
Lana

Corpse Pose.

Today I am grateful for yoga.

For years I have wanted to try yoga. Last spring when I started running I knew I needed to start doing some type of excersize to work out my abs and core because I didn't want to have any back pain. Any potential new runners out there? Don't run without working your core. your back will stop speaking to you. or you know, stop working. anyway, I knew I needed the core work, but I hate crunches. and sit ups. I have a decent sized chest and I feel like it's suffocating me when I attempt to do either. So I thought, maybe I'll give yoga a try.

I ordered The Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga because I love that show and love Bob Harper.

and I love to look at him

Everyone on the show always talks about how intense Bob's yoga sessions are so I figured this would be a good place to start. I really enjoy it. well, I'm not quite sure "enjoy" is the right word. usually while I'm doing it I'm cursing Bob's name. But it definately works. after doing it all last summer I wouldn't say I really lost any weight, but I definatley could tell i was leaner. and I had some new muscles I didn't have before.

The website Hulu also has a ton of yoga videos as well. I've recently done a few of them and I think the cardio yoga is my favorite. It's one of the Wake up with Gaiam videos.

I'm really glad I started trying yoga. It can be a peaceful, meditative experience. or it can be pretty intense. there have been sessions that I've done and the sweat is just pouring off me. I couldn't even imagine doing bikram yoga. those studios are heated to 105 degrees! (although I've heard that it's really good cross training for runners. It helps with endurance and breathing control). i'm not particularly flexible. nor do i have the greatest balance, but I still manage to do okay. Plus, I have some old knee injuries, so running puts enough stress on them as it is. I like my cross training to be a good workout, but easy on the legs.

I think I've reached the point where I'm ready to try a yoga studio. I'm debating if I should take a beginners class because I've never been to a studio before or if I should just try and jump into an easy/moderate level class. There are a few around here that I've looked into. the only thing that has stopped me from going so far is time. I already head out a couple times a week to run in the evening after my husband gets home. The idea of finding time to go to a yoga class as well just seems crazy. I know that there are a ton of mothers out there who manage this kind of thing but I just haven't figured out how to do it yet. Maybe i'll just invest in another couple DVDs that I can follow along to while the children are home for the next year or two. Then I can start going to a studio while they're in school. That seems like a very stay at home mom thing to do. People shall ask "oh, what is it that you do all day while your children are in school?" and I'll reply "Well, I go to my yoga class. and then come home and have a margarita while baking cupcakes."

That'll be me. Living the dream.

If any of you are considering yoga I HIGHLY recommend it. and while I haven't been so diligent in my practice lately, I fully intend to get back on the bandwagon and do it at least twice a week. reason number one being summer and bathing suit season are coming. reason number two being that my sister and I practiced this afternoon and I'm almost embarrassed by how fucking out of shape i was. So the plan is to do more yoga. and enjoy more yoga. which should lead to enjoying more life. and who isn't grateful for that?

Thanks for reading!
Lana

Food For Thought.

Today I am grateful to be an adult.

this comes and goes.

Obviously.

My reasons for being grateful today involve food.

What does being an adult and food have in common?

The right to choose.

I started thinking about this more and more after having a conversation with a co-worker last week about deer meat. which I will never eat. and she wasn't feeling to fond of it either. she had tried some the night before at her boyfriend's house for dinner. and while I know he didn't "force" her to eat it, I would say she felt a little bit obligated. I mean when someone takes the time to cook you a meal you certainly don't want to be rude and not eat it right?

and yet I can tell you with absolute certainty that I would never in a MILLION years have eaten it.

yea. that's not happening.

You can add it to list of other foods that I will never eat.

Moose.

Bear.

Elk.

Caribou.

Buffalo.

Alligator.

Anything you generally might consider "big game".

Horse.

Lamb. (because it's not okay to eat babies)

Sheep.

Veal. (because it's not okay to eat babies)

Snails.

Meatloaf.

Baked Beans.

Bananas.

99% of anything thats swims (or crawls) in a body of water.

Fish are friends. not food.

I'm not exaggerating when I say I will never eat these things. I honestly never will. Some I won't eat on principle, like lamb and veal. some I have never tried and never will because i am just not that brave, ie. alligator. and some I was forced to eat growing up. so I will never touch them again. I hate baked beans. and i really hate meatloaf.  One of the greatest parts about growing up for me was the ability to say "no thanks, I'd rather not" when it comes to food. I promised myself when I moved out of my mother's house that I would never eat another bite of meatloaf again. and so far so good. The Marsh likes it, so unfortunately for him he doesn't get to eat it very often. but sometimes his mom makes it and he has some. I usually cook a frozed pizza instead.

and while becoming an adult certainly has it's downsides, like you know, paying the bills. (unless you were smart enough to get a smart/hott guy named The Marsh to pay them for you) It certainly has it's advantages. I make my own rules. and one of those rules is "No eating foods that are spelled weird" I'm not kidding. I'll never eat a quiche based on it's spelling alone. and there is no one there forcing me too.  I'm totally in control of my own food. 90% of the time my diet is boring. sometimes I venture out of my little shell when I'm on vacation. or when I'm feeling kind enough to throw The Marsh a bone when he asks me to try something. But I decide when and what.

I think all the headaches that come with being an adult are totally justified by being able to control my own food intake. and I know I'm not crazy. Everebody has that one food out there that their mom made them eat growing up that they hated right? I'm sure lots of people are grateful to grow up and never be force fed baked beans again. although come to thinkof it baked beans are the one food The Marsh is actually pretty pushy about me eating. maybe after the next five years of death stares he'll take the hint it's never gonna happen.

Thanks for reading!

Lana

Creeper Part 2.

Today I am grateful that I love my daughter so much.

and my cat so much.

because they were both nice enough to present me with ticks this afternoon. I'm pretty sure this is some kind of cosmic jinx. the world is all 'oh so you aren't bothered by the bugs around your house?' BAM! bugs to the max!

ok, so it's pretty unlikely the world has it out for me. but today I had ants crawling on me, had to kill 2 spiders (once was to save my son, who DOES NOT like spiders) and, as previously mentioned, presented two ticks.

BLECK!

Tick incident #1 happened this afternoon while I was eating my lunch. The babes and I came inside from playing to eat some food. and after the babes finished, there i was, blissfully unaware as I ate my soup the grossness that was about to occur. Miss Georgie walked right up to me as innocent as can be and said "Mama, I have a present for you!" and then she stuck out her hand. charmed by her cuteness I opened up my hand and in it she placed a tick. not just any tick. but a fully engorged tick.

DOUBLE BLECK!

it was my love for her that saved me from throwing it back at her. to be fair, she didn't really know what she was handing me. I screamed like a little bitch kept myself calm and collected as to not scare the day lights out of her. then I wrapped the fucker up in a paper towel and smooshed it. I'm pretty sure "smooshed" is the technical term for it. I looked my children over carefully but it doesn't appear to have come from them. I'm sure it was on Tempe, and then when it got so full of blood (TRIPLE BLECK!) it dropped off. Its not the first time its happened. nor the second. and unfortunately it won't be the last.

which brings me to the love i have for my cat. which allowed me to pull ANOTHER tick out of the back of his neck tonight when he came inside for dinner. because even though I can admit that the bugs around here aren't too too bad, that does not in any way shape or form make me a bug person. but like all the other gross things you have to deal with when parenting, I take one for the team and get the bugs off my kitty instead of making him wait for The Marsh to get home.

If it was anyone other than my daughter or my son (and to be fair last summer I actually made my brother take a tick off my son) or my cat, all of whom I love so dearly, I think I would have gone just a little bit insane by all the creepy creepers today. so I'm grateful i managed to get through it like a good mom. with only one or two girly screams.

and world? I've got my eyes on you.

Thanks for reading!
Lana

Creeper.

Today I am grateful for LOCATION.

Really? Location?

You can bet your bottom dollar.

You see, the weather in New England has been absolutely beautiful this weekend. 60 plus degress. I sat outside today reading in shorts and a tshirt. The fact that it's only mid-march has no affect on my wardrobe. I've been rocking flip flops all winter anyway. and while I was chilling out in the beautiful sunshine completely absorbed in my novel, I felt it. The first sure sign of spring. something freaking gross crawling on my foot.

a big gross black carpenter ant. (note to self: be grateful it wasn't a spider)

Cheesy? yes. but it cracked me up!

I didn't over react about it or anything. just flicked it off and went back to my book. ants around these parts are pretty harmless. Unfortunately for him he'll have a short life anyway. He reminded me that I have an unopened bag of bug killer pellets in my garage that I can spread out over my lawn and driveway. I'll be spreading them soon. you can assume I said 'soon' in a very ominous voice.

There has actually already been one ant massacre at our house this spring. earlier in the week when The Marsh watered our cactus a TON of ants crawled out from underneath the pot. The Marsh douced them with some organic bug killer. I've sprayed the area again. twice. you know, just in case. I'm glad it was him that this happened to and not me. I would have flipped my shit. there really were alot of them.

ANYWAY. the reason I am grateful for LOCATION is because as gross and creepy as I find all the little bugs that will be hanging around my heavily wooded property this summer, they are nothing compared to the freaking creepy crawleys that live in other parts of the country.

Sure we get some gross ants. but they're not fire ants. and we get spiders. some pretty decent sized ones too because we live in the woods. But my idea of decent sized is no where near what decent sized means elsewhere. When my brother was in the military and he used to go into the woods for training in Texas he would come across ones as big as his hand or larger. Everything really is bigger in Texas. NO THANKS. and the ones here aren't poisonous. in fact, nothing here is. those little garden snakes that come around on occasion? not poisonous. and there aren't any freaking scorpions either.

not only am I grateful that I don't have to encounter any of those creeptastic bastards, I'm grateful that my babes can play outside without having to worry about them. I don't know how people can even breathe when their children are outside playing, knowing there are water moccasins or rattle snakes or black widows or KILLER BEES. God, I need to stop thinking about this. I suppose if you grow up in those sort of environments you understand the dangers and know what to look for. but I would still have a very very hard time. I think the biggest problem around here are the deer ticks, because they can spread lyme disease. but even that can be prevented most of the time. not always because some of those fuckers are SOOO tiny, but we just make it a point at our house to check ourselves after playing outside. Is it obnoxious? Sure. But I'll take it over the alternative any day.

So tonight I go to bed grateful that my babes live someplace relatively safe. at least in the buggy department. I'm also grateful for the lack or other dangerous animals, such as alligators. but if I were you I would stay away from the baby moose, Mama Moose will take you out.

Thanks for reading!
Lana

St. Patrick's Day.

Today I am grateful for my adorable babes.

Why?

Because they let me dress them up in silly green t-shirts for St. Patrick's Day without too much of a fuss. They also stopped and posed for a very short amount of time so I could take their annual St. Patrick's Day photo.

My Heart.

Getting a picture of the two of them together is a process. But I think we managed to get a super cute picture today, don't you? Yes. Of course you do.

I hope everyone has a fun filled and safe St. Patrick's Day!

Here's a small glimpse into what in store for me tonight..



Yes. I am grateful for jello shots too.

Thanks for reading!

Lana

Penmanship.

Today I am grateful for penmanship.

or good penmanship, rather.

Growing up I've always have good handwriting. and I've always kind of taken it in stride. Some people have good handwriting and some people have bad handwriting. thats just how the world works.

but what I didn't realize is that ability to write well really comes in handy when you have to paint words. like on nine different T-shirts.

My family and I all decided we wanted cheesy (and somewhat inappropriate) St. Patrick's Day t-shirts. and rather than spend a ton of money ordering them we decided to just get a bunch of plain green and white shirts to paint phrases on. I didn't buy any extra tshirts, so the need to not fuck them up was important. I was really nervous on the first one. My little sister, Emily, suggested trying to stencil the words out in pencil ahead of time. you know, before painting and realizing something won't fit. It was a very very good idea. but by the end of it I wasn't pre-writing anything anymore. I just sort of got the hang of it. and I'm glad that the letters look nice.

The Marsh came home last night after I had painted the first five and told me how impressed he was with my steady hand at painting. He gives me credit for having a creative gene. and while I think that I am creative in many ways, I am honestly chalking this win up to great penmanship, because i don't think I could have painted the letters so nice or so well without it.

so even though I've always been glad to have pretty handwriting, I'm taking a moment to be grateful that I have such nice handwriting because it means I didn't screw up all our party t-shirts for tomorrow. However, my hands would like to let you know that they are completely UNgrateful, because they had to paint all nine t-shirts by themself.

Oh, and I'll be sure to post some pictures of said shirts after our little party tomorrow night. Woot!

Thanks for reading!
Lana

Satisfied.

Tonight I'm grateful to have satisfied a craving.

I've been craving this particular food for about 3 weeks give or take.

Why haven't I given in before tonight? Well, I really don't have a great answer for that, but i'm sure I can find a way to blame The Marsh. cause that's what I do when I don't get something I want.

and exactly what was I craving? what was I deliciously dreaming about?

Wendy's new Asiago Ranch Chicken Club.

please ignore my 600 calories.

I know. Here I am corrupting America further by rejoicing in some fast food. Well if being grateful for this bad boy is wrong, then I don't want to be right. It's delicious. as most things that are bad for you are. I digress...

I tried this little slice of perfection for the first time on news years day when The Marsh and I stopped for a quick bite before seeing the american version of The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo. (which was very good, btw) and I've pretty much been wanting another one since I finished the first one. The Marsh said and I quote "You should be grateful to anyone who came up with the brilliant idea to add (to the already spectacular bacon and ranch combination) zesty chicken and funny named cheese." Do I concur? Oh yes. I concur.

except for the little part where The Marsh didn't get any me any french fries. because he didn't hear me asking him on the phone to pick me up some. Trust me. I did. even my mother who was standing the room with me said I asked him at least 4 times. He, however, is sticking to his story. So while I find myself feeling satisfied to have fulfilled my craving at last, I'm only giving it 4 out 5 possible stars. because you know, no fries.

and now I've given you another excellent example of first world problems.

Thanks for reading!

Lana

Non-Stop.

Today I am grateful for My father-in-law.

He just called up The Marsh and said he found some reasonably priced airfare to Florida for October.

and it's for non-stop flights.

This may or may not be my emotional reaction to

such blessed news.

A few weeks ago after a positive conversation with his dad about his chemo, The Marsh said to me. "I think we should think about going back to disney. You mentioned Kris wanted to go to the food and wine festival right?"  and inside my mind i was like HECK YES! Food and Wine festival here I come!! but the shock of hearing my normally super frugal husband utter such words only a few short months after our last trip had me proceeding with caution. I didn't want to scare him off. "You mean, like this year? as in October 2012?" and The Marsh says the most beautiful word a woman can here. "Yes." The above picture also portrays my emotional reaction that day.

and even though I have told you all how much I love The Happiest Place on Earth, there is one teeny tiny problem.

I HATE FLYING.

Oh yes I do. Ok, so I am generally ok once we're up in the air if I can convince myself not to think too much about it. But the take off and the landing? HELL. When we flew down last december we opted to buy the tickets that had a layover in JFK for a couple different reasons.
1. It was cheaper. and we had 4 tickets to buy this time because my children were coming down too.
2. It was my children's first time flying, so a stop half way through would be nice in case they didn't handle it well.

Good reasons aside, I was dreading that flight. My sister Kris and I hit the bar in the airport before getting on the plane. she doesn't like to fly either. and yes, it was 10:30 in the morning.

 My babes thought flying was awesome. they weren't phased at all.

Georgie just chillin' on the plane. No Biggie.

and even though the layover went smoothly and the plane ride was fine, when Kris and I found out our return flight was non-stop can you guess our emotional reaction?

Praise Jesus!

Up until now the plans for Disney in October have been wishy washy.  We really wanted to go and have another trip down in florida with The Marsh's parents. but we wanted to make sure his dad was feeling up to the trip. Tonight when The Marsh's parents came for a quick visit with the babes, we discussed dates and resorts. about 45 minutes to an hour after they left Bob called with the flight information. I had already said to The Marsh earlier in the night that we'll probably have to stop in JFK again to get a decent priced flight. (all the while secretly wishing there was some way to fly non-stop) But Bob managed to find decent priced flights while still getting non-stop. I'm so grateful. and surely I would be grateful even if they weren't non-stop, because hey, I'm headed on vacation. What's not to be grateful for?? But you know, they are, so I might as well be freaking excited about it!

The Marsh told his Dad to book em. and his Dad said he already had. so now my plans aren't so wishy washy. Which means I'm going back to Disney in 7 months. Heck YES! I'm grateful for that too.

Thanks for reading!

Lana

Savvy Shopper.

Today I am grateful for a dress.

not just any dress. a beautiful dress.

not just a beautiful dress, but a perfectly fitting beautiful dress.

not just a perfectly fitting beautiful dress, but an INEXPENSIVE perfectly fitting beautiful dress.

not just a...ok ok. I think you may get my point. I'm grateful for a dress, jeez.

but not just any dre...OK! I'm really done now! maybe.

Anyway, this afternoon when I was doing some quick shopping to pick up 8 different t-shirts to decorate for my family to wear at a certain shindig coming up this weekend (more on that to come later) I decided to stop in to Dress Barn for some quick browsing.

You see I have this very awesome friend named David. and next month The Marsh and I are headed to Boston to see him marry his very beautiful wife, Alison. yes, I said wife. David and Alison were technically married in a small ceremony last November. Next month is going to be what I like to call "The Main Event". (more on that to come later, too).

My point, ladies and gentlemen is that I need a dress. correction, I needed a dress. because today I found THE dress. It's a very pretty steel grey color and is relatively simple, but still has enough detail to be interesting. perfect. what makes this dress even more perfect? The price tag. The original price for the dress was $69.99. and to be fair thats really not a horrible price. but this dress in all of it's awesomeness was on clearance. for 60% off. WORD. I tried to find a picture of it on the website to post here, but it's not on there anymore. after trying it on to make sure this little piece of heaven would actually fit (and it did. perfectly!!) I took that bad boy up to the register with purpose. "Yes, I would like to buy this dress. No, I'm not even one iota worried about whether or not The Marsh will be pissed about an impulse purchase." I know, I'm such a bad ass. The sales lady, looking super impressed with my confident self i might add, rung me up and said that will be $29 please. 29 dollars. It makes me tear up just thinking about it...

I know it sounds silly to get so excited about a dress being on sale, but making this trip to Boston isn't going to be without its costs. don't misunderstand me, it's money I'm more than willing to spend. I met David when I was 17 and still consider him to be one of my favorite people. and not only did he make it up to my wedding, he ended up DJing it when ours fell through. He still tells me he is going to make me DJ his. I'm glad Alison has enough sense to know that this would be very bad. Anyway, we're driving 3 and 1/2 hours both ways. so there's gas money. we have to pay for parking in the city. and we've managed to snag a room at the hotel the wedding is taking place at. and even though we got it for a special rate, this place is SUPER nice. Super nice and inexpensive don't often hold hands. plus we have to get The Marsh a suit. which he is kind of over due for anyway. So yea, I'm grateful knowing I managed to snag a beautiful dress with out spending a pretty on it.

and not just any beautiful dre...ALRIGHT! I'm really done.....maybe

Thanks for reading!
Lana

Vitamin D.

Today I am grateful for the beautiful weather.

It was gorgeous outside.

60 degrees in new england. I almost busted out the sun screen just so it would smell like summer. It almost felt like it was. After months of being cooped up inside, my kids jumped at the opportunity to play outside.



They were running around in sweatshirts. so much better than having to get all bundled up in their winter jackets and hats. Brey was "ice skating" on the left over ice.

and Georgie took the opportunity to get some swinging in after months of going without.



and while they ran around expending energy and generally acting like crazy people, I pulled out my trusty Sams Club fold up patio chair and sat in my driveway soaking up as much Vitamin D as possible while reading a Sookie Stackhouse novel. It was kind of perfect. and I count my blessings everyday for how often I get to think "today was a perfect."

I seriously hope this spring weather lasts. it was refreshing. not that this winter has been so awful, but come on. spring is always better than winter. Of course, its only March 12th. a week ago we had over a foot of snow on the ground. it's entirely possible that next week we'll get another foot. but today the weather was nice enough to cure my children's and my cabin fever. so I'm grateful for today.

Thanks for reading!

Lana

2. 2. 3.

Today I am grateful that The Marsh is starting a new job schedule tomorrow.

I think.

For the last 3 and 1/2 years he's worked 10 8 hour days, with overtime thrown in frequently. He has two days off a week, one of which is a day that I venture out into my own workforce. so it's not spent together. He spends it with the babes, though. It's good father/children bonding time. and it saves us on daycare. Now, this doesn't sound like alot of time spent at work. but The Marsh has a hard time delegating and usually ends up staying at work way later than quitting time. It's been better lately, but I we still miss him. I still miss him.

Tomorrow morning The Marsh will be starting a new schedule of 12 hour days. How is that better? We're hoping that it will be better because he is working the 2 2 3 sequence. 2 days on. 2 days off. 3 days on. 2 days off. 2 days on. 3 days off.

Follow that?

the point is, he won't be working more than 3 days in a row. and every other week he'll have a three day weekend. if everything works out, this should equal to more days off together. More days to spend as a family together.

This is sort of one giant experiment. I mean we've never handled this kind of schedule before. so there is a chance this could completely blow up in our face. and it's not a guaranteed schedule either. It could change back. this is why I THINK I'm grateful. but not completely sure yet. right now I'm just trying to focus on the positive things. like more time together.

It could mean that The Marsh can start to join in on the fun a little bit more. The Marsh has worked weekends the last 3 and 1/2 years as well. so he always has to get up the next morning after every get together. after every birthday party. last year he even left my birthday party early so he could go home and get some sleep before going into work the next morning. and I didn't blame him. My sister-in-law and I stayed out til 3ish in the morning for my birthday party. But i still wish that The Marsh could have stayed. that he could have joined in the fun more too. We never get to have his birthday party on a day that he doesn't have to work after. or he always has to duck out early. Remember how I made him dress up as Mr. Spock for Halloween?

He had to leave early that night too. Lame.

and this coming saturday is going to be another fun party at my Momma's house. for St. Patrick's Day. And while I've been super excited for this ever since we decided to have the party, I was sad because I knew that The Marsh would only get to enjoy the party for a little bit. That he would go home before me. and the next day I would have to recap what happened after he left. (the parts I can remember anyway) BUT with his new schedule starting this week, he's going to be off from work this weekend. The ENTIRE weekend. so there will be no going home early for The Marsh this time. He's finally free to party hardy with the rest of us. But not too hardy. between you and me The Marsh doesn't always hold his liquor so well. and it's not pretty.

So here's to hoping that 2 2 3 works. That he'll be home more and that we'll get more time together. I'm always grateful for more family time. and I'm grateful for everyday with The Marsh.

Thanks for reading!

Lana

Wendy & Warren

Tonight i am grateful for my very good friends, Warren and Wendy.

You know how when you enter into a comitted relationship with someone you always end up getting more then just them? you get their stuff. you get their family. you get their friends.

Wendy and Warren were part of The Marsh's package. Warren and The Marsh have been best friends for years. Warren started dating Wendy when they were all in high school and they got married the year after graduation. so the three of them were friends well before I came into the picture.

I was nervous when I met them because I knew how much The Marsh cared about Warren, so I wanted him to like me. I also know that if the wife doesn't like you you're pretty much screwed, so I wanted Wendy to like me too. and lucky for me, they did. and I love them.

The Marsh and Warren had gotten out of touch for a couple years before I met The Marsh. One day when we were living in our apartment together before we got married, I got a message on myspace from wendy (who said she was warren) and said that they would really love to see him again. Their timing was perfect, The Marsh and I had just recently gotten engaged and I knew that The Marsh wanted to ask Warren to be a groomsmen, even if it had been a few years since he had seen them. and of course, Warren agreed, as The Marsh was his best man when he married Wendy.

Look at those two sexy beasts.

and while for some reasons that I won't get into right now Warren wasn't technically The Marsh's best man, he really was. He was there to help The Marsh decorate the hall, he gave a funny and very touching speech, and danced the night away with my baby sisters. He was everything the perfect best man should be. and I know when The Marsh thinks back to our wedding day he considers Warren his best man.

and Warren is even more awesome because he is married to Wendy. Its very rare for me to instantly like people. it's even more rare for people to instantly like me. I've accepted that and I'm okay with it. But I loved Wendy from the start. We just clicked. We love alot of the same people things. We hate alot of the same people things. We're a match made in heaven. So when my older sister got pregnant with a due date of the week before my wedding I knew that I needed to find another bridesmaid. and my mind instantly went to Wendy. even though I hadn't known her that long, I knew that I wanted her to share that special day with me, because I knew without a doubt that she wasn't going anywhere as a friend. we were both in this friendship for the long haul. having husbands who were best friends was just a perk.

I seriously love her. all my smiles were just a little

bit bigger in my pictures with her.

and so far so good. Warren and Wendy have been there for us whenever we have needed a friend. or two.

Like staying close by at The Marsh and Warren's 10 year class reunion because I had no idea who almost everyone was. and  they know that The Marsh and I will be there for them if they ever needed anything. Like staying close by at The Marsh and Warren's 10 year class reunion because unfortunately, Wendy did.

Wendy and I can obviously take or leave the boys.



When all of them get together and start talking about the old days it cracks me up. I love seeing The Marsh that happy and I feel bad that i can't relate to his high school war stories. The Marsh is almost 5 years older than me. Which isn't alot by any means. But sometimes the three of them start talking about how awesome a song was and there I am with a glazed blank expression on my face. because I don't have a freaking clue what they're talking about. Then they all make fun of me for being young. and I make fun of them for being old.

and tonight after an emotionally trying week for Warren and Wendy we all got together and went out to eat at a nice little Italian place downtown for some good food and lots of laughs. Then they came back to our house with us and spent some time playing and laughing with my babes. and getting overly excited about 90s music. It was soo much fun. and I hope it helped Warren and Wendy cheer up a little bit. Everyone has their own problems in life. But these two are just the sweetest people ever. I wish I could take all of them away. But since I can't, I'm grateful that The Marsh and I were at least able to give them a fun night without any worries. and I know that they would do the same for us.

They are wonderful people. and even more wonderful friends. and I'm grateful for that.

Thanks for reading!

Lana

Geek Chic.

Today I am grateful to be just a little bit geeky.

or alot geeky depending on whom I'm talking to.

some people might even call me a nerd. and you know? I'm okay with that. In fact, I kinda think it adds to my awesome.

I spent so many years trying to be "cool". (and make no mistake, i AM cool). but I tried to be the "popular" cool. I wanted to fit in with the other kids so I didn't like what they didn't like. Cool girls don't like star trek. they don't own harry potter scarves or one simply doesn't quote lord of the rings.(did you see what I did there?) 

soo I guess I'm about as uncool as uncool gets. I love star trek. I'm sure you've noticed. because I mention Jim Kirk at least once a week. and I made my husband dress up like Mr. Spock for halloween.

heck yes i did.



Last night my dad gave me ten movies. all ten of them were star trek movies. and all I can think is i can't wait to start watching them all again. after I finish watching the original series from 1966. if i'm gonna be a geek, I gotta do this shit right.

I'm also completely in love with Harry Potter. but then again even alot of cool kids like harry potter. but do they like harry potter enough to own a slytherin scarf? hogwarts gloves? a harry potter quidditch baseball tshirt? a golden snitch pin? and yes, even a ginny weasley wand??? I'm not ashamed.

this way!!! the castle is this way!!

I went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in december and it's probably in my top 10 of greatest moments ever. or at least in the top 15. I totally geeked out. I could have bought even more stuff. I'm still mad at myself for not buying snape's wand, or the T-shirt that said potter on the back.....

and last but not least..the lord of the rings. oh yes. I can quote the lord of the rings.

this one I went into kicking and screaming. not because i thought I wouldn't like it. but because the orcs scared the fuck out of me. my four year old makes me look like a pus. he covers my eyes during  the scary parts. being able to quote the lord of the rings or at least being able to make references to it or understand references made about it made me realize how far into the dork kingdom I have fallen. I mean everyone loves star trek, but knowing all about the shire?? gah. I'm proud and ashamed all at once. or I was. now I'm just proud. and refer to Legolas as my BFF. we do yoga together. in my mind.

Sometimes when I'm talking to my friends or people from work I can see it. that look that says "wow, you're a nerd". some of my more blunt friends and co-workers just go ahead and say it. at first it kind of bothered me. I was all like "wha?? I'm not a nerd?? nerds wear glasses and talk about loser things like star wars (hehe) and red matter.

and then it happened. The Marsh and I were watching tv and this chick on some show asked someone if they have ever seen a star go supernova. it only happens every 50 years she explained. and then I said "unless you have red matter." and then I knew I too was a nerd. geek. whatever.

so now when people say it about me I just accept it. I'm okay with it. why? because I'm a fucking happy person. like annoyingly happy. The Marsh and I are adorable. The babes when they're not stabbing each other are adorable. and if you wanna call me a dork in between complaining about how unhappy you are, go ahead. I'm still gonna be happy even if you aren't.

I read this quote the other day (that I totally can't even handle relating to because it's freaking Jessica Simpson) that i loved..

 "I know who I am, and you kinda' can't mess with that. I'm a go-with-it girl. I have a blast makin' fun of myself and falling on my face and then getting up again, It's so much better than being the cool, deep, tortured artist."

Reading this quote made me grateful that I realized I didn't want to be the cool, deep, tortured artist. I just wanted to be me. geek chic and all.

Thanks for reading!

Lana