Friday, February 27, 2009

The Great Outdoors

Today we were supposed to be leaving for a 24 mile backpacking trip, but due to unforeseen circumstances (aka Hubby forgot he has a huge paper due NEXT Friday), we are postponing it.

BUT we are going on a bigger, much better one! It's a fair enough trade-off.

We are leaving Wednesday, March 18th to return on Sunday the 22nd. Which means Thu-Fri-Sat-Sun on the trail! Whoo! 50 miles of undeveloped goodness. I'm stoked. And this little speed bump gives me a couple more weeks to perfect my packing recipes, especially since we've added another 2 nights and days to the mix. Yeah, buddy- dehydrated goodness all the way.

I've never been on a real big backpacking trip before, which is why I'm so excited about going. Plus, the weather is gorgeous, and it's just nice to be outside. That, and we are kinda starting to begin training for the AT, which we plan on conquering after his Grad School and before I'm sucked into Med School. 

Life is grand.

This is Mr. Memnoch.

And this would be me trying to not clean my apartment.... Found out how to use the camera on Hubby's computer.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Yeah

You know those days that you just can't win? I'm there.

Edit:
My day just got a little better... No Doubt announced their tour dates, and are going to be IN TAMPA JUNE 2ND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAYAYAYAY!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Yay!

I've wanted a Polaroid camera for a while now, and I found one on Craig's List for cheaper than I could get shipped online, sooooo I bought it. And then I'm like "Crap! Film at CVS is WAAAY expensive!" So I went on eBay and found a great deal on it, but it's expired. The cool thing about it, though, is expired Polaroid film, provided it's not dried out, gives you unpredictable results and hues. Plus the seller had all positive ratings, and comments about the film, so I know it's not dried out. I'm so excited! I hope I get neat-o pictures with this. That would rock my socks off.

Speaking of socks, I started knitting a hat for a friend's birthday. It's not socks, but it's still neat. It's a really pretty neutral cotton yarn with little spots of pastel pinks and blues and purple on it. I love it. I may have to make myself something out of it, too. I also got my invite to Ravelry.com, and found a pattern for the most amazing bag, ever... so when I finally finish the 4 projects I have going (I have ADD) I can start on that. Good thing I have spring break coming up!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Giraffes and Picnics

Yay! I am going on a FABULOUS picnic tomorrow with a couple of my favorite people. And I get to try a *new* recipe! It's from Isa's Veganomicon, one of my favorite cookbooks, and even just book books. I'm making Chile and Cornmeal Crusted Tofu Po' Boys. With chipotle mayo and slaw and pickles and spicy brown mustard. And macaroni salad. I don't remember what it is officially called, but it has radishes and carrots and peas... oh my! And since I needed lemons anyways, fresh honey lemonade. Maybe with strawberries since I have some of those hanging around, too. Or blueberries... or why not both? I'm ridiculous.

And on a crafty note, I'm working on a scarf that is almost done. And a hat that is just freaking exhausting. And thanks to YouTube, I taught myself to crochet and am making a cute little Giraffe Amigurumi. I have the feeling it is just the start to a miniature crocheted cutesey army. We will have to see. 

That's all for now...

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Exciting?

I don't really have much to say except I got an ice cream maker and can now make all sorts of delicious vegan treats.

That is all.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Other side note...

It has recently come to my attention that knitting vegans/ vegan knitters are more common than you'd think.

Dreaming sucks sometimes.

I've been having a terrible time sleeping lately, and I think it's because of my dreams. They exhaust me! I have been having these incredibly intricate, involved dreams, and when I wake up I'm more tired than I was before I went to sleep. I wake up periodically through the night, as well- usually as a result of these dreams, although sometimes because my cats use me as a springboard to look out the damn window. I don't know what to think about it. I mean, not too long ago I used to have no dreams at all, and then I thought I was lacking. When I started dreaming again, I felt better, but now they've gotten progressively more disturbing and draining. Maybe it says something about my emotional and/or mental and/or spiritual well-being. I dunno. When I wake up I can remember them if I try right then, but then they're gone by the time I actually get out of bed and just leave this lasting feeling of unease for the rest of the day. I'm going to look into it and see if I can do anything about it.

On a side note, my upstairs neighbors walk louder than anyone I've ever heard in my life. I finally saw what they look like a few minutes ago, and they're not even big people. They just walk really, really big. Weird.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Big steps...

I made a decision this week and went through with it today. I'm scared- terrified, even. But I think I'm strong enough and have enough support from my friends and family to stay okay.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Oh, Valentine's Day...

So we went to the fair yesterday. That was pretty fun, actually. Saw the animals, saw a cow giving birth. Whoo hoo. Didn't stay super long because neither of us really care about the rides, so the only thing to do there is walk around and eat. Oh, and get harassed by the game peddler people. They're weird as all hell.

Today is V-day. Kinda uneventful. Drove around looking for a specific pair of sandals, but couldn't find them and now have to buy online. Blech. When we got home we went for a nice long walk.... walked from our apartment around by the water over at Northshore Park, and in a roundabout way ended up at Baywalk, and then the Globe. Walked home.

Now I'm formatting Steve's iPod and he is channel surfing. I talked to my Grandma, who has skin cancer, which I had been on her about last time I saw her. She had a spot on her nose that you could tell was not good. It was huge. So her solution was to put Listerine on it. She uses it as a damn cure-all. The spot "went away" aka the surface cells did, while the cancer continued to go deeper. So she had to have that taken off, and may have to have more after the tests come back.. Damnit Grams... she knows how aggressive melanoma can be. She talks about how she's getting so old, blah blah, but she's only 66- well, 67 in March. Seriously- Steve's grandmas are over 80, his mom is 56. They just take better care of themselves. Same with my mom. She is why I'm trying my damnedest to get healthy- I don't want my kids (when we have them) to have to worry as much as we worry about her. Heart problems at 41. C'mon, mom... she smokes at least a pack a day, doesn't really stick with any sort of health regimen. It worries me. Seriously. Plus, looking at what I'm genetically predisposed for, I'm scared shitless. Cancer, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure... sigh. I have a lot to look forward to if I don't get my buns in gear.

Speaking of which, I kicked major ass at the gym last night. Which is good because we had ice cream today as a Valentine's day/ hormone relief treat. I love Steve- he bribes me with sugar to get me to walk 4 miles lol. If that's what it takes....

That's about it for tonight. Night night, and Happy Valentine's Day! :)


Downtown...




His tractor is sexy...


Me and my cow look-alike.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Embarking on a long, strange journey

Hi world! Not that anyone actually reads this, but what ev. As of late, my life is completely beyond my wildest dreams. I'm in school, and excelling. I am in a healthy, loving relationship with THE most amazing man I've ever met. I live in a nice apartment that we can afford. I don't have debt collectors calling me daily. My bills are always paid on time. It's really pretty awesome.

I owe all of this to stopping drinking. I don't know if any of you are aware, but I had a serious problem with alcohol. It was pretty much ruining my life. I stood to lose everything, and decided to make a change. So I quit. Completely. It's been 74 days without a drink, and the obsession has completely vanished. When I first quit I had a really tough time. I lost "friends," which turned out to be just drinking buddies. It's hard when you realize you're alone. But I gained so much more- I have new friends, true friends who like me for who I am. I have a supportive family, who isn't ashamed of me and doesn't get drunken crazy phone calls from me or Steve anymore. I don't wake up in the morning not going how I got home, and wondering just how big of an ass I made of myself the night before (the fact that I made an ass of myself was pretty predictable, just to what caliber I didn't know). I quit smoking, except every once in awhile I have half of a cigarette, which I don't really count, and am working on quitting, too. It's crazy that eliminating one thing in my life has changed me so much. In addition to just the physical changes, I've noticed spiritual changes. I'm an all around better person. I don't lie or omit things anymore (which is just as bad as lying). I don't hold resentments- live and let live, dude. Seriously. I don't worry about what other people think of me, because that isn't what's important. I have a relationship with some sort of higher power- I'm not religious, mind you. That's just not me. But I've stopped denying what's inevitably out there, and it feels good to know that I'm NOT alone. I've stopped being selfish and have kinda discovered who I am, and why I'm here. It feels good to know that I'm not a bad person anymore. Amazing, actually- I just can't put into words the freedom I have now. 

That being said, it's time for me to get physically healthy. There's no reason not to. I already dedicate a portion of my day to school, and to staying clean, so what's another hour or so to better myself and my body? It's not that hard- I did it before, but went about it all wrong. I have to constantly remind myself that it's not a race. I have to take everything one day at a time, otherwise I will fail. Period. 

I'm proud of the person I've become, and know that I can do this, too.